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When it comes to expensive air purifiers (and large ones at that), it’s crucial to know what your money is getting. That’s why we’re casting the magnifying glass over the high-end The IQAir Healthpro Plus Air Purifier, marketed as a “medical grade” model ideal for asthma and allergy relief. This is a new and improved version with better fan speed and more efficient filtration.

In this review, we assess the IQAir Healthpro Plus (also known as Healthpro 250) series by looking into the filtration system, maintenance requirements, and overall efficiency. We’ll also compare it with another front-running IQAir model, so you know which is best for your needs.

Note that this review will focus on the Plus model (250), as there is also a Compact model (100).

IQAir Healthpro Plus is Best For:

✔ Allergies and asthma

The IQAir Healthpro Plus Air Purifier medical-grade air hyper-HEPA filter gets an AirHonest “best for allergies and asthma” award thanks to the excellent filtration system.

The impressive medical-grade filter catches particles as small as 0.003 microns (regular true-HEPA filters catch particles as small as 0.03 microns). For context, this means the most microscopic allergens such as viruses, smoke, and pet dander particles are stopped from entering the lungs and sparking allergies and asthma.

✔ Large rooms

Large rooms require an air purifier that is up to the job, otherwise, it’s a useless piece of equipment taking up space. The Healthpro Plus gets a “best for large rooms” award because it caters to rooms as large as 1125 square feet, ideal for large, open-plan offices, large apartments, and entire floors.

✔ Pet hair, odors, and dander

The AirHonest “best for pet hair and dander” award is rightfully earned thanks to the excellent filter that can capture the tiniest pieces of pet dander as well as irritating fur. What’s more, we are pleased to see that there are no ionizers present, as ozone can be very harmful to pets in the home (as well as triggering asthma in humans). 

Setup, aesthetic, and overall design 

The Healthpro Plus is a large, rather bulky-looking air purifier that resembles an office printer in aesthetic, with a small control panel at the top with a tiny display screen. The exterior construction is tower-style in a pale grey tone, with filters stacked on top of each other inside.

We’re impressed by the strong fan (necessary for large rooms), and the tight sealing around the filters (no particle leakage). The machine works by sucking air in through the bottom, then sending it upward through the filters, before releasing clean air through vents at the top.

Size, weight, coverage, and ratings

Interestingly, the Healthpro Plus has not been rated by AHAM and does not have any CADR ratings. However, we don’t see this as too much of a drawback, as the filtration system and fan speed indicate an effective operation, backed up by excellent user feedback.

Size: 16 x 15 x 28 inches 
Weight: 35 pounds 
Coverage: 1125 square feet 
Energy star rated? No 

Filtration System 

We’re impressed by the comprehensive filtration system, with four different stages and some extra features we don’t see in many air purifiers. Namely, the V5-Cell filter contains special compounds designed to absorb nasty chemicals such as formaldehyde as well as the more commonly-seen carbon for absorbing odors. For the best efficiency, an air purifier should contain a pre-filter, and carbon filter, HEPA filter, all of which this model has, plus the extra defense against gas and VOCs.

Filtration breakdown:

• Pre-Max pre-filter: catches larger allergens such as pollen and pet fur
• V5-Cell filter: activated carbon neutralizes and reduces odors, smoke, gas, and VOCs
• Chemical absorber: the V5-Cell filter features “pelletized chemisorption” to remove dangerous chemicals from your environment 
• HyperHEPA filter: catches particles as small as 0.003 microns such as viruses, smoke, and bacteria 

*Note: The V5-Cell (that comes with the Plus) is optional for the Health Pro (not Plus), but not available for the HealthPro Compact.

Modes, Operation, and Extras

Despite the high price and advanced filters, you won’t find any special tech features such as air quality indicators, WiFi or sleep modes here! You can adjust the fan speeds and set a timer, but that’s about it. However, we don’t see this as a bad thing, as an air purifier is as good as its filters, and this unit gets two thumbs up in that department.

3D UltraSeal: high-tech seals are used to ensure no allergens or filter particles can escape from the unit and into the air

Powerful fan: the new edition fan features sturdy steel ball bearings, and offers powerful function and low energy usage. The fan is tucked away in a unit to reduce noise (however, this does not seem to be too effective considering many people’s complaints about noise levels)

6 fan speeds: adjust the fan speed from 1 to 6 depending on how contaminated the environment is

Timer: you can program the air purifier to function at specific times

Filter life monitor: the unit guesses the life of the filter based on the duration and intensity of usage. It uses colored lights to let you know when each filter needs to be replaced (i.e. green is for a fresh filter, red is for a filter in need of replacement)

Remote control: a simple, small remote control for adjusting fan speed, turning the timer on and off and turning the whole unit on and off

Handle and wheels: a top handle and bottom wheels allow for easier transportation considering the size and bulk of the unit

Light and sound: is it loud and bright?

Bright, garish lights can be a real sore point when it comes to air purifiers, especially when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. Luckily, the Healthpro Plus is pretty great on this front as the control panel sits on the top of the unit and doesn’t feature any unnecessary lights to disturb your peace.

In terms of noise, the IQAir new edition Healthpro air purifier has been formulated to be 7% quieter than the previous model. However, several reviews suggest that it’s still a rather noisy machine, with some finding even the lowest speed to be too loud, and the highest speed a little excessive. While noise is subjective, (it depends on your idea of “loud”), we wouldn’t recommend this unit for bedroom usage for light sleepers or noise-sensitive people.

Maintenance and extra accessories

It’s important to be clear on what’s expected of you (and your wallet) in terms of maintaining your air purifier. The maintenance requirements for the HealthPro Plus mostly comprise of filter replacements, with little to no cleaning involved (aside from general upkeep of the exterior casing). We were surprised by the lifespan of these filters, as they last for much longer than other air purifier filters (double, even triple).

Can the filters be cleaned?

No, all of the filters must be replaced and cannot be cleaned.

How often do they need to be replaced?

• The PreMax pre-filter needs to be replaced every 18 months
• The V5-Cell filter should be replaced every 2 years
• The HyperHEPA filter should be replaced every 4 years

While these timelines are a helpful indication, they can vary depending on the regularity of usage and the contamination levels in your environment. We suggest checking the remaining time and the state of the filters before replacing them, even if the light turns red, as there may still be some time left in them.

In terms of switching the filters out, it’s a simple task as they can be pulled out of the unit like a drawer for easy access.

How much are the filters and where can I find them?

This is a sore point for people when it comes to IQAir air purifiers, as the upfront cost of the filters is very steep. However, as a silver lining, you could consider how long they last, so the cost is spread out over a matter of years as opposed to months. You can find a bundle of all 3 IQair Healthpro filters for the best price here on Amazon.  

IQAir Healthpro Plus vs. IQAir GC Multigas

The IQAir Healthpro Plus air purifier is very similar to the IQAir GC Multigas in the sense that they both cater to 1125 square feet, they have the exact same aesthetic and the same dimensions.

The key difference is that the GC Multigas has 12 pounds of activated carbon to expertly remove harmful gasses, smoke, and chemicals, while the HealthPro Plus has 5 pounds. The pre-filter used in the GC Multigas is the HyperHEPA as opposed to the PreMax pre-filter (used in the HealthPro Plus), and the GC does not have the V5-Cell filter. However, the GC Multigas has a “post-filter” sleeve set that ensures no particles can escape the filters.

So which model suits which purpose? IQAir states that the Healthpro Plus is best for asthma and allergies, while the GC Multigas is best for “chemical sensitivities” therefore could be ideal for people living in areas where wildfires are rife (relevant in 2020!). Similarly, the GC could be ideal for people living in apartments who are concerned about smoke and chemicals migrating from neighboring units.

IQAir Healthpro Plus Pros & Cons

The verdict 

The IQAir Healthpro Plus is an excellent option for people who need to purify large spaces of allergens such as pet hair and dander, smoke, VOCs, household dust, mold, and even viruses.

It’s great for people who suffer from asthma and allergies as it removes the most triggering allergens without adding harmful ozone to your environment.

If you need a medical-grade air purifier to truly clear the air, but you’re not interested in fancy features (i.e. air quality indicators or WiFi), this could be ideal for you in 2020.