This unbeatable combination allows for whisper quiet removal of particulate matter, even on the highest setting, 24/7. The biggest difference between the features on the 45i and Flex is that the 45i comes with an auto mode. This uses the same air quality information from its sensor to adjunct the fan to suit the amount of pollutants in the air. The cost of replacement filters is the true cost of any air purifier. Some companies do have a ridiculously low price of the air purifier itself because they earn money on the replacement filters. This indicates at what fan speed setting you should run the Classic large air purifier.
The difference in energy costs between the Flex and 45i is very noticeable. The annual cost of running the 45i can come to double what it costs to run the Flex, meaning it’s a hell of a lot more energy efficient. For all you tech heads out there, Alen has developed their own BreatheSmart smartphone app that connects to your unit through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
For an air purifier of this size and cost, we expected to see these two units give us a time of around 30 minutes, but we didn’t predict the difference to be so minimal. What differentiates these two air purifiers from many other models is that you can choose from five different variations of H13 HEPA filters to customize your unit to your needs and wants. As the 45i and Flex were so similar in size, we wanted to pit them against each other. This guide compares their test results, specifications, design, controls, filters, performance, sound and running costs to see which unit best suits your needs and budget. Known for their simple yet elegant designs and heavy-duty filters, Alen air purifiers are extremely popular and trusted throughout the world.
Choose from five high quality finishes in warm oak, weathered gray, brushed stainless, graphite and espresso. While I still wouldn’t call the app intuitive, it does provide pretty seamless alen breathesmart operation of the 75i once you get your bearings. And Alen says more improvements are coming, including the ability for users to create custom schedules for their purifiers.
Once connected, the app allows you to monitor the air quality in your room and control the unit settings from anywhere in the world. When it comes to the control panel, the winner has to be the 45i thanks to its extra features, including an auto mode, ionizer and display brightness control. Alen BreatheSmart air purifiers do have a premium price tag, and the Classic model is not exempt. BreatheSmart is, after all, the best-of-the-best air purifier series in the world. The Classic model will, as a result of its filtration of indoor air, increase the air quality to standard quality (yellow light) and finally to healthy air quality (blue light).
This is called CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) to show us how effective an air purifier is at its job. When it comes to design and filters, both units are almost identical. They have the H13 HEPA main filter that may cost about $100 but needs to be changed only once per year. With other air purifiers, you’re looking at 3-5 filter replacements per year, and a total cost of about $300. On top of that, Alen is the first air purifier brand to introduce a lifetime warranty. By buying the Alen BreatheSmart Classic, you’re playing it safe; the warranty covers all the problems you may have.
Alen shows they mean business by only including heavy-duty, thick H13 (medical grade) HEPA filters with activated carbon pellets in their units. The 45i boasts a higher CADR at 245 CFM whilst the Flex falls slightly behind at 225 CFM. But, alen breathesmart when we put these two units through our performance tests, that extra 20 CFM only translated to one-minute difference to clean the contaminants from our room. When we compare two units side-by-side, we first look at their cleaning power.
This shows that the Flex is working harder overall as it has a lower CADR of 225 CFM compared to the 45i, which has 245 CFM. Seven touch-sensitive round buttons are placed along the black glossy top of the 45i to adjust its settings. When it comes to the design aesthetics, it’s a draw as these two both look virtually identical. Let’s do a simple calculation to figure out how much electricity will the Classic model need.