An air purifier with washable filter is an affordable way to ensure healthy indoor air quality. An air purifier is a great choice when you want to safeguard your home against mold spores, airborne pollutants, chemical gases, and household odors.
- 1 How We Decided
- 2 Air Purifier With Washable Filter Buying Guide
- 3 Pros and Cons of Washable and Permanent Filters?
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 5 How do I know if my air filter is washable?
- 6 How do you clean a washable air filter?
- 7 Are washable air filters good?
- 8 How often should you clean a reusable air filter?
- 9 How do I know if my air filter is washable?
- 10 Are washable air filters better than disposable?
- 11 What Material Filters Air The Best?
- 12 Can Washable Air Purifier Filters Be Machine Washed?
- 13 Is An Air Purifier Too Loud For The Bedroom?
- 14 Can You Wash Any Air Purifier Filter?
- 15 Is a washable air filter worth it?
To find the best air purifiers with a washable filter you’ll need to examine a list of criteria to determine what is most important. We recommend the best air purifiers with a washable filter with a 3-stage filtration or greater process that uses a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. A fourth layer, UV-C, provides an added layer of defense against bacteria and germs likely to bypass larger filters. Consider large square foot coverage (300+ square feet), high CADR ratings for pollen/dust/smoke, and real-time air quality monitoring paired with a dedicated smartphone app for monitoring and scheduling.
The development of air purifier technology brought us the newest air purifiers with washable filters that will make your life way easier considering different aspects.They have become increasingly popular due to the uniqueness of the washable filters they are equipped with, and the fact that you don’t have to change their filters but just maintain them properly makes them must-have air purifiers.
1.Honeywell HFD320 Air Genius 5 Air Purifier
Pros
- QuietClean technology removes particles
- Five air cleaning levels
- Comes with an automatic shut off timer
Cons
- Costs more than most regular air purifiers
The washable filters capture large particles before they enter the main filter. It comes with smart features like QuietClean technology to remove 99.9 percent of smaller particles. This model works well in larger rooms.
You can adjust settings at five different cleaning levels, and also has a sleep mode setting. As the purifier is energy star rated, its filter uses the same amount of energy as a regular light bulb.
2.BLUEAIR Bedroom Air Purifier
Pros
- Low sound levels (71-46 dB)
- 2 included pre-filter colors
- 360 square feet CADR rating
Cons
- Small area coverage (161 square feet)
It uses electrostatic filtration, good enough to remove 99.97% of airborne particles on five air changes an hour in a 161 square foot room. Sound levels are a respectable 17 – 46dB, perfect for bedrooms and other sleeping areas. Take a look at the best air purifier for smoke if you are looking for a purifier that can eliminate smoke odors.
Arguably this unit’s biggest draw is its 360 airflow, which disperses air across all corners, instead of a bottom to top or dual side concept – resulting in better air distribution. Its controls are also very intuitive, consisting of a simple button to turn the unit on and change settings. If you are a minimalist at heart, this machine is an excellent choice.
3.Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier
Pros
- Can sit vertically or horizontally
- 3-speed settings for output control
- Powerful 99% HEPA-grade filter
Cons
- Does not include handheld remote control
- 46dB noise level on the highest setting
- No digital display panel; simple knob operation
Arguably this particle filter’s biggest draw is its slim and compact design, with the ability to be aligned vertically or horizontally without losing its suction and airflow power. Three-speed settings allow for output control and a Quick Clean mode does an effective job when you need to clear out bad air in a hurry. Plus, this unit is very easy to maintain, only needing a quick vacuum of the HEPA filter without a filter replacement. Compare this with the best air purifier for your baby that has a filter lifetime indicator that lets users know when it’s time to replace the filter.
Also read:The best car air purifiers in 2023
4.Filter HEPA Air Purifier w/Portable Handle
Pros
- Washable pre filter
- Three speed-fan settings
- Unique UV germicidal technology
- Portable
Cons
- UV light function emits odor
The air purifier comes with three fan speed settings to help filter air and protect your indoor greenery from plant spores. It also has UV Germicidal technology that reduces airborne germs and bacteria while fighting fumes and chemicals.
5.Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier
Pros
- Design makes it easy to clean
- Slim profile (10.84 x 8.08 x 16.43 inches) ; good for table tops
- 99.97% true HEPA cleaning power
Cons
- Small coverage area (up to 140 square feet)
- No digital display, Sleep Mode, or Auto Mode
A true HEPA filter works to catch 99.97% of airborne contaminants and several layered filters work aggressively to combat pet odors and hair (activated carbon zeolite filters). Our only knock is that it only covers rooms up to 160 square feet, not much by any stretch, so it’s ideal for litter rooms and main pet living areas.
One of our favorite features of this unit is how easy cleaning the filters is. Simply vacuum the filter without the need to replace a filter. On the digital side, it’s rather limited, coming with only three-speed settings but none of the additional frills such as real-time air quality monitoring, built-in Bluetooth/WiFi, or Sleep Mode. All in all, it’s an excellent air purifier for asthma, especially for minimalists looking for a simple, compact solution. If you’re looking for something smarter, check out the best smart air purifier that features sensors that tread dark rooms to activate sleep mode and active mode for well-lit rooms, among many other smart features.
Also read:The Best Air Purifiers for Mold in 2023
6.Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean Air Purifier
Pros
- Energy Star-certified for savings
- Three fan speed settings
- Effective washable and permanent pre-filter for allergies
Cons
- Not the widest coverage (186 square feet of space)
- No real-time air quality monitoring
These are good at removing up to 99.97% of airborne pollutants including pollen, dust, mold spores, smoke, and cooking odors.
In terms of digital features, this air purifier with a washable filter is very serviceable. It includes an electronic filter check indicator for replacement monitoring, as well as LED touch-button controls to adjust fan speeds, including its whisper-quiet lowest setting that competes with the quietest air purifier. If you are looking for a no-frills machine without all the bells and whistles of real-time air quality monitoring or a dedicated smartphone app for smaller bedrooms, this is a solid choice. Another excellent choice is any one of the best UV air purifiers with a minimum 3-stage filtration system, that consists of a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and UV-C light.
How We Decided
We explored efficiency, versatility, and digital controls in determining the best air purifier with a washable filter to buy.
In our view, efficiency refers to a combination of square footage rating and CADR (clean air delivery rate), which translates to the rate of contaminant reduction. The higher the number, the faster the machine. We are big fans of 3-stage filtration systems that use a pre-filter for large particles, true HEPA filters for smaller particles (down to 0.3 microns), and an activated carbon filter for odor resistance.
In terms of versatility, go for the best air purifiers with washable filters with 360° distribution instead of bottom to the top concept for improved air distribution, along with a slim profile to make it mountable on a tabletop or beside an entertainment stand without sticking out like a sore thumb. Other signs of versatility include one-button operations for simplicity’s sake and dedicated smartphone apps that assist with real-time air quality monitoring and scheduling. Another excellent gadget for car owners is the best car air purifier that can purify your car during long road trips.
Air Purifier With Washable Filter Buying Guide
You don’t have to be a scientist to know what makes an air purifier great. If you want to buy one with a washable filter, the following information will help you make a decision.
Cleaning Capacity
An air purifier traps airborne particles with a carbon filtration system. It increases indoor air quality. Airborne particles are small and carry contaminants like smoke, pollen, dust mites, or mold.
A good air purifier should be able to trap all of these particles. The only problem is that certain VOCs are smaller than 0.3 microns.
Coverage
Every air purifier that you will currently find on the market has been designed to be efficient in a particular space. In other words, this specification will tell you what is the largest area that one purifier can cover.
Size
Air purifiers aren’t large devices per se, but if you want to use them in a small or cramped room, you might want to check their size before you buy them.
If you’re expecting a really small device that you can put on top of the nightstand, you might be in for a surprise. Thankfully, air purifiers with washable filters are available in different sizes.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
Clear Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, helps measure the volume of filtered air a purifier can generate. The filtration capacity of an air purifier is divided into three levels.
The range for pollen is 25 to 450. With dust, it’s 10 to 400. And for smoke, it’s 10 to 450. A good air purifier will give you the number assigned to each of these contaminant categories. The number represents the efficiency the purifier has against a specific air contaminant.
The Most Important Features to Consider
Efficiency
Focus on efficiency in terms of expansive square footage if you’re after an air purifier for smell purposes and have a larger space. We recommend seeking an air purifier with a washable filter that offers a larger square footage rating than the room or rooms you intend to place it in for the best results. Efficiency also refers to a minimum 3-stage filtration system with a pre-filter for large particles, true HEPA filters for smaller particles (down to 0.3 microns), and an activated carbon filter for odor resistance. . Altogether, this is capable of neutralizing close to 100% of airborne contaminants from pet dander, mold spores, pollen, dust, bacteria, and more.
Versatility
Focus on air purifiers with washable filters that have an even air-friendly airflow concept (e.g. 360° distribution instead of bottom to the top concept) for better distribution. Some air purifiers even double as humidifiers and fans, offering you more bang for your buck. DoAdditin’t forget different mounting positions, with very few purifiers able to be mounted on a wall or sit horizontally/vertically to adhere to space exactly as you’d like
Digital Controls
A healthy number of digital controls make air purifiers with washable filters much easier to use. Look for the best air purifier with a washable filter that carries real-time air quality monitoring with color-coded LED indicators that grade air quality levels, as well as Sleep Mode and Auto Mode for optimization of fan speed based on air quality. Don’t forget dedicated smartphone apps for ease of monitoring and scheduling.
Pros and Cons of Washable and Permanent Filters?
Every air purifier has its pros and cons. Check out the pros and cons of washable and permanent filters.
Pros
- Reusable filters can catch all the known airborne particles like pollen, spores, dust, dander, or dirt.
- You don’t have to spend money on replacement filters that very often come out more expensive than the device itself.
- Filter maintenance is simple and does not require much time.
- You can clean filters as often you like, and the more you clean them, the higher efficiency they have.
- Some devices use innovative technologies and materials to improve device efficiency.
Cons
- Some reusable filters are just not sufficient at eliminating airborne particles bigger than 2 microns. Catching spores, bacteria, allergens, and viruses with these filters is very difficult.
- Washing the filter in water very often can lead to damage or holes in the filter, so such a filter will need to be replaced with a new one.
- Over time, the efficiency of replacement filters weakens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, you will definitely save money if you opt for an air purifier with a permanent filter. However, the permanent filter may be damaged or lose its force during the time, in which case you are required to buy a replacement filter but, that would happen much less often than is the case with ordinary temporary filters that are changed 2-3 times a year.
How do I know if my air filter is washable?
It is always clearly stated on the air purifier packaging or the product listing on the manufacturer’s website that the filters in the air purifier are washable. But, be careful because pre-filter or activated carbon filter and true HEPA filter are not the same![1]Is a Furnace Filter Washable or Should it be Replaced?
How do you clean a washable air filter?
You can wash them in the sink or wherever it is more convenient for you. However, some are dishwasher safe, but companies will clarify this on the declaration.[2]How To Clean A Reusable Air Filter
Are washable air filters good?
Yes, washable air filters are very effective at clearing out large and ultrafine particles as small as 0.3 microns with a combination of true HEPA filtering, activated carbon layers, and UV-C for extra microbial protection. They are also much easier to maintain, as they can be vacuumed or wiped off without having to replace them. If maintained, washable filters can easily last up to several years with heavy use. Cleaning a washable air filter is very straightforward. Simply remove the front panel or casing, rest the washable air filter on a flat surface, and apply a light vacuum or quick wipe down or brushing using a gentle brush and mild detergent. For best results, be sure to drain your washable air filter completely before setting it back into the purifier.[3]Is It Better to Invest in Washable HVAC Filters?
How often should you clean a reusable air filter?
Our recommendation is to check for excess particle accumulation every two weeks. Note, any washing with a quick brushing and use of mild detergent should be followed by a thorough drying before placing it back into the purifier.[4]How to Properly Wash a Reusable Air Filter
How do I know if my air filter is washable?
First, confirm to see if the air purifier permanent filter vs replaceable filter. Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for a complete rundown on whether or not your air filter offers washable and permanent filters.
Are washable air filters better than disposable?
Washable filters generally carry a longer lifespan than disposable filters, albeit at the expense of added cost. However, disposable filters generally do a better job of strapping smaller particles.[5]Washable vs. Disposable HVAC Filters: Which Are Better?
What Material Filters Air The Best?
Spun fiberglass is a cheap and reliable air filter. Fiberglass is also effective at trapping large contaminants, like dust and pet dander. The material helps maintain optimum airflow. Most HEPA filters are made primarily from fiberglass.
Can Washable Air Purifier Filters Be Machine Washed?
Do not wash an air purifier filter in a washing machine. The filters should only be washed by hand. If you tried to wash the filters in a washing machine, you would permanently damage them.
Is An Air Purifier Too Loud For The Bedroom?
This depends on the air purifier model, as well as the fan setting. Most air purifiers will allow you to select between multiple fan speeds. That means that lower speeds will also render a lower noise output.
Can You Wash Any Air Purifier Filter?
You can only clean washable air purifiers. You’ll know if you can wash the air filters before you buy a purifier. Usually, that information is provided on the packaging.
Is a washable air filter worth it?
Washable filters generally fall very low on the scale, with MERV ratings between 1 and 4. That means they aren’t very effective at capturing the microscopic particles that tend to decrease your home’s indoor air quality.
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