Best Air Purifiers with Permanent/Washable Filters 2019

Air purifiers are some of the most valuable products to keep in the home–but their recurring costs with filters can be a big problem.

Air purifier filters accumulate debris and pollutants and lose their effectiveness over time to the point where they become completely unusable. That means that if you want an air purifier that keeps working indefinitely, you will need to consider replacement filters.

This article explores air purifier options with at least one permanent/washable filter. This means that some of them may come with a reusable filter along with conventional ones that still need to be replaced, but they nevertheless will offer lower costs in the long run by being cheaper to maintain.

Top 5 Air Purifiers

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1Winix 5500-2

Smart sensors built into the unit track ambient light and odors automatically
3-stage filter system is highly effective and includes carbon filtration
True HEPA filter included
Comes with a 1-year warranty

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2Envion Therapure TPP240

Optional UV light offers unique was of bacteria control
24-hour automatic timer yields greater control over when the machine is working
Dedicated ionizer adds to multi-effort filtration methods
Includes a 1-year warranty

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3Honeywell HFD-120-Q

Oscillation control evenly distributes filtered air throughout the room
Unique iFD filter captures up to 99% of airborne particles and never needs replacement
Includes certification for ozone emissions
Comes with a 5-year warranty

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4Blue Pure 211+

Combination filter utilizes activated carbon for better purification
360-degree intake makes for better air circulation
Filter replacement indicator keeps homeowners on top of the combination filter
Includes a 1-year warranty

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5OION Technologies S-3000

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation is proven to reduce respiratory conditions
Carbon filtration pulls bacterial and irritants out of the air supply
High-efficiency unit can purify up to 1,000 square feet of space
Comes with a 3-year warranty

Winix 5500-2

According to Winix, the 5500-2 is a formidable weapon against particulates, pet dander, germs, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and odors. And we agree: an air purifier that sports the combination of a 99.97% True HEPA filter, a carbon filter, and plasma technology exudes promise and potential. Its room coverage and CADR specs are also great selling points.
The pre-filter is permanent, but it has to be cleaned every 14 days. The carbon filter, on the other hand, is washable and should be cleaned every three months. As such, it’s not exactly the most low-maintenance air purifier on the market. Washing the carbon filter significantly extends its lifespan, yet Winix still recommends to jointly replace the HEPA and carbon filters annually. Luckily, the 5500-2 has a filter replacement indicator to help you out with this.
Aside from its impressive filter lineup, this model makes a mark for having extra bells and whistles that benefit the user experience. Its smart sensors detect VOC, odor, and lighting levels in the room, enabling it to automatically adjust the fan speed and LED brightness to suit its environment.
The 5500-2 also has a sleep mode for silent operation, and at a mere 27.8 dBA, it really is an exceptionally-quiet machine. Aside from a bunch of dedicated indicators and controls, the included remote control brings in added convenience. While it’s true that the short warranty and bulky design can be discouraging for some consumers, this air purifier is so loaded with features that make it impossible to write off.
The Winix 5500-2 boasts a 3-stage purification process that includes a True HEPA filter, a washable carbon filter, and PlasmaWave technology, all on top of a permanent, cleanable pre-filter. Covering areas up to 360 sq. ft. in size, it’s a great all-around option for highly-discriminating consumers considering its robust array of features.

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Pros

HEPA filter
Quiet
Sleep mode & air quality indicator
Fights germs
Automatic fan speed adjustment using Smart Sensors

Cons

Bulky and heavy design
Filters need to be cleaned regularly

Envion Therapure TPP240

The Envion Therapure TPP240 is chock-full of features and boasts four stages of purification: a permanent HEPA-type filter for particle contaminants, a UV bulb to combat germs, a photocatalyst filter to eliminate smoke and VOCs, and an ionizer to aid the HEPA-type filter. Since it doesn’t use a True HEPA filter, you can’t expect it to be as effective as the Winix model described above. This might explain why Envion decided to add a supplementary ionizer in the mix.
Its CADR ratings are on the modest side of the spectrum, but it’s not the weakest of the bunch. It also technically doesn’t have any filters that need replacing since the HEPA-type filter is permanent and only requires regular vacuum cleaning, but the UV bulb (to which the photocatalyst filter is attached) needs to be replaced every year.
Another selling point that really stood out is its 24-hour timer, seeing that it’s the only model on this list that offers such a convenience. Along with convenient dedicated controls for the ionizer and UV bulb, it’s clear that Envion didn’t leave ease of use out of the equation.
Overall, the TPP240 definitely seems like a steal, as it offers promising features and a great value for the price. If you don’t require outstanding CADR ratings, then you can definitely consider this air purifier a strong contender.

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Pros

Has a digital display
With a timer
Clean filter indicator
Dedicated ionizer and UV light switches
Lightweight

Cons

Relatively-low CADR ratings
Not a True HEPA filter
Not as effective against odors
Short warranty

Honeywell HFD-120-Q

The Honeywell QuietClean Tower Air Purifier is the sole model on this list with filters that are all washable and permanent, which makes it a compelling choice for the savvy penny pincher. It captures up to 99% of airborne pollutants like dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and pollen using an ionizer and iFD technology—the latter being a relatively-new filter type that’s comparable to HEPA in terms of performance.
The filter requires only rinsing and drying. There’s an electronic filter check indicator that tells you when it’s time to clean the patented filters, but generally, you shouldn’t have to bother washing it more frequently than once a month. Regularly running your vacuum cleaner over the filters should further lengthen the duration between washes.
Note that it has the lowest CADR ratings of the bunch, which makes it ideal for use in smaller spaces up to 170 sq. ft. Its CADR values also suggest that it purifies air at a slower rate compared to the other models listed here. Though it lacks a timer function and a carbon filter for handling odors and VOCs, its lengthy 5-year warranty should tell you that you can depend on it for a long time. In summary, the Honeywell HFD-120-Q is an excellent option if you’re looking for a small-room air purifier that screams dependability and demands minimal maintenance costs.

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Pros

iFD filter
Quiet
Oscillation controls
Electronic filter check indicator
Easy to maintain
Affordable

Cons

Small room coverage
Relatively-low CADR ratings
No timer
Not as effective against germs and VOCs

Blue Pure 211+

The Blue Pure 211+ claims to specialize in removing pollen from the air, but it also handles 99% of other pollutants like dust, pet dander, smog, and traffic exhaust.
Its outer sleeve doubles as a pre-filter for larger particles while a combination filter takes care of things on the inside. The latter combines a particle filter for finer pollutants and an activated carbon filter that rids the atmosphere of foul odors and fumes. The particle filter isn’t HEPA, but it still appears to do a respectable job in that particular area.
Note that only the pre-filter is washable in this particular model. As such, the combination filter still has to be regularly replaced after its capacity has been exceeded. It may not be as low-maintenance as the other models mentioned above, but if it’s any consolation, it has a filter replacement indicator to help you.
Its one-button operation gives it a simpler vibe. It can, however, get annoying when you’re trying to go back to a particular mode since it requires cycling through the rest of the settings. Still, having an air purifier that’s quiet yet powerful should uplift your mood more than anything. This is a pretty darn solid model after all, with CADR ratings for smoke, pollen, and dust that are at a whopping 350 CFM. This makes the 211+ the most powerful air purifier on this list. If you appreciate a lean, mean, purifying machine and don’t mind the short warranty and the rest of its relatively minor setbacks, the 211+ is certainly an air purifier to consider.

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Pros

Outstanding CADR ratings
Removes VOCs and particulates
Energy-efficient
Completely recyclable materials
Filter replacement indicator

Cons

One control button only
No HEPA filter
Some non-washable parts
No timer
Doesn’t eliminate germs

OION Technologies S-3000

Our final air purifier pick utilizes a unique filtration system and offers one of the highest overall ranges–making it a great choice for larger homes and apartments.
The OION Technologies S-3000 air purifier uses what the manufacturer refers to as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation–which can reduce respiratory issues and symptoms. Likewise, the filter works in conjunction with a carbon filter, which gives a considerable edge to purification volume.
However, we weren’t able to find official CADR ratings for any of the filters included in this unit–which means that there’s no clear way to compare the purification levels with the other picks on our list.
Still, the higher volume and larger overall capacity of the OION Technologies S-3000 air purifier, alongside some seriously powerful purification, makes this a great option for getting large rooms purified. Likewise, this is one of the most affordable options on our list by a considerable margin, so if cost is a concern, there are lots to be gained by taking a chance on this tower purifier.

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Pros

Affordable
Quiet fan
Energy efficient design
Night light included
Carbon filtration

Cons

No CADR rating
Difficult filter cleaning

Comparison Chart

FEATURES	Winix 5500-2	Envion Therapure TPP240	Honeywell HFD-120-Q	Blue Pure 211+	OION Technologies S-3000
Type	Tower, plug-in	Tower, plug-in	Tower, plug-in	Console, plug-in	Tower, plug-in
Size	8.2 x 15.0 x 23.6	9.6 x 7.9 x 26.1	10.4 x 9.65 x 28.74	21 x 13 x 13	5.5 X 6.5 X 17
Weight	15.4 lbs	10.3 lbs	12.32 lbs	13 lbs	3.8 lbs
Filters/ Technology	Pre-filter + True HEPA + Carbon + WINIX PlasmaWave	HEPA + UV light + Photocatalyst + Ionizer	Pre-filter + IFD + Ionizer	Pre-filter + Combination particle and activated carbon	Light + Electrostatic Ionizer + Carbon
Room Coverage	360 sq. ft.	500 sq. ft.	170 sq. ft.	540 sq. ft.	500 – 1,000 sq. ft.
CADR Ratings	Smoke: 232 Dust: 243 Pollen: 246	Smoke: 137 Dust: 132 Pollen: 155	Smoke: 110 Dust: 100 Pollen: 132	Smoke: 350 Dust: 350 Pollen: 350	None avaliable

Buyer’s Guide:

Air Purifiers with Permanent/Washable Filters

Still not sure which of these five options seem to be the best for you? Our Buyer’s Guide and FAQs should help you uncover what may be important for you and your home, as well as answer some common questions and help you find the air purifier that’s right for you.

Concerning Filters

You’ll notice that our comparison chart notes exactly which filters are included in each of the five units on our list–and that’s for a very good reason.

Different filters are going to work in different ways–and if you want an air purifier that doesn’t have any replaceable elements in it, you’ll need each of these varied filters to work in tandem with one another to remove the most pollution from your home possible.

You’ll also want to take note of which of our units require no filter replacement, and which ones may need one or more elements replaced over time. While each of the five air purifiers on our list come with permanent & washable filters, the multitude of filters means that not every filter in a given unit will be replaceable.

Which air purifier is right for you may come down to whether or not you’re comfortable replacing certain elements seasonally if you absolutely need a filter that can stand the test of time and not invoke any recurring costs.

Room Coverage

Air purifiers are only as effective as the rooms that they’re situated in. As such, being aware of room coverage is highly important.

Do you know where your air purifier is going to live in your home? Is that room a bedroom or other enclosed room, or does that room flow into other rooms like in open-concept homes?

We think it’s useful to measure the room that you will be placing your prospective air purifier within. All it takes is some simple match to uncover the room’s square footage–which you can compare to the room coverage available for each of the air purifiers on our list.

Keep in mind that the quality of the air purifier is dependent upon the size of the room. Should you choose to place an air purifier in a room or space much larger than the room coverage given, you may be surprised to notice a significantly reduced ability to purify the air.

Bulbs & Carbon

Finally, you’ll find that many of the air purifiers on our list utilize UV bulbs or activated carbon filters.

While bulbs don’t typically sound like a good way to combat bacterial infection, keep in mind that ultraviolet radiation is proven to kill bacteria and germs that can make their way into your air. However, remember that these bulbs may need to be periodically replaced to ensure their effectiveness.

Likewise, the carbon filters in many of the options on our list utilize the natural pull activated carbon has on smaller particles. The carbon works almost like a magnet–pulling particles towards it and away from the air supply. However, that also means that you may need to periodically clean this filter to remove the collected dust and debris.

Both bulbs and carbon offer powerful solutions to your home’s air quality, so be on the lookout for one or both of these options in your next air purifier. There are pros and cons to each, so be sure to note them moving forward:

UV Bulbs

Pros

Long-lasting
Use light energy to kill bacteria and germs
Silent operation

Cons

Needs periodic long-term replacement
Can be costly
Doesn’t remove dust

(Activated) Carbon Filters

Pros

Lasts indefinitely
Silent operation
Removes dust and dirt particles

Cons

Does not kill bacteria
Needs fans to operate, which can be noisy
Needs washing to be effective

FAQ

Is there a difference between washable and permanent filters?
Although these two terms are commonly used interchangeably, they’re actually technically different. Washable filters are filters that you clean using water and sometimes soap. It’s important for these filters to be dried thoroughly before they are placed back inside the air purifier.
Permanent filters, on the other hand, need to be treated differently. Like washable filters, they need to be maintained through regular cleaning, however, they require the use of a vacuum cleaner, a cloth, or a brush to remove dirt buildup. Permanent filters shouldn’t be cleaned with water.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of air purifiers in this category?
The biggest advantage of having an air purifier with washable or permanent filters is the lower long-term costs. As you may already know, standard filters need to be replaced regularly with new ones, which requires you to buy replacement filters every now and then. Permanent/washable filters negate this need since you only have to clean them once they’ve reached their maximum capacity in order to re-use them. Cleaning typically requires more effort, though, than simply popping in a fresh, new filter in place. As such, these said air purifiers require a bit more maintenance than their conventional counterparts.
Who would benefit from air purifiers with permanent/washable filters?
People who are all about saving money long-term will surely benefit from air purifiers with permanent/washable filters, This holds true especially for homeowners dealing with a lot of dust, pet dander, and allergens since it calls for more frequent filter replacements. If you think that the pollution level in your home would require you to change filters more frequently than the average household, then you’d really maximize the savings brought in by permanent/washable filters.