Top Air Purifier Reviews

Air Purifier Reviews

Alen BreatheSmart HEPA Review

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I am very impressed by the Alen Breathe Smart Air Purifier. I have always been allergic to cat dander and with the new air purifier the entire house is full of clean crisp air. We did not get the odor control filter but even the odors from our tenant cooking down stairs or residual smoke that would find its way into the house from smoking outside has cleared up.

This air purifier is wonderful. I love the automatic setting that will adjust to the level of impurities in the air. When cooking or cleaning litter boxes in the opposite side of the house the purifier will automatically bump up to red and go into overtime. I feel that it has made a huge difference in the air quality and I see a lot less dust particles in the air.

This unit is very quiet. I’ve got it right beside my bed and I’ve got to have silence in order for me to get to sleep. I’ve got it set to auto. It claims it senses particles in the air. It does change speeds on its own so there’s something to its claims. I have noticed the speed changes happen after I do something in the room that would stir up dust. With the unit on the room stays cooler as it circulates the air. Very expensive but I’d still recommend.

Within half an hour we could feel crispier, fresher air in our open living room floor that connects to the almost non-stop working kitchen. We moved the purifier to every room and ran it for about an hour/ each at the beginning. Now we just move it to our bedroom for the night since I have asthma and for the day we keep it in the living room. It’s really light for the size and its power so I have no problems carrying it myself (I’m a petit size 5’2) up and down the stairs.

I absolutely love it and recommend it to everybody having breathing problems. The price might be steep but on the other hand I save on medications because I don’t need them as often as before! And really, I’d rather inhale that “expensive” air than the steroids with gazillions side effects. Buy it!!!

Living in Manhattan NYC, we needed a high-powered air purifier for our apartment, one which would effectively clean the air of small and large particulates while being reasonably quiet and also aesthetically-pleasing in our living room.

The Alen BreatheSmart meets and exceeds all of our requirements. We have an expensive laser-driven air quality monitor and the Alen registers zero particulates in the exhaust airflow, which is perfect. The ability to manually switch the ionizer feature on and off is a real plus as well. We also have a Blue Air 403 (equally fabulous) as well as two Fellowes (AP-300PH & AeroMax 300) and an Alen T100. Our experience is that you get what you pay for in air purifiers. The Alen BreatheSmart is definitely worth the extra money. Highly recommend!

I turned it on turbo and let it run for a week straight to clean the air before turning it to auto which it stays on all the time now. It really does take all the “smells” out of the house. As soon as the door opens it kicks on high and gets to work immediately.

Before I turned it on I cleaned all the ceiling fans in the house to check the cleaning ability of the purifier and it has kept almost all of the dust from collecting around the house for 2 months now. Usually my wife has to dust at least 1 time a week, but this thing is amazing. The allergies in the house have dramatically been reduced and it really does cover the entire house very efficiently. I love this thing.

Alen BreatheSmart is very quiet and powerful device. I really love of the technology in this device. The Smart Sensor is great. I love being able to quickly look at the device and see what the current air quality is. It’s very crazy to see how much the air quality drops whenever I cook something 2 rooms away. I didn’t realize the kitchen created that much of a drop in air quality. It’s a very nice and interesting feature. I’m definitely happy so far.

The unit is light, for its size, and it is very accommodating with all the settings you can program. I keep it on automatic and it speeds up and slows down fan speed when detecting pollutants in the air. As I cook a lot I noticed when I am broiling or frying food when the odors from cooking reach the unit it detects them and speeds up.

This unit seems to do what it claims though I was somewhat reluctant to pay the price of admission. But in just a couple of day’s use of the BreatheSmart, my wife’s eyes have stopped itching when she wakes up in the morning. And my stuffy nose and breathing have improved. This is a solidly built, sizable machine; its quiet mode is quieter than any other air processing machine that we have ever owned. In the final analysis, healthier lung function and reduced allergies, along with reduced use of pharmaceuticals, is why we bought this unit, and better health is worth paying for.

We were suffering from the fire situation on the west coast and needed something to help fast. My spouse has COPD and my dog has bronchitis. Both were in bad shape this summer, but these filters worked great.

It was interesting to see its air quality indicator change colors when some event triggered bad air in the room. If the AC came on the filter knew, or if someone opened the door and smoke came in from the outside. It would turn red and start working harder. It even knew when I started cooking, and considered this an event to turn red when it smelled food in the air.

It has an ‘auto’ speed option so that when it detects bad air it speeds up. It has 4 speeds. You can choose a preferred speed manually, as well, if you want it to remain on one of them.

It has a filter life indicator and a timer if you want it to run for 4, 8 or 12 hours. It has an ionizer function which produces ions without ozone.

It also has a night or ‘lights off’ setting. When you first turn the power button to on, there are a number of indicator lights, as mentioned. If you want to run it in your bedroom at night with no lights, just press the power button again. To turn it completely off, press the power button a third time.

It has a number of different filters that can be ordered separately, or in some cases with the original machine. They range from the basic filter to one designed especially for molds/VOCs and others for smoke, etc.

One of the things that surprised me was how quiet it was. On the lowest setting it is very, very quiet and is only noticeable on its higher settings. Having had a variety of other air filters, this one seems amazing in terms noise level. We liked this first one so much we bought two more. Now our indoor air is incredibly clean and the family is breathing fine.

Alen Tower Air Purifier T300 Product Review

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Product Review: Alen Tower Air Purifier – T300

Who Would Buy This: People who suffer from allergies and are looking for a solution to relieve their allergy symptoms.

Product Highlights

  • Features an enhanced carbon filter to remove odor
  • Features a UV lamp that kills virus, bacteria, pollen, smoke, dust and animal dander
  • Extremely quiet
  • This device is a negative ionizer, meaning it doesn’t produce harmful ozone
  • Has a swivel motion for better air circulation
  • Best of all, Alen offers a LIFETIME WARRANTY on this tower air purifier

Pros: There are air cleaners and then there are advanced, modern, efficient tower air purifier systems available to produce the most desired results in clean air.  The superior Alen Tower Air Purifier is a top-notch, state-of-the-art air cleaner which cleans more dirt and particles from the air and removes more odors than other air cleaners on the market.  the Alen Tower is designed to provide high quality performance in cleaning the air within homes, schools, and offices.

The enhanced, activated carbon filter works to provide assurance to families who are worried about dangerous carbon pollutants in the home.  These pollutants can interrupt the health and breathing of young children and adults prone to asthma or chronic illness.  Many families living in older homes suffer with the hazards of mold and bacteria residing within the home.  These items can cause dangerous and even life-threatening illnesses.  The tower air cleaner by Alen will ensure that these harmful resident bacteria and mold particles will be cleaned and removed from the air.  The device uses a UV lamp to effectively remove all bacteria and pollutants. Though it is in the higher price range than many home tower air purifier systems, the Alen T300 is laboratory tested to ensure it removes even the most harmful aspects of bacteria and mold.

Young children can often be prone to the dangers of mold and bacteria.  The Alen T300 is available to let parents know they are providing their families with the best possible clean air.  Purifying the air with a tower air purifier of this strength and capacity will keep the home safe, cleaner, and smelling better.  The Allen T300 works at maximum strength to remove any pollen and other allergen from the inside air that is brought in from the outdoors which can be harmful to the people inside.  When bacteria is transported through the air and breathed into the lungs, it can rest in the lungs until long-term damage occurs in the person.  Purchasing a tower air purifier by Alen will allow parents to know they are working to keep the air clean and pure within their home, and therefore, protecting all children and adults within the home.

It is available to order online at Amazon and can be ordered with the benefit of super saving shipping which will help to save dramatically on shipping costs.  Anyone prone to bad allergies will literally breathe better in a home which is equipped with the Alen Tower Air Purifier T300.  In just a few short days, the Alen T300 will have the home clean and free of harmful particles which can disturb the health of the residents of the home.  Anyone living with bad allergies will immediately begin to experience relief and easier breathing thanks to the efficiency of the purifier.  Clean air should be a given, but unfortunately, machines have to do the work to ensure homes and offices have pure air as opposed to air polluted with allergen, mold, bacteria, dust particles, and other varieties of harmful items which may be breathed into a person’s lungs. 

Cons: The disadvantage of the Alen Tower T300 Air Purifier is the cost of the UV lamps.  According to many customers these lamps are extremely effective in removing bacteria from the air.

Alen A350 Air Purifier Review

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What You Need to Know about the Alen a350 Air Purifier

As one of the top selling air purifiers on the market, the Alen a350 air purifier has almost everything you could want; an affordable price, a quality purification system and sustainability. This is due in part because of the quality of air purifiers that Alen Corporation manufacturers. Founded in only 2005, Alen Corporation has grown by leaps and bounds over the past five years.

Known for their quality at low prices, Alen was one of the first companies to begin offering a lifetime warranty on their products while utilizing the latest technology to bring you the very best purifier it could build. Also, they are greatly known for their innovative designs rather than the same unattractive designs people had been buying for years from other manufacturers. They started with the Paralda which was their first high performance air purifier and it also had a great design to it so that people could feel good about putting it in any room of the house. Now with retail and online stores, Alen Corporation is one of the leaders in air purifiers.

The Alen Air Purifier Filtration System

As you will find with most of the Alen air purifiers, the Alen a350 air purifier offers multi-filtration technology. Not only do they have the HEPA filtration system, but they also are leaders in the ionizer, UV and photo-catalytic oxidation system which are all ecologically friendly. The Silver Ion HEPA filtration eliminates up to 99% of the bacteria in the air as well as up to 50% of viruses. Added to that, they purify the air to eliminate up to 99% of the airborne allergens which keep you healthy and breathing well. Coated with silver ion, the germs within the unit stop developing and can prevent bacteria from being blown into the air while reducing fungi in the home. Lastly, through a complex process, it can literally destroy up to 650 types of bacteria making it one of the leading products ever made within the air purifier market.

The Alen a350 Air Purifier System Description

Affordable, yet incredibly effective, the Alen a350 can purify the air in a room up to 800 square feet. It eliminates all of the major pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, dust, mold spores as well as other large particles. It uses the HEPA filtration system and is Energy Star rated which means that it is very cost effective as well as efficient. It not only works on typical pollutants in the home but also ash and wildfires so it can be used everywhere. It offers low filter replacement costs and it is very low maintenance making it easy to use for anyone. The Alen a350 air purifier uses four speed settings and offers a 12 hour timer as well as a wall mountable space saving design along with traditional floor placement. Lastly, with a filter change indicator and a digital display with simple touch button controls, it is as easy to use as it is attractive to look at.

The Alen a350 Air Purifier Technical Specifications

With four air changes per hour this 120 Volt air purifier system consumes very little energy. Even at the highest speed it only uses about 90W of energy consumption which is little more than a light bulb. The noise is quite low making it easy to get a sound sleep at night and it offers up to 99% of the room coverage, far and above most other air purifiers. With a filter life of up to 9 months, there is little maintenance and at only 16 pounds, it is quite versatile and able to be moved if needed.

Alen a350 Air Purifier Reviews

Although the Alen a350 is a relative new model, it is highly competitive with other models that are set to purify the same amount of square feet. After major testing it does indeed give consumers what it promises which is about 99% removal of particles in and around the unit as well as 97% of particles around the room which makes for excellent efficiency. Competitively priced as well, even the most budget conscious can afford it. That isn’t even taking into consideration how inexpensive it is to maintain which is less than $100 a year, making it a good value well into the future as compared to other air purification systems. With benefits such as an ozone free negative ionizer and all the other benefits that the Alen a350 air purifier contains, this is surely a good buy for anyone looking for a quality air purifier.

Whirlpool Air Purifiers Guide

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Whirlpool Air Purifier Technology

Whirlpool has three separate models of air purifiers to accommodate different sized rooms. All of the units contain a carbon pre-filter and a True HEPA filter that captures particulates down to 0.3 microns and removes 99.97% of the airborne particulates. All of the Whirlpool air purification units have a basic exchange rate of 4.8 times per hour, and the largest model has a turbo feature for quicker air purification. T

he double filtration system will remove airborne allergies such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, fabric fibers and tobacco smoke. All units carry a 30-day Money Back Quiet Guarantee and a 5 year limited warranty — with a four year guarantee against engine burn out — and are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Replacement Filters

Whirlpool air purifiers and replacement filters are sold by Master Brands HK LTD, who is licensed to distribute their products. Whirlpool uses the 3M Filtrete True HEPA® filter that requires a yearly replacement, which costs from $80.00 to $100 per filter depending on the size of the model. The charcoal pre-filters have to be replaced four times a year, and are typically sold in packs of four and cost $28.00 to $39.00 a package.

In 2009, there was a production gap and the medium-sized air purifier model — the Whispure 450 Series –was discontinued due to slow sales because many builders dropped it from their inventory. This model was reintroduced in 2010 by popular demand.

Consumer Reports Ratings

Whirlpool air purifiers have received top ratings on Consumer Reports reviews and ranks just below the higher priced models like the Blueair 501 or 601 or the Kenmore 85264. In 2005, Whirlpool was rated the second most popular air filter out of 30, and was featured as a best “quickie” recommendation. The fan is run by a Quiet Partner® System that ranks 8 out of 10 for noise level, with complaints about the some speeds being too loud for normal conversation.

Consumer Complaints

Criticisms of the Whirlpool air purification models include ineffective odor removal since the carbon filter is not highly ranked for VOC purification. Complaints about the frequency of filter changes are common. They are not effective against MCS or chemical contamination and do not produce ozone. It has also been noted that cigarette smoking fouls the pre-filter quickly. But overall, Whirlpool models score an 8 out of 10 ranking for customer reviews, and Whirlpool claims that their units have been ranked number one by consumers as the preferred brand for their category, although they don’t give specific references.

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Whirlpool Air Purifier Models

The three models of Whirlpool air purification systems available are:

  • AP25030K Whispure™ Air Purifier – Ideal for a small room up to 320 square feet with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 150 smoke, 160 dust and 170 pollen, this model retails at $249.99 with free shipping. It measures 10″ deep and is 19″ high and 14″ wide. Features include a 3-speed variable fan that can be adjusted to determine the rate of air exchange. This highly portable unit has built-in handles so it is easy to move from room to room. There are two separate filter change lights, one for the HEPA and one for the charcoal filter.
  • AP45030K Whispure™ – This model is designed for medium-sized rooms up to 420 square feet and has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 320 smoke, 330 dust and 330 pollen and retails for $299.99 with free shipping. The portable unit includes built-in handles and two separate filter change lights, one for the charcoal and one for the HEPA filter. The unit stands 22″ high and is 17 3/4″ wide by 11 1/2″ deep and can be put flush with a wall without affecting the air exchange performance.
  • AP51030K Whispure™ – For large rooms up to 500 square feet, this unit retails for $349.99 with free shipping. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is 316, with a capture rate of dust at 330, tobacco smoke at 330 and pollen at 288. This unit has a 4-speed fan which includes a sleep mode that saves energy as well as a turbo setting for quick air exchange. The unit weighs 26 pounds and measures 10″ deep, 24 ” high and is 20″ wide.

Why Indoor Air is More Polluted Than Outdoor Air?

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EPA Warns About Air Quality In Your Home

It’s the third straight day in a heat spell, with the mercury soaring into the 80s and 90s. The weatherman reports that there’s no relief in sight, noting further that the low pressure front responsible for the temperature spike is also keeping the pollutants from automobiles suspended overhead in a dull brown haze. The air quality index is bad, he tells you. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging citizens, whenever possible, to work from home; and further cautioning individuals with asthma or other reactive airway conditions to avoid breathing the toxic air.

When you hear a warning like this, understandably you feel anxious. But did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency has issued similar warnings about the inside of your own home? You may be surprised to learn that much of the time, the air inside your own home can be even more polluted and hazardous to your health than the air outside.

Who’s at risk? People who spend the most time inside their homes, which is to say the very young, the very old, the chronically ill – and their caretakers. Researchers say these individuals may spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. But the rest of us, who spend anywhere between 65% and 90% of our time in our homes, are also at risk.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Lack of Ventilation

What’s the ventilation like inside your home? If you live in those parts of the United States affected by winter, chances are your home is winter-proofed. While insulating, sealing and caulking your home may keep out the chill, these techniques can also make your home so airtight there’s no way indoor dust, tobacco smoke, other combustion products or other pollutants can diffuse into the outer air. That means they stay trapped inside your home – where you inhale them at the risk of your health.

In order to maintain circulation, you will need to increase the amount of outside air coming into your home. Open windows and doors when weather permits. Run exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom with outside ventilation system. Make sure all gas appliances like stoves, dryers and water heaters have vents going to the outside, and in the summer time, run your air conditioner with the vent open.

Painting a room? Open a window if you can and make sure the overhead fan is on. It’s particularly important to observe precautions designed to minimize exposure to pollutants any time you use paint, cleaning solutions, pesticides or solvents containing potentially harmful chemicals.

Dust & Dust Mites

The main source of indoor pollution is common dust. For every six rooms in your house (approximately 1,500 square feet), approximately 40 pounds of dust is generated in a single year. Dust is an accumulation of textile fibers from upholstery, drapes, pillows, linens and other furnishings in your home, as well as flakes of human skin, pet dander, animal hair, insects, food particles, pollen, mold spores, insulation – and dust mites.

For every six rooms in your house (approximately 1,500 square feet), approximately 40 pounds of dust is generated in a single year

You may prefer to think of dust particulate as inanimate – but it’s not. It’s home to a veritable plantation of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, also known as the common dust mite. It’s been estimated a single gram of dust contains 100 to 500 mites. Dust mites don’t bite, nor do they spread disease, but people with reactive airway diseases are often severely allergic to their droppings.

Dust collects on surfaces, so it stands to reason that the fewer surfaces you have in your house – the fewer knickknacks, books, tables piled high with magazines you haven’t yet gotten around to reading – the less dust you will accumulate. Remove as many dust-collecting items from your house as possible. A vacuum cleaner can actually contribute to your dust problem unless it’s the high efficiency filtering model. Dust mites thrive in moist conditions so be sure get rid of any excess moisture or water in your home. If you use a humidifier, be sure to fill it with fresh water daily, and clean it often according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen, as well as a primary factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. A number of studies have also conclusively linked tobacco smoke to heart disease.

Secondhand tobacco smoke is a combination of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette or a cigar, and the fumes exhaled by smokers. It is particularly dangerous to children whose lungs are immature and still developing, and whose respiratory rates are higher than that of adults. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Children exposed to secondhand smoke stand a greater chance of developing asthma (even if they’ve never before exhibited symptoms), suffer from ear infections and develop pulmonary complications like pneumonia and bronchitis. Elderly people exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of developing dementia.

How do you control the harmful effects of tobacco smoke? Stop smoking yourself, and never let anyone smoke within your home or in your car.

Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys

Tobacco smoke is not the only product of combustion that may be hazardous to your health. Wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves, kerosene and gas space heaters can be sources of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide gas, as well as particulate matter that can lodge in your lungs, causing damage.

A persistent, yellow-tipped flame is generally the sign of a malfunctioning kerosene or gas space heater, and is a warning that pollutants are being produced: when the equipment is operating correctly, its flame is blue. Make sure that you’re using the proper fuels and adjusting the heater according to the manufacturer’s directions. Never close the door to a room in which you are operating a space heater; weather permitting, always open the window a crack.

When using a wood stove, make sure that the door is fitted and use cured (dry) wood. Stove hoods with fans venting to the outside reduces your exposure to potentially harmful substances while you are cooking.

Volatile Organic and Inorganic Compounds

Paints, solvents, clothes just back from the cleaners, air fresheners, aerosol sprays can all be sources of pollution from organic compounds.

Formaldehyde, a preservative and bonding agent, is commonly found in particle board and pressed wood furniture. Symptoms of formaldehyde exposure may include watering eyes, nausea and difficulty breathing that manifests as a burning or choking sensation in the throat. To reduce exposure, make sure to ask about the formaldehyde content of any new pressed wood furniture you’re thinking of purchasing, and buy “exterior-grade” particle board whenever possible: exterior-grade pressed wood products contain phenol resins in place of more toxic urea resins.

Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, implicated in 21,000 deaths from lung cancer a year according to the EPA. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of small amounts of uranium in water, soil and rock. Radon easily infiltrates building structures. Do-it-yourself radon tests are sold in hardware stores to help people determine whether their homes have been exposed to radon. Professional radon testing is often part of the process of vetting a home that’s been put up for sale. If you smoke and your home is positive for radon, you stand an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

The most effective way of ridding a home of radon is through the use of a soil suction radon reduction system consisting of a vent pipe system and a fan; this is designed to pull radon from the atmosphere inside the home and vent it to the outside. Repairing cracks in your home’s foundation is also highly recommended.

Indoor Pollution: Tips For Apartment Dwellers

Indoor pollution can be just as much of a problem for people who live in apartments as it is for people who live in homes. In most instances, the same preventive steps that allow home dwellers to reduce harmful exposure will also work for apartment dwellers.

In some instances, however – for example, testing for potential radon exposure – an apartment dweller will have to enlist the aid and support of his or her landlord or apartment manager.

     Sources Used in This Article:

Ventilation:

  • American Lung Association: http://www.lungusa.org/healthy-air/home/healthy-air-at-home/prevent-problems.html

Dust:

  • http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/controlling-dust-and-dander-in-your-home.html

Dust mites:

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln: http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/DustMites311.shtml

Secondhand smoke:

  • American Academy of Neurology: http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fuseaction=release.view&release=467
  • American Lung Association in Washington: http://www.alaw.org/air_quality/indoor_air_quality/

Other Sources of Combustion:

  • http://www.pollutionissues.com/Ho-Li/Indoor-Air-Pollution.html

Formaldehyde:

  • Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html

Radon exposure:

  • Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html

Apartment Dwellers:

  • Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/is-apart.html

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Winix Air Purifiers Guide

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Winix Company Info

Winix Air Purifiers are manufactured and sold by the Winix Corporation. Started in 1973 and settling on the Winix name in 2000, their head office is located in Shiheung City, a suburb of Seoul, South Korea. The company owns manufacturing factories in Korea, Thailand and China. Winix produces a wide range of home environmental appliances, including air purifiers, air coolers and cleaners, dehumidifiers, fan heaters, cold and hot water purifiers, water dispensers, air conditioner components, evaporators, condensers, bidets and others; however their air purifiers are the only products exported to the United States. Some of their products are also exported to Japan.

Winix’s United States offices are located in East Dundee, Illinois which is about an hour from downtown Chicago, which handles all North American sales and warranties. They are partnered with a large number of US retailers, including The Home Depot, Sears, Walgreen’s, Target, Best Buy, Costco, Fry’s, and Hammacher Schlemmer, among others.

Air Purifier History

Winix has been making air purifiers since at least 2003 and exporting them to the US from around 2006. They have built up the reputation of their air purifiers to the point that they are highly regarded by many reviewers. Although not excellent, more than one reviewer of their PlasmaWave line of air purifiers have commented that, comparing the features to the price, Winix offers a good value in their product, especially their higher end products.

Awards and Recognition

According to the English language version of their Korean corporate website, Winix has been awarded with a number of awards in Korea, although it is a little unclear what products those awards are for. Some of the awards are for simply being a large successful company while the majority of their company history discusses their growth in foreign markets.

Winix Air Purifier Technology

For their top three models, Winix uses a 5 stage cleaning method, while their base model, the 5000B uses a 3 stage cleaning method. Their claimed cleaning efficiency is 99% for the 5000B and 99.7% for their lowest level 5-stage air purifier or 99.9% for their two top models. The 5 stage models use the following steps: washable anti-bacterial pre-filter, true HEPA filter, nano-silver mesh, washable carbon filter, followed by their final step, the PlasmaWave Technology, which is their biggest selling point and the namesake of their product line. It claims to generate both negatively and positively charged ions that, combining with water vapor in the air and form Hydroxyls.

These Hydroxyls, according to Winix literature, instantly neutralize viruses, bacteria, chemical vapors, odors and gasses in the air. This technology is the basis for Winix’s claims to silently remove from the air pollen, mold, smoke, dust and pet dander, while at the same time, neutralizing flu viruses, odors and bacteria. Their lower end model, the 5000B 3-stage air purifier, has only the carbon pre-filter, true HEPA filter and the PlasmaWave Technology.

Replacement Filters

While few of these claims have yet to be verified, such as the neutralization of flu viruses, Winix air purifiers do consistently receive high praise from reviewers and customers. The one point of contention seems to be the price of the replaceable filter. They typically run around 100 bucks and Winix recommends they be replaced every year or so with regular use.

Zojirushi Air Purifiers Guide

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Zojirushi Company Info

With over 90 years of experience in making household and kitchen appliances, the Zojirushi Corporation has expanded their products to offer two air purifiers that have an ultra slim design and attractive appearance. The company made a name for itself when it launched a glass-lined vacuum bottle that was nothing short of quality and innovative materials back in 1948.

After establishing its credibility, the Zojirushi Corporation began branching out into other products, using top-of-the-line technology to bring forth rice cookers, electric boilers, electric warmers and kettles. Although it is unknown how long Zojirushi has been making air purifiers, the products make up a light sales volume for the company.

What Zojirushi prides itself on is that they use innovative designs and cutting-edge technology to introduce products that are stylish and easy to use. Zojirushi operates on a global level, with its headquarters being located in Osaka, Japan and service centers located throughout the world. In 1987, Zojirushi America Corporation was established and run out of California.

Air Purifier Price Range

The air purifiers offered through Zojirushi are very similar, except one is a bit larger than the other and offers more features that make it more favorable to use. What makes these air purifiers stand out is that they are small, compact and super slim, measuring only 5 inches thick and being able to fit in virtually any space. They are also quiet and near silent when placed on low settings, which is why they are a popular buy for college dorm rooms or home offices.

Clean Air Delivery Rate Certified

The Zojirushi PA-LTC10 air purifier is AHAM certified and its clean air delivery rates add up to 84 for dust, 69 for smoke and 81 for pollen but is only based on 110 square foot room size. The units are best served in rooms of that size or smaller and their ultra sleek design makes this possible without taking up too much space. Zojirushi also ensures that their products are easy to use and maintain and their air cleaners fit right into this category. There is a convenient air quality monitor that allows consumers to check the quality of the air, as well as a shut-off timer and remote control.

Zojirushi Air Purifier Technology

The air cleaners use HEPA-type filters and carbon filters, which need to be replaced every two years or so. The company warns that heavy dander and smoking for example, will shorten the lifespan of the filters. However, for a pack of four filters (2 HEPA-type and 2 carbon), the bundle only costs $48. While there are many great benefits to Zojirushi air cleaners, reviews warn that the low powered fans and the sleek design compromises the power of the cleaners. In addition, there is no prefilter to trap larger particles and there is some debate as to the efficiency of HEPA-type filters instead of true, certified HEPA filters.

Sun Pure Air Purifiers Guide

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Ultra-Sun Technologies Company Info

Ultra-Sun Technologies is a California based company that has been manufacturing air purifiers under the brand name SunPure for an unknown period of time. Their air purifiers sell for anywhere from $500-$995 depending on the retailer.

Sun Pure Air Purifier Technology

The SunPure Model SP-20’s have a six step filtration system. When air is sucked into one of these air purifiers, the first filter it encounters is the pre-filter. This filter traps particles that are larger than five microns. The advantage to having a pre-filter is that it helps extend the life of the HEPA filter by making sure it doesn’t have to deal with large particles, thus allowing the filter more room to capture more small particles.

The second step in this system is a specially formulated gas absorption media. This filter removes exhaust fumes, hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, pesticides, paint solvents, chlorine, cleaning chemicals and other nasty and potentially dangerous fumes and odors from the air. The third filter is a carbon filter that focuses exclusively on removing odors from the air such cooking odors, the stink of pets, and air conditioning systems. The carbon filter can also get rid of low level ozone.

The HEPA filter is the fourth filter. It is a hospital grade filter that can remove particles so small they can only be seen through a microscope. The air then goes through the fifth step, an ultraviolet light. This light is 10,000 times the intensity of real sunlight. It is designed to kill bacteria and viruses. The sixth and final step is negative ionization. In the process of negative ionization, a molecule called an ion receives an extra electron, resulting in the ion becoming negatively charged. A negatively charged ion tends to stick to things, so when it comes in contact with a particle floating in the air, it sticks to it and traps it in the air purifier.

The Model SP-200 only uses three steps in its system. The first filter is an electrostatic MER-11 filter that removes particles such as pollen, mold, dust mites, smoke and bacteria from the air using static electricity. The second step uses a photo-catalytic oxidation process to convert toxic fumes into benign ones. The third step is an ultraviolet light that kills bacteria and viruses.

The Model BAT air purifiers are designed to specifically focus on mold and germ reduction. To this end, these purifiers have ultraviolet lights to kill bacteria and germs along with titanium dioxide filters that promote a photo-catalytic oxidation process to eliminate toxic fumes and other problematic air pollutants. The titanium dioxide filters can get rid of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as odors and deadly carbon monoxide.

Swizz Style Air Purifiers Guide

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Swizz Style Company Info

Swizz Style is an Ohio based company that sells air purifiers and other home appliances. Swizz Style imports products of Swiss design produced by the company Stadler Form, which in turn is part of the MACH-Group. Stadler Form was founded in 1998, and is a company devoted to making designer household appliances that are both useful and emotionally appealing. Swizz Style is not the only company that distributes products by Stadler Form – other companies include Authentics Limited (based in the UK), Entrex Inc. (based in Japan), and Kohelet Import LTD (based in Israel).

Design, Testing, and Price Range

What sets Swizz Style’s air purifier line apart from others is the emphasis on designer appearance. Designed by award winning Swiss designers like Matti Walker, these air purifiers don’t just clean the air – they make a fashion statement as well. These air purifiers, which have been manufactured by Stadler Form for an unknown period of time, were tested and proved by leading European allergy and air quality labs.

The company claims that the air purifiers can run extremely quietly depending on which mode they are on. They are designed to reduce household allergies by removing smoke, dander and pollen from the air and contain fragrance dispensers to further freshen up the air.

Swizz Style Air Purifier Technology

Swizz Style’s Henry Air Purifiers utilizes a five step filter process. Air sucked into the purifier first passes through a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. These filters remove odors, dust, pollen and other air particles. The air then passes through a third filter, the Plasma-Cluster filter, which takes cares of even smaller particles that may have escaped the first two filters, such as dust mites, viruses and bacteria. The fourth filter, a TiO2 (titanium dioxide) filter, combined with a UV light, gets rid of anything that the third filter missed. The fifth and last filter is an ionizer that removes the very last bits of allergens from the air.

Regarding the HEPA filter and UV light, a professional reviewer has called into question whether the Henry Air Purifier uses real HEPA filters or not and whether a small UV light like the one the Henry has actually makes much of a difference in air purification.

The Viktor Air Purifier uses a new technology called the HPP Filter System. The Viktor contains a three-stage filter system, beginning with a pre-filter that traps large particles like pet dander, dust and hair. The HPP filter then removes smaller particles, bacteria and viruses. The carbon filter then eliminates odors in the air. Other than the fact that an international patent application is pending, there is little to no further information available about the HPP filter.

Tiger Air Purifiers Guide

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Tiger Company Info

Tiger Corporation is a well-known company that is located in Kadoma City, Osaka, Japan. They have been in business since 1923, being a manufacturer of stylish kitchen accessories, including such products as rice cookers, kettles and coffee makers. Proud of all their small appliances, Tiger focuses on items that can be used on a daily basis, while improving the lives of their consumers. They promise and deliver satisfaction, which is why the company has a reputable standing in the Japanese market.

In 2002, the company expanded and opened the Japan Tiger Corp of USA branch located in Torrance, California. With a focus on maintaining stylish and contemporary products, the company introduced their first air purifier in 2005 called the Tiger Healthy-Aire Air Purifier. It is difficult to predict whether Tiger will expand their line to include more air cleaners, as this model is the only one on the market and remains a featured product through Tiger.

Only One Air Purifier Model Offered

The Tiger Healthy-Aire Air Purifier has received mixed reviews, especially since it is the only air purifier the company has offered over the last five years. Whether the company will offer more air cleaners is yet to be determined, but they have been proud to share this model with consumers across the US and Japan. Fortunately, the Tiger air cleaner is affordable. Some sellers have decided to stop selling the air purifier, suggesting a soft market, while others still stand behind this inventive unit.

Tiger Air Purifier Technology

Following suit with Tiger’s trendy products, the Healthy-Aire Air Purifier fits perfectly into this image. With a silver plastic house and blue screen, the unit is small, portable and convenient. When running on the ionization mode, the blue screen lights up with gentle illumination. On low speed, the unit is quiet and contaminants are able to enter the unit from three different sides for maximum cleaning.

Since Tiger focuses on products that improve lifestyle and are low maintenance, the air purifier has a remote control, as well as various fan speeds and timer delays. With its small and compact frame, the Healthy-Aire Air Purifier is ideal for undersized rooms that are 110 square feet or less, such as home offices, dorms and bedrooms. It removes odors and airborne particles using a two-stage filtration system as well as ionized air cleansing technology. The air cleaners are also fairly inexpensive to maintain, as they will need to be changed out every two years.

Currently, Tiger Corporation is only offering one air purifier. This model can be purchased directly through Tiger or through outside vendors.

Vollara Air Purifiers Guide

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Vollara Company Information

Vollara is a company that manufactures and distributes products related to weight loss and health. Examples of their products include dietary supplements, weight loss pills and air purifiers. Vollara is not the first incarnation of this particular company. The company was founded in 1986 under the name of Alpine Industries, and later changed its name to Ecoquest International. Ecoquest International was purchased by Aerus Holdings LLC in 2010, which in turn is owned by Engles Urso Follmer Capital Corporation. Vollara is related to Elextrolux, USA, another company owned by Engles Urso Follmer.

Company Claims and Past FTC Troubles

Vollara says it creates products that are in line with their core values of environmentalism, science, integrity and government regulations. However, when the company was known as Alpine Industries and Ecoquest International, it ran into a lot of trouble due to their health claims regarding their air purifiers.

In 2000, the Federal Trade Commission and US Justice Department ordered the company to stop claiming that their air purifiers provided relief from medical conditions or were effective in removing pollutants from their air. The FTC said that Alpine and Ecoquest did not have reliable scientific evidence supporting these claims.

When Ecoquest was bought and renamed Vollara, many hoped that the company would turn over a new leaf. However, from the start Vollara has not done a good job regaining consumers’ trust, especially when Vollara decided to cancel warranty coverage on products sold by Ecoquest.

Vollara Air Purification Technology

The company touts its ActivePure technology but barely explains how it works. It describes ActivePure technology as basically diluting hydrogen peroxide and misting it through the air, and says it uses hydroxyl-producing photo-oxidation. One marketing pamphlet explains that

“technology is the stuff in your box that makes the…thing happen…that’s really all there is to know…”

Vollara claims that ActivePure is the same technology used to purify air in space shuttles. According to university studies, ActivePure can kill over 99.99% of bacteria, viruses and mold, including Staph and the Avian Bird Flu.

Vornado Air Purifiers Guide

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Vornado Company Info

Vornado is a manufacturer of air purifiers, humidifiers, heaters, and personal circulators. These fans became popular very quickly due to their performance and power. These early Vornado’s propelled them as a company that would become known for product durability and innovative technology.

Vornado Air Circulation Technology

Throughout the 1940’s and beyond, Vornado was known as a company on the cutting edge of the the air purifying and cooling industry. In Andover, Kansas, in 1989, a new Vornado company was founded and created what was known as the first “whole room circulator”. The performance of a Vornado product is enhanced by the signature vortex action that is a feature of their products. These four proprietary components are only found in the technology presented by Vornado.

Unlike other fans and heaters, Vornado’s Vortex Action enables the air to be distributed equally through the room and not just around the air of the unit. It was soon found that this same Vortex Action could be applied to other products, which is what has propelled the Vornado’s Whole Room Air Purifiers to being recognized in the industry. Due to the the highly efficient design and unique technology, Vornado air purifiers still have a strong reputation in the industry today.

Consumer and Critical Acclaim

Vornado strives to continue producing innovative products that are more effective and intuitive as well as safer and quieter than anyone else in the industry. The air flow products that they produce present a quality and durability that seems to be appreciated by consumers. Their reputation is backed by their former model, the AQS35, receiving high rankings from Consumer Reports, Amazon.com, and epinions.com. The new AQS 500 is currently available for around $100.

Clean Air Delivery Rate Certified

Vornado air purifiers are certified by AHAM, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This organization is responsible for certifying testing results of certain household products, such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and air room conditioners. This seal can be found on many appliances and is a good indicator of a reliable, quality product. The certified rating given to air purifiers is known as CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate. The three CADR numbers refer to the amount of smoke, dust and pollen being filtered out of the air.

Westinghouse Air Purifiers Guide

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Westinghouse offers a indoor air quality equipment that can be installed on new or existing HVAC systems as well as a line of portable air purification units for different sized rooms. These units are designed to target indoor air pollutants such as mold, dust, pollen, chemicals, pet dander and tobacco smoke.

Portable Indoor Air Purifiers

Westinghouse produces three portable air filtration units that are ideal for single rooms, workshops and offices. They boast a “whisper-quiet technology” and the unit itself occupies very little space. Contaminated air passes through a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, a carbon filter, a bacterial prevention filter and a complex silicon filter that absorbs kitchen odors.

HVAC Whole House Air Cleaners

Westinghouse makes a line of indoor air quality products designed to be attached directly to the HVAC units in commercial and residential properties. They can be installed either as a retrofit or as part of a new energy-efficient home unit.

Westinghouse’s Dual Air Cleaning system uses a HEPA filter to clean the dirty air as it enters the HVAC unit from the main vents. This filtered air is deflected into an Electrostatic Media Air Cleaner which removes additional airborne pollutants. By that time the air enters the furnace or air handler, it has had 99.9% of particulates down to 0.3 microns in size removed from the air stream. This greatly enhances the performance and lifetime of the HVAC unit while providing clean air to the entire house — which prevents a buildup of mold and mildew — and many other airborne contaminants that trigger respiratory issues and cause deterioration of structures.

The Westinghouse In-Duct Air Purifier uses the Sanuvox High Efficiency UV system which has a “Turbulator” to slow the air as it moves over a UV “J” Lamp. This dramatically increases the ultra violet lights’ ability to kill harmful contaminants in the airstream. They are installed inside HVAC ducts and activated when the ventilation fan switches on, although they are designed to run 24 hours a day. The only maintenance required is replacing the lamp.

LG Air Purifiers Guide

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LG Company Info

Founded in 1958 as GoldStar to produce Korea’s first line of electronic appliances, this company quickly grew to become an electronics and appliance industry leader in that country. LG Electronics Gulf FZE was established in 1996 and by 1999 it had become a worldwide leader in digital technology with emphasis on the Middle East with offices and affiliates in Dubai. LG Electronics has developed innovative, industry-setting standards for digital technology and appliances.

LG Air Purifier Technology

LG Electronics air cleaning technology uses washable filters as part of a 16-stage multi-layer filtering system that includes an anti-virus pre filter, a photocatalyst plasm filter, an allergen filter, a washable HEPA filter, an activated charcoal filter and a platinum deodorization filter. These 6 filters not only remove 99.97 percent of the particulates from an airstream down to 0.3 microns, but they tackle the tough pollutants like animal dander, allergy causing germs, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and even nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions that irritate respiratory conditions.

Replacement filters are only required for the allergy filter which costs $30.00. LG Air purifier prices or warranty information are not listed on the manufacturer’s website, consumers are referred to their nearest location to get further information. LG Electronics produces five types of air purifiers, but not all are listed with online retailers so prices are not available for all models.

NQ Air Purifiers Guide

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NQ Industries Company Info

Since 1993, NQ Industries has been manufacturing air filtration and air sterilization devices, utilizing UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation), HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration, UVPCO (ultraviolet photo catalytic oxidation) and activated carbon filtration technologies.

The company began as a supplier of tuberculosis isolation units to hospitals and homeless shelters. NQ’s primary product lines are still targeted to medical care facilities, but the company has branched out into military and food industry applications as well, and the company also makes air treatment systems for commercial and residential use.

In isolation rooms, operating theaters, and other hospital setting, air purity is of critical importance. Today NQ’s air treatment systems are used in over 370 healthcare facilities in 37 states, as well as by U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) and numerous school facilities throughout the nation. NQ products have a strong international following as well, and in 2003 the company donated several air purifiers to help combat the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in Hong Kong.

Air Purifier and Sterilizer Price Range

NQ’s filtration and sterilization devices are standalone products designed to be utilized around the clock, 365 days a year. NQ sells its products through a comprehensive network of dealers. List price for the basic Clarifier-Standard NQ Industries Air Purifier, designed to be used in the home.

While the majority of air purifiers manufactured today are made overseas, all components used in NQ products – with the exception of the blower – are manufactured in the United States from American produced steel. NQ Industries eschews the use of plastics in its products in order to guarantee that its customers receive the cleanest air possible.

NQ Air Purifier Technology

Each NQ product is designed to accommodate a slightly different process, but generally all of them work by trapping particles larger than 10 microns in size with pre-filters. Then air is circulated through some combination of specialized filters like activated charcoal or HEPA filters to remove odors, volatile organic compounds and other chemicals, and particulates as small as 0.3 microns. Finally air is circulated into a specialized chamber where UVGI is used to destroy biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold. Purified air is then discharged back into the room.

Most air purifiers that deploy UVGI technology use it only on the surface. NQ Industries pioneered the use of the single pass UVGI kill chamber.