How to Choose the Best Air Purifiers

You may not know it but indoor pollution is now a serious problem.  The air in buildings that lack proper ventilation may be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. 

The reason for this is that modern buildings are designed to be energy efficient, trapping warm or cool air indoors.  At the same time, pollutants are also trapped inside. 

Because the average American spends most of his time indoors, it is important to keep the air in the home or office free of pollutants.  The best air purifiers are useful in removing allergens and other airborne pollutants so people can breathe pure, fresh air.

Common Indoor Pollutants

Molds, dust and dust mites are common air pollutants in the average home.  Pollen is also a major airborne pollutant, as well as viruses and bacteria.  It you have pets, you can be sure there is dander all over the house.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as fragrances, cleaning agents, solvents and pesticides in the air can also cause allergic reactions and other health problems.

What To Look For In An Air Purifier

The best air purifiers are able to remove dust, smoke, dander, odors and pollen from your home or office.  There are some considerations to think about if you want to ensure that your air purifier is doing the best job.

• The air purifier must have a high CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate, a measure of how many cubic feet of clean air the unit can deliver per minute.  Choose an air cleaner with a CADR rating of at least 50 for every 80 square feet of space in the room.

• Air purifiers with HEPA filters are best for removing airborne allergens and other pollutants.  HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of pollutants measuring as little as 0.3 microns.

• Some air purifiers have electrostatic ionizers that charge the airborne particles in the air and trap them, or cause them to be heavy enough to fall to the floor.  The drawback with this kind of air cleaner is that it produces small amounts of ozone that can cause health problems.

• Many of the best air purifiers are equipped with activated carbon filters to remove odors, tobacco smoke, chemical toxins and gases.  They also have the ability to trap VOCs.

• Ask to have the air purifier plugged in and tested.  Listen to the level of noise that it makes.  Some air purifiers are quiet while others are noisy enough to be annoying.

The Best Air Purifiers

Look for online reviews of air purifiers that are best for you.  Some of the top selling HEPA air purifiers include IQAir, Honeywell, Allerair, BlueAir and Austin Air. 

There is a vast selection of brands and models to choose from, to the point of confusing consumers.  Product reviews written by consumers who have actually used the product will provide valuable information and help you decide which brand or model is best for you.

Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier Review

If you have allergies and live or work in an environment where the air is full of dust, pollen, chemicals, dust mites and other allergens, you will need a quality air purifier to avoid itchy eyes and a runny nose. 

The Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro Air Purifier is a top-rated product that outperforms many brands of air purifiers in its class.  Clinical tests show that it is five time more effective than other models in toxin removal.

What Makes It Special

The Surround Air Intelli-Pro is fully loaded with sensors and monitors to detect and determine what pollutants are in the air.  It also has a feature that tells you when it is time to change the filters.

You’ll always know when there is dust, cigarette smoke, pollen, pet dander, chemicals and mold spores around.  The Intelli-Pro’s clean air monitor tells you how clean or how polluted the air is.  Guesswork is eliminated because diagnostic sensors indicate when to clean the metal dust collector grid and when to replace filters. 

Light indicators also tell you that the UV light and ionizer are functioning properly.

7-Step Purifier Stages

Most other air purifier use two or three types of filtration.  In the case of the Surround Air Intelli-Pro air purifier, there are a total of seven stages.

1. Pre-filter to capture the largest particles
2. Electrostatic precipitator to trap dust particles
3. Thin carbon filter to remove odors
4. HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne pollutants
5. Photocatalytic Oxidation Filter to remove bacteria and odors
6. Ultraviolet lamp to kill most microorganisms
7. Negative ionization

The electrostatic precipitator attracts and collects dust particles and other pollutants.  It requires little maintenance - simply wipe it clean when it gets dirty.  The ionizer is safe and releases virtually no ozone.  The pre-filter is washable and does not require replacement.  It increases the durability and improves the performance of the other filters.

The Intelli-Pro is powerful yet works quietly.  It has a Multiple Air Inlet Design that allows maximum air flow through the unit.  The unit’s powerful fan distributes the purified air throughout the room.  If you are concerned about energy consumption, you’ll be pleased to know that the Surround Air Intelli-Pro is energy efficient. 
It uses sensor technology to save on electricity and features a “Quiet” setting for noise-free operation.

Quiet Operation

One of the biggest drawbacks to air purifiers is the amount of noise they produce during operation.  This is not the case with the Intelli-Pro.  It operates silently in the quiet setting mode, and even the highest setting boosts performance with minimal noise.  In addition, its sensor automatically adjusts the power settings to reduce energy consumption.

Sensor Technology

Guesswork is eliminated and you only get clean air with the Surround Air Intelli-Pro air purifier.  It has a self-monitoring system that provides instant information about the unit’s performance.  People with allergies will like the odor-, dust- and allergen-sensors that tell you what pollutants are present in the air.

Things You’ll Like

If you want to remove odors, smoke and allergy-causing pollutants in the air, the Intelli-Pro should be the first thing on your mind.  The different filters in the unit remove airborne particles responsible for allergies and breathing problems such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, pollen, dust and pet dander.  Sensor lights turn on when there are pollutants in the air and they go off when the air quality is improved.

This air purifier has an ionizer filter but emits very little ozone.  This is a good thing because ozone can worsen asthma attacks.

One of the features that many consumers like about the Intelli-Pro air purifier is its low noise level.  While some air cleaners produce a loud sound from the moving air, this model is very quiet particularly in low or medium setting.  When set on high, it makes a “white noise” that is not annoyingly loud at all.

The Intelli-Pro is reasonably priced at a little over $200.  No doubt you can find air purifiers that cost much less but do not have the multi-stage filtering process of this product.  All in all, you get a lot more value for your money with the Surround Air XJ-3800 Intelli-Pro.

Last but not least, this product has a sleek and futuristic design that you will love.

Drawbacks

Even with an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, some consumers pointed out that this product has a few minor drawbacks.  One problem is with the electrostatic fine wires that break easily.  Apparently, the wires are quite delicate and you must clean them gently with your finger.

The product description says that the Intelli-Pro can cover a room with an area of 600 square feet.  The fan has a CFM rate of 106 cubic feet per minute.  This is good for 325 sq. ft. only.  On the upside, a higher CFM would increase the noise level of the air purifier.

Bottom Line

This is a high-quality, sturdily built air purifier with excellent features.  The Surround Air Intelli-Pro XJ-3800 removes allergens and odors very quickly.  Its automatic mode provides just the right amount of power that you need and saves electricity.  If you’re looking for a “smart” air cleaner, this is the one for you.

Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner Model Review

Your home should be a place of refuge after a tiring day at the office or a long commute, but for many people it may be impossible to relax simply because the air at home may not be as fresh and pure as you would like it to be.  According to the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the major environmental risks of our time.  Fortunately, you can solve this problem with the Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner.

Because newer homes are designed to be energy-efficient, ventilation is often sacrificed to reduce the loss of heat or cold inside the house.  As a result, dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold, cleaning products and other pollutants accumulate inside the house.  These irritants can trigger allergic reactions and cause breathing and other health problems.  An air purifier can be used to clean indoor air for a healthier environment.

Product Features

The Winix PlasmaWave Air Cleaner Model 5300 removes airborne pollutants with its 3 stage purification process.  It features a carbon pre-filter, HEPA filter, and a plasma generator.  Together, the three stages of air cleaning capture and eliminate a broad range of indoor air pollutants.

The carbon pre-filter removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors while the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter removes up to 99.97% of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in size.  The plasma generator in the third stage eliminates air pollutants at the molecular level.  The air cleaning process takes place without ozone or other harmful by-products being emitted.

The Winix Plasma Wave is equipped with a built-in air sensor that automatically adjusts the fan speed as needed.  Its “auto” mode eliminates guesswork and you don’t have to keep changing the air purifier’s setting.  It’s easy to use; just leave it to do its job.

The Winix air purifier is designed for larger rooms.  It is certified for rooms with an area up to 350 square feet.  As a bonus, the Winix Model 5300 is Energy Star rated.

What Consumers Like About the Winix PlasmaWave

It seems that there are many things consumers like about this product.  The Winix PlasmaWave air purifier is amazingly powerful and can quickly remove odors, smoke, dust and other pollutants from indoor air.  It has a strong yet quiet fan.  At the two lower settings, you hardly notice any noise. 

For many people, the noise level of air purifiers is a big issue and can be a deciding factor when they choose a particular product.  Because of its low noise level even at the highest setting, a lot of consumers give preference to the Winix.

The third or turbo setting is powerful and suitable for occasions when the air is heavily polluted and you want to clean it up quickly.  At this setting, the fan is quite loud.  This is because the Winix is moving huge quantities of air.  In general, the Turbo setting is intended for a quick cleanup while you are not in the room. 

The “auto” mode makes it easy to use this air purifier.  When set on “auto”, the unit adjusts the setting based on the air quality of the room.  Many consumers leave the setting on “auto”.

This product is very efficient.  It can remove cigarette smoke, cooking odors, dust, pet dander, pollen, molds, mildews and other common indoor pollutants.  People with allergies and asthma sufferers are able to gain relief when they use the Winix PlasmaWave.

Another thing that consumers like about the product is that it uses a true HEPA filter.  This type of filter can remove up to 99.97% of harmful airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

In addition to its efficiency in purifying the air, this product is energy saving, too.   Another nice feature is the remote control that comes with the unit.  It even has a built-in storage for the remote control.  The Winix is durable and well-built, and many consumers love the sleek design.

Cons

Most of the feedback on the Winix PlasmaWave Air Cleaner Model 5300 is positive, but there are a few drawbacks mentioned by some consumers.  A number of consumers find the unit too cumbersome because of its size, and some say that the fan is too loud in turbo mode.

As for the remote control, while it is very convenient it does not seem to work too well.  You have to aim it at the right spot and at the right angle otherwise the remote control will not work.

Another complaint has to do with the HEPA filter.  The filter must be replaced once a year and is quite costly.

What’s The Bottom Line?

A vast majority of consumers are more than satisfied with the Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner Model, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.  The selling points are: efficiency in purifying indoor air and removing odors, energy saving, low fan noise and automatic sensors.

The PlasmaWave is currently on sale for about $150.  If you are in the market for a new air purifier, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier Review

Many people suffer from sinus problems and allergies triggered by pollen, dust, pet dander and the like.  Allergy medication may help in treating the symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, watery red eyes, etc.) but the best thing to do is eliminate the cause.  The Honeywell 50250 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier is an affordable air cleaning device that will leave the air in your home fresh and pure.

The Honeywell 50250 is equipped with a true HEPA filter that removes up to 99.97% of common airborne pollutants.  It clears the air of dust particles, pollen, tobacco smoke and pet hair as small as 0.3 microns.  As a true HEPA filter, the Honeywell air purifier meets the filter standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Product Description

The Honeywell 50250 is round-shaped, with a diameter of 18 inches.  At 19 inches high, it is quite large so you should figure out where you want to place the unit before purchasing it.  The air purifier has a 360-degree airflow and 3 speed settings.

The Honeywell air purifier comes with a carbon pre-filter to help remove odors and particulates.  The glass-fiber HEPA material removes viruses, bacteria, mold spores and airborne particles. 

An Intelli-check electronic filter change indicator lets you know when it’s time to change the filter.  This product is ideal for larger rooms up to 390 square feet.

How It Works

The Honeywell 50250 round air purifier is a winner for a number of reasons.  It comes with a true HEPA filter that removes air pollutants and allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander and cigarette smoke.  In addition, it is equipped with an activated carbon pre-filter. 

The pre-filter boosts the effectiveness of the Honeywell by removing odors and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that cannot be removed by a HEPA filter.

Compared to similar air purifiers, the Honeywell 250 has a better Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for its price range.  The CADR is a standard used to compare the effectiveness of air purifiers.

This air purifier is well designed, with its 360 degree air intake and exhaust.  The round design makes it effective at circulating air.  The unit itself is sturdy and weighs only about 20 pounds.

At the highest speed setting, the noise level of the Honeywell air purifier is quite high.  You can run the purifier on high for a few hours and then set the speed at medium or low to keep the noise level down while you sleep or relax at home.  The noise is not a mechanical sound but a high air flow sound.
There is a slight vibration at the lowest fan speed.  This is normal and is caused by slow air buildup across the HEPA filter due to the low air intake.  The vibration does not affect the performance of the unit.

HEPA filters have to be replaced, and this is usually the highest up-keeping cost of air purifiers.  An annual cost of about $100 on HEPA filters is the norm.  Filters are usually replaced once every three months, depending on your usage.  The activated carbon pre-filter also has to be changed regularly if you are particular about odor control.

If you come across the Honeywell 50250N or Honeywell 50251, they are basically the same model.  The only difference is that they come with a permanent lifetime HEPA filter, which can save you a lot of money.  In reality, however, the permanent HEPA filter is good for only 5 years after which it has to be replaced.  A permanent filter must also be vacuumed and cleaned to regenerate it.

Pros
The Honeywell 50250 HEPA round air purifier is inexpensive at around $160.  For an air purifier that costs less than $200, it works very well indeed.  It is powerful, easy to maintain and portable.  The 360 degree air intake and air output makes it more efficient.  Replacement parts are easily available and it comes with a 5 year limited warranty.

Cons

The biggest drawback to the Honeywell is the noise at high speed setting.  It also has high power consumption and the design is strictly utilitarian and not stylish.

What Consumers Say

Consumers are mostly satisfied with the Honeywell 50250 and give it an average score of 4 stars out of 5.  For its price, this air purifier does a very good job.  Individuals who are sensitive to pollen, dust and other allergens notice that their allergies disappear or are very mild when they use the Honeywell.

The main concern with the Honeywell 50250 air purifier is the noise when operating it.  Some people find it too loud, although others say they can live with it.  The low fan setting provides a white noise that some people find soothing.  Naturally, this is a matter of personal preference and you will have to decide for yourself whether or not you can tolerate the noise.

On the whole, however, most consumers give the Honeywell Pure HEPA Round Air a thumbs up.  It is affordable, performs very well and comes with an excellent 5-year warranty.

Air Purifiers for the Home: Why You Need One

If you are concerned about the air quality in your home it may be time to buy an air cleaner.  Many people suffer from allergies, asthma and other ailments due to poor air quality indoors. 

The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside.

 For this reason, there is a need to improve the condition of the home environment with the help of air purifiers for the home.

Benefits of an Air Purifier

Air cleaners use filters or collector grids to purify the air inside your home.  Dust, molds, mildew, pet dander, pollen and other allergens and pollutants accumulate in the air and can be harmful to occupants. 

Air pollutants come from everywhere-- furniture, rugs, carpets, toys, pets, cleaning products, etc.  They can release harmful particulates and chemicals in the air.  An air purifier will make the air in your home clean and fresh.

Allergens in the air can cause sneezing, watery eyes, difficulty in breathing, and a runny nose.  Air pollutants can trigger an asthma attack.  Children and elderly people become susceptible to colds and other illnesses when they breathe dirty air.  All of these ailments can be relieved if you have a quality air purifier.

Air purifiers will also help remove offensive odors in your home.  Odors from cooking, tobacco and pets can be eliminated too.

Types of Air Purifiers for the Home

There are several types and designs of air cleaners for home use.  It is important to choose the right one for your needs.
One type of air purifier uses ultraviolet light to destroy microorganisms such as molds, bacteria and viruses. 

However, its use is limited and it cannot remove many types of pollutants from the air.  It is often used with another type of air purifier to provide a wider range of protection.  UV air purifiers are available under a number of brands such as BlueAir, Ionic Breeze and AllerAir.

Another type of air cleaner uses an ion generator to produce electrically charged particles.  The electric charge causes pollutants to bind together and form larger particles that fall to the ground or stick to walls and furniture to be wiped off later.  If the air cleaner does not come with a collector plate, particles tend to stick to the walls and make them dirty.

One of the best types of air purifiers is a HEPA air purifier.  HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Arrestor.  It has a very efficient filter that can remove 99.97% of air pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.  A HEPA air purifier is the right choice if you have asthma or suffer from allergies.

Air purifiers for the home are now more affordable and they come in all sizes.  Choose one that suits your needs and fits your budget.

What Is An Ionizer Air Purifier?

If you have been shopping around for an air purifier there’s a big chance that you are becoming confused with all the different type of air cleaners and purifiers in the market today.  

One type of device for removing unwanted particles from the air is an ionizer air purifier.  It purifies the air by ionizing air molecules and using static electricity to precipitate allergens and other pollutants from the air.

How an Ionizer Air Purifier Works

When the ionizer is turned on, the voltage passes through a series of fine needles in the device.  Electrons are discharged and they attach to air molecules, forming negative ions.

When dispelled into the air, negative ions attach themselves to pollen, pet dander, dust, etc.  These particles clump together and fall to the floor and other surfaces to be vacuumed later.  The particles can also attach themselves to positively charged surfaces in the room and the grills of your air cleaner.  Frequent dusting will be required.

If the ionizer air purifier has a collector device, the charged particles can be collected inside the unit.  Otherwise, you will have to vacuum or wipe all surfaces where the particles settle.

Types of Ionizer Air Purifiers

Ionizer air purifier using emitters:  This type of ionizer consists of an emitter made of a set needles projecting upward.  Negative ions generated by the emitter bind with positively charged pollutants in the air. 

The particles clump together to form larger lumps that eventually fall to the floor or the purifier collector plate.  These particles can be vacuumed or wiped off.

Ionizers without fans have an effective reach of about 3 feet from where they are located.  Ionizer models with fans are effective up to 7 feet.

Ionizer air purifier using radio ionization:  This type of ionizer employs a special radio wave that can ionize air molecules within a range of 50 feet.  Some models can be attached close to the ceiling for more effective coverage.

Pros

The main advantage of an ionizing air purifier is its quiet operation due to the absence of fans or strong airflow.  Most models have no pre-filters or expensive filters that require regular replacement.  They also consume less energy.

Cons

An air ionizer purifier removes particles from the air but not from the room.  Particles settle on the floor or stick to walls and furniture.  Ionizers that are not equipped with an electrostatic collector plate can cause “black wall” effect, or unsightly dirt sticking to the walls.

Health Concerns

Poorer quality ionizer air purifiers emit ozone during the ionization process.  Ozone is an air pollutant and harmful to the health.  It is best to buy a high quality air ionizer that purifies air without emitting harmful levels of ozone.  Some models of purifiers ionize the air inside the unit.  They are more efficient and produce no ozone.

Guide to Air Cleaners for the Home

Air pollution has always been a major concern, but when we speak of air pollution we often refer to the air outside the home.  These days, people are more concerned about pollutants in the air indoors, especially those pollutants that cause asthma or trigger allergies. 

As more and more children are being diagnosed with breathing problems and respiratory ailments, there is a growing need for efficient air cleaners for home use.  With so many types of air purifiers available today, you have to find out how to choose the best air cleaner for you and your family.

Indoor Pollutants

Dust is a major pollutant inside many homes, and indoor air can be 2 to 5 times as polluted as the air outdoors.  This is according to the estimate of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Dust is the generic terms for the tiny residues that come off a house and its occupants.  It can include pollution from the fireplace, skin, cooking smoke, pet dander, molds, fungi, pollen, mildew, plant spores and other sources. 

Dust eventually gathers on furniture, floors, shelves, etc.
People who have allergies, asthma and other bronchial problems can suffer badly from airborne pollutants.  Visible dust is approximately 10 microns in diameter.  The dust that you breathe in is typically 0.3 micron in size.

Other indoor pollutants include noxious odors and gases.

The Best Filters In Air Cleaners

If you want fresh air in your home you have to get an air cleaner with the best filters.  Cigarette smoke has very small particles and is difficult to eliminate, unless you have the right filters in your air purifier.  HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air filters are recommended if you want to remove at least 99.97% of contaminants in the air inside your home.  HEPA filters can remove even those particles that are 0.3 microns in size.

To enhance the efficiency of air purifiers, a combination of filters is often used.  Some products are equipped with pre-filters, activated carbon filters, electrostatic precipitators and the like for cleaner air in the home.  Experts do not recommend the use of ionic-type filters because they are not very effective and they emit ozone as a by-product.  Ozone is considered an air pollutant and can trigger breathing problems in sensitive individuals.

Numbers That Matter

When shopping for an air purifier, one of the numbers to consider is the CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate.  This number is an indicator of the product’s ability to remove pollutants from air.  A higher number means the air purifier is more efficient and better at cleaning.  To determine what CADR you need for a room, multiply the square footage of the room by 0.75.  This will give you the minimum CADR to look for in an air purifier.

You also have to figure out the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air that moves through the unit.  In general, 250 square feet of space requires about 100 CFM.  Room models can provide up to 400 CFM while tabletop models offer up to 175 CFM.  You may also want to choose a model that isn’t too noisy and has an air intake and output on opposite sides for maximum efficiency.

Air cleaners for the home are becoming more efficient and affordable.  They also offer more features including energy efficiency.