8 air purifiers to consider in 2024

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A quick look at the best air purifiers in 2024

• Best for households with pets: Medify Air MA-40 Air Purifier
• Best for automatic sensors: Mila
• Best for a long warranty: Oransi Max Air Purifier
• Best for asthma and allergies: RabbitAir A3 Air Purifier
• Best for fast filtering: Alen BreatheSmart FLEX True HEPA Air Purifier
• Best for smaller rooms: Coway Airmega 150
• Best for a sleep mode: Winix 5550-2
• Best for workspaces: BlueAir Pro M
• Best for smartphone compatibility: Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Air purifiers help remove particles from indoor air. The particles they can remove include:

• allergens such as pet dander and dust
• air pollutants such as smoke and other chemicals
• airborne mold

Air filters are typically effective in a single room or area of the house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that, although air purifiers can reduce indoor air pollution, they cannot remove all the particles from the air.

Air purifiers can help improve the quality of the air. There are three types of filters available:

• Filtered air purifiers: These capture pollutants in the air and trap them in a filter cartridge.
• Electrostatic air purifiers: These create charged particles and then use the charge to attract and trap the particle in the filter.
• UV light-emitting air purifiers: These devices use UV light to neutralize certain pollutants, such as bacteria and viruses. Learn more about UV air purifiers.

The EPA says that an air purifier should come with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) — a higher rate indicate the purifier’s ability to filter larger areas or rooms.

Other health experts state that electric air purifiers, such as electrostatic and UV light-emitting purifiers, create ozone gas. In addition to these types, ionizers and hydroxyl generators also produce ozone gas. The specialists warn that these types of filters can create potentially hazardous indoor air pollution.

The Environmental Working Group states that people should use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to prevent air filters from emitting ozone.

Air purifiers can reduce harmful particles, such as allergens and certain gases, indoors.

The EPA states that a person should look for the following types of filters based on their needs. For example, to help remove allergens and larger particles, individuals should look for a purifier with a HEPA filter. And to reduce gases or fine particles, such as smoke, people should look for an activated carbon filter.

Learn more about the best air filters for smoke.

In a 2021 review of studies, researchers looked at scientific evidence related to the effectiveness of air purifiers. They found limited evidence on the efficacy of air purifiers, with the investigated studies suggesting that portable air purifiers improved indoor air quality by between 22.6 and 92%.

Additionally, some of the research in this review found that air purifiers improved blood pressure, respiration, and pregnancy outcomes. However, the scientists note that the studies they examined showed inconsistent findings.

The following are some air purifiers that can help filter pollutants and allergens from the air.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best for households with pets: MEDIFY Air MA-40 Air Purifier

• Price: $383.99
• Room size: 840 square feet (sq ft)
• Pro: This air purifier uses several filters, including those designed for pet dander.
• Con: Some buyers found the motors too loud.

MEDIFY Air offers a three-stage filter that captures large, medium, and small particles. The filters include:

• a large filter for catching dust and pet hair
• a HEPA filter for catching particles such as pet dander and pollen
• an activated carbon filter that captures odors and other gases

The purifier has a CADR of 330, meaning it can filter the air in a medium-large area. The company claims it can filter up to 840 sq ft in 30 minutes.

People can also turn the product’s ionizer on and off as they wish.

The MEDIFY Air MA-40 also has the following features:

• easy filter changes
• child safety functions
• a 4-speed selection
• an auto shut-off

The company offers a lifetime warranty and service if a person changes the filters every 3,000 hours or every 6 months with MEDIFY filters.

Reviews

Positive reviews listed on the MEDIFY website comment on an immediate effect and product efficiency.

Some negative comments mention the noise and the need to manually turn on the device.

Best for automatic sensors: Mila

• Price: $349
• Room size: up to 1,000 sq ft
• Pro: This air purifier uses eight sensors to filter different particles from the air.
• Con: Some buyers feel the company could improve its app and the purifier was ineffective for odor control.

The Mila uses certified HEPA filtration and activated carbon to clean the air. The company says this purifier has a CADR of 477 per hour and can filter the air in a room within 30 minutes.

The Mila automatically activates and filters the air using eight sensors. This filter can help with smoke, allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other small particles.

People can order filters as and when they need them or by subscription.

Mila offers a 1-year limited warranty for manufacturing defects.

Reviews

Some positive reviews on the MILA website mention the product’s efficiency and relative affordability compared with other brands.

There are limited negative comments on the website. However, one user comments that the MILA is not very effective at clearing odors. Another review states that the company could improve the functionality of its app.

Best for a long warranty: Oransi Max Air Purifier

• Price: around $299
• Room size: 600 sq ft
• Pro: This air purifier is lightweight and portable.
• Con: Buyers found the motor loud and the filters expensive to replace.

The Oransi Max Air Purifier uses a HEPA filter and active carbon to remove allergens, viruses, and other particles and some odors from the air.

The company states that this purifier is suitable for smaller spaces such as bedrooms and offices and can clean the air in rooms sized up to 600 sq ft. The machine is also lightweight and portable, removes mild smoke odors, and has a CADR of 217.

Oransi also offers a 60-day return policy and a 10-year warranty on all products.

Reviews

Positive reviews mention that this air purifier is very effective and some customers noted it helped improve allergies.

However, some people said the filters were expensive and it was loud even on its lowest setting.

Best for asthma and allergies: RabbitAir A3 Air Purifier

• Price: $749.95
• Room size: up to 1,070 sq ft
• Pro: This air purifier has certification from The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
• Con: It is an expensive air purifier.

According to the manufacturer, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certifies this purifier as suitable for people with asthma and allergies. This device can filter up rooms of up to 1,070 sq ft with a CADR of up to 316.

RabbitAir states that this device is very quiet with long lasting filters. The purifier can remove particles 0.3 microns in size at 99.7% efficiency and particles less than 0.1 microns in size at 99% efficiency.

The device also features five layers that can capture particles such as dust mites, mold, fungi, and pollen. People can choose from a variety of customer filters when ordering the A3.

Additionally, RabbitAir offers a 5-year warranty and year-round technical support.

Reviews

Positive reviews on the RabbitAir website mention that the product works, particularly for asthma and allergies.

One reviewer mentions that they had difficulty setting it up and using the model.

Learn about the best air purifiers for asthma.

Best for fast filtering: Alen BreatheSmart FLEX True HEPA Air Purifier

• Price: $349
• Room size: up to 700 sq ft
• Pro: The purifier works quickly and comes with a lifetime warranty with a subscription.
• Con: Some buyers claim it does not work well for odor control.

This air purifier has a HEPA filter and can filter the air in a 700 sq ft room within 30 minutes. Alen offers a subscription service for their filters, where the company sends a new filter every 9 months for a reduced price.

The company states that each filter can last 12 months with 24-hour use and has a CADR of 225.

Alen offers a lifetime warranty on the BreatheSmart FLEX True Hepa Air Purifier if a person registers the product and signs up for a filter subscription.

Reviews

Positive reviews mention the efficacy of the product and ease of ordering.

Some negative comments state that the product does not work for odor control and did not include instructions in the packaging. Some users also state that the device did not work for them.

Best for smaller rooms: Coway Airmega 150

• Price: $189.99
• Room size: 214 sq ft
• Pro: The air purifier can pick up 99.9% of bacteria, mold, viruses, and pollen.
• Con: Some buyers found the motor too loud.

The Coway Airmega 150 uses a HEPA filter which the manufacturers claim captures 99.9% of particles, including bacteria, mold, viruses, and pollen.

This is best suited to smaller rooms and can filter the air in rooms up to 214 sq ft.

The HEPA filter has a life expectancy of 12 months, and the CADR is 138 for smoke, 161 for dust, and 219 for pollen.

This air purifier comes in three colors: white, sage green, and peony pink.

Coway offers a 3-year limited warranty and motor and electrical parts. However, users need to register their purifier to get this.

Reviews

Positive reviews on the Coway website mention the unit is easy to use, efficient, and quiet.

Some negative comments mention a plastic smell, a loud motor, and poor customer service.

Read our Coway air purifier review.

Best for a sleep mode: Winix 5550-2

• Price: $249.99
• Room size: 360 sq ft
• Pro: This air purifier uses light levels to activate different modes.
• Con: There are no online reviews available.

This model from Winix has several smart features including a sleep mode. It automatically detects light and will activate its sleep mode in low light conditions. The smart sensors also detect air quality and adjust fan speed as appropriate.

It features a True HEPA filter as well as a washable AOC carbon filter and a washable pre-filter. It alerts users when the filter needs replacing. Typically, its filters can last up to 12 months.

Winix claims this model holds verification from AHAM Verifide for 360 sq ft rooms. The company does not list the CADR for this model.

The Winix 5550-2 is backed by a 2-year warranty.

Reviews

There are no reviews available to view on the Winix website regarding this product.

Best for workspaces: BlueAir Pro M

• Price: $699.99
• Room size: 418 sq ft
• Pro: The air purifier has a number of independent quality verifications.
• Con: Some buyers debate the effectiveness of this air purifier.

BlueAir states this purifier has a range of independent verifications, including:

• AHAM Verified for performance and CADR
• California Air Resources Board for ozone safety standards
• Energy Star rating for efficiency

It writes this purifier is suitable for large workshops, studios, or offices. It can remove dust, pollen, mold, dander, bacteria, and viruses. It can also filter dust mite matter, VOCs, smoke, and odors.

It operates quietly, which may be suitable for workspaces.

The Pro M can filter the air in a 387 sq ft room in around 13 minutes. On higher settings, it can filter the air of a 1,857 sq ft room in 1 hour. On the highest setting, it can move 330 square ft or air per minute.

The CADR is 350 for pollen, 285 for dust, and 250 for smoke.

People can have regular filter shipments in deliveries every 3, 6, or 9 months.

It has up to 5 years of warranty coverage when a person registers their air purifier online. People can also test this purifier for 60 days.

Reviews

Positive reviews write that the Pro M has helped people with chronic conditions improve their breathing and reduced allergy symptoms. However, some critical reviews state that the filter emits a burning smell, and others did not find it to be very effective.

Read our BlueAir review.

Best for smartphone compatibility: Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

• Price: $219.99
• Room size: 403 sq ft
• Pro: Users can sync this air purifier with a smartphone to control settings and view air quality information.
• Con: Some users reported the filter gives out an unusual smell.

This model from Levoit allows users to sync the device to their smartphone using an app. Here, they can control the settings, view air quality information, check the filter life, and set timers.

It uses true HEPA filtration and can function in rooms up to 403 sq ft.

It has a CADR of 260. However, the manufacturers do not estimate the lifespan of the filter.

It comes with a 2-year limited warranty, free shipping, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Reviews

Positive reviews on the Levoit website mention it is effective, easy to set up, and the app is simple to use.

One negative comment claims that the fan speed does not operate quickly enough for optimum air quality. Other reviewers mention a delay in shipping and an unusual smell after a few hours of use.

Below, we compare all the air purifiers in this article.

When purchasing an air purifier, people may wish to consider the following factors:

• Type: Filtered air purifiers trap pollutants in a filter cartridge, while electrostatic purifiers use a charge to trap particles in a filter. UV light-emitting purifiers neutralize pollutants using UV light.
• CADR: People may wish to look for a higher CADR when purchasing a purifier, as high-CADR devices can filter larger areas.
• Cost: Individuals can find air purifiers to suit most budgets. However, they often cost over $100. People should also consider the cost of replacement filters and the device’s energy rating, which may indicate how expensive an air purifier is to run.
• Lifestyle: Some air purifiers reportedly claim to remove pet dander from the air. People may wish to consider buying a device that manufacturers state is suitable for homes with pets.
• Conditions: Some air purifiers claim they are more suitable for people with allergies or asthma. People living with conditions like these should prioritize filters that relevant health organizations have tested or verified for effectiveness and safety.
• Warranty: A person may wish to purchase a device that comes with a warranty or home trial.
• Safety: People with children may wish to buy an air purifier with child safety features.

Air filters cannot stop the root cause of air pollutants in the home. For example, some air filters may help remove the smell of mold, but they will not eliminate the problem. Individuals will need to remove the source of the pollutants and improve air quality.

The EPA suggests taking the following steps to improve air quality:

• removing the source of the gas or particle
• changing filters on air conditioning and heating units frequently
• using air purifiers rated for the size of the room and specific pollutants

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about air purifiers.

Does an air purifier actually work?

There is some evidence to suggest air purifiers do work. For example, a 2022 study investigated the efficacy of air purifiers inside classrooms. The researchers found they were effective in reducing indoor air pollution.

Is it worth getting an air purifier?

Air purifiers can be an effective way to clean the air in someone’s immediate environment. People should ensure they get an air purifier suitable for the size of the room they will use it in and that it filters the particles or gases they wish to reduce in their home, such as VOCs, dust, pollen, or pet dander.

Online reviews often mention that air purifiers help reduce allergy symptoms, but individual experiences will vary. If a person is unsure whether to invest in an air purifier, they may wish to choose a manufacturer that offers a trial period and free returns.

What are the cons of an air purifier?

Some of the downsides of an air purifier are that they:

• are often expensive
• can be loud or bulky
• can contain ionizers that generate ozone, which negatively impacts the environment
• require maintenance with replacement filters
• can consume high amounts of power

What are air purifiers good for?

According to the EPA, air purifiers may help to:

• alleviate symptoms of asthma or allergies
• remove harmful chemicals from indoor environments
• reduce the amount of airborne viruses and bacteria in the air
• reduce bad odors

Some research suggests they may also improve sleep quality.

Air purifiers can help filter the air and remove allergens and pollutants. HEPA filters and activated carbon are suitable options for eliminating allergens and gases from the air. People should also consider the length of warranty and CADR a manufacturer offers.