Filters are an integral part of air purifiers. Without them, air purifiers cannot carry out their primary goal which is to rid the air of air pollutants such as pollen, smoke, dust mites, mold spores, and more.
Unfortunately, over time, filters lose their efficiency and will eventually need to be replaced. Filters can last anywhere between 3 to 12 months depending on the type of air purifier you have and how often you use it. Regardless, these filter replacements can add up to quite a hefty amount in the long run.
If you want to avoid having to replace your air purifier’s filters, you can opt for an air purifier that uses washable filters. Washable filters are just as efficient as standard filters but have the added benefit of being washable and reusable, allowing you to save long-term costs! To find out more about air purifiers with washable filters, read on!
Top 6 Air Purifiers with Washable Filters
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
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1. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
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2. Envion Therapure TPP240
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3. Winix 5500-2
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4. Oreck AIRPCB
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5. Winix WAC9500
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6. Blue Pure 211+
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Washable Filter Air Purifiers Reviews
1. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
The AP-1512HH is a well-loved air purifier from Korean brand, Coway. It comes in a sleek, square form that’s sure to complement any type of decor you may have at home. Within, however, it houses a powerful system capable of removing an array of air pollutants in spaces as large as 361 sq. ft.
The biggest drawback to purchasing the AP-1512HH is the relatively expensive upfront cost. Long-term costs remain a little high, too, due to some filters that need to be replaced. Luckily, the AP-1512HH is fitted with a washable pre-filter to help you cut back on those costs. Aside from the aforementioned drawbacks, we also noticed high noise levels from this model.
Overall, the AP-1512HH is a robust air purifier with a comprehensive air purification system that helps you get rid of common household air pollutants. Aside from being a powerful system, it provides you with a bevy of useful features such as air quality sensors, air quality indicators, and a programmable 12-hour timer.
Pros
- Washable carbon filter
- Offers both Auto and Eco mode
- With air quality sensors and air quality indicator
- Adjustable speeds
- With 12-hour timer
- Filter replacement indicator
- Best for medium rooms
Cons
- Replacement filters are expensive
- Highest speed setting is loud
2. Envion Therapure TPP240
The Envion Therapure TPP240 is a unique, powerful air purifier capable of cleaning the air in spaces as large as 500 sq. ft. It is fully-equipped with an impressive air purification system consisting of a permanent, washable HEPA filter, UV light treatment, ionizer, and photocatalytic filter. With this unit, you no longer need to worry about filter replacements.
One key disadvantage for the TPP240 is that several users have reported durability issues and it doesn’t help that it’s only backed by a short 1-year warranty. Another more minor flaw is that it has a blue indicator light that’s so bright it makes it hard for people to go to bed at night!
However, when you look at the TPP240 as a whole, you’ll quickly realize that these flaws are quite minor compared to what you’re getting in return. For such an affordable price, you have an air purifier capable of covering large spaces, with good CADR ratings, and optional features for you to enjoy. Definitely more bang for your buck!
Pros
- No filters to replace
- Best for medium to large rooms
- Decent CADR ratings
- Affordable upfront and long-term
- Can tackle a wide array of air pollutants such as allergens and germs
- Optional UV light and ionizer
Cons
- Short warranty
- Not durable
- Very bright blue light on unit is distracting
- Not a True HEPA filter
3. Winix 5500-2
The Winix 5500-2 is another notable air purifier that makes use of a washable carbon filter. Capable of covering spaces up to 360 sq. ft. in size, the 5500-2 uses a comprehensive air purification system that targets virtually all household air pollutants!
One of the biggest drawbacks to owning this unit is that the carbon filter, while washable, will need to be cleaned fairly frequently to ensure efficient operation. Aside from that, the 5500-2 is also slightly expensive long-term due to the other filters that need to be replaced. It’s also off-putting that this model is only backed by a 1-year warranty.
However, with the 5500-2, there’s no denying that you get more bang for your buck thanks to its smart features and different modes to choose from. Convenience with this model is further boosted by its remote control and automatic fan speed adjustment depending on the current air quality — leaving you free to set it and forget it!
Pros
- Comes with smart features (modes and indicators)
- Easy to operate with a remote control
- Automatic fan speed adjustment using Smart Sensors
- Dedicated PlasmaWave button
- Affordable upfront
- Highly convenient and energy efficient
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Slightly expensive long-term
- Carbon filter needs to be cleaned regularly
- Short warranty
4. Oreck AIRPCB
The Oreck AIRPCB is definitely powerful humidifier that comes in a small package, capable of covering small spaces up to 80 sq. ft. in size. But what the AIRPCB lacks in size and coverage area it definitely makes up for in its ability to efficiently purify the surrounding air of a small room with its comprehensive 6-stage air purification process.
The AIRPCB makes use of Oreck’s Truman Cell technology, which is exclusive to this brand. The Truman Cell encompasses 2 of the 6 air purification stages: positively charged wires electrostatically charge air pollutants which the Truman Cell collects and destroys. If you haven’t noticed, the AIRPCB doesn’t need any filter replacements at all because each component is washable.
Unfortunately, the AIRPCB is greatly limited by its small coverage area and its low CADR ratings tell us it will lose its efficiency when placed in medium-sized rooms. It is also very expensive considering its specifications. Despite these drawbacks, however, the AIRPCB is still a promising choice for anyone looking to cut back on long-term maintenance costs!
Pros
- Tackles a wide array of air pollutants
- Comes with an optional ionizer to easily trap airborne particles
- Quiet
- Energy efficient
- Low long-term costs
- Clean filter indicator
- Fragrance tray for scents/essential oils
Cons
- Small coverage area
- Low CADR rating
- High upfront cost
5. Winix WAC9500
If you’re a pet-owner looking for an air purifier with a washable filter, look no further than the Winix WAC9500. Fitted with a washable pre-filter, the WAC9500 was specially designed to clean up pet hairs, pet dander, and odors around your home!
Aside from the washable pre-filter, the WAC9500 also sports a True HEPA filter with CleanCel Antibacterial treatment, advanced odor control via the granular carbon filter, and the PlasmaWave technology. The product is also AHAM verified with high CADR ratings for pollen, dust, and tobacco smoke.
Unfortunately, despite sporting a washable pre-filter, both upfront and long-term costs still remain quite high for the WAC9500 due to expensive replacement filters. Aside from high costs, you also have to worry about the disruptive noise this model is capable of making! All these aside, however, there’s no denying that the WAC9500 is a powerhouse of a humidifier, fully equipped with all the right specifications and features to help you keep your home clean and fresh.
Pros
- Smart sensors that automatically adjusts air
- Remote control
- Wide coverage area
- Great for pet-owners
- Comes with filter change indicator
- Packed with smart features
Cons
- Expensive upfront
- Expensive replacement filters
- Loud
- Short warranty
6. Blue Pure 211+
The Blue Pure 211+ is a crowd-favorite, sporting a washable pre-filter that comes in an array of different colors, giving you the freedom to customize how your air purifier looks. However, don’t let its cute appearance fool you: this air purifier is capable of covering large rooms up to 540 sq. ft. in size.
One of the limiting factors of the 211+ is that its combination filter — which is supposed to double as a particle filter and an odor filter in one — is not as efficient at removing air pollutants as dedicated HEPA and carbon filters. Because of this, we can’t recommend the 211+ for allergy sufferers who might need a little more air scrubbing than usual. The 211+ is also quite expensive upfront.
Overall, if you’re a lover of colors and don’t have severe air quality problems at home, the 211+ is definitely for you. It’s a very straightforward device and it does the job!
Pros
- Washable pre-filter
- External pre-filter comes in an array of different colors
- Large room coverage
- Quiet operation
- High CADR ratings
- Energy Star-rated for maximum energy efficiency
Cons
- Filters are not as efficient as True HEPA filter and carbon filter
- Not sufficient for allergy sufferers
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide:
Air Purifiers with Washable Filters
Why It Is Worth the Investment
For a lot of consumers, one of the biggest disadvantages of owning an air purifier is how high maintenance it is. In order for them to keep working efficiently, air purifiers need to be kept clean and maintained. This involves switching out their filters once they wear out.
What makes air purifiers with washable filters such an attractive option is that they eliminate the problem of filter replacement/maintenance altogether. Aside from being significantly lower maintenance, these air purifiers also help you save on money you could have spent on filter replacements for regular air purifiers.
So, the final verdict is this: yes, air purifiers with washable filters are worth every penny! Just make sure that the air purifier’s specifications meet your needs!
Maintenance Work Guidelines
There are a lot of other steps you can take to keep your machine and its filters in tip-top shape:
- If available, make use of the air purifier’s filter check indicators to determine whether it’s time to clean or replace the filters. Make sure you go through the product’s care instructions to know how to best care for your air purifier.
- If your air purifier doesn’t come with filter check indicators, clean the filters of the purifier weekly. Take them out of the device and wash them using water, if instructions permit doing so. Make sure to clean them on a weekly basis to prevent a dip in performance caused by clogging.
- Pay attention to the purifier is placed and give it room to “breathe”. Having a lack of space around it may hinder its overall performance.
- Regularly check the device’s exteriors to see if there is any dust buildup. Not only will this prevent you from inhaling it, but it also helps with the machine’s longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I use to clean the filters and how often should I do it?
Cleaning washable filters is easier than you could ever imagine. Although you could wash the filters when you deem it necessary, we recommend you repeat this procedure at least once per week. This way, you prevent any losses in filter efficiency. Most filters can be cleaned using a vacuum. But if the dust build up has gone thicker, it will need to be washed using running water and a mild soap solution.
Are washable air filter purifiers more efficient than regular air purifiers?
Do air purifiers with washable filters help save money in the long run?
Final Thoughts
Air purifiers with washable filters are a great option for homeowners who find it tedious to replace filters on their air purifiers. This type of air purifier is just as efficient as any other type but is considerably lower maintenance and more affordable in the long-run as it eliminates the need for filter replacements.
After searching high and low, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best air purifier with a washable filter is the Coway AP-1512HH. Albeit its slightly expensive upfront cost, it helps you save in the long run due to its washable pre-filter and high energy efficiency. It also has a bevy of useful features that make it easy and convenient to use. However, if the AP-1512HH is a little too expensive for you, then the very affordable Envion Therapure TPP240 comes in a close second!
Related Posts
How often should I wash the carbon prefilter of the Winix 5500-2 model?
According to the user guide of this air purifier, you should clean the carbon prefilter once every 14 days. It might sound like it needs to be washed too often, but it’s better to be safe than to let it build up dirt and start performing poorly.
There’s little maintenance work with this unit. I bought one last month and I have only cleaned the prefilter once, for example.
What is the maximum room size in which the Honeywell HFD-120-Q will perform at its peak?
This air purifier is designed for 170 square feet rooms.
Also, can you please tell me for how long it’s backed up by the warranty?
The Honeywell HFD-120-Q is covered by a 5-year warranty by the manufacturer. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship, so don’t expect for the manufacturer to fix the unit free of charge in case you wreck it due to lack of attention.
Thank you for your help!
I own the Winix 5500-2 and I recommend it because it actually makes a real difference. Now, my basement is an actually pleasant area to be in because it doesn’t smell bad.