Honeywell 50250-S Enviracaire HEPA Air Purifier Review
The Honeywell 50250-S HEPA Air Purifier is Honeywell’s highest powered HEPA air purifier. The Honeywell 50250-S comes with long-lasting HEPA filtration.
The True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns. It can be vacuumed, depending on use, instead of replaced.
Of course, you will still need to replace the HEPA every 1-5 years if the filter gets clogged, damaged, or its performance falls. The unit also comes with an activated carbon pre-filter to trap larger airborne particles.
Carbon filter also reduces odors and gasses, keeping air fresh while protecting the HEPA. Pre-filter is not washable and will require replacement every three months.
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Honeywell 50250-S Review
The Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-S effectively removes airborne allergens, particles and other contaminants that can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory disorders.
The 50250-S is AHAM Certified to clean air in rooms up to 390 square feet. In smaller rooms, it can change air up to 23 times in an hour.
In larger rooms, it can filter air five times in an hour. It will remove even household odors from kitchen or smoking.
As air circulates through the unit (several times an hour), microscopic particles are removed, including dust, dust mite allergen, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, soot, tobacco smoke, light household odors and gasses, and even some germs, viruses, and bacteria.
Patented 360° air intake and discharge maximizes air cleaning efficiency. SurroundSeal technology helps prevent the particles circulating through the unit from bypassing the HEPA and leaching back into the room.
The Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA air purifier control panel comes with a backlit 3-speed control knob, plus filter status indicators and reset buttons.
You can use a rotary dial to switch between 3 air cleaning speeds: Sleep (low), Day (medium) or Turbo (high), or to turn the unit off.
The dial is backlit with a blue light that goes on when the machine is running. Intelli-Check Filter Indicators provide a convenient guide as to when to check or clean the HEPA, and when to replace the pre-filter.
Review Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA Air Purifier Allergen Reducer Germ Fighting
Some may need to replace the carbon pre-filter every month and some every three months. Some families may need to replace the HEPA filter every three years and others may be able to clean the HEPA filter regularly and not need to replace it for five years. It just depends.
When Intelli-Check Filter Indicator light comes on, it is time to clean the HEPA or the carbon pre-filter. There are separate lights for the HEPA filter and the carbon pre-filter.
To clean the filters:
- Turn off and unplug the unit
- Place the unit on its side and unscrew the locking mechanism which is located on the bottom of the unit
- Remove the unit’s base assembly
- Remove the filter assembly which includes the HEPA filter and the carbon pre-filter
- This filter assembly will be in the unit’s internal chamber
- Remove the carbon pre-filter from the HEPA filter by locating the seam of the carbon pre-filter and carefully removing the fastener
- If the carbon pre-filter is very dirty, discard and replace it. The carbon pre-filter will probably need to be replaced every three months, depending upon use
- Using a HEPA vacuum (recommended) with a brush or nozzle attachment: Vacuum the HEPA filter picking up obvious particles, dust, and dirt. Ensure you vacuum along the edges. It is also recommended that you do this cleaning outside, if possible so that these particles, allergens, etc., are not released back into your home
- Be careful not to pierce or penetrate the pleats on the HEPA filter with the vacuum attachment or hose
- Note: the HEPA filter may still appear discolored even after vacuuming. This is normal and will not impact performance. Also, there may still appear to be particles embedded in the mesh of the HEPA filter. This, too is normal and will not impact the performance of the HEPA filter
- After vacuuming the HEPA filter, wrap the carbon pre-filter around the HEPA filter and return the entire assembly to the internal chamber of the purifier unit
- Reset the Intelli-Check Filter Indicator by turning on the air purifier unit and pressing and holding the appropriate filter indicator button for approximately ten seconds until the light turns off
- Cleaning the HEPA filter can help prolong its life, however if there are large sources of pollutants or other contamination (such as heavy smoking or dust from woodworking), the HEPA filter may need to be cleaned more often.
Honeywell 50250-S 99.97 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier is quietest on “Low” and loudest on “High” speed setting. Sound levels range between 49-62 dBA (decibels), depending on fan speed.
Most customers who use the 50250-S Honeywell in their bedrooms prefer to run the unit on “High” during the day (or for a few hours before sleeping), and then switch it to “Low” for overnight use.
Honeywell 50250-S Filters
The Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-S has two filters. Carbon activated pre-filter and the True HEPA filter.
One thing to note here: the manufacturer calls this a “Lifetime HEPA Permanent Filter” in the Owner’s Manual, but then tells you that it will need to be replaced every three to five years.
This is a bit of false advertising. This HEPA filter lasts longer than many others, but it is by no means permanent.
Activated carbon binds well to certain elements making it ideal for catching larger airborne particles.
The carbon activated pre-filter catches the larger airborne particles, those up to 2 microns, including fur, lint, and dust. It also helps reduce household odors.
The Honeywell Purifier 50250-S True HEPA filter removes 99.97% of the common airborne pollutants up to .3 microns according to the manufacturer.
Excellent air cleaner for the cost. Reasonable sound level and easy setup. The pre-filter is very affordable, and the main filter will last a very long time as long as the pre-filter is properly cared for. Highly recommended!
Buyer
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, and it is the most efficient air filter available according to AHEM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers).
AHEM tests and rates air purifier and cleaner performance providing consumers a basis with which to compare air purifiers and cleaners.
Home air purifiers with HEPA filters bring in the air, then force it through a fine mesh on the HEPA filter. This fine mesh traps the harmful particles in the air including pet dander, pollen, tobacco smoke, and dust mites.
The 50250-S Honeywell air purifier has a glass fiber HEPA filter. It makes the filter more durable than plastic or synthetic filter in the long-term.
Honeywell 50250-S Air Cleaning Capacity
One of the most important considerations is how much area will the purifier clean?
The best performance indicator for this is the unit’s CADR rating. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is the amount of cleaned air delivered by an air purifier or air cleaner.
It is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A higher CADR rate means an air purifier can return clean air to a room more quickly.
Works perfect, it takes away smells and dust. After cooking, my apartment would smell bad, but after using this for an hour, the smell is gone for good. I highly recommend this product
Buyer
AHEM conducts test procedures and provides certification on air purifiers and cleaners to ensure that the manufacturers’ CADR ratings are accurate. The Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-S has CADR ratings 250.
This means that the 50250-S purifier is certified to deliver 250 cubic feet of clean air per minute (CFM) or 15,000 cubic feet per hour.
This rating is calculated based on a room with an eight ft ceiling and this unit being capable of completely exchanging the air within the room five times per hour.
While there is no official guideline for calculating the area a unit will clean, a good rule of thumb is to divide the cubic feet per hour by the ceiling height by the air exchange.
Another short cut is to multiply the CADR by 1.5. This is a good way to double-check the air cleaning area capacity stated by the manufacturer.
If you buy a unit that is too small for your area, it will not clean the air effectively. If you buy one that is too powerful, you may be wasting money.
The manufacturer states that the Honeywell Model 50250-S will effectively clean an area up to 390 sq ft.
Another feature of the Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier 50250-S is the three-speed settings. On high, this purifier will quickly and more efficiently suck up all of the airborne pollutants within a room and return clean air.
Highest speed setting is a good way to quickly get rid of strong cooking odors or heavy tobacco smoke. But it does use extra energy, so is not recommended to run it all the time.
The down side of the high setting is the noise. Highest speed setting is noisy and may bother some people.
If the room is smaller or there are other media in the room, using the 50250-S on the high setting may overcome the sound of the other media, including televisions or radios.
If you are sensitive to noise, the high setting may be too loud.
The medium speed setting is very effective at continually returning clean air and is not nearly as noisy as the high setting.
Still, some people think that medium speed is also noisy.
Manufacturer recommends running the Honeywell 50250-S air cleaner at a medium speed setting 24 hours a day, every day to be free of airborne pollutants.
One of the most important factors to improving the performance of any air purifier is to ensure all windows and doors are closed when air purifier is working.
This helps the air purifier capture all airborne pollutants within the room and return the clean air. It also helps prevent outside air from leaking into the room and mixing with the cleaned air.
Keeping windows and doors closed will help prolong the life of your air filters by reducing the amount of dirty air and pollutants that are passing through air filters.
Honeywell 50250-S Air Cleaning Effectiveness
A key benefit of the Honeywell air purifier model 50250-S is that it is a sealed unit.
That means once the air is cleaned of airborne pollutants, the particles cannot leak back into the room and mix with the cleaned air. This is critical to keeping a clean, allergen-free environment.
On high-speed setting, with its 5x air exchange, the 50250-S completely changes the air in a 390 square foot room up to 5 times every hour.
This means that the air in your room is completely cleaned and returned to the room every 12 minutes. This is a good air exchange rate as compared to other models in the same price range.
The best way to get the maximum performance from the Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-S is to operate it at low or medium speed 24/7 in a room with all of the windows and doors closed.
This will allow the unit to continuously clean the air and return it to the room with efficiency.
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Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier 50250-S
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Honeywell 50250-S Controls and Features
The Enviracaire 50250-S Honeywell purifier is a light weight, portable purifier which can be easily carried from room to room. The carrying handle makes it easy to move.
It has a LED indicator which is bright blue. This light indicates that the unit is operating and also works the reset light. Some people find the light too bright for use in the bedroom (you can always put black tape over the LED).
Sometimes Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA purifier vibrates slightly at its lowest fan speed and air “pulses” out of the unit.
Consumer service explained that the small vibration is caused when air builds up across the HEPA filter. This vibration is considered normal and does not affect the performance.
This slight vibration is not an imbalance in the fan, but merely air moving across the HEPA filter.
The 50250-S has an Intelli-Check Filter Indicator to let you know when it is time to change the HEPA filter and the carbon pre-filter.
Operating the Honeywell 50250-S Air Purifier
The Honeywell 50250-S is not very large. It is round and not very tall. It mostly comes in white color, which some may find hard to hide within their decorating scheme.
Manufacturer recommends placing unit at least three feet away from the wall or any big furniture.
This is because it draws in dirty air from all around, and as this air passes the walls or furniture, some of it will “stick.” When it does, it will eventually begin to darken the walls or furniture.
The unit is always pulling in dirty air and eventually this air will stain the area around the base of the unit. Another way to help with this is to vacuum the area around the unit a few times per week.
The 3-foot cord on the unit is a little short so you may need to use an extension cord.
This runs all the time in our house, and gets shut off sometimes when we are listening to quiet music or a movie.
It can be pretty noisy, but it’s like white noise and fades away after a while.
You can vacuum the filter regularly to extend its life, but the pre-filter needs to be replaced after about five months of regular use.
Buyer
Honeywell Model 50250S is very stable. But if your family has pets, there is always the possibility of something getting knocked about a bit.
Setting the unit in a good, flat location helps keep it from getting knocked over during a children play or active pets.
Honeywell 50250S Operating Costs
The Honeywell 50250-S uses about 43 watts to operate. If you run it as the manufacturer recommends, which is 24 hours per day, then your operating costs will not be exorbitant.
You can also vary the way you operate the unit. For example, you can run it on high for a few hours during the day when you won’t be home, and the noise will not both you, then turn it to low.
You can run it on low at night and then run it at a higher speed during the day or right after cooking.
If you are going to clean primarily one room, once that room is good and clean, then you may be able to operate the air purifier only when you feel you need it. Costs are typically not significant with this unit.
Cleaning the 50250S Purifier
The Honeywell 50250-S unit itself should be cleaned monthly. This is pretty easy and consists of simply wiping down the outside of the unit with a clean, dry cloth.
It is not recommended to use any water, cleaning solvent, wax, or any other type of chemical solution on the unit.
That may cause damage to the unit. Be sure to clean the vents and air intakes, either by wiping them with a clean, dry cloth or vacuuming them very carefully with the nozzle or brush attachment.
If you do vacuum the unit, do it using a HEPA vacuum and doing the vacuuming outdoors.
If you ever need to store your Honeywell 50250 S, you should also clean it before storage. This includes removing and cleaning the HEPA filter and then storing it in a clean, sealed plastic bag.
Ensure the HEPA filter is completely sealed and is air tight. When you are ready to use it again, simply remove the HEPA filter from the plastic, attach carbon-prefilter, install the two filters back into the unit and turn it on.
Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA Air Purifier Instructions
Please see Owner’s Manual tab for setup and operating instructions, plus full instructions on changing the filters. For best air flow, locate the unit at least 3 feet (1 meter) from any wall or furniture.
General on Pre-Filter:
#Replace the pre-filter approximately every three months
#Pre-filter is Honeywell part # 38002 (or equivalent)
#Regularly changing the pre-filter will keep your air cleaner performing at its best, and preserve the life of the HEPA filter.
General on HEPA Filter:
#The 50250-S comes with a long-lasting HEPA filter
#Replacement HEPA filter:
- Honeywell HEPA part # 24000. This is the full-size, non-stackable HEPA replacement (so only one is required for the 50250, 50250-N or 50250-S)
- Honeywell “F” type HEPA filter, part # HRF-F1 (single pack) or HRF-F2 (2-pack). These are the short-size, stackable HEPA replacements
#Regular maintenance helps to prolong the life of the HEPA filter.
Honeywell 50250-S Features
- Help reduce exposure to particulates that cause allergic reaction or respiratory distress
- Efficient in small to medium-sized rooms
- AHAM Certified to provide clean air in rooms up to 390 sq ft (about 17’x22′)
- Long-lasting True HEPA filter for cost effectiveness
- SurroundSeal™ means far fewer particles bypass the HEPA
- Activated carbon pre-filter for light odors and gasses ‐ also protects HEPA
- 360° air intake (sides) and output (top), designed for maximum delivery of filtered air
- 3-speed rotary dial (backlit with blue light)
- Intelli-Check™ filter change/clean reminders and reset buttons
- Easy access to filter area (bottom) ‐ quick filter change
- Top hand grip for easy portability
- Ozone free
Honeywell 50250S Purifier FAQ
What is energy consumption on this?
Does this have the Permanent air filter?
Several charcoal replacement filters are listed here. Which is the correct replacement filter for the 5250-S?
Does it remove cigarette smoke?
Are both filters included in the price?
Replacement light for the filters has turned red. How do I replace or clean these filters?
Is this a quiet unit?
Does it remove humidity?
Is it programmable?
How does this filter stack against a houseful of cat hair?
Does it have ozone emissions?
Honeywell 50250-S Review Final Words
The Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-S HEPA Air Purifier is highly recommended. It’s great value for money and uses a True HEPA filter.
Suitable for small to medium sized rooms. The Honeywell 50250-S is best used in small rooms as it’s not powerful enough to clean rooms with larger capacity.
The Honeywell air purifier takes in air from all sides of its cylindrical design, expelling clean air out the top.
This unit worked very well. In no time the dust and dog order were gone. And since it requires to be assembled ( simple) it makes it easier to know how to clean and change the filters. You can’t beat this unit for the price.
Buyer
It doesn’t pull as much air through its HEPA filter as more expensive models, such as the Blueair 503.
Testers from one professional consumer testing organization say the Honeywell 50250 is excellent at removing dust, pollen, and cigarette smoke at its high setting, and also does a good job at the low setting.
It comes with filter indicator lights which let users know when it’s time to change filters. This is very useful.
It’s lightweight (just 20 pounds) and has a carrying handle at the top for easy transfer from room to room. Replacement filters are easy to find online or in stores.
Noticeable noise on low, quite loud on high.One professional testing organization gives the Honeywell 50250 a rating of Poor for its noise level at the maximum fan speed setting and a slightly better rating of Good for noise at the lower speed settings.
Affordable filters, low up-front cost. The Honeywell’s long-lasting HEPA filter should be vacuumed twice a year, but it will eventually need to be replaced.
The Honeywell also uses an odor-reducing carbon prefilter (Est. $15) that should be replaced every three months. It’s not Energy Star qualified, but power draw isn’t significant.
If you are interested in other Honeywell purifiers, check Honeywell HFD 120 Q QuietClean Tower, Honeywell 16200 HEPA Clean Desktop Air Purifier, Honeywell 17000 S True Hepa Air Purifier or Honeywell Compact Air Purifier HHT-011.
Very good information. Lucky me I found your website by chance. I’ve saved it for later!
Thanks, we try our best to bring latest most detailed informations and reviews.
Great review. I am actually going to buy air purifier and probably will go with Honeywell air purifier
We are happy to help Marta.
Hi ,
I was looking HEPA Filter air purifier to be purchased for my room. Thanks a lot, your comparison helped.
Glad you found what you were looking. If you have any questions, let me know.
we have 2 of these and they are REALLY helpful with allergies and odors. I really didnt expect the replacement filters to cost $50 tho. Seems rather high for a filter to me.
Thank you for sharing your experience Ray.