Customer Reviews

Holmes HAP424-U HEPA-Type Tower Air Purifier

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I got this filter because I have cats and birds, and before I started using it, I always had a coating of "bird dust" on everything and was concerned about breathing it. I bought it in mid summer, and in early fall, I opened it up to see if the filters were "catching" anything, and sure enough, they were covered with a fine powdery silt, and then I realized that the bird dust that used to cover desks and other surfaces had almost disappeared since I had started using it. I was grateful to know that the machine had been doing its job. Whenever it was on, I did notice a subtle change in air quality...it seemed fresher. I have kept it running almost constantly for three months, and have not had any problems with it.

While it's working, I don't notice the sound that much, especially on the lower setting which is what I usually keep it on. It simply becomes "white noise". The higher setting is definitely louder, so if that's something that bothers a person, it should be kept in mind, but it's a humming, blowing sound, not rattling or harsh.

I can't compare it to other air purifiers because it's the only one I've ever had, but for the price, and for a person on a budget, I think it's done an amazing job. I'd like to get another for a different part of my house.

Ok this machine IS noisy, but certainly not annoying to any degree. Sounds like a fan, not a motor. I recently changed the filter and noticed that it had picked up a ton of airborne dirt and debri. I also feel less stuffy in the morning. So, I will happily accept the fan noise and highly recommend this unit! It's also rather inexpensive for what it can do. Overall, a sound investment.

I bought this machine due to my son being diagnosed with several allergies...dust, dust mites, mold, pollens etc. It seems a bit noisy, but nothing I cant get used to, and the air seems cleaner and fresher already!! I guess that means less housework when it comes time to dust..woohoo! Also, if you read consumer reports tells you how BAD the Ionic Breeze is for you, as it creates ozone, which is a toxic emission, that may clear odor, but can poison you as well...hmmm I think I will save my $ and stick with my HEPA filter from Holmes!!

I read all of the reviews about it being excessively loud, but went ahead and bought 2 anyways (found a clearance sale on another site). Unpacked, unwrapped and plugged in...LOUD as you can be and just like the other reviewers mentioned.

So I unplugged it, got out my flashlight and did a little investigating. Shined the flashlight in the front vent (darker grey cover) towards the bottom. Inside you will see a black plastic wheel. I had a pair of tweezers and used those to turn the wheel (it goes easily around, no stripping of gears or anything like that). What did I find??? A small piece of black plastic (less than 1/4 inch) hanging on the edge of of one of the fins on the fan's wheel. It looked like where they manufactured the wheels, similar to a plastic model car kit (hope that makes sense). The people at Holmes apparently didn't do very good quality control on these and some slipped through with that sliver of plastic on the wheel. Pulled that piece off with the tweezers, and VOILA! No more noise. It's been going for hours now with no annoying "paperclip in the fan, can't hear myself type on the keyboard" noise.

I didn't unscrew anything. All I needed was a flashlight and the tweezers.

If yours is extra noisy, get out a flashlight and look carefully in there. Get some tweezers or something to turn that wheel so you can look at all sides. Good luck!

Now even on high, it's relatively quiet. I was about to return mine, but glad I didn't.

Oh, I gave it 4 stars just for the trouble I had getting rid of that noise. I will update this review if I have any trouble.

my 1 year old has had allergies pretty much since he was born. poor baby. i have always felt so sorry for him, his eyes always watering and waking up with goopy eyes. and all that wonderful allergy stuff.
i pluged this in 4 days ago and yesterday i realized my sons eyes are clear and he hasnt been itching his face for a couple days!! i have noticed the air quality is better in my boys room than in the rest of the house. i wish i would have grabbed a couple of these when i got this one! (i got it at frys for $50)
exactly what i wanted, exactly what i needed!
i also want to note that when this is on low you can barely hear it, on medium setting (the suggested setting) it is not loud, but definitly audible, on high, it it quieter than a box fan on high. but i love the high setting for when my son is taking a nap, it helps him sleep better, i keep it on low during the day, high at night and during naps.

My daughter is away at school and living in an old dorm. Her room reeked of mildew and the air quality in the room was very poor. Since the air purifier was placed in there, the air quality in the room has improved 100%. When the de-humidifier arrives we expect even better results.

I own this for approx 4 month now and its been working fine. The only thing that I have noticed is that it is loud when turn on high (Like a Fan). I leave it on the entire day and now it seems that it is making a lauder noise (even on Medium). If you dont mind the noise that this product makes, then buy it. If you want something that its quite, find something else.

We bought this purifier for our 2 year-old daughter about 3 months ago. She has terrible allergies and is always congested in the morning. Since we started using the fan in her room every night, no more stuffy noses and coughing in the morning. Plus, the noise of the fan keeps her sleeping longer! It is the perfect size and we often move it into other rooms during the day to freshen them up. We will probably purchase another in the spring for our allergies. The only down side is replacing two filters, but an investment worthwhile and cheaper than cough medicine.

I used to wake up everyday with a severly stuffed up nose. And it would also gets stuffed up throughout the day when i am home. I have had this unit for about 5 days now and I love it. My air is clean and my nose is clear! And this unit pulls a lot of air! Yeah it noisy on the highest setting, but you shouldn't really use it on the highest setting all the time anyway. I have a fan running 24/7 cuz I don't like heat much. The sound of this unit is about as loud as my fan so it doesn't bother me at all. I recommend this unit highly.

i got mine from target. i initally bought it to circulate the air in my room and not necessarily to filter it...

it certainly did the job of moving the air and filtering it.

however, after only about a month of use this thing started squeaking/chirping.. and it just got worse as the days went by...

after 2 months of use it wouldn't even start right. i would put it on the highest setting and it would just hum like it was on the lowest setting and then eventually get up to speed (after a few hours, sometimes days).

i am thisclose to throwing this in the trash because it makes so much noise. as soon as i use up the new filters i bought for it, it's going in the trash.

the noise is just unbearably loud. sounds like a bearing has lost its lubrication and is just rubbing plastic to rubber.

very annoying.