Shark - NeverChange™ Air Purifier MAX (HP302)

Mine is working fine. When I brought it home it read 90. Now I keep it on level 3 and its at 100. If I open a door for an extended time it goes down to 90. I know this is the official Shark hate sub, but mines OK. The only way the filter lasts 5 years is if you have it on auto, because it will never turn on lmao. Gotta keep it on manual mode. I expect to change the filter once a year.

If you're actually looking for any functionality, Dyson is off the table. When it comes to Dyson's air purifiers, design dictates function, so the engineers had to consider the aesthetics of the device over the functionality. The Philips 8000 is essentially the same thing as the Dyson, Philips doesn't have magic engineers, they're using the same "bladeless fan" design. The "bladeless" look they're going for essentially uses a cylindrical centrifugal fan to force air through small channels and out from the thin gaps around the upper frame, this is completely an aesthetic design and does absolutely nothing functionally except increase noise levels and suffocate air volume output. Hence why at anything above 5/10 fan speed, this fan sounds like a jet engine. If you want a functional air purifier, look at the Winix 5510 ($165) for an affordable option, Shark HP302 ($330) for a midrange option, Medify MA-112 ($700) for a high end option. If you want functional VOC filtration, the consumer grade stuff won't cut it. You have very few options like the IQ Air Health Pro Plus XE ($1,200) or AustinAir Healthmate Plus ($855) and the other options are industrial grade filtration systems like the ones I have for my workshop. However, this is unnecessary unless you live in a city with absolutely terrible air quality. I only have gas filtration because I have machines that emit toxic fumes and UFPs.

The Shark HP302 is the largest Neverchange model. By the way, the neverchange claim is a marketing gimmick, they just have high quality pre-filters that are easily cleanable which extends the life of the HEPA filter, which to their credit is probably a HEPA13 filter and will likely outlast most other models but should be replaced after 2-3 years.  The Medify has substantially higher airflow than any of the other consumer grade options, it will be able to filter much greater volume in less time. It is pricey but you were willing to pay for Dyson and it’s around the same ballpark. You can probably order direct from their website.  The Coway air purifiers are a good midrange option. Blue air is more of a low end option.  The Winix 5510 is just the newer version of the 5300. The biggest difference is that the 5300 uses a fibrous carbon filter while the 5510 uses a higher quality pellet charcoal filter. As I’ve already said previously, none of these consumer-grade activated charcoal/carbon filters are actually effective for more than a week or so. Won’t make much of a difference functionally between the 5510 and 5300, you’re only really looking at the HEPA filtration. If you want real gas filtration, you gotta pay up for the IQ Air or AustinAir. 

Same thing happened to me, returned it and never looked back. Very common with this model. Shark wanted me to cut the cord and send out a new one but I am done, returned it.

The Shark 302 is the only good unit Shark makes, and it’s… fine. The “never change” filter is a lie - yearly changes are necessary - and the sensor doesn’t measure anything useful, but it’s a decent unit.

No. For several reasons: 1. Never change is a lie, you’ll be lucky to get a year from the filter. 2. It comes with SCENT PACKETS. Air purifiers remove contamination from the air, they don’t add things to it! 3. Like all things Shark, it’s disposable.

I have a Shark NeverChange MAX and it does a great job while not needing the filters to be replaced for a while. I have family with cat allergies and it does a good job making it manageable. The odor capsules are also pretty helpful especially if you're a member of /r/trees

Winix was the other brand I saw at the store and it was definitely cheaper than Shark. I only went with Shark because I knew of the brand already and did next to no research.

Another edit because I can’t respond to everyone since I’m on mobile. I already bought it, brought it home, and plugged it in. I plan on using it for a bit to see if I notice a difference. It’s the Shark NeverChange Max. There was another brand at Costco (Winix?) that was cheaper but like I said, I did practically no research and went with Shark because I knew the brand. The tiny research I did on my phone in the store said I should be able to not have to change the filter for a few years, which is a huge plus to me. I’m finally looking more into reviews of this particular model and they’re overwhelmingly good, so that makes me happy. I guess we’ll see how it works going forward.

Definitely! It said it works well up to 1400 sq ft which is bigger than our entire house, lol. I have it in our living room/play room where we spend most of our time.

No because I did practically no research. Since I already brought this one home, we are going to try it out and see how well it works.

I got shark neverchange last year on sale after doing a ton of research on if they actually help. I had been suffering with a stuffy nose at home for a few years after moving into an apartment that had poorly sealed windows and having a wildfire season that made the air really bad. After getting one, my stuffy nose has cleared up, and it's easier to breathe at home now. I dont think super cheap ones will work well, and you dont need to buy a really expensive one. But they are worth it and, in my opinion, really do help.

The version i have is the Neverchange Max. It does come with a scent packet with a dial to turn it up or down. I have that turned to medium most of the time as well and have not noticed any effect on my cat. It may be different for other cats with the scent. Good luck with the new fan!

I'm currently debating keeping it or returning to Costco. CONS: the scent pods are horrendous! I don't like anything scented, so don't plug them in. It's an option. Not sure about the 100% clean air being actually 100%. As someone else said: you can run it on low 24/7 PROS: it does kick in on auto setting when cooking, so the sensor works! Cooking odors seem to be neutralized after a while. The multi-stage filtration seems like a good idea, we will see how long the filter **really** lasts? The fan is strong on max (also loud) I'm having mixed feelings, not sure it's worth the $230 (with coupon) but worst case could keep it as a fan (albeit overpriced)

Joining for comments. I'm trying to decide whether to keep it or return it to Costco. It seems to be working to some degree, but don't have pro tools to measure the actual particles. Worst case I'll keep it as a (expensive) fan? At $230 it's not a terrible price for "never" changing a filter. Sitting in the kitchen on auto it kicks is immediately when cooking, so it's doing something.

I grabbed the Shark NeverChange MAX off Costco a few months back and honestly, it's grown on me.

I have bought a lot of different air purifiers over the last decade. This one is my favorite for many reasons but mainly because you don’t have to constantly buy new filters. Doesn’t have to be these exactly but something like this. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shark-neverchange-air-purifier-5-year-filter-life-650-sq-ft-black/6567890.p?skuId=6567890 Or https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shark-neverchange-air-purifier-max-5-year-filter-life-1400-sq-ft-white/6548655.p?skuId=6548655#tabbed-customerreviews