What is a good CCM grade?

Under GB/T 18801, particulate CCM is graded P1 to P4 and formaldehyde CCM F1 to F4, with P4 and F4 the highest. P4 means at least 12,000 mg of particulate capacity. A higher grade means a longer-lasting filter and a lower cost of ownership for the end customer.

Does a high CADR mean a long-lasting filter?

No. CADR and CCM are independent. A unit can have a high CADR (fast cleaning) but a low CCM (a filter that saturates quickly), which means strong airflow today and frequent, costly filter changes later. Always check both numbers, not just CADR.

Filtration Technology

CADR vs CCM: Air Purifier Speed vs Filter Life

Q: What is the difference between CADR and CCM?

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) measures how fast an air purifier cleans the air, in cubic metres per hour. CCM (Cumulative Clean Mass) measures how long the filter keeps working — the mass of pollutant it captures before CADR drops to half. CADR is speed; CCM is endurance.

CADR is the number everyone quotes. CCM is the number that decides what your customer pays over the next two years. Here is the difference, and why both matter.

Quick answer CADR measures how fast an air purifier cleans the air (m³/h). CCM (Cumulative Clean Mass) measures how long the filter lasts — the pollutant mass it captures before CADR drops to half, graded P1–P4 for particles and F1–F4 for formaldehyde in GB/T 18801. They are independent: a high CADR with a low CCM means fast cleaning but a filter that fades quickly — a hidden cost-of-ownership trap. Read both numbers.

Spec sheets shout CADR and whisper CCM — if they mention CCM at all. But for a brand planning a product line, CCM is where the customer’s long-term cost (and your replacement-filter revenue) actually lives. Understanding the pair is what separates a one-time sale from a repeat-purchase program.

CADR vs CCM, Side by Side

	CADR	CCM
Measures	Cleaning speed	Filter life / endurance
Unit / grade	m³/h (or CFM)	P1–P4 (particles), F1–F4 (formaldehyde)
Higher means	Cleans a room faster	Filter lasts longer before fading
Buyer impact	Performance / room-size match	Cost of ownership / reorder cadence

Sources: IQAir — CADR vs CCM long-term performance; GB/T 18801-2022, Air cleaner.

What CCM Actually Is

CCM — Cumulative Clean Mass — is the total mass of pollutant a filter captures before its CADR falls to half of the new-filter value. GB/T 18801 grades it: particulate CCM runs P1 to P4 (P4 is the highest, at least 12,000 mg), and formaldehyde CCM runs F1 to F4. In plain terms, CCM is a durability rating: a P4 filter holds far more dust before it needs replacing than a P1.

The Trap: High CADR, Low CCM

Because CADR and CCM are measured separately, a unit can post an impressive CADR and a weak CCM. That looks great on the box and disappoints six months later: the filter saturates fast, CADR quietly drops, and the end customer either replaces filters constantly or leaves a one-star review saying “it stopped working.” A cheap, thin filter is the usual cause — strong fan, short-lived media. For a brand, this is the returns-and-reviews trap.

Turn CCM Into a Selling Point

The flip side: a strong CCM is a story your competitors can’t fake. Pairing a solid CADR with a P4/F4-grade filter lets you advertise a longer replacement interval, lower yearly running cost, and a predictable reorder schedule — which is also your repeat-revenue program. When you spec a model, ask for both the CADR and the CCM grade, and plan the replacement-filter SKU from day one.

Want models with strong CADR and CCM?

Tell us your target market and we will recommend models with the CADR and CCM grade data, plus a replacement-filter plan.

Request Model Data

Related Guides

CADR and room size — matching CADR to the room.
AHAM vs GB/T 18801 — where CADR and CCM are defined.
Replacement filter cost — turning CCM into a reorder program.
Air purifier models — browse the OEM/ODM range.

General sourcing information. CADR and CCM figures are model-specific — confirm the values on the SKU test report.