Sharp FXJ80UW Air Purifier Review - PCMag

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 01:01 PM PDT

COVID-19 and increasing air pollution levels have many people thinking about investing in a smart air purifier. Recommended for rooms up to 502 square feet, the $599.99 Sharp FXJ80UW is a Wi-Fi-connected, Energy Star-certified air purifier that does double duty: Its HEPA filter captures airborne allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, and smoke, while its Plasmacluster Ion technology reduces odors and destroys many microscopic pollutants like bacteria, fungus, germs, mold, and viruses. Offering ample features including a Spot mode for carpeting and furniture, scheduling options, and Amazon Alexa support, the FXJ80UW is definitely worth considering for large rooms.

How the FXJ80UW Works

The FXJ80UW has a large inlet on the back through which it draws in air. The air passes through a pre-filter that traps dust and other large airborne particles, an active carbon deodorizing filter, and a true high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter before it's discharged through air outlets on the front and top of the device.

The FXJ80UW has a large inlet on the back through which it draws in air

To comply with current standards, HEPA filters are tested and certified to remove at least 99.97 percent of dust particles as small as 0.3 micrometers. As Wirecutter recently reported, a NASA study found that HEPA filters can capture almost 100 percent of particles as small as 0.01 micrometers (or 10 nanometers), well exceeding the standard. To put that in perspective, COVID-19 is about 60 to 140 nanometers in diameter.

The FXJ80UW supplements its HEPA filtration with Sharp's Plasmacluster Ion technology designed to eliminate microscopic pollutants that evade traditional filters. A Plasmacluster Ion-Generating Unit on the left side of the machine creates positively and negatively charged ions using water and oxygen molecules in the air, and disperses them throughout the room. The ions then actively attach to and break down airborne pollutants like bacteria, mold, and viruses before returning to the air as invisible water vapor. Sharp says the technology reduced 94 percent of E.coli bacteria, up to 87.7 percent of mold fungus, and 90.3 percent of MS2 virus in a closed laboratory over four hours. For more about Sharp's Plasmacluster technology, head here.

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Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier

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The primary concern about ionic air purifiers is their production of ozone gas molecules, a lung irritant that can exacerbate asthma symptoms and cause a host of other health issues. The FXJ80UW is EPA-compliant and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified, so it's considered safe to use in your home for extended periods of time. Sharp says it produces a maximum eight-hour average ozone concentration of 0.003 parts per million, or four times less than the lowest industry and federal standards set by the FDA, OSHA, and NIOSH. It's also Energy Star certified, so it shouldn't have a substantial impact on your power bill.

Design and Features

The FXJ80UW measures 28.7 by 16.4 by 11.5 inches (HWD) and weighs a hefty 23.8 pounds, but it has handles on the sides that make it easy to carry around. Because it has an air outlet in the front, it also serves as a fan when you're sitting in front of it, but it can't oscillate like the $499.99 Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier.

On the front, it also has a neat-looking air quality monitor light that changes color depending on the air purity. Blue means the air is clean and red means it's impure. Below that is a display panel with icons that lets you quickly monitor the air quality, check if various features are enabled, and see if the filters need maintenance.

It doesn't come with a remote, but it connects to Wi-Fi, so you can control it from your phone via the Sharp Air mobile app (available for Android and iOS), and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands. The machine also has an operation panel on the top with buttons that let you control its various features.

You'll probably need to keep the user manual handy as you're getting used to it, because there are a lot of buttons, modes, and features. From the operation panel, you can turn the machine on and off, connect it to Wi-Fi, adjust the fan speed, enable Auto mode, control the display, lock the operation panel so kids can't fiddle with it, and set a timer so it turns on or off after a certain number of hours.

In Auto mode, it automatically adjusts its fan speed depending on the amount of dust and odor in the air. The fan speed button lets you switch between Low, Medium, Max, Pollen, and Sleep modes. In Pollen mode, dust sensor sensitivity increases so the machine can more quickly detect and clean allergens like dust and pollen from the air. In Sleep mode, the front display and air quality monitor light automatically switches off or dims based on the room brightness, the machine operates more quietly, and the fan speed automatically adjusts according to the air quality level.

The display button lets you switch between values for PM2.5 (microscopic particles smaller than 2.5 microns in size), power consumption (wattage), humidity percentage, and current room temperature.

The Plasmacluster Ion-Generating Unit

Additional buttons on the operation panel let you enable and disable the Plasmacluster Ion feature, Express Clean Mode, and Spot Mode. In Express Clean Mode, the machine releases Plasmacluster ions with a strong airflow for 10 minutes, cleans the air on high for 50 minutes, then returns to the prior mode. In Spot Mode, it emits high-density Plasmacluster ions in a forward direction for eight hours ,then returns to the prior mode. Sharp recommends Spot mode for cleaning odors and germs from clothes, sofas, and curtains.

Setup

Before operating the FXJ80UW for the first time, be sure to remove the back cover and take the active carbon and HEPA filters out of their plastic bags, then put them back into the purifier and replace the back cover. From there, you just place it on a level, stable surface, plug it in, and press the power button.

This is the HEPA filter

To control it with your phone and monitor your indoor air quality when you're not home, you need to download the Sharp Air mobile app and create an account. Getting the app connected to the device is a breeze; a guide included in the box walks you through the process.

When you first sign into the app, it instructs you to check that your smart device is connected to the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network your appliance will use, then tap the three-bar icon, and select Pairing > Connection With a Router.

From there, it asks you to check and specify whether your router has a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button. You then select Air Purifier > FXJ80U, and follow the instructions in the app. If you have a WPS button on your router, you just hold the Wi-Fi button on the air purifier for three seconds and the Wi-Fi indicator light on the front display will start blinking. Then, within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. When they are connected, the air purifier will make a sound, and the Wi-Fi indicator will steadily illuminate. If you don't have a WPS button on your router, it just takes a couple of extra steps to get them connected. Once successfully connected, you can optionally enable the Sharp Cloud feature, which adjusts the sensor sensitivity settings in Auto mode based on your usage history to optimize the purifier's performance.

In the Sharp Air app, you can view your current air quality, room temperature, and humidity percentage. You can remotely turn the unit on and off; select the airflow level; enable Auto, Express Clean, Pollen, and Sleep modes; and set a schedule.

Performance

In testing, the FXJ80UW performed well and emitted absolutely no odor. I set it up in my dining room, across from the Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool in my living room (I have an open concept floor plan) and their PM2.5, temperature, and humidity level readings were always either the same or very close.

The FXJ80UW's Auto mode worked without issue. At one point while testing it, I accidentally burned toast, and the FXJ80UW sensed the smoke from a different room. Its air quality monitor light went red and automatically increased its fan speed.

The FXJ80UW is among the quietest large-room air purifiers I've tested. In Max mode, it runs at just 49dBA, or quieter than a household refrigerator, according to Yale University Environmental Health & Safety. On low, I can't even hear it. I'm sensitive to loud noises, so its quietness is a big plus.

I had no problems controlling the air purifier via the app. When I changed the mode or fan speed, it immediately applied my selected setting. Moreover, the FXJ80UW never had any trouble connecting to the app, even though I unplugged it to move it around from room to room several times. I also own a Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier, and find that it sometimes has issues connecting with its companion app when I unplug it and move it to a different location, so I'm happy the FXJ80UW doesn't have that issue.

One small annoyance, however, is that the Sharp Air app doesn't always automatically update with the FXJ80UW's latest air quality, humidity, and temperature readings. On the upper left side of the app it shows when it was last updated, and you sometimes have to press a manual refresh button to see the latest readings.

Another gripe is that the app doesn't show your air quality history. In comparison, the Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier's companion app shows graphs of your average air quality over the last day and each week going back a month.

One area where the Sharp Air app excels is scheduling. You can select a time, days of the week, and whether you want it to turn off or on. If you're having it turn on, you can select which mode or fan speed you want it to run at. In comparison, the Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier only lets you set a timer for up to nine hours.

I had no problem setting it up to work with Amazon Alexa and controlling it with voice commands. To get them connected, just search for and enable the Sharp Air skill in the Alexa app, then sign in using your Sharp Air credentials, and you should be good to go. Once connected, you can control the FXJ80UW with commands like, "Alexa, ask Sharp Air to turn on the air purifier," or, "Alexa, ask Sharp Air to set the mode to Sleep."

Maintenance

HEPA filters can be expensive, and they're not recyclable, but the good news is that you should get about two years out of the FXJ80UW's filter before you need to replace it. The active carbon deodorizing filter has about the same lifespan. A replacement HEPA filter costs $90 and the active carbon deodorizing filter is $80.

This is the active carbon deodorizing filter

To maintain optimum performance, you need to periodically clean the FXJ80UW and its filters. The filter maintenance light turns on after about 720 hours of operation (once a month if you run it 24 hours a day). When you see that light, you should unplug the machine, wipe it off with a dry cloth, and vacuum the back panel (pre filter). If the back panel is dirty, you can soak it in water and soap for about 10 minutes—just make sure it's completely dry before you put it back on.

With the back panel off, you can remove the HEPA and active carbon deodorizing filters and carefully dust them off. In the app, you can check the replacement status of filters at any time.

As part of the maintenance process, you should also remove and carefully clean the electrode section of the Plasmacluster Ion-Generating Unit. Sharp has instructions on how to do this in the user manual, and provides a small brush you can use that's conveniently stored within the unit.

Removing the Plasmacluster Ion-Generating Unit

If you're deterred by the cost and environmental impact of HEPA filters, I suggest checking out the Airdog X5 purifier, which features washable collecting plates to cut down on maintenance costs and waste.

Comparisons and Conclusions

The Sharp FXJ80UW is a unique smart air purifier that offers a dual line of defense against airborne pollutants, using HEPA filtration in combination with ion technology to clean the air of dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, bacteria, fungus, germs, mold, and viruses. It connects to Wi-Fi, so you can control it and monitor your air quality from your phone via the Sharp Air app, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands.

Left to right: Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier, Sharp FXJ80UW

In the high-end smart air purifier market, we also like the Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier, which has a more attractive and compact design and doubles as an oscillating fan. The FXJ80UW costs $100 more, but justifies its premium with ion purification, a Spot mode for furniture, more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, and better scheduling options. Both are solid options depending on your preferences and budget. And if you're looking to add a humidifer to the mix, the Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool is another strong choice, albeit a pricier one at $799.99.

Best Smart Home Picks

Hyundai Clean Air technology is an in-car ionization system that helps to purify the air flowing through a vehicle's climate control system. It works by electrically charging the air with negative ions, which attach to dust, pollen, bacteria, and other contaminates. These negatively charged particulates then attach themselves to a vehicle's interior air filter, helping to purify the air that flows into the cabin.

What is Hyundai Clean Air?

Hyundai has offered Clean Air ionization for years. More recently, Hyundai introduced an intelligent Smart Air Purification system that monitors interior air quality to filter the air inside a car automatically. The system constantly monitors the car's air quality, activating the purification function if the air quality decreases below a pre-defined level.

Still, there is always room for improvement, and what Hyundai Clean Air ionization does not currently address is mold that can build up in the climate system and filtration of fine dust particles. To combat those problems, Hyundai has just announced two new technologies designed to improve the quality of air in its vehicles, and one new feature intended to create a more pleasant indoor environment for drivers and passengers alike.

The new Clean Air technologies are After-Blow, Fine Dust Indicator, and Multi-Air Mode. They will be introduced initially on select Hyundai Motor Group models in Korea and expand to upcoming Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles worldwide in the future.

If you have ever had to deal with the foul smell of a moldy air conditioning system, you will appreciate Hyundai's After-Blow technology. It uses a dedicated fan to dry any moisture that has condensed on the air conditioning evaporator after the vehicle has been turned off. This suppresses mold growth in the air-conditioning system, which can cause a foul odor, especially during hot weather.

Here's how After Blow technology works. After the vehicle's engine is turned off, the water that condenses on the evaporator is allowed to drain normally for about 30 minutes. Then the After-Blow rotary fan activates for 10 minutes to dry the evaporator and any condensed water that remains in the air passage. The air-conditioning system automatically allows the influx of outside air during this time period to prevent humidity from building up. Without the drying process, the humid conditions in the air passage can foster the growth of mold.

After Blow uses an intelligent battery sensor to monitor battery usage. The sensor keeps the After Blow fan from functioning when the battery is low, stopping full battery discharge that could prevent the car from being started. After Blow also deactivates when the air conditioning system is not in use for a certain period of time or when the ambient temperature is low.

The Fine Dust Indicator tech analyzes the air inside the vehicle in real-time and delivers digitized information to the driver. The indicator displays the concentration of ultra-fine particles inside the vehicle using numbers and colors to enable the user to better understand the significance of each level.

If the level of ultra-fine particles exceeds 36 μg /m3 while the function is active, the air-cleaning mode will automatically activate to purify the air in the vehicle. The air-cleaning system also automatically sets the air volume, switches to air-recirculation mode, and activates the air conditioning system to reduce interior humidity.

If the air quality does not improve in air-cleaning mode, it serves as a reminder to the driver to replace the air-conditioner filters or to clean contaminated seats and mats.

The Multi-Air Mode is more comfort-oriented than the other technologies. It employs multiple vents for air conditioning and heating to create a more pleasant indoor environment by diminishing the force of the circulated air in the cabin.

When the mode is activated, air is dispersed to newly added multi-air slots in the driver and passenger seats in addition to the normal air vents. The overall air volume circulating in the cabin remains the same, but because the air is coming from additional sources versus the traditional dashboard vents, the system lessens direct air contact with the passengers and the airflow on occupants feels "softer."

This mode can be switched on and off based on driver — or passenger — preference.

Especially in this era of social distancing and mask-wearing, consumers are more concerned than ever about what is in the air we breathe. The fact that medical studies indicate enclosed spaces can be breeding grounds of disease is only one reason to pay attention to the quality of the air inside our cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.

Do take note, however, that the Korea-based automaker makes no claims that its collective Hyundai Clean Air technologies can combat pathogens like the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Rather, these new Hyundai Clean Air technologies build on the automaker's ongoing efforts to improve in-vehicle air quality, and the company expects the new tech will make the interiors of its vehicles more healthful places to be.

The information in this article is from Hyundai. It was accurate on July 29, 2020 but may have changed since that date.

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