Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier Review

What the reviewers like:
Owners say the Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier does a good job removing pet smells.

What the reviewers don’t like:
The Holmes is said to be noisy, prone to vibration and ineffective at filtering small particles. One owner complains about the $50/year cost of replacement filters.

Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier review highlights

The Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier combines HEPA and carbon filtration with an electric ionizer, and is intended for very small (no more than 120 square foot) rooms. Owners are generally pleased with this air purifier, saying it’s reasonably effective and powerful for its size, and especially good at removing pet smells. However, there are some complaints about noise, vibration and filter price (one owner estimates the cost of replacement filters at $50 a year, more than half the cost of the machine). For about $40 more, consider the better rated Honeywell Enviracaire 50250 (*est. $150).

Although Consumer Reports evaluates three Holmes air purifiers in its October 2005 roundup, two of those models have since been discontinued -- and one of their replacements, the Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier, has yet to be tested by any source. Still, we were able to get a good idea of this machine’s worth by scanning owner comments at Amazon.com, Target.com, and Epinions.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

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

1. Amazon.com
Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Mini Tower Air Purifier Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

Only two owners post comments to Amazon.com about the Holmes HAP412-U, but one goes into professional-level depth. She says the Holmes is small, effective and has a powerful fan, but criticizes its noise, expensive filters ($50 of upkeep per year) and ease of cleaning.

2. Target.com
Holmes Mini Tower HEPA-Type Air Purifier Review
Contributors to Target.com

All the reviewers at Target.com have good things to say about the Holmes, and especially praise its ability to remove pet smells.

3. Epinions
Holmes HAP412-BNU Air Purifier Review
Contributors to Epinions

The single owner posting at Epinions says the Holmes doesn’t perform above its price level, owing to an improper fit for the filter and a noisy rattle during use. He does admit that it’s good at trapping large particles.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

Holmes HAP412-U HEPA Tower Air Purifier Review