The Informant: The Smart Air Purifier That’s a Savior for Cat Allergies
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Eight years ago, when I adopted a cat, I had to face an unfortunate reality: I’m allergic to cats. I’d long known I was allergic to dust and some pet dander, but sharing a small New York apartment with a furry, shedding feline confirmed what I’d long suspected. Over the years, I’d sometimes wake up with itchy or watery eyes, or have a sneezing fit out of nowhere. It wasn’t bad enough that I needed an immediate solution, but it was annoying enough that I’d need to find one eventually.
I’d never thought of an air purifier as that solution until I discovered Mila, a smart air purifier with an array of different HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter options. The HEPA designation means that the filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
I was attracted to the Mila for a couple reasons — its sleek, apartment-friendly design, the fact it can be controlled with an accompanying app — but when I realized the brand offered a filter built specifically for pets, I was sold. The Critter Cuddler filter comes equipped with medical-grade H13 HEPA and also features specially modified carbon to eliminate ammonia — great for combatting litter box dust/odors, I reasoned.
And so, when the brand offered to send a sample for testing, I jumped at the opportunity to see if it would make a difference for my itchy eyes. When it arrived at my apartment, I was surprised at how easy it was to set up — I had the device unboxed and turned on in about five minutes.
When I started using my Mila, I was particularly impressed with the app, which is educational — it breaks down aspects of the air quality (AQI) in my apartment — and allows for precise control. For example, I can select a target AQI manually or I can choose one of the device’s automatic modes, like energy save mode, quiet mode, turndown service (an hour of cleaning before bed), or white noise mode (which I often use when I’m sleeping). My Mila also looks chic in person — its streamlined white frame and bamboo legs make it look more like furniture than a smart home device.
I’ve had my Mila for about a month, and though my air purifier journey is just beginning, I have noticed my eyes and skin definitely feel less irritated; I’ve noticed that the Mila helps tamp down odors from my litter box, too. The one downside is that when I burn a candle, it affects the air quality immediately, which both means that my Mila is working (a plus) but also means that my love of candles may be ill-fated (sad).
This year, I plan to buy another Critter Cuddler filter ahead of spring allergy season. Mila has made a definite fan out of me.
MILA Air Purifier
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