EmailBest Reviewed
Air Purifiers
- Best air purifier overall IQAir HealthPro *Est. $750
- Best value Alen A350 *Est. $400
- Air cleaner for very small rooms Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-N *Est. $160
- Furnace filter 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen Filter *Est. $17
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- High clean-air delivery rate
- Quiet operation when on low
- Expensive
- Takes up a lot of space
- Replacement filters are fairly expensive
February 2009. Reviewers say that the Blueair 601 is an excellent air purifier, and it works especially well on high speed. While it's generally judged quiet on low speed, it's noisy on high. However Air-Purifier-Power.com's review states that it isn't necessary to run the unit on high for long because of its fast air purification rate. The President of AllergyBuyersClub.com agrees. This air purifier receives high grades overall, despite some complaints about the high cost of its replacement filters ($70 for three particle and gas filters and $150 for the optional three smoke filters). Most sources agree that the IQAir HealthPro (*est. $750) and Alen A350 (*est. $400) are better choices overall.
The Blueair 601 HEPA air purifier is evaluated in-depth by Consumer Reports and Air-Purifiers-America.com, both of which conduct independent tests. The Blueair air purifier is also evaluated by enthusiast site Air-Purifier-Power.com, the retail site AllergyBuyersClub.com and ConsumerGuide.com, which doesn't appear to actually test this unit but does a good job describing its features and operation. A handful of owners posting to Amazon.com also weigh in.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Blueair 601 HEPA air purifier is tested against 35 other air purifiers in Consumer Reports' most recent roundup. Ratings for noise and particle removal on high and low speeds are included.
Review: Air Purifiers, Editors of Consumer Reports, Dec. 2007
Air-Purifiers-America.com tests air purifier models with a laser particle counter, which measures the air purifier's ability to remove pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust particles from the air. Test results show the Blueair 601 air purifier removes a high proportion of particles from a 132-square-foot room, second only to the IQAir HealthPro series. However, particle removal is less impressive on the low speed setting.
Review: Air Purifier Performance Test Results, Editors of Air-Purifiers-America.com
Although reviewer Ed Sherbenou doesn't personally test the Blueair 601, provides a detailed write-up. Overall, this is the second-ranked air purifier on the site, with the IQAir HealthPro in the number one slot.
Review: Blueair 601: Top Gun, Ed Sherbenou
Oddly, AllergyBuyersClub.com says one of the main advantages of the Blueair 601 air purifier is that it's "virtually silent" on the low setting -- while both Consumer Reports and Air-Purifiers-America.com say it's only effective at cleaning air on the high setting.
Review: Blueair 600 Series Air Purifiers, Editors of AllergyBuyersClub.com
ConsumerGuide.com concedes that the Blueair 601 is "bulky," but praises its quiet operation on low and medium settings. However, editors don't seem to have tested its effectiveness at removing allergens.
Review: Expert Review: Blueair 601 Air Purifier, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, May 2, 2007
6. Amazon.com
Of the 23 owners posting to Amazon.com, most are happy with the Blueair 601 Air Purifier and say it is quiet on the lowest setting. The two negative postings (echoing professional reviewers' opinions) say it hardly moves any air on the low setting and it is loud on the highest setting.
Review: Blueair 601 Air Purification System, Contributors to Amazon.com
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IQAir HealthPro Plus HEPA Air Purifier - Air Cleaner with with Gas and Odor Filter - HyperHepa Technology
 from Amazon.com New: $899.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:   |
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