We might take our (relatively) clean air for granted in Singapore, but every year, the threat of haze looms, and the scramble for air purifiers begins. If you were looking for an all-rounder that not only protects you from the harmful air particulates that the haze brings, but also high levels of CO2 and the home pollutants, the new Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde is your best bet.
Launched earlier last month – and just in time for haze season, might we add – the new Dyson purifier was designed to be first and foremost, quiet but strong. Those who’ve used a traditional air purifier would know that they’re not known for being discreet, often producing an annoying hum as they struggle to deal with the pollutants that surround us. To counter the misconception that all purifiers are noisy compromises to clean air, Dyson made theirs a whisper-quiet 56 decibels, a feat in itself considering it’s made to refresh large spaces, and not just small, single rooms.
By now, the brand has sealed its reputation as master of air manipulation, thanks to the AirWrap and Supersonic Hair Dryer. This Dyson Air Purifier too bends air to its whim, this time using Cone Aerodynamics. Incorporating the brand’s know-how in the Coanda effect (made famous by the above-mentioned hair tools), the purifier merges two streams of air over a smooth surface, creating a powerful and condensed jet of air that can be projected up to 10 meters.
This ensure that the machine delivers clean air to the room while displacing polluted, untreated air back towards the filter. The purifier can also project air at angles of 0o, 25 o or 50 o , so you can enjoy clean air in any room and from every position. Regular air purifiers, on the contrary, either have a much weaker airflow projection, or only diffuse clean air upwards.
To ensure that air is properly cleaned before being released, the machine uses a fully sealed filtration system to HEPA H13 grade, which is designed to capture 99.95% of pollutants, including dust and allergens as small as 0.1 microns. Sure, Singapore might only suffer from the occasional haze, but there are more irritants in your everyday air than you realise. To put the filter to the ultimate test, I ran the unit for a week, and the results were quite apparent. There was noticeably less dust on the surfaces at home, my eyes weren’t itchy and irritated by the end of the day, and I had less sneezing fits from my dust allergy.
Opt for the slightly pricier Prussian Blue + Gold version, and you’ll also get a K-Carbon filter, which combats gases and nitrogen dioxide from cooking or nearby road traffic. This more premium version includes a new CO2 sensor, in addition to the PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants, NO2, VOCs, temperature, formaldehyde, and humidity sensors. The new feature pings you when carbon dioxide levels exceed recommended levels, which can impact well-being and cognitive abilities. This Dyson exclusive is only S$100 more than the base model, so you might as well invest a little more for better peace of mind.
Its effectiveness and efficiency, however, comes at a price: it’s quite a big device. You’ll get used to it though; it’s quite sculptural and chic with a matte brushed metal finish, so it’ll sit pretty in your home. Despite its size though, the purifier is surprisingly quiet. It only produces 56 decibels of noise – hardly noticeable if you’re watching TV or having a conversation. For easy access to its features, the MyDyson app acts as a remote control, which also allows you to schedule and monitor the air quality at home even when you’re out.
There might be plenty of air purifiers out there, but few have married both form and function quite like Dyson’s. Most importantly, it does its job of cleaning the air, not just around it, but the entire space, and that’s what will make a big difference in your quality of life.
The Bright Nickel + Prussian Blue version retails at S$1,299, while the Dyson exclusive Prussian Blue + Gold retails at S$1,399. Shop the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde air purifiers in stores or online here.
Shatricia Nair
Managing Editor
Shatricia Nair has a passion for motoring, beauty, and wellness, and is perpetually knee-deep in the world of V8s, retinols, and latest fitness trends. She has nine years of experience writing for digital media, and her bylines have appeared in Prestige, and Augustman. She'll do (almost) anything for good chocolate chip cookies.
