The Whirlpool AP51030K features a three stage filtration system made up of a pre filter, carbon filter, and true HEPA filter. The air purifier’s outside grill acts as a permanent pre filter by capturing big particles and preventing them from entering the unit. Big particles that find their way inside the unit are quickly caught by the carbon filter, which also works to eliminate unwanted odors and protect the life of the HEPA filter. At the heart of the Whirlpool Whispure 510 is true HEPA filtration. HEPA filters supply maximum filtration of your room’s air by removing up to 99.97 of particles that are 0.3 microns and bigger. These particles include pet dander, dust mites, pollen, ragweed, mold spores, and other microscopic irritants that can damage your indoor air quality and aggravate allergy and asthma signs.

235 of 241 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Whirlpool 510 and 450 and CADR Ratings , November 6, 2010
By David Showalter (San Dimas, CA United States) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier, HEPA Air Cleaner, AP51030K (Kitchen) To answer many questions in other reviews:


WHIRLPOOL MODEL AVAILABILITY:

The following Whirlpool models are both still available, (as is a 3rd weaker model, the 250, which uses different sized filters):

Whirlpool Whispure 450 Air Purifier (AP45030K), also 315 CADR
Whirlpool Whispure 315 CADR Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter, AP51030K (this page)

Both of these models use the same substitute filters:

Whirlpool 8171434K big Air Purifier Carbon Pre Filters
4 Pack and the Whirlpool 1183054K Hepa Filter, big (links below)


CADR RATINGS EXPLAINED:

The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) comes from measurements conducted by the affiliation of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), and is a measure of the total of particle free air being delivered into the room. It’s the best measure of the true cleaning capacity of the air cleaner. The higher the CADR, the bigger the room that may be effectively cleaned. A loose equation is: CADR x 1.5 = sq. Ft. Room size.

This is vital because manufacturers can list any “room size” ranking they decide, despite of CADR ranking. You may have one product stating it can effectively handle a 400 sq. Ft. Room, while another product says it can handle a 200 sq. Ft. Room, still both have the same CADR ratings. So generally use CADR ratings rather than room size ratings in making your comparisons.

That said, air cleaners are typically advertised with the room size for which they’re suggested. If this precisely matches about 1.5 times the CADR ranking (as in Whirlpool’s case and with many other top brands like Honeywell), just think about that this recommendation is depending on the the unit’s capability to offer five or six Air Changes Per Hour in a room of that size.

Thus, a 250 CADR ranking x 1.5 = 375 sq. Ft. Room size, means the unit gives five six complete Air Changes Per House in a 375 sq. Ft. Room sized room. Simple enough.

But for allergy sufferers it is a bit more complicated than that. This standard rate is enough to decrease particle levels in the room by about 70, which is not enough for allergy patients. A bigger unit in the same size room can create eight or more air changes per hour, decreasing levels by 90 or more, again, based on properly agreeing CADR to room size. This is the correct target in medical situations.

Finally, Note: the CADR ranking applies to the HIGHEST fan setting of each unit.


MODEL COMPARISON:

The AP510 on this page, is Whirlpool’s somewhat beefier model that has the following extra features: turbo and sleep modes, one extra fan setting, and electronic and the 450′s manual controls.

Since the CADR ratings of the two units above are the same, the extra cleaning capacity over the Whirlpool 450 model must relate to a higher fan speed (and AC wattage draw) at the maximum setting of the Whirlpool 510. Again, think about that if you want to effectively clean a room as advertised, both units will have to run at the highest speeds.

Sleep mode lets a user defined setting for sleep hours, wherein the purifier automatically flips itself to the lowest fan settings for that time period, allowing the unit to be run continuously throughout sleep hours. After sleep mode expires for that period, it flips itself back up to the standard setting. (If anybody has information on Turbo Mode, I’d be grateful and will update this review).

As noted by another reviewer, the AP510 (this page) is buyer Report’s top rated air purifier for home use in 2010, with the Hunter 30547. (Consumer Reports September 2010, p.44, “Lab Tests: Air Purifiers Our Tests Reveal Which Ones Deliver”). I searched for the Hunter unit on Amazon, and it isn’t available as of 11.5.10. Amazing the company could let that, given that they should be selling like hotcakes after CR’s review. It is common price is $350, and it has ratings for rooms the same size as the Whirlpool AP510 on this page. (I couldn’t find the CADR ranking for the Hunter, but assume it must be the same or alike to the AP510).

UPDATE: The Hunter model was discontinued, and they sell new models now that rate alike and which are sold here on Amazon: Hunter 30401 QuietFlo and Hunter 30402 QuietFlo. The 401 model is programmable, the 402 isn’t. The Hunter site lists the programmable 401 at a higher price than the 402, while sells it for a lower price than the 402. Go figure. Check Hunter’s site for more details.


HONEYWELL’S TOP UNIT:

I think of all the many models I reviewed under $600, the Whirlpool is the way to go. Excellent product, strong company backing, easy to find filters, great price. It’s all you need, IF the only thing you need is efficient particle elimination. For serious odor and chemical elimination, look to costly units.

But one other model that’s a strong contender for home use is the Honeywell 50250 at only $159 on Amazon. It was received and has great reviews here on Amazon. It is faults seem to be high power intake and sound. The Honeywell did come in at No. Nine in the same buyer Report’s review (out of 20 rated), where they noted it required to be run on the highest fan setting to be efficient, which caused it to be noisy. As already discussed, all CADR ratings refer only to a unit’s highest fan settings, no matter which brand you purchase.

Noise is a problem. But, where the Honeywell excels besides a great price, is that their canisters are sealed so they don’t tend to leak any dust back out of the unit and into the exhausted purified air. Many other cheaper models do, as well as the Whirlpool models at least as indicated by my online research. (If you may be able to disprove this, let me know). This is a big deal to me, though it may not be to other users, because I have asthma and I can not have the “vacuum cleaner effect” with house dust really blowing up into the room from an air purifier.

UPDATE: I bought two Honeywell 50250 units, and was blown away by the quality of simplicity of design on the units. If only everything was made this well and this easy to use and work with! Filter change was a total breeze. The filters are pretty deafening, which does not annoy me, but it is something you may want to note if you want something calm. But, I had many weird problems with the exhaust on both units, and am working with Honeywell now. The problem looks to be an anomaly and not normal, so I do not want to talk about it here as I think it is just a fluke. One thing I can is that Honeywell offers AWESOME buyer service, and was great to deal with on the phone.


I hope all this helps you with your buy. I have been researching air purifiers for over a month and I know how confusing it can be!

Please note, that running an air purifier like the four discussed here at top speed 24/7 will add a whopping $40 to my monthly electric bill here in San Diego. Do your research before planning to run your brand choice full time. As I mentioned before, top speed is needed to accomplish the CADR ratings advertised.


Links here:

Whirlpool 1183054K Hepa Filter, Large
Whirlpool 8171434K big Air Purifier Carbon Pre Filters, 4 Pack
Whirlpool Whispure 315 CADR Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter, AP51030K
Whirlpool Whispure 450 Air Purifier (AP45030K) HEPA Air Cleaner

And.

Honeywell 50250 99.97 Pure HEPA Round Air Purifier
Honeywell 38002 Enviracare common substitute Pre Filter
Honeywell 24000 substitute HEPA Filter

And.

Hunter 30401 QuietFlo True HEPA Programmable Air Purifier
Hunter 30402 QuietFlo 402 Air Purifier


Hope this helps!

---

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Great Unit, December 29, 2010
By J. Ratliff (Tampa, Florida) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) () This review is from: Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier, HEPA Air Cleaner, AP51030K (Kitchen) I bought this unit after doing TONS of research and upon the recommendation of a big buyer testing and reporting magazine. My 1st impression of the unit was that it was way too big to fit unobtrusively in my living room; but, because the air is pulled in through the front grill and discharged from the top of the unit, I was able to push the purifier up against the wall to save space.

The controls are easy to use. I find there to be lots of alternatives for fan speed (noise control). On the lowest setting I can watch TV at normal volume levels with the unit sitting three feet from me. After leaving the room it is easy to ratchet it up to the TURBO mode which I leave it on most of the time when not using the living regions. I appreciate the indicators which tell you when the filter needs replacing, and about where it’s at by its lifespan (there are five lights to represent HEPA and pre filter status). I also appreciate the five year restricted warranty that comes with the unit (see brochure for details).

After 2.5 months of use I find that there’s a obvious difference in the quality of the air. It feels fresher, smells cleaner, and I can not see dust flying through the air (which was a common occurrence before the filter). At 1st I was hesitant to use up so much on a purifier which obliged an on going investment each year; but, after spending 2.5 months with the 1st unit I am going to order a 2nd unit for my bedroom. I do not have allergies, but feel that the investment is well worth the reduced dusting, possible health benefits, and quality construction of the unit itself.

---

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars calm but breezy, September 25, 2010
By Susan (California) See all my reviews () I selected this air purifier because it received high marks from buyer Reports. As CR ratings point to, it’s efficient and calm (relative to other air purifiers I owned over the years). I has been surprised, but, by the quantity and direction (up) of the air flow this unit generates. At the lowest setting it produces as inflexible a breeze as a movable room fan. We tried moving it around our bedroom but could find no place where the wind did not bounce off the roof and blow on us at night, causing chilliness, dry eyes, and other discomforts. Our solution was to turn it off at bedtime (which we had done with out last air purifier because it was so loud). If this schedule works for you, I can recommend the product.

---