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While we’re still waiting for definitive medical evidence to back up some claims made by manufacturers, there’s little doubt a good air purifier can enhance the quality of the air you breathe.
If you’re confused about the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier, we’ll briefly highlight what each home enhancement product does best.
We’ll also walk you through what to look for when you’re on the buying trail.
5 Best Air Purifier Reviews
Before that, though, we’ll launch straight into it with our air purifier reviews so you can assess your options and simplify your buying decision.
First up in our best air purifier reviews is the classic Levoit LV-H132. While there’s a newer version of this model for larger rooms, the older iteration delivers in fine style.
If you don’t like the idea of a hulking utilitarian purifier dominating your living space, the ultra-compact Levoit measures up at just 8 ½ x 14 ½ x 8 ½ inches so it will fade into the background while offering stealthy and powerful purification.
You wouldn’t expect this level of purification in a budget unit. The true HEPA filter will see off the tiniest particles down to a size of 0.3 microns. Since this type of filtration does nothing to deal with smells or VOCs like smoke and ash. Levoit has you covered with an activated carbon filter and an extremely agile pre-filter working alongside the HEPA-filtration for maximum effect.
At its lowest setting, the fan kicks out just over 40 decibels of sound so it’s not the quietest device on the market but more than tolerable.
If you’re in any doubt about the wisdom of investing in the Levoit, the 2-year guarantee and lifetime support should set your mind at ease. Pick up the Levoit today and start breathing easier tomorrow.
This purifier only works well in rooms of 90 square feet or smaller so consider its big brother if you have more ambitious needs.
For a hard-hitting compact air purifier at an incredibly reasonable price point, the Levoit LV-H132 takes some beating.
Pros.
- Compact so works well in small rooms
- Inexpensive air purifier
- True HEPA filter
- Highly capable pre-filter
- Completely ozone-free
Cons.
- Not the quietest air purifier
- Limited coverage
Next up in our air purifier reviews is another older but enduringly popular model, the fantastic GermGuardian. The more squared-off tweaked version is available here.
As with all the best home air purifiers, the GermGuardian sees off all but 0.03% of the smallest airborne contaminants down to 0.3 microns. This is achieved with a HEPA-rate filter. 3-in-1 functionality also gives you a UVC sanitizer and you’ll see a distinct reduction in any unpleasant smells from smoke to pet odor to damp.
The size of this purifier means it works well with even mid-sized rooms without being so large as to dominate the décor.
We’re obliged to mention a number of reported issues with this unit emitting a burning smell. As the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire, and when a number of people make the same complaint, it’s worth paying attention to. That said, our unit performed admirably so we’ll leave you to do your own due diligence.
If you’re looking for a functional and efficient air purifier at an extremely pocket-friendly price, the GermGuardian lives up to its name.
Pros.
- Pure HEPA-filtration
- Charcoal filter neutralizes odors
- Long life filters reduce running costs
- Great for small to medium rooms
- Optional UV
Cons.
- Design polarizes opinion
- Some issues of burning smell
No collection of the best air purifier reviews would be complete without an entry from the industry legend Honeywell.
Since we try to include something for all tastes and budgets, we opted for the HPA300 model that’s good for very large rooms up to 465 square feet. If this is too beefy for your needs, there are 5 other models available.
There are 4 discrete cleaning settings:
- General clean
- Germ
- Allergen
- Turbo
You can further fine-tune things and activate auto shut-off to kick in after 2, 4 or 8 hours to save on power and minimize the chance of any accidents when you’re away from home.
The lights on the control panel can be set to dim if you place this purifier in your bedroom and find the lights disturb you while you’re sleeping.
The carbon pre-filter wicks away the bigger debris and VOCs while the true HEPA filter makes light work of the tiniest airborne pathogens.
For an effective and energy-efficient take on home air purification in very large spaces, the Honeywell HPA300 is a must.
Pros.
- 5 sizes with up to 465 square feet of coverage
- Rock-solid brand heritage
- 4 different air cleaning levels
- Filters air 5 times an hour
- Automatic shut-off
Cons.
- A bulky unit as you’d expect given its coverage
As we inch to the end of our air purifier reviews, AP-1512HH from Coway is a heavy-hitter in a deceptively small package considering its broad coverage.
This unit is good for even sprawling spaces up to 528 square feet, a sterling achievement in such a small purifier. As with most purifiers from the major industry players, you can get this same purifier in sizes to suit.
4-stage filtration gets rid of all imaginable airborne pollutants. From smoke and ash through pet dander and odor on to large contaminants, the Coway takes everything neatly in stride.
There’s a dial that changes color to give you a visual indication of the air quality which is a nice touch and makes a great conversation piece.
Eco mode kicks in if no contaminants are detected for 30 minutes straight. This will make a small but noticeable difference to your power consumption over time.
Aside from a few disgruntled users complaining of noise and build quality issues, feedback is overwhelmingly positive. If you’re looking for an air purifier that occupies a small footprint but packs a considerable punch, road test this Coway at your earliest convenience.
Pros.
- Very compact unit without compromising performance
- Eco and Ionizer modes
- Great for even large rooms up to 528 square feet
- 3 vibration levels
- Whisper-quiet on lower settings
Cons.
- Some users report loud sound coming from fan
Last but absolutely not least in our best air purifier reviews is an eye-wateringly expensive adjustable model from Alen. Does performance match up to the price tag, though?
While this Alen is pretty substantial, in return you’ll get enough grunt to filter the air in extremely large rooms up to a staggering 1100 square feet. You’ll struggle to get a mainstream purifier to outflank this.
You’ll get 4 different HEPA filters:
- HEPA-Pure
- HEPA-Silver
- HEPA-FreshPlus
- HEPA-OdorCell
Between these, you’ll be able to eliminate and neutralize all offending debris and smells and get your air quality indoors to be as fresh as it can be.
There’s an easily visible air quality monitor so you can relax knowing you can breathe in with confidence.
The Alen runs quietly across the board unlike many purifiers which kick out an incredible racket except at the very slowest of speeds.
If you’re looking for the cheapest air purifier, the Alen is not for you. If, on the other hand, you want an elegant and understated pollution solution, you won’t be sorry you invested in this exceptional unit. It gets our overall vote for best air purifier in all respects except pricing.
Pros.
- Striking design
- Pure HEPA-filtration
- Serves rooms up to 1100 square feet
- Nicely customizable with 4 filters and 14 colorways
- White, pink and red noise emitted to help you sleep
Cons.
- Extremely expensive but currently on sale
OK ...
Now you’ve checked out 5 of the very best air purifiers, we’ll delve down into what you should look for when you’re on the buying trail.
Before that, though, what’s the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?
Air Purifier vs Humidifier
Although these words are commonly used interchangeably, purifiers and humidifiers are not one and the same thing.
- Air Purifier: The models we review today are all air purifiers so they will clean the air but do nothing to regulate humidity levels. They’ll get rid of dust and smoke as well as any allergens or pet dander
- Humidifier: A humidifier will add moisture to the air and help regulate humidity levels but it will do nothing to clean the air. Humidifiers can help reduce static electricity and they’re a great relief if you suffer from any health issues as a result of humidity levels being out of kilter
So…
Assuming you’ve decided that you want an air purifier, what should you look out for to get the best model for your needs?
What To Look For In The Best Air Purifier
Air purifiers are relatively similar in terms of functionality. The key difference is in the square footage covered.
Size
It’s vital to match the maximum coverage of the air purifier you’re considering to the size of the space it needs to clean.
Units vary considerably in terms of physical size so don’t overlook compact models even if you have a much larger room to purify.
Ongoing Operating Costs
You need to look beyond the bottom line when you’re thinking about an air purifier.
Consider how often you’ll need to replace the filters and think about the cost of these. Carbon filters generally need swapping out every 3 or 4 months while the main filter will normally give you a year or so of service before it needs replacing.
Some models come with washable filters. This can obviously trim your running costs.
You should also keep an eye out for auto shut-off and intelligent shutdown when no airborne contaminants are detected for a period of 30 minutes or so.
Make sure you understand going in that you’ll need to pay for the privilege of clean air. Only you know if you consider that a worthwhile investment.
Noise Levels
Most air purifiers generate some degree of noise.
Look for the decibel ratings of the models on your shortlist and check to see if you need to use the lowest setting to avoid a nasty racket.
Placement of your air purifier will affect how much importance you place on the noise factor. Obviously, a purifier placed in the bedroom needs to be quieter. Or you could opt for a model like the Alen which serves double duty as a white, red and pink noise generator. This can soothe you toward sleep and block out disturbing ambient noise.
Fan
Fan-less purifiers will run more quietly if noise is a real concern.
The downside of these models without fans is that they’ll clean the air less effectively so we can’t really recommend these.
Filtration
Most of the very best air purifiers have true HEPA filters. This means they remove 99.97 of airborne particles down to the miniature size of 0.3microns.
Carbon filters are used alongside to deal with more substantial debris while also neutralizing unpleasant odors.
Check that the purifier you’re looking at has the filtration you need.
Programmability
You should be able to program your purifier to power down automatically meaning you can get the air cleaned when you’re out without risking a fire hazard squandering electricity.
If you plan to use your purifier in this way, watch out for this feature.
Ionizer
If you’re looking at a purifier that doubles up as an ionizer, make sure it’s ozone-free.
Ozone being discharged into the atmosphere can irritate your lungs.
A Final Word
Well, we very much hope you’ve angled in on the best air purifier for your needs.
Buying the most effective unit is really pretty simple so take your time and get the right purifier for your needs.
