How Air Purifiers With Washable Filters Work

If you care about the air quality in your home, chances are that you are looking to get an air purifier to remove all the dust, pollen, smoke, dander, mold spores and other contaminants that are commonly found in domestic environments.

Buying an air purifier can be a bewildering process as there are a plethora of models available with many different features. One of the main decisions that you have to make is if you want an air purifier with a washable filter or a replaceable one. As the name implies, washable filters can be taken out and washed to be used again while replaceable ones can only be vacuumed and need to be replaced when the filters become too dirty.

The main advantage of washable filters is that they can be cleaned with water and soap, enabling them to be used longer. In contrast, permanent filters shouldn’t be washed as that would damage them. Consequently, these filters need to be replaced more often, leading to you spending a great deal more on filters that you would have if you owned an air purifier with a washable filter. Furthermore, as washing the filter returns it to its original capacity, you can increase the effectiveness of the air purifier by washing it more regularly during allergy season.

Washable filters may be either True HEPA filters or iFD filters. HEPA filters are made of extremely fine fibers of glass while iFD filters use an electric charge to attract particles to them. Both are similarly effective, however. 

Here are some of the best air purifiers with washable filters available on the market right now.

Honeywell HFD-120-Q
A great air purifier that includes a Pre filter and HEPA filter, the Honeywell QuietClean Tower air purifier can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns and is effective in rooms up to 170 sq. ft. in size. While its CADR ratings are not particularly impressive, it is capable of dealing with 99% of household allergens, which is higher than comparable models. It is also AHAM certified and Energy star rated, so it is a sensible choice for the energy conscious as it saves on electricity.

With 3 cleaning levels, the Honeywell is capable of circulating the air up to 5 times an hour. The fan also oscillates to make air cleaning operations more effective. The unit also includes an ionizer that captures gases and odors. While the ability to wash the filters will allow you to use the unit for a long time, there is also a filter clean indicator to remind absent minded owners to clean the filters when they become too dirty. Despite begin relatively affordable, the Honeywell is noted for its durability and will last for many years.

Envion by Boneco – Therapure TPP240
Most True HEPA filters are not washable. The Envision Therapure TPP240 gets around this problem by offering a HEPA-type filter that combines the effectiveness of a True HEPA filter with the ability to be washed. Designed primarily for medium sized and large rooms up to 500 sq. ft., it is capable of circulating the air up to 3 times an hour in rooms of up to 343 sq. ft. in size. 

The absence of a True HEPA filter does not in any way prevent the Envision from being just as effective as it has patented UV germicidal technology and a photocatalyst filter that allows it to capture a variety of household contaminants such as  odors, smoke, gases, bacteria, viruses, dust, pet dander and VOCs.

Its sleek tower design allows it to blend in to modern interiors while a comprehensive digital display makes it easy to operate. It comes with a 24-hour automatic timer to ensure that it is only used only when necessary and a clean filter indicator gives a helpful reminder when the filters need to be washed.

Honeywell HFD320 AirGenius 5
The Honeywell AirGenius 5 comes with a washable iFD filter, so you don’t have to worry about buying costly replacement filters. AHAM certified for use in medium sized rooms of up to 250 sq. ft., it is able to sanitize the air of allergens such as dust, dander, germs, VOCs and remove smoke and odors. As this model capture 99.9% of airborne contaminants, including particles up to 0.3 microns in size, it is a great choice for people looking for an effective air purifier with a washable filter.

The AirGenius 5 offers 5 fan speeds, giving you flexibility to deal with a variety of environments. This includes a whisper quiet silent mode, making this unit well suited for a bedroom. The machine is Energy Star rated, using the same amount of energy as a light bulb. It includes an auto-timer that can be set from 2 to 12 hours, so owners can save on electricity consumption. Touch screen controls enable the machine to easily operated, while on/off oscillation allows it to function effectively in a range of settings. Befitting its name, the AirGenius 5 has a variety of smart features, including allergen reduction and germ reduction settings.

OION Technologies B-1000 
A highly versatile and powerful machine that is able to purify areas up to 1000 sq. ft. in size, the Oion B-1000 is designed for those looking for an air purifier that can handle cavernous spaces. The Oion is perfect if you want to get rid of smoke as it has an electrostatically charged metal filter that traps smoke molecules as well as other contaminants as small as 01 microns, making it even more effective than a True HEPA filter. A powerful UV light kills germs, viruses and bacteria while a carbon filter absorbs smoke and gases. The metal filter is washable, ensuring that you can use the purifier cost effectively for many years.

Despite its capacity, this model consumes only 7.5W of energy which makes ownership extremely cost-effective. This machine is also suitable for large bedrooms where its whisper-quiet operation and switchable night light allows it to function unobtrusively. Bear in mind that, if you have heavy smokers in your house, you will have to clean the metal filter once a week. Its compact dimensions and low weight make it easy to carry around to different areas of the house.

Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
The Winix 5500-2 is an advanced air purifier which uses smart sensors to detect air quality and adjust the fan automatically when Auto mode is engaged. Helpfully, an LED indicator displays the colors of blue, amber and red to rate the indoor air quality from good to bad.  If you prefer, you can engage manual mode and select one of the four fan speeds yourself. When it is left to its own devices, the Winix also activates sleep mode, based on the amount of ambient light, and dims the lights while adjusting the fan speed for whisper quiet operation.

CADR rated to purify the air of rooms up to 360 sq. ft. in size, the Winix has a highly effective 3- stage filtration system. This includes an Advanced Odor Control Carbon filter that catches smoke, odors and germs. Being washable, this carbon filter can safely be used for the lifetime of the product. It is backed by a True HEPA filter that catches 99.7% of all airborne contaminants. Plasmawave technology ensures that nothing escapes, safely breaking down the smallest pollutants without using harmful ozone.