Hamilton Beach TrueAir Review: Is It a Good Investment?

Full Review

In today’s review, I’ll review an air purifier from the well-known Hamilton Beach. This brand offers a wide range of household products, and chances are you’ve experienced one of their items at some point in your life.

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir is a compact air purifier designed for rooms up to 160 sq. ft. (15 m²). It features simple filtration technology and no advanced options, making it straightforward to use.

The model I tested for this review is the 04383A, recognized for its budget-friendly price and low maintenance costs.

We tested its performance to determine whether its HEPA-grade filter, which claims to capture 99% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, is effective enough to clean the average room. Additionally, we tested its noise levels, operating costs, and overall specifications.

In short, keep reading to find out if the Hamilton Beach TrueAir aligns with your needs and preferences.

How We Tested the Hamilton Beach TrueAir?

1. For the filter efficiency testing, we used the Temtop LKC-1000S laser particle meter, which measures PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), Particles (per/L), and HCHO (mg/m3) in the air, and also calculates the AQI.

2. We placed the Hamilton Beach TrueAir in two separate performance tests, one in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room and the other in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the Hamilton Beach TrueAir run at maximum speed.

3. After 60 minutes, we measured the new values using the Temtop laser particle meter and saved the data.

4. Next, we placed the Hamilton Beach TrueAir in a glass box, which we then filled with smoke. Then, we measured how much time was needed for the air purifier to remove all the smoke from the box.

5. Using a special noise measurement tool, we tested the air purifier’s noise level at all speeds. We measured the noise level on the dBA scale.

6. Finally, we measured the power usage at all speeds using an energy meter, after which we calculated how much it would cost to use the device at a particular fan speed for one month. For reference, we used an energy price of $0.12 per kWh.

I must admit, I was eager to test the performance of the Hamilton Beach TrueAir air purifier, primarily because of its unique HEPA-grade filter, which I hadn’t had the opportunity to use until now.

I’ve tested many air purifiers that don’t use a True HEPA filter, such as the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG, which performed quite well. However, I must say that the Hamilton Beach falls short compared to some competing devices with more advanced filtration technology.

Since the Hamilton Beach is designed for rooms up to 160 sq. ft. (15 m²), we tested it in spaces of nearly identical dimensions.

But, before diving into the results, I’d like to note that this air purifier received plenty of credit during wildfire season, particularly for handling smoke. Many users likely bought this model due to its affordability and were pleasantly surprised by how well it helped manage smoke from fires.

To deal with wildfire smoke, I would definitely recommend a more robust air purifier equipped with an activated carbon filter. However, for a budget-friendly option or as a first air purifier, the Hamilton Beach TrueAir gets the job done.

Testing in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) Room

In the first test, we placed the Hamilton Beach TrueAir in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room and measured how much it could improve air quality over 60 minutes while operating at maximum speed.

The results showed a reduction in PM2.5 particulate matter from 95.6 µg/m³ to 10.3 µg/m³, achieving an air quality improvement of 88%.

Given that it doesn’t use a True HEPA filter, this is an impressive result overall.

Testing in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) Room

In the second test, we placed the Hamilton Beach TrueAir in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, which is slightly larger than its recommended coverage. Despite this, the air purifier still managed to improve air quality.

After 60 minutes of working at maximum speed, the Hamilton Beach TrueAir achieved an air quality improvement of 82%.

While this result is not the best compared to some similar air purifiers, it is still good. For instance, the Levoit Core 300S, a device of similar size, with a smaller motor and slightly larger coverage, improved air quality by 94% in the same room.

Overall, the result from the Hamilton Beach TrueAir is not disappointing, especially considering there are many air purifiers that performed worse.

However, I would recommend exploring other options and comparing similar models before making a final decision. Our detailed comparisons can certainly help guide you!

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir doesn’t come with an activated carbon filter; it relies only on a single filtration stage, the HEPA-grade filter, which isn’t particularly effective at removing smoke.

We evaluated its smoke removal performance by placing the air purifier in a glass box filled with smoke and measuring how long it took to clear all the smoke from the box.

The Hamilton Beach needed 85 seconds to remove all the smoke, which is considerably slower than some comparable air purifiers. For instance, the Levoit LV-H126 cleared the smoke in just 48 seconds.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach TrueAir has a low CADR and a simple filter. However, I believe that adding an activated carbon filter layer could significantly improve its ability to neutralize unpleasant odors.

When it comes to testing noise levels, I should first note that this air purifier has three fan speeds. We used a specialized noise measurement tool to measure the sound levels at each speed.

Right away, I noticed that it was quite loud at the lowest fan speed, noticeably louder than many competing devices. Typically, an optimal noise level at the lowest speed is around 41.5 dBA, but the Hamilton Beach produces 45.2 dBA.

For comparison, the Winix A231 produces only 40.2 dBA at its lowest speed, while also being a more efficient and powerful air purifier than the Hamilton Beach TrueAir.

At higher speeds, however, the noise is more tolerable in comparison to other air purifiers, especially at the highest setting, where it produces a sound of just 54.9 dBA. Refer to the chart above to see how it compares to similar air purifiers in terms of noise levels.

In conclusion, while I wouldn’t recommend the Hamilton Beach TrueAir for use in bedrooms, home offices, or other spaces where quiet operation is critical, it could be suitable for areas where noise is less of a concern.

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir is a compact air purifier that uses a relatively large 44W motor.

We tested its power consumption at each fan speed and found that at the lowest speed, it uses only 9.1W, while at the maximum speed, it consumes 33.9W.

This means that if you were to run this air purifier at top speed 24 hours a day for an entire month, your electricity bill would increase by approximately $2.97. While this isn’t a huge amount, I expected this air purifier to have even lower energy consumption.

Compared to similar devices, the Hamilton Beach TrueAir ranks among the highest in power usage. For instance, the Levoit Core Mini costs just $0.63 under the same conditions.

One advantage of the Hamilton Beach TrueAir is its use of a permanent filter, which eliminates filter replacement costs. As a result, the only ongoing expense is electricity.

Considering this, I would say the Hamilton Beach TrueAir is relatively affordable in terms of annual maintenance.

Setup and installation

Before you start using the Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier, you need to do some preparation. The most important thing you need to prepare is the filter, which is built into the unit but is in the package. Once you have removed the air purifier from its packaging, open the front panel from the front by pressing the opening tab at the very top of the device. You will then notice the filter holders on the top and bottom sides, which you need to pull towards you and take out.

The last step is to take the filter out, remove it from the plastic film and then put it back into the device. Then put the filter holders back in place and close the lid. With these steps, the device is ready to go. Place it on a solid surface, move it at least 15 centimeters away from the wall or other objects, plug it in, and slowly enjoy the purified air.

Design

As far as the design is concerned, I have to say that I’m not very impressed, as this air purifier seems a bit old-fashioned. In addition, the build quality is not top-notch, which is, to some extent, expected given the device’s price. However, I do not think better build quality is necessary for this type of device.

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir is available in white and black. In this review, I have shown the device in black because I somehow liked it better, and it goes better with different furniture. I would also point out that the plastic is a bit sensitive and gets greasy very quickly. Hence, the device gets dirty quickly, and fingerprints stay on the device very easily.

What I like about this little air purifier is that it can be placed horizontally and vertically, which makes it much easier to put it on tables, bedside tables, or similar places where there is not much space.

Overall, this is a decent air purifier in terms of design, and I think it will fit into many environments.

Control Knob

The Hamilton Beach has only one control knob located on the top of the device. It is used to switch the operating mode and to turn the machine off. It has only four states: when off, whisper cleaning, medium, and quick cleaning mode.

I usually prefer modern and smart air purifiers to mechanical ones, but the fact that this air purifier is mechanical opens up the possibility of plugging it into a smart plug, which can make it semi-smart.

What I do not like is that there are no other buttons and that there is not at least a filter reset indicator, but the filter change time has to be monitored manually, using a calendar or some other method.

Airflow

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir has an irregular rectangular shape. When viewed vertically, the unit draws air through the openings at the front, which is then filtered and exits through the openings on the left.

If the device is positioned horizontally, everything is the same, with the air coming from the top side.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 5.74 lb (2.6 kg). The dimensions of the device are: 6 x 8.5 x 13.54 inches (15.2 x 21.6 x 34.4 cm). The Hamilton Beach TrueAir is a lightweight, compact air purifier that is very practical for carrying from one place to another. In short, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding the perfect place for it.

What’s in the box?

When you buy the device, you will receive an air purifier, filter (pre-installed), and user manual.

As the filter that comes with the device is packed in a plastic bag and ready to go, I recommend that you read the installation and setup tips I described at the beginning of this review before using the device for the first time.

Features Overview

I don’t have much to say regarding the features that this air purifier has, as the Hamilton Beach TrueAir doesn’t have a single advanced feature.

The device doesn’t even have a filter cleaning indicator, which is a significant disadvantage in my opinion and which I have so far only encountered in the Hathaspace HSP001 air purifier (which doesn’t have a filter reset indicator). The lack of such a simple indicator is a problem in the age of modern, smart technologies.

The only thing I could mention as an advanced feature is a possibility of connecting the Hamilton Beach air purifier to a smart plug. This is possible because the gear changer uses a mechanical control knob. This is a good option if you want to make the air purifier at least partially automated or at least allow it to have some essential functions such as a timer, start via smartphone, and the like, which would undoubtedly make it easier to use the device daily.

Filtration Technology

Speaking of filtration technology, I have to say that the Hamilton Beach TrueAir uses only one filter, which is HEPA-grade and which captures 99% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. Comparing this with True HEPA filters, which capture 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns, we can conclude that the Hamilton Beach air purifier filter is significantly inferior to the True HEPA filter.

This filter is a paper filter but is much more resistant than conventional HEPA filters, so it is more durable. It does not need to be changed but only maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, if you look closely at the filter, you will see a nylon mesh on the front, which is basically a pre-filter.

I would also point out that Hamilton Beach has models that include a zeolite carbon filter, but you can also buy a carbon filter separately to increase filtration quality. All Hamilton Beach air purifier models for pets must include a carbon filter.

In short, I have so far tested much higher quality air purifiers that use durable filters, such as the Airdog X3, which uses innovative filtration technology and simply blows the performance tests.

In conclusion, I would say that the HEPA class filter on the Hamilton Beach air purifier is not very high quality, but it will serve in some less polluted environments very well.

How to Clean the Filter?

The Hamilton Beach filter is durable, and the manufacturer recommends regular maintenance and cleaning of the filter rather than replacement. On the one hand, this is an excellent thing, as you have a practical device for which you do not have to buy filters several times a year.

But also, it’s bad because it’s not possible to make a durable filter of the quality that would replace a True HEPA filter, which means that the Hamilton Beach TrueAir has a lower performance than some competing devices.

The manufacturer advises regularly vacuuming the air purifier’s filter every 3-6 months.

FAQ on Hamilton Beach TrueAir