Taking a deep breath of fresh air is a simple pleasure we often take for granted. But what if the air inside your home is filled with pollutants triggering allergies, worsening asthma, or simply making you feel stuffy and uncomfortable?
An air purifier can be a game-changer, effectively removing these airborne contaminants and creating a cleaner, healthier breathing environment for you and your family. But with so many options available, choosing the best air purifier for your home can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to find the perfect air purifier in 2024.
Signs you need an air purifier for your home
Before diving into the best air purifiers for home, let’s explore the signs your indoor air quality might be compromised:
- Frequent allergy and asthma flare-ups: Dust mites, pollen, and pet dander are common allergens that air purifiers with HEPA filters can effectively capture.
- Constant respiratory irritation: Dry coughs, itchy eyes, and a stuffy nose can be signs of irritated airways due to airborne pollutants.
- Musty odors: Cooking fumes, pet dander, and cigarette smoke can linger in the air. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters help eliminate these odors.
- Visible dust particles: Dust bunnies floating around are a clear sign of poor air quality. Air purifiers can significantly reduce them.
- Concerns about outdoor air pollution: If you live in an area with high levels of wildfire smoke, smog, or traffic pollution, an air purifier can provide an extra layer of protection inside your home.
Top Health Benefits of Using an Air Purifiers at Home
Investing in an air purifier can bring numerous health benefits for you and your family:
- Reduced allergy and asthma symptoms: By removing allergens from the air, air purifiers can significantly improve allergy and asthma symptoms, allowing you to breathe easier.
- Improved sleep quality: Cleaner air can lead to deeper, more restful sleep, especially for those suffering from allergies or respiratory problems.
- Enhanced respiratory health: Air purifiers can help reduce respiratory irritation and improve overall lung function.
- Reduced risk of infections: Some air purifiers can trap airborne viruses and bacteria, potentially lowering the risk of infections.
- Elimination of odors: Air purifiers with activated carbon filters effectively absorb unpleasant odors from cooking, pets, and smoke.
- Improved overall well-being: Cleaner air can boost your energy levels, improve concentration, and create a more comfortable living environment.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing the Right Air Purifier
With so many air purifier options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown of key factors to consider:
- Room Size: Air purifiers are rated for specific room sizes. Choose one that effectively covers the square footage of your target area (bedroom, living room, etc.). Make sure to double check the sizing before purchasing.
- Air Quality Concerns: Identify your primary air quality concern – allergies, pet dander, smoke, or general pollution. Different air purifiers excel at capturing specific types of particles. Look for HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters for dust, allergens, and even some viruses. While activated carbon filters can help remove odors.
- Noise Level: Air purifiers operate at varying noise levels. Consider how quiet you need it to be, especially for bedrooms. Many of the air purifiers we selected are able to reduce their sound levels dramatically for great sleep.
- Replacement Filters: Factor in the cost and frequency of filter replacements when considering the overall cost of ownership. On average you need to replace them every 6-12 months. You can also find machines that use washable filters which saves you more money.
- Smart Features: Some air purifiers offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for app control and air quality monitoring. While convenient, these features can increase the price. Our budget friendly option doesn’t have these smart features, but it still works just as well as any of the other air purifiers we listed.
Best Air Purifiers for Specific Needs
Blue Air 311i l Clorox True HEPA I Levoit Pet I Levoit 300s l Honeywell Air Genius I Levoit 400s
Now that you understand the key considerations, let’s explore some of the best air purifiers for your specific needs:
Best Overall Air Purifiers in 2024:
BlueAir Blue Pure 311i Max
This air purifier is a great option for medium-sized spaces (up to 929 sq ft). It boasts impressive performance at both low and high fan settings, removing particles like dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander quickly and efficiently. It is one of blue air’s top performing air purifier lines.
- HEPASilent Technology: This combines mechanical filtration with electrostatic filtration to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns. This technology also makes it significantly quieter than traditional HEPA purifiers, especially on lower fan settings. It also cleans 83% faster, and with 50% less noise.
- Quiet Operation: Quiet Mark Certified, making it ideal for bedrooms and other areas where noise might be disruptive.
- Energy Efficient: This air purifier is rated as energy-efficient, so you can breathe easy without worrying about high electricity bills. It also has a 5 color indicator that can do quick air quality readings.
- Zero Ozone Emissions: Unlike some air purifiers, the BlueAir Blue Pure 311i Max is certified to produce zero ozone, ensuring safe and healthy air purification.
- Smart Features (Optional): The 311i Max can be controlled with a mobile app, allowing for remote operation and filter life monitoring. You can use the app for scheduling, air quality monitoring, Clean Air ETA, Welcome Home geofencing and RealTrack accurate 6–9 month filter tracking technology are customizable features; Alexa voice control available
Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier
This is a popular choice for overall best air purifier due to its combination of affordability, effectiveness, and smart features. It’s a good option for those who want to control their air purifier remotely or set timers for operation.
- 3-in-1 True HEPA Filtration: Captures 99.7% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and mold spores. Filtration includes an Efficient MiddleFilter, which traps pollen, dust, and pet dander, and an Efficient Activated Carbon Filter that helps neutralize odors, cooking and wildfire smoke, and VOCs
- Smart Features: Can be controlled with a mobile app, allowing for remote operation, scheduling, and filter life monitoring. It also works with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for added convenience.
- Keep track of air quality: The laser dust sensor scans the surrounding air for airborne particles, continuously updating the PM2.5 display and creating graphs in the VeSync app so you can see how your air quality has improved. After the analysis and with auto mode it can then adjust the fan speed for you.
- Trustworthy and Safe: It is energy star, FCC certified, ETL listed, German Design Award (2021) and iF Design Award (2021).
Best Budget Air Purifier in 2024:
Clorox™ Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier
This is a great budget-friendly option for larger rooms (up to 1500 sq ft). It is not only a great price, its also very effective. It effectively removes common airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, and pet dander.
- 3 Stage 360° Filter: It has 3 filter layers. The outside pre-filter catches large dust particles and pet hair, then the True HEPA filter captures 99.97%* of allergens and particulates and 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. The active carbon filter reduces VOCs and odors to keep air smelling fresh.
- Genuine Clorox filters: After 4,380 hours of use (approximately 6 months), the red filter light will illuminate for you to check and/or replace the filter. Its best to change it every 6-12 months.
- Accurate Air Quality Feedback: The air quality sensor provides real-time feedback with a PM2.5 digital display, a color-coded light from green/good to maroon/hazardous and by automatically adjusting the auto mode’s fan speed in response to changes in the current air quality.
- Ideal for Large Rooms: The 360° airflow pulls in air from all directions to clean rooms up to 5 times per hour when used in a room 320 sq. ft. and 1 time an hour when used in a room up to 1,500 sq. ft.
Best Quiet Air Purifier in 2024:
Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier
This is a good choice for smaller spaces like bedrooms or offices. It offers effective air purification at an affordable price. It’s a compact size and aesthetically pleasing to look at.
- True HEPA Filter: Removes 99.7% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander. The 3-in-1 filtration system helps you combat dry throats, nightly congestion, allergies, and asthma.
- Ultra Quiet: Sleep soundly while the air purifier works as quietly as 22dB for light sleepers. Sleep Mode automatically turns off display lights and reduces noise levels
- Automatic air sensors: With Auto Mode, the Core 300S-P senses any change in PM2.5, and automatically adjusts fan speeds and the air quality indicator rings. The LED light ring changes color to indicate the air quality level in your room. You can also check this on the free app.
- Smart Features: Access anywhere, and anytime. Simply ask Alexa or Google Assistant to control the air purifier when your hands are full. The free VeSync app also allows you to check your air quality and set schedules.
Best Air Purifier for Allergies and Asthma in 2024:
Honeywell HFD320 Air Genius
This air purifier is a great option for allergy and asthma sufferers. It features a multi-stage filtration system with a HEPA filter and an optional allergen capture cell to target specific allergens. It’s effective for medium and large rooms (250 sq. ft).
- True HEPA Filter: Removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from your air. It has 5 levels of cleaning power and patented ifD technology to help capture the following microscopic airborne particles: dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mite debris and smoke.
- Multi-Stage Filtration: Includes a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and optional allergen capture cell for comprehensive air purification. The optional allergen capture cell (Requires separate purchase) helps capture even more allergens like pet dander and dust mites.
- Washable Filter: It comes with a a permanent, washable filter and a permanent pre-filter for easy maintenance. You’ll never need to purchase an additional filter. Just remove and wash your existing filter and you’ll be good to go!
- AHAM-Certified for Allergen Reduction: It was thoroughly tested to ensure maximum efficiency in the disposal of harmful allergens. It is certified to reduce allergens.
Best Air Purifiers for Pets in 2024:
Levoit Core P350 Pet Air Purifier
This air purifier is a great all-around option for pet owners. It features a three-stage filtration system that includes a pre-filter to capture pet hair, an activated carbon filter to reduce pet odors, and a True HEPA filter to remove allergens like pet dander. It’s effective for medium and large rooms (up to 219 sq ft).
- Three-Stage Filtration System: It uses a H13 true hepa filter. Effectively targets pet hair, odors, and allergens. It comes with an Activated Carbon Filter – It effectively removes pet odors, litter box smells, and cooking smoke..etc. After many tests, the deodorization rate could be reached over 92%.
- ARC Formula: This helps to remove the odor even more. They use 10x more carbon than other air purifiers so its very effective in removing pet odors, litter boxes and cooking.
- Keeps your house visibly cleaner: The fine Non-Woven Fabric Pre-Filter traps large floating particles such as pet fur, hair, dust, and lint, helping to reduce the amount of debris on your carpet and furniture.
- Sleep undisturbed: With sleep mode you don’t need to worry about disturbing your furry friends. It turns display indicators to half-brightness and keeps the noise levels as low as 24dB.
- Pet Safety: It doesn’t use ions or chemical sprays or liquids to purify the air, keeping your pets safe from harmful exposure to certain particles. With the pet lock feature, it can prevent your pets, and children from changing any of the settings.
Maintaining Your Home Air Purifier for Optimal Performance
To ensure your air purifier functions at its best, follow these maintenance tips:
- Replace filters regularly: Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. HEPA filters typically need replacing every 6-12 months, depending on usage and air quality. You can also opt for purifiers that come with washable filters – this saves you a lot of money. The Honeywell HFD320 comes with one of those.
- Clean pre-filters regularly: Most air purifiers come with pre-filters that trap larger particles like dust and pet hair. Wash or vacuum these pre-filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically every few weeks.
- Keep the air intake and outlet grills clear: Dust buildup on these grills can hinder airflow and reduce efficiency. Wipe them down with a damp cloth regularly. Generally, you want to dust the unit regularly. Use a soft cloth to remove dust from the exterior of the air purifier.
- Place the air purifier in a central location: Avoid placing it near walls, furniture, or curtains that can obstruct airflow. This is especially helpful if you’re cleaning the air while you’re out of the home so it can reach more areas. Otherwise, when you’re at home you probably do want to put it in a place where it doesn’t get in the way. You can always move them around to find the best place for it.
- Monitor air quality indicators: Some air purifiers come with air quality sensors that display real-time data. Use this information to assess filter effectiveness and adjust settings if needed. If you don’t have a fancy smart air purifier, then you can always invest in an air quality monitor.
Beyond Air Purifiers: Additional Tips for Cleaner Indoor Air
While air purifiers are a powerful tool, a holistic approach is ideal for optimal indoor air quality. Here are some additional tips:
- Improve ventilation: Open windows regularly to allow fresh air circulation, especially after cooking, cleaning, or showering. One of the best, and simple ways to get clean air into your home.
- Change air filters in your HVAC system: Regularly replace air filters in your central heating and cooling system to capture airborne particles throughout your home. Ideally you should be changing them every 30 or 90 days. Check your filters regularly to see how often they need to be changed.
- Reduce sources of indoor air pollution: Minimize smoking indoors, vacuum carpets frequently, and remove shoes at the door to prevent tracking in allergens. Have a designated area for outside clothes, jackets, bags and purses like a
- Invest in air quality monitoring: Consider purchasing an air quality monitor to track pollutants like dust, smoke, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and take targeted action.
Conclusion
With the environment ever changing it is more important than ever to find ways to clean the air in your homes for more safety and comfort. The changes in weather can trigger severe allergies, and asthma, as well as more viruses that causes illness. By choosing the right air purifiers, you can combat and prevent these challenges that can negatively impact our day to day lives. You can create a cleaner, healthier breathing environment for yourself and your loved ones. Breathe easy all year round, no matter the weather, and enjoy the numerous health benefits that come with cleaner indoor air.
