May 02, 2023
best air purifiers
I conducted research by examining various sources such as air purifier websites , technology reviews , health publications , home product reviews , buying guides , consumer reports , and news articles . There was a general consensus among the sources regarding the importance of air purifiers, the types of filters they use, and their effectiveness in removing airborne pollutants. Some sources also provided specific recommendations for air purifiers. Based on my research, I am confident in providing a summary of the most relevant information and recommendations.
Have an opinion? Send us proposed edits/additions and we may incorporate them into this article with credit.
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Air Purifiers and Their Benefits
HEPA Filters
"Most air purifiers these days use a HEPA filter which is designed to get rid of the smallest particles in the air."
"Studies of room air purifiers show that using HEPA filters—filters with very fine mesh, certified to collect 99.97 percent of particles of a certain hard-to-capture size (0.3 micrometers in diameter)—can be quite effective at removing many of the most common household irritants. These include tiny viral droplets, particulate matter (such as from cigarette smoke and burning wood), pet dander, dust, and dust mites."
Specific Recommendations
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07
Aura Air
Coway Airmega 250S Air Purifier
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier
Costs and Considerations
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Research
"https://www.healthline.com/health/hepa-air-purifier"
- HEPA filter is a pleated device that removes particles from the surrounding air, including dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses, by trapping them in its fibers as air particles pass through it.
- A HEPA filter can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, while the smallest thing the human eye can see is 25 microns.
- HEPA filters are highly effective, filtering as much as 99.97% of particles from the air.
- HEPA filters can be used in cleaning devices, air filters, portable air cleaners, whole-home fan systems, heating and cooling units, and more to filter tiny particles.
- HEPA filters are not the only ones available, other examples include ultra-HEPA filters or ULPA filters, electrostatic filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ionization.
- There is no federal certification or regulation for HEPA filters, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers advice on how to choose efficient filters.
- When purchasing a filter, it should meet one of the following criteria: designated HEPA filter, CADR rated, manufacturer states the product filters most particles smaller than 1 micron.
- The EPA recommends looking at industry ratings, specifically those from AHAM and other organizations that set standards for HEPA filtration, when selecting the right product for your home.
- The price of an air purifier ranges from $100 to thousands, and the price can depend on the size, features, and how well it filters the air.
- Honeywell True HEPA Whole Room Air Purifier with Allergen Remover, HPA 300 has a CADR rating of 300 and a price of $249.99. It is portable and easy to move between rooms, quieter than some competitors, and delivers great filtration.
- Levoit Core 400s has a CADR rating of 260 and a price of $219.99. It filters 400 square feet, features a large HEPA filter, and is easily portable.
- Winix 5500-2 has a CADR rating of 246 and a price of $249.99. It filters rooms up to 360 square feet, uses automatic settings, and has been verified by AHAM.
- Blueair Blue Pure 211+ has a CADR rating of 350 and a price of $299.99. It is washable, designed for home use, and has a light to remind when to change the filter. It uses HEPASilent technology,
"7 <b>Best Ozone Free Air Purifiers</b> - HouseFresh"
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"<b>Air</b> Purifier <b>CADR</b> <b>Ratings</b> Scale | Convert Sq Ft Room to <b>CADR</b>"
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"Best Air Purifier under $1,000 - Research and takeaways"
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"The 5 Best AHAM-Certified Air Purifiers Review (2023 update)"
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"https://airpurifiers.com/tech-center/4-things-to-know"
- Air purifiers are designed to draw out pollutants from the air and force clean air back out
- Air purifiers get rid of dust, pollen, pet dander, dirt, mold spores, and smoke
- HEPA filters remove up to 99.9% of the particles circulating in the air
- Air purifiers can lessen the effects of seasonal allergies by taking out irritants that trigger allergies
- They can help those with asthma by eliminating pollutants like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander
- It can rid the air of smoke, odors, and harmful chemicals that can cause serious health problems
- Air purifiers can help improve sleeping quality because it allows the air to circulate, reduces allergens, and allows one’s body to reach a deeper level of sleep
- The cost of air purifiers varies; budget-friendly models are still effective
- Most air purifiers come with HEPA filters that should be replaced every few months
- A typical pre-filter or an activated carbon filter will also need replacement
- The cost of filter replacement should be factored into the cost of an air purifier
- The best room for an air purifier is where people spend the most time or where they have breathing issues
- The bedroom is the most common place to put an air purifier
- Room size matters for air purifiers because each air purifier is made to cover a certain amount of square footage
- The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is effective for measuring the efficacy of air purifiers
- The CADR number on the air purifier box is based on ceilings that are eight feet tall
- You’ll want to get an air purifier that is built for a room size that is bigger than yours
- Air purifiers should be placed near a wall, doorway, or window; the higher the air flow, the more chance for the air purifier to capture the maximum number of particles
- Smaller air purifiers work best if they are a few feet off the ground, and larger units should sit on the floor
- Filters don’t last forever and need to be replaced regularly to keep air purifiers in good working order
- HEPA filters will work well for several months before having to be changed
- Filters are expensive and it is recommended to use the filter manufactured for a particular unit because using an off-brand filter can cause an air purifier to not work as effectively and can void the warranty
- Most air purifiers are energy-efficient and only add
"https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/air-purifier-buying-guide"
- Air purifiers have gained popularity since the pandemic and remote work; they filter airborne pollutants such as smoke, pollen, and dust and some advertise capturing particles carrying the COVID-19 coronavirus.
- Quick tips for choosing an air purifier include choosing one according to room size, filtering specific pollutants, comparing CADR ratings, selecting HEPA filters, considering noise levels, and budgeting for ongoing maintenance and electricity costs.
- Choosing the right air purifier for a room size involves calculating air changes per hour, comparing clean air delivery rates (CADR), and looking at noise levels.
- Types of pollutants filtered out by air purifiers include cigarette smoke, dust, and dander; the air purifiers are rated based on how well they filter different pollutant sizes, and some are more effective than others.
- CADR is a metric developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to understand how well an air purifier filters in a specific room size; CADR numbers vary for different particle sizes.
- An air purifier’s clean air delivery rate (CADR) reflects the best-case scenario and does not account for variables in your home that may affect optimal rating.
- The air purifiers recommended on the website use mechanical filtration; they have pre-filters and main filters, with HEPA filters being the recommended standard by the American Lung Association and EPA.
- Additional filters such as activated carbon or charcoal can absorb limited numbers of specific compounds and must be changed regularly to be effective.
- Some air purifiers advertise filtration processes that rely on ionizers or UV light; ionizers can be switched off and those with UV lights have a UV filter.
- Noise levels vary depending on air purifier speed, ranging from practically silent to more than 60 dB; noise levels are measured in decibels.
- Air purifiers with higher fan speeds draw more energy and may have “eco” modes that power down devices when their sensors no longer detect airborne pollutants.
- Filter-replacement costs and ongoing maintenance costs vary depending on the air purifier model; prefilters are either washable or disposable, and HEPA filters must be entirely replaced.
- Portable air purifiers vary in size, with smaller ones being moved from room to room and larger, heavier ones being stationary.
- Extra features on air purifiers include filter-replacement indicator lights, dimming and display shut-off options, programmable timers, remote control units, and digital assistant or app integration.
"https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/air-purifier-buying-guide-five-things-to-consider-while-buying-air-purifiers/articleshow/95195797.cms"
- India has a high level of air pollution, particularly in northern cities, with AQI levels among the worst in the world.
- Air pollution causes about 2 million deaths in India annually.
- Indoor air quality is sometimes ten times more polluted than outdoors.
- The current generation spends over 90% of their time indoors.
- Adding an air purifier to indoor premises is an effective solution.
- Two air purification technologies can be used: active and passive air purification.
- Active air purification involves purifying air by dispersing healthy cleaning agents into the air. Passive air purification filters air to capture pollutants.
- PHI-Cell (Photohydroionization) Technology uses UV light and a hydrated quad-metallic catalyst to neutralize microbes by turning water vapor into airborne molecules of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- REME-Cell (Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy) Technology uses bipolar ionization and photohydroionization to target airborne and surface pollutants by ionizing air molecules and releasing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- The most commonly used filters for eliminating pollen, mold spores, animal skin, and dust is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
- Pre-filters remove larger particles like pet hair before the final filtering process to increase efficiency. They should be cleaned or replaced every three months.
- Activated carbon filters adsorb and neutralize food and chemical odors and vapors.
- UV filters work in tandem with both HEPA and particle filters to ensure that individuals are inhaling sterilized air.
- PCO filters or Photo-catalytic Oxidation filters are used in combination with UV radiation to eradicate microorganisms which can be pathogenic too.
- Coverage area and Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) are two fundamental factors to consider when choosing an air purifier.
- Smaller air purifiers are intended for personal use or rooms measuring up to 299 square feet.
- Medium sized air purifiers span areas from 300 to 699 square feet.
- Large air purifiers range between 700 to 1,900 square feet.
- CADR scores reflect how quickly the air purifier cleans the air by eliminating impurities when working at full speed. Choosing a higher CADR value ensures that the air in that specific region is cleaned more quickly and efficiently.
- Noise levels in an air purifier vary with fan speed. The ideal air purifier should have noise levels of
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"Do air purifiers really work?"
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"Air purifiers: 8 to consider - Medical News Today"
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"https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-air-purifiers"
- Demand for air purifiers is on the rise due to allergies, COVID-19, and wildfires.
- Air purifiers can remove bacteria, dust, industrial emissions, mold, odor, pet dander, pollen, viruses, and other contaminants from the air.
- Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 is our top pick for a smart air purifier and fan combo. It has a large, oscillating fan, fully sealed HEPA 13 enclosure, supports app and voice control, and a magnetized remote can be stored on top of the machine.
- Aura Air is ideal for areas of your home where floor space is at a premium. It monitors and cleans indoor air, works with Alexa and Google voice assistants, and acts as a carbon monoxide and smoke detector.
- Coway Airmega 250S Air Purifier covers more space than similarly priced models and has a HEPA carbon-activated filter, and thoughtful companion app that presents daily, weekly, and monthly air quality measurements. It supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls.
- Ikea Starkvind Table offers Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit compatibility, works with a separate gateway device, and doesn’t use a True HEPA filter but still managed to perform on par with the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 in our tests.
- Sharp FXJ80UW Air Purifier uses both HEPA and Plasmacluster Ion filtration technologies to remove microscopic pollutants, has a colorful LED display that tells you the current air quality at a glance, and supports Wi-Fi remote control and Amazon Alexa.
- Smartmi Air Purifier P1 is the smallest air purifier tested, but it handled air cleansing tests well, and supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
- Wyze Air Purifier uses a 360-degree True HEPA filter, covers more space than similarly priced purifiers, runs quietly, and supports app and voice control.
- Airdog X5 uses washable, reusable collection plates to scrub the air and features a unique five-stage filter system with ionic technology that can wipe out 99.87% of influenza virus particles in the air in just one hour. It connects to Wi-Fi for remote control and automatically adjusts speed according to air quality level.
- LG PuriCare 360 Air Purifier features two oversized True HEPA filters, an oscillating fan, built-in Wi-Fi, app support, and onboard control panel. It measures PM2.5, PM1.0 and PM10 particles, and provides granular reports about
"https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/air-purifier-reviews/g22866172/best-air-purifiers/"
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Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier:
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Features
- Three-part filtration system
- Washable fabric pre-filter to snag dust and other large particles
- True HEPA filter designed to trap mold, bacteria and other microscopic particles down to .1 micron
- Carbon-activated filter helps neutralize odors caused by smoke, pets
- Effective for rooms up to 540 square feet.
- Quiet.
-
Pros:
- Effective three-part filtration system.
- Ideal for bedrooms and home offices.
- Quiet operation.
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Cons:
- Not suited for large spaces over 540 sq. ft.
- Maximum coverage area: 540 sq ft
- Filter type: Fabric pre-filter, True HEPA and carbon-activated
- Dimensions: 13” x 13” x 20”
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Filter replacement cost: $70
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Features
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Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier:
-
Features
- Pre-filter and True HEPA filter to capture contaminants down to .3 microns.
- Comes in five different sizes that target rooms ranging from small (75 square feet) to extra large (500 square feet).
- Cleans the air as often as five times an hour
- Can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including viruses
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Pros:
- HEPA-certified
- Choose from one of five size options
- Affordable replacement filters
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Cons:
- Not suited for large spaces.
- Maximum coverage area: 465 sq ft
- Filter type: Pre-filter and True HEPA
- Dimensions: 20.8” x 10.83” x 22.38”
- Weight: 17 lbs
- Filter replacement cost: $25
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Features
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Dreo Macro Pro:
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Features
- True HEPA filter
- Superb price
- Three-stage filtration
- Fabric pre-filter, True HEPA, and odor-neutralizing carbon filter (certified to capture particles down to .3 microns)
- Compact design
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Pros:
- Best value air purifier.
- Effective three-stage filtration.
- Best suited for smaller spaces.
-
Cons:
- Not the most intuitive interface.
- Maximum coverage area: 679 sq ft
- Filter type
-
Features
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"https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/air-purifiers/buying-guide/"
- Clean air is vital for overall physical health.
- Indoor air may be dirtier than outdoor air, with indoor pollutant concentrations often two to five times higher than outdoors.
- Room air purifiers are designed to filter the air in a single room and are separate from whole-house air purifier systems and air filters for cleaning the air in the entire house.
- A room air purifier is a supplemental unit and can effectively remove many common household irritants.
- Studies show that using HEPA filters can be quite effective at removing many common household irritants such as viral droplets, particulate matter, pet dander, dust, and dust mites.
- Different air purifiers work using various technologies. These include mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electrostatic precipitators, ionizers, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), and photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO).
- Makers of ozone generators often claim that the devices emit safe levels of ozone, but in the past, Consumer Reports’ tests have found that even at low settings, some exceeded the FDA’s limits and emit ozone that can be harmful.
- Electronic air purifiers like electrostatic precipitators and ionizers can produce ozone and are not recommended.
- PECO emerged in 2017 from the manufacturer Molekule, but their product, Molekule Air Purifier, didn’t rate well on Consumer Reports’ tests and member surveys.
- Consumer Reports tests air purifiers for effectiveness in removing dust, smoke, and pollen by injecting smoke and dust into a sealed chamber and measuring the change in air particle concentration in the room as the test model runs for 15 minutes.
- Most air purifiers have several speed settings, and Consumer Reports tests for dust and smoke removal both on the highest speed and at a lower speed that runs at a noise level no louder than 50 decibels.
- Consumer Reports calculates the annual operating cost of air purifiers, which includes filter replacements and energy use to run the machine 24 hours a day for an entire year.
- Owner satisfaction and reliability ratings are also included in a model’s Overall Score.
- Consumer Reports recommends more than three dozen models in its air purifier ratings that meet its criteria for safety, performance, value, and reliability.
- Replacement filters (or cleanable filters)should be replaced every six to 12 months for pleated filters and every three months for activated carbon filters, with costs ranging from $20 to
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