First impression of the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier
The air purifier made a solid, high-quality impression, but lifting it was difficult due to its weight. Thanks to the integrated castors, however, it is easy to move around the room once you have lifted it out of the package. The construction looks robust and has a simple design. Despite its size, the appliance runs relatively quietly - even on level 3. Operation is intuitive and involves just a few buttons, which makes it easier to use.
According to the manufacturer, the Blueair Classic 680i filters the room air at a rate of five air changes per hour (approx. every 12 minutes). The device is suitable for rooms up to 72 square meters in size. The air purifier is designed to effectively reduce the concentration of particles in the air and guarantee a pleasant, healthy environment even in particularly large areas of houses with an open floor plan, studios or basements. To achieve this, the Blueair Classic 680i combines electrostatic filtration with mechanical filtration to create HEPASilent technology. This creates low-density filters that require less air pressure than conventional HEPA filters. Quieter and more energy-efficient air purification is therefore possible without any loss of performance.
You can find more information about the air purifier here.
air-Q Lab air purifier Blueair Classic 680i: Test setup & implementation
In our test, we wanted to check how well the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier with particle filter works. Our test focused on the reduction of particulates (PM₁₀ and PM₂,₅) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a 24 m² room. To simulate heavy soiling, an incense candle was lit and a spray of deodorant was also used. During the entire test, the air quality was measured and documented using the air-Q air quality meter. To draw meaningful conclusions about how the air purifier works, we carried out the test twice: once without and once with the Blueair Classic 680i.
1st test: Development of particulate matter values with & without air purifier
Before the experiment began, the room was thoroughly ventilated to create a clean initial condition. At 09:01, the soiling of the room was simulated by lighting an incense candle and a spray of deodorant.
Measurement results Development of fine dust values without air filter
The particulate matter level rose to just over 200 μg/m³, exceeding the recommended daily limit of 50 μg/m³ many times over. After five minutes, the incense burner was extinguished and the level of pollutants initially fell continuously. The particulate matter value halved after just 2 minutes. The curve then decreased much more slowly and even fell below the limit value for a short time. Following this brief recovery in particulate matter levels, the air-Q air measuring device detected a renewed increase. The limit value was exceeded again and leveled off at just under 100 μg/m³.
Only 6 hours after the test did the measured values fall below the recommended limit of 40 μg/m³. This means that fine dust pollution from incense burners and the like remains in the room for a very long time without air exchange, for example through air purification. The particles are easily absorbed through breathing and reach deep into the body due to their minimal particle size.
Development of particulate matter values PM₁₀ at a glance:
- Starting value (9:06 a.m.): 201 µg/m³
- Measurement after 1 hour (10:06 a.m.): 83.4 µg/m³
- below the limit value (40 µg/m³): A value of 39.5 µg/m³ was not reached until 15:07.
Measurement results Development of fine dust values with air filter
The room was also ventilated in advance for the second test run with the air purifier. At 9:30 a.m., the simulation of air pollution began by lighting the incense candle and spraying deodorant. At 9:35 a.m., the incense burner was extinguished and the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier was switched on at level 3 at the same time. With regard to the particulate matter value PM₁₀, an initial value of 258 µg/m³ was recorded at 9:30 am. The air measuring device documented a constant reduction of the pollutant. The limit value of 60 µg/m³ was already reached at 9:39 a.m., which corresponds to a reduction of around 76.7 %. The stricter limit value of 40 µg/m³ was already undercut at 9:44 a.m. with a value of 38.5 µg/m³. The particulate matter value continued its steady decline until the value fell to 0 µg/m³ at 9:54 a.m. - which meant that the particulate matter was completely eliminated after just 24 minutes. One hour later, at 10:31 a.m., the measured value remained at 0.0 µg/m³.
Development of particulate matter values PM₁₀ at a glance:
- Start value (09:35 a.m.): 258 µg/m³
- Measurement after 1 hour (10:31 a.m.): 0.0 µg/m³
- below the limit value (40 µg/m³): After just 15 minutes, it was possible to fall below the limit value at 38.5 µg/m³.
The evaluation diagrams of the air-Q clearly show the difference during the test: above without air purifier, below with air purifier Blueair Classic 680i:
2nd test: Development of VOC values with & without air purifier
In addition to the fine substance values, we looked at the development of volatile organic compounds. This is because these values are significantly influenced by the use of scented candles and the like.
Measurement results VOC development without air filter
At the start of the test at 9:05 am, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was 9085 ppb, exceeding the limit value of 4000 ppb by 127.1 %. A rapid decrease in VOC levels was observed after just 2 minutes, when the value fell to 2500 ppb. After 10 minutes, the concentration reached around 1200 ppb. However, the load then increased significantly again. Over a period of 4 minutes, the values increased again and finally stabilized just above 2000 ppb. One hour after the start of the test, at 10:05 a.m., a concentration of 2076 ppb was measured. The limit value of 1200 ppb was therefore not undercut during the entire measurement period; even at 18:00 the value was still above 2000 ppb.
Development of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) at a glance:
- Starting value (9:05 am): 9085 ppb
- Measurement after 1 hour (10:05 am): 2076 ppb
- Below the limit value (1200 ppb): The value did not fall below the limit value during the entire measurement period.
Measurement results VOC development with air filter
The concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) began at 9:35 a.m. with a starting value of 8276 ppb, which more than doubled the limit value of 4000 ppb (106.9 %). Shortly after the start of the test, a constant reduction of the pollutants set in. At 9:44 a.m., the limit value of 4000 ppb was undercut, which corresponds to a decrease of around 51.6 %. The VOC value continued to fall steadily until a value of 2000 ppb was reached at 10:00.
At 10:32, there was a rapid drop from around 1700 ppb to approx. 600 ppb within a minute, so that the second limit value of 1200 ppb was already undercut at 10:33 with 706 ppb. One hour after the start of the test, at 10:35 a.m., the VOC concentration was only 221 ppb and therefore well below the recommended limit value of 1200 ppb. At 10:38 a.m., around 63 minutes after the start of the test, the air-Q measuring device no longer showed any pollutant particles in the air. The VOC concentration reached the 0 point, where it remained until the end of the test.
Development of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) at a glance:
- Starting value (9:35 a.m.): 8276 ppb
- Measurement after 1 hour (10:35 am): 221 ppb
- Below the limit value (1200 ppb): As early as 10:33 a.m., the value fell below the limit at 706 ppb.
The evaluation diagrams of the air-Q also show a noticeable difference between the pollutant removal with and without air purification with regard to this value. The first diagram shows the air analysis of the test without air purifier, the lower diagram shows the VOC load when using the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier:
Influence of the pollutant development on the health index
With the air-Q air measuring device, you not only receive an evaluation of the air composition but also a statement on the health index. For this purpose, the air analyzer continuously analyses all relevant substances in the air you breathe and compares them with the limit values of the WHO, the Federal Environment Agency and scientific studies. The air-Q health index is calculated from the results. Our tests produce the following diagrams:
During the first test run without air filters, the health index averaged 1%. The limit values of 50, 70 and 100 % were therefore never reached. Only at 9:08 and between 9:12 and 9:18 did the index rise briefly - although only marginal percentages of approx. 5 % were achieved here.
The second test run with the air purifier, on the other hand, showed a significant increase in the health index. While a poor index with a 0% line was also recorded at the start of the test, the value rose constantly as the pollutants were reduced. Analogous to the decrease in particulate matter and VOC pollution after around 15 minutes of the test, the health index increased constantly. The index reached the first limit value of 50 % after just 16 minutes of the test and 70 % after a further 2 minutes. The value then leveled off at around 80 % and remained at this level until the end of the test. With the air purifier, an average health index of 62 % was achieved.
air-Q test Effect of the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier on air quality: results & analysis
The comparison of the two test series shows the clear effectiveness of the Blueair Classic 680i in terms of reducing particulates and VOCs. Without the air purifier, it took almost six hours to fall below the PM₁₀ limit value of 40 µg/m³. With the air purifier, this value was reached after less than 10 minutes. After one hour, particulate matter levels had even dropped completely to 0 µg/m³.
The difference in volatile organic compounds was also considerable. Without the air purifier, the VOC value did not fall below 2000 ppb over the entire day and thus remained well above the limit value of 1200 ppb. With the air purifier, on the other hand, the limit value was clearly undercut after just one hour and the VOC load was reduced to 221 ppb.
Spontaneous use of the Blueair Classic 680i reveals fine dust pollution in the air-Q office
After our practical test, another random real-life test was carried out a few days later. Although we had neither noticed nor smelled it, the fine dust levels were significantly higher due to a construction site in front of the building. Only a glance at the air-Q showed that the limit values were clearly exceeded. Between 10:30 and 12:30 and between 14 and 15:30, the air-Q recorded particulate matter levels of over 30 µg/m³. In the meantime, the pollution dropped rapidly to 0 µg/m³. This was because we used the air purifier during our lunch break and it filtered the particulates out of the room air. After the lunch break, we switched off the Blueair Classic 680i and opened the windows again so that the dust from the construction site could once again enter the room.
Conclusions about how the air purifier works and recommendations for use
In this test, the Blueair Classic 680i air purifier demonstrated a very high level of efficiency in removing both particulates and volatile organic compounds. We were particularly surprised by the speed with which the purifier removed the fine dust content from the air. The reduction in VOC values was also significant and much faster than without the device.
Allergy sufferers in particular benefit from rapid air purification. Pollen binds to fine dust particles and therefore affects allergy sufferers. Removing the dust is therefore helpful for a relaxed stay in the home and a restful sleep. The air purifier is also suitable for homes or workplaces on busy roads to improve the air quality.
The Blueair Classic 680i is therefore not only ideal for allergy sufferers, but also for everyday use in polluted indoor spaces. Especially in rooms where pollutants such as particulates or VOCs are regularly produced, for example through cooking, smoking or the use of fragrances, this air purifier could make a valuable contribution to improving the air quality. The air purifier is also useful for offices. Due to its rapid performance, the air purifier is ideal for selective use during lunch breaks.
For optimum air quality: combination of air measurement & air purification
The combination of air purifier and air measuring device proves to be extremely effective for continuously monitoring air quality and intervening in specific situations. The air purifier ensures a rapid and sustainable reduction of pollutants, while the air-Q measures the values for particulates and VOCs in real time, enabling immediate control of the air quality. In addition, the air-Q measures many other pollutants, such as CO₂, CO, humidity, air temperature and many other parameters, providing a comprehensive insight into the composition of the indoor air. Thanks to these precise measurements, you can take targeted measures as soon as the indoor air pollution increases. In this way, you make a significant contribution to a healthier indoor climate.
Discover our various air-Q models and your opportunity to breathe healthily.
