GermGuardian AC5250PT Review: Better Than AC4825

Last updated on March 18th, 2020

One of the best value pet air purifier engineered with 5-stage filtration setup. GermGuardian AC5250PT Pet Pure stands "tall" with its all-around versatility. It is the ideal choice for city folks that require a HEPA air purifier in their limited space abode. Question is, what feature would make AC5250PT better than the highly popular AC4825? Is the combined airflow output, applicable area, and filters worth the hype? Let's find out in our review below.

GermGuardian AC5250PT Specification

Product	GermGuardian AC5250PT

Dimension	6.1 x 27.3 x 9.5 in (15.5 x 69.3 x 24.1 cm)
Weight	10.5 lb (4.8 kg)
Fanspeed	5
Coverage (up to)	193 sq. ft. (18 m²)
Airflow speed
Dust free (CADR)
Pollen free (CADR)
Smoke free (CADR)	125 cfm (212 m³/h)
Filtration	5-stage
Pre-Filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($)	Charcoal pre-filter 6 - 9 months
HEPA filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($)	FLT5250PT Filter-C HEPA Pet Pure 6 - 9 months 49.99
Carbon filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($)	-
Ionizer/ Technologies
UV-light/ PCO	LB5000 UV-C Light 10 - 12 months29.99
Other filter	Pet Pure treatment (antimicrobial)
All-in-one filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($)	FLT5000 Filter-C True HEPA 6 - 9 months 39.99
Optional/ Addon	FLT28CB4 Carbon Filter (4 pack) $15.99 FLT5000 Filter-C True HEPA 6 - 9 months$39.99
Noise level
Power usage level
Timer/ Scheduler	Programmable (1 - 8 hours)
Sensors
Auto mode
Air qualityAQ indicator
Filter change indicator
More color options
Wi-Fi/ BTBluetooth
ENERGY STAR
Remote control
Child lock
Warranty	5 years
Email/ Phone support

Report incorrect information

Key features

5-stage filtration
Charcoal pre-filter
True HEPA Filter
UV-C Technology
5 fanspeed with digital display
Filter replacement indicator light
Programmable (1 - 8 hours)
5 years warranty

GermGuardian AC5250PT review

Cost less than half of the other competitors are offering for a HEPA tower purifier.
Complete 5-stage filtration with UV-light and 5 fan speed.
Effective True HEPA with Pet Pure antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.
Proven UV-C light that would assist in eliminating airborne germs and bacteria. Can be deactivated when not needed
Comes with timer, filter replacement indicator, and digital display.
5 years manufacturer warranty (AC4825 only up to 3 years).

Small purifying coverage with limited airflow delivery rate.
Filter replacement cost (with Pet Pure filter C) around the cost of a brand new unit in few years time.
Lacks air quality sensors and Auto mode.
Uses combine Charcoal pre-filter rather than dedicated carbon filter.
Troublesome filter reset that requires small object like a pen tip to reset the button.

The starters

Dimension

6.1 x 27.3 x 9.5 in

(15.5 x 69.3 x 24.1 cm)

Weight

10.5 lb (4.8 kg)

At 6.1 x 27.3 x 9.5 in and 10.5 lb, GermGuardian AC5250PT is not particularly huge or heavy for an air purifier. Build quality is good with a plasticky housing that shows no sign of leakage. There are few premium touches that we like particularly the top chrome with light bar. At the bottom, there is a base that helps stabilize the slim structure while a carrying handle is at the top back. Air inlet is also located at the back while clean air is dispersed at the front.

Operating the air purifier is dead easy that even a 3 years old could understand. Circling around the display is a Power button that turns on/ off the air purifier. Fan speed button that will cycle between 1-5 speed. UV-C button will activate/ deactivate the light, and Timer button that can be set 1-8 hours. Right above all is a small Filter Reset button that is only used after you have changed the filter. You will need to press with a small object like a pen tip or paper clip when the HEPA light flashes continuously.

Lets recap on what’s included in AC5250PT specification. 5-stage, 5-speed filtration with UV-C Technology and Pet Pure antimicrobial. Dedicated UV-light, Filter replacement indicator light, and programmable timer. Finally, ENERGY STAR rated and 5 years warranty.

Airflow, speed, and CADR

Purifying coverage

193 sq. ft. (18 m²)

Fanspeed

GermGuardian AC5250PT 193 sq. ft. purifying coverage is targeted for small to medium range room size. Across the 5 fan speed, we did not encounter any slow down or inconsistent distribution. If you are planning to use it in an open space area such as dining room or living hall, max speed is a must. For night use in the bedroom, the air purifier will do just fine.

Smoke CADR

125 cfm (212 m³/h)

Besides the 125 cfm smoke CADR, we do not have the official CADR figures for pollen and smoke. In theory, it should be around the same region or at least not too far off. It's certainly not the best output, but the air purifier will be fine dealing with large to fine particles.

What’s inside count

A 4 to 5-stage filtration setup depending on how you look at it. GermGuardian AC5250PT utilizes a dual charcoal pre-filter that is common in this segment. The pre-filter will trap large particles and act as a shield for the HEPA filter. For microbes, you'll have the HEPA filter standing by to capture anything that bypassed the pre-filter. The HEPA is also coated with an antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of microorganism. Last but not least, there is an optional UV-light that would eliminate germs and viruses.

GermGuardian AC5250PT relatively small 193 sq. ft. coverage will capture surrounding dust, hair, fur, cigarette smoke, and odor well. Same goes with the antimicrobial coated HEPA that will remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses.

Keep it down

No official figures released but our test unit is silent in most speed. We reckon AC5250PT noise level should be standard across all GermGuardian air purifiers. Power consumption is very low to low depending on your lifestyle and environment. Sadly, there is no Auto/ Sleep mode to help improve on the consumption efficiency.

At what cost

MRSP/ RSP**

+- 159

Annual Filter Cost

+- 53 - 80

^ Replacement filters/ estimated cost

GermGuardian AC5250PT is cheap (after sales price) for a 5-stage tower air purifier. By default, all filters from HEPA filter, UV-light and Pet Pure antimicrobial is in. Annual filter replacement is another story. While the filter is not too costly to replace and find, it is also not the cheapest. In 2-3 years time, you can purchase a brand new air purifier instead with a full set of filters. To cut down on the filter cost, the UV-light can be disabled when it is not needed.

Like every other GermGuardian air purifiers, the best place to buy AC5250PT is at Amazon. You enjoy 30 days no questions asked return policy, free shipping, and bundled deal. You can also buy from Guardian Technologies official website but is troublesome. Other retailers you may consider are Walmart, BestBuy, Lowe's, Costco but pricing is less attractive than Amazon.

GermGuardian AC5250PT VS the challengers

Honeywell HPA300

Not exactly a straight swap model. We included HPA300 here because most visitors from our site seems to have a keen interest in it. For more than double of the price, you'll get way better airflow purifying coverage and CADR. The trade-off is the germ killer UVC-light plus Pet Pure antimicrobial treatment.

GermGuardian AC4825

This is the cheaper, popular cousin that looks identical but offer everything less. From purifying overage, airflow distribution, CADR, and filtration, everything is inferior. Why is it more popular than AC5250PT? We will never know.

Winix NK100

Another powerhouse tower machine that cost twice as much. In return, you will enjoy much wider purifying coverage, double all three CADR, and airflow. You will also gain Auto/ Sleep mode, and AQ indicator as standard.

Fellowes AeraMax DX5/ AeraMax 100

Another model that our readers also looked at. The airflow and filtration might not be on the same par as AC5250PT, you'll get the sorely missed Auto mode here.

Final thoughts on GermGuardian AC5250PT

GermGuardian AC5250PT is the perfect tower if you need something that is inexpensive. Compared with the likes/ dislike, 79% of the 4-5 stars reviewers like how easy it is to setup. Most users praise the 5-stage filtration that can trap dust, pet dander, and other particles at one go. Other compliments include the affordable price tag and UVC-light effectiveness. The 15% that gave it 1-2 stars are furious about the durability. Either their unit either broke down after couple of months or burned circuit board issue. UV-light exposure risk complains is also seen here as with AC4825. We have no problems with our unit, if you like or used AC8425 previously, is essentially the same unit.