Did you know that inside of your home can be more polluted than outdoors? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the indoors can often have two to five times the level of pollutants as outside. This calls for your home to have the best air purifier.
Air purifiers have been around for a long time and are perhaps the most underrated appliances around the house. They make such an important contribution to our health. We spend most of our time in the home, so the air we breathe has to be free from harmful particles.
Indoor air pollution is a health hazard that can cause health problems in the long run. Dust, allergens, pet dander, bacteria, and odors contaminate the air in our homes. An air cleaner can get rid of these pollutants through filters or other methods.
Today air purifiers are more advanced than ever. From real-time air quality monitoring to no noise sleep modes, features of the best air purifier can make your life easier and healthier.
Best Air Purifier That Will Improve Your Life
If you want the best air purifier, you have to do some shopping around. There are plenty of modern-looking air purifiers with advanced features that can significantly improve the air quality in your home. The best air purifier reviews will help you decide which one’s worth your money.
1.Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier
The Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier is the best air purifier in terms of performance, value, and design. This one features a HEPA filter that works alongside pre-filter and activated carbon filter. These filters remove the tiniest (up to 0.3 microns) of the particles from the air in your home, in addition to dust, pollen, and smoke.
Levoit is a relatively new name, based out of Orange County, CA. They produce home appliances that improve air quality and health. The best thing is that their customer support service is based in California, so you get instant and reliable support whenever you need it. Also, for this particular model of air purifier, you can easily get the replacement filter.
Vortexair Technology is responsible for creating a strong and consistent airflow. This air purifier can cover an area of up to 215 sq. ft. With a high-quality AC capacitor motor, this will surely last for years to come.
The Core 300 is ozone free as it does not use UV/Ion light for air purification. This is also free from noise, so you can keep it on while sleeping too. This is thanks to the so-called QuietKEAP technology that keeps the sound lower than 24 dB.
Other helpful features on this air purifier include display light that you can turn off and a timer that you can set for up to eight hours. This is AHAM Verified, ETL Listed, FCC Certified, and complies with California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.
2.Mooka Air Purifier
The Mooka Air Purifier is a safe and effective room air purifier. With a minimalistic design and a night light, this one also looks great. It can filter out over 99% of the particles in the air with its three-in-one HEPA filter.
Operating the Mooka Air Purifier is super easy as there’s just one button that you can press to turn it on/off, and also adjust the fan speed. The air intake and output are done in 360 degrees fashion in this cylindrical shape purifier. As a result, the airflow is uniform and goes in all directions.
This is also one of the most energy-efficient air purifiers you will find on the market. With a power of just 8W, it will help you cut energy costs and conserve energy. With a noise-reducing fan blade, the sound is less than 35 dB, which is not even that audible.
It’s ozone free and suitable for use in California as it meets the CARB standards. You can virtually use it anywhere, as it doubles as an odor eliminator. If you have allergies, this can help purify the air with its three-stage filtration.
The air-cleaning capacity of this air purifier is 50 cubic meters per hour. You can carry it with you anywhere you go, as it just weighs three pounds.
3. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
One air purifier best at removing every possible dust particle, allergen, pet dander, and pollen from your home would be the Winix 5500-2. The filtration its offers is unbeatable, with HEPA filter, carbon filter, and a permanent PlasmaWave.
Winix is a trusted name in the US, as its products are highly innovative. The carbon fiber filter in this air purifier is an AOC Carbon filter that is washable. The main job of this activated carbon made filter is to eliminate odors from the house. Since it’s washable, you do not have to replace it.
The PlasmaWave filter ensures no pollutants are left behind. The air purifier is very quiet, with a sound of less than 28 dB. As for the area, it can cover 360 sq. ft. which is considerably large for a room purifier.
Equipped with smart sensors, the Winix air purifier is intuitive too. It constantly monitors the state of the air in the room and the LED light on the device indicates the air quality. Not just that, it also has indicators for when the filter needs replacement or cleaning.
You can also use it in the manual mode, where it offers you four fan speeds. From low to the turbo, you can adjust the airflow according to your needs. However, for night time, low or medium modes would be the best as they are quietest.
This one is incredibly easy to control as it comes with remote control. Also, it features a light sensor and uses 70 W of power. This is also CARB standards-compliant, Energy Star certified, and AHAM Verified.
4.Guardian Technologies Germ Guardian Purifier
This is not just an air purifier, but also a germ killer. The Germ Guardian kills germs using UVC light and also works with Titanium Dioxide to kill microorganisms that cause diseases. This is also your protection against allergens during allergy seasons.
The three-in-one filtration using HEPA, pre-filter, and activated charcoal filter, eliminates dust, pollen, allergens, mold spores, and pet dander. The airflow is four times faster than your average air purifier, even in a large room.
Guardian Technologies is an emerging company, winning entrepreneur of the year award in 2016. Their Germ Purifier can give top air purifiers a run for their money. Conveniently enough, the replacement parts are easy to find too. The filter will need replacement in six to eight months, whereas the UV C bulb might last for about a year.
Like most high-quality air purifiers, this is also AHAM Verified, and Energy Star certified. The lowest setting is ideal for sleeping because it’s the quietest. With three speeds, you can choose whichever is suitable for your room.
5.Dyson Pure Hot + Cold Air Purifier
Dyson has become synonymous with innovation, and this product is proof of that. The British technology company has pioneered an air purifier that doubles as a fan for both summers and winters. On hot days, you can use it as a cooling fan, while on cold days, you can turn it into a small heater.
Not only does it deliver multiple functions, but it’s also Wi-Fi enabled. You can use Alexa on it to operate it with voice commands. The smart air purifier has a HEPA filter, which is a 360 degrees vacuum-sealed glass. Made from borosilicate fiber and pleated 333 times, this filter is capable of removing particles as small as 0.3 microns.
With virtually no sound, this is Quietmark accredited. This is also certified Asthma and allergies friendly. Your home will have pure air at all times with Dyson’s automatic air quality analysis.
You get the air quality report on your phone with the Dyson app. Through this app, you can also control the purifier/fan/heater remotely. The bladeless design makes it extremely safe and easy to clean. With night-time mode and auto-mode, it ensures it works at your convenience.
All these amazing functions do come at a price, but the quality of materials and reliable performance deliver on expectations. You get two-years parts and labor warranty from Dyson.
6.Bulex Air Purifier
The Bulex Air Purifier offers four-stage purification of air. It claims it can filter out particles as small as 0.01 mil. The activated carbon fiber purifies the air of any smoke particles and odor.
Bulex is a Belgian company that has been around for many decades. Design innovation and customer satisfaction are at the heart of this company, which is why they offer one-on-one support if you’ve any issue.
This air purifier has an aerodynamic design that allows more air to pass through it and purify. With 355 inlets, more air gets filtered. The HEPA filter ensures no allergens remain in the air. As a result, this one is great for those with active allergies.
The four-speed design offers variety in terms of how active you want it to be. At any stage, it does not consume a lot of energy. This is because of its pure copper motor that consumes even a lesser amount of energy than brushless motors.
The design of this air purifier is what gives it an edge over other purifiers. It’s compact, lightweight, and not so conspicuous. The lagoon blue LED light looks aesthetically pleasing and may even have a calming effect when you’re trying to sleep.
Speaking of sleeping, this does not make much sound. The noise is under 32 dB, which is basically a light whisper. You can set the timer on it and forget about it.
7. InvisiClean Claro Air Purifier
If you want an all-rounder air purifier that filters out all kinds of impurities and pollutants from the air, InvisiClean Claro Air Purifier should be your choice. It’s the best air cleaner on account of its four-in-one True HEPA filtration. Not only does it clean the air, but it also kills the germs in it.
InvisiClean is a US-based company specializing in air purifiers and ultrasonic cleaners. The Claro Air Purifier has an activated carbon filter that controls odors. The UV C filter ensures no allergens and germs remain in the air. This type of deep filtration requires power and the Claro delivers that. With a powerful DC motor, it offers four different speeds.
This is perfect for a large room as it can cover an area of 375 sq. ft. However, that does not mean it will use a lot of energy. The company claims it will utilize 85% less energy in comparison with other air purifiers of the same size.
You will have the control in your hand as it inspects the air quality in real-time using powerful sensors. So you know how good or bad, for that matter, is the air in your home. It will also show you the temperature and humidity of the space.
Other features include timer, filter/UV C bulb replacement indicator, and night mode in which all lights of the purifier turn off. InvisiClean also offers the best after-sales service as they provide a three-year warranty and lifetime support.
8.Levoit Smart Air Purifier LV-PUR131S
The LV-PUR131S is yet another smart, intuitive, and effective air cleaner from Levoit. If you already have a smart home device with Alexa, you can hook this air purifier with that as it’s WiFi-enabled. You can also control it using your phone with the app VeSync, designed for this air purifier.
You can do so much just sitting on your couch. It allows you to monitor the air quality in real-time, set the timer, turn off the LED light, and turn it on/off. If that’s not enough, it also tells you about the life of the filter. That way, you know exactly when to replace it.
This is equipped with Honeycomb active carbon HEPA filter that cleans 30% faster than ordinary filters. It will help contain dust, allergens, pet dander, pollen, and odor in a medium to a large room. The area can help improve the air quality of is 360 sq. ft.
Another great thing about this Levoit Air Purifier is that it’s super quiet. The sound it makes is just 27 dB, so you can even have it on while you sleep. Once you get it, you can easily set it up and sync with the app on your phone.
This is Energy Star certified so you know that it’s not going to consume a lot of energy. Also, its CADR rating is 135+ and it’s ETL listed. Meeting the CARB standards, this one ensures you get the air quality you deserve.
9.Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier
The Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier is the successor of the Winix 9500 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier. This is a major improvement over its predecessor with a five-stage True HEPA filtration. Nothing will be missed by the filters in this air purifier.
This is great if you have pets in your home as the first filter is the Ultimate pet pre-filter. This filter traps in all the pet hair and dander, that is common in a household with pets. The pre-filter is also washable so you do not really have to replace it.
Then you have the powerful Plasma wave technology filter that filters out odors, chemicals, and other pollutants that regular filters just cannot get rid of. The AOC carbon filter also eliminates odors like cigarette smoke. It’s also washable, essentially reducing maintenance costs for the purifier.
In terms of area, you can use it in a space that’s as big as 300 sq. ft. With Smart Sensors, the Winix air purifier can detect air quality precisely and work to improve it consistently. You can use it in your living room or bedroom wherever your pet spends most of its time.
Made from resin and plastic, this one is sturdy too. The design is simple but also stylish, with many small holes in the front allowing for greater air intake and output. This is AHAM verified like most of Winix air purifiers.
10.Buleair Classic 205 Air Purifier
The Blueair Classic 205 Air Purifier looks very minimalistic but don’t let its simple design fool you. This is a highly advanced, top shelf, an air purifier that will pay for itself in the long run. This is also WiFi-enabled and works with Alexa.
With a CADR rating of 180, this offers much better airflow than many other competitive air purifiers. It features the HEPA Silent filtration which does the job ever so quietly. The three fan speeds include a quiet low speed that’s perfect for night time use.
The dual protection carbon filters eliminate odors and smoke in the room. So if you happen to live in areas with seasonal wildfires, this is ideal. You can use it to clean the air in an area of up to 400 sq. ft.
If you want something smaller or larger, there are other variants too that can cover a smaller or larger area than 400 sq. ft. You can control it via the Blueair Friend app on your phone. You can set the timer, change fan speeds, etc. all from your phone.
The company has its roots in Sweden but is now owned by Unilever. Their brand is just focused on air purification products, harboring more innovation than those companies that produce all sorts of electronics.
11.Ivation Ozone Generator Air Purifier
The Ivation Ozone Generator Air Purifier is very classic looking but gets the job done. The ozone generation uses activated oxygen to remove odors from the air. Its main air quality improvement mechanism is ionization.
The air purifier generates negative ions that help purify the air. This is capable of covering a whopping 3500 sq. ft area. If you’re looking for an air purifier for a large area like a venue, you could use one of these instead of buying multiple units.
This is incredibly durable as it has a cherry wood exterior and a stainless steel cabinet. It creates a very refreshing atmosphere in the space thanks to the techniques it uses for air purification. The fan is also quiet so you do not get disturbed.
The controls are simple as there are just two knobs. However, it does have a bit of a learning curve as there are several steps to using it properly. You can consult the user manual to get all the instructions.
Buyer’s Guide
Air purification is an important need for your house. So you need to pay extra attention when selecting an air purifier. The money you spend on the air purifier will go a long way in protecting you and your family.
Some of the lingo associated with air purifiers can be a bit confusing. With technology advancing so rapidly, there are so many new features that it can be hard to keep up. However, once you know what features to look for, you can get yourself the best home air purifier.
Features to Look Out For in Air Purifiers
Here are some of the key features you should look into when selecting an air purifier:
Filters
This is the most vital part of an air purifier as the concept of air purification revolves around filters. Filters vary greatly so you should be familiar with the different types of filters there are. These days, an air purifier does simply contain a single filter. Rather, there are multiple layers of filters.
Here are some of the filters you will find in air purifiers:
● HEPA Filters
HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filters are the best air filters for air purification, capable of filtering particles up to 0.3 microns small. However, there are a few different HEPA filters you will come across.
True HEPA filters are the best filters in terms of quality, longevity, and of course, the filtration. They can filter out 99.97% of the particles in the air. Air purifiers with True HEPA filters usually meet several certifications and standards.
BioGS HEPA filter is rather new and is an advanced form of the True HEPA. This filter lasts considerably longer than the True HEPA as it reduces the particle residue in the filter. Then there are some low-quality HEPA filters too that try to mimic the effect of True HEPA. They are not as efficient as the original one.
These filters do not last a lifetime i.e. you will have to replace them from time to time. Most HEPA filters need replacement in six to eight months of regular use.
● Pre-Filters
Pre-Filters help contain larger particles from proceeding to more expensive filters like the HEPA filters. These are the first line of defense and are usually washable too. This means that you can simply wash and reuse without having to replace them.
● Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters or charcoal filters are yet another important part of the filtration process. They are becoming increasingly popular and a de facto part of the multiple level filtration air purifiers.
The main benefit of this type of filter is that it’s able to absorb odorous particles. For instance, it can get rid of smoke or chemical smells in the room.
Ionizer
Some air purifiers use this feature instead of HEPA filters or any other filters for that matter. Ionization involves the release of negative ions that bond with the positive ions of dust, pollutants, bacteria, and allergens. This way the particles get neutralized and become too heavy to stay in the air.
This feature is also present in air conditioning units. One benefit of air purifiers with ionization is that they do not need filter replacement. Also, these are usually cheaper than those with powerful filters.
Ozone
Ozone (O3) is an activated form of oxygen that is often used for purification purposes. Since its highly active, it can kill bacteria and viruses in the air. However, it’s risky because it can also cause harmful effects on humans.
If there’s too much ozone in the room, it can cause pain in the chest or sore throat. This is why Ozone is not really popular anymore in air purifiers.
UV C Light
UV C light is not a necessary feature to have in an air purifier but it can significantly improve its effectiveness. While the filters will remove all the pollutants like dust, mole, allergens, dander, and odor, UV C light can kill bacteria and germs.
UV C is a sub-band of ultraviolet light which is harmless for humans. It’s powerful enough to kill microorganisms that regular filter just cannot contain or eliminate. This is a safer alternative to ozone.
Sensors
Sensors help the air purifier determine the air quality of the room it’s in. This allows it to adjust the quality level accordingly. This is exactly why modern models can work intuitively.
Air purifiers with smart sensors indicate the air quality through some display of lights. Also, this feature can essentially improve energy-efficiency. The purifier will work only when needed.
Other Things to Consider
Here are a few more things to consider before buying the best air purifier.
Coverage Area
People often get consumed into the filtration that they forget to take into account the area an air purifier can cover. If you use the appropriate size, you will get better results as the air purifier would not be overworked.
Most air purifiers are capable of purifying 300 to 400 sq. ft. of an area. This is enough for a large bedroom or living room. However, there are bigger sizes too available. In case you want to use it in a commercial setting, you should go for a bigger air purifier.
Smart Features
With virtual assistants becoming so popular and the internet of things becoming the next big step in technology, air purifiers have become quite smart. Many top air purifiers have WiFi and are compatible with virtual assistants like Alexa.
These smart-enabled air purifiers can also be controlled through mobile apps. They use the sensors to send the data to the app. So you have important information like air quality, temperature, and humidity in your phone. You can change speeds, set timers, and turn it on or off right from the app.
While these features are quite helpful, they do increase the price tag. You can do without them if you’re just looking for a simple air purifiers that do not cost a lot.
Replacement Parts
Most air purifiers with HEPA filters need the filters to be replaced after some time. If you’re buying an air cleaner that requires replacement, you should take a second to see if the filters are easily available for that particular model. Also, consider how long they will last and how much will it cost you to replace.
FAQ
How Long Can I Run My Air Purifier?
People are often confused about whether air purifier should run at all times. This also partially depends on how long the particular model of air purifier you have takes to clean the air. Regardless of this time, the air can get polluted again in three to five hours after you turn off the air purifier.
When you’re home, you should have the air purifier on. When you’re stepping out for a long time, you can turn it off. Most air purifiers do not consume a lot of energy so you do not have to worry so much about energy bills.
Newer models with smart features are intuitive so they automatically adjust air quality at all times. They only start when the air quality drops. Therefore, you do not have to intervene. You can even let them stay on the whole time.
Where should I place the air purifier?
The air purifier’s placement does not have a great effect on its performance. That said, you do want to place it in a room where you need it the most, which is usually the living room during the day. At night when you’re about to sleep, you can also move it in the bedroom.
Some air purifiers are large enough to cover your entire apartment or house. You can place them in the living room or near the door. This is the area that gets most air from outside when the door opens or windows open.
If you smoke inside the house, place it near where you smoke. For instance, if you smoke on your couch, place it next to or behind it. Similarly, if you have pets you can place it where your pets spend most of their time.
How does HEPA filter work?
HEPA or High-efficiency particulate air is the most commonly used air filter in air purifiers. It’s also the best air filter in terms of the size and amount of particles it can filter out of the air. The tiniest of the particles of dust, allergens, and pollen can be filtered through these.
The HEPA filter came about when clean air became necessary for the production of certain instruments. Similarly, in labs, the air needs to be completely free of pollutants for some experiments. However, HEPA filters are common in home air purifiers.
The filter itself is made of a felt-like material with gaps of different sizes. The fibers of this material are what captures the very tiny particles from the air. They either directly come in contact with the fibers or bounce around until they slow down and attach to one of the fibers.
This all happens very quickly and the air that comes out of the filter is much cleaner. The airflow does not slow down significantly because of this interaction with the fibers. Usually, the denser the filter is, the more particles it can catch.
HEPA filters do not last forever and after some time need to be replaced. When the fibers do not have any room left to catch more pollutants, it stops working. This usually happens after six months, but can be longer depending on your use.
Is it True That Air Purifiers Can Help Me Sleep Well?
Many people suffer sleep problems without even realizing they do. They are not always related to your posture or the mattress. Sometimes the air inside the house can cause a problem with your respiration.
This is all the more true for people with allergies. When you’re sleeping and you breathe in allergens, your allergies can kick in. There goes a good night’s sleep and you’re left awake with terrible allergies.
Whether you have allergies or not, air purifiers can help improve your sleep. This is why many people prefer to have these in their bedrooms. The good air quality can naturally help you breathe better and help you sleep without any nuisance in your windpipe.
Another reason air purifiers are great for sleeping is that they can release white noise. The subtle sound of the air flowing through the filters can help you sleep. Fresh air from the purifier will also be cooler.
Can I open windows with the air purifier on?
Yes, you can open the windows or doors in a room with the air purifier. Fresh air is always better for your home. At most, it would bring in some pollen that the air purifier can readily deal with.
However, if you live in an urban area with lots of traffic, the outside air may not be the best. While the air purifier will work, as usual, opening a window would only make its job harder as more pollutants will enter inside the home.
If you happen to have an air cleaner with an air quality analysis feature, you can check to see if opening a window or door reduces the air quality by a margin. In most suburban areas, it should not be an issue having a window or door open with the air purifier running.
Conclusion
Air purifiers are an important addition to your home. If you factor in the costs of paying for health problems caused by bad air, you would see how cost-effective an air purifier can really be. You can even get a small and portable purifier for your room.
Those with allergies should have one in their homes. Air quality can significantly improve and so will your mood when you breathe in the clean and fresh air.
