Honeywell’s AirGenius 3, 4, and 5 rule the roost when it comes to affordable tower purifiers. They offer up the features you need and skip things you don’t (like a UV light). We like all three but if we had to choose one… it would be the AirGenius 5. It offers more features than the Honeywell AirGenius 3 and is smaller than the 4.
Albert Butz created his first patent in 1885. That single patent marked the first step toward building Honeywell a company with a track record spanning more than a century. Since the filing of the first patent, the company has grown and expanded to manufacture a large range of products from door chimes to thermostats to air purifiers.
They even develop products and components for the aerospace and defense industries. The company headquarters are currently in Morris Plains, New Jersey and they have facilities in 70 countries. And, that all means the Honeywell AirGenius 3 (and it’s siblings) have a lot of resources to draw from behind the scenes.
ifD Filter versus True HEPA Filter
Honeywell makes a few different air purifier models, including the popular AirGenius series. And when it comes to the AirGenius, the most significant element of this series is their filter. All AirGenius air purifiers utilize an ifD filter which can capture up to 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.This is a notable difference from the typically used True HEPA filter which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Another important difference between the two is that ifD filters are permanent and washable whereas HEPA filters often need to be replaced. Replacement filters add substantially to the cost of any machine. Finally, due to lower airflow resistance, the ifD filter normally makes less noise than the HEPA filter.
AirGenius Series
The AirGenius Series consists of three models: the AirGenius 3, 4 and 5. Each of these air purifiers builds on the previous model, adding new designs and features to the more modern machines. All three air purifiers utilize the ifD filter system along with two washable pre-filters: one for larger particles like dust, hair and pollen and one for odor reduction.The AirGenius air purifiers are also all Energy-Star Certified and come with a five-year warranty. Each machine, however, has its own unique qualities.
Honeywell AirGenius 3
The AirGenius 3 is a sleek tower design that comes in the color white and with dimensions measuring 12.2 inches long by 12.2 inches wide by 29.9 inches high. We think the design is more appealing than GermGuardian offerings. We also prefer many of the features over those offered by the GermGuardian 4825. However, this purifier might measure up to Alen’s tower models. But, it is more affordable.
Honeywell’s AirGenius 3 offers the two pre-filter options as well as the ifD filter. Beyond the filter, the AHAM certification for use in rooms up to 225 square feet makes it a good model for medium to large-sized living or bedrooms. The purifier’s control panel provides an interface to manage three different cleaning level/fan speeds: sleep, general, and max. At its lowest setting, it’s whisper-quiet and even incorporates an oscillating function to distribute air more effectively.
Its CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating of 146 with (146 for tobacco smoke, 150 for dust and 160 for pollen). Unlike the two larger models, the AirGenius 3 does not feature an automatic shut-off timer.
Pros:
- Permanent washable ifD filter
- Can capture up to 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
- 2 optional pre-filter options
- Good for medium to large rooms
- 3 cleaning level/fan speeds
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Oscillation
- Whisper-quiet on low
- Sleek design
- Designed for rooms up to 225 square feet
- 12.2 x 12.2 x 29.9 inches
- CADR 146
- ARB Certified to comply with the federal ozone emissions limit
Cons:
- No automatic shut-off feature
- Doesn’t have an allergy or germ-reduction setting
- No touch screen controls
- Only one color option
AirGenius 4
The AirGenius 4 offers a slightly different appearance than the AirGenius 3 but with the same sleek tower design. This model is available in black instead of white and has an on/off accent light in blue.
For the most part, it provides the same basic features as the previous model. However, it does upgrade you to two pre-filters and an ifD filter. If space is your main concern stick with the 3 as it is slightly larger (12.3 inches long by 12.1 inches wide by 30.3 inches high). But, that size gives the 4 an additional 25 square feet of cleaning power. That means it is AHAM certified to clean a room up to 250 square feet.
The AirGenius 4 also offers four cleaning level/fan settings as opposed to three. Adding an allergy setting in addition to the sleep, general and max settings. Its CADR rating is 161 with values of 161 for tobacco smoke, 160 for dust and 170 for pollen. Further building on the 3’s features, the AirGenius 4 includes an automatic shut-off option. You choose between intervals of two, four and eight hours.
Pros:
- Permanent washable ifD filter
- Can capture up to 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
- 2 optional pre-filter options
- Good large rooms
- 4 cleaning level/fan speeds
- 2, 4, 8-hour automatic shut-off timer
- ENERGY STAR certified
- On/off oscillation.
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Sleek design
- On/off accent light
- Designed for rooms up to 250 square feet
- 12.3 x 12.1 x 30.3 inches
- CADR 161
- ARB Certified to comply with the federal ozone emissions limit
Cons:
- Doesn’t have touch screen controls
- Only one color option
AirGenius 5
The final air purifier in the series is the AirGenius 5. As the naming convention implies, this model builds on the features of the 4 series. However, not in dimensions… the AirGenius 5 is slightly smaller, measuring 12.2 inches long by 12.2 inches wide by 29.9 inches high. But, even though it takes up less space… it still cleans the air rooms up to 250 square feet.
It is also available in black with an on/off accent light. It utilizes the ifD filter and two pre-filters so integral to the AirGenius series. Just like the AirGenius 4, the AirGenius 5 has a CADR rating of 161 with values of 161 for tobacco smoke, 160 for dust and 170 for pollen.
There are, however, three ways that the AirGenius 5 surpasses the earlier models. First, it has five cleaning level/fan speeds: sleep, germ, allergen, general and max. Second, it provides six time intervals for automatic shut-off: two, four, six, eight, ten and twelve hours. And third, the AirGenius 5 incorporates smart touch-screen controls. Giving the interface a much sleeker appearance. We think it looks great.
Just like the AirGenius 4, the AirGenius 5 has a CADR rating of 161 with values of 161 for tobacco smoke, 160 for dust and 170 for pollen.
Pros:
- Permanent washable ifD filter
- Can capture up to 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
- 2 optional pre-filter options
- Good large rooms
- 5 cleaning level/fan speeds
- 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12-hour automatic shut-off timer
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Oscillation.
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Sleek design
- On/off accent light
- Smart touch screen controls
- Designed for rooms up to 250 square feet
- 12.2 x 12.2 x 29.9 inches
- CADR 161
- ARB Certified to comply with the federal ozone emissions limit
Cons:
- Typically higher price for few improvements
- Only one color option
Final Thoughts
The Honeywell AirGenius air purifier series is a popular and affordable line. If you are searching for more flexibility with design options, this may not be the air purifier line for you. But most of the tower purifiers on the market are pretty limited when it comes to design options. Aside from Alen’s T500 you basically find the best purifier for your needs and live with the way it looks.
However, the AirGenius does excel in the filter department. The patented ifD filter system marks a unique difference between many air purifiers on the market. The two pre-filters and cleaning level/fan speed options create a powerful and efficient air purifying system. The AirGenius 3, 4 and 5 have only small distinctions but each one adds value to the model.
The two pre-filters and cleaning level/fan speed options create a powerful and efficient air purifying system. The AirGenius 3, 4 and 5 have only small distinctions but each one adds value to the model. Since the AirGenius 3 is the simplest model and the AirGenius 5 the most expensive, the AirGenius 4 is generally the best buy.