GermGuardian AC5250PT Review: New And Improved!
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.
** MRSP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price)/ RSP (Retail selling price) is provided by cleanairprice.com. Accurate at the time of posting.
^ Annual filter cost is calculated based on filter price and 12 hours of usage. Pricing could vary depending on air quality, usage frequency, and speed.
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) | 180 sq. ft. (17 m2) |
| Airflow speed | |
| Dust free (CADR) | 123 cfm (209 m3/h) |
| Pollen free (CADR) | 128 cfm (217 m3/h) |
| Smoke free (CADR) | 116 cfm (197 m3/h) |
| Humidifying(H) speed | |
| 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 |
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
Pros
- 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).
Cons
- 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
180 sq. ft. (17 m2)
Fanspeed
5
Dust CADR
123 cfm (209 m3/h)
Pollen CADR
128 cfm (217 m3/h)
Smoke CADR
116 cfm (197 m3/h)Recommended Read
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.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**
+- 229.99
Annual Filter Cost
+- 53 - 80
^ Replacement filters/ estimated cost
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.
4.5
