At the top fan speed setting, the noise levels rise to 56 dB which is not ideal. Granted, the smaller Alen BreatheSmart FLEX also has 55 dB noise levels at Turbo Speed but the new 45i and 75i models have managed to reduce that number to 49 dB, a considerable difference. Noise is based in instrument measurements with the model running at a low speed. The lowest speed may provide even quieter operation but will not be as effective at cleaning the air. Even though some manufacturers use buzzwords like “Whisper quiet” and “near silent,” air purifiers move air through their filters using a fan that is powered by a motor. Once you select an individual device, you can access its controls and data.
We then chose the BreatheSmart 45i, which was, again, very impressive. So we had to check the BreatheSmart Flex to see if Alen could keep up this streak (spoiler alert…it did). In the short-term the cost of Alen BreatheSmart Classic might appear quite high but the important part – the long-term cost – is minimal.
The Alen® BreatheSmart Classic is a great value with coverage up to 1,100 square feet and all the steadfast power, noise reduction and efficiency of its big brother, the 75i. The Classic’s 3-color rings with laser sensor technology continuously monitor your lasko pedestal fans air quality. Alen’s signature color ring signals what it’s sensors are detecting in your UtopiairTM. But the same things that make it a tough sell for home users—its size, its app, its hefty asking price—suggest it’s more suited for commercial environments.
The more activated carbon a filter contains, the more contaminants it can remove. The 45i is lighter, so it is easier to move, but they both feature a flat, removable front panel held on with magnets, curved edges and measure up the same size. To the untrained eye, you would never be able to tell the difference. We try to keep up with sales for every air purifier we review; Alen BreatheSmart Classic sales included. While the new flagship 45i and 75i models achieved the super quiet operation (below 50 dB), the Classic doesn’t share the same noise profile.
Alen BreatheSmart Classic was created as a large bedroom air purifier. It should be quiet as a mouse; high noise levels and sleeping don’t go well together. CADR scale goes from 0 to 450, with an approximated 200 average for a standard air purifier. In short, they are brilliant even at removing the smallest air particulates such as small dust particles, smoke particles, pollen, mold, mold spores, certain bacteria, and so on. Only Alen combines advanced filtration technology with increased motor power for maximum airflow and minimal noise.
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.
Space inside the filter gets smaller as more and more pollutants become trapped, making the filter less effective. Both units performed well in our performance testing room, with the 45i clearing all of our simulated contaminants from the air in 33 minutes and the Flex alen breathesmart in 34 minutes. If you’ve read a review on HouseFresh before, you’ll know that we test every air quality product we recommend in our own home lab. The 45i may have been faster by one minute, but the Flex has a lower CADR, so it worked much harder to get its result.
Put the FLEX to work cleaning up to 700 square feet of air every 30 minutes. Add a customizable filter for your specific needs in each space, and you’ve got pure air, everywhere. We’ve calculated this using the B4-Fresh filter, which we recommend for most household pollutants.
Both units have four fan speeds, including T for Turbo, so you would expect that they would emit the same amount of noise. But the Flex is ever so slightly louder than the 45i on paper, though we doubt you’d notice the difference with them running side by side. Every unit we review goes through the same performance tests where we fill our office (705 cubic ft) with simulated pollutants.
When we look at the data side by side from the Flex and 45i, it becomes clear how close they are in cleaning performance. With only a minute between them, the Flex works harder than the 45i to match its results. You probably won’t be able to tell the difference in a smaller room. When you first unbox your Alen air purifier, be sure to remove the plastic packaging from the filter before you start using the unit.