Air purifiers are a recent invention that have become incredibly popular, within a relatively short period.
And there are many reasons for that.
You see, during the course of a 24 hour day, all kinds of different elements enter the air in your home. Contaminants like dander, pollen, dust, dirt, smoke, germs, pollutants; among many others.
We bring these contaminants in, throughout the course of our day, day-in, and day-out. This is because the world we live in, and the world we walk around in, isn’t exactly the cleanest or healthiest. There are all kinds of nasty particles around us, at any given time, and it’s easy for us to bring these harmful elements into our home since they can easily stick to our clothing, our shoes, as well as our bodies.
Most of the time, these contaminants aren’t particularly dangerous or even that harmful. But, they do affect your health in a number of ways, and if the air in your home is especially bad, they can lead to colds, fevers, allergies, and other problems, which will only serve to weaken your health, making life a lot more difficult than it needs to be.
Air Purifiers are a solution to that problem. As of now, they are the only solution, as well, since no other consumer product enables you to truly eradicate the nasty particles that are in your air, with the same level of speed and efficiency as that of a good Air Purifier.
In this buying guide, you’re going to learn all about air purifiers, and you’re also going to learn all about the 20 best air purifiers that will eradicate elements like allergies, smoke, mold, as well as pet dander, in an easy, efficient and timely manner.
However, before we dive into the 20 best air purifiers, there are a couple of things that need to be discussed.
What, Exactly, Is An Air Purifier?
Air purifiers are devices that suck in air. You’ll be using your air purifier in your home, in a room such as your living room or a bedroom. The air purifier sucks in the air that is in this room/space of yours, and then this air goes through a series of filtration mechanisms.
The purpose of these filtration mechanisms – and there are many varieties of filtration mechanisms that various air purifiers have – is to take the particles that are in your air, and then to remove them. One filter is designed for bigger particles, such as dust, and another is designed for smaller particles, such as allergens and mold. Another filter is designed for odors, and it uses another type of filtration mechanism to do this.
At the end of the filtration process, once your air has gone through the various filtration mechanisms, the air is released, and the air is clean.
Overall, air purifiers are very simple devices that consist of very simple components. While the design itself is simple, however, the devices themselves are incredibly effective, and this is, in many ways, due to the simplicity of the overall design, which has allowed the entire air purification process to be streamlined, so that it is as efficient and as concise as possible.
Why Should I Purchase An Air Purifier?
As mentioned earlier, air purifiers are devices that serve as a way of getting all of the nasty particles out of your air and turning your air into something that is far cleaner and far healthier for you to be breathing in.
Your air consists of quite a few particles. Unfortunately, many of these particles aren’t the healthiest, and some of them can have a nasty effect on your health. That’s why an air purifier can be such a valuable investment; they will get rid of these nasty particles and improve both the quality of the air that you are breathing in, as well as the quality of your health. With a good air purifier, you won’t have to worry about having to deal with allergies or a cold/fever.
Now, that isn’t to say you will never get those illnesses, but the chances of you doing so are significantly lower, thanks to the air purifier. An air purifier reduces the chances of that happening, due to the filtration mechanisms that clean out your air.
Are There Different Types Of Air Purifiers?
There are a variety of different types of air purifiers that you can find on the market. Now, the general principle behind all air purifiers is, more or less, the exact same. And that is the fact that these air purifiers are designed to clean and purify your air.
However, many air purifiers use different types of filtration mechanisms. Many of them are also designed with different purposes in mind.
For example, some air purifiers are designed to get rid of odors. Other air purifiers are designed to get rid of mold and fungus that may be floating around in your air. And others are designed specifically for allergens, in order to prevent you from getting a runny nose and becoming sick.
All of this depends on the manufacturer, and what they have decided the air purifier to clean, as well as the filtration technology that is being used.
In this buying guide, you’re going to learn all about the air purifiers that have been designed to get rid of allergies, smoke, mold, and pet dander from your air. These specific materials have to be removed in a way that is different from other types of materials, and they require different types of filtration technology to do this. That is why we are also going to be looking at, near the end of this buying guide, the different features that you will find advertised, on various air purifiers, and what those features correspond to and how, exactly, they will affect your overall air purification experience.
What Are The 5 Best Air Purifiers For Allergies?
AeraMax 100 Air Purifier Review
The AeraMax 100 Air Purifier is an advanced, and somewhat expensive, air purifier that works very well at getting rid of allergies, as well as odors.
Using a standard True-HEPA filter, the AeraMax 100 can easily dispose of any allergens, as well as other small particles and germs and other bacteria that pass through it. However, it also comes equipped with the “AeraSafe Antimicrobial Treatment” as well as a carbon filter, which is used to destroy odors and other nasty scents and smells.
If you have a small room/space that smells bad and is dense with allergens, then the AeraMax 100 is a fantastic choice. Be warned, however, that this is for small spaces, and the MAC – Maximum Area Coverage – is 200 square feet.
Blue Pure 121 Air Purifier Review
The Blue Pure 121 Air Purifier is designed for much larger rooms/spaces. With a MAC of 620 square feet, you won’t have any problems cleaning the air in your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or any other moderately-sized space.
Just like the Aeramax 100, the Blue Pure 121 comes equipped with a strong and reliable filtration system. You also have access to an Activated Carbon filter, which is used to eradicate strong odors and stenches.
However, allergens are the main focus here, and they are dealt with quickly and efficiently, using the three-stage filtration system. According to Blueair, the manufacturer, the filtration system will remove 99% of all particles that flow into the air purifier.
AeraMax 300 Air Purifier Review
With the AeraMax 300 Air Purifier, you have an air purifier that offers all of the same basic features and attributes as the AeraMax 100, but the AeraMax 300 has been designed with much larger rooms and spaces in mind.
Unlike the AeraMax 100, you can now purify rooms/spaces that are up to 600 square feet, which enables you to purify rooms such as bedrooms and kitchens and big living rooms, and even attics and basements.
As for the general features and attributes, they are mostly the exact same as the ones found in the AeraMax 100 but optimized for a larger space, so they are a bit more efficient.
Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier Review
Alen is one of the best air purifier manufacturers, and the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX is proof of that. Using the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX, you can purify a room/space that is up to seven-hundred square-feet. Within thirty minutes, that entire space will be purified, and this cycle can be repeated as often as you want.
Using a HEPA-Pure filter, particles that are as small as 0.3 microns – a single strand of hair is around three-hundred-times as big as that – will be sucked in and filtered out, without any issues or difficulties.
Other features include the fact that this is a very quiet air purifier, it has sensors that make it easy to automate the air purification process, and it’s very pleasing, on an aesthetic level.
AIRMEGA 400S Air Purifier Review
Out of all of the air purifiers on this list, so far, this is the one that can purify the largest space. Using the AIRMEGA 400S, you can purify a space that is up to 1,560 square feet, which is the size of a large apartment. In two-hours, that entire space will be purified, and you can continue to run the air purifier in order to continue that cycle, over and over again.
As for the filter, it is is a True-HEPA filter that works very well. And there is an Activated Carbon filter for eradicating nasty stenches and odors, not just allergens and basic germs.
What Are The 5 Best Air Purifiers For Smoke?
The Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier Review
First on our list for the best air purifiers for smoke is the Levoit LV-H132. This is a very sleek and well-designed air purifier that comes equipped with a very well-designed True-HEPA filter, as well as an Activated Carbon Filter that is designed to remove odors.
When these two filters are used in conjunction with each other, the Levoit LV-H132 has no problems removing smoke, as well as allergens and other contaminants from your air.
To use the device, you can select from one of the three fan speeds, and the air purifier makes very little noise, in general, which makes things especially convenient.
The Levoit LV-PUR131 Review
With the Levoit LV-PUR131, you are getting a very similar experience to that of the Levoit LV-H132, but it’s a bit more expensive. However, it can purify a larger space, which makes it a better choice if you intend to purify a space such as a living room, or a larger bedroom.
Using the standard True-HEPA filter, and the Activated Carbon filter, you will have a very similar experience using this air purifier, as you would with the Levoit LV-H132. However, you can use this in larger spaces, which is a great advantage.
The SilverOnyx Air Purifier Review
Using the SilverOnyx Air Purifier, you can purify a space that is up to five-hundred square-feet. In comparison to the previous two air purifiers, this is quite a bit of space, and this makes it a better air purifier if you intend to use it in, say, a studio apartment, rather than just a single room.
The filtration consists of five individual stages. Including that of a True-HEPA filter, and a Clean Air Ionizer, which helps to remove smoke and to get rid of other nasty contaminants.
Due to the thorough filtration, you can purify your air, no matter how dirty it is.
The GermGuardian AC4825 Review
The GermGuardian AC4825 is one of the more flexible air purifiers on this list. With the AC4825, you have filtration mechanisms that have been set up for allergies – which is done using the HEPA-Filter – as well as a really nice charcoal filter that is designed to remove smoke from your air, as well as other nasty smells and odors. There is also the inclusion of UV-C Light technology, which makes killing mold and bacteria a much easier experience.
Overall, you can clean just about anything with the GermGuardian AC4825, and it’s quite inexpensive, too, which makes it a valuable purchase.
The CoWay AP-1512HH Review
One of the more expensive air purifiers on this list, the CoWay AP-1512HH is undeniably good, because the four-stage filtration system is incredibly thorough and effective. Using it, you can eradicate much more than just smoke or basic allergens; you can eradicate things like mold and fungus, as well as other nasty contaminants.
The MAC is 361 square feet, which isn’t a lot, but it isn’t too little. And this is because it has been designed to thoroughly purify a smaller space, rather than cleaning, with less thoroughness, a larger space.
For efficiency, the CoWay AP-1512HH is great, but it is a bit more expensive, so keep that in mind.
What Are The 5 Best Air Purifiers For Mold?
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 Review
First on our list for the best air purifiers for mold is the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02, which is a very expensive, but very well-designed, air purifier.
One of the unique aspects of the HP02 is the fact that it has a cooling fan, and you can use this cooling fan to cool your room. But, during the Winter, you can also use the heater, which is also built into the air purifier.
Along with that, there is a very powerful HEPA-Filter that makes removing mold a very simple and efficient process.
Through the use of various sensors, the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 is able to detect the quality of your air, as well as the temperature, and this information is then used to direct the air purifier so that it can clean your air in the most effective manner.
Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier Review
The Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier is an advanced air purifier that is able to detect the quality of your air, at any given time, and then to make the necessary adjustments so that it can accommodate the quality of your air.
One of the things that make the Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier so great, is the fact that it consists of six individual filtration systems. Using these filtration systems, you can easily eradicate things like allergens and odors, among other things, but you can also use it to remove mold, and this is thanks to the UV-C light.
With the Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier, you can purify a room that is up to 350 square feet. Anything more than that will work, but the air purification won’t be as efficient.
Alen BreatheSmart FIT50 Air Purifier Review
Using the Alen BreatheSmart FIT50, you can purify a room that is up to 900 square feet, which is quite a lot for an air purifier.
Now, Alen is one of the best air purifier manufacturers around, and you can see this in the design, which is very aesthetically pleasing and concise, as well as the sensors, which automatically detect the quality of your air and the particles within your air, using laser technology, as well as the overall efficiency of the device.
With the Alen BreatheSmart FIT50, you can easily remove mold, as well as just about any other contaminant you can think of.
Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier Review
Blueair has done it again with the Blue Pure 411, which is a similar air purifier to that of the Blue Pure 121.
However, this one is much better for removing mold, and other biological pollutants, and it has also been designed for smaller spaces. Specifically, spaces that are no larger than 175 square-feet, because that is the MAC.
GermGuardian AC5350B Review
With the GermGuardian AC5350B, you have an exceptionally powerful air purifier that comes equipped with several very powerful filtration mechanisms; each one works wonders on eradicating mold, as well as other types of contaminants.
The filtration system consists of a charcoal filter, a HEPA-Filter, as well as UV-C Light technology, which is especially useful for killing mold.
One thing to keep in mind is that the AC5350B is designed for spaces that are only around 167 square-feet, which is a bit small.
What Are The 5 Best Air Purifiers For Pet Dander?
VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier Review
With the VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier, you have access to a fantastic True-HEPA filter. With this filter, you can quickly eliminate the pet dander that is floating around in your air.
However, there is also the inclusion of an Activated Carbon Pre-Filter, which is really nice, because it enables you to remove odors and other nasty stenches.
You can use the VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier in a room that is up 325 square feet. It is a very affordable air purifier, as well.
Alen T500 Air Purifier Review
In comparison to other Alen air purifiers, the Alen T500 is on the cheaper side. Not that this is a problem, however, since the Alen T500 comes equipped with an absolutely fantastic HEPA-OdorCell Filter.
Using this HEPA-OdorCell Filter, pet dander is sucked into the air purifier, and then it is removed from your air and disposed of. This is an exceptionally powerful filtration mechanism that makes quick work of pet dander, as well as many other types of allergens, which is why it is one of the most efficient air purifiers you can find on the market.
You can use the Alen T500 in rooms/spaces that are as large as 500 square feet.
Bissell air400 Air Purifier Review
The Bissell air400 Air Purifier is more expensive than the others on this list, but it’s also one of the more effective air purifiers, and it comes from a very reputable brand.
Using particle sensors, the air400 is always able to know just how clean – or dirty – your air is, and then this data is used to adjust the filters that are being used and the overall speed of the purifier as well.
There are three filters. The first is a Pre-Filter, which is great for removing bigger particles that would clog the other two filters. Then, there is an Activated Carbon Filter, which enables you to remove nasty stenches and odors. Finally, there is a High-Efficiency FIlter, for removing allergens, such as pet dander.
Rabbit Air MinusA2 Air Purifier Review
With a MAC of 700 square-feet, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 Air Purifier gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to the kinds of spaces that you clean, and how big those spaces actually are.
As for the purifier itself, it’s rather simple, and there isn’t a lot to note. However, it includes a filtration process that consists of six individual stages, which are designed to clean your air thoroughly, and to enhance the overall smell and scent of it, through a process known as “deodorization”.
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier Review
Last, but not least, on our list is the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier. Winix is a very well-known and well-respected air purifier manufacturer, and the Winix 5500-2 is certainly indicative of this fact.
You can use the Winix 5500-2 in a room/space that is up to 360 square feet. This is good for a bedroom or small living room, or even a kitchen. And then, during the purification process, air will flow through a True-HEPA filter, which is great for removing pet dander, and then it will go through an Activated Carbon Filter, for destroying nasty scents and odors, and then after that, the air will go through PlasmaWave Technology, which helps to break down chemical vapors, odors, and other allergens, such as pet dander.
What Features And Factors Do I Need To Consider When Buying A Good Air Purifier?
The Type Of Filtration Mechanisms It Uses
This was mentioned in the introduction, but every air purifier uses its own series of filtration mechanisms. And, as you’ve seen, there are quite a few different filtration mechanisms that can be used in an air purifier.
One of the most common filtration mechanisms is that of a True-HEPA filter. This is a very common filter that most air purifiers use because it is very effective. In fact, it is easily one of the most effective filtration mechanisms that you can find.
Now, the phrase “HEPA” stands for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air”, and what this means is that this filter takes all of the small particles in your air – particles that are, usually, as small as 0.3 microns – and it filters them out. This includes things like allergens and germs, as well as other small particles.
One of the reasons this is such a popular filtration mechanism is because, more often than not, your air is comprised of these small germs and allergens. Sure, there are other particles that can/should be cleaned, but the small germs and allergens are the peskiest, and this filter enables you to clean them in a very efficient manner.
Other HEPA filters exist, too, although the differences are usually quite minimal. For example, there are HEPA-Pure filters, and these are, in some cases, a bit better than True-HEPA filters. But, the difference is quite minimal, so it isn’t necessary to purchase an air purifier with a fancier name than just “True-HEPA filter”.
Some of the other filtration mechanisms are things like “Activated Carbon Filters” and “UV-C Light”.
With an Activated Carbon filter, particles that contain odors and bad smells and stenches run through this filter, and the carbon helps to eradicate those odors and bad smells. Many of these filters also use charcoal, and in that case, the charcoal serves as a means of absorbing the bad smells. This is a process known as “chemical absorption”, and when it comes to odors and stenches, it’s the most effective method available.
With UV-C Light, you are using one of the most harmful types of light, directly on the nasty bacteria that is in your air.
You see, UV-C Light is actually one of the most harmful types of light that we know of. It can damage our skin very easily, but when used in a controlled artificial environment, such as that of an air purifier, it can quickly eradicate things like mold, as well as many other biological properties.
The reason it can do that is because the light is so strong that it actually destroys the cells that are keeping the mold alive. But, since it destroys those cells, it also prevents the mold from releasing new spores. These spores enable the mold to spread, but with the UV-C light these spores are eradicated, along with the main cells.
Those are just a few brief examples of different filtration mechanisms you will find in an air purifier. There are others, but those are the most popular and, for most purposes, the most useful.
The Sensors The Air Purifier Uses
Many air purifiers have started to focus more on “smart” features. What this means is that many air purifiers are focusing on creating sensors that are able to detect the quality of your air, at all times, and then this data serves as a means of telling the air purifier what kinds of settings it needs to be running at, in order to ensure that your air is nice and clean, rather than dirty and polluted.
Using these features, you no longer need to manually set anything. Instead, the air purifier can do all of the work for you, which makes things very easy for you, and it also makes the experience quite a bit more streamlined, especially if you aren’t entirely familiar with the different air purification settings, and the individual factors that go into determining what settings should be utilized, and which ones should be disregarded.
Some air purifiers don’t have any sensors, though, or they don’t offer some kind of “Automatic Mode”, and for some people, this is just fine. However, do be warned that an air purifier without these features is going to be much less convenient, and it may be a bit harder to figure out what kind of settings to choose since the data you’ll have access to is quite lacking.
The Maximum Area Coverage – MAC – Of The Air Purifier
Every air purifier is designed for a different type of space. Some air purifiers are designed for smaller spaces that are only around 100 square feet. Others are designed for spaces that are even smaller than that. And, many air purifiers are designed for much larger spaces.
When you are buying an air purifier, it is important that you consider the kinds of spaces that you will be purifying. Consider the overall size of those spaces, as well as whether or not you want to be able to move the air purifier around, to other rooms or other homes. If that’s the case, then consider the size and heft of the air purifier itself.
Generally speaking, when buying an air purifier, it’s ideal to buy one that is designed for bigger spaces, even if you don’t actually want to purify a space that is particularly large. The reason for this is because it gives you a lot more flexibility, overall, so if you ever need to purify a larger space, you have the ability to do so.
With that being said, though, air purifiers designed for larger spaces tend not to be the most thorough during the cleaning process itself, simply because they are designed to accommodate larger spaces, rather than focusing on a much smaller space.
The Cost
Yep, this is what it comes down to. How much your air purifier costs is a very important consideration. Some air purifiers are really expensive; others are quite cheap. It all depends on the factors listed above, as well as the kind of quality that you are looking for.
Most of the time – but not always – the more expensive an air purifier is, the better it is. Whether it’s the design, the efficiency, the overall power that the air purifier offers, or another, equally valid, factor, expensive air purifiers tend to be a bit better.
However, you may not need an expensive air purifier with all of the bells and whistles. And if not, you should go with something that can meet your needs and isn’t too expensive. Assuming you don’t mind a design that isn’t as good, or, perhaps, less efficiency, during the air purification process.
Conclusion
Ultimately, at the end of the day, there are many great air purifiers to choose from. Because of this, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right air purifier.
By reading this guide, you now have a greater understanding of what an air purifier does, the benefits that a good air purifier will bring you, you now know the 20 best air purifiers, and you’ve also learned all about the individual factors and features to consider, when searching for a good air purifier.