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
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.
-
Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
-
Comes with a remote control.
-
Noisy operation.
-
Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
-
No smartphone app.
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.
-
Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
-
Display light shutoff.
-
Comes with a remote control.
-
Noisy operation.
-
Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
The Shark Air Purifier 4 is okay for everyday air purification. It does a good job of sealing in most kinds of airborne particles, from larger materials like pollen to smaller materials like pet dander. Its clean air delivery rate lags behind some of its peers, so it won't be as efficient in larger spaces. While there's no smartphone companion app, it does come with a remote control, and its automatic fan speed adjustment feature ultimately results in a hands-off user experience.
-
Automatic fan speed adjustment feature.
-
Comes with a remote control.
-
Noisy operation.
-
Somewhat slow air cleaning rate.
-
No smartphone app.
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
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
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.
