Austin Air Healthmate HEPA Air Purifiers HM400 & HM200

Austin Air Healthmate

As Austin Air's flagship air purifier, the Austin Healthmate 400 offers a balance of performance and affordability. While providing few frills, Austin air purifiers deliver solid results for customers seeking quality filtration coupled with ease of use. As one of the most popular units on the market, there is much to like about the Healthmate and few drawbacks.

NOTE: This review covers the Austin Healthmate, but all points listed about this unit is applicable to the Austin Healthmate Jr. as well. The two primary differences between the units are the size and coverage area. The Jr. is smaller in size and capacity thus suitable for smaller rooms. Due to the smaller, lighter size the Jr. does not come equipped with casters. They are an optional accessory.

What I like about the Austin Healthmate

The HEPA filter in this unit has a 3-5 year lifespan. When comparing this to the cost of the filter, regular maintenance is inexpensive. The Healthmate has two pre-filters around the HEPA/Carbon canister to trap large and medium sized particles such as hair & lint. Periodically vacuuming the largeparticle pre-filter will extend the overall life of the larger filter drum.

Regardless of the setting the Healthmate provides consistent filtration results. Pushing 400 CFM of air at high speed, the Austin could adequately exchange the air in room roughly three times larger than for what it is actually rated.

Austin units are constructed entirely of steel which is part of the reason why HealthMates have an expected lifespan of anywhere from 10-20 years. This powder-coated steel body and chassis makes off-gassing virtually nonexistent. In addition to this, the Healthmate produces no harmful ozone.

Austin's filtration systems are all sealed systems with thick gaskets around each end of the filter. There is no air leakage or unfiltered air mixing with purified air.

All of the Austin units offer 360° air intake to maximize air flow. Clean air is discharged through one vent at the top of the unit, which can be very useful for allergy and asthma sufferers who need concentrated, purified air immediately. This design also ensure that cleaned air is pushed out away from the machine, not immediately cycled back through.

The Healthmate is very low maintenance. The carbon pre-filter is changed once a year as opposed to every 3-6 months for other popular brands. The HEPA / Carbon / Zeolite filter change is required only every 3-5 years. Aside from occasionally vacuuming the built-in pre-filter, there is nothing more that needs to be done to an Austin unit aside from plugging it in, turning it on and enjoying fresh, clean air. Changing the filter is simply as well. Remove four screws from the bottom plate, remove plate and simply replace the filter and separate pre-filter.

As with all Austin air purifiers, the Healthmate is available in five colors, Sandstone, Black, Midnight Blue, White and Silver. This gives you some options when it comes to matching an air purifier with the decor of a room. The Healthmate Jr. series additionally offers Pink and Baby Blue which are perfect for any nursery.

Austin Air is a U.S. company. Their air purifiers are not made overseas with cheap labor and inferior plastic components. Austin Air is based here in the U.S., using an American workforce, proudly creating quality products in a way that helps drive our economy.

Lastly, Austin has been making air purifiers for nearly as long as anyone else in business, with few exceptions. The company has an excellent reputation for providing reliable, quality machines at reasonable prices. Over the years, customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and informed customers who know what to expect before purchasing these units rarely have reason to complain.