Oreck WK15500B Air Refresh 2-in-1 Hepa Air Air purifier & Ultrasonic Humidifier for Small Rooms, , Gray

More quiet than we expected, unassuming, smart display and controls, sleep mode and the 2d stage charcoal filter are great perks
I have chronic issues with my sinuses and lungs due to a toxic exposure on a Marine Corps facility. I also have a 20 month old daughter who, like all toddlers, is very sensitive to environmental variables such as humidity and dust. While we have a fantastic HVAC system and a whole house multi-stage filter, we also have a couple German Shepherd Dogs, carpeting in her room, and wood floors throughout the rest which absorb quite a bit of the humidity when the weather turns cold. So I’ve been looking, for some time, for a quality humidifier and air purifier, and was having very little luck (mostly going with cheap steam units to avoid mold issues) until we discovered the Oreck WK15500B.Maintenance wasn’t a concern for us, there really is no true “fire and forget” solution for both needs on the household market so going in we understood that this was going to require filters, cleaning, and perhaps even descaling (doesn’t seem to be a concern). Two features immediately impressed us; one is that the life expectancy of the filter is about 6 months (though no doubt the environment will sway that one way or another), and the other is that the unit has a clever little display that tells you how much life is left in the filter, and how much water you have in the tank. No question that cleaning this unit is going to be a bit of a chore, but we consider that part and parcel of what its function. I would have liked to have seen some sort of anti-microbial treatment/film on the tank, or perhaps a UV bulb — but in the former case it wouldn’t have been permanent and in the latter it would have added an extraordinary expense when the bulbs had to be switched. I can’t ding this for either omission. The charcoal filter (odors as opposed to particulates) is a nice extra perk I didn’t expect in this sort of product. While we can thank a trusty Diaper Genie for not really having any nursery smells, we do (as noted above) have two large dogs who put off almost as much gas as my wife when they sleep; so that’s a welcome bonus. Don’t mind that last sentence, I want to see if she reads my reviews.Noise was a concern for us. We’ve had cyclonic units, clever air pushers with no moving parts, electrostatic cleaners, water atomizers, steam units, wick units — we’ve gone through a lot of different options over the years. I’m happy to report that not only is this unit quiet (that’s subjective, but I can say without blinking that it’s quieter than most and more quiet than I reasonably expected), but it also has a sleep timer that brings it down even further. Again, the WK15500B exceeded our expectations and even hopes in terms of ambient noise. My laptop is louder as I sit here typing.It has a reasonably small footprint, and it aesthetically unassuming. Not attractive, not unattractive; it just looks clean lined and functional, and that’s really all I can ask there.Investigate replacement filter cost as part of your research, factor in changing filters every 4 months (perhaps) if you’re fighting a lot of different indoor air quality issues, every 6 is what they suggest, perhaps every 8 if your house is uncluttered and kid/pet-free. Your mileage will vary.As far as the unit itself, we really couldn’t be any happier with it. Wouldn’t begin to know what else I’d want in such a unit. Highly recommended, and I see us getting a second one.

Do not buy!
This product does not do what its intention is for. One great quality it has is that it is very quiet, you wouldn’t know it is on. Very slick looking, just wish it worked. The air feel the same and I see no difference in the room when it comes to the humidity function.

Does the job, but at a high cost
This is a two-stage air filter, which doesn’t mean it gets the air twice as clean. It means it cleans the air with a HEPA filter, and also absorbs minor odors by using an activated charcoal filter. The charcoal filter will need replacing every three months or so, and the much more expensive HEPA filter about every year. There is an indicator on the console that tells you when to replace them.It moves quite a bit of air, and is far from quiet on its top speed. It doesn’t adjust its own speed, which is kind of good in that it won’t suddenly speed up and drown out the television show you are trying to watch, and kind of bad in that it won’t automatically react to increases in air impurities, like smoke.The humidifier is effective, but the water reservior is on the small side, and will run out in about fifteen hours when set to high. Annoyingly, the setting for the humidifier goes back to low every time the unit is turned off and on, so if you like it at a certain level, you’ll have to make sure you set it each time you turn it on. The water vapor comes out of the right-hand corner at the top of the device, and is carried upward by the filtered air output. This will distribute it, and also keep it from settling onto the floor.Oreck recommends cleaning both the water reservoir and the unit itself weekly with hydrogen peroxide. Not doing so will likely lead to mold, which is the last thing you want in the air. Cleaning the reservoir is easy, but cleaning the unit is not. There is a drain at the bottom, and using it will require that you lug this big heavy thing into a nearby (hopefully) bathtub. Which is kind of crazy. Given the price of the unit, which is nearly twice what I would expect, I’m wondering why they didn’t put in a UV sterilizing light to help mitigate this.Because of the design, it doesn’t take up much floor space, which is nice. It is also very tall, however, which is not as nice. You won’t be hiding this thing anywhere. It isn’t unattractive, but artwork it is not.Bottom line is it does what it says it will, and is competent at that. The humidifier is a great addition, and really helps when running the AC a lot, which dries out the air. The cleaning requirements for it are daunting, however, and if you skip them you’ll cause worse problems than you are trying to solve.The price is high. High enough so that you will want to look around and compare competing products, some of which look nicer than this one, but might not have the humidifier. Make sure you also compare costs for the replacement filters, as the cost of those can add up quickly and exceed the original cost of the unit.Recommended, with some reservations.Sean Logue, 2016