Pets add so much to our quality of life but unfortunately, they can often be harmful to the quality of our air. Pet hair, dander, and unpleasant odors are an unpleasant aspect of living with our furry family members, and in some cases can even reduce our health and happiness in our homes.
However, an air purifier can help solve many of these pet related problems, by filtering unwanted particles and unpleasant smells from the air you breathe. Indoor air purifiers are particularly important for those with pet allergies or sensitivities, but can benefit all pet owners in making their home cleaner and more enjoyable.
The Hamilton Beach TrueAir claims to be made for pet owners, so it’s worth taking a closer look at this machine and seeing if it lives up to its claims.
About the Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04386A
Today we are looking specifically at the Pet Specialized version of this product. The Hamilton Beach Model 0434A is very similar to this model, and comes in your choice of black or white, but lacks the 2 zeolite air filters specifically targeted toward pets and pet odors. The combination of specialized carbon zeolite filters and HEPA-grade filtration provides dual cleaning of odors and of particles in your air, making this a great choice of air purifier for pet owners.
Features
- Tower style, but can be placed horizontally or vertically
- White
- 10.8 x 8.1 x 16.4 inches
- 6.3 pounds
- 3 speed controls: high, medium, and low
- Quiet operation
- Cleans the air in a closed room up to 140 square feet
Air Cleaning Functions
- Permanent pre-filter captures pet hair and large particles
- 2 replaceable carbon zeolite filters target pet odors
- Permanent 99% HEPA-grade filter captures particles as small as 3 microns, such as airborne dust mite debris, mold and mildew spores, smoke, and pollen
Pros
The combination of a pre-filter for pet hair, a HEPA-grade filter for dust, dander, and particles, and carbon zeolite filters for odor absorption and elimination make this machine specifically targeted towards solving the major air quality problems of pet ownership.
Note that this is a “HEPA-grade” air filter that removes particles as small as 3 microns. A true HEPA filter captures particles as small as .3 microns. Other air purifiers will trap and clean smaller sized particles than this one, but this model is tailored toward pet problems specifically, and is offered at a lower purchase price.
The permanent pre-filter and HEPA-grade filter can be cleaned with a vacuum, making this air purifier easier and less expensive to operate than many competitors. This is particularly important for pet owners, because, depending on the kinds of pets you have, how many pets you have, and the time of year, the pre-filter on an air purifier can quickly become clogged with pet hair. The ability to simply vacuum the filter clean saves time and money, while reducing the amount of pet hair on surfaces in your home.
The 2 carbon zeolite filters are a great solution for pet owners. Hamilton Beach recommends replacing these filters every 3 months. The filters include a timestrip cartridge that lets you know when the filters need to be replaced. Currently, filters come in packs of 3 and 6, and 2 are needed for this air purifier. A 6-pack of replacement filters costs $29.99, so you should estimate an annual cost of around $40 to operate this air purifier at peak effectiveness.
It is considered to be high-quality and quite reliable. It is very effective at cleaning the air, reducing dust, and eliminating pet odors. If you have a lot of pets and your home has a foul small, this is a great option for getting rid of those odors.
Thanks to the two replaceable carbon filters, you also get the convenience of eliminating odors. These filters are good at eradicating light smells from chemical gases, cooking, and pets etc.
Cons
This air purifier is very reasonably priced compared to competitors, but cleans the air in a slightly smaller space, and doesn’t remove the tiniest particles from the air. Provided it is the right size for your needs, and is a high-quality, durable product, it is an excellent value.
About Hamilton Beach Company
Hamilton Beach was founded in 1910, the brain child of L. H. Hamilton and Chester Beach. The two men worked at U.S. Standard Electrical Works in Racine, Wisconsin, and developed a groundbreaking lightweight universal motor that could be used in the home, unlike the commercial motors they were making at work. The new company began to produce motor-driven appliances for the private consumer, focusing on kitchen appliances, led by the now-iconic Hamilton Beach Drink Mixer.
In 1990, Hamilton Beach merged with Proctor-Silex to become the leading U.S. manufacturer of small kitchen appliances. Currently, Hamilton Beach is based in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia and employs more than 550 people around the world, selling over 35 million appliances every year.
The Hamilton Beach family of brands includes Hamilton Beach, Electrics, Proctor Silex, and TrueAir. They are proud of the strong reputation of their brands, and continue to develop innovative new products. Their mission is to make their customer’s lives easier, more creative, and more flavourful.
Conclusion
Due to the lack of true HEPA filtration, this may not be the best air purifier for asthma and allergy sufferers. But for those who want an effective, inexpensive way to reduce the poor air quality associated with pet ownership, this air purifier is an excellent choice. The permanent filters, low purchase price, and reliable brand name make the Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04384 a good addition to a pet owner’s home.
If you’re in search for a small air purifier that delivers a lot of cleaning power against harmful particles and airborne allergens, then the Hamilton Beach TrueAir air purifier is a great option.