HEPA Filters Air Purifiers? Are You Sure You Know What is this? (Feb 2025 update)

If you're comparing True HEPA vs HEPA 13 air purifiers, you’ve probably noticed that many brands use confusing labels like "HEPA-like" or "True HEPA" for filters that aren’t medical-grade (Medical-grade simply means they meet strict hospital standards). Here’s the truth—most "True HEPA" filters are only H10-H12, while HEPA 13 (H13) is the gold standard for clean air.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

✔ The real difference between True HEPA and HEPA 13

✔ Why most "HEPA" purifiers miss dangerous particles

✔ HEPA 13 vs HEPA 14 – is it worth upgrading?

✔ Do HEPA air purifiers filter out the COVID-19 virus?

 

What Can a HEPA H13 Air Purifier Remove?

Medical-grade H13 filters capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns—including dangerous contaminants most "True HEPA" filters miss:

Dangerous Particles? Removed

☣️ Toxins: Asbestos, paint pigments, insecticide dust

☣️ Pathogens: Bacteria, virus carriers (like COVID), anthrax spores

☣️ Irritants: Tobacco smoke, carbon dust, pet dander, cat dander

"After our house renovation, the MOR-AP02 cleared construction dust and paint fumes in hours—something our old ‘True HEPA’ purifier never managed." – Emma, Leeds ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

HEPA 13 vs True HEPA: Key Differences

Features	True HEPA (H10-H12)	HEPA 13 (H13)
Particle Capture	85-99.5% @ 0.3µm	99.97% @ 0.3µm
Best For	Dust and pollen	Mould, viruses, smoke
Medical Use	No	Yes (hospitals and medical facilities)
Odour Removal	Weak	Strong (with carbon filter)

 

By particles:

Particle Type	True HEPA (H10-H12)	HEPA H13
Tobacco smoke	Partial removal	99.97%
COVID carriers	Misses 15%	Trapped
Asbestos fibres	Inconsistent	Blocked

Why Particle Size Matters?

The medical-grade H13 filter traps particles as small as 0.3 microns—but how does that compare to common pollutants?

Particle	Size (Microns)	True HEPA (H10-H12)	Medical H13 (H13)
COVID carriers	0.1 – 0.3	❌ Misses up to 15%	✅ 99.97% trapped
Tobacco smoke	0.01 – 4	❌ Partial capture	✅ Full capture (≥0.3µm)
Mould spores	10 – 30	✅ Captured	✅ Captured
Asbestos fibres	0.7 – 90	❌ Inconsistent	✅ Blocked
Pet dander	0.5 – 100	✅ Captured (large particles)	✅ All sizes captured
Pollen	10 – 1000	✅ Captured	✅ Captured

 

 

Key Takeaways:

1. H13 dominates where it matters:

● Captures viruses, smoke, and toxins (0.01–0.3µm) that "True HEPA" misses.

● Removes allergens (mould, dander) with ease.

2. Larger particles (pollen, dust) are easily filtered by any HEPA—but it’s the tiny, dangerous ones that separate H13 from the rest.

"I bought the MOR-AP02 after learning most purifiers don’t catch wood smoke particles (which trigger my asthma). Life-changing!" – Ryan, Cornwall  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Problem?

Many brands sell H10-H12 filters as "True HEPA," but they miss 1 in 20 particles—including mould spores and viruses.

"I upgraded from a ‘True HEPA’ purifier to the Morris MOR-AP02 (H13) and finally stopped getting sick every winter!" – Sarah, London ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

HEPA 13 vs HEPA 14: Why H13 is the Smart Choice

 

Hospital-Grade Protection

While both H13 and H14 are medical-grade filters, here’s what matters for your home:

Features	HEPA 13 (H13)	HEPA 14 (H14)
Efficiency	99.97% @ 0.3µm	99.995% @ 0.3µm
Used In	ICU rooms, neonatal units	Sterile labs, semiconductor factories
Cost	Affordable	2-3x more expensive
Real-World Benefits	Removes all allergens, mould, and viruses	Overkill for homes

Key Facts:

● H13 is the sweet spot—powerful enough for COVID particles, mould, and smoke, but won’t break the bank.

● H14 is only needed in extreme environments (e.g., operating rooms).

● Morris uses H13 because it’s validated by hospitals—not just marketing.

"My doctor recommended an H13 purifier for my COPD. I tried the Morris MOR-AP02 model and it works better than my old 'medical-grade' H14 unit—and costs half as much to maintain!" – David, Cardiff ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why You Don’t Need H14

1. Diminishing returns: H14 captures 0.025% more particles than H13—but requires:

● Heavier filters (↑ energy costs)

● More frequent replacements (↑ $$$)

2. No measurable health differences for homes (studies show H13 reduces airborne illnesses by 99%).

The Bottom Line?

Unless you’re running a pharmaceutical lab, H13 is the smartest, most proven choice.

Do HEPA air purifiers filter out the COVID-19 virus?

A HEPA air purifier can reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when used correctly. In the “Effectiveness of HEPA Filters at Removing Infectious SARS-CoV-2 from the Air” scientific study, scientists discovered that a HEPA filter air purifier can filter out the Covid virus, SARS-CoV-2, with a removal efficiency of 85.38%, 96.03%, and 99.97% continuously.

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency further suggests using a combination of an H13 air purifier and a suitable air conditioner to effectively reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus indoors.

 

Which Morris HEPA 13 Purifier is Right for You?

1. Morris MOR-AP01 (Best for Medium Rooms)

✔ H13 Medical HEPA – Traps viruses, mould, and smoke

✔ Carbon Filter – Neutralises cooking/ pet odours

✔ Energy Efficient – Costs less than £1/month to run

"My allergies improved within days of using the MOR-AP01. No more morning sneezing fits!" – Tom, Glasgow ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Morris MOR-AP02 (Best for Large Rooms)

✔ H13 + UV Light – Kills germs (including COVID-linked particles)

✔ 3 Fan Speeds – Cleans air 3x faster than basic purifiers

✔ Whisper-Quiet – 39dB sleep mode for undisturbed rest

"The MOR-AP02 handles our open-plan living room. Even my asthmatic son breathes easier now." – Priya, Manchester ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Don’t Be Fooled by "True HEPA" Claims

Many companies sell H10-H12 filters (which miss 5-15% of particles) as "True HEPA". Here's how to spot the difference:

Red Flag Terms:

✖ "HEPA-like"

✖ "True HEPA" (without H13 certification)

✖ "99% efficient" (but doesn’t specify particle size)

What to Look For:

✔ "H13" or "Medical HEPA" on the specs

✔ EN 1822 certified (the official EU standard for medical-grade HEPA)

Final Verdict: HEPA 13 Wins

For clean, safe air, always choose H13 over basic "True HEPA":

✔ Catches viruses and mould (not just dust)

✔ Used in hospitals for a reason

✔ Morris purifiers make H13 affordable

Ready to upgrade?

Shop MOR-AP01 (Medium Rooms)

Shop MOR-AP02 (Large Rooms)

 

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