Cord is about 5 feet long; manual says extension cord shouldn't be used. Approximate sound levels: low is almost unnoticeable and quieter than any of the other three different sized fans I use in summer on their low setting; medium is similar in volume to the fans on their medium settings, and during the day I don't find it distracting above typical room noise; high setting I would compare in volume and quality of sound to the fans of the air conditioning/heating units of most hotels I've stayed in, definitely tolerable for an hour or so during the day, but probably not when trying to sleep (although at least unlike hotel air conditioners, this fan's white noise stays constant instead of cycling on and off). That being said, some articles I've read have indicated the activated carbon's functionality is greatly increased by the longer contact with the air achieved when running the machine on low rather than high, so the sound on high may not be much of an issue anyway (although the product manual does recommend letting it run on high for the first hour of use). When viewed from the front (where on/off dial is), cord is on the back side, and air exits to your right. The exiting air is directed quite high up, and also forward (in your direction and towards the side, but not towards the back). This flow is convenient for the locations where I'm able to situate the air purifier. The size and weight provided in the product description were very accurate, but I was still surprised when it arrived. It's not quite as deep as a filing cabinet, but about the size of a nightstand. I'd been considering placing it on a small table, but the upward directed airflow makes that unnecessary, and the weight may actually be too much for the table, and I'd have had to try to uninstall the wheels that come already attached.At 80years old I was just diagnosed with HCHO/formaldehyde poisoning. This has been life saving to me. I bought a monitor to help me get a handle on the HCHO. My apartment registered almost 900 on the monitor when I first tested the air quality. Within 48 hours the HCHO count was under 200, and now it is holding at less than 1 to 20. I call that a win. I set the machine on low or medium, and it makes a great white noise for great sleeping. Worth the expense. This should help me for the rest of my life. Also, was shipped in a very sturdy box, no damage. Came in 2 days. Easy to get out of the box too.?.You have three speeds: Quiet with annoying hum, Loud blower, and extremely loud blower. The motor is not brushless, but that should not be a factor. The scroll for the squirrel cage fan leaks air IN and causes a deposit of dirt from entrained unfiltered air on the grill. The top needs a noise damping pad between it and the metal of the scroll to keep the motor hum down at low speed. There is no UV lamp, and the replacement filters cost more than a competitors complete unit.If you can stand the white noise, the filtration seems almost absolute. Musty bedroom and pet odors are effectively removed. A flashlight shined through the air in a room with the purifier seems to pass without showing any floating lint or dust (Tindall effect). This is good.I'm hesitant to buy the $440.00 filter kit, hot glue the power cord port and the speed control to stop the dirt entrainment, and find a rubber pad and glue it in the lid to stop the low speed hum. Because of this, I think I'll get a cheaper, just as capable model with UV and electrostatic capability..This is a great machine at removing odors from the air. The fan sped gets up there fast, but I find the lowest setting to work for sleeptime. I have had an IQAir for years and decided to try Austin Air for a second unit because it is smaller in size, slightly cheaper ($50,) and has only one filter. Very satisfied with it so far, works as well as the IQ Air!HM400 Series is a Standard Casing it is the INDVIDUAL filter that makes it a HM402 Bedroom Model. If you have questions contact Austin Air for verification and explanation. It can be confusing because the HM400 Healthmate filter is currently $596 and the HM402 “Bedroom “ Model is currently $844. Clean Air Supply and Austin handled my concern flawlessly. I was impressed with the ownership and resolution actions of the manufacturer and the distributor! Research any air filter before purchase. The EPA recommendation is a HEPA and Carbon Filter only. UV lights and Ozone can be considered a containment. Austin meets those standards and also have put a lot of verifiable research into development. Great for Mold and Allergy sensitivities!I have severe allergies and have tried everything I plugged this in on high first thing in the morning and within 24 hours my house smelled cleaner and couldn't see a dust particle anywhere. I got my first restful night sleep and was able to breath better then I ever have before. As an added benefit my cat has allergies and she has been better well. We shall see how long the filters actually last but for know it is well worth the money. It is loud but that should be expected since it moves so much air through the filter it is necessary. We turn it on low while sleeping and it just sounds like a box fan. It also has heavy duty casters and we roll it into different areas of the house to purify the air throughout the entire house. It doesn't have many bells and whistles but I figure that is a good thing less moving parts to break. Thank you Austin air bedroom machine for the better nights sleep.I was worried that this might be used or damaged since not from Austin air company. But it arrived in an original box, sealed and in plastic, had registration card and instructions, and works great.We have one in every room of the house. Makes a huge difference with allergies and asthma. Absolutely a must with a family living next door to a smoker in a crappy apartment with smoke seeping into our living areas.This is a sturdy unit and probably works fine for the average person. Unfortunately I have mcs and this unit offgasses something which makes me feel worse than I do without the air purifier. It is very frustrating to believe if you spend enough money an air purifier will help only to find out it makes you worse.