Could the Honeywell HPA060 Be Your Best Honeywell Air Purifier?
Looking for a compact air purifier that won’t take up your entire desk or nightstand? You’ve probably stumbled across the Honeywell HPA060 while researching small room air purifiers. With the Honeywell name attached and promises of True HEPA filtration, it seems like a safe bet for dorms, bedrooms, and small apartments. But here’s the thing: not all Honeywell air purifiers are created equal. While the brand has built a solid reputation over the years, the Honeywell HPA060 falls short when it comes to actual air cleaning performance. With a CADR of just 61 CFM and a disappointing 74-minute cleaning time in our tests, this compact unit struggles to keep up with competitors like the Levoit Core 300 and Winix A231. In our real-world testing, the Honeywell HPA060 took 74 minutes to bring PM1 levels down to zero, nearly double the time of similarly priced competitors. While it’s lightweight (just 6 lbs), easy to use, and sports that classic Honeywell design, the weak performance combined with costly 3-month pre-filter replacements makes it tough to recommend when better options exist at the same price point. What You Need to Know About the Honeywell HPA060 Honeywell HPA060 View on Amazon Before we get into the nitty-gritty of performance data, here’s the quick rundown on what the Honeywell HPA060 brings to the table: Price: Check at Amazon Coverage Area: 75 sq ft (4.8 air changes per hour) or 360 sq ft (1 air change per hour) Noise Level: 42.1 dB (Low) to 54.5 dB (High) Filtration: True HEPA filter with activated carbon pre-filter Key Features: 3 fan speeds, filter check indicators, ENERGY STAR certified, lightweight (6 lbs), one-dial operation. The Honeywell HPA060 targets common indoor pollutants like dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and odors. According to the manufacturer, the True HEPA filter captures up to 99.97% of microscopic airborne allergens down to 0.3 microns. But as we’ll see throughout this review, there’s a big gap between what the marketing says and how it actually performs in real-world conditions. The Lowdown on the Honeywell HPA060 Our Take: “A solid, basic small air purifier from Honeywell but likely too underpowered for most use cases. I recommend our readers to spend a little extra for a device with at least 140 CFM.” With tons of Honeywell air purifiers to consider, you might not have time to read this full review. So here’s the condensed version of the main points from our performance testing: What We Really Like Lightweight and portable at just over 6 lbs, making it easy to move between rooms and place on shelves or desks Simple one-dial operation means anyone can use it without reading a manual or downloading an app Compact size fits easily on desks, countertops, or small bedroom spaces without taking over the room Easy filter replacement process takes just a few minutes with no tools required ENERGY STAR certified for efficient electricity usage, keeping running costs low What Could Be Better Seriously underpowered for effective air cleaning, taking 74 minutes to complete our particle removal test compared to 39 minutes with the Levoit Core 300S Pre-filters only last 3 months, adding up to costly replacements over time (around $40 per year just for pre-filters) No smart features like auto mode, air quality sensors, or app connectivity found on similarly priced competitors Narrow filter design limits surface area and restricts airflow compared to other Honeywell air purifiers Weak CADR rating of just 61 CFM makes it one of the slowest small air purifiers we’ve tested What People Actually Care About in an Air Purifier When shopping for Honeywell air purifiers or any small room air purifier, here’s what really matters: Room Coverage: The Honeywell HPA060 handles rooms up to 75 sq ft with 4.8 air changes per hour, or 360 sq ft with just 1 air change per hour. For context, most bedrooms are 120-200 sq ft, so this unit will struggle in typical spaces. CADR Ratings: With a pollen CADR of just 75 CFM and dust/smoke even lower at 61 CFM, the HPA060 is seriously underpowered compared to competitors. The Levoit Core 300 hits 145 CFM and the Winix A231 reaches 149 CFM for reference. Filter Quality: While the True HEPA filter is legit and captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, the narrow design limits its effectiveness. The activated carbon pre-filter is disappointingly thin with minimal odor-fighting capability. Noise Levels: At 42.1 dB on low and 54.5 dB on high, it’s not the quietest but won’t keep you awake either. For comparison, that’s similar to a quiet library on low speed and normal conversation on high. Energy Efficiency: With ENERGY STAR certification and power draw of just 11.4 watts (low) to 21.2 watts (high), electricity costs are minimal at around $32 per year running 24/7. Filter Costs: This is where things get expensive. Pre-filters need replacing every 3 months at nearly $10 each, plus the HEPA filter yearly at $25.99. That’s roughly $66 per year in filter costs, or you can save money with generic options. Design and Portability: The 6 lb weight and built-in handle make it super easy to move around. The classic Honeywell black oval design won’t win any style awards but it’s functional. The Specs That Matter Honeywell HPA060 Compact footprint fits in tight spaces like dorm rooms, small apartments, or on kitchen countertops. True HEPA filtration does capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. Check on Amazon View on Amazon Here’s a breakdown of the Honeywell HPA060 specifications compared to its main competitors: Specification Honeywell HPA060 Levoit Core 300 Winix A231 CADR (Pollen) 75 CFM 145 CFM 149 CFM CADR (Dust) 61 CFM 140 CFM 140 CFM Coverage Area 75 sq ft (4.8 ACH) 219 sq ft (4.8 ACH) 200 sq ft (5 ACH) Noise Level 42.1-54.5 dB 24-50 dB 27.8-53 dB Weight 6 lbs 7.5 lbs 11 lbs Filter Life 12 months (HEPA) 6-8 months 12 months Pre-filter Life 3 months Washable Washable Price ~$100 ~$100 ~$110 As you can
