In this Electrolux Air Purifier review, I will take a close look at the Electrolux Oxygen EAP 300.

An air purifying powerhouse

I have now used the Electrolux Air Purifier Oxygen EAP 300 for 3 months and as you may have also seen in my air purifier review of the EAP150 model, the results are undeniable and quite impressive.

And once again, the old versus new filter comparison speaks volumes!

The Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 300 has proven to be very powerful. The EAP 150 model is able to process a handsome volume of air, but the 300 model will plow through dust and fine particles like a runaway train.

The huge HEPA filter will have a significant effect on all kind of air borne pollutants such as spores, smoke, dust and ultra fine particles from general air pollution.

Right out of the box it offers the same quality feel that I experienced with the EAP 150. Apart from the added functionality, this air cleaner is basically an identical but larger twin with more horsepower.

Due to the close relation to the smaller Electrolux Air Purifier Allergy 150 many aspects are similar and repetition will occur in this article. So if I may, I would like to suggest that also you check out my review of the Electrolux EAP150 model.

Unboxing of the Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 300

What was in the box?

  • The Electrolux Air Purifier Oxygen EAP 300
  • Remote control
  • 4 Cleancel active carbon pre-filters (not washable)
  • 1 true HEPA 13 filter (not washable)
  • Manual
  • Warranty

Before and after

I wanted to write this air purifier review after 3 months which is also the recommended lifetime of the active carbon pre-filter. So I did a little photo shoot of the air purifier as I changed the carbon filter before starting this review.

Just as with the smaller Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 150 model this was more than a little shocking. The amount of dust that is obviously floating around in a seemingly tidy home is rather disgusting.

The pre-filter has done a good job of protecting the HEPA filter and I am unable to detect a difference in color from either side of the filter. In my two months review of the Electrolux PureOxygen Allergy 150, the front of the HEPA filter was clearly dirtier than the back.

EAP300 carbon filter before and after

Control Panel

The device has a straight forward and easily accessible control panel.

EAP300 control panel

Air quality sensor

This is the “Nose” of the air purifier. This is also called the Air Quality Sensor. Surely this is a particle sensor based on PPI measurements. (Particles Per Inch).

The sensor determines the amount of particles and aerosols (microscopic droplets). The result is indicated via the air quality display.

Reset

Resets the “change filter” indicator after changing the filter.

Auto

This great feature will adjust the fan speed automatically. When the air quality sensor measures an increase or decrease in the surrounding air quality, the fan speed will adjust accordingly by switching between the four main fan speeds.

The auto function also controls the night mode.

For some reason the turbo fan speed is not a part of the auto function.

Air quality indicator

This display indicates the quality of the air with color indication from green to red. The display consists of 5 lights. Two green, two orange and one red level.

Plasmawave indicator

The back-lit, wave shaped symbol indicates whether the Plasmawave technology is active.

Fan speed control

One button operation used to step through the fan speeds (one way only).

Filter change indicator

Indication of when it is time to change the filter.

Remote control

EAP300 remote controlHaving a remote control is one of the things that I have truly missed on my European version of the Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 150 model.

The remote has five buttons. They are easily identifiable and responds readily to a light touch. The available functions are:

  1. On/off
  2. Auto activation. To deactivate, you must use the fan speed buttons.
  3. Turbo speed shortcut
  4. Fan speed increase
  5. Fan speed decrease

The remote isn´t particularly demanding as to where you point it. If you are in the same room you can actually point it in the opposite direction and it will still work.

A very nice feature with the remote control is that you can step through the fan speeds in both directions.

The buttons are not back-lit.

It comes with a small socket and a piece of double adhesive tape so that you can mount it directly on the air purifier.

Working impressions

Easy to use

The Electrolux Air Purifier series is extremely simple to operate. Basically the only thing you can do wrong with this air purifier is to turn the HEPA filter the wrong way. Nevertheless, this is easy to avoid by noting the arrow sign on the side of the HEPA filter that indicates the direction of the air flow.

Responsive buttons

The buttons are easy to identify in daylight. However, operating them in the dark is not so easy since they are not back-lit.

The buttons react promptly to a light touch with a brief confirming beep.

The fan speed button works by pressing it repeatedly to step through the fan speed levels. I would have preferred a button per level, but that´s a minor issue.

Air quality sensor and light indicator

The air quality sensor is surprisingly sensitive and is by no means just a gimmick. The air quality sensor does not appreciate moist air or any kind of noticeable smell.

To some people, the light indicators might seem somewhat on the bright side when you use the air cleaner at night. It does have a dimming effect on the sleep setting and personally I think the light level is acceptable.

Easter egg and the night mode

The Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 300 offers a night mode and a small secret.

On the far right of the control panel sits a small light sensor and the air purifier will slip into night mode when the surroundings darkens.

Secret fan speed

When this happens, the machine reveals a small secret in the shape of an extra fifth fan speed. At the same time the light intensity of the control panel decreases to a level that will probably be acceptable to most people.

The fan speed is literally barely audible. However, on my machine the fan seems to be slightly unbalanced and produces a small rhythmic noise. I have no way of judging whether this is a general problem or just a problem on my air purifier.

Since I am a terrible sleeper, this noise is too loud for me. I doubt that this would be an issue to someone with a normal sleep.

I am still undecided whether I should spend time and effort on having it checked by Electrolux.

Not a big fan of the night mode

The night mode is only accessible in auto mode and as such you can not access this function manually. As such the extra silent fan speed is locked into the auto night mode system.

I don´t really like the night mode for a couple of reasons:

  1. In my opinion, the night mode is activated too early. By that I mean that it is activated even with a significant amount of light in the room. As an example, this means that because the night mode is an integrated part of the auto setting, you are unable to use the full auto function if you are watching a movie at night with a dimmed light source activated.
  2. That extra silent fan speed would have been a nice option in the daylight auto mode as well as a manual selection option.
  3. When night mode is activated the fan speed is locked in the silent night time fan speed and it will not increase. The night fan speed is nice and quiet, but as a result it does not filter much air. I would have liked the night mode to include at least one more fan speed.

Noise level

The noise level is an important topic, of course. To clarify the testing environment, I don´t have carpets in my house and generally little furniture. I am sure that a fully furnished home with carpeting or some carpets will slice off a couple of decibels.

As mentioned the night speed is really quiet and the quiet mode is acceptable for working and concentrating.

When using low, high and especially turbo, you need to appreciate the good that it does as these settings will be somewhat intrusive depending on whether your activities demands concentration.

Quiet:

Most of the time I have had the Electrolux air purifier set on auto which mostly runs on the lowest setting. At that setting it does not call much attention to itself. Apart from the soft sound of moving air there is only a certain humming sound from the motor.

When I use the air purifier without music or other background noise it is clearly audible when you pay attention to it, but it rarely bothers me. When you listen to music, watch TV, cook, or entertain there is no way you will notice the device when it runs on the low setting.

Low:

The low setting is a kind of middle ground where it gets a little too loud to concentrate but still remains relatively acceptable. From this level the sound may also be audible to the remote participant in a conversation on the phone.

High:

When you put it into high, there is no ignoring its presence anymore. This is also as high as the auto function will the the fan speed. I use this setting when I notice unwanted smells or when I just want to clear out a room before using it. In that respect the added sound level is hardly a problem. Besides, when you need to run it at high speed it helps to know that it is good for your health.

Turbo:

At this setting this machine means business. This is no longer pleasant, but since you will only use this setting briefly when you really need to, I find the discomfort to be of little importance.

Electrolux Air Purifier EAP 300 Power consumption

EAP300 Power consumption

Actual watt measurements on the different fan settings:

  1. Sleep – 2 watts
  2. Quiet – 4 watts
  3. Low – 11 watts
  4. High – 24 watts
  5. Turbo – 50 watts

Filters

Hepa filter.

At the core of the Electrolux air purifier is the true HEPA 13 filter. It has a claimed cleaning effect of 99.97% and should stop particles the size of 0.3 micron and above.

What gets caught in this filter are those nasty fine particles that can go into your lungs and stay there or even go into the blood stream.

EAP300 HEPA filter

Electrolux recommends HEPA filter change once a year. When you put in the HEPA filter, be aware that it has a black arrow symbol on the side that indicates the airflow direction through the filter.

Read more about HEPA filters here: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/hepa-filters-for-allergies

Active carbon pre-filter (not washable)

The primary function of this filter is to protect the expensive HEPA filter from the larger particles such as normal dust. When you look at a fresh filter you will notice how coarse it is and wonder how much good it will do. But as we have seen earlier, it has proven to be quite effective.

Apart from being a protective pre-filter, the active carbon filter also to absorb some smells, gasses and organic solvents. Electrolux has added a kind of coating to the filter which they call Cleancel Technology. This material is supposed to prevent the growth of micro organisms in the collected dust and other particles such as; bacteria, fungi and mold.

Somehow I get the feeling that if you would look at a used filter under a microscope you would want to change it every three weeks instead of every three months!

EAP300 active carbon filter

Pre-filter change is recommended for every three months by Electrolux. (Which seems to be appropriate considering the comparison image earlier)

PlasmawaveTM

This is the last ”filtering” stage.

Basically this technology tries to replicate what happens to air molecules in the ionosphere of the earth by using electrostatic ionizing technology.

Ozone?

Electrolux claims that no ozone is being generated from this technology. However, my personal preference is to turn off Plasmawave and use the air purifier as a purely mechanical HEPA air filter.

The Plasmawave technology is on by default. It can be turned off by pressing and holding the Auto button for about 4 seconds. However, Plasmawave is back ON once the purifier has been turned off.

Perfect air intake and outlet design

Someone has put some serious thought into the airflow design of this Electrolux air purifier series. The device is standing on an integrated stand, preventing the device from replacing your vacuum cleaner.

The air intake openings have been scaled to roughly match the fan opening. As a result the air is being distributed evenly onto the full filter area.

The vertical air outlet reduces floor level turbulence and prevents unnecessary dust whirling.

Perfect!

EAP300 perfect airflow

Technical specification summary

  • DB levels. Sound Level (dBa): 26/35/46/55 dB
  • Air Volume (CFM): 78/148/215/290
  • HEPA 13 filter:  CADR rate, 335 m3
  • Power Consumption (Watts): 4/10/25/60

Certifications

  • Swedish Asthma & Allergy Association
  • RoHS Compliant
  • Air Resource Board – Ozone Omission
  • AHAM

Conclusion

What I have missed

  • Separate fan speed buttons
  • Back-lit power and fan speed buttons
  • Permanent plasmawave enable/disable function

Pros

  • True HEPA air purifier
  • Air intake design distributes the air nicely onto the whole filter area (see comparison image)
  • Vertical air outlet
  • Noticeable effect on the air quality
  • Obvious results
  • The ability to run as a purely mechanical filter
  • Easy to prepare and operate
  • Comes with filters for a full year
  • Light and portable
  • Nice looking design
  • Convincing over all quality feel
  • Low power consumption
  • Good price vs. performance level

Cons

  • No back-light on power and fan speed buttons
  • Night mode has some drawbacks as discussed
  • If you don´t want to use Plasmawave, it must be turned off every time you turn on the air cleaner.

Verdict
  • Build and materials
  • Features
  • In-use impressions
  • Noise level
  • Effeciency
  • Price vs. Performance
4.5

Summary

The Electrolux Air Purifier Oxygen EAP300 is a very powerful air purifier with great features.

It is extremely effective and I really like the auto feature and the remote control.