Since indoors air can have more than 5X the pollutants of outdoor air we thought it practical to review an Air Purifier which stands above many other air purifiers in terms of features and quality.
Enter the Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier
While the DX5 is not the cheapest air purifier is comes with a lot of certification and some very cool features including an auto-toggle feature which automatically sets the DX5 in the most optimum setting for air purification.
The net result is a very optimised operation which will lead to energy usage savings over the medium/long-term.
According to their website Fellowes is a global manufacturer and marketer of products for improving life at work, at home and on the go, including business machines, records storage solutions, workplace management products, home and commercial air purification and mobile technology accessories.
As such the company owns several brands including:
- Aera Max Air Purifiers
- Optrix
- Bodyglove Mobile
- Exolens
- Bankers Box
Perhaps you have heard of these brands but it is the Aera Max brand that concerns us in this review.
Pros
The DX5 Air Purifier has a number of great features including;
- Aera+ Mode (for peak allergy season)
- Certified by Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America*
- AeraSmart energy-efficient automation
- 4 stage filtration system
- Certified by Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers with 3 CADR numbers*
- Certified by California Air Resources Board*
- UL Listed*
- Great sleek tower look
- Great brand name
- 3 year warranty
*Read review below for explanation
Cons
- Filters need replacing every 3 months (carbon filter) or every year (hepa filter).
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4 Stage Filtration System For Cleaner Air
Interestingly the DX5 comes with a 4 stage filtration system which provides a healthier air for better promotion of increased relaxation and lower anxiety and stress levels.
The 4 stage filtration system is constructed as follows:
- Carbon pre-filter
- HEPA filter
- Microbial treatment
- Ionized field
The first filter is a carbon pre-filter which captures large particles as well as odours.
As stated above the HEPA filter catches smaller particles including mould spores, pollen, viruses, chemical vapours, pet odours etc.
The microbial treatment provides protection from odour-causing bacteria on the HEPA filter and finally the ionized field removes airborne pollutants.
Fellowes DX5 Hepa Filter
The Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier features a true HEPA filter which can extract 99.75% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns (as per US government standard).
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting or High-Efficiency Particulate Air and HEPA filters must pass specific guidelines set by the United States Department of Energy in order to bear the HEPA name.
Filter Indicator Lights
A great feature of the DX5 Air Purifier are the change filter indicator lights.
As the name implies the ‘change filter indicator lights’ are indicators which shows you when the filters should be changed.
The HEPA filter indicator light will show when the HEPA filter should be changed. This should occur approximately one year under normal usage.
The Carbon filter indicator light will let you know when the carbon filter should be changed. The carbon filter should be changed more frequently than the HEPA filter. Changing the filter every 3 months will ensure optimum operation and will also make sure that the DX5 has a longer operational life.
Replacement Filters
It is imperative to replace both the carbon and HEPA filters when the indicators tell you to replace them as the filters will get dirty much faster than you would think.
Obviously a dirty filter will obstruct airflow leading to the air purifier working harder and shortening its lifespan.
Also a dirty filter won’t provide the cleanest possible air for allergy sufferers. Fear not however as both types of filter are purchased easily.
Check Out The Carbon Filter Here
Check Out The HEPA Filter Here
Ideal for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers
Asthma and allergy sufferers will be pleased to know that the Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier
Such certification is only awarded if the unit scientifically demonstrates that they are able to contribute to the goals of allergen reduction.
The AAFA have very strict standards in allergy reduction that only the very best machines pass.
Aera+ Mode
The DX5 Air Purifier also features Aera+ Mode which is ideal for allergy season.
In Aera+ mode the DX5 increases air turnover by up to 35% from the low air setting which removes more allergens from the air.
Further Certification For the DX5 Air Purifier
The Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier has two further certifications to its name. The issuers are:
- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
- California Air Resource Board
- UL Listed
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
The AHAM certification includes 3 clean air delivery rate (CADR) numbers which measure the volume of filtered air delivered by the air purifiers (measured in ft3/min).
The higher the number the more effective the unit.
The DX5 CADR numbers relate to:
- Smoke (68)
- Pollen (75)
- Dust (65)
California Air Resources Board
The DX5 Air Purifier
The ozone emission concentration limit of 0.050 parts per million was met.
UL Listed
Fellowes AeraMax Air Purifiers are all UL certified for optimum safety standards.
UL have been testing and certifying electrical equipment for over 100 years.
Room Coverage
When using air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiiers or any other appliance you must ensure that the size of the appliance is correct with regards to the job at hand.
You do not want an inefficient appliance because it is too small for the job at hand. Nor do you want excess energy bills because the unit was too large for the area.
Bearing this in mind the Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier should be used in small rooms approximately 100-150 square feet.
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AeraSmart Energy-Efficient Sensor
Like the best dehumidifiers the best air purifiers are essentially automatic machines.
The Fellowes DX5 can monitor the air and toggle between its 3 fan speeds to select the most efficient setting to keep your air purified which results in lower utility bills.
The 3 fan speeds range from the quiet and energy-saving low setting to the most powerful high setting.
There are blue, red and amber lights to indicate the purity of the air.
Fellowes DX5 Control Panel
Located on the front of the unit he DX5 control panel is a soft touch control panel which is easy to operate.
Moving from top to bottom the controls are:
AeraSmart Sensor
The Smart Sensor monitors air quality and toggles between the different settings for optimum efficiency. When the DX5 Air Purifier
If you are in manual mode then you can just press the Auto button (which is found under the AeraSmart Sensor button) to return to auto mode.
When the indicator is blue the air quality is good. If the indicator is amber then the air quality is poor. When the indicator is red it indicates that there is a very high level of pollutants in the air.
Aera+ Mode
Ideal for allergy season the Aera+ Mode increases the air turnover rate by up to 35%.
Simply press the Aera+ buttin once to active Aera+ Mode and press it again to exit this mode.
Fan Speed Indicator
Below the Aera+ mode button are the fan speed indicators.
There are 3 fan speeds; low, medium and high and there is an indicator for each setting.
Manual Fan Speed Adjustment
You can manually alter the fan speed by simply tapping the Manual Fan Speed Adjustment button until the desired fan setting is reached.
One bar indicates the low setting, two bars indicates the medium setting and three bars indicates the high setting.
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True HEPA Filter Change Indicator
There are two lights which will let you know when to change the HEPA filter.
First the amber light will give an indication. This is a warning that the replacement time of the filter is near.
When the red light comes on it is definitely time to replace the filter.
With ordinary use the filter will be changed every year or so.
Carbon Filter Change Indicator
The carbon filter change indicator is similar to the HEPA filter indicator in that there are two lights which signal when to change the filter.
Again the lights are amber and red.
Carbon filters should probably be changed every 3 months.
PlasmaTRUE Technology
Despite its fancy name this function simply creates an ionised field around the air purifier.
Ionisers take positive ions such as spores, pollens, mites etc out of the air so that the remaining air is easier to breathe. Obviously this is a great feature for those suffering from asthma and hay fever etc.
All in all the control pad is cleanly laid out and is very easy to understand and operate.
DX5 Specifications 
- Power usage: low 37w, high 51w
- 3 Fan speeds
- Display: touch screen
- Control type: Auto/Manual/Aera+
- Air quality sensor: yes
- Dimensions: 18.4 x 69.2 x 21.6 cm
- Weight: 6kg
Design
The Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier is a tower air purifier that looks pretty slick with its black and white colour combination.
The unit is designed with the control panel on the front, the air vents on the side and the filters on the rear.
While tower air purifiers are not the best for their airflow or coverage area the DX5 does an ample job for both especially considering the cost. The DX5 remains affordable while superior air purifiers will cost more.
Ideally the DX5 should be used in a large room for maximum effect.
Warranty
Fellowes are confident about the quality of their product and their 3 year warranty reflects this.
After sale customer care is a priority at Fellowes so if by chance there is a fault with your Fellowes air purifier they will look after you well.
With offices around the world contacting Fellowes is very easy. Just look up their office in your country. For example if you are in the UK simply look up the Fellowes UK website.
Box Contains
- Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier
- True HEPA Filter
- Carbon Filter
- Instruction Manual
- Survey Card
Final Thoughts
We think that the Fellowes DX5 is an excellent tower-type air purifier with great features and certifications.
The best air purifiers are fairly expensive but they certainly provide a cleaner air. Several more expensive air purifiers do not feature a carbon pre-filter which absorbs larger particles as well as odours so the DX5 scores big in that regard.
The DX5 should appeal to not only asthmatics and those with other respiratory problems such as allergies and hay fever but also to those that want a cleaner air for greater relaxation and lower stress levels.
We particularly like the auto toggle feature which will save you running costs over the long-term while providing optimum operating efficiency at all times.
The sleek modern look is a bonus as is the Aera+ Mode which will be very beneficial to allergy sufferers. Finally the 3 year warranty shows the confidence that fellowes have in their products.
Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier Reviews
The Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier is a very popular air purifier and considering its great features it is easy to see why it sells well.
At time of writing the unit rates 4.3 / 5 on Amazon.
Here is what verified purchasers are saying about the air purifier:
- “I would recommend this product to air allergy sufferers without a doubt”
- “This air purifier arrived yesterday & I had the best nights sleep in ages”
- “we suffer from stinking cooking smells from next door, this sorts them!”
- “No more flu or high fewer. No more asthma. I don’t know why I didn’t purchase this earlier”
- “On its lowest setting it’s almost silent so can be used in the bedroom through the night”
- “have noticed a massive difference with the dust that in our lounge witch is caused from our pets”
- “takes all the rubbish out of the air, it’s amazing how little dust there is now since we have had this unit”
Fellowes AeraMax DX5 Air Purifier Video
Check out our video of the Fellowes AeraMax DX5 Air Purifier. The video basically highlights the main points from the above review.
Click Here To Buy The Fellowes DX5 Air Purifier
