Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 Review

What the reviewers like:
Experts say the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 should do a good job clearing odors and allergens from small (100- to 150-square foot) rooms.

What the reviewers don’t like:
We didn't find enough solid performance evaluation for this model to recommend it over other air purifiers that have undergone more extensive performance testing.

Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 review highlights

Overall, experts have good things to say about the Austin Air HealthMate Jr., though they note that Austin Air’s claim of a 750-square-foot coverage area is overly generous (both Air-Purifier-Power.com and AllergyBuyersClub.com recommend using this machine in 100- to 150-square-foot rooms, while ConsumerGuide.com, which claims to have tested this unit, goes along with the 750-square-foot claim). The HealthMate Jr. has a 6.5 pound core of activated carbon and zeolite, making it potentially good at eradicating odors, and its most expensive filter shouldn’t have to be replaced for three or four years. For the price, though, you may be better off with the Alen T300 Tower (*est. $300), which has received better reviews.

The Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 doesn’t receive quite as many reviews as its larger sibling, the Austin Air HealthMate HM-400. For example, it’s not included in Consumer Reports’ latest roundup of air purifiers. However, the HealthMate Jr. is evaluated (if not thoroughly tested) by Air-Purifier-Power.com, AllergyBuyersClub.com and ConsumerGuide.com. We didn’t find enough owner reviews of the HealthMate Jr. at sites such as Epinions or Amazon.com to merit inclusion.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Air-Purifier-Power.com
Austin Air Cleaner: HealthMate Jr. HM-200 Review
Ed Sherbenou

Although he doesn’t test the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200, reviewer Ed Sherbenou offers a detailed, critical description. He praises the machine’s 6.5 pounds of activated carbon, and applauds its "pure value" for the price. He notes, though, that the HealthMate Jr. probably only works in very small (100 or so square foot) rooms.

2. Allergy Buyers Club.com
Austin Air Purifiers -- HealthMate Series
Editors of AllergyBuyersClub.com

Like Air-Purifier-Power.com, AllergyBuyersClub.com recommends the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 for small rooms -- 150 square feet or so. The editors note that Austin air cleaners "concentrate on the important essentials of air cleaning and are not loaded with fancy features," and emphasize Austin’s value for the money. However, editors did not test the HealthMate Jr. scientifically.

3. Consumer Guide.com
Expert Review: Austin Air HealthMate HM-200 Jr. Air Purifier
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
1-May-07

It’s clear that ConsumerGuide.com didn’t thoroughly test the Austin HealthMate Jr. HM-200, as evidenced by the remark that "it can clear rooms up to 700 square feet, an impressive accomplishment for a diminutive air purifier." (As other sources point out, despite the specs listed on the box, the HealthMate Jr. works best in very small rooms, ranging from 100 to 200 square feet). The only downside noted here is the lack of casters on this 18-pound machine.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

Austin Air HealthMate Jr. HM-200 Review