Blueair 480i SmokeStop Air Purifier

The Blueair 480i SmokeStop air purifier is part of the ‘New Classic’ range of air purifiers from Blueair and it is the follow up model to the popular 450E. The Blueair 480i SmokeStop has an improved airflow rate of up to 15% compared to its predecessor, resulting in an airflow rate of 547 m3/h on the highest fan speed setting (compared to the 475 m3/h of the 450E).  Furthermore, the Blueair 480i SmokeStop is now Wi-Fi connectable, enabling you to connect with the air purifier via your phone and 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 SmokeStop air cleaner also offers a new ‘hidden’ interface with touch buttons which is located under a magnetic flip-up lid on top of the unit, and uses an air quality sensor that is similar to that of the 450E model. The sensor is designed to detect PM2.5 and VOC’s, but also provides humidity and temperature sensing capabilities. The size, weight, overall look of the unit and the filtration technology used in Blueair 480i SmokeStop air purifier, however, is exactly the same as in previous models.

The Blueair 480i SmokeStop features Blueair’s activated carbon filtration in addition to the regular particulate filter for the removal of light gas and odour contamination. The filters and the media used is the same as the previous model.

1. Wi-Fi and Blueair Friend App
The Blueair 480i SmokeStop offers Wi-Fi connectability which means you can pair your Blueair 480i SmokeStop air purifier to your smartphone via your home internet network. To use this feature, you will have to download the ‘Blueair Friend App’ from the Google Play or App Store to your Android or iOS smartphone. Once the Blueair Friend App is installed, you will be able to change LED intensity on the unit, adjust the airflow rate, activate the child lock and activate night mode. In addition to these settings, the display lets you monitor the Wi-Fi status, filter life indicator, auto mode and monitor the levels of PM2.5 and VOC’s detected. 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 that the night mode allows the activation and deactivation of certain settings at specific times.



2. Sensor
The Blueair 480i SmokeStop sensor is the same sensor that is used within the ‘Blueair Aware’ air quality monitor, and differs to that of the 450E in that it is designed to also detect changes in temperature and humidity levels of PM2.5 and VOC’s. Blueair state that the sensor used in the 480i SmokeStop can measure over 900 different gases including Formaldehyde and Toluene. The inclusion of the sensor of course also allows the Blueair 480i SmokeStop to make use of the auto mode, adjusting 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 SmokeStop has an increased airflow rate of up to 15% on the highest setting, compared to the previous 400 series model. Blueair have specified the airflow rate of the Blueair 480i SmokeStop as 188 m3/h on speed setting one, 312 m3/h on speed setting two and 547 m3/h on speed setting three. This is compared 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 SmokeStop is able to offer 5 air changes per hour based on a (40m2) room and a standard ceiling height of 2.4 metres.

4. Display
The Blueair 480i SmokeStop has touch buttons which are accessible under a hidden flip-up lid, located on top of the unit. These buttons allow you to change various settings of the Blueair 480i SmokeStop. 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 on the touch display is the 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 will change to orange if the levels detected are elevated.

4. Design and Durability
The Blueair 480i SmokeStop 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 SmokeStop 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 SmokeStop 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 SmokeStop 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 SmokeStop Three-Stage Progressive Filter requires you to replace the filter only twice a year.

When the filter of the Blueair 480i SmokeStop 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 SmokeStop filters consist of non-toxic polypropylene media that is 100% free of harmful triclosan and glass fibers. The 1kg of gas filtration media consist of activated carbon with magnesium dioxide and copper oxide impregnation.