Are you seeking the best air purifier 2021, but you have not known which will suit you best? Congratulations, you are landing on the right page! Here we have researched and reviewed the top-rated products in the air purifier market in 2021.
In this article, you will find the most truthful and detailed reviews (including specifications, overall rating, strong and weak points of each product, their features, the value for the cost, which purpose they are best for, and so on) as well as the most important knowledge on how to buy, use, and maintain an air purifier.
Most importantly, our research on premier products, latest features, technologies, buying guides, and FAQs are all updated to the present time in 2021. This is to make sure that you can find out your optimal choice.
No exaggeration, no outdated info, and here we go!
The Best Air Purifier 2021 Review
#1. The Best Overall: Coway AP-1512HH
- Our Rating: 4.9/5
- Specifications
| Manufacturer | Coway |
| Dimensions | 9.6 x 16.8 x 18.3 inches |
| Item Weight | 12.79 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 18.43 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 361 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | prefilter -> Deodorization filter -> True HEPA filter -> Vital Ion |
| CADR | 240 Pollen, 246 Dust, 233 Smoke cubic feet |
Highlighted Features
- 4-stage Filtration System
The 4-stage filtration system of the Coway AP-1512HH consists of four air filters: a washable prefilter to capture big particles of airborne pollutants, from dust mold, dust pet, to human hair; an activated carbon filter to deodorize; a True HEPA Filter and an ionizer to trap the tiniest particles.
- Smart features
This model features a pollution sensor that can continuously measure and report your home air quality in real-time. Just look at the brightly colored LED lights, and you will know how dirty or clean the air around is.
On top of that, there is also a timer, allowing users to set the appliance to operate for 1/4/8 hours before it turns off itself. The filter lifetime indicator is convenient, too. When it alerts, you will know it is time to clean the prefilter and replace other filters.
- Fan speeds
Users can manually switch between three different fan speeds (low, medium, and high). Meanwhile, the auto mode will optimize the speed setting automatically (from low to high) depending on the ambient air quality that the sensor measures.
When the equipment finds no pollution for half an hour consecutively, it will cease the fan and set itself in Eco mode to reduce energy consumption.
- Quiet operation
At the average 77 W power consumption (depending on different fan speeds), the machine operates without remarkable noise. At the lowest setting, it produces noise at 24.4 dB while at the highest setting, it generates sound at 53.8 dB.
Drawback
A negligible yet quite stupid issue with this device is that you cannot turn off its super-bright light on the top. This does not matter during the day but is extremely annoying at night if you intend to place it in your bedroom.
Nonetheless, a simple solution is covering that light thoroughly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High performance
- Cheap maintenance
- Ergonomic design
- Powerful fan
- Come with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- The top light is too bright and cannot be switched off
Verdict
As the best overall air purifier, the Coway AP-1512HH is perfect for tackling all kinds of airborne pollutants. However, since it is only effective over a small area of 361 square feet, so if you have a larger room, consider buying more than one machine.
#2. Best Air Purifiers For Allergies And Asthma: RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | RabbitAir |
| Dimensions | 24 x 22.8 x 10 inches |
| Item Weight | 19.4 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 23.7 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 815 sq. ft |
| Filter types | Prefilter -> Medium filter -> BioGS HEPA air filter -> Customized filter (Germ Defense Filter, Pet Allergy Filter, Toxin Absorber Filter, Odor Remover Filter) - > Charcoal-based activated carbon filter -> Negative ion generator |
| CADR | 200 Pollen, 193 Dust, 180 Smoke |
Highlighted Features
- Versatile filtration system
First of all, the air purifier will pull the particulate air through a prefilter where any big airborne particles, such as pet hair and dust mites, will be captured.
Unlike most of the other air purifiers, before the pre-cleaned air goes directly to a HEPA filter, in Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A, it has to face an extra defense line called a medium filter.
This medium filter is responsible for trapping smaller particles that the first filter misses (e.g., pollen dust, pet dander, dust particles, and mold).
Importantly, the air will come to the Advanced BioGS HEPA Filter. This is actually a True HEPA Filter that features the same capability of capturing 99.97% viruses, bacteria, allergens, dust pollen, and other tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns.
However, you need to know that the manufacturer of Rabbit Air has advanced this exclusive HEPA filter, specifically prolongs its lifespan as well as top performance.
One more thing that distinguishes the Rabbit Air MinusA2 from other air purifiers is its Customized Filter. It means that users will have the flexibility to customize the third filter as they wish.
You can freely choose an option to improve the protection of the air purifier with a wide array of customized filters engineered for particular needs such as Pet Allergy, Germ Defense, Toxin Absorber, and Odor Remover.
Next, there is an Activated Carbon Filter to eliminate smoke odors, chemical vapors, and dust smoke. And the final protective fence is an ion generator to trap the smallest contaminant particles into previous filters. (This function can be turned on/off if you want).
- Ergonomic design
We know when you look at the specifications table, you can hardly consider this machine to be compact. Yet, it is still among the most space-saving models with such a wide coverage area of 815 square feet.
What’s more, this model can either stand on the floor or be mounted on the wall to save your floor’s area for other items.
Drawback
Because of numerous mechanical filters, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 only delivers a low CADR rating, or else the fan’s motor will overwork. Therefore, you might need to wait for a while before the machine really takes any significant effect.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superb performance
- Advanced filtration system
- High-end smart features
- Ultra-quiet operation
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Low CADR rating yet expensive
Verdict
Thanks to a range of excellent filters, especially the Advanced BioGS HEPA Filter for handling particles related to allergy and asthma, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A is among the Best Air Purifiers For Allergies And Asthma.
Apart from no ozone emission, this air purifier is able to remove nearly 100% allergens, mold, fungi particles, dust pollen, and virus particles that cause you respiratory problems.
Besides, if you are looking for air purifiers for allergies that cover a wide space with several smart features, this is an ideal choice, too.
#3. Best Air Purifiers for Smoke: Dyson Pure Cool TP04 310124-01
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Specifications
| Manufacturer | Dyson |
| Dimensions | 8.8 x 8.8 x 41.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.89 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 17.95 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 500 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | Sealed HEPA activated carbon filter. |
| CADR | 77 to 114 gallons per second (maximum 920 cfm) |
Highlighted Features
- Filtration System
Not so much different from the crowd, the Dyson Pure Cool TP04 310124-01 also features a True HEPA filter to trap 99.97% pollutant particles (pollen, pet dander, bacteria, etc.) down to 0.3 microns, and an activated carbon filter to get rid of bad household gases and smells like nitrogen dioxide, benzene, and formaldehyde.
- A number of smart features
The first thing you can see is the LCD screen at the center of the model. This intuitive display will exactly show you the current indoor air quality in your home as well as the filter life in real-time.
Even more conveniently, users can utilize the Alexa or Dyson Link app to monitor the machine. Apart from showing the status of air quality and the operation of the device, the app allows people to schedule the air purifier, too.
Another way to manage the device is by using the included remote control. This item is designed to be curve and magnetic so that you can store it on top of the appliance neatly.
Some other smart features we can refer to are the Auto Mode, Timer, and Night Mode.
- Flexible fan operation
With the structure of a tower fan, this air purifier has not only all the functions of a conventional fan but also the amazing oscillating ability from 70° up to 350°.
Although it does not provide a full 360° oscillation, this model is still more versatile than most air purifiers, which do not even oscillate.
Above all, there are up to 10 different fan speeds for you to choose from. Based on the air quality, the size of the room, and the activities that you involve in the same room, there is always an optimal option for every case!
Last but not least, all Dyson air purifiers from the fourth generation offers the new Diffuse Mode. In this mode, the airflow is reversible, which prevents cold air from blowing to users in the winter.
Drawback
We could have rated this Dyson Pure Cool air purifier better if it is not so expensive and noisy.
In spite of its quietness during the first months, after that happy time, we heard some whining and high-pitched clicking noise from the machine when it is plugged.
It is quite an unacceptable problem that should not have happened to such a high-end model. We thought the issue might relate to the quality control process of Dyson.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High performance
- Come with a lot of smart features
- Unique compact design
- Can reverse the airflow
Cons
- Incredibly expensive
- Rather noisy
Verdict
The Dyson Pure Cool TP04 310124-01 is not just a dedicated air purifier for smoke. It is actually one of the Best Air Purifiers for Smoke.
The high-quality activated carbon filter in combination with the 350-degree oscillation and multiple fan settings help the Dyson Pure Cool TP04 310124-01 remove smoke effectively from every corner of your house.
#4. Best Air Purifiers for Baby and Nursery: Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure
Rating: 4.6/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Alen |
| Dimensions | 15 x 23 x 30.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 30 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 30 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 1300 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | prefilter -> True HEPA filter with carbon |
| CADR | 355 Pollen, 350Dust, 350 Smoke (CFM) |
Highlighted Features
- Unique filtration system
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure is similar to the Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A in terms of the customizable filtration system.
Although it does not have a fixed charcoal-based activated carbon filter in the machine, the device still features a prefilter (to trap big particles such as dust pollen and pet hair), an ionizer, and four types of True HEPA filter for you to select from:
- Pure – The standard True HEPA filter can trap 99.97% of airborne particles of down to 0.3 microns in size (e.g., pollen, dust mites, etc.)
- Fresh – This filter is upgraded from the standard True HEPA filter with an extra Activated Carbon filter to tackle VOCs, chemicals, and uncomfortable odors.
- Pet – This filter makes use of the Alen’s patented Molecular Conversion Powder to break down even the heaviest scents of your pets at the molecular level.
- Heavy Odor – This Heavy Odor filter is another version of the Pet air filter that uses the same Alen’s patented Molecular Conversion Powder but modified a bit to form the new type of filter.
Instead of removing pet odors, it will deal with the household odors from kitchen garbage, junk food, bad smells from humans, and more.
- Smart features
A Laser Smart Sensor has been built into the machine to detect your home air quality and indicate this via different colors of light. This sensor also enables the air purifier to work on its own in the Auto Mode.
A Sleep Mode is available if you want to use the device in your bedroom at night. In addition to turning out the light, the air purifier delivers the advanced WhisperMax technology that generates a pink noise to improve your sleep.
Drawback
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure is not only one of the Best Air Purifiers for Baby and Nursery but also one of the most expensive models in the market.
There might be several vendors that offer different prices, but you should prepare to pay twice as much as for other air purifiers.
Also, the equipment is also very bulky and heavy to move. Luckily, it covers an extra-large space, so the chances are that you just need to put it in the middle of your house.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super-wide coverage
- Top-notch CADR ratings
- Long-lasting
- Silent operation
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Incredibly pricey
Verdict
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure is suitable for houses with babies and nurseries. It is very quiet, cleans the air thoroughly, and covers the whole house so your babies can sleep well and breathe the clean air in any room.
#5. Best Air Purifiers for Pets (with Dog & Cat Dander, Hair and Odors): Coway Airmega 400 AP-2015F
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Coway |
| Dimensions | 14.8 x 22.9 x 14.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 24.7 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 31.6 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 1560 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | prefilter - > Activated-carbon filter -> True HEPA filter |
| CADR | 350 Pollen, 340 Dust, 350 Smoke(CFM) |
Highlighted Features
- Exclusive Coway Airmega Max2 filter
No need to talk about the washable prefilter. What we love at the Coway Airmega 400 AP-2015F is its Max2 filter.
This is the perfect incorporation of a True HEPA filter and an Activated Carbon Filter. More than your expectation, it is able to not only trap up to 99.97% of pollutant particles as small as 0.3 microns but also alleviates over 99 percent of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and many other fumes like CH3CHO and NH3.
- Smart features
The Coway Airmega’s pollution sensor can measure the quality of indoor air in real-time. Then, it will let you know how the air around you is every minute via the bright LED ring.
Along with a smart sensor is typically a Smart mode. And this does exist in the Coway Airmega 400 AP-2015F. The air purifier will automatically switch between three settings to adapt to the ambient air quality.
Other smart features include a timer that lets users set the machine to turn off itself after 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours and a filter lifetime indicator that indicates the status of both the Max2 filter and the washable pre-filter.
- Effective yet quiet fan
You can select up to five different fan modes: Low, Medium, High, Smart (automatic adjustment), and Sleep (use this when you are going to sleep).
We were really impressed when we found out that we could hardly hear any sound at low settings, and even the maximum noise that the machine emits is solely 43.2 dB.
- Other benefits
There is no need for you to worry about the power consumption of the air purifier since it is Energy Star certified and just uses up to 64 watts.
As a bonus, customers will receive the limited manufacturer’s warranty on all internal malfunctions for one year and electronic parts (including the motor) for five years.
Drawback
It goes without saying that premium products always come with a high expense. Notice that if you are going to purchase the Coway Airmega 400, you will have to spend a small fortune on both the initial cost and replacement filters in the long term.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Amazing CADR ratings
- Improved filters
- Energy Star certified
- Long warranty
- Massive coverage
Cons
- High-priced
- Costly filter replacement
Verdict
This Coway Airmega and other products in the series of Coway Mightys and Coway Airmega 400s like the Airmega 200m are the Best Air Purifiers for Pets (with Dog & Cat Dander, Hair and Odors). Hence, if you are having furry babies in your home, you cannot miss this product.
#6. Best Air Purifiers for Mold, Mildew and Virus: Guardian Technologies AC9200WCA
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Guardian Technologies |
| Dimensions | 9.8 x 17 x 27 inches |
| Item Weight | 20.3 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 28 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 335 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | Prefilter -> Activated charcoal filter -> True HEPA filter + UV C Light |
| CADR | 265 Pollen, 216 Dust, 216 Smoke (cubic feet) |
Highlighted Features
- 4-stage protection
The first protective layer of the Germ Guardian AC9200WCA is a familiar prefilter to trap bigger particles, and the second one is a True HEPA air filter that can trap 99.97% of mold spores, pollen, germs, dust pet dander, dust, and other allergen particles as small as 0.3 microns in the air.
Next, the latest GermGuardian UV-C light bulb will shine UV light on airborne viruses, germs, and bacteria such as staph, influenza, rhinovirus, and so on to kill them.
Furthermore, this light also combines with Titanium Dioxide to alleviate VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and all of its reactions are safe for human health. No chemical sprays or ozone is generated.
The final defense line is an activated granular carbon filter to get rid of unwanted smells from pets, cooking fumes, smoking, and VOCs coming from household products.
- Tested and approved by reputable organizations
The good CADR and ACH ratings of this air purifier are tested and confirmed by AHAM (the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) over an area of 335 square feet and under strict conditions.
Plus, its energy-saving capacity also earns the famous Energy Star certification by complying with the energy efficiency guidelines regulated by the US EPA (The United States Environmental Protection Agency).
Besides, this US-based product is even approved by the California Air Resources Board. Therefore, you can totally trust this machine, whether it comes to performance, safety, or energy efficiency.
- Extra convenience
There are three different fan speed settings (low, medium, and high) for users to choose from. You can set a suitable configuration depending on the air quality and your activities in the room.
When you switch to the lowest speed setting, you can trigger the ultra-quiet mode, which is great for using in a bedroom at night.
Additionally, there is an optional UV-C light on the top panel, and the programmable timer will enable you to set the air purifier to turn itself off anytime within the next 6 hours.
Drawback
Looking at the 335-square-foot coverage area of the Guardian Technologies AC9200WCA, you might be somewhat disappointed. In addition, for that little coverage, this machine can be considered a lack of ergonomy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tackle nearly all types of airborne contaminants and odors
- Energy Star certificated
- High ACH
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Small coverage
- A bit heavy and bulky for a portable model
Verdict
If you have to face up with harmful microorganisms in the air, this is one of the Best Air Purifiers for Mold, Mildew and Virus that you can buy in the market.
It will destroy pathogens thoroughly and quickly in a single room, but you can move it from room to room as well.
#7. Best Bedroom Air Purifier: Winix AM90 1022-0214-00
- Our Rating: 4.7/5
- Specifications
| Manufacturer | Winix |
| Dimensions | 15.1 x 8.7 x 23.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 16.5 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 20.3 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 360 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | Fine Mesh prefilter -> Odor Absorbing Carbon Filter -> True HEPA filter -> Winix PlasmaWave Technology |
| CADR | 230 Pollen, 240 Dust, 233 Smoke (cubic feet) |
Highlighted Features
- 4 stages of filtration
- Fine mesh prefilter
The contaminated air will first go through a fine mesh prefilter. At this stage, this prefilter will trap big pollutant objects like pet dander, pet hair, and skin.
This filter makes the air filtered more thoroughly as well as reduce the work volume for the whole filtration system, hence prolonging its lifespan.
- Odor Absorbing Activated Carbon Filter
The Odor Absorbing Activated Carbon Filter at the second stage will absorb VOCs and household odors from cooking, smoke, and pets that remain in the precleaned air.
This also partially prolongs the longevity of the next filters.
- True HEPA filter
At this stage, 99.97% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 microns such as allergens, fungi particles, virus particles, mold, and dust pollen will be trapped.
- Winix PlasmaWave technology
Although the air is now almost pure enough for people to breathe when it comes to this last stage, Winix still adds an additional protective layer known as the PlasmaWave technology to completely destroy all contaminants at the molecular level.
This process is totally safe (we will explain its mechanism below), and as it is an extra protection method, you can turn it on or off anywhen you like.
- Smart features
Thanks to multiple smart sensors, the device can consistently assess the air quality around it and automatically change the fan speed to suit the real situation effectively and save energy optimally.
You can see the air quality clearly just by looking at the LED indicators on a scale from poor (red) to good (blue).
Lastly, you can enable Wifi connection on the air purifier and control it with the Winix Smart App and Amazon Alexa. When you monitor the filter life on the Winix Smart App, use Amazon Dash Replenishment there if you find it is time to replace a filter.
Drawback
In spite of featuring multiple smart features and compatibility with the Winix Smart App, the air purifier sometimes does not perform these functions smoothly due to its unstable capability of Wifi connection.
Plus, with a ton of features but without Energy Star certification, the device might run on a great amount of power.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Smart apps and features available
- PlasmaWave technology can eliminate pathogens safely
- Budget-friendly
- Come with a Sleep Mode
Cons
- Unstable Wifi connection
- High energy consumption
Verdict
Thanks to its Sleep Mode, the Winix AM90 1022-0214-00 manages to work without drawing any attention. The sound it emits in this mode is just approx 25 decibels, equal to the sound of an air conditioner, which makes it the Best Bedroom Air Purifier ever.
No blinding light! No annoying noise! Just fresh air and perfect periods of sleep!
#8. Best Air Purifier for Odor Removal: Blueair Classic 605
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Blueair |
| Dimensions | 13 x 20 x 26 inches |
| Item Weight | 31 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 42.2 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 775 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | Electrostatic and mechanical True HEPA filter + Carbon Filter |
| CADR | 200 Pollen, 200 Dust, 180 Smoke (CFM) |
Highlighted Features
- Superb air purification performance
The Blueair Classic 605 air purifier features Dual-Protection filters that are sold separately. In other words, you can buy it with either a Particle Filter at a lower price or a SmokeStop Filter at a higher price.
- Particle Filter
In detail, a Particle Filter is a better version of a traditional True HEPA filter, which is actually a combination of both electrostatic and mechanical filtration by using a technology called “HEPASilent technology”.
This mechanical + electrostatic filter provides the fantastic capacity of capturing up to 99.97% of pollutant particles (dust pollen, pet dander, viruses, germs, bacteria, and mold spores, etc.) at the size of even as small as 0.1 microns.
It means that this filter can sanitize the air at the triple performance compared with a standard True HEPA filter!
- SmokeStop Filter
For the second option, you can spend extra on a SmokeStop Filter, which can be described as the combination of an Activated Carbon filter and a True HEPA filter.
Unlike the Particle Filter, this filter is constructed from a carbon filtration with copper oxide impregnation and magnesium dioxide to adsorb almost all prevalent gaseous contaminants such as smoke, smog, bad scents, traffic exhaust fume, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and more.
The advantages of these two combined filters are that they reduce the size of the air purifier since you can have the effects of two filters within a single filter. In this way, the process of filter installation and replacement is also much easier and quicker.
These new filters are recyclable for several times, too. You can clean them to use again, but the manufacturer suggested replacing them every half a year, depending on the intensity of use.
- Smart features
Users can control the machine via their Amazon Alexa and Blueair friend app.
The device offers three fan speeds (low, medium, and high) and the whisper-quiet operation that emits sound at 32 dB only.
Drawback
The appliance works great during our test, but solely over a little area.
What’s more, we bet that a majority of customers will lose their interest when they look at the price tag of the product. Perhaps we could buy something at the same quality with much less money.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Energy Star rated
- No ozone production (certified by the California Air Resources Board)
- Wi-Fi and smart app connectivity available
- Peak technology to reduce the noise level and maximize the airflow
- Effective against numerous kinds of airborne contaminants and viruses
Cons
- Small coverage area
- Cost you an arm and a leg
Verdict
If you want to enjoy blue pure air, this Blueair blue pure model is a wise choice for you.
The Blueair Classic 605 deserves to be the Best Air Purifier for Odor Removal with its exclusive Dual-Protection filters. When you place this device in your kitchen, you may even not have to use your cooker hood.
#9. Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms: Honeywell HPA300
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Specifications
| Manufacturer | Honeywell |
| Dimensions | 9.2 x 20 x 22.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 21 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 23.4 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 465 sq.ft. |
| Filter types | A+ Genuine prefilter-> Honeywell True HEPA R Replacement filter HRF-R3 (B00BWYO0LI) |
| CADR | 300 Pollen/320 Dust/ 300 Smoke (CFM) |
Highlighted Features
- Exclusive air filtration system
We have mentioned prefilters and True HEPA filters so many times throughout this article, but the Honeywell HPA300 does not feature conventional ones.
The Honeywell A and A+ Pre-Filter, as the first level of filtration, can trap big particles like lint, dust, pet fur, fibers, VOCs, and odors from pets, smoke, and cooking.
As you can see, regarding performance, this prefilter is better than normal ones. Nonetheless, it is not washable and needs to be replaced every 3 months.
Next, the Certified Honeywell True HEPA filter - HRF-R3 (B00BWYO0LI) has been tested and proved to get rid of 99.97% of microscopic allergens including smoke, pet dander, dust, dust mite, dust mite debris, pollen, viruses, bacteria, and mold spores from the size of 0.3 microns and larger.
This filter can be used for up to one year before you need to replace it. And without too much complex technology, the two exclusive filters of Honeywell form a reliable defense system that safeguards users from all kinds of gaseous pollutants and pathogens.
- Smart features
There is a wide range of convenient features for you to utilize the machine better and more effortlessly.
The first is the filter life indicator that reminds users when it is necessary to replace the current filters. The second is three air-purifying levels and a Turbo Clean setting, so it can be considered as 4 cleaning levels.
Besides, you will love the auto-off timer option (2/4/8 hours), easy-to-use touch controls, and control panel lights dimmer (bright/dim/off).
Drawback
While the combination of the activated carbon filter and the prefilter can make the appliance more compact, this is also a significant minus of the Honeywell HPA300 since it will cost more money to replace that dual filter every few months.
Besides, with high CADR and ACH ratings, you cannot expect the powerful fan to work in quietness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent CADR and ACH ratings
- Very affordable for the value
- Good coverage area
- Effective against almost all harmful factors in the air
Cons
- A bit noisy
- Costly filter replacement
Verdict
Owing to high CADR and CAH ratings as well as the good coverage area of up to 465 square feet, this is the Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms.
If you are living in a restricted space with small rooms, this air purifier may even be able to sanitize the air in two rooms at the same time!
#10. Best Affordable Air Purifier: LEVOIT Core 300
Rating: 4.7/5
Specifications
| Manufacturer | LEVOIT |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 8.9 pounds |
| Shipping Weight | 9 pounds |
| Coverage Area | 215 square feet |
| Filter types | Ultra-fine prefilter -> Activated Carbon filter -> HEPA filter |
| CADR | 145 Pollen, 140 Dust, 141 Smoke (CFM) over 215 square feet |
Highlighted Features
- Upgradable Filtration System
Similar to all models with a prefilter, this Levoit Core 300 air purifier places its nylon preliminary filter at the entrance of the vent to trap bigger contaminant particles in the air before the airflow reaches the next filters. You should vacuum it every month to maintain its efficiency.
The Japan-imported True HEPA Filter in this model keeps the same performance in combating dust mites, pollen, allergens, bacteria, and virus, but it is customizable.
You are free to select one of the three upgraded versions of the original True HEPA Filter depending on the problems you are having to face.
All of the three upgraded filters supply all the basic functions of the original filter, plus the following extra features:
- Pet Allergy Filter – Combined with activated carbon to eliminate strong pet scents, pet allergies as well as cooking smells.
- Toxin Absorber Filter – Also combined with activated carbon but can absorb strong smells, cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other toxic fumes.
- Mold & Bacteria Filter – Ideal for humid environments. This filter gets an extra antibacterial filter to neutralize many kinds of germs and block regrowth of bacteria and mold in the filter.
Yet, after all of those previous filter, there is still another high-grade granular activated carbon filter to fight against gaseous pollutants better.
- Full certification
This model is certified by Energy Star, complies with CA PROP 65 (California Proposition 65), CARB (California air resources board), FCC (Federal Communications Commission), and listed by ETL. It is also proven to generate no harmful ozone.
- Other convenient functions
At Sleep mode, the QuietKEAP Technology helps the appliance emits sound at merely 24db, and the display light can be turned off.
Plus, there is also a timer for 2/4/6/8 hours and a filter lifetime indicator like in the above models, too.
Drawback
Excellent as the LEVOIT Core 300 is, you cannot expect more capacity from such a mini-size and cheap model.
Its poor CADR ratings are all under 150 for any dust, pollen, and smoke particles. Apart from that, the air purifier only works over an area of 215 square feet - merely equal to a little room.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Users can use a series of customized filters
- Certified by many reputable organizations (include Energy Star)
- Super-compact design
- Silent operation
- Incredibly cheap with high value
Cons
- Small coverage
- Low CADR
Final Verdict
Since we intend to put the Best Affordable Air Purifier at the last position in our top 10 best air purifiers 2020, you should know that it is just amazing at the low price range and nearly incomparable to more expensive models above.
Thus, this air purifier is only for those who are on a tight budget and have a very very small room that needs air purification.
How To Pick The Right Air Purifiers For Yourself? - Complete Buying Guide
If you still have not really known what the best air purifier for you is, let’s read this comprehensive buying guide.
We cover everything you need to consider before purchasing an air purifier. Nonetheless, some factors can be more or less important to one person but not to another. So think about this carefully since you may have to make some trade-off.
Types of filters
Most air purifiers use filters to sanitize the air, so here we will describe each kind of filter so that you will know which one is good for you.
- Prefilter
Many models feature a prefilter (like the one in space heaters) to capture big particles such as pet dander, dust pollen, fur, hair, dust, and many more to reduce the workload for the main filter, hence prolong its lifespan.
Similar to space heaters, the majority of air purifier’s prefilters are washable and permanently reusable.
- HEPA Filters
- True HEPA Air Filter
True HEPA air filter has dense construction to capture airborne contaminants including pollen, fungi, mold spores, pet dander, dust, hair, and sometimes even visible smoke.
To be labelled as a True HEPA Air Filter, a filter has to meet strict standards of DOE (the United States Department of Energy) and be able to trap up to 99.97% of particles at the minimum size of 0.3 microns.
Nonetheless, efficiency against gaseous pollutants is not what a True HEPA air purifier is known for. Besides, this filter needs replacement every half or a year, which costs quite a lot.
- HyperHEPA Air Filter
Do you know about IQAir HealthPro? This brand is famous for the IQAir HealthPro plus series, in which all HealthPro Plus air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA Air Filter that can trap 99.5% of super-tiny particles down to 0.003 microns.
As such, this filter in HealthPro Plus air purifiers is nearly 100 times as effective as a True HEPA air filter!
- HEPA-type Filter
This filter works like a True HEPA air purifier but at lower performance and does not meet the standards of DOE. It can merely trap 99% of particles at the size of 2 microns, and thus has a significant prices ranging.
- Advanced BioGS HEPA Filter
An upgraded True HEPA filter with the exclusive technology from RabbitAir for a longer lifespan.
- Permanent HEPA Filter
Thanks to the technology of Hamilton Beach, a Permanent HEPA filter can be cleaned by vacuuming every quarter or 6 months and used for very long.
If maintained properly, this filter can serve for more than a decade. Nonetheless, if you wash it with water or treat it incorrectly, it cannot work for long.
- Activated Carbon (Charcoal) Filter
On the contrary to mechanical filters above, this sorbent filter is incredibly good at adsorbing odorous particles and gases. It is the best solution if your house is full of chemical smells, pet’s scent, gas fumes, smoke from tobacco/cooking, etc.
Nonetheless, carbon activated filters hardly remove gases like formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, or ammonia and other solid particles. Therefore, they are usually combined with HEPA filters instead of working alone.
Moreover, activated carbon filters are not washable and need replacement every 3 months.
Some other types of air purifiers
- Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)
UV light is famous for the ability to kill bacteria, viruses, germs, and fungal spores, so many manufacturers have used this technology for cleaning the air.
However, in fact, there are mold spores and bacteria resistant to UV light, while others are solely killed when the UV radiation is sufficiently strong, and the exposure must last for a few minutes up to some hours.
So do you think rather a portable UVGI air purifier that can merely shine UV light on microbes in less than one minute works well? Therefore, we advise you to buy models that use Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation as an extra feature on an Ionic or True HEPA filter air purifier.
- Ozone generators
Just like its name, an ozone generator must generate ozone which is a substance that reacts with and alter their chemical composition of some contaminants.
However, many studies have shown that O3 solely makes the air smell fresher but actually does not remove pollutants effectively. Plus, a high amount of O3 may reduce your lung function.
According to the EPA, inhaling a lot of ozone will also pose lung tissue inflammation, chest pain, throat irritation, coughing as well as worsen existing respiratory sickness such as asthma, bronchitis, allergies, emphysema, etc.
Another painful truth is that ozone generators are usually not produced by trusted brands and the technologies they use are typically unregulated. Thus, we strongly oppose buying them.
- Ionizer
This kind of air purifier generates negative ions to charge tiny impurities such as pollen, dust, mold spores, VOC (volatile organic compound), and even some bacteria, viruses, and visible smoke dust to increase their weights and make them fall down on the floor and nearby surfaces or a collecting plate.
It can get rid of super-fine particles as small as 0.01 microns, so there is no HEPA filter needed. It requires the least maintenance and no filter replacement, which is cheaper to use.
If the model you buy does not have an electrostatic plate, you need to clean your house after the machine works. If it has, you ought to clean collection plates with soapy water. And notice that this machine will emit a little ozone.
- Photocatalytic oxidation
Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) combines the effect of a photocatalyst (e.g., titanium dioxide) and ultraviolet radiation to create hydroxyl radicals which oxidize gaseous contaminants.
Unfortunately, when this reaction happens to some particular pollutants, harmful byproducts may appear (e.g., ozone, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, or carbon monoxide).
Also, when we tested Molekule air purifiers that use a variant of PCO called PECO, they did not tackle smoke dust, and pollen well. As a result, we overall do not recommend using this.
Calculate the right size of your purifier
You should never overlook the machine’s capability compared with the size of your house/room.
First of all, it is to make sure the device can make some certain impacts rather than purifying the air in vain as the space is too large for it.
Secondly, you should prepare some suitable spots to place the appliance so that it can work at its best. You know, there is no one-size-fit-all air purifier for everybody.
The majority of portable air purifiers are intended for little rooms of 120 to 300 square feet. For a wider area, you ought to buy more than one air purifier or a high-capacity one.
We can divide sizes of air purifiers into the following three categories:
- Small: Suitable for small rooms and other personal space of up to 300 square feet.
- Medium: Cover an average area of from 301 to 700 square feet.
- Large: Ideal for spaces that are as broad as 701 to 2000 square feet.
Read the specifications that the manufacturers provided on the product labels. You should only invest in a machine that has the maximum coverage capacity equal to (=) or greater than (>) the area you are going to use it.
For instance, if your bedroom has a dimension of 10×20 feet, you can buy a small air purifier. But if you intend to purify the air of both a 15-by-30-feet kitchen and a 20-by-20-feet living room, you should head for a large model.
And, once again, do not forget that you will need to place the equipment in an open space (not surrounded by wardrobe, TV, refrigerator, etc.). So, you must ensure the machine’s size can fit an advantageous position in your room, too.
Determine your issues and solve them
- Are you allergic? Buy an air purifier with a True HEPA filter.
- Somebody in your family catches asthma? A True HEPA filter is still the best solution, but you should avoid ionized and ozone generator by all cost.
- Is your neighborhood full of dust from vehicles and construction sites? Your air purifier must have air purifiers for dust with a True HEPA filter plus washable prefilters.
- Do your pets often emit fur/hair or dander? The ultimate choice is still a True HEPA filter, but other HEPA-like or HEPA-type filter is okay if your house is not polluted by smaller particles.
- Your house is usually full of smoke, gases, or smells of chemicals, pets, tobacco, and so on? This time a True HEPA filter will not help, but a Charcoal Filter or an Activated Carbon filter will do.
You might want to use several types of air purifiers in your house if you encounter several issues at the same time and your budget is not restricted.
However, if you are on a tight budget, you can try to find models that feature different kinds of filters such as the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A with prefilter + medium filter + Advanced BioGS HEPA Filter + Activated Carbon Filter + Customized Filter. And don’t forget to clean your house regularly, too.
You had better need certifications
For health-caring products like air purifiers, customers should want to see some labels on the packaging.
The first one you might want to look for is the Energy Star logo. The high chance is that you are going to turn on your air purifiers all the time, and what you need here is energy-efficiency.
Most Energy Star certified electronic devices could run on approximately as half as the amount of energy that conventional models consume.
Besides, an AHAM Verified seal is quite important. Products with this seal are tested and approved by AHAM (the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers).
On an AHAM Verified seal, there is also exact information on room size guidelines and CADR (clean air delivery rate) of the products, which is tested under strict conditions of AHAM.
CADR
CADR reflects the maximum amount of air that an air purifier can purify in a particular duration. Hence, the larger the CADR number is, the more effectively and quickly the machine works.
Normally, portable True HEPA air purifiers offer the highest CADR. However, there are various CADR ratings for different targets. For example, if you are suffering from a smoker in your family or a fireplace in your house, go for an air purifier with a high CADR for handling smoke.
According to experts, we can divide CADR ratings into the following ranks:
- Above 240: Superior;
- 180 to 239: Excellent;
- 179 to 120: Good;
- 60 to 119: Moderate;
- Under 60: Poor.
Level of quietness
You are going to live with your air purifier running all day for years, so do not underestimate the noise of your new roommate. Especially, an ultra quiet model would be in need if your house has children and older people, and you are going to put the machine in the bedroom.
You might see how many decibels an air purifier generates on its packaging or pages of vendors. Nonetheless, read this information carefully as there are various noise levels a device can emit depending on different fan speed settings.
For reference, an air conditioner produces sounds at around 30 dBA, and a space heater creates noise at about 40 dBA, while your bedroom had better be quiet at 30 dBA, and the noise level in your living room should be lower than 50 dBA.
To minimize the noise of your equipment, you can set it on the highest setting when you are away and reduce the fan speed when you are with it. Or a high-capacity model designed for a wider space can still purify more air at the low setting, too.
It is also best to buy a model with more speed settings. While the majority of air purifiers come with two fan speeds (high and low), there are models that provide up to five fan speeds (high, medium, low, automatic, and turbo.
Although there are air purifiers that operate quietly without filters and fans such as ones using photocatalytic oxidation and ionizers, they produce harmful ozone and are less popular.
Smart features
It is 2020 now, and the 4.0 revolution has begun for a while. So there is nothing weird to ask for a smart air purifier.
Let’s take a look at smart air purifying functions that you may want your air purifier to supply.
- Air sensors and automatic mode
Air sensors are a great attachment to air purifiers. They can sniff pollutants and measure their levels. These sensors often pair with an automatic mode to let users set the device to work automatically.
Depending on the air quality, appliances can turn on/off themselves and even automatically switch to a proper power level. In this way, they can save not only the time and effort but also the electricity bill of their owners.
- Night mode
When you switch the air purifier to the night mode, it will work quietly and sometimes provide dimmed lights to ensure the quality of the air and your sleep simultaneously.
- Filter Replacement Indicators
A clean filtration system plays a key role in the efficiency of your air purifier, but it might be tricky for you to always know exactly when you need to clean or replace it.
This is the case when filter replacement indicators come in handy. These lights can warn users about the status of the filters, whether they are clean enough or have been clogged with contaminants.
- Programmable Timer
This is a common yet helpful feature in almost electronic devices. Thanks to it, you can set the purifier to automatically shut off or turn on at a particular interval (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 5 hours, so on).
Thereby, you can ensure your indoor air quality yet save energy and increase the machine’s lifespan.
- Adjustable Fan Speeds
As we mentioned above, air purifiers can come with 2 to 5 different fan speed settings. Many selections will help you find the optimal settings for different cases such as when you are going to sleep, or the air needs emergent purification.
- Combine With A Mobile App and Remote Control
Some models can be managed via remote control so that you can control the equipment from a farther distance or even another room in your home. But even more conveniently, there are models that grant you its full control via a smartphone app.
Most of such smart models will allow you to tweak them with all of the smart features above (adjust fan speeds, set timer, monitor the status of filters, switch between modes, so on) via your smartphone from anywhere, plus real-time data reports on your homes air quality.
Other factors you might want to consider
Here are a few factors that might be less critical, but you still should not overlook to completely enjoy your new air purifier.
- Washable Filters
As we discussed above, most types of filters need to be replaced every 3 or 6 months, but there are also washable and reusable ones. They will help you save money and effort quite a lot on buying and replacing new filters.
- Antimicrobial Treatment
This technology is essentially a coating that alleviates the accumulation and spreading of microorganisms and germs on filters. Thereby, the lifetime of filters will increase while the reintroduction of these bacteria back into the air will decrease.
- Portability
Air purifiers typically weigh somewhere from 10 to 20 pounds. Thus, if you intend to move your devices among rooms, opt for models with wheels, handles, and compact size.
- The amount of ozone produced
Have we talked about the harms of ozone and types of air purifiers that emit ozone? We think the answer is yes.
Since models using ionizers or photocatalytic oxidation generate little ozone, they are acceptable for some people. However, we think you should ignore ozone generators and other products with misleading labels such as “create super oxygen,” “produce activated oxygen,” or “energized oxygen.”
Trusted Brands
Sticking to a reputable brand can solve most of your problems quite effectively. Therefore, we have a list of renowned names in terms of manufacturing air purifiers here.
- Blueair
- Dyson
- GermGuardian
- Honeywell
- Coway
- Alen
- Rabbit Air
- Winix
- LEVOIT
Do air purifiers consume a lot of energy? How much electricity do air purifiers use?
Since you are likely to turn your air purifiers on 24/7 to guarantee your indoor air quality, energy efficiency is what you should care about.
This topic will be all about the following two factors:
- Your air purifier’s wattage
- Your air purifier’s fan speed settings
Now, let’s discuss them in detail.
Your air purifier’s wattage
You can check the energy consumption of an electric device (commonly in watts per hour) on its packaging or on the selling pages.
You know that 1000 watts (1kW) are equal to one unit in your electricity bill, don’t you? Then, we can have a simple calculation.
On average, the wattage of a typical air purifier is approximately 50 watts per hour, so after every 20 hours of consecutive operation, the appliance will only add one unit to your electricity bill.
Besides, there are different models that may cost you more or less this number. Here we are pleased to give you some popular examples:
- Winix WAC9500 and Coway AP-1512HH – maximum 15 W/h.
- Levoit LV-H132 – maximum 28 W/h.
- Rabbit Air MinusA2 – maximum 48 W/h.
- Honeywell HPA300 – approximately 130 W/h.
As such, an air purifier, although operating all 24/7, will not affect your budget dramatically. Nonetheless, if you still give much concern to this issue, any models with an Energy-star rated will meet your needs.
Your air purifier’s fan speed settings
Under most circumstances, when your air purifier runs at the lowest setting, it only consumes only about as half as it does at the highest setting.
For models with more than two speed settings, each lower level of fan speed can reduce around 20% of energy consumption in comparison with the next higher level.
How much does an air purifier cost to run?
Now you can calculate how much your air purifier costs to run with the following straightforward formula:
Your air purifier cost ($) = The price of each electricity unit ($) x The power usage of your air purifier (kW) x The device’s operation duration (hours).
Due to prices ranging, we cannot mention the exact cost for you here.
Tips for saving energy
- Use a smart sensor and automatic mode. The machine will only work with a moderate setting when it finds the air polluted.
- Set a timer and turn off the equipment when unnecessary.
- Switch off the appliance when you are away.
- Fine-tune the settings depending on the indoor air quality around you as this may vary at different times of the day.
What Is CADR?
Yeah, we have talked about CADR for a while. Nonetheless, perhaps not all of our dear readers have got an insight into this figure. So, let us tell you something you need to know about CADR.
- The definition of CADR
The CADR rating is invented by AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) and stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate.
We can say that it is currently the most precise measurement to calculate the volume of certain particles that an air purifier or an air cleaner can eliminate from the air in a particular space and duration.
In other words, CADR indicates how quickly your device can purify the air in a specific area. So it is relatively apparent that a mighty air purifier with high CADR are prone to feature a more powerful fan (and maybe some specialized technologies) to pull the air into the device and sanitize it faster.
Example: a machine with a CADR rating of 400 CFM can purify the air in a 400-square-foot room twice as fast as one with a CADR rating of merely 200 CFM.
- How CADR is calculated
The CADR rating is measured in the unit of cubic feet per minute (CFM) or in m³/hour.
CADR is typically calculated for the speed of removing pollen, dust, and visible smoke dust. Therefore, it typically comprises a trio of numbers, and these numerical values would range from 10 to 450.
For instance, a CADR rating is 220/230/200 where 220 applies to dust, 230 to cigarette smoke and 200 to pollen.
The higher these numerical values are, the faster your machine can handle those kinds of particles.
Facts: Pollen particles, which size from 5 to 11 microns, are big enough for naked human eyes to see quite clearly. Meanwhile, dust is more difficult to detect at the size between 0.5 and 3 microns. And visible smoke particles are super-fine ones at the size of between 0.1 and 0.3 microns.
- Use CADR when you are shopping
- Bear in mind that CADR simply indicates the cleaning speed of an appliance, not its cleaning capability.
- You should compare the CADR ratings of several air purifiers with each other before deciding which of them suits you better.
- Not all products have info about their CADR rating in their specifications. Be aware that products without CADR ratings are not tested and certified by the AHAM, and even there might be products with “fake” CADR ratings.
- Determine which contaminant is your top concern and purchase a model with the highest CADR for that pollutant.
What Is ACH?
Together with CADR, ACH, which stands for Air Changes per Hour, shows the working speed of an air purifier (in most cases the power of its fan).
The ACH rating of a device will tell you how many times per hour it is able to exchange the air in a particular area. The more times the polluted air is exchanged for filtered air in your room, the more the air quality of your room is improved.
For example, an air purifier with 4X ACH can purify the same room within half of the time an air purifier with 2X ACH does.
- What does ACH mean to you?
You can calculate whether your air purifier can work effectively in a specific area by using the formula: CADR/room height/ACH= effectively-cleaned area.
For example, assumed that your air purifier provides a CADR of 250 CFM on average, and its maximum ACH is 4X.
In 60 minutes (1 hour), it is capable of cleaning 250 x 60 = 15000 cubic feet of air.
If you place the device in a room with a 10-foot ceiling height, you will have the value: 15000 (cubic feet)/10 (feet) = 1500 (square feet.hour)
Next, divide the number 1500 for the ACH of 4, you can have the result: 1500 (square feet.hour)/4 (hour) = 375 square feet. So, your air purifier works best in a room as wide as 375 square feet.
What Is PlasmaWave?
Unlike other ionizers, PlasmaWave technology utilizes electricity to generate both positive and negative ions.
In Winix air purifiers, the PlasmaWave brings the air into a plasma state and breaks the steam down to free the oxygen and hydrogen from their molecular links.
Then, free oxygen and hydrogen will form hydroxyl radicals (OH), which are unstable molecules that look for equilibrium by attracting atoms of ambient molecules.
In this way, ambient molecules mentioned above including airborne pollutants (e.g., bacteria, viruses, germs, chemical gases, odors, and Volatile Organic Compounds, etc.) are demolished in the PlasmaWave process.
After destroying airborne contaminants, the hydroxyl radicals will reposition their chemical structures to form inoffensive molecules, such as carbon dioxide, water (H2O), or single hydrogen and oxygen that can lead to the formation of new hydroxyls.
PlasmaWave™ technology is good at handling any type of airborne pollutants and is the core mechanism of all Winix air purifiers. Furthermore, it emits no dangerous by-products such as ozone and is totally safe and eco-friendly.
Pros:
- Effective against all kinds of airborne contaminants
- No harmful side-effects
- Totally safe for human and the environment
Cons:
- Electromagnetic interference from specific electronic devices might lead to the product’s malfunction
- Consume a lot of energy
What Is An UV-C Light Filter?
Similar to X-rays and radio waves, UV-C light is a form of invisible electromagnetic radiation. In fact, its wavelength is shorter than that of visible light. In detail, the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation ranges from 750 THz (400 nm) to 30 PHz (100 nm).
Actually, the wavelength of UV lights in most air purifiers is 256 nm, which can destroy microorganisms like viruses and germs by breaking down their cells. Yet, this UV-C light only blocks their DNA reproduction but not completely gets rid of them from the air.
In fact, the UV-C light filter can be one of four kinds of ultraviolet light (UV-C, UV-A, UV-B, or UV-V) as all of these UV lights are dedicated to eliminating the mildew, mold spores, bacteria, germs, and some types of viruses.
As we mentioned in previous sections, UV light can either work alone or be integrated into HEPA filter air purifiers since it cannot tackle potential allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or pollen.
It is interesting that you can find this technology in both cheap and high-end air purifiers.
If you are wondering whether the UV-C light is dangerous to people and pets or not, luckily, the answer is nearly no.
The impact of the UV-C light decreases dramatically over distance, and the UV-C radiation absorption length of human skin is too short for it to reach your living cells.
Besides, the whole UV-C light bulb is always inside the equipment, so you are unlikely to be exposed to its light, even just a bit.
Still, in some cases, the UV-C light filter can generate a certain quantity of ozone and may irritate asthma as well as some other respiratory problem for sensitive people.
Pros:
- Destroy microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and germs effectively
- The UV-C light is safe for humans
Cons:
- Generate ozone
- Require regular replacement
- High wattage
- Cannot remove airborne particles alone
What Is An Activated Carbon Filter?
An activated carbon filter or charcoal filter is a porous activated carbon bed typically in the form of a powdered block or granular and includes countless micro-size holes to absorb smoke, gases, chemicals, odors, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
This filter gets rid of gaseous molecules via a process called adsorption (not absorption). During this process, contaminants will adhere to the external of the filter.
To enhance the performance, premier activated carbon filters often feature potassium iodide or potassium permanganate. These are must-have components in the best purifier for smoke.
The activated carbon filter is widely used in a number of air purifiers, but it never works as a standalone filter. Because it is unable to tackle airborne particles, it must combine with a True HEPA air purifier and sometimes an extra prefilter to form an effective multi-stage filtration system.
Additionally, this kind of air filter is not long-lasting. As the adsorption process will fill the activated carbon bed with contaminants over time, one day, the filter will become saturated and can no longer absorb pollutants.
Therefore, you should clean the filter (often by vacuuming) every month before you can use it again. You can only clean it by washing if it is labeled as “washable”. In other cases, don’t do that as washing may damage the filter.
Each activated carbon filter ought to be reused not more than three times. Then you had better replace it every quarter instead of continuing to use it.
Pros:
- Reusable for several times
- The best air filter to fight against gases, odors, and chemicals
Cons:
- Ineffective against dust, pollen, mold, mildew, etc.
Final Words
As we have covered all critical aspects of air purifying machines, now you must be confident enough to go out and make wise investments on the right air purifiers for different uses of yours.
Let’s consider the strength and weakness of each top product once again, and decide which of them is the greatest choice for you.
If necessary, read the buying guide and FAQs thoroughly again and again during the time you are intending to buy an air purifier and even when you are using it. You will need this handy article as long as you still want to buy the best air purifier 2020 and get the most out of an air purifier!
Now, it is time to say goodbye and thanks for reading! Hope that we will meet each other again in the next articles!