Whirlpool Air Purifiers

Whirlpool, a long time household name in appliances, has produced some air purifiers that have scored well in both Consumer Reports and Clean Air Delivery Rate testing.  Units are toward the lower end of pricing in the market but models in the past have increased cost by requiring frequent filter changes.  As always, we advise checking on the length of filter life and cost of replacement before buying any air purifier.

Whirlpool also claims to have the quietist true HEPA air purifiers on the market in their Whispure models but do not provide actual decibel ratings for these units.

Whirlpool Models

Whirlpool Air Purifier Technology

Whirlpool has three separate models of air purifiers to accommodate different sized rooms. All of the units contain a carbon pre-filter and a True HEPA filter that captures particulates down to 0.3 microns and removes 99.97% of the airborne particulates. All of the Whirlpool air purification units have a basic exchange rate of 4.8 times per hour, and the largest model has a turbo feature for quicker air purification. T

he double filtration system will remove airborne allergies such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, fabric fibers and tobacco smoke. All units carry a 30-day Money Back Quiet Guarantee and a 5 year limited warranty — with a four year guarantee against engine burn out — and are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Replacement Filters

Whirlpool air purifiers and replacement filters are sold by Master Brands HK LTD, who is licensed to distribute their products. Whirlpool uses the 3M Filtrete True HEPA® filter that requires a yearly replacement, which costs from $80.00 to $100 per filter depending on the size of the model. The charcoal pre-filters have to be replaced four times a year, and are typically sold in packs of four and cost $28.00 to $39.00 a package.

In 2009, there was a production gap and the medium-sized air purifier model — the Whispure 450 Series –was discontinued due to slow sales because many builders dropped it from their inventory. This model was reintroduced in 2010 by popular demand.

Consumer Reports Ratings

Whirlpool air purifiers have received top ratings on Consumer Reports reviews and ranks just below the higher priced models like the Blueair 501 or 601 or the Kenmore 85264. In 2005, Whirlpool was rated the second most popular air filter out of 30, and was featured as a best “quickie” recommendation. The fan is run by a Quiet Partner® System that ranks 8 out of 10 for noise level, with complaints about the some speeds being too loud for normal conversation.

Consumer Complaints

Criticisms of the Whirlpool air purification models include ineffective odor removal since the carbon filter is not highly ranked for VOC purification. Complaints about the frequency of filter changes are common. They are not effective against MCS or chemical contamination and do not produce ozone. It has also been noted that cigarette smoking fouls the pre-filter quickly. But overall, Whirlpool models score an 8 out of 10 ranking for customer reviews, and Whirlpool claims that their units have been ranked number one by consumers as the preferred brand for their category, although they don’t give specific references.

Whirlpool Air Purifier Models

The three models of Whirlpool air purification systems available are:

• AP25030K Whispure™ Air Purifier – Ideal for a small room up to 320 square feet with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 150 smoke, 160 dust and 170 pollen, this model retails at $249.99 with free shipping. It measures 10″ deep and is 19″ high and 14″ wide. Features include a 3-speed variable fan that can be adjusted to determine the rate of air exchange. This highly portable unit has built-in handles so it is easy to move from room to room. There are two separate filter change lights, one for the HEPA and one for the charcoal filter.
• AP45030K Whispure™ – This model is designed for medium-sized rooms up to 420 square feet and has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 320 smoke, 330 dust and 330 pollen and retails for $299.99 with free shipping. The portable unit includes built-in handles and two separate filter change lights, one for the charcoal and one for the HEPA filter. The unit stands 22″ high and is 17 3/4″ wide by 11 1/2″ deep and can be put flush with a wall without affecting the air exchange performance.
• AP51030K Whispure™ – For large rooms up to 500 square feet, this unit retails for $349.99 with free shipping. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is 316, with a capture rate of dust at 330, tobacco smoke at 330 and pollen at 288. This unit has a 4-speed fan which includes a sleep mode that saves energy as well as a turbo setting for quick air exchange. The unit weighs 26 pounds and measures 10″ deep, 24 ” high and is 20″ wide.