After using the Honeywell Air Touch U2 for over a month in my Thane (Mumbai MMR region) apartment, I’ve formed a clear idea of what it offers in everyday use. This is my first experience with a full-sized air purifier, and while it has some quirks, I’ve come to rely on it more than expected, especially given the humidity and lack of ventilation in my rented flat.

First impressions and build

Unboxing the Honeywell Air Touch U2 immediately tells you that this is not a small bedside gadget. Weighing around 11kg, it feels solid and well-built. The white and brown dual-tone finish blends nicely with most interiors, and the overall construction inspires confidence. However, moving it between rooms is not easy. I often wanted to shift it from the living room to the bedroom, but since it is heavy, I had to drag it carefully across the floor. A set of small wheels would have made movement much easier.

The top control panel is clearly labelled and responsive, though the controls feel a bit too sensitive. Even a slight accidental touch can change the fan speed or mode, something that happened to me more than once while dusting around it. The display is bright and easy to read, showing real-time PM2.5 levels and various indicators.

The lighting strip runs smoothly across the front and sides, giving the purifier a sleek, modern look. I noticed three light colors during use: green for good air quality, yellow or amber for moderate, and occasionally a blue tint when the air was improving. There is a red light for poor air quality. It only turns red after the AQI reaches a certain level.

Filtration and performance

The Honeywell Air Touch U2 uses a seven-stage filtration system to remove dust, smoke, VOCs, pollen and other airborne pollutants. It has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 650 m³/h, which means it can handle large rooms or even small apartments comfortably.

In my living area, the difference in air quality was noticeable within days. The air felt fresher, cooking smells faded faster, and there was less visible dust on furniture. I mostly kept it on Auto mode, which automatically adjusted fan speeds based on air quality. In this mode, the noise level was quite low and hardly noticeable. However, when set to the top two fan speeds, the noise increased significantly, to the point where I had to turn up the TV volume to hear properly.

Even without lab tests, you can tell that the purifier is effective. The PM2.5 reading drops quickly, and the air smells noticeably cleaner. The front-to-top airflow design ensures that the purified air circulates evenly around the room.

Humidifier

Although the humidifier is not its primary feature, I found it very handy in my home. Living in Thane, close to Mumbai, I deal with a lot of humidity after cooking because my kitchen has poor ventilation. The humidifier helped balance the moisture levels, especially after long cooking sessions, and the air felt much more comfortable.

Now that winter is setting in across India, I can see this feature becoming even more useful in drier regions such as Delhi, where air pollution can reach extreme levels. The humidifier adds much-needed moisture to the air without overdoing it. The water tank needs refilling every two to three days with normal use, which is manageable once you get into the routine.

App connectivity and smart features

The Honeywell Air Touch app was easy to set up and connect to my Wi-Fi. Through the app, I could monitor indoor air quality, check filter life and schedule purification times. It also supports Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing voice control for basic functions. I mostly used the app on my smartphone and found it responsive and reliable.

The purifier also includes a remote control for quick operation, which is convenient if you prefer traditional controls over app-based ones. To give an idea of its size, I placed it next to the Poco F7 smartphone, it’s surprisingly compact and lightweight, small enough to hold comfortably in one hand. Between the physical buttons, app and remote, Honeywell has covered all user preferences quite well.

Maintenance and filter life

Maintenance is quite simple. The pre-filter can be removed and washed regularly, which helps reduce replacement costs. The rest of the filters are easy to access and replace. According to Honeywell, the Pre Filter and Humidifier Filter can last up to two years, while Compound Filter 1 (Anti-Bacterial, Silver Ion and H13 HEPA) and Compound Filter 2 (Cold Catalyst and Activated Carbon) have a lifespan of up to 9,000 hours or about one year.

The purifier also includes a filter reset indicator, so there is no need to guess when a replacement is due. Replacement filters are not cheap, but given the level of purification and convenience, it feels like a fair trade-off.

Living with the Air Touch U2

Over the past month, I have found the Honeywell Air Touch U2 to be dependable and easy to live with. I switch it on before cooking and often keep it running on Auto mode at night. The air feels lighter and more breathable, and the humidifier keeps my throat from drying out.

There are a few small drawbacks. The controls can be overly touch-sensitive, the unit is heavy to move, and noise can get high at top fan speeds. Still, these are minor issues compared to the comfort and cleanliness it provides. Watching the indicator light turn from yellow to green after a purification cycle gives a real sense of satisfaction.

Verdict

The Honeywell Air Touch U2 offers strong filtration, a useful humidifier, and convenient smart controls, making it ideal for homes in polluted or humid cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Thane. Despite slightly sensitive controls, noticeable noise at high speeds, and the absence of wheels, the Honeywell Air Touch U2 remains a reliable and practical choice for cleaner indoor air this winter. This product is listed for Rs 29,099 on Amazon India and on its official website.

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The post Honeywell Air Touch U2 review: A reliable purifier that doubles as a helpful humidifier appeared first on Gizmochina.