Best Air Purifiers (Updated April 2024)

Living in a city increases your exposure to pollutants ten-fold. Whereas others can open windows to get fresh air or ventilate a space, it’s often even worse to open windows for those who live in a city. If your home is feeling stuffy and you’re stuck inside, an air purifier can help refresh your space.

Air purifiers may seem relatively straight-forward, but the way that they capture microscopic particles is a result of intricate mechanics inside. There are multiple different kinds of filters available that maximize efficiency and specialize for certain kinds of toxins.

These are the most common types of filters on the market today:

Pre-filters go on the outside of the air purifier to help catch bigger particles before they even make it to the secondary filter. This prevents larger particles from clogging the powerful filter which makes it stay more effective for longer.

HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air.” These filters are the gold standard in air purifiers. These filters are known to remove up to 99.7% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Newer models may remove even more.

Activated charcoal is known for its ability to deplete odors quickly. If you frequently notice bad odors from pets, furniture, cigarettes, or even lingering smells of cooking, it’s worth checking out activated charcoal filters.

UV-C light has become popular in recent years for its ability to kill viruses and other bacteria. Some models of air purifiers use this as a way to further purify air and deplete airborne toxins. If you are immunocompromised or have young children in the house, it might be worth looking into a UVC filter.

After you narrow down the kind of filter that you want, you need to examine the CADR rating. This is one of the easiest ways to compare purifiers across the board. CADR is a good way to compare how efficient your air purifier is vs how much air flow it can put out.

Unless you’re on a strict budget or simply want a run-of-the-mill purifier, most models come with advanced features to give you more insight and ease with using your purifier.

Several of the newest filters on the market offer apps to adjust fan speed, modes, and check air quality. The right air purifier for your home should do its job in the background while you can breathe a sigh of relief at the lack of toxins. If you think you’ll be needing to change fan speeds or check filters frequently, it might be worth investing in a filter with smart connectivity.

Most air purifiers take specific filters, but some are better suited for a specific kind of toxin. If you have multiple pets in the home, it’s worth researching which filter is best for pet dander and debris, whereas if you live in a city, find a filter that’s better for pollution.

Any electrical appliance runs the risk of overheating when it’s plugged in. Many air purifiers do offer robust safety features like automatic timers, child locks, or remote access through mobile apps if you forget to turn it off or unplug.

Aside from important features within your air purifier, there are several other things to consider to ensure that you’ll be the happiest with your filter for years to come.

Size is one of the most important factors to account for when choosing an air purifier. You want to ensure that the purifier you choose can cover the square footage of the room you place it in while maintaining the aesthetic of your area. There are many different air purifiers on the market today, including portable purifiers that are made to rest on tables or plug into electric outlets. Measure your space and compare to the square footage of various filters to find the best fit for your space.

Most filters used in air purifiers are made to last about 3-4 months, depending on how frequently you use your purifier. Just like other air filters for your house and car, they need to be replaced. Different models require different replacement filters and they can add up over time. Before purchasing a filter, check how much the filters cost and how often they will need to be replaced.

Air purifiers are most effective when they run day and night, so it’s important to think about how much noise will be generated. If you have little ones in the house or work from home, check purifiers with a low maximum decibel. Noise level correlates with how fast the fan is running. If you need quiet during the day, find a fan with multiple speeds or one that offers a nighttime mode.

It’s important to keep multiple factors in mind when choosing an air purifier. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all. After measuring your space, researching replacement filter costs, and evaluating your lifestyle, you can find the perfect filter for your home and breathe easier knowing toxins are being removed.