We can't see them, but many irritants lurk in our air. From urban pollution to wildfire smoke to allergens like pet dander, dust and pollen, a lot is getting between our nose and lungs and an actual fresh breath of air, which is why air purifiers have become increasingly popular for in-home use.
Air purifiers feature HEPA or HEPA-type filters to trap teeny tiny particles that we can't see, plus some of the pet hair and dust bunnies we can see. By pulling these particles out of the air, we get exposed to fewer pollutants, allergens and other airborne particles that can interfere with our senses. In addition to particles, many air purifiers feature a carbon filtration system that can trap odors from pets, cooking, gases and smoke to keep the air feeling fresh and clean.
The best air purifiers have strong enough filters to refresh the air, plus a large enough CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating to cover your space's square footage.
To help you find the right air purifier for your household's needs, here are our top picks from leading brands like Airdoctor, Molekule, Blueair and more.
Here's a preview of the what you can find below
Best overall air purifier: Airdoctor AD2000 Air Purifier
The Airdoctor AD2000 Air Purifier is one of the best air purifiers money can buy. This purifier is designed for small and medium rooms, with an UltraHEPA filtration system that traps 99.99% of airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns, which is much smaller compared to typical HEPA standards. The purifier is also significantly quieter than other models and has six fan speeds for a more customized purification session.
Best budget air purifier: Levoit Air Purifier
The Levoit Air Purifier is proof that you don't have to spend over $100 to get your hands on one of the best air purifiers. This top-rated pick is highly recommended for its excellent value and for how well it removes smoke and pet odors, in addition to particles from the air.
Best for large rooms: Blueair Air Purifier for Large Rooms
When shopping for an air purifier for a larger room, double-check that the device has a high enough CADR rating for the larger square footage. This Blueair Signature Large Air Purifier is designed to cover up to 3,385 sq. ft. and features a 7-stage HEPAsilent filtration technology that traps 99.97% of airborne particles. It also conveniently connects to an app and has a built-in (but discreet) air quality indicator that can show you pollution levels in real time.
Best for allergies/asthma: Molekule Air Purifier Mini+
If you have allergies or asthma, an air purifier is a must for your home. Investing in a larger option is great for bigger spaces, but don't forget about your bedroom or office, too. The Molekule Air Purifier Mini+ is compact enough to fit into smaller spaces and covers 250 sq. ft. It's also app-controlled for added convenience and FDA-cleared to target viruses and bacteria, in addition to allergens, pollutants and odors.
Best for wildfire smoke: PuroAir 240 HEPA 2-Pack Air Purifiers
For homes that are susceptible to wildfire smoke, having top-rated air purifiers on hand can make a difference. This two-pack of PuroAir 240 HEPA Air Purifiers is great because you can cover more space for a fraction of the price. As their name suggests, the purifiers are equipped with HEPA filters that can trap 99.9% of particles, including smoke and pollutants. Plus, they're large enough to cover 1,000 sq. ft. each, so two can easily be enough for larger bedrooms, offices or entire apartments.
Best for pet owners: GoveeLife Mini Air Purifier
While larger units like the AirDoctor are great for dander, the GoveeLife Mini Air Purifier is a top choice for those needing a compact, budget-friendly solution. This app-controlled device captures pet hair and dander effectively and features a built-in fragrance pad to neutralize lingering "pet smells" with soothing aromatherapy.
Best smart/connected air purifier: Levoit Air Purifier for Large Room
If you want the convenience of an app-controlled air purifier, go with the Levoit Air Purifier for Large Room. This is also a great, more budget-friendly alternative for our top pick, the Airdoctor AD2000 Air Purifier. The purifier is designed for larger spaces and can purify spaces up to 1,875 sq. ft., and has a special U-shaped air inlet to trap pet hair and odors without clogging up the filter.
Best compact/small-space option: Blueair Purifier Mini Restful
A larger air purifier is great for quickly and efficiently cleansing the air in spaces such as the living room, kitchen or even a large office. But if you're dealing with a smaller space, such as a bedroom or nursery, you don't need to invest in something so big. Instead, go with the Blueair Purifier Mini Restful. This miniature air purifier also doubles as a sunrise alarm, making it great for your bedside table. And, despite its compact size, it is powerful enough to clean 140 sq. ft. in under 15 minutes.
How do air purifiers work?
As their name suggests, air purifiers purify the air, using a filtration system that removes particles such as dust, pollen, smoke and dander. The best air purifiers feature a three-part filtration system that includes a pre-filter for capturing larger particles, an activated carbon filter designed to reduce odors, gases and Volatile Organic Compounds (aka, VOCs) and HEPA filters, which can trap 99.97% of microscopic particles, including pollen, fine dust, smoke and mold spores. While they don't cure allergies, they do significantly cut down allergens and irritants to make the air more comfortable on your senses.
Do air purifiers really help with allergies and smoke?
Air purifiers aren't magical enough to completely get rid of allergens and smoke, but they can help significantly -- especially if their filtration system includes a HEPA filter. This filter is powerful enough to trap 99.97% of microscopic particles, including allergens and smoke. Carbon filters are also great for reducing odors (including the smell of smoke). Again, air purifiers won't completely eliminate these particles, but they will help reduce them.
What size air purifier do I need for my room?
The size of the air purifier required depends on how big your room is, so having an idea of square footage before shopping can help ensure you choose one that is powerful enough to cover your space. When shopping, it also helps to look at CADR ratings and choose an air purifier with a CADR rating that should be at least 2/3 of the room's square footage. One hack for choosing the best size is to go with a slightly larger CADR rating -- so one that is designed for larger space -- as this can actually clean the air faster and is quieter.
How often should I change air purifier filters?
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for air purifiers is how often you need to change the filters. On average, every six months to one year is ideal for HEPA filers, and you'll need to change out pre-filters more frequently than that. Filter refreshes vary between different devices, so double-check the manufacturer guidelines while shopping to better understand these needs.
What's the difference between HEPA and "HEPA-type" filters?
The difference between HEPA and HEPA-type filters is in the amount of particles each filter can trap. First, HEPA filters must meet strict performance guidelines and trap 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns or larger. This ensures they are the most effective at trapping allergens and dust. HEPA-type filters are still effective at purifying the air, but they are less efficient than HEPA filters and capture only 85-99% of large particles.
When shopping online for the best air purifiers, be sure to check the product specifications and choose HEPA over HEPA-type if filtration performance is a priority.