Air quality can not only impact the way your home smells and feels, it can also have a negative impact on your overall health. Poor air quality can come from many different sources: your environment, pets, a home that belonged to smokers, or old building materials, to name a few. Since it can be a nuisance to deal with unwanted particles in the air, many people turn to air purifiers to help clean the air and make it easier to breathe.
For some, like those with asthma, air purifiers may be a necessity. And for others, purifiers may just be an additional item that can make their home more comfortable. No matter your reason for choosing an air purifier, choosing the right one for your space is imperative.
If you’re considering an air purifier – or struggling to find one that has all the benefits you need – then you’re in luck. We’ve analyzed the best air purifiers on the market to find the best option for any home and budget.
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: LEVOIT Smart WiFi Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter
Best Budget: Hamilton Beach TrueAir
Best for Pets: Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet True HEPA PlasmaWave Technology Air Purifier
Best for Large Spaces: Coway AIRMEGA 300S
Best for Small Spaces: GermGuardian AC4825 22” 3-in-1 Full Room Air Purifier
The Best Air Purifiers: Our Top Picks
Best Overall
LEVOIT Smart WiFi Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter
HEPA filter and activated carbon reduce allergens.
Why we Picked It
With smart home compatibility, the LEVOIT is easy to use and can be adjusted with only your voice. It’s the best HEPA air purifier because it’s simple to use, works efficiently, and has several settings so you’ll be able to filter the air to your liking. The app helps you control the air filter even when you’re not home; your air is purified and ready to go when you arrive home. Energy Star certification means it’s energy efficient and won’t make your electric bill skyrocket.
As a high efficiency air purifier, the LEVOIT is both 30% more energy efficient and faster than comparable air purifers on the market. It’s designed for medium and large rooms to filter five times per hour and up to 360 square feet.
The smart filter life means never guessing about when it’s time to change the filter. The LEVOIT uses science-backed technology to give you an accurate reading of when the filter needs to be changed (about every 3-6 months, depending on usage).
Keep in Mind
Since the LEVOIT is designed for medium to large spaces, you may need to move it or use additional air purifiers in the rest of your house.
In a Nutshell
- True HEPA and carbon filters
- Smart home compatible
- Energy Star certified
Best Budget
Hamilton Beach TrueAir
Versatile and small air purifier that fits in to any room.
Why we Picked It
The permanent HEPA filter helps remove allergens from the air in rooms of up to 160 square feet. With a reusable filter that can be vacuumed and wiped clean, the TrueAir offers convenience of never having to buy a replacement filter.
TrueAir’s small size is deceiving because this air purifier packs a big punch. At just 13 ½ inches on its longest side, it’s one of the smallest units available. It purifies the air at a rate similar to larger models, but it’s able to fit in even the tightest spaces and can be used horizontally or vertically.
Choose between three whisper-quiet settings and use the smart phone app as a remote to control the air purifier. The highest setting cleans the room the fastest while the lowest setting is ideal for all-day use.
Keep in Mind
TrueAir’s small size and reusable filter means you may have to clean it more often than other models.
In a Nutshell
- Compact for small spaces
- Reusable and cleanable filter
- Ultra quiet
Best for Pets
Winix HR900 Ultimate Pet True HEPA PlasmaWave Technology Air Purifier
True HEPA and pre-filtration help capture large and small pet particles.
Why we Picked It
The Winix is up to the high air purifying demands that come from being a pet owner. With True HEPA filtration that captures 99.97 percent of allergens and airborne dander from pets, it can help homes with big shedders have clean air again.
The Ultimate Pet pre-filter acts as a front line for any incoming dander or allergens, while an advanced carbon filter provides advanced odor control that’s targeted for pet smells and other common household smells. It’s washable and extends the life of the True HEPA filter. The air purifier uses specific plasma waves to break down odors and other household pollutants.
Sensors create light notifications when the filter needs changed, the air needs to be purified, or there are pet odors present. The sleek, modern design and easy to understand controls make the Winix easier to use while it’s capable of covering up to 300 square feet.
Keep in Mind
While the pre filters and ultimate pet purification can be cleaned and reused, you’ll need to buy replacement filters from Winix.
In a Nutshell
- Targets pet hair and dander
- Dust sensors
- Aesthetic design
Best for Large Spaces
Coway AIRMEGA 300S
With coverage of up to 1,256 square feet, purify an entire floor.
Why we Picked It
For users looking to clean the air for an entire floor (or small house), the Coway AIRMEGA is well worth the investment. It covers up to 1,256 square feet and can reduce up to 99.97% of particles in a few hours. The smart purifier adapts to the surroundings or the controls can be used manually. Its pollution sensor provides alerts about poor air quality while the LED colored rings show a real-time representation of the home’s air quality. The permanent pre-filter is reusable and can catch larger pieces of debris before filtering the air. The HEPA filter can clean pollutants and fumes as well as pollen and other allergens.
AIRMEGA’s smart phone app makes it easy to control the air purifier and switch manual modes. The app features information about the air quality inside and outside the home. It’s also smart home compatible and can work with a variety of smart devices.
Keep in Mind
While the AIRMEGA is still a quiet option, it may be louder than models that are only suitable for single rooms. You’ll probably want to find an out-of-the-way spot to keep it.
In a Nutshell
- LED air quality ring
- Cleans up to 1,256 sq. ft.
- Integrated smart phone app
Best for Small Spaces Spaces
GermGuardian AC4825 22
UV-light and activated charcoal help clean the air.
Why we Picked It
The slimline cylindrical design of the GermGuardian make it perfect for spaces where there’s not much room on the floor. It can filter rooms up to 167 square feet and uses an optional UV C light to help kill germs that are in the room. The pre filter traps large particles and the HEPA filter handles allergens as small as .3 microns. It also features an activated charcoal filter that can help reduce unwanted odors in the room.
Both the filter and the UV light are replaceable to maintain the performance of the GermGuardian. Energy Star certification helps you avoid using too much energy when you’re running the purifier.
Choose between three different settings depending on how fast the air needs to be cleaned. At the max speed, it can filter the air four times per hour.
Keep in Mind
Since the filters need to be replaced, you may want to stock up so you always have one handy!
In a Nutshell
- Reduces home odors
- HEPA filter reduces allergens
- Slim design for small rooms
How We Chose the Best Air Purifiers
To find the best air purifiers we looked at the size of the filter, its ability to clean even small particles, and the estimated costs for operating the purifier. These factors, along with noise and cost, allowed us to decide on the best air purifiers.
HEPA Filtration
Looking for air filters usually means trying to find something that will not only reduce large pieces of debris in the air but that can also handle small particles. HEPA filters are the norm for air purifiers because they can handle particles that are as small as .3 microns. They’re also able to pick up allergens and other pollutants that other types of filters typically miss.
We only include air purifiers that have high levels of filtration and are able to handle small particles. Since most of the models have HEPA filters and True HEPA, purifiers with extra filters and pre-filters also made our list.
Operating Costs
While air purifiers are not typically very costly to run, higher powered models can have an impact on the energy bill. Large air purifiers, and ones that have many different features, may be more costly. While many people look for machines to clean multiple rooms, we pay attention to how much energy these larger models use and the impact of additional features like UV lights. We look for models that have Energy Star certification.
Not only did we consider the cost to run the air purifier, we also consider the costs associated with it, like filters. HEPA filters work well, but they can be costly to replace over time. We favored models that have reusable and washable filters to reduce the maintenance cost.
Noise
Most air purifiers are made to keep noise at a minimum. We look for models that are quiet even when the highest settings are used. Pre-filters and additional filtration options may make the air purifiers noisier.
Another factor we consider is whether the air purifier vibrates or hums when it’s in use. While we expect most machines to have some vibration or humming, excessive vibration can quickly become a nuisance.
Cost
The cost of the air purifier is important because having fresh air doesn’t have to break the bank. We consider whether a purifier is worth the price and what benefits it offers for the total cost. Another factor we consider is the expected life of the machine in comparison to the price. By looking at how effective it is at cleaning the air, we can determine if it is worth the cost to run the air purifier.
Who Should Buy an Air Purifier?
An air purifier can benefit many groups of people by reducing the amount of allergens and make it easier to breathe. This can be especially beneficial and impactful for people who have asthma or other breathing conditions.
Pet Owners
Most pet owners consider their pets a part of their family, but that doesn’t make the allergens and dander they pollute the air with go away. Air purifiers can help filter out the dust, dander, and other pollutants that come with being a pet owner. Models that have pre-filtration systems can also filter out larger particles like pet hair.
People with Allergies
Anyone who has any allergies, from pet to seasonal allergies, can get major benefits from an air purifier. Not only can they help with allergens in the home but they can also help with allergens outside of the home. An air purifier in the bedroom can help allergy sufferers find respite and get a better night’s sleep.
Smokers
Smoking in the home and even outside of it can do a lot of damage to the home’s air quality. Those living in a home with a smoker can benefit from an air purifier because it can take the pollutants out of the air and make the home smell better.
What to Look for in an Air Purifier
You don’t have to struggle to find the right air purifier! When you look at each of these features in an air purifier and prioritize, you can find one that works for you.
Size
If you need to move your air purifier from room to room, you may want to consider its size and portability. You’ll also need to determine if you’re going to keep your purifier on a table or if it will sit on the floor. This will not only have an impact on the size of it but will also determine what type of model you need to look for.
When looking at the size, you also need to know what size room or rooms it’s going to purify, as most models list the maximum sq. ft. they’re able to handle.
Noise
Noise level is subjective, but you must remember that large models on a low setting will almost always be quieter than small models on a high setting. Determine if the air purifier is going to be noisy for your home, where it will be placed, and all the settings that can change the noise.
Annual Operating Cost
When you’re looking for air purifiers, you may want to choose one based on its Energy Star certification or guaranteed efficiency. Instead of just looking at how costly it is to run in terms of energy consumption, you will need to consider how much the filters are and how often you need to change them. Since filters can cost hundreds of dollars, so you may want to consider a model that has reusable filters.
Filtration
As a rule of thumb, go with HEPA filtration. HEPA is backed by certification and they are reliable. HEPA filters are easy to maintain and are able to pick up particles that other filters miss. Carbon filters are sometimes used in combination with HEPA and can be beneficial if you’re looking for an air purifier that also helps with odors.
What is HEPA Filtration?
HEPA filtration is a classification of filtration systems. To be able to use the HEPA certification name, an air purifier must be able to filter out particles that are .3 microns. HEPA filters are the most reliable and can be beneficial for homes that need an air purifier to handle allergens, dust and other pollutants.
All HEPA filters are designed to trap and divert air particles. The biggest difference in a HEPA and true HEPA filter is the amount of particles they are able to trap. While HEPA filters only have to trap 99% of particles to be able to use the certification, true HEPA filters have to trap 99.97%.
Related Resources
If an air purifier is just one more step in making your home a happier and healthier environment, you may be considering other appliances for your home. Use these helpful resources to help you find the best options.
