Rabbit Air Air Purifier Review

Rabbit is very quiet. Impressive is the low speed noise output.

I expect many users will sleep with the higher speeds, and nobody will be kept awake by 18.4dB(A) on silent.

Air Filter is Biocidal

Asia is way ahead of the USA in biological hazard awareness, and the biological cleaning aspect of this air purifier is emphasized.

There are no photo catalytic cells, positive plasma ions, or ultraviolet lamps on the Rabbit purifiers.

A 3-stage filtration process uses traditional air filters with added germicidals.

The first stage is a permanent, nano-particle silver coated, washable pre-filter.

Nano particle coating is a new technology, which coats filter fibers with tiny particles of Silver, creating a stickier surface. Silver has known germicidal capabilities.

Stage two is the "Bio" HEPA filter with which uses fibers coated with anti-influenza virus agents.

Tests by Japanese public health authorities demonstrated reduced concentrations of an influenza virus. It remains to be seen whether a passive filtration system is truly effective in a serious epidemic.

See My discussion of Rabbit nano-silver safety.

Traditional HEPA filters may allow microorganisms to proliferate inside the air purifier.

With a scheduled $50 replacement every 18 months for warranty coverage, filter maintenance is relatively cheap.

HEPA filters can last up to 3 years based on 12 hours daily operation.

Filter monitor is a timer with manual reset, not a pressure sensor.

Stage three is the charcoal odor filter, with a unique plastic honeycomb grid to support it.

Note the unusual placement of the odor filter downstream of the HEPA.

When operated in rooms with persistent odors, the HEPA can acquire an odor faster than other machines with similar carbon filters placed ahead of the HEPA.

This filter is claimed to reduce auto exhaust, VOCs (volatile organic chemicals), cigarette odor, and general household odors.

No weight of charcoal is cited, it feels to be less than two pounds, including the plastic grid.

I expect the year and a half replacement interval is way too long in most homes. But at $30, you could replace the Rabbit charcoal air filter as needed without excessive costs.

I also don't see anything stopping users from washing out this grid filter a couple times before replacement. After a few months use in my oldest son's home I'll try washing it.

Some users have begun refilling the carbon filter. It is spot glued and pops apart. After refilling with fresh carbon, it can be secured with pull-ties.

Some users have experienced fragility of the spot bonds in the carbon filters, causing premature opening of the plastic cartridge. Rabbit is quick to respond to these issues, and I haven't heard much negative feedback recently.

Following the biofilters, air goes by the Rabbit's negative ionizer.

This is a low powered, ozone free neg ion wire.

Rabbit Air 421A Automation

Rabbit can regulate itself through all 5 speeds as airborne pollutant levels rise and fall.

This is a powerful feature, not just a marketing gimmick. Indoor air impurities are not constant in time.

Manually controlled air cleaners must be left running on noisy higher speeds to clean the air.

Automated air purifiers, like the Rabbits, clean air cost effectively and quietly.

Some users lament the lack of adjustable air quality sensors, complaining that the Rabbit is too sensitive to airborne odors, turning on high speed whenever the dog walks past.

Hey, I know how hard it is to get that dog in the bathtub.

Users should run the new air cleaner for a week on high, then unplug and repower to set the sensor's baseline to clean air.

This machine also has a "pollen" mode, which cycles the air cleaner periodically, for seasonal allergy relief.

Like other modern air cleaners, the BioGS from RabbitAir is modulated almost exclusively through the remote. Lost remotes (they are smallish) can be replaced for $13 from the company.

Rabbit's air purification machines employ 12 Volt Brushless Direct Current Motors (BLDC).

These are quiet and dependable, while providing plenty of ventilation.

The Rabbit Air design has no brushes to drag, produce ozone with electrical arcs, wear out, or make scraping noises.

In spite of the lack of photocats and other oxidizers, this is a modern air purifier.

The electronic display has pollutant level monitors for both chemical and particle sensors, an advanced feature.

Filter cleaning and replacement timers have separate indicators. The filter replacement timer interval is 18 months.

There is even an indicator light for negative ion mode. When this icon is flashing, the negative ion generator needs cleaning with a vacuum cleaner.

Some users find the Rabbit too bright at night.

There is no button to shut off front display lamps for sleep. I love this feature on my Sharp air purifier and cannot fathom why Mitsubishi engineers omitted it.

Users report covering the display with a towel at night.

Measuring 22.5 by 18 by 9 inches and weighing in at 17 pounds, the air purifier is easily portable, even up stairs. But numerous buyers are surprised when the bunny arrives larger than it appears online.

Major parts including the motor, filter, and air quality sensors are made in Japan (not China).

Energy frugal, the "Hare" freshens air using only 33 watts on high and 7 watts on low.

A 5 year warranty accompanies the Rabbit Airs, but buyers should be sure to carefully comply with 18 month filter changes as recommended in the user guide.

Rabbit Airs Have Outstanding Customer Service

So why does air-purifier-power.com like a modestly powered, mid-priced air cleaner which lacks any of the futuristic technologies (photocatalyst, plasma-ion streamer, UV...)?

Because the company built itself on incredible customer service, a rarity in the industry.

Technical support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the life of the product.

The call center is in California (not India). I placed a test call to customer service, and was connected quickly to a friendly English-is-first-language support person.

The company sells direct from its website, see link below, with a lowest price guarantee ($329), offering free ground shipping on all orders over $300.

Buyers outside California are exempt from sales tax.

Most Rabbits are shipped the same business day.

Former independent distributor sparoproducts.com (SPARO) has joined the company, with queries forwarded to the RabbitAir website.

Phone orders are accepted 24/7 at 1.888.866.8862.

Bricks-and-mortar retailers have included Fry's Electronics, H.H. Gregg, and Boscov's. RabbitAirs are available at retail in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, KentuckyNevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

Other RabbitAirs Available

582A is identical in design and appearance to 421A, but covers up to 780 square feet with the addition of a more powerful 67 watt blower CADR average around 187.

There is an upgraded version of the BioGP, called the BioGS, which features an enhanced HEPA filter and a tighter charcoal filter frame.

The newest air cleaner, MinusA2™ AP-1004, with about 200 CADR, is sleek and modern, with even more sophisticated electronics. Featuring a six stage customizable filter system, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 lists for $459.95. This is a very attractive air cleaner.

Conclusions

RabbitAir SPA-421A is a modern, attractive, automatic, ultra quiet, quality air purifier.

Long term low costs of ownership offset initial purchase price premium.

It is modestly powered, not really suited for large rooms or major odor situations.

Defects and shipping errors do occur, but are rare and the company is quick to respond to any discrepancy, no matter how small.

air-purifier-power Rating

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

Score: 10 of 10, low powered ionizer is low or no ozone.

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

Score: 8 of 10, washable carbon weight unstated, expect shorter charcoal filter life than spec.

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

Score: 8 of 10. Good build quality.

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

Score: 9 of 10. Nicely automated.

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

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

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

Score: 10 of 10, exceptionally quiet.

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: 9 of 10, I am no longer skeptical about the company's too-rosy image. Questions about the past have been answered. Customer service reputation is excellent.

8. Purifier is a value in terms of price/performance ratio. Every price range should be included, “models above $1,200 are best”, while true, is not useful to most consumers.

Score: 8 of 10, good purifier value.

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

Score: 9 of 10.

10. Unit is stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenient for consumer use.

Score: 9 of 10, handy remote, easy automatic interface.

End Rabbit Air Air Purifier Review, goto Home Page