Tiger Air Purifier Review: Style Over Substance

Seriously, dude, this is weak.

The Tiger Corporation website cites higher CADR numbers (90.3/94/95), suggesting the machine has been repowered recently.

However, the current (01/08/09) AHAM page does not list the Tiger.

With room size ratings to 110 sq. ft., the Tiger HEPA air cleaner is suited only for very small spaces; small bedrooms, office cubicles, or confined student dorms.

So the niche market is desktops, wall mounting, and bookshelf installations where style superscedes substance.

Filters

Tiger air cleaners have "two-stage" air filtration - just a HEPA filter and light carbon impregnated mesh post filter. In a departure from typical designs, the carbon mesh is placed after the HEPA element.

There is no prefilter.

A user-switchable negative ionizer generates "trillions" of neg ions.

Anti-bacterial True HEPA and Activated Charcoal filter elements are advertised as needing replacement every two years.

Filters are easy to change and replacements (part TI AP A25UFLT) are $59.95.

Test staff at Allergybuyersclub found merely "good" air cleaning efficiency for the true HEPA: 92% of particles removed.

This suggests a loose fit allowing some bypassing between the HEPA filter and housing.

Also, the carbon here is very light - it could pass for a prefilter on many similarly-priced machines.

I don't see much chemical or odor adsorbtion capability here.

More style over substance.

The Tigers negative ion generator is ozone free, but is the older type - not a pos-neg plasma ion type. These flocculate particulate matter, causing it to form heavier clumps that sink to the floor.

Pollutants are not captured for removal, and are free to become airborne when atmospheric electricity changes or feet stir floor layers of dust.

A nifty blue frame light illuminates the room when the ionizer is on.

When I was in college (1967) the "Lava Light" was the dorm room fad. This air purifier might possibly have a similar cool for those looking for a healthy gift a student might dig.

A light switch on the full-function remote shuts off the light.

Automated

A three speed fan produces air flow rates (in cubic feet per minute);

Odor levels are displayed on the front panel.

This is a sensitive odor monitor, there are reports of alcohol, aftershave,perfume, and air fresheners tripping the scent sensor.

Tiger warns that in new or remodeled homes the air purifier may run continuously.

There is a trend for builders of automated air cleaners to skimp on sensors. They generally drop the odor sensor, retaining the dust feature.

Tiger has chosen to eliminate the dust sensor.

In my opinion, automated air purifiers need both dust and odor sensors, but with the very low weight of carbon on the Tiger Air Purifier a dust sensor would have been a better choice.

The Tiger purifier's control panel offers a dual phase timer - users can set the air to start in one to three hours of run for one to three hours.

Smoke mode runs the air cleaner for a specified time, about 30 minutes, then shuts down. Forget this tiny machine for use with tobacco smoking, even large, strong air purifiers cannot deal with the high pollutant reintroduction rate where cigarettes are burned.

Pollen mode cycles the tiger on high 10 minutes, medium 10 minutes, low for 20 minutes, off for 10, continuously.

A full-function remote control will activate theTiger air cleaner from up to 16 feet away.

Noise: Not Modern

The company, like so many others, asserts that noise levels are "low."

But no noise specifications are offered to substantiate this claim.

Allergybuyersclub says the Tiger purifier is quiet only on low setting, user reviews say it can get pretty loud.

This is because it lacks another leading-edge feature I want on all my future air cleaners - a brushless 12volt direct current motor (BLDC).

BLDC is quiet, friction free, runs cooler, and lasts longer than the 120 volt motors still common in under-engineered air cleaners.

Tiger's modest size (16 inch square face, 5.5 inch depth), and light 8.8 lb. weight make it portable and well fit for bookshelf applications.

The old-style motor is not that frugal on energy either, using

Compare to the completely modern Japanese-made Sharp FPR30CX air purifier;

to see the difference a BLDC motor setup can save.

Company Established and Reputable

Tiger Corporation, operating out of Kadoma City, Osaka, Japan, since 1923, is a major brand in the home islands.

The US division;

Japan Tiger Corp of U.S.A.
2730 Monterey Street Suite #105
Torrance CA 90503
(310)787-1985

was established in 2002.

A one year warranty is typical of small air purifiers in the $150 price class, but could be longer.

Tigers are slowly being discontinued at many online vendors, I recommend buyers get at least one filter replacement package with the original purchase.

Replacement filters for many low volume machines are getting scarce in 2009.

I saw a few refurbished open box Tiger air cleaners advertised for $99 at www.shopd.com

Do not pay retail list price of $279.95 for this stylish air purifier.

I suggest buyers consider the similarly stylish and more functional Sharp FP-R30CX Air Purifier.

Tiger Corporation AKH-A25U Air Purifier 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, builder says their ozone levels are "zero."

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, weak carbon-impregnated mesh filter combined with ionizer.

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

Score: 7 of 10, average 92% efficiency test suggests mild bypassing.

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: 7 of 10, energy hog for size, I suspect filter life overstated, especially carbon.

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

Score: 6 of 10, nice shell, needs BLDC motor.

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: 7 of 10, established company, but warranty is shorter than filter life.

Score: 6 of 10, looks great, but cheaper air cleaners are just as strong, be sure not to pay full suggested retail.

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

Score: 8 of 10,

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

Score: 10 of 10, pretty face, handy remote, easy interface.

Air-Purifier-Power Numeric Rating; 76, good dorm room conversation piece.