Blueair 501 Air Purification System

by Blueair

Product Features

• Air purification system for rooms up to 620 square feet
• Sleek, contemporary, Swedish design; steel housing; easy to use and maintain
• 2-stage HEPASilent technology captures 99.97-percent of 0.1 micron particles
• Ultra-quiet operation; energy efficient, pleasant SurroundAir system
• Measures 26 by 20 by 13 inches; 10-year warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 20 x 26 inches ; 35 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 44.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00006WNLM
• Item model number: Blueair501
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,205 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen)
  • #39 in Home & Kitchen > Heating, Cooling & Air Quality > Air Purifiers > Charcoal Air Purifiers

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For rooms up to 620 square feet, this air purification system features two-stage HEPASilent technology that captures 99.97-percent of 0.1 micron particles, including allergy-provoking pollen grains, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander particles. Particles that a HEPA filter alone might miss are captured with an electrostatic charge. HEPASilent technology moves particles through an enclosed ion chamber, which attaches a charge to the particle itself. Charged particles cling more easily to the filter media, resulting in higher filter efficiency overall. Because most electrostatic air cleaners charge the filter media itself, the charge dissipates over time and renders the filter less efficient. By constantly charging incoming particles, instead of the filter, HEPASilent technology keeps on working effectively.

The air purifier's nontoxic polypropylene filter contains millions of ultra-thin fibers that trap tiny particles as they pass through the pleats. One of the least harmful plastics for human health and the environment, polypropylene works without outgassing or shedding irritating microscopic fibers into the air. Because polypropylene is waterproof, the filter resists contamination from bacteria, viruses, and mold naturally, without chemical additives. And as used filters are discarded and decompose, the filter media converts into harmless carbon dioxide and water.

Not only does the unit clean air with filters, it’s HEPASilent filter technology also allows for extremely quiet operation. On the lowest setting, the unit emits no more sound than a desktop computer. With its HEPASilent filter technology, particles are trapped with both mechanical and electrostatic filters so that in combination, the two filters create a filter system through which air flows freely and the fan doesn't have to work so hard. The unit's design is also geared towards quiet operation with its noise-muffling steel housing. Not only quiet, but the air purifier is energy efficient as well, costing about the same amount to clean indoor air as it does to power a light bulb--15 watts on low to 95 watts on high.

The air purification system operates quietly, efficiently, as well as inoffensively. Instead of discharging a windy stream of filtered air, the unit diffuses air gently through an area six times greater than the average air cleaner. Its SurroundAir system achieves peak performance without annoying drafts by drawing in dirty air from the sides and bottom, moving it through a less dense filter media, and releasing clean, filtered air from the sides and top. Operating on its lowest setting, the system produces virtually no noticeable draft, while still providing an exceptional air exchange rate.

The air purifier features a sleek, contemporary, Swedish design and is easy to use and maintain. Simply plug it in, select the speed setting, and it is ready to go, with a bright blue power "on" light to show that it's working. The grilles and powder-coated steel exterior are easy to wipe clean, and when the filter needs to be replaced (twice yearly), just open the lid, lift out the old filters, and drop the new ones in. Choose the optional SmokeStop filter kit for better protection from smoke and other airborne gases. This quiet, efficient, easy-to-use air purifier measures 26 by 20 by 13 inches and carries a 10-year warranty. --Catie Unger

Product Description

Blueair is the system for people living with alergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, or for anyone who wants cleaner, more breathable air. A revolutionairy combination of advanced filter media and an encapsulated ion particle charging chamber makes it possible for the Blueaur air purification system to achieve better results than either technology alone. Our patented HEPASilent filter technology is proven effective at capturing 99.97% of the tiniest 0.1 micron particles. The quietest unit in the industry, Blueair's low-density filter clean larger volumes of air more quietly than any other unit in the industry. Hence the name HEPASilent(r) a Blueair Exclusive. Bacteria-resistant filters, Blueair's filters are made of bacteria-resistant polypropylene. Because polypropylene is waterproof, the filters naturally reist contamination from bacteria, viruses and mold without chemical additives or washes. And the filters only need replacement every six months, a process that takes under 30 seconds. The Blueair 501 is for room sizes up to 620 square feet.10 year limted warranty, Award-winning Swedish design

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Purifier I Have Ever Used, January 21, 2008

By 

Shawn LoCascio "Yummy Delicious" (San Mateo CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blueair 501 Air Purification System (Kitchen)

I have tried many types of purifiers over the years. My allergies would always lay me out and severely impact my quality of life. After becoming disillusioned by the Honeywell HEPAs and the Orek (eegads never buy the Orek!!!!!) I started a very detailed research project.

Consistently, the BlueAir purifiers were at the top of every review and recommendation list. The only things beating them out were either attached to a house (I live in an apartment) or over $800. While the BlueAir itself is not cheap, I decided that my health was not worth saving the few hundred dollars another Honeywell would save me.

It was the best $500 I ever spent.

It runs quiet, it moves huge volumes of air and the filters are obviously doing their job. My allergies have subsided to a point where I no longer take meds!

The unit has 4 speed settings, the lowest being called "HEPASilent" which is barely audible, and the highest being much too loud to use during sleep. I find the 3rd setting to be the best performance to noise ratio. I can sleep perfectly fine at this level and I am a fairly light sleeper.

The unit can be heavy for lifting purposes, but comes on casters so you can easily wheel it around to different rooms.

If I had any gripes about this purifier, it would be the lack of a pre-filter. The unit essentially sucks air from the bottom and shoots it out the top, front, and back. Dust accumulates on the metal housing frame and must be cleaned during each filter change. Cleaning the housing can be a tad difficult unless you have a very slender vacuum hose.

The other potentially annoying thing is the fairly bright blue power light on the side. I hardly even notice it after over a year of use.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works Really Well!, November 24, 2007

By 

Jennifer N. Blanchard "vermonter16" (Manassas, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blueair 501 Air Purification System (Kitchen)

I bought three of these for our townhouse - 1 for each level. We have 27 windows in this house (at least) and the dust is unbelievable! At first when I plugged in these purifiers I wasn't sure I noticed any difference so I did a test. I dusted in the master bedroom which gets the most dust (8 windows alone)and let this puppy go. Oh there was still dust after a two week period but then I dusted again and turned it off....the room was caked in dust so this purifier is definitely doing some heavy duty work. We've had these now for about 2 years and I think they're great! I'm glad we went with this model. After 6 months just look at your filters - it's amazing how much dirt this machine takes in.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Unit, December 4, 2007

By 

Photoman "Ken" (North Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blueair 501 Air Purification System (Kitchen)

I bought this unit last year. It does a good job of eliminating the dust. The owners manual says to replace the filters every six months. When I first read that, I thought that was just a tactic to make more money. After six months I checked them, and they needed to be replaced. With new filters, I turned it up to the next higher speed, and within three months they were dirty. The filters are not cheap (other brands aren't either), but that's the price I have to pay for cleaner air.

This unit has four speeds. On one and two, it's almost silent. On speed three you can hear it, but it's not objectionable. I leave it on that one all the time. The highest setting is too loud.

The unit uses electostatic technology, and at first the air seemed to have an unusual quality, like being at a high altitude. But after about a month I got used to it, and now I would never turn it off.

The only objection I have to this and most of the low to moderate priced home air purifiers is they don't adequately eliminate gases and/or odors. But as far as overall performance, this does a good job.