Cheap Air Purifiers

Not worth the price
I figured if I spent a lot of money on a good air purifier than my problem with cigarette smoke coming in my room from my neighbors house would go away.
It didn't help at all. It also does not help with dust. My pre-filter needs to be changed already and I've only had the unit for 4 months.
Save your money. If your problem is cigarette smoke, this unit is not the answer.

The mystery of the funny smell
I like the machine for all the reasons stated by others: it works, it's powerful enough, the filters seem to be high quality and intelligently designed, etc. I did alot of research online and I'm glad I did, the world of air purifiers is a confusing one. But this has not disappointed.

However, like several other customers I had the dreaded "what is that funky paint/chemical smell coming from the machine?" moment happen a few days ago. I've only had it 3 weeks, but I had read the reviews on here so I knew something was up and that it wasn't just me. I now finally understand what causes it.

I spoke with a very helpful fellow at IQAir and he explained that it was probably the V5 filter (i then took apart the machine and tested each filter one at a time in the machine - start with the pre-filter, then add in the V5, then the HEPA - and smelled the air output with each one - yep it was the V5).

What happens with the V5 filter is it contains charcoal and it soaks up stuff in the air (odors, chemicals, etc.) whether the machine is running or not. So where the machine is stored, how long it is stored, how it's shipped, the kind of container (styrofoam, plastic?) it is stored and shipped in, etc. can mean that the filter gets lots of "usage" before it ever shows up at your door.

The purifier came in a cardboard box inside of a cardboard box, but the filters were not individually wrapped, so I'm pretty sure that it got stored in a warehouse somewhere for too long and just soaked up stuff. Maybe forklift exhaust. :)

I called Amazon to get some help. They handle customer service for the actual seller, Mr Vac and Mrs Sew. I explained the problem and they offered me a partial refund on the cost of the purifier, which was enough to get a new V5 filter .

So there it is. Now for a few possible solutions that I hope the seller and the manufacturer read and put into practice:

- The best solution by far is for IQAir to individually wrap and seal each filter before putting them in boxes and shipping them to re-sellers. Then add a step to assembly where the purchasers take each filter out of the sealed wrapper and put them in the purifier. The machine is pretty simple, adding this step wouldn't be much of a bother for the consumer.

IQAir can't control what re-sellers do and where they store things. Yet, if a consumer has this problem, as many of us have, we tend to associate it with the product, that means the IQAir brand takes a hit and I think they should change this process in order to preserve what is otherwise a very superior product.

- The next best solution would be alot more work and seems kind of silly, but...the re-sellers would need to be careful about where they store these machines and for how long. They would need a freshness date of some sort and to be stored in a "clean room". I know, it's ridiculous. But it's the only alternative to the first solution I could think of.


Again, overall a great machine, but there is one clear improvement they could make and I hope they do.

I can keep my dog because of this air filter!
As a kid growing up I had always had asthma, along with every allergy under the sun. After years of living without symptoms I decided to purchase a dog for our family.. big mistake.

I tried a few different types of "high end" air purifiers in hopes that my eyes would stop itching and asthma would subside. I had to take multiple showers a day just to get my sinuses to calm down. We had the dog confined to one room (the kitchen) with bare floors which we washed every night. If we were going to keep this dog, we needed some major intervention. Here is what we did.

1. Purchased two "AIR-O-SWISS 7133 Humidifier"s to keep the bedroom and kitchen at the perfect humidity levels. Also helps prevent dry skin and dander in winter months.
2. "Allerpet/D Solution for Dogs" to help eliminate dander from originating from the dog.
3. "Allersearch ADS Spray" to keep the dander from entering the air from her bed and play toys
4. "Allersearch Pet+ Shampoo Allersearch Pet+ Shampoo" To wash the dander and prevent dry skin / dander.

Not to mention the doctor visits for treating the asthma and allergies.

Still, I couldn't sleep in my own house and the doctor said GET RID OF IT.

As a last (and very expensive) ditch effort, I tried the "IQAir HealthPro Plus HEPA Air Purifier".
THIS WAS THE BEST PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE.

Everyone who walks into the house comments on how light the air seams. There is literally no dander in the air that I can detect. This worked so well I got another one just for our bedroom, and I have never slept so good in my life. I have spent the money on the other "ionizers", and they DO NOTHING. Seriously, do not waste your time or money regardless of what they say. Its straight up BS. I did lots of research through sleepless nights and you do pay for what you get here. If you really read this review to this point, just save yourself whatever problems you are facing and get this one. (no I am not paid to say this :)

This air filter is expensive, but if you have airborne allergies.. this is a gift from god. I do love the dog now.

Expensive to buy. Expensive to own.
I have three of these, two HealthPro Plus and one GC, all in my home. Bought them after I did a lot of research online and decided that I would spare no expense protecting my kids against indoor air pollutants. Have had them for 2 or three years. The prefilters cost around 60 bucks each and need to be changed every 3 or 4 months. The other filters cost between 100 and 300 bucks each, but don't need to be changed as often. I am a medical doctor with degrees in public health as well as basic science. I had used Honeywell filters in the past and was not satisfied with them. Yes, these IQAir machines are the best such machines available and if you demand the best at any price then this is what you want. However, I also have an Austin Air machine that costs less than half of what these cost and my sense is that it is just marginally inferior to the HealthPro Plus. If cost is no object, then by all means these IQAir machines are the way to go. But you should recognize that you are paying way more than twice (and probably 3 times) as much as other brands that do nearly as good a job.

By the way, I have never had any problems with outgassing or with customer service. Some of the employees at the vendors that sell the replacement filters are clueless, but I have found that when I have talked with the manufacture's tech support that these folks were knowledgable and courteous.

Got rid of the toxic smells
Three weeks before I moved into my home, I had the floors redone. The workers pulled up the carpet and linoleum and stained the concrete. Ever since then, I would come by the home and open it up to air out the place from the strong polyurethane smells. The smells never dissipated.

I've been in my home for two days and the smells were so strong that I would get terrible headaches. The headaches were so bad that even prescription drugs couldn't take away the pain.

So, today, out of desperation, I went to a local shop to get this product. I plugged it in and set the filter to 6 (it's highest setting) and by the time I got home, I noticed a huge difference in the air quality.

Tonight, I'm enjoying my new home without the headaches.