BioGS SPA-421A

RabbitAir BioGS SPA-421A Review Summary

The Good:
The BioGS SPA-421A is a stylish and lightweight air purifier equipped with better automatic electronic functions than most machines in the market. It is also very quiet and cheap to maintain.

The Bad:
Although the filter lasts around 3 years, it is not stated clearly that you’ll lose your warranty if you don’t change it earlier. And since the remote controls almost all the features, you won’t be able to change the settings it if you lose it.

The BottomLine:
Although the machine is rated for 600 sq feet, we think it suits a much smaller room due to it’s lower clean air delivery rating. But we like the fact that it is very silent, consumes very little energy and comes with features you’ll only find on premium air purifiers. We believe this is an excellent buy for those with mild to moderate allergy problem.

What we like about the BioGS SPA-421A

Long Lasting Filters: There are 3 filters in this machine, and the first 2 are washable.

• A pre-filter
• An activated Carbon Filter, and
• An anti-flu HEPA Filter

The HEPA should lasts up to 3 years but in order to get your 5 years warranty, you need to change the filter every 18 months.

Low Maintenance Cost
Annual filter replacement cost is around $46 or $23 if you use it for only 12 hours daily.

Extensive Electronic functions:
This RabbitAir BioGS SPA-421A has one of the most extensive digital display indicator  in the market today.

There are 2 air quality sensors – dust and odor. Apart from that it also has a timer function, 4 operating modes and 2 filter indicators. The first will tell you if the filter needs cleaning, and the other tells you if it the filters need to be changed.

When set to “automatic” it’s sensor will adjust the 5 fan speeds according to the air quality level in your home.

Uses Very Little Energy: The unit uses only 7 to 33 Watt of energy, making it one of the most energy efficient air purifier in the market right now.

Low Noise: At the lowest speed the machine is inaudible as it produces only 18dB of noise. At the highest setting, it is only 45dB. If you’re looking for an ultra quiet hepa air purifier that won’t bother your sleep, this is it.

Has Remote Control: You could control the machine from the comfort of your bed. But if you prefer it to run in the automatic mode, you can leave the tiny remote at the back of the machine.

Easy to Move Around: At 17lbs, the BioGS 421 is also one of the lightest and most portable machine in its class. Unless you have a serious back trouble, it should be relatively easy for an adult to move the unit around the house.

Sleek and Stylish: Because of it’s modern look and relatively thin profile, it should blend with your living room furniture well.

Easy to Change Filters: If the filters are clogged, the unit will let you know by illuminating its Filter Cleaning Indicator. You don’t need any tools to open the front door and get your filters.

But, we are concerned that :

The Remote Control operates all:
Like most modern tv, the tiny remote controls almost all of this air purifier’s functions ( if you lose it, a replacement costs $13.)

Irregular price:
Many online websites list this model at $330 (which is 40% of the retail price). But brick and mortar stores may not sell it that low. Those buying from local stores could lose a few hundred dollars.

Allerair 4000 Vocarb

Allerair 4000 Vocarb Review Summary

The Good:
With a very thick carbon filter, this machine is well-equipped to reduce smoke or odor problem.

The Bad:
The design is outdated and the control is manual.

The Bottomline:
If you don’t care about noise, style and ease of use – but need a powerful machine that could help reduce odor, smoke and harmful gases, consider this one. But if you need a balance between the two, look for a Rabbit Air or Alen Corp machine instead.

What we like about the AllerAir 4000 Vocarb

The filters: At a glance, it is just like any other AllerAir air purifier. It has a vacuumable pre-filter, anti-microbial filter, a thick 12 lbs carbon filter and a high grade medical HEPA filter.

But the difference is in the carbon filter. It is a boosted blend, designed to aggressively combat odor, smoke and gases. AllerAir says this unit is best used for newly renovated homes or places with heavy smoke or volatile organic compounds.

360 degrees air intake: The cylindrical shape maximizes airflow through the machine.

Made of Steel: To make sure it is suitable for those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), this machine is made of steel so that it doesn’t react with the air. Most machines in the market are made of plastic.

Long Filter Life: While the pre-filter needs to be changed every 3 months, the Hepa and the carbon lasts 2 to 5 years depending on the level of pollution and how frequent you use the machine.

Extra protection: If you need a machine to control airborne fungus, ask for the AllerAir 4000 with UV protection. And if the vocarb blend is not strong enough, the company also offers a custom carbon blend.

But We are concerned that :

• It’s Quite Loud: The lowest setting is 35dB. If you’re a light sleeper you definitely won’t enjoy having this machine in your bedroom.
  
• Has only 3 fan speeds: You only have the option of  low, fast and turbo.
  
• Heavy : At around 42 lbs, with the help of it’s wheels you may be able to push it around. But forget about lifting it up the stairs if you have back problem or over 50.
  
• Has no digital display: Like Austin Air machines, the control is old-fashioned.
  
• Has no digital features: Because it is not a digitally controlled machine, there’s no remote control, timer or filter replacement alert. You need to remind yourself to change your filter ( which is troublesome, since you need to replace each filter at different time ).
• Looks outdated : Your guests might wonder why you keep a humming log in your home.

Allerair 5000 Vocarb

Allerair 5000 Vocarb Review Summary.

The Good: 4 filters including a very thick carbon filter. Sturdy and inert machine – suitable for those who suffer from multiple sensitivities.

The Bad: Old fashioned, heavy, quite loud and lack digital features.

The Bottomline: What AllerAir has built here is an industrial strength hepa machine that can clear your everyday airborne contaminants effectively and also controls odor, smoke and gases – better than most commercial machines out there.

If you live in an area where volatile organic compounds is a big problem, seriously consider this machine.

What we like about the Allerair 5000 Vocarb.

The Filter: There are 4 filters in this machine :-

• Vacuumable prefilter – traps large particles, quick to change
• HEPA – medical grade, trapping 99.97% of particles (as small as 0.3 microns)
• 2 anti-microbial filters
• Carbon – 18 lbs. of activated carbon specially formulated for VOCs

With the thick carbon, this machine not only helps clean your everyday air pollution but is also equipped to reduce smoke, odor and harmful gases emitted by products like aerosol, new carpets and mold toxins.

This is one of the most comprehensive filter set you’d ever find in an air purifier.

360 degrees air intake: The machine comes in cylindrical shape to maximizes airflow.

Made of Steel: To make sure it doesn’t react with the air and is durable, the Allerair 5000 is encased in steel.

Long Filter Life: While the pre-filter needs to be changed every 3 months, it only costs $40 a year. The Hepa and the carbon lasts 2 to 5 years depending on the level of pollution and how frequent you use the machine.

Warranty: It is backed by a 10 years limited warranty.

But we are concerned about these :

• Quite Loud: The lowest setting is 35dB, which is loud if you want to use it for your bedroom. The other 2 settings will be at 55 and 65 dB.
  
• Only 3 fan speeds: You only have the option of  low, fast and turbo.
  
• Heavy : At 45 lbs, you may be able to push it around. But forget about lifting it up the stairs if you have back problem or over 50.
  
• No digital display: Like Austin Air machines, the control is old-fashioned.
  
• So, no digital features: Because it is not a digitally controlled machine, there’s no remote control, timer or filter replacement alert. You need to remind yourself to change your filter ( which is troublesome, since you need to replace each filter at different time ).
• The outdated look : Your guests might wonder why you keep a humming log in your home.
• Need tools to change filter: You can replace the pre-filter without a tool but you need a screwdriver for the other 3.

Allerair 5000 Exec

Allerair 5000 Exec Review Summary

The Good: 4 powerful industrial strength filters.

The Bad: It’s loud, heavy and uses only manual dial for controlling the fan. Looks awkward too.

The Bottomline: Like we said before, the 5000 Exec is just like a rally car. If you want performance – this machine can out-deliver it. But if you want a machine pleasant enough for your eyes and smart enough to tell you when the filters need replacement, look elsewhere.

What we like about the AllerAir 5000 Exec

The filters: AllerAir 5000 Exec is an all rounder air purifier with 4 filters :-

• A vacuumable pre-filter
• 2 anti-microbial filters
• A very thick 18 lbs carbon filter, and
• A high grade medical HEPA filter.

Like any other Allerair machine, this filter combination is definitely one of the best that we have ever seen in an air purifier.

360 degrees air intake: Allerair says their cylindrical shape maximizes airflow through the machine.

Made of Steel: To make sure it doesn’t react with the air and is durable, the Allerair 5000 is encased in steel.

Long Filter Life: While the pre-filter needs to be changed every 3 months, it only costs $40 a year. The Hepa and the carbon lasts 2 to 5 years depending on the level of pollution and how frequent you use the machine.

Warranty: It is backed by a 10 years limited warranty.

But we are concerned about these :

• Quite Loud: The lowest setting is 35dB, which is loud if you want to use it for your bedroom. The other 2 settings will be at 55 and 65 dB.
  
• Only 3 fan speeds: You only have the option of  low, fast and turbo.
  
• Heavy : At 45 lbs, you may be able to push it around. But forget about lifting it up the stairs if you have back problem or over 50.
  
• No digital display: Like Austin Air machines, the control is old-fashioned.
  
• So, no digital features: Because it is not a digitally controlled machine, there’s no remote control, timer or filter replacement alert. You need to remind yourself to change your filter ( which is troublesome, since you need to replace each filter at different time ).
• The outdated look : Your guests might wonder why you keep a humming log in your home.

Healthmate+ Review

Austin Air Healthmate Plus is like a car with a very powerful engine. Unfortunately, it lacks many convenient features you’d expect when you buy a machine at this price.

The company takes a great care to add potassium iodide into it’s carbon/zeolite filter to control gases and smoke.

It also has 60 feet of true HEPA filter, which is one of the largest filtration area in a home air purifier.

But while the core is good, we have a few issues with this machines.

What does it do ?

Austin works hard at making sure the filter of this air purifer is effective. Thus, it comes with 4 stages of filtration.

The filters: The first stage filters things you can see like hair, dust and dander. The second stage filters unseen particles like molds, spores and pollens. The last 2 will take care of gases and smokes as well as bacteria and viruses.

360 degrees air intake: We love the fact that while most air purifiers only pull the air from the front or the side, this machine sucks air from all direction.

Steel Construction: Austin Healthmate Plus is encased in steel and the surface is scratch resistant.

Money Back Guarantee & Warranty: The machine comes with 5 years warranty on parts and filter. Austin corporate website also says “If the HealthMate+™ doesn’t change your life and improve your sleep, return it for a refund within 30 days.”

Long Filter Life:While most air purifiers need a fresh filter every 6-12 months, Austin says this one only needs to be replaced every 5 years.

Our Concern :

• The weight: It’s just too heavy. Not suitable to be lifted up and down the stair.
• The sound level: As there are only 3 speeds available, you’ll notice that the sound will vary considerably from one level to another.
  
• Lack digital display: Many air cleaners at this price have easy to read digital control.
• Power Consumption: At 135 Watt, you’ll pay more for your electricity bills compared to other air purifiers in it’s class.
• Lack various digital features: Without digital function means there are no remote control, timer or filter replacement alert. Use your calender to remind you to change your filter ( every 5 years ).
• No UV lights: Healthmate+ doesn’t come with UV lights – an accessory many air purifier companies use to kill the micro-organisms.
• Filter stays too long: For things meant to trap dust and other airborne particles, we think 5 years is just too long (if you use it daily). Unless you vacuum the filter regularly, the motor will also be forced to work harder to suck air from the clogged filter. We’re not sure how long a motor can lasts under this condition.

Our Verdict :

At this price we expects many more from Austin than just a powerful filters. Of course, they are effective but we wonder why the company seems reluctant to use newer design or technologies (like  digital controls or UV lamp to kill bacteria ) in this machine.

If you love all things old-school, this one maybe for you. But please replace your filter earlier than suggested by Austin Air.

And if you like the machine but prefer something smaller, try look at the mini version of this air cleaner – the Austin Air Healthmate Plus junior.