Alen Air BreatheSmart 35i Review
by Alen Air
$289.00
Estimated Annual Filter Cost: ~$54-$140/year
Summary
The Alen Air 35i is Alen’s compact smart purifier aimed at bedrooms and small living rooms that want quiet operation, real-time AQI data, and app control at a mid-range price. Its verified Smoke CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 163 CFM comfortably covers bedrooms at 5+ ACH (Air Changes per Hour) and reaches small living rooms, though it’s not the right pick for medium/large shared spaces. Choose the Pure filter for allergies at the lowest annual cost, or Fresh/Odor if you need meaningful odor help (not heavy smoke/VOC loads). If you want 8–12 ACH in larger rooms or heavier gas adsorption, step up to a higher-CADR unit or a model with a larger pelletized carbon canister.
Here's what this purifier does best
- Quiet with smart control: 29–42 dBA with Wi-Fi app, AQI (Air Quality Index) readout, and Auto mode for hands-off use.
- Verified particulate performance: ENERGY STAR lists 163/173/182 CFM (Smoke/Dust/Pollen), suitable for ≥5 ACH up to ~245 sq ft (great for bedrooms).
- Health-grade filter option: H13 “medical-grade” HEPA claim and 0.0 ppb ozone result; no ionizer on this model.
- Low running costs with Pure filter: ~$54/yr if you use the Pure cartridge and replace every 9–12 months.
- Child safety lock & night-friendly lights: Useful in kids’ rooms and bedrooms.
Consider these trade-offs
- Room-size marketing vs. 5-ACH sizing: “Up to 1,000 sq ft” is a 1-ACH claim; at 5-ACH the 35i tops out around ~245 sq ft—too small for many living rooms.
- Carbon details are thin: Alen doesn’t state the carbon mass for 35i Fresh/Odor filters; effective for light odors but not a heavy smoke/VOC solution.
- Not ultra-quiet by our “very” tag: Low is 29 dBA (above our ≤25 dB “very quiet” threshold); high is 42 dBA, audible in quiet rooms.
- No AHAM Verifide listing (yet): We rely on ENERGY STAR for CADR; AHAM’s public PDF doesn’t include Alen in the 2023 directory.
- No voice control/remote noted: App is solid, but there’s no advertised Alexa/Google or physical remote.