Why do you need an air purifier? Allergies or asthma? Bad odors? Pet hair? Smoke from cigarettes or wildfires?
New in 2020, the Okaysou AirMax 8L is an excellent air purifier that can deal with all of these problems.
More...
And, the inclusion of a medical grade True HEPA filter in its multi-layer filtration system takes it a step above other similar models in the same price range.
How does it work? Does it perform well? Where can I get one of these?
I've done the research and tried it out in my home, so I can answer those questions and more.
My goal in this review is to give you all the details you need to make an informed decision.
You can click on a specific topic or question in the quick navigation below, or scroll on down to read the whole review.
Just want to know the price? Click here to do a quick check at Amazon.
What are the features of the Okaysou AirMax8L Air Purifier?
5 Stage Filtration
The AirMax8L uses five layers of filtration to clean a variety of impurities from your air.
Let's take a look at those five stages and what each one does.
Pre-filter and HEPA filter
Antimicrobial filter
Carbon filter
Cold catalyst filter
Suggested Reading: What is cold catalyst? Characteristics of cold catalyst (Olansi Group)
Control Panel with LED Display
This air purifier has a simple user interface.
The controls are located on top of the unit, and the buttons are brightly lit, easy to read, and super responsive.
You can't dim the lights or turn them off when it's running, except when you're in sleep mode, which is the lowest speed. So, if you want to run it on a higher speed at night, and the lights bother you, you're out of luck.
Since the output is also on top, it's not a good idea to try to cover the lights, unless you're very careful. You don't want to interfere with the airflow.
3 Fan Speeds
Select from low, medium or high speeds to circulate the air at the speed you prefer.
When you turn on the machine, it'll remember the speed setting from the last time you used it, as long as you don't unplug it.
Sleep Mode
In sleep mode, the fan runs on the lowest speed, and the display lights turn off.
Sleep mode in other models I've reviewed turn the fan down even lower, but this one doesn't.
Timer
You can set the timer on the AirMax8L to run for 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours, at any speed. When the time's up, it'll turn off by itself.
This is a nice feature because sometimes you don't need to have it running all day long. It'll also help save money on your electric bill.
There's one annoyance with this, and it's that when it shuts down, it makes a little electronic sound. If you're a light sleeper like I am, it might wake you up if you had set it to turn off while you're sleeping.
Check Filter Indicator
A filter replacement indicator will light up on the display to tell you when it's time to change the filters.
It's possible that you might be able to vacuum the dust and hair off the filter and get a little more life out of it. If you do try to clean it off, you should reset the filter indicator. If it lights up again, then you'll definitely want to go ahead and replace it.
Child Lock Button
To prevent children from playing with the buttons and changing the settings, just press the child lock button. The controls will be locked until you disable it by pressing and holding the button for three seconds.
The child lock doesn't keep kids from dropping small objects down through the vents on top, though. So you'll still want to keep an eye on it or put it out of reach.
What size room will it cover?
The AirMax8L works best in areas up to 500 square feet.
So, it's ideal for a family room, kitchen, large bedroom, or office. And, it'll work best if you can have it in a closed in area, rather than a large open space.
Now, the box that my AirMax 8L came in says, "Air changes 1.5x per hour in rooms up to 800 square feet." I suppose you could use it in a room that big, but at that low of an air exchange rate, it's not going to do a whole lot of good.
How loud is it?
According to the technical specs, the noise level is 22dB to 51dB.
Let me translate that.
On the quiet end, it's like a whisper, and on the highest speed, it's like a moderate rainfall or a normal conversation.
The lowest speed is quiet, but not as quiet as some other air purifiers I've tried. It's not likely to disturb your sleep at all.
On high, it's loud, but not annoying. It won't interfere with conversation, but you wouldn't want it next to you while you're watching tv.
What is the CADR?
According to Okaysou, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for the AirMax8L is 125 cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Now, this is not a true CADR.
First of all, the CADR rating is not just a number that manufacturers can put out there. It's a program, administered by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), in which air purifiers' performance is tested and rated.
If a product has been rated by AHAM, there will be an AHAM Verified seal on the box, and the manufacturer and model will be listed in the AHAM directory. Neither is true for the Okaysou AirMax8L.
This doesn't mean that the Okaysou doesn't perform well.
It just means that it hasn't received the rating, and that makes it harder to do a side by side comparison with other brands that do have the rating.
Also, a true CADR rating always has three numbers that indicate the filter's ability to remove dust, smoke and pollen. You'll see it displayed as something like 190/200/180.
So, when Okaysou says the CADR is 125 CFM, we can't know precisely what that means. It does give us a sense of how much air moves through the unit, though. And, compared to other CADR listed brands that cover the same size area, the number is not all that great.
This is an indicator, to me, that it's best used in a smaller area, not a 500 to 800 square foot room.
Visit AHAM Verified for more consumer information about AHAM and the CADR.
How many air changes per hour?
The air exchange rate (ACH) tells you how many times the per hour the air in a room is replaced. Of course, the higher the number, the better.
According the the manufacturer, the ACH is:
- 3 times per hour in a 500 square foot room
- 5 times per hour in a 320 square foot room
Again, more indication that the performance will be better in a medium size room than a large room.
Can it remove mold spores from the air?
Yes, it can.
Since mold spores are 3 to 100 microns in diameter, the medical grade HEPA filter is able to block the spores as they pass through.
Of course, this doesn't prevent mold from growing in a damp location. That's a different issue.
If you have mold growth in your house, you need to find the source and fix the problem.
But it will keep down the number of spores circulating in the air, which is a big help for people with mold allergies.
Does the AirMax8L produce ozone?
No, it does not produce ozone.
Some air purifiers using ionic air purification or UV-C lights produce ozone. This model doesn't use either of those technologies.
So, if you have a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD, you won't have to worry about this air purifier making you worse.
What is the airflow pattern?
The air is pulled in through the large vent area on the back of the machine. It travels through the filters and is forced out the vents on top.
Because the intake is on the back, you need to keep it at least 20 inches away from the wall, curtains, and furniture.
If you want it closer to the wall, you could turn it around to the back is facing the room. Just be aware that the cord comes out from the back, so there's no hiding it. And, it might not circulate the fresh air as well as if it were further out from the wall.
How long do the filters last?
On average, the filters last about 6 to 8 months, depending on how much you use it and how dirty your air is.
Replacing them is simple. Just take the back cover off, pull the old ones out, stick in the new ones, and replace the cover. You should also reset the indicator.
Generally, you can wait until the check filter indicator light turns on to replace them. But if there's a lot of dirt on them or they start to smell bad, you should go ahead and change them, even if the light hasn't come on.
On the flip side, if it seems like the light came on way too soon, you can try vacuuming them off and putting them back in.
Be sure to reset the indicator if you do that.
There are two separate filter elements, and both should be replaced at the same time. I suggest not waiting until the last minute to buy them.
Here's what you need:
Ultra filter (pre-filter, HEPA, and microbial combination), P/N B07KC81LCN Check price and availability at Amazon here.
Duo-filter (activated carbon and cold catalyst), P/N B07KCBGRS2
Check price and availability at Amazon here.
Duo-filter on the left; Ultra filter on the right
What are the dimensions?
The AirMax8L measures 12.9 x 7.1 x 19.4 inches, and it weighs 13.75 pounds.
It's not small, but it's not the biggest air purifier I've ever seen, either. And it's easy to move from place to place since it doesn't weigh much, and it has built-in handles.
And, in case you're wondering - the power cord is five feet long, so it shouldn't be hard to find a place to put the unit.
Here you can see one of the carrying handles.
What certifications does it have?
The Okaysou AirMax8L has the following certifications:
Where is it made?
It's made in China.
What's included?
Here's what comes in the box:
- air purifier
- one Ultra filter (first three stages)
- one Duo filter (stages four and five)
- user instructions
Where can I buy the AirMax8L?
You don't have many choices of where to buy it because it's fairly new. There may be more retailers carrying it in the future.
You can check the availability and price at Amazon by clicking here.
Another option is to buy it directly from Okaysou. One advantage of buying it there is that you have more payment options, like PayPal. Click here to go to Okaysou.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes! You get a five year warranty and lifetime customer support.
There's also a 30 day money back guarantee for any reason, as long as it's not damaged.
What are the pros and cons?
Here's the list, based on my experience and online consumer reviews. Overall, there are a lot more pros than cons, and the cons are more or less small annoyances rather than glaring defects.
Okaysou AirMax 8L Pros and Cons
What People Like
Don't Like So Much
Verdict: Surprisingly Good
The AirMax 8L does a great job of cleaning the air at an affordable price.
I've used it for cooking odors, stinky bathroom smells, and strong chemical fumes. In each case, it made the air smell fresh and clean again in a reasonably short time. It works best in closed rooms, but it can work in open areas, too. Just don't expect instant results.
A big plus for this model is the medical grade HEPA filter, which can help allergy sufferers breathe easier, especially at night. That's not something you typically find in air purifiers at this price point.
And if you're a pet owner, you'll love how it helps keep down the hair and gets rid of those gross smells that go with the territory.
Combine these features with a five year warranty, and you really can't go wrong. Give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Ready to shop for the Okaysou AirMax 8L?
To learn more about some other brands of air purifiers, please see Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Home and Office.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free Okaysou AirMax8L air purifier in return for my honest review. I have not - nor will I - receive monetary compensation from Okaysou for this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the manufacturer and/or its affiliates, in any way.
Last Updated on April 8, 2022
Your reviews are so thorough and helpful. Especially interested in water filters (pitcher and counter-top) and air filters. Can you tell me if Propur has any connection to Pur filters? Thanks so very much.
Hi Lillian! No, they’re two separate companies.