air purifier
Design by Alexis Lira

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

If you have breathing sensitivities, allergies, or are concerned about environmental pollutants, an air purifier is a great appliance to purchase.

There are many air purifiers that can be purchased, some of which are portable and others that are installed in your home.

The most effective air purifiers remove the smallest particles from the air.

Air purifiers are not the only solution to maintaining a pollutant-free environment. Air quality can be affected by mold and other air pollutants.

The air purifier that is right for you depends on your room specifications. Some air purifiers may be useful for your needs.

An air purification device helps clean the air.

  • pollutants
  • There is dust.
  • There is a lot of pollen.
  • Pet dander.
  • There is smoke.
  • There are viruses.
  • Thebacteria

Poor indoor air quality can damage your health, so air purifiers may be worth investing in.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five (to up to 100) times more polluted than the air outdoors. Sources of that pollution include:

  • cleaning products
  • Personal care products.
  • Off-gassing from furniture and mattresses.
  • Building materials.
  • Paint.
  • It is either wet or damp.
  • The central heating and cooling systems are located.
  • Oil, gas, coal, wood, and kerosene are some of the fuels.
  • tobacco products

An air purifier can help you get the cleanest air possible, and it can also help provide a fresh home.

Air purifiers can have different features, but they all work the same.

Air purifiers have a fan that sucks air into various filters that remove particles — like There is dust., dander, There is smoke., odors, Thebacteria, There are viruses., and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — before releasing the cleaned air back into the room.

To keep your air clean, you need to run the air purifier 24/7.

Many of the best air purifiers have The HEPA filter is very small.s, which remove 99.97 percent of pollutants down to 0.3 microns in size. Some also include carbon or charcoal filters that eliminate odors and UV filters that destroy pathogens like Thebacteria, There are viruses., and mold.

Purchasing an air purifier doesn’t need to be complicated, but it’s important to know what’s available and what to measure before you buy. We started by considering a few simple questions, prices, clinical studies, and brands on the market. For more in-depth considerations, jump to the section on “How to choose.”

Questions to consider

Before buying an air purifier, you should think through some questions.

  • Are you looking to purify the air in your entire house?
  • What pollutants do you want to remove?
  • What is the size of the room where the air purifier will be?
  • How willing are you to clean filters?
  • What features do you want for your air purifier?

The prices are listed as follows.

  • $ = under $200
  • $$ = $200–$400
  • $$$ = over $400

Best air purifiers for allergies

Adding an air purifier to your home or room is a popular way to control allergies. One study found that filtering the air with an air purifier was the fourth-most common strategy for managing allergies.

Selecting an air purification system with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will ensure that the air in your room is pollutant-free.

There are two products to consider.

Holmes True HEPA Console Air Purifier

Price: $

There are features.

  • The HEPA filter is very small.
  • There are 4 speed settings and a sleep setting.
  • “It’s good for rooms up to “

The unit has 4 speed settings and is effective at removing allergens.

Some users find the settings to be louder than they want, while others think it is white noise. Many users say the sleep setting is Very quiet..

Pros

  • A carbon filter is included.
  • There is a indicator that shows a change in the filter.
  • Excellent odor control.
  • Good for large rooms.

Cons

  • Not as quiet as other air purifiers.
  • It was heavy. (21.2 pounds)
Shop now at Walmart

Blueair Blue Pure 211+

Price: $$

There are features.

  • Filters for gasses and particles.
  • Multiple settings.
  • washable prefilter that captures Pet dander. and other large particles, which prolongs the main filter
  • One-button operation.
  • “The air is so hot it’s 360-degree.”

“It is difficult to move from room to room with the model being 16 pounds. It is a good option for people who don’t like white noise.”

Pros

  • quiet operation
  • The air intake is very high.
  • The fabric is pre-filter.

Cons

  • heavier than 16 pounds.
  • The odor from the charcoal filter may be present.
Shop now at Amazon

Levoit Core300 True HEPA Air Purifier

Price: $

There are features.

  • The filter has three stages. includes a prefilter, true The HEPA filter is very small., and activated carbon filter to capture particles down to 0.3 microns
  • The clean air around the room is delivered faster by the technology.
  • It includes a sleep mode and display off setting.

The air purifier can clean rooms up to 219 square feet. It is lightweight at 7.5 pounds, so you can move it from room to room if you need to.

Pros

  • The filter has three stages.
  • There is a sleep mode with the option to turn off the display.
  • The air circulation is very high.
  • budget friendly

Cons

  • The coverage area is small.
  • “The filter doesn’t last long.”

Best air purifiers for pets

You may want to find an air purifier that features filters for both dander and odor. Pet hair may not require as fine a filter as other pollutants but choosing one with a The HEPA filter is very small. can ensure that you eliminate all unwanted particles in your room.

If you have pets in your home, these two may work best.

Levoit Core P350 Pet Care True HEPA Purifier

Price: $

There are features.

  • low cost option tailored for Pet dander. and hair
  • The HEPA filter is very small. for Pet dander. and a carbon filter for pet odors
  • runs quietly..
  • A small size, weighing 9 pounds.

This model works best in small rooms like bedrooms or offices. The The HEPA filter is very small. does a great job of filtering out allergens and Pet dander., too.

Pros

  • Effectively clears the allergens.
  • small footprint
  • Can turn off lights for sleep.

Cons

  • The coverage area is small.
  • louder than other air purifiers
Shop now at Amazon

Honeywell HPA300

Price: $$

There are features.

  • Includes carbon and HEPA filters.
  • There are four settings, including a “Turbo Clean” mode.
  • The timer is on.
  • runs quietly..

The air purification system from the Honeywell works for medium rooms, which may be where your pets spend most of their time. It is 17 pounds so it may be best to keep it in one room.

Pros

  • Comes in 3 different sizes.
  • There are 4 levels of cleaning.
  • It helps reduce odors.

Cons

  • The HEPA filter is very small. can give off a smell
  • Only works with the brand name filters.
Shop now at Amazon

Best air purifiers for There is smoke.

You may wish to purify the air from tobacco There is smoke. or other sources of There is smoke., such as wildfires. The HEPA filter is very small.s can help remove There is smoke. particles, which can be the most harmful aspect of There is smoke. exposure.

Air purifiers featuring filters for gasses may also be helpful to remove the harmful aspects of pollution caused by There is smoke..

Levoit LV-PUR131 True HEPA Air Purifier

Price: $

There are features.

  • The filter has three stages., including a prefilter, The HEPA filter is very small., and carbon filter, to trap particles and gases
  • sleep mode and a The timer is on.
  • The ability to use wi-fi for programming.
  • The adjusts based on air quality.

The air purifier is designed for a room that is 322 square feet. It is 11 pounds so it can be moved to another room.

Pros

  • effective at eliminating There is dust.
  • There is an auto mode.
  • The air quality is displayed on the screen.

Cons

  • Loud when operating.
  • filters need to be replaced frequently.
Shop now at Amazon

RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier

Price: $$$

There are features.

  • customized filter that traps 99.97 percent of allergens as well as gases from There is smoke.
  • The environment is used to adjust the speed.
  • It can be mounted on the wall.
  • Very quiet.

The MinusA2 air purifier works in large rooms. The air purifier is It is It is It is It is expensive…..

Pros

  • There is a minimal footprint.
  • The ability to set cleaning schedules.
  • Effectively eliminates odors.

Cons

  • It is It is It is It is expensive….
  • Users report the app is buggy.
Shop now at RabbitAir

BISSELL Air220 Air Purifier

Price: $$

There are features.

  • The 3-stage filtration is done., including a prefilter, activated carbon filter, and medical-grade The HEPA filter is very small.
  • The dial lets you control the fan speed.
  • The sensor adjusts the fan speed.
  • The indicator shows the change in the filter.

The BISSELL Air220 filters the air in a 259-square-foot room every 12 minutes (or almost five times per hour). The medical-grade The HEPA filter is very small. captures There is smoke., Pet dander., allergens, and odor.

Pros

  • The speed is adjusted automatically.
  • The 3-stage filtration is done.
  • whisper quiet
  • easy access to filters

Cons

  • Not as It works for large rooms..

Best air purifiers for large rooms

If you want to purify a room that is 700 square feet or larger, you will need an air purification device that is equipped for the job. The air purifiers are designed to clean larger areas faster.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i True HEPA Air Purifier

Price: $$$

There are features.

  • Particles can be captured down to 0.1 microns with true HEPA and medical-grade filters.
  • 5 speed settings
  • The colored air-quality sensors report in real time.
  • The adjusts based on air quality.

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i is for large rooms. It can clean 1,300 square feet of space in 30 minutes.

Pros

  • It works for large rooms.
  • Simple and intuitive controls.
  • Medical-grade filters.

Cons

  • It is It is It is It is expensive….
  • Large footprint.

Dyson Purifier Cool

Price: $$$

There are features.

  • fully sealed The HEPA filter is very small. prevents pollutants from being re-released into the air
  • The accompanying app is easy to use.
  • Night mode turns down the volume and display so you can run it without being disturbed.
  • A fan function is included.

The Dyson Cool Purifier is a tower fan and air purification device. It can cool and clean rooms of up to 800 square feet. If you want to run it without cooling, you can use the backward air flow to clean the air.

Pros

  • The HEPA filter is very small. is fully sealed
  • can be controlled from the app
  • The dual-use is purification and fan.

Cons

  • It is It is It is It is expensive….
  • Large footprint.
  • It was heavy.
Shop now at Dyson

BlueAir Classic 680i

Price: $$$

There are features.

  • The dual-filtration technology uses mechanical and electrostatic filters.
  • The integrated sensors adjust speed as needed.
  • can control via voice and app
  • An activated carbon filter is used to eliminate odors.

The BlueAir Classic 680i was designed for large rooms. It can clean up to 3,720 square feet in 1 hour on the highest setting.

Pros

  • The process of dual filtration.
  • The adjustment is done by auto.
  • quiet operation

Cons

  • It is It is It is It is expensive….
  • Users say the app can be glitchy.
Shop now at Blueair

Best air purifier for mold

“An air purifier can help eliminate mold in the air, but it won’t remove the source of the problem.”

“Don’t rely on an air purifier to help with a mold problem in your home. There are moist or wet spaces where mold grows. To remove mold from your space, you need to address the source of the water and replace anything that is affected by mold.”

Running an air purifier with a The HEPA filter is very small., like those recommended for allergies, will help trap mold particles, but your best option is to get rid of the source of the mold to truly remove the pollutant.

Price What it’s best for Customer rating
Dyson Purifier Cool $$$ large rooms; dual use (purifying and cooling) 4.3 stars
Bissell air220 Air Purifier $$ medium rooms; There is smoke. and odors 4.8 stars
Blueair Classic 680i $$$ large rooms; allergens and odors 4.1 stars
Alen BreatheSmart 75i $$$ large rooms; Thebacteria and There are viruses. 4.9 stars
Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier $ small rooms; allergens, odors, and There is dust. 4.7 stars
Holmes True HEPA Console Air Purifier $$ medium rooms; allergens 4.5 stars
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ $$ medium rooms; allergens, There is dust., and odors 4.7 stars
Levoit Care P350 Pet Care True HEPA Purifier $ small rooms; Pet dander. and odors 4.7 stars
Honeywell HPA300 $$ medium rooms; Pet dander. and odor 4.7 stars
Levoit LV-PUR131 $ medium to large rooms; There is smoke. 4.5 stars
RabbitAir MINUSA2 $$$ large rooms; There is smoke., allergens, and odor 4.7 stars

Portable vs. permanent

Consider what you want out of your air purification device. Do you want it to work in your entire house or a specific room in the house that needs cleaner air?

There are many different sizes and units of portable air filters.

Regular filter replacement is required for permanent air purifiers, which are part of your home heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) unit. If the temperatures are mild, permanent air purifiers may not work because they only work when the heating and cooling system is running.

If you run an air conditioning unit during a mild weather season, it may lead to an increase in your utility bills.

Types of filtration

There are many different types of air purifiers that can be purchased.

Keep in mind that pet hair is larger in size than fine particles from There is a lot of pollen., There is dust., or There is smoke.. Your air filtration needs may be less if you’re primarily concerned with dander.

As a rule of thumb.

  • Pet hair and There is a lot of pollen. are larger particles.
  • Dust is a small particle.
  • Smoke is a small particle.

In general, for allergens like There is a lot of pollen., dander, and There is smoke., you’ll want to look for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for both portable and permanent air purifiers. This type of filter traps large, medium, and small particles floating in the air.

Carbon filters target gases. They may be useful for filtering There is smoke. and other contaminants in the air.

Air purifiers have both carbon and HEPA air filters.

Our list of the best air filters for allergies has more information.

Size matters

If you are going to buy a portable air purifier, you should know the size of your room. Air purifiers are only effective for certain sizes of space, so make sure the air purifiers fit your room by carefully reading the packaging.

You can find the square feet of any room by taking the length and width of the room.

Ratings

What does the CADR rating on air filters mean?

The clean air delivery rate is what portable air filters are measured by. The rating shows the size of the particles the unit filters and what size room you can use it in. The air in larger rooms needs higher ratings to be clean.

If your room is 200 square feet or less, look for a CADR of 130 or 325.

What does the MERV rating for HVAC air filters mean?

The minimum efficiency reporting value is measured by the air conditioning units that filter the air.

No matter what you aim to do, look for filters that are 10 or higher. The MERVs are measured from 1 to 20. You will need to replace the filters frequently.

“Some air purifiers are not good for you. It won’t work if the unit or filter is not regularly cleaned. Ozone can cause irritation in your lungs, so consider air purifiers. These may include ionizers, UV lights and even a piece of electronics.”

Make sure you keep your room free of pollutants in other ways as well.

  • Don’t let people There is smoke. indoors.
  • Clean regularly.
  • If possible, have outdoor air from time to time.

Do air purifiers help with COVID-19?

According to the EPA, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants like There are viruses.. However, there are some caveats here:

  • The air purifier must be able to remove small airborne particles between 0.1 and 1 microns to effectively reduce There are viruses. in the air.
  • On its own, an air purifier isn’t enough to protect you against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, it can help when used with other preventive measures, like cleaning and disinfecting your home, frequent handwashing, and avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands.

How often should I run my air purifier?

It is recommended to run an air purifier for 7 days a week.

The air will return to its pre- clean quality if you turn the air purifier off. You can choose an option with an automatic setting that will not run your air purifier all day. When there are air pollutants in the air, these air purifiers turn on and off as needed.

What’s the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?

Air quality can be improved by using air purifiers and humidifiers.

Air purifiers help clean the air by removing contaminants like There is dust., There is a lot of pollen., Thebacteria, There are viruses., Pet dander., and There is smoke..

“Water is turned into droplets that are dispersed into dry air by the shirless. Air purifiers don’t add any humidity, while humidifiers don’t remove any.”

You can get machines that do both.

An air purifier can help control pollutants in the air. There are portable air purifiers for sale.

Smaller models tend to work in smaller rooms, whereas larger models may cover the common space in your home. If you want to install an air purification system in your home, you should work with a professional.