The Coway Airmega 100 Helps Me Breathe Easier Without Getting in the Way

4 min readThe Coway Airmega 100 is small enough to fit under a desk or hide in the corner of my compact apartment bedroom.The control panel offers three different fan speeds, a sleep mode, and a timer.The air purifier also indicates the air quality of the space by using the colored lights on the body.I never really felt like I needed an air purifier. If my room ever got a little too stuffy, I’d blast a fan, vacuum up the floors, or do a quick house burp. However, after experiencing about a month of diminished sleep quality caused by stuffy noses and late-night sneezing fits, I decided it was time to change my air purifier stance.Enter the Coway Airmega 100, our choice for Best Portable Air Purifier. It had me breathing easier and sleeping soundly almost immediately, and its impressively small footprint meant the limited floor space in my room never felt overcrowded (or at least not more overcrowded than usual).Considering my general reluctance to dive and commit to an air purifier, all I wanted was a model that could do the job and otherwise stay out of the way. With a compact body and a simple control panel that doesn’t require any smart technology or connected apps, the Airmega 100 does precisely that. On top of this, the three-stage HEPA filter removes fine particles, VOCs, pollen, and aerosols from the air with ease. I was easily able to keep my air clean, get a sense of the air quality, and set timers all directly from the control panel on the device.ProsIncredibly quiet Sleep mode that is barely audible in quiet roomsSmall enough to fit under a desk or in the corner of the roomConsAQI indicator light doesn't provide any specific numbersKey SpecsFiltration SystemThree-stageRoom Coverage810 sq. ft.Noise Level20 dBFeaturesAir quality indicator light, smart mode, pollution sensorDimensions8.66 x 8.66 x 15.55 in.It’s Pretty Compact and Stays Out of the WayWhile I don’t live in the shoebox I did in my early 20s, I still have to work to optimize every inch of the bedroom in my apartment to make sure anything new fits comfortably. The Coway Airmega 100 is small enough to slide easily under my desk. In fact, it didn’t even prevent me from stretching my legs out while working.That said, I don’t feel the need to hide it away. More so than other air purifiers we’ve tested here at Popular Mechanics, like our Best Overall choice, the Coway Airmega Mighty2 Air Purifier, the body is thin. The cylindrical shape means it sits politely in the corner of my room without spreading out obnoxiously the way blocky cubed options do (even when they may actually be smaller in total square inches).At the same time, the air purifier is lightweight. At just 7.5 pounds, I was able to hoist it around and place it just about anywhere without straining my back or dragging it around on the ground.The Controls Are Simple But EffectiveOn its top, the air purifier has a simple control panel. It comes with three different fan speeds, as well as an auto mode that changes the power of the motor depending on the air quality. It also has a sleep mode for low-noise operation and a timer setting so you can turn it on for set periods of time ranging from one hour to eight hours. Beyond that, there’s a small indicator to let you know when the filter needs to be replaced and a locking mechanism that prevents young kids from accidentally adjusting the settings.Trevor RaabThe control panel on the top makes changing settings incredibly easy.Essentially, it covers the absolute bare bones you might need. In an increasingly interconnected, “smart” world, I was relieved more than anything. I didn’t need an app or subscription to unlock the full selection of features or information. Most days, I simply flip it on, leave it running through my evening, and then turn it off right before I go to bed.My Primary Gripe: It Doesn’t Give You a Precise Air Quality Measurement While my air is certainly fresher, that doesn’t mean this device is perfect. One small thing that bothers me is the lack of specificity when it comes to measuring air quality. Unlike other models, which provide the exact AQI, but like the Levoit Vital 200S-P, the Coway Airmega 100 only shifts between four different colors to indicate the quality of the air. It’s helpful information, but not as precise as it could be. I would much prefer the actual AQI number.Final ThoughtsIf you want smart features or integrated apps, or you are looking to clear the air in a larger space, this probably isn’t the air purifier for you. However, it’s quite effective for bedrooms, offices, or other small rooms, thanks to its compact profile.Its simplicity is also welcome. It doesn’t operate in a “one-size-fits-all” kind of way, but there aren’t so many modes or functions to trip you up or overwhelm you. Its light weight means moving it around your house (or taking it with you to work, for example) isn’t burdensome. Ultimately, there was nothing else I wanted from an air purifier.Shop the Coway Airmega 100 Air PurifierOther Air Purifiers We RecommendTom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories.