Kärcher AF 50 vs AF 100

In this Kärcher AF 50 vs AF 100 review, we will compare the two most powerful air purifiers from the German brand known for its high-quality cleaning equipment.

Is the Kärcher Air Purifier AF 50, which is the company’s most advanced model for personal use, the right choice for you? Or does it make more sense to invest in the Kärcher Air Purifier AF 100, which was designed for commercial usage?

This side-by-side comparison will help you find out.

Comparison: Kärcher AF 50 vs AF 100 – What are the Differences?

Coverage Area & Efficiency

With a coverage area of up to 50 m² (538 ft²), the Kärcher Air Purifier AF 50 is suitable for living rooms and other large spaces in your home. The AF 100 was created with workplaces and other commercial spaces in mind and is able to purify areas of up to 100 m² (1076 ft²).

The recommendations are based on a ceiling height of 3 m (10 ft) and three air changes per hour (ACH) at the highest speed setting. Both devices could also be used in even larger spaces than recommended, with the amount of ACH decreasing accordingly.

Clean Air Delivery Rate

Drawing in air from two sides, the Kärcher AF 50 is able to capture up to 99.95 % of particles as small as 0,3 µm. The AF 100 has a filter efficiency of 99.9 % for particles as small as 0,1 µm. In addition, both models use activated carbon to eliminate odours.

The AF 50 does all this at an already impressive rate of 520 m³/h (306 CFM). However, this still does not come close to the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of the AF 100 – at 750 m³/h (441 CFM), it is almost 50 percent higher than that of its smaller competitor.

Working Noise

Although it is more powerful, the Kärcher AF 100 is surprisingly the quieter device of the two. In night mode, it operates at just 26 decibel (dB). When running at full speed, it generates around 48 dB compared to 53 dB for the AF 50.

Besides setting the speed manually, it is also possible to put both purifiers in automatic mode. This will make them run only as fast and therefore as loud as needed to maintain a healthy air quality. Once pollution levels decrease, the fan speed will decrease accordingly.

Sensors & Display

Both the Kärcher AF 50 and AF 100 are equipped with laser sensor technology that allows them to monitor the air quality in real-time and acts as input for the automatic mode (see above). The AF 50 is able to track temperature and humidity levels, as well.

Together with the filter and device status, this information is shown on an integrated display. There is also a three-colour indicator that allows you to quickly check the current air quality, even when you are standing across the room.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Unlike a lot of competing devices that sell in a comparable price range, neither the Kärcher AF50 nor the AF 100 can be connected to your smartphone or smart home assistant via Wi-Fi. Therefore, you will have to make all changes and monitoring on the device itself.

Weight & Dimensions

In the final round of this Kärcher AF 50 vs AF 100 comparison, we will have a quick look at the weight and dimensions of the two air purifiers. Unsurprisingly, the AF 50 is the smaller and lighter model. Both devices come with wheels, which makes them easier to move around.

Conclusion: Kärcher AF 50 vs AF 100 – Which is the Better Air Purifier?

Being the brand’s most advanced model for personal use, the Kärcher Air Purifier AF 50 is probably the best choice for most users. Its coverage area and CADR are more than sufficient for every average-sized room, and it is also able to keep track of temperature and humidity.

However, if you are looking to purify an even larger space such as a workspace or a small retail location, go with the Kärcher Air Purifier AF 100 instead. It is powerful enough to compete with the high-end devices from other brands and surprisingly quiet at the same time.

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