Holmes air purifiers have been on the market since 1982, and Holmes is now a subsidiary of the Jarden Corporation. Jarden is a global company that also owns Bionaire, another air purifier company. Jarden’s web site emphasizes customer satisfaction, product quality, successful product development, and low development-to-market cost.
Holmes Overview
The Jarden Corporation is an international entity that owns a variety of appliance companies. As a result, they also own quite a few household names, including Mr. Coffee, Crock Pot, Oster, Seal-a-Meal, Sunbeam, and Holmes. The company’s web site states that their goal is “to be a leading global consumer products company built around a dynamic portfolio of differentiated, world-class brands, “ and to be fiscally accountable to customers and investors.
History of Holmes Air Purifiers
The Sunbeam company was founded in 1893 when its founders began making and selling a horse-clipping machine. In 1910, an electric iron known as “The Princess” was the beginning of the electrical appliance division. The company went on to produce mixers, blenders, coffee makers, and other appliances. The Holmes Group was formed in 1985, and later The Rival Company. The Jarden Corporation acquired The Holmes Group in 2005, as well as its product lines.
Features
These purifiers have a durable plastic housing that is treated to resist the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Many models offer space-saving design, such as a desktop or tower model. Holmes air purifiers are easy to find online, or at retailers such as Target, Sears, and Wal-Mart. These are also a good buy with prices ranging from $20 to $100. Filters are easy to change and replacement filters are inexpensive. Three speed settings and optional ionizers are available.
Holmes Benefits
Many Holmes air cleaners feature a manually-switchable ionizer to freshen air naturally. This feature can be turned on or off separately from the filter. The remainder use either HEPA filters, or HEPA-type filters, and, although both remove about 99% of particles, the difference can be seen in microns. Many of the pre-filters are washable, and some models feature a permanent filter that can be vacuumed – thus saving the expense of replacement filters.
Pros
Consumers say that the Holmes air purifier is highly effective in removing pet odor, even without a carbon filter. The HEPA filters and ionizers perform well in particulate removal, and, barring the cost of replacement filters, most reports say that the operating costs are reasonable. Regarding the increase in quality issues, many consumers report that their needs are being addressed, although some received slow customer service responses at first.
Cons
Some models come with little or no warranty, and there seem to be major issues with both quality and performance. Additionally, the HEPA-type filters are ineffective. 2.0 microns is a large particle, and essentially means the purifier is just acting as a dust collector. Some of Holmes air purifier replacement filters are costly, and consumers report they paid almost as much for a filter as for the purifier. Also there are reports of models vibrating, and high noise levels.
These air purifiers are now manufactured in Asia, and there is an abundance of issues that keep cropping up regarding service, performance, and quality. The good news is that the company is aware of these issues and seems to be working on the problem. Also, both the purifiers and replacement parts are usually inexpensive and easily obtainable.
Holmes Air Purifier Reviews
Holmes air purifiers are one of the many products that have become popular in recent years, as rising concern over airborne particulates has led consumers to look for ways to breathe cleaner air. Below, we provide Holmes air purifier reviews on some of the best-selling models to give you an idea of whether or not the Holmes brand is right for you.
HAP756-U True HEPA Allergen Remover for Very Large Rooms
Holmes HAP756-U Air Purifier
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 stars
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This model has a CADR, or clean air delivery rate, of 270, and is a large machine capable of filtering a space of approximately 418 square feet. It removes common household particulates like tobacco smoke and pet dander with a success rate of 99.97%, and aids in the dissipation of common household odors using an Arm and Hammer®-enhanced baking soda filter. Buyers found that this unit was highly efficient, but that the need to replace three HEPA filters was not always cost-effective. Click here for our full review.
HAP726-U True HEPA Allergen Remover for Medium to Large Rooms
Holmes HAP726-U Air Purifier
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 stars
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Similar to the HAP756-U, this model has the same drawbacks and advantages in a smaller, more compact package. Filter prices are always an issue with HEPA air purifiers and Holmes air purifiers are no exception, so anyone purchasing one of these units must make a point of budgeting filter costs into the amount they are willing to spend. However, customers have had good success removing mold spores, smoke residue, and other unpleasant particulates from their houses with this and other Holmes products, and generally agree that the filters are worth the results. Click here for our full review.
HAP412N-U HEPA-Type Mini Tower Air Purifier
Holmes HAP412N Air Purifier
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 stars
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Small and compact, this Holmes air purifier can be used to cleanse a space of up to one hundred and twenty square feet, and utilizes Holmes’ unique Arm and Hammer®-enhanced baking soda filter. It is inexpensive and compact. Many buyers have had great success with this model, especially those who had never before owned an air purifier; however, some people found that the filtration system was ineffective, so those looking for a heavy-duty performance machine may wish to pass on this model. Click here for user reviews.
HAP242-UC HEPA-type Desktop Air Purifier
Holmes HAP242-UC Air Purifier
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 stars
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Holmes recommends operating this small, tabletop model on a constant medium setting, which prevents the settling of dust into the gears and fans of the machine. It is equipped with a replaceable HEPA filter which can be switched out using an easy pop-off cover, and comes with a three-year limited warranty, which is standard for machines of that size. Featuring three speed settings and an optional ionizer, this is a good product for a small home or commercial office. However, be prepared to replace the filters on a regular basis. Click here for user reviews.
HAP8756 True HEPA Allergen Remover/Air Purifier
Holmes HAP8756 Air Purifier
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 stars
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Many customers found that this product greatly reduced their allergic reactions by eliminating airborne particles like pollen and dander. It is AHAM certified, as with all Holmes air purifiers, and is designed to cleanse rooms of approximately 20 X 20 feet. However, a few customers experienced problems with this model and had difficulty getting a replacement through the limited warranty, so this may not be the most reliable of the designs currently available. Click here for user reviews.
Holmes air purifiers are a good mid-range choice when it comes to air purifiers that excel at removing airborne particulates. However, expensive replacement filters make this line less affordable than other comparable products like the Honeywell HEPA purifiers.
