If you are looking for a durable air purifier to remove the chemical smells from your nail salon, dry cleaning laundry room, smoking zone, basement, or laboratory, then the Austin Air HealthMate Plus is for you. The purifier comes in a metal housing with caster wheels, a heavy-duty chemical filter, easy-to-use, and the filter lasts up to 5 years.
In this Austin Air HealthMate Plus Air Purifier review, we look at the purifier’s specs, features, pros, and cons.
Jump to:
- Specs
- In-depth Review
- Suitable Room Size
- Operating Costs
- Pros & Cons
- Austin HealthMate vs. HealthMate Plus vs. HealthMate Junior
Austin Air HealthMate Plus Specifications:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model No. | HM450 |
| Filtration Technology |
|
| Cartridge Filter Specs |
|
| HEPA Class | True HEPA |
| Filter Life | up to 5 years |
| Maximum CADR | 250 cubic feet per minute (cfm) |
| Room Coverage (8 ft ceilings) | 375 sq ft with 5 air changes per hour (calculate ACH for your room) |
| Sensors | ❌ |
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Automatic Mode | ❌ |
| Noise Level | 50 - 66 dB |
| Rated Power | 135 Watt |
| Weight | 47 lbs |
| Dimensions | 23″H x 14.5″W x 14.5″D |
- The Austin Air Healthmate Plus is highly efficient at removing wood burning smoke, formaldehyde and other dangerous VOC’s.
- Its broad-spectrum absorption offers the ultimate protection for people exposed to smoke from wildfires and those living close to busy...
- Excellent choice for people with sensitivity to certain chemicals and gases found in the home.
- First choice for people with pre-existing health concerns and people living in high particle and gas contaminated areas.
- The Austin Air Healthmate Plus eases headaches and reduces nausea related to chemical exposure. Helps reduce coughing, wheezing and...
In-depth Review of Austin Air HealthMate Plus Air Purifier:
Austin Air Systems is a trusted brand that has been providing air systems for more than 30 years. With solid constructions, these systems have continued to ensure people breathe pure air, day and night.
One of the best solutions made by Austin Air Systems is the Austin Air HealthMate Plus Air Purifier.
Here is why.
Four-Stage Filtration System
We liked the Austin Air HealthMate Plus Air Purifier because it features 4 stage physical filters. They include:
- Large particle pre-filter (the main filter protector)
- Medium particle pre-filter (for medium particles)
- Activated carbon (for VOCs, odors, and chemicals)
- True HEPA filter (for tiny particles)
Let’s start with the large particle pre-filter sheet. As the first stage, it removes particles seen by the naked eye. These particles include pet dander, dust, and hair. It also protects the main 3-in-1 cartridge filter.
After the first stage, the air passes through to the second stage, notably the medium particulate pre-filter. This stage traps medium-sized particles. Such pollutants include pollen and mold spores.
After the second filter, you have 15 pounds of deep bed activated carbon filter. What’s unique about this filter is that it is impregnated with potassium iodide and zeolite as oxidizing agents. As such, it’s useful in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde.
It also removes chemical odors and gases. This filter is effective because the potassium iodide enhances the binding of chemical odors.
That is why it’s suitable for people suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Also, if you are an active smoker and want to remove the lingering smells from tobacco or marijuana smoke, the filter will help you a lot.
The last filter is the medical-grade true HEPA filter. With an area of more than 60 square feet, the pleated HEPA filter can efficiently remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. For 0.1 micron particles, the efficiency is 95 percent. The particles include tobacco smoke, traffic pollutions, airborne bacteria, and viruses.
The filtration system has a long life – 5 years to be exact. Besides that, the manufacturer offers a five-year pro-rated warranty on the filter media.
Check out our top picks >>> The 7 Best Air Purifier for VOCs.
Design
Austin HealthMate Plus comes in a box-shaped design that is purely constructed from steel, including the perforated grill. To ensure it can withstand years of use, Austin Air Systems powder coated the steel frame. As such, it’s safe to say that the air purifier can resist corrosion.
The air purifier has the following dimensions – 23 inches high by 14.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches deep. This means you can reach the top knob to set your favorite fan speed. You can choose the lowest speed, medium speed, or the highest speed.
It has a 360-degree air intake protected by a perforated steel grille. The air purifier sucks unfiltered air through the intake and passes it through the filtration system. After contaminants get trapped, it releases clean, fresh air back into the room via a side outlet on top.
At the base of the air purifier, you have the caster wheels. These wheels can roll across any terrain. That includes hardwood flooring, carpets, rugs, and tiled floor. The air purifier weighs 47 pounds, which means without the caster wheels, moving between rooms would be messy.
There are four colors available – black, midnight blue, white, and sandstone.
Clean Air Delivery Rate and Noise Level
The air purifier has a three-speed centrifugal fan. Powered by a high-efficiency motor, it has an airflow rate of 400 cfm without the filter. Including the filter, the CADR is 250 cfm. As such, it can clean 625 square feet of room three times per hour. Check out the recommended room size below.
The permanent split capacitor motor is mounted on shock absorbers. This helps to reduce the noise level. At the lowest speed setting, the air purifier produces nearly 50 decibels. This is below a normal conversation, which has a noise level rating of 60 dB.
When you switch to the highest speed setting, the Austin Air HealthMate Plus Air Purifier produces 66 decibels. This is a bit louder; however, you don’t have to run the air purifier on top speed most of the time.
Suitable Room Size for Austin Air HealthMate Plus:
If you have higher ceilings, use our Air Changes per Hour Calculator to calculate the suitable room size.
Austin Air HealthMate Plus Operating Costs:
Annual Filter Replacement: ~ $72 per year based on 5 years usage ($360, check the current filter price on Amazon, Sylvane).
Monthly Energy Consumption: ~ $5.8 (based on 12 cents per kWh and 12 hours use on the top speed per day). Use our Energy Usage Calculator to find out the bill based on your usage and the local energy rate.
Pros & Cons:
You can also select the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier for VOCs and odor removal as it comes with an earth mineral-based gas and odor filter that doesn’t off-gas.
Austin HealthMate vs. HealthMate Plus vs. HealthMate Junior:
Both Austin HealthMate and HealthMate Plus have the same form factor but a different filter configuration. The activated carbon filter in HealthMate Plus has potassium iodide for advanced odor and VOC control.
On the other hand, the Austin HealthMate Junior comes in a smaller form factor.
Questions and Answers
Q. Does the air purifier emit any ozone?
A. No, Austin HealthMate series air purifiers are completely ozone-free as they don’t have any electronic filters.
Q. Can I vacuum the outer housing?
A. Yes, you can vacuum the steel outer housing. This will remove any particles stuck in the perforated grill. You can take it a step further by giving the outer casing a good wipe down.
Q. Does it come with a filter change indicator?
A. No, this model does not have a filter change indicator. The manufacturer recommends that you change your filters after 60 months of regular use.
Final Thoughts
The Austin Air HealthMate Plus has a pretty advanced filter for odors and chemicals. While it does not have a remote control or timers feature, it has easy-to-use controls. All you have to do is turn the dial to select the best fan speed.
Overall, this air purifier will protect you for years as it is a basic low-maintenance and high-performing air purifier.
I bought this air purifier for $600 approximately six years ago and loved it for the first five years. Then I purchased a replacement filter for $240. I took the replacement out of the box and could hear what sounded like little stones rattling around. After calling the company to make sure this was normal, which they reassured me was not a problem I began using it. I have severe allergies which cleared up when I used it with the original filter. Once I replaced the filter which I purchased directly from the company, my allergies returned. I took the filter out of the machine today and found loose pieces of something inside and loose pieces falling from the filter. I called the company today and was told they prorate replacements and a new filter would be discounted 50%. I’ve had it for 6 months out of a 60 month warranty which prorated would be 10%, which I would not mind paying. But 50%? Not good business. I will be discarding or trying to sell this purifier and take my business else where.