Whirlpool AP51030R Review

What the reviewers like:
In one major test, the Whirlpool AP51030R air purifier earns very high scores for dust and smoke removal. Owners posting to user-review sites are also very satisfied with this machine.

What the reviewers don’t like:
Noise, particular when used on high speed, is a problem for the Whirlpool air purifier, and its replacement filters are fairly expensive.

Whirlpool AP51030R review highlights

In the most comprehensive air purifier test we found, the Whirlpool AP51030R earns high scores for dust and smoke removal but is a bit noisy. In another test of 14 air purifiers, the Whirlpool finished in the middle of the pack. Other reviewers also note that it's noisy on high speed, and theat the cost of its replacement filters ($100 for the main HEPA filter and $30 for a box of charcoal pre-filters) is high. Owner reviews are positive overall, though several owners with the owner's manual was more comprehensive. Overall, the Whirlpool AP51030 is one of the best picks in this price range, according to reviewer consensus. It's intended for rooms up to 400 square feet.

The Whirlpool AP51030R is identical to the Kenmore 83202 True HEPA Air Cleaner (both are made by Whirlpool), so reviews we found of both models also apply to both. Consumer Reports tested this air purifier in its November 2007 roundup of almost 40 models -- the largest comparison test we found for air purifiers. The Whirlpool air purifier is also tested by Air-Purifiers-America.com, and its construction and features are extensively evaluated at Air-Purifier-Power.com. The Kenmore version of this air purifier is reviewed by a fair number of owners posting to Sears.com, while we found user ratings for the Whirlpool branded model at Amazon.com.

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 Kenmore 335 CADR True HEPA Air Cleaner -- the twin of the Whirlpool AP51030 -- is among the 36 air purifiers tested by Consumer Reports in its November 2007 roundup. In this controlled test, air purifiers are judged on their ability to remove allergens from a test chamber. Noise level is also evaluated, and editors measure for ozone emissions.

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

Air-Purifiers-America.com tests air purifier models with a high-performance laser particle counter, which measures the air purifier’s ability to remove particulate allergens from the air. In a test of 14 air purifiers, the Whirlpool AP51030R finishes in the middle of the pack, performing better than seven more expensive air purifiers.

3. Air-Purifier-Power.com
Whirlpool AP51030R Review
Ed Sherbenou

Reviewer Ed Sherbenou doesn’t conduct performance testing with a particle counter, but he does take a look at third-party reviews. Sometimes, Sherbenou takes air purifiers apart to examine their mechanics. However, his writeup for the Whirlpool AP51030 doesn’t appear to be based on a hands-on examination.

4. Amazon.com
Whirlpool 510 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

There are a handful of owner written reviews here for the Whirlpool AP51030R, but we found more numerous ratings at Sears.com. However, reviews here are positive on the whole; one owner says it didn’t do much to remove tobacco odors from the air.

5. Sears.com
Kenmore 335 CADR True HEPA Air Purifier Review
Contributors to Sears.com

About two dozen owners posting at Sears.com have are relatively positive about this Kenmore air purifier -- which is identical to the Whirlpool AP51030R. Most say it's not too noisy, though a couple wish the manual was better written.

6. Epinions
Whirlpool AP51030R Review
Contributors to Epinions

About a dozen owners posting comments to Epinions are pleased with their Whirlpool AP51030 air purifier. Several remark that it's reasonably quiet, and that it does a particularly good job with cat hair.

Also see full report: Air Purifiers