Dyson HP09 vs HP10: Which One Is Better?

I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing Dyson’s air purifier lineup, and the HP09 and HP10 models often cause confusion. They look similar but serve very different needs. I’m here to break down the exact differences, from smart features to specialized filtration.

My goal is to help you understand which of these “Hot+Cool” purifiers is truly the better investment for your home and your health, helping you decide which features you actually need.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With HP09

The first time I seared a steak on the gas stove, I watched the $NO_2$ and $VOC$ levels on the MyDyson app spike into the red.

Within seconds, the HP09, which was 15 feet away, detected this and audibly ramped up its fan speed.

I could literally watch the graphs in the app come back down to green over the next 20 minutes.

That real-time feedback was incredibly validating.

When I later bought a new bookshelf, I placed the HP09 next to it and saw the formaldehyde ($HCHO$) levels tick up slightly, which the machine then handled.

The HP09 feels like an active, intelligent guardian of the air. The heating is also a fantastic “spot” heater. On a chilly morning, pointing it at my sofa while I have coffee makes the whole room feel cozier without having to crank up the central heat.

Pros Of Dyson HP09

• Formaldehyde Detection And Destruction: This is the absolute number one reason to choose the HP09. It’s not just a filter; it’s an active destruction system.¹ The machine features a solid-state sensor that specifically detects formaldehyde (²$HCHO$), a common volatile organic compound (VOC) that off-gasses from furniture (like particleboard), paint, plywood, and even some cleaning agents.³ The HP09 doesn’t just trap it in a carbon filter—it has a separate catalytic filter that continuously breaks down formaldehyde molecules into tiny, harmless amounts of water and $CO_2$. For me, this provides incredible peace of mind, especially when bringing new furniture into the home or after a renovation. It’s a specialized feature for a specialized, and very common, indoor pollutant.
• Complete Smart Home Integration: The Wi-Fi and MyDyson app connectivity are, in my opinion, what make this machine truly worth its premium. I can control every single function from my phone, whether I’m on the couch or at the office. I can set complex 7-day schedules, so the heater warms up the bedroom before I get out of bed. If I’m away, I can check the air quality of my home in real-time. It also integrates seamlessly with voice assistants. Being able to just say “Hey Siri, turn on the purifier” is a convenience I’ve come to rely on. The HP10 lacks all of this, making it feel more like an isolated appliance rather than part of a connected home.⁴
• Hyper-Detailed Air Quality Reporting: If you are a data-driven person, the HP09 is a dream. Its LCD screen cycles through live, specific data for ⁵$PM2.5$ (fine dust), ⁶$PM10$ (pollen/dander), ⁷$VOCs$ (gases/fumes), and ⁸$NO_2$ (traffic/cooking pollution), in addition to formaldehyde.⁹ The app takes this further, showing you historical graphs of your air quality over the last day or week. I found this incredibly insightful. I could see exactly when my air quality dropped (like when I was cooking) and watch the HP09 automatically ramp up to tackle it. This visual feedback confirms the machine is working and helps identify pollution sources in your own home.
• Lifetime Catalytic Filter: This is a key point for total cost of ownership. While you still have to replace the main Combi 360 $HEPA H13$/Carbon filter about once a year, the specialized catalytic filter (the one that kills formaldehyde) is designed to last the entire lifetime of the machine. It never needs to be replaced. This is a significant advantage, as it means you don’t have to worry about an additional, specialized filter cost down the line. It just keeps working in the background forever, which is brilliant engineering.

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Cons Of Dyson HP09

• The Prohibitive Cost: I have to be blunt: the HP09 is exceptionally expensive. It is one of the most expensive purifier-heater combinations on the market. You are paying a very large premium for two key features: the formaldehyde destruction and the Wi-Fi connectivity. If you don’t have specific concerns about formaldehyde (for example, you live in an older home with all solid-wood furniture and use all-natural cleaners), then you are paying for a highly advanced feature that you may not even need. The price tag is the single biggest barrier to entry and forces you to seriously question if these “nice-to-have” smart features are worth the several-hundred-dollar price jump over other models.
• Noise At Maximum Speed: While the HP09 is impressively quiet on its lower settings (1-4) and in Night Mode, it gets undeniably loud when it needs to work hard. When ‘Auto’ mode detects a serious pollutant (like smoke from a burnt piece of toast) and ramps up to level 10, you will hear it. It’s a powerful “whoosh” of air that can be distracting if you’re trying to watch television or have a conversation. This isn’t a flaw, per se—it’s the sound of it moving a massive amount of air—but it’s something to be aware of. It’s not a silently-working miracle machine 100% of the time, and its max setting is much louder than a dedicated, large-room purifier from a brand like Blueair or Coway.
• Yearly Filter Replacement Cost: This is a con for all Dyson purifiers, but it’s important to factor in. The combination $HEPA H13$ and activated carbon filter is not cheap. Dyson recommends replacing it every 12 months (based on 12 hours of use per day). The machine will alert you when it’s time. This is a recurring cost of ownership that you must budget for to keep the machine running at peak performance. If you run it 24/7 or live in a highly polluted area, you might even find yourself replacing it sooner, adding to the already significant investment.
• A “Personal” Heater, Not A Room Heater: Dyson is very careful with its marketing. It’s a “Hot+Cool” fan, and it’s fantastic at “jet focus” heating. If you’re sitting on the sofa and point it at yourself, you will feel toasty and warm very quickly. However, it is not a replacement for a central heating system or a large-radiator space heater. If you put this in a large, cold, poorly-insulated living room and expect it to raise the ambient temperature of the entire space by 10 degrees, you will be disappointed. It’s a personal, supplemental heater, and it’s very effective at that, but I’ve seen some users expect it to heat their whole home, which it simply isn’t designed to do.

My Experience With HP10

My experience with the HP10 was in a smaller bedroom.

The setup was instant: plug it in, point the remote, and it’s on.

I will admit, the simplicity was refreshing.

I set the heater to 70°F ($21°C$), and it quickly and quietly brought the personal space around the bed to a comfortable temperature.

It did its job perfectly. The ‘Auto’ mode worked—when I shook out a dusty blanket, the fan speed kicked up—but it felt like a black box.

The LCD screen only showed me a $PM2.5$ number, but I had no idea what the $VOC$ or $NO_2$ levels were. I missed the app. I found myself wanting to check the air quality from the other room or set a schedule for it to turn on before bed, and I simply couldn’t. It’s a fantastic appliance, but it’s not a smart device.

Pros Of Dyson HP10

• The Core Dyson 3-in-1 Experience: This is the HP10’s entire value proposition. You get the three key functions that make these machines famous: a $HEPA H13$ purifier, a powerful personal fan, and an effective personal heater, all in one. It uses the same $HEPA H13$ standard as the HP09, meaning for the most common pollutants—dust, pollen, pet dander, and other fine particles—it is equally effective. It also has the same powerful Air Multiplier technology for smooth airflow and the same thermostatic heating element. You are getting the foundational Dyson performance for a significantly lower price, which is a massive win for many buyers.
• A Much More Accessible Price Point: The HP10 (also known as the Gen 1) is substantially more affordable than the HP09. By removing the advanced sensors (formaldehyde, $NO_2$, $VOCs$) and the Wi-Fi/app components, Dyson created a machine for people who just want the 3-in-1 functionality without the “smart home tax.” If you are someone who finds apps and connectivity features to be an unnecessary gimmick, the HP10 is the perfect machine. It saves you a considerable amount of money, making it a much more justifiable purchase for a bedroom, home office, or guest room where you don’t need a central data hub.
• Refreshingly Simple Operation: I found the HP10 to be incredibly straightforward. You plug it in, and you use the included physical remote control. That’s it. There is no Wi-Fi to set up, no app to download, no firmware to update, and no passwords to remember. For a non-technical user, or for someone who is frustrated with everything needing an app, this is a huge pro. The remote is curved, magnetic, and stores neatly right on top of the loop. All functions—heating, fan speed, oscillation, auto mode, and the timer—are right there. It’s an appliance, not a computer, and I found that simplicity to be a genuine benefit.
• Still Has An ‘Auto’ Mode: Despite its simplicity, the HP10 isn’t completely “dumb.” It still features particle sensors (for $PM2.5$ and $PM10$) that allow it to run in ‘Auto’ mode. This means you can set it and forget it, and the machine will automatically adjust its fan speed when it detects an increase in dust or pollen. The LCD screen will even show you a live reading of your particle pollution level. This is a crucial feature that keeps it competitive, ensuring it’s not running at full blast when the air is already clean, which saves energy and reduces noise. It just doesn’t monitor the more advanced gases like the HP09 does.

Cons Of Dyson HP10

• Absolutely No Smart Features: This is the most significant trade-off, and for me, it’s a big one. The lack of Wi-Fi means no MyDyson app. You cannot control the HP10 from your phone. You can’t set schedules. You can’t use voice control. You can’t check your air quality or filter life when you’re away from home. In today’s connected world, this makes the HP10 feel dated, especially at its (still premium) price point. If you are at all invested in a smart home, the HP10 will feel like a “dumb” device that doesn’t integrate with anything.
• You Must Not Lose The Remote: This is a very practical, real-world con. Because the HP10 has no app and only one physical button on the machine itself (for power), its entire functionality is tied to the small, magnetic remote. If you lose that remote—if it falls between the sofa cushions or gets carried off by a child or pet—the machine becomes a very expensive paperweight. You can’t change the temperature, fan speed, or oscillation. With the HP09, if I lose the remote, I just pull out my phone. With the HP10, losing the remote means you have to order a new one and wait.
• Limited Air Quality Feedback: While the HP10 does have an ‘Auto’ mode, its sensors and feedback are basic. It only detects and reports on $PM2.5$ and $PM10$ (particles). It has no sensors for $VOCs$ (gases from cleaning sprays, cooking, etc.) or $NO_2$. This means if you’re cooking with a gas stove and releasing $NO_2$, the HP10’s ‘Auto’ mode won’t even notice it and won’t ramp up to filter it. The HP09 would detect this and react instantly. The HP10 is effectively blind to all gaseous pollutants, which are a major component of indoor air pollution. You are only getting half the picture of your air quality.
• No Formaldehyde Solution: This is the obvious one, but it’s the key product differentiator. If you are concerned about formaldehyde from new furniture, new carpets, paint, or building materials, the HP10 offers no specialized solution. Its standard activated carbon filter will capture some VOCs, but it is not designed to specifically target and, more importantly, destroy formaldehyde in the same way the HP09’s catalytic filter is. If $HCHO$ is your primary concern, the HP10 is simply not the right machine for the job, and this con is a deal-breaker.

Maintenance Tips For Dyson HP09 And HP10

• Heed The Filter Replacement Alert: This is the single most important maintenance task. Both the HP09 and HP10 are designed to alert you when the $HEPA H13$/Carbon Combi-filter is exhausted. The HP09 will notify you in the MyDyson app and show an alert on the LCD screen, while the HP10 will show an alert on its screen. Don’t ignore this. A clogged filter means the machine cannot purify the air effectively and puts strain on the motor. Dyson bases its “12-month” estimate on 12 hours of use per day. If you run your machine 24/7 in a polluted environment, you may need to replace it sooner. Always buy genuine Dyson replacement filters; I’ve found that knock-offs can be poorly sealed and compromise the $HEPA H13$ standard.
• Wipe The Loop Amplifier: The “bladeless” loop is where the air is projected, but it’s also a prime spot for dust to settle. Because it uses air entrainment, it draws in surrounding air, and dust can cling to the surface and the small crevices where the air comes out. I make it a habit to wipe the inside and outside of the loop with a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth once a week. This keeps the airflow path clean and maintains the machine’s aesthetic. Never use detergents or polishes, as these can damage the plastic or, worse, become atomized into the air you breathe.
• Clean The Sensor Ports: This is a crucial tip for ‘Auto’ mode. On the back of both machines, there are small grilles or openings for the air quality sensors. These ports can get clogged with dust, which effectively “blinds” the machine. If the sensors are clogged, ‘Auto’ mode won’t work correctly, as the machine will think your air is clean even when it’s not. I use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment on low power to gently clean these ports about once a month. You can also use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe inside the port. This ensures the sensors are always getting an-accurate reading of your room’s air.
• Keep The Intake Grille Clear: The bottom half of both the HP09 and HP10 is the 360-degree filter intake. This is where the machine sucks in the air from your room. It is vital that this area is not obstructed. Don’t shove the machine into a tight corner or press it right up against a wall or curtains. I’ve found it works best when it has at least 1-2 feet of clear space around it on all sides. This allows it to draw in air efficiently from the entire room, which improves its purification performance and circulation. I also give the external grille a quick wipe with a dry cloth when I’m cleaning the loop, just to remove any surface dust.

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Comparison With Other Brands

• Blueair: When I compare Dyson to other brands, Blueair immediately comes to mind as a purification specialist. A model like the Blueair HealthProtect is an absolute beast at just purifying. It often has a much higher CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) than the Dyson, meaning it can clean the air in a large room much faster. Blueair’s technology is focused entirely on filtration effectiveness and quietness. However, Blueair machines do not offer heating or cooling. They are not 3-in-1 devices. So the choice is: do you want a specialist purifier (Blueair) or a jack-of-all-trades (Dyson HP09/HP10)?
• Coway: Coway is the king of value and performance in the purifier space. Models like the Coway Airmega series are consistently top-rated for their robust filtration, excellent ‘Auto’ modes, and long-lasting, often cheaper filters. Many of their mid-to-high-end models include Wi-Fi and app integration for a price that is often less than even the “dumb” Dyson HP10. I find Coway’s air quality sensors to be exceptionally sensitive. The trade-off, once again, is the lack of heating and cooling. You are buying a dedicated purifier, and while it might be a better purifier for the money, it can’t warm your feet on a cold morning.
• Levoit: If you’re budget-focused, Levoit is a brand I’ve looked at extensively. You can buy Levoit’s top-tier smart air purifier (like the Core 400S), a separate tower fan, and a separate ceramic space heater for less than the total cost of a single Dyson HP10. This un-bundled approach gives you three separate devices, which means three separate plugs and three times the floor space. The value of the Dyson is in its elegant consolidation. The HP10 combines all three into one beautiful, compact footprint. You are paying a premium for that design, convenience, and aesthetic consolidation, which Levoit cannot match.
• Shark: Shark has become Dyson’s most direct competitor, and they now have their own 3-in-1 machines, like the Shark HE601 Air Purifier 3-in-1. This model directly targets the Dyson by offering heating, cooling, and $HEPA$ purification with an ‘Auto’ mode and air quality feedback. From my analysis, the Shark is extremely competitive on price, often significantly undercutting Dyson. Where Dyson still maintains its edge, in my experience, is in the refinement. The MyDyson app (on the HP09) is more polished, the Air Multiplier technology feels smoother, and the overall industrial design and aesthetic are still, in my opinion, in a class of their own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

My analysis comes down to this: The “better” machine depends entirely on you. The HP09 is, without question, the superior technology. If you are a data-driven person, live in a connected smart home, and have specific, known concerns about gaseous pollutants like $VOCs$ from cooking or formaldehyde from new furniture, the HP09 is absolutely the one to get. It’s a complete air quality monitoring station that also purifies, heats, and cools. It provides total visibility and control.

However, if you look at the HP09 and think, “I will never use that app,” or “I don’t need a graph of my air quality,” then the HP10 is the smarter financial choice. You get the same foundational Dyson heating, the same powerful cooling, and the same $HEPA H13$ purification for common particles like dust and pollen, all while saving hundreds of dollars. You are buying a high-end, reliable appliance, not a complex smart-home gadget.

So, which one should you choose? Ask yourself this one question: Are you buying this for advanced data, specialized filtration, and remote connectivity (HP09), or are you buying it for simple, consolidated, and effective 3-in-1 air treatment (HP10)? Your answer to that will tell you exactly which one is better for you.