Normal Price: $650
Area Covered: up to 640 sq ft
Editor's Rating:
Blueair 603 Review Summary
The Good:
The Blueair 603 is an improved Blueair 503. It is still as quiet, but performs much better due to a different casing design and more efficient motor.
The Bad:
The machine’s efficient HEPASilent filter is expensive. And it doesn’t have an automatic sensor that adjusts the fan speed according to the pollution level.
The BottomLine:
If you want a high performance machine to clean normal household pollutants, this is one of the contender. But be prepared to pay a premium.
What we like about the BlueAir 603
The filters: The major difference between BlueAir machines and other air purifiers that uses a HEPA filter is in the technology called the HEPASilent.
The HEPASilent filters made by Blueair has larger holes than a normal HEPA but before dirty air is sucked through the filter, the machine uses ion brushes to charge if first. So, while normal air purifiers suck the air through their filter, the Blueair 603 makes the charged contaminants attracted to it’s filter.
Because of this, the filter is quieter and more efficient than most machines in the market. If a HEPA can trap contaminants 0.3 micron and larger, this one traps smaller airborne contaminants – from 0.1 micron or larger.
There are 3 HEPASilent filters positioned in this machine.
Filter change is easy: To replace all 3 filters inside the unit, you just need to open the top lid with your hand.
Practical: The unit is made of galvanized steel and you can move it around your rooms using it’s castors. There’s also a timer that counts down from 6 months to remind you when to change the filter. And because it so quiet, there’s a blue power on light to let you know if it’s on operation.
Uses little electricity: An Energy Star qualified, it consumes 35 Watt on low and 120 Watt on high speed.
Works faster: Similar to the best-selling 503, the 603 diffuses filtered air from all sides. And because the filter doesn’t block the air, filtered air is released faster than machines using traditional HEPA.
It’s silent: Since air is not forced through the filters, the motor doesn’t need to work hard. Coupled with noise-muffling steel for the housing, you’ll get a quiet machine that lets you sleep peacefully.
Safe for kids and pets: This air purifier shuts down automatically if it’s door is opened. Important feature if you have small kids or curious pets around the house.
But, we are concerned that :
- It’s relatively expensive: Covering around 600 sq feet, the 603 is one of the most expensive air purifier in the class.
- The filter cost: You need to spend around $160 a year if you change the filter every 6 months as recommended by Blueair.
- Warranty : 10 years – but only if you change the filter according to Blueair’s schedule.
- No pre-filter : Most air cleaners come with pre-filter to stop bigger airborne particles from entering the main filter. But the 603 one lacks one. We suggest you vacuum your filter to help it lasts longer.
- It’s all manual: It has only 3 fan speeds that you adjust with a manual dial knob. It will not adjust the fan speed automatically if the air suddenly gets contaminated.
- No remote control : Not a big issue for most people.
Same Model, Different Filter
There is another machine called the 603 with SmokeStop filter.
The only difference is the 603 with the SmokeStop comes with a slightly different filter to filter gases, smoke and odors apart from everyday pollution that the basic filter can capture.
The filter has 5.3 lbs. of activated coconut shell carbon impregnated with Potassium Iodide (KI), Phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH).
While the normal price of a 603 is $650, the SmokeStop version is $750. The filter will costs you $300 per year.
Blueair 603 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 10 years (provided you change your filters every 6 mth) |
| Filter Type | HEPASilent filter |
| For Room Size | 640 sq ft |
| Noise Level | 35 db on low, 71 db on fast |
| Size | 26"H x 20"W x 13"D |
| Power Consumption | 35 - 120 Watt (on max) |
| Weight | 35 lbs |
A simple indicator shows you the number of days left before you should change the 3 filters. The machine's blue LED light will flash when there's 15 days remain.
About Blueair
Blueair is a Swedish company founded in 1996 by a former Electrolux executive, Bengt Rittri.
The company initially struggled but was saved by the introduction of Blueair 501 (revised to become 502 and 503 now). Stemming from this success, Blueair introduced similar but bigger models like the 601.
Product Quality
Blueair focuses a lot on design, durability and ease of use.
The housing is made of galvanized steel while the fan and blower are manufactured by a German engineering company.
While many air purifiers are not designed to be stylish, Blueair machines have received the Excellent Swedish Design award and the Blueair 501 air purifier is displayed as an exhibit at the Swedish National Museum.
Different Filter
Most companies are happy to use standard HEPA filters. Blueair, on the other hand uses a HEPA-like filters that they claim work better and quieter.
Known as the HEPASilent, Blueair’s filters have larger holes and do not resist air flow like a normal HEPA.
To make it efficient, an electrostatic charger is positioned before this HEPA to charge airborne pollutants. This way, the particles will first be charged and end up attracted to the HEPASilent. This is different from standard HEPA machines which force air through the filters.
Reputation:
- The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) awarded Blueair air purifiers the highest CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) in it’s category in 2004. This means its’ air purifiers clean polluted air faster than other machines tested.
Blueair’s headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden, and Chicago, Illinois.
I had this machine for over a year now. Yes, it’s a little pricey but it is far silent than other machines I had before.
I found that to get the most benefits from my BlueAir it must use the SmokeStop filters. With them you will have excellent smoke, gasses and odor control. The machine is virtually silent at slow speeds, yet still cleans the air effectively. It is built to last and last. The draw back is the price of the filters. However, if you don’t use the machine 24 -7 and gently vacuum the filters, they will last much longer than six months.
I too think the BlueAir 603 is one of the best out there. The filter prices are high, but I think it’s worth it for these unique non-toxic filters.