Shark BreatheClear MAX (HP362) vs Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX (HP302)
Two of the large-room air purifiers in our best large-room air purifiers: coway, blueair, levoit, winix, iqair & more comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: Shark's biggest purifier, with up to 6 years before a filter change
Check price at AmazonBest for: A 5-year-filter purifier for up to 1,400 sq ft
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Shark BreatheClear MAX (HP362) | Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX (HP302) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke CADRSmoke is the hardest of the three AHAM CADR tests, so we use it when listed. Levoit lists one headline CADR, and we use that. Shark, Honeywell, Molekule and IQAir don't publish an AHAM CADR, so those cells are blank and score at the lowest published value in the category. | Not listed | Not listed | 40% |
| CADR per wattComputed by us: smoke CADR divided by the maker's rated or maximum power. Higher means more clean air for the electricity, which matters for a machine that runs all day. | Not listed | Not listed | 15% |
| Quietest settingThe lowest listed noise level, usually sleep mode. Makers measure at different distances, so treat differences of 1–2 dB as a tie. | Not listed | Not listed | 10% |
| Loudest settingNoise at top speed, which is what you hear when you run it hard for smoke or cooking. Left blank when the maker lists only the minimum. | Not listed | Not listed | 10% |
| Carbon or odor stage includedYes when the filter in the box includes an activated-carbon or deodorization stage, per the maker. HEPA alone traps particles but not odors or gases. | Yes | No | 10% |
| Main filter lifeThe maker's 'up to' figure for the main HEPA filter. Makers assume different daily run times (noted on each product), so this is a rough guide to running costs. | 72 months | 60 months | 15% |
| AHAM CADR | Not published by the maker | Not published by the maker | info |
| Coverage | Up to 1,650 ft² (1 ACH, max fan) | Up to 1,400 ft² in one hour (1 ACH) | info |
| Filter | NeverChange HEPA-exceeding filter + activated carbon | Debris Defense washable screen + NeverChange HEPA + Odor Neutralizer cartridge (scented) | info |
| Filter life | Up to 6 years | Up to 5 years | info |
| Power | 60 W | 54 W (86.2 W peak) | info |
| Weight | 13.56 lb | 13.45 lb | info |
| AirPick score | 3.5/10 | 2.3/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Shark BreatheClear MAX (HP362)
Better published figure on: Carbon or odor stage included, Main filter life.
What we like
- Filter rated up to 6 years
- Activated carbon for odors and VOCs
Watch out for
- No CADR or noise figures
Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX (HP302)
No scored spec where it is strictly ahead; its case rests on the strengths below.
What we like
- Filter rated up to 5 years
Watch out for
- No CADR or noise figures
- Odor cartridge is a scent, not carbon
Verdict
HP362 adds activated carbon and a 6- vs 5-year filter rating, and covers 1,650 vs 1,400 sq ft at one air change. Neither publishes CADR.
- Shark BreatheClear MAX (HP362): Shark: BreatheClear MAX HP362
- Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX (HP302): Shark: NeverChange MAX HP302