Air Purifiers Reviews

I use these presorb filters on my Vornado AQS35 filter system and they are fabulous. I change them every few months and change the HEPA filter less often. I have two filter systems, one in the "bird" room where I keep my Cockatiels (and my computer), and the other upstairs near our bedrooms. The bird room is clean as can be bedause little of the Cockatiel dander hits the floor, so I have little to do at the end of the day when I clean cages except sweep up spilled pellets and seeds. I have never been bothered by Cockatiel or any other bird dander since I got the Vornado filter systems. I have allergies and a less effective filtration system in my office, so I notice air quality right away. Don't give up your bird, get an air filtration system from Vornado.

Oh yes, they are quiet. The system makes a comforting sound, something like the distant roar of the ocean when you are at the beach, so your sleep will not be disturbed if you have one in your bedroom. In fact, I often think of it as "white" noise for street noises.

If you believe the quacks saying that ozone is good, then this unit is for you. If you believe the American Lung Association saying that ozone is a public health hazard, stay away from this air filter. Right out of the box, after installing the carbon filter and the pre-filter, I ran the unit on low fan speed. After just a few hours of operation, our living room smelled of ozone. 2 stars instead of 1 because the unit was fairly silent on Low, and because it's supposed to be very efficient at filtering air. However the levels of secondary ozone production are unacceptable. I'm returning it or finding someone to buy it off me.

I bought this item with high hopes after reading a positive review. My daughter has bad allergies and my husband and I were hoping that this might help. Since she has been using the air cleaner her symptoms are significantly improved. The unit is easy to use and I like the idea of not having to spend a lot of money later for big filters.

My son who's been suffering from allergies and congestion for 3 years, simply does not suffer anymore. I don't know if it's just a coincidence, but he hasn't been getting sick as much nor having sinus problems. I'm considering biting the bullet and purchasing another for my daughter's bedroom because she now has sinus problems as well. The unit emits a very fresh air almost like the air from a rainforest. It's completely silent running on low. When it detects impurities, it kicks into high gear but sounds just like a fan running. It's very easy to use, so portable (light in weight) and unobtrusive because of it's width. This was a great investment and we look forward to purchasing another.

We recently purchased the Bio Fresh Air Purifier through Sparo products which we received within a few days. At the same time we purchased the LifeWise Ultra Air Purifier at Radio Shack. We decided to put the Bio Fresh down in a room in the basement where it was most needed not to mention the LifeWise Ultra Air Purifier was not recommended for the space. We put the LifeWise Ultra Air Purifier in our bedroom. It wasn't two weeks before we started hearing a very annoying ticking sound in the LifeWise Ultra Air Purifier so we took it back to Radio Shack and exchanged it for a new one. In the mean time the Bio Fresh was working like a charm and the mildew smell was almost gone. Unfortunately we had since decided to move so we weren't down in the room as much. It took about two and a half weeks before we started hearing a humming sound in the new LifeWise Ultra Air Purifier, it went from low to louder to low again (hard to sleep with that). So we took it back to Radio Shack and got our money back. We put the Bio Fresh in our bedroom and it is so quiet. I love the remote control that came with it and it's so sleek looking. The Bio Fresh is so quiet that, I have a constant ringing in my ears and I actually had to turn up the fan to hear it in order to help drown out the ringing. Oh yah the Bio Fresh reads the particles and odor in a room when you first turn it on (it's really cool), that when we put it in our room, the same day we took the other one back, the reading wasn't the best. But it didn't take long before the Bio Fresh took care of it. And the best part we have two dogs and they sleep in the bedroom with us in a kennel and before my husband used to snore so loud and now he doesn't snore as much or as loud as he use to. I surfed the net for hours trying to find the best air purifier for the money and the Bio Fresh is soooo worth the price. I am so happy with the Bio Fresh and the service that when we get settled into our new place we will be purchasing another Bio Fresh from Sparo products.

When turned on high it is OK, but when it is set to medium or low, there is a clicking sound, like the fan inside is hitting something. I have other Holmes units and they don't do this. It's going back after only one night.

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.

The odor eliminator does work in small places such as the bathroom or a closet. It's quiet and the filter has lasted for 6 months.

These filters fit both our models 4251/4271 and HB's TrueAir webpage indicates these filters fit all 3 of their Odor Eliminator models. Our house has a smoker, 4 small dogs and we burn candles. We need to replace filters every 6+ months. The units still work fine after 3 years but, they are small and only plug into out of the way receptacles.

I bought this air purifier because of the good reviews. Within the first week I had to contact customer service because it because it rattled and made snapping noises. Customer service was very nice, and they arranged to have a new one sent out.

I got the new one, and although it didn't rattle, it continued to make a "snapping" sound. When I called about this, I was told that it would eventually stop, and it was only because the product was still new. (And by the way, I am very careful about following all the instructions regarding the cleaning and care of the unit.)

Well, it's been over 6 months and it hasn't stopped. My husband is furious that I got rid of the old purifier, because this one wakes us up at least 3 times a week at night with that "snapping" sound.

I just got off the phone with their customer service today to complain again, and I was *now* just told that the popping sound just means the unit is working - and that it will never stop! I would never have bought this product if I knew that.

I will grant you that it cleans the air well, very well - but who wants to put up with the sound of a whip cracking every other night? It's unbearable, and unless something like this wouldn't bother you, I would pass on the product.

Update: I just got an email from Friedrich which said the following:
"From everything you have written it sounds as if your unit is operating as designed. If you feel that there is something wrong with the unit, you can certainly send it to the nearest Service Center as listed on page 9 of your Operator's Guide.However, if they find nothing wrong with the unit you would be liable for all service charges."

Buyer beware....

If you believe the quacks saying that ozone is good, then this unit is for you. If you believe the American Lung Association saying that ozone is a public health hazard, stay away from this air filter. Right out of the box, after installing the carbon filter and the pre-filter, I ran the unit on low fan speed. After just a few hours of operation, our living room smelled of ozone as if we had operated a bunch of photocopiers non-stop the entire time. 2 stars instead of 1 because the unit was fairly silent on Low, and because it's supposed to be very efficient at filtering air. However the levels of secondary ozone production are unacceptable. I returned it.

In comparison to many air filters which use disposable (and expensive) HEPA filter units, this Friedrich uses an electrostatic filter element to collect and trap dust particles. This is far superior to the electrostatic filters sold by Sharper Image because the total surface area for collecting dust is MUCH greater. The Friedrich C-90 (A or B) has an internal fan that draws air through a pre-filter, then through an aluminum element with many electrostatically-charged plates that capture dust particles, and finally through a carbon filter for cleaning up odors. Filtration has 3 stages: 1)an outer filter to catch hair and large dust particles, etc. 2) the main inner filter element and 3) a final charcoal filter. Each are removable to clean. The main filter element can be cleaned in a dishwasher; the pre- and carbon filters can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner brush. I've never bothered replacing the carbon filter - but have no strong odors in the apartment. I've never noticed any "ozone" smell noted by other reviewers. Friederich after-sales support is terrific.

NET: The unit is well-built, American-made, solid, but fairly large (like a small college-dorm refridgerator). The fan has 3 speeds. I have no problem with the noise level, (a low hum from the internal fan even at the lowest setting) but it bothers my wife. Prices vary widely; I've owned mine for 5+ years and would consider buying another/the same unit again.

ONE CAVEAT: the plates on the main electrostatic filter element are extremely fragile, and easily bent. Once bent out of alignment, the unit will continually pop and crackle as sparks jump between the unaligned plates. A replacement filter element is costly, but not when one considers the first one lasted over 5 years.