Brand: Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact is a connected, cylindrical air purifier built for a bedroom or office up to 27 m² (48 m² for light upkeep). Its 3-in-1 filter (pre-filter, electrostatic high-efficiency filter and activated carbon) captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns: pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke and odours. Certified TÜV Rheinland Allergy Care, it drops to 20 dB in sleep mode and is controlled from the Xiaomi Home app or by voice (Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa).

I ran the Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact in a 14 m² bedroom, and it faded into the background from the first night: in auto mode it stays close to inaudible and adjusts its own fan speed based on the measured air quality, shown at a glance through the 4-colour light on top. What surprised me most was how quickly it reacts: a few minutes after striking a match right in front of the intake, the light dropped back from red to green. Changing the filter, recommended every 6 to 12 months, is genuinely simple: twist the base and pull out the whole cartridge, no loose foam or carbon to handle. Two honest gripes: the power button stays faintly lit even in night mode, a small piece of tape sorts that out, and in a room of 25 m² or more, it is better run continuously than relied on for short bursts. For a bedroom, home office or small living space, this is a serious little machine, easy to live with day to day and light on the electricity bill.

The Smartmi Evaporative Humidifier 2 is a connected humidifier that works by evaporation rather than ultrasound: no visible mist, no white dust settling on furniture. Its 4 litre tank, top-filled without any disassembly, delivers up to 24 hours of runtime on the lowest setting. Controlled from the Xiaomi Home app or directly on the unit, it drops to 34.4 dB(A) in quiet mode and includes a self-cleaning mode with automatic drying to limit bacteria build-up inside the tank.

I ran this Smartmi unit in a bedroom for several weeks over winter, and what stood out most was what it doesn't do: no visible mist settling on the nightstand, no fine white limescale film on dark furniture, an issue I knew well from an older ultrasonic model. The principle is simple: air passes through a very thin water film carried by slowly rotating blades, and humidity levels regulate themselves almost automatically, with little risk of over-saturating the room. Top-filling the tank without having to remove or dismantle it is a genuine everyday convenience. The self-cleaning mode, which dries the interior once the water level drops, is reassuring for the long-term hygiene of a unit that stays damp most of the time. Two honest caveats: on maximum speed, the fan noise becomes noticeably more present than the 34.4 dB(A) quoted for quiet mode, and the humidification rate stays more modest than a high-end ultrasonic model in a large, very dry room. The Xiaomi Home app adds scheduling and remote monitoring, though it isn't essential for day-to-day use. A sound pick for anyone who values cleanliness and safety (over-humidifying is essentially impossible) over raw output.