Kaz Honeywell HEPAClean HHT-081 Tower Air Purifier

Before you buy into these glowing reviews, read up to see who is posting months after the purchase to see if this thing is reliable. Why did I bother to give this brand another try? About 8 years ago, I purchased two different models of Honeywell HEPA filters from a store in town, and the motors on both started rattling like a dying helicopter within a month of purchase. Returned and bought a Holmes, and it worked 24/7 for over six years without incident until the exterior was just so funky, I tossed it and bought another, larger Holmes, which also worked 24/7 without incident (and which I still use in another room). For a larger area, I purchased this item thinking, hey, it has been years. Surely Honeywell has gotten their motors fixed by now. Nope. A month and a half after I started using this item, the motor startled me awake with its extremely loud death rattle. I shut it off, checked to see that everything was in place and that the filters were not choked with dust, and later turned it back on. It worked quietly for another week, then of course it waited until 4am to die again in rather loud fashion. Overstock.com has told me they do not take direct return of this item, so I have spent loooooooooong hold times on the phone with Kaz Honeywell just trying to raise a human. As this is a rather large item, you can imagine it's a pain in the butt to return. Thankfully Kaz is allowing a return, having asked me to cut the cord off and mail it in (strange, I know). We'll see how long it takes for the replacement filter to arrive, but I'm guessing weeks. Then we'll see how long that one takes to die. If that one dies, forget it, Kaz, I will only buy Holmes from now on.

• Would you recommend this to a friend? No

I spent days searching reviews to find just the right air purifier. So much so, that I was beginning to get more confused. I FINALLY decided on the honeywell HHT-081, in part because I was just too overwhelmed with the choices to look at anymore reviews. My expectations were a little high for this, I think. I have allergies and wake up every more stuffy and with a headache. Hoping beyond hope that this unit would alleviate some of that. Unfortunately it did not do that. Our bedroom does smell fresher which is why I gave it a 3*. The filter looks spotless so I am having my doubts it's actually filtering anything. I have been using it for about a month now. It's possible I just expect an air cleaner to do more than it is capable of......but I was hoping for a little more from this. The noise is not bad at all. Yes on high it is loud, but I only use that setting when I am not sleeping. The med. and low give just the right amount of "white noise" to help my 3rd shift hubby sleep during the day. For this reason, I guess it is worth the money. But if you are looking for something to alleviate those nasty morning allergies, I would look elsewhere.

• Would you recommend this to a friend? Yes

The two fans started rattling after 2 weeks of night use only. Then on the lower speeds the fans would not run at the proper speed and still made strange noises. This maybe a good product when it works properly.

• Would you recommend this to a friend? No

I do not like to write negative ratings. I prefer to go with 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'. But - I am writing this in hopes of helping others not make the same mistake I did. My hubby is a smoker. I saw in past reviews that stated it helped with smoke. NO! It does not help with cigarette smoke. None , nil, nadda. I keep it on high (even though the TV must be turned up louder to hear it) right next to the smoker. Not across the room, middle of the room - right next to him. It makes no difference what-so-ever in the smoke smell. None! Cannot even tell an Air Purifier exists. It's away from the wall as stated in instructions, etc., all instructions/directions followed to a tee. Yes - it is very loud. Live in an apartment and have to keep the TV turned up loud, which bothers the neighbors. Save yourself some $$ and buy a higher quality purifier - one specifically for smoke. This does not do the job at all.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Same Color
• Would you recommend this to a friend? No