Indoor air quality has become an increasing concern for many homeowners in recent years. Air purifiers offer a way to remove allergens, odors, and pollutants from the air inside your home.
Two popular air purifier brands on the market are Alen and Rabbit Air. But which one is right for your needs?
This comprehensive guide compares the key features, performance, warranties, costs, and other factors to consider when deciding between Alen and Rabbit Air. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each brand’s most popular models to help you determine the best option for your home and family.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Alen BreatheSmart | Rabbit Air MinusA2 |
| Filter Types | HEPA, Carbon, Antimicrobial | HEPA, Carbon, Negative Ion Generator |
| Media/Carbon Filter Life | 6-12 months | 1-2 years |
| Coverage Area | 1100 – 2200 sq ft | 700 – 815 sq ft |
| Noise Level | 27 – 53 dbA | 22.8 – 45.6 dbA |
| Cost | $369 – $849 | $369 – $629 |
| Warranty | Lifetime (on some models) | 5 years |
Alen Air Purifier Overview
Alen is an air purifier company founded in 2008 that focuses specifically on indoor air quality solutions for home and business spaces up to large industrial areas covering over 5000 square feet.
Their most popular units for home use are the BreatheSmart series which come with HEPA-Pure filters that capture particles as small as 0.1 microns with a 99.97% efficiency down to 0.3 microns.
This includes pollen, dander, bacteria, mold spores, and more.
The filters also contain activated carbon to help reduce household odors and chemical fumes.
Pros:
- Very efficient HEPA and carbon/charcoal blend filters
- Large coverage capacities from small rooms up to very large spaces
- Customizable filter options for specific needs
- Whisper-quiet operation as low as 27 decibels
- Excellent warranties including lifetime options
Cons:
- Replacement filters can be expensive
- SmartSensor technology in “i” models may have issues
- Insufficient data on CADR ratings
The BreatheSmart line ranges in price from $369 to $849 depending on the model and includes the FIT50, 75i, 45i, 55i, 65i, 75i, and Dual Tower models. They have an average coverage capacity of 1100-2200 square feet but can purify spaces as large as 5000 square feet for commercial units.
The filters generally need to be replaced every 6-12 months depending on usage and environment. Many BreatheSmart models come with a lifetime warranty.
Rabbit Air Purifier Overview
Rabbit Air takes a minimalist approach to design by hiding the working filters out of sight while still achieving maximum performance. Their most popular model for home use is the Rabbit Air MinusA2 which features a compact profile for spaces up to 815 square feet.
The 6-stage purification system includes a pre-filter, HEPA filter, charcoal-based activated carbon filter, negative ion generator, customizable filter frame, and an odor neutralizer filter infused with activated carbon and zeolite.
Pros:
- Very quiet operation down to 22.8 decibels
- Effective odor and chemical removal
- Filters often last 1-2 years
- WiFi enabled apps and Alexa compatibility
- Excellent 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Smaller coverage capacities under 1000 sq ft
- Replacement filters can be expensive
- Lower airflow felt in larger rooms
The MinusA2 currently costs between $369 and $629 depending on color options and filter choices. The WiFi enabled model allows usage with their mobile app and voice control through Alexa.
Customers can choose between standard carbon filters, Toxin Absorber filters focused on removing VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), Odor Remover filters, or a Pet Allergy filter. Replacement filters often last 1-2 years with normal usage. The MinusA2 air purifier includes a 5-year warranty.
Direct Comparison of of Rabbit Air And Alen Air Purifier
Now that we’ve looked at an overview of the Alen BreatheSmart and Rabbit Air MinusA2 models, let’s compare some of their key features and specifications head-to-head:
Noise Level
- Alen BreatheSmart operates at 27 – 53 decibels depending on fan speed. This makes it relatively quiet but you may still hear it running.
- Rabbit Air MinusA2 is nearly silent operating at 22.8 – 45.6 decibels making it unobtrusive for sleep or work.
Room Coverage
- Alen BreatheSmart purifies spaces up to 2200 square feet efficiently making it a better choice for large rooms and open floor plans.
- Rabbit Air MinusA2 has a smaller max coverage of 815 square feet making it more suited to single rooms and offices.
Filtration Capability
- Both use true medical-grade HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger.
- Alen includes an antimicrobial treatment while Rabbit Air adds negative ion generation.
- For odor and gas removal, both rely on activated carbon. Rabbit Air’s zeolite and customized filter options give it an edge for odor removal.
Smart Features
- Select Alen BreatheSmart models include SmartSensor technology to automatically adjust based on air quality. Some users report issues with faulty sensors.
- Rabbit Air’s mobile app and Alexa voice control takes customization and automation to the next level.
Cost
- Alen BreatheSmart air purifiers range from $369-$849
- Rabbit Air MinusA2 costs between $369-$629
- Replacement filters for both models can be quite expensive, sometimes over $100 per filter
Warranties
- Alen offers lifetime warranties on some BreatheSmart models showing confidence in longevity
- Rabbit Air provides an industry-leading 5-year warranty though not quite lifetime
As you can see, there are several trade-offs to consider between the product lines. Next, we’ll dive deeper into the specific pros and cons of Alen and Rabbit Air.
Alen Air Purifier Pros and Cons
Alen BreathSmart air purifiers offer high performance HEPA-based air purification for large rooms thanks to customized filters, low noise levels, and lifetime warranties on some models. However, the filters can be costly to replace and “smart” technology suffers some drawbacks.
Pros
- Covers large rooms up to 2200 sq ft efficiently
- Very quiet even on higher fan speeds
- Customizable filter options for specific purification needs
- Antimicrobial HEPA filters help reduce bacteria and mold
- Lifetime warranty on compressor for some models
- Excellent purification performance for particles, allergens
Cons
- Replacement filters are expensive, costing over $100 in some cases
- Questionable CADR ratings from unreliable testing methods
- SmartSensor technology can malfunction on certain models
- Insufficient gas and odor removal for some environments
- Ion generators on certain models may produce trace ozone
As you can see from the pros and cons, Alen BreathSmart models offer very solid performance for particle and allergen removal in large spaces. Customized filters provide added flexibility for specific issues like wildfire smoke, chemicals, or strong pet odors. The lifetime warranty also speaks to Alen’s faith in their product’s durability.
However, the SmartSensor technology seems hit-or-miss between units with some owners reporting sensor issues for the “i” models after 1-2 years requiring manual operation instead. Replacement filter costs also take away some of the value offered by the lifetime warranty on the units themselves.
Rabbit Air Purifier Pros and Cons
Rabbit Air takes a minimalist approach by hiding loud fans and filters out of sight while still delivering excellent performance thanks to customizable filter options, ultra-quiet operation, WiFi controls, and effective gas absorption. Small coverage areas less than 800 sq ft do limit usage though.
Pros
- Nearly silent operation as low as 22.8 decibels
- Can fully customize filter composition for specific issues
- Outstanding gas and odor removal with zeolite filter
- WiFi connectivity with phone app and Alexa controls
- 5-year warranty on parts and labor
Cons
- Small coverage area under 1000 sq ft limits usage
- Very expensive replacement filter costs
- Lower airflow in larger rooms over 500 sq ft
- Requires more frequent filter replacements
- App connectivity issues and faults
Rabbit Air certainly wins points for flexibility with the filter customization to target VOCs, pets, smoke, and more. Ultra-quiet operation also makes it perfect for bedrooms or offices. Connectivity features allow automation and monitoring not offered by Alen.
However, the coverage area less than 800 square feet does limit usage to smaller rooms. And apps connectivity suffers occasional issues. While filters often last 1-2 years, the need for replacements means buying an expensive consumable component averaging over $100 per filter.
So actual long term costs could exceed the upfront savings in the unit price.
Overall though, the outstanding odor and gas absorption combined with inherent flexibility through filter selection makes Rabbit Air a top performer for issues like pets, chemicals, smoke and more – albeit for smaller spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Rabbit Air makes excellent air purifiers especially for odor and chemical removal in smaller rooms thanks to highly customizable filters, ultra-quiet fans, and modern features like WiFi apps. They just lack coverage capacities for very large open spaces.
Top air filter brands include Rabbit Air, Austin Air, IQAir, Blueair, Alen, Winix, and Honeywell. Choosing the “best” depends on your specific needs and space requirements. Rabbit Air excels at flexibility for issues like VOCs and pet odors while Alen covers large rooms effectively and efficiently.
Yes, air purifiers like those made by Rabbit Air use activated carbon, HEPA filters, and odor absorbers like zeolite to capture and neutralize smells from rabbit urine, feces, fur, hay, and litterboxes. Just make sure to get one appropriately sized for the rabbit rooms.
Rabbit Air is one of the best air purifiers for pet odor thanks to activated charcoal filters plus zeolite, customizable filter frames allowing odor absorbers targeted at pets, quiet operation for home or office, WiFi app controls, and a 5-year warranty. They work great for cat and rabbit smells in spaces up to 700 square feet. Other top options for fighting pet odors in all rooms sizes include the Alen BreatheSmart, Winix 5500-2, and Blueair classic 480i/680i models which use filtration methods focused on eliminating stubborn pet smells and dander from the air.
Conclusion: It Depends On Your Specific Needs
When choosing between Alen and Rabbit Air purifiers, you need to evaluate your specific needs like room size, purification issues present (allergens, odors, chemicals, etc.), smart functionality preferences, noise tolerance, and budget including long-term filter replacement costs.
For large open spaces up to 2200 square feet prone to seasonal allergies or wildfire smoke, the customizable filtration and ultra-quiet operation of certain Alen BreatheSmart models makes them a great choice.
But pet owners battling odors or homes with significant VOCs may benefit more from the smaller yet highly flexible Rabbit Air MinusA2 with its focus on filtration materials like activated carbon and zeolite tailored at odor and gas removal.
Be sure to also consider long term costs of filter replacements running over $100 each which add up fast. And don’t overlook design factors like display types or noise output which impact daily enjoyment and convenience.
Taking the time to properly evaluate specifications between Alen and Rabbit Air against your own home’s needs will ensure you get the perfect air purifier to create a healthier indoor environment for better breathing all year long.