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When choosing an air purifier, the most important factor to consider is the type of filter. Prices range from around $30 for small, basic purifiers to $800 or more for models that purify large spaces and come with all the bells and whistles. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of replacement filters as you’ll need to regularly switch them out to keep your air purifier in top performance.
Compare, type, cost and features when finding the right purifier for you.
| Name | Average price | Type | Room size coverage | Features | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Molekule Air | $799 | PECO filter | Up to 600 sq. ft. |
| Buy now |
Dyson Pure Cool Cryptomic | $649 | HEPA and activated carbon filter | N/A |
| Buy now |
RabbitAir Minusa2 | $549 | HEPA filter | Up to 700 sq. ft. |
| Buy now |
Air Oasis 3000G3 | $499 | UV ions | Up to 600 sq. ft. |
| |
Blueair Classic 205 | $349 | HEPA filter | Up to 279 sq. ft. |
| Buy now |
Noma for Medium Rooms | $199 | HEPA with ionizer | Up to 200 sq. ft. |
| Buy now |
Air purifiers use filters to remove common pollutants and allergens from the air. People with allergies and asthma most commonly use air purifiers to help reduce the number of irritants in the air.
Air purifiers can come with several types of filters, and some models include multiple filter types. Not all filters are created equal.
A True HEPA filter adheres to the standards set by the US Department of Energy (DOE), while HEPA-Type or HEPA-Like filters don’t necessarily conform to any set of standards. These are marketing terms that don’t guarantee specific filtration capacity.
True HEPA filters should remove 99.97 percent of all airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size, according to the DOE. When shopping for an air purifier with a HEPA filter, make sure it is a True HEPA filter, rather than HEPA-Type or HEPA-Like, to ensure its effectiveness at cleaning the air around you.
When choosing an air purifier, consider the following factors:
If the purifier is too large for your room, it uses more energy than it needs. If it’s too small, the purifier is ineffective. Look for a model that matches the footprint of the rooms you want to use it in. If you have a large, open space, you might need to get multiple purifiers and place them in opposite ends of the room.
An air purifier that can automatically check the air quality of the room and adjust settings accordingly allow you to set it and forget it. Otherwise, you’ll have to manually adjust the settings throughout the day.
Some air purifiers sound like a loud tower or pedestal fan, while others have a quiet hum similar to a refrigerator. To be the most effective, the air purifier should run all day, so look for a model that’s quiet enough to be on in the background throughout the day and night.
Most models require you to replace the filters regularly — although some UV and ionic models don’t have any filters at all. Activated carbon filters need to be replaced more often than other filter types, typically around once every three months.
Filter prices can range from around $10 to $100 or more. Consider buying replacement filters when you buy the purifier to avoid additional shipping costs.
Some models include an indicator or light that tells you when you need to replace your filter and can help you avoid using your air purifier while it’s not working.
If you plan to keep the air purifier in your bedroom, look for a model with a sleep setting that shuts off or dims lights and maintains a quiet fan setting while you sleep.
A sensor light can tell you what the air quality is as soon as you enter a room.
Antimicrobial agents can stop mold from growing within the air purifier and extend the life of the filters.
Look for a purifier with multiple, adjustable fan speeds to save energy and avoid unnecessary noise.
Check out our top tips to get the most out of your air purifier:
We specifically chose products in a wide price range and with various types of filters. To narrow our search, we conducted our own research to determine some of the most popular models, factoring in third-party reviews and our personal experiences with some of these products.
An air purifier could be a sensible buy if you’re looking to reduce the amount of dust, dander, mold and other allergens and potentially harmful particles from an indoor space. Just be sure that the size of the air purifier you choose is a good fit for the size of the room it’ll be in.
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