Hunter QuietFlo 30401 Review

What the reviewers like:
Expert sources agree that the Hunter QuietFlo 30401 does a decent job cleaning large (approximately 300 square feet) rooms. This machine appears to be very quiet on low settings, and reviewers like its programmability, which lets it change speeds over the course of a day.

What the reviewers don’t like:
One source says the Hunter QuietFlo 30401doesn’t have enough activated carbon in its pre-filter, and another says its HEPA filters can be confusing to change. This machine can be loud on its higher speed settings.

Hunter QuietFlo 30401 review highlights

Reviewers and owners agree that the Hunter QuietFlo 30401 is a good value, but other models are better rated overall. This air purifier finished in the top ten in one thorough, comparative review, and both Air-Purifier-Power.com and AllergyBuyersClub.com say it does a good job cleaning fairly large (300 square foot) rooms, also praising its programmable operation. However, Air-Purifier-Power.com says the 30401 doesn’t have enough activated carbon in its pre-filter, and AllergyBuyersClub.com says its HEPA filters can be confusing to change. Also, while reviewers say this machine is quiet on low speed settings, it’s much louder on high speed settings. For a bit more money, we found better reviews for the Whirlpool AP51030 (*est. $300).

The Hunter QuietFlo 30401 (which is also known as the Hunter 401) pops up in a fair number of reviews. This machine was tested by Consumer Reports in November 2007, and is thoroughly evaluated by the enthusiast site Air-Purifier-Power.com and the retailer AllergyBuyersClub.com. We also found one fairly thorough owner review of the QuietFlo posted 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 Hunter QuietFlo 30401 is one of 36 air purifiers tested in the November 2007 roundup by Consumer Reports. By injecting allergens into a test chamber, then measuring air purifier performance at several time intervals on both high and low speeds, editors test models for dust and smoke removal, ozone emission and noise level.

2. Air-Purifier-Power.com
Hunter Air Purifier Review
Ed Sherbenou

Reviewer Ed Sherbenou doesn’t test the Hunter QuietFlo 30401 himself, but does a good job comparing its specs and mechanics to other air purifiers. His biggest complaint is that the QuietFlo doesn’t have enough activated carbon in its pre-filter; otherwise, he gives this machine good grades, saying it’s "worth the money in the lower part of its price range."

3. Allergy Buyers Club.com
Hunter QuietFlo Air Purifiers Review
Editors of AllergyBuyersClub.com

AllergyBuyersClub.com -- which points out the pluses and minuses of the products it sells -- says the Hunter QuietFlo 30401 picks up a high proportion of particles and is very quiet on its low settings. On the downside, editors say the HEPA filters can be confusing to change. They especially like the 30401 because it can be programmed to change speeds at various times of the day.

4. Epinions
Hunter QuietFlo 401 Air Purifier
Contributors to Epinions

Only one owner posts a comment about the Hunter QuietFlo 30401, but he goes into a reasonable amount of depth and seems genuine. He says this machine cleans effectively, but is slightly noisy on its higher settings.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers

Hunter QuietFlo 30401 Review