For consumers, it's not necessary to know the dull specifics of standards; simply understanding that "the higher the HEPA level, the higher the purification efficiency" is sufficient.
Therefore, when purchasing an air purifier, considering the filter level as a factor can help in better discerning the performance of the purifier and in buying high-quality air purification products. Market research indicates that currently, HEPA levels 12 and 13 are the standard configurations for premium purifiers, and there are no air purifiers utilizing HEPA filters above level 13.
The new national standard will become the most rational purchasing basis for consumers.
China's national standard for air purifiers, GB/T18801-2015, was released last September and officially implemented in March this year. Consequently, all air purifiers sold domestically should undergo rigorous testing according to national standards.
This standard provides consumers with multiple metrics for purchasing decisions, such as Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), Cumulative Purification Volume (CCM), applicable area, purification efficiency, and noise limits. The Clean Air Delivery Rate indicates the volume of air that can be purified per hour; a larger value indicates better purification speed and effectiveness, which is closer to reality than the HEPA level; with CADR as a core metric, the derived applicable area also serves as a straightforward purchasing parameter; meanwhile, the cumulative purification volume reflects the lifespan of the filter material, and a higher CCM value indicates better cost performance when comparing products of the same price range.
Taking the LIFAair LA500 air purifier as an example, after authoritative testing by the China Household Electrical Appliances Research Institute, it shows a CADR value of 450m3/h for particulate matter and a CADR of 137m3/h for formaldehyde, both of which far exceed the top standards set by the new national regulations. The included H-12 level HEPA filter has also become an important guarantee for "smog removal" performance, making it a reliable purchase for consumers.