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The 10 Best Air Purifier Will Create a Healthier Indoor Environment for Your Family

You would think that when cocooning yourself in your own home, you wouldn’t have to worry about the air you breathe, however, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, the air inside the home can be more troublesome for health than what is found outside the front door.

Best Air Purifier

This can be especially true in cold weather when we tend to keep doors and windows closed and seal off drafts. That’s why many people turn to air purifiers to help keep them breathing easily indoors, no matter the season.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Mention indoor air pollution and perhaps the only thing that comes to mind is dust and dust mites, which can really bother people who have asthma. The reality is that our homes are chock full of all kinds of things that can affect air quality and, therefore, our ability to breathe easily. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, some of the most common indoor air pollutants and allergens include:

  • Dust mites are one of the most common things that bring on problems with allergies and asthma because they are so commonplace. These little microscopic creatures love the warm comforts of our homes as much as we do and are found in bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture.
  • Pet dander is another major indoor air pollutant in homes that have animals. As the AAAI explains, people are not allergic to the fur of animals, but rather the allergen in the saliva or dead skin flakes.
  • Cockroaches can also cause indoor breathing problems. Most urban buildings have cockroaches because they are so prevalent and generally doesn’t mean that the residence is dirty.
  • Mold and mildew are other common pollutants of indoor air. Indoor mold tends to grow anywhere it is damp, such as basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Any area of the home that has a leak is also susceptible to mold growth, which then releases spores into the air, which can affect breathing.
  • VOCs, or volatile organic compounds are chemicals that can be found in many household products ranging from paint, carpeting, furniture or other construction materials. Compounds in air fresheners and cleaning supplies can also negatively affect indoor air quality.
  • Other pollutants can include fuel-burning combustion appliances, tobacco smoke, pressed wood furniture or cabinetry, pesticides, household chemicals and radon.

Make Your Home a Cleaner Place With These 3 Best Air Purifiers

Works with Alexa
Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier
Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier

The purifier is Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly.

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Amazon's Choice
Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters
Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters

This purifier is certified through independent testing by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and will clean the air in a 540 sq. ft. room five times in an hour.

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4 Stage Filtration System
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode in White
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode in White

It also reduces household odors and volatile organic compounds.

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In addition to the actual allergens, there are also items in your house that can have a negative effect on indoor air quality because they either harbor the allergens or make it difficult to get rid of them.

  • Carpeting, especially wall-to-wall carpet, can not only emit VOCs, but also harbors all the nasties that can cause allergic reactions, from dust and mites to pet dander.
  • Upholstered furniture also hangs onto these particles and even with frequent vacuuming, they can aggravate allergies.
  • Stuffed toys might your child’s favorite plaything, but they too can harbor plenty of dust and allergens.
  • Bedding is the prime realm of dust mites, which can really trigger allergies.
  • Damp areas were already highlighted as a prime place for mold growth, which can be very harmful;
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

How Indoor Air Purifiers Work

All these allergens and pollutants are in the air, and for those who have an immune response to these things, symptoms develop. In fact, that’s the only way to know if you are sensitive to indoor air pollutants. According to Dr. Nicholas BuSaba, associate professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School, “Most of the things that cause problems are odorless,” says. “So, in many cases, there’s nothing to alert you to the problem.”

While there are plenty of things you can do to help minimize the pollutants in your home, an air purifier is a good addition because it gets rid of the pollutants you can’t. Air purifiers do this by pulling air through a filter that removes the particles and emits clean air. There generally are two types of air purifying technologiesactive and passive. Active purifiers work by releasing negatively charged ions into the air, which makes pollutants to stick to surfaces.

On the other hand, passive air purifiers use air filters to remove pollutants and this is more effective because it takes almost all the dust and particles out of the air, trapping them in the filter. Today, most purifiers also use HEPA filters, which stands for high-efficiency particulate absorbing which means that it has to meet certain efficiency standards. Experts say that air purifiers with filters that are certified asthma and allergy friendly®  can filter out nearly 98% of allergen particles found in the air.

Most consumers purchase stand-alone air purifier units, but there are larger models available that work alongside your heating and air conditioning system.

How Air Purifiers Came About

First developed in 1830 as a suited helmet to be worn, the first air purifier resembled one of the old-fashioned deep-sea diving suits. According to the Air Purifier Guide, advances over the intervening decades included the use of wood charcoal for air purification and the development of respirators for firemen. By the 1950s, HEPA filters were being commercialized and the first residential models made their appearance in 1963.

Why Worry About Indoor Air Quality?

Even if your family does not have issues with allergies, it’s important to consider the quality of the air in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not all negative effects from indoor air pollution are immediate or short-term symptoms. Some effects on health might not show up until years after exposure or after a long term of exposure to the pollutant. These health effects can include not only respiratory diseases but also heart disease or cancer. The EPA also notes that there is little concrete research noting exactly what concentrations or periods of exposure cause specific health problems. Also, everyone reacts differently to these exposures, so more research is needed.

So what is the best air purifier for your home?  These are the most popular and highly rated purifiers available:

1.Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

With its space-age shape and lack of traditional fan blades, the Dyson Pure Cool Link looks as good as it works. The air purifier also does double duty as a fan to keep you cool in warm weather. The HEPA filter pulls out 99.97% of the allergens and pollutants in your home’s air, down to particles as tiny as 0.3 microns — all the common allergens from pollen and dust to mold spores and pet dander. The Dyson incorporates a second level of filtration with activated carbon that can capture other pollutants such as odors and volatile organic compounds like paint fumes.

In addition to the filtration features, the Dyson Pure Cool Link is able to monitor your air quality and provide real-time reports through the Dyson Link app. Of course, this technology also means the purifier can be controlled remotely via the app or Amazon Alexa. Other convenient details included are a night-time mode works only using the quiet settings and dims the LED display. There’s also a sleep timer, 10 airspeed settings and an automatic control that shuts off the machine if it gets tipped over. Unlike all other fans, it has no rotating blades so it’s super safe around pets and children. Finally, the filter only needs to be changed once a year — no monthly washing required.

Works with Alexa
Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier
Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier

The purifier is Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly.

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Pros:

  • Reviewers love the quiet operation, superior filtration and ease of use.

Cons:

  • Some buyers had difficulties getting the app to work properly.

2.Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

Advanced Swedish filtering technology allows the Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier to pull from the air 99% of airborne pollutants. This includes pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, bacteria and more. This model draws air in from all sides, boosting its power, and is very energy efficient because the highest setting on the ENERGY STAR rated purifier only uses 60 watts. The Blueair unit has an activated carbon filter that also cuts down on harmful VOCs, annoying odors from pets, tobacco smoke, cooking odors and more. It’s also whisper-quiet on the low setting.

The Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier uses a filtration process that has three stages.  The first is a washable pre-filter that traps large particles like dust and pet hair. The others are the particle and activated carbon filters that grab airborne contaminants as small as a virus in size. The design allows it to work in any room with its two color options of blue and dark gray for the basic pre-filter and other colors that can be purchased separately.

Amazon's Choice
Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters
Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters

This purifier is certified through independent testing by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and will clean the air in a 540 sq. ft. room five times in an hour.

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Pros:

  • Buyers love the effectiveness of this purifier and how quiet it is on low settings.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers reported a bad smell emanating from the purifier that did not dissipate.

3. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode in White

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier has a sleek design and multi-stage filtration that effectively cleans spaces up to 361 square feet. Designed specifically for mid-sized spaces, the Coway has a long-life HEPA filter in its four-stage system that includes a pre-filter, a deodorizing filter, the HEPA filter, and a vital ion filter. The purifier traps up to 99.97% of the particles in your home’s air, down to 0.3 microns.

Among the other features on this model is a timer that can be set for one, four or eight hours, a bright LED indicator to let you know when the filter needs to be cleaned or changed and multiple options for controlling the airflow. The purifier has an auto mode that sets the speed at the optimal setting based on the level of indoor air quality it detects. If it doesn’t sense any pollution for 30 minutes, the fan stops and resets itself on the energy-saving Eco mode.

This particular model has been noted as one of the most powerful mid-sized air purifiers available and buyers love its modern, stylish look. Of course, it’s also small enough to place inconspicuously in most rooms too. Coway features a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

4 Stage Filtration System
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode in White
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode in White

It also reduces household odors and volatile organic compounds.

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Pros:

  • With 84 percent four-and-five-star reviews, rave about its effectiveness and efficiency.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers received models that started making a loud grinding noise and a few reported that the fan blades exploded unexpectedly.

4. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

Another mid-size favorite with 89 percent four- and five-star reviews on Amazon is the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier that combines a number of filtration technologies for clean air in the home. It has a true HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of all the common airborne pollutants along with allergens that are as small as 0.3 microns. It also has an Advanced Odor Control carbon filter that is composed of activated carbon granules that filter out of household odors. Finally, the PlasmaWave is a permanent filter that works at a molecular level to break down all the things that pollute indoor air —  from allergens and chemical vapors to odors  — without creating any ozone, which is harmful.

This purifier has smart sensors that analyze the air and when on auto mode, adjust the fan to the optimum working level. The unit’s LED indicator shows you the quality of your air on a scale of good to poor. A sleep mode setting puts the purifier on silent mode during sleep time. In manual mode, users can choose from four different fan speeds. An LED filter replacement indicator lights up when the filters need to be replaced.

Washable AOC Carbon Filter
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA

Winnix explains that this PlasmaWave® "creates positive and negative ions that combine with natural water vapor to form hydroxyls that clean the indoor air."

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Pros:

  • Reviewers say that this purifier delivery superior air quality and is durable as well as easy to operate.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers find an issue with the claim that no ozone is released and a few others had problems with defective products.

5. Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Home

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

This three-in-one air purifier from Germ Guardian is Amazon’s top seller for HEPA filter air purifiers. The true HEPA takes 99.97 percent of harmful indoor p0llutants out of the air and kills germs with a UV C light. The light technology uses titanium dioxide to reduce airborne pollutants like bacteria, germs and mold spores. In addition, household odors are eliminated by the activated charcoal filter. The purifier has three speed settings, including the ultra-quiet low setting. This unit is designed for a smaller space of up to 167 square and is AHAM verified. This means that its capacity to clear tobacco smoke, pollen and dust from the air has been independently tested.

This purifier needs to have the filter replaced every 6 to 8 months and the UV C bulb must be replaced every 10 to 12 months. It is also Energy Star Certified for efficiency and comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Eliminates Germ
Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Home
Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Home

The 22-inch until filters and recirculates the air in a room four times per hour.

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Pros:

  • Buyers who love this purifier say it is “life-changing” for allergy sufferers and praise its effectiveness and ease of use.

Cons:

  • Some buyers reported instances of the circuit board catching fire.

6. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Smokers Allergies and Pets Hair

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

The Levoit air purifier touts its ozone-free purification system and compliance with California’s stringent standards. The three-stage air filtration system consists of a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. These work together to trap all the main household air pollutants and remove  99.97% of the contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. The system is ultra-quiet on low, allowing users to sleep without disturbance.  Buyers should note that its capacity is designed for rooms that are small or medium, such as offices and dorm rooms.

Among the features of the purifier is a night light that has two brightness levels and the option of being turned off at night for light-sensitive sleepers. It also has a Smart Filter Change Reminder that indicates when the filter needs to be replaced, which is every 6 to 8 months depending on the quality of the air and how often it is used. Levoit stresses that this air purifier is not an ionizer and does not incorporate UV-C light technology because these methods produce harmful ozone.

True HEPA Filter
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Smokers Allergies and Pets Hair
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Smokers Allergies and Pets Hair

Each hour, the system filters and circulates the air four times.

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Pros:

  • Reviewers call this Levoit one of the best small air purifiers available and love its quiet operation.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers had problems with faulty operation.

7. Germ Guardian GG1000 Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

For a more targeted approach to cleaning the air in a defined space, the Germ Guardian GG1000 Pluggable Air Purifier and Sanitizer can cut down on germs and household odors. The compact 7-inch unit plugs right into a wall outlet and is ideal for use in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room or pet area– actually anywhere odors can be an issue in your household. While this will not clear the air of allergens like a larger purifier, it is a great option if the main issue involves odors in a specific location of the house.

This small purifier uses UV-C, an ultraviolet light, to kill germs in the air with the aim of reducing the growth of organisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi. The technology works by taking away the ability of these organisms to reproduce, while the use of titanium dioxide enhances this process and gets rid of odors as well. With this model, there are no filters to replace; just the UV C light bulb, which lasts for 10 to 12 months. Because it is such a small, compact purifier, it runs on one fan speed.

Eliminates Germ
Germ Guardian GG1000 Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer
Germ Guardian GG1000 Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer

GermGuardian provides buyers with a US-based tech support along with a 1-year limited warranty.

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Pros:

  • Happy reviewers love how effective this is around litter boxes and other pet areas. Some also note that it is good for travel.

Cons:

  • Some buyers noted that their units ran noisily and some did not alleviate the odors in the area.

8. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

As Amazon’s Choice for Home air purifier, 82 percent of buyers give the Levoit LV-PUR131 four- and five-star ratings. This purifier is ozone-free and does not use the UV-C light or anion purification technology that the company says can be harmful for people who have asthma or for children. Designed for large- and medium-sized rooms, the purifier effectively cleans the air in up to 360 square feet. It uses a honeycomb activated carbon filter along with a True HEPA filter and a pre-filter for the best functioning.

Smart technology means that this air purifier calculates the actual amount of life left in the filter, not just provide a time guide for replacing it. It also automatically senses the air quality and adjusts the fan speed for optimal operation. The purifier’s LED display can also be switched off so that it doesn’t disturb light-sensitive sleepers at night and runs very quietly at low speed. This Levoit purifier is Energy Star-certified, CARB, FCC Certified & CE Listed.

Quiet Odor Eliminators
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter

Levoit says its efficiency in purifying the air is 30% higher and faster than other products, cleaning and circulating the air 4. 5 times per hour.

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Pros:

  • Happy buyers highlight this purifier’s effectiveness at removing dust and odors, as well as relieving allergies.

Cons:

  • A small percentage of reviewers complained about receiving defective products.

9. Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier for Bedrooms and Offices

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

A bit pricier but with a higher purification capacity, the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier was developed by NASA airflow engineers. The powerful unit cleans the air in an area of up to 700 square feet every 30 minutes, faster than other air purification systems. It has a sleek design that will go with the decor in any medium, large, or extra large-sized living area.

Four different fan speed options include a “lights out mode” for the nighttime and the purifier’s advanced WhisperMax technology helps promote a soothing environment and produces a “pink” noise that encourages better sleep. Pink noise is a frequency that is lower in tone than white noise and sounds like gentle rain. The BreatheSmart FLEX uses a low amount of energy and uses only 36 watts when running on turbo speed. At the lest setting, the electricity cost to use it is said to be less than 50 cents a month.

modern design
Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier for Bedrooms and Offices
Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier for Bedrooms and Offices

It uses a high-capacity true HEPA Pure filter to trap and remove 99.97%  of the allergens, dust, odors and smoke in indoor air.

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Pros:

  • While this product does not have a large number of reviews on Amazon, they are all five-star with buyers highlighting the purifier’s effectiveness and quiet operation.

Cons:

  • Reviewers had nothing bad to say about this purifier, however, if you’re looking for bells and whistles like a remote control or automatic air quality sensing, this does not have those extras.

10. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 150x150

Ninety percent of reviewers give the Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier four- and five-star ratings. This air purifier filters 99.97% of airborne pollutants with its impressive five layers of defense. Starting with an innovative Nano Cold Catalyst Filter, it removes larger particles like dust and pet dander, along with toxic household chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene. The cellular activated carbon filter takes care of odors, gases, VOCs and smoke in the air. The third filter is antibacterial and uses nanomaterials to filter germs and bacteria. Next comes the True HEPA Filter. The final stage is an ozone-safe optional Ionizer that releases safe amounts of negative ions.

The design of the Hathaspace purifier is sleek and promotes efficient airflow in spaces of up to 350 square feet. The system filters and circulates the air twice each hour when running on the highest setting. Extra features include a smart automatic air quality sensor that diagnoses the air quality in the room and controls the fan speed. It also comes with a remote control and a 2-year warranty.

Eliminates Pet Hair
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

These ions electrically charge air particles and odors, which makes them easier to capture.

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Pros:

  • Happy buyers say this is a great purifier at a decent price, noting its effectiveness in eliminating allergens and other pollutants.

Cons:

  • A number of reviewers had issues with faulty air quality sensors.

Conclusion

Whether or not you suffer from allergies, installing an air purifier can help you have a healthier environment for your family. Just having all the elements of daily life in the house generates a good amount of indoor air pollutants. Add to that any pets or VOCs from new rugs, paint or upholstery and the indoors can be more toxic than the outdoors. These top air purifiers will take care of your indoor air and breathe easier.