5 Best Air Purifiers With Washable Filters (We Tested!)

In recent years, the popularity of air purifiers has surged to impressive levels. The demand for air purification solutions that are not only cost-effective but also user-friendly, easy to maintain, and highly efficient has experienced remarkable growth.

The area of air purifier filtration technology has seen a wave of innovation in recent times. In this article, we will delve into a lesser-known category of air purifiers—those equipped with washable or permanent filters. Based on extensive hands-on testing, I will present my expert opinion on the five most outstanding options you can buy.

Air purifiers with washable filters are gaining increasing popularity thanks to their simple maintenance and impressive performance. Their most compelling feature is the elimination of the need for filter replacements; instead, you only need to clean or wash them periodically.

While I typically recommend air purifiers with True HEPA filters, I was pleasantly surprised by the remarkable efficiency shown by air purifiers with washable filters like the Airdog, with its innovative Collecting Plates, and Honeywell, both of which I rigorously tested. So, as you read on, you’ll find my carefully curated recommendations for the best air purifiers with washable filters.

Top 5 Air Purifiers With Washable / Permanent Filters

Combining the most important parameters such as performance, value for money, filtration technology, and other things to determine the quality and efficiency of these devices as accurately as possible, I narrowed the list of the best air purifiers with washable or permanent filters.

Honeywell AirGenius 5 – Best Air Purifier With Washable Filter

The Honeywell AirGenius 5 is the best washable filter air purifier designed for rooms up to 250 sq. ft. It’s featured by the 3-stage filtration system, which includes the washable pre-filter, ifD filter, and the Ionizer. Its patented ifD technology effectively eliminates particulate air pollutants with its electrical blast.

Honeywell offers the option of purchasing an additional “odor-reducing pre-filter,” which successfully reduces odors and smells. To extend the lifespan and cut the costs customers would otherwise spend on replacing temporary filters, the company has designed this “odor-reducing pre-filter,” which acts as a carbon filter. However, it is essential to remember that the “odor-reducing pre-filter” is not washable. If you opt to buy the odor-reducing pre-filter, the AirGenius 5 will no longer be a 100% air purifier with a washable or permanent filter.

When washing filters, be careful not to damage or puncture them! A damaged filter will not be effective, and there is no point in using it. Therefore, I recommend replacing the damaged filter with a new one immediately.

This Honeywell model can boast many options starting from 5 purification modes #1 Sleep, #2 Germs, #3 General, #4 Allergen, and #5 Max. You can also set a timer up to 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours, after which the air purifier will automatically turn off. 

The filter reset indicator will notify you when it is time to clean the filter. If you want ambient light, there is a “Light” option, which can be turned on/off as desired.

Honeywell HFD-120-Q – Great Value-For-Money

Honeywell HFD-120-Q is an air purifier with permanent washable filters. This is an inevitable and another outstanding device from the manufacturer Honeywell, which stands out for its quality and characteristics.

It is intended for rooms up to 170 sq. ft. and is an excellent choice for a smaller living room, bedroom, or similar room size. The Honeywell HFD-120-Q uses innovative ifD technology as the previously described AirGenius 5 model.

Honeywell HFD-120-Q uses 3 stage filtration system. The first stage of filtration is a washable pre-filter. The second stage of filtration is a permanent washable ifD filter. The third stage of filtration is an ionizer.

As we are used to, Honeywell devices use a filter reset indicator that will flash when it is time to clean the filter.

You can wash the pre-filter and the ifD filter with water or simply use a vacuum cleaner. The exclusivity of the Honeywell HFD-120-Q model is that it is AHAM Verified and Energy Star rated.

As for the previous model I wrote about, Honeywell also gives a 5-year warranty for this model.

Airdog X3 – Smart Air Purifier

The Airdog X3 is the latest model launched by Airdog on the Indiegogo platform.

This device uses revolutionary air filtration technology. It uses an electrode generator as its main filtering technology that captures pollutants with a filter plate. The X3 uses an ionizer but is CARB-certified, which means it is entirely safe to use. The device is straightforward to maintain. It has a Filter Cleaning Indicator option that will notify you when the time to clean the filter is.

The Airdog X3 does not use a HEPA filter or some similar filtration method, but Its filters are permanent and washable. The collecting plate, which is an essential part of the filtration, on which all dust and particles are collected, is washable and can be washed in a dishwasher. Besides, the pre-filter can also be washed or vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner. What is even more fascinating is that the Airdog X3 uses a reusable carbon filter, which does not need to be washed but is occasionally placed in direct sunlight and, in that way, regenerates its properties.

This luxurious, premium device is designed for rooms up to 215 sq. ft. The Airdog X3 did a fantastic performance in tests. It has proven to be much more efficient than some air purifiers, which, unlike the Airdog X3, use a True HEPA filter.

The price is slightly higher and aligned with the quality of the device, but since it uses washable air filters, I think this device pays off in the long run. It will especially be helpful if you have problems with allergies, pollen, or dust particles.

ENVION Therapure TPP240 – Great For Large Rooms

ENVION Therapure TPP240 is a modern, impressive, and atypical air purifier. Therapure TPP240’s unusual epithet is the fact that the HEPA filter is permanent and not washable. The device’s sophistication is also reflected in the filter cleaning indicator, which will light up and give you a sign that it is time to clean it. I advise you to clean the filter with a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner. Washing in water should be eliminated as an option, as in that case, the filter could disintegrate.

In addition to the HEPA filter, this model uses 3W UV light, which needs to be changed from time to time. Envion Therapure TPP240 also uses the Ionizer, which is turned off by default and can be turned on at the user’s request.

Unlike the previously mentioned air purifiers, the ENVION TPP240 is more affordable. Still, the Honeywell AirGenius 5 and Airdog X3 air purifiers have achieved much better performance.

However, if you want to strike a balance between price and quality, buying an ENVION Therapure TPP240 air purifier that uses a permanent HEPA filter is an excellent device for you.

Hamilton Beach 04386A –  Compact Air Purifier

The Hamilton Beach 04386A is the smallest and most economical air purifier with a permanent filter on this list. This model is a great and budget-friendly device that uses the previously mentioned permanent or washable filters.

Hamilton Beach 04386A uses a permanent HEPA filter. In addition to the HEPA filter, the device also uses the Ionizer as an additional filtration stage. This air purifier is both miniature and compact and is designed for rooms up to 160 sq. ft.

It is most practical to use this device in a smaller bedroom or similar room of smaller dimensions. The filter on this device is permanent, and it needs to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a dry cloth. I do not recommend washing Hamilton Beach 04386A filters with water. In that case, they could be damaged and even fall apart. This air purifier, in addition to being very cheap, also uses very little energy.

Are washable and permanent filters the same?

Generally speaking, both washable and permanent filters are, in some way, the same type of filter and are, in principle, permanent. Washable filters are permanent because you don’t have to change them, but you need to wash them. The best representative from this group of air purifiers is definitely our top pick, the Honeywell AirGenius 5 air purifier.

With the development of technology, air purifier manufacturers have made washable HEPA filters, so you can wash them without fear. However, some devices use long-lasting, permanent non-washable filters. These kinds of filters should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or dry cloth.

Air purifiers with permanent filters mostly use ionizers as an additional stage of filtration. What is important to emphasize is that these devices are mostly CARB-certified and that you can therefore be sure that they do not produce an illegal amount of ozone.

Don’t be fooled by some marketing tricks. Some manufacturers put in the product description that they have washable filters; however, not all filters on that device are washable. Mostly, a pre-filter and a carbon filter are washable, while True HEPA needs to be replaced, and you should never wash it. Therefore, if you are not sure whether the filter is washable or not, you can reach out, and I will be pleased to help you.

Are washable HEPA filters as effective?

Technology advances every day, and washable HEPA filters can be as effective as the HEPA filters that are not washable.

Is a washable air filter worth it?

Let’s compare all the costs that customers who use standard air purifiers have with the costs that users of air purifiers with washable filters have. We can clearly conclude that it is much simpler and more convenient to use and maintain air purifiers with washable filters.

Interestingly, the price of an air purifier with and without a permanent filter is almost identical, and you pay nothing more at the very beginning. You save a lot of money that you would otherwise spend on replacement filters in the long run.

The only problem you may encounter is that some of these devices do not have a carbon filter. If they do, then that carbon filter is mostly not washable.

Furthermore, air purifiers with a True HEPA filter are much more efficient than air purifiers that use washable HEPA filters. Air purifiers with permanent or washable filters compensate for the lack of True HEPA filters by adding an extra filtration stage, an ionizer.

How long do reusable air filters last?

If used according to regulations, these filters can last for years. There are many cases where the filters lasted up to 5 years. It is crucial to maintain them on time, but it is even more important to maintain them properly.

The biggest problem is if you damage, puncture, or in any way break the filter, in which case it cannot be effective and must be replaced.

Maintenance of Washable Air Purifier Filters

The process of maintaining these filters is truly trivial. The air purifier will, in most cases, notify you when it is time to clean the filter because today, almost all models on the market have a filter reset indicator.

When you receive a notification from your device that it is time to clean the filter, you need to remove it. If the filter is washable, as is the case with our top washable air purifier Honeywell AirGenius 5, then it needs to be washed well. In case it is an ordinary permanent filter, clean it with a dry cloth or with a vacuum cleaner.

Regardless of the filter reset indicator, it is necessary to check the filters from time to time. If the filter is already dirty, please clean it even though the filter reset indicator did not light up.

Pros and Cons of Washable & Permanent Filters

Every air purifier has its pros and cons. Check out the pros and cons of washable and permanent filters.

FAQ on Air Purifiers With Washable Filters

Final Thoughts

Buying an air purifier that uses a washable filter will save you from changing the filter 2-3 times a year. 

In order to make air purifiers with permanent filters competitive with a regular air purifier that uses a True HEPA filter, companies offer an option of purchasing an additional “odor-reducing pre-filter,” which acts as a highly efficient carbon filter and effectively reduces odors and smells. 

At this point, the Honeywell AirGenius 5 comes out as the winning air purifier with a washable filter. Not only will you not regret it, but you will also save yourself the extra cost of replacing the filter a few times a year and enjoy its effectiveness and the fresh air.