Air Purifier
I bought two of these and have had them for a few months now. I love the air monitor that shows the level of the air quality for odors/chemicals, as well as particals/dust. Very easy to operate. Very quiet on low. I love the filter cleaning indicator too. Filters are easy to clean, I just vaccumed with a cleaning tool. They are more expensive than some air purifiers but you get what you pay for.
eviebug - November 30, 2010
Stylish, Functional, Modern
Air purifiers have come a long way in terms of design and technology. I've gone thru the simple HEPA filters, charcoal filter, UV bulbs, electrostatic ionizers, washable collector cells, and controversial ozone emitting products.
Now I'm down to two in my home one of which is the RabbitAir MinusA2 air purifier. I love it's stylish design that doesn't look boring, kitschy, or even gimmicky. I can place it in any part of my home and it doesn't look like an eyesore.
PROS:
1. Design - slim and modern
2. Controls - chrome-like buttons all laid out on one side
3. Remote - a small plastic remote emulating all the chrome buttons on the unit that is especially useful if you decide to hang the unit on a wall
4. Mood Light / Night Light - a horizontal strip of light in the front of the unit which contributes to the ambiance in the home.
5. Technology -
a. Silver Ion Pre-Filter - washable filter similar to A/C units with a fine mesh weave that capture large dust
particles. RabbitAir goes one step further by coating it with silver ions which have been proven to retard or even eliminate bacteria growth.
b. Anti-Bacterial Medium Filter - which appears to be a blue cotton filter and captures finer dust particles, pollen, mold and bacteria.
c. BioGS HEPA filter - (technology found on the previous BioGS models) and captures even more of the above plus fungus, dust mites, odours, smoke and greenhouse gases.
d. Customized Filter - another stage in filtration to specifically tailor to your choice of "Germ Defense", "Pet Allergy" and "Toxin Absorber".
e. Charcoal Based Activated Carbon Filter - the final stage in filtration in an old reliable charcoal filtration method that helps absorb more odours and toxins.
All of the above filters are housed in a relatively sturdy filter case which helps organize and arrange these for easy removal and replacement.
f. Negative Ion Generator - which further helps purify the air by clinging to suspended particles that haven't passed thru the filter and essentially making them fall to the floor rather than float around.
g. Brushless Motor - essentially produces a longer motor life and a quiet operation due to a friction-less design.
6. Filter Life / Cost - Less time consuming and relatively less expensive replacement method by being able to operate for a year in between changes. Of course, regular monthly maintenance is recommended by vacuuming and/or washing the pre-filter as well as cleaning the vents and odour analyzer.
7. Function -
a. Odour Sensor - a vent on the right side that detects changes in air quality and adjusts fan speed accordingly for faster air purification. Of course, effective placement of the air purifier matters for a more effective operation.
b. Light Sensor - detects available light and shuts down the mood light (if used) and air quality indicator.
c. Air Quality Indicator - gives a visual indication of present air quality by changing from blue (good) to purple, pink and then red (bad).
d. Easy front panel removal - no clumsy clips here. Elegant magnet on the bottom and a simple latch on top to facilitate easy pre-filter cleaning and filter replacement.
CONS:
My gripe is the filter replacement cost. As of this writing the marketing of the filter can last "up to two years". If you further read the manual and manufacturer FAQ, this of course means operating the unit non-continuously at only 12 hours a day. But RabbitAir has stated this on their website FAQ:
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Q: Why should I run my air purifier continuously?
A:To be truly effective, ALL air purifiers should be run continuously. Scientific researches confirm that indoor air pollution rapidly returns to pretreatment levels when an air purifier is turned off.
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To truly benefit from the air purifier, then it is a no-brainer to operate it for 24 hours a day (unless it's on a vacation home that sees traffic a few times a year). Which means under "normal use" then filter life is really good for a year. Replacement cost then amounts to $75 a year plus shipping and taxes, where applicable. I would have preferred the manufacturers offer discounted filter service and free shipping KNOWING that loyal customers will be replacing their filters anyway at this predictable time frame.
Throw us a bone and make it more convenient so we won't go looking for other air purifiers down the road.
OVERALL:
I would recommend this product with it's higher quality manufacturing and design that sets it apart from other air purifiers. Are the air filters with it's multi-stage redundant layers gimmicky? I don't know. Independent reviews and studies (not provided by the manufacturer) will prove in time. And it does beat simple one-layer filters of other machines, well, at a higher price to pay.
Of course, air purifier manufacturers will tell you that "there is no price to pay for your health". Well there certainly is a price to pay for buying these purifiers and if RabbitAir can improve their product filter replacement cost down the road and independent studies can prove the performance of their filters, then we definitely have a winner in the MinusA2 model.
As for which model to buy - SPA-780A or SPA-700A. I can only say that they are exactly the same on the outside as well as filter replacement parts. The only difference is a more powerful motor to help cover a wider space and essentially guarantee up to 815 sq feet of area as well as a choice of glossy black or glossy white. Choose well.
R. Ocampo from North America - November 29, 2010
Okay, can be a bit loud on high
This seems to work okay, but when compared to a different "Holmes" purifier I have, may not be worth the money. It takes a while to clean, and does a decent job.
christidta from Oakland - November 23, 2010
Great Purifier!
"I really love this purifier's features and within one day of operating it, we've noticed a big difference in the air quality of our home.
I just wish this model came in black. We have it in our livingroom and all of our other electronics are black and that would make this unit blend in better. Otherwise...no complaints and I would highly recommend!"
Anonymous from Kansas - November 20, 2010
Does the job
This product works very well. Not only does it adapt well to the dust in the air, but it's nearly silent. We never notice it running but can always tell it is still on by the lights on the front. We turn it on turbo when running the vacuum and it goes back to low when we're through. My husband, who suffers from dust and dog allergies, seems to have shown an improvement. His condition is in no way GONE, but the air purifier has greatly helped.
snj719 from Akron, Ohio - November 20, 2010
Great Purchase
I have been using the air cleaner for about 3 weeks and what a difference it makes. I am a smoker and we recently added heat to our 3 season porch, this is the only area in the house were I smoke. Before the air cleaner it was not a pleasant room to spend time in because of the lingering stale smell of smoke. It is so much nicer now as soon as I start smoking the air cleaner will automatically adjust itself to clear the air. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a dependable air cleaner at a decent price.
deenie60 - November 20, 2010
quiet and efficient
This a very effective and quiet air purifier. It seems to be very well made and was easy to set up and start using. At nght, it's vitually silent. I definiely recomment this air purifier
shojon from St. Louis - November 19, 2010
Very pleased!!!!
This air purifier has cut my sneezing down to almost non existent. It took about a week before we noticed a difference. Where I can tell the most difference is on my hardwood floors. There is not near as much dust on the floors, so I vaccum less. Now I just wish I could have one in my bedrooms.
julesrn - November 17, 2010
This Air Purifier Is Great
"I bought this product a few weeks ago, so far it's great. It does a sufficient job eliminating odors, such as cooking smells and pet odors. It's very quiet and does not bother us when we are in the room. A nice design, sleek and looks pleasing to the eye in a silver color. Yes I would recommend this product, I wish I had purchased it sooner. A must have."
GolfChic from CT - November 14, 2010
I wrote a thank you note to one of your representatives a while ago, now, I'm sending this again WITH A PHOTO :)
Thank you for bringing this machine in our lives!
"Our" = me and my cat!
My cat just turned 18 years old last month. Yes, he is old and he suffers from allergy of dust and whatever dirt in the air for a while. I bought many, too many air filters to try to help him but his nose just wouldn't stop running and it hurts my heart. I bought BioGS for my cat's 18 years old birthday. In 2 weeks, his nose improved a lot! I also suffer from allergy of dust and cats and it helped my allergy a lot!!! This machine not only help human, but cat too! I did not take any allergy medicine for 4 weeks already! What I love the most is NOT just how effective it is but how quiet it is!! I used to have several air filter machines in my house and I am so used to those "factory-like" noise. When I turned on BioGS, I had to stick my head to the machine to hear it because it is just silent! AMAZING! Both me and my cat can sleep better with clean + fresh air but without the factory-like-machines around us now!! Thank you so much!! My cat wants to say thank you too, "MEOW"~~
Pamala from Canada - November 18, 2010
Good morning
I recently purchased the RabbitAire MinusA2 purifier for my brother. He is on overnight home dialysis and has a cat in his bedroom. I was concerned about the quality of air in his room, cat dander and odor. His procedure requires initially masking and using an alcohol bases hand sanitizer before he hooks up.
After hours of research I cam across RabbitAire. Although sceptical at first I quickly became comfortable as the Customer Care staff were exceptional. The process was simple and straight forward.
I was surprised at how attractive and silent the system was. It was very easy to set up and start. What I wasn't prepared for was the change in the air quality. It is truly amazing. For the first time in months my brother had a restful sleep. He was surprised that his chronic stuffy nose was no longer stuffy and this continues. He loved the light strip on the front, finding it similar to a snoezelen effect, which is a soothing effect. And we believe the cat enjoys it too!
I am looking forward to RabbitAire coming to Canada. I for one will be telling everyone how great your product is.
Thank you.
Mary N. from Canada - November 9, 2010
It really works!
We now live in New York City and I suffer from rag weed allergies something terrible. No, this machine did not cure me, but the improvement has been truly dramatic. We did a lot of research before investing this much in an air filter, and we are not at all disappointed. It is very silent, and only occasionally when starting up do I hear it. We have run it all year long because of other allergies, and it really requires very little maintenance. I appreciate the fact that a light does come on when you need to do maintenance. I could not recommend it more highly. (I should add that its appearance sleek, stylish, and very tasteful. It is bigger than the photos lead you do believe, so look at the measurements.)
Ronald D. M. - November 8, 2010
Amazing!
I have horrible allergies, and I've bought numerous air purifiers throughout the years. This one is completely different from anything I've ever purchased. It's like a "smart purifier." I absolutely love it! Yes, the price is a little high compared to other air purifiers, but this machine really is unbelievable. Even my husband (who calls everything like this hocus-pocus) thinks it makes a huge difference. Lately, due to weather, neither our air conditioner nor heater have cycled. Usually this makes the house smell kinda closed-up and musty. However, with the rabbit air running, it smells so fresh and pure.
rickig from San Angelo, TX - November 7, 2010
Great Product
I had been reviewing air purifiers for 6 months before I decided on this one and I could not be any happier. I live in smog central, Los Angeles, and this product keeps the dust, smells and my allergens all to a minimal. Love it and buying another one for my bedroom.
Donadrian H. from Los Angeles - November 3, 2010
Perfect
I've been using the rabbit air purifier for a few weeks and it's great. The unit is fairly quiet and does a nice job. It was very easy to set up - there was almost nothing to do. I would definitely recommend buying this unit.
The two negatives (which others have written about) are that it is a bi larger than it appears in pictures and that the display is bright. When in my bedroom I have to tape an index card over the display. That said, I'm still rating it 5 stars because it's great!
Jared W. - November 2, 2010
so far so good
I have only had it a couple of weeks, but it seems to work. Compared this machine with others and a great value
mpk from mnot, ND- October 31, 2010
It works!
I actually bought this unit for my new pet rabbit! I have pretty extreme allergies to everything and had my doubts if I could keep a bunny inside my home. Well, I still have my bunny and I am doing great! This air purifier has virtually no sound, I have little of the usual pet rabbit odors and is controlling my hay allergy to a tolerable level. This is not a cure but it sure does help. I am using rabbitair air purifier in my 400 square foot basement and it allows me to have a pet I have wanted for a very long time, Thank you! I might also mention I do have an air cleaner/filter on my furnace and I think the two together really do a good job! Before purchasing this unit I was having extreme allergy and asthma attacks and thought I would have to rehome my pet bunny. I still take other precautions such as mask and gloves when cleaning the cage and filling up the hay for the day but this does help! I hope this review might help someone else keep their pet and improve the way they feel!
sparky0401 from Northeast Ohio - October 29, 2010
Quiet effective air cleaner, tips for use of sensors!
I don't have much to add to all the other reviews, this air cleaner is the best of all those I have tried. It moves more air than the other brands I tried, while making a lot less noise. I leave it on the 2nd fan setting at night and I find the low noise a pleasant white noise. On night/silent mode I can barely hear it at all, and it is right beside the bed on my side.
I purchased this the same day I got a new mattress. I have allergies and asthma, mostly to pollen and outdoor allergens - however this has been an unbearable year for me with the worst pollen season ever. I have been meaning to buy a HEPA filter but could not bring myself to spend the money, but finally when we bought the new mattress I knew that the "new mattress smell" from off gassing chemicals would not only aggravate my allergies, but also be bad for our health.
So I bought the smallest model, since the main difference is the power of the fan, and I intend to set it on high when not in the room and a lower setting manually when I am sleeping. I read the manual and found out that when it is first plugged in, the unit sets its sensors to a "baseline" in your home. All readings in the future are relative to this baseline. Since we had just unpacked a brand new, smelly mattress beside it, the filter was setting its sensors to a very high baseline. Therefore I manually set the fan to max and left it running all day.
When we returned home the smell from the new mattress was much diminished. Obviously the air filter can only remove the VOCs as they enter the air, and over the next week or so the mattress continued to off-gas but the air filter kept the smell from accumulating in the room.
During that entire time, the chemical and dust sensors stayed at the bottom or rarely went up to "1". that did not surprise me since the baseline was set when the machine was set up in a very "dirty" air room.
After a week of running the filter on high when we were out and on the second setting at night, I unplugged the machine for 15 seconds and plugged it back in as advised in the manual to re-set the sensors to the new cleaner baseline. Now, the sensors are very sensitive, when I make the bed, the dust sensor kicks up and often the chemical sensor too, since the mattress is still only a month old there are whiffs of new mattress smells. When I sprayed some shower cleaner (a nontoxic cleaner but contains a scent) in the bathroom - in the next room, the chemical sensor picked up to max. When I cleaned the cat litter box, the dust sensor picked up even though the litter I use is the most expensive dust free kind.
It seems like a lot of the bad reviews are complaining that the machine does not sense their dirty air. If people would read the manual they would find out about this baseline setting and know that all they need to do is set the filter manually to max for a few days to clean the air, then unplug the machine for 15 seconds and plug it back in, the sensors will reset to the new cleaner air and from then on be more sensitive if you want to use the automatic settings.
The only CON I can find about this machine is that described by others - the display is way too bright and can't be turned off at night. Since most of us will use this in the bedroom for allergies, it is a huge oversight that they do not allow the display to be turned off. I hope that future models will implement this option. For now, I have to tape cardboard over the display.
me from CA - October 27, 2010
Breathe right
I purchased the RabbitAir Purifer after reading about all purifers on the market. It is more expensive than some but well worth the money. I have had it going in my bedroom for about a month.. It has made a big difference in the air quality as I have a dog and cat. I also live with a smoker. I haven't smelled the smoke and it almost cleans my whole upstairs. I don't run the Auto mode as I keep it on the medium fan speed. It is so quiet therefore, it cleans the air faster. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I have had an Oreck and I find it a hassle to clean and much louder than the RabbitAir. The size is large but it looks nice plus you can change the front panel to a variety of colors if you choose.
joanjet from Cleveland, OH - October 26, 2010
Maybe we have good air to begin with...
I've been very disappointed with this machine and could have returned it if I had saved the original packaging. It doesn't seem to do anything. I thought the would be noticeably fresher but it isn't. It's a pretty color. We have allergies in our home and this hasn't made a bit of difference.
D. E. Graham from Virginia- October 22, 2010
DEFINATELY WORTH THE MONEY
I PURCHASED THIS AIR CLEANER OVER A YEAR AGO AND AM VERY IMPRESSED HOW IT DOES CLEAN THE AIR. I BOUGHT THIS AFTER I RESCUED A DOG FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND FUOUND OUT I WAS ALLERGIC TO PET DANDER AS WELL AS OTHER ALLERGANS. I DID NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN MY BREATHING AFTER RUNNING IT THROUGH THE NIGHT. I ALSO PURCHASED A HOUSE TWO MONTHS AGO AND IN THE MIDST OF MOVING I HAD THE AIR CLEANER AT THE NEW HOUSE BUT SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE HOUSE I WAS LEAVING DUE TO GETTING UP EARLY AND HAVING TO CLEAN. JUST ONE NIGHT WITHOUT THE AIR CLEANER WAS REMARKABLE, MY BREATHING WAS WORSE AND MY SINUSES ALL PLUGGED UP. WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT THIS.....KUDOS TO RABBIT AIR
DEB BOUSKA
Debra A. B. - October 19, 2010
Over a Year and Still Very Pleased
I have owned and used this air cleaner for a little over a year and I am very happy with its performance. It is well-made, well-engineered and seems to do exactly what it was designed for: cleaning indoor air quietly and effectively.
I have owned cheaper air cleaners in the past and have always been disappointed with their noise level and shoddy construction. I gulped hard when spending this kind of money, but in the end, I am very satisfied that I did. As other reviewers have noted, this air cleaner is very quiet on the lower settings (and not excessively loud on the higher ones), it is easy to service and change filters, and it is effective at filtering odors and particles from the air.
As an aside, I also use this unit as a white noise generator in the master bedroom. My wife snores like a fog horn and in the colder months I use a Marpac Sound Conditioner (modified to make it less loud) to overcome her alarming snorts. In the warmer months, when we don't mind the drafts that a higher setting creates, I just turn the Rabbit Air on High and I don't need to use the Marpac to get some sleep.
M. Briner - October 17, 2010
FINALLY A GOOD NIGHTS REST!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to admit that I was pretty darn sceptical about this purchase. This was a difficult purchase for me for a number of reasons, #1 the price, #2 wondering if this would fit my needs and cover my issues, #3 wondering how the company would handle warranty if something should go wrong after the purchase, #4 worrying if these reviews were true (seemed too good to be true).
The reason I purchased this unit was to help out my family as we pinpoint either what appears to be an allergy issue to mold spores, pollen, dust or a combination. My home is only 4-5 yrs old, but we've had some leaks...we believe our toddlers have become allergic to the mold spores..or "something" because they've been sick about every two weeks and it's all been upper respiratory issues (coughing, wheezing, throat infections, ear infections, etc)....same symptoms as mold spores. So, there's no doubt, they are allergic to "something" that causing irritation in their throats and I felt like this would help since it traps dust, mold spores, pollen, etc.....while we run some tests on both the house and some allergy tests on the kids. My three year old also has had asthmatic issues since she was born so I knew this would help her breathe easier. We will also remove the carpets in our bedrooms...since all of that crap could be trapped in their as well.
Customer Service - Prior to purchasing....First, I was so sceptical that I contacted the company personally to get a better feeling of how their customer service would go after I purchased it. And to tell you the truth, I was totally in disbelief when a live person was on the other end within 1-2 minutes. She answered all of my concerns, even told me if I had any questions I could call her back and ask for her personally. She reassured me that this unit does remove mold particles and that they had a five year warranty.
My decision - All in all, I decided to take the plunge...and it was the best decision I've ever made! Last night was the first night I ran it...not a single cough from either toddler...no snoring from anyone (not even my husband!), it was the most quiet, and restful night I've had in long time. You can "feel" the cleaness in the air...I didn't know what others were talking about but oh yeah, the air felt a heck of alot fresher! If it did this instantly, I can just imagine how well it's going to do over the next year.
About the unit - This unit is soooo quiet...I got up at 12am just to make sure it was working. With my air conditioner going, I couldn't hear it at all..even when my central air turned off, I couldn't hear it. It is sooo sleek until it puts everything else in my traditional bedroom to shame! I love the modern look, I can't wait to purchase one for the living and kitchen. Since they are expensive this isn't something that I can just run out an buy...:-)
I feel like this was the best purchase, I also feel like I've accomplished something...a cleaner home, healthier kids, and oh, I didn't wake up stuffy nosed that I have done for the past week...for me, this has turned my world "right side up!"
Don't hesitate...I think I've done enough hesitating for everyone. In the end, just let the products rating guide your decision and you can't go wrong! Good luck!
D. Butler from Memphis, TN - October 16, 2010
There are better options
Why should you read this review? 'Cause I actually own the unit, and if you click 'Read all my reviews', you will see that this isn't the only product I have reviewed. So you know that I'm no jerk trying to promote another product, or promote this one.
I've had this 421-a for almost a year, and I have to say I'm disappointed. My bro and I would clean the unit about once every few weeks, but as of recently, we are quite busy. When I say quite busy, I mean we don't care and we play video games all day. Any who, we've been pretty consistent with cleaning the unit up until a few weeks ago, and it's air cleaning abilities are questionable.
With in the past year, it broke once, and the company had honored the warranty and repaired the unit and had it back to me in a timely manner [2-3 weeks]. It didn't work any better. It broke because of a power surge, and my crappy surge protector failed at its job, but nothing else connected to the surge protector was damaged. Go figure.
I've noticed I had to dust a LITTLE less, but I still need to dust. Although I'm an asthmatic, the 2-3 weeks I didn't have it, I didn't feel like it was gone. My breathing was the same, not worse, not better. Also, during the summer, when the windows are open, the operation of the purifier is pretty much useless... The air that comes in, whether dirty or clean, is just replacing the air that is being purified, or ionized.
The Purifier takes a mere 44 watts on high, whether the ionizer is on or off[Measured with a kill-a-watt]. Makes you wonder if there is an ionizer at all?
The past four weeks, we haven't been paying attention to it. I opened it, and lo' and behold, it is filthy as hell. I cleaned it out, and only a handful of dust was collected in the vacuum. ONLY A HANDFUL. My vacuum collects more dust if I vacuum my room weekly, and their isn't much carpet to vacuum either.
Overall, I would say it works, but it isn't worth the price. Buy a cheaper unit from a Japanese company which probably works just as effectively at a lower maintenance cost [darn those replacement filters], OR get a good ionizer and set it high like on a closet, and let all the filth settle to the floor, and vacuum it up weekly. Both of those should work as good, or maybe even better than this thing. I don't know any good units to compare too, I haven't tried anything else, but don't let the "cleaner air" tag get to you... It's only as clean as the air in the rest of your house if the windows are closed, or as clean as outside if the windows are open.
Also, a good point to make is that I live in NY, and although the air quality isn't the worst, it's still pretty bad. Clean the charcoal filter with a odorless detergent or soap... Anything odorless will do the job. If you decide to use something that smells like soap, you might as well throw it away. The charcoal will absorb the soap smell, and it will smell like crap forever after.
Mamoon B. from Queens, New York - October 11, 2010
Delivers on its promises!
Ironically enough, I purchased this machine b/c my doc said I was allergic to my pet rabbits. Turns out I am not actually allergic to them, but I am so glad that owning the Rabbit Air came out of the assumption.
It really is ultra-quiet & low maintenance and I love how it kicks into gear when it needs to, sensing what is going through my air. I remember the first time I vacuumed near it and it kicked into turbo gear all by itself! It really let me know how much invisible dust and dander was actually circulating through my air due to a simple cleaning chore.
The only thing I sometimes turn it off for is cooking. You know that fresh baked pie smell that drifts through the house? Unfortunately, it cannot distinguish good smells from bad and just kicks in to remove any odors it senses. I just switch it off when I am doing some in the kitchen that is worth filling the house with a fragrance and then turn it back on later.
I would highly recommend this purifier to anyone looking & cannot say enough good things!
A. Guthinger from Cape Cod, MA - September 29, 2010
very quiet
I bought this for my 4 & 6 yr old sons, who both seem to wake up with stuffy noses in the mornings. The 4 yr old also has infrequent asthma. I thought maybe it was allergies, so I got this rabbitair after all the positive reviews that I read. Luckily it was purchasable under a flex plan with a doctors note, and I bought it when O had a coupon. When it came I was very impressed with how well it was packaged up; each filter was wrapped and by taking it apart, you could see what the air is going to be filtered through. Overall, nice quality product, seems very sturdy and well made. Then I turned it on and geez it was quiet. Even the highest setting is not too noisy. I really like the light sensor, which will automatically go to silent mode (lowest fan) when its dark. And the air quality sensor has been a source of fun for the boys to see why it changed colors. I was surprised that the air quality in that room has so far been mostly on Blue (good) the whole week that I've had it....and so far the boys still seem to have stuffy noses...so maybe air quality wasn't the cause. However its sept now in southern calif and I know come spring time, sneezes will come flying, so I am curious how the next hay fever season will be.
chloemum from San Diego, CA - September 18, 2010
RabbitAir A421
Have been using this product for the last 3 weeks, so far its as good as advertised. Breathing has improved with cleaner air, and asthma attacks are down. Excellent buy for the money, compared this product to several others and the decideing factor was the 5 year warranty vs 2-3 years for similar products.
gspatino - September 4, 2010
Is it on?
"All I have to say about this product is...WOW! My other air purifier is quite loud, I have to keep checking to see if the power is still on with this one. Very quiet, easy to set up, very effective, overall a GREAT product! If you are having a problem with pet hair or dust, I recommend that you get this purifier! I was worried about forking out almost $500, but well worth it!"
BHF205 from Albaster, AL - August 27, 2010
Amazing!!
I purchased this air purifier because I was having trouble with sinus infections. I would wake up with serious headaches and congestion everyday. I have two dogs who sleep in our bedroom and was wondering if they were making me this way. I received the unit and set it up immediately in the master bedroom and it stated the air quality in the room was poor. I let it run throughout the night and I woke up refreshed and without a headache or congestion. It now says the room has excellent air in the bedroom. It even got rid of the dog smell that sometimes comes with pets. I am very pleased with this unit and plan on buying another one for the living room!
dher007 from San Antonio, TX - August 24, 2010
GOOD PRODUCT
My unit is in my bedroom. Since the doors and windows in the house are open during the day, that is when I have to turn it off. The auto fuction is good during the night. I sometimes use a different fan speed at other times. The light does not bother me, as my room is normally not that dark at night. I like the light blue color. I have model SPA-421A. There is no odor from the filters. I will not be washing the carbon filter. Washing anything does not work well for me.
hemetcat from Hemet, CA - August 11, 2010
Running years later, no problems.
From the amount of stuff that I vacuum out of the removable filter every now and then, this thing works. Pretty silent, runs 24/7. Makes you feel healthier.
CapNHerb from Florida - August 10, 2010
I really wanted to love this...but
"The styling on this air purifier is really cool, however it doesn't work. I bought it because my Alpine Air Breeze died and I had read that ozone is bad for you, so I decided to switch to a HEPA unit.
I wasn't necessarily as concerned about pollen, air quality, etc. but I did want cooking odors, husband odors and cat odors to be removed from the air. Not going to happen with this unit. We have a small condo and it just wasn't taking any odors out of the air at all.
I guess I'll have to get another ozone unit, which does take odors out of the air.
I am returning this item this week."
LauraJ from Connecticut - August 9, 2010
SO worth it!
We needed an air cleaner/purifier, and after lots of reading and research, landed on this one. It is absolutely terrific! My husband and I both suffer from seasonal allergies pretty badly, but we haven't had any problems at all since installing this unit. I'm saving my lunch money to buy another for the family room, and if I could, I would put one in every room of the house.
designer2 - August 6, 2010
Durable, High-Quality Product
I've been running the Rabbit Air BioGS (model 421A - covers 600 sq. ft.) Ultra-Quiet Air Purifier pretty much non-stop since I bought it a couple of years ago, and I am quite pleased with its performance.
FILTERS
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I have regularly cleaned the filters, and thought I was doing a good job, but I recently ordered replacements and realized that my old HEPA filter was in a sorry state. I guess I should have been changing it at least once a year or so. Of course, until recently I lived in a VERY dusty environment and ran it a lot, so your mileage will vary.
The coal filter is probably this product's least desirable feature. You have to be very careful when cleaning it. I accidentally popped open one of the compartments. Charcoal pellets escaped everywhere, and even after I finally got it closed, the plastic compartments never quite sealed right. I don't think it affected the machine's performance, but it was not an enjoyable experience.
Also, be aware that the filters are expensive. To replace both you'll spend about 100 dollars. You can only purchase them from Rabbit (through Amazon).
DISPLAY
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It seems like most electronic devices these day are built to scream out to the world that they are operating with lots of lights and beeps. The Rabbit is no exception. I don't usually have it in the bedroom, but when I do, I turn it to face the wall so that the display doesn't annoy me. It beeps every time you press the button, so make sure you have it all set up before you go to sleep!
NOISE
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I can barely hear it on the low setting. On the high setting, though, it makes a bit of noise. But, even at its most powerful, the machine is still less noisy than the low setting of a regular fan.
SUMMARY
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For me, the question would be: Is this product worth the money? Given its durability, I would say that it is.
Christopher Mayo from New Jersey - July 30, 2010
It works.
Love this product. Cleans air fast, and it's quiet. Sent one to my oldest grandchild, who lives in an occasionally musty room in a wonderful historic house. Enter lime-green RabbitAir. No musty. Youngest grandchild in same house felt slighted because lime green is HER favorite color. The color works, but so does the product; it helps with her allergies as well. Cleaning the filters is a snap with a handheld vacuum cleaner and Q-tips (sorry, RabbitAir, they do work); no need to continually replace HEPA filters.
cecie s. - July 26, 2010
So quiet
I spend over 2 months researching on the perfect air filter. I shopped the local hardware stores, specialty stores, and online merchants and was not content with what I found. I was looking for a quiet machine that was easy to fit in a corner without being an eyesore. In addition, costs of replacement filter fees was high on the list and the square footage of coverage. The RabbitAir is all of the above and more. I have it on the auto-setting and the air has never smelled so fresh. My condo does not have a sufficient fan when cooking so food smells linger past 24 hours. Not the case now. I ordered the front cover in Pearl White which is beautiful. You can also order the different colors and switch it out if you desire on the company's main website. The functions are straight forward. Although you have to use the remote to access all features. It is relatively lightweight so that I can move it to different areas of the room with ease. It is energy efficient although it did not qualify for energy-star, although extremely close. For more detailed information with video, go the the official website for rabbitair. So to make my review a little easier to read, it will be broken down as below: PROS: extremely quiet stylish- can swap out front case cover if desired light-weight easy to use function with auto-setting reduces dust/pollen/food odors effectively energy efficient covers large square footage for such a moderate size cheap filter replacement costs (every 1.5-3 years) 5 year warranty plug in and forget about it CONS: pricey (but worth it to me) must change out filters strictly as recommended or warranty is void cannot access all features unless use remote- so don't lose it! not energy star rated Oh, and you can see how effective the auto mode is . . . my boyfriend farts in the vicinity of the rabbitair and the turbo setting kicks in and the orange/red bar lights up. Makes for some giggles.
oanhp - July 20, 2010
Awesome product
I am a smoker and always smoked in one room with my fan blowing out the window, not very energy efficient!
I bought this and WOW! Very quiet and very effective. Super easy to put together too!
A+++++
Linda S. - July 15, 2010
Absolutely Great
We purchased one Rabbit Air BioGS to try out. Within two weeks we purchased two more. These Air Purifiers are great. The first day we noticed no more sneezing for us and our two pets. Friends have noticed the difference in air quality in our home.
Linda S. from West Columbia, TX - July 7, 2010
RabbitAir is great!
Love the RabbitAir!! It is quiet and has completely solved the dander problem with our pet cockatiel!!
tito74 - July 7, 2010
Efficient
Honestly we got this machine because our dog has allergies. He is much better although we are not sure if it is because of the air purifier or because we are vacuuming behind the couch every day. It does work relatively silently, and the automatic air purity measuring feature is very sensitive. The air quality goes from good to medium for five minutes when my husband takes off his shoes in the evening.
genabum from San Francisco - July 6, 2010
An amazingly quiet, mid-power air purifier.
I wanted an air purifier for my living room where I have some electronics that need protection from smoke and dust. I also needed a unit that could realistically and reliably clean the air sufficiently in this 250 square foot area and help remove the odor and particulate matter from occasional cigarette smoke that may drift into the room. It's a large volume area because of the high cathedral ceiling and open design. While that may not sound too difficult to accomplish with many mid to large air purifiers, I also wanted a unit that was as silent as possible, and that's not so easy to find.
I spent several weeks researching air purifiers and came away with the conclusion that IQ Air, Austin Air and Blueair are probably the best that the industry has to offer as far as big and powerful air purifiers go these days (IQ Air has a carbon filter with 5 pounds of charcoal and Austin Air has 15 pounds of charcoal ... 15 pounds!). So why didn't I choose one of those? Price, noise level, size and looks were the determining factors (although Blueair has good noise ratings and they look attractive, but are a bit on the pricey side). Excluding any of those models wasn't easy. Nor was it easy to cross off less expensive mid-power sized units from Sharp and Winix. I also had a difficult time choosing between several models of Rabbit Air. Decisions ... decisions....
In order to educate myself in the murky waters of outrageous air purifier claims, I turned to the internet, but at first I found no real help (not many websites review air purifiers). I had recently purchased a small, one-room air purifier from Alen and didn't do enough research. Turned out that I wasn't exactly thrilled with that purchase (although it's really not a bad unit per se ... I rated it 3 stars). Fortunately, I eventually found a website that took reviewing and testing of these products very seriously, which gave me more confidence when I decided to go for a more powerful (and expensive) unit in the living room. I highly recommend Air-Purifier-Power as the one and ONLY source (at present) to help shed some light on this less than stellar industry. Personally, I wouldn't rely on Consumer Reports as far as air purifiers go. I found them to be of little help and their testing methods for air purifiers have been under fire for years, and I can see why. What they rated highly gave me a good chuckle.
So now that I have the Rabbit Air 700A, what do I think? As the title indicates, this is a very quiet air purifier, perhaps one of the top two or three in the industry (of the ones that have fans ... I won't go into what I think about those that don't have fans). This unit has five different fan speeds (silent, low, medium, high and turbo). To me, noise level was as critical as cleaning ability. What good is an air purifier if it interferes with your daily living? I didn't want to have to turn up the TV to drown out a fan. Of course at the two top speeds (high and turbo), one can easily hear the 700A throughout the house. Still, its high speed is quieter than many products at mid speeds. So do yourself a favor and check out fan output (CFM) and the associated noise level (dBA) on any model you may want to purchase. The Rabbit Air 700A is about 46 dBA on turbo speed (@ 187 CFM) and under 21 dBA on silent speed (@47 CFM)! BTW, some products are even quieter than this, but check the CFM to see if they are putting out as much air at that noise level.
I chose the 700A over the 780A for a couple of reasons, even though I would have preferred black over white (not too impressed with the looks of this white model). The two reasons were value and noise level. These two models are virtually identical except the fan is revved up a bit on the 780A, making it a tad louder, but has the ability to suck in and blow more air and cover a little larger area. The first three speeds on the 700A (silent, low, medium) are indeed quiet, and the silent speed is aptly named. I have to get within 4 or 5 feet to begin hearing it. The CADR (clean air delivery rate) rating on the 700A and 780A is the same (except the 780A has a slightly better Pollen rating). As far as square footage is concerned, divide any number that these manufacturers spew out by two (normal ceilings) or three (high ceilings) and you will get a closer idea of what is realistic. If you assume the manufacturer's claims are legit, you may be in for disappointment (I'm pretty sure they calculate all these numbers based upon normal ceiling height and maximum fan speed, which is unrealistic in the normal home environment). I'd like to see a CADR rating at each fan speed and the use of volume in addition to square footage as far as coverage specification, but fat chance that these will ever be implemented.
What separated the Rabbit Air products from each other (the 700A and 780A vs their other models), as well as other manufacturers models, is the ability to choose a custom filter (they have four to choose from at present: germ, toxin, pet allergy and odor). This is a great idea, and one can order a specific filter type depending upon one's needs. I find this makes perfect sense. And installing and changing filters is simple and painless (pealing off the cellophane wrapper on these filters is a bigger pain than installing them). It also has a permanent pre-filter one can vacuum and/or wash, which I find a very important feature. Pre-filters pick up the biggest particulate matter, and I will no longer buy an air purifier without a cleanable pre-filter. Live and learn.
The ad states that it is a six stage purification system: anti-microbial pre-filter (read silver), anti-bacterial medium filter (additional dust catcher, which is unusual in the industry and helps not to overtax the HEPA filter), BioGS HEPA filter (I guess it gets that name because they added some anti-viral agents ... yeah, whatever), custom filter (not many companies I know, if any, have this option) and carbon filter (although I doubt there is much more than a pound of charcoal in it, but I haven't measured the weight). I guess the mysterious sixth stage is a negative ion generator (the good kind, but who knows these days?). I like the fact that their filter kits, which include the four changeable filters, are reasonably priced and are one of the better values I have found.
This model comes with a decent set of electronics and lights for giving you information, plus it performs automatic cycling (changes fan speed depending upon the air quality that the particle sensor reads), but it doesn't come with an odor sensor. This probably isn't too big of a deal since these sensors are hardly reference quality to begin with. However, even knowing the limitations of these sensors, I like the idea of having them included and thought for the price I paid for the 700A an odor sensor should have come with this unit. At least the particle sensor gives me some feedback (accuracy not withstanding) and a baseline to go from.
Rating air purifiers may not be too accurate unless one has used their particular model for a full filter cycle (anywhere from 6 months to a year depending upon the environment it is in). I've only owned this product for a little over 2 months now, and during that time I found the quality and performance has been very good. If things change during the year, I'll report back. So, between 1 and 10, I rate the Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-700A (that's a mouthful) an 8, or a solid 4-star rating, but this is assuming it will give me years of untroubled service (it does come with a 5 year warrantee, which is a big plus). Other than thinking it should have included an odor sensor (one of their cheaper models include this), I wish it had a more hefty carbon filter, say 3 pounds of charcoal at minimum, but it is what it is. This marginal carbon filter is the reason I selected the custom odor filter option (although I may opt for a different custom filter later on and swap them whenever I choose). I also felt that they should have provided a wall mounting bracket since they advertise it being wall mountable. Now if this bracket was an expensive to make add-on, I'd understand. But it's a bracket they make for a buck and sell for 10, so I consider this wringing out every cent they can from the consumer. I also had to laugh at their ridiculous claim concerning their "mood" light. Still, I'm pretty happy with this unit, but for the life of me I don't know where I can put it so it will be unobtrusive (but that would be the case for any of these devices).
dsrussell from Corona, CA - July 5, 2010
finally relief
I get hit in the spring with allergies. Last year I purchased a Sharp from another online store. That one was clearly refurbished and didn't come with the remote. I used it for a few weeks to see if it would help me and then returned it. It did help but seemed like availability was limited and I got past the allergy season so I didn't repurchase. This spring comes around and I needed a filter and I found the Rabbit. It was a little more expensive but decided it seemed to be a better product.
I have had it for four days now. I set it up and put it on medium and have let it run continuous. I noticed significant improvement after the first night! I am very happy with this product. The panel is bright but doesn't bother me at night. The fan noise on medium is no louder than the AC fan when it comes on. I will eventually buy another for the downstairs area.
Kevin A L. - July 2, 2010
Worth the Money
I got this to replace the other air filter (not Rabbit Air) we were moving downstairs into the basement. I really like this one better because it has an Auto feature which senses the air and cylces the fan speed accordingly. It has a pollen setting which will run constantly. Filters are not expensive (comparatively) and the HEPA only has to be replaced every 18 months and the Carbon filter ever 3 years! Just vacuum to maintain!
On auto, the sensor senses chemicals or odors and kicks on accordingly. It has a NON-OZONE creating ion setting which freshens the air it circulates with no funny OZONE smell. Another nice feature is the Turbo Mode. You select Turbo and it runs the fan on high for 10 minutes and then it switches to Auto Mode.
Drawbacks are the bright LCD panel since we have it in the bedroom but I have just put some post it notes over top. If you aren't planning on having it a bedroom (it is a bit large for just one room anyway) this shouldn't be an issue. The other drawback is that if you have it on the pollen setting, you can't use the Auto setting. I had it on Auto (it wasn't running) and switched to Pollen and it started to run. I'm not sure I want it to run on a low speed all the time (which it what the other one did) because I rather liked the idea it kicked off when not needed but... I guess that's the purpose of the Pollen setting. The other drawback is several functions are not available without the remote control. To help not lose it there is a storage slot on the top of the machine.
I would recommend.
Deborah M. C. - July 2, 2010
quiet and it works
bought this after the naturopath said to take out carpets and get an airpurifier. those looked too big, and too noisy. did a lot of research, and husband pushed for this one.
the first unit had a problem w/ it's sensors. had a bit of trouble w/ customer service @ first...they kept making us try different things to make it work...like poofing baby powder in front of it! this just made it dirty. after a stern email, the replacement came and we love it. i keep it in the bedroom, but sometimes in the short hall between 2 bedrooms and bathroom.
pro's:
+ it does what it says. air seems cleaner in the room.
+ it's the lowest decibel level i could find in my research. it really is very quiet in automatic mode(but not silent,) and i have bionic 'mom' ears.
+ it detects farts within 3-7 seconds...even the ones from under the sheets. i don't know how it can smell them b4 i do. my nose is bionic too.
+ light enough for me to move short distances.
+ 'pollen mode' rocks. i use this mode on VOG-gy days. VOG is volcanic smog.
+ husband can clean the filters
+ has a place to store the remote
con's:
- it does get a little louder on the higher fan speeds, but it's bearable and at a frequency that is acceptable to my bionic mom ears.
- i still don't think it's dust sensor is accurate. sometimes it detects dust.
- it doesn't detect the cat's dander like i'd hoped.
- faintly rattles if floor is uneven. it needs some type of leveling mechanism.
- light on the front makes the room bright.
- my son doesn't think it works, so he refuses to try it in his dusty, stinky room.
if this thing doubled as a dehumidifier and had a uv light inside, it would be perfect.
C. Fernandez - July 2, 2010
Not really for 600sq ft More like 300 sq ft
I purchased 3 units all at the same time this one being the most expensive. It is quite and does clean the air but not for more that 300 sq ft. After 6 weeks I opened the unit and found the filters to be very dusty so I cleaned the unit and reset the filters. The unit never indicated to me that the filters needed to be cleaned so I have to use common sense to monitor it on my own.
My allergies have been significantly controlled once I purchased the unit so overall I believe it does work at maintaining quality air in the room it is located.
Victoria Eastburn from Trumbull, CT - June 27, 2010
Great Product, Great Customer Service
I have been through many so called air purifiers over the last 5 years.I have developed allergies about 7 years ago, all other brands either seemed to have no effect on my allergies or were to noisy. After reading and doing a lot of research I decided to give the rabbit a try. I am 100% satisfied and happy with my purchase, My nose is not as stuffed anymore even my eyes don't itch, even my wife who for years told me don't waste your money ALL air cleaners are a gimmicks or wont work says she feels better and sleeps better.I was so happy I bought a second unit for my living room, I don't keep it on automatic, which does work great, I just prefer to keep it on med speed in manual mode all the time. The only concern I did have was the ionizer, I know the rabbit company says it is 100% ozone free but I am not sure, when I turn on the ionizer, after about a hour I start to smell that faint smell of ozone,it gives off a slight bleach smell, BUT, unlike other brands I have the option to shut it off and run the purifier with no ionization.I do believe it does create small amounts of ozone, aside from that this unit gets 5 starts from me.I am a rabbit customer for good.Also I like the idea of having a web site where I can by accessories, like a replacement remote or a new front panel if you want to change the color,of course you can buy all the filters there to.
BeachBumJef from Bucks County, PA - June 26, 2010
Almost a five
I know I bought too small -- I have a 850 sq feet apartment to cover so this is just to help out - not for total air quality control. I love the green color. Think iPod metallic green. You can measure, but you are never prepared for how big the unit is compared to the picture -- but it's light enough to move around. The noise: On full blast -- it is no worse than a "whisper quite" large fan or window air conditioner. You get used to it after a few days. Because I have a dog and a cat, I'll bet that I will have to wash the filters more often -- but they are super easy to access. These units are drop-shipped in two days by UPS directly from the factory and are not seconds. I looked at multiple sites to find a cheaper price -- and overstock lists the standard costs -- these units never go on sale. However, the shipping at overstock is cheaper than most!
doraf from Scottsdale AZ - June 24, 2010
excellent for your health
This product saved me from serious health problems I was having from environmental allergies and toxins. I work in a very toxic printing mill and was beginning to feel the effects of it daily - getting vertigo from the toxins on a daily basis - so I recommended to my boss to replace our old air filter with the rabbitt 2, which I have at my home. Immediately I felt relief and my dark circles have gone from under my eyes. this feels healthy and is the best filter I have ever tried - by far! It is so good that it has an air quality indicator light which, when someone walks into the door (10 feet away from it) who has smoke smell on his clothes, the red light goes on immediately....but quickly turns to blue showing that it has cleared the air.
k8tie from Pasadena, CA - June 23, 2010
Well designed and effective
I bought the RA 582A back in November 2007, so I have a few years experience with it. I am just getting ready to replace the HEPA filter on the unit. I soak the charcoal filter in a vinegar solution to freshen it, and I don't see a need to replace it now. The HEPA filter is more fragile, but I find that using a damp microfiber cloth, I can wipe many of the pollutants from the thin membrane that protects the HEPA filter. I am replacing the filter now because when I put it on, I notice a decrease in the air flow, probably due to blockage of the HEPA filter. However, it's been over 2 years, so that's not bad. The plastic (coarse) filter in front is easily rinsed and brushed clean. Wow, it captures a lot of dust, pollen, and this time even a large bug! The effectiveness of this coarse filter is probably why the HEPA can be maintained for a longer time.
The unit seems to perform well, but you must maintain the grill around the two sensors, by vacuuming or wiping away the dust that accumulates over time. The auto setting works, but I find it better to keep the fan running continuously on the low setting. It is very quiet and doesn't disturb us. The unit is in our family room near the kitchen. It effectively draws out most of the kitchen odors before they travel upstairs to the bedroom.
The controls are very well designed. I like the red warning light that comes on every 90 days or so, to warn you to clean the filters. The remote is also very nice, but stays tucked away in a 'pocket' at the top rear of the unit.
Sorry to see that some others have had some problems with their units, but so far we haven't experienced any. I highly recommend this model of the Rabbit Air purifiers.
P. Kalina from Midland, MI - June 22, 2010