Neoair PLUS Air Purifier

On the surface, this Neoair Plus has a ok spec. It is $300 for a compact purifier that has a low annual filter replacement cost of ~$60, a low power consumption of 70 Watts, not too noisy at 46 dB, and serving up to 600 square feet with a fan speed of 200 CFM. Now what can be wrong with such a purifier? Well, the problem is that NeoAir Plus is far weaker than it appears. The 200 CFM (cubic feet per minute) fan speed is not very powerful comparing to its competitors. Most purifiers on the market participate in the AHAM (Association Home Appliance Manufacturers) certification to get three CADR values (Clean Air Delivery Rating). There are 3 CADR values for smoke, dust and pollen removal rates. Neoair did not get certified and only reports its fan speed (200 CFM). This is very troubling because a fan speed does not indicate the cleaning power of a purifier. For instance, your typical fan at home has a CFM fan speed, but it has a "ZERO" CADR since it cannot purify air. The CADR of Neoair Plus is probably 200 at its best (where CADR = CFM). Honeywell 50250 has a certified 250 CADR and is sold at $150. 3M Filtrete FAP03-RC has an averaged 290 CADR and is $200. Whirlpool AP450 has an averaged 315 CADR and is $250. All three are cheaper and more powerful than Neoair Plus.

What also concern me is some of the marketing and customer services of this young company. It is rather important to point out that when Neoair claims this unit can serve 600 square feet, the statement is overrated and misleading. The industrial guideline written by the AHAM is to use the smoke CADR and a 5 air change per hour to estimate the usage space. While Honeywell, 3M, and Whirlpool purifiers are more powerful, they are suggested for a smaller usage space of 375, 348, 500 square feet, respectively. This is because these companies follow the standard guideline. (Even through 3M filtrete has a higher pollen and dust CADRs than the Honeywell 50250, 3M has a lower smoke CADR and therefore a lower recommended floor space) Using the standard definition, this Neoair Plus should be used for a 300 sq ft, half of its advertised 600 sq ft. The fact that Neoair did not go to an independent organization to certify their CADR should raise some eyebrows. This misleading 600 sq ft advertising tactic sure seems like a way to prey on average customers. Please understand that, unlike CADR, there is no legal guideline for defining the recommended floor space. Thus, companies can deviate from the standard calculation with no legal consequence. In this case, NeoAir used a 2.5 air change per hour for its calculation -instead of 5. In addition, this company customer service is somewhat lacking. They do not seem to know their products well when I contact them.

Finally, even if you believe Neoair made a honest mistake, you have to wonder why you want to pay more for a weaker purifier. Let's just take Whirlpool AP450 as a comparison again. Whirlpool AP450 is rated as the number ONE purifier by Consumer Reports. Neoair Plus is $300 and Whirlpool AP450 is $250. Neoair Plus has a cleaning power of 200 CADR at best and Whirlpool has an averaged 315 CADR. Alternatively, you can get two Honeywell 50250 for the same price as Neoair Plus. So, here is another choice: one Neoair for ~200 CADR or two Honeywell for a total 500 CADR. I am simply wondering: Can someone honestly justify a purchase of Neoair Plus in light of all of these superior purifiers on the markets which also happens to have better support?

**For people who are interested here is the math. The recommended floor space is calculated based on a 8 feet ceiling height and a 5 air-change per hour condition. Let's uses Honeywell 50250 as an example. It has a 250 CADR which translates to a 250 cubic feet per minute cleaning speed or 15000 cu ft per hour. Now divides 15000 cu ft per hour by a 8 ft ceiling and by a 5 air change per hour will result a 375 floor space. A shortcut is to simply multiple the CADR value by "1.5". e.g.: 250CADR X 1.5 = 375 sq ft **

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