TLDR Review: Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier
Score
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) earns a moderate score due to its efficient air purification capabilities and quiet operation, which are praised by many users for improving air quality, especially in spaces with pets or allergy sufferers. However, concerns about noise at higher speeds, a lack of effective customer support, and inconsistent performance of features such as the air quality indicator have been highlighted, impacting overall satisfaction. Despite this, it is well-regarded for its value and ease of use, making it a commendable option in its price range.
Pros
- •Very quiet operation, even when fan speed increases due to air detection.
- •Easy filter removal and replacement.
- •Wirecutter's top recommendation for several years.
- •Simple and straightforward setup process.
- •Effective in maintaining air quality, noticeable by periodic fan speed adjustments.
- •Excellent air cleaning performance, leaving air crisp and clean.
- •Effective at removing new furniture smell and other pollutants.
- •Intelligent auto mode that adjusts speed and duration based on pollution detection.
- •Energfficient, saving on energy and filter replacement costs.
- •Significant reduction in dust, allergens, and odors.
Cons
- •Generates very low levels of ozone as a byproduct of the ionizer.
- •Higher settings are fairly loud.
- •Doesn’t detect cooking odors effectively.
- •Ineffective in reducing household dust and dog hair.
- •Sensitive to perfume, activating without clear reason.
- •The light makes it unsuitable for bedroom use at night.
- •Initial strong chemical odor upon use that persisted briefly.
- •Some uncertainty about the effectiveness lonerm.
- •Expensive HEPA filters.
- •Unit too bright at night.
Bottom Line
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) True HEPA Purifier is a solid choice for maintaining air quality with its effective 4-stage filtration, quiet operation, and intelligent auto mode. It excels in reducing dust, allergens, and odors, making it a top recommendation by Wirecutter. However, for those sensitive to noise or who need an air purifier effective against cooking odors and pet hair, other models might be worth considering. Despite a few drawbacks, its overall performance and energy efficiency make it a worthy investment for most households.
Where to Buy
Most Mentioned Phrases
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices for anything in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, also called the Mighty, can handle rooms up to 361 square feet. This makes it a good fit for medium to large spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, or offices, where you spend a lot of time and need clean air.
According to the manufacturer, it uses a True HEPA filter that can capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, like dust and allergens.
There’s also a pre-filter and odor filter to catch bigger particles and tackle smells.
Our research found that people like the automatic mode, which changes the fan speed based on current air quality. It also has an Eco mode that shuts off the fan when it doesn't detect pollution for 30 minutes to save energy.
For the ionizer function: while it can help trap tiny particles by clumping them together, it does produce some ozone, which might irritate sensitive folks. If that's a concern, you can turn off the ionizer, and the purifier will still do a great job.
Overall, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH is effective and easy to use. It has a simple interface and an air quality light that shows how clean the air is.
Some folks mention the light can be a bit much at night, but that's a small issue compared to its strong performance. Plus, maintenance is easy with filter replacement reminders.
So, if you need a solid air purifier for a medium to large room, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH is definitely worth considering.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH does use an ionizer during its filtration process, which means it can produce a small amount of ozone.
According to the manufacturer, though, the ozone levels are very low and well within the safety limits set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
So, while it does produce a bit of ozone, it's generally safe for regular use in your home.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH has varying noise levels depending on the fan speed. Here's a quick rundown based on our research:
-
Low Speed: Super quiet. Perfect for bedtime or places like bedrooms or offices where you need peace and quiet. People have mentioned it's so quiet they hardly notice it.
-
Medium Speed: This one's in the middle—not too loud, not too quiet. It's good for daytime use when a bit of background noise isn't a big deal. It balances between cleaning the air efficiently and not being disruptive.
-
High Speed: You'll definitely hear it at this setting. Some folks aren't too bothered, but if you're in a silent room, it could be distracting. However, it's great for quickly getting rid of lots of pollutants.
-
Auto Mode: The fan speed, and thus the noise, adjusts automatically based on the air quality. So if the air is already clean, it'll stay quiet, but if there's more pollution, it'll get louder as it ramps up the cleaning.
-
Eco Mode: This mode lowers noise by shutting off the unit after 30 minutes if no pollutants are detected. It saves energy and keeps things quiet when the air is already good.
Overall, while it can be a bit noisy at higher speeds, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH is pretty quiet on the lower settings.
The auto mode adjusting itself also helps keep noise to a minimum when possible. So it's pretty flexible, whether you need it quiet for a good night's sleep or powerful for clearing out pollutants quickly.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier doesn't quite fit your needs, here are some other options to consider:
Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier
The Levoit Core 300 offers a wider coverage area, making it ideal for larger rooms or open spaces. With a three-stage filtration system, it effectively purifies air in spaces up to 219 square feet, which might better suit your needs compared to the Coway model.
Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier
The Austin Air HealthMate features a unique filter that lasts up to 5 years, greatly reducing the need for frequent replacements. Compared to the recurring costs of Coway Airmega filters, this offers a more economical choice in the long run.
Footer 1
Published
Subscribe for Updates
Get the latest news, and updates on ShopSavvy. You'll be glad you did!