The development of air purifier technology brought us the newest air purifiers that will make your life way easier considering different aspects. I tested many air purifiers. Among others, I tried a few air purifiers with washable filters.
Do you belong to the group that knows that an air purifier is efficient but not sure whether it is efficient in the fight against the wildfire that catches California’s west coast every year? Receiving many inquiries about air purifiers with washable filter efficiency, especially from people caught by wildfire, whether they are worth buying or just a waste of money, I decided to test them in real-life conditions and bring you the testing results.
Reading: Air purifier with washable filter
Although you are probably not used to air purifiers with the washable filter and not sure how effective it is or is it worth the money, from my perspective as an air purifier expert, I can say that you will be amazed by its effectiveness. Therefore, let’s dive into the central core of the topic.
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Top 5 Air Purifiers With Washable / Permanent Filters
If you are looking for air purifiers with washable or permanent filters, you are in the right place! I have singled out for you some of the best devices that can be found on the market.
I made this list by combining all the following parameters, performance tests, value for money, and everything that can be crucial in choosing the best air purifier.
Airdog X3
The Airdog X3 is the latest model launched by Airdog on the Indiegogo platform.
This device uses revolutionary air filtration technology. It uses an electrode generator as its main filtering technology that captures pollutants with a filter plate. The X3 uses an ionizer but is CARB certified, which means it is entirely safe to use. The device is straightforward to maintain. It has a Filter Cleaning Indicator option that will notify you when the time to clean the filter is.
The Airdog X3 does not use a HEPA filter or some similar filtration method, but Its filters are permanent and washable. The collecting plate that is an essential part of the filtration, on which all dust and particles are collected, is washable and can be washed in a dishwasher. Besides, the pre-filter can also be washed or vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner. What is even more fascinating is that the Airdog X3 uses a reusable carbon filter, which does not need to be washed, but is occasionally placed in direct sunlight and, in that way, regenerates its properties.
This luxurious, premium device is designed for rooms up to 215 sq. ft. The Airdog X3 did a fantastic performance in tests. It has proven to be much more efficient than some air purifiers, which, unlike the Airdog X3, use a True HEPA filter.
The price is slightly higher and aligned with the quality of the device, but since it uses washable air filters, I think this device pays off in the long run. It will, especially, be helpful if you have problems with allergies, pollen, or dust particles.
Honeywell AirGenius 5
The Honeywell AirGenius 5 is one of the best-selling washable filter air purifiers. It is designed for rooms up to 250 sq. ft. It uses patented ifD technology, and the ifD filtration method uses an electrical blast to eliminate particulate air pollutants.
AirGenius 5 uses 3-stage filtration. The first stage is the washable pre-filter, the second stage of filtration is the if filter, and the third stage is the Ionizer.
Honeywell offers the option of purchasing an additional “odor reducing pre-filter,” which successfully reduces odors and smells. To extend the lifespan and cut the costs that customers would otherwise spend on replacing temporary filters, the company has designed this “odor reducing pre-filter,” which acts as a carbon filter. But it is essential to keep in mind that this carbon filter is not washable. If you decide to take this step, the AirGenius 5 will no longer be a 100% air purifier with a washable filter.
When washing filters, be careful not to damage or puncture them. A damaged filter will not be effective, and there is no point in using it. Therefore, I recommend replacing the damaged filter with a new one immediately.
Although it is slightly more affordable than the Airdog X3 model I described earlier, the Honeywell AirGenius 5 is, after the X3, the best choice to buy.
ENVION – Therapure TPP240
ENVION Therapure TPP240 is a modern, impressive, and atypical air purifier. Therapure TPP240 unusual epithet is the fact that the HEPA filter is permanent and not washable. The device’s sophistication is also reflected in the filter cleaning indicator, which will light up and give you a sign that it is time to clean it. I advise you to clean the filter with a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner. Washing in water should be eliminated as an option, as in that case, the filter could disintegrate.
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In addition to the HEPA filter, this model uses 3W UV light, which needs to be changed from time to time. Envion Therapure TPP240 also uses the Ionizer, which is turned off by default and can be turned on at the user’s request.
Unlike the previously mentioned air purifiers, the ENVION TPP240 is more affordable. Still, the Honeywell AirGenius 5 and Airdog X3 air purifiers have achieved much better performance.
However, if you want to strike a balance between price and quality, buying an ENVION Therapure TPP240 air purifier that uses a permanent HEPA filter is an excellent device for you.
Honeywell HFD-120-Q
Honeywell HFD-120-Q is an air purifier with permanent washable filters. This is an inevitable and another outstanding device from the manufacturer Honeywell, which stands out for its quality and characteristics.
It is intended for rooms up to 170 sq. ft. and is an excellent choice for a smaller living room, bedroom, or similar room size. The Honeywell HFD-120-Q uses innovative ifD technology as the previously described AirGenius 5 model.
Honeywell HFD-120-Q uses 3 stage filtration system. The first stage of filtration is a washable pre-filter. The second stage of filtration is a permanent washable ifD filter. The third stage of filtration is an ionizer.
As we are used to, Honeywell devices use a filter reset indicator that will flash when it is time to clean the filter.
You can wash the pre-filter and the ifD filter with water or simply use a vacuum cleaner. The exclusivity of the Honeywell HFD-120-Q model is that it is AHAM Verified and Energy Star rated.
As for the previous model I wrote about, Honeywell also gives a 5-year warranty for this model.
Hamilton Beach 04386A
The Hamilton Beach 04386A is the small and most economical air purifier with a permanent filter on this list. This model is a great and budget-friendly device, which uses the previously mentioned permanent or washable filters.
Hamilton Beach 04386A uses a permanent HEPA filter. In addition to the HEPA filter, the device also uses the Ionizer as an additional filtration stage. This air purifier is both miniature and compact and is designed for rooms up to 160 sq. ft.
It is most practical to use this device in a smaller bedroom or similar room of smaller dimensions. The filter on this device is permanent, and it needs to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a dry cloth. I do not recommend washing Hamilton Beach 04386A filters with water. In that case, they could be damaged and even fall apart. This air purifier, in addition to being very cheap, also uses very little energy.
Are washable and permanent filters the same?
Generally speaking, both washable and permanent filters are, in some way, the same type of filter and are, in principle, permanent. Washable filters are permanent because you don’t have to change them, but you need to wash them. The best representative from this group of air purifiers is definitely our top pick, the Airdog X3 air purifier.
With the development of technology, air purifier manufacturers have made washable HEPA filters, so you can wash them without fear. However, some devices use long-lasting, permanent non-washable filters. These kinds of filters should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or dry cloth.
Air purifiers with permanent filters mostly use Ionizer as an additional stage of filtration. What is important to emphasize is that these devices are mostly CARB certified and that you can therefore be sure that they do not produce an illegal amount of ozone.
Don’t be fooled by some marketing tricks. Some manufacturers put in the product description that they have washable filters; however, not all filters on that device are washable. Mostly, a pre-filter and a carbon filter are washable, while True HEPA needs to be replaced, and you should never wash it. Therefore, if you are not sure whether the filter is washable or not, you can reach me out, and I will be pleased to help you.
Are washable HEPA filters as effective?
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Technology advances every day, and washable HEPA filters can be as effective as the HEPA filters that are not washable.
Is a washable air filter worth it?
Let’s compare all the costs that customers who use standard air purifiers have with the costs that users of air purifiers with washable filters have. We can clearly conclude that it is much simpler and more convenient to use and maintain air purifiers with washable filters.
Interestingly, the price of an air purifier with and without a permanent filter is almost identical, and that you pay nothing more at the very beginning. You save a lot of money that you would otherwise spend on replacement filters in the long run.
The only problem you may encounter is that some of these devices do not have a carbon filter. If they do, then that carbon filter is mostly not washable.
Furthermore, air purifiers with a True HEPA filter are much more efficient than these air purifiers that use washable HEPA filters. Air purifiers with permanent or washable filters compensate for the lack of True HEPA filters by adding an extra filtration stage, Ionizer.
How long do reusable air filters last?
If used according to regulations, these filters can last for years. There are many cases where the filters lasted up to 5 years. It is crucial to maintain them on time, but it is even more important to maintain them properly.
The biggest problem is if you damage, puncture, or in any way break the filter, in which case it cannot be effective and must be replaced.
Maintenance of Washable Air Purifier Filters
The process of maintaining these filters is truly trivial. The air purifier will, in most cases, notify you when it is time to clean the filter because today, almost all models on the market have a filter reset indicator.
When you receive a notification from your device that it is time to clean the filter, you need to remove it. If the filter is washable, as is the case with our top washable air purifier Airdog X3, then it needs to be washed well. In case it is an ordinary permanent filter, clean it with a dry cloth or with a vacuum cleaner.
Regardless of the filter reset indicator, it is necessary to check the filters from time to time. If the filter is already dirty, please clean it even though the filter reset indicator did not light up.
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.
FAQ
Conclusion
An air purifier that uses a washable filter will save you from changing the filter 2-3 times a year. However, in the review of the Airdog X3 air purifier with the washable filter, you can see how efficient the device really is and that it can match many air purifiers with True HEPA filters, it even achieved better performance than many known devices that use standard filters.
At this point, the Airdog X3 comes out as the winner air purifier with a washable filter.
However, you should remember that buying an air purifier with a washable filter during wildfires is not a great option, mainly because these devices don’t usually have a built-in carbon filter and are not as effective at removing smoke and odors as devices with a carbon filter.
Additionally, people who decide to buy washable filters during wildfires make the mistake that air purifiers that use washable filters generally do not have a built-in carbon filter and are not as effective at removing smoke and odors as devices that use a carbon filter.
Therefore, if you decide to buy an air purifier with a washable filter, you will not regret it if you opt for the Airdog X3 and save yourself the considerable cost of replacing the filter several times a year.
