IQAir Healthpro Compact Air Purifier Review

This article, rather than being a full review, distinguishes the Healthpro Compact from other air purifiers in the IQAir line.

Material on IQAir presented there is not repeated in detail here.

First - HealthPro Compact features exactly the same state of the art particle filtration as other IQAirs, it is not a "junior," inferior, compressed, or downgraded air purifier.

It is merely 4 inches shorter than standard HealthPros, and is built of identical components.

There are modular 4 stages on the compacted model, as opposed to 5 on HealthPro/HealthPro Plus.

What is missing from the Compact is the housing that supports the V5 gas, chemical, and odor cartridge.

Since the arms which tightly seal an IQAir are shorter on the Compact, the fifth stage, for gas and odor control, cannot be added.

So the "smaller" model is best for allergy sufferers targeting particulates who are sure their home has no chemical or odor issues.

Compact has 2 Filters

Compacts come with exactly the same modular particle filters which IQAir manufactures (as opposed to outsourcing) for the other HealthPros. Healthpro Plus contains the V5 Carbon Cell.

In my opinion, these are the finest filters available on the residential air quality market today.

I have praised the IQAir PreMax prefilter elsewhere on the site, comparing it, standing alone, to many other air cleaners as a whole.

IQAir's cleanroom-quality "HyperHEPA" is the second filter inside a Compact IQAir.

With 40 square feet of internal surface, this filter is tested at efficiencies beyond the basic HEPA requirements (99.97% of .3 micron particles captured).

HyperHEPA collects 99.95% of 0.22 micron fragments, and 99.5% of 0.16 micron particulate.

Prefilters are projected to last 6 to 18 months with a $59 replacement tab.

Your results may vary - I ran my first prefilter 3 years and swapped it out when the intelligent filter life monitor's orange warning light came on indicating 20% prefilter life remaining.

(yes, I forgot that a red light would come on when the prefilter actually needed changing.)

The same other electronics - LED display and timers, control the reduced size machine.

The Compact's main "HyperHEPA" filter is projected to last 2-4 years, with a replacement cost of $189.00.

My HealthPro's original main filter is 3 1/2 years old. A recent test with a laser particle counter showed it has maintained as-new performance to date.

Some people dislike carbon filters, noticing odors when the filter is new. I notice odors when carbon filters are ready to be replaced.

"Compact"

The misconception that the Compact is a miniature, diminutive, or scaled-down version of IQAir's regular machines is widespread.

You will see many vendor websites incorrectly quoting the height and/or weight of the Compact IQAir.

The correct compacted dimensions are 24" high by 15" by 16" - the reduced height is four inches shorter than standard HealthPros. The length and width are the same as other IQAirs.

Compact weighs 25 lbs, HealthPro 29 lbs, and HealthPro Plus 35 lbs.

IQAirs are bulky - especially difficult to drag up steps. It is the Compacts lighter weight, rather than reduced size, which makes them more portable and convenient.

Vendors also tend to use the wrong photo - in the photos below, note the Compact, on the left, has 4 vertical sections. The regular HealthPro, in the right photo, has five.

The heavy duty IQAir GCX Series (Multigas, VOC, Chemsorber, and AM), with eight sections, stands 40 inches high.

So the Compact is merely shorter, using the same sized components as it's brother HealthPros.

Standardization is a great strength of the Swiss company's lineup. With many manufacturers and vendors closing doors or cutting models and support, IQAir's modular designs, interchangeable parts, and broad support base will always be available.

Compact does not mean Underpowered

Compacts use the identical top shelf fan and motor employed in taller IQAirs.

The 700 cu. ft./minute rated, balanced, steel ball bearing motor delivers the same 240 cfm on the highest of 6 speeds in the Compact.

I recommend the Compact HealthPros for a 700 square feet maximum room size, smaller where there are health issues.

The weak areas of IQAirs are energy use and noise emissions, and as before, the Compact is not diminished in these areas.

Using 85 Watts on low and 215 Watts on high, this is not an Energy Star.

It takes real pressure to force air through tightly sealed filters - many builders just let air slip by - and that pressure is what makes the noise and energy use rise.

Compact's sound specs are;

Speed 1 - 45 cfm 43.6 db

Speed 2 - 75 cfm 51.0 dB(A)

Speed 3 - 115 cfm 58.0 dB(A)

Speed 4 - 145 cfm 61.9 dB(A)

Speed 5 - 180 cfm 64.6 dB(A)

Speed 6 -260 cfm 71.9 dB(A).

On the higher fan speeds, Compact is a bit loud for bedtime use. I just click the handy remote to speed three when I come to bed.

Compact Plus

The IQAir HealthPro Compact Plus is an exclusive model, now offered only by AllergyBuyersClub.com, at $779.00.

The Compact Plus features a combined prefilter which contains 2 lbs of activated carbon. V5 cells have roughly 6 pounds of chem/odor materials.

Quality and Persistence

Engineered and built in Switzerland, IQAir Compacts are warranted 5 years for parts and labor.

Each Compact is factory tested and certified before delivery.

They are not cheap - standard pricing is $749.00, few discounts are available.

A recent promotion, offering Compacts for $699.99 at www.overstock.com sold out in days.

The Compacts standard price is $50 less than HealthPro, for essentially the same performance.

Compact is not the preferred IQAir for MCS, odor, chemical, or tobacco smoke control.

But for those who know they will never need, or cannot use, a carbon gas/odor filter, the Compact is the right IQAir.

Those who need to move their air purifier up and down stairs might also prefer the compacted IQAir.

IQAir Compact Review Rating

Each of ten factors gets up to 10 points, 100 is perfect and very unlikely.

1. First do no harm; minimal out gassing, no ozone.

Score: 10 of 10.

2. Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if health benefits are expected: Units with real carbon VOC capability rank higher.

Score: 5 of 10, no carbon in the Compact.

3. Quality construction; case, gaskets, seals, and precision fitting eliminate bypassing and assure high efficiency at filtering sub-micron particles.

Score: 10 of 10, tightest on the market.

4. The design maximizes the lifespan of each filter stage by allowing independent filter replacement. Ideally this is combined with electronic filter monitoring.

Score: 10 of 10

5. Unit has long filter life, low maintenance requirements, and reasonable operating costs.

Score:10 of 10, cheaper to own than lower priced units.

6. Purifier produces low noise levels and meaningful air flow rates relative to noise.

Score: 7 of 10, noisy on higher speeds, but has 6 to choose from.

7. Manufacturer has a track record, with many units in the field and a reputation for supporting what they sell. Warranty period and average service life are long.

Score: 10 of 10, IQAir has high long standing reputation in air purification.

8. Purifier is a value in terms of price/performance ratio.

Score: 8 of 10, premium product and price.

9. No dirt; unit and manufacturer should be devoid of class-action suits, high returns, recalls, consumer complaints, and legitimate negative consumer reviews.

Score: 10 of 10.

10. Unit is stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenientfor consumer use.

Score: 7 of 10, handy remote, electronic interface, but boxy, no sensor-driven auto mode.

Air-Purifier-Power Numeric Rating; 89