Compare Honeywell HPA3100 vs Kenmore PM3020

P1 Honeywell HPA3100
P2 Kenmore PM3020

Comparison Takeaways

Honeywell HPA3100

Where It Has the Edge

  • washable pre-filter is 5.0 vs 1.0. The washable or rinseable pre-filter gets a small but enthusiastic mention. A project user liked being able to...
  • filter availability is 5.0 vs 1.0. Filter availability is a recurring advantage. Owners like that filters are easy to find, shared across Honeywell sizes,...
  • reliability is 4.6 vs 1.3. Reliability is often praised by owners who run the unit nonstop or have used Honeywell purifiers for years....
  • warranty coverage is 5.0 vs 2.0. Warranty coverage receives a strong positive note from an owner whose motor failed after three months. They called...

Kenmore PM3020

Where It Has the Edge

  • real-time air quality monitoring is 4.6 vs 2.0. The real-time readouts are a major attraction, with owners liking air-quality numbers, temperature, humidity, color changes, and visible...
  • listing accuracy is 5.0 vs 3.0. The product lived up to its claims for the one owner who commented directly on this point. Listing-accuracy...
  • pet hair capture is 5.0 vs 3.0. Pet hair capture gets one clear positive mention alongside dust removal and fresher air. The pet-hair feedback is...
  • design and appearance is 5.0 vs 4.0. Design feedback is positive, with praise for the white finish, front lighting, neat look, and overall appearance. The...
Average score
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.0
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.5
activated carbon filter
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Carbon-filter feedback is strong when owners add or use the carbon layer. Reviewers say it helps with cooking odors, chemical vapors, and general smells.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.5

The carbon setup gets a positive nod because the unit has filters on both sides with plenty of carbon pellets. Odor results elsewhere also fit that strength, even though carbon-specific comments are rare.

air circulation
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.1

Air movement is mostly praised for moving a lot of air and freshening stagnant rooms. A few owners found it weak or worried debris buildup could block airflow.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.4

Air circulation is praised when the dual intake moves a lot of air quietly, but criticized by owners who felt the fan was weak. Strong airflow impressions depend on whether the unit feels properly powered for the room.

air purification performance
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.7

Most owners say the purifier makes rooms feel cleaner, fresher, or noticeably improved, with several using it continuously in bedrooms and living areas. A few less enthusiastic reviews still say it works, though one questioned whether it was doing much.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.5

Most owners say the PM3020 noticeably cleans the air, with repeated praise for fresher rooms and fast improvement. A few units lost effectiveness or felt underpowered, so performance is strongest in the positive reports but not universal.

air quality sensor accuracy
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.0

Sensor accuracy is mostly praised as sensitive and believable, especially around smoke and odors. One owner loved the purifier until the sensor stopped working, so reliability matters here.

allergen reduction
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Allergy relief is a major bright spot, with owners reporting less medicine, less sneezing, and better tolerance around pets. Several asthma or seasonal-allergy users describe meaningful daily comfort gains.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Allergy relief is a bright spot, with owners mentioning pollen, dust, cat-related allergens, and less eye irritation. The comments point to meaningful comfort improvements in everyday homes.

app connectivity
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.0

App connectivity is absent in the feedback that mentions it, and that limits bedroom routines for at least one owner. Users wanting phone control should not expect it here.

auto mode performance
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.7

Auto mode earns strong praise for reacting to cooking, smoke, smells, and contaminants without much attention. The biggest complaint is not auto-cleaning itself, but the display and sleep-mode compromises around using auto at night.

breathing relief
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Breathing relief is one of the product's strongest shopper-facing benefits. Asthma, allergy, coughing, sneezing, and stuffy-nose comments repeatedly describe noticeable improvement.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.8

Breathing comfort is one of the strongest personal-benefit themes. Owners mention easier breathing, fewer attacks, fewer respiratory issues, and more confidence in the air.

build quality
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.8

Build quality ranges from sturdy and well made to cheap-feeling in the most negative reviews. A safety complaint about a sharp rim also weighs on this attribute.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.1

Build quality is mostly praised through comments about quality filters, solid panels, and well-made construction. The main exception is a serious complaint about a cheap motor that caused a burning smell.

CADR rating
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.0

The only CFM/CADR-style feedback is negative: one owner felt the fan was not strong enough to clear even a small room. That complaint stands out against otherwise positive room-use comments.

condition on arrival
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
2.0

Arrival and order accuracy had a couple of problems. One buyer was missing a filter, and another received unrelated car armrests along with the purifier.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.3

Arrival condition is mixed: some units worked right away or arrived with good packaging, but others arrived with missing filters or nonworking fans. Quality control appears inconsistent.

control placement
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Control improvements are called out positively by one repeat Honeywell buyer. Better controls and multiple light settings made the newer unit more convenient.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.8

Controls are easy and modern for some owners, especially the touch interface, but power-button failures are a repeated complaint. The controls feel good when they work and aggravating when they do not.

customer support
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.5

Support feedback is mixed. One buyer was frustrated by being asked to return the whole unit for a missing filter, while another said warranty support handled a motor failure quickly.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.4

Customer support is a repeated frustration, including no replies, filter confusion, refund delays, and difficulty reaching the company. Support issues become especially painful when a unit fails or arrives incomplete.

design and appearance
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.0

Appearance is mostly liked when owners mention it, especially the new look and compact design. One unhappy buyer disliked the grille and thought the design looked cheap.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Design feedback is positive, with praise for the white finish, front lighting, neat look, and overall appearance. The PM3020 comes across as modern enough to leave out in shared rooms.

display readability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.8

The display is both loved and criticized: many like the bright, information-rich panel, while others find it too bright or prone to dimming. It is useful by day but can be annoying in dark rooms.

durability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
2.6

Durability is mixed. Some owners cite years of service, while others report motor failure, sound deterioration, or doubts after a short time.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.5

Durability concerns appear when the display fades after months and another unit stops shortly after the return window. Long-term electronics durability is a risk despite many happy early impressions.

dust removal
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.9

Dust control is one of the clearest strengths, with owners seeing less dust on surfaces and dusty filters after use. It also gets praise for nail dust and general household dust in pet-heavy homes.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Dust reduction comes up repeatedly as a real strength, especially for apartments, bedrooms, and homes with visible dust. Several users say the air feels cleaner because dust drops noticeably.

ease of use
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Ease of use is a consistent strength. Owners describe simple operation, easy setup, intuitive controls, and easy filter installation.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Setup and day-to-day use are generally easy, with several owners saying it was quick to set up or put into service. The main usability complaints are tied to buttons and display behavior rather than initial setup.

fan speed options
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.5

Speed options are useful for matching noise and cleaning needs. Owners mention three speeds and using lower ranges at home while turning it up when away.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.7

Fan speeds are useful when auto mode ramps up, but low-speed rattles and weak high-speed impressions create a real tradeoff. Several owners like the control range, while others found particular speeds noisy or ineffective.

filter availability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Filter availability is a recurring advantage. Owners like that filters are easy to find, shared across Honeywell sizes, and available from multiple vendors.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.0

Filter availability is a notable pain point. Some owners struggled to find replacements or were told support did not have filters, which undercuts the otherwise positive filter-cost comments.

filter life
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.8

Filter life varies with conditions. Some users stretch life by vacuuming or get several months, while dusty or pet-heavy settings can require weekly or more frequent attention.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.3

Filter life gets mixed but generally positive feedback. One owner says the filters really last six months, while another repeats the six-month manual interval but waits to see how it holds up.

filter replacement alarm
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.3

Filter-life display is appreciated because it helps owners know when replacement is getting close. The feature adds useful visibility to routine maintenance.

filter replacement cost
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.6

Filter cost is split. Some buyers like cheap generic replacements or reasonable supplies, while others find replacements expensive enough to be the main downside.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.3

Filter cost is split: several owners call replacements cheap or affordable, while others say they are expensive or had to spend extra after missing-filter problems. Budget expectations depend heavily on the user’s replacement situation.

filter stages
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Filter staging is praised in a nail-work setup where the three-filter arrangement handles dust and vapors. The layered design is treated as useful rather than just a spec.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.5

Owners like the dual-filter layout, especially the filters on both sides and the larger filter panels. The filter-stage discussion is mostly about sturdy, high-capacity physical design rather than technical filtration breakdowns.

handle design
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

The built-in handle earns positive feedback from a long-time Honeywell user. It makes the redesigned unit easier to handle.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
No score yet
HEPA filtration
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.7

HEPA filtration is viewed positively by buyers who rely on Honeywell HEPA filters for pollution or regular use. Comments focus more on practical confidence than technical testing.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.7

HEPA filtration is treated as a selling point by owners who like the machine’s filter setup. The H13 mention and comparisons to other HEPA filters give this area a positive tone.

indicator lights
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.7

Indicator-light feedback is split but specific. Some like dimmable or barely noticeable lights, while others dislike a light that cannot be turned off or a design with no light.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.8

Indicator lights are helpful for quick air-quality checks, but brightness can be a problem. Owners like the at-a-glance signal until it lights up a room at night.

initial chemical smell
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.0

Initial smell is mixed. Some owners report no nasty aroma, while another says the unit kept giving off an unpleasant plastic odor for weeks.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
No score yet
listing accuracy
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.0

Listing accuracy is inconsistent. One buyer said the item matched the description, while another found a major square-footage mismatch between the listing and the box.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

The product lived up to its claims for the one owner who commented directly on this point. Listing-accuracy feedback is limited but positive.

maintenance ease
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.0

Maintenance is mostly easy when it comes to accessing, vacuuming, or installing filters. The one sharp complaint is debris collecting in an unreachable top area.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Maintenance sounds simple in the one direct comment, with little required beyond keeping up with the HEPA filtration. Broader maintenance feedback is sparse but positive.

noise level
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.7

Noise is the most divided trait. Many call it quiet or pleasant white noise, but a sizable group reports hum, buzz, rattling, high pitch, or loud operation even on low.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.9

Noise is the most divided attribute: many owners call it quiet or whisper quiet, while others report rattles on low or sleep settings. Bedroom and office users are the most likely to notice the bad units.

odor reduction
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.3

Odor control is mostly positive for cat smell, cooking odors, candle scent, and fresh-smelling air. One owner had the opposite experience, saying the unit itself gave off an unpleasant odor.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Odor cleanup is consistently strong, especially for cooking smells and lingering household odors. Several owners say the unit leaves the room smelling fresh or clean after it runs.

overall satisfaction
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.2

Overall sentiment is mostly positive, with many owners saying it works well, they would recommend it, or they would buy again. Negative overall reactions are usually tied to noise, odor, or early reliability trouble.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.8

Overall satisfaction is polarized but leans positive: many owners love the purifier, recommend it, or bought more units. Severe failures, rattles, and support problems create a vocal dissatisfied minority.

particle removal effectiveness
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Customers credit it with capturing fine household and project particles, from soot near traffic to nail dust and visible debris. Several point to dust or buildup on filters as proof that particles are being pulled from the air.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.7

Particle handling is praised when the purifier reacts to fabric cutting and shows better readings, but two negative cases complain that readings stayed too high even on full power. This makes particle cleanup one of the more split performance areas.

pet dander removal
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Pet-dander comments are strongly positive where allergies are involved. Owners with birds or cats describe the purifier as helping them tolerate pet allergens better.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.5

Pet-related feedback is favorable, with one cat owner crediting it for better allergens and another dog owner saying it works for their pet situation. The comments are broad rather than lab-style dander claims.

pet hair capture
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.0

Pet-hair capture gets a lukewarm mention. One owner felt the unit could be stronger for pet hair.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Pet hair capture gets one clear positive mention alongside dust removal and fresher air. The pet-hair feedback is narrow but favorable.

PM2.5 detection
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.5

Particle and particulate readouts are liked by owners who want visible feedback about what is in the room. The feature is described as neat and useful rather than deeply technical.

pollen removal
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.5

Pollen feedback is limited but positive. One owner specifically says it seems to help with dust and pollen particles.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

One allergy-focused owner says the purifier helped with pollen along with dust allergies. Pollen feedback is positive, but it comes from a single detailed household experience.

portability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.5

Portability gets a positive mention from a wildfire-area buyer using multiple units. The medium size was considered easier to move and not heavy.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
No score yet
pre-filter quality
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.5

The pre-filter gets practical praise for catching dust before it reaches deeper filters. One buyer finds it coarse but useful, and another likes that it can be cleaned.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
No score yet
real-time air quality monitoring
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
2.0

Real-time monitoring is a weakness for buyers who want sensor feedback. One owner still liked the cleaning performance but called out the missing air-quality sensor.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.6

The real-time readouts are a major attraction, with owners liking air-quality numbers, temperature, humidity, color changes, and visible status. A few display complaints exist, but the monitoring concept itself is widely appreciated.

reliability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.6

Reliability is often praised by owners who run the unit nonstop or have used Honeywell purifiers for years. The strongest negative reliability notes involve noise developing after use or early motor failure.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.3

Reliability is the biggest warning sign: sensors, buttons, fans, motors, and complete power failures appear across negative owner reports. Positive performance can be excellent, but bad units are costly and frustrating.

remote control
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.0

Remote control is only mentioned as a missing feature. One owner specifically wanted a remote after dealing with reliability and noise complaints.

replacement experience
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.3

Replacement experiences are mixed. One replacement fit and worked well, but another owner had the same rattling problem after receiving a replacement unit.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.5

Replacement and return experiences are frustrating in the negative cases. Owners describe cutting the cord for a refund, returning missing-filter units, or being told to reorder instead of getting a simple fix.

room coverage
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.0

Room fit is generally positive for bedrooms, medium rooms, large rooms, and multi-room use. The main caveats are a listing mismatch on square footage and noise making some living spaces less comfortable.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.0

Room coverage works well for many living rooms, kitchens, open floorplans, and bedroom-plus-bath setups. The main caveat is one owner who felt it could not clear a small room despite running on high.

safety concerns
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
1.0

Safety concerns are rare but serious. One buyer reported cutting tendons after falling onto a sharp rim around the top.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.0

Safety concerns are serious but isolated, centered on one unit that smelled like it was burning after months of use. That report also blamed cheap motor construction.

scheduling options
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.8

The timer is appreciated as a simple convenience. Owners like being able to set auto-off intervals or have it shut itself off.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
3.0

Scheduling is limited for users who want more than a shutoff timer. One owner wanted a timer that could run high at night and then return to sensing mode afterward.

settings retention
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
2.0

Settings retention is a requested improvement rather than a strength. One owner wanted it to restart with the same settings after a power outage.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.0

Settings retention is a problem for remote or outage-prone homes. One owner says the purifier stays off after a power outage instead of returning to the previous setting.

size and footprint
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Owners generally find the unit compact and bedroom-friendly. It is described as small enough for a dresser and not taking up much space.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

The footprint gets positive comments from owners who call it compact and like the form factor. It seems easy to place even when covering larger living spaces.

sleep mode
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
2.2

Sleep use depends heavily on the specific sound. Some owners like the low setting for sleeping, while others say hum, pitch, or rattling makes it a poor bedroom choice.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.5

Sleep mode is useful when it turns off lights and quiets the machine, but it also frustrates owners who want auto mode with the display off. Rattle complaints make sleep use risky for noise-sensitive buyers.

sleep quality benefit
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Sleep-quality benefits show up when breathing improves at night. Owners mention cleaner nighttime air and being able to sleep better.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.9

Sleep comfort is highly dependent on the individual unit. Some owners like the white noise and sleeping with it, while others say low-speed rattles make it a poor bedroom or office choice.

smart features
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.0

Smart-feature feedback is modest and mixed. Some like the basic features, but others note the lack of an air-quality sensor or say extra monitor features were not useful to them.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.0

Smart features are a weak spot because owners wanted Wi-Fi, app controls, or better remote operation. The purifier can work well in auto mode, but it is not a connected smart appliance.

smoke removal
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.8

Smoke-related feedback is favorable, including wildfire season, cooking smoke, cigarettes, and a small smoking room. Owners using smoke or forest-fire situations describe it as working well or even fantastic.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

Smoke removal is one of the PM3020’s clearest wins. Owners mention smoking, wildfire-season smoke, cooking smoke, and baking smoke clearing quickly or with ease.

true HEPA filter
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
5.0

The H13 HEPA mention is paired with a positive owner impression of the purifier as well made and effective. True-HEPA-specific feedback is limited but favorable.

value for money
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
4.1

Value is generally favorable, with many calling it well priced, a good value, or a cost saver. A few buyers felt filter costs, discontinuation pricing, or rapid problems weakened the value.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
4.9

Value is usually praised, with owners calling the cost fair, a good buy, or worth the money. Missing filters and expensive replacements can sour the value for unlucky buyers.

VOC reduction
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
3.5

VOC and vapor comments are mixed by setup. One buyer did not expect the basic filters to remove VOCs, while another praised the carbon layer for chemical vapors from nail products.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
No score yet
warranty coverage
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

Warranty coverage receives a strong positive note from an owner whose motor failed after three months. They called the warranty excellent.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.0

Warranty coverage did not feel smooth in the one detailed warranty case. The owner was still under warranty but was pushed toward a refund and a wait rather than a replacement.

washable pre-filter
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
5.0

The washable or rinseable pre-filter gets a small but enthusiastic mention. A project user liked being able to vacuum and rinse it rather than discard it immediately.

Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
1.0

The washable-filter claim disappoints in the single direct comment: the owner says the filter was not washable. There is no positive counterweight on this point.

Wi-Fi reliability
Product 1: Honeywell HPA3100
No score yet
Product 2: Kenmore PM3020
2.0

Wi-Fi feedback is negative because an owner wanted Wi-Fi for a remote house and power-outage recovery. The complaint is about missing connectivity rather than unreliable connected performance.