Air Purifiers · Head-to-head
Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) vs Levoit Core 400S-P
Best Living-Area Unit for Multiple Smelly Pets
Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400)
4.3/10
$845.00 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Levoit Core 400S-P comes out ahead overall with 7.5/10 against 4.3/10 for the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400). Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) is stronger on indoor-air safety & materials and running cost & ownership. Levoit Core 400S-P is stronger on noise at sleep-usable speeds, cleaning performance for bedroom size, sleep-friendly features and value. At current verified prices, the Levoit Core 400S-P costs about $655.03 less.
- Choose the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) if: Homes with heavy, persistent pet odor that need a living-area unit. It is not a bedroom purifier: it is 42.5 dBA even at its lowest speed and has no sleep mode.
- Choose the Levoit Core 400S-P if: Cat owners who will buy the $64.99 Smoke Remover filter (about $255 total) for quiet auto cleaning plus real odor carbon.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) | Levoit Core 400S-P |
|---|---|---|
| Noise at sleep-usable speeds | 3.077 cfm PM1 under 45 dBA and a 42.5 dBA minimum (HouseFresh). | 7.8134 cfm PM1 under 45 dBA and 35.5 dBA in sleep (HouseFresh). Loud at top speed (60.3 dBA). |
| Cleaning performance for bedroom size | 5.5Weak particle CADR, but unmatched odor capacity. | 7.8249 cfm PM1. Odor capability depends on the 450 g Smoke Remover filter. |
| Sleep-friendly features | 2.0No sleep mode, sensor or app. | 8.0Laser sensor, auto mode, sleep mode and app. |
| Indoor-air safety & materials | 8.0Steel housing, no ionizer, CSA approved. | 7.5No ionizer, Energy Star and CARB listed. Covered by the HEPA-labeling settlement. |
| Running cost & ownership | 6.0A $315 filter every up to 5 years, but power draw is high. | 5.5The $64.99 Smoke Remover filter about every 6 months is pricey. |
| Value | 4.0$845 pays off only for heavy odor. | 7.0About $255 with the odor filter, roughly the Mighty2's price. |
Specifications
| Spec | Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) | Levoit Core 400S-P |
|---|---|---|
| Exact model / SKU | HM400 / B400 | Core 400S-P |
| Workflow type | Freestanding 360° steel-housed purifier: pre-filters + heavy carbon/zeolite + HEPA | Cylindrical 360° room purifier: pre-filter + H13-labeled HEPA + carbon |
| Lowest-speed noise (manufacturer) | — | 22 dB |
| Independent PM1 CADR at maximum | 160 CFM | 249 CFM |
| Top-speed noise (manufacturer) | — | 52 dB |
| Independent PM1 CADR at low-noise setting | 77 CFM | 134 CFM |
| Lowest-speed noise (independent measurement) | 42.5 dBA | 35.5 dBA |
| Quiet-test threshold | HouseFresh: fastest speed under 45 dBA at 3 ft | HouseFresh: fastest speed under 45 dBA at 3 ft |
| CADR (smoke where given, else headline) | — | 231 cfm |
| Measured noise range | 42.5–61.5 (HouseFresh) | 35.5 (sleep)–60.3 (HouseFresh) |
| Recommended room size (4.8–5 ACH / AHAM) | 169 sq ft | 358 sq ft |
| Max power draw | 147.6 W | 38 W |
| Ionization/electronic stage present | No | No |
| Sleep / night mode | No | Yes |
| App control | No | Yes |
| Particle-filter construction/certification | HEPA, 99.97% at 0.3 µm (Austin Air) | — |
| Filter type | Single cartridge: pre-filters + activated carbon/zeolite + HEPA | 3-stage; Pet Allergy, Toxin Absorber, Smoke Remover (HEACAFLVNUS0081A, $64.99) options |
| Carbon-media format | Loose granular activated carbon + zeolite, ~15 lb | Pelleted carbon; 450 g in Smoke Remover filter (HouseFresh) |
| Main filter life | 60 months | 6 months |
| OEM replacement-filter price | 315 USD | 49.99 USD |
| Stated filter interval | 60 months | — |
| Manufacturer direct/list price | 845 USD | 219.99 USD |
| Pet-hair pre-filter / intake design | — | Fabric pre-filter wrapped on cylinder |
| Activated carbon amount (where disclosed) | ~15 lb carbon + zeolite (HouseFresh; Austin Air FAQ) | 450 g (Smoke Remover filter, HouseFresh) |
Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400)
Pros
- About 15 lb of carbon and zeolite
- Filter rated for up to 5 years
- All-steel construction
- No ionizer
Cons
- Loud at its lowest speed
- Low particle CADR for the price
- High power draw
- Very expensive, with no sleep mode or app
A niche choice for persistent, heavy odor in a living area. For most homes, a cheaper machine with an upgraded carbon filter is the more practical route.
Full Austin Air HealthMate HM400 (B400) review →Levoit Core 400S-P
Pros
- Strong odor carbon with the Smoke Remover filter
- Quiet auto cleaning with a laser sensor
- 35.5 dBA in sleep
- App control
- No ionizer
Cons
- Odor setup costs about $255 in total
- Noisy at top speed, 60.3 dBA
- Filters need replacing about every 6 months
The best mainstream choice for cat owners who want real odor control and quiet nights, provided you budget for the upgraded filter.
Full Levoit Core 400S-P review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Air Purifiers for Pet Dander and Odor of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.