The proof: how it is done and how it goes the Sharp UA-HD60E-L air purifier

Never before in these pandemic times have we stayed so long at home, and therefore never has attention to the health of the domestic environment increased as now. City pollution is a sad reality, but often the air we have in the house is even worse: for this reason, in recent times, there have been many filters, purifiers, humidifiers and other devices that aim to make the air of best house. We tried for a few months the Sharp UA-HD60E-L, which is both an air purifier and a humidifier: the top model of the Japanese house for domestic use, designed for rooms up to 48 square meters. And here comes the first perplexity: since it is air, would it no longer make sense to think in cubic meters?

As did

Large (460 x 300 x 690 mm), but all in all discreet, with its curved lines and neutral colors (light gray or brown), the Sharp purifier is all plastic, robust enough and weighs approximately 8.6 kg. It has invisible wheels that allow it to be moved quite easily; however, they are not pivoting, so curves could become a problem. It comes with the filters to be mounted: before starting it you must therefore open the rear panel, free the black deodorizing filter from the plastic in which it was wrapped and put it back in place, then you have to do the same with the HEPA filter. To use the humidification function it is also necessary to remove the tank, fill it with water (about three liters) and then put it back. Only then can you plug it into a power outlet and start it up, but it is highly recommended that you read the instructions carefully first so that you understand what the various buttons and lights are for.

The interface
And it’s not easy, between bizarre logos, lights that change color, double or triple functions. Here we immediately say that the first big problem of the Sharp is that it lacks an app to control it from a smartphone, just as there is no possibility of integration into a home automation system, peculiarities that are also found in much cheaper devices (and which may even have a remote control, absent here). The relative advantage is that if you use the basic functions there is no need to configure it or to have a wi-fi network: just press a button and the UA-HD60E-L starts immediately, MODE adjusts the intensity of the air flow, the humidifier starts with the button marked with a drop. For the more adventurous there is the intelligent mode, which optimizes performance according to humidity, temperature and air quality, also evaluating the presence or absence of people: if there is no one, the power goes up, otherwise it drops to minimize noise. Which can be quite high at maximum speed, and which with night mode is reduced to 24 decibels: little, but not enough not to be perceived, especially if you live in a quiet environment. Another button allows you to select what the numerical indicator on the front should show: the room temperature, the relative humidity or the consumption in watts of the appliance. There is also a timer, to program the switching on or off in one hour steps.

How does it work
The rear panel acts as a prefilter that traps dust and other large airborne particles. The second filter is the deodorant one, which absorbs many common household odors such as those from cigarettes or cooking. Then there’s the HEPA filter that captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns – especially useful for polluted cities with high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 particles. It also catches pollen, dust, mites and dead pet cells. Finally, there is what Sharp calls Plasmacluster Ion Technology, able, as stated on the website, to “generate positive and negative ions equal to those naturally present in the outside air. Scientific studies show that Plasmacluster ions purify the air, absorbing and breaking down pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, molds and unpleasant odors ”. Be that as it may, the result is clearly noticeable, and the air coming out of the purifier’s two vents actually gives the impression of being cleaner and lighter. The humidifier also helps relieve the sensation of dry skin, eyes or nose: it can also be useful for snorers, because it helps keep the airways moist during sleep, if kept on while you sleep. Overall, keeping it running always gives the impression of improving air quality, and with careful tilting of the vents, you can also use it to improve heat circulation when the radiators are on.

In time
In winter it was necessary to fill the water tank on average every two days; with spring and the rising temperature we had to do it even more frequently. However, it is a very simple operation, as it is simple to clean the filters. After less than two months of use, however, the appliance began to put an unpleasant smell and it was necessary to thoroughly clean the humidifier filter with citric acid, as indicated in the manual. For this reason Sharp’s assertion that the three filters last about 10 years seems very optimistic, also because the competitors stand for times varying between one and five years. On the other hand, the prices of the filters are not exaggerated: respectively 99 and 69 euros. The purifier, on the other hand, costs 699 euros per price list, but can be found online at much lower prices.

For whom it is suitable

• People living in cities that are polluted with high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 particles or where there is a lot of dust
• Who is allergic to pollen
• People who live in areas where dust is a problem
• Those who want to protect themselves as much as possible from viruses, bacteria, odors and molds present in the air
• Those looking for an excellent humidifier

For those who are not suitable

• Who wants a device that can be controlled with Alexa, Google or other voice assistants
• Who does not read the user manuals
• Who can’t stand even the slightest noise
• Who wants to spend little
• Those looking for an ultra-compact product