hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Filter Air Purifier Review

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homelabs purely awesome True Hepa Filter air purifier

Our Rating:

Key Features:

Cylindrical shape makes it optimal for easy placement

Effectively removes dust, allergens, and microbes through a true HEPA and an activated carbon filter

Straightforward and easy to use smart control panel

Very inexpensive to run


Compact Air Purifier Perfect for Small Spaces and Limited Budgets!

I had the chance to personally test out the hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Filter Air Purifier to see how this undersized unit compares with the larger, more expensive purifiers on the market.

In terms of looks, you get more than you pay for with this sleek little unit. The cylindrical shape and smart functionality make it usable in various situations, from the bedroom to the living room. However, pet owners may find some issues with the bottom-set intake vents because it is prone to attracting hair.

Despite this less-than-optimal intake placement, I found the air-purifying abilities of this appliance quite impressive considering the size and price. 

It is an undersized unit, which means it is meant to be used in undersized spaces–194 square feet according to the website or 80 square feet according to the manual. Even when used in smaller rooms, don’t expect this purifier to fight odors with the same vigor as more expensive units. What it will do, however, is remove dust, allergens, and microbes for fresher feeling air and reduced respiratory symptoms.

Review Criteria Ratings

Air Purifying Performance3.5/5
Build Quality3.5/5
Maintenance and Upkeep4/5
Usability4/5
Operating Costs5/5

Pros

  • Very inexpensive to run
  • Well-priced
  • Compact and reasonably portable
  • Filter replacements are affordable

Cons

  • Limited odor-reducing power
  • Limited functionality

Should You Buy It?

If what you are after is a compact unit to freshen the air and fight respiratory irritants in small spaces, the hOmeLabs Purely Awesome purifier is the way to go.

But, if you are looking for a powerful purifier to fight cigarette smoke and other heavy odors, you’ll have to invest in a more expensive product.

hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier Overview

h0meLabs Purely Awesome True Hepa Filter’s packaging and out of the box

The True HEPA Filter Air Purifier from hOmeLabs is one of two air purifiers the company makes. Unlike the 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier, there is no ion booster or ozone output with this model. Instead, the unit relies on a prefilter, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter to remove microns, dust, allergens, and odors from the air.

This compact unit, which stands at only 13 inches high and weighs about 7 pounds, is marketed for rooms under 200 square feet. But given its CFM rating, we would advise it for use in rooms closer to 80 square feet for comprehensive air purification. This is the same room size recommendation provided in the manual for the unit.

size comparison of hOmelabs purely awesome vs. mug

In addition to the low price, one thing that easily sets this unit apart from the competition is its ease of use and easy maintenance. 

The unit has three fan speeds, an adjustable night light function, and a child lock setting. It isn’t bursting with functionality, but it is about as easy and intuitive to use as they come. 

The all-in-one filter pack is affordable to replace and is easy to find on the company’s website. Plus, there is a filter change reminder light to take the maintenance burden off your shoulders. Beyond changing the filter about every three months, this unit only requires the occasional wipe down and vacuuming around the base.

This isn’t the most powerful purifier out there and certainly would not win against market leaders like Dyson or AirDoctor. But for what it is–a compact unit that uses very little energy and costs a fraction of the big brands–it is pretty impressive.

The HEPA filter removes 99.97% of microns from the air. Combined with the prefilter, which removes larger dust particles and allergens, and the carbon filter, which provides some odor reduction, this unit works well enough for personal use.

Like other hOmeLabs products, this unit comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. It is also backed by the company’s five-star customer service.

hOmeLabs is a newer appliance company that manufactures a variety of products from dehumidifiers to refrigerators. The company is based out of New York with manufacturing hubs throughout the world. They are quickly becoming known for quality products offered at a lower price than their competitors.

Overall, the hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier is an excellent buy for those looking for straightforward air purification in undersized spaces. It is simple to use and will quickly freshen the air in bedrooms, offices, and small basements. And it does all of this while taking up little space and blending seamlessly into the decor.

How It Performs

The hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier is marketed as offering superb air cleaning power and odor reduction in a smaller, more affordable package than competitors. But does it live up to those promises?

I spent the last three weeks using this compact purifier to test its effectiveness and determine if it’s worth considering for those in the market for a new purifier. Keep reading to find out where this purifier lived up to the hype and where it fell short.

Air Purifying Performance

h0melabs purely awesome air purifier on a nightstand

The hOmeLabs Purely Awesome Air Purifier boasts a true HEPA filter. These types of filters can remove particles greater than 0.3 microns from the air at a rate of 99.97%. If you suffer from allergies or respiratory sensitivities, you definitely want a purifier with a HEPA-grade filter in it.

The hOmeLabs purifier filter also includes a built-in prefilter and an activated carbon filter to further its odor and dust fighting capabilities.

While I was not able to test the micron-fighting statistics of this unit, I was able to put it through several tests to see how well it reduced odors and freshened the air.

Straight out of the box, I put the unit in my bedroom, which is about 150 square feet, and turned it to full speed. It didn’t take long to notice the distinct odor of fresh plastic and other less than favorable smells. Given that this unit is made almost entirely of plastic, none of this surprised me.

I opened a window and continued to let the unit run throughout the day. By that evening, the stinky VOCs had run their course, and no more discernible odors came from the unit.

I used the unit nightly in my bedroom for a week. After the first day, I noticed that the room smelled fresher than usual. With two dogs and two humans spending an awful lot of time in that space, the room carries a stale, musty odor when the windows are closed. With the purifier working nightly, this staleness was completely relieved.

No one living in my home suffers from allergies, but we noticed that using the purifier overnight seemed to help us wake up less stuffy.

The unit is advertised for use in rooms up to 194 square feet, but the manual recommends it be used only in rooms as large as 80 square feet. However, in my 150 square foot bedroom, it made a noticeable difference in air quality even when used on low only at night.

filter view of h0meLabs Purely Awesome True Hepa Filter Air Purifier

This unit worked great when it came to simply refreshing the air in a small to mid-sized room. Where it fell short was during the odor-fighting tests.

In a small kitchen, this unit was able to help remove cooking odors in time. But it simply was not powerful enough to fully remove smoke, pet urine, and other noxious odors, especially if the source had not been completely eradicated. These smells tended to linger even after the unit had been set to full speed for hours.

So, in terms of air-purifying performance, I would highly recommend this compact unit for use in personal spaces that need a little freshening up or to fight against dust and allergens. If you need something to fight more potent odors continuously, your money is better spent elsewhere.

Build Quality

front view of the h0melabs purely awesome true hepa filter

As I mentioned above, this purifier, like most out there, is made entirely of plastic. Still, it gives the impression of being well built.

The shell is thick, and I wouldn’t imagine it would be easy to damage. The bottom of the unit unscrews to accommodate filter replacements, but other than that and the fan, there are very few moving parts. This means that there is less of a chance that something will wear out or break.

More importantly, though, this purifier comes with a 2-year warranty. This is longer than most warranties offered on personal purifiers and should put your mind at ease about the product’s durability.

One area of the build that does have me a little concerned is where the intake vents are positioned.

To accommodate the slick, cylindrical look of the product, the intake vents are placed 360 degrees around the bottom. Not only does this reduce airflow into the unit compared to traditional side vents, but it sets it up for sucking up a larger amount of hair and debris.

If you have pets, as I do, expect to have to vacuum the prefilter more often than the recommended four weeks to keep optimal airflow.

Maintenance and Upkeep

replacing the filter of h0melabs purely awesome purifier

Aside from more frequent vacuuming to reduce blockage, this unit is refreshingly easy to maintain. 

The filters are all connected and are replaced at the same time. Usually, I don’t like connected filters because they don’t allow you to clean and reuse your prefilter or replace each filter based on a customized schedule. But the replacement filters for this unit are so cheap, it hardly matters.

According to the website, the filter pack should be replaced after 2100 hours or about every three months. But according to the manual, the filter will last about six months. This difference is likely due to different fan speeds being used to calculate the total run hours. Luckily, the unit has a filter-change indicator light that will tell you exactly when your filter needs to be replaced.

The filters are available on the company’s website for about $15 each. Even if you end up changing the filter every three months, you will still be spending less than you would on most other HEPA purifiers.

Beyond filter replacements, this unit is easy to clean. Simply wipe it down with a dust rag as needed, and be sure to keep the area around the base free of hair and debris.

Usability

control panel of h0melabs purely awesome true hepa filter air purifier

If you want a simple, straightforward purifier, you certainly will get that with this hOmeLabs unit. 

There are only five buttons on the top:

  • Power – one press on and off
  • Fan Speed – press to cycle between low, medium, and high
  • Child lock – hold to engage or disengage control panel lock
  • Light – press to cycle between no nightlight, low nightlight, and high nightlight
  • Filter reset – light comes on to indicate filter change; hold to reset

The added nightlight feature makes this purifier extra usable in a child’s bedroom or in a bathroom or living space where you might appreciate a little extra light in the middle of the night. 

When using in the bedroom, you can turn off the light, but do note that the power and fan speed button will remain illuminated. I am very sensitive to light when I am trying to sleep, and had the purifier been closer to my side of the bed, this tiny bit of light might have been an issue. But with it across the room, I barely noticed.

h0melabs purely awesome true hepa filter air purifier with nightlight on

Being able to choose between three different fan speeds is also a nice feature. On low, the unit puts out about as much sound as a small fan set to the lowest setting. It is a clean white noise that helped me sleep, though those who are more sensitive may find it a bit too loud.

The low and medium settings are quiet enough to fade into the background during the day with normal household noise. The high setting would be noticeable in most circumstances. In any setting, you wouldn’t want this unit right next to you while you were trying to watch TV or listen to the radio.

There are some useful settings on this purifier, but the list of functions that are lacking is much longer. There is no remote or timer function. There is also no auto function or sensors that would allow the unit to run while you are away from home. Other than the filter indicator light, this unit gives no feedback at all.

If you plan to use it in a space you spend a lot of time in, this unit works great. You can turn it on and off and adjust the speed as needed. But if you want something that can be set and forgotten about or put on a schedule, this one simply does not have enough functionality.

Operating Costs

Without a timer or auto function, it is easy to accidentally leave this unit running for hours and hours on end. Luckily, even if you do that, you won’t have to pay for it.

The hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier uses about 29 watts of power, making it one of the most power-efficient units out there. You could run this purifier 8 hours a day, every day, and still, only spend an extra $10 per year.

The low cost to run, affordable replacement filters, and the budget-friendly sales tag all make this unit an excellent buy for people on a budget.

hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Filter Air Purifier Alternatives

The hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier works well as a personal purifier for small spaces. But if you need something with features that can cover a larger area, you may consider the Okaysou AirMax 10L Pro Smart Air Purifier.

This large-capacity purifier is just as sleek and well made as the hOmeLabs but is powerful enough for use in rooms up to 1,000 square feet. It also comes with a host of extra features, including auto-mode and multiple timer settings. 

If your main concern for getting a purifier is how well it actually purifies, then you may want to consider the Enviroklenz Mobile UV Air Purifier. In addition to a robust and substantial HEPA filter, this unit utilizes a patented prefilter and UV lights to remove viruses, bacteria, and mold from the air. This isn’t the sleekest-looking unit out there, but it is easily one of the most effective.

FeatureshOmeLabsOkaysouEnviroklenz
Room sizeUnder 200 sq ft1,000 sq ft1,000 sq ft
Best forFreshening the airAll-around purificationPowerful allergen and pathogen removal
Warranty2-year5-year5-year
Price$$$$$$$

Things to Consider Before Buying

Air purifiers are an investment in your health and are especially important if you suffer from respiratory issues or live in a polluted area. But how well your new purifier will work to fulfill your needs depends on many different factors.

Here are some things to consider to help you narrow down which air purifier will provide the most benefit to you.

  • Room size. Are you planning to use your new purifier in a small bedroom or large, wide-open living room? Or maybe you want one powerful enough to cleanse your whole house.
  • Odor fighting abilities. Some purifiers are more effective at removing odors than others, and some will mask more than they remove.
  • Pathogen removal. Not all purifiers remove viruses and bacteria from the air. If this is important to you, make sure you get rated for this kind of powerful purification.
  • Extra features. You will find a long list of different features available on other products. Make sure the one you choose has everything you need without making you pay more for what you don’t.

Conclusion

A personal purifier is a great way to cleanse and refresh the air in those rooms you spend so much time in. The hOmeLabs Purely Awesome True HEPA Air Purifier is the perfect size and price to help you purify the air in your bedroom, office, or other small space.

This smartly designed, sleek-looking unit provides a lot of power in a little package. It won’t hide cigarette odors or mask a stinky litter box, but it will remove allergens and dust from the air and leave your space feeling revitalized. 

To learn more about the hOmeLabs purifier or to purchase one for yourself, click here.

Do you have any questions relating to this article? Email us at [email protected] or call us on +1 (310) 961-4908

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Author
Sara Seitz is a freelance writer and novelist. She lives with her husband and wildling toddler in Colorado where she spends her days working on their house, gardening, and reconnecting with nature.