AlorAir Air Scrubbers: CleanShield 550 vs PureAiro 870 & 970

Current normalized AlorAir air scrubbers

The 870 and CleanShield share the same normalized 550 CFM maximum and 2.5A draw, while the 970 raises maximum airflow to 750 CFM with a modest increase to 2.8A.

CleanShield HEPA 550: simpler 550 CFM platform

CleanShield HEPA 550 publishes variable airflow from 270 to 550 CFM, 2.8 in. H₂O static pressure, a 2.5A draw and a 39.6 lb weight in the current normalized record. Its manufacturer page emphasizes three-stage MERV-10, HEPA and activated-carbon filtration, filter-change indication, stackability, GFCI daisy-chain outlets and 16-inch intake / 8-inch exhaust ducting.

Its main distinction from the PureAiro 870 is that the normalized record does not include UV-C. For a buyer who does not value UV-C, the selection can come down to handling, current exact pricing context and fleet preference rather than headline airflow.

PureAiro HEPA Max 870: 550 CFM plus UV-C and an hour meter

HEPA Max 870 keeps the same 270–550 CFM range and 2.5A draw but adds built-in UV-C in the current manufacturer configuration. The normalized record also includes an hour meter and a published daisy-chain limit of up to three units. At 37.4 lb it is the lightest of the three normalized AlorAir scrubbers.

The manufacturer also publishes 14-inch intake and 8-inch outlet ducting. That makes the 870 a useful compact option when the application values UV-C, runtime tracking and verified ducting support without requiring 750 CFM.

PureAiro HEPA Max 970: higher airflow without a large weight increase

HEPA Max 970 expands the variable range to 270–750 CFM while keeping the normalized weight at 39.6 lb. The current record uses 2.8A, only 0.3A more than the two 550 CFM models. Like the 870, it includes UV-C, filter-change indication, an hour meter, GFCI/daisy-chain capability and 14-inch intake / 8-inch outlet ducting.

That makes 970 the obvious airflow leader in this three-model group, but “more airflow” only matters when the job benefits from it. A 550 CFM unit can still be the better fleet choice when lower draw, lower purchase cost or smaller airflow needs dominate.

Three-stage filtration is common across the group

The current AlorAir product pages describe MERV-10 prefiltration followed by HEPA and activated-carbon media. Carbon support can be useful for odor and smoke-related work, while the HEPA stage addresses particulate filtration. The site keeps those functions distinct because carbon media does not replace HEPA filtration and HEPA does not remove every gas or odor.

Negative-air capability is verified for all three records

CleanShield 550, HEPA Max 870 and HEPA Max 970 all have published ducting/negative-air capability in the normalized data. Intake and exhaust diameters are still model-specific, so duct compatibility should be checked against the exact machine rather than inferred from the brand.

Static pressure is equal in the normalized records, so other fields carry more weight

All three records currently normalize to 2.8 in. H₂O static pressure. With that field equal, differences in maximum airflow, UV-C, weight, hour meter, daisy-chain guidance and amp draw become more useful decision points. This is a good example of why a comparison table should hide identical rows only after the visitor has seen the common baseline once.

Electrical planning stays relatively close across the lineup

The normalized amp values are 2.5A, 2.5A and 2.8A. On a one-unit basis the difference is small, but it becomes more visible across a fleet. Ten 2.5A units represent 25A of summed planning load while ten 2.8A units represent 28A before dehumidifiers or air movers are added. Use the Power Calculator for a mixed-equipment total.

Use the Finder when AlorAir is only one option

If the requirement is 550+ CFM, carbon, negative-air capability, a maximum amp draw or a weight limit rather than the AlorAir brand itself, use the Air Scrubber Finder. It can compare these records with Dri-Eaz, XPOWER, Phoenix and BlueDri without giving a brand an automatic score advantage.

Current shopping paths

Restoration Select has approved search-style Amazon routes for the AlorAir air-scrubber family and for all three exact normalized models. Shopping paths remain separate from technical fit.

Dimensions and duct openings affect real placement

CleanShield HEPA 550 normalizes to roughly 20.87 × 24.8 × 14.96 inches, while both PureAiro HEPA Max models normalize to about 25 × 21.7 × 14.2 inches. Those footprints are close enough that airflow and feature differences often matter more, but orientation can still affect placement beside a containment wall, in a hallway or in a crowded restoration room.

Duct openings differ too: CleanShield uses a 16-inch intake and 8-inch outlet, while the 870 and 970 use 14-inch intake and 8-inch outlet connections. A crew reusing existing duct stock should verify those exact diameters before treating the three units as interchangeable.

Hour meters can matter to rental and maintenance workflows

The normalized 870 and 970 records include hour meters, while CleanShield 550 does not currently have that field verified. Runtime tracking can help with rental billing, filter-service intervals and fleet utilization. It does not improve air-cleaning performance by itself, but it can make a machine easier to manage across repeated jobs.

Primary references for this page

• AlorAir CleanShield HEPA 550 ↗Current manufacturer source for 270–550 CFM, three-stage filtration, stackability, daisy-chain outlets and ductable use.
• AlorAir PureAiro HEPA Max 870 ↗Current manufacturer source for 550 CFM, UV-C, three-stage filtration, hour meter and published daisy-chain guidance.
• AlorAir PureAiro HEPA Max 970 ↗Current manufacturer source for up to 750 CFM, UV-C, three-stage filtration, variable speed and ductable negative-air use.