Honeywell HPA100 Review: The “ONE” Basic
Honeywell HPA100 Specification
| Product | Honeywell HPA100 |
Dimension | 13.5 x 13.9 x 8.9 in (34.3 x 35.3 x 22.6 cm) |
| Weight | 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| Fanspeed | 4 |
| Coverage (up to) | 155 sq. ft. (14 m2) |
| Airflow speed | |
| Dust free (CADR) | 106 cfm (180 m3/h) |
| Pollen free (CADR) | 100 cfm (170 m3/h) |
| Smoke free (CADR) | 100 cfm (170 m3/h) |
| Humidifying(H) speed | |
| Filtration | 3-stage |
Pre-Filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | HRF-AP1 Filter A Universal Carbon Pre-filter (1 pack) 3 months +- 11.95 |
HEPA filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | HRF-R1 Filter R True HEPA (1 pack) 1 year +- 25.95 |
Carbon filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | - |
| Ionizer/ Technologies | |
UV-light/ PCO | - |
Other filter | - |
All-in-one filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | - |
Optional/ Addon | HRF-APP1 Filter A Universal Pre-filter (1 pack) 3 months+- 16.95 HRF-R2 Filter R True HEPA (2 pack) 1 year +- 44.95 |
| Noise level | |
| Power usage level | |
| Timer/ Scheduler | 2, 4, 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
- 3-stage filtration
- 4 fanspeed (Germ, General Clean, Allergen and Turbo)
- Carbon pre-filter
- True HEPA filter
- Light dimmer mode
- Auto-off timer (2, 4, 8 hours)
- Electronic filter change reminder
- 5 years warranty
The starters
No doubt the smallest and lightest size between HPA200 and HPA300 air purifier. Sharing the familiar black housing design, Honeywell HPA100 air purifier 13.5 x 13.9 x 8.9 in dimension is clearly reflected on the product weight at only 8 lb. The versatile size makes it great as a tabletop air purifier but it is not compact enough to be your traveling companion. Build quality is exactly the same that shows no sign of off-gassing during the whole purification. Air ventilation is around the body section with outlet at the top along with all the controls.
The main control panel is easily accessible although not our preferred location. There are many LED indicator bar right next to the buttons to illuminate current setting the air purifier is in. Timer button at the most left that will cycle between 2, 4, 8 hours before the air purifier auto shut-down. Next to it is the Check Filters button and Check Pre-filter button where the LED light will illuminate when either of the HEPA or carbon pre-filter is worn out. Replace the filter accordingly, tap and hold the respective button for 2 seconds to reset the electronic filter change reminder timer. Moving to the main center “Leaf” button, tapping on the Power button will cycle between Allergen, General Clean, Germ, and Off. Allergen mode is best to use in allergen season. General Clean mode is best for everyday air cleaning. Germ mode is best to use during cold & flu season. Turbo button is best to use when you need the extra boost in getting rid of airborne irritants. The last button to the most right is the Dimmer button that controls LED brightness. Tap on it to cycle between Low, High, and off.
Besides the 4 cleaning mode and light dimming option, Honeywell HPA100 3-stage also comes with electronic filter replacement reminders, 2, 4, 8 hours pre-set timer, AHAM certified, ENERGY STAR certified, and 5 years warranty.
Airflow, speed, and CADR
What’s inside count
Honeywell HPA100 air purifier has the same 3-stage filtration setup (2-stage if you consider the carbon pre-filter as 1) and filter size as HPA300 which by no means is poor. The Carbon pre-filter can simultaneously trap large particles and smoke based pollutants including odors. For smaller and finer particles, there is the highly reliable HEPA filter that specializes on micron size germ and allergens. The only key differences between HPA100, HPA200, and HPA300 is the former requires only 1 carbon pre-filter rather than the later 3.Keep it down
Honeywell HPA100 air purifier has a relatively silent noise level at most cleaning mode although you could barely tell the differences them. Same case for the power consumption as its lower airflow speed tally with the weaker airflow performance. While the lack of Auto or Eco mode is a big bummer, as an Energy Star Rated unit, if you plan to utilize the air purifier 24x7 without having to worry about the electricity bill, this is it.At what cost
^ Replacement filters/ estimated cost
Honeywell HPA100 VS the challengers
Honeywell HPA200
An upper range that uses 1 extra filter, delivers better airflow purifying coverage and higher CADR output. The added perks mean you have to fork out more for otherwise it is the same air purifier from top to bottom.
Honeywell HPA300
From outside it might seem like the exact replica unit, HPA300 is actually the highest range model with the best airflow purifying coverage and all 3 CADR. You do have to pay for a premium price for the added performance and filters but we think it is absolutely worth it.
Levoit LV-H132
A stepdown model but by a very small margin. Levoit LV-H132 has identical airflow delivery rate and applicable area but its overall filtration is not the same level as HPA100. On the positive side, you will save more on the air purifier and recurring filter set and gain a unique Nightlight feature.
Winix 5300-2
If you can cough up a little bit more and don't mind the bulkiness, you can actually move up a notch with better airflow performance, coverage, additional PlasmaWave filtration, Sleep mode and autonomous purifying.Final thoughts on Honeywell HPA100
Bring to a conclusion, Honeywell HPA300 is an affordable air purifier that does what it suppose to do. 78% of the Amazon reviewers agreed with us and gave it 4-5 stars on the overall values, performance, filtration. A rather high 16% users that gave it 1-2 stars complain of so many things. The loud fan noise, poor build quality, expensive filter replacement, and ineffectiveness. While we whole-heartedly disagree, we would recommend going for HPA300 as it is a better buy especially if you need more comprehensive coverage.Pros
- Entry-level price tag even before any online discount. Filter replacement cost is reasonably priced too.
- 4 cleaning mode that you can select based on a specific period of time.
- Carbon pre-filter that is capable of handling dust, light smoke, and odors.
- The Same, proven True-HEPA filter that is used in HPA200, HPA300.
- Light dimming option + 3 preset timer.
- Official 5-years manufacturer warranty.
Cons
- Lacks built-in sensor that enabled features like Auto mode and air quality indicator.
- Below par CADR and limited purifying coverage.
- Touch buttons are slightly hard to press and hidden from normal eye-sight.
