We think carefully about what we put into our bodies. That should include the air we breathe, no?
It’s easy to forget when scrubbing your floors and polishing your surfaces that it’s equally important to clean the air circulating around your living space. Dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens exist in the air we breathe every day. Just because they’re invisible doesn’t mean they’re not there.
Choosing the best air purifier to suit your lifestyle is vital to ensuring good health and the cleanliness of your home. With our help, you won’t have to go outside for a breath of fresh air!
Finding the Best Air Purifier
Selecting an air purifier that’s safe and effective may seem like a daunting task. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! We’ve saved you the hard work of finding the right air purifier by compiling the best ones for every kind of toxin that could be contaminating your air.
Let’s help you choose an air purifier that matches your way of living, falls within your budget and doesn’t dominate your space.
Some of you might be wondering what an air purifier even is. Is it worth spending money on something that will just sit quietly in the corner of your room?
Air purifiers are good for your health (kind of like vegetables, but you don’t have to eat your purifier). They remove airborne particles of dust and mites, mold, allergens, smoke from your indoor air. Besides these, they also get rid of other nasty microscopic pieces you might be unknowingly inhaling (1).
For instance, if you or someone in your household is prone to getting sick, an air purifier may be a good investment. These can trap bacteria and viruses that cause illness.
Types of Air Purifiers
There are various types of air purifiers to choose from:
Ultraviolet Air Purifiers
UV air purifiers remove harmful viruses, bacteria and pathogens from the air using ultraviolet light (2). They can remove 99 percent of microorganisms present in the air, such as mold spores.
This type of air purifier is inspired by the medical use of UV light in hospitals to disinfect laboratories and patient rooms.
- Kill germs, viruses, bacteria and mold, which cause illness.
- Less maintenance than filters.
- Use less electricity compared to other purifying systems.
- Bulbs need to be replaced every so often, depending on the frequency of use.
- Dust can decrease the efficiency of bulbs.
HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air purifiers are equipped with a dense HEPA filter.
It traps up to 99.99 percent of particles (over 0.3 microns) in the air.
These include pollen, dust and mold (3).
- Effective in removing almost all air pollutants.
- Captures both small and large particles.
- Good for people who suffer from asthma or allergies.
- HEPA air filters must be replaced monthly.
- Ineffective at trapping viruses and bacteria.
- Incapable of neutralizing odors.
Activated Carbon Air Purifiers
Activated carbon air purifiers are good at removing smoke, odors and fumes from the air by trapping molecules of gas in a bed of activated carbon or charcoal (4). They are designed to tackle volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some will also work alongside HEPA filters that will remove other particles from the air.
- Effectively remove odors, smoke and other chemicals in the air.
- Particularly useful for those sensitive to smells.
- Ineffective for the elimination of pollen, dust and mold.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers use ionization to combat contaminants in the air. They release negative ions that attach to airborne particles through electrostatic attraction. This process makes the particles heavy so they drop out of the air.
Ionic air purifiers function without a motor.
- Very quiet.
- Able to remove anything (except odors) from the air.
- Generate ozone, which is potentially harmful.
- You must clean more often to remove dust particles that have fallen from the air.
Electronic Air Cleaners
Electronic air cleaners are equipped with HEPA filters and positively charged ions. These work with your air conditioner to remove almost all allergens in the air.
Electronic cleaners ensure that the air that travels through your home’s HVAC system passes through filters, which trap larger particles. The smaller particles are then caught by electrically charged filters, which prevent them from circulating in your home.
- Effectively remove dust, bacteria, viruses, fumes and smoke from the air.
- Able to catch the smallest of particles.
- Straightforward cleaning process, as collector cells can be hand-washed or placed in your dishwasher.
- Require professional installation.
- Collector cells need to be cleaned monthly.
- Filters must be replaced monthly.
Central Air Cleaners
Central air purifiers can be connected to your central heating or cooling system to purify your air circulation.
They work within the air ducts of your home to remove particles, such as dust and pollen, smaller than 1 micron.
- Very quiet.
- Efficient at removing small particles such as pollen and dust.
- Limit the impact of allergies and viruses on your health.
- Extend your air conditioner’s lifespan by filtering out particles that affect its functionality.
- Require professional installation.
- Costly.
Air-To-Air Exchangers
Air-to-air exchangers provide ventilation throughout your home by replacing stale air with fresh air. They use energy recovery ventilators (5). This means that, for instance, in cold weather, the air-to-air exchanger will trap heat in the air. Whereas, during warmer seasons, the air-to-air exchanger will cool the clean outside air entering your home.
- Regulate temperature and humidity.
- Reduce the presence of mold in the air.
- Expensive.
Choosing Your Air Purifier
Here’s a list of the prime features to look out for when choosing an effective, high-quality air purifier that’s right for you:
- True HEPA filter: Catches 99.97 percent of the smallest particles in the air, including dust, pollen and pet dander (6).
- Reusable pre-filters: Trap large particles in the air and prolong the primary filter’s lifespan in your air purifier. They also provide convenience as they can be washed, allowing you to save money on replacement filters.
- UV light: Eliminates bacteria, viruses and germs which cause illness, helping to create a clean and sterile living space.
- Filter change indicator: Means you don’t have to guess when the filter in your air purifier needs to be changed; the indicator will tell you.
- Air quality sensor: Allows for a ‘hands-free’ system, as it regulates the quality of the air by identifying toxins. Then it automatically adjusts the fan speed to eliminate them quickly and subsequently restores its regular operation.
- Energy Star label: Distinguishes air purifiers that are environmentally friendly, have low operating costs and greater efficiency levels.
- Remote control: Provides an element of convenience. Air purifiers with a remote control feature allow you to control the settings from anywhere in the room. You no longer have to fiddle around with the buttons on the purifier itself.
The Best Air Purifier Brands
Below is a non-exhaustive list (in no particular order) of some of the brands known for producing good quality, effective air purifiers.
- Rabbit Air: This brand is one of the fastest-growing in the U.S. and produces effective and innovative air purifiers with a modern design. Their products come armed with a five-year warranty (7).
- Alen Air: This brand is highly rated and only produces air purifiers. Naturally, they possess specialist expert knowledge on high-quality air purification and apply advanced technology to their products. No wonder their air cleaners come with a lifetime guarantee (8).
- IQAir: This brand manufactures high-quality air cleaning products. IQAir is dedicated to improving the quality of life of its consumers by helping them breathe clean and healthy air. They also do their bit for the community by helping people who are adversely affected by air pollution.
- Blueair: This brand uses technological innovation to supply air purifiers and filters. Its products are designed to be environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and silent, while still providing optimal air-cleaning power.
- Hamilton Beach: This brand is a leading distributor of home and kitchen appliances. Their range includes blenders, toasters, slow cookers, air purifiers and clothing irons. Hamilton Beach products are designed to enable convenience.
- Honeywell: This brand produces air purifiers, humidifiers, heating and cooling systems (thermostats), and home security devices. Honeywell designs its products with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Their smart home products use technological advancements to enhance convenience.
- Levoit: This brand focuses on improving health and well-being through their stylish and functional products. Their range includes air purifiers, humidifiers and salt lamps. Levoit air purifiers boast a 40 percent higher efficiency rate compared to other air purifiers. This is a result of its cylindrical 360-degree filter design with a larger surface area and the ability to take in air from all angles.
- Coway: This brand specializes in the global supply of innovative home wellness appliances. They pride themselves specifically on looking after the world’s air and water.
- GermGuardian: GermGuardian offers a wide range of small appliances targeted at facilitating healthier home environments. Their products include air purifiers, heating and cooling appliances, humidifiers and oil diffusers.
- Austin Air: This brand introduced medical-grade HEPA air purification to residential consumers. They specialize in producing effective air purifiers targeted at people suffering from asthma. Their purifiers are designed to remove contaminants released into the air during wildfires (9).
- Dyson: Known as a market leader, Dyson designs and manufactures a range of technologically advanced homeware, office and hair styling products. Their range also includes vacuum cleaners, hand dryers, air purifiers, fans, heaters and hair dryers.
- Holmes: This brand produces home appliances, such as air purifiers, humidifiers and fans. Their functional and stylish products are designed to increase comfort. Holmes air purifiers can accommodate any budget.
- Winix: Winix produces air and water purifiers and humidifiers. Their air cleaners eliminate 99.97 percent of airborne particles through the use of PlasmaWave technology and true HEPA filtration systems. Other bonuses are that their products boast convenient use through your smartphone, and quiet operation.
The Best Air Purifiers of 2020
After comparing the market’s leading air purifiers, examining consumer reviews and conducting our own thorough research, we compiled some of the best air purifiers for different needs and lifestyles, that we think are worth considering.
1. Whirlpool Whispure True HEPA Air Purifier
Dust is everywhere. No matter how much you vacuum your carpets, there will still be tiny particles of dust floating around your house. This air purifier will help take care of what you can’t see.
The Whirlpool Whispure True HEPA Air Purifier uses a true HEPA filter. So it can remove 99.97 percent of particles (as small as 0.3 microns) of dust, pollen, pet dander and mold spores from indoor air.
It also has a carbon filter which reduces odors. Although this is a compact device, it’s capable of covering large spaces of up to 508 square feet. It boasts a CADR of 328.
This ozone-free air purifier comes equipped with a sleep mode setting, making it an energy-saver. It also features a Quiet Partner System, meaning it can be left on while you sleep or work, as it cleans your air silently.
We love the wildfire smoke protection. This device is capable of removing particles in the air left behind by wildfires.
- Air quality sensor.
- Sleep mode.
- Compact.
- Quiet.
- Reduces odors.
- Pricey filter replacements.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | True HEPA filter and carbon filter |
| Energy Star Rating | Yes |
| Remote Control | No — smart screen touch |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
2. Elechomes Air Purifier With True HEPA Filter
Smoking indoors can cause odors to linger, as smoke clings to your furniture and carpets. There are also much higher levels of respirable suspended particles, such as nicotine, in smokers’ houses than non-smokers’ houses.
Thankfully, this air purifier is fitted with an ozone-free three-stage filtration process. It can filter 99.97 percent of pollutants in the air.
Its process includes a true HEPA filter which targets the tiniest airborne particles. The carbon filter, on the other hand, helps to eliminate odors, creating fresher air for smokers.
The Elechomes air purifier has three fan speeds to choose from and a timer setting. The air purifier has a sleep mode setting, which quietens the fan and turns off the indicator light. That way, you can have it on at night without being disturbed.
The filter change indicator means you won’t have to guess when the filters need to be replaced. Finally, this air purifier is capable of cleaning the air in spaces of up to 215 square feet.
- Sleep mode.
- Filter change indicator.
- Aromatherapy function.
- Compact.
- Quiet (33 decibels).
- Filter replacements are difficult to find.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | Three stage filtration: pre-filter, HEPA filter and carbon filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No — touch panel |
| Air Quality Sensor | No |
3. JINPUS Air Purifier
If you’re looking for an effective air purifier that won’t send you running to the bank, look no further.
The JINPUS air purifier comes equipped with a HEPA filter, which removes airborne pollutants such as pet dander, pollen and bacteria. This powerful air purifier boasts an almost silent operation (around 30 decibels) for quiet cleaning.
Its compact, cylindrical design allows for highly efficient 360-degree air purification. The activated carbon filter removes odors and toxic gases from the air in your living space. Plus, it comes with a blue LED light, which can be dimmed in sleep mode.
- Compact and portable.
- Very quiet.
- Highly efficient, 360-degree air purification.
- Sleep mode.
- LED light may disturb sleep as it cannot be completely switched off.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | True HEPA filter and activated carbon filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Air Quality Sensor | No |
4. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Babies are sometimes more susceptible to illness as they’re still developing a fully functional immune system. This air purifier may help prevent your baby from getting sick. We love its large room coverage and odor-removing filter.
The Winix air purifier also has a true HEPA filter, which captures 99.9 percent of airborne toxins. These include dust, pollen, pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other particles as small as 0.3 microns.
It also has a washable activated carbon filter which eliminates odors. What’s more, it safely uses PlasmaWave technology to break down pollutants and allergens. And, it does all these without emitting harmful ozone.
You don’t want something noisy that could disturb your little one. This air purifier is great for your baby’s room, as it is extra quiet. Additionally, it has a sleep mode setting for silent bedtimes.
The device has four fan speeds. Its air quality sensor will automatically regulate the quality of the air and adjust its function accordingly. It can cover large rooms of up to 360 square feet.
- Works silently; will not disturb your baby.
- Can tackle spaces of up to 360 square feet.
- Air quality sensor.
- Filter replacement indicator.
- High settings are noisy.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter and PlasmaWave |
| Energy Star Rating | Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
5. Medify MA-Smart Medical-Grade HEPA Filter
Having pets (especially ones that live indoors) affects your living environment. Animals shed fur, produce odors and can leave traces of themselves in the air you breathe.
This air purifier is suitable for pet owners. It freshens the air in your living space by removing airborne particles and pet hair. For one, it uses a three-in-one filtration system to eliminate pet dander and odors.
Its filtration system consists of a permanent pre-filter, a medical-grade HEPA filter and an odor-reducing carbon filter. For allergy sufferers, its medical-grade HEPA filter helps tackle those niggling pet-induced sniffles.
This air purifier can effectively tackle the air in rooms of up to 1,000 square feet. The CADR is 288, which is pretty high.
The Medify purifier is nice, compact and can be conveniently placed in the different rooms your pet frequents. Its cylindrical shape gives it a large absorption surface area. Finally, it’s compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and your smartphone.
- Carbon filter reduces odors.
- Compact.
- Great for allergy sufferers.
- Smart technology for convenient use.
- Filter replacement indicator.
- Bright LED lights may disturb sleep.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | Medical-grade HEPA filter, pre-filter and carbon filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | Yes — smartphone application |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
6. Renpho Air Purifier
Mold can be harmful to your health if left unchecked. It’s important to take steps to ensure that the air you breathe is free of mold.
This powerful air purifier uses a four-stage filtration process to tackle mold. It’s phases include a pre-filter, charcoal filter, activated carbon filter and HEPA filter.
This air purifier traps 99.97 percent of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. These include dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and smoke.
The activated charcoal filter, on the other hand, reduces unwanted odors in your living space, such as smoke and cooking fumes.
The air purifier is designed to cover large rooms of up to 301 square feet. It possesses an air quality sensor which adjusts the fan speed depending on the particles in the air.
Finally, it has a child-lock, which ensures that the settings are unaffected by curious children.
- Air quality sensor.
- Filter replacement indicator.
- Quiet operation (35 decibels).
- Sleep mode.
- Child-safety mode.
- Filter replacements are pricey.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | Four stage filtration: pre-filter, charcoal filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
7. Enoch Car Air Purifier
It’s important to purify the air in your car, as well as your home. This car air purifier emits negative ions which remove lingering odors.
The Enoch purifier is capable of releasing 5.6 million negative ions per cubic centimeter. The negative ions neutralize pollutants, such as benzene and formaldehyde, which are toxic after long-term inhalation. These ions also eliminate airborne particles of bacteria, dust, pollen and smoke.
This car air purifier releases a light ozone scent, similar to that of rain. Ozone is effective at deodorizing over extended periods of time. However, it can also be dangerous to health (10).
This handy gadget can charge your phone, making it a perfect companion on long road trips. Its stylish design comes in two different colors: silver-gray and rose gold. It also has a blue LED indicator, allowing you to locate it in the dark.
- USB car charging port.
- Neutralizes the air in your car.
- Reduces asthma attacks and allergies.
- Emits ozone which can be dangerous.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | N/A — Ionic Air Purifier |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Air Quality Sensor | No |
8. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier
In order to clean the air in your entire house, you need a powerful air purifier. The Alen BreatheSmart Classic air purifier is one. This device can clean the air in spaces of up to 1,100 square feet.
The Alen BreatheSmart uses a HEPA filter to alleviate allergy symptoms. It catches airborne particles of dust, pollen and pet dander throughout your entire house.
Designed to improve overall indoor air quality, it also tackles airborne irritants and larger particles, such as hair. Its modern design and the variety of colors available make it a stylish option that won’t clash with your interior decor.
- Quiet operation.
- Air quality sensor.
- Filter life indicator.
- Stylish.
- Works for the whole house.
- Pricey.
- Strange smell with first use.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | HEPA-Pure filter |
| Energy Star Rating | Yes |
| Remote Control | No — control panel |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
9. Biota Bot Ionic Air Purifier MM208
Ionization effectively fights air pollutants. Having an ionic air purifier in your home can help reduce illnesses, which is ideal if you’re prone to getting sick.
This ionic air purifier comes armed with a three-stage filtration process, UV light and an ionizer. It helps to create an allergen-free living space by removing airborne pollutants, bacteria and viruses.
Its activated charcoal filter eliminates odors, smoke and chemicals in the air. The ionizer releases negative ions that bind to airborne particles, such as dust, causing them to become heavy and drop out of the air.
Finally, this air purifier cleans the air in large rooms; it can tackle spaces of up to 430 square feet.
- Suitable for large rooms.
- Tackles odors.
- Kills bacteria and viruses.
- UV sterilizing function.
- HEPA filter can be vacuumed.
- LED lights on the device may disrupt sleep.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | Three-stage filtration process: pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Air Quality Sensor | Yes |
10. Honeywell HPA300
Allergies can be tricky to manage. So it may be handy to invest in an air purifier which can limit the impact of your allergies by removing allergens from the air you breathe. This air purifier has been recommended by allergists.
The Honeywell HPA300 air purifier uses an odor-reducing pre-filter and true HEPA filter to trap various types and sizes of allergens in the air — as small as 0.3 microns.
It consists of three air cleaning levels. These can remove particles of pet dander, pollen, mold, dust and smoke.
The device is capable of catching some germs and neutralizing odors. It’s designed to improve indoor air quality, as it filters and circulates the air in your living space up to five times per hour.
- Affordable.
- Filter replacement reminder light.
- Can handle large spaces of up to 465 square feet.
- Adheres to guidelines set out by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and provides a strong CADR performance.
- May give off a strange metallic smell.
- Can be noisy.
Additional Specs
| Type of Filter | Activated carbon pre-filter and true HEPA filter |
| Energy Star Rating | No |
| Remote Control | No |
| Air Quality Sensor | No |
Detailed Comparison Chart
| Product | Best | Type of Filter | Energy Star Rating | Remote Control | Air Quality Sensor |
| Whirlpool Whispure True HEPA Air Purifier | Dust | True HEPA filter and carbon filter | Yes | No | Yes |
| Elechomes Air Purifier With True HEPA Filter | Smoke | Three-stage filtration: pre-filter, HEPA filter and carbon filter | No | No | No |
| JINPUS Air Purifier | Budget | True HEPA filter and activated carbon filter | No | No | No |
| Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | Nursery | True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter and PlasmaWave | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medify MA-Smart Medical-Grade HEPA Filter | Pets | Medical-grade HEPA filter, pre-filter and carbon filter | No | Yes | Yes |
| Renpho Air Purifier | Mold | Four-stage filtration: pre-filter, charcoal filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter | No | No | Yes |
| Enoch Car Air Purifier | Cars | N/A — Ionic Air Purifier | No | No | No |
| Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier | Whole House | HEPA-Pure filter | Yes | No | Yes |
| Biota Bot Ionic Air Purifier MM208 | Ionic | Three-stage filtration process: pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter | No | No | Yes |
| Honeywell HPA300 | Allergies | Activated carbon pre-filter and true HEPA filter | No | No | No |
Air Purifier FAQs
How Do I Detect An Indoor Air Quality Problem?
It may be difficult to identify an indoor air quality problem. However, there are few small signs which can mean big things when it comes to your air quality.
Pay close attention to your allergies. Note the appearance of new symptoms, such as coughing or sneezing. If you frequently suffer from bronchitis or pneumonia, it may be a result of pollutants contaminating your indoor air.
Consider your external environment. Is there is construction happening near you? Or has there been a fire nearby? Residual smoke and dust can contaminate your indoor air quality (11).
How Can You Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Besides investing in an air purifier, there are several things you can do to improve the air quality in your home.
- Change your air conditioning filter regularly, especially if you live in a polluted area.
- Use cooking vents in your kitchen to limit fumes and odors.
- Clean as often as you can and vacuum your rugs and carpets regularly to limit the accumulation of dust around your furniture.
- Allow fresh air in whenever possible (12).
What Are CADR Ratings?
CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. The higher the CADR rating of an air purifier in cubic feet per minute, the more air it cleans. Different particle sizes (smoke, pollen and dust) should be given their own rating.
You can use CADR ratings to compare the performance of different air purifiers. It indicates how fast an air purifier can clean the air in a particular room.
Do Larger Air Purifiers Have Better CADR Ratings?
The size of the air purifier may not always determine its CADR rating. High CADR ratings come from an air purifier’s high fan power, filter surface area and ability to cover the air in a large space.
Where Should I Place My Air Purifier?
Small air purifiers are handy as they can be moved from room to room as needed. When deciding where to place your air purifier, choose the room(s) you spend the most time in. It may also be wise to choose room(s) you think are most affected by air pollutants.
The ideal location for an air purifier is in the middle of a room, with no objects blocking it and preventing the air from reaching it. However, this may cause a tripping hazard. So try to aim for at least 3 feet of space between the device and a wall or piece of furniture (13).
Our Final Breath
Air purifiers get rid of nasty toxins lingering in the air we breathe. On the hunt for one to improve indoor air quality and contribute positively to your health? Look out for air purifiers with HEPA filters that trap the tiniest of harmful particles.
Whatever your lifestyle, there’s an air purifier for you. When making your selection, it’s worth considering a purifier with an air quality sensor. A filter-change indicator and reusable pre-filters which make cleaning easier and more convenient are also crucial.
We also care about the environment, so keep an eye out for that Energy Star label. With the best air purifiers, you’ll breathe a little easier knowing that your air is clean and toxin-free!
