Holmes HAP706-U True HEPA Mini-Tower Allergen Remover

As soon as I got it, I started it running full-speed in my 120sq.ft bedroom all evening and night. Within an hour or two of running, I could already tell a noticeable difference in the air quality. I have the ionizer running as well. The air is fresher, and I can breathe easier. It is the first time in years, I woke up without my nose and throat congested from my dust/mold allergies.

While the box states it is only for rooms up to 81sq.ft. I found it has worked really well in my slightly larger room. The high fan-speed is powerful, but noticeable in sound. However, it is only just as noisy as any "wind" type fan. However, on the medium and low fan-speeds it is practically inaudible. It is currently on the medium fan-speed and my desktop computer is louder than it at this moment.

This takes the Holmes "D" type filters, and I can get a 2-pack at my local WalMart for $30. The instruction manual says that based on air quality and typical usage, you should change...Read more

It's fairly loud on High fan, but almost silent on the lower settings.

As for the smell a few people have mentioned... This new unit puts a slight "new" smell into the room, like the smell of a newly-built home or new mobile home. Not bad at all but noticeable, and you may even like that smell. I have not noticed any lung irritation from it. I presume it will go away as the unit is broken in. I have COPD and so do not use the ozone ionizer, so it is not ozone smell. Apart from the smell though, it has an unmistakable cleanness to the output.

I cannot rate the effectiveness on helping on breathing issues yet, it may take a while to get the benefit of removing any irritation and resulting lung inflammation. It is definitely changing the room air though, I'd say these units are a good buy.

Four months later: The fan has become a little noisy. Not loud, just irritating, the sound of cheap plastic rattling. I am disappointed, I did look forward to it...Read more

Purchased this unit for a smaller study the unit is very quiet does an excellent job of filtering the indoor air. Build quality is very good.
Good looking unit, with filters easily located at WalMart or Amazon. I would give it more stars but five is the max. This HAP706 is a perfect fit for the smaller room where noise is a concern. We are a non smoking non pet household so cannot give information on smoke removal but it does clean the air for the allergies we sometimes suffer from. Nothing like a pure clean air room!!!