How To Clean Rabbit Air Filter

I remember most people that read this site would agree on one "cigar bucket list" detail: existence able to smoke inside your own home or part without the complications of smoking inside of your own domicile or part. Namely, people lament nigh the smoke or smell.

Depending on your situation, this might be very possible, and inevitably, some of y'all are already doing this. Just for nigh, the issue of smoking inside is very obvious: the fume. Athalfwheel, nosotros've made multiple purchases of air purifiers ranging from $150 to thousands of dollars. While each of these solutions had its pros and cons, the air purifiers that are used the nearly at our office smoking lounge is one of the proper name brands of air purification: Rabbit Air.

WHAT IS It?

In January 2021, Rabbit Air introduced its newest air purifier, the A3. Information technology's a new form factor compared to the company's MinusA2, previously its most powerful air purifier and one that yous have likely seen in cigar shops. From the exterior, the A3's matte black look doesn't immediately scream air purifier, though in fairness, neither did the MinusA2.

It measures 19.7 inches x 18.ix x viii.iv—slightly smaller than the A2—and weighs 20.3 pounds. The front panel is removable—information technology attaches to the base with magnets—and has an intake that runs down the center of the panel every bit well as space for air to enter from all four sides as information technology doesn't seal flush against the body of the unit. The main unit features an angled elevation, which is where the buttons and an LED light strip sit, and so the very peak is the exhaust where the cleaned air exits the unit.

HOW MUCH DOES IT Price?

The A3 has an MSRP of $749.95.

A set up of replacement filters costs $105.95

The app is free.

WHAT'South IN THE BOX?

The A3, one set of filters, and the wall mounting hardware.

HOW DOES IT Piece of work?

In the most basic terms, the unit has a fan that is placed behind a series of filters. The Rabbit Air sucks in air, which goes through the filters and and then out the top of the unit of measurement. This is no unlike than the MinusA2, but more on that below.

As with the MinusA2, the unit has a half dozen-stage air purification organisation:

Pre-filter — This is a washable mesh filter that is fabricated to attract larger particles including hair, dust, pollen, bugs or annihilation else that might go picked upwards by the unit of measurement. This is the one filter that isn't designed to exist replaced, instead, Rabbit Air recommends cleaning information technology once per month by running it under water and letting it dry.
Medium Filter — The air and so goes through a replaceable filter that is made to capture particles larger than 1 micron that weren't picked up by the pre-filter. This could include anything such every bit pet pilus, mold or leaner.
Carbon Charcoal Filter — This is a filter that has big activated carbon, which is designed to help remove odors, including smoke.
BIOGS HEPA Filter — Rabbit Air claims its HEPA filters are better than any competitors thanks to its use of electrostatic fibers. These fibers are charged, which helps them take hold of more particles than a typical HEPA filter, according to the company. Rabbit Air says that it will trap "allergen and particles 0.iii microns in size at 99.97% efficiency and over 99% efficiency for particles less than 0.i microns."
Customized Filter — Like the MinusA2, customers can customize their A3 by selecting from one of four different filters: germ defence, toxin absorber, pet allergy, and odor remover. Cigar smokers desire odor remover, though these filters tin can be inverse whenever yous replace the filters, pregnant if you bought the germ defense filter, you but need to purchase a new ready of filters and not a whole new unit to tackle the examination of removing cigar smoking odors.
Negative Ions — Like many air filters, Rabbit Air uses electrically charged ions to charge air potables. The idea is that these ions attach to contaminants in the air and those particles are now charged and stick to a surface, similar a wall or the ground. While this engineering is proven, it's not as magical—specially in less ambitious settings—than more standard air purification methods.

HOW DOES THE APP Piece of work?

Information technology's pretty uncomplicated but effective. Higher up are some pictures of the setup of the app, which is very easy. It only connects via wi-fi and took just a few minutes to complete the setup.

You can run across more of the app in action in the YouTube video above. The app can control all the functions that are included on the touch panel of the unit of measurement, plus the ability to command the RGB mood lighting. With both the A2 and A3, my default is to just go out the unit in Automobile way, and so the app isn't actually that important for me.

VERSUS THE MINUSA2

The MinusA2 is offered in a variety of options, but at its core at that place is the 700-square-foot model ($549.95), a 780-square-foot model ($599.95), and a wi-fi enabled 780-square-pes option ($619.95).

While unboxing the A3 information technology was obvious that the filters are larger than the MinusA2, only I was curious if they were actually any unlike. As it turns out, they aren't. And I doubtable this means that for people that already have a MinusA2 that is functioning well enough to their standards there probable isn't a reason to upgrade.

That being said, there are some improvements:

It'southward Smaller Still Has a Greater Coverage Area — Rabbit Air rates the A3 for rooms upwards to 1,070-square-feet. The visitor says that the filtration ability is "43% higher than the MinusA2 based on the fume CADR."
Upside Down Mounting — Perhaps the largest upgrade, and one that applies to ourhalfwheel smoking lounge, is that the unit of measurement can be mounted on a wall upside downward. The MinusA2 tin be wall-mounted, but Rabbit Air says there should be at least two feet of clearance between the peak of the unit and the ceiling. Because the A3 tin exist mounted upside downwardly, this is no longer a limitation for those hoping to mount the unit close to a ceiling.
Laser Particle Sensing Technology — This is all in a higher place my caput, but the visitor says "the air quality particle sensor is based on laser particle sensor technology which can detect PM10 and PM2.5. The app will display a particle density (concentration) for each size."
Filter Tracking — The filters now take an NFC tag on them which means that the app tin track when it thinks the filters need to exist replaced. Fortunately, the A3 volition run even if there aren't any filters inside so you don't need to be concerned about proprietary filters. That being I'yard not sure how many tertiary-party filters in that location are for the MinusA2, let alone the new A3.

There are some other upgrades: the device definitely appears more modern, the buttons on the unit are now touch-activated and there's RGB mood lighting for those that desire it. The blueprint of some of the filters has changed but I'thou not sure how impactful those changes are compared to the fact that the filters are merely larger.

WHAT WE TESTED AND DIDN'T TEST

As much as I would take liked to, this review is based on real-world use and not scientific testing. Not but is most of this science way in a higher place my head, but we likewise didn't really accept a practical fashion of testing the comeback claims. That would accept required us to utilize some sort of cleanroom and controlled exam, which are all things that seemed a chip too expensive for us to test one air filter.

Instead what we did was to replace one of our existing MinusA2 units—the one that encounters the bulk of the smoke—with the new A3. Neither Brooks Whittington nor I noticed much of a divergence in the almost daily use of the A3. That existence said, it's not like the A2 was struggling before it, and so I wasn't expecting much change there.

There are two things that I did notice. First, the fume needs to travel less distance earlier it gets in range of being sucked in by the A3. Some of this is probably due to the more powerful fan only some of this is too due to the new front inlet. Information technology's a deviation of inches, not feet, merely it is noticeable. 2d, information technology does seem similar the unit is a chip more than responsive in toggling between fan speeds in automatic way.

PROS

It Works Quite Well — So long equally the smoke makes it near the unit and isn't beingness moved away by something like an A/C vent, the A3 will suck upwardly most of the smoke. Non only that, but because it has 2 different scent removing filters, the air comes out with very footling of the tobacco smoke smell. That's a big difference compared to cheaper air filters that don't typically have much in the style of olfactory property removal or absorption.
Information technology's Pretty Quiet — We've spent at to the lowest degree $6,000 on air purifiers in the last 2 years, not to mention the costs of filters and installation. The unit that we utilise the almost is the Rabbit Air and it's for 1 big reason: the noise, or lack thereof. While the commercial units we own volition suck up fashion more than fume, they are loud, and much louder than the Rabbit Air. The divergence in air cleanliness between the A3 and a commercial unit of measurement is negligible, but the commercial unit on its lowest setting is exponentially louder than the Rabbit Air on its highest setting.
The Automated Sensing Feature Works Well — While this is pretty standard on consumer air filters for this toll, it's nice to exist able to but sit down downward and light up without having to touch anything. The Rabbit Air will automatically adjust one time the smoke gets near it and will tedious down once I'm done smoking.
Setting it Up is Super Uncomplicated — Not only is the setup process very well explained, but it takes almost 10 minutes to set the Rabbit Air fifty-fifty if you lot've never done it before. Furthermore, the included wall mount requires just basic tools and skills and tin can easily be done by one person. There'southward no need for ceiling mounts or electrical piece of work. Rabbit Air fifty-fifty includes a leveling bubble on the wall mount.
Information technology Is Easy to Movement Around — This is a massive understatement in terms of its importance. What nosotros've learned in our smoking area is that the smoke doesn't always move the same way. In fact, the smoke'southward direction in our room will modify depending on the outside temperature. Unlike a ceiling-mounted commercial unit, whenever this happens we can just move the Rabbit Air where the fume is going. Furthermore, this also means if you e'er want to have this over to a friend's house for say a garage poker night, it'south very easy.
The App is a Nice Bonus Feature — I certainly neverneeded to have an air purifier that I could control with my phone, simply it's a dainty feature. The large selling betoken here is the power to bank check the air filters, though I wish the app would also remind me to clean the pre-filter at its recommended monthly intervals.
The Mounting Options — Our other MinusA2 is wall-mounted and is non ii feet away from the ceiling. Information technology seems to piece of work okay, just it's overnice that Rabbit Air took the time to come up up with an easy set here. That beingness said, one thing I'thousand a scrap curious well-nigh is whether the exhaust vent pointed down will make information technology more challenging for the smoke to enter the unit of measurement versus when it is right side upward.
V-Year Warranty — I've never used it but the Rabbit Air comes with a five-year warranty, which seems pretty generous compared to competitors.
The Art Panels — Rabbit Air will sell yous an optional console that has iconic artwork instead of the matte black front. I've never wanted to accept my air purifier depict Van Gogh's Starry Night, but perhaps there'due south some room where that would be a meliorate option.

CONS

I'd Like a White Choice — I imagine it's coming, but I'd like a white unit to mount onto our white walls.
The Price Point is Getting High — This is a noticeable jump up in cost and it's probably going to make information technology out of reach for many people's budgets, particularly given that Rabbit Air is nonetheless selling the MinusA2. I remember the premium versus the MinusA2 is justified but it's creeping towards a unlike product category.

The following are some thoughts I accept regarding air purifiers in general. All of them apply to the A3, though none of them are unique to the A3 or other Rabbit Air units.

At that place's a Difference Between "Make clean Air" and "No Odors" — This is the reason why the Rabbit Air—and probably whatever air purifier—isn't going to be a magic solution for anyone. I have no doubt that if y'all had a bunch of smoke in a sealed room and placed the Rabbit Air within, information technology would get rid of the smoke. Unfortunately, getting rid of the visible smoke is just one function of beingness able to smoke a cigar without the smoking consequences.
It Just Cleans the Air That Makes it to the Unit of measurement — This applies to all air filters, only the A3 is limited in that it volition only clean the air that goes through the filters. In our halfwheel lounge—which isn't an closed room—this has been something we've had to make adjustments for. Over the course of a cigar, I'll see the smoke leaving the cigar go up, left, correct, angles, etc. It's just not a consistent flow and it tin be afflicted by whatsoever number of things: is the A/C running, is the air temperature outside changing, is the air pressure changing, did the ashtray move, which direction are y'all bravado out the smoke, etc.
Once the Smoke Misses the Unit of measurement, Information technology Probably Isn't Getting At that place — Because the Rabbit Air is a stationary device, it'south limited every bit to what information technology can really achieve, particularly exterior of a truly sealed room. Every room will be unlike, only if the Rabbit Air is on the left side of your room and the smoke goes right, I'grand not sure—exterior of having boosted solutions similar fans—how the smoke will ever make it back to the unit of measurement.
And Once That Happens, the Odors Will Linger — While some of that dirty air might somewhen make it dorsum to the unit, my practical experience tells me that a lot of information technology won't. The smoke and the odors it carries will somewhen brand information technology somewhere else and it will similar settle. This could be a wall, the floor, furniture, etc. This should be self-explanatory, only in one case the odor is on or inside your furniture, the Rabbit Air isn't going to be much of use.
Fresh Air Makes A Big Difference — If I've learned anything through our lounge experience it'due south that even when the ashtray is placed a foot from the Rabbit Air—or other air purifiers—you nevertheless want to accept fresh air—air from an exterior source—existence added to the room. If you don't have this, you are probably going to have issues.

THE COMPETITION

The obvious competition is one of Rabbit Air'south MinusA2 units, or more than specifically, one of the less expensive MinusA2s ($549.95-619.95) and a small-scale fan. I think the combination of the MinusA2 plus a small-scale fan is probably a better use of $750 than an A3 without the fan. The key with both units is getting the smoke to the unit and if you are struggling to get some of the smoke close to the air purifier, a small fan does wonders to set up this problem.

Outside of Rabbit Air's own offerings, I can't say that I've consistently seen another consumer-focused air purifier marketed towards cigar smokers or used in cigar stores. That being said, I have experience trying to use three other air purifiers—none of which are direct competitors—to try to mitigate cigar fume.

Coway Mighty AP-15 ($200) — I've purchased these for equally little as $120 and while it is highly recommended for general use, information technology isn't going to be as effective for cigar smoke. The biggest difference for me is that the odor removal isn't close at all. While the Coway will get rid of the visible fume, the air that leaves the unit of measurement smells. The Rabbit Air'due south cleaned air isn't perfect, but it's a very balmy odor compared to the Coway. For me, this is a dealbreaker as that ways the room that y'all are in is going to smell.
LakeAir LA-2000 OC ($1,845) — This is an electrostatic air purifier, pregnant you can occasionally hear it zap like a bug zapper. Not but is the fan—fifty-fifty in its everyman setting—quite loud, it'southward also only got 1 intake area. That means if the smoke misses it, the unit isn't going to do much. Furthermore, one time the smoke misses the intake, at that place's a decent chance the potent exhaust will push information technology even farther away from the intake. This is a commercial solution that I imagine is designed to work in tandem with multiple units in large spaces.
Smokemaster C-12 ($two,695) — We replaced the in a higher place unit with the C-12, which remains in our lounge. This is a much ameliorate solution but is probably overkill for anything short of a cigar lounge. While it's a lot quieter, on its everyman setting it is still quite loud compared to the Rabbit Air. Properly mounted in a cigar lounge, this unit of measurement can work very well but it's complete overkill for anything brusk of that. One other annoyance I have with the C-12 is that its filters quickly absorbed tobacco odor meaning that within nearly a month of use just turning the air purifier on even when not smoking fabricated the room smell similar a cigar shop.
A Note About Other Consumer Air Purifiers — While these will likely be cheaper and accept flashier marketing than the Rabbit Air, unless an air purifier is specifically designed for tobacco fume, I'd stay away. Athalfwheel, nosotros are pretty big fans of Wirecutter and you tin can read its thoughts on a variety of consumer units here. Though once again, I suspect most of these will be a waste product of money unless you are but trying to mitigate a state of affairs where you are hotboxing your garage over the wintertime. If you don't care about odor removal, the Coway and many other devices like this will probably practise okay.

SHOULD YOU Buy Information technology?

Yes.

While I don't call back information technology's worth upgrading for existing Rabbit Air owners, I don't think there's anything wrong with the $200 premium over the lower-end MinusA2. Functionally, the unit performs as well as the MinusA2s and I'm willing to take Rabbit Air'due south claims that the larger and more powerful air filtration is ameliorate. The real question is whether that $200 could be spent amend elsewhere and I suspect that buying a small fan to place on the other side of the room to help encourage more of the fume to make information technology to the Rabbit Air is probably a ameliorate use of that money.

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I handle the editing of our written content, the majority of the technical aspects of the site and work with the rest of our staff on content direction, business development and more. I've lived in near corners of the land and at present entering my second stint in Dallas, Texas. I relish boxing, headphones, the Le Mans 24-hour, wearing sweatshirts year-round and gyros. echte liebe.