Ridgid 72947 VF4000RT Standard Filter

I also tried to use this filter in a wet and dry situation. When I tried to vacuum drywall and plaster dust, the particles went right thru the filter and were blown all over the room making even more of a mess. When I used the vacuum to remove water from the basement floor, it worked fine, however, the filter quickly deteriorated and was no longer usable. As a replacement, I purchased an aftermarket filter from www.cleanstream.com which was more expensive, however, it is HEPA rated, and it has a coating to prevent clogging and breakdown. It's also washable so you can get many more uses.

BestAir L8-C Lasko Cascade Humidifier Filter

I purchased this to replace a dirty filter in my Lasko 1128 humidifier. It is a direct replacement of the filter that came with the device and fit perfectly. It humidifies just as well as the OEM filter. This also has antibacterial properties built in and so far so good. Amazon has it for the best price of any place I've seen (Prime for the win!) I've seen these as expensive as $24.99 at a local Lowes so definitely get it on Amazon with your prime membership.

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16x24x1 (15.5 x 23.5) Accumulair Emerald Filter

This filter measures about 1/2" smaller on each side than what is advertised.

This in effect causes the filter to NOT create an air-tight seal and can slide around in the housing.

DO NOT BUY not having the true sizes loses effectiveness.

Aireox Professional Air Purifier

I've been using Aireox air cleaners in my home and cars for about 16 years and wouldn't buy any other kind. I have severe chemical sensitivity (from an on the job incident) and they do the job for me. They are simple, easy to clean (open, vacuum the outside of the filter, replace), and quiet. Buy a new filter to replace the one inside it when you can again smell stuff that it didn't clean out of the air (about 1 year). I run mine 24/7 on low and have for 16 years straight.

The only problem that some of my older ones have had is with the switch (max setting didn't work after a while). My newest one, just purchased from Amazon, does not have that problem. It wouldn't bother me if it did because these air cleaners are the best in any case. Cleans everything out of the air (formaldehyde, mold, gasses, smoke, etc.). During the horrible fires in California a while back, I just ran my Aireox and kept the windows closed and had clean air in the house.

I highly recommend these air purifiers. I own three at home, one for my husband's office, and one for the car. The newest one replaces a 16 year old one which finally bit the big one. All my others are old and working just fine.

Optimus AP-78 Air Purifier

I can hardly feel the air flow. The gauges told me to clean the filters but they were no way dirtier than with my Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Cleaner. I hate to return things so this one is a keeper for the price.

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Hamilton Beach 04271R TrueAir Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator

I was somewhat skeptical since there doesn't seem to be much interest in this product and even a bad review, but for less than $20 it was worth taking a chance. We use ours in the bathroom and it works great. I am now ordering a couple of replacement filters since we have had our unit for over 6 months. For such a small fan, it moves a lot of air and does a fantastic job of removing (and not masking) odor. Highly recommended.

Kaz K14-3P Dynafilter Air Cleaning Replacement Cartridge

The entire concept seems like a scam. You plug this thing into the wall and it pumps out soothing, moisture-filled air that allows a congested person to rest easier. I laughed when I first read about them. But once again, my inner cynic was forced to admit error. These things help my children sleep when they have a cold. The filter replacements are easy to install and keep the entire apparatus free of mold and bacteria. I've been using the same Humidifier for over ten years, simply by keeping it clean and changing the filters regularly. I mock no longer.

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Hunter 30928 Replacement Filter

I bought the Hunter air purifier for my basement. The unit itself was about $60 and the replacement filters are about $30.00, every three months. So, it is rather like a printer that is cheap to buy, but they get you with the replacement of the ink.

The air purifier works well with these filters.

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Crane EE-8072 Germ Defense Electrostatic Air Purifier

We just got this unit a few days ago took me all of 2 minutes to read the instructions and crank it up. I placed it in our large bedroom (about 280sf) and hit the turbo button (great feature that in essence makes the unit run at a super high speed for 20 minutes to quickly process the room's air) and left. My wife opened the door to the room about a half hour later and said "wow it feels so fresh in here". We both smelled the difference. it's really what you don't smell nothing seems to be in the air. No dust, odors, nothing.

It runs quite except on the high speed and turbo you can certainly here it running at these speeds but it's a nice white noise. It's solid and compact. I love that I will never have to buy a filter for this and it tells me when it needs cleaning.

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Dirt Devil Power Air Lightweight Stick Vac

If you're looking for a quick rating of the Dirt Devil's performance, it gets five stars. But as they say, the devil is in the details. Below is a brief overview, with discussion to follow.

Pros:

* Very powerful suction

* Assembles quickly

* Large dirt cup capacity

* Removal of dirt cup is fast

* Fairly quiet

* Electric cord length is about 20'

* Sturdy wheels

* Low-profile cleaning head

* Capable of hanging storage

Cons:

* Replacement of dirt cup requires precision

* Weight of vacuum a factor in some cases

* Plastic casing

If you are accustomed to a battery powered stick vacuum, you will be pleasantly surprised at the performance of this electric powered, lightweight, stick vacuum. It has the ability to pick up small and larger pieces of dirt on both hard floors and those with carpeting. (It performed beautifully on tile floors, oriental rugs, and thickly padded, dense carpeting.) And this is despite not having a vacuum's traditional beater bar with bristles. It does have a toothed, small, rubber strip that may assist in lifting dirt to be sucked into the unit.

To assemble, simply attach the cleaning head to the unit. The handle (stick) clicks into place and is attached to the vacuum. Depending on your proficiency, this can take from one to three minutes.

The dirt cup is located on the front of the unit. That makes it very easy to remove and empty. However, replacing it is not so easy and fast. I couldn't align the cup to the unit by bending over the vacuum. To do it, I had two choices. I could put the vacuum on the kitchen counter (not hygienic) or, put the stick under my arm with the unit resting against my body. In that position, I could see how to align the two pieces. Being short, this may be a problem only for me and not for most consumers.

Four plastic wheels move this vacuum; two tiny ones at the front of the cleaning head and two much larger ones in the rear. Not having rubber wheels means no residue peeling off as you vacuum--a definite plus.

The cleaning head is 1 ½" in height. This low profile means that getting under a low sitting piece of furniture is possible. The center of the head is higher so, only one-half of the head will fit. That gives you several inches of clearance to clean. Beyond that, you would have to move the piece of furniture. If you've ever thoroughly vacuumed, leaving a visible dust line just under a hard-to-reach item, you'll appreciate this feature.

The electric cord length is ample for cleaning a generously-sized area. Of course, it needs to be relocated as you move from space to space. The cord probably won't stretch up a flight of stairs, but the unit's weight (about seven pounds) might discourage you from using it there. The cord stores neatly when wrapped in the place provided.

Storage should not be a problem. It stands upright on its own. Its size makes it an excellent choice for those with little storage capacity. Additionally, the manufacturer has thoughtfully provided a very large `O' at the top of the stick, for storing the vacuum in a hanging position.

A possible negative feature may be the vacuum's plastic casing. It doesn't appear to be very strong. For example, hanging it on my garage wall with heavier items, means that I have to be very careful to not let them touch one another, for fear of cracking the vacuum's casing. Or, if I hang it and it falls, will it still be useable? Think of where you store bikes, carriages, strollers, suitcases, sports equipment, etc. and try to keep them from your Dirt Devil.

Overall, this stick vacuum is devilishly good.

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Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160cc Honda GCV160 Gas Powered 3-N-1 Push Lawn Mower

When it was time to replace my 11 year-old Craftsman, there were a few things I knew I wanted (and a few things I didn't want) in my next mower. I wanted a quality engine with plenty of power and good over-all construction. I wanted it to have a mulching feature, and I prefer the taller rear wheels.

I didn't want my mower to be self-propelled. My 1/3 acre yard is fairly flat and easy to mow. I don't have any trouble pushing a mower around. Self-propelled mowers cost more, weigh more, and have more parts to break. But my biggest reason is you get less power to the blade because the motor is also powering the drive wheels. Just a plain ol' push mower for me, thanks!

The Basics:

The Husqvarna 7021P is a 21" push mower with an excellent 160cc GCV Honda engine. I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but sometime between the purchase of my last mower and this new one, the old standard of horsepower ratings has been replaced by a new "gross torque" rating. This is supposedly a more accurate assessment of a mower's power. I don't know...just go with it. This Honda engine is rated at 6.9 gross torque which is on par with, or somewhat better than, most other walk-behind mowers. And because YOU provide the power to push it, all of that torque is going to the cutting blade. The engine features a new Easy Start auto choke system that just plain works great. There is no primer bulb to push. For a cold start you simply slide the choke lever over, squeeze the safety bar on the handle and pull. Mine has started on the first pull every single time without exception. The choke releases by itself so you don't have to do it, and there is no chance of flooding the engine. Nice. The Honda motor runs smooth and strong. It's not necessarily any quieter than other mowers, but it does have a little deeper tone to it. I like the sound.

There are a few other features that attracted me to the Husqvarna 7021P also. It has double ball-bearing wheels which roll very smooth and easy. This model also has the taller rear wheels which help navigate uneven terrain and bumps like tree roots. The 7021P has three modes for mowing. You can attach a rear bag to catch the clippings, use as a side-discharge mower, or use as a mulcher. I use my mower as a mulcher exclusively. This mower also has a handle which folds easily for compact storage or transport.

Setup:

Set up is super easy. Simply remove the mower from the box, extend and tighten the handle, add the included oil, and add gas. That's it. You're ready to mow.

Performance:

The first time I used this mower I had it set too low. It didn't have any trouble powering through the grass, but it did leave some clumps behind (remember...I'm mulching). But the next time I mowed I raised it up one notch to the one in the middle. Now I don't get any clumps at all, and it's probably a healthier setting for my grass. The cut is very uniform and the yard looks great when I'm done.

Conclusion:

I am very happy with my purchase. Just because I didn't want a self-propelled mower doesn't mean I wanted a disposable piece of junk. The Husqvarna 7021P is a quality mower with a great engine and good build quality. It performs like a champ and leaves my lawn looking well groomed. I highly recommend this mower.

Sunpentown AC-3000I Magic Clean HEPA Air Cleaner with Ionizer

Bought the AC-3000I for a 10x12 room that gets ample amounts of sun throughout the day, which in turn makes it a favorite for my two dogs. With the combination of sun and dogs comes a significant amount of dust and pet dander. It is, in my opinion, the ideal situation for an "air purifier".

Upon coming home for work, there would literally be a layer of dust and dog hair confined to this space. My hope was that by adding the AC-3000I the dust and dander would be minimized. Expectations were low and I was prepared to accept any kind of improvement as justification of the cost. My first attempt at using the AC-300I on the "low" setting showed absolutely no results. Okay, so maybe this kind of environment justifies cranking it up to "high" (which is significantly louder). Again, there wasn't one bit of difference and this was after 10 hours of use. In fact, you could watch the dust and pet dander particles literally swirl around the room from the purifier fan, but absolutely nothing was begin collected. NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH!

I decided to take a look at the filter to see if perhaps it was clogged or something. Everything was in order so I decided to experiment. I noticed when placing my hand on the "intake" filter area that there is hardly (and that's being generous) any suction on this unit. You'd think with all the air the fan puts out, you'd notice some kind of suction. So I collected a dust bunny to see how close to the unit it had to be to cling to the filter. Try about 3 inches, otherwise the dust would simple fall the floor or spin around the room into oblivion.

The bottom line is this. If you're in the market for something that actually cleans the air, look elsewhere. All this thing does is blow air.

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iRobot Roomba 4210 Discovery Vacuuming Robot

I've been a Roomba user for almost two years, so I know the benefits of a little automated vacuum. However we had three primary complaints that iRobot has addressed in this new version:

1. Inconvenience of coming home to a dead battery

2. Difficult to clean

3. Noisy

4. Could not focus on dirtier areas; only cleaned randomly.

1. We have gotten into the habit of, as we are walking out the door, putting the Roomba to work. However, we always used to have the problem of coming home to Roomba with a dead battery (inevitably it would die in the worst spots, like under our bed just out of reach). Then we would have to plug him in to our charger (which we had to shell out sixty bucks for) and wait for two hours to use him again. That was complaint one for the old version.

iRobot has fixed the battery issue on the Discovery. The fast charger (which we had to pay for before) is now built in. Secondly, and what has proven to be my favorite new feature of the new Roomba, the little vacuum automatically finds his docking station when his battery is about dead. I do have two recommendations on this note, however. The docking station appears to work just like a virtual wall, Roomba doesn't know that it is there unless it crosses its path, so you make sure that it is in a wide open room where Roomba is sure to cross its path in its waning minutes of power. Secondly, now you have to be extra sure to Roomba-proof the room so that he doesn't get stuck. If he's stuck he won't be able to find his way back to the charger.

2. The new version has gotten much easier to clean, especially the main brush. All the pieces now pop in and out of place easier and there are no screws to remove any of the pieces that need cleaning. This has proven to be a huge benefit.

3. The Discovery is noticeably quieter than the older versions, especially on tile surfaces.

4. The new line of Roomba Floorvacs comes with sensors that can detect dirt. That was the first thing we tested when we got our Discovery. I had pieces of Styrofoam broken into small pieces and it detected it and automatically performed a spot clean on that area. Then I put him in the kitchen where I had accidentally dumped a bag of cereal on the floor and then managed to step on it...Roomba focused on that area and cleaned up every little crumb.

I love my Roomba. I 100% recommend that you get one. I bought mine at a local store in the mall and had to return my Pro Elite version 4 times before I finally got one that wasn't buggy. Then, under the warrantee, after my fourth one went on the fritz I was able to upgrade to the Discovery for free. So far after 2 weeks, the Discovery has been bug-free.

Nevertheless, because of the many issues that I have had in the past, and as with any new and emerging technology, buy it where you can purchase an extended warrantee and easily return defective devices.

Notwithstanding, buy a Roomba. Even though my wife and I never have time to clean our floors have been spotless for the last two years.

I hope this helps.

24x30x1 (23.5 x 29.5) Accumulair Emerald 1-Inch Filter

Upgraded our A/C, which included a new air intake. Went from an easy to find 24"x24" filter to a not so easy to find 23.5" x29.5" filter. Amazon had a good selection and for no particular reason I chose this one. Arrived quickly, and most important, it fits. Can't evaluate effectiveness, since I feel no different now then I did with the old system (although my electric bills are down at least 20%).

Bissell Style 15 HEPA Filter Cartrige

I did not put this into service, yet. I did check the fit when it arrived. No problem. Some reviewers mention difficulty fitting this "style" filter to the vac. They DO have to be inserted FULLY into the base notch before you push the top towards the seatand then a medium pressure at the top until the top clicks under the catch. These filters are meant to seal rather tightly around the edge to be effective. I can tell no difference from the Factory Bissell filters.

Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine

When I got my Gaggia more than several decades ago, it was not yet called a Classic. It was called a Coffee Gaggia. About 20 years ago, some minor changes were made, and the unit was renamed Classic. The new "Coffee Gaggia" is not the same as this machine.

This machine has a robust build, and high quality parts. Its tank heats the water quickly, and to a proper temperature, and the pump is powerful enough to do the job properly. I would strongly recommend using filtered water, especially with a low mineral content, so that deposits do not build up in the tank.

My version has an all metal frothing wand, which does as good a job as the skills of the operator will allow for. The newer versions have a "turbo frother," and an optional milk frother that will take the guess work out of frothing and place foamed milk directly into the cup. I can't comment on these newer features, but perhaps they will allow a better job to be done by those with less experience.

The newer models are brushed stainless, while the original models had an appliance enamel finish. Since the old finish allowed water to penetrate under any scratches or imperfections in the finish, this was a particular problem near the portafilter holder and underneath the drip tray. The new version should retain its finish far longer, although the old one still does not show any wear in places that are visible with the machine assembled.

Minor differences are that the new machine has a more robust looking steam knob that was moved to the side, and the thermostat light, which indicated that the unit was heating, has been replaced with a "ready" light that is integrated into the coffee switch and signals the opposite.

In the time that I've had my machine, I've had only minor problems with it. My steam thermostat needed to be replaced once, and the light on my power switch stopped working. These were larger issues before the Internet made it easy to find parts, as these items are hard to find locally. The other problem is that if the unit is not used for extended periods, and the tank is allowed to dry out completely, and the water used was hard, then some parts are subject to clogging. The troubleshooting steps in the manual are not helpful for these sorts of problems. The machine can be disassembled for cleaning by somebody who is mechanically inclined, but unless you feel comfortable with appliance repair, you are better off avoiding the situation by using filtered water, and/or descaling regularly, especially before any long term storage.

The other "parts" issue is that the gasket for the filter basket should be considered a consumable part, and should be sold by every dealer as an accessory, rather than just by repair facilities. The machine really should have included an extra one since this is the only part that will definitely wear out with regular use. It might take a few years or longer, and is easy to replace, but it will wear out.

Overall, this is a well built machine that should last you many decades. Although it seemed expensive when I bought it, it has averaged out to about 6 cents a day to own it, which was well worth the price, and I'll probably get another few decades out of it.

If you have used cheaper espresso makers, you will appreciate the robustness and quality of this unit. Features such as the three way solenoid controlled valve might be transparent to the user, but the lack of them become clear when you use a cheaper machine. This one just keeps going and going.

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GE Air Purifier Charcoal Filter Kit

I ordered a Airpurifier HEPA filter so I saw the charcoal filters and when I bought my unit it only came with the Hepa filter so I never tried it till I got these the HEPA filter does a good job but it does not take the oders out of the air the charcoal does I have noticed a difference with the charcoal filter in it. I recommend useing one.

Sharper Image Ionic Breeze SI730 GP UV Silent Air Purifier

I am not sure how size of a room does they say one purifier can clean. I use two of these purifiers to maintain a clean fresh atmosphere in a 750sq feet Kitchen/living room (with fireplace) area. I think one would be suffecient, but we ended up with two (a gift).

PROS:

-It is absolutly silent, not even little noise.

It is very easy to maintain.

no filters to but, you just have to clean the metal parts when the machine starts making noise (you will know)

Different levels of cleaning: with or without the UV-light, LOW-MED-HIGH.

-

NEGATIVES:

I think two years ago we paid around $375 for one of these and we received a free bathroom ionizer. (it could have been a special promotion, I cannot remeber, but check prices elsewhere before purchasing)

I think it is a bit large.

If you like absolute darkness when you sleep, remmember that this machine will have 1 small light always lit, even when you do not use the UV-light

CLEANING:

The metal part that you clean is not as easy as advertised (on TV) to clean. It takes couple of minutes to clean it, and if it not cleaned and dried properly, IT WILL make noise shortly after you restart the machine. so make sure you clean it well. I use a wet soapy sponge and then rinse and make sure it is completely clean. Then I dry it with dry cotton rag.

SUMMERY:

I think it is great, if not the best purifier I have everhad, I never thought that a purifier without any filters would work good, but it does. It takes care of all kinds of odors, once we had a guest who smoked a cigar and within an hour there were no traces of that smell. Cooking odor is illiminated within minutes or hours depending on it's severity. GREAT PROCUCT I think.

AmairCare HEPA Filter for Roomaid Air Cleaner

I think everyone needs an air purifier for city driving. I'm in bumper to bumper traffic at least 3 times per week and there's always at least one vehicle puffing out smoke. The body just wasn't designed for inhaling polutants from a tailpipe. I use my Roomaid in the car but had let it sitting dormant for a couple of years as I procrastinated buying a new filter. The new filters are better than the origninal that came with the unit. There's no compartment up-top that allows you to insert a scent module to freshen the air. That compartment was a weak-link, allowing un-purfied air to circulate through it. This new filter has made a big difference in my commuting. My Roomaid is always on and I don't get overwhelming chemical smells throughout the cabin of my SUV. Easy to install and worth every penny to me to keep my allergy symptoms at a bare minimum.

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HOLMES HAP240 Air Purifier

I have used this model for years. I have one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom. Reliable, quiet enough to use at night, and has never broken down. I have asthma, and it is a life saver when smoke and odors from cooking threaten my breathing. Small enough to take with me when I travel. It's useful for removing odors and dust from the air. I really depend on it. Reasonable price, and totally reliable. The filter is easy to change, (you can extend it's useable life by vacuuming it!) The prefilter just rinses out, and the case wipes clean easily. The only thing that I don't like is that there is no way to clean the fan blades inside.