Anyone here own a decent air purifier? Looking for recommendations.

[Imyourzero]

I'm not talking about those cheap Holmes units that you would buy at Target that don't do an effective job and eat you up in replacement filter costs. I'm talking about something decent from Alen, IQAir, Blueair, Sharp, Winix, etc.

I have bad allergies every spring, and I'm tired of everything in my computer room having a layer of dust on it a week after I vacuum. I do vacuum every now and then, but it's such a PITA to keep up with and do thoroughly because of how much equipment I have packed into a smaller room. We do not smoke, which is good because that's extremely hard on filters (not to mention your health!). We do have a heat pump which I feel probably contributes to the dust level, but the control panel indicates when the filter needs to be cleaned/replaced and we have not neglected that. Yet, the dust still continues to build up. Oh, and my room is hardwood, not carpet.

I've been reading reviews and my requirements are as follows:
- Under $400 preferably
- Inexpensive filters or filter replacement intervals
- True HEPA
- Good CADR and ACH ratings
- Somewhat quiet (supposedly the Honeywell 50250 is inexpensive and effective, but LOUD)
- Not something mammoth in size (see many of the IQAir and Blueair models)

The one I've come up with so far is the Rabbit Air BioGS SPA-582A. Review from a reputable site here.

From what I've read, it's a bit pricey in terms of the CADR/ACH ratings but makes up for that in terms of sound levels, filtration ability, overall filter replacement costs, and warranty. Rabbit Air's customer service is supposedly awesome as well. This unit has a washable pre-filter which extends the life of the replacement filter, and they require you to change the filter every 1.5 years to stay within warranty (compared to the 6-12 month intervals of less expensive units, so this will help make up some of the cost over time). Replacement filters are about $45 which is very reasonble - $15 every 6 months to have cleaner air and less dust would be entirely worth it to me. I don't need the humidifier functions of other brands like the newer Sharp Plasmaclusters, and I really don't need an ionizer as I don't have air odor problems, but it wouldn't be a bad feature to have. The Rabbit Air has both odor and particle sensors, so it will ramp up the fan speed when your dog walks past or you pass gas in the room (really!). It also has a decent carbon filter for odor control.

I was initially looking at the BioGS SPA-421A which would probably be adequate for the size of my room, but the SPA-582A is the same size and delivers higher CADR/ACH rates so the air would be exchanged more times per hour if I was willing to keep the fan speed on a higher level...

Does anyone have any experience with these units? Just looking for general recommendations before I pull the trigger. Thanks AT!

 

[DesiPower]

I have no idea about these but I have UV filters inside my AC units and use MERV10 filters, my wife has allergies problems and she says that it works... have you given them any thought?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd stay away from ionizers. I don't really trust them. They create ozone, which isn't good to breathe.

 

[SP33Demon]

I use the Idylis for the bedroom (HEPA), only 155sq ft but does a great job for bedrooms:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_302651-89154-IAP-10-100_?PL=1&productId=3031732
Replace the filter once a year so it's not bad.
From your website above, the larger versions scored an 83 rating:
http://www.air-purifier-power.com/idylis280200lowesreview.html

Look out Hunter, Holmes, Whirlpool, and Honeywell, the Hyundais of the air purifier world are coming. Folks cruising the retail space could consider the Idylis 208 or 200 as an alternative to these established brands where larger diameter particle pollution, such as mold spores or pollen, is the target allergen.
Those with serious allergy, chemical sensitivity, and other health issues should look to the allergy shop premium brands.

For larger rooms (up to 390sq ft), the legendary true-HEPA Honeywell 50250-S always gets the job and really removed mold spores from the room when my health deteriorated in my new place. On high setting, this thing sounds like a jet engine and can move air like no other filter I've seen. There's a reason why it's number 2 on Amazon's air purifier list (only the smaller Honeywell sells more) and has been there for a solid 5 years. The only bad thing about the Honeywell is that it's very loud on high, and even on low (35dba, 57 on high) I couldn't sleep with it in the room. In my basement it just acts as white noise though. I change this filter about once every 10-12 months, and clean the outer charcoal filter 3X a year.
http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-5025...zg_bs_510192_2

Here's the review from the site you linked:
http://www.air-purifier-power.com/honeywell-50250.html
The only thing the Rabbit scores significantly higher on was the <<2. Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if health benefits are expected: Units with real carbon VOC capability rank higher.
Score: 8 of 10, Washable one-pound carbon honeycomb is good for moderate odor situations.>> where Honeywell scored a 3. Not a big deal to me though since nobody smokes in my place and I don't have odor issues.

My furnace filter line of defense is the 3M Filtrete Ultimate Allergen line (1900 MPR, 12 MERV) rating which captures 93% of everything down to .3 microns, about the same as HEPA particle size but of course it lets more air through so it's not 99% like true HEPA. I didn't use the 2200 MPR one because it blocks airflow a bit too much. Also, air-purifier-power.com seems to really like this as well:

As a HEPA substitute, I like the 3M Filtetete Ultimate Allergen 1900 filter, $16.95 at Home Depot. It is a "16 x 25 x 1" furnace filter, but the true dimensions are 15.6 by 24.6 by .8 inch, very close to twice our Sharp's bay size.

http://www.air-purifier-power.com/doityourselfhepadyi120510.html

Overall, the Idylis bedroom filter was $99, the Honeywell is $139, and I the 3M's are about $80-$100/year. Since using all 3, my allergies have just about completely cleared up and my eyelids/eye area don't look pink/puffy anymore. I don't think I'd spend $400 on programmable one you linked unless your room is >390 sq ft or you have incredibly horrible allergies and need insane protection from a premium unit. Also, I should add that my basement exceeds 390 @450 sq ft and it cycles the air just fine. Would it work at 600-800 sq ft like the one you linked? Maybe not but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[BladeVenom]

I'd stay away from ionizers. I don't really trust them. They create ozone, which isn't good to breathe.

Ozone is smog.

 

[Moonbeam]

I have the best one on earth.

 

[skyking]

Rabbit Air
It works, is quiet, you can clean the filters.

 

[lxskllr]

Ozone is smog.

Ozone is a gaseous component of smog, but isn't smog itself. It's also created by ionizers, and probably tons of other things I'm unaware of. It's a highly reactive oxidizer, and very bad for human health. It does smell good though. I like the way an ionizer makes the room smell, but I won't use them.

 

[Moonbeam]

and probably tons of other things

Lightning storms

 

[OlafSicky]

Nasa has a list of plants that filter air. I would try that.

 

[Sust]

Try this for cheap first before making the jump?

 

[Imyourzero]

I have no idea about these but I have UV filters inside my AC units and use MERV10 filters, my wife has allergies problems and she says that it works... have you given them any thought?

Definitely going to check out some filters at Lowe's and/or Home Depot to see what kind of improvements I can make as far as our central air. I hadn't really given any thought to the MERV ratings; I figured there were probably better filters out there but just kind of assumed that ours was doing its job.

I'd stay away from ionizers. I don't really trust them. They create ozone, which isn't good to breathe.

Yup, no plans on getting any purifier that spews out positive ions unless that feature can be turned off.

...

I had someone tell me that the Honeywell is very livable in terms of noise, but almost everything I've read contradicts that. It's probably livable on low, but then you're not moving as much air. I guess I could run it on low when I'm in the room and turn up the fan when I'm away, but the problem with that is the unit isn't exactly known for sipping power and ideally I don't want a noticeable spike in the electric bill. The other thing that concerns me is that the review you linked said it needs to sit 3 feet from the wall, and that's not really optimal in my room; I'd greatly prefer something that can sit against a wall or at least closer than 3 feet.

As I said above though, I'm definitely going to check out filters to see if improving our current MERV rating will help matters.

I have the best one on earth.

Sweet!

Rabbit Air
It works, is quiet, you can clean the filters.

That's the direction I'm leaning towards...the only other two that look promising in this price range are the Alen T300 (higher filter replacement costs but lifetime warranty), the Rabbit Air MinusA2 (wall mountable and slightly better cleaning at a $60 price hike) and a couple of the Winix models. The Sharp Plasmaclusters that I'd be interested in aren't being made anymore.

Nasa has a list of plants that filter air. I would try that.

Not much space for plants in here, but that's a neat concept.

 

[Imyourzero]

Try this for cheap first before making the jump?

That's certainly an attractive option as far as price! But, box fans aren't exactly quiet. Hmmm...sure would move a lot of air, though.

 

[SP33Demon]

I had someone tell me that the Honeywell is very livable in terms of noise, but almost everything I've read contradicts that. It's probably livable on low, but then you're not moving as much air. I guess I could run it on low when I'm in the room and turn up the fan when I'm away, but the problem with that is the unit isn't exactly known for sipping power and ideally I don't want a noticeable spike in the electric bill. The other thing that concerns me is that the review you linked said it needs to sit 3 feet from the wall, and that's not really optimal in my room; I'd greatly prefer something that can sit against a wall or at least closer than 3 feet.

If I notice more dust than usual, I just crank it on high when I'm not home and it'll clean it. On low (35db), it's not bad at all - I just can't have it in my bedroom because I'm a light sleeper. For the first 3 months I did have it in my bedroom but wasn't waking up feeling refreshed. My ex actually didn't mind sleeping with it though, depends on the person. And you really don't have to have it 3 ft off the wall, that is kind of ridiculous. Mine sits in a corner about 2 inches off the walls and does fine.

As far as power bill, it may be a little more but even at a couple bucks a month, how long would it take for you to equal the difference of the $400 one at $25 more per year in electricity? 5 years (400-150=250/50), and by then better tech than the Rabbit will be out.

The author of the review website you linked owns the Honeywell so that should tell you about its value.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Nose hairs, mucus, and cilia. Done.

 

[Moonbeam]

Yup, I have the best one on earth, the Pacific ocean.

 

[Imp]

Ozone is a gaseous component of smog, but isn't smog itself. It's also created by ionizers, and probably tons of other things I'm unaware of. It's a highly reactive oxidizer, and very bad for human health. It does smell good though. I like the way an ionizer makes the room smell, but I won't use them.

It's one of the best oxidizers... So good that it's used in water treatment and one of the only things that will remove pharmaceuticals. But that's in water and at relatively high concentrations. No idea how much is in the air or generated by an air purifier.

 

[Moonbeam]

It's one of the best oxidizers... So good that it's used in water treatment and one of the only things that will remove pharmaceuticals. But that's in water and at relatively high concentrations. No idea how much is in the air or generated by an air purifier.

I don't know much but it would seem to me that you couldn't get a much better oxidizer than oxygen.

 

[Imp]

I don't know much but it would seem to me that you couldn't get a much better oxidizer than oxygen.

Iron, chlorine, and aluminum are also oxidizers, IIRC. Even when they bind with stuff that doesn't have oxygen in it? Oxidant just means it's reactive and an electron acceptor. Oh fuck, I don't remember, the exam was last week...

 

[Imyourzero]

If I notice more dust than usual, I just crank it on high when I'm not home and it'll clean it. On low (35db), it's not bad at all - I just can't have it in my bedroom because I'm a light sleeper. For the first 3 months I did have it in my bedroom but wasn't waking up feeling refreshed. My ex actually didn't mind sleeping with it though, depends on the person. And you really don't have to have it 3 ft off the wall, that is kind of ridiculous. Mine sits in a corner about 2 inches off the walls and does fine.

As far as power bill, it may be a little more but even at a couple bucks a month, how long would it take for you to equal the difference of the $400 one at $25 more per year in electricity? 5 years (400-150=250/50), and by then better tech than the Rabbit will be out.

The author of the review website you linked owns the Honeywell so that should tell you about its value.

OK guys, thanks for all of the input. I had no idea that the Honeywell was $140; I thought it was still closer to $200. I just ordered that one, and if it doesn't meet my expectations I'll throw it in the bedroom (which also gets pretty dusty, and is larger so the Honeywell would serve better duty there than in my smaller home office). If the Honeywell goes to the bedroom, I'll pick up the Rabbit Air for my man cave.

 

[Sust]

That's certainly an attractive option as far as price! But, box fans aren't exactly quiet. Hmmm...sure would move a lot of air, though.

True, the cheap options does sacrifice some aesthetics/comfort, but it's so cheap! Could buy multiple high end micro-particulate filters in exchange for setting timer to crank up the fan while youre not there and maybe flipping it off at night before sleeping. Though there are some who believe that a little white noise actually improves sleep.

 

[Imyourzero]

True, the cheap options does sacrifice some aesthetics/comfort, but it's so cheap! Could buy multiple high end micro-particulate filters in exchange for setting timer to crank up the fan while youre not there and maybe flipping it off at night before sleeping. Though there are some who believe that a little white noise actually improves sleep.

Yep, I actually like a little white noise when going to sleep, which is why I won't cry if the Honeywell unit ends up in the bedroom.

I also bought the highest-end 3M filter that Lowe's carries today, so we'll see if that makes a difference as well. After I installed it I realized that we have another (smaller) air intake vent that I forgot about (d'oh!). I'll grab one for it next time I'm in the store again.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Rabbit Air
It works, is quiet, you can clean the filters.

As far as I can tell, only the pre-filter is washable. All use a replacement filter ranging from $25-75 each.

 

[SP33Demon]

OK guys, thanks for all of the input. I had no idea that the Honeywell was $140; I thought it was still closer to $200. I just ordered that one, and if it doesn't meet my expectations I'll throw it in the bedroom (which also gets pretty dusty, and is larger so the Honeywell would serve better duty there than in my smaller home office). If the Honeywell goes to the bedroom, I'll pick up the Rabbit Air for my man cave.

NP man. Let us know if your allergies are alleviated!

 

[silverpig]

Timely thread. I too am considering an air purifier. My wife and I don't have allergies, but we have 2 cats and it gets dusty in our place because of them. We can open the windows when we are home and have some fans blowing around to get much of the dust outside, but it would still be nice to be able to get more of the crap out of the air. I don't care about the air being ULPA filtered or whatever, but don't want to be breathing all the big floaty dust particles all day long.

Our place is probably about 1500 sq ft, being 15ft wide and ~100 ft long with pretty high (~10-14ft) ceilings. The cats mostly stay towards one end of our place though, and are inside-only cats.