HEPA Filter Grades Explained: EN 1822, H13, H14 & UK Models
Updated: October 2026 · UK buyer's guide to HEPA certification
EN 1822 HEPA grades — H10 to H14
EN 1822 (updated by ISO 29463) classifies HEPA and ULPA filters by their tested efficiency at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) — typically 0.1–0.3 µm. The filter is tested as a whole unit, not just the filter media, and results are expressed as both overall efficiency and local (worst-point) efficiency. Both must meet the grade threshold.
| Grade | Overall efficiency (≥) | Local efficiency (≥) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|
| H10 | 85.00% | — | Industrial pre-filtration; not suitable for home air purifiers |
| H11 | 95.00% | — | Industrial; occasionally marketed in budget purifiers — not True HEPA |
| H12 | 99.50% | 99.50% | Lower-tier home purifiers; rarely certified; often claimed only |
| H13 | 99.95% | 99.75% | Home and medical air purifiers — the UK standard for "True HEPA" claims |
| H14 | 99.995% | 99.975% | Pharmaceutical, operating theatres, premium home (IQAir HyperHEPA) |
| U15 | 99.9995% | 99.9975% | Cleanrooms; not found in consumer home purifiers |
| U16 | 99.99995% | 99.9999% | Ultra-cleanrooms; semiconductor manufacture |
| U17 | 99.999995% | 99.9999% | Highest classification; not in consumer products |
Source: EN 1822-1:2019 (equivalent to ISO 29463). Green row = H13, the most common grade in UK home air purifiers. Blue row = H14, found in premium/medical purifiers.
True HEPA vs EN 1822 vs "H13-grade claimed" — what each means
These three terms appear constantly in UK air purifier listings. They do not mean the same thing.
The filter has been independently tested by an accredited laboratory against the EN 1822 standard and received a classification certificate. The specific filter SKU (not just the filter media) is tested as a unit. This is the only claim that constitutes formal third-party certification. In our UK dataset: Philips 3200 AC3220 holds this certification (confirmed on the UK spec sheet). The Philips 2200 AC2220 claims H13 True HEPA via NanoProtect HEPA branding but EN 1822 formal certification is unconfirmed on the UK listing — we list it as manufacturer-claimed.
AHAM (US standard) tests to ≥99.97% capture at 0.3 µm using a standardised test particle. This is a real test, not merely a claim — AHAM-tested results appear on the AHAM Verifide registry. The efficiency threshold (99.97% at 0.3 µm) is slightly lower than H13 EN 1822 at MPPS, but the test is independently conducted. In our dataset: Coway Airmega Mighty (AHAM CADR verified — the CADR result is AHAM-tested; the HEPA certification follows AHAM testing). Not formally EN 1822.
The manufacturer claims their filter meets H13 performance levels, but no independent certification exists. There is no published test certificate, no accredited laboratory report, and no EN 1822 or AHAM Verifide registry entry. This is marketing language. In our dataset: Levoit Core 200S, 300S, 400S all carry this designation — Levoit's product pages state "H13-grade" but do not reference EN 1822 certification. The filters may well perform at or near H13 levels in practice, but the claim cannot be verified by an independent body.
Blueair's HEPASilent technology combines electrostatic charging with mechanical filtration. It is not True HEPA, is not EN 1822 rated, and is not AHAM-verified. Blueair claims equivalent performance to HEPA in real-world conditions, citing internal testing. There is no public third-party certification to substantiate this. For clinical applications, certification-mandatory environments, or buyers with severe respiratory conditions, HEPASilent does not meet the standard required. See our Blueair brand page for the full HEPASilent explanation.
UK models — HEPA certification status at a glance
The table below covers every purifier in our verified UK dataset and states its exact HEPA certification status — not what the listing says, but what the evidence supports.
| Model | HEPA claim | Verified as |
|---|---|---|
| Levoit Core 300S | H13-grade claimed | Manufacturer claim only — not EN 1822 certified |
| Levoit Core 400S | H13-grade claimed | Manufacturer claim only — not EN 1822 certified |
| Levoit Core 200S | H13-grade claimed | Manufacturer claim only — not EN 1822 certified |
| Coway Airmega Mighty (AP-1512HH) | True HEPA | True HEPA (AHAM-tested CADR); Allergy UK Seal; not EN 1822 formally rated |
| Coway Airmega 150 | True HEPA | True HEPA; ECARF certified; not EN 1822 formally rated |
| Blueair Blue Max 3250i | HEPASilent | HEPASilent technology — not True HEPA, not EN 1822 rated. Electrostatic + mechanical. |
| Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max | HEPASilent | HEPASilent technology — see above |
| Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max | HEPASilent | HEPASilent technology — see above |
| Shark NeverChange5 HP072UK | True HEPA claimed | Manufacturer claim only — no AHAM, ECARF, Allergy UK, or EN 1822 certification |
| Philips 600 Series AC0651 | HEPA claimed | No EN 1822 grade specified; HEPA claimed, grade not stated |
| Philips 3200 AC3220/10 | H13 EN 1822 | H13 EN 1822 certified ✓ — confirmed in Philips spec sheet |
| Philips 2200 Series AC2220/10 | H13 claimed | H13 True HEPA claimed (NanoProtect HEPA); EN 1822 formal certification unconfirmed on UK listing |
| Meaco Arete Two | HEPA claimed | HEPA claimed; grade not specified by Meaco |
Green = EN 1822 certified. Yellow = independently tested (AHAM/allergy body), not EN 1822. Red = manufacturer claim only. Purple = proprietary technology, not HEPA-standard tested.
Why HEPA grade matters for UK buyers specifically
For most UK households dealing with everyday allergens — dust mite debris, pet dander, pollen — a well-functioning "H13-grade claimed" filter will provide meaningful air quality improvement. The practical performance difference between a certified H13 filter and an equivalent-density filter that has not been independently tested is small for standard residential use.
The EN 1822 certification matters most in these UK-specific situations:
- Clinical or GP-referred use: Some UK allergists and respiratory consultants specifically recommend EN 1822-certified filtration in their guidance. If your health provider has specified H13 EN 1822, only the Philips 3200 or 3000i in our dataset meets this standard.
- COSHH-adjacent home environments: UK COSHH regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) apply to workplace environments. For home-based workers handling dust-generating materials (woodworking, ceramics, DIY), an EN 1822 H13 certified unit provides a defensible specification.
- Immunocompromised household members: Where a household member has a condition that increases sensitivity to airborne particulates (chemotherapy, organ transplant, severe COPD), the independent verification of EN 1822 provides greater confidence than a manufacturer claim.
- Mould spore removal: Mould spores range from 2–10 µm — well within capture range of any HEPA-type filter. For standard mould spore removal, the certification level matters less than consistent filter replacement and adequate CADR for the room size. See air purifiers and mould.
HEPA grade and filter replacement — what changes
A common misconception: a higher-grade filter (H13 vs H12) lasts longer. This is not true. Filter lifespan is determined by the mass of captured particulates relative to the filter's capacity — not by its efficiency grade. An H13 filter captures more particles per unit of air processed than an H10, which means it may saturate faster in high-particulate environments. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended replacement interval — and reduce it if you have heavy pollution sources (pets, smoking, high road traffic).
See our full guide on how often to replace air purifier filters.
Related guides
- Philips UK brand page — the only UK brand in our dataset with confirmed EN 1822 H13
- Coway UK brand page — Allergy UK and ECARF certifications explained
- Blueair UK brand page — HEPASilent technology full explanation
- What is CADR? (m³/h) — why CADR and filter grade are separate quality indicators
- Best air purifier for allergies UK — certification-led buying guide
- Best air purifier UK overall — all models ranked by 3-year total cost
- CADR Calculator — calculate the CADR you need for your room
EN 1822 certification status based on publicly available Philips spec sheets and manufacturer disclosures verified October 2026. AHAM Verifide registry checked October 2026. This page does not contain affiliate links.