Blueair 480i Air Purifier

The Blueair 480i air purifier is part of the ‘New Classic’ range of air purifiers released by Blueair, it is the follow up model to the popular 450E. As such, the Blueair 480i has an improved airflow rate of up to 20% when compared to the previous model. This has resulted in an increased airflow rate of 595 m3/h on the highest fan speed setting, compared to the 475 m3/h of the 450E. The filtration technology used, size, weight and overall look of the unit is exactly the same.

The new features of the Blueair 480i, is its Wi-Fi connectablility, which enable you to connect your air purifier via your smartphone, Wi-Fi network and make changes to how it operates. This can be done via the Blueair Friend App which is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones. The Blueair 480i offers new touch buttons under a ‘hidden’ display which is located under a flip-up lid on top of the unit. The Blueair 480i sensor is comparable to that of the 450E in that it is designed to detect PM2.5 and VOC’s. The sensor, in the Blueair 480i sensor is also able to provide humidity and temperature sensing readings. The filters and the media used is exactly the same as the previous model.

1. Wi-Fi and Blueair Friend App
With the Blueair 480i having Wi-Fi connectability, you are now able to pair your Blueair air purifier to your smartphone via your home network and operate it remotely. You will need to download the ‘Blueair Friend App’ from the App Store or Google Play to your iOS or Android smartphone and then you will be able to make changes to the unit. Within the ‘Blueair Friend App’, you are able to change the speed of the fans and set the auto mode, which varies the speed of the fans based on the levels of contamination detected. Additionally, you are also able to monitor filter life indicator, Wi-Fi status, PM2.5 and VOC levels. The Blueair 400 series manual states that the set LED intensity feature, changes the LED intensity of the visible lights on the unit. The manual also states, the night mode allows you to activate and deactivate certain settings at specific times.



2. Sensor
The Blueair 480i sensor is the exact same sensor which is used within the ‘Blueair Aware’ air quality monitor but differs to that of the 450E in that it is designed to also detect changes in temperature as well as humidity levels and not just PM2.5 and VOC’s. Blueair state that the sensor used in the 480i can measure over 900 different gases including Formaldehyde and Toluene. Once the gases have been measured, they are represented as a single figure within the Blueair Friend App. The inclusion of the sensor, also allows the Blueair 480i to make use of the auto mode, whereby it adjusts the fan speed based on the levels of contamination detected. For more information regarding the sensor, please check the ‘sensor’ description under the ‘features’ section.

3. Airflow
The Blueair 480i has a higher airflow rate of up to 20% on the highest speed setting, compared to the previous 400 series model. Blueair have specified the airflow rate of the Blueair 480i as being 204 m3/h on speed setting one, 339 m3/h on speed setting two and 595 m3/h on speed setting three. This compares to the 450E’s airflow rate of 122 m3/h on speed setting one, 270 m3/h on sped setting two and 475 m3/h on speed setting three. The Blueair 480i can offer 5 air changes per hour based on a (40m2) room with a standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres.

4. Display
The Blueair 480i has touch buttons which can be accessed under a hidden flip-up lid, situated on top of the unit. These buttons allow you to monitor and change various settings of the Blueair 480i. The Wi-Fi status button, see A below, turns blue when the unit is connected to a Wi-Fi network and turns grey when not connected to a Wi-Fi network. Button B below), allows you to power the unit on/off and cycle through the three different fan speed settings. Button C below, is the filter life indicator, which will turn orange when it is time to replace the filter. The next button is Auto Button D, see below, once the auto mode has been enabled and the unit automatically adjusts its speed setting to contamination detected, this will turn blue. The VOC’s, button E, and PM2.5, button F, are blue if the levels of contamination are at a low level and may change to orange if the levels detected are elevated.

4. Design and Durability
The Blueair 480i uses exactly the same housing, fan and filters as the 450E. The only difference in this regard is the air inlet and outlet which have been enlarged to enable the increased airflow rates. The Blueair 480i measures (23 x 20 x 11 inches) (58 x 50 x 28cm) and weighs (15Kg). As such, it can easily be deployed next to walls and in narrow spaces. The Blueair 480i has a metal construction with a white/grey gloss finish and has the same style Blueair units are known for.

Below is a comparison table which shows what the differences are between the Blueair 400 series range of air purifiers.

 

The Blueair 480i uses Blueair’s typical Three-Stage Progressive Filter – a filter that resembles having several filters in one. The filter is made up out of three different levels of millions of ultra thin fibers, and with its ‘lock-in’ design, captures and retains particles. The first layers of the filter capture larger particles like pollen and dust, and the later layers capture smaller particles like bacteria and exhaust particles.

Regular air purifier filters are thinner and consist of the same fiber size and material throughout. This leads to filters being loaded sooner and either losing efficiency or requiring to be replaced. However, the unique design of the Blueair 480i Three-Stage Progressive Filter requires you to replace the filter only twice a year.

When the filter of the Blueair 480i needs to be replaced, just open the side door, and take out the old filter like you would take a book out of a bookshelf, then simply replace it with a fresh filter. No screws, hooks or tools are needed and replacing the filter only takes a couple of seconds.

The Blueair 480i filters consist of non-toxic polypropylene media that is 100% free of harmful triclosan and glass fibers.