Austin Air Healthmate Plus (B450) Review
by Austin Air
$895.00
Estimated Annual Filter Cost: ~$80-$90/year
Summary
If you want serious gas/odor control (formaldehyde & VOCs) in a mechanical, no-gimmicks machine, the Austin Air HealthMate Plus is excellent. Its heavy 15-lb chemisorptive carbon bed is rare in consumer units. Particle throughput is good for bedrooms, but without AHAM CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and with ~250 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) max, it’s not a living-room workhorse unless the room is small.
Here's what this purifier does best
- Heavy gas filtration, including aldehydes: ~15 lb carbon/zeolite + potassium iodide—credible VOC/formaldehyde adsorption beyond thin carbon sheets.
- Long-life filter: ~5-year canister under normal use → ~$80–$90/yr upkeep using official parts.
- Solid construction: All-steel, 360° intake, foam-gasketed canister to limit bypass; serviceable, bottom-load design with casters.
- Ozone-free by design + CARB listed: No ionizer/UV; sold in California.
Consider these trade-offs
- No AHAM CADR: Austin Air rejects CADR testing, so cross-brand comparisons rely on CFM + inference, not standardized CADR.
- Modest particle throughput for size: 250 CFM High ⇒ CADR proxy ~162 CFM—great for bedrooms, weak for 300–400 ft² rooms at ≥5 ACH.
- Audible on High: Independent tests show ~61.5 dB at top speed; not for ultra-quiet sleepers.
- High upfront cost: Unit ~$855 MSRP; filter cartridge ~$405 when due, even if the annualized cost is reasonable.