AIR FILTER

Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04712 Allergen Reducing Filter
$14.99
I was expecting to receive the 04712 3m TrueAir filter but instead received an RPS Products 'BestAir' (HD712). This shouldn't be advertised as the original if you're actually getting a replacement filter.

Hunter 30090 QuietFlo HEPA Air Purifier with 3-Speed Fan
$120.00
I p-urchased this unit from Amazon and within 3 months of intermittent use, the unit failed. It ceased to run. When it ran it as very silent and apparently effective in a small room. The quality however was wanting.

Honeywell HFD-010 QuietClean Compact Tower Air Purifier with Permanent Filter
$99.99
I ordered this filter as a replacement for one that finally died (different manufacturer). It works great, takes up very little floor "footprint" space, and even at at full speed (two settings only on the model I purchased), it's doesn't bother me. It's very lightweight and easy to move from room to room, if needed; you can pick it up with one hand and carry it. The filter releases easily from the unit, and while I haven't needed to clean it yet, the instructions make the process seem extremely easy.

I've got pets (one is on meds for respiratory issues) so this purifier MUST work well--so far, it's terrific. Highly recommended!

Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier
$210.99
While this product has both pros and cons, having lived with it for a month, I'm VERY pleased with its overall performance. There is absolutely no dust visible in the air, even when looking for some particles near a sunlit window. None. Zero.

The unit is fairly large, about half the size of a steel garbage can brought to the curb. This may be an issue for some people, but conversely, a smaller unit would not move (and therefore not filter) as much air.

It moves A LOT of air, so it can get windy sitting nearby. But because it moves so much air, it works so well. We leave it on the lowest setting 24 hours a day, because turning it up to medium or high would be ridiculous. It really moves a lot of air. The air enters into and flows out of the unit in a 360 degree pattern, so the unit cannot be "aimed" towards, or away from, nearby objects.

Some have compared this unit to a Sharp model (which costs twice as much), but they should be comparing two of these to a unit costing twice as much, and three of these to a unit costing three times as much.

Some consider the unit loud, but it doesn't bother me, and the "white noise" puts me right to sleep at night.

Construction quality is EXCELLENT. They generally "don't make stuff like this anymore." Mine was made in Mexico. The plastic is high quality -- the vents, the controls, and the convenient carry handle built into the top, all feel solid. I opened the unit up (there's a large plastic nut on the bottom) to examine the HEPA filter (which is huge), and even the filter felt solid and well made.

The unit sold directly from Amazon (can't comment on ones from 3rd party sellers) is the current model with the silver control panel on top, and is very handsome (much nicer than the older model visible in some customer-uploaded photos above). This unit is the "50250N" model, which was apparently an internal model number used by the manufacturer, and never actually labeled on the packaging/unit as "50250N." The difference is the "N" (new) model features the "lifetime" HEPA filter which doesn't need to be changed. The current "N" model is also cosmetically nicer than the prior version. To be clear, there is only one current model of this air cleaner, the 50250 (which was internally called a 50250N by the manufacturer). The 250 in the model number refers to a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 250.

The unit has a fairy bright blue light visible at night, but this is likely a safety feature so people don't trip over the unit while heading to the bathroom late at night. It didn't bother me, and I actually find the "night light" helpful. The markings on the blue lighted dial were unreadable, however, but given that there are only 4 positions (Off, Low, Medium, and High) this isn't a big deal.

Note that the manufacturer recommends turning the unit on "High" for a few seconds EVERY time the unit is switched on, to create extra suction on the filter gaskets for the tightest possible seal. Then switch it to Medium or Low as desired after a few seconds. We let it run 24 hours a day on low.

If you can live with the size and the amount of air it moves, you will be very happy with this unit.

We are very happy with the unit, and will buy additional units for other areas of the house in the future.