Philips Air Purifier 900 Series review: A small but powerful device for removing allergens and dust

Telegraph

21 hours ago

What is the Philips PureProtect Mini 900 Series Air Purifier?
The Philips Air Purifier 900 Series AC0920 is a compact model at approximately 36cm high by 22cm wide, suitable for spaces up to 65 square metres. This makes it an ideal air purifier for a bedroom or larger living space.
At just £129.99 at the time of writing, it is excellent value, with filters costing only £34.99 annually. It's not the cheapest – some (like this Midea) retail for under £100 – but it's more affordable than premium brands like Dyson and Molekule.
It is not a smart air purifier, so you can't connect it to your phone. But it is easy to operate and has a child lock, a colour changing light to indicate air quality and filter warning lights showing when it needs cleaning and replacing.
It was extremely efficient at cleaning air in our real-world tests, earning the title of Best Value buy in our guide to the best air purifiers.
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How we test air purifiers
We independently test air purifiers in real homes, reflecting daily use. We set the device up from the box and run it for one hour on its medium or auto setting. We assess and score the following:
Air quality testing: Using an air quality monitor, we measure the rate of small particulate matter (known as PM 2.5 and PM 10, referring to its size in microns), airborne chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde in the room before and after testing and record changes in the overall air quality indicator (AQI) score.
Noise levels: We use a decibel monitor app to check the noise of the air purifier against ambient sound in the room. We record the loudest and the quietest settings.
Value for money: We judge the initial cost, the price of replacement filters and how frequently they need replacing, as well as its energy use per kWh, measured using a smart plug.
The Philips Air Purifier 900 Series was tested in a bedroom following the use of common aerosols, including deodorant and hair spray, as well as during everyday use in a living area.
For more on at home air care, read our guides to the best fan, best dehumidifier and best humidifier.
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Air quality
Score: 9/10
In our tests, the Philips 900 Series performed better at improving air quality than some models more than twice the price. In just an hour, it reduced levels of PM 2.5 particles (small pollutants like dust and soot which can trigger allergies) in a large bedroom by 98 per cent.
During the tests, the overall AQI score for the room improved by 96 per cent, dropping from an unhealthy 156 to just six (anything below 30 is good).
It is also easy to tell what the current air quality is, since the air purifier has a coloured indicator light and a digital display on the top, showing PM 2.5 levels. But it doesn't tackle chemicals in the air like some others can, meaning it did not reduce levels of formaldehyde or VOCs.
Ease of use
The Philips 900 Series is easy to use with simple set-up instructions, although you must turn it upside down to remove the filter's protective cover before first use.
After that it's self-explanatory, with straightforward controls to switch between its four modes: auto, fan speed one, fan speed two and night mode. A button dims the lights, which you can also hold to turn on the child lock. It beeps loudly so you know you've pressed the right button.
We liked the warning light showing when the filter needs cleaning with a vacuum, as this could help extend its life. If cleaned regularly, the £34.99 filters last up to a year.
Confusingly, although there is an on-box QR code for downloading the Philips app, this air purifier is not Wi-Fi-enabled and does not connect to it, so it can't be controlled remotely.
Design
As one of the best Philips air purifiers, this model is small but feels sturdy and durable. The HEPA filter, which can capture airborne particles like pollen and mould, is particularly robust and seems to be of a higher build quality than many other air purifiers with a HEPA filter for allergies.
The display is clear to read, with the PM 2.5 levels shown as a number and as a light that changes colour to reflect their presence in the air (from a positive blue through to red for bad). This can be turned off for night time while a child-lock option is ideal for stopping tiny fingers from changing the settings.
Controls are accessibly positioned, but frustratingly, you can't turn off the buttons' loud beeping noise. While helpful during the day, at night this is the one downside about the overall design.
Operating noise
Score: 7/10
The Philips 900 Series device was one of the quieter models we tested, running at just 30 dB on the quietest night mode setting (compared to an ambient sound in the home of 28 dB), making it a quiet air purifier for bedrooms.
With the fan on top speed, noise was 62 dB, which is comparable with other air purifiers, including our Best Buy the Blueair Blue Max 3250i.
We deducted a couple of points here because of the aforementioned loud beeps, which sound whenever you press any button on the device. This is intrusive if you are quietly trying to change the settings at night.
Value
Score: 9/10
At just £130, this air purifier performed significantly better than other budget options and pricier models. The filters are also reasonably priced, at £34.99 each, and this is made even more wallet-friendly by the fact they need replacing as infrequently as once a year. Many other air purifiers require a filter change at least every six months.
In an hour, the Philips 900 Series used 0.007 kWh of energy, according to our tests, which works out as around 5p for every 24 hours of continuous use.
Overall, this was a high-quality air purifier at a reasonable price, with low running costs too.
Technical specifications
We compared the Philips 900 Series with the premium Dyson Cool PC1 Air Purifier on performance, noise and value.
Should you buy the Philips Air Purifier 900 Series?
For clean air at a budget-friendly price, the Philips 900 Series performs even better than some larger, more expensive air purifiers. But this is a simple model, so you won't be able to track air quality or control the device remotely using an app.
Yes, if:
You want an efficient, compact air purifier
You're looking for an air purifier with an air quality sensor
You need a budget device with low running costs
You want an air purifier with an auto mode
No, if:
You want Wi-Fi-connectivity or smart features
You need a device that operates silently
Philips Air Purifier 900 Series FAQs
What size room is the Philips 900 Series suitable for?
Up to 65 sq metres.
Is it good for allergens and pollutants?
Yes. It effectively removes PM 2.5 particles – those measuring 2.5 microns across – which can trigger allergies, and significantly improved air quality in our tests.
How does the air quality sensor work?
The sensor assesses the amount of PM 2.5 particles in the air passing through the device. It displays the level as a number, as well as showing a colour-coded light for air quality, from blue (good), through purple and pink to red (unhealthy).
Is the Philips 900 Series noisy at night?
No, the night mode is quiet at 30 dB – just over ambient noise (28 dB in our tests). But it beeps if you change any of the settings.
Can I control the Philips 900 Series with my phone?
No, there is no app control with this model.
How often should I replace the filter in the Philips 900 Series?
At least once a year. The device will let you know when it needs changing.