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Cheap Air Purifier Reviews
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$225...+Air Purifiers Performance
Determining which model is right for you based on room air purifier reviews by users, especially at the lower end of the price spectrum, can be frustrating. As with many consumer products, the first review you read might be glowing and the next one damning: one user deems a particular model a waste of money because it's too noisy or hard to maintain while another says it makes a big difference in the breathability and smell of the air.
Functionality.
Generally speaking, consumers assert that air purifiers do a decent job eliminating particulates and odors. Among small room air purifiers that we researched, the Holmes HEPA-Type HAP242-UC gets credit for both from many users. One air purifiers review on Viewpoints says this small-room model gets rid of enough cigarette smoke to keep a 15-year-old from complaining about his parents' smoking, and another notes that family members with allergies aren't bothered by two new kittens that just joined the household. The Hunter 30057 is a worthy second choice (it's not first on our list only because of the higher price) that collects positive reviews on Amazon from users who report it mitigates allergy symptoms and reduces pet odors.The best large room air purifier on our list, the Whirlpool Whispure 450, handily vanquishes the usual airborne irritants. One user posting a room air purifiers reviews on Amazon reports it cleaned the living room air after two raging wildfires in San Diego and others say it helped relieve allergy symptoms and an infant's nighttime coughing. The Whispure also tackles particulates; a user commenting on the Abt website says it keeps mold spores and pollen at bay. The AirFree Onix 3000 also wins high praise from users posting room air purifiers reviews on Amazon for eliminating funky smells, easing asthma attacks, improving sleep, and getting rid of the itchiness that was plaguing household pets; an expert review of air purifiers on Greenandmore.com also says the organism-incinerating technology of the AirFree Onix 3000 helps keep perishable food, like fruits and vegetables, fresher.
Opinion is sharply divided about the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze 3.0. User reviews of room air purifiers refer to a report several years ago by a consumer products testing organization that concluded the Ionic Breeze didn't effectively clean the air and also raised concerns about the potentially harmful ozone emitted by ionic air purifiers; although the amount of ozone emitted is small, several consumers express confusion about the ozone issue and are wary of ionic air purifiers. A few users posting air purifiers reviews on Epinions and Amazon doubt whether the Ionic Breeze 3.0 actually cleans the air or makes it smell fresher, although others point to the black gunk that collects on the plates as proof that it works and add that it cuts down on cooking and pet odors.
The Oreck XL Tabletop Professional seems to meet users' expectations for cleaning the air because few air purifiers reviews comment about its performance even though it gets dinged by professional testers; rather, users vent their frustrations about the difficulties of cleaning this model.
Air Purifier Maintenance.
When it comes to maintenance, the key issues are cleaning and filter replacement. The AirFree Onix 3000 stands out in this dimension because all you have to do is dust the outside from time to time: there's no filter, so there's nothing to clean and nothing to replace. Sensors on the RabbitAir BioFresh 421's LED display let you know when the filters need to be changed and the Whirlpool Whispure 450 features an indicator light for the same purpose. Room air purifiers reviews on Amazon gripe that the Holmes HAP242-CU collects enormous amounts of dust, and an expert at Air-purifier-power.com gives a detailed critique about the difficulty of taking apart, cleaning, and reassembling the housing on this model, which doesn't impress the reviewer in the slightest. Perhaps the loudest complaints are lodged against the Oreck XL Tabletop Professional; in air purifiers reviews on Amazon, users rail against the design and the impossibility of cleaning the proprietary electrostatic collector cell, even with the pricey foam cleaner Oreck says you should use.
Quiet Air Purifiers.
One important thing to remember about noise is that one person's white noise is another person's distraction. Most cheap room air purifiers have three speed settings and those with fans are the noisiest. Users report that the lowest setting is the least intrusive, although this reduces the rate at which air is circulated. Still, the Whirlpool Whispure 450 gets a nod of approval in a user post on Amazon for very quiet operation, even on the turbo setting. Both the Holmes and Hunter models also win plaudits for quiet operation. The AirFree Onix 3000 and the Ionic Breeze 3.0 are totally silent.
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Best Cheap Air Purifiers
Holmes HEPA-Type HAP242-UC
(Small Room) The Holmes HAP242-UC is designed for a maximum 109 square feet, features a baking-soda enhanced HEPA-type filter, three speeds, an optional ionizer, and a smoke CADR of 70; it can be placed vertically or horizontally. This is a good entry-level choice that appeals in part because of its cheap price.Air Purifiers Deals
Whirlpool Whispure 450
(Large Room) The Whispure cleans the air in areas up to 500 square feet and boasts a HEPA filter, carbon filter, and a permanent pre-filter; its smoke CADR of 317 is the highest of any air purifier on our list. It features three fan speeds and is Energy Star Qualified. Users particularly like the quiet operation and odor absorption.Air Purifiers Deals
Good Cheap Air Purifiers
Hunter 30057
(Small Room) The Hunter 30057 includes HEPA filters that are costly at replacement time but the unit itself is quite durable. It is intended for a 12x12 room and has a smoke CADR of 101 and an air exchange rate up to six times an hour. The unit is popular among pet owners who report relief from allergy symptoms. It also features a washable carbon pre-filter, a separate ionizer, and three fan speeds.Air Purifiers Deals
AirFree Onix 3000
(Large Room) The Onix 3000 could be the next big thing in cheap air purifiers. Its proprietary ceramic core technology destroys micro-organisms with ultra-high heat before returning cooled air into the room; the air is exchanged twice an hour. This no-fuss model dispenses with filters and collector plates, and the absence of a fan makes for silent operation. It features a small blue light that some users find annoying, but is otherwise praised for alleviating runny noses, sinus problems, and mold spores.Air Purifiers Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Air Purifers
Sharper Image Ionic Breeze 3.0
(Small Room) The Ionic Breeze costs more up front but very little in the long-run because there's no filter to change on this electronic ionizer. It uses minimal energy, runs silently, and is designed for rooms up to 270 square feet. Although many users report relief from symptoms caused by dust, pollen, and dander, there is some controversy about the health effects of the small amounts of ozone produced by this type of air purifier.
Oreck XL Tabletop Professional
(Large Room) Oreck is known for its vacuum cleaners but the XL Tabletop Professional falls short of the company's usual standards. Users complain this ionic room air purifier breaks down, is noisy, and doesn't clean air. And, compared to other large-room purifiers, it's a bit pricey, which makes the deficiencies all the more irritating.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Sharper Image Ionic Breeze 3.0 Oreck XL Tabletop Professional
Hunter 30057
AirFree Onix 3000
Holmes HEPA-Type HAP242-UC
Whirlpool Whispure 450
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