In today’s article, I will do a side-by-side comparison of two high-end air purifiers: the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. and IQAir HealthPro Plus.
These are two pricey devices that are equipped with high-quality filtration technology and that have performed outstandingly in our performance tests, especially in bad odor removal ones.
The IQAir HealthPro Plus has a CADR of 260 CFM (440 mÂł/h), meaning it’s ideal for places of up to 406 sq. ft. (37.7 m²). On the other hand, the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. covers rooms of just 185 sq. ft. (17 m²).
Both devices use True HEPA filters and have a pellet-based carbon filter with more than 5 lb of carbon inside. The Austin Air is a more minimalistic air purifier and has no features at all.
Our Verdict
Let me be clear, the IQAir HealthPro Plus and the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. are among the best air purifiers I’ve tried, and whichever one you get, you won’t go wrong.
However, as the Austin Air slightly lacks the performance in airborne particle removal and has lower CADR, I would pick the IQAir HealthPro Plus as my preferred option in this comparison.
Still, for heavily polluted places (VOCs, smoke, and similar), you could maybe consider the Austin Air because of a slightly better carbon filter, but in general, the IQAir offers much more.
If you have any questions about these two air purifiers, please feel free to ask in the comments section below the article.
Specs: IQAir HealthPro Plus Vs Austin Air HealthMate Jr.
| Product Image |  |  |
| Manufacturer | IQAir | Austin Air |
| Model | HealthPro Plus | HealthMate Plus Jr. |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 28 x 15 x 16 inches (71 x 38 x 41 cm) | 11 x 11 x 16.5 inches (27.9 x 27.9 x 41.9 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | 35 lb (15.8 kg) | 21 lb (9.5 kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 260 CFM (440 mÂł/h) | - |
| Coverage (4.8 ACH)
Room Coverage Explanation: ACH is a measurement used in indoor air quality management to indicate how many times the air within a defined space is changed/moved through the filter media.
For more details, visit our ACH calculator tool. | 406 sq. ft. (37.7 m²) | 185 sq. ft. (17 m²) |
| Performance Ratings Performance Ratings Score Summary: 8.3 - Average Score (101 products) 9.9 - Best Score (1 products) 1 - Worst Score (1 products) We use the Temtop LKC-1000S laser particle meter to test the particle removal efficiency of every air purifier. It measures PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), Particles (per/L), and HCHO (mg/m3) in the air, and also calculates the AQI. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Filtration Technology | PreMax F8, V5-Cell Gas & Odor Filter, and HyperHEPA Filter (H12/13) | Large Particle Pre-filter, Medium Particle Pre-filter, Activated Carbon and Zeolite, and True Medical Grade HEPA |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | No |
| Filter Life | Pre-filter and Carbon 12-18 months, HEPA filter 3-4 years | up to 5 years |
| Power Consumption
Power Usage Summary: Our extensive testing of 101 air purifiers revealed the following power consumption insights:
Check out our power consumption calculator tool. | 215W | 60W |
| Operating Costs Ratings Operating Costs Ratings Score Summary: 8.9 - Average Score (101 products) 10 - Best Score (2 products) 1.7 - Worst Score (1 products) We measure the power usage at all speeds using an energy meter, after which we calculate how much it would cost to use the device at a particular fan speed for one month. For reference, we use an energy price of $0.12 per kWh. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Number of Fan Speeds | 6 - Speed 1, Speed 2, Speed 3, Speed 4, Speed 5, and Speed 6 | 3 – Speed 1, Speed 2, and Speed 3 |
| Air Quality Sensor Air Quality Sensor Summary: Out of 101 air purifiers tested, only 51 have the air quality sensor. | No | No |
| Air Quality Indicator | No | No |
| Auto Mode Auto Mode Summary: Out of 101 air purifiers tested, only 52 have auto mode functionality. | No | No |
| Smart App Smart App Summary: Out of 101 air purifiers tested, only 30 have smart app functionality. | No | No |
| Voice Control Voice Control Summary: Out of 101 air purifiers tested, only 29 have voice control functionality. | No | No |
| Other Features | Long-life Filters | No |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 40.7 - 64.3 dBA | 40.6 – 54.7 dBA |
| Noise Ratings Noise Ratings Score Summary: 9.2 - Average Score (101 products) 10 - Best Score (1 products) 7.6 - Worst Score (1 products) We use a special noise measurement tool to test the noise level of the air purifier at all speeds. We measured the noise level on the dBA scale. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Best Suited For | Living Rooms Kitchens Allergies Smoke Neutralizing VOCs Dust Long Filter Life | Kitchens Smoke Neutralizing VOCs Small Spaces Odors |
| Warranty | 10-year | 5-year |
| In-Depth Review | IQAir HealthPro Plus | Austin Air HealthMate Plus Jr. |
| Price |
Performance Test – Comparison
According to their room coverage, we tested these two devices in two rooms of different sizes.
In the first test, we placed the IQAir HealthPro Plus in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room and let it run for 60 minutes at maximum speed. In that time, it managed to improve the air quality by 96%, which is an outstanding result.
Particle Removal Tests - Comparison
We placed the IQAir HealthPro Plus and Austin Air HealthMate Plus Jr. in two separate tests and measured their performance using the Temtop laser particle meter.
In the second test, we placed the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, in which it improved air quality by 86% in the same time.
The conclusion: the IQAir HealthPro Plus is much more efficient in airborne particle removal, as shown in our tests.
However, as for the odor neutralization performance, I would give a slight edge to the Austin Air, as it has a slightly better carbon filter.
Noise Level Test – Comparison
As for the noise levels, we used a specialized noise measurement tool to measure noise levels at all speeds.
The IQAir HealthPro Plus has six, while the Austin Air has three fan speeds. Both devices are well optimized for noise at the lowest speeds.
Noise Level Comparison
Comparing the IQAir HealthPro Plus Vs Austin Air HealthMate Jr. noise levels at minimum and maximum speeds.
The IQAir produces 40.7 dBA, while the Austin Air produces 40.6 dBA.
However, at the maximum speeds, the situation is slightly different. The IQAir produces a sound of 64.3 dBA, while the Austin Air produces a sound of 54.7 dBA.
Not only is the IQAir louder at maximum speed, but it also produces some strange noise, which could be a bit annoying compared to the noise at the maximum speed of the Austin Air.
Because of these facts, I would say that the Austin Air HealthMate Jr. is, even with a smaller CADR, better optimized for noise levels.
Operating Costs – Comparison
Even before moving to precise test results, we can conclude that the IQAir HealthPro Plus is a much larger power consumer and more expensive for maintenance than the Austin Air.
Why? Because it uses a motor of 215W, which is the largest power use among all the air purifiers I tried. On the other hand, the Austin Air uses a motor of 60W.
Power Usage Comparison
Comparing the IQAir HealthPro Plus Vs Austin Air HealthMate Jr. power use at minimum and maximum speeds.
If you were to use these two air purifiers at their maximum speeds, 24 hours a day, for one month, your electric power bill would increase by about $12.83 in the case of the IQAir, and by about $2.45 in the case of the Austin Air.
As you can see, the Austin Air would use more than four times less power than the IQAir.
Regarding the replacement filters, both air purifiers use long-lasting filters that are indeed expensive, but don’t need to be replaced for years.
As I said in the beginning, and proved later, the IQAir HealthPro Plus is more expensive for annual maintenance.
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