While that’s true, it’s also true that the more dirty the outer filter gets, the more it can trap smaller particles.
I thought about this…I had one that was REALLY covered! Check this out!
Right side - just vacuumed
Left side = before vacuuming
That is because we have been remodeling our home, so it’s been sucking up a ton of dust from that.
But I started thinking that if I let the prefilter get TOO covered up, then it makes it hard to get as much airflow, and then the Air Purifier isn’t sucking in new air from as far away as it otherwise would, and thus all it does is circulate some of the close air because it is not as powerful in some senses. 
At least that seems logical.
So I am currently leaning toward thinking that it is better to just keep the prefilter as clean as possible so that it can pull in way more air more strongly and from farther away and work more efficiently in that sense, and even when it gets as covered up as mine was, I"m guessing the covered up prefilter layer is still as effective at capturing smaller particles as the inside Activated carbon filter anyway, so it probably doesn’t actually make enough of a difference in that sense, and it might actually make it worse by reducing the amount of suction toward the air purifier, thus bring less tiny stuff out of the air than it would if it wasn’t as clogged up and the tiny particles got sucked into the internal filter more often. The more airflow, the better in that sense.
At least that is the thought process I am currently leaning toward. I fully submit I have not actually researched it and I could be incorrect.
Anyone have a more “used up” prefilter to post images for? Maybe we can have a contest!
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It is true that when the outer filter gets that dirty, it will cause the motor to work harder and the filter won’t filter any if at all.
In your case because you’re remodeling the inside of your house I wouldn’t even run your Wyze Air Purifier because it will dirty filters too quickly. I’d just get a box fan and duct tape a box filter to the inlet side, as that would be way less expensive.
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I do not know. I can make speculations both ways. My primary guess is that it doesn’t necessarily strain the fan motor significantly more, it just doesn’t have as much suction toward the device anymore.
@Seapup would be the guy I would ask about it since he has actually used some HVAC testing equipment to test the differences and would have a much better analysis than my deduction.
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Unfortunately, my HVAC tech neighbor relocated before I could complete testing. I did find out that using a shopvac to suck as much as possible out from the outside through the foam, bathe in mild Dawn/water solution, rinse from inside out and air dry for a week works well for the allergen filter down to ~0.6 microns. I’ve been testing with 2 allergen filters and am currently on the 3rd washing each. Downsides… removal of VOCs (gasses) is nil after the 1st wash, most likely due to saturated active carbon. Tech said contrary to popular myth, the only way to reclaim the granular carbon is baking at 400F+ which isn’t possible without destroying the filter. Also, the effectivity time of particulate removal after 1st washing is cut in half so you can’t rely on the app/AP display for filter change notification. There appeared to be no difference in performance between 1st, 2nd and 3rd washing. I’m about 1 month away from the 4th washing, but I no longer have the equipment to gauge effectiveness so I’m now stuck with relying on qualitative observation vs quantitative data from a professional AQ meter/datalogger to determine when I need to change the filter.
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I strongly agree with @krsexton on this. My replacement filter was due to ship in September, here it is middle of November and still getting notices of out-of-stock. While I really do like the filter machine itself, and I was thinking of getting another, that just isn’t going to happen. This problem is a FATAL FLAW that is driving me to other manufactures to replace the whole filter unit. Very disappointing!
Also, since this is not a small issue, I would be interested in hearing from WYZE on the status of the situation. Give us some feedback. What’s the problem? What is the likely hood of this situation resolving. Realistic timeline?
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Welcome @gordon.reno , can you let us know which filters you are looking for?
off hand I can’t tell you the type. It is what ever comes with the subscription to automatically come each 6 months. I guess that would be the “standard”
Was asking because you can get the filters from Amazon. Not sure what the holdup is, but I will see if I can find something out.
thank you - that would be appreciated – if you find out the subscript refill is no longer a valid service, please let me know.
Absolutely will
Currently Amazon is at $50 for standard. Wyze is still sold out. The post on Aug 29 says that WyzeVeronica said on Discord that new filters would be coming in 2-3 weeks… that was months ago. Who knows, it might be years???
Sorry - this is going to be a rant:
I was originally a die-hard Wyze guy. I bought so many things, and recommended to so many friends. Now, so many little things are making it a deal-breaker for me. Wyze WAS a different type of company, and wanted to treat its customers right. Seems like they’ve lost sight of who they used to be. Lots of bait-and-switch I’ve noticed lately. They used to be a no-brainer for me, but now, what’s true today, might not be true tomorrow… like filters in stock, things that used to be free with the cameras are now subscriptions. Smart detections aren’t free, like the good old days.
You could count on new features, bugs getting fixed, creative exciting features rolling out. I have several sets of original Wyze sense stuff for doors/motion sensors. All junk because the “replaceable” batteries died and the sensors can’t be reset. Wyze won’t even acknowledge that they ever made that stuff anymore, let alone try to make it right. Some things just work, other stuff is just going to be money thrown away.
Whenever I buy something from Wyze now, it feels like a gamble. …and the odds are not usually in my favor anymore, unfortunately.
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I agree! No company should make products that require frequent replacement parts to function if they can’t keep enough of those parts in stock. But why is Wyze supplying the filters to Amazon (at higher price) when they can’t even keep them in stock on their own site?
The standard (“Allergen Filter”) for the Wyze Air Filter has been out of stock for months (3+???).
An update on when this will be back in stock would be very helpful. Why is this not included in the shop?
Another helpful option would be an email notification of when it’s back in stock.
I love my air filter but without replacement filters it’s really useless v
It is my understanding that Wyze makes nothing. They are a Value Added Reseller and source their products from Chinese companies such as Xiaomi that rebrand them, just like Roku buys their cameras from the same manufacturer as Wyze.
If the OEM does not offer replacement parts for their products, then Wyze can’t obtain them.
A user in another forum here is unable to locate a replacement part for their handheld vacuum because the OEM doesn’t sell it separately.
Just to clarify, Wyze does not source anything from Xiaomi. Xiaomi does leverage some of of the same ODM suppliers as Wyze does (note there is a difference between ODM and OEM).
Honestly, the majority of companies that make physical products, particularly IoT, tend to partner up with a 3rd party supplier and do “ODM” manufacturing. Some of them will pay the supplier for an exclusive right to it, while others don’t. Believe it or not, even Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and many, many more rely on 3rd party ODM suppliers to make their devices, rather than doing it all themselves. It’s highly normal in the tech industry.
For example, the iPhone is actually manufactured by Foxconn, not “Apple” and Samsung Smartphones and Tablets are actually manufactured by companies like Wistron and Foxconn too. Amazon uses TONS of different ODM suppliers for their various things.
Wyze is no different. They have multiple different ODM partners for various Wyze devices. Some of them they have helped design themselves, and some of them they have exclusive rights to the design so others can’t use them, but others, they don’t care if other companies use the same or similar design because Wyze maintains a huge advantage in all the added firmware features, etc that they personally add to it in-house that they others don’t have. A famous example is the Wyze V2 camera vs the Xiaomi camera that looked identical to it. The Wyze one was FAR superior with tons more features and a lot better because Xiaomi basically just kept the stock firmware, while Wyze made it tons better for several years and still cheaper. So despite the fact that they used a similar ODM supplier (Hualai), Wyze was tons better.
Talking about Roku, that is different…Roku and Wyze have a totally different relationship/partnership where Wyze provides them with their smart home tech…Wyze isn’t their ODM, but there is a different kind of partnership there that is similar in some ways.
I do find it funny that a lot of people who argue about brands don’t realize that in some cases they’re both supporting the same supplier, like with iPhones vs Samsung devices often both coming from Foxconn/Han-Hai. Same with a lot of HP vs Dell both coming from Foxconn/Han Hai 
So I always get a little bit of a giggle over such debates because of the underlying subtext of them often actually being made by the same company/supplier and how in a way they’re both agreeing with each other without even knowing it.
The majority of tech providers are doing some kind of ODM from a supplier, but the public facing brand gets all the credit. Instead of the real supplier. R&D and ODM partnerships are a lot different from what most of the public thinks.
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The problem here seems to be that wyze needs to get more aggressive in ordering consumables from the manufacturer. Especially with people signed up for a “subscription” for the consumable, wyze shouldn’t be out of stock when a subscription order comes due.
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Exactly! And if Wyze can’t do this, then maybe they need to stop making products that require things like this.
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Hate the fact you cant get air filters replacements - This is what Wyze support center says (Amazon jacks the prices up $20 more. Bait & Switch)
UNACCEPTABLE, since I like the machine but cannot have new filters!!!
Dec 18, 2023, 8:40 AM PST
Hi Txxxxxxx,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Clarice from Wyze Orders Team. I am taking over on this email to provide you further assistance on behalf of my colleague. . Our team has been actively monitoring the progress, and unfortunately, I must inform you that we still do not have a confirmed Estimated Time for the when will be the item be back on stock at this time.
We understand the importance of receiving timely updates, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that our team is actively working to expedite the process.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. We value your business and appreciate your understanding during this time.
Best regards,Clarice Wyze Wizard
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I don’t think it’s Amazon that sets the price. I think it’s Wyze, because even Home Depot prices on Wyze products are higher and I think that’s because every place else that sells their products has the shipping fee built into the base price. Because we all know Wyze inflates their shipping fees, to get some more profit. Ebay sellers do this same trickery.