Austin Air Allergy Machine Jr. Air Purifier

Allergy Mate Jr. is Perfect
Reviewed by: Troy on 2008-08-25
I purchased the Austin Air Allergy Mate Jr. after doing a great deal of research on the internet for just the right product. Before I purchased it, five things stood out to me: 1) the price was excellent, especially considering the filter only has to be replaced every five years, 2) Austin Air provides an outstanding five-year warranty, 3) maintenance is super simple since almost all there is to it is changing the filter every five years, which the company will prorate, by the way, if you should choose to replace it before the five years is up, 4) the choice of colors compared to other brands was nice, and 5) the junior version is actually very small and quite attractive. Now that I have it in my home, I can honestly say I have no doubt that the research paid off and that I made the right decision.

Even on the highest setting, I do not find it to be at all disturbing while I sleep. I would say that it is no louder than the lowest setting on the fan used in the bedroom. In addition, it looks great and takes up very little space. Most importantly, however, I can already tell that the air I am breathing at night is much healthier. I wake up less often throughout the night and feel much more rested when I do wake up in the morning. I am seriously contemplating buying another air purifier for our main living area downstairs, and I would not consider anything other than another Austin Air Allergy Mate! I can honestly say it is one of the purchases I am most proud of in a long time.

Overrated... Filter Problems
Reviewed by: Michael on 2010-01-05
I find it bizarre when I read reviews like the one above.

First, there is no way someone can consider the high level on this thing 'quiet', unless they are deaf. Low setting is acceptable, but above that and it is very annoying. The model is well-constructed, with a nice metal case. And it does clean the room... but the problem is, the filters don't last anywhere as long as claimed. I had my model for over a year, and the filters may last 6 months or so, run on low 24 hrs/day. This is a far cry from the 3-5 years claimed by the manufacturer. The filter is run in a small bedroom, non-smoking, non-city environment.

The cost of the replacement filters, even pro-rated, makes this purifier very expensive in the long run. And that pretty much negates any benefit from buying this brand. I'd go either cheap (Honeywell) or expensive (IQAir) over this originally mid-range price, yet long-term expensive, unit.