For many people, perfect air in their homes is just as important as a well-functioning heating system or stable internet. Allergy sufferers, parents of small children and pet owners already know that simple ventilation nestHarmful particles, pollen and odors last longer than you might think. That's why I put the Levoit Vital 100S Smart in my kitchen (which also has two rabbits) for six weeks, a compact mid-range purifier that promises smart features, quiet operation and a HEPA H13 filter. How did it perform in real life and why might it be more interesting than many more expensive competitors?
First impression and construction
The Vital 100S resembles a smaller speaker. A white, elegantly rounded cabinet without cheap chrome trim. It weighs less than four kilograms, so it can be easily carried between rooms. Air is sucked in through a large U-shaped opening on the front, and the exhaust is directed upwards, where the touch panel is located. At the top you will find only six capacitive ionek, which respond quickly and display the selected function with dim LEDs. The construction does not creak anywhere and feels solid during normal handling. I appreciate the simple magnetic attachment of the filter cover, thanks to which you have the internal cartridge in your hand in five seconds.
Three-layer filtration
Levoit relies on a proven "pre-filter - HEPA - carbon" system. The first, washable layer catches larger dirt: hair, dust mites, fibers. Just vacuum or rinse it once every two to three weeks and you will save on new cartridges. The True HEPA H13 does the most work, which, according to laboratory tests, captures 99,97% of particles with a size of 0,3 µm. In practice, this means fine dust from traffic, pollen, mites or aerosol bacteria. The last layer, activated carbon with ARC Formula, neutralizes odors from cooking, cigarettes and cat litter and binds volatile organic compounds from cleaning products. Due to the absence of an ionizer or UV lamp, you do not have to worry about ozone or other side emissions.
Real performance in the apartment
The manufacturer states a CADR of 243 m³/h and a recommended area of 52 m². In my apartment, I mostly used the purifier in the kitchen (approx. 20 m²). In automatic mode, it ran most of the day at the lowest speed, when it was barely audible. However, while cooking or feeding the rabbits hay, the sensor went orange/red within a few minutes. This was followed by a sharp increase in flow and noise, but the dirt was gone very quickly.
Smart features and VeSync applications
The top grille has a built-in infrared PM2,5 sensor that measures fine particles in real time. Four colored LEDs (blue, green, orange, red) immediately tell you how the air is. VeSync mobile app (Android/iOS) then adds detailed monitoring: a PM2,5 progress graph, timer settings, fixed speed scheduling for individual blocks of the day, a reminder to clean the filter, and a special Pet Mode that alternates between medium and high speeds to effectively collect hair while saving energy. Thanks to Wi-Fi, it communicates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
VeSync also allows sharing the device between multiple users, so household members can control the purifier from their phones without having to go through complicated pairing procedures.
Noise and energy consumption
In QuietKEAP™ night mode, the noise drops to 23 dB – similar to the gentle rustle of leaves outside. On medium setting, the device produces around 37 dB and on turbo it reaches maxat least 52 dB, which is comparable to a regular desk fan. Power consumption of 32 W at the highest speed and only 7 W at the lowest means that operation even in 24/7 mode will not dramatically increase your electricity bill. Annual costs are in the order of hundreds of crowns. Thanks to this, the Vital 100S bears the ENERGY STAR logo.
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Night mode and lighting
In addition to reducing the speed, all LED indicators are dimmed in night mode. If even the dim backlight is disturbing your sleep, the lights can be turned off completely in the app. However, you can still tap the panel for a few seconds and quickly check the air quality information. No need to have your phone at hand.
Filter maintenance and costs
One of the biggest selling points of the purifier is the washable pre-filter. If you really rinse or vacuum it regularly, the main filter (HEPA + carbon) will last about a year. A replacement cartridge sells for around 800 CZK, which is acceptable. The replacement does not require any tools – just remove the magnetic cover, slide out the old filter and slide in the new one. The whole process takes no more than a minute.
Verdict: why Vital 100S makes sense
Within a few weeks, the Levoit Vital 100S Smart has become an inconspicuous but indispensable companion. In automatic mode, you won't know it's running most of the time, yet you'll notice that less dust settles and kitchen odors disappear faster. Owners of cats or other pets will appreciate the Pet Mode, while allergy sufferers will appreciate the E certification.CARF, which confirms measurable benefits for people with allergies and asthma. Thanks to HEPA H13, the purifier is also ready for smog situations and fine PM2,5 particles.
At a price point of around CZK 4, the Vital 500S offers a combination. Solid air flow, quiet night operation, smart features and simple one-button control. Add reasonable costs for filters and you get a very convincing package. If you are looking for an air purifier for an apartment or family house, the Levoit Vital 100S Smart is a choice you can't go wrong with. Its price is CZK 100.
