Mine is the: Alen BreatheSmart HEPA Air Purifier for Allergies, Chemicals and Cooking Odors - HEPA-FreshPlus / White
it is currently $669 but I pay like $45-50 a month (which is doable--the approval process literally took 5 minutes too). The machine is bigger than I thought it would be (like a wide box fan reproduced with the original Ipod) but it does a good job and it is easily the most high-tech looking thing I own lol.
Now, lots of people swear by RabbitAir--- I think the size I needed would have been out of my price-range though (so I haven't owned one).
This one (mine) does have an ion setting that can/should be shut off. Also-- the filter is kind of the heart of the machine, so while they are pricey (and the $ value I quoted includes the filter) it is important to pay attention to that when replacing them every 6 months to a year---I have run mine on high 24/7 for 6 months and filter status is still good in a very old house with a very dusty bird (so they do last and some people say that by cleaning the pre-filter, you can extend them longer). That "fresh-plus" thing is the name of my specific Hepa filter, but there are others as well. I got mine for VOCs, kitchen odors etc in a house that was smelling faintly of Glade-Plug-ins from the old owner. Note: it also collects allergens-- it just has finer filtration for smaller microns (VOCs etc)-- VOCs are a big concern of mine whenever I buy something new (because so many things off-gas and paint can off-gas for years, unless it is low to no VOC paint). This machine can be sold in California, which is a mark of a decent product in my opinion (given their regulations on environment and cancer)
Now- I did live without a nice purifier for years, but it truly does make me feel better to have the model I listed above and I wouldn't go back (I have had cheaper ones that were not powerful and required lots of filter changing--in the 80 bucks-a-pop range). This one is nice because. 1- it has a decent air-indicator quality light (which is fascinating), 2. I feel like my allergies are not as bad. 3. the smell of the house is much more neutral, 4. there is a lot less dust around 5. Even on it's loudest setting it is not THAT loud and while it does circulate air, it doesn't create massive drafts like my cheap ones. I have a dusty bird, but even if I did not, air-quality in a home can get so bad! Lots of good reviews on this machine, but you may not want to take the plunge just yet. Happy shopping!
OH-- I FORGOT:
Because I am in a house I also have 2 mid-line purifiers (decent reviews and $150 ish each) but they do NOT seem to be as powerful or as accurate in terms of air quality issues (when compared to the $600 Alen). I honestly think the AlenAir is MUCH better, but this is the other brand I have these days (again-- okay, but not as good):
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier, 5-in-1 Large Room Air Cleaner & Deodorizer for Allergies, Pets, Asthma, Smokers, Odors – Eliminates Pet Hair, Allergens, Dust, Pollen, Mold, Smoke - HSP001
1. They do have great customer service, but on my first order, the filter smelled like glue/paint/chemicals and they assured me that this was NOT normal and may have occurred due to storage issues at Amazon. The packaging itself is kind of smelly, so don't open it right by the bird. The machine and filter shouldn't stink. If they do, that's a problem. Customer service assured me that this was NOT normal and replaced them with non-smelly ones and an extra. There are a few other complaints about this on Amazon, but it probably has to do with something other than the product itself.
2. It has an "anion" and "sanitize" function. Both should be turned off at all times (even in rooms where you bird is not--as these produce charged particles that can be stirred up later when cleaning etc).
3. Even though the HathaSpace ones are better than my earliest filters, their light indicators are inaccurate. I actually trust the indicator lights on my AlenAir (e.g., my sister walked smelling of faint perfume from the night before, and the AlenAir detected it).
4. They DO have the ability to filter out VOCs etc (per description) which is why I selected them to use in conjunction with my main unit (AlenAir is in bird room---and then the 1 Hathaspace in my dirt/stone basement and one on the main floor near bird-room.
5. Run the units away from your bird at first to get rid of any chemical issues that may come from the factory/plastic etc.
6. Lifetime limited warranty (not all that limited, really)
