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(More customer reviews)I wanted to post this review mainly because there is no real comparison between Rabbit Air MinusA2 (covers 700 sq. ft.) Ultra-Quiet Air Purifier - 6 Stage Filtration! - built in Mood Light and the Rabbit Air BioGP (model 582A - covers 780 sq. ft.) Ultra-Quiet Air Purifier w/ Germicidal Protection- Low Maintenance - Washable Filters!, Pearl White out there. This is to give you an idea if you're making a choice between the two. [...]
I first purchased the 582A but returned it after a few months of usage due to some minor defect for an exchange with MinusA2 (RabbitAir support was extremely helpful). As a result I have experience with both of these units. The main reason I purchased an Air Purifier was dust elimination and for that particular purpose in mind both these products exceeded my expectations.
In the order of importance for me, these are the differences:
- As I am posting this review MinusA2 is $[...] more expensive than 582A. So why should you even consider MinusA2? Read on...
- Filtering:
(a) MinusA2 has 2 more levels of filtering. The Medium Filter (which filters medium sized particles and increases the efficiency/lifespan of the main HEPA filter) and a Customized Filter of your choice.
(b) On the other hand although RabbitAir boasts about the benefits of BioGP HEPA filters over the regular HEPA filters on their website, it's not clear if the MinusA2 HEPA filter is also BioGP (yet it's made by 3M and looks high quality). The price of the 582A's HEPA filter is more expensive. I am not sure if this is due to the surface area or because 582A's filter is really more effective.
- Noise level: This is where MinusA2 shines due to its more efficient new engine.
(a) I was pleasantly surprised to find out MinusA2 improves quite a bit over already very silent 582A. To compare at different speeds the noise and Clean Air Flow, check the Features tab in RabbitAir's own website for each product.
(b) I am not sure how RabbitAir calculates the sq ft. coverage but I run these units at the highest speed for which noise is acceptable (~ about 30dB in my opinion). Consequently I can run MinusA2 at Medium speed producing 97 Cubic Feet/min of clean air as opposed to 582A's Low speed producing 85 Cubic Feet/min.
- Area of coverage: Although 582A is rated at 780 sq ft. versus 700 sq ft. of MinusA2, if you check the Features tab for each product on RabbitAir's website you'll find out that MinusA2's clean air output is generally higher at the same speed setting as well as its CADR (clean air delivery rate) rating. I imagine RabbitAir's sq ft. calculation is based on the maximum setting in which 582A outputs 208 Cubic Feet/min vs 187 Cubic Feet/min of MinusA2. However I think this is unrealistic and I doubt many of you will choose to use it at the highest setting due to high energy consumption and noise.
- Design and build quality: MinusA2 wins this comparison by far.
(a) I must say though that there's room for improvement for both of these products. For both of them the plastic construction looks a bit cheap although this is more apparent with 582A. I wish their build were metallic.
(b) However MinusA2 is quite handsome overall with its square lines.
(c) It could also be wall mounted.
(d) One more thing I'd like to mention is I really liked the tiny remote of 582A. I think MinusA2's remote is not only less functional but is bulkier for no reason. I also miss 582A's the tiny remote control pocket behind the unit which reduced remote control clutter in the house.
(e) By the way although the mood light of MinusA2 adds to its cool looks, I believe RabbitAir's own claim of the Mood Light "helping normalize blood pressure, pulse, and facilitate deep breathing blah blah" is total nonsense. I think this sounds totally unscientific and if anything has negative influence on my view of RabbitAir as a honest company with high quality products. Also you will find out that you can't change the color of this light as you wish (based on your mood) but the unit sets that itself (based on its own mood).
- Energy consumption: MinusA2 consumes between 8 to 47 Watts whereas 582A consumes between 7 to 67 Watts. I believe the lower consumption of MinusA2 is due to the newer generation Mitsubishi engine employed. Therefore you can expect lower energy usage if you plan to run the unit at anything beyond the Silent setting.
- Sensors:
(a) Note that MinusA2 does not have an odor sensor although 582A has. I think this is quite useful with 582A and I don't understand why RabbitAir chose to drop this from MinusA2.
(b) On the other hand MinusA2 has a light sensor. Certainly it does not help to do a better air purification, but if you're using the Auto mode then the unit goes to the Silent setting automatically a few mins after the lights are dimmed. I think this should've been optional even in the Auto mode but it's a useful feature nevertheless.
(c) The particle sensor of MinusA2 looks more elaborate and I imagine it does a better job.
(d) Furthermore MinusA2 has adjustable sensor sensitivity. This is extremely useful, and the reason I returned 582A was because the sensors of the unit I received was simply too sensitive and was changing from "clean" to "very dirty" for no apparent reason in a split second (during late nights etc when there was no virtual change in room conditions).
Overall I think MinusA2 is a great unit and improves on the already impressive 582A. I thought it's worth the price difference. I already ordered a new one after RabbitAir customer support said they could give me a discount for an additional unit.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-700A (covers up to 700 sq. ft.) Ultra-Quiet Air Purifier - Stylish, Efficient and Energy Star® Certified, Wall-Mountable - White Only
Energy Star certified, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 air purifier is both efficient and ultra-quiet, and it helps keep your home or office allergen free and smelling clean and fresh. Slim, stylish, and effective, this convenient system operates at five different speeds, covers 700 square feet, and can either stand alone or be mounted to the wall.
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 air purifier is both efficient and ultra-quiet. View larger
