If you’re searching for a powerful air purifier that can handle large spaces without breaking the bank, the Levoit LV-H133 deserves serious consideration. After analyzing hundreds of customer reviews and professional testing data, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this popular tower air purifier.
I think the Levoit LV-H133 is a solid choice
Levoit LV-H133 is designed as a large room air purifier with coverage up to 538-1,150 square feet (depending on the source). With a CADR rating of 235-287 CFM and a cylindrical 360-degree filter design, it promises comprehensive air cleaning for spacious areas like living rooms, open-concept kitchens, and master bedrooms.
At around $199-249, it positions itself as a mid-range option that competes with units often costing significantly more.
Design and Build Quality
Modern Cylindrical Design
The LV-H133 features a sleek, tower-style design that’s quite different from traditional boxy air purifiers. Standing approximately 26 inches tall with a 14.8-inch diameter, it’s substantial but surprisingly lightweight at 18 pounds.
Available in both white and black finishes, the unit has a modern aesthetic that won’t clash with most home decor. As one reviewer noted: “I thought its rotunda design was a bit weird. When I see it real, I end up preferring it much more than a typical square or box type.”
The top-mounted touchscreen control panel is intuitive and features:
- LED air quality indicator ring (changes color based on air quality)
- Touch-sensitive buttons for all functions
- Numeric display for timer settings
- Filter replacement indicator
Space Considerations
One important note: Levoit recommends keeping at least 15 inches of clearance on all sides for optimal airflow. This means you can’t tuck it into a corner, which some users found inconvenient. As one reviewer mentioned, “The only thing about it I might add to it had I designed it would have been a handle to pick it up if you need to move. It’s not heavy but it is a little awkward to move.”
3-Stage Filtration System
The LV-H133 uses a comprehensive 3-layer cylindrical filter:
Pre-Filter (Nylon Mesh)
Captures large particles like pet hair, dust bunnies, and lint. This layer is washable and reusable, which helps extend the life of the more expensive HEPA filter.
True HEPA Filter (H13 Grade)
Removes 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including:
- Dust and dust mites
- Pollen and allergens
- Pet dander
- Mold spores
- Some bacteria and viruses
Activated Carbon Filter
Tackles odors from:
- Cooking (especially effective with fish, bacon, and fried foods)
- Pets
- Smoke
- VOCs and chemical fumes
What Users Say
Air Quality Improvement
The performance reviews are overwhelmingly positive. One detailed tester reported: “After one hour, the Levoit H133 removed 96% of air particulates from the room we tested in. Levoit improved PM2.5 air quality by 96%.”
Another user shared: “From overnight smoke seepage, one morning, the reading was 161 on the US AQ index. After one hour running the filter on the highest setting, the reading was 61. After 1.5 hours, it was 38. Less than 50 is considered excellent air quality.”
The Color-Changing Air Quality Indicator Actually Works
Many users were skeptical at first, but the LED ring that changes color (blue → green → orange → red) based on air quality proved to be genuinely responsive:
“We brought it into the kitchen and after dinner I let a pan burn a small amount of oil and what do you know, near instantly the purifier indicator went from blue to green to yellow to red in no less then 5-10 seconds.” – Ed C.
One cat owner reported: “When I first turned it on, the air indicator was green (good), then after about 5 minutes of running turned blue (very good). When I scooped out the poop and pee lumps in the litter boxes, the air indicator turned red (bad air) and it took about 10 minutes before it was back to blue.” – Deni in Retirement
Dust Reduction Success Stories
Multiple users reported significant reductions in household dust:
“The last time I dusted was two days before it arrived and I could see dust floating through the air. Today I cleaned two weeks after I plugged it in and there was almost no dust! The bedroom is actually the room that is the farthest away from this purifier. I am really impressed!” – Airport Warrior
“We have 3 cats and since getting it earlier this year the dust in my home is drastically less. We were both sneezing a lot and I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I sneezed.” – Kara Pal109
Allergy and Asthma Relief
For allergy sufferers, the results were often life-changing:
“My husband developed an allergy to our ferrets and has been using an inhaler since Feb 2020. After a whole day of having the air purifier, he didn’t need his inhaler. He took it the following day only once, and then didn’t need it for 2 days!” – Giannini
“I have bad lungs, bad allergies, and a faulty immune system. Since I’ve had it my nose has cleared up 100% and rarely sneeze. My husband works construction so dust is always tracked in, when I do his laundry the air purifier light turns red!” – BRE
One particularly memorable review: “Before getting this levoit air purifier I had a stuffy nose every day of my life. Since I’ve had it my nose has cleared up 100% and rarely sneeze if I do it’s nothing like Before, and no more allergy pills or inhaler!”
Pet Odor Control
Pet owners consistently praised the LV-H133’s odor elimination:
“We keep this one in the same room as the cats litter box and the house is odor free. It used to be very obvious when you walked in the house that there was a cat living here. Now we walk in and smell nothing.” – Jason Williams
“I take care of a lot of dogs in my home and I always have at least four or five dogs in the house and it’s worked amazingly well at filtering out the hair and smells.” – Karen Kenney
Cooking Odor Management
The activated carbon filter proved effective for kitchen odors:
“If someone farts in the bedroom and I’m wearing my CPAP, I can tell if it is odiferous because this magical machine senses the air is in ‘red alert’ particulate territory and it kicks up to high power until the air is back within acceptable range.” – Andi S. (Yes, this reviewer tested everything)
Whisper Quiet to White Noise
Sleep Mode: Nearly Silent
At 25 decibels, sleep mode is virtually inaudible. Multiple users confirmed: “On low and sleep mode it is nearly silent” and “In sleep mode, you can’t hear it at all.”
Low Setting: 26-28 dB
Still very quiet – you might barely notice it’s running unless you’re in a completely silent room.
Medium Setting: Comfortable Background Noise
Comparable to a gentle fan or refrigerator hum. Won’t interfere with TV watching or conversation.
High Setting: 52-54 dB
Noticeably louder but not disruptive. As one user described: “The highest setting is loud, but it’s not annoying. It just sounds like a fan to me.”
Professional testing confirmed noise levels of 25-54 decibels across all settings, making it one of the quieter large room purifiers available.
Smart Features and Usability
Auto Mode: Set It and Forget It
The built-in infrared sensor detects air quality changes and automatically adjusts fan speed. Users found this incredibly convenient:
“I love when I’m cooking that if there is an odor like bacon, onions, or I’m cooking something that causes smoke it kicks it up a notch. The colors change to let you know how hard it’s working.”
However, one user noted a limitation: “When running in auto mode, if the air is dust free, the fan runs on its lowest speed. But if there is an odor in the room, this doesn’t trigger the fan to increase speed. The fan only increases when air quality (i.e. dust) increases.” – Deni in Retirement
Timer Function: 1-12 Hours
Perfect for those who want the purifier to run while they sleep and shut off automatically in the morning.
Display Off Feature
All lights can be turned off for complete darkness while sleeping – a feature many users appreciated.
Filter Replacement Indicator
The unit alerts you when it’s time to check or replace the filter, though this is time-based rather than measuring actual filter condition.
Coverage Area and Performance
The LV-H133 is rated for rooms up to 538 square feet (some sources cite up to 1,150 sq ft for 30-minute cleaning cycles). Real-world testing showed:
- CADR Rating: 235-287 CFM (Dust/Smoke/Pollen)
- ACH (Air Changes per Hour): 5X in a 100 sq ft room on high
- Test Results: Cleaned a 728 cubic foot test room in 25 minutes on high speed
One user with a large open concept home reported: “My house is an open concept and I wanted to see if it would really work on a large space like the description says. My living room and dining room and kitchen are one big space. The bedroom is actually the room that is the farthest away from this purifier and there was almost no dust.”
Energy Efficiency
With an Energy Star certification and maximum power consumption of just 49 watts, the LV-H133 is economical to run 24/7:
- Estimated annual electricity cost: $42.86 (running 24/7 on high)
- Actual usage cost will be lower since most users run it on auto or low/medium settings
- One of the most energy-efficient large room purifiers available
As one reviewer calculated: “If you root for a Levoit LV-H133, you only need to pay about $18 annually for this air purifier, with about 8 hours of use per day.”
Filter Replacement and Maintenance
Filter Lifespan
The official recommendation is 6-8 months, but actual lifespan varies based on:
- Air quality in your area
- Hours of daily use
- Whether you vacuum the pre-filter regularly
Many users reported getting 6-12 months from their filters with regular vacuuming.
Filter Replacement Cost
This is where opinions diverge:
- Official Levoit replacement (LV-H133-RF): $62.99
- Third-party alternatives: Around $39.99-52.99 (two-pack)
- Annual filter cost: $63-126 depending on usage
Some users found the filter cost reasonable for the performance, while others felt it was on the high side compared to competing models like the Levoit Core 600S.
Easy Filter Replacement
The process is straightforward:
- Twist the back panel counterclockwise
- Remove old filter
- Remove plastic wrapping from new filter
- Insert new filter
- Twist panel back on
- Reset filter indicator (press and hold for 3 seconds)
Critical Note: Multiple users emphasized removing the plastic wrapping before first use, or the unit won’t work and may produce a burning smell.
Wildfire Smoke Performance
During recent California wildfire seasons, the LV-H133 proved its worth:
“We’ve never had a home air filter… until the mid-August wildfires in the San Francisco Bay Area turned daylight into twilight. The smoke was close and large. After one hour running the filter on the highest setting, the reading went from 161 to 61 on the US AQ index.” – AS
“I live in Seattle, and at the time of writing we are caught in smoke from one of the largest west coast wildfires in history. I have this machine on full blast all day and night. This machine is making it better, for sure.” – Ward Wizard
Few Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some users reported issues:
Initial Odor (Resolved)
Some units emitted a plastic or “wet paper” smell initially. Customer service typically resolved this by:
- Recommending running the unit in a closed space for 1-2 days
- Sending replacement filters if the issue persisted
One user who initially gave 1 star updated to 5 stars: “The customer service is amazing. The issue ended up being solved when they suggested to put the air purifier in a closed closet on high for 1-2 days for the filter to air out.”
Cigarette Smoke Limitation
One heavy smoker found the unit ineffective for cigarette smoke odors, with the filter saturating quickly. However, they noted the filter appeared washable for temporary relief between replacements.
Sensor Sensitivity
A few users felt the air quality sensor wasn’t sensitive enough, showing blue (excellent) air quality even when they suspected issues. Testing with smoke or incense typically confirmed the sensor was working.
Motor Durability Concerns
A small number of users reported motor issues after 2-4 years of 24/7 use:
“We are almost 4 years in and the motor speed started this weird fluctuating which creates a pitch changing whine. For the cost of the unit I would like it to last 10 years.” – DaBrun
“After about 8 months this is what the filter looks like. I DID actually clean the filter a few months ago as there was a TON of dust. It didn’t really seem to stop all the dust in my office though.” – Kyle
However, these represent a small minority of reviews, and many users reported years of trouble-free operation.
Who Should Buy the LV-H133?
Perfect For
- Large room owners with 400-500+ sq ft spaces
- Allergy sufferers seeking relief without medication
- Pet owners dealing with dander and odors
- Households with multiple residents needing consistent air cleaning
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting mid-range performance at an affordable price
- People sensitive to noise who need quiet operation
Not Ideal For
- Those wanting app connectivity (consider Core 600S instead)
- Heavy smokers (may need more frequent filter changes)
- Small room applications (the LV-H132 or Core 300 would be more appropriate)
- Anyone wanting the absolute highest CADR available (consider Blue Pure 211+ or Coway Airmega 400)
Comparison with Other Models
Levoit LV-H133 vs Levoit Core 600S
- Core 600S: Higher CADR (410 CFM), larger coverage (635 sq ft), app connectivity, lighter (11 lbs), cheaper filters
- LV-H133: More affordable upfront ($199 vs $249), similar performance for most homes
- Winner: Core 600S offers better overall value for most buyers
Levoit LV-H133 vs Levoit LV-H132
- LV-H132: Much smaller, budget-friendly ($109), covers 129 sq ft
- LV-H133: 3x larger coverage, better features, triple the price
- Winner: LV-H132 for small rooms/bedrooms, LV-H133 for large spaces
Levoit LV-H133 vs Others
- Blue Pure 121: Higher CADR, larger coverage (620 sq ft), but higher energy consumption
- Winix 5500-2: Similar price, slightly better test performance, plasma wave technology
- Coway Airmega 300: Higher price ($330), comparable performance
- Winner: LV-H133 offers excellent value in its price range
Conclustion
If you need a reliable, quiet, and effective air purifier for a large room and don’t require smart home integration, the LV-H133 remains a solid choice in 2025. However, consider the newer Levoit Core 600S if you want app connectivity and are willing to spend an extra $50 – it offers superior value with better performance and lower filter costs.
For most buyers seeking proven performance at a reasonable price, the LV-H133 won’t disappoint. Just be prepared for ongoing filter costs and regular maintenance to keep it running optimally.
