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Shark Air Purifier 4 Air Purifier Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0.1
Reviewed May 13, 2024 at 01:24 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Oct 31, 2024 at 11:22 am
Shark Air Purifier 4 Picture
6.4
Pets
6.0
Bedroom
6.6
Particle Filtration Rate
7.5
Particle Concentration

The Shark Air Purifier 4 is an air purifier marketed for medium to large-sized rooms. It features a two-stage filtration system, which includes a HEPA filter and an odor-neutralizing layer. It has the same Clean Sense IQ particle detection system as other Shark air purifiers, which monitors ambient particle count in real time and adjusts the device's fan speed to compensate. You can even see an estimate of air quality with the centrally positioned display.

Our Verdict

6.4 Pets

The Shark Air Purifier 4 is an alright option for pet owners. It does a good job of capturing the smallest of airborne particles like pet dander. It's somewhat loud, even at lower fan speeds, so it might not be the best choice if you have a pet that's easily startled by unfamiliar sounds.

Pros
  • Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
  • Comes with a remote control.
Cons
  • Noisy operation.
  • Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
  • No smartphone app.
6.0 Bedroom

The Shark Air Purifier 4 is mediocre for use in bedrooms. While it isn't noisier at high fan speeds compared to its peers, it does make more noise than alternatives at its lowest fan speed, which is far from ideal if you run it overnight and are simply trying to get some rest.

Pros
  • Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
  • Display light shutoff.
  • Comes with a remote control.
Cons
  • Noisy operation.
  • Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
6.6 Particle Filtration Rate

Pros
  • Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
  • Comes with a remote control.
Cons
  • Noisy operation.
  • Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
7.5 Particle Concentration

Pros
  • Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
  • Comes with a remote control.
Cons
  • Noisy operation.
  • Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
  • 6.4 Pets
  • 6.0 Bedroom

Performance Usages

  • 6.6 Particle Filtration Rate
  • 7.5 Particle Concentration
  1. Updated Oct 31, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.1.
  2. Updated May 13, 2024: Review published.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

There are a few variants of this air purifier, though they have only minor differences and will perform similarly. We tested the Shark HE402 model; you can see its label here.

Model Name Additional Features Color
HE401 - White
HE402 - Gray
HE402AMZ HEPA filter features an additional 'Microban' coating to minimize bacteria buildup Gray
HE405 - Black

Let us know in the discussions below if you come across another variant of this device.

Compared To Other Air Purifiers

This is an air purifier intended for medium to large-sized rooms. Unfortunately, compared to alternatives like the Levoit Core 600S, it has a slower clean-air delivery rate and does a worse job of locking in the finest airborne particles. It's also louder than many of its peers at its slowest fan speed, so you'll want to look elsewhere if quiet running is a priority.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Body
Height 24.1" (61.3 cm)
Width 16.9" (43.0 cm)
Depth 8.8" (22.3 cm)
Weight
17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)
Power Cord Length 73.1" (185.6 cm)
Wheels
No
Design
Display And Control
Filter Change Indicator
Yes
Air Quality Sensor Auto Mode
Yes
Remote Control
Yes
App
No
Display On/Off
Yes
Timer Function
Yes
Number Of Fan Speeds
4

This air purifier comes with a remote control that has the same range of functionality as the actual touch-sensitive display.

There are three levels of display brightness, which you can cycle through by tapping the 'Light' icon: fully off, mid brightness, and full brightness.

The circular light surrounding the central display changes color depending on the real-time estimate of particulate count:

  • Blue: Good
  • Orange: Fair
  • Red: Poor

Design
Filter Configuration
Filtration Layers
2 Stage
Activated Carbon
Pellets

This air purifier has a two-stage filter system comprised of an Anti-Allergen HEPA filter and an activated carbon pellet layer to trap odors. This filter has no specific maintenance schedule, but note that you'll need to replace it every six to 12 months. You can find a replacement here.

Performance
6.6
Performance
Particle Filtration Rate
Air Cleaning Rate
369 m³/Hour
7.5
Performance
Particle Concentration
Average Final 0.3 µm Concentration
100 particles/L
5.7
Performance
Noise
Noise @ Lowest Fan Speed
36.2dBA
Noise @ Highest Fan Speed
54.5dBA