Dyson HP01 vs. HP02 vs. HP04 Spec-By-Spec Comparison (2021)

1. “Dyson HP02 is just HP01 with the Link app and +$100 price tag.”
2. “Obviously, HP04 is the best Dyson air purifier, HP01 and HP02 don’t even come close.”

Dyson’s Pure Hot+Cool series is fantastic. If you check the chatter about HP01 vs. HP02 vs. HP04, these 2 preconceptions here are just the start.

One thing is clear:

Pretty much everybody wants to know which of the 3 models Pure Hot+Cool models – the HP01, HP02, or HP04 – is the best.

It gets even better:

All these Dyson Pure Hot+Cool models are very similar. Same features. Same design. If you compare HP01 versus HP02, they even have exactly the same specification.

Most important of all, this is the most advanced Dyson series. All the 3 models are – via the Triple Function – capable of operating as:

1. Air purifiers. The HEPA filters capture more than 99.97%  of even the smallest 0.3 microns in size air pollutants, such as dust, pollen, smoke, mold, to name just a few. Check Alen BreatheSmart series if you want the best air purifier.
2. Cooling fans. Mind you, these fans do cool you but don’t work as air conditioners.
3. Space heaters. All 3 models can be powered by 1500+ Watts to heat rooms in the winter.

But it’s true that the HP02 has a Link app and costs $100 more than Dyson HP01. And there is a lot of praise for the DP04. So, obviously, there must be certain differences if you compare Dyson HP01 vs. HP02 vs. HP04 head-to-head.

Here is another one:

That’s exactly what we did. We look at everything – all the specs, the filters, airflow, coverage area, noise rates, special features, prices, and existing reviews – to answer just one thing:

Which is the best Dyson Pure Hot+Cool air purifier?

We’ll start by putting all the Dyson HP01 vs. HP02 vs. HP04 specifications in one big comparison table. Further on, we’ll go specs-by-specs and explain exactly where the HP01, HP02, and HP04 differ.

In the end, LR gives the recommendation for which Dyson Pure Hot+Cool model is the best for a specific situation. Close to the end, you will also find the available deals for all the 3 models, if applicable.

Here’s the full scale of the HP04 vs. HP02 vs. HP01 comparison:

1. H01 vs HP02 vs HP04 Comparison Table
2. Filters
3. Airflow and room coverage
4. Noise levels
5. Features
6. Dimensions and weight
7. Price
8. Deals
9. Verdict

We’ll start with the comparison table. If you’re in a hurry, you can jump to the verdict. LM, however, finds it fair to be equally thorough with every air purifier assessment:

HP01 versus HP02 versus HP04 Comparison Table

HP01, HP02 VS HP04 Filters

Filters are the most important parts of any air purifiers. They are the very thing that captures large and small particles, as well as adsorb undesired odors.

Comparing Dyson HP01 vs HP02, we find no difference. Both units use the same 360-degree Glass HEPA filters. HEPA filters are necessary; they are independently tested to remove more than 99.97% of small 0.3 micron airborne particles.

Compared to HP02, the HP04 is different. The filtration system is upgraded to 360-degree Glass HEPA Media filters. That ‘Media’ in there that separates the HP04 filters from HP01 and HP02 filters is important.

HP04 has the same HEPA filter + activated carbon filter. That activated carbon is a major difference when it comes to adsorbing smells. Example: If you want to use an air purifier to remove cigarette smoke, the HP04 would be the best option.

Here’s the depiction of the HP01, HP02 vs. HP04 filters we have already seen:

There’s a price difference between the HEPA filters HP01, and HP02 use vs. the HEPA filter + activated carbon that HP04 uses. Namely:

• HP01 and HP02 replacement filters cost $69.99. 
• HP04 replacement filters cost $79.99.

In all models – HP01, HP02, HP04 – it’s recommended to replace filters every 12 months. No difference there; only a $10 difference for better Dyson HP04 filters.

Bottom line:

Dyson HP04 has better filters than HP01 and HP02.

Airflow Of Dyson HP01 VS HP02 VS HP04 And Room Coverage

As we have already written in the full guide on Dyson air purifiers, Dyson is very shy when it comes to revealing recommended room sizes. Nor do they provide AHAM verified CADR ratings, which would be useful.

To compare the performance of Dyson HP04 vs HP02 vs HP01, we have to rely on the maximum airflow. 

Note: Dyson primarily produces all kind of fan-based devices. They love to put airflow in their air purifier specification.

Here are the maximum airflow HP01, HP02, and HP04 can achieve:

• HP01 has a maximum airflow of 53 gallons; that’s 425 CFM.
• HP02 has a maximum airflow of 53 gallons; that’s 425 CFM.
• HP04 has a maximum airflow of 82 gallons; that’s 625 CFM.

Again, we see that there is a clear difference between HP01 and HP02 versus HP04.

Performance-wise the HP04 is a more powerful floor unit. It can be used to remove airborne particles in larger rooms than HP01 and HP02.

Bottom line:

HP04 has about 50% higher maximal airflow and can be used in larger rooms. This is a floor-based air purifier.

HP01 and HP02 have a smaller airflow and can be used in standard-sized rooms. They are also desk-based.

HP04 Noise Levels Compared To HP01 And HP02

Dyson is almost equally shy regarding noise levels as is with CADR rating and room size. If you check the basic specification sheets of HP01, HP02, and HP04, and compare them, you will find only 1 noise level.

The only one with the known noise levels is the Dyson HP04 with 62 dB maximal noise levels. It also has the ‘Quiet Mark accreditation’. For comparison, there is no such accreditation for HP01 nor for HP02. That may lead us to believe they have higher noise levels than HP04.

It needs to be said that 62 dB is quite a high noise level for an air purifier. There a whole list of other air purifier brands – such as Alen, Molekule, Honeywell, Winix, Levoit, Hathaspace, Okaysou, Coway – that offer devices with below 62 dB noise levels. 

Why is that? Well, Dyson air purifiers do create quite a lot of airflow. Much more than other companies that are not as fan-based as Dyson is.

Here’s the bottom line on comparison of noise levels between Dyson Pure Hot+Cool models:

HP04 is (probably) quieter than HP02 and HP01.

Features Of HP01 vs. HP02 vs. HP04

Dyson offers quite a decent amount of features. Obviously, the best feature HP01, HP02, and HP04 all share is the Triple Function (air purification, cooling, heating).

To compare HP01 vs HP02 vs HP04 regarding included features, let’s first list all the main features for each model:

• HP01 features: Remote Control, Jet Focus control, Air Multiplier, Oscillation (70-degrees).
• HP02 features: Remote Control, Dyson Link app, Jet Focus control, Air Multiplier, Night Time mode, Auto Mode, Voice Control, Oscillation (70-degrees).
• HP04 features: Senses, Dyson Link app, Diffused Mode, Air Multiplier, Night Time mode, Auto Mode, Voice Control, Oscillation (350-degrees).

In the features department, we see that HP02 is better than HP01, and HP04 is better than HP02. We won’t go to specific features – it’s enough to see this trend.

Here is the main difference between the HP01 and HP02 as far as features are regarded:

The one neat features that HP04 has (and HP01 and HP02 don’t) is the ‘Senses’. According to Dyson, this feature “Automatically detects airborne particles and gases, then diagnoses and reports them in real-time.”

Bottom line:

HP04 has the best features. HP02 has the second-best features. HP01 only has basic features. Here’s how it goes:

HP04>HP02>HP01

Dimensions And Weight

As you can see from the HP04 vs HP02 vs HP01 comparison table above, the dimensions of HP01 and HP02 are exactly the same. Both units are 8.7-inches wide, 6-inches deep, and 24.9-inches tall.

They also weigh the same: 8.6 lbs.

How do HP01 and HP02 compare to HP04?

Comparatively, they are smaller and weigh less. Typical of desk-based units, obviously.

HP04 is narrower than HP02 with 8.1-inches, has less depth than HP01 with 5.1-inches, but gains in size due to 30.1-inch height. It has a combined weight of 12.4 lbs.

Bottom line:

HP04 is narrowed but about 5-inch taller and about 4 lbs heavier than HP01 and HP02.

Price Of HP01 vs HP02 vs HP04

Not all Dyson Pure Hot+Cool air purifiers have the same price. As we have seen thus far, there are differences in filters, size, maximum airflow, and features. Of course, that also justifies the difference in the price of the individual units.

Here are the standard prices of all 3 models:

• HP01 costs $499.99.
• HP02 costs $599.99.
• HP04 costs $649.99.

The positive price progression is clearly seen. The HP Series Dyson air purifiers are in the price range of Molekule Air, Airdog X5, and the best Coway units.

Bottom line:

If you look at the standard prices, you can see that HP02 is $100 more expensive than HP01, and HP04 is $50 more expensive than HP02. 

That is ‘if you look at the standard prices’:

Deals On HP01, HP02, And HP04

You don’t have to always buy Dyson units at standard prices, however. Sometimes you can get deals on HP01, HP02, and HP04 units and save a few $10.

Here we list all the potential deals for all the 3 units:

Verdict

Let’s first summarize the bottom lines of all the specs we covered:

1. Filters: Dyson HP04 has better filters than HP01 and HP02.
2. Room size: HP04 has about 50% higher maximal airflow and can be used in larger rooms. HP01 and HP02 have a smaller airflow and can be used in standard-sized rooms.
3. Noise levels: HP04 is (probably) quieter than HP02 and HP01. 
4. Special Features: HP04 has the best features. HP02 has the second-best features. HP01 only has basic features. Here’s how it goes: HP04>HP02>HP01.
5. Dimensions and weight: HP04 is narrowed but about 5-inch taller and about 4 lbs heavier than HP01 and HP02.
6. Prices: If you look at the standard prices, you can see that HP02 is $100 more expensive than HP01, and HP04 is $50 more expensive than HP02. 

If you combine all the differences between them, it’s obvious that HP04 is the best among the 3 Dyson Pure Hot+Cool units.

Here’s the final score:

1. HP04 is the overall best unit.
2. HP02 is smaller but advanced, yet with an unjustified $100 higher price tag than HP01.
3. HP01 is better than HP02 purely due to about 20% lower price.

It is, however, useful to keep in mind that Dyson is a fan-based company. You can check the best air purifier brands and their models here.