Indoor air quality has become a bigger priority for me over the last few years, especially with two pets, seasonal allergies, and the occasional cooking mishap. I’ve tested several air purifiers that promise (and deliver) quiet operation and efficient filtration, but the Sans Air Purifier caught my attention for its medical-grade HEPA 13 filter and the promise of surprisingly silent performance.

After running it continuously in my apartment, I found that it delivers the powerful purification I expected, and it never felt like another noisy appliance I want to turn off.

The Sans Air Purifier uses advanced filtration, and I can monitor air quality in real time.

I’ve tested a lot of air purifiers with three-stage filtration methods, like the Coway Airmega 100. The multi-layered approach involves a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter, and they all work in tandem to trap larger debris, microscopic particles, and gases/volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

What sets the Sans air purifier apart is the HEPA 13 filter, which is considered medical-grade. While basic True HEPA filters target 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns, H13 filters trap at least 99.95 percent of particles as small as 0.1 to 0.3 microns.

This is likely more purification than what a standard household needs, but for me, I appreciate having multiple methods of trapping common allergens like my cats’ fur and dander, and germs that are basically invisible to the naked eye.

I’ve benefitted from the air quality index (AQI) monitor, because I can see the level of contaminants in the air at any given time and view individual metrics based on particulate matter count. I’m able to view PM2.5, which is particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller, such as dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander, as well as PM10, which are slightly larger particles up to 10 microns, like coarser dust and mold spores.

My partner overcooked some pancakes recently, and our apartment was kind of smoky, and the PM2.5 display count skyrocketed to the 400s, when it’s usually in single digits (I’m talking 003). With this information, I kicked up the fan speed from low to high, and it only took about an hour for that lingering burning smell and haze to disappear and the particle count to drop back to its typical level.

I can hardly hear the air purifier on its lowest setting.

I run my air purifier all day, every day, so I need a unit that blends in with the usual hum from the rest of my home appliances. I was genuinely shocked by how quiet the Sans Air Purifier is on its lowest fan setting. Even when I was standing next to it, I questioned whether or not it was actually running at first.

There are low, medium, and high fan speed options that are manually adjustable, as well as an auto mode. I typically just keep my unit running on low, but I lean on the auto setting when I’m cooking or have the windows open, since the air quality tends to fluctuate more frequently in these conditions.

The higher fan speeds are louder, but you typically don’t need to run the fan at this rate unless you’re dealing with a significant amount of dust, smoke, pet hair, or other common allergens.

It works well for large spaces.

The Sans Air Purifier is able to purify spaces up to 1,854 square feet in an hour. I live in a one-bedroom apartment that is less than 900 square feet, so it has more than enough power to clean the air in my living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. I keep the unit in a central area with plenty of clearance around it so nothing is blocking the air intake.

Filter replacement may be a concern in the long term.

Sans recommends replacing the internal filter every three months. The general suggestion for air purifiers is every six to twelve months. The cost of replacement filters for this unit may stack up quickly, especially if you live in an environment with shedding pets, wildfire smoke, high pollution, or dust, causing the filters to clog and wear faster.

There is an indicator light on the Sans unit that lets you know when it’s time for a replacement, so it may not be every three months to a T, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Is the Sans Air Purifier Worth It?

The Sans Air Purifier is a great fit if you’re looking for large-room, high-efficiency air purification without throwing another noisy appliance into the mix. The three-stage filtration system is effective for capturing large, fine, and microscopic particles, and automatic air-quality sensing allows you to keep tabs on conditions in real time. The low fan speed is virtually silent, so it’s able to run all day and even when I’m sleeping.

If you’re trying to be more budget-conscious and don’t want to deal with potentially more frequent filter replacements, I recommend opting for a model that has a washable pre-filter, like the Levoit Vital 200S-P. You won’t get the same medical-grade filtration as the Sans, but you might be able to go longer between filters.

Buy the Sans Air Purifier