In this article you will find some general information, tips on how to choose an air purifier and some of the best options for this year.
With the pollution that exists today, especially in cities, you have heard about air purifiers for the home or office. But what is an air purifier? What is it for? How does it work? There are many doubts about it, so with this article we want to solve them all (or all). So, you need to read on.
What is an air purifier?
It is a device that eliminates polluting elements such as dust, smoke, animal hair, pollen, etc. It traps harmful particles and creates a healthy atmosphere by eliminating odors and chemicals.
What is an air purifier for?
The elimination of air pollutants helps people suffering from asthma or allergy-related problems, since this device allows us to breathe in a cleaner way and thus provide us with a better quality of life.
How does an air purifier work?
These devices first capture the ambient air using a fan and, after passing through a filtering system where impurities are trapped, the air is returned to the room.
Types of Air Purifiers
In case you did not know, exist diverse types of air purifiers which use different technology to clean the air.
Activated Carbon Technology
This kind of air purifiers, use activated carbon technology in their filters, that have special properties that remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and gas pollutants.
HEPA
Stands for “high efficiency particulate air.” A HEPA filter is a multi-layered filter that captures particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
Negative Ion
These types of air purifiers use a high voltage electrical charge to attract particles to each other and clean the air.
Ozone
Small doses of ozone that are inhaled can cause throat irritation, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains. So, ozone can be harmful and, according to the EPA, ozone being labeled and sold as a type of air purifier is not truthful.
UV Technology
These Air purifiers use short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to deactivate pathogens like mold, bacteria, and viruses.
Best Air Purifiers Rating
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
Pros:
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- Takes first place in three ratings
- Among the most affordably priced, at $229.99
- Washable filters
Cons:
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- Typical noise level ratings
- Carbon filters last just six months
This affordable air purifier can purify rooms of up to 361 square feet. It features a washable pre-filter to snag large particles like dust and pet hair, a True HEPA filter to capture pollutants, and an activated carbon filter that can eliminate odors. Its clean air delivery rates (CADRs) are 246 for dust, 240 for pollen, and 233 for smoke.
However, if you have a room larger than 361 square feet, you may want to consider an air purifier that can clean the air for a larger square footage. Finally, its activated carbon filters last just six months, while some competitors have filters that last up to a year.
Levoit Core 400S
Pros:
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- Finishes as the runner-up in three categories
- Accommodates up to 403 square feet of space
- Affordable compared to other air purifiers
Cons:
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- Good as it is, it cannot match the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
- Noise level is average
The Levoit Core 400S is an excellent choice for those who need to clean the air in a room of 403 square feet or less. It uses a nylon pre-filter, an H13 True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. These filters are expected to last between six and 12 months. The filters can be replaced at a cost of $50. It costs $219.99, making it one of the most affordable air purifiers in the evaluation.
Take note that if your room is bigger than 403 square feet, the Levoit Core 400S will not be up to the job. The unit’s noise level rating is around the average for other air purifiers, which is something to consider if you are particularly sensitive to noise.
Coway Airmega 400
Pros:
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- Has the biggest cleaning capacity of any air purifier in the survey
- Uses a modest amount of energy
- Features four fan speeds
Cons:
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- Replacement filters are pricey
- Most expensive air purifier overall in our ratings
It has the biggest cleaning capacity and is capable of cleaning rooms of up to 1,560 square feet. It uses 66 watts of energy, which is below that of many smaller machines.
The Coway Airmega 400 has CADRs of 400 for pollen, and 328 for both smoke and dust. It features four fan speeds and is a heavy air purifier, weighing in at a hefty 24.7 pounds. But this is to be expected considering its large room capacity. It also has the heftiest price tag at $649.
Dyson Air Purifier Cool TP07
Pros:
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- 10 fan speeds
- 350-degree oscillation
- Air Multiplier (bladeless fan) technology
Cons:
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- Expensive compared to its rivals
- No information about room size or noise
The Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 offers a couple of features that separate it from the pack. It has 10 fan speeds. It also offers 350-degree oscillation. This allows the air purifier to project purified air up to 350 degrees around the room.
The Cool TP07 also comes with both an H13 HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter that can reduce odors. It uses Air Multiplier technology which Dyson says creates enough circulation power to draw distant pollutants into the machine. In this way, it purifies the entire room.
Blueair Blue Pure 411
The Blueair Blue Pure 411is the Best Air Purifiers for Small Rooms. At $119.99, it has a price that fits many budgets. The unit cleans rooms of up to 161 square feet, and its CADR ratings are 120 for smoke, dust, and pollen.
The unit uses a fabric pre-filter and a two-in-one particle filter and carbon filter. Both filters need to be replaced every six months.