Aura Air Purifier: Stylish Design Meets Limited Smart Features in High-End Air Purification

An air purifier is a specialized yet beneficial device for several reasons. Consumers in India are increasingly recognizing the value of having an air purifier in their homes, with various brands, including well-known names like Dyson, Philips, Samsung, and Xiaomi, competing in this market segment. Introducing itself into this competitive arena is Aura, a relatively new brand that positions itself as an expert in air purification technology. The product being reviewed here is the Aura Air Purifier.

Available for Rs. 37,500 in India, the Aura Air Purifier claims to blend straightforward operation with modern features. With smart connectivity via an app, compatibility with voice assistants, and a commitment to exceptional air purification, does the Aura Air Purifier stand out as the top premium air purifier available today? Explore this review to find out.

The Aura Air Purifier is designed to be wall-mounted, distinguishing it from the majority of floor-standing air purifiers on the Indian market.

 

Design and Features of the Aura Air Purifier

Most premium air purifiers follow a ‘tower’ or floor-mounted design, making the wall-mounting capability of the Aura Air Purifier quite unique. With the provided screw hooks, you can easily affix the purifier to a wall, thus conserving valuable floor area. However, should you prefer not to wall-mount it, the Aura Air Purifier can also function upright with the fan directed outward, making it suitable for any tabletop.

The Aura Air Purifier is relatively large, featuring all electronic and electrical parts at the device’s rear and a removable air filter at the front. Its back panel displays a grille pattern that facilitates the exit of purified air after passing through the filter.

Notably, the device has a single button that is somewhat difficult to find, which is used for resetting the device when necessary. There are no additional buttons for power or fan speed control directly on the Aura Air Purifier; once plugged into a power outlet and activated, it continuously operates and can only be turned off by switching the main power off. However, fan speed adjustments can be made via the app.

The front area of the air purifier is covered over the fan, yet it has sufficient space along the edges to effectively draw in air. Additionally, a small light at the bottom indicates the power and connectivity status.

Included with the Aura Air Purifier are a power adapter and cable that connect to the back of the main unit, as well as screws and anchors for wall installation. The filter system (boasting technology patented by Aura) comes pre-installed and comprises four purification elements — a pre-filter, a primary HEPA Ray filter, an air ioniser, and UV LEDs to eliminate bacteria and viruses. A new filter is included with the unit purchase, with replacement filters available for Rs. 5,000 each.

Aura Air Purifier App

The Aura Air Purifier comes with a companion app called Aura Air (available for both Android and iOS), but this app offers limited control over the air purifier’s functions. Instead, it serves primarily as a source of information regarding the device’s performance and efficiency. The air purifier operates in an ‘always-on’ mode when receiving power, and turning it off requires shutting down the main power switch or unplugging the device, which can be somewhat inconvenient.

The main control you have over the Aura Air Purifier through the app is the device mode, primarily determining fan speed and resultant noise levels. You can also schedule a Night Mode, which allows the purifier to run more quietly. In ‘Auto’ mode, the purifier automatically adjusts its fan speed based on the detected air quality.

The app also provides options for controlling the LED status light and resetting the filter’s day count manually when a new air filter is installed. According to Aura, a new filter is effective for up to 180 days of continuous usage. Additionally, the app allows for setup and monitoring of multiple Aura devices across different locations.

The Aura Air app is compatible with iOS and Android and offers insights into both indoor and outdoor air quality.

 

The app supports several integrations with platforms like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, among others. These integrations vary in functionality, with some allowing control over power settings, while others provide air quality information through voice prompts. While the Alexa and Siri capabilities worked adequately, they didn’t enhance the overall functionality significantly; I preferred the app for accessing information or adjusting power modes.

Keeping users informed about air quality is the primary function of the Aura Air app. This includes monitoring indoor and outdoor air quality via AQI (the latter necessitates location access to retrieve data from the Internet) along with detailed daily and weekly charts illustrating various air quality levels as assessed by the device.

It features sensors that measure AQI, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, as well as PM10 and PM2.5 levels, humidity, and temperature. The charts are user-friendly, and the app performed quite smoothly on iOS.

Performance of the Aura Air Purifier

The true effectiveness of an air purifier can often be gauged by personal experience, and most manufacturers recommend operating the devices continuously to fully appreciate their benefits. The Aura Air Purifier adopts a straightforward mechanism that almost necessitates round-the-clock use; lacking a power switch means that simply providing power will activate it.

In contrast to the similarly-priced Dyson Purifier Cool, the Aura Air Purifier does not have the capability to blow air in the manner of a traditional fan. Instead, air is drawn through the front filter and expelled from the sides, which seems to optimize the overall air flow.

Results displayed in the app indicated a significant improvement in air quality in my living space within just 10 minutes of operation. Using the ‘Auto’ mode was particularly beneficial, as it adjusted the purifier’s performance in accordance with the room’s air quality. However, it did generate noticeable noise levels when contaminants were high, but would quiet down as the situation improved.

The Ray filter is designed to maintain effectiveness for approximately 180 days, after which it will need replacement.

 

The night mode ensured the Aura Air Purifier operated softly, albeit at the expense of taking more time to improve air quality. When in continuous use during the day with doors and windows shut, the device effectively preserved acceptable air quality levels while running quietly.

However, opening windows makes the unit work harder, and it is generally recommended to deactivate air purifiers when windows are open. Nevertheless, the Aura Air Purifier’s always-on functionality implies that it is intended to operate even with open windows and doors, although this could lead to more frequent filter replacements than anticipated.

In terms of purifying air quality, it’s challenging to measure the specific effectiveness of the Aura Air Purifier for me, but I did perceive noticeable improvements in indoor air quality on days when the purifier was active compared to when it was off. The air quality metrics presented in the Aura Air app showed consistent enhancement both in the short and long run, with varying conditions in the room being accurately reflected in the charts.

Final Thoughts

The Aura Air Purifier boasts an appealing design, seemingly effective air purification, and is user-friendly. However, it somewhat lacks in smart functionalities and customizable operating options. While the simplified approach may seem advantageous in theory, the absence of a power button and more detailed controls feels peculiar in practice.

Additionally, the Aura Air Purifier appears to be priced on the higher side considering its offerings, with replacement filter costs also seeming quite steep. It may attract those searching for a wall-mountable unit with satisfactory performance, but alternatives from brands like Dyson, Philips, and Samsung are arguably more enticing in the premium category.

Price: Rs. 37,500

Ratings (out of 10):

Design: 8
Performance: 8
Value for money: 5
Overall: 7

Pros

• Can be mounted on walls
• Effective purification
• Provides good insights on air cleanliness

Cons

• Lacks a power button, has minimal controls
• Both the device and replacement filters are pricey
• Can be somewhat loud during normal operation

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