Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier Review

What the reviewers like:
Experts say the Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier does a very good job removing allergens at its highest speed setting -- while, oddly enough, other sources praise its quiet operation on the low (and much less effective) speed setting. This model is said to be best for rooms of 500 square feet or less.

What the reviewers don’t like:
Two expert sources (which conduct independent tests) point out that the Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier does only a mediocre job when it’s on the lower, quieter speed setting. Also, this air purifier’s replacement filters are fairly expensive.

Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier review highlights

Based on its tests results, the Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier presents a bit of a conundrum. Both Consumer Reports and Air-Purifiers-America.com say it’s much more effective at removing particles at high than at low speeds, but noise is a big problem when running on high. This air purifier receives high grades overall, despite some complaints about the high cost of its replacement filters ($150 for three smoke filters and $80 for three particle and gas filters). Sources agree that the IQAir HealthPro (*est. $700) and Alen A350 (*est. $350) are better choices overall.

The Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier is evaluated in depth by all the usual sources: Consumer Reports and Air-Purifiers-America.com, 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.

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 601 HEPA Air Purifier is tested against 35 other air purifiers in Consumer Reports’ most recent roundup (November 2007). Ratings for noise and particle removal on high and low speeds are included.

2. AirPurifiers America.com
Air Purifier Performance Test Results
Editors of Air-Purifiers-America.com

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 and Alen A350. However, particle removal is less impressive on the low speed setting.

3. Air-Purifier-Power.com
Blueair 601: Top Gun
Ed Sherbenou

Although reviewer Ed Sherbenou doesn’t personally test the Blueair 601, he’s intimately familiar with this air purifier. Overall, this is the second-ranked air purifier on the site, with the IQAir HealthPro in the number one slot.

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

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.

5. Consumer Guide.com
Expert Review: Blueair 601 Air Purifier
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
2-May-07

ConsumerGuide.com concedes that the Blueair 601 Air Purifier 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.

6. Amazon.com
Blueair 601 Air Purification System
Contributors to Amazon.com

Of the two owners posting to Amazon.com, one loves the Blueair 601 Air Purifier, but the other (echoing professional sources) says it hardly moves any air on the low setting.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

Blueair 601 HEPA Air Purifier Review