{"id":598722,"date":"2024-05-09T13:27:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T17:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=598722"},"modified":"2024-06-20T12:18:03","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T16:18:03","slug":"austin-air-healthmate-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/lifestyle\/austin-air-healthmate-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Austin Air HealthMate Review 2024: A Detailed Look"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nAbout Austin Air<\/a>
\nHealthMate Overview<\/a>
\nKey Features<\/a>
\nIs It A Good Value?<\/a>
\nFAQ<\/a>
\nOur Experience<\/a>
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Our Final Verdict<\/div>
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We give the Austin Air HealthMate<\/b> a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Effectiveness<\/b>:<\/strong> 5\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Build Quality<\/b>:<\/strong> 5\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Options<\/b>:<\/strong> 4\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Value:<\/strong> 4.9\/5<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Check Price on Austin Air<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

There\u2019s nothing better than snuggling with your kitty after a long day. Unless, of course, you happen to be allergic to that loveable feline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For every cat owner out there whose love of kitties is at odds with their immune system\u2019s disdain for cat hair and dander, I give you the Austin Air HealthMate.<\/span><\/p>\n

This medical-grade air purifier was made for homeowners who are serious (and I mean SERIOUS) about clean air. And for cat owners who happen to be allergic to cats, it may just be the remedy you didn\u2019t know you needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a particulate prefilter, true medical HEPA filter, and carbon and zeolite biofilter, this purifier can handle more than cat hair. It’s also been proven to remove over 99% of all airborne particulates, including viruses, bacteria, allergens, and VOCs.<\/span><\/p>\n

I, thankfully, am not allergic to my cat, but I do have an incredibly reactive respiratory system made worse by all the colds my daughter brings home and any impurities in the air. That\u2019s why I wanted to try out the HealthMate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out how this supercharged air purifier helped me and to see my full Austin Air HealthMate review.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"3<\/p>\n

About Austin Air<\/h2>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Austin Air<\/a> got its start decades ago when founder Richard Taylor set out to help his wife with her chronic respiratory symptoms. Drawing on the fact that his wife only felt relief when in her hospital room, Richard designed a home air purifier with the same medical-grade filters used in hospitals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Austin Air was born after Richard saw how much relief this home air purifier offered his wife. Now, over thirty years later, millions have benefited from these purifiers and half a dozen clinical studies have proved their effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Are Austin Air Purifiers Manufactured?<\/h3>\n

Austin Air boasts the largest air purifier manufacturing facility in the world. Every one of their air purifiers is made in-house in their Buffalo, New York, facility. The company controls the manufacture of all parts of the units, including the filters and finish paint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Will Benefit Most from Austin Air\u2019s HealthMate?<\/h3>\n

Austin Air’s purifiers are the only clinically proven air purifiers available for home use. Their powerful filter is effective against 99% of airborne contaminants under 0.1 microns and even more effective against larger particles like cat hair and dander.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All this is to say that this powerful machine is perfect for anyone who is dead-set on improving their air quality. Whether you have a cat you\u2019re allergic to, want relief from chronic respiratory infections, or just want to vastly improve the air quality in your home, this unit is an excellent choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"3<\/p>\n

HealthMate Overview<\/h2>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Check Price on Austin Air<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s an overview of Austin Air\u2019s most popular air purifier, the HealthMate. We\u2019ll look at what\u2019s inside this unit, the different settings, the technical specs, maintenance costs, and your ordering options.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Filter<\/h3>\n

Each HealthMate unit contains a massive, cylindrical filter with three primary layers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first is a prefilter meant to capture any large particles that make it through the metal grate on the outside of the unit. This filter removes things such as cat hair, dander, dust, and any other visible particles in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second layer is made up of a mix of carbon and zeolite. These two biological materials actively capture and absorb gasses, odors, and chemicals in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

The innermost layer consists of a true medical-grade HEPA filter. This powerful filter captures 99.97% of particles over 0.3 microns and 99% of particles down to 0.1 microns. It effectively removes bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic allergens and pathogens in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

Austin Air\u2019s filters have been clinically tested with some amazing results. For example, one trial done by the Cincinnati Children\u2019s Hospital showed that using a HealthMate air purifier in the bedrooms of asthmatic children overnight reduced hospital visits by 20%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Settings<\/h3>\n

To call the HealthMate \u201csimple to operate\u201d would be an understatement. This purifier has only four settings: high, medium, low, and off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The single dial on the front controls the speed of the motor. There are no auto settings, filter reminders, or other fancy settings you\u2019re likely to find on other home purifiers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those looking for a purifier that knows a lot of tricks, this is not the unit for you. But if you\u2019re serious about cleaning your air, the downsides of the HealthMate\u2019s simplicity are easily overshadowed by the air-cleaning power it delivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Technical Specifications<\/h3>\n

The HealthMate is a beast among home air purifiers. It’s made entirely of powdered coated steel and weighs a hefty 47 pounds. It’s about as durable an air purifier as you’re likely to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

At 14.5\u2033 long by 14.5\u2033 wide and 23\u2033 tall, this is a sizable unit. But none of that space goes to waste. The intake vent extends over all four sides of the base and the filter inside is large enough to thoroughly clean every molecule of air that\u2019s sucked inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

The unit sits on four sturdy castors so it can easily be rolled around as needed. The high-efficiency motor is extremely powerful, a fact that is obvious the second you turn this beast on high.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Maintenance Costs<\/h3>\n

One thing you must always consider before purchasing an air purifier is the maintenance costs associated with it. This means taking a hard look at both the cost of running the unit as well as the cost of replacing the filter.<\/span><\/p>\n

I tested my unit using an electricity usage meter. Here are my readings and cost calculations (based on the national average cost of electricity):<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nLow<\/b><\/td>\nMedium<\/b><\/td>\nHigh<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Watts<\/b><\/td>\n54.63<\/span><\/td>\n68.33<\/span><\/td>\n85.60<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost to run 8 hours per day\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n$0.05 per day; $1.57 per month; $19.14 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$0.07 per day; $1.97 per month; $23.94 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$0.08 per day; $2.47 per month; $30 per year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost to run 24 hours per day<\/b><\/td>\n$0.16 per day; $4.72 per month; $57.43 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$0.20 per day; $5.90 per month; $71.83 per year<\/span><\/td>\n$0.25 per day; $7.40 per month; $89.98 per year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The average air purifier costs about $10 a month or $120 per year to run 24\/7. Considering this, the HealthMate is actually very cost-effective to use. This is true even if you crank it up to high and leave it running all day and night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another place where the HealthMate shines in terms of value is in the filter replacement department.<\/span><\/p>\n

The massive cylindrical filter on this unit lasts 5 years. This kind of lifespan is unheard of in the air purifier world. Most filters for home use only last 3 to 9 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it\u2019s time to replace this filter, you will have to fork over some cash. The HealthMate series filters cost about $290 each.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you break this down by cost over time, you\u2019d be paying less than $15 every three months. Considering the average cost of a three-month air purifier filter is about $30, this filter is actually fairly affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Check Price on Austin Air<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

Options<\/h3>\n

The HealthMate model is available in four colors: white, black, sandstone, and midnight blue. I opted for the midnight blue option and it matches the accents in my home perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a unit that\u2019s a little smaller or one that has an even more powerful filter, Austin Air offers some additional options in other models.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The HealthMate Plus model does everything the original does plus it better captures chemicals like formaldehyde thanks to the addition of potassium iodide. This option is a great choice for those affected by wildfires<\/a> and airborne toxins.<\/span><\/p>\n

For those with intense allergy issues, Austin Air’s Allergy Machine might be the best option. This unit improves upon the base design of the original with increased airflow to reduce airborne allergens in half the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, Austin Air offers all of their HealthMate units in the \u201cJunior\u201d size. These purifiers are about 7 inches shorter and less than half as heavy as the originals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros & Cons<\/h3>\n
Pros<\/div>
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