Honeywell HPA300 Review: 300 cfm, No Frills, Five-Year Warranty
Honeywell HPA300 review: 300 cfm AHAM smoke CADR for 465 sq ft, three R filters a year plus a carbon pre-filter, no sensor, a 5-year warranty, and the HPA304.
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Specs at a glance
- AHAM smoke / dust / pollen CADR
- 300 / 320 / 300 cfm
- AHAM suggested room size
- 465 sq ft
- Filters
- 3 True HEPA R filters (about 12 months) + carbon pre-filter A (about 3 months)
- Sensor or app
- None
- Size and weight
- 20.8 x 10.83 x 22.38 in, 17 lb (Honeywell)
- Warranty
- 5 years, limited (Honeywell)
- Versions
- HPA300 (black), HPA304 (white) share the AHAM rating
- CARB
- HPA300 and HPA304 listed as mechanical air cleaners
The Honeywell HPA300 is the simplest way to get a lot of certified airflow: AHAM Verifide lists it at 300 cfm of smoke CADR for a 465 square foot room, more than the Levoit Core 400S-P or Winix 5510, in a box with four buttons and a five-year warranty. The white version is sold as the HPA304 and shares the same rating.
There is no particle sensor, no auto mode and no app, so you set the speed yourself. And its upkeep is fussier than most: three True HEPA R filters a year and a carbon pre-filter every three months. If you want a machine that runs itself, the Levoit Core 400S-P or the Blueair 211i Max are better choices.
Honeywell HPA300 AHAM figures and room size
The AHAM Verifide directory lists the HPA300, and the HPA304 alongside the HPA8350B, at 300 cfm for smoke, 320 for dust and 300 for pollen, with a suggested room size of 465 sq ft. Honeywell's Amazon listing for the HPA304 states it circulates air in a 465 sq ft room up to 4.8 times an hour, and gives 2,250 sq ft as the one air change an hour figure.
| Room | Floor area | Air changes an hour |
|---|---|---|
| Main bedroom, 14 x 18 ft | 252 sq ft | 8.9 |
| Living room, 16 x 22 ft | 352 sq ft | 6.4 |
| AHAM room size | 465 sq ft | 4.8 |
| Open plan, 25 x 28 ft | 700 sq ft | 3.2 |
That is a lot of clean air for the money, which is why the HPA300 keeps turning up in allergy and wildfire smoke recommendations. Our sizing calculator runs the numbers for your room.
The filter routine
The HPA300 holds three True HEPA R filters behind the front grille and a carbon pre-filter A in front of them. Honeywell's store recommends replacing the R filters every 12 months and the pre-filter every 3 months, and the owner's manual calls these intervals a guide that depends on how dirty the air is. Honeywell sells R filters in packs of one, two and three (HRF-R1, HRF-R2, HRF-R3); the three-pack covers the HPA300 for a year.
So a year of upkeep is one HRF-R3 pack and four pre-filters. That is more pieces than a single-cartridge purifier, but the R filter is one of the most widely sold purifier filters in the US, so it is easy to find. Genuine Honeywell R filters are sold on Amazon and at Honeywell's store; third-party versions exist, but the fit of the R filter's frame matters for its seal.
No sensor, no app: what that means day to day
You choose the cleaning level with buttons on top, and filter-reminder lights tell you when the pre-filter and HEPA filters are due. With no particle sensor, the HPA300 does not speed up when you cook or slow down when the air is clean, so most owners pick one setting for the day and another for night. The upside is nothing to connect and nothing to break. For a hands-off machine, see our smart purifier picks.
Noise and power
Honeywell's pages we read do not publish decibel figures. The top setting is a strong rush of air, clearly louder than the quiet low settings of Blueair and Levoit; owners often run it on high while out and lower at night. AHAM's directory does not list annual energy for the HPA300, and Honeywell's pages we read did not give a wattage.
Ozone and certification
The HPA300 is a fan-and-filter purifier with no ionizer, and California's Air Resources Board lists the HPA300 and HPA304 versions as mechanical air cleaners (certification G-22-456).
Honeywell HPA300 vs the alternatives
| Model | Smoke CADR | Room size | Sensor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell HPA300 | 300 cfm | 465 sq ft | No |
| Honeywell HPA200 | 200 cfm | 310 sq ft | No |
| Honeywell HPA5200B | 231 cfm | 360 sq ft | Yes |
| Winix 5510 | 253 cfm | 392 sq ft | Odor sensor |
| Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max | 435 cfm | 674 sq ft | Yes |
Who should buy the Honeywell HPA300
- Buy it for a living room or large bedroom up to about 465 sq ft if you want maximum certified airflow and simple buttons.
- Buy it if a long warranty matters: Honeywell gives five years.
- Skip it if you want it to react to cooking or smoke on its own; it has no sensor.
- Skip it if you dislike filter chores; a single-cartridge machine is simpler.
- Smaller room? See our HPA200 review.
Frequently asked questions
What size room does the Honeywell HPA300 cover?
AHAM Verifide lists it for 465 sq ft, with a smoke CADR of 300 cfm. Honeywell says that is 4.8 air changes an hour; its 2,250 sq ft figure is for one air change an hour.
How often do you change Honeywell HPA300 filters?
Honeywell recommends the three True HEPA R filters every 12 months and the carbon pre-filter A every 3 months, as a guide that depends on air quality. An HRF-R3 three-pack covers the HEPA filters for a year.
What is the difference between the HPA300 and HPA304?
Color and model code. AHAM lists the HPA304 with the same 300 / 320 / 300 cfm rating and 465 sq ft room size as the HPA300.
Does the Honeywell HPA300 have an air quality sensor?
No. You choose the cleaning level with buttons; there is no auto mode or app.
Does the Honeywell HPA300 produce ozone?
It has no ionizer, and California lists the HPA300 and HPA304 as mechanical air cleaners.
What warranty does the Honeywell HPA300 have?
Honeywell lists a five-year limited warranty on the HPA300, longer than the two or three years most purifiers at this price carry. Filters are consumables and are not covered.
Sources
- AHAM Verifide Directory: Certified Room Air Cleaners (Honeywell HPA300, HPA304), Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
- Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier Allergen Plus Series for Extra Large Rooms, HPA300, Honeywell Store
- HPA300 owner's manual, Honeywell
- List of CARB-Certified Air Cleaning Devices, California Air Resources Board
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
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