Shark BreatheClear Compact with NeverChange6 (HP062UK) review

The full review

Shark's compact BreatheClear is built around one idea: you shouldn't have to keep buying filters. Its NeverChange6 filter is designed to last up to six years, with a washable pre-filter to catch the bigger stuff, and Shark says it captures 99.98% of particles. A cluster of sensors reads PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and VOCs, shows them on an air-quality display and adjusts the fan automatically. The display dims when the room goes dark, which is exactly what you want in a nursery.

The small print is worth reading. Shark's six-year figure is based on a 50% decline in performance, a 6m² room and 12 hours a day on maximum. Its coverage figures are also modest for the money: 6m² at 4.8 air changes an hour, or 27m² at one. That's fine for a small UK nursery, but on paper it's less cleaning power than the cheaper Levoit Core 300S.

There's no published noise figure either, which is an odd omission for a bedroom product. Owners rate it highly at John Lewis (4.8 stars from 74 reviews), but at around £200 you're paying a premium for low maintenance rather than raw performance.