> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sonohealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# HEPA 14 Medical-Grade Filtration

> Understand what makes HEPA 14 filtration different from standard HEPA filters. Medical-grade efficiency used in hospitals and cleanrooms.

HEPA 14 is the highest practical grade of HEPA filtration used in consumer air purifiers. Classified under the European EN 1822 standard, HEPA 14 filters capture 99.995% of particles at 0.3 microns -- the most penetrating particle size. The AirPro's HEPA 14 filter captures 99.9% of particles down to 0.1 microns, providing medical-grade air cleaning for your home.

## What Is HEPA 14?

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA filters use a dense mat of randomly arranged fibers to trap particles through three mechanisms:

* **Interception** -- Particles following an airstream come within one radius of a fiber and adhere to it
* **Impaction** -- Larger particles cannot follow the airstream around fibers and collide directly
* **Diffusion** -- The smallest particles move erratically (Brownian motion) and eventually contact a fiber

HEPA 14 represents the second-highest grade in the EN 1822 classification system. It is the standard used in hospital operating rooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and semiconductor cleanrooms.

## HEPA Grade Comparison

| Grade             | Standard    | Efficiency at 0.3 microns | Typical Use                                       |
| ----------------- | ----------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| HEPA-type         | No standard | 85-95%                    | Budget consumer purifiers                         |
| HEPA 11 (H11)     | EN 1822     | 95%                       | Basic commercial HVAC                             |
| HEPA 12 (H12)     | EN 1822     | 99.5%                     | General commercial filtration                     |
| HEPA 13 (H13)     | EN 1822     | 99.95%                    | Consumer air purifiers, hospitals (general areas) |
| **HEPA 14 (H14)** | **EN 1822** | **99.995%**               | **Operating rooms, cleanrooms, the AirPro**       |
| ULPA 15 (U15)     | EN 1822     | 99.9995%                  | Semiconductor fabrication                         |

## HEPA 14 vs. Standard HEPA

The difference between HEPA 13 (standard HEPA) and HEPA 14 is significant:

| Factor                    | Standard HEPA (H13)      | HEPA 14 (H14)             |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| Efficiency at 0.3 microns | 99.95%                   | 99.995%                   |
| Particle penetration      | 5 in 10,000 pass through | 5 in 100,000 pass through |
| Relative leakage          | Baseline                 | 10x less leakage          |
| Classification            | Consumer-grade           | Medical-grade             |
| Testing standard          | May vary                 | EN 1822 certified         |

In practical terms, HEPA 14 lets through 10 times fewer particles than standard HEPA at the most penetrating particle size.

## Why "HEPA-Type" Is Not HEPA

Many budget air purifiers advertise "HEPA-type" or "HEPA-style" filters. These are not true HEPA filters and are not tested to any recognized standard. A HEPA-type filter may capture only 85-95% of particles at 0.3 microns, compared to HEPA 14's 99.995%. This means a HEPA-type filter lets through 100 to 1,000 times more particles than a HEPA 14 filter.

When evaluating an air purifier, look for a specific HEPA grade (H11 through H14) and a reference to the EN 1822 or equivalent testing standard. Note that "True HEPA" is a marketing term that usually means HEPA 13, not HEPA 14 — see [HEPA 14 vs. True HEPA](/air-purifier/hepa-14-vs-true-hepa) for the full breakdown.

## The AirPro's HEPA 14 Filter

The AirPro's HEPA 14 filter includes two additional features beyond standard HEPA 14 media:

* **Antibacterial Coating** -- Prevents bacteria and mold from growing on the filter surface over time. Without this coating, captured biological particles can multiply on the filter and eventually release back into the air.
* **Antimicrobial Layer** -- An additional protective layer that provides a second line of defense against microbial growth within the filter assembly.

These coatings are particularly important for long-life filters. The AirPro's filter lasts 6-12 months, and the antibacterial properties ensure the filter remains hygienic throughout its service life.

## What HEPA 14 Captures

| Pollutant         | Particle Size    | Captured by HEPA 14           |
| ----------------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Pollen            | 10-100 microns   | Yes                           |
| Mold spores       | 2-20 microns     | Yes                           |
| Dust mite waste   | 1-10 microns     | Yes                           |
| Pet dander        | 0.5-10 microns   | Yes                           |
| Bacteria          | 0.3-5 microns    | Yes                           |
| Fine dust (PM2.5) | \< 2.5 microns   | Yes                           |
| Smoke particles   | 0.1-1 micron     | Yes                           |
| Some viruses      | 0.02-0.3 microns | Yes (via diffusion mechanism) |

***

**Related:** [HEPA 14 vs. True HEPA](/air-purifier/hepa-14-vs-true-hepa) · [Best HEPA 14 Air Purifier](/air-purifier/best-hepa-14-air-purifier) · [How It Works](/air-purifier/how-it-works) · [UV-C Sterilization](/air-purifier/uv-c-sterilization) · [Filter Replacement Guide](/air-purifier/filter-replacement)