H13 HEPA vs ordinary HEPA: what's the difference?

The grades, in plain terms

HEPA is not one thing — it's a graded scale. The grade tells you what percentage of the hardest-to-catch particle size (around 0.1–0.3 micron) the filter stops:

• H10–H12 ("HEPA-type") — captures roughly 85–99.5% at the worst-case particle size. Common in budget consumer purifiers, often labelled simply "HEPA".
• H13 ("medical / True HEPA") — captures at least 99.95% down to 0.1 micron. The grade used in hospitals and cleanrooms, and our minimum for medical-grade.
• H14 — at least 99.995%. Used in operating theatres and specialised containment; rarely needed for general rooms.

The jump from H12 to H13 looks small on paper, but at the level of virus-carrying aerosols it is the difference between letting roughly 1 in 20 through and roughly 1 in 2,000.

Why the label alone can mislead

Because "HEPA" is used loosely in marketing, two purifiers can both say "HEPA" and perform very differently. When comparing, look for the explicit grade (H13), not just the word — a genuine H13 filter states its rated efficiency and particle size, for example "99.95% at 0.1 micron".

Filtering vs sterilising

A filter of any grade only traps particles. Captured viruses and bacteria remain viable and decay naturally over hours to days. That's why AIRE pairs H13 filtration with active sterilisation — UV-C light and copper-silver ion technology that destroys trapped organisms in real time. For a clinic, that active step matters as much as the filter grade.

Which grade do you need?

• Home, general use — H13 is sensible and not much dearer than H12; it future-proofs you against haze and illness season.
• Clinics, dental, shared offices — H13 medical-grade with active sterilisation is the right baseline.
• Operating theatres / containment — specify H14 and consult your facilities engineer.

Every AIRE room purifier — from the compact Fillo Plus to the Pro 800S — uses H13 medical-grade HEPA as standard, combined with UV-C and ionic sterilisation.

Frequently asked

Is H13 HEPA worth it over ordinary HEPA?

For anywhere air is shared — clinics, offices, family homes — yes. H13 captures at least 99.95% of particles down to 0.1 micron, versus around 85–99.5% for H10–H12 grades, and the price difference is usually small.

Is "True HEPA" the same as H13?

"True HEPA" generally refers to H13-grade filtration, as opposed to "HEPA-type" (H10–H12). Always check the explicit grade and rated efficiency rather than the marketing term.

Does a higher HEPA grade kill germs?

No — any HEPA filter only traps particles; captured germs decay slowly on their own. To actively destroy them you need sterilisation such as UV-C or ionic technology, which AIRE combines with H13 filtration.

What HEPA grade do AIRE purifiers use?

All AIRE room purifiers use H13 medical-grade HEPA as standard, paired with UV-C and copper-silver ion sterilisation.