product testingCESIAQ

Buyer Beware: How to Verify Air-Cleaning Claims from New CES Gadgets

UUnknown

2026-02-18

9 min read

Don’t buy air gadgets on CES hype. Use this checklist to verify CADR, PM2.5, independent lab reports and spot red flags before you spend.

Hook: Why CES Hype Can Cost You — And Your Indoor Air

New gadgets at CES promise cleaner air, fewer allergens, and even virus-killing superpowers. That sounds great — until you discover the machine can’t clear smoke from a lounge, costs a fortune in replacement filters, or emits ozone. For homeowners and renters worried about mould, condensation and high energy bills, buying on hype can worsen indoor air quality and waste money. This guide gives a practical, step-by-step checklist for verifying air-cleaning claims you see at tech shows like CES in 2026.

The 2026 Context: Why Vetting Matters More Than Ever

In 2025–2026 the consumer air-quality space matured rapidly. Manufacturers pushed AI sensor suites, novel ionisation and plasma systems, and compact ‘whole-home’ claims that sounded too good to be true. At the same time, independent labs and consumer bodies increased scrutiny — but not every CES demo now or later includes trustworthy data.

Key trends to keep in mind:

Smart sensors and gaming: Many devices include PM sensors but differ in calibration — vendors can present selective data that looks good on a demo dashboard.
Non-filter technologies: Ionisers, plasma and photocatalytic devices reappeared with aggressive marketing; without proper ozone and by-product data, these can be risky.
Claims vs real world: Manufacturers increasingly quote peak or idealised numbers (short test chambers) rather than sustained, whole-room performance.

Top Metrics That Matter — and What They Mean

When you evaluate a purifier or a new CES air gadget, these are the technical metrics to demand and understand.

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)

CADR expresses how much clean air a unit delivers per minute or hour for a specific pollutant (smoke, pollen, dust). It combines filter efficiency and airflow; it is the single most useful number for sizing a portable purifier.

Typical units: m3/h or CFM (convert CFM to m3/h: multiply by ~1.699).
Look for separate CADR values: smoke (fine particles), pollen (larger particles) and dust — smoke CADR aligns best with PM2.5 performance.
Beware vendors quoting single-pass efficiency without airflow — 99% removal at very low flow gives poor usable CADR.

Particle Sizes: PM2.5, PM1 and below

PM2.5 (particles under 2.5 microns) is the common health metric. Increasingly, credible tests report PM1 or particle-size curves down to 0.3 μm to show performance against combustion and ultrafine particles. If a device only reports “particles” with no size breakdown, treat that as a red flag.

Single-pass Efficiency vs Decay/CADR Tests

Understand the difference:

Single-pass efficiency: % of particles removed when air passes once through the filter at a set flow.
Decay / CADR: How quickly particle concentration falls in a test chamber — this captures both efficiency and flow rate and is more useful for real rooms.

Air Changes per Hour (ACH)

ACH = how many times the purifier can clean a room’s air each hour. Use CADR to calculate ACH (see the calculator further down). For typical living rooms aim for 4–6 ACH; higher-risk spaces (shared offices, medical etc.) target 6–12 ACH.

Noise (dB) and Energy Use (W)

Higher CADR at quiet noise levels is ideal. Check dBA ratings at different fan speeds and energy consumption in watts — a high-flow machine that is too loud or energy-hungry will sit unused.

Ozone and By-products

If a device uses ionisation, plasma, ozone, or UV, request measurements of ozone (ppb) and secondary oxidised VOCs (e.g., formaldehyde). Look for UL 2998 (zero ozone emission) or equivalent independent tests when vendors claim ‘no ozone’.

Filter Type and Certification

Ask for the filter’s standard: EN 1822 (H13/H14), ISO 29463 or, in lay terms, “True HEPA” with a stated removal efficiency and particle size. Also check carbon filter weight (grams) and specification for VOC/formaldehyde removal.

Microbiological Tests (If Claimed)

If the product claims virus/bacteria inactivation, demand independent challenge testing that reports log reductions for specific microbes and details of the test protocol, aerosolisation method and environmental conditions.

Who to Trust: Independent Labs & Certifications

Not all test reports are equal. Prefer reports from:

UKAS-accredited or internationally recognised labs (e.g., SGS, Intertek, TÜV).
AHAM Verifide CADR results (widely recognised in North America; useful even for UK buyers to compare models).
Consumer bodies: Which?, Consumer Reports and established lab reviews that publish full test methods and data.

Ask for the full test report PDF — not a two-line certificate. A credible report shows methodology, chamber size, aerosol type, preconditioning, measurement instruments and raw numbers. See our notes on handling and storing lab reports safely in the cloud: data handling and provenance.

A Practical Checklist: What to Ask Before You Buy

Use this step-by-step checklist when you see an air-cleaning gadget at CES, in press material, or on a product page.

Request a full lab report
- Is the lab UKAS-accredited or internationally recognised?
- Does the report include CADR, test chamber volume, aerosol type (tobacco smoke, NaCl, KCl) and raw decay curves?
Check what the CADR covers
- Separate CADR for smoke, dust and pollen? Is PM2.5 CADR stated?
- If only one number is given, ask for the CADR for PM2.5 and the test conditions.
Demand particle-size detail
- Does the test show performance at 0.3 μm, 1 μm and 2.5 μm? Look for particle size curves.
Ask about filter standards and replacements
- Is the HEPA filter EN 1822 / ISO 29463 rated (H13/H14)? How much do replacement filters cost and how often?
Seek ozone and by-product data if non-filter tech is used
- Request ozone PPB measurements and tests for secondary VOCs.
Look at real-world performance data
- Has a consumer lab or Which?/Consumer Reports tested the same model and published results?
Check energy and noise trade-offs
- Compare CADR per watt and dB levels at typical settings.
Spot marketing claims
- Be sceptical of “kills 99.9% of viruses” without detailed challenge-test reports specifying aerosols and environmental settings.

Example: Sizing a Purifier Using CADR and ACH

Use this simple worked example to convert vendor CADR into actionable room performance.

Room: 5m x 4m x 2.5m = 50 m3. Target: 5 ACH.

Required clean air delivery rate = room volume x target ACH = 50 m3 x 5 = 250 m3/h.

If the manufacturer lists CADR in CFM, convert first: 250 m3/h ÷ 1.699 ≈ 147 CFM. So you need a device with smoke PM2.5 CADR ≥ 250 m3/h (≈147 CFM) to reach ~5 ACH.

Tip: Always pick a model with a margin (e.g., 20% higher) to allow for furniture, doors, open windows and filter loading over time.

Common Red Flags at CES and in Product Pages

Vague numbers: “Removes 99.9% of pollutants” with no test method, particle sizes, or lab source.
Single impressive stat: One cherry-picked CADR number without context (fan speed, noise, power).
Proprietary metrics: “BioClear Index 9.8” — meaningless unless mapped to standard metrics.
No replacement filter info: If they hide filter life/costs, total cost of ownership is unclear.
Claims of whole-house performance from a small portable unit: That is almost always false unless they supply proper airflow ducting and calculations.
No independent test reports: Lab testing done “in-house” or by an unnamed lab is weak evidence.
Overreliance on ionisers/UV: Look for ozone and by-product data — otherwise walk away.

How to Evaluate Novel Technologies

CES often showcases non-filter approaches. Here’s how to assess them safely.

Ionisers/electrostatic precipitators: Verify ozone emissions and collection efficiency. Some are effective but require safe design and cleaning.
Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO): Ask for formaldehyde and VOC testing — PCO can oxidise VOCs into other compounds unless carefully proven. See biotech lab testing notes on lab protocols.
UV-C and bipolar ionisation claiming virus kill: Challenge tests must be by accredited bioaerosol labs and show log reductions under real-world humidity and temperature conditions. Refer to clinical testing guidance at Clinical Protocols 2026.

Verifying Sensor Data and ‘Smart’ Features

Many CES gadgets show live PM graphs and auto-modes. But sensors vary in quality. Ask:

Are the sensors factory-calibrated and does the vendor publish calibration method?
Has the unit’s sensor been validated against reference instruments (e.g., Grimm, TSI) in published tests?
Can you disable auto-modes — or at least see the raw PM values — so you can judge performance yourself?

Buying Decision Flow: Quick Roadmap

Clarify your objective: reduce PM2.5, reduce VOCs, or supplement ventilation for mould control.
Calculate required CADR/ACH for rooms you want to treat.
Compare shortlisted devices for PM2.5 CADR, noise, energy and filter cost.
Check for independent lab reports (UKAS, AHAM, Which?) and read the full PDFs — not just summaries. Store and verify reports with proper provenance and data handling (see data sovereignty guidance).
If a device uses novel tech, obtain ozone/VOC/microbiological challenge test reports.
Purchase from known retailers with return policies or wait for independent reviews if uncertain.

Whole-house Solutions vs Portable Purifiers

At CES you may see room purifiers that claim to replace whole-house systems. For whole-home IAQ, consider:

MVHR/ERV systems for balanced ventilation and heat recovery. Vendor claims should include SFP (specific fan power), filtration class and commissioning data.
Portable units are effective for targeted pollution sources (kitchen smoke, vaping, wood-burning stove) but won’t replace proper ventilation for condensation or whole-home mould control.
Ask installers for Part F (UK building regs) compliance information when considering fixed ventilation upgrades.

Actionable Takeaways: Your CES Air-Purchase Checklist

Demand CADR for PM2.5 and ask for test conditions.
Request full independent lab reports from UKAS-accredited labs or recognised organisations.
Verify HEPA/EN 1822 or ISO 29463 filter class and replacement costs.
Check ozone and VOC by-product data if the device uses non-filter tech.
Calculate CADR → ACH for your room and add a 20% safety margin.
Prefer devices tested by Which?, Consumer Reports or AHAM Verifide where possible.
Avoid marketing-only metrics and proprietary indexes without explanation.

Bottom line: CES demos showcase innovation — but don’t buy on a booth demo or press release alone. The best buy is the one that provides transparent, independently verified data you can map to your room and needs.

Where Airvent.uk Can Help

We vet products and installers for UK homes. If you want a second opinion on a CES-displayed purifier or need help sizing whole-house ventilation (MVHR), our team can review test reports, calculate required CADR/ACH, and recommend UK-compliant solutions.

Call to Action

Don’t be dazzled by demos. Download our printable CES Air-Purchase Checklist or send us a product link and lab report for a free credibility review. Protect your indoor air — get an expert second opinion before you buy.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.