Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier Review

What the reviewers like:
In tests, the Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier does an above-average job of removing dust and smoke from air on its highest speed setting.

What the reviewers don’t like:
The Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier’s performance suffers on lower speed settings, and users say it can be very loud on the high setting. There’s some dissatisfaction from owners about the high cost of this machine’s replacement filters, potentially hundreds of dollars a year.

Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier review highlights

As with the Blueair 601, the main issue with the Blueair 501 (which combines electrostatic and HEPA-like filtration) is its performance on different speed settings. One expert source, which conducts its own testing, rates this air purifier’s cleaning ability above average for high speed settings, but below average for low speed settings. Also as with the 601, experts and owners appreciate this machine’s quiet performance -- but on the low (and less effective) speed settings. We found some complaints from owners about the high cost of replacement filters ($79 for a three-pack), which leads to the verdict that buyers may be better off with a cheaper, higher-rated air purifier such as the Alen A350 (*est. $400). One expert says the Blueair 501 works best in rooms of 380 square feet or less.

The Blueair 501 Air Purifier doesn’t receive quite as many reviews from owners or experts as the Blueair 601, but it still registers on most sources’ radars: this air purifier is included in Consumer Reports’ most recent category roundup, and is also discussed by Air-Purifier-Power.com and AllergyBuyersClub.com, as well as few owners posting on Epinions.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

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

1. Consumer Reports
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Air Purifiers
Editors of Consumer Reports
Nov. 2007

The Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier is tested against over 30 other air purifiers in Consumer Reports’ latest tests, which rate air purifiers and their ability to remove allergens from the air while operating at both high and low speeds. Noise is also evaluated.

2. Air-Purifier-Power.com
Blueair 501 Air Purifier Review
Ed Sherbenou

Reviewer Ed Sherbenou doesn’t test the Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier, but has some interesting observations. He says the cost of replacing the filters on this combination air purifier (which uses electrostatic and HEPA-like filtration) is high, but that it should do a good job removing allergens.

3. Allergy Buyers Club.com
Blueair Air Purifiers -- Models 601, 501 & 402
Editors of AllergyBuyersClub.com

Reviewers at AllergyBuyersClub.com are very upbeat about Blueair air purifiers in general. As with the Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier, the editors say one of the most attractive features of the 501 is its silent operation on low speed settings. However, editors don't appear to have tested this unit with a particle counter.

4. Epinions
Blueair 501 Air Purifier Review
Contributors to Epinions

Many of the owners posting at Epinions are happy with the Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier, especially its easy maintenance and noise level, but a common complaint is the high cost of replacement filters.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

Blueair 501 HEPA Air Purifier Review