1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best for cooling
5. Best for large rooms
6. Best for saving energy
7. Best all-rounder
8. Best for pets
9. Best aesthetic design
10. Best for commercial
11. Our experts
12. How we test
13. FAQs
14. More info
Investing in one of the best air purifiers is a simple and effective way to improve air quality in your house or workplace. These hi-tech appliances trap smoke, dust and dust mites, pollen, pet dander and many other pollutants that lurk in the indoor air. For those with allergies or respiratory conditions, or people living in areas of poor air quality, the best air purifiers can be a lifesaver.
However, buying an air purifier can be an overwhelming task, even for the most tech-savvy consumers. From small and portable desktop appliances to mammoth units designed for large bedrooms, there are plenty of models available on the market. But don't worry — we've done the heavy lifting for you. The Live Science team has tried and tested some of the best air purifiers out there to help you pick an appliance that ticks all your boxes.
We've thoroughly tested the units to bring you an honest and unbiased recommendation for each appliance in this guide. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly air purifier or a hi-tech beast packed with smart features, we have an option for you. It's worth familiarising yourself with some Air Quality Index AQI basics (or Daily Air Quality Index, DAQI in the UK) regarding air quality in your area.
If you don’t know if you need an air purifier, or how they work, scroll down to our air purifier FAQ section to see what the experts say. And if you're looking to get ahead of the hay fever spring season, don’t miss our guide specifically on air purifiers for allergies. Alternatively, check out our guide on the best dehumidifiers to eliminate moisture from the air, or best humidifiers to banish dry air.
The quick list
Best overall
The Levoit Core 600S does a great job of ridding your home of airborne pollutants and particles, but ensure you have enough space to house it.
Best for pets
Significantly improves indoor air quality, while Smart features make it easy to operate wherever you are — it even has a dedicated Pet Mode.
Best budget option
Quiet, easy-to-use and very affordable, it’s the ideal entry-level air purifier that performs well in small to medium-sized rooms.
Best for large rooms
The ideal air purifier for large rooms or office spaces, with impressive performance and eco-credentials to boot.
Best for saving energy
An excellent choice if you’re after a mid-range air purifier that offers robust and effective performance in a home with large rooms, and the eco mode is great for the energy-conscious.
Best for cooling
A stylish and sleek air purifier, perfect for people who love their smart, connected devices — although it has a big price tag.
Best air purifiers we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best air purifier overall
✅ You want good connectivity: It connects to a dedicated app for customization and control, plus you can control it via Alexa and Google devices.
✅ You want a quiet machine: When in sleep mode, it runs at around 26 dB.
❌ You want something small: This is quite a bulky unit, so if you're short on space you might want to consider other options.
❌ You're on a budget: Although we think it's worth the money, it's not the cheapest option out there.
The Levoit Core 600S scores a whopping 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 84% of users giving it the full 5 stars. Positive reviews tend to praise this air purifier for its high performance, sleek design and smart features. Negative reviews are rare, but the ones that do report issues often cite faults with the VeSync app and poor connectivity.
The Levoit Core 600S is our favorite air purifier overall, dethroning its coveted older sibling, the Levoit Core 400S.
The Levoit Core 600S is an intelligent air purifier with a three-stage True HEPA filtration system that effectively captures particles such as mold, bacteria and viruses, as well as an activated carbon filter that traps odor-bearing VOCs. It can integrate into your connected home through the Vesync app and voice control compatibility. This air purifier is also quiet, discreet and blends well with a range of home decors. Although not the cheapest option, the Levoit Core 600S delivers fantastic value.
During our Levoit Core 600S review, we tested its performance using an air particle meter, before and after burning incense sticks and matches. We were impressed by the results, with the Core 600S removing up to 99.9% of particles — some measuring as small as 0.3 microns.
The Core 600S is traditionally rectangular but maintains a sleek, low-profile design. Its touch-control panel provides a multitude of settings, including power, timer, auto mode and speed. The Vesync app is straightforward to download and useful for monitoring air quality and adjusting the device's output.
While not the most compact or affordable option, the Core 600S delivers a great user experience. Its auto mode optimizes performance, while sleep mode enables quiet night-time operation. Some user reviews report annoying motor noise at certain speeds, but overall, the Core 600S earns positive reviews for its effectiveness, smart features and ease of use. It's a great choice if you're looking for cleaner, fresher air at home.
- Read our full Levoit Core 600S review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Bulky design |
| Performance | Quiet night-time operation for sleep. |
| Functionality | App connectivity & Alexa/Google voice control |
Best for pet owners
✅ You have pets: Bit of an obvious one, but this purifier is designed specifically for pet-friendly homes.
✅ You want app connectivity: There's a dedicated app to see real-time air quality data, set timers and change modes.
❌ You have a small space: Although it's not huge, there are better options for small spaces.
❌ You want to save money: There are cheaper Levoit models available.
Levoit Vital 200S scores an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 85% of users awarding it the full five stars. Positive reviews praise this air purifier for its high performance, ease of use and low noise levels. Negative reviews are sparse and mostly mention issues with the app.
The Levoit Vital 200S is a powerful air purifier designed specifically for pet owners. It may not be the most stylish or affordable appliance on the market, but it will keep your home free from fur, pet dander and bad odors — and we can vouch for that.
We were impressed by the excellent performance of the Levoit Vital 200S during our full Levoit Vital 200S review. Equipped with four fan speeds, three modes, including a pet mode, and three different filters (a washable pre-filter, an H13 True HEPA filter and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter), this air purifier left no stone unturned. The Vital 200S effectively removed hair, dust, cooking odors, and many other airborne pollutants, including particles as small as 0.3 microns.
We liked its smart features, too. The Levoit Vital 200S can be controlled remotely using the Vesync app, and it is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa voice control devices.
The Vesync app is especially useful for monitoring the air quality, both in real-time and in the past.
While the rather chunky design of this air purifier may not appeal to all users, the unobtrusive aesthetic makes the Levoir Vital 200S easy to blend in with most home decors. It is, however, more expensive than some of the other air purifiers in the Levoit line.
- Read our full Levoit Vital 200S review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Could be a bit big for small spaces. |
| Performance | Impressive air cleaning performance. |
| Functionality | Easy to use via app or voice control. |
Best budget air purifier
✅ You're short on space: This neat little air purifier is small enough to sit on a windowsill, so it's ideal if you don't have a lot of room.
✅ You want something quiet: It runs at 25 dB at its lowest setting, and can even act as a nightlight for a child's bedroom.
❌ You have a large room: Due to its small size and modest power, it wouldn't be suitable for use in large rooms.
❌ You want to program it: Its limited functionality means you can't pre-program it to operate at set times or switch off automatically after a period of time.
The Levoit LV-H132 scores an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 77% of users giving it the full 5 stars. Positive reviews tend to praise this air purifier for its high performance, looks, portability, low noise levels and excellent value. Negative reviews are few and far between and often focus on filters and other purifier parts not working properly, as well as issues with filtering smoke.
The Levoit LV-H132 might lack the wow–factor of more stylish purifiers. However, what it lacks in style, it certainly delivers in sheer affordability. Available for under $100, this is definitely one of the best air purifiers for those on a budget. Small enough for any desktop or shelf, the Levoit LV-H132’s compact size and low price make it the ideal air purifier for someone looking to try their first air purifier at home. If you have a small apartment, or you simply want to use an air purifier in one room only, then this might be the product for you.
While this particular air purifier might lack the HEPA filter that gives premium air purifiers their mark of quality, it does come with an in-built dimmable nightlight, making it an ideal air purifier for a nursery or child’s bedroom. While it’s not possible to pre-program the unit, a memory function means that previous fan settings are logged before it powers down.
Unfortunately, during our Levoit LV-H132 review, it didn’t quite live up to expectations when it came to testing how well it absorbed particles, consistently falling some way below the 99.97% expected from a device with an H13 HEPA filter. However, running this air purifier for longer periods may produce better results.
The Levoit LV-H132 may not have all the bells and whistles of a smart air purifier, but its affordability and compact size make it the ideal entry-level indoor air purifier that performs well in small to medium-sized rooms.
- Read our full Levoit LV-H132 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small and lightweight. |
| Performance | Falls short of expectations when it came to absorbing particles. |
| Functionality | Limited functionality. |
Best air purifier for large rooms
✅ You have large rooms: This is one of the best options for large rooms, although it takes longer to purify the air in larger rooms, as expected.
✅ You want it to match your room: It comes with a choice of filter fabric colors. A dark grey cover is included, but you can also purchase light grey, blue, green and pink covers.
❌ You want something small and lightweight: It's one of the bulkier options on this list, which is to be expected for a purifier that is suited to large rooms.
❌ You want smart features: There's no kind of app connectivity or compatibility with smart devices.
The Blueair Pure 221+ scores a hefty 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 81% of users giving it the full five stars. Positive reviews praise this air purifier for its high performance, often saying it helps them sleep better and breathe easier in their home. Negative reviews tend to mention the high cost of replacing filters and problems with reducing odors, and some complain that the higher settings can be too noisy.
The Blueair Pure 221+ is designed to cover areas of up to 600 square feet, making it an excellent choice for homes with larger rooms or office spaces. With three power settings operated with a one-touch button, simplicity is the key for this purifier.
During our Blueair Pure 221+ review, we found it to be consistently better than all the other air purifiers we tested. Despite its lack of Smart technology, it outperformed purifiers at almost double the price.
To test its air purifying capabilities, we burnt some matches and incense and then checked how well this air purifier cleared the smoke. At a level 2 setting, the Blueair Pure 221+ trapped an impressive 99.7% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 99.5% of particles measuring 2.5 microns, and nearly all particles up to 10 microns. At a level 3 setting, we found that the purifier removed a whipping 99.9% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 99.6% of particles measuring 2.5 microns, and 100% of particles measuring 10 microns.
Some users may be put off by the unit’s weight and bulk. But it’s still a stylish machine that’s thoughtfully designed. Plus, its customizable fabric pre-filters make it easy to pair the unit with any home’s color scheme. Besides, it is sort of expected that an air purifier designed for larger spaces isn't going to be the smallest unit in the world, so we think it comes with the territory.
Our verdict? A dependable workhorse of an air purifier that puts performance above presentation. Plus, we like the fact that it’s Energy Star-certified and cheap to run.
- Read our full Blueair Pure 221+ review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | On the bulky side. |
| Performance | Good for use in large spaces. |
| Functionality | Doesn't have any smart features. |
Best air purifier for saving energy
✅ You want a quiet purifier: At its lowest settings it runs at 23 dB, ideal for quiet rooms or for sleeping — although we did find it noisy at its loudest setting.
✅ You want something eco-friendly: Not only does it have a dedicated eco mode to switch off after 30 minutes if no pollution is detected, but it can also show real-time air quality monitoring.
❌ You want something stylish: It's not exactly ugly, but there are definitely some better-looking purifiers out there.
❌ You want connectivity: There's no accompanying app or voice control capabilities with this model.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier scores an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 82% of users awarding it with the highest rating. Positive reviews praise this air purifier for its economical performance, quiet running, ease of setup and low cost of replacement filters. Negative reviews often point out that the instructions manual did not include enough guidelines about the correct use and maintenance of the unit.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is known as a standout air purifier due to its excellent value and high-quality performance. It may not be as stylish as other air purifiers in our round-up, but our testing found it to do a remarkable job of removing particles in just 30 minutes.
For an initial cost of under $300, this air purifier can offer you a four-stage filtration system, a HEPA filter and coverage of up to 361 square feet. The air purifier itself is packaged in a neat, sleek design and available in two different colors: Black and white.
This air purifier excels when it comes to dust and eradicating odors, with a pre-filter and odorization filter for reducing contaminants in the air. It’s also inconspicuous when it comes to noise, making it a suitable addition to any bedroom when paired when its smaller size.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty air Purifier also benefits from a built-in particle sensor to show real-time air quality monitoring. That means that you can get an idea of the air quality in your home from the color coding system on the top of the device. It’ll show a blue light when the air is clean, purple to flag pollution and red for high pollution. Another clever feature of the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is the sensors that can adjust the fan speed to keep the air clean so that you don’t have to mess with the settings.
During our Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty review, we particularly liked the Eco mode on the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty which worked well to power down the air purifier when air pollution was low, saving energy and money. Our tester also found the auto mode worked well to toggle between fan settings depending on indoor air quality.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is an air purifier suited to rooms up to 361 square feet, making it suitable for smaller spaces and bedrooms. If you need something for a larger room, then you might want to look elsewhere.
- Read our full Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Not the most attractive model. |
| Performance | Quiet mode for sleeping, but noisy highest setting. |
| Functionality | Eco mode and real-time air-quality monitoring. |
Best air purifier for cooling
✅ You want versatility: The Dyson Purifier Cool doubles as a fan.
✅ You want something customizable: You can activate, schedule and monitor the unit from the app, even when you're away, and you can also use it via voice control.
❌ You want to save money: This is the most expensive option on this list.
❌ You want something quiet: One of our only gripes is that it can get loud compared to other models.
The Dyson Purifier Cool scores a relatively good 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 69% of users awarding it the full five stars. Positive reviews praise this air purifier for high performance, ease of assembly and ability to improve the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Negative reviews tend to focus on issues with the sensors’ readings, poor fan quality and noisiness when in use.
The Dyson Purifier Cool is one of the most stylish air purifiers on the market. Its unusual design marks it out as a talking point in any room, while simple but genius extras, such as a magnetic remote control, take it a step up from your average air purifier.
The purifier also doubles up as a fan in hotter weather, although this isn’t as powerful as some users would like. Users can activate, schedule and monitor their purifier via the Dyson app, allowing them to set fan speed, timers and check air quality whether they’re home or away.
A clever LCD display flicks between icons that show air quality data in real-time, while an auto-mode senses air particles and adjusts fan settings to suit.
During our Dyson Purifier Cool review, we burned some matches and incense sticks to check how effective the purifier was at trapping harmful airborne particles. When tested at a level 6 setting, the Dyson Purifier Cool removed 98% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 72% of particles measuring less than 2.5 microns, and nearly three-quarters of particles measuring up to 10 microns. The air purifier performed even better at a level 10 setting — it captured 95% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 96% of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, and almost all large particles up to 10 microns.
Based on these limited tests, our results weren’t consistent enough to support Dyson’s claim that it can remove 99.95% of particles. Nevertheless, its Purifier Cool still performed exceptionally well, often removing more than 95% of airborne particles when we ran it for at least half an hour on its highest setting.
The Dyson Purifier Cool’s high price tag may be too expensive to suit everyone’s budget, but its stylish, sleek design and smart, connected functionality are impressive.
- Read our full Dyson Purifier Cool review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Very sleek and stylish design that blends in with interiors. |
| Performance | Can get noisy. |
| Functionality | Excellent connectivity and customization options. |
Best all-rounder air purifier
✅ You're short on space: Its tower design is ideal for tight spaces, plus there are four different sizes to choose from.
✅ You want a quiet unit: The specs state the highest decibel level is 58, but the highest we measured was 45 dB.
❌ You want smart features: It's a fairly simple unit with no smart features or connectivity.
❌ You want a timer: There aren't any timer functions and you can't schedule it for more than 12 hours at a time.
The HoMedics TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 scores a really good rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 78% of users awarding it the full 5 stars. Positive reviews tend to praise this air purifier for its high performance, energy efficiency, portability and relatively low noise levels. Negative reviews focus mainly on the issues with bulbs, and some pointed out that it can be loud on some of the higher settings.
Despite its basic settings, the HoMedics TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 is a good value air purifier that’s efficient, easy to set up and intuitive to use — all while taking up little space within your home or office.
The tower-shaped HoMedics TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 air purifier comes with UV-C technology and a 360-degree true HEPA filter. According to the manufacturer’s claims, this piece of equipment can remove up to 99.9% of harmful microbes, mold, fungi and airborne allergens. And thanks to its pre-filter and additional carbon filter, it can also be effective at getting rid of lingering odors, pet hair and volatile organic compounds — all for less than $250 per unit.
The TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 was designed to perform even in the most challenging of circumstances — and it shows. This air purifier is equipped with UV-C technology and an ionizer, which, according to the HoMedics claim, can effectively kill harmful microbes like bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi. It also contains several different filters to ensure no unwanted pollutants are left hanging in the air.
In our HoMedics TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 Review, it demonstrated really good performance in several different circumstances, particularly with small and medium-sized particles. In fact, in our match smoke test, it removed 88.5% of 0.3 nanoparticles on the highest setting after just 30 minutes.
- Read our full HoMedics TotalClean Deluxe 5-in-1 Review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Tower design is ideal for small spaces. |
| Performance | Quiet even on highest setting. |
| Functionality | No smart features. |
Best aesthetic design
✅ You want something that blends in: Its sleek, compact design won't look out of place in your home.
✅ You want app connectivity: With the app, you can create timers, set schedules and manage the purifier remotely.
❌ You want something easy to clean: The vent above the fan isn't removable, making it a pain to clean.
❌ You want something quiet: Even though they state it's 'whisper quiet', we found it got quite noisy on the highest setting.
The Sensibo Pure scores a solid rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Positive reviews tend to mention the hassle-free setup and immediate usability of this air purifier. Negative reviews tend to focus on problems with the app and connectivity to third-party devices.
The Sensibo Pure air purifier boasts a sleek and modern design with a compact size that fits well on tabletops or shelves. The user-friendly interface includes touch-sensitive controls on the top panel, seamlessly integrated into the design.
An LED strip provides real-time feedback on air quality, with different colors indicating the air quality level, allowing for easy monitoring at a glance. During our Sensibo Pure review, we found it incredibly easy to use and were impressed by its functionality.
In terms of features, the Sensibo Pure offers a True HEPA filter for capturing airborne particles, suitable for spaces up to 294 square feet (with PureBoost). It provides real-time air quality monitoring with insights and notifications through the Sensibo app, enabling remote control and scheduling. The purifier is energy-efficient, has a filter replacement indicator, and has a 1-year warranty.
While the device receives positive reviews, some users mention the noise level at high fan speeds and occasional difficulties with app connectivity as drawbacks.
The Sensibo Pure air purifier combines an appealing design with effective air purification features. However, potential buyers should consider the noise factor and ensure compatibility with their preferred device for app control.
- Read our full Sensibo Pure review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sleek and compact design. |
| Performance | Easy to use, but can get noisy. |
| Functionality | Good functionality and app connectivity. |
Best for commercial spaces
✅ You want smart features: It has lots of smart features and app connectivity.
✅ You have a large or commercial space: Due to its size and the cost of replacement filters, it's best suited to commercial use.
❌ You're on a budget: It's one of the more expensive options on this list.
❌ You only have a small space: It's a fairly large unit and it's designed for larger spaces, so there are better-suited options for small spaces.
The DH Lifelabs Sciaire+ HEPA Air Purifier scores 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 66% of users giving it the full five stars. Users praise this air purifier for ease of use and excellent performance, and many positive reviews are in favor of its large design and the glossy screen at the top. However, some criticize the high price tag.
Thanks to its substantial size and powerful air-cleaning abilities, the DH Lifelabs Sciaire+ HEPA Air Purifier can cover up to 426 sq feet, making it a great choice for those with large, airy homes or commercial premises.
This beast of an air purifier is equipped with 16 ion generators and three different filters — including a washable pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter — to effectively trap pet dander, dust, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and many other airborne particles. In fact, during our DH Lifelabs Sciaire + HEPA Air Purifier review when we ran it for 30 minutes on the highest setting, it managed to remove a whopping 94.6% of 0.3-micron particles and almost all of the 2.5-micron particles.
The DH Lifelabs Sciaire+ HEPA Air Purifier also features a dual air deodorization process, which helps to neutralize smoke, cooking smells and pet odors.
The DH Lifelabs Sciaire+ HEPA Air Purifier also comes with a wealth of smart features, including an app that allows you to control the appliance remotely, Google and Alexa voice control, and seamless Wifi connectivity to third-party devices.
However, we thought that its air quality indicator could be brighter and more noticeable. Also, the sheer size of the DH Lifelabs Sciaire+ HEPA Air Purifier makes it unsuitable for those short on space.
- Read our full DH Lifelabs Sciaire + HEPA Air Purifier review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Big and heavy. |
| Performance | Easy to set up and use. |
| Functionality | Good app connectivity and smart features. |
Our experts
We spoke with members of the Environmental Protection Agency to confirm the latest research and findings on air purifiers.
Dr Ross Perry qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. He is now the medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics. For this piece, he offers advice on potential pollutants in the home and the efficacy of air purifiers.
Dr. Kara Wada is an allergist-immunologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and a clinical assistant professor of allergy and immunology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
How we test
How do we test air purifiers at Live Science?
Every air purifier in this guide has been tested to the exact same standards, using the same processes. We created a series of tests to measure particles of different sizes, to see how each air purifier performs with certain types of impurities. We use a particle counter for all our testing, and our equipment is capable of measuring the smallest pollutants (0.3 microns) that can be removed from the air by a purifier.
We start by running an ambient air quality test, where we run the air purifier in multiple rooms in a home to see how it performs at the regular setting, and the highest possible setting (below 50 decibels). We make note of readings after 15 and 30 minutes to see the speed at which the machine removes particles from the air. We also measure the noise levels generated by the fan, to comment on how noticeable the purifier will be in an average home.
We then test different particle sizes using matches and incense to generate different types of smoke, taking measurements at regular intervals and on different speed settings.
Our testing also takes into account the size of the unit, the cost, ease of use, availability of additional parts, and the energy use on the lowest and highest settings. Finally, we check online user reviews to see what people think, and we test for any persistent problems or defects that we read about.
Best air purifiers FAQs
Are air purifiers worth it?
The best air purifiers are a great way to help improve the air space around you and your family. As well as protecting those with health issues from the multitude of air pollutants that gather indoors, those without specific concerns will have peace of mind that the right air purifier will make their environment cleaner.
The air purifiers that are most likely to give you the most benefit, for example, those including a HEPA filter, tend to be at the higher end of budgets — generally into the hundreds of dollars. The size of the unit will also play a huge part in the cost — with the larger units that cover a larger area being greater in price.
Do air purifiers work?
Depending on the type of allergy, and the trigger, air purifiers have also been found to help reduce the presence of particles in the air that cause allergic reactions, which can in turn cause asthma attacks. Dehumidifiers have also been shown to be helpful for asthma sufferers, during times of high humidity. In cases where your indoor space has little or poor ventilation, air purifiers can also come in useful, especially if you are looking to tackle smoke and the resulting odor.
It is still unclear whether air purifiers do anything to prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises that you should open doors and windows to keep a good flow of air moving indoors — weather permitting, of course. HEPA filters, found in some air purifiers, have been found to remove some viruses from the air.
Where is the best place to put an air purifier?
There are several factors to consider, including the size of the room or rooms, the specifications of the air purifier and the type of air pollution that you intend to reduce. However, there are certain areas in a room that are generally seen as better than others for an air purifier, he said.
Ideally, several air purifiers should be placed strategically around the house or workplace, with at least one appliance in each frequently visited room. However, if you have just one air purifier, it is better to pick a spot that enables the appliance to catch as many contaminants as possible before they have a chance to spread.
Do air purifiers help with dust?
The best air purifiers say they can help with fine particles in the air, claiming to remove up to 99.9% of particles such as dust, pet dander and other pollutants to improve your indoor air quality. They do this by trapping the particles in a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter within the air purifier and releasing the cleaned air back into your home.
Do air purifiers help with mold?
Mold is a type of fungi that requires moisture to grow, which is why it thrives in humid areas like bathrooms and basements. As such, investing in a dehumidifier is an effective way to prevent mold growth, because it targets the problem at source. However, an air purifier may still come in handy. Mold reproduces by releasing spores, which are tiny airborne "seeds" invisible to the naked eye. Like pollen, they travel by air, searching for fertile grounds. "Air purifiers can certainly help in removing the mold spores and therefore prevent them from spreading," Ian Palmer-Smith said.
However, mold spores vary in size, with some species measuring just 2 microns (approximately 0.00008 inch), according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To efficiently capture them, an air purifier should be equipped with a membrane designed to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, known as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. "The better the HEPA filter is, the more effective it will be in removing these particles," Palmer-Smith said. Some appliances also have a pre-filter that will trap some of the largest mold spores before they reach the HEPA filter.
Still, no matter how advanced the air purifier is, it will not be able to remove the underlying causes of the mold or get rid of the existing infestation.
Do air purifiers help with smells?
The best air purifiers claim to banish bad smells and enhance indoor air quality, but the final verdict on their effectiveness remains unclear.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air purifiers can help make indoor air cleaner and fresher by reducing pollutants. However, they emphasize that not all odors are guaranteed to disappear. The EPA's 2018 Consumer Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home suggests using air purifiers as a little extra help and proper ventilation to keep the air smelling better and improve overall air quality. So while they might not magically make your home smell like roses, they can make a positive difference, especially if you spend a lot of time indoors.
But when it comes to solid evidence, specifically about air purifiers banishing odors, the research isn't all there. Most studies focus on improving air quality and health rather than tackling smells head-on. For instance, a 2021 systematic review in the Science of The Total Environment Journal looked at more than 20 studies in different settings and found that air purifiers could cut indoor air pollution by up to 92%. A 2020 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health showed some improvement in regular homes, though not enough to be statistically significant.
What are HEPA filters?
You’ll notice most of the air purifiers for rooms that we tested have something called a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. These can remove 99.97 percent of air pollutants from 0.3 microns in size, which basically means they are really effective at getting rid of the majority of indoor air pollutants.
For context, most dust particles are about five microns in size, and pollen is a staggering 10-1,00 microns – all of which a HEPA filter is able to trap and remove.
Perry tells Live Science that while the most effective air cleaners can remove lots of different types of particles, you’ll never get 100 percent pure air.
He says: "The idea of an air purifier is that it’s designed to get rid of the impurities in your home and neutralize any nasties, such as dust, smells, pet dander, smoke, bacteria and viruses.
“Air purifiers work by having a fan that sucks the dirty air in the home into filters. These then remove any impurities before releasing the cleaned air back into the room. It's important to note, however, that it’s impossible to get rid of all particles, which can live on walls, carpets, bedding and hard surfaces.”
Air purifier benefits
For many of us, clean air can make our living space more comfortable. But for those who struggle with respiratory problems, such as allergies, asthma or COPD, the presence of harmful airborne particles can make their symptoms unbearable and directly endanger their health. Similarly, immunocompromised individuals may feel much safer knowing that their air purifier will trap microbes that can make them very sick.
As Perry points out, we may still need more large-scale studies to assess the exact effect of air purifiers on our health, but it’s hard to deny the fact that, for some, these devices may be indispensable.
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Do air purifiers work?
If you have health concerns, or a recurring allergy, keeping pollutants out of your home with an air purifier is definitely worthwhile. Americans now spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It's here that potentially harmful air is able to build up, meaning there are up to five times higher levels of pollutants indoors, than outdoors. An air purifier can help reduce these levels significantly, though not entirely eradicate them, helping you and those around you breathe easier.
“Portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers or air sanitizers, are designed to filter the air in a single room or area, and they have the potential to improve the indoor air quality in that space,” said Ernesta Jones, from the Environmental Protection Agency. Jones added that HEPA filters can be particularly useful for those suffering from allergies or asthma. “Multiple studies with portable air cleaners that use a HEPA filter have found improvements in one or more allergy and/or asthma symptoms,” she said.
“Several studies suggest that using a portable air cleaner where people are spending time, such as in the bedroom while sleeping, may be more effective than leaving it in a central location, such as in the living room.” Dr. Deborah Lee, MD and representative for Dr. Fox Online Pharmacy adds that the scientific evidence of research into childhood asthma also indicates that the best air purifiers can significantly help reduce potentially triggering particulate matter within the home.
"In one study, air purifiers were installed in eight houses, with children with childhood asthma. A control group was also studied which did not have an air purifier," she explains. "After 12 weeks, the treatment group showed a clinical improvement in asthma, with better night-time peak flows, whereas these had deteriorated in the control group. The concentration of particulate matter found in the treatment group had decreased by 43%, and this was significantly greater than the control group."
Where to put air purifiers for maximum effect
Air purifiers work by drawing the air through filters and trapping the airborne pollutants, but this approach comes with drawbacks. The fans used to suck up the air can’t be too powerful, otherwise, they would create excessive noise and a strong air flow able to blow things off the shelves. As such, air purifiers rely on the environment around them.
The appliance should be placed in an area with no obstructions and sufficient flow of air, at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) away from any furniture or walls. This usually means areas near the windows and doorways, or in the middle of the room. Corners and areas cluttered with furniture tend to have the worst airflow. No matter where you put your air purifier, nothing should obstruct its air vents.
Air purifiers often work more effectively when not placed on the floor. "As a general rule of thumb, you should place the air purifier 5 or 6 feet [1.5 to 1.8 meters] above the floor to ensure the correct airflow all around the purifier for optimum performance. Putting it on the floor would restrict the airflow and reduce performance." Palmer-Smith said.
Finally, beware of excessive heat and humidity. Placing an air purifier close to the stove or fireplace, in a damp bathroom or near a humidifier can cause damage to the filters and reduce the purifier's lifespan. That is because air purifier filters are typically composed of fine fibers (made out of plastic or activated carbon, for example) that are bound closely together to stop any tiny air particles from getting through, and prolonged exposure to heat or moisture can easily damage these intricate structures.
Do air purifiers get rid of dust?
While there’s plenty of evidence that air purifiers can help improve air quality, whether they can catch all the dust particles in your home is another matter. According to the EPA, air filters are effective at trapping larger airborne particles like dust, pollen, allergens from dust mites and cockroaches, some types of mold, and pet dander. Yet, these particles tend to settle swiftly, making it challenging for air filters to eliminate them entirely from indoor spaces.
However, there is good news for people with allergic asthma, often caused by dust mites. Studies show that air purifiers can help people with allergic asthma by reducing dust mites in the home. For example, a 2021 study published in the Allergol Immunopathol journal has researchers collect dust samples from the bedrooms of children with allergies before and after using a HEPA air purifier. They found that concentrations of dust mites ‘significantly’ decreased in the samples after employing an air purifier.
Another 2020 randomized controlled trial found that air purifiers could reduce particles sized 2.5 microns in the homes of children with asthma, reducing the severity of their symptoms and the amount of medication they had to take to control their condition.
To learn more, Live Science spoke to Dr. Kara Wada, an allergy specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Air purifiers are typically most helpful for those with sensitive airways - including those with allergies, asthma and COPD,” said Dr. Wada. “Given that we spend over 90% of our time indoors, ensuring good indoor air quality is important. Air purifiers are most helpful for those with indoor pets and also may be helpful for those with dust allergies. Indoor pet allergens are lighter and more buoyant and stay airborne longer than dust particles which settle more quickly.”
Dr. Wada also advises ensuring your air purifier continues to work at its best by remembering to clean and change the HEPA and activated carbon filters as the manufacturer recommends. “It is important to consider the frequency that filters need to be cleaned or replaced for people with allergies.”
If you want to eliminate tiny dust particles in your home, the EPA suggests choosing an air purifier with a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) for tobacco smoke – since that includes the smallest particles. Ensure the CADR matches the room or space size where you plan to use it.
In the meantime, discover other ways to remove dust mites from your home with our expert advice.
Bad smells and air purifiers
So how do these air purifiers work? They filter and trap particles that contribute to bad smells. However, the EPA warns that no filter can catch every odor-causing particle. Also, the size of the room matters. To freshen up a large space, you'll need a bigger air purifier with a higher Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) to get the job done.
The ability of air purifiers to tackle specific odors depends on their design. Some models can handle moldy smells, cooking aromas, pet odors, and cigarette smoke. There are even air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters that can take on gas and chemical odors emitted by household cleaners. But these filters have their limits and can only handle a specific set of gas pollutants. They can't touch carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas emitted by wood-burning stoves and gas fires.
It’s also worth pointing out that quality can vary between brands, and to keep your air purifier working at its best, you’ll need to replace the HEPA filter and activated carbon filter as often as the manufacturer recommends.
So, while air purifiers have the potential to improve air quality and reduce indoor pollution, we're still waiting for solid proof that they're the ultimate odor busters. They might help but don't expect them to zap away all bad smells magically. If you're considering buying an air purifier, it's a good idea to do your research first and understand how different models work before banking on them to keep your place smelling fresh.
Benefits of using an air purifier
“It makes sense that the cleaner the air, the easier it is for anyone with breathing problems and susceptible to allergies,” he says. “If you’re an asthma sufferer and want to purchase an at-home air purifier, then it’s a good idea to keep a diary to see if it does make a difference in symptoms. Remember though that an air purifier will not get rid of all impurities so asthma needs to be managed as prescribed by your doctor.” Perry says.
“The same goes for people who suffer from allergies, the cleaner the air and being able to manage pollen and dust is going to help and will be dependent, of course, on the time of year when the pollen count is higher.”
