During the eight weeks we’ve had the Mila for review, there have been a couple of app and firmware updates that make using it far easier in a range of scenarios. Aside from the Manual and Auto Modes, there are a number of Automagic Settings that you can play around with: As mentioned a few times already, the Mila is very stylish. We can imagine James Dyson looking at it enviably, and wondering why his engineers didn’t think to festoon all of Dyson’s purifiers with a snazzy polka dot design. (It isn’t an actual polka dot print, by the way, just tiny holes punched into the unit’s outer casing).

Mila Air Purifier: Critter Cuddler Mila Air Purifier: Critter Cuddler

Before we look at the app, though, let’s consider the hardware. It’s definitely the best-looking air purifier we’ve tested, reasonably compact and featuring a polka-dot pattern that wouldn’t look out of place at a MoMA exhibit. The unit pulls air in through the bottom of the unit, passes it through the filter, and exhausts clean air up top. It boasts a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 245 to 447 (m 3/H), a measurement in cubic feet per minute of the amount of air that can be cleared of particulate matter, although the manufacturer doesn’t specify which particulates that range of numbers apply to or which filters were used to achieve it. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that easily become vapors or gasses. They are released from burning fossil fuels as well as outgassing from consumer products, plastics, paints, furnitures, carpets, etc. However, studies have shown that up to 60% of indoor VOCs are emitted by humans (from your breath, sweat and personal care products). A simple rule is if you can smell it ... it’s a VOC :). HEPA filters are designed to filter ultra-fine particulates - not gasses. The best media for filtering VOCs and odors, or “gas-phase filtration”, has consistently proven to be granular activated carbon. It “absorbs” the VOCs onto the surface of the media. Consumer-grade VOC sensors are unfortunately still not precise enough to detect what the exact VOC chemical is, they only can detect “something” is there. Our VOC tests are done over 60 minute intervals in a 1,059-cubic-feet (30 m 3) test chamber (using the GBT 18883-2002 standard). The “TVOC Removal Rate” (Total VOC Removal Rate) includes all 9 chemicals in the test chamber at the same time but we have tested each individually. Our CADR tests are done in 20 minute intervals to determine the particulate volume each filter can effectively process in a standard 1,008-cubic-foot (28.5 m 3) test chamber.

Sensors: Particulate (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), VOC, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Humidity, Temperature, Room Presence Of course, ‘design’ also means what type of purifier this is, and the Mila is one that serves up 45 ft2 of certified HEPA, which the team describes as “the gold standard in ultrafine particle filtration.” As a filtration system, certified HEPA removes 99.97% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 micrometers in diameter. What could those be? This lot: For all the data nerds out there, the Mila app is a treasure trove. This is where you’ll be able to see what the purifier is up to, how many nasties are floating around in the air inside your room of choice, and how the air quality index (AQI) in your room compares to that outside (it gets this from Purple Air sensors in your neighborhood). This one is smart, manages all the air cleaning chores automatically (if you let it), and knows when to keep the noise down. But that isn’t to say it’s perfect, because it isn’t - we’ll get to that shortly in our hands-on Mila Air Purifier review.

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Mila includes a single filtration unit that can handle up to 1,000 square feet of space, but it offers a whopping seven different filter types that you can match to how you use it. They all include a HEPA filter and all but two include a carbon filter, the only difference being the HEPA class rating and the type and amount of carbon included. For example, the Critter Cuddler filter offers an H13 HEPA filter and includes 0.84 pounds of modified granular carbon, while the Mama-to-Be filter has an H14 HEPA filter and 0.70 pounds of pure granular carbon. Christopher Null / IDG Scientists claim they’ve uncovered the TRUE ‘origin story’ behind how the Great Sphinx was built 4,500 years ago in EgyptSize is a personal thing, and while we think the Mila is a good size (our room isn't huge, but it isn't small either), other reviewers say the footprint is too big. So just bust out your measuring tape before buying to ensure it fits the spot you have in mind.