AirHonest is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through our links. Thanks ❤️

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier 04384 is marketed as being designed for “allergies and pets”. We have reviewed this small unit to see if it really does relieve pet-related allergy symptoms.

We assess and review the filtration system, cleaning and filter replacement requirements, noise levels, and top tips for getting the best out of this air purifier. 

A small unit with versatile placement options  

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier 04384 is a small, compact unit with a white and grey color scheme. The unit can be positioned vertically or horizontally, depending on the space you have at your disposal. This is a great “pro” as it means you can set the unit on a shelf to keep it out of the way in small rooms or apartments. 

Size: 10.8 x 8.1 x 16.4 inches 
Weight: 6.3 pounds 
Recommended positioning: horizontal or vertical 
Covering area: 140 square feet 
Warranty: 1 year 

Certain ratings and information are not specified, such as the CADR (clean air delivery rate) and energy ratings. This lack of information makes it a little hard to gauge how effective the air purifying process is in technical terms, and how much the unit will cost you in power. 

Ideal for noise-sensitive people?

While sound levels are often very particular to the individual, it’s safe to say that the TrueAir Pet air purifier is considered loud. Many customers have found the unit to be far too loud on the highest fan speed, and distractingly loud even on the medium and low fan speeds. If you are sensitive to noise, this is likely to be too loud for you. 

Simple operation and a no-frills control system

The control system and user-operation requirements are very simple. There’s a control knob on the top of the unit which controls on/off and fan speeds. There are no night lights or indicator lights which is a bonus for people who are easily irritated by extra light at night. There’s no “tech” to become accustomed to, it’s extremely simple to use. 

Filtration System Review   

The filtration system is a simple, 3-step system with a pre-filter, HEPA-grade filter, and a carbon filter. The pre-filter catches larger particles such as pet hair, the carbon filter is designed to neutralize odors, and the HEPA-grade filter captures smaller allergens such as dander. 

Note that the HEPA filter is HEPA-grade, it is not a true-HEPA filter. It captures 99% of particles as small as 3 microns. True-HEPA must capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. For context, pet dander can be anywhere from 2-3 microns in size to as large as 10 microns. 

Does it really help with pet hair, dander, and odor?

Overall, the TrueAir Pet Air Purifier does not capture as much pet hair as many customers expect. It can capture some, and help toward the cleaning duties in the home, but is not a sole solution to a pet hair problem. In terms of clearing dander for soothing allergy symptoms, the results are varied. 

Some have found a marked improvement while others have not experienced improvement at all. The unit is small, and the filter is not a true-HEPA, so it likely cannot purify the air to the level a highly allergic person would require. 

Many customers have found a great improvement in pet-related odors in their homes, especially in small rooms. It likely will not eliminate odors completely, but can certainly make a difference. 

Speaking of odor, a handful of customers have reported a concerning issue regarding a “burning smell” coming from the unit after a few months. It is unclear as to what causes this, but it’s likely a fault or quality control issue. Such customers have had trouble getting in contact with the manufacturer for a replacement. 

Misleading maintenance requirements 

A recurring complaint among customers is that the filters are not permanent, despite being marketed as such. The pre-filter and HEPA-grade filters are described as “permanent” while customers note that they are far too flimsy and fragile to last longer than a few months when vacuumed regularly. A silver lining is that the filters are affordable to replace in comparison to other brand’s filters.  

Note that none of the filters are washable. 

What is the cost per year for filter replacements? Where can I buy filters? 

You can buy replacement filters on Amazon. The carbon filters come in a pack of three and are very affordable. You can buy the permanent HEPA filter here, for a comparatively low price. 

How often do the filters need to be replaced?

The carbon filters should be replaced every 3 months. If you find that your pre-filter and/or HEPA-grade filters are getting too dirty and don’t stand up to regular vacuuming, you may need to replace them a couple of times a year too.

AirHonest Review Verdict

The Hamilton Beach TrueAir Pet Air Purifier is reasonably affordable, compact, and ideal for small spaces. It is not recommended for asthmatics and allergy sufferers as it does not have a true-HEPA filter which is needed for optimum protection against allergens.

It is a good choice for you if you simply require light air purifying action and subtle pet odor removal, as long as you don’t mind a little white noise.

TrueAir 04384 Frequently Asked Questions

Use Tips:

• Position the unit with enough space around all sides, (particularly the back) to help increase the effectiveness.  
• Use your air purifier in tandem with your vacuum cleaner routine to clear pet hair, dust, and dander. When you’re vacuum cleaning or removing hair via a pet brush, place the unit close to the site of hair removal and turn the fan speed to the highest level. This will help to quickly deal with disrupted allergens.