A filter label does not tell you how quickly a purifier can clean a room, how loud it will be at the required setting or what it will cost to maintain. Start with the capture mechanism, then compare clean-air delivery and the upkeep you are willing to perform.
The mechanism
Two ways to hold an airborne particle
Charge. Attract. Hold.
An electric field gives particles a charge. Oppositely charged collector surfaces then attract and retain those particles until the collector is cleaned.
- 01Room airflow carries suspended pollen, dander, smoke and other fine particles into the purifier.
- 02The electrostatic field charges particles travelling through the capture stage.
- 03Collector surfaces attract and hold the charged material until the panel is washed.
Intercept. Impact. Diffuse.
A dense mat of fibres captures particles through several physical mechanisms as air follows a winding route through the pleated filter.
- 01Air is pushed through a tightly packed, pleated fibre medium.
- 02Particles collide with fibres, pass close enough to stick, or wander into a fibre through diffusion.
- 03The loaded filter is replaced on the appliance manufacturer’s schedule.
How CoreCharge handles allergens
It captures the airborne carrier.
Pollen, pet dander and other particle-based allergens can move through a room, settle on surfaces and return to the air. When those airborne particles pass through AirLab, CoreCharge gives them an electrical charge and attracts them to its collector surfaces. The material remains on the collector until it is rinsed away.
This is capture, not diagnosis: the purifier’s sensor cannot identify a pollen species or pet allergen, and settled material still needs routine cleaning.
Side by side
Compare the ownership model
Scroll table horizontally →
| Question | Washable electrostatic | HEPA |
|---|---|---|
| How are particles held? | Charged particles are attracted to collector surfaces. | Particles are mechanically captured within a pleated fibre matrix. |
| Routine upkeep | Remove, wash, dry completely and reinstall the collector. | Inspect and replace the filter on the stated schedule or indicator. |
| Routine filter consumables | None when the collector remains serviceable under normal use. | Replacement filters are part of normal ownership; price and interval vary by model. |
| What happens as material builds up? | Collector loading can reduce performance, so regular cleaning matters. | Filter loading can increase resistance and reduce airflow, so timely replacement matters. |
| How to compare whole machines | Use tested CADR, the room-size method, sound at the setting you will use, energy consumption and the required maintenance—not the filter label alone. | |
Consumable cost
Put your own filter price into the calculation
A fixed savings claim is rarely useful because replacement-filter prices and schedules differ by model and room conditions. Use the actual price and recommended interval for the HEPA purifier you are considering.
Editable cost example
Replacement-filter spend
The starting figures are an example only. Replace all three inputs with the current filter price, replacement frequency and ownership period for your comparison.
Consumables only. This estimate excludes the appliance price, electricity, water, cleaning time, servicing and replacement caused by damage or incorrect care. Always follow the manual for the appliance you own.
Which fits you?
Choose the maintenance you will actually do
A washable electrostatic purifier may fit when…
You prefer a reusable collector, can wash it on schedule and have space to let it dry completely before reinstalling it.
A HEPA purifier may fit when…
You prefer to remove and replace a loaded filter, accept the ongoing consumable cost and can reliably source the correct cartridge.
Neither choice removes the need for source control, ventilation where appropriate and surface cleaning. The right purifier is the one sized for the room and maintained correctly.
Velta CoreCharge™
See washable electrostatic capture in AirLab.
AirLab P80S pairs a washable pre-filter with a washable CoreCharge™ collector, 441 m³/h smoke CADR, sealed UV-C and real-time PM2.5 and TVOC sensing.
Explore AirLab P80S ↗
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