Honeywell are one of the oldest and best-regarded American brands that sell air purifiers. Their models consistently score well in consumer tests (ours were no exception). They submit most of their air purifiers to independent analysis through the EPA's Energystar program.
Picking a Honeywell air purifier is an easy choice. Deciding which Honeywell air purifier is right for your needs? That's a different story.
After numerous tests against dust, smoke, pollen, and dander, in rooms from 150sq feet to 700sq feet, we realized the Honeywell HPA300 is the model that offers the best value for money for most people.
The fact that the HPA300 is not a new model - don't expect a fancy appearance or smartphone control here - only means it's an opportunity to save. The performance speaks for itself, with quick purification and low long term running costs, as verified by Energystar, who say it has a lower "Clean Air Delivery Rate per Watt" than many Honeywell models costing more.
If you're looking for a Honeywell air purifier for a smaller space, a larger space, or one that's cheaper, carry on to our full comparison and breakdown below.
Table of Contents
- Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Honeywell Air Purifier
- #1: Honeywell HPA300 (Best Value)
- #2: Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius5 (Best Machine)
- #3: Honeywell HPA250B (Best Smart Features)
- #4: Honeywell HPA160 Honeywell HPA160 (Best Low Cost)
- #5: Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean (Quietest)
- Budget Options
- Verdict: Your Best Honeywell Air Purifiers
- What Should I Look for When Buying Honeywell Air Purifiers?
- Is An Air Purifier Definitely Right For You?
- FAQ #1: How often should I replace my Honeywell air purifier filters?
- FAQ #2: Will a Honeywell air purifier cool a room down?
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Honeywell Air Purifier
Put simply, we brought the top Honeywell models into our homes and tested them. We pitted them against cooking smoke, pet dander, and every day dust/allergens.
We measured their performance with an independent air quality monitor so we could see numerically how each model performed in comparison to the next.
Finally, we used an extremely high-tech tool: Our smartphone stopwatch.
For each test we recorded how long cleaning took and how comprehensive it was.
We gathered all these numbers (and a few more that you'll see below. Hello noise levels.), fed them into an enormous spreadsheet, and were able to make a painstaking comparison of the most popular models.
Here's how they ranked.
#1: Honeywell HPA300 (Best Value)
We’ve briefly touched on some of the reasons why the Honeywell HPA300 is our winning choice, but here we’ll take a closer look at everything it has to offer. Its 465 square feet coverage makes it ideal for really large rooms, and it can cover over 200 more square feet than the second choice on our list.
Despite its high power, it’s a fairly compact air purifier with a broad flat shape that tucks in discreetly next to a wall, and doesn't feel like it takes up a lot of space.
The HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles, even those as small as 0.3 microns. This means that the air in your home will be clear of pet dander, pollen, dust, and smoke. It will even trap and kill certain airborne viruses and bacteria. The Honeywell HPA300 also features a pre-filter that eliminates household odors for fresher smelling, clean air.
In our General Air Clean test, it was able to clean a 260sq ft living room to very low levels of contaminants in 26 minutes.
And for an open plan, 700sq ft space with high ceilings that we filled with bacon smoke (that was a delicious experiment)... it got the job done in 2 hours.
There’s no second-guessing when it comes to changing your filters either, thanks to the built-in filter change reminders.
You can choose between 3 cleaning levels and a ‘Turbo Mode’, which gives this air purifier the power to clean all of the air in a room up to 5 times per hour. Perfect if you’re looking for clean air in a short amount of time.
You can also use the built-in auto-off timer to keep the air purifier running for 2, 4, or 8-hour intervals before it automatically switches itself off. This is ideal if you’d like to keep it running while you fall asleep, but don’t want to leave it on all night.
The incredible performance of this air purifier is proven in the thousands of positive reviews that have been written about it. Even people who suffer from chronic allergies have said that they noticed a remarkable improvement after choosing the HPA300.
#2: Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius5 (Best Machine)
While our number 1 choice is great for really big rooms, the Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius5 will clean the air in a space measuring up to 250 square feet. This means it can still be used in large rooms but isn’t so powerful that you end up using an unnecessary amount of energy.
Despite the fact that it covers a smaller amount of space, it lacks nothing in the way of performance. It will filter, purify, and circulate air within a room of 250sq feet 5 times per hour. While it’s doing this, it will trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles including pet dander, pollen, and smoke.
Another thing that separates it from the Honeywell HPA300 is that it has a permanent, washable filter. As soon as the filter indicator light comes on, all you need to do is remove the filter, clean it under a running faucet, and put it back in. This means lower long-term running costs than the HPA300.
It also has an optional pre-filter that is designed to eliminate odors. This is ideal for open-plan homes where cooking smells could permeate the entire space.
You’ve also got the choice of 5 cleaning options; sleep, germ, general, allergen, and max. The sleep option reduces the noise level of the air purifier so that you can keep it running throughout the night without any risk of interrupting your sleep. Other features on/off oscillation and a 2-8 hour shut-off timer.
This air purifier is also Energy Star Certified and uses the same amount of energy as a standard lightbulb. This makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a way to clean the air in your home while keeping your carbon footprint in check.
The vast majority of reviews about the Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius5 are positive, with many people saying that they didn’t even need to wash the filters that regularly. This makes it ideal if you’re after a low-maintenance air purifier. There are a couple of negative reviews, however, these are mainly due to receiving a faulty product which was quickly replaced.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: Washable Filters
Unlike our first pick, the Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius5 has washable filters. This helps to save you a little extra money as you won’t have to worry about buying expensive replacements. Instead, you can simply rinse them under running water.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: Sleep Cleaning Mode
The Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius58 has an innovative ‘sleep’ cleaning mode. This reduces the noise level and allows you to keep it running all night long without it disturbing your sleep.
#3: Honeywell HPA250B (Best Smart Features)
The Honeywell HPA250B features Bluetooth technology that allows you to operate it using your smartphone! All you need to do is download the free accompanying app (which is compatible with both Android and iOS), and you’ll be given access to the advanced controls. There are quite a few advanced controls to choose from, too.
The first of these is a proximity sensor. This allows the air purifier to monitor the temperature in your immediate surroundings and automatically adjusts itself to give a more effective performance. You’ll also be sent allergen alert notifications, giving you the opportunity to monitor the quality of the air in your home more efficiently.
You can also use the advanced controls to create schedules for the air purifier. This means you can power it on and off at set intervals throughout the day, without having to leave it running continuously.
These smart features are undoubtedly impressive. But what else does the Honeywell HPA250B have to offer?
To begin with, it’s a good choice for larger rooms as it can clean the air in a space measuring 310 square feet up to 5 times per hour. It also features a HEPA filter that captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
You don’t have to solely rely on your smartphone for operation, either. It features advanced electronic touchscreen controls that give you the power to switch between its 4 cleaning levels and other settings directly from the main unit.
The filter is permanent and washable too, so there’s no need to worry about buying expensive replacements. You’ll also know when it’s time to clean the filter as you’ll receive a notification straight to your phone and the filter indicator on the unit will illuminate.
The lack of negative reviews left for this air purifier acts as a testament to its quality and performance. It’s also got a very high number of reviews that state how well it worked for people that are allergic to animal dander, so it’s ideal for homes with pets.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: Bluetooth Technology
The Honeywell HPA250B features Bluetooth technology that allows you to control it using your smartphone. This is perfect for starting it running when you’re on your way home, or if you simply like the convenience of being able to use your phone to control an appliance.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: Scheduling
The Bluetooth technology also allows you to set schedules that power the air purifier on and off throughout the day. This means you can keep the air in your home as clean as possible with bursts of purifying power, without having to leave it running continuously.
#4: Honeywell HPA160 Honeywell HPA160 (Best Low Cost)
If you want excellent cleaning power, but you’re working with a limited budget, the Honeywell HPA160 is a great choice.
This reduced price doesn’t mean reduced performance, though. You’ll still be able to switch between 4 cleaning modes that work with a HEPA filter to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles. It’s also highly effective at trapping large particles, as well as absorbing VOCs, gases, and odors.
If there is one thing that the lower price brings with it, it’s a smaller amount of coverage. The Honeywell HPA160 covers up to 170 square feet, while our top three choices can cover at least 250 square feet. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, especially if you’ve got a medium-sized room.
The tower design of this air purifier means that it won’t take up much space at all, either. This is another reason why it’s a great choice for medium-sized spaces.
It’s also incredibly easy to operate. All of the onboard controls are clearly labeled and LED lights allow you to see what settings you’ve chosen. There are also two filter lights that tell you when it’s time for a filter replacement.
One thing to bear in mind with this air purifier is that the filters in this air purifier are not permanent. They do last a while, as the pre-filter only needs to be replaced every three months and the HEPA filter needs a yearly replacement. So, while this may seem like a low-cost option initially, you could end up spending more money over time on replacement filters.
As with most reviews left for Honeywell air purifiers, the consensus for the Honeywell HPA160 is generally positive. People found their allergies improving, and loved the simplicity and ease-of-use of the design. There are a couple of negative reviews about having to replace the filters entirely, but these are fairly redundant as the fact the filters aren’t permanent is clearly outlined in the product description.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: Low Price
The main reason to choose the Honeywell HPA160 over any other listed above is that it is cheaper. And, while it is only effective over a smaller 170 square foot space, it still offers great air-cleaning performance.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: Great for Medium-Sized Rooms
As it covers up to 170 square feet, it’s also a great choice for medium-sized rooms. So, unlike choices 1-3, it’s not so powerful that it will use up unnecessary energy in a smaller space.
#5: Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean (Quietest)
The clue is in the name here really, as the Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean operates at a reduced noise level. Even when running on the highest of its 3 cleaning levels, it’s no louder than a standard fan. This makes it a great choice for bedrooms, or for rooms that you spend a lot of time in but don’t want to be disturbed by the noise of a loud air purifier.
Suitable for a space measuring up to 170 square feet, it will circulate all of the air inside a room five times per hour. While doing so, it will trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 2 microns. This includes smoke, dust, and pollen, making it perfect for anybody that suffers from allergies.
These airborne particles are captured in the permanent HEPA filter, which is washable and vacuumable for convenience. It also features a washable pre-filter that eliminates odors as well as acting as the first line of defense for trapping larger particles, such as animal dander.
As well as three cleaning modes, there is an oscillating function that helps to deliver clean air more efficiently throughout the room. Activating these features, and switching between modes, is super easy and can be done using the onboard controls located directly on top of the air purifier.
The Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean is Energy Star rated too, which means it’s highly energy efficient. So, not only will you be getting an air purifier that operates with a lower noise level, but you’ll be lowering your energy consumption as well.
We looked to the reviews to really determine whether this air purifier is as quiet as it claims and, unsurprisingly, it is! Many people found that they were able to get clean air in their home without really noticing that they had an air purifier running at all.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: Reduced Noise Level
One of the biggest selling points that the Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean has to offer is its super-quiet noise level. If you want to keep an air purifier running throughout the night, this is a great choice.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: Energy Star Certified
It’s Energy Star Certification gives you two benefits. First of all, it has less of an impact on the environment so your carbon footprint is reduced. Secondly, as it uses less energy compared to some other air purifiers, your energy bill won’t increase too much while it’s running.
Budget Options
So far, we’ve talked about the very best air purifiers that Honeywell has to offer, along with reasons as to why each of them is ideal for certain situations. However, if you’re trying to stick to a modest budget and are certain that Honeywell is your air purifier brand of choice, there are still some fantastic options available to you.
#1 Best Budget: Honeywell HPA100
Our first best budget option is the Honeywell HPA100. This air purifier features a HEPA filter that captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including certain viruses and bacteria. It’s also capable of making 5 air changes per hour and has 4 cleaning modes.
It has an auto-off timer that allows you to program the air purifier to switch itself off after a set amount of time. There’s also a filter check reminder, which makes it easy to tell when it’s time to replace them.
These features go to show that a reduced price doesn’t necessarily mean reduced performance. However, one thing you will lose by downgrading on price is the amount of space you can cover. The Honeywell HPA100 works across 155 square feet, so while it’s suitable for smaller rooms, it isn’t powerful enough for larger spaces.
#2 Best Budget: Honeywell HPA204
The Honeywell HPA204 works in a very similar way to our #1 best budget pick, but it covers a wider space. With this air purifier, you can get up to 5 air changes per hour in a 310 square foot room.
The touch-controls make it easy to flick through the 4 different cleaning levels, and the auto-off timer gives you the opportunity to leave it running unsupervised for a set amount of time.
It also features HEPA filters that trap 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. However, as with the Honeywell HPA100, these filters are not permanent. So, while you may be saving some money initially, you’ll have to meet the ongoing cost of replacing the filters every few months.
#3 Best Budget: Honeywell HFD300 AirGenius 3
Our final budget choice is the Honeywell HFD300 AirGenius3. Its design is completely different from our other two budget options, and it’s also available in either black or white to better suit your home.
It doesn’t cover as much space as the Honeywell HPA204, but it’s a good choice for rooms measuring up to 225 square feet. It also has 3 air cleaning modes and its design also means it can oscillate for a more efficient distribution of clean air.
The ifD filters are permanent and washable, so it’s a good budget option if you’d prefer not to have to purchase replacement filters every so often.
Unlike our first two picks, it doesn’t have an auto-off timer. This means you’ll have to remember to switch it off manually. It does, however, feature patented QuietClean technology, so if you want to leave it running all night there’s less of a chance it will disturb you while you sleep.
Verdict: Your Best Honeywell Air Purifiers
If you want the best value for money, pick the Honeywell HPA160. It has 4 cleaning modes that easily rival some of its higher-priced alternatives. It’s also ideal for medium-sized rooms as it can perform 5 air changes per hour in a space measuring up to 170 square feet.
It also has a HEPA filter that traps up to 99.97% of airborne particles. It’s highly effective at trapping large particles too, as well as absorbing VOCs, gases, and odors.
If you need an air purifier that can be operated remotely using a smartphone, pick the Honeywell HPA250B. You don’t only get super-convenient operation, but you’ll also get access to advanced controls when you download the free app. This includes a proximity sensor, allergen notifications, and the ability to create schedules.
If you want to keep the spend under $100, pick the Honeywell HPA100. It packs a powerful air-cleaning punch while remaining budget-friendly. It also has certain features that you’d expect to find in a higher-priced air purifier, such as an auto-off function.
It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that the Honeywell HPA100 is only suitable for rooms measuring up to 155 square feet. But, if you’ve got a smaller space to cover, it’s a great choice with a smaller price tag.
Whichever Honeywell air purifier you decide is best for your home, the most important thing to remember is that it needs to be able to efficiently cover the size of your room. We’ll touch on this in more detail later but, to put it simply, if it’s too small, you won’t feel the benefit!
What Should I Look for When Buying Honeywell Air Purifiers?
Criteria #1: Filtration
Keeping in mind that the main purpose of an air purifier is to filter airborne particles and pollutants out of the air, its filtration system is one of the most important things to look for.
Is it capable of removing minuscule particles? Does it kill viruses and bacteria? And will it eliminate any odors in the air?
One of the best things about the Honeywell air purifiers we’ve listed above is that they are all capable of doing all of these things. They manage this by using either HEPA or ifD filters, along with pre-filters.
The air that’s drawn into the air purifier first comes into contact with the pre-filter. This is where larger particles, such as animal dander get trapped. It’s then passed through the HEPA of the ifD filter and it’s here that the allergens and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns are captured. Finally, within the filter, there is a layer of activated carbon that removes odors such as smoke and cooking smells.
Criteria #2: Filter Replacement
While all of the Honeywell air purifiers we’ve chosen can remove small airborne particles, kill certain viruses, and eliminate odors, they don’t all have permanent filters. This is something that you definitely need to consider when you’re making your choice.
If the filter is permanent, it can be removed from the air purifier and washed (or vacuumed) to get rid of everything it’s trapped. Once clean, it can be placed back inside the air purifier and it’ll get straight back to work.
However, if the filter isn’t permanent, it will need to be changed from time to time. This isn’t super regular, though. Generally speaking, a pre-filter only needs to be replaced every three months while a HEPA filter can last for 12 months.
Most budget air purifiers will have filters that need to be replaced. This is where it’s extremely important to think about what you need. You might feel like you’re saving money, but you could end up spending more over time as replacement filters aren’t cheap.
For this reason, we’d always recommend choosing an air purifier with permanent, washable filters. It may cost a little more initially, but you could be saving money in the long run.
Criteria #3: Room Coverage
We’ve mentioned this briefly above, but the amount of room coverage your chosen air purifier is designed to deliver will ultimately determine how effective it is in your home. The best way of doing this is by looking at the number of square feet it can cover.
If you choose an air purifier with a coverage that is smaller than your room, you’ll find it has to work extra hard to make any difference. Likewise, an air purifier with a large coverage placed in a small room will use too much energy and take up a great amount of space.
If you’re unsure of the square footage of your room, all you need to do is multiply the length of the room by the width. For example, a 10’ x 12’ room would measure 120 square feet.
Once you’ve got your room calculations right, choose an air purifier that meets or only slightly exceeds the dimensions of your room. This will give you the most efficient air-cleaning power and allow you to enjoy the full benefits of your Honeywell air purifier.
Criteria #4: Noise Level
You don’t want your air purifier to make a great deal of noise while it’s running. Otherwise, it could become a nuisance not only to you but to any neighbors that live in surrounding apartments.
To keep the peace, look for an air purifier with a low noise level. The Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean is an ideal choice. It’s super quiet when it’s on its highest setting, which doesn’t only mean you can keep it running without creating a disturbance, but you’ll also be able to leave it running while you fall asleep.
Criteria #5: Additional Features
Finally, it’s always worth seeing what additional features you’re able to get for your money when you’re choosing an air purifier. Some have fantastic features such as auto shut-offs and sleep modes, allowing you to program the air purifier to switch off after a certain amount of time.
However, if you really want some special features, an air purifier with Bluetooth technology is the best option. This will allow you to operate it using your smartphone and you’ll even get access to advanced controls.
Is An Air Purifier Definitely Right For You?
There’s often a lot of confusion between air purifiers, air conditioners, and humidifiers. So, let’s set the record straight and determine whether an air purifier is definitely right for you.
If you’re looking to clean the air in your home by removing airborne particles such as dust, pollen, animal dander, and certain viruses, an air purifier is helpful. It won’t, however, lower the temperature of your room. It also won't change the levels of moisture in your air, like a humidifier.
If you’re trying to combat mold, it's commonly recommended you use an air purifier in combination with a humidifier. There are even combo machines that do both of these tasks.
FAQ #1: How often should I replace my Honeywell air purifier filters?
If your air purifier has permanent, washable filters, you won’t need to replace them at all. Instead, take them out, rinse them under running water, let them dry, and put them back in your machine. However, if they are not permanent, you’ll need to replace the pre-filter about every 3 months, and the HEPA filter once a year.
FAQ #2: Will a Honeywell air purifier cool a room down?
In the summer months, some people find that an air purifier cools the room slightly, but this is not an effect to count on. Every air purifier has a fan and the bigger machines have bigger fans, but there is no cooling component in an air purifier.
In this way, you can say that an air purifier can "cool" a room in the same way as a ceiling fan "cools" a room. It pushes air around but it doesn't change the air's temperature.
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