By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: September 09, 2023

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review: Compact Size, Impressive Functionality

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By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: September 09, 2023
HVACLifehack.com is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Ideal for
  • People looking for a minimal yet stylish air purifier.
  • Homes with low maintenance budgets.
  • People that are sensitive to high noise levels.
  • People that are looking for a simple air purifier that will get the job done.
Highlights
  • Great performance for a low price tag.
  • Washable and innovative pre-filters.
  • Small compact design that’s aesthetically pleasing.
  • Variety of colors to choose from.
Editor's Rating
?
HVACLifehack.com is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It aggregates all the scores given to a product in various aspects including the individual product’s features evaluation given by each expert independently, its customers’ feedback rank, and sales rank.
9,4
out of 10
  • Air cleaning
    9.1
  • Noise
    9.5
  • Ease of Use
    9.7
  • Durability
    9.3
Users’ Rating
4.1
out of 5
62 Users’ Rating
rating rating rating rating rating
rating
rating rating rating rating rating
4.1
out of
5
62 Users’ Rating
  • 5 stars
    31%
  • 4 stars
    52%
  • 3 stars
    13%
  • 2 stars
    5%
  • 1 stars
    0%
Add your rating:

Blueair is one of the few global companies with high-quality and affordable air purifiers. Their founder is from Sweden, but that has not stopped them from supplying their products in over 60 countries. The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier is a beast with a less than $150 price tag. We were looking for a low-end air purifier that would get the job done, and we were not disappointed. This model has everything we hoped for and more. It is small, discrete, attractive, and highly efficient.  This Blueair Blue Pure 411 review is an unbiased account of our experience with this air purifier. Read this before you make a purchase!

Specifications

Cleaning stages
3
Coverage area
190 ft²
Fan speeds
3
Filter type
Pre-filter, HEPA, and activated carbon combination filter
ACH
4.8
Noise level
17 - 46 dB(A)
Dimensions
16.7 x 8 x 8 in
Weight
5.3 lbs.
Warranty
Up to 5 years

Review

When you buy entry-level air purifiers, you often expect low-performance capabilities. Some models come with few functionalities and only focus on aesthetics, while others are effective but are unattractive. The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier is proof that even low-end models can get the job done. When we were buying this device, we were highly skeptical. How much purification could this model do with a $119 price tag? Well. We have to admit that we were pleasantly surprised. For such a small air purifier, its functionality was highly impressive. If you enjoy minimalism with excellent core functionalities but don’t want to break the bank, you’re going to love this air purifier.

Overall performance

For such a low price tag, the Blue Pure 411 model is stylish and minimalistic enough to fit in various environments. It will likely complement your existing home decor. The small compact size makes it portable, and you can easily move it from one room to another and place it on top of your furniture without tipping off.

This air purifier has been designed for small rooms, so it will make a great addition to your home office or guest bedroom. It also has a low noise level which means that you can use it in your baby’s nursery without worrying that it will wake them up.

The Blue Pure 411 has a high air change per hour and a remarkable CADR rating which adds more to its appeal.

Overall, we were impressed by how well the manufacturer managed to balance out aesthetics and functionality without inflating the price tag.

Design

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review: Compact Size, Impressive Functionality
Blue Pure 411 is available in attractive Diva Blue, Dark Shadow, Lunar Rock, Crystal Pink, and Buff Yellow colors

Most people tend to overlook the design when buying a new air purifier, but the truth is that aesthetics are highly important. Yes, you want a device that can clean the air in your room within a short time but are you willing to compromise on its looks? Do you want to have an eyesore right in your living room? The thing about air purifiers is that you can’t simply hide them. They have to be out in the open so that they can clean as much air as possible.

The design of the Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 is part of why we fell in love with it. It comes in a small but cute cylindrical design that has a Bluetooth speaker vibe. The best part is that it is available in various colors, so you can match it to your interior decor. Most air purifiers are usually available in black or white, but you can also get this model in wild colors such as Diva Blue and Dark Shadow by default. You can also place custom orders for other colors, including Lunar Rock, Crystal Pink, and Buff Yellow.

The most exciting part is that the fabric pre-filters come in the same color as the air purifier. For instance, if you order a black and white model, it will come with a black fabric filter. Blueair really went out when it came to the design, and we absolutely loved it!

Filtration technology and filter types

Filtration technology is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental aspects of an air purifier. According to NBC News Trusted Source How to pick the best air purifiers in 2021, according to experts Learn more about air purifiers and how it may reduce the spread of Covid. See what to consider before buying one. Shop Amazon, Walmart and more. www.nbcnews.com , you should go for air purifiers with efficient filtration systems for the best results. Air quality, especially in homes, has become the center of attention for health experts, and it’s not hard to see why. Air pollution is now a global crisis, and the sad reality is that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. Even more concerning is the fact that according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Trusted Source The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality | US EPA While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution. www.epa.gov we spend more than 90% of our time indoors.

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier comes with the typical 3-stage filtration technology that includes:

  • Pre-filter: the pre-filter traps large particles in the air, including pet dander and dust, thus preventing them from clogging the main filter. This then enhances the durability of the filters, which means you don’t have to replace them often. One of the aspects that we loved about the Blue Pure 411s pre-filter is that it is placed on the outside of the device. While this is highly unconventional, it also makes it easy for you to monitor it so that you can clean it when it becomes dirty. The pre-filter on this device is also unique in that you can buy it in various colors to match it to the style of the room.
  • Particle filter: it’s important to note that this air purifier doesn’t come with a true HEPA filter. It, however, runs on a polypropylene fibers filter that has been tested and can trap up to 99% of all allergens, including fungi, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.
  • Activated carbon filter: this filter helps absorb bad odor from the kitchen or bad pet smells. It’s inside the particle filter and is also effective when it comes to VOCs, smoke, and gases. You should, however, note that instead of activated carbon pellets, this air purifier uses a fibrous carbon filter.

    Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review: Compact Size, Impressive Functionality
    The 3-stage filtration includes HEPASilent technology that provides an effective air cleaning

It’s easy to despise this air purifier based on the filtration technology but don’t be too quick to judge. The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier runs on HEPASilent technology that integrates both mechanical and electrostatic filtration to efficiently clean your air.

The filtration material is, however, not one of the best, but it can match other purifiers within the same price range.

Coverage area

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier has a coverage area of 190 ft2 which is not enough for large rooms. It’s, however, perfect for your home office, the guest bedroom, or a nursery. You can also use it in hallways and parlors. We advise that you refrain from using it in the kitchen, especially if you do a lot of heavy cooking. The high amounts of smoke and oil fumes will clog the filters quickly, reducing the purifier’s efficiency.

Fan speeds

Here’s one thing most people don’t get; it’s not always about the filters. It’s mostly about the volume of air that the air purifier can clean within a set period of time, and the fan speeds have a lot to do with this.

This air purifier has 3 fan speeds that are very quiet, and you should set them based on the air quality of your home. For instance, if there are high amounts of pollutants in the atmosphere, you should set it to the highest settings while the low setting should be reserved for low levels of air pollution.

The fans help circulate the air inside a room, so when you use a high setting, clean air is supplied faster.

Air changes per hour (ACH)

Blueair is known for manufacturing powerful air purifiers, and the Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier has an ACH rating of 4.8. ACH is one of the most important aspects of an air purifier but is, unfortunately, one of the most misunderstood. It’s a measure of how many times the device can filter all the air in a room. For instance, the coverage area of the Blue Pure 411 is 190 ft2. The ACH rating means that it can clean out all the air in such a room 4.8 times within an hour.

The CADR rating, on the other hand, is a measure of how many contaminants are eliminated within a certain volume of air. This air purifier has a CADR rating of 120 Dust/ 105 Smoke/ 120 Pollen (cfm). For an air purifier this size, this rating is pretty powerful.

Dimensions and weight

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review: Compact Size, Impressive Functionality
Even though the air purifier doesn’t have a carrying handle, its light weight and small size make this model portable enough

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier only measures 3.35 lb. making it one of the most lightweight devices in the market. It doesn’t come with a handle, but this does not affect its portability as you can take it from one room to another with ease. This air purifier also has small dimensions (16.7 x 8 x 8 inches) that make it possible for you to place it on elevated areas, including the table, work desk, and cabinets.

We recommend that you refrain from putting it against walls as this may restrict airflow.

Noise level

The main function of a purifier is to move air which means that it’ll always produce noise. Most modern purifiers are often advertised as near-silent, which means that the noise they make is not as distracting. This is especially true for small models like the Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier.

Air purifier noise is assessed in terms of decibels. The highest fan speed setting usually has the highest noise range so pay close attention to the amount of noise it produces. The lowest fan speed setting produces the lowest noise. You shouldn’t neglect this noise range as you’ll most likely use it when you’re going to bed. You need to determine whether it’s quiet enough for you to go to sleep without being distracted.

The Blue Pure 411 only produces 46 decibels at the highest fan speed setting and 17 decibels at the lowest.

Generally, anything under 45 decibels is considered to be quiet, so this device is within the desired noise level. For reference, 44 decibels is the quiet level of a bird call, while 20 decibels is the sound of a whisper.

Connectivity

Modern air purifiers come with smart connectivity or wifi-enabled functions for convenience. Smart connectivity allows you to control the purifier using your phone. This allows you to adjust the settings of the air purifier at the comfort of your bed or couch without having to turn it on or off.

One of the elements we didn’t like about the Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier is that it doesn’t have wifi connectivity. Every time we needed to adjust the settings, we had to manually do it on the device.  On the plus side, this purifier starts working as soon as it’s plugged into the socket.

Controls

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier has a one-button design. While this means that you don’t have to deal with multiple knobs and buttons, it makes it difficult to operate the device because you have to press the same button multiple times to adjust the settings. For instance, to change from the lowest fan setting to the highest, you need to press the button 3 times.

This purifier also lacks an auto mode, which is highly inconvenient. Air purifiers that have this mode use automatic sensors to determine the air quality of your home. Based on the results, they then change the fan settings to clean up the air. This reduces power consumption because the purifier runs on a high-efficiency model. For instance, when the number of pollutants in the air is minimal, it automatically sets the fan to the lowest setting.

You have to manually set the fan speed for the Blue Pure 41 model. This means that even if there’s a high number of pollutants in the air and you have set the fan speed to the lowest level, it will remain this way until you change it. The good news is that we found a workaround for this, especially when you’re going to bed. Turn the fan speed to the highest level at least 30 minutes before you go to bed, and then set it to the lowest settings when you go to sleep.

Sensors

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review: Compact Size, Impressive Functionality
Built-in LED system allows efficient control over the air quality and the purifier’s functionality

The Blue Pure 411 model comes with an easy filter change which is a built-in LED system. This light glows red when the filter is clogged and needs replacement.

This purifier also has an automatic light dim feature, which is like the sleep mode of other models. The LED lights dim to 10% after 7 seconds of darkness to ensure you have an undisrupted sleep.

Eco Mode

One of the major concerns people often have when buying air purifiers is power consumption. This is a legitimate worry, seeing as these devices often run 24/7. However, air purifiers rarely consume a lot of energy, and the Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 model only uses about 10 watts per day when running at full fan speed and 1.5 watts for the low-speed option, which is lower than the power consumption of a bulb.

If you use this air purifier for around 8 hours a day, you’ll only incur about $7 annually.

Warranty

This device has a 5-year limited warranty which is pretty impressive for an air purifier that size. Part of the warranty conditions for this device include;

  • Operating it based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Using it within the US. Warranty is voided as soon as it leaves the country.
  • It’s non-transferable, so to enjoy the warranty, you have to be the original owner.
  • There shouldn’t be evidence of tampering, mishandling, or neglect of the device.
  • You should replace the filters with legitimate Blueair replacement filters.

All defects in workmanship or material are covered by a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase. If you notice a defect in the air purifier within 1 year, the manufacturer will exchange the defective device with a new one as long as you have proof of purchase. They also cover the shipping fees, so you’ll not incur any charges.

If you notice defects after one year, the manufacturer will provide you with repair services, but you’ll incur shipping costs.

Price

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier has one of the lowest price tags in the market. It’s available on their website for $119. Despite being an entry-level device, it has a couple of high-end components.

Maintenance

The only level of maintenance this air purifier requires is the replacement of the filters every 6 months. The replacement process is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself.

Metallic version

The Blueair Classic Blue Pure 411 air purifier also has a metallic filter housing version. This will cost you an additional $20, which is a great investment. The metal protects the plastic components, enhancing the durability of your device. This is the only additional feature this air purifier has, so if you’re looking for a model with a luxurious feel to it, then this device is not for you.

PROS CONS
  • Very affordable.
  • Highly compact and portable.
  • Has a near-silent operation.
  • It only uses about 10 watts of electricity.
  • It comes with a washable and recyclable pre-filter.
  • It’s available in a variety of color combinations.
  • It has a small and minimalistic design.
  • It has an impressive ACH and CADR rating.
  • It’s available in a metallic casing version.
  • For such a price tag, it’s well built.
  • It doesn’t have wifi connectivity or remote controls.
  • It lacks a timer and an auto mode.
  • The filter is of low quality.

FAQ

How often should I clean the pre-filter?

The manufacturer hasn’t set a definite time limit for the pre-filter cleaning, but you should do it as often as you’d like. Since it’s a washable fabric, don’t wait until the dust is visible. If it requires a deep and though clean, you can use a washing machine but make sure you set it on a low, gentle cycle. For normal cleaning, you can use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of all the dust and debris buildup.

How should I reset the red filter indicator?

When the filter requires replacement, the LED indicator turns red to notify you that it’s time to make a change. Once you replace the filter, press the LED button for at least 10 seconds, and this will rest it.

The LED light has turned yellow. Why is this happening?

Before the LED light sensor turns red, it first turns yellow to notify you that it’s almost time to replace the filter. This often occurs after around 5 months of operation, and then one month later, it changes to red to let you know that it’s time to change the filter.

How should I register for my warranty?

Registering your limited warranty extends it from one to two years and can easily be done on your account. Simply navigate to the ‘My Units’ section and complete the device registration. This should be done within 60 days from the date of purchase. You can also register your warranty through the manufacturer’s mobile app.

Conclusion

When it comes to entry-level air purifiers, you often have to forego one important element for another. For example, you may have to use a poorly designed device that’s functional or settle for an aesthetically pleasing purifier with limited functionality. This Blueair Blue Pure 411 Review, however, proves that it’s possible to combine both elements without breaking the bank. The only elements you have to forego are the luxurious aspects, including wifi connectivity and auto mode, but this is a small price to pay.

References

1.
How to pick the best air purifiers in 2021, according to experts
Learn more about air purifiers and how it may reduce the spread of Covid. See what to consider before buying one. Shop Amazon, Walmart and more.
2.
The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality | US EPA
While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution.
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