Manage Pesky Allergens With the Best Air Purifiers We’ve Tested

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With allergens like dust, dander, mold, and bacteria all teaming up to infiltrate the air you breathe, clean air can be harder to come by, especially indoors. According to the EPA, Americans spend about 90 percent of their time inside, where the concentration of pollutants can be even worse than it is outside. An air purifier can protect your airways from airborne irritants while providing clean, fresh air indoors.

We got our hands on some of the leading air purifiers from brands like Coway, Levoit, and Clorox and put them to the test. Filtration was our main concern so we could determine the air purifiers efficiency, then we moved along to other factors such as noise while running, how well they work in a given room, and convenience features. After our in-home testing, these are the air purifiers that came out on top.

Best Air Purifiers

• Best Overall: Coway AP-1512HH

• Best Budget: Blueair Blue Pure 411

• Best Mid-Range: Coway Airmega 100

• Best for Pets: Levoit Vital 200S

• Best for Smoke and Odors: Clorox Air Purifier

What to Consider

Filtration System

The filter system of your air purifier varies depending on the model and the issue you’re trying to target, like allergy relief, odor elimination, or germ protection.

→ HEPA-Filters

Dr. Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist with NYU Langone Health, recommends selecting an air purifier that comes with a HEPA filter. “Make sure it has a HEPA air purifier since these filter down to 0.3 microns and have a robust amount of studies done showing their efficacy,” says Parik. HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles like dust, bacteria, and pollen, and are the standard for air purification.

→ Activated Carbon Filters

These filters are more porous and help get rid of gasses and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be found in common household items like degreasing and disinfectant cleaners. They absorb the molecules onto the carbon and are best used in environments with strong odors or smoke.

→ Pre-Filters

Pre-filters are typically the first line of defense in an air purifier and trap larger particles like dust and hair, which helps extend the lifespan of the main filter and improves the overall efficiency of the unit.

All of our selections on this list involve a multi-step filtration system to target a majority of the most common pollutants and allergens in your household.

Room Size

Air purifiers can vary in filtration range, which is why it’s important to consider the room size. To find an air purifier that can accommodate your space, the EPA recommends that you first multiply the length and width of the area where you intend to operate the air cleaner, which gives you the size of the room or area in square feet. Most air purifiers have their maximum coverage area listed, so you can compare to your calculations to find an air purifier that is the best fit for your home.

If you have an open floor plan or high ceilings, opt for an air purifier that has bigger coverage. You should also place the air purifier in the room you use most regularly, and make sure it's in an area where the airflow isn't obstructed.

Noise Level

With laundry machines, dishwashers, and fans all emitting their own noise, adding another loud appliance into the mix might be overkill, especially since air purifiers are meant to run the entire day. Look for models that range from 10 to 30 decibels. A whisper is around 30 decibels, so expect air purifiers in this noise range to be almost virtually silent.

Cleaning

“Air purifiers need to be kept clean and filters should be changed every six months,” Parikh says. Since air purifier filters are designed to collect and trap different size particles and contaminants, they can get gunky pretty easily. It could even reduce the efficiency and the air quality of the purifier if not cleaned often enough. Most air purifiers come with reusable filters, so you can rinse them off in between replacements.

Features

App compatibility, savvy control panels, check filter indicators, and variable settings can be beneficial features of an air purifier that make it easier to use and can improve your overall experience. If you want to monitor the air quality levels in your home or filter life, look for an air purifier that can be paired with an app. If you're easily overstimulated by loud noises, consider an air purifier that has different modes so you can adjust the speed of the internal fan.

How We Selected

We tried out several air purifiers with a range of filtration systems, room sizes, noise levels, and features. We tested these models in a 600-square foot apartment, placing them in various rooms of the home to measure their efficiency. We considered the different uses of an air purifier, like if you're an allergy sufferer or have a home filled with furry friends, and looked for special features like light-up displays and automatic shut-off. We examined models for their ease of setup as well, and how easy it was to install the filter system.

For units that we haven't had a chance to test, we combed through dozens of products, specifications, reviews, and user complaints to identify the best air purifiers. We've settled on the following list that includes options for everyone, whether you’re concerned about budget, design, or performance.

AP-1512HH Air Purifier

Long-lasting, capable, sleekly designed, and fairly priced, the Coway AP-1512HH is a great choice if you’re looking for a no-frills air purifier that does its job. It works quietly unless it detects a large amount of pollution, in which case it can be louder than a standing fan.

The four-stage filtration system (pre-filter, deodorization, HEPA and ionization) works automatically, depending on the number of pollutants detected, although the science behind ionizers is uncertain.

This air purifier can handle room sizes up to 361 square feet. As with any air purifier, you’ll need to periodically replace the HEPA filter, and if you don’t occasionally remove dust from the pre-filter it won’t turn on as often. We really liked the option to turn off the display lights, which can be annoying in bedrooms at night or other low-light conditions.

Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier

For very small rooms or offices, the Blueair Blue Pure 411 offers much of the same performance and features as the Pure 211+. It's designed for spaces no larger than 161 square feet, but includes the same three-layer filtration system as the 411+, and is about the size of an Alexa speaker.

The 411 is a bit louder than its big sister, coming in around 17 decibels on its lowest setting and 46 decibels on its highest. But the value offered by such a small air purifier is unmatched, considering it targets both allergens and odors. The size and functionality is ideal for kids' bedrooms or small apartments in big cities.

Airmega 100 Air Purifier

The Airmega 100 is the first cylindrical unit in the Coway line, which is a nice switch up from the rectangular model that we previously tested. It tucked nicely into the corner of the living room, and you can change the light between blue, orange, and off, which is ideal if you're using the purifier in a bedroom.

We tried the fan on various settings, and the lowest mode could barely be heard over the TV playing at an average volume, which aligns with its claimed 20 decibel noise level. You can manually adjust everything on the control panel, or let the purifier do its thing and adapt accordingly as it monitors the air quality of the room.

Setup of the unit was very simple, you essentially just need to click the filter into place. The pre-filter is vacuumable, so you can dislodge trapped hair and dust easily.

Vital 200S Air Purifier

If you're a pet owner, specifically cats, then you know that the litter box smell can linger long after your fur ball has left the lavatory. The Vital 200s from Levoit is a great way to combat the odors that candles and air fresheners just can't cover up. We set the air purifier up in a living room, and definitely noticed a difference in the air quality after running for the day.

The unique U-shaped inlet design is ideal for trapping pet hair without clogging up your air filters, and if you pair your air purifier with the app and select Pet Mode, it automatically alternates between fan speeds.

Since we tested the Vital 200S in a smaller apartment, it was a bit obstructive. But the air purifier can cover up to 1,900 square feet, so if you live in a townhouse or single family home, this unit can accommodate.

Air Purifier

This air purifier from Clorox uses a three-stage filtration system to trap allergens, pollutants, and VOCs, and comes in at just under $100 at the time of this writing. Our Assistant Commerce Editor, Adam Schram, likes to use this air purifier to rid his apartment of strong scents and odors.

"It’s quiet enough that I can hardly hear it activate—something it does often in auto mode when I’m cooking, because I’m terrible at it—and it can clear my kitchen or living room of smoke in just a few minutes when I have it positioned properly," Schram says. "I also like that it has a color-coded indicator light on the front that tells me how hazardous my air is, though it definitely adds insult to injury when it turns purple while I’m trying my best to sear a steak."

Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier

Another quiet operator, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is a great alternative to our top pick. It’s suited for slightly larger rooms (up to 540 square feet) and costs a bit more. We like the sleek design and quiet operation, which claims not to exceed 31 decibels, and there are four different fan modes modes so you can adjust the fan speed.

It has a three-filter filtration system, with a washable pre-filter to trap larger particles, and the odor-removal feature works as intended. This is a great air purifier for larger rooms, although not quite enough for a whole apartment.

Airmega 400 Air Purifier

For truly large spaces or even whole apartments, the Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier is designed to cover up to 1,560 square feet. It also has a variety of smart features, sleep settings, and a surprisingly compact design for such a capable portable air purifier. While pricier than other options in this guide, it’s reasonably affordable considering its capacity, and you shouldn't have to supplement with an additional air purifier.

It's surprisingly quiet given its size, reaching only 22 decibels on its lowest setting. It uses a pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter that captures the tiniest of particles. You can wash the pre-filter, though the main filter needs to be replaced every six months.

The Airmega 400 has a three-setting smart mode that can adapt to its environment, with a fan speed that automatically adjusts based on air quality or lighting conditions. There’s also a timer and pollution sensor. Opinions may vary, but we also really liked the design.

Core 400S Air Purifier

The Levoit Core 400S offers a balance of features that makes it ideal for small apartments or kids’ bedrooms. It has a sleek, compact design that should blend nicely into most homes, and the voice control with Alexa-compatibility brings it well into the 21st century with hands-free operation.

Designed to cover up to 403 square feet, this air purifier is also whisper-quiet. At a max volume of 24 decibels, it’s the quietest purifier on our list. The true HEPA filter adds another layer of performance to an already feature-laden little air cleaner. And it’s priced to compete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers work by using a fan to draw air into the unit and pass it through a series of filters to remove particles and contaminants. These filters vary in effectiveness, and normally target a specific concern liks odors, smoke, and viruses. Once the air has passed through the fan and filters, it is recirculated into the room for a cleaner and healthier environment.

What Do Air Purifiers Do?

"Air purifiers can filter out pollutants, improve air quality, remove infectious agents and pollen," says Dr. Purvi Parikh, MD, with NYU Langone Health. "They limit your level of exposure and reduce lung damage and flare ups of underlying chronic conditions such as asthma attacks, copd exacerbations, and heart issues."

How Can Poor Air Quality Affect Your Health?

"It can affect everyone’s health by causing inflammation and lung damage over time that may be either reversible or irreversible. It is especially dangerous for those with underlying heart disease, lung disease, pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised individuals," says Parikh.

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