HomeKit Weekly: Tired of ugly air purifiers? Smartmi E1 is the best looking solution for Apple Home

Air purifiers are one of my favorite HomeKit items. Although I live in an area with decent air quality, I keep them running at home to help clean my family’s air, especially in the spring. The problem is that most of them look like medical devices. I love the Smartmi E1, and it is effectively ending the era of bad gadgets. The best looking HomeKit/Apple Home air purifier on the market.

HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home gadgets, automation tips and tricks, and everything related to Apple’s smart home framework.

TL;DR on Smartmi E1

The Smartmi E1 Air Purifier is designed to provide clean, odor-free air throughout the body with its H13 HEPA filtration system. It’s designed to capture pollen, dust, and pet hair, making it perfect for allergy season. Unlike large towers that replace ton floors, the E1 is compact and customizable. It covers areas up to 194 sq. ft., operates at 48dB, and offers smart control with HomeKit. You can hang it on the wall as a piece of art if you like.

Apple Home support

The Smartmi app is the easiest way to find a device on your network. I appreciate that it supports ‘Sign in with Apple,’ which saves me from having to create another username and password for a random vendor. My method was to check for firmware updates in the Smartmi app first, then manually install it in Apple Home using the code hidden behind the filter cover. It paired quickly. If you’re on Apple Home, you don’t need to re-open the manufacturer’s app. You can control fan speed, power status, and check status directly from the Home app.

This unlocks the device’s true potential: automation. Since air cleaners can be noisy at high speeds, I created an automation to run E1 at 100% speed when the last person leaves the house. This clears the air while we are gone. Then, I have a second scene that puts it in “Silent” mode when the first person comes home. It keeps the air clean without noise pollution.

Hardware quality

What makes Smartmi E1 different is not its software features but its design. Most cleaners are white boxes that sit in the corner and get in the way. Smartmi has done a great job of creating something unique here. Comes with floor stand and wall mounting hardware.

Because it’s thin, it doesn’t come out into the room. You can also change the front decorative panel for a different pattern to match your decor. It feels less like a machine and more like a piece of furniture.

Although it works fine with HomeKit, I really appreciate that they kept the physical buttons on the unit. Sometimes you just want to walk by and turn it off without yelling at Siri or digging for your phone.

Complete the Smartmi E1

If you’re tired of the worst air purifiers, the Smartmi E1 is a great option. I’ve had this unit for a while, and I’m very happy with it’s looks, smart home integration, and overall performance.

It can be purchased directly from Amazon.