Having an Air Purifier, especially in the urban areas, is no longer a luxury but has become a necessity thanks to the high AQI numbers of our cities. Honeywell, known for its value-for-money appliances, has recently launched its new Air Purifier called Touch U1. It’s a mid-range machine that stays beneath that sweet spot at the Rs 25,000 mark. We recently got a chance to test it out, and in this review, we will talk about our experience with Honeywell’s latest offering.
Honeywell Air Touch U1
Rs 23,999
What Is Good?
- Exceptional Air Purification Performance
- Advanced Filtration System
- Large Coverage Area
- Smart Features and App Support
- Easy Filter Replacement
What Is Bad?
- Expensive Filter Replacement
- Boxy design
- Noise Levels at High Speeds
Build Quality and Design
The Honeywell Air Touch U1 is a well-built air purifier featuring a sturdy plastic body. However, its boxy and bulky design makes it less appealing compared to competitors like the Philips AC2958/63 and the Qubo Smart Air Purifier Q600, which offer more refined aesthetics. Weighing 9.85kg, it is not the easiest to move around. While it does not include a remote, it features a touch-based control panel and an LCD display for easy operation.
Filters and Air Purification Performance
The Honeywell Air Touch U1 showcases exceptional air purification capabilities thanks to its advanced filtration system, which includes a Pre-Filter, Nano-Silver Anti-Bacterial Filter, H13 HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter. During our tests, we evaluated its performance in two scenarios: the corner of a room and the centre, both of which started with poor air quality conditions.
Corner Test
In the corner test, the starting air quality index (AQI) was 100, with PM2.5 levels at a concerning 398 µg/m³, TVOC at 0.385 mg/m³, and HCHO at 0.089 mg/m³. Within 10 minutes, the AQI dropped significantly to 43, and PM2.5 levels reduced to 108 µg/m³. After 20 minutes, the AQI reached an impressive 25, with PM2.5 levels at 34 µg/m³. By 25 minutes, the air purifier had stabilised the AQI at 25, with PM2.5 further reduced to 21 µg/m³, while TVOC and HCHO levels remained steady, showcasing consistent performance.
Centre Test
Next, we performed the centre test, in which the air purifier was placed right in the centre of the room. Similar to the corner test, the device started with an AQI of 100, PM2.5 levels at 402 µg/m³, TVOC at 0.424 mg/m³, and HCHO at 0.098 mg/m³. After 10 minutes, the AQI dropped to 54, with PM2.5 at 137 µg/m³. At the 20-minute mark, the AQI reached 28, and PM2.5 levels dropped to 40 µg/m³. By the end of 25 minutes, the purifier maintained an AQI of 28, with PM2.5 levels at 21 µg/m³, while TVOC and HCHO values remained stable.
The Honeywell Air Touch U1 clearly outperforms the similarly priced Qubo Q600 (Review) in both tests, achieving cleaner air within the same time frame. Its ability to bring PM2.5 levels down to 21 µg/m³ in just 25 minutes sets it apart, making it the better choice for those prioritising quick and thorough air purification.
Ease of Changing Filters and Cost
Filter replacement is simple, requiring just the removal of the back plate to access the cylindrical filters. However, while the cost of ownership is relatively low, the filter replacement cost is higher at Rs 6,119. Compared to Philips and Qubo, which offer lower replacement costs of an average of Rs 3,088 for Qubo and Rs 2,016 for Philips, respectively, and slightly longer filter life, the Air Touch U1 might be expensive in the long run.
Noise Levels
Noise levels vary depending on the operating mode. During testing, we recorded a peak sound level of 64.5 dB at a one-foot distance when running at maximum power, while the minimum sound level was measured at 39.6 dB during quieter operations. This indicates that while it may be noisy during intense purification cycles, it operates relatively quietly in lower modes.
Smart Features and IoT Integration
The Honeywell Air Touch U1 includes smart features that improve ease of use. The Honeywell app allows remote control, real-time air quality monitoring, and setting adjustments. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice commands and automation. The Honeywell Air Touch U1 is the first air purifier that made me truly appreciate the value of app support. Adjusting the purification intensity remotely was seamless, eliminating the need to walk up to the device. The app’s sleek design and intuitive navigation enhance the user experience, and pairing it with the purifier was effortless—unlike the others that often complicate the process.
Final Verdict
The Honeywell Air Touch U1 delivers impressive air purification performance, effectively reducing AQI and PM2.5 levels within 25 minutes. Its multi-stage filtration system ensures thorough cleaning, and the IoT-enabled app provides a seamless control experience. However, the bulky design makes it less attractive than the sleeker models from Philips and Qubo. Additionally, while the overall cost of ownership is reasonable, the high filter replacement cost could be a drawback over time.
Noise levels at maximum power can be disruptive, making it less ideal for quiet environments. But if you are looking for a powerful air purifier with robust filtration and smart connectivity, the Air Touch U1 is a solid option—provided you can overlook its bulky form factor and premium filter costs.
Note: Shubh Bhushan conducted the AQI, TVOC, PM2.5 and HCHO tests with calibrated equipment along with the author for this review.
