Great Purifier

Author's Rating:

Pros: Sturdy, handles large rooms, reduces allergy-causing particles effectively.

Cons: Very loud on high, tolerable on medium, noticeable on low. Uses a lot of energy.

The Bottom Line: 
Best, by far, for this price range despite the noise and energy use.

Author's Review
This unit works incredibly well. I have it positioned in the living room of an average-sized apartment and it has done a tremendous job so far of cleaning the air. I have allergies that are getting worse with age (I'm 26) and this unit has helped limit my sinus problems. In addition, we just bought a new Tempurpedic-style bed that is great but came with the much-talked-about smell that these types of mattresses usually come with. The Honeywell took care of that problem, and though we did not buy it to combat odor, it is a nice benefit. It is very noisy on high, noisy on medium, and something above "quiet" on low (I just can't call it "quiet" because even on low, it is not). However, most of the more silent air purifiers out there, in this price range, will not effectively clean the air in large rooms, and few boast the sturdiness of this unit. Sturdiness is especially important because a lack of that quality (commonly found in purifiers of this price range) can lead to loose-fitting filters and other parts that allow bad air to pass through. The unit also uses a lot of energy (170W on high, 120 on medium, 50 on low) and is not an energy star product.

Don't let the cost of filters fool you, the only one that needs constant replacing (if you smoke or are buying this for odor-control) is the pre-filter, which can be found for pretty low prices if you look around online and especially if you are willing to buy in bulk (it is simply a long sheet of inexpensive carbon filter that wraps around the HEPA filter). The main HEPA filter is more like 1-2 years, in terms of replacement, and runs for about 80 retail, though it also can be found for up to 25 less than that if you look hard enough. Obviously, if you wait until the filter absolutely needs to be replaced, you won't have the luxury of shopping around as much. This price is no more and often less than filter costs for comparably priced large-room units (they all need to be replaced eventually, even the ones that say "permanent"). True HEPA filters just aren't cheap for large units. Between replacements you vacuum the filter as needed (there is an indicator telling you when the filter is dirty). The unit is incredibly easy to take apart, utilizing a hand-turned screw on the bottom that separates the outer casing from the base that holds the filters.

This unit is loud, but a workhorse and very effective. Definitely worth the money, it is ranked equal to and higher than much more expensive units on this site and others (just punch "air purifier reviews" into google).