One filter covers every Core 400S variant: the Core 400S-RF cylinder, $49.99 list, fits the original Core 400S, the Core 400S-P and both PlasmaPro 400S models. Levoit says to change it every 6 to 8 months, so at full price a genuine supply runs about $85 a year.
Which filter you need
Search for Core 400S-RF. It's a single cylinder with three layers built in: a pre-filter mesh, HEPA-grade media and activated carbon. Levoit's filter page names four compatible purifiers.
| Fits | Does not fit |
|---|---|
| Core 400S | Core 300 / Core 300S (smaller filter) |
| Core 400S-P | Core 600S (larger filter) |
| PlasmaPro 400S | Vital 200S / 200S-P (different filter) |
| PlasmaPro 400S-P |
| Version | Levoit code | Part number | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Core 400S-RF | LRF-C401S-WUS (per third-party listings) | $49.99 |
| Pet Allergy | Core400S-RF-PA | LRF-C401-YUS | $59.99 |
| Toxin Absorber | Core400S-RF-TX | LRF-C401-GUS | $59.99 |
| Smoke Remover (4-in-1) | Core400S-RF-SR | LRF-C401-BUS | $64.99 |
Owners of the smaller unit want the Levoit Core 300 Replacement Filter; the bigger sibling uses the Levoit Core 600S Replacement Filter.
Did the "-P" change the filter?
No, and the reason matters when you shop. Levoit's first Core 400S manual claimed one CADR figure, 260 CFM, and a 403 sq ft room. The Core 400S-P listing instead carries AHAM Verifide figures of 231 CFM smoke, 240 dust and 259 pollen. Body, 38 W rating and filter are unchanged; what changed is the test the numbers came from.
For filter buyers, that has two practical consequences:
- An Amazon listing titled "Core 400S-P" filter is the same Core 400S-RF an original 400S owner needs. You don't need to hunt for an "older" version.
- The 231 CFM rating was earned with the genuine cylinder. That's the performance level you're paying to keep when you buy Levoit's part.
The PlasmaPro models add an ionizer stage to the same body. It doesn't change the filter either.
Which color to choose
The standard filter handles dust, pollen and dander. The colored versions trade money for more odor focus:
- Smoke Remover, $64.99: Levoit's 4-in-1 design for smoke. The HEPA-grade layer catches smoke particles in every version, so the extra $15 is for smell, not for cleaner air in the particle sense.
- Toxin Absorber, $59.99: the pick if cooking, paint or new-carpet odors are the issue.
- Pet Allergy, $59.99: for homes buying because of a cat or dog.
Because the pre-filter is bonded on, every variant gets thrown out whole when pet hair clogs the outer mesh. In a heavy-shedding home that tilts the math toward the cheapest version that solves your problem.
The yearly cost, worked out
Changing every 6 to 8 months, as Levoit advises, works out to 1.5 to 2 cylinders a year. At list prices:
| Change every | Standard ($49.99) | Pet Allergy / Toxin Absorber ($59.99) | Smoke Remover ($64.99) | Compatible example ($26.95) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 months | $75 | $90 | $97 | $40 |
| 7 months | $86 | $103 | $111 | $46 |
| 6 months | $100 | $120 | $130 | $54 |
The compatible column uses FiltersFast's FF-400S at $26.95, one example of a third-party cylinder.
Over three years of ownership, the cylinder that comes with the purifier handles the first interval. After that you need 4 genuine standard replacements at an 8-month pace ($200) or 5 at six or seven months ($250).
Electricity is minor by comparison. On speed 2, the original Core 400S drew 8.51 W in HouseFresh's test, which is about $12.67 a year left on 24/7 at $0.17/kWh. The filters cost six to seven times that. The filter cost calculator lets you swap in your own prices and pace.
Note that the Levoit Core 400S Replacement Filter and the Vital 200S filter share a $49.99 list price, but Levoit gives the Vital a 6-to-12-month range against 6 to 8 here. Same price per filter, but over a year the cylinder usually costs more.
When to change it before the reminder
The filter-life figure in the app counts down on time alone. Because it assumes average conditions, it can't account for a smoky week, a new puppy or a kitchen with no range hood. Change the cylinder early when:
- airflow feels noticeably weaker on the same speed
- the filter has picked up a smell from smoke or frying
- the outer mesh is matted with hair that no longer shakes loose
Swapping and resetting
The one-piece design keeps this simple: switch off and unplug, take out the old cylinder, strip every scrap of packaging from the new one, fit it and close the housing. There's no separate pre-filter to line up.
The filter reminder won't clear on its own once the new cylinder is in. Levoit's manual and the VeSync app both cover the reset for this model.
Genuine or compatible?
A compatible cylinder at about $27 halves the yearly bill, and for a guest room or office that runs a few hours a day it's a reasonable call. The trade-off is that third-party HEPA and carbon claims aren't AHAM-verified, and fit and seal vary by brand.
Stay genuine if the purifier is in an allergy sufferer's bedroom or you rely on it during smoke events. Before ordering a third-party cylinder, read how to vet a compatible filter. Shopping for the purifier rather than the filter? The model on sale today is the Levoit Core 400S-P.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PlasmaPro 400S need a special filter because of its ionizer?
No. Levoit lists the same Core 400S-RF cylinder, and the same three colored variants, for the PlasmaPro 400S and PlasmaPro 400S-P. The ionizer is a separate stage inside the purifier and has no bearing on which filter you order.
What does the LRF-C401S-WUS number on some listings mean?
Third-party sellers cross-reference the standard Core 400S-RF under that code. Levoit's own listings lead with Core 400S-RF, so search for that name first and treat the LRF code as a confirmation.
Can I clean the Core 400S pre-filter instead of replacing the whole filter?
The pre-filter mesh is part of the cylinder rather than a separate rinsable piece, so there is no removable pre-filter to wash. When the cylinder is loaded, the whole unit is replaced.
Is the Core 400S filter the same as the Core 300S filter?
No. The Core 300 and Core 300S take the smaller Levoit Core 300 Replacement Filter, and the Core 600S has its own larger cylinder. A Core 400S-RF will not seat in either.
Does a cheaper filter change the Core 400S-P's 231 CFM rating?
The AHAM Verifide 231 CFM smoke figure applies to the purifier fitted with Levoit's genuine filter. A third-party cylinder may perform close to that or well below it; without independent test data, there is no way to know which.