Air purifiers have become increasingly popular for improving indoor air quality. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to decide which model is best for your needs and space.
Two great options to consider are the Blueair Blue Pure 311 and 411 models. While both efficiently clean the air, there are some key differences between these Blueair purifiers to understand before making a purchase.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Blue Pure 311 | Blue Pure 411 |
| Room Coverage | 365 sq. ft. | 618 sq. ft. |
| Filters | Combination + Carbon | Combination + Carbon |
| CADR | Smoke: 350 cfm Dust: 350 cfm Pollen: 350 cfm | Smoke: 500 cfm Dust: 500 cfm Pollen: 500 cfm |
| Noise Level | 31-56 dB | 31-70 dB |
| Dimensions | 17 x 20 x 9 in | 28 x 20 x 10 in |
| Weight | 15 lbs | 28 lbs |
| Energy Use | 60W | 105W |
| WiFi Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Alexa Compatibility | No | Yes |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Overview of the Blueair Blue Pure 311
The Blueair Blue Pure 311 is the smaller, more affordable option of the two air purifiers. Here are some of the key features and benefits of the 311:
- Compact size: At just 17 inches high and 9 inches deep, the 311 has a petite footprint perfect for small rooms. It can effectively clean spaces up to 365 square feet.
- Quiet operation: The 311 purifier runs at noise levels as low as 31 decibels on the lowest setting. This makes it ideal for bedrooms or offices where you don’t want excessive noise. The highest setting reaches 56 dB.
- Energy efficient: With an energy use of only 60 watts, the 311 is an energy efficient air purifying option that will keep your utility bills low.
- Combination filters: The 311 uses a combination of particle and activated carbon filtration to remove dust, pollen, smoke, odors, gases, and more from the air.
- Easy maintenance: The filters only need to be replaced every 6 months, keeping maintenance simple.
- Affordable price point: The 311 retails for around $$ depending on the retailer, making it a budget-friendly option compared to many air purifiers with similar CADR ratings.
While the 311 doesn’t have smart capabilities or the largest coverage, its compact size and quiet performance make it ideal for small rooms like home offices and bedrooms. It effectively cleans the air without excessive noise or energy use.
Overview of the Blueair Blue Pure 411
The Blueair Blue Pure 411 steps up the power and performance with the following features:
- Large room capacity: The 411 can clean extra large spaces up to 618 square feet, making it a great choice for open concept rooms, living rooms and family spaces.
- Superior CADR ratings: With CADR ratings of 500 for smoke, dust and pollen, the 411 can clean the air 5 times per hour in rooms up to 618 square feet. This makes it one of the most powerful air purifiers for large spaces.
- Whisper-silent operation: Even at the highest fan speeds, noise levels remain under 70 dB, quieter than daily vacuum use and many competing air purifier models.
- WiFi connectivity and app: The 411 can connect directly to your WiFi network. This allows you to control settings and monitor air quality from anywhere using the Blueair app.
- Compatible with Alexa: You can use Alexa voice commands to control your 411 air purifier, like changing fan speeds or turning it on and off.
- Advanced filters: Like the 311, the 411 uses a combination of particle and activated carbon filtration to trap airborne pollutants. The filters are easy to access and change.
The 411 offers the same great filtration as the 311 but with enhanced smart features, larger room capacity, and superior performance. The higher price tag reflects these upgraded capabilities to meet the needs of larger spaces.
Also Read: Comparison Between Blueair and Dyson
Detailed Comparison Between the 311 and 411
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each model, let’s take a deeper dive into how these two air purifiers stack up across some key factors:
- Room Coverage and CADR Ratings
When it comes to clean air delivery rates (CADR), the Blueair 411 outperforms the 311 purifier. With maximum CADR ratings of 500 cfm for smoke, dust, and pollen, the 411 can clean much larger rooms up to 618 square feet effectively. It recirculates all the air in the room 5 times per hour.
The 311 has maximum CADR ratings of 350 cfm across the three particles. This allows it to efficiently clean mid-sized rooms up to 365 square feet, recirculating the total air volume 5 times per hour like the 411.
While great for small bedrooms and offices, the 311 understandably can’t keep up with the 411 in large living spaces and open floor plans.
- Noise Levels
Both Blueair models have quiet operation compared to many air purifier brands. Noise levels range from 31-56 decibels on the Blue Pure 311. The 411 is slightly louder at 31-70 dB but still quieter than a vacuum cleaner.
Both maintain whisper-quiet performance on the lowest fan settings. This makes them good options for bedrooms and living spaces where you don’t want distracting white noise. Light sleepers may prefer the 311 for its lower maximum noise output.
- Filter Types
The Blueair 311 and 411 both use a combination of particle and activated carbon filters to clean the air. The particle pre-filter catches larger dust, pet hair and lint particles.
The particle filter underneath uses HEPASilentâ„ ̆ technology with electrostatic and mechanical filtration to capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including allergens like pollen and dust.
The activated carbon filter adsorbs odors, gases, VOCs and other airborne chemicals that particle filters can’t trap.
This combination filter allows both models to reduce airborne contaminants that impact health and comfort. The great CADR ratings indicate powerful performance, but the filtration technology itself is identical in the 311 and 411 units.
Also Read: Comparison Between uHoo and Airthings
- Filter Life
With proper maintenance, the combination filters in both the 311 and 411 air purifiers last about 6 months before needing a change.
The pre-filter can be vacuumed clean between replacements rather than being replaced. Make sure to change the filters regularly to maintain top performance. Higher use in more polluted environments may require more frequent filter replacements.
- Dimensions
Due to its larger capacity for bigger rooms, the Blueair 411 has bigger dimensions than the 311 model. It measures 28 inches high by 20 inches wide by 10 inches deep and weighs 28 pounds.
The 311 is just 17 inches high, 20 inches wide and 9 inches deep at a lighter 15 pound weight. Make sure you have the counter, floor or wall space for the 411’s larger footprint. The 311 has a petite, space-saving design.
- Energy Use
One of the Blue Pure 311’s advantages over the 411 is lower energy consumption. The 311 only uses 60 watts of energy on the highest setting. The 411 requires more power for the larger coverage, using 105 watts on its highest fan speed.
In the long-term, the 311 may cost slightly less to operate. However, the energy use of both models is efficient compared to many air purifiers with less advanced filtration.
- Color Options
Blueair offers both the 311 and 411 models in classic white as well as black housing and color packs to match different home décor. The 411 also comes in blue.
You can easily customize the accent colors. This gives both purifiers an aesthetically pleasing, modern design to blend seamlessly into living spaces.
Also Watch This Review Video:
- Connectivity and Controls
One of the biggest differences between these two air purifiers is the 411 model has smart capabilities while the 311 does not. The Blue Pure 411 can connect directly to your WiFi network and integrate with the Blueair app.
This allows you to control the purifier from your smartphone, get filter change reminders, monitor air quality levels, and see when it’s time to replace the filter.
You can also connect the 411 purifier to Alexa to use voice commands for simple operation. The 311 has basic mechanical buttons on the unit but lacks any smart or app connectivity. If high-tech monitoring and control are important, the 411 is the better pick.
- Cost Comparison
With its larger capacity, smart controls and superior performance, the Blueair 411 costs more than the 311 model. The 311 purifier retails for around $$ depending on the retailer. The 411 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $$$.
For small rooms under 400 square feet, the 311 has sufficient cleaning power at a more affordable price point.
But the 411 offers an excellent value for larger living spaces up to 618 square feet when air purification performance is critical. Keep room sizes and high-tech features in mind when weighing the costs.
Also Read: Differences Between Mila And Blueair Air Purifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the Blueair 311 uses true HEPA filtration that captures over 99.97% of particles as small as 0.1 microns. This includes allergens, dust, smoke, bacteria and more.
Like the 311, the Blueair 411 also uses true medical-grade HEPA filters as part of its combination particle/carbon filtration system. Its exceptional CADR ratings indicate this HEPA filtration works effectively to reduce airborne contaminants.
The Blueair 411+ model includes the same technology as the 411 but also integrates an ionizer to send out positive and negative ions. The ions attach to floating particles to help precipitate them out of the air. Ionizers are controversial, though, as they can produce trace amounts of ozone. The standard 411 delivers powerful performance without an ionizer.
With proper maintenance, the combination filters in the Blueair 311 last approximately 6 months before needing replacement. More polluted environments may require replacement more often. Promptly replacing clogged filters keeps the 311 working at peak performance.
Also Read: Comparison Between IQAir and Coway
Final Thoughts
While both deliver clean, filtered air, the Blueair 411 outperforms the 311 with its larger capacity, smartphone controls, whisper-quiet operation and air quality sensor.
Yet the 311 remains an excellent value for smaller rooms up to 365 square feet. Consider your space, budget and desired features, and you can confidently choose the right Blueair model to create a healthier indoor environment.