Customer Reviews

Honeywell 50150 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier

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

 

 

I placed an order for this item based on the good reviews and the new permanent HEPA filter. When I received it, it was indeed the 50150, but obviously an older model, as the product did not match the photo, and the HEPA filter required replacement (the specifications on this page list a permanent HEPA). Customer service immediately sent me a new one, and once again, I received the same older model. While the product seems to work fairly well, buyers should be cautious that Amazon may not be sending you this newest model.

First off, I don't believe everyone needs an air purifier. If you are in a suburban area and can open your windows from time to time, and if you vacuum your home regularly there is only a need unless you have special contaminants (like pet hair) and specific allergies (like dust -- mold should probably be removed from home, not "filtered" as that's like masking an odor instead of cleaning what's causing it).

Personally I live in NYC which means:
- I have a small apartment with horrible air quality
- There is outdoor (and indoor) noise and commotion almost constantly
- I don't feel like paying $400+ for a HEPA filter because I pay enough for rent
Not related to NYC in particular:
- I have a cat

This filter, for someone in a similar situation, is FANTASTIC.
- The circular design really moves air well (you can feel a subtle breeze when it's on "turbo" speed
- HEPA means allergens and that evil "black dust" will be captured
- There is a noticeable "whooshing" air sound on all speeds but 1 (of 3). For city dwellers this is the same sound that "white noise" generators produce and can actually help you sleep at night -- instead of it being very quiet then suddenly there is a subway going by, a motorcycle revving and setting off car alarms, etc. all of these sounds kind of become background noise instead of dramatic, startling noise.
- The price is reasonable (side note about complaints about replacing the charcoal prefilters every three months in reviews of other sizes of same basic Honeywell filter: depends on what level of dust and particulates you collect over the course of a few months, if not a lot then see my first point -- you might not need a filter. I can say that after 2 of the 3 months of use my prefilters are FILTHY and I would rather start with a new one than vacuum it (if it were even an option). Also: anything extra the prefilter can capture just alleviates stress on the HEPA filter.

Other thoughts:
- Not sure why everyone and their grandmother is putting BRIGHT BLUE LIGHTS all over their electronics. It's kind of cool now, but will be completely dated in a few years. (the fan knob has a blue backlight) A friend and I were joking that it could be marketed as a "free nightlight!". Of course once you add that to the other million "nightlights" from my other electronics you have a room that is too bright to sleep in.
- Design is simple and maintenance is easy
- Not sure if Honeywell plans to change this, but let's face it, even "lifetime" filters will need to be replaced eventually. It seems like the replacements now are now "stackable" ones -- I'd need 3 to replace my one HEPA filter -- NOT a good design as it allows more possible air leaks for contaminants to get through.
- Though I am no consumer-reports science lab that can measure how many individual particulates are being pulled from the air, I can say that my vacuum does have less to pick up (I don't fill up bags nearly as quickly as I used to) and my girlfriend (who is allergic to cats) is comfortable in the bedroom where an older Honeywell HEPA filter has been cycling air for over a year.

I bought two units of this model around New Year. One for the bedroom (16 x 16) and one for the living room 19 x 20). My husband and I both love it. It is really noisy when you set the fan to high (level 3). So, we set the fan to low while we are in the house, and set it back to high before we leave the house for work (but mostly we forgot). It is still working great on the low fan! I used to cough a lot between Winter and Spring, we have been using these air purifiers for months now and I have not cough since. I will highly recommend this.

Update: 10/4/2010
After almost 5 years of use, the two purifiers we got are still going strong. We purchased these purifiers from Amazon. I am now looking at the HEPA filter replacement.

This air cleaner seems to work well, but as other reviews state, it's quite loud, even on the lowest setting. The description mentioned that this was the (newer) model with the permanent HEPA filter, however the unit I received was the (older) model with filters that require periodic replacement. The response from Amazon after inquiry to get and exchange for the described unit was "We are not currently set up for exchanges...". They went on further to say: "I've checked our records and see that you placed an order for the Honeywell 50150 version of this item please note this version does take a replacement filter." although the description clearly stated otherwise. The lesson learned is not rely on the descriptions given by Amazon, but look at the model number and research elsewhere what the item you're buying really is.

I got this air purifier for my wife at Christmas, and she loves it. It moves a huge amount of air, and has helped her very much with her allergies. But I can hardly stand to be in the same room with it, as it is very noisy. One supposes these are compromises that might have to be made. Fortunately, we've agreed on a placement for it nowhere close to our TV or stereo system.

We bought this because it wasn't too expensive and it had good ratings. My husband has allergies, and we live in a dry, dusty city. After a month of using the Honeywell air purifier, my husband checked our household air filters, and there was a drastic improvement. They were much cleaner. I have also noticed a huge difference in the amount of dust bunnies that gather. We have four dogs, so shedding can be bothersome. However, this air purifier does help keep the hair out of the air. We sleep with it on high, because we like white noise and it's pretty loud. On low, it is comparable to the level of sound a clothes dryer makes. We love this product!

I bought this for my baby boy because he is allergic. The filter seemed to make a difference in the air of the room but it's sooo loud that I couldn't run it during the night. I had to return it, because the idea is to run it at nigh and all day while he sleeps.
So if you are looking to buy it for a room that you actually sleep in. DON'T BUY IT!

I have had this machine for about two years and it's still great. Our home has base board heaters & fireplace and we live in a very damp climate. In winter we fluxuate from mildewy to dry and dusty, without central filtered air to moderate the environment. We don't run the machine constantly, but I did this weekend as things seemed stuffy. This afternoon, the sun was bright and shining through the living room and I couldn't help but notice how we had no dust particles flying around- none, though I haven't dusted in....well it's been awhile. A day like today used to make my living room look like a snow globe, no matter how much I vacuumed. It's been great for kitchen disasters and just cooking odors. I have never changed the prefilter or vacummed the hepa, though I just checked and see that I should have been doing this. I am long accustomed to my allergies, but they are much improved with use of this machine. We use it in a space of about 800 square feet. Anyway- I like it. It really makes a difference in our home, even without continuous use. I also like the bit of white noise it provides, since insomnia occassionally drives to a the sofa in the same room. The blue light is annoying to sleep by- but I just find the color irritating and put tape over it.

I purchased the Honeywell 50150 air purifier and was pleased with the price, and prompt shipping. The product works great except for one thing. Honeywell put a light on the dial, which they never had before, and it is so bright it woke me up at night. I have to try and cover it now to block the light. However, for someone who wants a night light and an air purifier, it's perfect. For me, I think they're unnecessary and hope Honeywell removes them.

We got this to replace an older purifier. what they don't tell you is that this one has a lighted dial that lights up the whole room and a high pitch noise that is hard to sleep through. Part of the reason we got this was the white noise effect of the fan but this one has a screechie noise that is not good and my wife can't handle the bright lights.