Have you noticed clean, comfortable air is getting harder to find? Among the reasons I finally left California after many years were the increasingly common and unhealthy “smoke seasons” caused by western wildfires. So I moved back east only to discover Canadian wildfires wafting choking drafts into New England, as well as my old nemesis — humidity. So I finally got myself a serious appliance to deal with indoor air quality. This Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier review finds it quite the beast for the tasks, with just a few caveats (no HomeKit!?). But control via app for iOS and watchOS makes it especially convenient.
Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier review
This appliance cleans and humidifies air in large rooms -- up to 2,100 square feet per hour! It includes an ionizer, PM2.5 sensor, eight fan speeds, app control and remote control.
- 8-stage air filtration
- SmartLife app control via iPhone, Apple Watch
- Smart Auto Mode
- Remote control
- Dual functionality with humidifier
- No native HomeKit support
- Large and heavy
- Small water tank for humidification
- Somewhat expensive
The Turonic PH950 is a powerful dual-function device that combines air purification with humidification — perfect for me, a veteran of California smoke seasons who learned to watch Air Quality Index (AQI) readings like a hawk. And having returned to the Northeast, I found brutally dry winter air threatening to crack the tops of my acoustic guitars (and succeeding!). So I was glad to find air purification and humidification functions in one machine.
It helps that I can control the big device with iPhone and Apple Watch apps, or remote control. Weighing in at approximately 24 pounds and measuring 15.7in x 9.1in x 24.6in, this isn’t a compact unit. But its substantial build houses some serious air-cleaning technology. It can purify air in up to 1,250 square feet of space in an hour, with a clean air delivery rate of 488 cubic feet per hour. It features eight fan speeds.
Table of contents: Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier review
- Design and build quality
- 8-stage purification system
- Performance
- SmartLife App: The heart of smart control
- HomeKit compatibility: The missing link
- Additional control methods
- Filter maintenance
- Pros and cons
- Who should buy the PH950?
- Verdict
Design and build quality
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The unit is big, bold and densely assembled with thoughtful design. The white chassis features a futuristic aesthetic with hard lines mixed with curved corners and metallic-themed plastic accents. At the top sits a touch dial for navigating through various operating modes, and the front panel displays real-time air quality with a color-coded PM2.5 sensor. That refers to particulate matter 2.5 microns in size or smaller — like the bad little bits in smoke that not only get into your lungs — they get into your bloodstream.
The device houses two main compartments: one for the comprehensive filtration system and another for the humidifier water tank. One minor design quibble is the water tank itself. The water chamber is rather small and tricky to use, requiring more frequent refills.
Setup is pretty straightforward, but not as simply as just plugging it in and turning it on. Following instructions carefully, I removed and filled the water tank and took the plastic off three interior filters before reinstalling them and replacing the cover (which needs to be put on securely, or the device won’t power on). The remote also needs plastic removed from its battery.
8-stage purification system
The PH950’s filtration system is impressively comprehensive:
- Washable mesh pre-filter – Captures large particles like pet hair, dust, and dander.
- Cotton filter – Traps particles down to 5 microns.
- True HEPA 13 filter – Captures particles as small as 0.3 microns.
- Activated carbon filter – Removes odors, smoke, and volatile organic compounds.
- Cold catalyst filter – Additional chemical filtration.
- UV-A light – Helps neutralize microorganisms.
- Ionizer – Releases negative ions to help particles clump together.
- Humidifier – Adds moisture with water-cleaning balls.
According to manufacturer claims, this system can remove up to 99.98% of particles as small as 0.1 microns.
Performance
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The PH950 succeeds at removing even the smallest particles from the air while being fairly energy efficient. Its performance over the past couple of weeks has seemed excellent, in that the AQI reading has only fluctuated between about 005 and 015, spending most of its time around 007 or 008. But then again, outside air quality has remained healthy, and with winter looming, the windows are closed.
One area where I’ve had some questions about the device’s performance comes when I cook. The small air-quality monitor I rely on in my condo fluctuates madly under some conditions like light smoke from the air fryer or oven, even soaring up into the hundreds. Meanwhile, the PH950 barely seems to notice. It might get to 015. And I don’t know if the separate monitor is hyper sensitive — it sometimes reacts to steam in a similar way — or if the PH950 is under-reading the threat to air quality. It could be the big PH950 takes a better reading of actual 2.5-micron particulate matter and remains calm.
Smart Auto Mode
The Smart Auto Mode is particularly impressive. Using its laser PM2.5 sensor, the unit automatically adjusts fan speed through its 8-speed range based on real-time air quality readings. The color-coded display makes it easy to see at a glance how clean your air is. I’ll be curious to get a better look at it in the warmer months, with doors and windows open, when worsening outdoor air quality invades.
Regarding noise levels, the unit operates as quietly as 36.8dB on low mode with night mode activated. The ambient light sensor automatically switches the device to sleep mode in darkness, dimming displays and reducing fan speed. When air quality demands it, the unit does ramp up to higher speeds, which can be noticeably louder—but this provides reassurance that it’s actively working.
SmartLife App: The heart of smart control
Screenshot: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Setting up the PH950 with the SmartLife app is straightforward:
- Download the Smart Life app (available for both Android and iOS) and create an account or log in.
- In the app, select Small Home Appliances from the left list, then select Air Purifier (Wi-Fi) from the right.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
- The app will discover the PH950 and complete pairing.
The PH950 requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network for connectivity. Make sure your router has this band enabled, as it won’t connect to 5GHz-only networks.
App features and control
Once connected, you can control the PH950 from anywhere. This remote access is one of the biggest advantages of the smart integration.
The SmartLife app provides comprehensive control over the unit:
Real-time monitoring:
- PM2.5 air quality readings with color-coded indicators
- Current operating mode and fan speed
- Filter life remaining percentage
- Humidity level (when humidifier is active)
Control options:
- Power on/off
- Fan speed adjustment (8 levels)
- Auto mode toggle
- Sleep mode activation
- UV light on/off
- Ionizer on/off
- Humidifier on/off
- Child lock
- Display brightness
Scheduling: The app adds features like scheduling that you can’t access with just the onboard PH950 controls. You can create schedules to turn the unit on or off at specific times, perfect for having it running before you arrive home or turning it off while you’re away.
Automation scenes: The SmartLife app allows you to create automation scenes where the PH950 can work in conjunction with other smart home devices. For example, you could set it to turn on automatically when indoor air quality drops.
User interface experience
The app interface is intuitive and responsive. The main control screen provides quick access to all essential functions without feeling cluttered. The visual representation of air quality with changing colors (typically green for good, yellow for moderate, red for poor) makes it easy to understand your environment at a glance.
However, some users have reported that the ambient light sensor can be overly sensitive, putting the device into sleep mode in rooms that don’t receive much natural light, even during the day. This can be adjusted through the app settings.
Apple Watch integration
SmartLife is compatible with Apple Watch and requires watchOS 6.0 or later. The Apple Watch app provides convenient wrist-based control of your PH950, though it’s much more limited than the full iPhone app.
To add SmartLife to your Apple Watch:
- Ensure the SmartLife app is installed and configured on your iPhone.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Scroll to SmartLife in your app list.
- Tap “Install” to add it to your watch.
The Apple Watch app allows you to:
- Turn the PH950 on or off.
- Create a “tap to run” automation in the iPhone app to launch from your wrist.
The watch app is best suited for quick checks and simple controls rather than detailed adjustments. For tasks like scheduling or accessing advanced settings, you’ll want to use your iPhone. The convenience factor is significant, though. Being able to turn on the purifier from your wrist and launch an automation without reaching for your phone is genuinely useful. If I’m arriving home and want to turn on the PH950 before I walk in the door, a quick tap on my Apple Watch Series 10 while I’m still in the car is convenient.
Siri Shortcuts
The SmartLife app allows you to run tap-to-run scenes using Siri, Apple Watch and widgets. You can create Siri shortcuts for common commands like:
- “Turn on the air purifier”
- “Set air purifier to auto mode”
- “Turn on the humidifier”
While this adds voice control convenience, it’s worth noting that these are Siri Shortcuts rather than native Siri HomeKit integration. More on that below.
HomeKit compatibility: The missing link
Here’s where expectations need to be managed carefully. Despite the PH950’s compatibility with Apple devices through the SmartLife app, the Turonic PH950 does not have native Apple HomeKit support.
The PH950 is compatible with popular Smart Home Kits like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, but HomeKit is notably absent from the official compatibility list.
Workarounds for HomeKit integration
If HomeKit integration is essential for you, there are third-party solutions available, though they require additional hardware or software:
- Homebridge/HOOBS: Homebridge is a lightweight server that can integrate your home automation system to offer Apple Home integration for smart home devices that don’t directly support Apple HomeKit. HOOBS offers a powerful solution with a Tuya Web Plugin that works with Tuya Smart, Smart Life, and Geeni apps. This requires:
- A dedicated device (Raspberry Pi or similar) running Homebridge
- Technical setup and configuration
- The Tuya plugin installation
- Ongoing maintenance
- Home Assistant: This open-source home automation platform can act as a bridge between SmartLife devices and HomeKit, though it requires even more technical expertise.
- Commercial bridges: HomeKit Box devices allow you to bring items from Smart Life and Tuya into Apple HomeKit by plugging into your router’s ethernet port.
These workarounds add complexity, cost and potential points of failure to your smart home setup. They’re viable solutions for technically-inclined users but may be frustrating for those expecting plug-and-play HomeKit integration.
Additional control methods
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Beyond the app, the PH950 offers multiple control options:
Physical controls: The top-mounted touch dial and display panel provide full manual control. The interface is intuitive enough that you won’t need to constantly refer to the manual.
Remote control: The included remote provides wireless control from across the room, perfect for bedroom use where you might not want to grab your phone.
Voice control: Through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa (requires separate smart speaker), you can control the unit with voice commands.
Filter maintenance
The PH950 includes a convenient filter life indicator that tracks usage hours and alerts you when filters need attention. The combined true HEPA 13 and cotton filter should be changed after approximately 1500 hours of operation or every three to six months, while the washable pre-filter should be cleaned after 320 hours.
Important note: Some users have reported temporary stock issues with replacement filters on Amazon and Turonic’s websites. It’s worth checking filter availability before purchase and potentially ordering spare filters when you buy the unit.
Humidifier performance
The humidifier function is a nice addition, though it’s clearly secondary to the air purification capabilities. The relatively small water tank means you’ll need to refill it frequently if you’re using this feature regularly in dry conditions. The humidifier uses water-cleaning balls to release moisture, and you can toggle it on or off independently through the app or physical controls.
I found boosting humidity in dry conditions in my not-huge apartment a little more reliable simply by boiling a pot of water.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Exceptional air purification with 8-stage filtration
- Comprehensive SmartLife app control with remote access
- Effective Smart Auto Mode with PM2.5 sensor
- Very quiet operation in sleep mode (36.8dB)
- Apple Watch app for convenient wrist control
- Multiple control options (app, remote, manual, voice via Alexa/Google)
- Real-time air quality monitoring
- Scheduling and automation capabilities
- Dual functionality with humidifier
Cons:
- No native HomeKit support (requires third-party bridges)
- Large and heavy (24 lbs)
- Small water tank for humidifier function
- Filter replacement availability can be inconsistent
- Overly sensitive ambient light sensor
- Higher price point (typically $390-480)
- SmartLife app limitations
Who should buy the PH950?
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The Turonic PH950 is an excellent choice for:
- Android users or those in the Google/Alexa ecosystem.
- People suffering from pet allergies or asthma.
- Homes with pets that generate hair and dander.
- Anyone dealing with smoke, odors or poor indoor air quality.
- Tech-savvy users who value comprehensive app control.
- Those who want remote monitoring and control via smartphone.
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- Native HomeKit integration is a requirement.
- You need a compact, portable unit.
- You’re on a tight budget.
- You want a dedicated humidifier with a large water capacity.
Verdict: Turonic PH950 Air Purifier and Humidifier
This appliance cleans and humidifies air in large rooms -- up to 2,100 square feet per hour! It includes an ionizer, PM2.5 sensor, eight fan speeds, app control and remote control.
- 8-stage air filtration
- SmartLife app control via iPhone, Apple Watch
- Smart Auto Mode
- Remote control
- Dual functionality with humidifier
- No native HomeKit support
- Large and heavy
- Small water tank for humidification
- Somewhat expensive
★★★★☆
The Turonic PH950 is a solid air purifier, offering exceptional performance and versatility. The SmartLife app integration works well, providing comprehensive remote control and monitoring capabilities that genuinely enhance the user experience. The Apple Watch app adds a convenient layer of quick control, even if it doesn’t offer every feature available on the iPhone.
The absence of native HomeKit support is the unit’s most significant limitation for Apple ecosystem users. While workarounds exist, they add complexity that not everyone will want to deal with. If you’re deeply invested in HomeKit and want everything in Apple’s Home app, you’ll need to either accept using a separate app for the PH950 or invest in additional bridging hardware.
For users who don’t require HomeKit integration — or who are willing to use Siri Shortcuts as a compromise — the PH950 delivers good air purification performance with smart features that actually enhance daily use rather than feeling like gimmicks. It’s versatile, efficient, succeeds at removing even the smallest particles, and is relatively easy to use.
At its price point, the PH950 represents a solid investment in indoor air quality, especially for larger rooms or open floor plans. Just be prepared for its substantial size and check filter availability before committing to your purchase.
Turonic provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
