I did some research on home air purifiers because my daughter has mild allergies and I wanted to find something that would cut down on the pet dander and other airborne allergens in my home. During the colder months when the doors and windows are kept closed and fresh air is not being circulated throughout the house through open windows, irritants in the air are even more prevalent. It doesn’t matter how clean you are, there is no way to completely eliminate dust, dander, and pollen entirely; unless you live in a bubble. There are, however, ways to reduce the levels of irritants and allergens to a comfortable level with room air purifiers.
I wanted a portable air purifier that could easily be moved from room to room. During my research I found that a true HEPA air purifier was the best choice and of the those I looked at, the best air purifier I found was the Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier
What to Look for in Home Air Purifiers
There are some important things to look for and to avoid when you are looking at home air purifiers. Not all of them are useful and some can even be unhealthy. Here are the important features:
- True HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
- CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
- Filter Replacement
- Room Size
True HEPA Filter
HEPA, which is an acronym for “high efficiency particulate air” is a type of filter that is designed to capture a large amount of very tiny pollutants and particles. True HEPA filters must be able to trap at least 99.97% of particles that are .3 microns. To give you an idea of particle size, pollen can be anywhere from 5 to 100 microns and human hair between 70 to 100 microns. Particles that are .3 microns are the most difficult to trap and the ideal size for being able to pass into the human respiratory system. True HEPA filters are extremely efficient and this why this type of filter is used surgical facilities, clean rooms, laboratories and other environments that require high clean-air standards. HEPA filters are also beneficial for people who suffer from allergies.
“HEPA Type” and “HEPA Like” filters are not the same as True HEPA filters. They are not made to the same standards and capture only 85% – 90% of particles and even less for particles of one micron or below.
True HEPA filters are move expensive to replaces than other types of filters, however, the Honeywell 50250 uses a permanent True HEPA Filter. Rather than having to replace it, all you need to do is vacuum it twice a year. The permanent filter an excellent feature with this model and will save you a substantial amount of money over the life of the air purifier.
Because HEPA filters are not designed to eliminate odors, the Honeywell 50250 also uses a carbon activated pre-filter that helps remove odors. The pre-filter does need to be replaced periodically and this model features an Intelli-Check filter monitor which tells you when it’s time to replace it. The pre-filters replacement filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
NOTE: Ozone is a gas that is know to cause health problems including respiratory tract irritation and difficulty breathing. Unlike some other home air purifiers on the market, the Honeywell 50250 is NOT a hazardous ozone-generating air purifier.
CADR
CADR, which stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, is certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). The CADR, created as a standard to compare the effectiveness of an air purifier, indicates the volume of filtered air the purifier can deliver. There are typically three CADR numbers, one for pollen, one for dust, and the third for tobacco smoke. The higher the number, the faster the unit can filter the air.
When looking at the CADR numbers for home air purifiers, you will want to choose one that has a CADR of at least 2/3 of your room’s total area. For example, if you have a room that is 120 square feet, you would need a unit that has a CADR of no less than 80.
The Honeywell 50250 portable air purifier has the following CADR:
- 250 Dust
- 250 Pollen
- 250 Smoke
Room Size
Room air purifiers are manufactured in various sizes and it is important to make sure you purchase a unit that will efficiently filter the air in the room for its intended use. It may seem convenient to have a smaller unit, however, if you use a purifier in a room that is larger than its recommended room size, it will perform poorly.
The Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier is AHAM certified for larger rooms, up to 17′ x 22′. You can use it smaller rooms, however, it is recommended that you not use it in rooms that are larger than 17′ x 22 or, have a total of more than 390 square feet.
Honeywell 50250 Unique Features
The Honeywell 50250 is round, unlike many other home air purifiers which either towers or have a boxy, rectangular shape. Because the Honeywell 50250 is round, it has a 360-degree airflow, which means a larger air intake. The unit also has three fan speeds allowing you to use a higher setting during the day when there is more activity in the house and a lower speed at night, when everyone is asleep.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
The Honeywell 50250 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier has a regular price of $199.99 on the Honeywell website, but you really shouldn’t have to pay more than $160 for this portable air purifier. The cheapest price I found was on Amazon where it is consistently sells for below the recommended retail price.
What’s Included
Honeywell 50250 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier
True HEPA Filter
Carbon Activated Pre-Filter
Does This HEPA Air Purifier Include a Warranty?
Yes, the Honeywell 50250 includes a 5 year limited warranty.
What People Are Saying
This portable air purifier has received excellent reviews with an average rating of 4 out 5. Here’s what the reviewers on Amazon are saying:
- “This is the best bang for the buck when it comes to larger air purifiers.”
- “This product does a great job sucking dust out of the air and is easy to maintain.”
- “The air feels noticeably fresher and cleaner, I can’t really describe it any other way.”
- “We both noticed great relief from allergies and sleep better too.”
- “This unit is the real deal and not a light weight piece of junk.”
- “I would definitely recommend this air purifier to others.”
- “They work great in removing cooking, smoking, and pet odors from our home.”
Any Complaints?
Basically, the only complaint I found about the Honeywell 50250 is that it is loud on the highest setting. The solution – run it on high when you’re not home and switch it to low when you’re in the house or sleeping.
Where Can You Purchase the Honeywell 50250 HEPA Air Purifier?
You can purchase the Honeywell 50250 from Amazon. At this time they offer free shipping and after comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does have the best deal because of the free shipping option. Click Here to view on Amazon.
Where Can I Find More Reviews?
The best place to find honest reviews from people who actually use home air purifiers is Amazon. Click Here to read more reviews.
