3M Filtrete Ultra Clean Air Purifier, FAP03-RS
by 3M
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List Price: Our Price: $184.99 You Save: $15.00 (8%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of 3M Filtrete Ultra Clean Air Purifier, FAP03-RS
Customer Review: 3M Filtrete FAP03-RS Ultra Clean Air Purifier
Summary: 5 Stars
This air purifier is very quiet but is really much larger than pictured. It does a good job of filtering the air and I would recommend it for people who are allegic to dust.Customer Review: Works very well
Summary: 5 Stars
Noticeable decrease in allergy symptoms. Never tried any other purifiers, though considering getting another one of these for the rest of the house.Customer Review: Air filter
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the size of this unit and how exceptionally quiet it is. Sleek styling also!Customer Review: No difference from FAP03-RS and FAP03-RC but price!
Summary: 4 Stars
Yes, that is right, the $50 or so premium is completely arbitrary.
I can only guess that the "RS" version is marked up since it was reviewed by Consumer Reports. And it ranked only mid pack in the comparison tests. The trouble is that according to 3M's own Filtrete brand representatives, the "RS" and "RC" versions are mechanically identical. The two differences that have nothing to do with units reliablity or performance is aesthetics and controls.
The "RS" (Consumer Reports tested) has a pretty knob control with a plain filter cover while the "RC" has a dash control with three buttons and a perforated ring on the filter cover.
On performance, I purchased this specifically to eliminate fireplace odors from my neighbors. Doesn't do anything for that at all, but my sinuses are clearer, I'm not as stuffy as prior. The nice slight breeze in the room is welcome but as there is no charcoal prefilter, chemical smells won't be cleaned by this unit. Units with this ability tend to go past $300 with annual filter rates above $100, so the FAP03 is better for allergies and as a nice fan.
On size, build, etc. It is simply constructed with good quality plastics. Design of the "RS" control knob is gimmicky but complimentary to the product as well as giving a light hearted touch to the product. The noise is acceptable during the day but as I have audiophile quality hearing, it is deafeningly irritating at night (in my bedroom) that I have to wear earplugs. Most "normal" ears will like its soothing swooshing sound I'd imagine.
As for looks, If you've got lots of white plastic furniture, this will be right at home...if you've got a Victorian decor it will look as out of place as Eve on Earth in the first act of the Wall-E movie. I don't mean that as a compliment.
I've decided to keep mine since I'm smitten with the silly light show knob, my sinuses are clear and I have a CostCo sized can of ear plugs. But most of all, because the shipping costs would wipe out any savings. But if I had another go, I'd get the "RC" version and get an extra set of filters for the same street price as well as lower my expectations appropriate to the unit/consumable costs per year.
If you're even more frugal and DIY'y, you could buy a $20 box fan and the nearly-as-good $14 3M Filtrete Ultra Alergen 20x20 for furnace/ventilation and save yourself $50 more. But that wouldn't help the Taiwanese economy would it?
Customer Review: Very Good - Could be smaller
Summary: 4 Stars
Works well in my 13x19 room.
Keep it on high with door closed when not in the room, lower it to low when in the room, especially when watching TV.
Low speed is very quiet, medium may cause you to raise the TV vol slightly and high is a little noisy, but moves a lot of air.
This is a big unit (Tall).
I wish the filters had carbon on one side. They seem to work well to capture particulate matter like dust and pet hair, but I think the addition of carbon to one side of the filter would do more for odors.
This does reduce odors as it, but not as efectivly as if it had carbon as well.
Overall I'd buy it again. Filters need to be changed more often than reccommended, but I guess that means they are working.
Filter prices could always be cheaper, especially when changing often, but they are cheaper than a lot of other brands.
For the price - I am happy with this unit. You definitely could get better units, but you'd probably be spending a lot more.