Some of the online specs are misleading. The Blueair 403 unit (at least the one I received) actually has 4 speeds, just like the Blueair 402! Even the manufacturer's own website as of this review lists it as having only 3 speeds. The only difference between the 402 and 403 is that the 403 comes with a small electronic timer that is magnetic (you can put it on your refrigerator or on the Blueair unit itself) which shows you when 6 months are up and it's time to replace the filter. This is handy, but not really needed. So, if you can still find a 402 (now discontinued) for a good price, I'd recommend you grab it!
This is a great unit but it is a bit larger than I expected. If you have a small bedroom or office, it may look a bit imposing. It runs very quiet at the two lowest settings and even at the third setting, I found the sound soothing enough to sleep with. In fact, the first night I had it, I put it on the 3 speed setting and found the sound quiet nice and relaxing.
It works very well and is more efficient and quieter than smaller units. The design is also more proven; I compared it with a smaller unit (the 250E) and the 403 works a lot better for a number of reasons (better filter, it pre-charges the particles so that they stick to the filter, and has a larger, thicker filter). The 403 also has a deeper, more soothing and relaxing sound than the smaller unit. Because of the design, you can put things like books on top of it if you want to since it takes in and outputs air from the sides. You can also place it against a wall, something you cannot really do with the smaller 250E unit as it has the filter on the back and outputs air out the top. Also, larger units like the 500 series output air out the top (and sides) so you would not be able to put something on top of those either. I'm not saying I would use my Blueair 403 as a bookshelf or anything, just that it can be convenient to place a magazine or book or two on the top surface at times.
I will now buy a second 403 unit for my living room because I am so impressed. Having two or more of the same series in different rooms throughout the house seems a benefit as you only have one type of filter to buy for them all. However, if your living room is on the large side, you may need a larger unit (such as the 500 series so check your square footage). Note that the 500 series is *much* louder though.
All in all, this is a great unit as it performs very well is *very* quiet and well made. I feel I sleep much better with this unit on and also have much less allergy symptoms including less red and itchy eyes. Even if you don't suffer from allergies, you can still benefit from having nice fresh air all the time. My guess is that you will sleep better and feel more rested when you wake up. As for myself, the Blueair has practically been a lifesaver-I feel a lot more healthy and my allergy symptoms are virtually gone!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
I bought this purifier based on it's build quality and purification capabilities, and also because of the 10 year warranty stated on the amazon page. The unit is powerful and cleans the air in my bedroom very well within two days, it has completely relieved my sinus problems during this heavy pollen season. It also seems solidly built and it is very silent on the lowest setting (I cannot hear it over the birds chirping outside my closed window).
I would rate this purifier five stars, if the warranty was not a complete scam: it states on the amazon website that there is a 10-year warranty. However, the warranty information that comes with the purifier states that there is only a one-year limited warranty, and that that warranty is only valid if you have proof that you replaced the filter after 6 months. So, if you were not to replace your filter, the warranty would be valid for only 6 months.
You CAN get a 5 year warranty, and even a lifetime warranty, if you become a member of Blueair's filter subscription program, in which they send you a new filter every 6 months for $59 including shipping. You can do that by sending back their warranty card or by signing up online. I think that this program may make sense for some people, but I want to run this purifier for only about 6 months each year, as I have no sinus problems in the fall/winter, so I will use one filter every year and not one every six months.
You have to dig deep into their warranty policy (also on their web page) to find out that you *MAY* qualify for an extended warranty if you purchase your filters elsewhere and keep the receipts. That wording sounds like the company will decide, though, whether you actually *DO* qualify or not if you need a repair under warranty and have purchased your filters independently.
I find it ridiculous to make the warranty de facto dependent on whether or not you join their subscription program and it is deceiving to state a 10-year warranty on the amazon site when no such warranty exists and when any warranty that extends beyond six months is dependent on the purchase of somewhat costly replacement filters directly from Blueair. While I like this machine, I don't like to be deceived or suckered into a "free" 5-year warranty that actually costs you quite a bit extra if you do not run this machine full time through the year.
If this company plays dirty little tricks like that upon purchase, I don't even want to know how great their customer service is when you really have a problem down the line. No blue air for me this baby is going back.
Update September 2012: I ended up keeping this unit, because the only other one that I liked was not available online. I will not change the filters every six months, and, thus, my warranty will expire at the six month date. I posted some pictures of the warranty terms and of the "FREE" 5-year warranty card that came with the unit, just so folks can make an informed decision.
Update August 2013: The purifier still works fine and I have now replaced the filter for the first time after a year. The old filter still seemed to have plenty of life in it, though. One thing I like is that the machine produces a good amount of white noise when running on full speed, which is great for my dogs, who are scared of thunderstorms. They like to hang out in the room that has this filter running, because it drowns out the thunderclap quite well. I have noted that amazon now states that the purifier comes with a 5-year limited warranty, which is closer to the truth than the previously advertised 10-year warranty. I would add a star for more honest advertising, but for cutting the advertised warranty in half, they have now increased the price from the $399 I paid to $549 for the same model without an update. This price hike pushes this HEPA filter close to the price range of HEPA filters that have powerful additional filtering capabilities, like VOC or gas removal featured in some of the low-end IQAir filters.
Best Deals for Blueair 403 HepaSilent Air-Purification System
I should start with the fact that everyone in our household has allergies, even the dog I think, but that had not been confirmed. Currently we have the Blueair units in all the bedrooms and family room. The best thing about Blueair units is they work! We really feel a difference. Before getting Blueair my wife was not able to sleep thru the night. She would get congested and her throat would get dry so she kept waking up to drink water. Whatever was giving her trouble is now gone from the air and she is finally able to get a good nights sleep.
Outside the fact that this unit cleans the air, I do also like that it is steel construction ( I did a lot of research and that is hard to find), its quiet!!!, and its energy efficient. As for warranty, the warranty card says mail in for free 5 year warranty.
Honest reviews on Blueair 403 HepaSilent Air-Purification System
Every morning I woke up with my eyes swollen almost shut due to allergies since I got the Blueair 403 HepaSilent air purification system, my eyes are no longer swollen. My sinus problems have greatly improved. I am very please with how quiet it isI can sleep with it on the 2nd level. I would buy this product again.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Blueair 403 HepaSilent Air-Purification System
When my allergist advised I put an air purifier in the bedroom, I wondered how I could find something quiet enough to fall asleep with. He recommended the Honeywells for their air quality, but reviews indicated these were pretty loud.
So, I first purchased the Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier (AP51030K) based on Consumer Reports and Amazon reviews. From the moment I turned it on, I knew there was no way could I fall asleep with that in the room. Even on the lowest setting, it is quite loud: I could hear it just fine from 30 feet away in another room, through two open doors. In addition, it uses a lot of electricity about 60 watts on the lowest setting. Finally, construction is a bit cheap: plastic and styrofoam.
Further research pointed to the Blueair series as quiet and energy efficient. Of these, the Blueair 403 is ranked the quietest. I ordered it and am very happy. It is extremely quiet on its lowest setting just barely audible from 8 feet away in bed and uses only 20 watts on the lowest setting. It's solidly constructed of metal, and well worth the higher price vs. the Whirlpool.
Regarding the Blueair 503, which I haven't tried: The 503 seems to be a better deal (just a little more expensive, rated for 50% more space, and surprisingly cheaper filter replacements). But the 403 is rated much quieter (27db vs 35db on lowest setting). I am considering getting the 503 for the living areas, which are larger and where noise is less of an issue.
Bottom Line: I love the Blueair 403 in my bedroom. The unit is quite large (11d x 20w x 23h), but well worth the space and price given its silence, energy efficiency and stylish construction.
