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After testing dozens of unlike models , we determined which picks were most good for allergic reaction , favourite fuzz , and more .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
When looking for the undecomposed air purifier toimprove tune qualityin your home , it ’s hard to screw which onesactuallywork . After trying out over 90 air purifier models in our research laboratory and at home , we ’ve determine the sound selection based on testing and genuine - world data .
The biggest indicator of a mellow - timbre machine is how well itreduces pollutants in the air . Melanie Carver , master mission officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation , says that the top concerns when buying an air purifier are “ room size , certifications and ratings , [ and ] filter . ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Our Top Picks
CADR ( Clean Air Delivery Rate ) is another important agent . This is measured in cubic feet per arcminute or meters cubed per 60 minutes . It is a direction to determine the efficaciousness of an air purifier by calculate the volume of air sanctify in a located amount of time .
What We Tested
We ’ve tested twelve of air travel purifier , evaluating them based oneffectiveness against pollutant , design , ease of exercise , and overallvalue . For more data on how we tested air purifiers in our science laboratory , see outour testing processbelow .
Best Overall
Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier
Quick Take
This was so in force that it made the air even cleaner than it was before we introduced pollutants to the trial environment .
We noticed a disagreement between the turn displayed on the machine and the air quality monitor .
Everything You Need to Know
The Levoit was so effective that it made the air in our exam surround cleaner than it was before we enclose pollutant . Ourair lineament monitormeasured a PM2.5 of 8 prior to adding contaminants , which brought the level up to 999 . After pass the air purifier for 10 minutes on crushed , the PM2.5 lowered to 5 .
We wish that the purifierremoves VOCs from the melodic phrase — we measured TVOCs of .1 at the start of the trial , and it went down to .04 after running the air purifier on both the low and in high spirits place setting . technical school - forward characteristic like a optical maser dust digital scanner that constantly updates the PM2.5 bring economic value .
funnily , the air purifier seemed to work well on the low setting than it did on the high-pitched ( when it brought the PM2.5 down to an 8) . There was also a slight discrepancy between the issue the machine displayed and our atmosphere quality reminder .
Credit: Amazon
However , we were impressed with the digital display and especially the app , which you may use to set timekeeper , check the life of the filter , and set up vocalisation activating . It has several modes , such as auto and sleep . The purifier is Energy Star - evidence , make it anenergy - efficient selection .
The Levoit does not have a HEPA filter , though we find it highly effective based on data and anecdotal evidence . It has a MERV valuation of 16 , mean it would trance about 95 % of particles up to 0.3 microns in sizing . For comparison , HEPA filter haveMERV ratings of 17or higher . Removing the filter from the base was quick and easy . The purifier is also pretty quiet — the disturbance stage was only 45 decibels on the lowest setting ( which is comparable to meek rainfall ) . On its highest setting , it measured 72 decibel — roughly equivalent to a dishwasher or wash machine .
How It Performed After Six Months
We carry on to be impressed with the Levoit purifier when using it at home , noticing that our sopor timber decline when we did n’t launch the gadget and that we live few allergic reaction symptoms . While cooking , the purifier would increase its fan speed to combat smoke .
Product Details
Product Images
Key Terms to Know
Best Budget
Coway Airmega 100
We love this option for a bedroom as it ’s succinct , with the pick to turn off the lights while it ’s turn tail .
The high setting is loud enough to be disruptive ( we only used it during the day ) .
The Coway Airmega 100 is a dandy beginner air purifier , as it ’s round-eyed to specify up and operate . To get started , all you demand to do is remove the filter from charge card and reinsert into the bottom of the purifier . A pinch - screenland on top of the gimmick put up the controls , allowing you to toggle between four mise en scene .
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The air was perceptibly tonic in the sleeping room where we placed the melodic line purifier , particularly in the domain immediately surrounding the gimmick . This room tends to get dust-covered quickly , and we noticed less junk collected on the surfaces once we part using the purifier , which is a Brobdingnagian plus .
While it ’s not the most technical school - forward option — there ’s no app — we were well-chosen with the largeness of features , especially the color - coded light source to indicate air tone ( i.e. blue means “ unspoilt ” ) . After we sprayed hair product or perfume , the light would interchange coloration until the contamination had been removed .
We kept the purifier on the second setting , from time to time turn it up to the third ( and high ) setting to combat debris while cleaning . It was fine for short burst , but the third setting is loud enough to be distracting , and we only ran it during the day .
It ’s a nice option to keep in a bedroom , since most options ( except the highest one ) are quiet and the purifier is compact . There is a rest style to do away with possible distractions like lights and sound , but we encounter the second determine unobtrusive enough that we did n’t feel the need to exchange the mode at night .
The Coway purifier remains extremely recommended after lengthened testing . We sleep with how much it cuts down on the dust and aroma in our main chamber and ensuite bathroom , and we even miss the white noise it makes when we ’re slumber away from place .
The filter is mean to be exchange once per twelvemonth , so we have not swap it yet , but we have pick it doubly using the purifier ’s air compressor . That said , we have n’t observe a change in carrying out whether the filter had been recently clean or not .
Best for Large Rooms
PuroAir HEPA Air Purifier
For a purifier that cleans such a large quad ( over 1,000 square feet ) it ’s incredibly placid , lightweight , and compact .
There ’s no app usable , so it does n’t bring home the bacon elaborated selective information about air quality .
For a powerful air purifier that works in large spaces up to 1,115 square foot , the Puro Air 240 is lightweight ( only 8 pounds ) and compact ( under 9 inches in diameter and about 10 inches tall ) . It ’s also quiet ( 22 decibels on its downhearted setting)—a pleasant surprisal for alarge - room purifier .
During testing , we found that the room smelled much better after we flex the air purifier on , and that it made the air feel more breathable . It seemed to purify the space equally , too , with the effects lead beyond the area immediately around the purifier .
Perhaps most impressively , it beguile a significant amount of hair’s-breadth on the filter . consider its lower price , we were pleased with the amount of features : automatic mode , eternal sleep mode , an atmosphere quality indicator Christ Within , a filter indicator lightness , a timekeeper with two - hour increments , and a child lock chamber .
There ’s not much we did n’t wish about the Puro , although it should be noted that filters are toilsome to find outside of the brand ’s own website , and it does n’t have an app , so it ’s not a enceinte selection for those who want more detailed analysis and information about their nursing home ’s air tone .
How it Performed After Six Months
The Puro Air does an splendid job of removing odor and keep the air fresh in a declamatory bedchamber with an attached bathroom . We start the purifier for a few hour each night and notice few allergen and distasteful smells from our cat ’s litter box . Though we have n’t yet change the filter , it still perform like newfangled .
Best for Small Rooms
Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier
This stocky fashion model lessen PM2.5 numeral by 90 % and TVOCs by 80 % during lab testing .
The pre - filter is mean to be vacuumed every two weeks .
The Levoit Core 300S made us interpret on the button why people use air purifier — we noticed a clear difference in the air tone of the elbow room , with almost no odors detected . We experienced a pronounced decrease in allergy symptoms , too .
The data from our laboratory trial backs up our experiential determination . We found that the PM2.5 numbers improved by an norm of 90 % when using the air purifier , while TVOCs decreased by 80 % .
It uses three - stage filtration , include a gamey - efficiency carbon filter to help with odors .
As for lineament , the purifier has three devotee speeds , slumber musical mode , auto mode , a child lock , and a data - centric app . It ’s also ETL listed and Energy Star certified . We found it easy to operate on , with bare , intuitive button and a filter that ’s leisurely to replace with a bout of the purifier ’s base . It ’s best for small rooms , dorms , or flat , as it works in spaces up to 219 square foot . Since it ’s nicely summary at 8.6 inches high and around 6 dog pound , it ’s not noticeable . It does n’t capture much hair , despite a pre - filter made for heavy corpuscle that is meant to be hoover every two hebdomad .
Credit: Coway
The compact manakin connects to the VeSync app , which lets you remotelycheck the strain qualityin the room and set a schedule for the purifier , and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home . We did n’t have clock time to test out these bright feature yet , but they ’re always a welcome addition .
The aviation purifier required no maintenance despite the fact that we work it constantly . When fake , we point out that it automatically increase rooter speed to remove smoke , which resulted in less noise fromsensitive heater demodulator . The app apprise us when it was prison term to change the filter .
Best for Pets
Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier
This muscular breeze purifier has six layer of filtration , including one specifically made to remove pet hackles .
It ’s not great at entrap hair in the filter .
Rabbit Air makes pricey air purifier , but the A3 is worth it if you have pets thanks to a six - level filtration , include a pet allergic reaction filtermade to trap dander . Some other features that make this an elevated option admit whisper - quiet functionality and the ability to sense particles , odor , and sluttish .
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The six - layer filtration admit a washable pre - filter , a filter for larger particles , a charcoal filter for olfactory sensation and VOCs , and a HEPA filter with an added technology that the stigma claim lowers the risk of bacterial emergence on the filter over time . The filter kit is well-off to remove , thanks to a attractive feature .
It removed all traces of green goddess and steaminess , but did leave behind olfactory sensation from incense behind . Although it forge well on hackles , it ’s not aseffective on pet hair(we did n’t note much collected in the filter ) . The gimmick can be wall - climb and features an impressive tactual sensation interface , Wi - FI capabilities , and a mobile app . To top it off , the machine isVerified Zero Ozoneby Intertek Sustainability Certification ( the same world company behind ETL listings ) . Although AAFA does n’t endorse particular modeling , ozone output is something Carver looks for in a purifier , because it “ can be harmful to people with asthma . ”
The Rabbit zephyr still work just as well after six calendar month of veritable use . We noticed few olfactory perception when it was running , andless dust accumulatedin the room . With more frequent use , we realized the mobile app is easier to use than the user interface on the purifier itself .
Since the machine is designed to work in space up to 1070 square feet , it ’s various enough to work expeditiously in most bedrooms , living rooms , and home offices .
During examination , we did n’t discover that the filters pile up any of the synthetic favourite hair , so it may not be idealistic if your furred friend sheds a lot . However , its effectuality at improving the overall atmosphere quality in a short period of time contribute us to conceive that it would still lessen the negative result of potential pet - related allergen .
Best for Allergies
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier
It removed strong odors in no sentence at all and improved allergic reaction symptoms with continued usage .
It requires a pricy successor filter .
The Alen Air BreatheSmart 75i is our pickaxe for allergen . In fact , we noticed that our nozzle was less stuffy during testing . It forge quickly and intuitively , too ; when we lit incense near the purifier , the fan speed kicked up to a story four after just five seconds .
An air character ring on the automobile change color when it detect allergens ; we found it to be tender , almost right away picking up on the incense and turning red to show the front of pollutant . And the gimmick is with child at off odors , evenstronger ace like garlic .
The gadget has some nice advanced features like a child whorl and customizable panel excogitation in fashionable shades like oak and stainless steel . It come fit with a programmable timekeeper , a filter life indicator , and a number of fan speed , plus it ’s Energy Star - certified .
to boot , the app allow you to view tangible time air quality data and send out notification to your phone if air quality dips . There ’s also an ionizer function available which the brand claims will attract airborne particles more expeditiously , but we were n’t able to test the validity of that claim .
At $ 99 , the replacement filter are pricier to put back , though the energy efficiency should save you money over time . We had some initial difficulty navigating the app , though we finally find it useful . And at $ 750 , it ’s another costly option : However , it take on odors , allergen , mould and smoke , and does so efficiently .
After prospicient - term testing , we feel extra confident that the Alen deserves its spot on our list of the good air purifier . It cuts down on symptom from our kat allergies and ensures that cooking odors are cursorily excrete .
But we were most impressed with how it react when we installed a fresh HVAC system at household — the purifier kicked into high power train to lower the PM2.5 from oil color burn - off , removing the smoky smell in about 30 minutes and make for the numbers down to a good for you level after about two days .
Best for Smoke
Germ Guardian 4-in-1 Air Purifier
This aura purifier worked like a charm on cooking odors and fastball — we guess it would be dear for smoggier mood .
It does n’t have an automatic setting .
This ETL listed , Energy Star - attest option from Germ Guardian is priced well for a model that works in prominent rooms ( up to 1,760 square feet ) . It reduce both PM2.5s and VOCs , targeting odor and allergens with three different devotee speeds .
During testing , we found it importantly reduce odors from cooking and pet thanks to the oxford grey filter . Because it was soeffective on smokein the kitchen , we cogitate it would likely be effectual on all kinds of sess , admit coffin nail and wildfire smoke .
We appreciated the plus of a pre - filter , which traps dust and pet hair , and a ultraviolet illumination - C lightness , which the brand claims reduces airborne germs like staphylococcus or E. coli . While we were unable to verify the accuracy of these claim , it ’s still a overnice feature to have .
The purifier procedure at around 50 decibel on the lower place setting , which is more or less tantamount to a running refrigerator , and has a Nox light source and a filter light indicator . The biggest drawback is that it does n’t have an robotic setting , or a particularly tech - forward interface .
Credit: Amazon
We keep the air purifier run constantly in our washing room , which is also where our cat ’s litter box lives . Since we started using it , we detected zero odors from this orbit until it was sentence to change the filter at around five month . There is a composition filter that can be vacuumed and reused , while the charcoal filter ask to be amply replaced .
The Bottom Line
After testing over 90 models , we named theLEVOIT Core 400S Air Purifierour pickax for the practiced atmosphere purifier . The Energy Star - certified model works in larger room up to 990 square feet , and it made the gentle wind even cleaner than it had been before we impart contaminant in the testing lab .
Our Testing Process
We have been try out atmosphere purifier in our Des Moines , Iowa , lab for three class , using a predetermined methodological analysis to see which ones improved air calibre most expeditiously . We sent the top picks home with qualified testers who had experience with air purifiers , detectable allergic reaction , or subsist with positron emission tomography .
In our testing lab , we exposed the airwave purifiers to smoke , artificial pet hair , and dust in an put in space , then test different options and measured the air quality of the room periodically using an air quality monitor that measured PM2.5s and TVOCs .
For more accuracy , we choose measure from four predetermined marks to calculate the ordinary improvement in these numbers . We also utilized a dB meter to show the stochasticity story of each purifier on its highest and lowest preferences .
For a model that purifies large space, it’s fairly compact and unobtrusive.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Once our lab trial were complete , we took a select group of airwave purifier home and tested them for up to six month , run them every solar day to see how well they worked in the tangible world . We carefully recorded elaborate observations around design , efficiency , lend feature , set - up , and more .
After examine all the information from both the lab and real human beings trial , we compiled this listing of the seven good models .
What to Know About Air Purifiers
Filters
Many air purifiers that we test have HEPA filter , but not all do . HEPA filters are certified to ensure they are subject of captivate at least 99.97 % of particle with a diameter of 0.3 microns . Filters that are not certified or true HEPA may still carry out these standards , or diminish only more or less brusk .
We chose to pay close-fitting attention to the air tone readings that we take in our laboratory as well as CADR ratings when deciding whether to urge exemplar without HEPA filter . Carver recommends using a HEPA filter , with an crucial caution .
“ It ’s crucial to note that for a HEPA filter to be effective , it needs to be used properly , ” she says . “ For example , if there is a HEPA filter in an aviation dry cleaner but the sealskin around it is not tight enough , the air might be able to go around the filter . ” Her team is “ not just looking at the filter but how the whole ware function . ”
Room Size
The air purifier for a particular way size is determined by square footage ( taken by measuring the length and breadth of a elbow room and multiplying the numbers ) . Most air purifiers heel the maximal room size or the idealistic size of it for maximum efficiency ( like with theAlen Air 75i ) .
If you havehigher ceilingsor anopen storey plan , opt for an air purifier that can admit a larger square footage to guarantee that the equipment will be in effect .
CADR
According to Carver , CADR “ is the performance measured to indicate the effectiveness of an air cleaner to withdraw sens , detritus , and pollen particles . If you purchase an air cleaner with a CADR rating too broken for your room , it will be ineffective . ” Generally , it should be abouttwo - third of the room ’s straight footage . The gamy the CADR , the faster and more often a purifier will completely purify a room .
Not all brand promote a CADR rating , but where possible we listed these numbers for each model on our tilt of the unspoiled air purifiers . TheLevoit 400s , our best overall , has a CADR of 260 CFM ( three-dimensional feet per bit ) . There are sometimes different CADRs list for pollen , dust , and smoke .
Features
Most air purifier have several devotee speeds — you’re able to expect to see at least a low-down and a in high spirits setting . Other common options are auto way , which set the preferences when air changes are detected , and sleep modality for quieter functionality . TheRabbit Air A3has the most mise en scene ( five ) of any modeling on our leaning .
More innovative features can be achieved with an app – which is included with models that have WiFi capableness . The app is where more detailed analysis can be recover , often pair with real data , like exact numbers of the PM2.5s in the rest home . Another nice advanced feature is a notification ( sometimes on an app , but also can be on the model itself ) when it ’s fourth dimension to alter the filter , which is enceinte for more forgetful consumer .
VOC Filtration
VOCs ( chemicals like formaldehydethat are liberate into the air via menage products like hairspray , paint , and vinyl flooring ) can not be removed with a regular air filter . Some atmosphere purifiers have extra carbon paper or charcoal filter that are able to importantly lower TVOCs . We take down whether each of the best air purifier filters VOCs .
Other Air Purifiers We Tested
Medify Air MA-50 Air Purifier V3.0
Thisair purifierhas a fair high CADR , but work out best on pollen and junk ( 397 and 379 , respectively ) . Although it ’s 16 lbf. , it was portable enough for us to take up and down the stairs . On the downside , it was inefficient on odors despite having a carbon filter , which was dissatisfactory for the Leontyne Price .
Your Questions, Answered
Do air purifiers dry out the air?
Air purifiers are sometimes confused with dehumidifiers , whichremove moisture from the airintentionally , but the two devices do n’t go the same way . Air purifier remove pollutant and allergens like dust or pollen , but they do notimpact the humidityof the air .
Is it OK to sleep with an air purifier running?
Yes , it ’s perfectly safe and can also lead in better sleep by take away coarse irritant from the elbow room . If you ’re someone who has difficulty with haphazardness , choose one that has a quieter sleep mode , like theLEVOIT Core 400S Air Purifier . And if you wish light , ourbudget pickhas a night lightness , too .
How many air purifiers should you have in your home?
you may depart with one and put it in your bedroom or another elbow room where odors and allergen can compile , like a living room — Carver says the best place is “ where people sleep or pass most of their meter . ” And If you live in a house with more than one base , debate place one on each of the floors , though it ’s not necessary .
Who We Are
Alida Nugentis a writer for BHG with years of expertise in kitchen , pets , beauty , bedding , and home . She has pen several article on strain purifier for the site . For this composition , Alida reviewed testing sixth sense from our BHG research team , who evaluated the contenders on ingredient including effectualness against pollutants , design , ease of economic consumption , and overall value , to find the best strain purifiers useable .
She also talk withMelanie Carver , main charge officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America for information about melodic phrase purifier .
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the product on this list , you may have notice ourBHG Recommends Navy SEAL of approval . mathematical product that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to check that they ’re worth a spot in your abode . We grease one’s palms most of the product we test ourselves , but on occasion we are provided sampling by company if buying is n’t an choice . In these cases , we expend the same examination criteria we practice to screen the purchased products .
Credit: Amazon
The Levoit Core 300S connects to the VeSync app, which allows you to remotely check air quality and set a schedule for the purifier.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Rabbit Air has a slim design, so it can fit into almost any space.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier is designed to filter large spaces and performed optimally in our 850-square-foot apartment testing space.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
One feature we wish the Germ Guardian 4-in-1 had is the ability to turn all the lights off for nighttime or bedroom use.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
We checked each air purifier’s filter after testing to see how much visible debris, like hair, it gathered.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We test how easy it is to remove and replace the filter from each air purifier.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Our tester uses an air quality monitor to get accurate results from the Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
