No one wants to deal with dust, mold, pet dander, and other air contaminants wafting through the home on a continual basis. Air purifiers are a great way to remove these pollutants, enabling you to breathe better and ward off odors of all types. One of the best-selling air purifiers on the market today is the GermGuardian AC4825 and in this GermGuardian AC4825 review, we'll uncover what you need to know about this device to help you make an informed buying decision.
[toc]
Overall Rating
Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Price
Summary: As an air purifier, the GermGuardian AC4825 is among the best at removing offensive odors and keeping mold, dust, viruses, and other contaminants to a minimum, all the while running quietly in the background. While not a major drawback, the device emits a subtle plastic smell when first turned on but this tends to fade over time. The AC4825 works best for medium-sized rooms of 155 square feet or less.
PROS
- Top-grade filters effectively reduce germs and odors
- Runs quietly
- Doesn't take up much space
- Fairly inexpensive
CONS
- Slight smell when first used (usually dissipates with time)
- Doesn't work as well in large open spaces
Introduction
We all know that outdoor air pollution isn't good for us but did you know the extent to which indoor air pollution can also negatively impact our health and well-being? According to medical sources, people who suffer from allergies, asthma, and similar conditions can experience a worsening of symptoms when exposed to unclean indoor air. Likewise, those who live with smokers can also be affected by the same types of problems.
One might argue that poor indoor air quality is even more significant than exposure to polluted outdoor air for a couple of reasons:
- We spend much more time in our homes than anywhere else (e.g., sleeping, household and leisure activities, etc.), so the exposure is greater over time.
- Virtually every room of our homes has possible air contaminants, which can add up quickly (source).
Apart from opening windows and using natural means like essential oil diffusers, air purifiers are one of the best ways to purify the air in our homes and the GermGuardian AC4825 turns out to be one of the best models currently available...
Key Features
- True HEPA filter designed to capture over 99% of air particles
- Charcoal filter to eliminate offensive odors
- Larger filter designed to trap big particles such as pet hair
- UV light to kill viruses and bacteria in the air
The HEPA filter used in the GermGuardian AC4825 is a 3-in-1 design that allows it to effectively remove dirt, germs, and odor that can contribute to the worsening of physical symptoms (for a better understanding of HEPA filters, see our article here).
And while similar air purifiers also offer three or four stage filtration, the price tag is often two to three times higher than the GermGuardian AC4825. This unit provides the same high standard at a substantially lower cost.
Detailed GermGuardian AC4825 Review
Quality – 4.5/5
Each of the GermGuardian AC4825 air filters plays a key role in purifying the air of dust and mold, eliminating undesirable odors, and killing bacteria and other disease promoting contaminants. And with a 99% capture rate, this model effectively removes even the tiniest of foreign particles from the air, leaving you with a noticeable difference in air quality.
The AC4825 offers three speed settings and while the highest setting does produce some noise, it isn't all that noticeable compared to similar models. In contrast, the lowest setting is ultra-quiet by most people's standards.
Despite being well-constructed and durable, the unit emits a burning or plastic type of odor when first used. But this is fairly typical of air purifiers and will generally lessen or fade completely with time.
Ease of Use – 5/5
The GermGuardian AC4825 is simple to set up and use. All you have to do is remove the device from the box, plug it in, and it's ready to start cleaning the air in your room.
Maintenance is almost as easy, only requiring you to change the filter once every six months, sometimes more depending on the level of air contamination. When the filter turns gray or black, you'll know it needs to be changed. The filter itself is easy to remove and replace after which the unit is ready to start cleaning again.
Features – 5/5
At 22 inches tall and about 7 pounds in weight, the GermGuardian AC4825 is a great option for those who place a high priority on having cleaner air when space is limited.
Despite its relatively small size, the GermGuardian AC4825 still packs a punch by effectively removing 99% of air pollutants through a fairly quiet true HEPA filter. That said, the unit works best for small to medium-sized rooms as opposed to extra large rooms or open house designs.
The unit also comes with a charcoal filter that kills germ-causing illnesses and an LED light that removes offensive odors, which when combined, account for many types of air contaminants.
Its strong performance has earned the GermGuardian AC4825 a CADR rating (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of over 100 — a high value for a metric that measures a device's effectiveness at removing dust, pollen, smoke, and other air contaminants. Moreover, it also meets and exceeds standards established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and has even earned an energy star rating.
Price – 5/5
The GermGuardian AC4825 ranks at the lower end of the price scale. In fact, similar models that also include HEPA filters and UV germ killing features generally cost anywhere from two to three times more. Thus, the AC4825 is a great option for those wanting cleaner and fresher air in their homes without having to break the bank.
How Does It Compare?
GermGuardian AC4100 Air Purifier
Like the AC4825, the GermGuardian AC4100 also offers a HEPA filter, UV light function, and odor reduction technology. The major difference is its size, which at only 11 inches, is compact enough to easily fit on a table or countertop.
The price of this model is roughly half that of the AC4825 but covers about half the area as its larger counterpart. While fine for smaller-sized spaces, you're probably better off opting for the AC4825 if you intend on treating a larger space.
Alen BreatheSmart Air Purifier
While the Alen BreatheSmart features a HEPA filter like the two GermGuardian models, it doesn't include the UV or charcoal filter functions. Despite the absence of these features, it's still a top of the line product capable of effectively cleaning the air in larger rooms up to 700 square feet in size. But the top-notch quality of this air purifier comes at a steep price, costing almost four times as much as the GermGuardian AC4825.
A standout feature of this device is its customization options, which include four different filters and 14 color light options to add to the ambiance of your home.
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
Among the most attractive air purifiers selling today, the Coway AP-1512HH is a middle of the range competitor that comes with a HEPA filter but without the LED germ killing or charcoal odor reducing functions.
Featuring five fan settings and a four-stage filtration system that effectively collects pollutants from every corner of a room, the Coway is quite powerful despite its small and compact design. But at over twice the cost of the GermGuardian AC4825, it doesn't come cheap.
O-Ion B-1000 Air Purifier
Unlike other air purifiers on this list, the O-Ion B-1000 uses an electrostatic filter (ionizer) rather than a true HEPA filter to eliminate particles and odors. It does, however, include UV and carbon technology like many other models.
Keep in mind that ionizers like the O-lon produce small amounts of ozone, which may cause allergic reactions in some people. But if this doesn't apply to you, the O-lon may be a good fit, especially if eliminating odors is your primary goal.
Read More About the Best Air Purifiers for Bedrooms >>
Which Air Purifier Is Right for You?
While all the air purifiers listed are quality products, we recommend starting out with the GermGuardian AC4825 for one key reason: it works similar to higher-priced items but at a more affordable price.
And while it may not have as many bells and whistles, nor look as sleek as some other models, the AC4825 does what it's supposed to do: effectively clean most medium-sized rooms for families with small children, pet owners, and individuals suffering from allergies and respiratory conditions.
That said, there are a few exceptions…
First, if you're looking to clean a smaller-sized space, you're better off opting for the GermGuardian AC4100 as there's no sense shelling out extra money for a device that you won't use to its full capacity.
Second, if you have a larger budget and want an air purifier designed to stand the test of time, a powerhouse like the Alen BreatheSmart Air Purifier may better serve your needs.
Third, if removing odors is your main concern, an ionizer like the O-Ion B-1000 may be your best bet.
Conclusion
When considering criteria like quality, ease of use, features, price and more, the GermGuardian AC4825 definitely lives up to its reputation. Thus, for a great all-around air purifier, you can't go wrong with this model.
Now Over to You!
What are your thoughts about the GermGuardian AC4825? Leave your comments below!