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Coway sells air purifiers for spaces ranging from just over 200 square feet (sq ft) to more than 2,000 sq ft. The Airmega AP-1512HH, nicknamed “the Mighty,” is one popular choice.
Coway is a home products company that makes HEPA filter air purifiers for homes and businesses.
HEPA filters, or high efficiency particulate air filters, pull large and small particles, including allergens and viruses, out of the air. The filters contain a fibrous material that traps particles inside, so they can’t be recirculated out.
Like other air purifiers, HEPA filter air purifiers remove some but not all the pollutants and viral droplets circulating in indoor air.
In this article, we’ll go over the pros and cons of some of Coway’s most popular models.
Coway is a home health technology company based in Korea. It’s been operating since 1989. The company’s current global operations encompass around 40 countries.
Coway makes:
- air purifiers
- water purifiers
- bidets (which Coway calls “body purifiers”)
You can buy Coway air purifiers for home use. Businesses can lease them for a monthly fee.
Some models sync to the Coway IoCare app, but others don’t. We’ll discuss the app in more detail later in this article.
Coway pros
- The efficiently designed smaller units are visually appealing.
- The air purifiers blow air up toward the ceiling instead of out from the middle of the unit. This improves circulation and reduces draftiness.
- The units have low noise output.
Coway cons
- The prefilters within the units require at least monthly cleaning to run efficiently.
- Users consistently report that Coway’s mobile control app, Coway loCare, is buggy.
- Products may be sold by unauthorized dealers. Double-check that the manufacturer’s warranty is available through the retailer you choose.
Generally, air purifier prices vary based on the type of air purifier and the square footage it’s designed to clean. Low end air purifiers can be found for less than $100. High end air purifiers can cost $600 or more.
Coway air purifiers range in price from around $150 to $600. The prices can also vary from retailer to retailer, so it may pay to shop around.
Pricing guide
We’ve indicated cost for Coway air purifiers as follows, based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP):
- $ = under $200
- $$ = $200–$400
- $$$ = over $400
How much do Coway replacement filters and accessories cost?
One-year filter replacement packs for most Coway models are in the $30–$60 range. Replacement filters and prefilters are sold separately. Their cost is not reflected in the price structure given for this roundup.
Coway also sells replacement covers, if needed. These cost $30–$50.
Most Coway air purifiers come with at least a 3-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. Make sure to buy yours from a certified dealer or you may not get the benefit of the warranty.
Here’s a breakdown of some of Coway’s more popular air purifiers.
| Maximum coverage | Particle retention size | Smart connectivity | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier | 361 sq ft | 0.01 microns | none | 3 years |
| Coway Airmega AP-1512HHS Air Purifier | 325 sq ft | 0.01 microns | Wi-Fi-enabled | 3 years |
| Coway Airmega 200M Air Purifier | 361 sq ft | 0.01 microns | none | 1 year |
| Coway Airmega 400 Air Purifier | 1,560 sq ft | 0.01 microns | none | 5 years |
| Coway Airmega 150 | 214 sq ft | 0.01 microns | none | 1 year |
Some of Coway’s air purifiers sync to the Coway IoCare app. Users on multiple review sites have expressed frustration and disappointment with the app.
It has an average rating of 1.5 out of 4 stars at the Apple App Store and 1.7 stars from customer ratings at the Google Play store.
Users often mention an inability to connect to Wi-Fi and indicator controls that give false connectivity readings.
Coway air purifiers are available for purchase and rental on two different Coway websites. Local distributors also carry some models but may not sell the entire line.
Some brick-and-mortar retailers, including Best Buy, sell Coway air purifiers.
They’re also available from online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.
Customer service may vary from retailer to retailer and between distributors. If possible, buy from a source you know and trust.
If you purchase your air purifier through Coway directly, you can get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The site is confusing since it states that a 90-day guarantee is offered, but this doesn’t pertain to air purifiers.
The return policy may not extend to other retailers, so check before you buy. This is also true of the warranty, which varies from retailer to retailer.
Repairs and replacements are limited to products with defects in materials or workmanship during normal home use within the stated warranty period. Coway may opt to replace a part rather than the entire air purifier.
Coway USA, the rental arm, has a D- rating from the Better Business Bureau and a low customer service track record, with 1 out of 5 stars. The company has received several complaints about customer service.
In general, reviews often give high marks to Coway air purifiers but low marks to the company for customer service.
Reviews often mention that the company has not honored warranties. On Amazon, customers mention that customer service has not returned phone calls or emails and that issues with broken or damaged products have not been resolved.
You can use air purifiers in homes, offices, or other indoor environments where people gather, such as restaurants. Air purifiers help reduce the pollution load in your home by filtering the air.
Common household pollutants and irritants can include:
- pet dander
- pollen
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- phthalates
- mold
- viruses
Common air filtration types
There are several types of air purifiers that may address some of those irritants and concerns:
- HEPA filter air purifiers physically remove tiny particles of matter from indoor air.
- UV light air purifiers kill viruses, bacteria, and mold with UV light.
- Ionizers give particles in the air an electrical charge, causing them to adhere to hard surfaces. Some ionizers contain a plate with an opposing electrical charge. This attracts the particles back into the air purifier, removing them from the room.
- Ozone generators are not recommended since they can increase ozone levels in the air, making it more dangerous to breathe.
People with conditions such as asthma, allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may find air purifiers especially beneficial.
However, it’s important to recognize that air purifiers cannot fully rid your home of irritating particles. Other strategies, such as cleaning hard and soft surfaces regularly, are also important.
Coway is a manufacturer of air purifiers, water purifiers, and bidets. The prices of the company’s air purifiers are competitive with others in the industry.
Coway air purifiers get high customer ratings for being powerful, quiet, and effective. However, the company tends to get low marks for customer service.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer and reproductive health professional who specializes in health and wellness content. She has spent much of the last two decades educating people about infertility and family-building options. Whelan is a science nerd, and her heroes span the gamut from Temple Grandin to her wonderful mom. She shares her life in Brooklyn, New York, with her all-grown-up, fascinating children and their wacky shelter dogs. Follow her on Twitter.