For a quality air purifier that won't break the bank, look no further than the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH.
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Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Review: This Air Purifier Helped Ease My Allergies
Published on Apr. 28, 2025
There’s a lot to love about spring. The change in season welcomes budding flowers, new growth and warmer weather. But if you’re one of the 25% of U.S. adults with a seasonal allergy, spring also means runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches and a host of other symptoms.
As someone who suffers from moderate allergies—including both seasonal and year-round triggers—I’ve spent a lot of time (and money) ensuring my home isn’t making my symptoms worse. Investing in one of the best Dyson vacuum cleaners was a good start, and I’m vigilant about washing my bedding.
But hands-down, the biggest improvement came when I started using an air purifier. Specifically, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty. Here’s my honest review after three months of use.
On Sale
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR READER'S DIGEST
We Tried It
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
This sleek air purifier lives up to its name. It's a mighty option for banishing allergens and improving indoor air quality.
What is the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier?
While it may look like a giant iPod Nano, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty packs a bounty of impressive features into its sleek, square shape. This air purifier can cleanse up to 1,748 square feet in an hour.
It uses a four-stage filter to trap particles big and small. The washable pre-filter grabs large contaminants, like pet hair and dust. Then, the carbon deodorization filter traps smells from food, pets and smoke. The largest filter, the True HEPA filter, catches mold, pollen and germs. As a last line of defense, the purifier also has a Vital Ionizer setting to further destroy ultra-fine airborne particles, such as viruses and bacteria.
The Coway Airmega is easy to operate. The interface on the top includes a power button, speed setting control, ionizer boost and timer (set for 1, 4 or 8 hours). There’s also a light that goes on when it’s time to reset the filter, as well as an overall air quality light. (Blue for good air quality, purple for moderate and red for unhealthy.)
How we tested it
I’ve been using the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty in my home since January 2025. In that time, I’ve tested it in my bedroom, kitchen, living room and office.
Setup
The air purifier came in a brown box and included a standard filter set bundle. The setup was very simple. Just lift the purifier out of the box—no assembly required.
You do need to install the filter before use, and I appreciated that there were several reminders to remove the filter’s protective wrappings. After all, I didn’t want to be one of those people on TikTok who used their purifiers for months without realizing the filter was still encased in plastic and thus not catching any contaminants.
The body of the purifier snaps off easily and goes back together smoothly. While the Coway Airmega’s price point falls into the moderate range for an air purifier, I was impressed with the quality. The solid construction feels like it will last for a long time.
First impressions
I plugged it in and turned it on the “auto” setting, which starts at level 1 and goes up if it detects pollutants. Right away, I was impressed with how quietly the purifier runs. I’m pretty sensitive to noise, and I could barely detect the gentle hum. If you live in a city or in a house with any kind of ambient noise, this model will fully fade into the background.
I let the purifier run for several hours downstairs before moving it to our primary bedroom. My main goal with an air purifier is to reduce the allergy symptoms I experience first thing in the morning, mainly waking up with a stuffy nose. (Thanks, dust!) I found a spot for it across from the foot of our bed, and let it run for a few hours before bed. On the auto setting, the purifier only moved past level 1 once, when leftover steam from my shower seeped into the hallway.
Now, I’m a pretty light sleeper who needs complete silence and darkness to nod off. And even I could fall asleep with this air purifier running. Seriously, it’s that quiet on the level 1 setting. (Levels 2 and 3 are a bit more aggressive, but that’s to be expected as they’re more rapidly filtering air.) The air quality light, however, is a bit too bright in a dark bedroom. Luckily, it’s easy to put something flat on top to block it out. I used a coaster.
The next morning, I woke up congestion-free! Now, any allergy sufferer will tell you that they have good days and bad days, so while it could have been a fluke, I was eager to keep testing to find out.
Daily use
Over the following weeks, I used the Coway Airmega every night before bed. Some days, it would run for several hours, and other times, I would forget and put it on level 3 for 20 minutes. Many nights, I set the timer or left it on throughout the night. Across the board, I noticed fewer allergy symptoms when I woke up.
What really convinced me, though, was that symptoms would start once I went downstairs and started my day. A few minutes in my office or any other unpurified space, and I’d start sneezing. On a particularly bad day, I went back upstairs and got the purifier to use downstairs. Within a few hours, I felt my symptoms ease.
Now, of course, this was my personal experience with my particular blend of allergies. Air purifiers work best for airborne particles, like pet dander, pollen and dust mites, so it may not be as helpful for other triggers.
Beyond allergy symptoms, I also found the Coway does a great job of eliminating odors. Whether it’s a scented candle or burnt toast, the purifier does a great job of banishing annoying smells. However, it can take a while on the auto setting. I recommend using level 2 or 3 right away.
Cleaning and maintenance
After three months of daily use, the Coway has yet to signal any maintenance. I make sure to dust the unit once a week or so, but so far I haven’t had to replace any filters. The brand notes that, with typical use, the deodorization filter needs replacing every six months and the HEPA filter every year.
The pre-filter can be vacuumed and washed at any time. To do so, open the front cover and pull it out. I used my vacuum’s handheld function to pass over the mesh and suck up any dust. You can also run the filter under water—just be sure to let it completely dry before inserting it back inside the unit.
When it is time to replace the filters, choose from one of four replacement sets: standard, pet, intense smoke or allergen. The standard set is the same as what your air purifier initially comes with. The latter three include custom deodorization filters suited for the exact type of contaminants you’re trying to reduce.
Word of warning? Replacement filters aren’t cheap. The standard costs around $60 while the customer sets go for about $65. You can subscribe and save 5-10 percent.
Pros
- Makes a noticeable difference in air quality
- Can help reduce allergy symptoms
- Four-stage filter, including a True HEPA
- Multiple modes, including Eco and Auto
- Whisper quiet on level 1
- Four timer settings
- Includes filter alerts when it’s time to change
Cons
- Pricey replacement filters
- Air quality light is pretty bright, especially at night
- Can take a while to cleanse scents on the “auto” setting
Final verdict
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty exceeded my expectations. I’ve tried cheap air purifiers in the past, and while they could clear up odors, they didn’t offer more than a placebo effect for my allergies. With the Airmega, I can actually sense a difference in symptoms, especially congestion and sneezing. I also love the sleek look, quiet operation and simple controls. While the replacement filters are an investment, the modest upfront price point makes it more palatable.
Where to buy the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifier
On Sale
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR READER'S DIGEST
We Tried It
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Shop for an air purifier directly from the brand or on Amazon. It retails for $240 but is frequently on sale. Replacement sets cost $60 or $65, depending on the deodorization filter you choose.
FAQ
How do you clean a Coway air purifier?
Cleaning a Coway air purifier is simple. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth or rag when dusty. The machine will alert you when it’s time to change either the HEPA or deodorization filter. To do so, simply remove the front cover, take out the filter and swap the necessary components.
Is Coway a good air purifier?
In our opinion, yes! We like the sleek look, moderate cost and high performance of the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH. After months of testing, it’s still going strong and has made a significant improvement in our tester’s allergy symptoms.
Where should you place a Coway air purifier?
Wherever you want fresh air! A bedroom, kitchen, living room and/or near a pet bed are all common spots to put an air purifier.
Why you should trust us
We’ve tried over a dozen air purifiers at Reader’s Digest, including top options for pet households. Our thorough testing methodology includes assessing packaging, assembly, daily use, value and long-term performance. We’ve considered key name brands (like Shark and Mila), various sizes and an array of price points. Our experienced product testers integrate gear into their daily lives to assess how products hold up to real-life use cases.
The tester for this piece, Katie Bandurski, has nearly a decade of editorial experience. Her work is featured in Taste of Home, Family Handyman, Better Homes & Gardens, and, of course, Reader’s Digest. Katie has tested hundreds of home products, including mattresses, bedding, kitchen appliances and cookware.
