Honeywell Airtouch U2 Review: Smart, and Super Capable

This week, I reviewed the Honeywell Airtouch U2 Air Purifier to see how this beast functions. The size and price of the Honeywell Airtouch U2 immediately place it in the premium category. With a price tag of ₹27,999, this model is clearly aimed at those who are looking for an air purifier capable of handling larger spaces.

Given that it claims to cover up to 1008 square feet, I placed it in our lab, which is approximately the same size. We created an artificial environment to check out how it works and burned a bunch of stuff to make the air as unclean as possible.

The sheer size of the purifier makes it hard to miss—this is not a compact or discreet addition to your home decor. But that bulkiness does give off a sense of power and capability, which I was eager to put to the test.

Build Quality and Design

The Honeywell Airtouch U2 definitely makes an impression with its sleek and modern look. At first glance, its clean white exterior, rounded edges, and subtle golden top panel lend it a minimalist yet elegant feel. However, you can’t ignore its substantial size—this isn’t a unit you can tuck away easily. Weighing 10 kg, it’s noticeably heavier than many other air purifiers on the market, so you might need a good spot to keep it permanently as moving it around could be a hassle.

It has a real-time PM2.5 level indicator on the front. The soft glowing green light adds a touch of refinement while keeping you informed about the air quality status in the room. The controls are conveniently placed on the top, including a child lock button for extra safety, which is useful if you have curious kids around. Plus, the included remote control allows you to operate it from the comfort of your couch, which is a handy feature.

Filters and Air Purification

Filters

The Honeywell Airtouch U2 boasts a sophisticated 6-stage filtration system, which is one of its key strengths. From the moment I unboxed it, I knew this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill air purifier. It starts with a Pre-Filter that captures larger particles like dust and pet hair, ensuring that the subsequent filters don’t get clogged too quickly. Next comes the Anti-Bacterial Filter, which adds a layer of defence against harmful bacteria, making it ideal for homes with kids or elderly members.

The heavy-duty H13 HEPA Filter plays the starring role, known for its ability to capture up to 99.97% of microscopic pollutants, including allergens and fine dust particles. The Silver ION Anti H1N1 Layer is a unique addition, offering an extra level of protection by targeting viruses like H1N1, something especially comforting in today’s times. The Cold Catalyst and Activated Carbon Filters round out the process by neutralising harmful gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and odours, making the air feel noticeably fresher.

Corner Test Results:

To check its actual air purification prowess, I conducted a few real-world tests. First, I placed the Airtouch U2 in the corner of the lab and let it run while monitoring the air quality levels. The starting conditions were not too great, with an AQI of 100 and PM2.5 levels at 413 ug/m3, which is quite unhealthy.

Time (minutes)	PM2.5 (ug/m3)	AQI
10	75	30
20	29	27
25	24	27

As you can see, it dropped the AQI levels from 100 to 30 in just 10 minutes, and then brought to down further to 27 in 25 minutes. The purifier offered a similarly quick performance for the PM2.5 levels, dropping them from 413 ug/m3 to 75 ug/m3 in 10 minutes, and 24 in 25 minutes. This is the kind of quick performance one would expect from a premium model. For context, I’ve tested the Coway AirMega 250 which is priced at ₹29,900 and only managed to bring the AQI down to 32, and PM2.5 down to 44 ug/m3 in 25 minutes. The Honeywell Airtouch U2 certainly outperforms its competitor, in spite of the lower price tag.

Centre Test Results:

Time (minutes)	PM2.5 (ug/m3)	AQI
10	76	30
20	27	27
25	23	29

Once I had the corner readings, I placed the Honeywell Airtouch U2 in the centre of the lab room. Now, I’ve mentioned in a few reviews in the past that most air purifiers do a better job when placed in the centre, however, I do find that a little annoying. One is more likely to place the unit in the corner, rather than slap-bang in the middle of the room to stick out like a sore thumb. As expected, it did perform better, however, the performance was not so drastic that you’d be at a disadvantage by placing it in a corner.

In 10 minutes, the Honeywell Airtouch U2 brought the AQI levels down to 30, and PM 2.5 down to 76 ug/m3 which is more or less comparable with the corner performance. Once 25 minutes had passed, the AQI levels were at 29 and the PM2.5 levels were at 23 ug/m3. Pretty darn good.

Once again, the purifier outperformed the Coway AirMega 250, which only brought the AQI and PM 2.5 levels down to 75 and 118 ug/m3 respectively in 10 minutes. Similarly, its performance even after 25 minutes left much to be desired with an AQI of 32 and PM2.5 of 53 ug/m3.

Ease of Changing Filters and Cost

Now, according to the brand, the filter should last you approximately a year. Changing the filter is pretty easy – just remove the panel, press the button to eject the filter, and pop in the new one. Don’t try to wash your filter – you just need to change it when the indicator blinks on. Do keep in mind that the replacement filter costs ₹3,354 on Amazon.

Noise Levels

One of the first things I noticed about the Honeywell Airtouch U2 is how quiet it is during operation. With a noise level of just 38.0 dB(A), it’s comparable to the gentle hum of a refrigerator or the rustle of leaves on a calm day. This made it quite easy to forget that the purifier was even on, especially during the night when ambient sounds tend to be more noticeable. Whether I was watching TV or having a conversation, the purifier didn’t intrude, which is a big plus, especially for a device that is meant to run continuously in large spaces.

Smart Features and IoT Integration

One of the standout features of the Honeywell Airtouch U2 is its Alexa and Wi-Fi integration, which works seamlessly with the “Honeywell Air Touch” app. From my experience, the app has been quite useful and easy to navigate. Setting up the connection was a breeze, and once connected, I was able to monitor real-time air quality data, change fan speeds, and even set a schedule for when the purifier should turn on or off.

The ability to control the purifier via Alexa was another nice touch. I could simply ask Alexa to adjust the settings or check the air quality without having to lift a finger. The Wi-Fi integration means that even if I’m not at home, I can control the purifier remotely through the app, which is incredibly handy if I want to turn it on before coming home.

Final Verdict

After spending some time with the Honeywell Airtouch U2, I can confidently say it lives up to its premium reputation. Its 6-stage filtration system is excellent, effectively bringing down PM2.5 levels in both corner and centre tests within 25 minutes, creating a noticeable difference in air quality. The noise levels are low, making it unobtrusive in a living space, while the smart features like Alexa and app integration add convenience, allowing control from anywhere. However, its bulky size and higher price tag may not suit everyone. If you’re looking for powerful purification for larger spaces and don’t mind the price, the Airtouch U2 is a strong contender.

Note: Shubh Bhushan conducted the AQI, TVOC, PM2.5 and HCHO tests with calibrated equipment along with the author for this review.