Appearance, Design and Construction

IQAir Air Purifier

Both air purifiers are described as being Swedish-made, and that claim shows in their style of design, even more so for the BlueAir line of products. The BlueAir purifiers are sleek, stylish and elegant. They have been praised for their ability to enhance the décor of whichever room they are placed in. The IQAir purifiers are not so décor-friendly. They stick out like a sore thumb and look more industrial and professional than the BlueAir. Despite their different design styles, both products have been hailed by a large percentage of users as being sturdy, well-constructed, and capable of lasting for a very long period of time.

Models

The IQAir Company offers air purifiers for both residential and commercial use. For residential use, there are three major IQAir models: the HealthPro series, the Perfect 16, and the GC MultiGas series. The GC MultiGas is renowned for its ability to eliminate cigarette smoke, gases, odors and toxic chemicals from the air. The Perfect 16 Whole House Air Purifier is a slight deviation from the standard air purifier design. As can be deduced from its name, the Perfect 16 is not a single unit rather, it’s a comprehensive air purifier system that takes care of the filtration needs of every room in the whole house. The HealthPro series comprise of the HealthPro Compact, the HealthPro Compact Plus and the HealthPro Plus (otherwise known as the HealthPro 250). Out of all IQAir residential air purifiers, the HealthPro Plus is the biggest selling model with its ultra-efficiency, high filtration capability and low noise level.

Just like IQAir, BlueAir also offers three major series of indoor air purifiers: BlueAir Sense, BlueAir Classic and BlueAir Pro. The BlueAir Classic series consists of models such as the Classic 203, 205, 403, 405, 505, 605, 650, and the Eco10 among others. The BlueAir Sense has a version known as the Sense+ that comes in several color options. The BlueAir Pro series includes the Pro M, the Pro L and the Pro XL models.

As with most topnotch products, the price tags on the BlueAir and IQAir lineup of air purifiers range from medium to high. However, the IQAir’s price tag tends to be even higher than that of the BlueAir, and this remains its one major source of criticism.

Filtration

This is one of the most important quality of any indoor air purifier. Before purchase, you must ask yourself: “Does this purifier provide the level and quality of filtration needed in my home?” Most portable indoor purifiers follow a basic design: a fan for circulating the air and a filter for removing pollutants and unwanted particles in the air.

The BlueAir purifiers are designed majorly for ridding the air of particles rather than harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Due to this particle removal orientation, a vast majority of BlueAir purifiers are designed with HEPA and electrostatic filters.

The HEPA filter is a paper filter system capable of removing very tiny particles from the air that would normally remain uncaptured by regular ordinary filters. This makes the filter a recommended choice for people suffering from allergies. Electrostatic filtration makes use of an ionizer to enhance particle capturing.

BlueAir makes its HEPA filtration even better with its patented HEPASilent filters. With claims to being waterproof and even recyclable, these HEPASilent filters are reputed to be one of the quietest filters to be found in the market. If you’d rather have a filter that specializes in removing gas, smoke and unwanted odors, then BlueAir offers you the option of its exclusive SmokeStop filters. These filters are made from carbon pellets and can be used in place of the HEPASilent filters.

When it comes to filtration, no one does it better than the IQAir purifiers. Designed with IQAir’s patented HyperHEPA technology, these purifiers go way beyond the usual HEPA filtration. The HyperHEPA filtration ensures the smallest particles are removed as well as tiny microorganisms such as viruses. It can filter out particles 100 times more efficiently than the normal HEPA filters. Due to its ability to get rid of bacteria, viruses, pet dander, dust particles and even mold spores, the IQAir provides better filtering and is the best choice for odor and allergy sufferers.

More on Filtration…

Unlike the Blue Air, the IQAir also comes with four levels of filtration to ensure that users breathe in the cleanest air possible. Another advantage of the IQAir filtration system is its included high capacity pre-filter. The inclusion of a pre-filter prevents the buildup of dust in the purifier and extends the lifespan of the main filter. For gas and odor removal, the IQAir is also equipped with a carbon filter of the highest grade.

The IQAir Perfect 16 model offers 50 times more filtration. This is because the purifier system has a double-V design thus creating a smaller space for the same level of filtration found in other IQAir models. The result is a filtration system that is way more efficient than the rest.

One major downside of the filtration system of both the IQAir and BlueAir is the recurring need to change and replace the filters. In other words, apart from the money spent on purchasing the purifier, users still have to shell out cash periodically to maintain the filters. While the IQAir filters can be changed just once in a year, the BlueAir filters must be changed every 6 months. The BlueAir’s shorter filter life can be attributed to its lack of pre-filters. With no pre-filters, the main filter clogs up way more often, and this also contributes to the BlueAir being not as filtration-efficient as the IQAir. Despite these disadvantages, the BlueAir filters are very easy to change and replace compared to the IQAir.

Click here to get more details on the IQAir HealthPro Plus

Click here to get more details on the BlueAir Classic 205

Technologies Used

Apart from the filtration design, both air purifiers make use of impressive patented technologies to achieve the quality they are renowned for. The IQAir makes use of the exclusive 3DUltraSeal technology which reduces internal air leakage to the barest minimum and increases the overall efficiency of the machine. On the other hand, the BlueAir offers a SurroundAir system. This technology works with the various vents designed into the surface of the machine by simultaneously pulling in polluted air and releasing purified air through these openings into the room. This serves to improve the efficiency of the BlueAir purifiers.

It should be noted that the various technologies implemented into the design of these purifiers do not produce harmful chemicals, ions, ozone or UV; substances proven to be major health hazards.

Energy Efficiency, CADR Rating, and Other Health Rankings

The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a rating system put forth by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). This system seeks to rate the effectiveness of portable air purifiers by measuring the clean air delivery rate of the devices. This involves measuring the purified air released in cubic feet per minute to determine if the purifier will move air more quickly as it cleans. The CADR rating of these devices is then compared to determine which is more effective. On comparing BlueAir purifiers to IQAir’s, the CADR rating shows that the BlueAir has the highest CADR values on all its purifiers. This can be attributed to its excellent air flow at 5 to 6 air changes per hour.

BlueAir also boasts an Eco model that produces 95% less carbon emissions than other models in the BlueAir lineup as well as those in the IQAir lineup, making the BlueAir series more energy efficient than the IQAir. To further solidify this claim, all models in the BlueAir series have been awarded an Energy Star for Efficiency by the U.S. Department of Energy. In other words, BlueAir purifiers are Energy Star Certified and offer extreme energy efficiency.

Though the IQAir is not as energy efficient as the BlueAir, it is a very strong competitor in the market. The strength of the IQAir purifiers lie in their unrivalled filtration ability. The IQAir HealthPro Plus model has been rated the No 1 indoor air purifier for allergies and asthma by Consumers Digest. IQAir purifiers are also being used in prominent hospitals across various continents, especially to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

Maximum Coverage Area

IQAir and BlueAir boasts an impressive range of indoor air purifier models, and each model is designed with its own specific maximum coverage area. The BlueAir Classic 405 can adequately purify air extending up to 430 square feet while the BlueAir 503 can handle a square footage of 580. On the other hand, IQAir’s most popular model, the HealthPro Plus is designed to accommodate a room spanning 900 square feet.

Fan Speed Settings

As stated earlier, virtually all indoor air purifiers are designed with fans for air circulation and movement. These fans can operate at different speeds depending on the preference of the user. BlueAir purifier fans come with three speed settings, while that of the IQAir is equipped with six speed settings.

Noise Level

At low speeds where the purifier doesn’t move much air, the BlueAir is quiet. At higher speeds, BlueAir purifiers generate a substantial amount of noise. The IQAir trumps the BlueAir purifiers in this stage, as they are much quieter even during high speeds. Due to its low noise level, the IQAir purifiers are recommended for use in areas such as bedrooms or home offices.

Convenient Features

BlueAir Air Purifier

IQAir purifiers are packaged with an accompanying remote control unit to easily access the devices from any location within the maximum coverage area. The purifiers also come with a display screen that indicates the remaining useful life of the filters.

Both the IQAir and BlueAir purifiers are designed with filter change indicator lights. Just as the name implies, the lights come on when it’s time to change and replace the filters. This is a very important feature, especially for the BlueAir purifiers as their warranty is largely dependent on the recommended filter replacement.

Both brand of purifiers are also equipped with wheel casters to aid mobility and storage. Some BlueAir models are reputedly lightweight, making it very easy for them to be transported from one room to another.

Warranty

Though both purifiers offer similar warranty period, there are slight differences in the terms and conditions. The IQAir brand of purifier come with a five-year warranty on parts and labor. To enjoy BlueAir’s 5-year warranty, you must apply for it with a form that comes with the purifier on purchase. If not, you’d be stuck with a 1-year warranty period. That’s not all. BlueAir’s warranty has been termed ‘strict’ by several consumers. This is because the warranty is only valid if you replace the filters as recommended every 6 months. Failure to do so voids your warranty.

Pros and Cons of IQAir

Pros

• Solid construction
• Offers maximum and better filtration
• Effectively takes care of virus and other microorganisms
• Great for particle removal
• Quieter

Cons

• Filters need to be changed yearly
• Not as energy efficient as BlueAir
• Has an industrial and slightly unappealing look to it

Pros and Cons of BlueAir

Pros

• Well-made and sturdy
• Sleek and stylish
• Energy efficient and very eco-friendly
• Great for particle removal
• Highest CADR rating

Cons

• Filters need to be changed every 6 months
• Doesn’t offer high levels of filtration as IQAir
• Strict warranty conditions