Customer Reviews

Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier, HEPA Air Cleaner, AP51030K

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

To answer some questions in other reviews:


WHIRLPOOL MODEL AVAILABILITY:

The following Whirlpool models are both still available, (as is a third less powerful model, the 250, which uses different sized filters):

Whirlpool Whispure 450 Air Purifier (AP45030K), also 315-CADR
Whirlpool® Whispure 315-CADR Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter, AP51030K (this page)

Both of these models use the same replacement filters:

Whirlpool 8171434K Large Air Purifier Carbon Pre-Filters
4-Pack and the Whirlpool 1183054K Hepa Filter, Large (links below)


CADR RATINGS EXPLAINED:

The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) comes from measurements conducted by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), and is a measure of the amount of particle-free air being delivered into the room. It is the best measure of the true cleaning capacity of the air cleaner. The higher the CADR, the larger the room that can be effectively cleaned. A loose equation is: CADR x 1.5 = sq. ft. room size.

This is important because manufacturers can list any "room size" rating they choose, regardless of CADR rating. Thus you might have one product claiming it can effectively handle a 400 sq. ft. room, while another product says it can handle a 200 sq. ft. room, yet both have the same CADR ratings. So always use CADR ratings rather than room size ratings in making your comparisons.

That said, air cleaners are usually advertised with the room size for which they are recommended. If this accurately matches about 1.5 times the CADR rating (as in Whirlpool's case and with many other top brands like Honeywell), just keep in mind that this recommendation is based on the the unit's ability to provide 5 or 6 Air Changes Per Hour in a room of that size.

Thus, a 250 CADR rating x 1.5 = 375 sq. ft. room size, means the unit provides 5 - 6 complete Air Changes Per House in a 375 sq. ft. room sized room. Simple enough.

But for allergy-sufferers it's a bit more complicated than that. This standard rate is sufficient to decrease particle levels in the room by about 70%, which isn't enough for allergy sufferers. A larger unit in the same size room can produce 8 or more air changes per hour, decreasing levels by 90% or more, again, depending on properly matching CADR to room size. This is the correct target in medical situations.

Finally, Please Note: the CADR rating applies to the HIGHEST fan setting of each unit.


MODEL COMPARISON:

The AP510 on this page, is Whirlpool's slightly beefier model that has the following additional features: turbo and sleep modes, 1 extra fan setting, and electronic vs. the 450's manual controls.

Since the CADR ratings of the two units above are the same, the additional cleaning capacity over the Whirlpool 450 model must relate to a higher fan speed (and AC wattage draw) at the maximum setting of the Whirlpool 510. Again, keep in mind that if you want to effectively clean a room as advertised, both units will have to run at the highest speeds.

Sleep mode allows a user-defined setting for sleep hours, wherein the purifier automatically flips itself to the lowest fan settings for that time period, allowing the unit to be run continuously during sleep hours. After sleep mode expires for that period, it flips itself back up to the standard setting. (If anyone has info on Turbo Mode, I'd be grateful and will update this review).

As noted by another reviewer, the AP510 (this page) is Consumer Report's top-rated air purifier for home use in 2010, along with the Hunter 30547. (Consumer Reports September 2010, p.44, "Lab Tests: Air Purifiers - Our Tests Reveal Which Ones Deliver"). I searched for the Hunter unit on Amazon, and it is not available as of 11.5.10. Amazing the company would allow that, given that they should be selling like hotcakes after CR's review. It's typical price is $350, and it has ratings for rooms the same size as the Whirlpool AP510 on this page. (I could not find the CADR rating for the Hunter, but assume it must be the same or similar to the AP510).

UPDATE: The Hunter model has been discontinued, and they sell new models now that rate similar and which are sold here on Amazon: Hunter 30401 QuietFlo and Hunter 30402 QuietFlo. The 401 model is programmable, the 402 is not. The Hunter site lists the programmable 401 at a higher price than the 402, while Amazon sells it for a lower price than the 402. Go figure. Check Hunter's site for more details.


HONEYWELL'S TOP UNIT:

I think of all the many models I reviewed under $600, the Whirlpool is the way to go. Excellent product, strong company backing, easy to find filters, great price. It is all you need, IF the only thing you need is effective particle removal. For serious odor and chemical removal, look to more expensive units.

But one other model that is a very strong contender for home use is the Honeywell 50250 at only $159 on Amazon. It has been very well received and has great reviews here on Amazon. It's faults appear to be high power consumption and noise. The Honeywell did come in at No. 9 in the same Consumer Report's review (out of 20 rated), where they noted it needed to be run on the highest fan setting to be effective, which caused it to be very noisy. As already discussed, all CADR ratings refer only to a unit's highest fan settings, no matter which brand you buy.

Noise is a problem. However, where the Honeywell excels besides a great price, is that their canisters are sealed and therefore they do not tend to leak any dust back out of the unit and into the exhausted purified air. Many other cheaper models do, including the Whirlpool models at least according to my online research. (If you can disprove this, please let me know). This is a big deal to me, though it may not be to other users, because I have asthma and I can't have the "vacuum cleaner effect" with house dust actually blowing up into the room from an air purifier.

UPDATE: I purchased 2 Honeywell 50250 units, and was blown away by the quality of simplicity of design on the units. If only everything was made this well and this easy to use and work with! Filter change was a total breeze. The filters are pretty loud, which doesn't bother me, but it's something you should note if you want something quiet. However, I had some strange problems with the exhaust on both units, and am working with Honeywell right now. The problem seems to be an anomaly and not normal, so I don't want to mention it here as I think it's just a fluke. One thing I can say, is that Honeywell offers AWESOME customer service, and has been great to deal with on the phone. :D


I hope all this helps you with your purchase. I've been researching air purifiers for over a month and I know how confusing it can be!

Please note, that running an air purifier like the 4 discussed here at top speed 24/7 will add a whopping $40 to my monthly electric bill here in San Diego. Do your own research before planning to run your own brand choice full time. As I mentioned before, top speed is required to achieve the CADR ratings advertised.


Links here:

Whirlpool 1183054K Hepa Filter, Large
Whirlpool 8171434K Large Air Purifier Carbon Pre-Filters, 4-Pack
Whirlpool® Whispure 315-CADR Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter, AP51030K
Whirlpool Whispure 450 Air Purifier (AP45030K) - HEPA Air Cleaner

and...

Honeywell 50250 99.97% Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier
Honeywell 38002 Enviracare Universal Replacement Pre-Filter
Honeywell 24000 Replacement HEPA Filter

and...

Hunter 30401 QuietFlo True-HEPA Programmable Air Purifier
Hunter 30402 QuietFlo 402 Air Purifier


Hope this helps!

I purchased this unit after doing TONS of research and upon the recommendation of a major consumer testing and reporting magazine. My first impression of the unit was that it was way too big to fit unobtrusively in my living room; however, because the air is pulled in through the front grill and discharged from the top of the unit, I was able to push the purifier up against the wall to save space.

The controls are simple to use. I find there to be plenty of options for fan speed (noise control). On the lowest setting I can watch TV at normal volume levels with the unit sitting three feet from me. After leaving the room it's easy to ratchet it up to the TURBO mode which I leave it on most of the time when not using the living areas. I appreciate the indicators which tell you when the filter needs replacing, and roughly where it is at in terms of its lifespan (there are five lights to represent HEPA and pre filter status). I also appreciate the 5 year limited warranty that comes with the unit (see brochure for details).

After 2.5 months of use I find that there is a noticeable difference in the quality of the air. It feels fresher, smells cleaner, and I can't see dust flying through the air (which was a usual occurrence before the filter). At first I was hesitant to spend so much on a purifier which required an on-going investment each year; however, after spending 2.5 months with the first unit I'm going to order a 2nd unit for my bedroom. I don't have allergies, but feel that the investment is well worth the reduced dusting, potential health benefits, and quality construction of the unit itself.

I selected this air purifier because it received high marks from Consumer Reports. As CR ratings indicate, it is effective and quiet (relative to other air purifiers I have owned over the years). I was surprised, however, by the quantity and direction (up) of the air flow this unit generates. Even at the lowest setting it produces as stiff a breeze as a portable room fan. We tried moving it around our bedroom but could find no location where the wind didn't bounce off the ceiling and blow on us at night, causing chilliness, dry eyes, and other discomforts. Our solution has been to turn it off at bedtime (which we had done with out previous air purifier because it was so loud). If this schedule works for you, I can recommend the product.

Let me preface this by saying my profession is industrial filtration. I sell air filters and air cleaning devices to huge manufacturers so I have broad experience in air filtration technologies. When I saw this air cleaner, I was very impressed. This is one of the few that actually has a legitimate HEPA filter. Most claim to stop "99% of allergens", which really means nothing unless they tell you the size particle and percentage it stops of that particle. The Whirlpool Whispure Air 510 has a fantastic HEPA filter. It genuinely does what it says it will do. The pre filter is pretty useless, but it will keep the pet hair out of the HEPA. If you are buying this to elimiate odor with the "carbon pre filter", you will be sadly disappointed. There is not enough carbon in the filter to stop the odor from a single dinner. As far as particulate capture goes, the HEPA filter does an awesome job.

When I plugged the unit in, I was very impressed with the volume of air it moved and how quiet it was. If you put this in a small/medium size bedroom, you will do a great job and "cleaning" the air. The controls were laid out well. The brightness on the buttons was not so bright that you would have a night light in your room either. It comes with 4 different speed settings which was a nice feature. All in all it is a very well built and functional unit.

Ultimately I ended up returning the unit. Everything about it was exactly what I wanted except one thing...it acted like a portable space heater! The unit itself does not require very much power, but the heat it generates will cost you more in air conditioning. I put the unit in a 12x12 bedroom and let it run for a couple of hours while I was gone. When I returned home, the bedroom was several degrees hotter than the rest of the house. I close the bedroom door when I sleep so I replicated that when I set the unit up and left. I closed the door and turned it on medium speed. The problem is, when you turn it on and let it run all night it will heat your room up tremendously. I live in Phoenix, Arizona so extra heat is a problem.

My recommendation is if you can live with the extra heat it generates, then this is for you. This is one of the best portable air cleaners on the market for the price point. If you really want the best of the best in portable air cleaners, you will want to buy the Austin Air Healthmate 400. That is top of the line and is the best on the market.

First, this purifier seems to work. Before the air purifier, my boyfriend had to use his asthma inhaler 5 times in one night. The purifier arrived yesterday. Last night, after running the purifier for less than 12 hours, my boyfriend did not have to use his inhaler once, and he could tell the difference between the room with the purifier and the room without it.

Second, it's not loud. My hearing is so sensitive that I rarely turn on my heat and I can't sleep with my heat on. By contrast, the air purifier is softer than a box fan, way quieter than my heating or air conditioning, and I can easily sleep with it on the high setting.

Third, it's unobtrusive. It's about the same size as a box fan, just slightly deeper, and it's not unattractive. A couple reviewers said that it made a breeze, but that may depend on how your room is set up and how high your ceilings are --- I haven't felt a breeze.

How I selected this one: I bought this Whirlpool purifier refurbished from an online auction site as a "buy it now" item for 200. Originally I was going to get the Holmes HAP756 but then Amazon increased the price from 110 to 150. Then I was going to buy the Holmes from a box store, so I could return it, but with tax, it would be 160, and returning such a big thing would be a pain. Air purifiers are not so heavy, but they are bulky, and I wouldn't want to have to carry one around either back to the store or to the post office to mail back if I didn't like the sound. I was also concerned that some reviewers said that Holmes did not replace their product when it malfunctioned during the warranty period. So I got the refurbished Whirlpool. After it arrived, I discovered another reason to prefer the Whirlpool to the Holmes. According to Consumer Reports, the larger the HEPA filter, the better it works. I opened up the Whirlpool, and I saw that it has a larger HEPA filter surface area than the Holmes does: the entire front surface of the Whirlpool --- everywhere where you see a grate in the front --- is a HEPA filter. The Holmes only has HEPA filter under a fraction of the front surface. That may also be why Whirlpool's HEPA filter is more expensive to replace than the Holmes.

I have the Sears Kenmore version of it which is the same except it lacks the turbo mode. I had it for over 5 years and runs more or less 6 hours every day.

It still works like new and even looks like new. Even the motor housing that lies behind the filter looks brand new; there is no accumulation of any dust whatsoever, that is, the filter works perfectly.

One shortcoming: it can't be used with a timer because the electronic switch can't be turned on by a timer.

WARNING. As the instructions clearly state never-ever attempt to wash the pre-filters unless you are like I am who likes to check the validity of claims that look more like inducements to spend more money.

As far as the hepa filter goes, I change it once maybe every 4 years and it appears to me that there is no need to change it more frequently unless your house has more dust than mine (my furnace also has a built in fancy hepa filter).

The bottom line is that this is a great air cleaner (why do they call these contraptions "air purifier"?). I strongly recommend them.

It works okay for what it is. I tried it on high at first. It makes too much noise to keep it that way. The fan inside is surrounded by foam (foam helps the air flow). Problem is that the fan will occasionally high the foam. Then it sounds like a small train. So, I run it on low.

I already have a whole house HEPA filter and a 5" furnace filter. I bought this for the downstairs bedroom thinking it would help a local area (I have 2 dogs). After a month with this, I see no real difference and am now looking at a Second Wind UV purifier for my furnace. I had one at my old house.

If you have guests come over and they smoke, do not count on this to get rid of the smell... for days. I gave it 3 stars because it is a filter and works fine on medium - low.

Love this air filtration. I can really tell the difference at night with my breathing. My nose is not stuffy when I wake up in the morning. It's not too loud. I am a light sleeper and I can sleep through it. It does have some air that blows out so put it in a corner and not close to you in the winter time. LOVE IT...fast delivery too.

I have tried many HEPA filters. I've had this one for 8 years now, and still runs perfectly. I love my QUIET Whispure LARGE Air Purifier. IT really works GREAT! I would tell anyone to purchase this item.

I have asthma, terrible allergies, plus live in NYC apartment where battling dust and airborne allergens is a daily battle. The Whispure is life changing- when you walk into the bedroom you immediately feel how fantastic the air is. I will be buying a second one to filter the air in the rest of the apartment- FYI- when this arrived it was much bigger than I thought it would be- so check the dimensions so you don't feel surprised by the size