Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Effectively cleans large areas
- Long-lasting Hepa and carbon filters (up to 5 years)
- Convenient and clear app
Cons
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- The fan creates a noticeable airflow in the vicinity of the machine
Our Verdict
Dyson’s new Big+Quiet boasts an exciting design and is capable of cleaning very large areas. It’s relatively quiet and the app is feature-rich and user-friendly. However, the bulky and heavy purifier creates a physically noticeable airflow in its vicinity, and it costs a small fortune.
Since time immemorial, Dyson air purifiers have had at least one thing in common: the distinctive design that sets the manufacturer’s devices apart from all competing models on the market. But with the new Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde, Dyson strays significantly from the beaten path.
Design & build
The Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde measures a whopping 33 inches in height, with a width of just under 16.5 inches. The unit consists of two parts: a lower component with a filter and an angled top section containing all the electronics. The base is equipped with wheels, which makes it easier move the 26-pound air purifier.
Even though it works relatively quietly, the air purifier creates a strong draught, something you should take into account when deciding where to place the unit
Whether the Purifier Big+Quiet looks good depends on the eye of the beholder, but the sense of quality is undeniable and the unit certainly attracts attention.
Andreas Bergsman
Set Up & Controls
The assembly itself takes less than a minute, after which you use the accompanying app to connect the Purifier Big+Quiet to your wireless network. Incidentally, the app is the same as for Dyson’s other models – it’s the excellent MyDyson app – and it allows you to control the air purifier’s functions.
There’s also an accompanying remote control, which magnetically snaps onto the left side of the unit.
Andreas Bergsman
The remote control is held in place by a magnetic mount.
Andreas Bergsman
Operation
The air purifier can be run in either auto mode, where the particle sensor adjusts the fan speed depending on the amount of pollutants in the air, or manually (10 different speeds are available). A night setting puts the unit into a quieter operating mode and turns off the air quality display at the top.
You can also adjust the actual angle of the airflow, from 0 (horizontal) up to 50 degrees, while Breeze mode is designed to mimic the feeling of gusts of wind. In practice, the Breeze mode simply switches between different angles as the Purifier Big+Quiet blows air – and blow it does. Even though it works relatively quietly, the air purifier creates a strong draught, something you should take into account when deciding where to place the unit.
Dyson
Performance
Of course, there is a reason for the strong airflow: the range. The Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet projects air up to nearly 33 feet, which is a prerequisite for cleaning really large rooms (up to 1,075 square feet).
The unit purifies efficiently, and in auto mode the sensors react instantly to the slightest deviation in the air. In our tests*, we ran the machine at maximum power and the results speak for themselves: PM2.5 was reduced from 132 to 3 and PM10 from 13 to 1 in less than 15 minutes.
*To test air purifiers, M3 (which first published this review) uses an advanced particle counter, PCE Instruments PCE-PCO 1 borrowed from Conrad.se. All air purifiers are tested in the same environment. The first measurement takes place in an uncleaned room (20 m²), then we let the air purifier run at maximum level for half an hour, after which the next measurement is performed. Our evaluation is performed in a home environment and not in a clinically optimal test environment.
Price & Availability
If you’re in the UK, the Big+Quiet Formaldehyde in Prussian Blue and Nickel costs £879.99. However, if you’re looking for a powerful air purifier but can do without a few frills, there’s a cheaper option. A simplified nickel and white model with 50o fixed airflow and no remote is available for £699.99. If you buy soon, you can save even more as it’s on sale for £499.99 as part of Dyson’s Winter Event. See it on the Dyson website.
In the US, there are two colourway options at two different price points. The Big+Quiet Formaldehyde in Bright Nickel and Prussian Blue costs $999.99. The Prussian Blue and Gold model costs $1,099.99.
Obviously, you can get an air purifier – and a good one – for less. If you don’t need such a large and powerful model, check out our round-up of the best air purifiers we’ve tested for our top recommendations.
Should you buy the Big+Quiet Formaldehyde?
The Big+Quiet is a powerful air purifier – not everyone will need it and it will create a lot of airflow in a smaller room. But if you’re looking to purify the air in a large space, it is definitely a product to consider.
Specifications
- Model: Purifier Big+Quiet
- Tested: October 2023
- Manufacturer: Dyson
- Features: Auto mode, 10 manual power modes and night mode
- Area (recommended): Up to 1,075 square feet
- Filters: Hepa H13, activated carbon filter and catalytic filter (captures and continuously breaks down formaldehyde molecules).
- Maximum airflow: Up to 313 m3/h
- Dimensions : 32.7 x 17.1 x 16.3 inches
- Weight : 26.2 pounds
- Noise level (according to manufacturer): from 43dB up to 56dB
This review first appeared on M3, our sibling publication, and was translated from the original Swedish by TechHive.