Compare Honeywell Air Genius 5, HFD320 vs Winix A231 (A230)

The included carbon option can help some owners with pet or room smells, but expert reviewers criticize it as too thin for serious gas and odor removal.

The activated carbon filter is the biggest filtration compromise. It can help with lighter smells, but multiple comments criticize the thin fabric-style carbon for weak odor, gas, and VOC performance.

One expert praises the high air-change claim, saying it can cycle a room quickly at the rated size.

Air changes per hour are described as a strength within the recommended room size. The unit is presented as capable of frequent air turnover in its target coverage area, not as a large-room machine.

Air movement is a quiet strength. Owners like the fan-like airflow, circulation, and ability to move a noticeable amount of air through a room.

Air circulation feels strong for the size when the fan is turned up, and the 360-degree intake design is appreciated. Sleep mode and some lower settings move too little air for buyers who want constant airflow.

Most owners say the Air Genius 5 makes rooms feel fresher and cleaner, with several allergy and smoke users noticing quick improvement. Expert testing is split, with one lab calling its pollutant-clearing speed weak for the price.

Air cleaning is the A231’s biggest strength: test results and many owners describe fresher rooms, cleaner bedrooms, and noticeable improvements. A minority felt it did little, especially compared with larger Winix units.

Sensor feedback is highly mixed. Some owners call it sensitive to cooking, sprays, odors, and even flatulence, while others say it misses smoke, dust, scents, or new-material odors they expected it to detect.

Allergy relief is the biggest customer win: many users mention less congestion, sneezing, eye irritation, or better comfort around pollen, dust, cats, and dogs.

Allergy relief is one of the clearest owner-reported benefits. Many users mention less sneezing, easier breathing, fewer stuffy mornings, or improved reactions around pets, dust, and seasonal triggers, though a few did not get the allergy improvement they wanted.

App control is absent, which reviewers mark as a drawback compared with similarly priced smart purifiers.

App connectivity is absent, and that disappoints buyers comparing it with Wi-Fi-enabled purifiers. Several people specifically wished the A231 had Wi-Fi or app control.

Auto mode is a clear miss. Reviewers who expect sensors and automatic speed adjustment call its absence a drawback.

Auto mode is convenient and often praised for reacting to cooking, sprays, odors, or air changes. It can also frustrate users when it reacts slowly, stays too low, gets noisy at night, or fails to enter sleep mode automatically.

Breathing relief is a frequent customer benefit, especially for allergies, smoke, dust, pets, asthma, and COPD-adjacent household needs.

Breathing relief is a major owner-reported benefit. People mention less stuffiness, fewer sinus issues, less coughing, easier mornings, and better comfort around allergies or irritants.

Build quality is polarizing: some reviewers call it robust or well made, while detractors describe cheap internals and disappointing construction.

Build quality is mixed. Several users call it sturdy, quality-built, or not flimsy, but others report loose control panels, wobble, broken tabs, cheap-feeling parts, or fan-balance issues.

CADR is respectable on paper for a roughly 250 sq. ft. unit, but one expert found real-world clearing much slower than expected from the rating.

CADR is a clear advantage for the price and size. Expert sources repeatedly frame the A231 as unusually strong for a compact purifier, though one owner comparison says a similar Eureka was rated better for pollen.

There is no child-lock style protection for PlasmaWave. One owner specifically disliked that kids could turn the ionization mode on in a house with asthma and allergy concerns.

Arrival condition is uneven. Some units arrived protected and in good shape, while a few buyers received damaged, poorly padded, or open-box items.

The top controls are simple in layout, but not always pleasant in daily use. Touch sensitivity, tiny icons, and bright surrounding lights can make nighttime adjustments frustrating.

Cord length is mentioned positively in unboxing, with enough reach for typical wall placement. There is not much broader cord feedback.

Support experiences skew negative in customer reviews, with slow, unhelpful responses and return-shipping frustration offset by one successful replacement story.

Customer support is inconsistent. Some buyers received helpful replacements or quick responses, while others describe hard-to-reach or nonexistent support.

Design reactions are mostly positive from owners who like the sleek black tower, while experts think the styling is familiar and somewhat dated.

Design feedback is mostly positive: owners describe it as modern, sleek, compact, and good-looking. Minor complaints include limited color options and a lighted look that some bedroom users dislike.

Display brightness is the most repeated design complaint. The blue control lights often stay on, making the unit frustrating in dark bedrooms.

Display readability has issues in dark rooms. Unlit arrows and icons can be hard to find, while the surrounding light ring can make the small control area harder to use.

Documentation gets a small positive note for the quick access guide and reset instructions, though customer reset confusion suggests it is not flawless.

Documentation is mostly adequate but not perfect. One owner liked the easy instructions, while another found the filter orientation directions unclear.

Durability ranges from excellent long-term use to early rattles and motor failures. The best reports span years, but the bad reports are sharp.

Durability can be excellent in successful units, with owners reporting years of continuous use and trouble-free operation. Noise and component failures in some units keep the long-term picture from being spotless.

Dust control is one of the strongest customer themes. Filters often come out dirty and rooms need less dusting, though a few owners doubt the inner filter is catching enough.

Dust reduction comes up often, from less visible dust on surfaces to filter screens catching lint, cat litter dust, and household debris. Heavy-dust homes may need more frequent cleaning than the usual schedule.

Setup and daily operation are repeatedly called simple, with out-of-box use and clear controls earning praise.

Ease of use is strong: setup, controls, filter access, and daily operation are usually described as simple. The main exception is figuring out the filter reset and some touch-control activation issues.

Energy use is generally viewed as favorable, especially compared with filter-heavy alternatives. Expert testing is more nuanced, noting good max-speed efficiency but weaker low-speed efficiency.

Energy use draws mixed reactions. Some owners see little effect on the electric bill, while expert tests and one long-term owner say the A231 uses more power than expected for a compact purifier.

Reviewers mention fan speed options in connection with day-to-day use, with sentiment depending on whether the feature helps comfort or creates extra hassle.

Fan speed control is simple and useful, with manual speeds available when users want more cleaning than auto mode chooses. The small number of settings keeps operation straightforward.

Replacement availability is a pain point for the permanent filter, with customers saying factory replacements are hard or impossible to buy.

Replacement filter availability is uneven. Some buyers found many sources or easy Amazon ordering, while others said canister filters were harder to find or less convenient than expected.

The permanent filter lowers replacement costs, but long-term efficiency is questioned after repeated washing or years of use.

Filter life is generally a plus, with many mentions of roughly annual replacement and long-lasting filters. Dusty or pet-heavy homes may shorten that interval and require more frequent pre-filter cleaning.

The filter indicator is useful in theory, yet reset problems appear repeatedly in customer complaints.

Washable filters are a major reason people buy this model. Owners repeatedly praise the savings, though some still dislike replacing carbon pre-filters or finding parts later.

Filter cost is mixed: some sources call the filters inexpensive or good long-term value, while several owners complain that replacements cost more than expected for a budget purifier. Aftermarket options help lower the yearly cost for some buyers.

The multi-stage setup is viewed positively for a budget compact purifier. It gives the A231 a more complete filtration package than many simple small-room units.

Portability is helped by the tower shape, but one owner thought the hand grip needed better texture to prevent slipping.

The missing carry handle is called out as a downside. It is still light enough to move, but a handle would make room-to-room use easier.

Reviewers like the washable filter idea but repeatedly note it is not traditional HEPA. Expert comparisons generally prefer true HEPA for long-term fine-particle filtration.

The HEPA stage is treated as a major reason to buy this compact unit. Owners and tests connect it with strong particle capture, allergy use, and better filtration than some budget alternatives.

Indicator lights are useful for air-quality feedback but are also a common bedroom annoyance. Many like the ring during the day, while others find it too bright unless sleep mode is used.

Initial smell is a real complaint. Some units give off strong plastic, chemical, ozone-like, or pre-filter odors that can last days or longer.

The ionization/electrostatic design worries some users because of shocks, ozone questions, and lack of clarity about how the feature works.

PlasmaWave is appreciated when it boosts cleaning or can be turned off, but it is divisive. Concerns include noise, smell, ozone byproduct worries, and a default-on behavior that some users dislike.

Listing accuracy comes up negatively when buyers feel the advertised dimensions, warranty branding, or touch controls do not match expectations.

Listing accuracy drew a couple of complaints. One buyer expected an included first filter, and another expected automatic sleep behavior that their units did not provide.

Maintenance is usually described as easy to understand, but not always pleasant. Some owners say washing and drying is simple, while others report filters that never seem fully clean.

Maintenance is usually easy, especially filter access, cleaning, and replacement. The main complaints are unclear filter orientation, a fiddly reset-light process, and breakable bottom tabs if forced.

Mold-related feedback is positive but narrow. Owners dealing with mold and dust allergies say additional A231 units helped while they waited for remediation or helped allergy symptoms clear up.

Noise opinions split by speed and longevity. Many owners call it quiet or sleep-friendly, while others report high-speed loudness, rattles, hums, clicks, or bearing noise.

Noise is the most repeated complaint and the most context-dependent trait. Sleep mode and low operation are often quiet, but higher speeds, motor hum, wobble, and random auto-mode ramp-ups bother noise-sensitive users.

Odor reduction is highly context-dependent. Many owners like it for bedrooms, kitchens, pets, smoke, or ammonia, while expert reviews say the thin carbon option struggles with tougher odors.

Odor control is the most divided performance area. Many owners say it freshens bedrooms, dorms, litter-box areas, and pet spaces, while several tests and owners say the small carbon layer struggles with stronger cooking, smoke, VOC, or heavy odor problems.

Oscillation is usually liked for circulating air and doubling as a fan, but it also creates one more part that can fail or start making noise.

Overall satisfaction is high among many owners who want fresher air and low filter costs, but serious durability complaints keep the consensus from being cleanly positive.

Overall satisfaction leans positive, with many owners saying they would buy again or recommend it. Negative ratings usually come from noise, light brightness, sensor doubts, or defective units.

Ozone-free confidence is limited by the ifD/ionization discussion. One source treats certification as reassuring, while others remain concerned about ozone or shocks.

Ozone-free confidence is not absolute because PlasmaWave may produce ozone as a byproduct. The positive note is that the discussed levels are said to be within allowed limits.

Particle results are mixed: some testers and owners saw visible PM or dust reductions, while HEPA-focused reviewers questioned how low it can drive fine particle levels over time.

Particle removal looks strong for a compact purifier, with lab-style tests and owner impressions pointing to fast clearing of fine dust and particulates. It is best framed as a small-room performer, not a whole-home solution.

Pet allergy and dander comments are positive where owners use it around cats or dogs, though the benefit is usually described through allergy relief rather than lab measurement.

Pet dander and animal-related particles are a strong use case. Cat, dog, and bird owners repeatedly describe fewer symptoms, cleaner pet rooms, and better control of fur-and-dander buildup.

Pet hair capture gets strong owner support, especially from dog owners who find the pre-filter filling with hair quickly.

Pet hair capture is a practical strength. Owners with cats, dogs, birds, litter areas, and shedding seasons describe fur, hair, and larger debris collecting on the filter.

Pollen sufferers often describe meaningful relief indoors, including fewer spring symptoms and cleaner upstairs or bedroom air.

Pollen performance is mentioned less often, but the comments that do mention it are generally positive. One comparison notes a competing Eureka was stronger on pollen, while a pet/allergy household says the Winix helps with pollen entering the house.

Reviewers mention portability in connection with day-to-day use, with sentiment depending on whether the feature helps comfort or creates extra hassle.

Portability is generally good because the unit is compact and light enough to move between rooms. The lack of a true handle keeps it from being perfect.

One buyer complained that the first filter was missing and had to be ordered separately. That made the initial purchase feel incomplete.

One owner reported the wire coating coming off near the machine. It is a narrow but concerning power-connection durability complaint.

Measured power draw is low to moderate, with reviewers citing roughly light-bulb-level consumption or a modest monthly bill.

Power consumption is a technical drawback in expert testing. The motor and annual energy cost are described as higher than ideal for the unit’s size and CADR class.

The pre-filter is useful for larger dust and hair, but reviewers dislike that the washable pre-filter and carbon filter cannot be used together.

The pre-filter is useful for catching larger debris such as pet hair, lint, and dust before it reaches the HEPA layer. Owners who clean it periodically see it as a practical way to extend filter life.

Real-time air quality monitoring is absent, and expert reviewers treat that as part of the product’s dated feature set.

The real-time air quality light gives quick visual reassurance when it reacts properly. Some users like seeing the room status change, while others question whether the displayed status truly matches the air they can smell or feel.

Reliability is the biggest long-term concern. Multiple owners report rattles, fan motors, bearings, oscillation failures, or declining performance within months to a year or two.

Reliability varies sharply by unit. Many owners report years of smooth 24/7 use, while others experienced motor noise, lights failing, stopped operation, or early defects.

Remote-control shoppers should look elsewhere; reviewers note this model does not include one.

Remote control is a missing convenience. Several people wished they could adjust the unit from bed, from across the room, or while away.

Replacement experiences range from smooth to frustrating. Amazon and Winix replacements solved some problems quickly, but reset-light trouble and unresolved defective deliveries left others annoyed.

Most room-size guidance clusters around bedrooms, offices, and smaller to mid-size rooms. Several reviewers caution against expecting it to handle larger open areas.

Room fit is strongest in bedrooms, offices, dorms, RVs, bathrooms, and other small spaces. Several people tried it beyond that, but larger rooms and whole-house use call for bigger machines or multiple units.

A few users notice a cooling sensation from the airflow. It is comfort from moving room-temperature air, not actual cooling performance.

A couple of owners felt the purifier made the room feel cooler while running. That seems to come from airflow rather than true cooling performance.

Safety certifications are a positive expert note, especially CARB and Energy Star status.

Safety certification comments focus on ozone limits from PlasmaWave. The product is presented as staying under allowed limits, though the ionizer remains a concern for some households.

Safety concerns center on static shocks and ionization. A few users report startling shocks when handling filters or sitting in the airflow.

Safety concerns center on PlasmaWave and asthma-sensitive households. Some users appreciate that it can be turned off, while others worry about ozone byproduct or kids enabling it.

The timer is useful for simple shutoff scheduling, but one customer wanted recurring overnight scheduling and called the current behavior limited.

Scheduling control is thin. A few users mention a timer or wish for one, but the product’s practical routine control is mostly manual mode, auto mode, and sleep mode rather than full scheduling.

A few owners describe control or reset behavior that feels glitchy, including settings or indicators behaving unpredictably.

Settings retention is a recurring annoyance around PlasmaWave and sleep behavior. Some users dislike that PlasmaWave comes back on by default or that auto mode does not remember the sleep-like behavior they want.

The tower footprint is compact for many rooms, though some shoppers found the unit shorter or heavier than expected.

The size works well for bedrooms, offices, dorm rooms, RVs, bathrooms, and other small areas. A few buyers found it larger than expected or less discreet than they wanted.

Sleep use is strong when the fan is behaving and the lights are covered. The quiet setting gets praise, but bright top controls undermine bedroom use for many owners.

Sleep mode is loved for dimming lights and running quietly, but it comes with a tradeoff: airflow drops noticeably. Buyers who want strong overnight filtration plus darkness may find it limiting.

Several allergy sufferers link the purifier to better sleep, less congestion, and quieter overnight use, but bright lights can spoil the bedroom experience.

Some owners connect the A231 with better sleep, especially when allergy symptoms, coughing, or room freshness improve. Others like the sleep-mode sound or white-noise effect.

Smart features are thin for the price. Expert reviewers repeatedly mention no app, remote, sensors, or Wi-Fi-style controls.

Smart features are helpful but basic. The sensor, auto mode, light indicator, and PlasmaWave add capability, but lack of app and smart-speaker control limits remote operation.

Smoke performance earns praise from many wildfire and cigarette-smoke users, but experts warn that odor/VOC treatment is not as strong as particle movement.

Smoke handling is mixed. Some owners saw it react to cooking smoke or cigarette exposure, but smoke removal is not as central a strength as dust and general particle capture.

Touch controls divide users. Some like the modern panel, while others prefer physical buttons or say the advertised touch experience is not worth paying extra for.

The lack of a true HEPA filter is a repeated caveat, especially from expert reviewers and customers who are skeptical of the electrostatic design.

The True HEPA filter earns confidence from both expert and customer comments. It is called out as a real HEPA setup and as a reason the Winix feels more capable than lower-end alternatives.

Value depends on priorities. Buyers who prize washable filters see strong long-term savings, while experts and dissatisfied owners think the price is too high for the filtration and durability tradeoffs.

Value is a major reason people like the A231. It is often praised as powerful for the price, though buyers who hate the noise or need stronger odor removal may not feel the savings are worth it.

Virus-reduction confidence is tied to the PlasmaWave claim rather than broad real-world owner proof. One unboxing review framed the feature as a nice extra for cleaner, safer-feeling air.

VOC and gas removal are weak points in expert coverage because the carbon material is thin and optional. It may help lightly, but reviewers do not treat it as a strong VOC purifier.

VOC reduction is a weak point for buyers focused on gases. The strongest criticism says the mesh-style carbon is not enough for serious VOC absorption.

VOC-sensor behavior is a weakness in the most detailed testing. The sensor was described as slow to react compared with particle sensors in competing models.

Voice-assistant control is not part of this model. Buyers who want Alexa or smart-speaker control are steered toward other compact purifiers.

The five-year warranty sounds attractive, but owner confidence depends heavily on who handles the claim and whether shipping or one-time replacement limits apply.

Warranty coverage is seen as a plus, especially with a two-year period and replacement support mentioned. Warranty help mattered most for buyers who ran into noise or defect problems.

The washable filter system is widely liked for saving money and reducing disposable filter purchases, even when cleaning it is less convenient than replacing HEPA media.

Washability is not fully satisfying. One owner liked gently washing the mesh-style pre-filter, while another wished the unit had a washable filter rather than a replacement-focused setup.