Did you know that 50% of U.S. households are affected by allergens, including pet dander, dust, and smoke? BISELL has come up with the solution—a range of home air purifiers that rid your home of all those nasty allergens and irritants. In this article, we’ll look at three models and compare their features and efficacy: the air180, the air280, and the air280 Max.
Bissell Air180 Air Purifier
First up is the cheaper of our three models, the Bissell air180, designed to clean the air of medium-to-large-sized rooms and homes. Its technology rids the air of allergens, pet dander, pollen, odor, dust, smoke, and odor and is perfect for living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Features
Dimensions
The air purifier is 25.2 x 13.1 x 12.7 inches and weighs 14 pounds. It can effectively clean 457 square feet with three changes per hour, 686 square feet with two air changes per hour, and 1372 square feet with one air change per hour.
Display panel
The air180’s simple display panel features intuitive controls to help create the perfect environment of clean, fresh air. The display is also dimmable—a great asset if you wish to use the purifier while sleeping.
Timer
You can get the air180 to filter air on your schedule with the timer (two and eight-hour).
Filtration
Bissell has developed an efficient three-stage filtration system of a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. This system ensures both big and small irritants, large and microscopic particles, odors, pet odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The pre-filter catches the larger particles, such as hair, lint, pet fur or hair, and fibers. The HEPA filter is medical-grade and captures airborne allergens, pollen, dust, pet, dander, and smoke. In fact, it catches 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and smaller. The honeycomb-structured carbon filter helps to reduce odors by catching gases, VOCs, and common household odors, including from pets, cooking, and smoke.
The filters are easy to maintain; there is a filter change indicator on the display panel, and by using genuine Bissell replacement filters, you’re guaranteed excellent performance.
360Complete Design
The air180 uses Bissell’s 360Complete Design to optimize airflow, pulling air into the filters from all directions. This ensures that pollutants and irritants are captured from the whole area. When the clean air is ready to be emitted, it’s released from the top of the device. With four speeds, you can choose the lowest setting for a peaceful night’s sleep (at only 27dB, it’s as quiet as a library!).
Trusted performance
The air purifier is AHAM and Energy Star certified, meaning that it’s certified as safe and effective. s
The Pros
Users of the Bissell air180 love many of its convenient and innovative features and its outstanding performance. Some of its advantages have been highlighted:
- Bissell is a trusted brand name
- Great for households with allergy-sufferers and pets; there’s a noticeable difference in air quality
- Buying a Bissell air purifier means money is donated to the Bissell Pet Foundation for homeless pets
- Simple and tasteful design means the air purifier fits into any room or living space
- Easy and straightforward to set up and use
- Lightweight if you need to move it around
- A reasonable price
The Cons
Users have pointed out some problems with the air180:
- There’s no auto mode, so the appliance doesn’t automatically adjust the air quality (i.e., changes to the low mode when the air is good and high mode when the air is bad)
- The display screen doesn’t tell you the air quality, so you don’t know what level to set it to manually
- The highest fan speed is a bit loud
- LARGE ROOM COVERAGE. Get clean, fresh air – fast! BISSELL air180 filters rooms 457 sq ft with three air...
- 3-STAGE FILTRATION STOPS IRRITANTS BIG AND SMALL. Capture large and fine particles, home odors, odors from...
- CAPTURES AIRBORNE ALLERGENS. Medical-grade HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and smaller,...
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bissell Air280 Air Purifier
Our next device on the list is the Bissell air280, nearly $100 more than the air180. It boasts the same innovative features but with slightly smaller coverage: 450 square feet with three air changes per hour, 675 square feet with two air changes per hour, and 1350 square feet with one air change per hour. However, despite the slightly reduced coverage, the air280 can be used effectively in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and other large living areas.
The Additional Features
Automated CirQulate System
Where the air280 differs from the air180 in innovation is its Automated CirQulate System. This feature is a VOC sensor that monitors and provides indoor quality readings in real-time, and it then auto-adjusts the fan speed for continuously clean air.
The Pros
Users of the air180 pointed to the lack of an auto mode feature; with the air280, air quality is continuously modified, and the fan speed is automatically adjusted accordingly. This is a convenient feature that ensures optimum efficiency and also saves energy.
The Cons
Customers have been disappointed in the following aspects of this upgraded model:
- The replacement filters are on the expensive side
- There’s no remote control
- There’s no sleep mode
- The automatic feature is only triggered by VOCs and not dust or smoke
- More feedback, via the display panel, regarding air quality would be a useful feature
- LARGE ROOM COVERAGE. Get clean, fresh air—fast! BISSELL air280 air purifier filters rooms 450 sq ft with...
- 3-STAGE FILTRATION STOPS IRRITANTS BIG AND SMALL. Capture large and fine particles, home odors, odors from...
- CAPTURES AIRBORNE ALLERGENS. Medical-grade HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and smaller,...
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bissell Air280 Max Air Purifier
With the drawbacks of the previous two models in mind, Bissell has released the air280 Max—an upgraded version of the air280 with extra features to make life even easier for its customers.
The Extra Features
Wi-Fi connection
The air purifier pairs with the Bissell Connect App so users can check indoor air quality and control the device from anywhere.
FocusFlow Table Top
The air purifier has a dual-purpose tabletop design—the appliance turns into an end table while allowing users to control airflow direction.
More fan speeds
The air280 Max has the option of five fan speeds instead of four, meaning greater airflow versatility.
Color-coded feedback
An addition to the CirQulate Smart Auto Mode feature is the device’s color-coded feedback showing good, moderate, or poor air quality.
Accessible filters
The filters are low maintenance; they can be accessed from the bottom of the device for easy changing.
The Pros
As we’ve outlined above, the air280 Max exceeds the other two models in design, performance, Wi-Fi connectivity, and efficacy. Its upgraded smart features also ensure maximum convenience for its users.
The Cons
Although the air280 Max is slightly larger than the other two designs (26.25 x 15.25 x 13.75 inches and weighing 20.08 pounds), it has the same coverage as the air280. Therefore, it won’t work in changing the air quality of an entire home, plus its design tends to be more obtrusive. Other complaints are:
The air280 Max needs clearance of one foot in each direction as it draws in air from all directions. Therefore, you need plenty more space to place it in.
At just under $300, it isn’t the most budget-friendly air purifier on the market
- LARGE ROOM COVERAGE. Get clean, fresh air—fast! BISSELL air280 Max air purifier filters rooms 450 sq ft with...
- 3-STAGE FILTRATION STOPS IRRITANTS BIG AND SMALL. Capture large and fine particles, home odors, odors from...
- CAPTURES AIRBORNE ALLERGENS. Medical-grade HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and smaller,...
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Verdict
Bissell is undoubtedly a trusted brand name of air purifiers, and consumers can expect consistently safe, effective, and convenient results. Despite its heftier price tag, we’ve found that the air280 Max ticks all the right boxes. If you’re looking for expansive and efficient coverage, Wi-Fi connectivity, low-maintenance filter replacement, and a dual-functional and attractive design, this is the right air purifier for you.
