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Customer Reviews: Average Rating:  Rating : - A good product - please read entire review
I did something a little different for this product, I wrote the first part before I had purchased the yet. My observations were based on research I have done, then I updated the review after I actually bought the product.
I acccidentaly ran across the Filtrete series of air cleaners while looking for Filtrete filters for my HVAC unit. I have used Filtrete filters for several years and I will attest that they get dirtier faster (which to me means they really are doing something) than any other brand. Sure they cost about $10 each but who cares if they do the job? I am amazed every time I replace a Filtrete filter in my HVAC how dirty it gets. Compare that with all of the air "purifiers" and "filters" I have bought, having spent well over $1000 on such junk. The worse of all time was the Oreck, which I seriously feel should be sued for false advertising. It didn't do anything at all and yet was one of the most expensive "air cleaners" I ever bought. Having owned so many units I have a very clear understanding now of what what will really clean air ... the same thing as what makes my HVAC filters get dirty so fast. That means a LARGE filter area with a fan sucking air through it. Period. All the rest of total hype. What I like when I review the 3M Filtrete units is just that. They stay away from all the HEPA hype and silly claims that certain units use with ozone, etc. This filter is pure science ... it pulls lots of air through a real, replaceable filter that traps particulates. That is what an air filter should do! I can't see the reasoning behind the claims of "purifying" the air. I'm not sure that is possible. Just get the dust, dirt, allergens, etc out and you will be breathing clean air. And the larger the filter area, the more air will be cleaned. Logic. I have settled on the FAP04-RC as the most cost-efficient unit on the market. Amazon sells it through partnet Target for $199, a lot less than most units, and just a little more than other Filtrete units with smaller filters. It seems to have some unique and helpful features. I am going to buy one and will give it a few months to evaluate it. I urge Amazon customers to use some simple logic when buying these things. ALL air cleaners are grossly overpriced! I mean, come on, a plastic case, a cheap fan and a $10 filter should never cost $200, let alone what some of the mass advertised brand names cost. But you are paying for a service when you buy these things. You want clean air. for my money what makes sense is an air filter/cleaner that gets dirty as heck every few weeks with a brand-name replaceable filter that really filters. Like ink jet printers, air cleaners make their money (big bucks) on replacement filters. And like ink jet printers, if you have resolved in your mind that you are going to own one and pay the price you might as well get one that does the best job possible.
Update: After buying another brand of air cleaner for the living room, and spending $9000 on a whole-house HVAC with electrostatic air cleaning, I happened on the 3M air cleaner I originally discussed on close-out and bought one for my office. It has run 24/7 for a few months and I stand by everything I orginally said. The large filter area IS important, and being able to buy 3M filters nearly everywhere IS important. I'll also add that the fan is super-quiet and I literally never know it's on, it is a very pleasing soft pitch. Most importantly, my office is no longer covered with a layer of dust and I feel I can breathe easier which makes me feel better and more alert. By the way I paid almost 600 for a rabbit stand-alone cleaner and it does a great job, however the 3M cost me about 560 less and I honestly think it is almost as efficient. I don't think you can go wrong with this product. + See Full Customer Review |  |
