Re: Rabbit Air SPA-780A vs IQAir HealthPro Plus

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed,

First of all thanks for maintaining this site. It has been the most valuable source of info (and by far) in my quest for the air purifier I'm looking for.

After reading through a lot of reviews and specs, I came to the conclusion that it's worth it for me to invest into a high-end, long lasting, air purifier.

The last two contenders on my list are the IQ Air Plus and the Rabbit Air SPA-780A, which both scored high and made it to your top 10.

Admittedly, the Rabbit Air appeals to me for several key reasons, like low long-term cost (filters and electricity) and slim form-factor.

We live in an apartment of 1200 sq.feet, which isn't that big, but I guess we'll have to drag the purifier around a bit for best result.

But at the end, it is the performance that counts.

My girlfriend has allergies and a bit of asthma, and I really want this to make a difference for her (of course in the limit of what an air purifier can do).

My question comes down to this: can the Rabbit Air SPA-780A really do the job?

Is the IQ Air Plus is really that much better?

Both are good products on their own but can they compare? How much better is the IQ Air Plus, a whole world better or better by few extra miles?

I'm not rich by any means, but I prefer pay a premium and deal with the bulky size rather than give up on a huge difference in term of performance.

Thank you so much.

Ed's Reply

First, 1200 sq ft is too much space for just one air cleaner.

RabbitAir SPA-780A, marketed as suitable for 815 sq ft, just isn't enough. IQAir, while the quality leader, is only a little more powerful.

These are both "200 CADR" machines, IQAir = 220, 780a = 200.

So I recommend a minimum of 2 air cleaners - to conserve funds the second could be a slightly cheaper model.

You have chosen two good contenders, both are good performers, well built, with support among the best in the industry. But IQAir is sold by every reputable vendor around the world, SPA-780A mostly by the importer, RabbitAir.

Your apartment is in a very urban location, with thousands of automobiles running nearby. So your outside air has both gas and particulate loads.

The RabbitAir's style leadership and automation are a selling point for premium-class buyers. IQAir, by contrast, makes no effort to be stylish or portable - it just cleans air very effectively.

The big difference is in the gas capture capability, where IQAir is the easy winner. It has five pounds of carbon/potassium permanganate mix, needed for the high aldehyde levels in city air.

Since your girlfriend's allergies are the motivating factor, I would consider forgoing style and convenience, choosing the IQAir for the bedroom.

Moving the air purifier frequently might work, but only if done fastidiously. The air changes per hour benchmark is calculated by dividing the room's volume by the output of the purifier. This makes results very misleading.

It takes time to clean air, which is drawn very slowly from far reaches of the room. Air near the machine gets cleaned, but prolonged high speed operation is required for larger spaces.

IQAir is a pain to move, even after the company upgraded the wheels. While the Rabbit weighs a considerable 19 pounds, it could be more easily moved from room to room.

I recommend starting with the bedroom;
1. remove clutter,
2. discard any potential vapor outgassing materials

(often the bedroom closet is worst offender with dry cleaning solvents/toxic scents - even if she wears this stuff daily it is best removed from sleeping area, liver cannot detoxify with even slight whiff of toxin while sleeping)

Once the bedroom is good and clean, hopefully nighttime symptoms will improve, only then consider moving the air purifier around.

Many apartments have very dirty HVAC ducting, check her symptoms when furnace runs and or any gas appliances are lit.

Once the bedroom is clean, then work on next most frequented spot, usually the TV area. A less expensive machine could fit the front room.

There is one criterion which does favor the Rabbit Air SPA-780A - noise. While IQAir is quiet on the bottom three speeds, there is a rush of air pressure on four and five.

I use my IQAirs as white noise generators to cover city traffic and the incessant barking of neighbor's dogs at my rural retreat. If either user is very sensitive to sound at night, the Rabbit could get the nod

With the Rabbit selling for the mid-$500's and IQAir over $1000, you could get two Rabbits for the same price. But realize that SPA-780A is a the high end of the Asian invasion group, which dominates the mid price class.

SPA-780A is designed and built in Korea. I'd estimate the average life of this class at 4-5 years. IQAir costs more, filters aren't cheap, but will last longer and filters will be available - many air cleaners become obsolete when filters that fit are no longer supplied.

So I see the match as a tossup, but it's 2 RabbitAir SPA-780As vs one IQAir HealthPro Plus. For 1200 sq ft, even a third less expensive HEPA machine could collect dust.

Also, don't forget that allergies/asthma are a health problem, caused as much by lack of sunshine/fresh air and too many carbohydrates in the diet as by indoor air quality.

Good luck with the allergies,

Ed