Blueair - Blue Pure 311i+ Max Air Purifier

Product Notes:

Is this the Right Size Model for You?

The '4-', '3-', and '2-' prefixes in the new Blue Pure Max model names still signal they're designed for small, mid- and large- sized rooms, respectively – and the new 'i' suffix denotes they're Wi-Fi enabled – while the '+' indicates they're for the bigger side of those size ranges. This 311i+ Max is thus intended for even very big mid-sized rooms, up to 465 sq. ft. That would actually encompass pretty much any bedroom and most living, family, or rec rooms, outside an actual mansion. But for larger or even extra large rooms up to 635 sq. ft., Blueair's 211i Max would be a more appropriate choice, while those with somewhat smaller mid-sized rooms would do well with either the previous Blue Pure generation's 311 or 411's or the new 411i Max (depending on which features you desire).

Some typical room dimensions within the "Mid-sized" rooms category which would be well within the current machine's capacity include: large bedrooms with 15x20, 16x22, or 16x24 feet walls; large rec. or family rooms with 16x24 feet walls; medium to large living rooms with 15x20, 16x20, or 18x24 feet walls; and even some typical medium sized open concept or 'great room' spaces of 18x24 or 18.4x21 feet walls. (All assuming the ceilings are no more than 8 feet high.)

The New Generation

Blueair has continued to garner excellent reviews for the efficiency and affordability of its proprietary "HEPASilent" technology in its Blue Pure family which combines the mechanical filtration of a pleated particle filter with a small electrostatic charge administered to the particles in the incoming air to make them 'stick' to the filter better, enabling the use of thinner filters to deliver maximum filtration – they can capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 micron in size, including Dust, Pollen, Mold, Pet Dander, Bacteria, and Viruses (especially when they're suspended in exhaled water droplets, which are much larger), and appreciable amounts of light household cooking and pet odours, smoke, and airborne chemicals – with a minimum of noise (no more than normal conversational levels) and energy consumption (about the same as a light-bulb).

But Blueair hasn't been content to rest on their laurels... they've continued to refine the materials and designs of the machines themselves to increase their airflow AND cut their operating costs and noise, while also adding advanced control and feedback features.

This new "Max" generation of Blue Pure machines first launched in America in Spring 2023 not only improves upon the automation feature that several of the more recent Blue Pure units have had (entailing an on-board sensor for the nearby air quality which can automatically trigger changes in the fan speed), with the addition of 2 more colours/settings for the machine's LED air quality indicator, but also introduces:

• a new overall shape of the machine (slightly tapered, rather than either purely cylindrical [for the prior 311 and 411s] or boxy [for the 211s]);
• a new noise shield situated between the filter and top to reduce the highest fan speed noise by a few Decibels to keep it to a moderate level even at top speed;
• Wi-Fi connection capability (on all but the 411a Max model) to work with their free app to enable remote control and far more detailed programming and air quality readings (both indoors and out*) options, and a remaining filter life indication (based on a new "RealTrack" advanced machine learning algorithm which takes factors like fan speed, usage time and pollutant levels into account);
• an additional speed control setting for Night Mode (for the lowest speed and fully dimmed lights);
• two enhancements to improve the airflow for even faster cleaning and less noise and power consumption:
  - new hole patterns for the incoming and treated air, and,
  - a new prefilter: not only with subtler/more muted Scandinavian colours (the unit ships with the 'Stockholm Fog' silver-grey colour) but in the actual material, which is now a technical knitted fabric, to improve airflow); and perhaps most importantly of all,
• a new type of HEPASilent filter at a similar price point that may last up to 50% longer (such that a typical user may only have to replace it every 9 months rather than every 6).

The Blue Pure Max air purifiers are all independently evaluated for their air exchange performance claims by the AHAM Verified program; certified for energy efficiency by the Energy Star program; and certified for zero ozone emissions by Intertek (since they emit fewer than 5 parts per billion; the measured Ozone Emissions for this model are well within that threshold, at 2.0 ppb), and have been awarded a "Quiet Mark" designation by the Noise Abatement Society (NAS) as being among the quietest products in their category.

There are numerous ways of controlling this model. The first is its touch-button control panel, located on top of the unit. This panel includes not only the main power and fan speed buttons, but also indicators for several other functions or readings (such as fan speed and when it's time to replace the filter.

Second, it can be controlled by most Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices (either smart phones or tablets) using a free mobile app for Android and Apple devices which can then either be used as a remote control to activate the unit or change some of its functions on the fly either from across the room or elsewhere, or as a means of programming a "Welcome Home" schedule for it, to turn itself onto the highest speed 15 minutes before you come home from work, e.g. It can even be controlled just with your voice, with the help of Alexa or Google voice assistance, which may be of particular interest to the vision impaired.

Finally, if the machine is not located in your bedroom, the beauty of the AUTO mode is you likely won't need to do anything more to control it on a day to day basis, once you leave it at that setting.

* The indoor and outdoor air quality readings available in the Blueair app once you have it connected are from two sources. The indoor air quality readings are of course carried out by the on-board AQI sensor and recorded in the air purifier itself, which can get uploaded to the app when you have its Wi-Fi enabled. The real-time outdoor air quality is provided by the Breezometer company, which tracks PM2.5 and PM10 particles, as well as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. (E.g., these are its current results for the air quality at our Winnipeg store location.)