The 12 Best Home Air Purifiers (Because Your House Is More Polluted Than You Think)
On a normal day, Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. And, not-so-fun fact, the air inside is often more polluted than the air outside. Since we’ve been Cloroxing every surface and spraying Lysol like it’s our job, we’ve been thinking a lot about the germs, dust and bacteria in our breathing space. Cue the uptick in searches for a home air purifier (especially since we can’t cleanse the air with a disinfectant wipe). But do these devices actually do what they promise? Let’s investigate.
What does an air purifier do?
Think of an air purifier as a catchall for the microscopic dust and bacteria particles floating through your home. Using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, these machines remove harmful particles and allergens (think pollen, mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, smoke and even airborne bacteria that might come from human coughing or sneezing) from the air.
Ready to breathe a bit easier? Here are the ten best home air purifiers for filtering out dust, allergens and bacteria at a time when we need it most.
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1. Best Air Purifier for Mold: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode
Pros:
Accommodates up to 361 square feet
Small
Quiet fan
Filtration system captures 99.97 percent of particles
Self timer for turning on or off
Cons:
Expensive replacement filters
2. Best Multiuse Air Purifier: Dyson HP04 Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier
Pros:
Extremely quiet
Can be set to a heating or cooling mode
Air quality is trackable on the app
Can control with Alexa
Cons:
Expensive
Not discreet looking
3. Best Air Purifier for Allergies: Blueair Blue Pure 121 Air Purifier
Pros:
Washable filters
Three-part filtration system that rids air of 99 percent of impurities
Quiet
Cons:
Heavy (18 pounds)
Some reviewers report a subtle chemical scent when it's running
4. Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms: Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier
Pros:
Accommodates up to 1,100 feet
HEPA filter that captures up to 99.99 percent of bacteria, viruses, large particles and more
Color coded lights that determine the level of good or bad air quality
Quiet
Cons:
Larger than other air purifiers
5. Best Air Purifier Under $100: LEVOIT LV-H132 AIR PURIFIER
Pros:
Affordable
Nearly 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon
Lightweight
HEPA filter eliminates 99.97 percent of unwanted air particles
Cons:
Won't accommodate large rooms
Not discreet looking
6. Most Stylish Air Purifier: Bissell air320 Smart Air Purifier with HEPA and Carbon Filters
Pros:
Very quiet
HEPA filter which captures 99.97 percent of .3 micron particles
Stylish design
Discreet cord wrap
Cons:
Larger than other air purifiers
Replacement filters are expensive
7. Best Air Purifier for Pets: Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Pros:
Charcoal HEPA filter that traps pet hair and dander
Removes pet odors
UV-C light that kills airborne germs and bacteria
Slim shape
Cons:
Requires bulb and filter replacements
8. Best Air Purifier for Small Rooms: Molekule Air Mini+
Pros:
Sleek design
Speed control via app
Air quality sensor light
Can set up auto delivery on new filters for once a year
Cons:
Can only accommodate up to 250 square feet
9. Best Portable Air Purifier: QUEENTY Desktop Air Cleaner with True HEPA Filter
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Plugs into computer or USB port
Eliminates 99.97 percent of dust, mites and other air particles
Very quiet
Cons:
Only accommodates up to 50 square feet
10. Best Air Purifier/Fan Combo: Dyson Pure Cool, TP04 - HEPA Air Purifier and Tower Fan
Pros:
Controllable through Alexa
Air Multiplier technology circulates purified air through the room
Cooling option
Oscillates
Night Mode option for quieter filtration
Cons:
Some reviewers say it's loud
Expensive
11. Best Air Purifier for Offices: KVV H13 True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Pros:
Accommodates up to 1,700 square feet
Filters 99.97 percent of pollution from air
Sleek design
Cons:
Filter needs replacement every three months
12. Best Air Purifier for Odors: LEVOIT Smoke and Odor Eliminator
Pros:
Accommodates up to 900 square feet
Honeycomb activated charcoal filter eliminates odors from pets, mold, fire smoke and more
Removes 99.97 percent of dust, mites, pet dander and more from the air
Slim shape
Cons:
Replacement filters are expensive
How can I tell if an air purifier is effective?
Just because we can’t see the dust and airborne bacteria floating around doesn’t mean it’s not there. In fact, research from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that indoor air can be “more polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.” That point resonates even more if you’ve ever cleaned the air filter out of an AC unit or air purifier and have seen the grime firsthand. We’re talking about those grayish fluff balls that are a sneezing fit waiting to happen (you know the ones).
Does an air purifier reduce allergy symptoms?
Because an air purifier traps common allergens, it can also help reduce those annoying allergy symptoms (yep, including sneezing, itchy nose, watery eyes, the works). In another recent PureWow article, editor Sarah Vazquez explains, “According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, and with the season beginning a good two to three weeks earlier than usual across the country (thanks to our warmer than average winter) allergy sufferers are in for a long battle. While stocking up on your go-to allergy medication and soothing eye drops (we’re looking at you, Zaditor) is a must, there’s one product that should be at the top of your shopping list: an air purifier.”
How many air purifiers do I need?
Any number of purifiers is better than none. But in general, models are built to filter the air in a room of a specific size, whether that’s 200 square feet or 400. The experts at Blueair state, “For optimal results, your air purifier should be placed in the room where you spend the most time, or where the air quality is the worst. If your asthma or your allergies keep you awake at night, running your air purifier in your bedroom sounds like the best choice.” If you need it with you at all times, some compact purifiers are easily portable, making it effortless to move it from room to room.
It's also important to consider where in the room to place the purifier, keeping air flow and circulation in mind. The Blueair experts explain, “Air purifiers have an inlet where the polluted air is drawn in and filtered, and an outlet where clean air is pushed out. Place the air purifier where the air can circulate freely in, out and around the unit, away from walls, furniture and other objects that may stop the air flow.” They also recommend putting your air purifier at least four inches away from any potential obstacles but as close as possible to the pollution source (e.g., windows), while avoiding tucking it into a corner.
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