Our Verdict
Alen Alen Air Purifier BreatheSmart 45i Wins

The Alen 45i significantly outperforms the Nuwave in core air purification metrics, offering a CADR_smoke of 1216 compared to Nuwave's 266.933, and effectively covering 1900 sq ft versus Nuwave's true 417 sq ft coverage, all at a slightly lower price of $464.0. Its robust filtration and quiet operation make it superior for large room air quality. The Nuwave Forever Smart is the better pick for buyers who prioritize avoiding recurring filter replacement costs and desire Wi-Fi connectivity above all else, and only need to purify smaller spaces.
Bottom Line: Alen Alen Air Purifier BreatheSmart 45i is the better choice. The Alen 45i significantly outperforms the Nuwave in core air purification metrics, offering a CADR_smoke of 1216 compared to Nuwave's 266.
In-Depth Analysis
How they compare in practice
Comparing the Alen BreatheSmart 45i and the Nuwave Forever Smart reveals a stark difference in their core performance and value propositions. The Alen 45i is a powerhouse designed for genuine large-room purification, boasting an impressive CADR_smoke of 1216 and capable of cleaning a vast 1900 sq ft hourly. This means it can cycle the air in very large living spaces or open-plan homes with efficiency, quickly removing smoke, dust, and VOCs down to 0.1 microns. Its quiet operation further enhances its suitability for bedrooms and other quiet zones, ensuring effective filtration without disruptive noise, a critical factor for many users. The primary trade-off is the need for periodic filter replacement, which incurs ongoing costs.
In contrast, the Nuwave Forever Smart positions itself with the allure of zero recurring filter costs thanks to its washable and reusable filters. While appealing, this comes with a significant performance compromise. Despite marketing claims, its effective coverage for 5 air changes per hour is a modest 417 sq ft, and its CADR_smoke rating is only 266.933. This places it in a different league entirely, making it suitable for smaller rooms, not the 'large rooms' implied by its 2,002 sq ft marketing claim. The Nuwave also offers Wi-Fi connectivity, a modern convenience for remote control, and actively lowers ozone levels, which is a niche benefit.
From a real-world perspective, a user needing to purify a large living room or an entire floor would find the Alen 45i far more effective and satisfying. Its ability to handle significant air quality challenges like wildfire smoke or pet dander in expansive areas is unmatched by the Nuwave. The Alen's smart sensor and auto-adjusting fan simplify operation, maintaining optimal air quality silently. For the Nuwave, the 'never replace filter' promise is its strong suit, appealing to budget-conscious users who want to avoid ongoing expenses, but they must accept the limitations in coverage and purification speed. The higher initial price of the Nuwave ($499.99 vs $464.0 for Alen) further complicates its value proposition, as buyers pay more for a less powerful unit, albeit one with no ongoing filter costs.
Key Differences
The most significant spec differences at a glance
Cadr Smoke
356% moreCoverage Sq Ft
356% moreAdvantages
Where each product wins
Alen
- Cadr Smoke: 356% higher (1216 vs 266.933)
- Coverage Sq Ft: 356% higher (1900 vs 417.0833)
Which to Pick for Your Situation
Concrete scenarios with a clear recommendation
For purifying a large open-plan living area (1000+ sq ft)
AlenThe Alen BreatheSmart 45i offers significantly higher coverage at 1900 sq ft and a CADR_smoke of 1216, making it vastly more effective for large spaces than the Nuwave's 417 sq ft effective coverage.
For minimizing long-term ownership costs
NuwaveThe Nuwave Forever Smart features washable and reusable filters, resulting in a yearly filter cost of $0, unlike the Alen 45i which requires periodic filter replacements.
For combating heavy smoke or allergens in a single room
AlenWith a CADR_smoke of 1216, the Alen 45i will clean the air much faster and more thoroughly, especially important for acute air quality issues, compared to Nuwave's 266.933 CADR.
For a bedroom where quiet operation is paramount
AlenThe Alen 45i is known for its quiet operation, promoting sleep while effectively capturing particles and VOCs, making it ideal for peaceful bedroom environments.
Who Should Buy Which?
Find the right product for your needs
Buy Alen if...
Alen Air Purifier BreatheSmart
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is the ideal choice for individuals or families residing in larger homes, open-concept apartments, or those with significant air quality concerns like persistent allergens, pet dander, or wildfire smoke. This buyer prioritizes powerful and rapid air purification over the lowest possible long-term cost. They need an air purifier that can genuinely handle a substantial area, up to 1900 sq ft, and quickly cycle the air to maintain consistently clean indoor environments. The exceptional CADR_smoke rating of 1216 is crucial for them, ensuring quick removal of airborne contaminants. They appreciate the Alen's quiet operation, especially if the unit will be placed in a bedroom or living space where noise is a factor. While accepting the need for periodic filter replacements, they value the superior performance and peace of mind that comes with a robust, effective HEPA filtration system that targets particles down to 0.1 microns and VOCs. This buyer doesn't mind spending $464.0 for top-tier performance for their large space, understanding the recurring filter cost is an investment in health and air quality.
Buy Nuwave if...
Nuwave Forever Smart Air
The Nuwave Forever Smart Air Purifier is best suited for the cost-conscious consumer who prioritizes avoiding recurring expenses above maximum air purification capacity, and primarily needs to clean smaller to medium-sized rooms. This buyer might live in a studio apartment, a small bedroom, or wants a unit for a home office, where the true effective coverage of 417 sq ft is adequate. Their key motivation is the unique selling point of washable and reusable filters, which guarantees a yearly filter cost of $0, appealing to those who dislike the ongoing financial commitment of traditional purifiers. They also value modern conveniences like Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and monitoring. While its CADR_smoke of 266.933 is not class-leading, it's sufficient for less demanding environments or for maintaining air quality in a confined space. This buyer is willing to pay a slightly higher initial price of $499.99 for the long-term savings on filters and the convenience of not having to purchase or dispose of filters frequently. They don't require the immense purification power of larger units and are content with solid, maintenance-free performance in their specific smaller space.
Spec Comparison
8 specs compared
| Specification | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $464 | $500 |
| Rating | 4.4(60) | 4.6(497) |
| Cadr Smoke | 1216 | 266.93 |
| Coverage Sq Ft | 1900 | 417.08 |
| Filter Type | HEPA | — |
| Model Number | 45i_V2 | — |
| Smart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Star | — | Yes |
| WiFi | — | Yes |
| Filter Cost Yearly | — | Free |
Swipe horizontally to see all columns
Pros & Cons
Quick overview of strengths and weaknesses
Alen Air Purifier
- Covers up to 1900 sq ft hourly
- Captures particles down to 0.1 micron
- Filters VOCs, odors, chemicals
- Quiet operation promotes sleep
- Limited absorption for heavy odors/chemicals
- Requires periodic filter replacement
Nuwave Forever Smart
- Washable filters eliminate recurring purchase costs.
- Captures 100% of particles down to 0.1 microns.
- Lowers ozone levels to 1 ppb.
- CADR smoke rating of 266.933 for effective cleaning.
- Effective coverage (5 ACH) is 417 sq ft, not 2,002 sq ft.
- Ozone removal filters are not washable or reusable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this comparison
Which air purifier is better for large rooms?
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is superior for large rooms, covering up to 1900 sq ft effectively. The Nuwave's true effective coverage is only 417 sq ft, despite its marketing claims.
Does either purifier require filter replacements?
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i uses HEPA filters that require periodic replacement. The Nuwave Forever Smart features washable, reusable main filters, leading to $0 yearly filter costs for those components.
What is the CADR_smoke rating difference between the two?
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i has a CADR_smoke rating of 1216. The Nuwave Forever Smart has a significantly lower CADR_smoke rating of 266.933, indicating less efficient smoke removal.
Which product offers smart features?
Both the Alen BreatheSmart 45i and the Nuwave Forever Smart include smart sensors. Additionally, the Nuwave is Wi-Fi enabled for remote control and monitoring via an app.
Can the Nuwave truly purify 2002 sq ft as advertised?
While advertised as such, the Nuwave's effective coverage at 5 air changes per hour is 417.0833 sq ft, which is a more realistic measure for thorough purification.
Explore Other Categories
Popular comparisons across the site
Ask AI
Get instant answers about specs
Get the Deets
Ask our AI assistant
Ask Deets anything!


























