An air purifier may not seem like the most glamorous item in your home, but it can make a big difference in your quality of life. Air purifiers, like the Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Allergen Remover, are designed to filter the air in your home when frequent cleaning just isn’t cutting it. These devices work by filtering out allergens, pet dander, bacteria, and other airborne particles that can be harmful to your health. They can be especially useful in homes with air quality issues, either caused by in-home irritants, like shedding pets or cigarette smoke, or by environmental concerns, such as forest fire smoke. Air purifiers range from small tabletop units to large table-sized options and have filters that usually need to be replaced every three to six months. Here, we weigh the pros and cons of the Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover after a few weeks of testing it out in our own home.
Setup Process: Likely a two-person job
The sheer size and weight of the Honeywell HPA300 were what first struck us during setup. Weighing more than 17 pounds and measuring 20.08 x 10.83 x 22.32 inches, it proved too difficult for one person to pull out of the box. Fortunately, once out of the box, handles on either side of the device make it easier to lift, but for buyers with limited mobility or back pain, it may be a challenge to maneuver. All that said, the setup was quick and painless after unboxing. The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover has a multi-stage filtration process and comes with three HEPA filters (to be used concurrently) as well as one odor-reducing pre-filter. Placing the filters in the unit took less than a minute as they came packaged with clear instructions. We liked the amount of detail and information given in the provided manual which clearly explains how to operate the various features. In the event you misplace the user manual, the purifier also features a pull-up quick reference guide to explain when and how to use each feature.
Performance: Loud, but effective
The Honeywell HPA300 has a two-step system: an outer carbon-activated filter designed to reduce odor, and three HEPA filters which screen 99.7% of particles sized .3 microns or larger. While any non-HEPA filter can trap particles 2 microns or larger (like pollen and pet dander), the HEPA filters ensure the purifier is able to capture much smaller particles, like tobacco smoke or viruses. For maximum efficacy, place it in a room that’s already been allergen-proofed. Operationally, this is one of the best air purifiers we’ve ever used. The easy-touch controls are simple to operate and even the blue indicator light, which could be overly bright if used in a very dark room, can be dimmed. Rather than having a low, medium, and high setting as with other purifiers we tested, the Honeywell has settings that vary based on need. The “general clean” setting is recommended for everyday use and is louder than the “germ” setting (recommended for use during cold and flu season) but is quieter than the “allergen” setting, which is the loudest. A fourth “turbo” setting is available when you need to quickly increase filtration (should you need an unpleasant odor or smoke filtered in a hurry, for example). In our testing, we found that all these settings worked exceptionally well. The air purifier claims to be able to circulate all air in a large space five times per hour, and the results of one night of use suggest that claim is valid. After running the purifier overnight in a living room, we awoke the next morning to find the room smelling fresher and one allergy sufferer was significantly less congested. After a few days of continued evening use, the filter showed signs of effectively trapping dust and dog hair. Unfortunately, the major issue we encountered with this unit was the volume. While the lowest setting (“germ”) is quiet enough to use while watching TV or conversing, the mid-level setting—the one recommended for everyday use—was too loud. Conversation was difficult to hear with the allergen setting on and impossible with the turbo setting, which is akin to an industrial box fan on high speed.
Design: A bit too industrial for the home
The Honeywell HPA300 has an industrial look. It’s quite large and has horizontal plastic slats across the front. It’d be at home in a garage or office, but it’ll likely look out of place in most living rooms or bedrooms. Users who care about aesthetics will definitely find it challenging to discretely place. The unit is much larger than most room and console humidifiers and may be difficult to fit in a room where you’re already using larger electronics like space heaters or white noise machines.
Extra features: Easy-to-use LED light and timer
Users who plan to use the purifier in bedrooms will appreciate the dimmer feature, which allows you to dim or turn off the bright blue LED indicator light. Since light can disrupt your sleep cycle, this is a useful feature for otherwise dark rooms. This unit also has an indicator light to tell you when it’s time to consider replacing the filters, so you don’t have to check for visible signs. The HPA300 is also rigged with an automatic shut-off timer. You can set the timer to two, four, or eight hours depending on your preference. This is great for users who want to run the purifier overnight but are likely to forget to turn it off in the morning.
Price: On the higher side
Retailing for approximately $250, the HPA300 isn’t cheap, but it costs roughly the same as competitors with similar features. The model uses three Type-R HEPA filters at once, as well as one Type-A odor-reducing pre-filter. A package of three HEPA filters will run you $90 MSRP, but Honeywell recommends replacing them just once a year. The carbon pre-filter should be replaced every three months (or more often, if needed) and retails for under $20. Indicator lights on the unit will remind you when it’s time to check each filter.
Competition: Design vs. coverage
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier is similarly priced to the Honeywell at roughly $250 and is just as feature-rich with filter indicator lights and timer settings. While the Coway runs quieter, it also covers a smaller space—361 square feet vs. Honeywell’s 465 square feet. After testing both models, we found the latter was more effective in eliminating seasonal allergies. In our admittedly subjective opinion, however, the bulky, industrial-looking Honeywell is also less attractive and the noise level can make it hard to have on in rooms where people are talking, watching TV, or sleeping. Ultimately, it comes down to how much space you’re looking to cover and whether or not the purifier will be in a visible spot, like your living room, or just purifying your garage workspace. If you’re looking for an air purifier to address the needs of a large space and aren’t concerned with noise or aesthetics, you’ll find the Honeywell HPA300 a practical and useful solution. With HEPA filters that are made to trap airborne allergens and viral particles, it’s also great for households that deal with seasonal allergies.
