However, all air purifiers aren’t created equally. This guide will walk you through how to choose one of the best air purifiers available now so you can gift yourself or someone you know cleaner air. Also: How to clean a humidifier
Levoit is one of the top-selling manufacturers of air purifiers, and the Core 300 is an excellent all-around option. This air purifier is smaller in size when compared to the large floor units on the market, but it can cycle the air in a room in as few as 12 minutes. The Core 300 works differently than many others, as it doesn’t use UV-C light to destroy airborne particulates (the light can produce harmful ozone). Instead, the Core 300 cleans the air using a series of filters. It captures airborne particles using a high-efficiency activated carbon filter, followed by a pre-filter, followed by a medical-grade H13 True HEPA filter capable of capturing tiny particles up to 0.3 microns that the other two may have missed. Smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, and unwanted odors can finally be a thing of the past. Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier is an award-winning model that’s easy to understand and operate. The pollution sensor broadcasts your room’s air quality using three colors: red for unhealthy, purple for moderate, and blue for good air quality. As with the color-light system for air quality, the Airmega AP-1512HH has an indicator light that will flash when it’s time to replace any of its filters. There are four filtration stages: pre-filter, room deodorizer, carbon, and HEPA. The deodorizer phase is not typically found in air filters, but this one is excellent for removing odors from mildew, pets, or cigarette smoke. Germ Guardian’s AC4825E is powerful enough to deodorize, kill viruses, and filter airborne particles in rooms as large as 743 square feet. And the smaller the room, the more efficiently the purifier can work. While a room that’s 743 square feet only cycles once per hour, you’ll get three cycles per hour in a room that’s 248 square feet. What makes the AC4825E model unique is its ability to kill viruses as part of its multi-state purification. The HEPA filter captures 99.97% of allergens and fine dust; the charcoal filter eliminates odors; the UV-C light reduces airborne mold, bacteria, and viruses; and the Titanium Oxide treatment eliminates any surviving VOCs and viruses. This may be the most extensive purifying process on this list. Winix’s powerful floor model uses PlasmaWave technology instead of UV light to break down certain particulates. It’s a safer way to eliminate chemical vapors, bacteria, and pollutants without producing ozone, which can irritate the lungs or make asthma and allergies worse. The 5500-2’s four phases include a washable mesh pre-filter and a washable carbon filter to get rid of odors from foods, smoke, and pets. Next is the True HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of airborne particles. The final stage is the PlasmaWave technology that destroys any remaining pathogens. Levoit’s Core 200S features smart controls that can be activated using voice control or through their app. This allows you to do everything from setting a schedule to adjusting the fan’s speed. The Core 200S’s small size makes it portable enough to move around your home or to and from your office. In addition, the air purifier is extremely quiet and includes an integrated night light, making it a good option for a baby nursery or child’s room. The PureZone Mini is a “small and mighty” air purifier that’s easy to carry with you throughout your day. It features an integrated upper handle to hook anywhere, making it easily portable. You can charge the device using the included USB cable for up to 12 hours of operation per charge. Although the purifier is small, it features a powerful HEPA filter that can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. As a bonus, the PureZone Mini comes in five colors: black, white, blue, starlight blue, and blush. In addition, sound can be an important factor. If you plan on running an air purifier in a bedroom, one with variable fan speeds and a low-decibel sleep mode can make it more comfortable to operate at all hours. Besides size and CADR, HEPA filtration was an important deciding factor. Short for high efficiency particulate air filter, it can remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This covers 99.97% of the particles found in the air including pollen, mold, dust, and bacteria. In addition to air purifiers, vacuuming once per week can help you remove dust from your home. Once you know the size of the room you’re working with, you can select an air purifier capable of efficiently circulating and cleaning the room’s air. A tabletop model is best for small spaces like a nursery or bathroom. A floor model can handle larger areas and is still portable enough to be moved from one room to another. When using some modern purifiers, they often have an indicator light that warns you when it’s time to replace the filters. As a rule of thumb, plan on replacing carbon air filters every three months and other filters every six months. And if you have an odd-shaped room, you might consider placing two smaller air purifiers to maximize air circulation.
