Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 review

Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 review

The starters

Unmistakably Honeywell AirGenius design, Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 is the highest range in the series with standout black tower housing and blue accent light. Its sleek tower allows the permanent filters to be remove and maintain quickly and easily. At 11.5 x 29 x 11.5 in (29.2 x 73.7 x 29.2 cm) dimension and 14 lb (6.4 kg) weight, its actually same as AirGenius 4 but with a more premium touch screen control. Speaking of controls, you have the standard 5 fanspeed control from SLEEP, GERM, GENERAL cleaning, ALLERGEN and MAX Cleaning Power (Allergen Reduction and Germ Reduction setting is exclusive to Honeywell AirGenius5). Timer also bump up to 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 pre-set. Other available controls include the optional Oscillate, Accent Light on/ off and Check filters button with live filter status indicator. Last but not least the 3-stage filtration is AHAM and ARB certified (comply with the federal ozone emissions limit), Energy Star rated and 5 years warranty.

Airflow, CADR and everything in between

For a permanent tower air purifier, Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 has a pretty remarkable 250 sq. ft. purifying coverage. With consistent airflow distribution spreading across the 5 speed, choose either from SLEEP, GERM, GENERAL cleaning, ALLERGEN or MAX Cleaning Power mode. Needless to say for more comprehensive medium room size coverage, go with the MAX Cleaning Power. CADR is equally impressive for a permanent filter air purifier. Highest in the AirGenius group, You have dust CADR at 160 cfm, pollen CADR at 170 cfm and smoke CADR at 161 cfm.

What’s inside count

^ Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 filters/ technologies/ lifespan

Like all Honeywell AirGeniuses, the patented QuietClean ifD technology that eliminate up to 99.9% of microscopic allergens as small as 0.3 microns. The washable/ odor reducing pre-filter will capture large particles like dust and harmful gases, while the permanent honeycomb washable ifD filter will handle other smaller micron size allergens, germs and bacteria. Oscillate can also be activated via a touch of a button. The filtration works reasonable well although it's incomparable against traditional HEPA and carbon filter media. Another thing is the 2 permanent filters requires regular maintenance/ cleaning (quarterly or when necessarily) to prevent dust and other particles from clogging up the filter thus reduce its efficiency.

Keep it down

QuietClean technology generates very little noise particularly in the first 2 speed (SLEEP and GERM mode). For night time use, you can run the air purifieri in SLEEP mode where the air purifier runs whisper quiet while setting on Maximum performance, the MAX Cleaning Power (fifth speed) noise is audible but perfectly bearable. Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 is Energy Star certified so power consumption is on the low side which uses less than a light bulb upon lower speed selected.

At what cost

With the washable foam pre-filter and permanent ifD QuietClean technology, Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD320 won't cost you any additional dime upon purchase. Even if you do opt for the odor reducing pre-filter upgrade (fully recommended), at most +- 64 would be the annual filter replacement cost.

The challengers

Verdicts and ratings

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