Top Air Purifier Reviews

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Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?

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Allergies and Airborne Particles

It is necessary to do some research to determine which product is best suited for the kind of allergens that cause the irritation, because not all units produce the same results.

Sources of Indoor Allergy Triggers & Effectiveness of Air Purifiers

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a non-profit patient advocacy group

If these particles stay suspended in the air, some air purifiers can filter them.  However, pet dander and dust mite feces in particular are heavier particles that often settle quickly and do not stay suspended in the air for long.  Air purifiers are effective at removing tobacco smoke but the best recommendation is not to allow smoking in the house at all.

Strategies For Reducing Indoor Allergy Triggers In Addition to an Air Purifier

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does recommend air purification products as part of the solution to tackling indoor air pollution that causes allergies, but considers it just part of a overall strategy that includes:

  • Adequate ventilation
  • Removal of on-going pollution sources like pets, smoke and mildew
  • Replacement of materials that emit VOCs
  • Air purification devices either for single rooms or whole house systems

Of course, many allergy suffers are affected seasonally by pollens and other environmental factors. In this case, the correct type of air purification device can prove very beneficial since these irritants are typically large particles that can easily be trapped by a filter.

Air Purifier Filter Technology

Air purification technology uses a number of different methods for air filtration, and it is recommended by the AAFA that you consult with your doctor to determine which type of system will eliminate the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms. AAFA cautions consumers about accepting the manufacturer’s claims and urge them to investigate the pros and cons of different methods fr themselves with their doctor’s guidence. The following air purification products are the most common for residential use:

  • HEPA Filters – and must be replaced every 6 months to a year and are typcially effective for seasonal allergies. 
  • Electrostatic Filters – May produce small amounts of ozone so these are rarely recommended.
  • Hybrid Filters – Using barrier filters like HEPA and material such as activated carbon to filter gasses provides an effective combination to reduce some types of allergen triggers
  • Ozone Generators –

For maximum protection, whole house air purification systems installed as part of the HVAC unit are highly recommended to filter larger particles combined with portable units with HEPA filtration to filter the smallest particles in rooms where allergy sufferers sleep.

Air Purifier Feature Considerations

Once you have determined the correct type of air purification system that works best for your particular allergies, you also need to consider the following factors before purchasing:

  • Coverage area –
  • Noise level –
  • Cost and ease of filter change –
  • Efficiency rating –  

For Further Information:

WebMD on Air Filters – http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/do-you-need-an-air-filter Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America – http://www.aafa.org/ Mayo Clinic (Asthma Friendly Products) – http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-friendly/AS00033/NSECTIONGROUP=2

 

Do Air Purifiers Help with Asthma?

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Can an air purifier help with asthma?  Experts weigh in.

Asthma sufferers are always interested in finding new ways to remove the particles in the air that aggravate their condition, and air purifiers certainly seem like a good solution to the problem and are often recommended by doctors. However, many studies by the EPA, Indoor Air Research facilities at major universities, and the American Lung Association have shown that this is not necessarily the case, although many air purification products advertise that they are effective in reducing asthma causing airborne contaminants. While this is true to a degree, studies show that residential air purification units — especially portable ones — have a limited effect.

Independent Studies

Research reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2004 showed that adding an air purifier to an urban home with children who suffer from asthma did create an overall better environment, but did not totally alleviate their asthma symptoms entirely since many of the irritating factors– especially dust mites and pet dander — are stirred up by sitting on furniture, walking across carpet or laying down on a pillow, and air purifiers cannot remove them from the room until they reach the filtration mechanism.

It is recommended that the source of allergens needs to be eliminated from indoor environments before an air filter can make a substantial difference. Obvious suspects like shedding pets, outdoor dust infiltration, cigarette smoke and mold and mildew buildup must be addressed directly and it is not realistic to expect residential air purification products to thoroughly overcome such contaminants to a degree that it would eliminate the cause of asthma attacks.

Federal Testing

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies have found that many of the airborne particulates that cause asthma are not filtered out because they are too small — under 0.3 microns — and that although residential air purifiers consistently decrease indoor concentrations of airborne irritants by 80%, which is an improvement, but should not be considered a definitive solution.

Ozone is Dangerous to Lung Health

The EPA actually warns consumers — especially asthma sufferers — about the dangers of air purifiers that emit ozone, claiming that short term or extended exposure to ozone can actually increase asthma symptoms because it is has toxicological properties that restrict and hamper lung function, even in healthy people. They do point out that there are no definitive studies on gas-phase filtration systems, photo catalytic oxidation cleaners (PCO) systems or UVGI (ultraviolet) systems, but express doubt that they are any more effective in reducing the tiny airborne particulates that most irritate asthma symptoms.

Medical Observations

Another important observation is discussed on the WebMD website that examines the effectiveness of indoor air cleaners. The article points out that portable room cleaners only work in the room in which they are running, so they should be located in strategic areas where the asthma sufferer spends most of the time, and especially in the bedroom at night. It recommends HEPA filters as the most effective for removing asthma causing particulates from the air, but admits that their effectiveness is limited.

Conclusion

  • New England Journal of Medicine – adding an air purifier helped air quality but didn’t totally alleviate asthma symptoms due to allergens & asthma triggers still located on surfaces and not in the air
  • Environmental Protection Agency – air purifiers reduced particles in the air considerably but did not filter allergy and asthma triggering particles smaller than .3 microns
  • WebMD Asthma Guide – HEPA filter based air purifiers helped clean the air but effect on asthma symptoms limited

Bottom line – Air purifiers can help clear the air considerably of many (not all) asthma inducing particles and irritants but are only a partial solution for asthma sufferers.  Surfaces that contain irritants need to be cleaned regularly and sources of irritants should be removed wherever possible.

Dr. Caboodle Air Purifiers Guide

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Dr. Caboodle Company Information

Dr. Caboodle is the brand name of a series of air purifiers manufactured by Fumex Inc, a company that has been in existence since 1980. Dr. Caboodle air purifiers are manufactured in Kennesaw, Georgia and are mostly composed of components made in America. These air purifiers started out as equipment for the industrial environments of high tech industries, and eventually the company modified them for home use as well. Many well known companies such as Coca-Cola, General Electric, Motorola and Nestle purchase Dr. Caboodle air purifiers for use in industrial settings.

Dr. Caboodle Air Purifier Price Range

Fumex Inc. claims that their furnace-type air purifiers are cheaper than others on the market because they are sold directly to the public, thus eliminating the need for distributors and retailers to up the price. That said, Dr. Caboodle products are in the upper price range of air purifiers, available for around $1,500 or more.

Air Purification Technology

Even if your home looks clean, there are still microscopic pollutants floating around in the air. Ninety percent of the particles in the air are less than 2.0 microns in size and the only way to remove them is to use a HEPA filter that is designed to capture particles that are .3 microns or larger. Dr. Caboodle air purifiers have a pre-filter as well in order to extend the life of the HEPA filter by trapping larger particles and not allowing them to clog up the HEPA filter.

The carbon filter is designed to eliminate gases and odors, while the UV-C Lamp gets rid of bacteria and viruses. The UV-C Lamp works by emitting ultraviolet rays calibrated to destroy and sterilize any bacteria, viruses or mold that may be floating around. On average, the HEPA filter and UV-C Lamp will need to be replaced once a year while the pre-filter and charcoal filter need to be replaced every 3-6 months.

Dr. Caboodle Air Purifiers Made For HVAC Systems

Dr. Caboodle air purifiers are designed to be connected to any HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system that utilizes ductwork without interfering with the operation of the air conditioner or heater. The company claims that the air purifiers are easy and cheap to install, and that any homeowner or handyman can install them within 30 minutes or less. The company also states that since a Dr. Caboodle unit only uses the same amount of electricity as a 150-watt light bulb, the electricity bill should not be noticeably higher.

A Dr. Caboodle air purifier works in conjunction with the HVAC system it is plugged into. Utilizing the air flow of the heater or air conditioner, it takes in about one-third of the system air, purifies it and releases it back into the system to be released into the house. During an average day in a home no larger than 20,000 square feet, the Dr. Caboodle unit should recycle the air more than 25 times. The company claims that since a Dr. Caboodle unit can remove up to 99.97 percent of all dust in the air, after using one of their air purifiers for a week or so many homeowners find that they do not have visible dust on surfaces anymore.

Energy Star Rated Air Purifiers Guide

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What is the Energy Star Program?

Buying energy efficient products is a great way for consumers to save money on their utility bills, while helping to protect the environment. To assist in this energy savings goal, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the ENERGY STAR program. Any product that earns the ENERGY STAR label will use less energy, continue to perform in the same manner or better, and will include special features to make use of energy efficiency.

When shopping for household products, be sure to look for ones with the ENERGY STAR label. These items will provide savings over the lifetime of the product by using less energy when compared to non-ENERGY STAR products. That’s because they would not have been able to qualify for this program unless they met the strict energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the EPA and DOE.

How did the ENERGY STAR program begin?

The ENERGY STAR program was initially introduced in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency alone. It was a “voluntary labeling program” which identified energy efficient products that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from the air. The first products to receive the energy efficient labeling were computers and monitors. Office equipment and residential heating and cooling equipment were added to the program during 1995. The following year, the Department of Energy joined the Environmental Protection Agency, and together, they created over 60 new product categories for the program. Now, major appliances, home electronics, office equipment, new homes, lighting, plus commercial and industrial buildings, all carry ENERGY STAR labeling.

How Air Purifiers Qualify for the Program

In general, many products can earn the ENERGY STAR label as long as they meet the EPA’s specifications for required energy efficiency. These products must show increased energy savings over a reasonable period of time, and must deliver performance and features that consumer’s demand. Its energy consumption must be able to be measured and verified through testing. Visible labeling should effectively differentiate energy efficient products from its less-efficient counterparts. Technology used in energy efficiency must be standard among various manufactures and not proprietary to one company. Finally, if a qualified product should cost more than a less-efficient model, consumers must be able to recover their investment through increased energy efficiency with utility bill savings over a reasonable period of time.

In the case of air purifiers, or room air cleaners, as they are sometimes called, they too can qualify to be labeled ENERGY STAR efficient in this program. The ENERGY STAR program defines room air cleaners as “portable, electric, cord-connected appliances that remove fine particle matter, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air.” To qualify for this program, room air cleaners must meet even stricter energy efficient guidelines and specifications that are currently in effect from July 2004, and that were created specifically for their category.

How are air purifiers categorized and how do they qualify for the ENERGY STAR program?

To begin with, air purifiers are placed in categories based on the methods they use to clean indoor air. These special categories are

  • fan with filter,
  • fan with filter and electrostatic plates,
  • fan filter with ion generator,
  • ion generator, and
  • hybrid

In all categories, qualified air purifier models must produce a minimum “50 Clean Air Delivery Rate (or CADR) (dust), and a minimum efficiency performance requirement of 2.0 CADR/watt (dust).” Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is the measurement of the amount of contaminant-free air that is delivered by a room air cleaner.

A few of the additional specifications that are quoted by the EPA and DOE as imperative in the qualifying process are:

  • “Qualifying models must meet a maximum standby power requirement of 2 watts.”
  • “Models that emit ozone as a by-product of air cleaning must not exceed 50 ppb (ozone) in accordance with UL Standard 867. “
  • “Manufacturers must include the ENERGY STAR mark on either the top/front of the model, on product packaging, in product literature, and on the manufacturer’s Internet site where information about ENERGY STAR qualified models is displayed.”
  • “Manufacturers must include the following disclaimer with the ENERGY STAR mark:”
  • “This product earned the ENERGY STAR by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US EPA. US EPA does not endorse any manufacturer claims of healthier indoor air from the use of this product.”
  • “Manufacturers must also include the following language within the ENERGY STAR qualified model instruction manual and on their company Web site where information about ENERGY STAR qualified products is displayed:

“The energy efficiency of this ENERGY STAR qualified model is measured based on a ratio between the model’s CADR for Dust and the electrical energy it consumes, of CADR/Watt.”

As per the EPA, combination products and ozone generators cannot qualify as ENERGY STAR products.

Summary

Energy costs money, so as a rule, the less energy you use, the more money you can save. By choosing energy efficient products and making energy efficient decisions, consumers can save about one third of their energy bill costs. In fact, http://www.energystar.gov states that in 2009, American consumers had already helped save enough energy to prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the gas emissions generated by 30 million cars. This saved them nearly $17 billion on their utility bills.

For example, purchasing an ENERGY STAR room air cleaner that features a remote control and clock can consume less than 2 watts of energy when it’s in standby mode. In fact, room air cleaners can save consumers an average of 340 kWh of energy per year and $35 annually in utility bills. That can add up to $330 or more of savings over the lifetime of the air cleaner.

As you can see, ENERGY STAR products are a good investment to consider if you’re looking to save money over the long run.

Energy Star Rated Models

3M Filtrete FAP00 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 67 / 450
  • Pollen – 58 / 450
  • Dust – 51 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 100 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : NA

Filter Life Est. ? : 3 Months

Size: 20.9″H x 8.7″W x 8.7″D

Weight: 5.6 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

3M Filtrete OAC150 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 172.9 / 450
  • Pollen – 201.1 / 450
  • Dust – 163.9 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 192 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Filtrete Media Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 16.75″H x 14.5″W x 6.75″D

Weight: 21.2 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

3M Filtrete OAC250 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 236.6 / 450
  • Pollen – 284.2 / 450
  • Dust – 254.8 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 320 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Filtrete Media Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3 Months

Size: 23.9″H x 18.7″W x 9.6″D

Weight: 17.4 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Aerus Electrolux EL490A Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 210 / 450
  • Pollen – 229 / 450
  • Dust – 212 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 326 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & Plasma Wave

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 21.8″H x 16.4″W x 8.5″D

Weight: 15 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Aerus Electrolux EL491A Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 210 / 450
  • Pollen – 229 / 450
  • Dust – 212 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 326 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & Plasma Wave

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 21.8″H x 16.4″W x 8.5″D

Weight: 15 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Aerus Electrolux EL500A Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 261 / 450
  • Pollen – 253 / 450
  • Dust – 262 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 405 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 24.3″H x 17.6″W x 10.1″D

Weight: 17.4 lbs

Noise Level: 26-57.1 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Aerus Electrolux EL500AX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 261 / 450
  • Pollen – 253 / 450
  • Dust – 262 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 405 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & Plasma Wave

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 24.3″H x 17.6″W x 10.1″D

Weight: 17.4 lbs

Noise Level: 26-57.1 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Aerus Electrolux EL500AZ Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 261 / 450
  • Pollen – 253 / 450
  • Dust – 262 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 405 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & Plasma Wave

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 24.3″H x 17.6″W x 10.1″D

Weight: 23 lbs

Noise Level: 26-57.1 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Alen A350 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 800 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 225 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA (integrated Activated Carbon) w/ Washable Pre-Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 6-9 Months

Size: 18.5″H x 17.5″W x 8.2″D

Weight: 16 lbs

Noise Level: 36-65 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Atmosphere 101076 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 250 / 450
  • Pollen – 250 / 450
  • Dust – 250 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 54 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 390 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 250 CFM

Filter Type ? : Cleanable Pre-Filter, Carbon Filter & HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 4-36 Months

Size: 29″H x 15″W x 11″D

Weight: 23.2 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Bionaire BAP9900UV-CNU Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 101.3 / 450
  • Pollen – 117 / 450
  • Dust – 112.4 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 157 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Photocatalyst (TiO2) Filter, HEPA Filter & Germicidal UV Light

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: NA

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 203 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 115 / 450
  • Pollen – 115 / 450
  • Dust – 115 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 175 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 82-141 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 21″H x 17″W x 9.5″D

Weight: 25 lbs

Noise Level: 32-56 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 303 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 145 / 450
  • Pollen – 145 / 450
  • Dust – 145 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 225 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 60-160 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 25″H x 17″W x 10″D

Weight: 29 lbs

Noise Level: 32-56 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 403 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 240 / 450
  • Pollen – 240 / 450
  • Dust – 240 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 370 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 44-165 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 23″H x 20″W x 11″D

Weight: 33 lbs

Noise Level: 32-52 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 450E Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 240 / 450
  • Pollen – 240 / 450
  • Dust – 240 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 370 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 44-165 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 23″H x 20″W x 11″D

Weight: 33 lbs

Noise Level: 32-52 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 503 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 375 / 450
  • Pollen – 375 / 450
  • Dust – 375 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 68 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 580 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 62-415 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 26″H x 20″W x 13″D

Weight: 35 lbs

Noise Level: 32-66 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 603 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 415 / 450
  • Pollen – >450 / 450
  • Dust – >400 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 640 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 62-415 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 26″H x 20″W x 13″D

Weight: 35 lbs

Noise Level: 32-66 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair 650E Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – >450 / 450
  • Pollen – >450 / 450
  • Dust – >400 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 67 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 698 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 88-489 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 26″H x 13″W x 13″D

Weight: 35 lbs

Noise Level: 32-66 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Blueair ECO10 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 190 / 450
  • Pollen – 200 / 450
  • Dust – 195 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 298 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 229.5 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA + Electrostatic, Activated Carbon

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 26″H x 20″W x 13″D

Weight: 35 lbs

Noise Level: 40-49 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Coway AP-0509DH Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 91 / 450
  • Pollen – 109 / 450
  • Dust – 112 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 141 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 124 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, Medium Deodorization Filter & Anti-flu HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 12-36 Months

Size: 22″H x 12″W x 7″D

Weight: 11 lbs

Noise Level: 31-44 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Coway AP-1008CH Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 176 / 450
  • Pollen – 191 / 450
  • Dust – 188 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 355 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 61.1-207.7 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, A3 Meduim Filter & Anti-flu HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 40 Months

Size: 25.4″H x 13.9″W x 7.6″D

Weight: 15 lbs

Noise Level: 22.4-48.9 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Coway AP-1009CH Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 155 / 450
  • Pollen – 203 / 450
  • Dust – 182 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 204 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 178 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, Medium Deodorization Filter & Anti-flu HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 12-36 Months

Size: 25.8″H x 13.9″W x 8″D

Weight: 13 lbs

Noise Level: 22-49 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Coway AP-1506DH Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 245.6 / 450
  • Pollen – 250.9 / 450
  • Dust – 256.7 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 381 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, Option Filter, Active Carbon Deodorization Filter & True HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 27.2″H x 20.9″W x 11.8″D

Weight: 28.7 lbs

Noise Level: 23.5-48.6 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

General Electric AFHC09AM Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 88 / 450
  • Pollen – 121 / 450
  • Dust – 109 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 140 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 125 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Washable Pre-Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 18.1″H x 13.7″W x 7.4″D

Weight: 9 lbs

Noise Level: 49 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

General Electric AFHC21AM Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 211 / 450
  • Pollen – 239 / 450
  • Dust – 229 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 329 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 330 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Washable Pre-Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 21.9″H x 16.4″W x 9.25″D

Weight: 15 lbs

Noise Level: 55 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

General Electric AFHC32AM Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 322 / 450
  • Pollen – 326 / 450
  • Dust – 334 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 68 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 500 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 390 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Washable Pre-Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 27″H x 20.9″W x 11.4″D

Weight: 27 lbs

Noise Level: 55 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hamilton Beach Air Decor Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 240 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 6 Months

Size: 37″H x 8.75″W x 8.75″D

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04492 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 180 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Permanent Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 27.75″H x 13″W x 10″D

Weight: 12.2 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hamilton Beach TrueAir Ecoclean 04493 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 190 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3 Months

Size: 30.2″H x 9.5″W x 12.6″D

Weight: 14 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Holmes HAP756-U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 270 / 450
  • Pollen – 230 / 450
  • Dust – 275 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 62 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 418 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-18 Months

Size: 22.4″H x 10.4″W x 21.4″D

Weight: 23 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Honeywell HFD-110 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 80 / 450
  • Pollen – 88 / 450
  • Dust – 69 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 124 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : IFD Filter & Permanent Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 29.3″H x 10.5″W x 12″D

Weight: 11.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Honeywell HFD-120-Q Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 110 / 450
  • Pollen – 132 / 450
  • Dust – 100 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 33 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 2 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 200 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : IFD Filter & Washable Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 29.3″H x 10.5″W x 12″D

Weight: 13 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hunter HEPAtech 30526 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 260 / 450
  • Pollen – 260 / 450
  • Dust – 260 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 255 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter & HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 25″H x 10″W x 17″D

Weight: 21.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hunter HEPAtech Tower 30841 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 73 / 450
  • Pollen – 73 / 450
  • Dust – 73 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter & UVC Germicidal Technology

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: NA

Weight: 10.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hunter HEPAtech Tower 30847 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter & UVC Germicidal Technology

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: NA

Weight: 13.1 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hunter PermaLife 30547 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 330 / 450
  • Pollen – 330 / 450
  • Dust – 330 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 73 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 510 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Activated Carbon Pre-Filter & Permanent HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-6 Months

Size: 26″H x 10″W x 16″D

Weight: 27.5 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Hunter QuietFlo 30245 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 145 / 450
  • Pollen – 145 / 450
  • Dust – 145 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 225 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Activated Carbon Pre-Filter & True HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 19.5″H x 8.3″W x 17.5″D

Weight: 15.3 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Kenmore AC-2062 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 150 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Cleanable HEPA-Type & Pre-Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: NA

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Kenmore PlasmaWave 85150 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 98 / 450
  • Pollen – 103 / 450
  • Dust – 98 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 150 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 24-45 CFM

Filter Type ? : True HEPA Filter & Activated Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 18.5″H x 13.75″W x “D

Weight: 11.2 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Kenmore PlasmaWave 85300 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 197 / 450
  • Pollen – 214 / 450
  • Dust – 197 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 300 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 40-90 CFM

Filter Type ? : True HEPA Filter & Activated Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 21.7″H x 16.25″W x “D

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Kenmore PlasmaWave 85450 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 291 / 450
  • Pollen – 343 / 450
  • Dust – 298 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – 56 / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – 5 / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 450 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 50-110 CFM

Filter Type ? : True HEPA Filter & Activated Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 25.6″H x 17.3″W x “D

Weight: 19.4 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Oransi v-hepa PRO UV Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 500 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 85-219 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, High Efficiency V-HEPA Filter, Photocatalytic Oxidation Filter, Activated Carbon Filter & Germicidal UV Lamp

Filter Life Est. ? : 5-10 Months

Size: 24″H x 14″W x 8″D

Weight: 14 lbs

Noise Level: 34-49 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-700A Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 193 / 450
  • Pollen – 201 / 450
  • Dust – 200 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 700 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 47-187 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, Medium Filter, HEPA Filter, Customized Filter , Charcoal Filter & Negative Ions

Filter Life Est. ? : 12-24 Months

Size: 20″H x 21.4″W x 7″D

Weight: 19.4 lbs

Noise Level: 20.8-45.6 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 193 / 450
  • Pollen – 208 / 450
  • Dust – 200 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 815 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 58-218 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, Medium Filter, HEPA Filter, Customized Filter , Charcoal Filter & Negative Ions

Filter Life Est. ? : 12-24 Months

Size: 20″H x 21.4″W x 7″D

Weight: 19.4 lbs

Noise Level: 25.6-51.3 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Riccar RAPL Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 182 / 450
  • Pollen – 194 / 450
  • Dust – 183 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 280 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & PlasmaWave

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 21.9″H x 16.5″W x 9.9″D

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Riccar RAPM Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 142 / 450
  • Pollen – 145 / 450
  • Dust – 138 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 210 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter & PlasmaWave

Filter Life Est. ? : 12 Months

Size: 18.5″H x 13.8″W x 9.1″D

Weight: 13.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-P30U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 80 / 450
  • Pollen – 130 / 450
  • Dust – 92 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 124 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 35-106 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24 Months

Size: 20.1″H x 14″W x 7.1″D

Weight: 11.3 lbs

Noise Level: 22-44 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-P35CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 147 / 450
  • Pollen – 155 / 450
  • Dust – 150 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 228 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 25-88 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 7.9″H x 16.4″W x 23″D

Weight: 13.4 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-P40CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 163 / 450
  • Pollen – 156 / 450
  • Dust – 157 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 253 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 18-141 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 22.5″H x 16.4″W x 7.9″D

Weight: 14.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-P60CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 213 / 450
  • Pollen – 205 / 450
  • Dust – 209 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 330 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 22.5″H x 16.4″W x 9.5″D

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Noise Level: 14-52 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-R30CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 83 / 450
  • Pollen – 94 / 450
  • Dust – 96 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 330 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 17-102 CFM

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 17″H x 16.5″W x 6.25″D

Weight: 10.5 lbs

Noise Level: 28-50 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-R45CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 163 / 450
  • Pollen – 156 / 450
  • Dust – 157 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 663 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 17-177 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 22.5″H x 16.4″W x 7.8″D

Weight: 14.8 lbs

Noise Level: 28-50 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp FP-R65CX Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 213 / 450
  • Pollen – 205 / 450
  • Dust – 209 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 795 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 50-560 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter & Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 24.4″H x 16.7″W x 10″D

Weight: 19.8 lbs

Noise Level: 28-50 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-830U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 80 / 450
  • Pollen – 130 / 450
  • Dust – 92 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 124 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 35-110 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter & Humidifying Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24-60 Months

Size: 21.1″H x 14.75″W x 10.5″D

Weight: 13.9 lbs

Noise Level: 25-48 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-850U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 164 / 450
  • Pollen – 174 / 450
  • Dust – 164 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 254 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 28-194 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter & Humidifying Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24-60 Months

Size: 23.1″H x 14.9″W x 10.5″D

Weight: 20.1 lbs

Noise Level: 17-51 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-860U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 220 / 450
  • Pollen – 245 / 450
  • Dust – 231 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 341 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 42-272 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter & Humidifying Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24-60 Months

Size: 24.75″H x 15.75″W x 11.4″D

Weight: 24.9 lbs

Noise Level: 19-54 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-C100U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 164 / 450
  • Pollen – 174 / 450
  • Dust – 164 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 254 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 28-194 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter & Humidifying Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24-60 Months

Size: 23″H x 14.9″W x 10.5″D

Weight: 20.7 lbs

Noise Level: 17-51 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-C150U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 224 / 450
  • Pollen – 245 / 450
  • Dust – 230 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 347 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : 42-272 CFM

Filter Type ? : Pre Filter, HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter & Humidifying Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 24-60 Months

Size: 24.75″H x 15.75″W x 11.4″D

Weight: 25 lbs

Noise Level: 17-55 db

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Sharp KC-C70U Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 115 / 450
  • Pollen – 120 / 450
  • Dust – 115 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 178 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : NA

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: NA

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Swizz Style Stadler Form VIKTOR Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HPP Filter Sysytem, Pre-Filter & Activated Carbon Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 17.7″H x 7.7″W x 9.7″D

Weight: 10.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Whirlpool Whispure 250 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 150 / 450
  • Pollen – 170 / 450
  • Dust – 160 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 250 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Charcoal Pre-Filter & HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 19″H x 14″W x 10″D

Weight: 17 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Whirlpool Whispure 510 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 330 / 450
  • Pollen – 288 / 450
  • Dust – 330 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 500 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Charcoal Pre-Filter & HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : 3-12 Months

Size: 24.1″H x 20.5″W x 10″D

Weight: 26 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Whirlpool Whispure APR45230L Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 495 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Charcoal Pre-Filter & HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: NA

Weight: NA

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Winix PlasmaWave 9000 Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 183 / 450
  • Pollen – 194 / 450
  • Dust – 182 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 284 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, Nano-Silver Mesh, Carbon Filter & PlasmaWave Technology

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 21.9″H x 8.9″W x 16.5″D

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Winix PlasmaWave 9000S Ratings Technical Specifications

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – 138 / 450
  • Pollen – 145 / 450
  • Dust – 142 / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke(High Setting) – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : 213 Sq. Ft

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : HEPA Filter

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 18.5″H x 13.8″W x 8.1″D

Weight: 13.7 lbs

Noise Level: NA

Energy Star? ? : Yes

Air Purifier Noise Chart – Decibel Ratings of Common Sounds

Source

Decibel Rating (dB)

Falling leaves

Soft music

Mosquito buzz

Normal voices

Traffic sounds

Vacuum cleaner

Rock concert

Pain threshold (jet take off)

Perforation of ear drum (gun shot)

160 and higher

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Filter Queen Air Purifiers Guide

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Filter Queen Company Info (HMI Industries)

Founded in 1928, HMI Industries, Inc., has been providing surface cleaning technology such as vacuum cleaners and air filtration products including the Majestic 360° surface cleaner and Defender 360°room air cleaner. With distributorships in over 40 countries, the Health-Mor division of HMI — located in Cleveland, Ohio — has promoted their products through independant distributors that use door-to-door demonstration marketing techniques.

Price Ranges

The retail price varies greatly, depending on if the air cleaner is purchased with the surface cleaner.

FilterQueen Defender Air Cleaner

The FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is a 24-hour indoor room air pollution filter that is classified as an FDA Class II Medical Device in the USA. Advertised as a quiet, energy efficient unit with a 3-speed programmable motor, the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is manufactured by Lydall Technical Media which issues a FGI certification with each filter. Tests are conducted on the media filter cartridge by Nelson Laboratories.

Test Results

Test results show the filter cartridge to have an efficiency rating of 99.999 percent for particulate removal, and Intertek Testing Services determined that the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) performance was up to standards. Tests conducted at Indoor Air Solutions found that the filters capture dust, smoke, pollen, dust mites, mold spores and allergens associated with pets and insects such as cockroaches.

FilterQueen Air Purification Technology

An additional feature on the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner is the Enviropure Charcoal Filter® that cleans tobacco smoke from the air. The University of Tulsa’s Center For Environmental Research and Technology determined that the charcoal filter was twice as effective at cleaning tobacco smoke from a room as the next closest test subject, which is not identified in the literature.

The air filters used in the FilterQueen® Defender® Room Air Cleaner technology do not produce ozone like many other air filters. The filter status is on a timer and a”change filter indicator light” alerts the owner each month to change the filter. The Secure Seal Technology™ and Pure Top Release™ construction claim to ensure that particulate matter does not escape the unit while operating or during routine maintenance.

Customer Criticisms

Criticisms of the company’s marketing techniques include claims that the in-home high-pressure sales strategies can drag on for hours and show that there is a significant markup on these products because stubborn customers are offered incredible discounts. The practice of offering sweepstakes, contests, prizes and combination deals are used to generate leads for the in-home demonstrations.

Another misleading tactic that critics point out is the “Better-than-HEPA filtration” claim, because it does not make it clear that most HEPA filters will actually capture particles as small as 0.1 micron, and that 0.3 microns is only used as an industry standard. It is also not make clear that neither the carbon or the fiberglass pleated HEPA filter is washable or renewable. The fact that the unit does not contain an ionizer to produce ozone is advertised as an advantage because they claim it “may be problematic to your health,” whereas many air filtration products use ionization to effectively reduce the count of the airborne particulates.

FilterStream Air Tamer Air Purifiers Guide

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FilterStream Company Information

FilterStream, makers of the AirTamer air purifier, is a division of Headwaters, Inc. based out of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Headwaters, Inc., originally in the consumer durables business, was formed in 1993 by Troy Anderson and Rudy Vandenbelt. Anderson and Vandenbelt, former co-workers at Black & Decker, founded Headwaters, Inc. to make a difference by creating sound, high-quality products that work.

Today, the company has a global presence in over 32 countries and features three main divisions through which various wellness-themed products are sold – Sound Oasis, Body Essentials and FilterStream. The FilterStream division sells its cordless hand vacuum, the DirtTamer, and the AirTamer air purifier, introduced in 2009.

AirTamer Purification Technology

AirTamer air purifiers are touted to deliver greater cleaning power at lower costs, all while conserving more energy per use compared to competitor models. According to co-founder Troy Anderson, there is no other air purifier of this type on the market that achieves the level of cleaning power from a watt of electricity than the AirTamer does.

The AirTamer design involves six fans that generate large amounts of air through capture filters that rid the air of harmful particles and debris. The AirTamer also features a flexible filter system, meaning users can replace AirTamer filters with any 16×20 filter on the market, giving them greater convenience, more options and the opportunity to save on operating costs.

Customers looking to stay loyal to the brand can try one of several replacement filters designed specifically for the AirTamer unit. The Germ-Odor-Virus Protection Filter is said to cause a 74.5% reduction of airborne viruses and a 22.5% reduction in mold, reportedly in the first two hours of use. This filter is recommended for combatting viruses like Swine Flu and other related virus strings. Additionally, AirTamer models feature Aroma System filters, which simultaneously clean and scent the air with scientifically-developed aromas like Energizing Grapefruit and Relaxing Lavender.

Each model boasts extremely quiet fans, flat-panel like thin design, five fan speed settings, a programmable timer and a built-in indicator to notify the user when it’s time for a filter change.

AirTamer Portable Air Purifiers

The company also features three portable air-purifier solutions: The A300 and A302 travel purifiers and the A400 auto air purifier designed for portable use in the car. Currently the company is offering a free travel air purifier with the purchase of any AirTamer model.

AHAM Certified Clean Air Delivery Rate

All AirTamer models are Energy Star compliant and certified by the American Home Appliance Manufacturers Clean Air Delivery Rate program. Each unit carries a one-year warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship.

FilterStream is an official selected sponsor of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show.

Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ

Common Questions About Air Purifiers

The air purification industry is full of jargon, technological terms, and health claims that make understanding it difficult for the average person.

We have begun assembling a growing body of information that seeks to clarify how air purifiers work, what they can do, and how their effectiveness is measure. We hope this information will help take some of the myth out of the process and help you understand what air purifiers can really do.

Air Purifier FAQs

  • 3 Essential Strategies for Improving Indoor Air
  • Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?
  • Do Air Purifiers Help with Asthma?
  • Do Air Purifiers Really Remove Viruses?
  • Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
  • How is the Performance of an Air Purifier Measured?
  • What are CADR Ratings and How Do They Work?
  • What Are MERV Ratings and How Do They Work?
  • What Causes Bad Indoor Air Quality?
  • What Happened to Ionic Breeze?
  • Why Indoor Air is More Polluted Than Outdoor Air

Amaircare Air Purifiers Guide

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Amaircare Company Info

Amaircare is a Canadian company that has been manufacturing air purifiers for an unknown period of time. Amaircare carries a full line of air purifiers designed for a variety of places, including residential, commercial and automotive locations. These purifiers provide indoor volume air filtration from 20 CFM (cubic feet per minute) to 1200 CFM. You can purchase Amaircare products all over the world through licensed dealers. An Amaircare purifier can cost anywhere from $170 to $2,500 depending on how large the purifier is and how many CFM it can handle.

Amaircare Technology Claims

According to Amaircare, their products stand out from the competition due to several reasons. Firstly, Amaircare air purifiers are housed in metal casings, not plastic ones, which eliminate the possibility that the casing would emit volatile organic compounds. Amaircare’s purifiers have lower operating costs and longer lifespan than other purifiers because they use energy efficient motors. The majority of the components used in these air purifiers are manufactured by Amaircare, which means Amaircare can ensure the high quality of their products. Also, Amaircare constantly researches and develops new products while improving current products.

Amaircare Air Purifiers

Amaircare air purifiers use a three stage filtration process. This process consists of a pre-filter, HEPA filter and VOC filter. The pre-filter, which can consist of either activated charcoal or foam, is designed to trap large particles like dust and pet dander. Not only does this help clean the air, but it also helps prolong the life of the HEPA filter by not letting it get clogged with big particles, as the HEPA filter only deals with particles that are .3 microns or larger.

A HEPA filter is a mat composed to borosilicate fibers. These fibers create netlike structure that allows air through and traps particles. Amaircare manufactures its own special HEPA filters. The last filter is a VOC filter that removes gasses and odors. The air purifier can contain either a Carbon V.O.C. Blanket or Carbon/Zeolite V.O.C. Cartridge.

Amaircare also manufactures a purifier small enough to take anywhere. This purifier does not have a HEPA filter – instead, it has an Electret Charged filter. This filter attracts and holds particles by charging the air.

Funglan Air Purifiers Guide

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Funglan Company Info

Funglan air purifiers are manufactured by Funglan Environmental Protection & Technology Co., Ltd., located on the mainland of China. The company began production of their air purifiers for home and car in 2004. The company continues research and development in areas to improve indoor environment. They distribute only Funglan brand products.

Funglan Air Purifier Technology

Funglan utilizes an innovative and patented technology in their air purifiers. Their unique air washing system generates a water screen that washes bacteria, odors and other particles from the air. The company claims that their water spraying system can remove 99% of dust, pollen, bacteria, odor, ammonia, benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other organic pollutants. It uses both HEPA and Active Carbon filters to filter even the smallest of airborne particles.

Funglan claims:

  • Air purified with one of their purifiers with a water spraying system is fresher than air purified with other types of systems. Other purifiers make the air dry and astringent while air purified with a Funglan system smells of water. The waterfall inside the unit produces millions of negative ions to make the air even fresher.
  • The water spraying system also acts as a humidifier.
  • The Funglan water air purifying system is very low maintenance and the filters can last up to three years. Filters in other systems last from three to six months. Their filters last longer because the water absorbs most of the airborne particles.
  • The antibacterial filters are also washable, which allows the pollutants they absorb to decompose, cutting down on the odor and harmful gases that furniture and carpet can release into the air.
  • The case that contains the air purifying system is made from environmentally friendly material. The paint is also ecologically safe.

Funglan’s air purifiers are the only units on the market with the water washing system.

Austin Air Air Purifiers Guide

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Austin Air Company Info

Austin Air Systems, Limited is a Buffalo, New York-based company. Official corporate information does not state how long the company has been in business, but it is known to be a major player in the air purification field. It also has the distinction of operating the largest air purifier factory on the planet.

Television Appearance and Use After September 11

Austin Air purifiers were seen on a 2009 episode of The Today Show, in a segment on indoor air pollution. During an interview, greennest.com founders Ron and Lisa Beres praised Austin Air’s purifiers. Earlier in the decade, the company was chosen by FEMA and the Red Cross to fulfill what Austin Air calls the “largest deployment of air cleaners in American history” in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.

Third Party Testing

Austin Air claims its products are subjected to rigorous third-party testing by both Batelle Laboratories, a long-established a well-respected lab, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Austin Air Purification Technology

The purifiers made by Austin Air make use of a multi-stage filters. This includes two pre-filters for larger particles. After that, they employ a True Medical Grade HEPA filter, which, according to the company, has an effectiveness against particulate pollution of “99.97% efficiency down to 0.3 microns and 95% efficiency down to 0.1 microns.”

To reduce Volatile Organic Compounds, some of Austin Air’s products also use Activated Carbon blended with Zeolite, or some other Activated Carbon mix. Others, designed specifically for those with allergies or asthma, utilize a process the company has termed “High Efficiency Gas Absorption,” or HEGA, with an Activated Military Carbon Cloth. The company doesn’t offer much information on how this works, however.

Austin Air purifiers are made with solid steel and paint that is designed not to release toxins. They also do not emit any ozone. The company’s website at www.austinair.com also emphasizes the fact that its products are entirely made in the United States.

Pricing and Warranty Info For Austin Air Models

All Austin Air products use long-lasting filters, however, which should save the buyer some money in the long run. Austin Air offers five-year warranties on its purifiers. In addition, the filters also come with a pro-rated five-year warranty. This is a fairly rare feature in the industry.

Speaking of the filters, note that because the filtration system combines carbon and HEPA into one unit, in some situations one of these will wear out before the other, but both must still be replaced. Thus the filter on Austin Air cleaners is very good in some respects, but is also a double-edged sword.

General Electric Air Purifiers Guide

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General Electric (GE) Company Info

The General Electric Company, commonly known as GE, is a US multinational corporation conglomerate with its headquarters in the state of New York. Ranked as the world’s second largest company in 2010 by Forbes magazine, GE employs 304,000 people around the world. GE® ENERGY STAR® Air Purifiers come in three different sizes to accommodate various sizes of home and office indoor environments. All three units are certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and are ENERGY STAR® rated.

Air Purification Products, Pricing, and Where to Find

GE began making air purifiers in 2007 and they are made to GE’s specifictions by overseas manufacturers. The three models of GE® ENERGY STAR® 115V air purifiers vary in cost. GE air purifiers are available online through Amazon or at retail stores like Sears and Frys Electronics. They generally receive favorable reviews although they have won no awards or special acclaim.

The three models of GE® ENERGY STAR® 115V air purifiers vary in cost. GE air purifiers replacement HEPA filters come with a color-coded chart to help you determine when they should be replaced. Standard HEPA filters need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months depending on how frequently they are used and the air quality conditions. GE offers cut-to-fit foam pre-filter air cleaner replacements, and the HEPA replacements come in packs of two.

Bionaire Air Purifiers Guide

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Bionaire Company Info

The Bionaire brand is a subsidiary of the Jarden Corporation, a large company with many other brands of home appliances operating under its aegis, including familiar names such as Sunbeam, Crock-Pot, and Mr. Coffee. In addition, Jarden is the parent company of Holmes, which also makes air purifiers. In addition to its air purifiers, Bionaire also makes heaters, humidifiers, fans, and other such products. It has been in operation since 1977, when its first air purifier was released in Canada.

Bionaire Air Purification Technology

The air cleaners made by Bionaire all make use of two methods of reducing pollution, a HEPA-type filter and an ionizer. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are a recognized standard in air filtration. The fact that Bionaire’s filters are only “HEPA-type” instead of true HEPA should make customers aware of the difference. Bionaire claims that these filters achieve “up to 99% filtration capturing particles 2.0 microns or larger from air passing through the filter.” This sounds good at first glance, but be aware that many serious airborne pollutants are much smaller than 2.0 microns.

In comparison, true HEPA filters in home air purifiers are able to target particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. Therefore, Bionaire’s products will certainly take care of relatively large items such as dust, but smaller particles are not guaranteed to be filtered out at all.

The other method used by Bionaire products, ionizers, will give air molecules a negative electrical charge, which will attract particles which, like many common pollutants, have a positive charge; the end result is that the pollutants are entrapped and removed from the air. All ionizers in Bionaire air cleaners can be turned on and off as desired by the user.

Neither of the methods described above will deal with gasses or odors, as they are only designed to filter out particles.

Bionaire Model Pricing

Bionaire’s purifiers are relatively low in price.On top of this, Bionaire claims that its PERMAtech air cleaners are

“The first of their kind to offer HEPA-type filtration in a permanent filter that never has to be replaced”

provided that they receive ordinary care, which means that the filters are cleaned once every three months. This is something to bear in mind, as filter replacements often add significantly to the initial cost of most air purifiers over the course of the purifiers’ lifetimes. Note that not all Bionaire air purifiers have the PERMAtech label, however; the others require do replacement filters as usual.

Germ Guardian Air Purifiers Guide

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Germ Guardian Company Info

Germ Guardian is a company located in Ohio that specializes in home sanitation products such as air purifiers for the mass retail market and has been selling such products for an unknown period of time. The company is dedicated to using safe and natural technologies in their products. To date, Germ Guardian manufactures four different kinds of air purifiers. Air purifiers are designed to improve the air quality of a room by killing germs, removing allergens and particles and eliminating odors.

Germ Guardian Air Purifier Technology

Germ Guardian’s air purifiers use naturally occurring ultraviolet light technology (UV-C). According to Germ Guardian, this technology, which is used to sanitize hospital operating theaters and clean rooms, can kill 99.9% of all airborne germs and bacteria including Influenza-A, staphylococcus, streptococcus, tuberculosis and other disease causing particles hanging around in the air. UV-C technology works by producing radiation that alters the DNA of the disease causing bacteria, which causes the bacteria to stop reproducing.

Although air purifiers can cut down on the spread of airborne diseases, they cannot completely prevent illnesses since disease can also be spread through other methods. Since UV-C technology does not utilize chemicals, Germ Guardian states that there should be no ill side effects from using their products. The company also claims that their products do not emit any ozone as a result of this technology.

Germ Guardian air purifiers utilize high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems as well. HEPA filters are composed of mats of randomly arranged fiberglass fibers. Since these fibers are extremely thin with diameters in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 micrometers, they are able to filter out 99.97% of small airborne particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter. These particles include allergens like household dust, pet dander, mold spores and plant pollens. Germ Guardian products also use ionizers to eliminate odors resulting from cooking, pets, smoke, mildew and other sources, and to freshen the air in the room.

Germ Gurdian Product Testing, Warranty, and Price Range

Germ Guardian products were tested by the Harvard School of Public Health. The company claims that their air purifiers run very quietly. Depending on which product you buy, Germ Guardian offers limited warranties that are in effect anywhere from one to five years.

The cost of their air purifiers range depending on how large the product is, what technologies it uses and how much air it can sanitize. Many people state that these air purifiers have an extremely good track record and a reputation for having a long service life. The company has successfully launched several national and international products lines.

Biotech Air Purifiers Guide

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Biotech Company Information

BioTech Research, Inc. is an Ohio based company that develops and manufactures many different kinds of products in the fields of health, fitness, home and weight loss. Biotech Research’s parent company is SCI Direct LLC, which was founded in 1968. This company believes in its products, and to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase, offers an unconditional money back guarantee. BioTech Research also supplies customers with competitive prices, good service, fast order processing and quality customer care.

BioTech Research manufactures a large variety of items, including air purifiers. There is little to no specific information available regarding the technologies used in these air purifiers.

Biotech Air Purifiers

The FridgeFRESH Air Purifier is a purifier designed to be put in the fridge. Its job is to kill bacteria and sterilize the fridge, along with reducing food spoilage and odors, keeping food smelling fresh, and breaking down pesticides that may still be on fruits and vegetables. It claims it can kill up to 99% of bacteria and mold that may affect your food. BioTech Research claims that food will last up to four times longer than usual if you use this air purifier.

EdenPure is a brand produced by BioTech Research that is mostly known for its heaters. However, it also manufactures an air purifier that can cost anywhere from $200 to $350. According to BioTech Research, this quiet and low maintenance air purifier will cut down on indoor air pollution by removing allergens and particles from the surfaces in a home or office. This air purifier has four unspecified mechanisms that filter the air, and BioTech Research claims that this technology is used by the federal government to filter the air in Space Shuttles and the International Space Station.

Biotech’s Lack of Transparency

The fact that BioTech refuses to divulge the technology their air purifiers use has caused some people to doubt the efficiency and safety of the product. One reviewer conducted an independent test and found that the purifier did not do a good job at filtering the air. This reviewer also claims that during his test, the product emitted up to 990 parts per billion of toxic ozone, which is a lung irritant. The FDA restricts the amount of ozone that a medical device is allowed to emit to 50 parts per billion. Although this air purifier is not a medical device, the amount of ozone being emitted is very high and has resulted in products like the EdenPure Area Air Purifier being banned in the state of California.

Blueair Air Purifiers Guide

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Blueair Company Info

Blueair is a Swedish company founded in 1996. The company’s only products are its line of air purifiers and filters. Blueair has received its share of notice and media attention in recent years, including magazines such as Men’s Health, Woman’s World, and Wired, among others. Blueair has also won the Excellent Swedish Design award, and one model has even been placed in the Swedish National Museum.

Blueair Purification Technology

Blueair makes many different models of air purifiers, but they all work in basically the same way. The purifiers use “patented HEPASilent technology” which the company claims “combines the best features of electrostatic and mechanical filter technology,” resulting in clean air with little noise, as well as “phenomenally low power usage.” Blueair claims a 99.7% particle filtration efficiency at .1 microns for all of its purifiers.

Blueair’s air filters also use ionizers, which the company says do not produce ozone. In addition, for an extra cost, you can also install a carbon filter (called the “Smokestop”), which will target gasses and odors; otherwise, the standard units will only filter out particulate pollution.

Airflow Technology

What makes the models distinct is how powerful they are; or in other words, how big the recommended maximum room size is. The models designed for larger rooms make use of a technology that Blueair calls “SurroundAir,” which is intended to increase airflow by drawing the polluted air in through the sides and bottom of the purifier, and releasing clean air from the sides and top.

Also, the ECO10 model is, according to Blueair, the “greenest air purifier ever,” due to a special fan that results in very low energy consumption. Finally, the Medical Filter model and the Furnace Filter system also reduce common gaseous pollutants known as Volatile Organic Compounds.

Blueair Model Price Range

Blueair’s purifiers have a wide price range over the different models, from moderate to quite high.

Blueair Air Purifier Models

  • Blueair 203: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. Coverage area of 175 square feet.
  • Blueair 270E: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. Coverage area of 210 square feet. Also distinguished from the 203 by its remote control and digital display.
  • Blueair 303: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. Coverage area of 225 square feet.
  • Blueair 403: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. Coverage area of 365 square feet.
  • Blueair 450E: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. Coverage area of 365 square feet. Distinguished from the 403 by its remote control and digital display.
  • Blueair 503: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. SurroundAir system. Coverage area of 580 square feet.
  • Blueair 550E: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. SurroundAir system. Coverage area of 605 square feet. Also distinguished from the 503 by its remote control and digital display.
  • Blueair 603: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. SurroundAir system. Coverage area of 640 square feet.
  • Blueair 650E: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. SurroundAir system. Coverage area of 698 square feet. Also distinguished from the 603 by its remote control and digital display.
  • Blueair ECO10: HEPASilent filter, ionizer. Optional carbon filter. EC fan for low energy consumption. Coverage area of 298 square feet.
  • Blueair Medical: HEPASilent filter, ionizer, multi-gas filter. Coverage area of 370 square feet.
  • Furnace Filter System: Different from Blueair’s other offerings, this is a package that includes an ionizer and a set of filters. Blueair’s instructions are to “replace your ordinary furnace filter with a Blueair filter and plug the MX2 particle charger into the electrical outlets near the return air grills in your home.”