Holmes air purifier review: Summaries and Detailed Reviews.
Reviews are only as good as the underlying rating criteria used.
After you are done reviewing, STEP 5 Buying lists the best places to buy Holmes purifiers.
Holmes Air Purifier Summaries
Model: HEPA-Type Mini Tower HAP412-UPoor Rating
Up to 120 sqft
MSRP 49.99
Conclusion: Generic Min-Tower with limited cleaning power.
Detailed Review Below
Model: LifeLong HEPA-Type Tower HAP1200-UPoor Rating
Up to 170 sqft
MSRP 99.99
Conclusion: A low-end Tower with limited cleaning power.
Detailed Review Below
Model: 99.97% HEPA for Large Rooms HAP650Fair Rating
Up to 340 sqft
MSRP 99.99
Conclusion: Low priced HEPA filter with some odor control; yearly cost almost 3X purchase price.
Detailed Review Below
Model: Arm & Hammer Fresh 'N Clean Odor Grabber AOR240FC-UFair Rating
Up to 62 sqft
MSRP 69.99
Conclusion: Limited actual cleaning ability.
Detailed Review Below
Other Current Holmes air purifier Models:
Holmes has many models to fit every marketable, low-cost niche. If you want to buy one of these purifiers, shop around as they go "on sale" often.
Model: 99.97% HEPA for Small Rooms HAP615 – Smaller Version of HAP650 above MSRP 49.99, – Fair Rating
Model: 99.97% HEPA for Medium Rooms HAP625 – Smaller Version of HAP650 above MSRP 69.99, – Fair Rating
Model: Allergen Remover Mini-Tower HAP706-U – HEPA, pre filter, and negative ionizer MSRP 59.99, – Poor Rating
Model: HEPA-Type Desktop HAP243-UC – HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 39.99, – Poor Rating
Model: HEPA-Type Tower HAP422B-U – HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 69.99, – Poor Rating
Model: HEPA-Type Tower HAP424G-U – Tower HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 69.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Odor Grabber HAP2234-U – Odor Grabber w/ HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 19.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Odor Grabber Plus HAP222-UC – Odor Grabber w/ HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 24.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Odor Grabber HAP223-UC – Odor Grabber w/ HEPA-Type Enhanced filter w/ neg. ionizer MSRP 29.95, – Poor Rating
Model: Personal Space Ionizing HAP115Z-U – Personal Space HEPA-Type filter w/ negative ionizer MSRP 19.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Personal Space HAP1004 – Personal Space 3-layer HEPA-Type filter MSRP 24.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Pet Fresh Odor Grabber AOR100PF-U – Pet Fresh Odor Grabber MSRP 19.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Pet Fresh Odor Grabber AOR118PF-U – Pet Fresh Odor Grabber MSRP 39.99, – Poor Rating
Model: Pet Fresh Odor Grabber AOR1000PF-U – Pet Fresh Odor Grabber MSRP 59.99, – Poor Rating
There are probably more, but you get the idea … low-end, highly marketed in big-box type stores. Limited on actual cleaning power; low on actual cleaning results.
Holmes Air Purifier Detailed Reviews
Model: HEPA-Type Mini Tower HAP412-U Holmes Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-15-08 Rating Score: 43/100 points
Summary
This is a very low-end air purifier. It has the bare basics of technology. It blows air. It will clean some large particles and the negative ionizer may remove a few more small
particles, but that is about it. The odor control is minimal with an "enhanced" filter. It appears that the filter was dipped in a name brand baking soda. A Bad Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for small rooms up to 120 sqft.
- Passive and Active purification technology
- Step 1: washable pre filter for larger particles
- Step 2: negative ionization
- Step 3: HEPA-Type filter enhanced for odor control
- 3-speed fan
- black or white colors
- Yearly Operating Costs 142.43
- 3-year warranty
- has a plastic smell out of the box
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 76/ Dust 55/ Pollen 55
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 4/24 points – The MSRP is 49.99. The estimated square footage cleaned is 120 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((49.99 initial + 142.43/year)/120 sqft)/2
removal points)) = 19.83. 19.83 = 4 points – Bad Value.
2) What is Removed: 2/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors
and Gases – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of VOCs – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal,
0-points.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 9/15 points – Replacing the HEPA-Type filter every 6 months will cost you 2 X 19.99 = 39.98/year. Calculating electricity usage: 132 watts/1000 X .0886/kwh x 24
hours/day X 365 days/year = 102.45/year. Total cost 142.43/year. Average to operate.
4) Quality: 5/12 points – The Purifier is made in China and the filters are made in Mexico. This purifier is basic plastic. The quality is average or below. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship –
Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Fair Quality, 2-points. Support Material – Poor Quality, 0-points.
5) Warranty: 6/8 points – This purifier has a 3-year warranty. Very Good Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 4/6 points – The manual says to check the filters every two weeks. There is a color indicator on the side of the HEPA-Type filter that will visually help you
determine if it needs changing. Change every 3-6 months. Average Maintenance, 2-points. The pre filter can be vacuumed or hand washed. Expect to clean monthly for 10-15 minutes plus dry time.
Average Cleaning 2-points.
7) Look and Feel: 3/6 points – It looks a little like a plastic coffee maker gone bad. Actually it is a mini-tower in white or black plastic. Nothing exciting, nor detracting here. The word
"generic" comes to mind. Questionable Looks, 1-point. This unit has functional controls. Feels Good, 2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – Holmes has been making air purifiers for over 10 years. They are owned under the Jarden Products umbrella as are Bionaire air purifiers. Jarden ships out
of Missouri.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – Typical of big box consumer level purifiers, they are listed as quiet, but are sold without any substantial data. Quiet on low. Louder on high. Average Noise
Level.
10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Open box and plug and play. Easy Set-up.
total = 43/100 points
Conclusion
Generic Min-Tower with limited cleaning power
Model: LifeLong HEPA-Type Tower HAP1200-U Holmes Air Purifier
Rating Score: 49/100 points
Summary
The HAP1200-U is another big-box store special. The best feature of this purifier is its looks. It will clean some large particles and the negative ionizer may remove a few more
small particles, but that is about it. A Poor Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for rooms up to 170 sqft.
- Passive and Active purification technology
- Step 1: washable pre filter for larger particles
- Step 2: negative ionization
- Step 3: "Permanant" HEPA-Type filter
- 3-speed fan
- Yearly Operating Costs 102.45
- 2-year warranty
- has a plastic smell out of the box
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 110/ Dust 110/ Pollen 110
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 8/24 points – The MSRP is 99.99. The estimated square footage cleaned is 170 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((99.99 initial + 102.45/year)/170 sqft)/2
removal points)) = 40.46. 40.46 = 8 points – Poor Value.
2) What is Removed: 2/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors
and Gases – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of VOCs – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal,
0-points.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 9/15 points – The HEPA-Type filter is listed as permanent. Calculating electricity usage: 132 watts/1000 X .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year =
102.45/year. Total cost 102.45/year. Average to operate.
4) Quality: 6/12 points – The Purifier is made in China and the filters are made in Mexico. This purifier is basic plastic. The quality is average or below. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship –
Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Fair Quality, 3-points. Support Material – Poor Quality, 0-points.
5) Warranty: 4/8 points – This purifier has a 2-year warranty. Good Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points – Minimal maintenance. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. This purifier has two filters to clean. The pre filter can be washed as needed. They HEPA-Type
filter should be vacuumed as needed. Both are sold as permanent filters. Expect to clean every 4-8 weeks for 20 minutes plus dry time. Average Cleaning 2-points.
7) Look and Feel: 5/6 points – The black and silver is attractive for a tower. Looks Great, 3-points. The controls are standard and functional. Feels Good, 2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – Holmes has been making air purifiers for over 10 years. They are owned under the Jarden Products umbrella as are Bionaire air purifiers. Jarden ships out
of Missouri.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – Typical of big box consumer level purifiers, they are listed as quiet, but are sold without any substantial data. Quiet on low. Louder on high. Average Noise
Level.
10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Open box and plug and play. Easy Set-up.
total = 49/100 points
Conclusion
A low-end Tower with limited cleaning power.
Model: 99.97% HEPA HAP650 Holmes Air Purifier
Rating Score: 52/100 points
Summary
The HAP650 is a basic HEPA and carbon filter. It does do a decent job at cleaning particles and removing minor odors and gases. The cost on the front-end lures many people into
purchasing this purifier. The yearly ongoing cost between electricity and filters is about 3X the purchase price. It reminds me of many ink jet printers … the upfront cost is reasonable, but
you go broke buying ink for so so printing results. I upgraded to a laser printer for that reason. Consider the same here. A Fair Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for rooms up to 340 sqft.
- Passive purification technology
- Step 1: 99.97% HEPA Filter – 3 of them
- Step 2: Carbon Filter Add-on – 3 of them
- 4-speed fan
- Yearly Operating Costs 264.47
- heavy user of electricity
- 2-year warranty
- has a plastic smell out of the box
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 225/ Dust 225/ Pollen 225
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 12/24 points – The MSRP is 99.99. The estimated square footage cleaned is 340 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((99.99 initial + 264.47/year)/340 sqft)/4
removal points)) = 73.20. 73.20 = 12 points – Fair Value.
2) What is Removed: 4/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Good Removal, 2-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors
and Gases – Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal,
0-points.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 3/15 points – HEPA filters replaced every 12 months at 3 filters each replacement period X 23 = 69. Carbon filters replaced every 3 months are replaced in
3's at 3 filters X 4 replacements X 4 = 48/year. Calculating electricity usage: 190 watts/1000 X .0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = 147.47/year. Total cost 264.47/year.
Expensive to operate.
4) Quality: 5/12 points – The Purifier is made in China and the filters are made in Mexico. This purifier is basic plastic. The quality is average or below. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship –
Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Fair Quality, 2-points. Support Material – Poor Quality, 0-points.
5) Warranty: 8/8 points – This purifier has a 5-year warranty. Excellent Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points – The HEPA filter lasts 12-18 months and the Carbon filter lasts 3-6 months. Replacement takes 10 minutes. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. Periodic wiping
down of the outside and inside of purifier is all the additional maintenance needed. Easy Cleaning 3-points.
7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – A basic, box-like looking purifier. Looks Good, 2-points. Plastic look and feel. Feels Good, 2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – Holmes has been making air purifiers for over 10 years. They are owned under the Jarden Products umbrella as are Bionaire air purifiers. Jarden ships out
of Missouri.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – Typical of big box consumer level purifiers, they are listed as quiet, but are sold without any substantial data. Quiet on low. Louder on high. Average Noise
Level.
10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Open box and plug and play. Easy Set-up.
total = 52/100 points
Conclusion
Low priced HEPA filter with some odor control; yearly cost almost 3X purchase price.
Model: Arm & Hammer Odor Grabber AOR240FC-U Holmes Air Purifier
Rating Score: 46/100 points
Summary
The Arm & Hammer Odor Grabber AOR240FC-U is more of an inexpensive marketing gimmick than a true air purifier. I was generous in the scoring of what it will actually clean. A
Bad Value.
Basic Specifications:
- Designed for very small areas up to 68 sqft.
- Passive and Active purification technology
- Step 1: washable pre filter for larger particles
- Step 2: negative ionization
- Step 3: HEPA-Type filter enhanced for odor control
- Yearly Operating Costs 117.59
- 3-year warranty
- has a plastic smell out of the box
Rating Factors:
1) Value: 4/24 points – The MSRP is 69.99. The estimated square footage cleaned is 62 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 – (((69.99 initial + 117.59/year)/62 sqft)/2 removal
points)) = below 0. 0 = 4 points – Bad Value.
2) What is Removed: 2/16 points – Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns – Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns – Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Odors
and Gases – Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms – Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms – Poor Removal,
0-points.
3) Yearly Operating Costs: 9/15 points – Replacing a HEPA-Type/carbon-like filter every 6 months will cost 2 X 19.99 = 39.98/year. Calculating electricity usage: 100 watts/1000 X
.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = 77.61/year. Total cost 117.59/year. Average to operate.
4) Quality: 5/12 points – The Purifier is made in China and the filters are made in Mexico. This purifier is basic plastic. The quality is average or below. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship –
Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies – Fair Quality, 2-points. Support Material – Poor Quality, 0-points.
5) Warranty: 6/8 points – This purifier has a 3-year warranty. Very Good Warranty.
6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points – This purifier has a HEPA-Type filter and a pre filter. The HEPA-Type filter change every 4-6 months is easy; 10 minutes tops. Easy Maintenance,
3-points. Washing the pre filter is also 10 minutes plus dry time. Easy Cleaning 3-points.
7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points – A small unit that could fit in many spaces. Looks Good, 2-points. Generic plastic look and feel. Feels Good, 2-points.
8) Years in Business: 4/5 points – Holmes has been making air purifiers for over 10 years. They are owned under the Jarden Products umbrella as are Bionaire air purifiers. Jarden ships out
of Missouri.
9) Noise Level: 3/5 points – Typical of big box consumer level purifiers, they are listed as quiet, but are sold without any substantial data. Quiet on low. Louder on high. Average Noise
Level.
10) Set-Up: 3/3 points – Open box and plug and play. Easy Set-up.
total = 46/100 points
Conclusion
Limited on actual cleaning ability. Return to Top
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