Honeywell HFD-010 Review

Last Updated on April 14, 2020 by Peter Simmons

Looking for an air purifier that cleans your impure indoor air without hammering your finances? In this Honeywell HFD-010 review, I describe what the Honeywell Quietclean compact tower air purifier can do for you.

This small Honeywell air purifier features a solid, compact design. But it does the job, removing up to 99 ultra-fine particles in every 100 of them.

Buy this if you’re a healthy person looking to improve your indoor air quality. DON’T buy this if your air contains loads of sub-2-micron particles. Also, if you battle respiratory issues, stay away from this Honeywell air purifier as it gives off ozone.

Note:

The product isn’t available on Amazon at the moment. I recommend that you check out the Honeywell HFD-010’s more powerful sibling, the Honeywell HFD-120-Q. Check it out below:

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Honeywell HFD-120 QuietClean Oscillating Compact Tower Air Purifier

An affordable allergen remover that uses a permanent and washable ifD filter. It's AHAM, CARB, and Energy star rated, removing 99% of air borne particles larger than 2 microns. It's almost 2 times more powerful than the Honeywell HFD-010 (CADR of 100+). With this, the pain of buying obscenely expensive replacement filters will vanish forever!

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Check out these air purifiers with washable filters.

Now, let’s jump into our Honeywell HFD-010 review and dissect the Honeywell QuietClean compact tower air purifier.

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Features of the HFD-010 Compact Tower Air Purifier

A permanent, washable iFD filter that removes 99% of ultra-fine particles

A washable pre-filter for capturing large particles

A single control knob that manages 2 air cleaning levels

Efficient energy consumption (40W max)

Compact tower design for people with little space

Lightweight construction that boosts portability

Super durable

And here are the specs.

Honeywell HFD-010 QuietClean Compact Tower Air Purifier Specs

Product Dimensions: 9.1″ x 11.2″ x 16.7″

Weight: 7 lbs

Color: White

Maximum purification coverage: 62 square feet

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR ratings for smoke, dust, and pollen):

Smoke 40

Dust 35

Pollen 55

AHAM certified and CARB rated

1 permanent, patented iFD filter

Washable pre-filter

Built-in ionizer(Not optional)

Power outlet: 120 V, 60 Hz (U.S.); 50 Hz in other Geos.

Anything Special About the Honeywell HFD-010?

What’s special, if anything, about the Honeywell quietClean air purifier? Nothing, really. It’s just a small-room air purifier that removes airborne particles from the air. But I love that this compact tower air purifier uses permanent filters. You won’t need to buy expensive air filters all the time.

Another aspect that makes the Honeywell Quietclean compact tower air purifier attractive is its longevity. This small rooms air purifier lasts and lasts. I bought this small Honeywell 5 years ago for a small bedroom. And it’s served me consistently since then. What’s more, there’s no indication the purifier is falling apart any time soon. I love it!

Here’s one more advantage about this affordable Honeywell air purifier: it’s not finicky at all. A simple knob positioned  at the top makes operating this small rooms portable air cleaner a breeze.

I Reveal Everything: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In this Honeywell HFD-010 review, I’ll reveal everything I know about this small air filtration beast. I earn a small commission when my readers act on a product review and buy something on Amazon. However, I’m always brutally honest when writing a review. If there’s anything bad or even ugly about the Honeywell HFD-010, my review lays it bare. So, stay with me, dear friend.

Let’s now dive into the Honeywell HFD-010 review proper.

Design

The Quietclean compact air purifier is an S-shaped Honeywell tower air purifier that delivers forceful HEPA-type filtration. A permanent and cleanable Honeywell air filter takes out at least 99% of ultrafine particles. Then there’s the patented ifD filter that steps in and takes VOCs, odors, and other particles from the air.

Instead of a finicky control panel, this Honeywell air cleaner features a single, easy-to-use control knob. You’ll never again complain your touch or tap didn’t register or whatever.

While the Honeywell HFD-010 comes in a tower design, the device sits solidly stable wherever you may stand it. Since it doesn’t pull contaminated air from all directions, I recommend that you don’t place it very close to a wall or any other obstacle. Be sure to position it in a spot where nothing obstructs airflow or air circulation.

Now, air purifying devices aren’t usually cute. And I don’t think this Honeywell HFD-010 air cleaner is exceptionally good-looking. But its S-shape is easier on the eye than all the imagination-deficient designs I’ve seen. Look, this little Honeywell isn’t an eyesore.

Also, the build seems pretty solid. My dog has toppled this Honeywell HFD-010 several times over the years. But it’s remained as intact as it was when I bought it. Place it out of the way, though!

Overall, the product looks a little dated. A product built for pollution-packed indoor environments. And tell you what? Very few air purifiers ever outlast the HFD-010.

Why the Tower Design?

You want an air purifier that lets in as much contaminated air as possible. And that’s where the Quietclean compact tower design comes into play. The tower design optimizes air circulation, boosting the device’s air filtration efficiency.

It stands 16.7″. While it’s a tower design, it’s not too bulky and you most likely have enough room for it.

It’s Light and Portable

The product weighs just 7 lbs. Moving it around is a breeze. Even a small child could carry it. Plus, a carry handle at the top enormously boosts portability.

CADR and ACH of the Honeywell HFD-010

CADR is a pretty common term in the air purification industry. It means Clean Air Delivery Rate. The rating expresses how much air a purifying machine moves in a given amount of time. One gripe I have with the HFD-010 is its relatively small CARD values.

As indicated above, the CADR for smoke is 40, the number for dust is 35 while the value for the pollen rating is 55. But what do these numbers really mean?

Coverage Area for the Honeywell HFD-010

Let’s first take the CADR for smoke. I use that number because smoke particles are naturally more challenging to remove than either dust or pollen. If a portable air cleaner has a CADR of 40, that means it moves 40 cubic feet of air every minute. Or 2,400 cubic feet every passing hour.

Get 4 Circulations in a standard small Bedroom

Let’s assume you have a small room you wish to sanitize, say 7 ft. x 10 ft. (70 square feet). That’s about the smallest bedroom possible in the United States. Now, the Honeywell HFD-010 would circulate the air in a room that size 4.28 times.

That’s an ACH of 4. And it’s a pretty good ACH for everyone including allergy and asthma sufferers. If you battle seasonal allergies or have asthma, buy this product ONLY if your bedroom isn’t larger than 7 ft. x 10 ft.

No Breathing Issues?

Lucky you! You can comfortably use this small Honeywell in a slightly larger room, say 9 ft. x 11 ft. (99 sq. ft.). But you’d not get 4 air exchanges. You’d get 3, instead. Not too bad, huh?

The CADR for pollen is 55. You can reasonably conclude that the device removes seasonal pollen better than it does either smoke or dust. Good news: this option is super durable. It’ll be there for you many nasty spring seasons down the road.

How the Honeywell HFD-010 QuietClean Compact Air Purifier Works

The Honeywell HFD-010 Quietclean compact tower air purifier comes ready to combat allergens and other indoor air pollutants. It relies  heavily on a proven air cleaning technology called ifD Micro Filter Technology. By the way, ifD is an abbreviation for

Just plug the purifier in and it roars to life instantly! The air purifier pulls dirty air via the back and releases cleaned air via a front grille. Be sure to leave enough clearance all around the machine, at least 3 feet.

I’d love the purifier more if it took in dirty air via the front, purified it, and released it via the top. But that’s not a justifiable dealbreaker, I think.

2 Cleaning Levels

There are two cleaning levels with the Quietclean compact tower air filter: Low and High. A single dot(.) indicates Low and double dots (:) indicate High. To power off the machine, turn the knob to the third symbol (looks like a small 0). An indicator light on the opposite side of the speed and Off symbols turns on when you plug the HFD-010 into an outlet.

ifD Filters: Quiet and Super Effective

Now, ifD filters have been shown to be noticeably quieter than HEPA filters. Choose cleaning level 2 when you want every ounce of air filtration power the unit offers.

Also, these filters have a commendable ability to capture microscopic particles. Some experts even say that these filters are more effective than True HEPA! Take that with a pinch of salt, though.

What Contaminants Does this Purifier Remove?

This air purifier eradicates a whole range of potentially harmful air contaminants. The device is excellent at getting rid of dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other relatively large airborne particles thank to its washable HEPA-type filter. I really like that it features a washable filter.

But will this Honeywell air purifier also remove cigarette smoke? Yes, the purifier’s iFD filter helps with odor removal. But it does an “ok” job rather than an excellent one. If what bothers you most is tobacco smoke or wildfire smoke, there are much better options.

Noise Levels of the Honeywell HFD-010

On Low, the machine is almost inaudible at just 35 dB. But is that too loud? No. It’s pretty quiet. In fact, you’d think it’s not moving any air at all! Now, this is the air cleaning level you need while sleeping. Think of this air cleaning level as the sleep mode.

On speed level II (High), the product packs a heftier purification punch. That’s why it gets a lot more noisy. It reaches up to 55 dB on that speed setting. Now, that can be a little uncomfortable for some folks. However, some people love the soothing white noise produced at that performance level.

Admittedly, the Honeywell HFD-010 isn’t the quietest air purifying device on Earth. I’ve seen several high-performance Levoit air purifiers that operate considerably more silently than this machine.

Does the Honeywell Air Purifier Help Asthma Sufferers?

I’ve read a glowing review or two left by happy asthma and allergy sufferers online. Most review writers praised the purifier for its usefulness as an allergen remover. But as someone who’s used and reviewed quite a few purifiers, I can tell you this isn’t the best choice for allergy and asthma sufferers.

It helps a little, though, since it captures seasonal pollen quite effectively. It also removes allergens such as pet dander and dust pretty well. But honestly, it’s not the best odor and VOC eliminator you can find at that price-point.

The Honeywell HFD-010 is Super Affordable

The Honeywell HFD-010 QuietClean compact tower air purifier is a pretty affordable option. But what happens when you buy a cheap, low-maintenance air purifier like this one? Nothing much, but I’m certain you’d love such a device for years. And you’d end up saving a bundle.

But it get’s even better…..

No More Buying Pricey Honeywell Air Filters!

What I like most about the Honeywell HFD-010 is that it uses a permanent, cleanable HEPA-type filter. You’ll NEVER need to budget for replacement filters ever again! But you must be ready to clean the filter from time to time (more on this later).

But you need to hear this: this permanent filter can’t and won’t offer the same level of air filtration performance as a True HEPA filter. That’s why lots of people choose air purifiers with a true HEPA filter or filters. Yes, these folks know they’ll replace filters forever, and they’re OK with that. Sure, running this air purifier makes a noticeable difference in your air quality. And you’ll most likely start waking up with a less stuffy nose.

But don’t place this purifier in a large room and expect spectacular performance. It’s suitable for very small spaces.

HEPA-Type Vs True HEPA Filtration

There’s a night-and-day difference between this unit’s permanent filter(HEPA-type) and a True HEPA filter. I keep coming across angry people who feel manufacturers are out to get them via deceptive marketing.

A person says, “I bought this air purifier but later discovered it’s not as effective as a True HEPA air purifier. They lied to me and took my money. I’m returning this little thing now!”

Look, the HFD-010 uses a HEPA-like filter and NOT a True HEPA filter. A HEPA-type filter remove about 99% of all airborne particles not smaller than 2 microns. By comparison, a True HEPA filter takes out at least 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles. A huge difference, huh? Do you now see why I said the HFD-010 isn’t the most ideal choice for folks with a respiratory condition?

Does the Honeywell HFD-010 have an ionizer?

Yes, the HFD-010 ionizes the air. And you know what? The built-in ionizer isn’t even optional. That’s a very strong reason not to buy this air purifier if you battle respiratory issues.

An ionizer is a useful addition that makes your air feel cleaner and fresher. For healthy people who breathe without any challenges, an ionizer is a great-to-have feature.

Don’t worry. The product has….

Fulfilled Strict CARB and FDA Requirements

The ozone concentration from this unit shouldn’t harm you since this air purifier is CARB-rated. Besides, this isn’t a full-blown ozone generator. It cranks out no more than 0.05 ppm of ozone, and that’s the maximum level allowed by CARB. What being CARB-rated means is that the product ships to California.

Pro Tip: NEVER buy a machine that doesn’t ship out to California if you have breathing difficulties. I recommend this unit for healthy people who want to save money on filters.

Power Consumption

The Honeywell HFD-010 is rated for 40W. That’s about what your HP laptop draws. Your annual electric bill shouldn’t increase by more than $35 if you let it operate 24/7/365. And you probably should if you have a breathing condition. Remember: It’s best to consult your doctor before launching any kind of home remedy for managing asthma.

Certifications

The item comes CARB-rated, meaning it ships to vigilant California. The product fully complies with the ground-level ozone emission limits recommended by the EPA and FDA.

The product is also AHAM certified. AHAM stands for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. That means that an independent organization (AHAM in this case) has tested it using universally accepted procedures. This the organization that calculates the CADR numbers I explained above. ALL Honeywell air purifiers are AHAM verified. It looks like the manufacturer has nothing to hide here.

How to Wash the Pre-filter and ifD Filter

Popping out the filter filter assembly (the main filter and pre-filter) for the Honeywell HFD-010 is very easy. Just push the filter release button on the top panel and voila’! Pick it and set it aside. To release the pre-filter, gently press the tab on top of the filter assembly.

How often should I wash the pre-filter and ifD filter? Clean the pre-filter once a month. You can actually give the pre-filter a quick rinse under a faucet. You can also vacuum it. Actually, vacuuming tends  to work better than direct washing using water. As for the permanent ifD filter, clean it once every 3 months. Again, you can safely vacuum it rather than washable.

Dry the Filters Thoroughly Before Re-installing Them

The manufacturer says  to wash the filter with warm wash and dishwashing soap, though. And if it’s not too dirty, rinse it under the kitchen faucet, dry it thoroughly, and re-install it. When drying the main filter, keep the honeycomb side facing downward on a plush towel. Never return a filter unless it’s completely dry. If you do that, the machine just won’t work.

Why Does the ifD Filter Seem Dirty After Cleaning?

For some reason, the main filter may look discolored (dirty?) even after washing. Honeywell explains  that that’s normal. I wonder whether the discoloration is evidence that the filter’s purification power has been diminished.

I recently read a small study that demonstrated that vacuuming air filters is smarter than rinsing or washing them. No vacuum? Use an air compressor instead, but vacuuming is preferable.

Want to learn more about the product? Here’s a detailed Honeywell HFD-010 manual to help you install the purifier and start enjoying its benefit instantly.

And now, let’s summarize the pros and cons of buying the Honeywell HFD-010. No product review should be considered complete if it omits this crucial section.

While the Honeywell HFD-010 produces ozone, the air purifier is CARB-rated. So, the ozone issue probably shouldn’t worry you too much if you’re healthy. But I don’t like that the ionizer because isn’t optional.

Oil Leak

Here’s another issue I learned while researching for this review. At least one user noticed a greenish-yellow, oily substance oozing between the front slats. They used a cotton swab to clean out the oil-ish leak. But could this be an indication of motor problems inside the air purifier? Perhaps.

Luckily, the oil leak issue wasn’t a widespread issue. Small wonder many users love this Honeywell.

Low CADR Numbers

Another critical point I must bring to your attention is the HFD-10’s low CADR numbers. This air purifier is designed for small rooms. I normally advise my readers to go for a purifier whose CADR for smoke, pollen, and dust is at least 100.

However, a sub-100 CADR should be ok as long as you’re not purifying areas larger than 62 square feet. But do 62 sq ft rooms even exist? I’ve explained the item’s coverage area in detail in an earlier section. Please revisit the section if necessary.

Also, a few users noticed a strong chemical or electrical odor upon opening the box. The odor persisted even after installing the Honeywell HFD-010. Luckily, the smell resolved after a couple days. Smells aren’t uncommon with new home appliances, you know.

A Clicking Sound Inside the Honeywell HFD-010 Air Purifier

A few users reportedly heard clicking sounds inside the HFD-010. But I found that the noise mostly comes from loose parts in the fan. If you’re the handy type, you can dismantle the machine and fix the problem.

While this problem doesn’t seem to be happening to everyone, it’s happened to some users. And it’s my job to ensure you’re aware of that.

No Timer and Filter Clean Indicator

Another small gripe I have is that the product lacks a programmable timer and clean filter reminder. At that price, I feel these two features should have been included.

But timers for air-purifying devices aren’t exactly smart. They’re essentially a days counter rather than an intelligent feature that tells you how filthy the filter has become.

A clean filter light would have been nice, too. But it’s not too hard to remember when you last cleaned the filter. Plus, you can always use an improvised reminder of sorts.

Dealing with Honeywell Can be Challenging

You have a whole 30 days to return the product if it’x not a great fit. But 30 days isn’t like the longest similar brands allow. Admittedly, Honeywell aren’t super efficient when it comes to handling customer queries. Actually, returning this or any other Honeywell product can be quite  hassle.

But it gets worse. A 10-30% restocking fee applies in the event the shipping company damages the item in transit.

Personally, I’ve written to them asking for clarification on a feature or something else. And they never seem to respond back. It’s been ages since I last emailed them. I vowed to never email them ….ever again. Here’s Honeywell’s contact email: sales@honeywellstore.com.

Good news: Dealing with Amazon is a lot sweeter. That’s why millions of people sign up every day to become a Prime member.

Honeywell HFD-010 Review: Final Word

My review was an attempt to answer only one question. And the question is: the Honeywell HFD-010 worth it? Yes, it’s a good air purifier that helps you fight off indoor air pollution.

However, the product does have some flaws. But if you weighed the pros and cons as I did, you’ll likely arrive at my conclusion: the thing is a pretty good bet. Buy the purifier and place it on your kitchen countertop, on top of your desk at work, or in a small bedroom.

Your baby’s nursery? The air purifier gives off ozone, remember. I’m not sure your baby wants to inhale any of this lung irritant. Or even your dog. But if you’re healthy and have no respiratory condition, order this air purifying device. Start using the product and stop worrying about pet dander, dust, pollen, pet odors, and other airborne particulate matter.

Impressed? Buy the Honeywell Quietclean compact tower air purifier on Amazon now. Still unsure? Visit Amazon and check out the best air purifiers with washable filters.