SwitchBot air purifier table review

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is not your typical air purifier — and not just because it doubles as a bedside or coffee table. This quirky appliance features a wireless phone charging station, a fragrance diffuser and an ambient light in a dazzling array of colors, plus it can be connected to a wide range of smart home apps. It is more of a multi-purpose appliance than an air purifier.

That is not to say these additional features take precedence over air cleaning — quite the opposite. The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table features not one but three air filters: a HEPA filter that eliminates 99.97% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns (such as pollen, dust mite allergens and mold spores, for example), an activated carbon filter that helps reduce pesky odors and common household pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and, lastly, a washable pre-filter that catches dust, pet hair and other large particles.

Unlike most appliances on the market, it also offers 360-degree purification, meaning its air inlets are located all around the unit rather than on one side only. Finally, the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table promises whisper-quiet fans and a designated Pet mode. It costs $269.99, so it is not particularly budget-friendly, but price aside, it could be one of the best air purifiers for animal lovers and people with airborne allergies.

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table review

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table: Design

• Light, portable and stylish
• Adjustable ambient lighting in 10 colors
• Pet-friendly design

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table comes in two parts: the main body and a detachable tabletop. The assembly is not too difficult, but it does require sharp eyesight and a good level of manual dexterity.

The cable connector that links these two pieces is quite fragile, so we had to be careful not to squash it during installation. Also, the screws that secure the tabletop in place are horrendously tiny, and the two holes that they are supposed to go in are located in a narrow, hard-to-reach space underneath the lamp. We managed to put this air purifier together without injuring ourselves or damaging the unit, but it was one of the trickiest assemblies we have ever had to undertake. If your hands are not as steady as they used to be, you may want to ask someone else to help you.

Once the unit is fully assembled, set-up is a breeze. All you need to do is unwrap the filters, pop them back in and connect your air purifier to the SwitchBot app. The process is swift and takes less than a couple of minutes, and we did not experience any issues with connectivity.

Moving the unit around was easy, too. The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table weighs just 10.68 lbs (4.85 kg) and measures less than 20 inches (50 cm) in height. It does not take up much floor space either, making it a good option for small rooms.

Its aesthetics also scored highly in our books. While it is not unusual to see a table air purifier, it is rare to see a model this stylish. The tabletop has a lovely "wooden" color and pattern, while the control panel is discreetly hidden from view underneath it. The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table looks more like a piece of furniture than a household appliance, and won’t stand out like a sore thumb.

We particularly liked its adjustable ambient lighting. This comes in 10 colors, from white to bright blue and deep purple, and you can decide how bright you want it (Bright, Moderate or Soft) and whether you need it on, off, or on auto mode (it will automatically turn off in low ambient light). This way, the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table can serve as a nightlight or a mood lamp to create a cozy atmosphere in the evening.

The animal-friendly design was another big plus point for us. The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table features a waterproof tabletop, so you can let your pets sit or rest on it without worrying about damaging the unit or putting their safety at risk. This air purifier also features a wide, soft-edged grille that will not trap curious paws and a low-voltage, bite-resistant cord. Plus, the washable pre-filter allows you to get rid of pet hair without having to buy a brand new replacement.

Speaking of replacement filters, they cost $44.99 per pack and are available on the official SwitchBot website. While they are not particularly cheap, they are priced similarly to competitors' products.

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table: Features

• Auto, Pet and Sleep modes
• Built-in wireless phone charger and fragrance dispenser
• Wide compatibility with smart home apps

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table features three manually adjusted fan speeds and three modes. In Auto mode, it automatically changes the fan speed based on readings from built-in air quality sensors, all while maintaining relatively low noise levels. In Pet mode, the fans work at a higher speed than Auto mode to better clear unpleasant smells and pet hair. Sleep mode, on the other hand, is designed to make as little noise as possible while still purifying the air in line with the changing pollution levels.

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is compatible with the SwitchBot app and a wide range of smart home apps, including Apple's Siri, Google Home, Amazon's Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant. This means it can be easily controlled via your phone or by using voice commands. These smart features also allow you to track changes in air quality (down to the last 30 days), set timers and keep an eye on the filter's lifespan.

And, as we mentioned before, the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table features a fragrance dispenser (scented oils have to be purchased separately) and a wireless phone charger that supports 15W charging for Android and 7.5W charging for iPhone. All in all, features are where this appliance shines the brightest.

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table: Performance

• Whisper-quiet at low fan speeds
• Good air-cleaning performance in small to medium spaces
• Auto mode can be somewhat sluggish

According to the manufacturer, the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is best suited for rooms measuring up to 360 square feet (33.45 square meters). While this appliance is often advertised as a great option for larger spaces — it promises to "purify a house of up to 3,620 square feet in just one hour," for example — it will take much longer to purify the air in these circumstances and as such, its overall effectiveness may be significantly diminished. That is because its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating is 236 CFM, meaning it does not clean more than 236 cubic feet of air per minute (you can read more about CADR ratings in our guide on how to choose an air purifier.) For best results, we would recommend placing the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table in small- to medium-sized rooms.

No matter where you place this air purifier, though, it is unlikely to cause you any nuisance, because it is whisper-quiet. We can back the manufacturer's claims here — when we used the Sound Meter decibel-counting app to measure its noise levels at the lowest fan speed, we recorded a mere 21 dB. To put that into perspective, 21 dB is equivalent to leaves rustling in the wind or a buzzing mosquito. When we switched to the highest fan speed, we noted just 57 dB, comparable to a quiet refrigerator or office sounds. As it stands, the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is one of the quietest household appliances we have tested.

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table seemed to do a good job of keeping airborne pollutants at bay, kicking into high fan speeds whenever we sprayed cosmetics, used cleaning chemicals or cooked a meal. The air felt considerably fresher, too, though some of the more premium air purifiers we tested were more effective at reducing unpleasant smells than our SwitchBot.

We can't vouch for its overall effectiveness for animal lovers — we do not have any pets and no animals took part in our testing process — but we reckon this air purifier has what it takes to make a tangible difference to households with furry inhabitants.

That said, the performance of the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table may depend on the mode it is used in. When we conducted a series of performance tests using a Perfect Prime air particle monitor, a professional-grade device capable of detecting airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, we noted considerable differences between the auto and pet modes. This was particularly pronounced during our ambient air tests.

We placed our SwitchBot in a medium-sized room and ran it for 30 minutes in auto mode. During the first 15 minutes, this air purifier removed only 30% of particles measuring 0.3 microns and 25% of particles measuring 2.5 microns, which after 30 minutes rose to just 57% and 50%, respectively.

When we repeated this test in pet mode, however, the results were much better. During the first 15 minutes, our SwitchBot removed 58% of 0.3-micron particles and 72% of 2.5-micron particles. After 30 minutes, these values increased to 79% and 85%, respectively. No particles larger than 10 microns were detected during these tests. While these numbers may not be impressive (many air purifiers produced better results in our ambient tests), we still consider them very good for an appliance this small and quiet.

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table did perform more consistently during our smoke tests. During these tests, we challenged it to different types of heavy air pollution, first by burning 10 incense sticks, then by lighting up 10 matches. We placed our SwitchBot in an enclosed, medium-sized room, then measured the air quality before and after running it for 30 minutes. In auto mode, the air purifier removed on average 88% of particles measuring 0.3 microns, 92% of 2.5-micron particles and 99% of particles larger than 10 microns. In pet mode, these values were only higher by around two to five percentage points.

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table: User reviews

The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table was rated an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon. Positive reviews tended to praise this multi-purpose appliance for its robust air quality monitoring, small footprint, whisper-quiet fans and multiple smart features, with many users appreciating its pet-friendly design and adjustable ambient lighting.

One user commented, "This is a fantastic air purifier! [...] With the bad air quality from the recent Los Angeles fires, my bedroom (12 x 14 room) started out with 'moderate' air quality, but after running the filter for about 45 minutes, it moved to good and then very good eventually. I can also schedule when I want it on and off and the best thing is that it tells how many filter hours I have remaining."

Negative reviews, though few and far between, often revolved around the relatively high price, low purification power and limited availability of replacement filters.

Should you buy the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table?

✅ Buy it if: You are a pet owner looking for a smart air purifier, or just love a multi-purpose gadget. The SwitchBot combines good looks, extensive functionality and pet-friendly design, and does a great job of ridding rooms of bad smells and airborne pollutants.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are looking for an air purifier that can cover larger spaces or want something more budget-friendly.

If the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table is not for you

Levoit Vital 200S is a great alternative to the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table. While it will not store your books or serve as a napping station for your cat, this powerful air purifier features plenty of pet-friendly features and connects to several smart home apps, including VeSync, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, it is cheaper by about $80.

Looking for something even more budget-friendly? The GermGuardian AC4825E is a great option here. It is only 22 inches tall and 10 inches wide, so it will easily slot into a narrow space, and it comes with a HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, UV-C sanitizer and easy-to-use controls — all for less than $100.

If you love unique design, consider the RabbitAir A3. This air purifier costs a whopping $750 but is well worth the money. Not only does it come in multiple beautiful colorways, it also boasts powerful air-cleaning performance, five different air filters and the coveted Asthma and Allergy Friendly certification.

SwitchBot Air Purifier Table: How we tested

We spent nearly a month testing the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table, thoroughly assessing its design, features, day-to-day performance, ease of assembly and connectivity with third-party devices. We also used a Sound Meter decibel-counting app to measure how loud this air purifier was on different settings.

Then, we performed a series of air quality tests using a Perfect Prime air particle monitor, a professional-grade device capable of detecting airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. We started with ambient air quality tests: first, we put the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table in an enclosed, medium-sized room and ran it on auto mode for 30 minutes, taking air quality readings every 15 minutes. Then, we repeated the procedure on pet mode.

Next, we conducted several smoke tests. We burned matches and incense sticks to create different types of heavy pollution, then measured the changes in air quality before and after running the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table for 30 minutes. The smoke tests were first conducted on auto mode, then on pet mode.