We spend most of our time indoors, and the air quality in our homes and offices can be surprisingly poor. Smoke, allergy-causing pollen and dust mites, viruses and bacteria, and common household chemicals all add to indoor air pollution. The best air purifiers improve indoor air quality by removing these pollutants.
After extensive testtesting, the Blueair Blue Pure 311i (available at BlueAir) is the overall best air purifier, combining multiple filters to remove particles and chemicals. For a value-packed HEPA purifier, the Winix 5500-2 (available at Amazon) is a top performer with low operating costs.
However, if you need an air purifier for a specific use case, keep reading—we've tested all these just for you.
Credit: Reviewed / Dave Ellerby
The Blue Pure 311i's prefilter is easy to remove and wash.
Best Overall
The Blue Pure 311i Max is the best air purifier you can buy right now. Its signature super-quiet HEPA filter quietly displaces smoke and particles from the air with amazing efficiency, beating out our previous No. 1 pick, the Blueair DustMagnet 5410i.
The exterior of the Blue Pure 311i is a removable, washable fabric prefilter that traps dander, pet hair, and other larger particles. The interior of the air purifier houses Blueair’s proprietary ultra-quiet HEPA filter and a fan.
Sleep mode further reduces the decibel level of the Blue Pure to a nearly silent whisper, making it a perfect bedroom companion that shouldn’t interfere with sleep.
The Blueair app is also more intuitive than it used to be, giving you control over minor adjustments to the fan level and LED brightness. It also facilitates geo-fencing (a location-based feature that automates the purifier) and offers scheduling features to ensure your indoor air quality will be nice and clean before you get home.
The Blue Pure falls short when removing VOCS, only filtering 70% of the average. If VOCs are your concern, the Dyson PH04 is a better, but more expensive purifier.
Otherwise, this attractive, intuitive, and prefiltered air purifier is the best air purifier for your home. It will trounce wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke, dander, and allergens alike.
Read our full review of the Blueair Blue Pure 311i
Excellent particle filtering
Extremely quiet
Simple controls and app
Washable prefilter
Unimpressive VOC filtering
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
The Winix is a value pick with a few elite features, like an air quality monitor and strong VOC filtering.
Best Value
The Winix 5500-2 is the best air purifier for those looking for a value option, scoring well for particle and chemical removal, ease of use, and low filter replacement costs. The impressive performance comes from a combination of filters.
A washable prefilter protects the other filters from large items like pet hair. Next, a true HEPA filter captures microscopic particles.
A carbon filter absorbs chemical pollutants, like VOCs from paint and cleaning products, and is washable to extend its life. Finally, the Plasmawave stage produces reactive ions that break down more chemicals.
We love the automatic features like an air sensor that adjusts performance to match the air quality and a light sensor that dims the controls and turns down the fan for sleep mode after dark. The washable filter stages and relatively long filter life keep filter costs low.
Easy to move
Easy to change filters
None that we could find
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
Doubling as an attractive side table, the Blueair DustMagnet 5410i has powerful smart features that will help you get the most out of it.
Best for Smoke
The Blueair DustMagnet 5410i has been at the very top of our list of best air purifiers, before being replaced by its cousin, the Blue Pure 311i Max. Now, we’ve named it as the best air purifier on this list (and on the market) to tackle smoke. With exceptional particle removal, the DustMagnet shows that it’s a strong opponent to smoke particles, pollen, pet dander, or airborne dust.
In lab testing, it cut through particle pollution at an impressive rate. It also combined excellent performance with a thoughtful design. It’s not just an air purifier but also stands out among top-rated air purifiers by doubling as a handy end table.
Even at its highest fan setting, the DustMagnet is one of the quietest air purifiers we’ve tested. In night mode, the sound is barely above a whisper, so swapping out your bedside table for this air purifier won’t disturb your sleep.
Chemical absorption was the only area where the DustMagnet fell short, with lower-than-average performance at removing VOCs.
The DustMagnet uses a HEPASilent filter. HEPASilent refers to the low noise levels we measured. The filter is less dense than most HEPA filters, so it doesn’t need a noisy, powerful fan to create airflow. Despite the lower density filter, the DustMagnet uses an ingenious workaround to compensate. An electrostatic filter clumps particles together, making them easier to trap with the HEPASilent filter.
As well as being the best air purifier for smoke, the Dust Magnet includes useful smart features that monitor air quality and filter life and work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The purifier monitors indoor air quality and usage to identify when it’s time to replace the filter, helping you get more from your device and spend less.
Read our full review of the Blue Air DustMagnet 5410i
Exceptional particle removal
Quiet
Alexa and Google Home integration
Lower density filter
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
The LG PuriCare AeroTower’s unique shape, tall stature, and overall weight can make it a hassle to move from room to room.
Best for Large Rooms
The LG PuriCare AeroTower is a HEPA-rated air purifier for large rooms, and its rotating, ductless fan makes it ideal for circulating clean air around open spaces. It performed well for both particle and chemical filtering in our lab tests. The flexible functions, automated controls, and smart features placed it near the top of our rankings.
Unlike most air purifiers, the Aerotower is a tall, tapering, column. It resembles a skyscraper near LG’s head office. Although the appearance may not suit all tastes, that extra height has a function.
Air purifiers rely on unobstructed airflow to work at their best. The top two-thirds of the tower is a ductless fan with adjustable rotation, flow rate, and flow patterns. This creates excellent air circulation.
The AeroTower’s design means that you’re getting two products in one, a ductless room fan and an air purifier. It also has one of the largest square footage ratings we’ve tested. If you like the looks and larger rooms, go for this elegant LG.
Read our full review of the LG PuriCare AeroTower
HEPA rated
Good for large spaces
Includes a ductless room fan
Appearance might not suit all tastes
Requires unobstructed air flow
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
With a fresh design that doesn't scream "I'm an air purifier," the Coway Airmega Icon won't look so out of place in your living room.
Best HEPA
In lab tests, the Icon’s HEPA filter displayed outstanding performance for removing particles and chemicals. It also has sophisticated air quality and light sensing. It runs in a quiet, low-energy mode at night or if the air quality is good. It will even charge your phone.
We also think that the Coway Airmega Icon may be the best-looking air purifier we’ve tested. Admittedly, that’s a low bar, but with the legs and fabric treatment, this is as stylish as air purifiers get. It looks more like a mid-century end table than a typical air purifier.
The extensive area coverage makes this a good choice for large rooms or open-plan homes, as well. Cleaning the fabric cover is a potential downside, but if you want style and efficiency, the Icon is a sound choice.
Read our full review of the Coway Airmega Icon
Attractive design
Good features
Works well
Large
Heavy to move
Hard-to-clean fabric cover
Credit: Reviewed / Dyson
Best Smart Features
The Dyson PH04 is a multi-function device with a fan, air purifier, and humidifier. If humidity is too low, dust levels increase, and dry air irritates the nose and throat, meaning humidity control and air purification are closely linked.
Even so, the PH04 is a specialized product and its high-powered sensors make for a high price tag. We highly recommend it if you’re concerned about chemical pollution and have a living space with low humidity.
The Dyson PH04 is one of the best air purifiers we’ve tested for general VOC removal but it falls short on particle removal. Many air purifiers monitor dust particle levels, but the PH04 also tracks VOCs, including formaldehyde, using high-quality air sensors.
The PH04 is one of the only air purifiers we’ve tested with a filter stage designed to break down formaldehyde. Formaldehyde and other VOCs have many sources, like paints, particleboard, and cleaning products. (We didn’t specifically test the formaldehyde filter. We draw the line at filling our lab with toxic gas!)
We named the Dyson PH04 the best smart air purifier because its app setup is extremely easy, and it has smart home integration. It’s also the most sophisticated air quality sensing of any air purifier we've tested.
As well as white/gold the PH04 comes in nickel/gold.
Read our full review of the Dyson PH04
Excellent at neutralizing VOCs
HEPA filter
Humidifier function as a bonus
Below average for removing particulates
Expensive in the market
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
Best Washable Prefilter
If you’ve got a dog, cat, or, say, a hamster running around your house, the Coway Airmega 250s is one of the best air purifiers for pets out there. During home testing, with dogs and cats in residence, a washable prefilter stopped pet hair from getting to the more delicate HEPA filter stage. The primary filter is a single, easy-to-remove unit. The first layer is activated carbon for VOCs, with the HEPA stage last. This is smart as it keeps the HEPA filter as protected as possible from larger dust particles.
Separate filter indicators for the pre- and primary filters are a unique feature of the purifiers we’ve tested. Sure enough, in a pet-hair-rich environment, the prefilter check came on within a few days.
The particle filtering performance of this purifier is exceptionally good. Note that the manufacturers have also specifically had the Airmega range tested for effectiveness in filtering SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. VOC filtering with the active carbon filter was a little less impressive, rating about average for the air purifiers we’ve tested.
The combination of air quality and light sensors makes for highly efficient running while in Auto mode. For lower air quality, the fan mode is automatically increased.
One thing we don’t love: the IoCare app. We found that the app won’t open after installation unless you grant permissions to make and manage phone calls and access files on your device. For an air purifier, is this really necessary?
Instead, you can purchase the non-app-integrated version, which offers the same everything minus Wi-Fi access.
Economical to run
Excellent particle filtering
Concerns over app security
Credit: Reviewed / Dave Ellerby
Made for bedrooms, the Vital 200S monitors sunlight and goes quiet at night, to keep from interfering with your sleep.
Best For Bedrooms
The Levoit Vital 200S’ adaptive night mode makes it the best air purifier for a bedroom. Its automatic mode relies on air quality and light sensors. It adjusts fan speed for spikes of pollutants and quiets down at night to interfere less with your sleep.
The Vital offers strong filtration and swappable filters for different use cases. These include a toxin filter that delivers a 34% improvement over the standard filter at eliminating chemicals from the air and a pet odor filter.
The device also has handy app controls and a cleanable prefilter for dander and other large particles, making it a perfect choice for homes with pets.
Our only real qualm about the Vital 200S is that it is visually quite basic and might not match more design-focused homes.
Regardless of aesthetic concerns, with filtration performance in the top 10 of any air purifier we’ve seen, a smaller footprint, and smart features that ensure it won’t interfere with your sleep, the Levoit Vital 200S is one of the best out there—especially for bedrooms.
Read our full review of the Levoit Vital 200S
Low noise
Monitors and responds to changing air quality
Washable prefilter
Smart features
May clash with your décor
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
A lack of air quality sensors is a trade-off for the inexpensive cost of the filter.
Best for Allergies
Affordably priced, the Levoit Core 300 is a capable air filter that commits to advanced filtration without the high-end (and costly) sensors that you’ll see in more expensive systems. It’s also nearly silent in sleep mode, making it a sensible pick for a bedroom.
The Levoit has a rounded, tubular build with a perforated bottom plate and a simple illuminated control menu on top.
Its HEPA filter will trap major allergens like pollen, mold spores, or pet dander. It's also a versatile choice with different filter options to tailor it to your specific needs.
The Core 300’s filter is a three-in-one design that includes a prefilter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter. This combined system ranks among the best we’ve tested. The system is also customizable, offering alternative filter types that help with different use cases. These are a pet filter that will help eliminate dander and other allergens and a toxin filter built to handle VOCs, formaldehyde, and other harmful chemicals.
Without an air quality sensor, the Core 300 does not support automatic mode, which could be an issue for some. But before you discount the Core for lack of tech features, be aware that most systems that include an air quality sensor will cost you.
While the 300 might not have the advanced digital bells and whistles that some competitors have, it’s an excellent air purifier for the money, especially given its ability to adapt to different use cases with alternative filter types.
Whether you’re looking for an air purifier to fight allergies, eliminate chemical fumes in a new home, or filter wildfire smoke, the Levoit Core 300 will do you good.
Read our full review of the Levoit Core 300
Simple to use
Quiet sleep mode
Alternate HEPA, pet allergy, and chemical filters
No air quality sensor
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
The Medify’s filters are rated HEPA 13, a high-efficiency type often used in medical facilities that are effective at removing the aerosols that spread SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.
Best for Dust
The Medify MA-50 is a powerful air purifier with true HEPA filtration, and that’s why we think it’s one of the best air purifiers for dust. Its efficient design utilizes a central fan that pulls air through filters on all four sides, maximizing its filtering capacity and ably trapping dust particles.
Medify’s filters are rated HEPA 13, a high-efficiency type often used in medical facilities. The HEPA filters can remove the aerosols that spread SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
High-quality filters are expensive, so the annual filter replacement costs are high. The better the filter, the more it blocks airflow. This calls for a powerful fan, meaning an intrusive noise level at higher settings.
Unfortunately, the Medify has no VOC filter, so it's not much use for trapping chemicals.
Designed for large rooms, the MA-50 is best suited for an open-plan home or office. Medify also has a range of air purifiers with the same HEPA filtration rating but for small spaces.
These are the Medify MA-40, MA-25, and MA14. We didn’t test the smaller units directly, but their similar filter design should give equivalent high performance.
Read our full review of the Medify MA-50
Excellent HEPA filter
Large coverage area
Powerful fans
Expensive filters
Noisy at higher settings
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
Best Air Distribution
The Coway Airmega Aim is a two-in-one air purifier and fan that delivers targeted, HEPA-purified air.
This Airmega Aim creates a cooling draft that oscillates, directing the air throughout your space. It’s a great pick for a desk fan and purifier hybrid.
If air purifiers are installed in inopportune locations, they can fail to cycle enough air. With such a powerful fan, the Airmega Aim circumvents this issue, passing a substantial amount of air through its filter and thereby ensuring it gets cleaned.
This Coway air purifier also includes an air quality sensor. This sensor facilitates automatic mode, in which the Aim adjusts its fan speed based on real-time pollution levels in your space.
The Airmega does have a major blindspot. With such a powerful fan involved, this HEPA filter is considerably louder than others in our guide. Because of this, the Aim might not be suitable for sleeping.
While it won’t beat out some of our top picks for filtering power, the Aim’s two-in-one functionality should make it more than capable enough to find a place in homes and offices. Overall, the Aim is a brilliant combo unit for clean, cool air.
Read our full review of the Coway Airmega Aim
Simple design
Doubles as an oscillating fan
Inexpensive filters
Relatively noisy
No washable prefilter (vacuum only)
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
The Puro Air 240 air purifier offers excellent filtration based on its HEPA 14 filter. Bonus: It's affordable!
Best Value HEPA
The Puro Air 240 is an excellent choice for anyone with particle-based allergies (pollen, pet dander, mold) or who has issues with smoke pollution.
When it comes to its filter, the HEPA is rated H14—this is the top end for HEPA ratings. An H14 filter is rated to stop at least 99.995% of 0.3 micron particles; for comparison an H13 filter is rated to stop at least 99.95% of 0.3 micron particles. In practical terms the difference is tiny and most people wouldn't notice a difference. Each filter stops nearly all pollution particles, but the H14 rating is more about peace of mind than real-world performance.
The manufacturers don't give a clean air delivery rate (CADR) rating, just a square footage it can clean, at 1,115 square feet, which makes it difficult to compare to other products. Room size recommendations are also usually based on CADR. Based on our own smoke clearance measurements for purifiers with a known smoke CADR, this unit likely has a smoke CADR in the 150 to 200 cfm range. This would line up with a capacity to change the air once per hour in the 1,115-square-foot area rating given by the manufacturer. This works well if you live in an open-plan apartment, but if your house is divided into conventional rooms with limited air exchange between them, you won't get that level of coverage. Based on our lab tests and CADR estimates, this purifier would be a better choice for a typical living room or bedroom.
The purifier has an air quality sensor (particles only, not VOCs) and can be left in Auto mode. This mode adjusts fan speed to the air quality level. Auto mode is a great feature as it means you can set the purifier running and never have to adjust the controls yourself. There's also a sleep mode that switches the purifier to the lowest fan setting and dims the lights on the control panel.
At its price point, this is a very affordable air purifier with H14 filtration and an automatic mode, but beware the costly filters that are recommended to change every three months.
Excellent value
Good performance
Auto mode
Simple controls
Expensive to run if filters are replaced every 3 months
Credit: Reviewed / Honeywell
Best for Mold
The Honeywell PowerPlus True HEPA is a solid performer at VOC and particle removal. There’s also an optional extra carbon filter to increase VOC removal. Mold allergies are triggered by a combination of mold spores and the chemical VOCs that molds release. The Honeywell has balanced particle and VOC removal that solves both of these mold-related problems.
The particle filters are HEPA, although the manufacturer doesn’t give the exact rating of the filters. The large filter allows for a high air filtering capacity but is expensive to replace.
The air quality sensor triggers automatic mode, changing the fan level to match the air quality conditions, but this is one of the noisier purifiers we tested. Though the light is dimmable, you’ll need to turn down the fan at night to sleep.
Large filtering capacity
Automatic mode
Bulky design
Noisy at higher settings
Hi, I’m Dave Ellerby, chief scientist in the Reviewed labs. I got my Ph.D. from the University of Leeds in 2000 and my Bachelor of Science from the University of Manchester in 1997.
I oversee our lab testing, develop tests for new products, and update tests to ensure accuracy and meaningfulness. Pollen allergies in the spring and the year-round aroma of two large Bernese Mountain dogs make me particularly interested in indoor air quality.
Credit: Reviewed / David Ellerby
We built an airtight chamber in our lab in order to measure how quickly each air purifier could remove particles and volatile organics compounds (VOCs) from the air.
In our lab, we tested how well air purifiers could remove dust, smoke, and VOCs from an enclosed space. They are also rated on noise and display light levels, ease of setup and use, their looks, and annual filter cost. The top-rated air purifiers made this list.
We tested how quickly the purifiers remove smoke particles and volatile organics compounds (VOCs) from an airtight chamber in our lab.
Each purifier is placed in the chamber and turned to its maximum fan setting. If extra filter mechanisms are available, we switch those on. We record changes in particle and VOC levels, measuring the air cleaning rate for each purifier.
For particles, we focus on those smaller than 10 microns, as they’re small enough to make it into your lungs.
We assess how easy it is to set up the purifier and change the filter, noting how many settings and filter stages it has. We also determine the annual cost of replacing filters.
Finally, the air purifiers go home with the tester to see if fan noise and display lights affected sleeping, conversation, and TV viewing. This also allows us to see how they look in a domestic setting.
Which is the best air purifier for you will depend on the size of your space, air quality concerns, and automation features.
When choosing an air purifier, focus on your main air quality concerns. If you suffer from allergies, are concerned about airborne viruses and bacteria, or encounter wildfire smoke, you need a particle filter. Particle filters don’t remove chemicals, though. To tackle these, your air purifier will need an activated carbon filter or other chemical removal stage.
For the tiniest particulate matter, like smoke and virus-carrying aerosols, you need a high-efficiency particle (HEPA) filter.
We burnt incense near the Blueair Blue Pure 311i purifier to test whether it would sense the smoke and turn its fans on.
The heart of most air purifiers is a fan that pulls room air through the filters and returns filtered fresh air to the room.
All the air purifiers we tested had a particle filtering stage. Many had extra filter mechanisms to tackle chemical pollution, viruses, and bacteria.
Some purifiers include an air quality monitor that automatically adjusts fan speed to match the pollution levels in your home. This keeps down energy and filter use.
High-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) are rated by how efficiently they remove particles down to 0.3 microns.
HEPA filters have a number rating from H10 to H14; the higher, the better. H10 and H11 filters are sometimes described as “True HEPA,” and H13 and H14 filters as “Medical Grade.”
HEPA filters stop smoke. Even though many viruses and bacteria are smaller than 0.3 microns, they’re spread in larger liquid droplets called aerosols. HEPA filters trap these and limit the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
HEPA filters aren’t just for tiny particles, they trap everything larger than 0.3 microns. So if you have allergies, HEPA will help out with larger particles like pollen, mold spores, and pet dander too. This means HEPA air purifiers are a perfect choice if you’re concerned about any type of airborne particle.
Be careful in your choice, as some filter manufacturers use the terms “HEPA like” or “HEPA type.” These are marketing terms that don’t clearly define filter quality.
If you’re investing in a HEPA filter, also look for a purifier with a prefilter. These trap larger items, like pet hair, before they get to your other filter stages. There’s no point paying for a HEPA filter if it gets clogged with cat hair!
Most air purifiers list a coverage area in square feet. For reference, a typical living room or master bedroom is in the 200 to 300 square foot range, while small rooms like bathrooms have considerably less square footage.
Get an air purifier that is the right size for your room. If it’s too small or tucked behind other furniture, it won’t filter the air effectively. If it’s too large, you’re paying for fan power and a filter area you don’t need.
Some manufacturers also report CADR. As explained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this shows how efficiently the air purifier removes pollutants.
If available, the CADR is a more direct performance guide than recommended area coverage. Choose a CADR value that’s about two-thirds of your room’s square footage.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
We tested each air purifier's ability to handle smoke and other particles.
Airborne particles come in a range of sizes. Allergens like pollen and mold spores are relatively large at 10 to 100 microns. If you’re allergic to these, you may not need the highest-performance filters.
Most other problem particles are much smaller. Pet dander and dust mite allergens are in the 10-micron and less range. Smoke and the aerosol droplets created when you cough and sneeze that spread bacteria and viruses are even smaller, at 1 micron or less.
Most hairs are about 70 microns thick, so you can’t see most of the smaller particles. To stop smoke, bacteria, and viruses, get a HEPA filter.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi
Chemicals and VOCs can be major health concerns, we conducted lab tests to gather data on how each air purifier handled them.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major chemical pollutants released by paint, plastics, cleaning products, hair spray, and glue. Nitrogen dioxide comes from burning fossil fuels, and although traffic fumes are a major source, it can make its way into your home.
Nitrogen dioxide and some VOCs have negative health impacts.
Particle filters don’t remove airborne chemicals. If you’re worried about chemical pollutants, ensure your purifier has carbon filters or other mechanisms specifically designed to trap or neutralize them.
Air purifiers range in size from small to, “wow, that’s going to take up some space.” Consider the dimensions and tester notes as they relate to how you’ll use the machine. Do you have one particular room in mind? Or do you plan to move it from the living area during the day to the bedroom overnight? Some of our picks are easily portable. Others, not so much.
For every person who likes to sleep with a fan, white noise and sound machines , or just the buzz of the city outside their window, there’s another who needs a quiet space for sleep. Consider how loud each machine can be when set to low, high, or somewhere in between. We found the Bissell air400 Professional Air Purifier ’s quiet mode to be impressively quiet.
Are you all about high-tech gadgets like robot vacuums in your home? Or would you prefer a product to do its job without too many bells and whistles? Check the descriptions for what sort of features are included in each model. Some, like the Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier , come with connected smart apps. In some cases, you can save money by purchasing an effective product with simple, streamlined features. But don’t compromise when it comes to Hepa. “Hepa purifiers have most studies/data with allergens, viruses, etc., so rely on those and that technology,” says Dr. Purvi Parikh. “Also remember some things like pollen and dust mites are too small to be filtered so you may need to take other measures for those if you are allergic.” For pet owners, using a pet hair vacuum can greatly reduce the amount of pet-related allergens in the air. Additionally, pet hair removers can also help.
All of our recommended air purifiers come with guidelines for room size. If you’ve got a 350 sq. ft. bedroom, for example, you’ll want to check the specs and find a purifier equipped to handle a room that large, such as the AROEVE Air Purifiers for Large Room . As for which room(s) are best to use an air purifier, “most often, I do suggest an air purifier in the bedroom,” Kara Wada, MD, tells PEOPLE. “The home office would be another consideration, especially with more people working from home.” Placing one in the vicinity of a cat litter box can help filter out the dust it generates.
Keep reading to discover the 16 best air purifiers to clean your air and help relieve your allergies, as well as what you should be looking for when shopping for them.
To find out which air purifiers can truly help relieve us of our sniffling allergy symptoms, we tested 38 different air purifiers in our PEOPLE Tested labs, judging each device on the ease of use, value, and how effectively they cleared the air. Our testing methodology was informed by expert allergists to ensure that we found the best of the best.
“Anyone who suffers from breathing symptoms like nasal congestion or conditions such as allergies or asthma can benefit from using an air purifier,” Kara Wada, MD, an assistant clinical professor of Allergy Immunology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells PEOPLE.
We are more aware of the air we’re breathing than ever before. Many people have taken an interest in not just cleaning and sanitizing their homes but making sure that they’re breathing as clean as possible. That’s the purpose of an air purifier: to remove allergens from the air. Some even claim to filter VOCs and pet hair.
You know a product has truly made it when it goes viral on Tiktok . Air purifiers have been around for decades, though the household machines are definitely having their moment in 2023, especially on the popular video app.
Best Overall
Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$220
View On Target
$290
View On Walmart
$250
Our Ratings
Pros
Quick set-up and easy for us to get running, with a user-friendly digital display
Fast and highly effective air purification left air smelling noticeably cleaner
Lightweight and easy for us to move from room to room
Never distractingly noisy, with the “quiet” and “sleep” settings being impressively quiet
Cons
One of the more expensive air purifiers on our list (but also one of the most high-tech)
Our winning air purifier was a hit among even the pickiest air-purifier connoisseurs, tested in rooms with pets and allergens. The Levoit Air Purifier for Home-Large Room was easy to set up, taking just four minutes from start to finish with clear and straightforward directions.
This medium-sized model is a good fit for a large room, with solid construction and an easy-to-read digital display on top. It’s also quite simple to remove the filter from the bottom when it’s time to change it out. We found that the airflow felt great while using the air purifier, and it was never distractingly noisy. In fact, the quiet and sleep settings were super quiet.
If you enjoy multiple features on a household appliance, this model is for you. There are loads of features on the digital display, plus even more on the app, which was easy to install via a QR code. Added bonus: This model is voice-activated through Alexa as well. The app is easy to set up, and it’s quite user-friendly, allowing the user to set a timer and create a schedule. The machine has handles on both sides, so you can move from room to room, and it’s very lightweight considering all it can do.
As for the most important part of this product, we gave it our top ranking for effectiveness. On both the low and high settings it improved the air quality, making it cleaner than it was before our tests. We found debris on the filter (and VOCs went down in our mothball test) so we felt confident this model was doing its job. Based on its performance, we thought the Levoit Air Purifier for large rooms had good value. We would use it in our own homes and recommend it to friends and family.
Dimensions: 10.79 x 10.79 x 20.47 inches | Weight: 12.79 lbs. | Room size: 403 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best Quiet Mode
Bissell air400 Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Walmart
$169
View On Wayfair
$361
View On Chewy
$245
Our Ratings
Pros
Impressively quiet, basically undetectable when set to “quiet mode”
Very effectively purified the air on the lowest setting in only five minutes
Cons
Not a very aesthetically attractive unit
We were off and running with this model with its quick set-up and easy-to-understand digital display and buttons. We chose it as one of our top picks for its quiet setting because you can barely hear it at all. The max setting, however, is quite loud. It could be difficult to have a conversation or watch TV with it in the same room. However, there are plenty of other softer settings.
The Bissell air400 has several features, including a timer that you can set to 1, 4, or 8 hours of continuous use. It’s got a filter change indicator and a digital display that indicates low, medium, and high levels of air contamination. (We corroborated the Bissell air400’s findings with our own air quality testing device.) It also offers a night mode that automatically turns off the machine lights and displays as the room gets dark.
In just five minutes on the low setting, this machine had no problem clearing the air in our test. It’s appropriate for rooms up to 432 square feet, which makes it a versatile option in many homes. We were impressed that the digital display consistently matched our testing device for air quality. The VOC level decreased in our mothball test as well.
For how well this air purifier performed, we found it to be a good value. However, we did note that filters cost around $60. They also need to be replaced every six months, so maintenance is on the pricier side.
Dimensions: 16.13 x 9.75 x 24 inches | Weight: 22.82 lbs. | Room size: 432 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
Best for Small Spaces
Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$50
View On Target
$50
View On Walmart
$50
Our Ratings
Pros
One of the best values for an effective air purifier on our list
Lightweight device was easy for us to move from room to room
So quiet that we could barely hear it at all on the lowest setting
Cons
Only intended for small spaces up to 178 square feet
Low setting doesn’t work well compared to others we tested
Here’s a small and simple model that could be a perfect choice for someone looking to buy their first air purifier. If you’ve got a small space in mind — like a compact office or den, a baby’s room, or a hallway — this is a great option. Set-up took just two and a half minutes. With its minimalist design, this air purifier could fit into just about any aesthetic and into any space thanks to its lightweight stature.
The Levoit Air Purifier for Bedroom is extremely quiet. On the lowest setting, we could barely hear it. The highest setting was a little louder, but nothing that would be distracting. You won’t be distracted by features, either. This is a very basic model with just three different settings: low, medium, and high.
As for effectiveness, in our testing, the low setting was just mediocre. But on the high setting, the smaller Levoit model performed well within ten minutes. All things considered, including the low price point, this is a steal for what it does. It’s a small but mighty product. It works great — and is definitely worth the price.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 10.4 inches | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Room size: 178 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
Best for Large Spaces
Aroeve Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$120
View On Aroeve.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Cleans rooms up to 1,095 square feet but doesn’t take up a lot of floor space
Color changing display notifies you when the air quality is poor, moderate, or good
Cons
Machine is a bit cumbersome and heavy to move
Large, dusty spaces are no match for the Aroeve Air Purifiers, which are rated to help clear the air in rooms up to 1,095 square feet. This device features a color changing display that indicates the air quality levels of any given room: blue for “good air quality,” yellow for “moderate air quality,” and red for “poor air quality.”
Though this machine is capable of filtering the air in large rooms, it doesn’t actually take up a lot of floor space itself. It's sleek and would blend into most home decor, with a design that looks like a small white box that’s not dissimilar to an oversized game console.
Making use of an H13 True HEPA Filter, this air purifier quickly passed all of our tests. It significantly improved the quality of air from hazardous to safe in two to three minutes. This device also contains a UV filter, which Aroeve claims will purify the air further.
While we wish this purifier also came with pet hair filtration, the sleek look, quiet noise levels, and quick purification for large spaces make this device a great choice for those with open-concept floor plans who don’t want to sacrifice good looks and great results.
Dimensions: 13.5 x 7.5 x 17.25 inches | Weight: 8.63 lbs. | Room size: 1,095 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best for Large Spaces, Less Expensive
Clorox Large Room Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$150
View On Target
$150
View On Walmart
$150
Our Ratings
Pros
Effectively cleared the air of scent and smoke after just 30 minutes of use on the lowest setting
Device is rated to clean the air in rooms with an area of up to 1,500 square feet, and is smaller and lighter-weight than most other big-room air purifiers we’ve tried
One of the best values for a large-room air purifier that we’ve tried, and works just as well as some of the higher-end models
Cons
Doesn’t come with as many high-tech features as some of the other air purifiers we’ve tried, and only uses one HEPA filter that didn’t catch pet hair in our tests
You may know the Clorox name for the brand’s surface cleaning products — but they’re also pros at cleaning the air. The brand’s Large Room Air Purifier noticeably improved our test room’s air quality after just 30 minutes on the lowest setting. We found it to be super easy to get start with — just slide the HEPA filter into the bottom of the device, then flip it right side up and plug it in to get one step closer to clean air.
It has four fan speeds and an auto setting, and the rounded filter sucks in debris from 360 degrees around the device. It’s rated to clear rooms with an area of up to 1,500 square feet, yet still manages to be smaller and lighter than many of the air purifiers we’ve tried.
While the Clorox unit was great at removing odor and smoke from the room, it didn’t trap any pet hair in it’s filter during our test, so if your main goal is to trap fur, this might not be up to par. This is a simple unit with none of the fancy bells and whistles that come with top-of-the-line air purifiers, but the low price and effective filtration make it a great value.
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches | Weight: 12.72 lbs. | Room size: 1,500 square feet
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Best Budget
Toppin Comfy Air C2
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Toppinlife.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Lightweight and portable unit was easy for us to move from room to room
Great value for the price compared to other air purifiers we tested
Cons
Surprisingly loud for the small size
This small air purifier is light in both size and price tag. It’s got a simple design with a digital control panel, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. The control panel is easy to understand without having to pull out the instructions—always a plus.
On the highest setting, the noise produced by the TOPPIN air purifier would be very noticeable in a small room. It’s got basic features that line up with its budget price point. The TOPPIN has a timer, and you’ve got your choice of three fan settings on the touch control panel. You can also turn off the lights on the control panel if you want to eliminate light for sleeping.
In just five minutes on the high setting, the machine was able to purify the air and improve the air quality significantly. It took 10 minutes on the low setting, but it got the job done.
For its incredibly reasonable price, this device feels like a no-brainer purchase to us. If you don’t need a fancy app with a bunch of bells and whistles, this is a great product for the price and is very easy to use.
Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 14.8 inches | Weight: 4.5 Pounds | Room size: 215 sq. ft.
People / Henry Wortock
Best Humidifier Combo
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
Dyson
View On Amazon
$999
View On Walmart
$1,000
View On Best Buy
$1,000
Our Ratings
Pros
Purifying and humidifying all in one which ultimately saves space
Helpful and high-tech digital display panel with a connected app
Cons
The most expensive option on our list (but does do the job of two devices in one)
Heavy and difficult to move when filled with water
For those who also shopping for a humidifier, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool model packs a one-two punch with both purifier and humidifier capabilities in one machine. The set-up was fairly easy, though filling the water tank was not intuitive, and we had to consult the manufacturer’s video for help.
It’s heavy while filled with water and will take up space in your room — the signature Dyson loop alone stands about two feet tall, while the entire contraption hits the three-foot mark. The control panel on the front of the unit displays the power level of the purifier and the humidity percentage. When changing the filter, blinking lights guide the process, which was a little tricky but ultimately doable.
On a low setting, the noise from this machine was undetectable, and on a high setting, it sounded like a small fan at medium speed — nice and quiet for sleeping. As for features, this two-in-one combo has an oscillating feature as well as an app, so that you can connect to all of the Dyson products in your home at the same time.
The effectiveness of this model impressed us the most, clearing the air in our testing tent with impressive speed — even after running for just five minutes on high. And while we loved how effectively the unit cleared the air and the added value of a built-in humidifier, the price tag does cause some sticker shock. But if you’re willing to pay for a high-quality, high-tech air purifier, then this is a great choice.
Dimensions: 36.33 x 11.02 x 12.23 inches | Weight: 18 lbs. | Room size: 400 square feet
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Best for Pet Hair
Black+Decker BAPUV350 Air Purifier
Home Depot
View On Amazon
$401
View On Wayfair
$488
View On Home Depot
$488
Our Ratings
Pros
4-stage filtration effectively captured more pet hair than any other air purifier that we tested
Highest settings are powerful and very quickly cleared the room, leaving clean and crisp air
Cons
The highest settings are a little loud for our liking
This is a bigger unit compared to some others we’ve tested, so it might not be a good option for smaller spaces like bathrooms
If your household has shedding pets, you know how difficult it can be to contain the fur and fluff that inevitably ends up floating through the air and covering your furniture. Unfortunately, most of the air purifiers that we’ve tested couldn’t suck up large hair particles — but this Black+Decker was able to capture hair while it cleared the air. After turning the air purifier on it’s highest setting in our test room, not only did the air smell clean and crisp, but there was also a noticeable amount of hair built up on the filter that the air purifier extracted from the air. That may be thanks to the 4-stage filtration system which includes a HEPA filter, Ozone filter, electrostatic filter, and pre-filter.
The Black+Decker purifier also comes with a few features, including a sleep and auto mode. The unit is a little larger than some of the others that we’ve tested, and the design looks kind of like a futuristic kitchen trashcan. And, while the highest settings were super effective, they were also a little loud for our liking. This air purifier is on the mid-to-expensive end of the price range for the units we’ve tested, but for homes with pets, the hair-sucking filter makes it well worth the price.
Dimensions: 27.1 x 14.4 x 14.8 inches | Weight: 28.2 lbs. | Room size: 500 sq. ft.
Best with Carbon Filter
Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Home Depot
$370
View On Sylvane.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Uses 3 different filters: pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter
Energy efficient, which means lower electricity bills
Sleek design looks more like a sculpture than an air purifier
Cons
Pretty large and heavy, so would be difficult to move to another room
Only effectively removes allergens in spaces up to 275 square feet, making this a pricey small-room air purifier compared to others that we tested
With five solid gold stars on Amazon, this air purifier from Rabbit is Energy Star certified and (as its name implies) impressively quiet. It features 3 filters: one pre-filter, one charcoal-based carbon filter, and a HEPA filter to top it all off.
After about 10 minutes on its lowest setting, the Rabbit Air BioGS was able to significantly improve the air quality of our testing room. We liked that this device had easy-to-read settings and a timer for shutting off.
The unit is rather large, but the design is sleek look and sculptural, so we’d probably try to pass it off as a piece of living room art. It’s also pretty heavy, so keep in mind that this might be a difficult unit to move for those who have a harder time lifting heavy things. It’s rated to be effective for spaces up to 550 square feet for normal use or 275 square feet for heavy allergy sufferers.
Though the Rabbit Air BioGS doesn’t have a stand-alone pet hair filter, the pre-filter and HEPA filter do a pretty good job at clearing away pet hair particles, as well as pet allergens and odors. This device will be more effective in smaller spaces, but overall, we felt that this product was a great value for the cost.
Dimensions: 22.2 x 16.6 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 16.8 lbs. | Room size: 550 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best for Living Rooms
Winix 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$160
View On Target
$160
View On Walmart
$160
Our Ratings
Pros
Efficiently cleans the air in rooms up to 1,740 square feet
Very easy for us to get started with, and ready to use right out of the box
Color-changing air quality indicators helped us feel more confident in the quality of the air we breathed in
Cons
Indicator lights didn’t pick up dirt or incense smoke accurately
Fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box, the Winix 5500-2 air purifier was as clear to use as the air that comes out of it. This device is rated to refresh the air in a space up to 1,740 square feet in an hour, which makes it a great choice for open communal spaces such as living rooms and kitchens.
One of the more unique features offered by the Winix 5500-2 is an indicator light that changes colors according to air quality — blue for “good,” orange for “fair,” and red for “poor.” This feature proved useful in our tests, and we watched the light change turn orange when we sprayed air freshener near the device, then back to blue once it had filtered out most of the scent after 30 minutes on the lowest setting. We did notice that the color-changing indicators didn’t really pick up the dirt or incense that we put in front of it during our tests, so the reading might not be as accurate as they claim to be.
We were impressed with how well the Winix 55000-2 handled pet hair, which it immediately sucked up and held in the filter.
Dimensions: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | Weight: 14.8 lbs. | Room size: 1,740 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best for Bedrooms
Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$150
View On Target
$180
View On Levoit.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Sound is nearly undetectable on the lowest setting and still very quiet on the highest setting
Connected smart app allowed us to monitor our air quality in real-time
Includes a sleep timer and ability to dim the display
Cons
One of the more expensive air purifiers for the small size
The filter was easy for us to locate, with an intuitive twist-off design. The device is pretty simple, with three fan settings to choose from and a sleep timer and dim-display options. The lowest setting was impressively quiet — even quieter than most household refrigerators and dishwashers. Even the high setting was quieter than the lowest setting of some purifiers we tested. The Lecoit Core 300S is also impressively powerful and easily cleared the scent of incense from a small room in just 30 minutes on the “low” setting. It’s rated to work in smaller rooms than some of the other devices we tested in the same price range, so we think it would work well in smaller spaces that require quieter devices, like the bedroom.
The Levoit Core 300S offers a slew of special features, including a connected smart app that allows you to closely monitor your air quality and control the purifier from afar. The design is sleek and user-friendly, with a twist-off top that’s so easy to open that we think even a child could open and replace the filter if needed. Another neat feature: The lock button allows you to freeze the interface so that your kids or pets can accidentally change the settings. The only drawback that we could find for this air purifying device is the price, which is higher than the average device of this size, but we think that the smart features and nearly undetectable noise level make it well worth the price.
Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.6 x 14.2 inches | Weight: 6 lbs. | Room size: 219 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best with Timer
Kenmore 1500e Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$170
Our Ratings
Pros
Five powerful purification settings clean the air quickly without distracting noise (if anything, we liked the white noise that the highest setting provided)
Useful settings include a timer that can be set for from 1 to 12 hours and a child safety lock
Cons
Device is taller than some others on our list, but also rated to clear much larger rooms than most
Digital display is a little dim, making it hard to read the controls at first glance
The Kenmore 15000e Air Purifier is easy to get started with, super effective, and moderately priced compared to others we’ve tried. It’s also impressively quiet, even on the highest of the five fan settings. It has a time feature that allows you to set it for 1 to 12 hours, and a child safety lock. Though this is a taller air purifier than some of the others we’ve tested, it’s also rated to clean the air in very large spaces — 1,500 square feet of space, to be exact.
After just 15 minutes of running the air purifier on it’s high setting, the air was noticeably cleaner. And, even on the highest setting, we barely noticed any sound (it actually created a pleasant white noise that helped block out other sounds while we slept!).
The filter was simple for us to insert and replace by pulling open the side door. The easy setup and powerful yet quiet performance set this unit apart from others in the same price range, but we did find the display to be a little too dim to be useful. Other than a lack of brightness with the display, this air purifier delivers everything we’re looking for.
Dimensions: 11 x 21 x 11 inches | Weight: 17.16 lbs. | Room size: 1500 sq. ft.
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Best for Odor Control
Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max Air Purifier
Blueair
View On Amazon
$145
View On Target
$170
View On Blueair.com
$125
Our Ratings
Pros
Quickly and quietly removed Febreze odor from a small room in less than 30 minutes of use
Filtered out pollen, making a noticeable difference in our allergy symptoms during the testing process
Cons
Only one button to change all of the settings, and it can be annoying
Small rooms like bathrooms or kitchens can easily get smelly, but the Blueair Blue Pure Max quickly gets rid of foul odors so that you can breathe easier. We placed this air purifier in our kitchen, which is usually a source of springtime allergens carried through the window. After letting the Blue Pure Max run for thirty minutes in the kitchen, our runny noses and itchy through miraculously disappeared, as did any lingering scent of Febreze and usual kitchen odors.
The Blue Pure Max unit clears the air of odor and pollen quickly — and does it quietly. We love that the device offers a “night mode,” which is great for even the lightest sleepers. The Blue Pure Max also comes with a connected app that provides real-time air quality measures when synced to the device.
One thing that we found a bit frustrating about the air purifier was that to toggle between the different settings, we had to continuously click one button (which took some time when attempting to set the device to its highest setting). For the price, we’d hope for something a bit more streamlined, but it does such a good job at clearing the air of foul odors that it might be worth the cost.
Dimensions: 18.9 x 10.6 x 10.6 inches | Weight: 7.5 lbs. | Room size: 526 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best Energy Saving
VEVA 8000 Black Air Purifier
Amazon
View On Amazon
$121
View On Home Depot
$46
Our Ratings
Pros
One of the best values compared to other air purifiers we tested and uses less wattage to run, which may result in lower energy bills
Left air smelling cleaner in just 30 minutes of use on the lowest settings
Cons
Doesn’t offer any special features, just three basic modes, and an on/off switch.
The Veva 800 is a hassle-free air purifier that delivers clean, fresher-smelling air quietly — and for a very reasonable price. The device comes out of the package in two pieces, the base device and the filter. From there, we turned the device on and experienced fresher, cleaner air within 30 minutes of use. Not only is this unit an effective and affordable option from the get-go, but we also found that it used very little wattage to run, which leads us to believe that it wouldn’t surge our energy bills.
If you’re looking for an air purifier that does what it says it will and nothing more, then this economical device might just be your new favorite unit.
Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 23 inches | Weight: 7 lbs. | Room size: 325 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Easiest to Use
Bionaire True HEPA 360 UV Air Purifier
Target
View On Amazon
$180
View On Target
$180
View On Walmart
$155
Our Ratings
Pros
Simply, sleek design was easy for us to get started with doesn’t include unnecessarily complicated buttons
Offers unique features like a UV disinfectant light mode and nightlight mode that’s great for kids
Cons
Highest setting is louder than many of the other air purifiers on our list
The difference that the Bionaire True HEPA air purifier made in our air quality was apparent that we didn’t even need to consult the air quality measurements to know that we were breathing in fresher air. The device comes with three fan-speed settings that range from low to high and a night light mode that’s great for a kid’s bedroom.
The buttons are simple and intuitive to use, and we had no trouble getting the machine up and running. The manual was clear and concise, and the air purifier itself is sleekly designed with a few cool features (an internal UV light to kill bacteria, a 360-degree air filter that sucks in pollution from all sides) but none of the extra frills that might make a device more finicky to use.
Our only gripe with the Bionaire True HEPA air purifier is the noise level, which was a bit higher than some of the other air purifiers that we tested. But, other than that, this cute little model gave us everything that we needed to breathe easy (literally).
Dimensions: 10.98 x 10.43 x 17.01 inches | Weight: 7.98 lbs. | Room size: 175 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
Best Design
Coway Airmega 160 Air Purifier
Walmart
View On Walmart
$189
View On Cowaymega.com
$190
View On Sylvane.com
$189
Our Ratings
Pros
Device has a small floor profile and is designed to look more like a sculpture than an air purifier
Very easy for us to remove and replace the filter
Impressively quiet for those not wanting white noise
Cons
Slightly expensive compared to other air purifiers that clean a similar-sized room
If you’re looking for an air purifier that doesn’t look at all like an air purifier, then the Coway Airmega 160 might be your new favorite device. The device feels more reminiscent of a boxy sculpture than an unsightly air purifier, but rest assured: It also did a great job of cleaning the air. Within 30 minutes of use, the dust particulates were noticeably gone from the previously dusty space. The minimalist control panel was simple for us to get started with, and the buttons felt self-explanatory.
Of all the air purifiers that we’ve tested, this one was the easiest to remove and replace the filter in. The unit is also impressively quiet. It can clean a small-sized room, so that price feels slightly high for the amount of space it covers, but we think it’s worth the price when you factor in the sleek design and impressively quiet noise level.
Dimensions: 13.4 x 18.5 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 12.1 lbs. | Room size: 214 square feet
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
People / Henry Wortock
The 11 Best Alarm Clocks of 2024, Tested by Light and Heavy Sleepers
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