Finding the Best Air Purifiers: A Buyer’s Guide
Plenty of independent testers have named the top air purifiers on the market, but not all of them have narrowed it down even further to the best purifiers based on your lifestyle. At the very least, your purifier should have a HEPA filter. “HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air filter,” explains Dr. Parikh. “We usually recommend them as they have the most data for efficacy and can filter particles down to 2 microns, which is especially helpful for people with asthma and allergies. HEPA filters can also filter viruses and pollutants.”
It’s also important to have a purifier that is certified by the state of California to emit zero — or a very low level of — ozone. Ozone purifiers do very little to improve air quality and actually create a hazardous environment by adding additional toxic pollutants (like formaldehyde and ultrafine particles) to the air. Even low levels can be dangerous, so make sure you search for your selected device on the official list of CARB-certified purifiers.
Though it might seem like there are too many options for air purifiers, considering the factors that are most important to you will help you quickly narrow down your list.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Purifier
Before making a purchase, consider the following factors.
Air Monitor
Machines that come with an air monitor (whether it is built in, on a phone app or on a separate device) automatically become more valuable, because they make it very easy to track your air quality. Some purifiers also have air monitors that tell you the outside air quality based on your zip code, which is important because external air quality greatly affects internal air quality. Note that some machines don’t come with any sort of air monitor — so you won’t be able to see the air quality from the device itself or from your phone.
Energy Consumption
While the initial price of your air purifier might seem like the most expensive part of your purchase, the cost of running the machine can add up quickly. Most purifiers consume a low level of energy, but it’s still important to check your machine’s average energy consumption before making a purchase.
Price
It’s no secret that air purifiers can get extremely expensive based on the size, features and durability. In general, expect to pay at least $50 for a personal purifier, $150 for an air purifier that covers a small room and upwards of $500 for a purifier that covers a big room. The cost of filter replacements is another important factor to consider; HEPA filters are pricey, and most companies charge at least $50 per replacement.
HEPA Filter
There are two main types of HEPA filters: true HEPA and H13 or H14 medical-grade, which are the European equivalents of a true HEPA filter. A true HEPA filter removes at least 99.7 percent of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns in one pass. (Particles that are 0.3 microns in size are some of the hardest to filter — particles that are smaller or larger are more easily trapped.)
H13 and H14 HEPA filters are quite similar. An H13 removes 99.95 percent of all particles in the air with a size of 0.2 microns, and an H14 removes 99.995 percent. Particles that are smaller or larger than 0.2 microns are more easily trapped.
Durability
In theory, a good air purifier could last you five or more years with proper care. (That includes cleaning the unit as needed and replacing the HEPA filters and pre-filters as recommended by the manufacturer.) HEPA filters themselves need replacing about once every 12 months, or more frequently if you have very poor air quality or use it 24/7.
What Are the Different Types of Air Purifiers?
These are the two main types of air purifiers on the market.
Mechanical
A mechanical air filter, such as a HEPA filter, removes particles by capturing them on filtering materials. It does not use anything other than physical filtration, so it doesn’t generate any ozone or ions. To find out whether your purifier is mechanical, check out the product specifications section of the manual. You can also find it by searching for the product in the list of CARB-certified air cleaning devices.
Electric
An electric air purifier is a broad category that includes ionizers, electrostatic precipitators, PCOs, hydroxyl generators, devices with UV light components and other electronic air cleaning technologies, according to the state of California. Though some of these purifiers create a small amount of ozone, they may still be CARB-certified if they produce less than the toxic amount (0.050 parts per million).
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