The Blueair 403: Efficiency for the Mid-Size Room

This particular manufacturer seems to offer only a short bit of information on their company website. I will attempt to fill you in on some of the specs, pros, and cons of this model to hopefully clear up any confusion you may have about the company and more specifically, about the Blueair 403 HEPA air purifier.

It may be notable to say, due to their reputation for great engineering and design, that the Blueair company is in fact Swedish. They pride themselves on this fact and see their purifiers as clean and efficient quality designs that are also aesthetically pleasing and harmonious as an addition to your home. To take the European theme further, we could add that this purifier seems to be rather environmentally friendly. It has received an Energy Star certification; they claim this series of purifiers uses no more electricity than a light bulb.

They also advertise having gone through the extra effort to use materials which are environmentally friendly and are meant to be recycled, after many years of use of course. Helping to add to the durability and thus longevity of the item, it is made of galvanized steel as opposed to the more common manufacturing material of choice, plastic. The HEPA air filter itself is made of polypropylene as opposed to the common paper or glass used in many competitors filters.  This plastic is actually better for the environment and is recyclable. It also natural resists microbial contamination as opposed to other filters which are often coated with Triclosan. The chemical Triclosan is an antimicrobial which has recently been linked to many health disorders as it is an endocrine disruptor, mimicking hormones in the human body and disturbing the bodies natural balance of these important chemicals.

Filtration and Operation of the 403

Lets get into the meat of the matter and look into how this thing functions. The Blueair 403 is rated for rooms up to 370 sq. feet, about typical mid-size bedroom size (370 square ft is a little over 19′ x 19′). By combining their HEPAsilent filter with electrostatic filtration, this purifier is capable of removing at least 99.97% of particles .1 microns and larger.  Typically when a purifier uses just a HEPA air filter, they will mostly be removing particles .3 microns and larger, leaving many of the most irritating and troublesome contaminants in the air. The Blueair 403 does better. An additional option is offered which they call their SmokeStop filter. It adds 2 lbs of activated carbon which is an excellent adsorber and neutralizer of airborne odor causing compounds and toxins. The 403 features 4 different speeds, one more than the common three speeds offered on many budget purifiers. This allows you to balance the sound the machine produces with your needs for an increased speed of cleaning (e.g. – speed 4 is louder than speed 1, but cleans more air faster).

The Blueair 403 provides pretty good Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR) for the specified room size. Not outstanding but most definitely on par with any top competitor. Another model offered, the Blueair 650E offers the highest CADR ratings in the industry currently.

As I mentioned earlier, the HEPA filter is made of polypropylene. An added benefit to the already stated efficiency and environmental sensibility is that this material actually allows air to pass through the filter easier, with less drag. This effectively reduces both the sound the unit produces while turned on and the power that it needs to draw air through the filter. While the latter contributes to the eco-friendliness of the purifier, the decreased sound produced addresses a major concern with all air purifiers. While some people enjoy the gentle hum of a purifier as they go to sleep, one of the most common complaints I see regarding air purifiers is that they are too loud. I am not picky when it comes to this, but some people are really disappointed by the sound their chosen purifier produces. That should not be a concern with the this unit.

At 34 lbs with dimensions of 23” H x 20” W x 11” D the Blueair 403 is not the lightest purifier on the market. My guitar amplifier is 35 lbs and I can tell you from experience, I would not want to be carrying this thing up and down the stairs twice a day. That being said, most of us don’t use purifiers this way. We pick a spot and that’s that. There is however a useful set of handles on the sides to make transportation a bit easier which is an appreciated attribute. There is no harmful ozone produced by the Blueair 403, an important plus over many of the cheaper ionic type purifiers. The average filter life is stated at 6 months which is on the short side, but allergy sufferers will appreciate the increased effectiveness of Blueair’s filters. Changing of the filters is a breeze.

Final Thoughts on the Blueair 403

If you are looking for added luxury features, the upgraded sister model, the Blueair 450E features filter change indicators, a remote, and an auto mode.  Something worth checking out if those extras grab your attention. The fact that Blueair has such a great reputation in the market and their filters are capable of trapping more smaller particles than most other brands makes their models stand out to me, especially for the severe allergy sufferer.  All in all, I would say this is a top contender for best air purifier for a mid-sized room and certainly worthy of consideration in your purchase decision. I will point out the the majority of people who reviewed the Blueair 403 on Amazon left great 5 star reviews.

View the Blueair 403 User’s Manual

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post! It does not require registration, and we promise to get back to you as soon as possible.

Below, we have provided real-time pricing on the Blueair 403. We offer the pricing both at Amazon and with our recommended specialty e-tailer, AirPurifierSource.com. We find that many people tend to purchase from Amazon simply because it easy and familiar to them, but when it comes to specialty purchases it can be very beneficial to have the backing of free support over the phone, in addition to the expert care that a specialized retailer can provide (especially when the price is the same).

Real Time Pricing

Seller	Price	Visit Site
	$499.95	Buy Now! Great Customer Service!
Get the Value and Service You Deserve at AirPurifierSource.com
	$499.95	Buy Now! Everything from A to Z!