If you can imagine a sound that is somewhere between rustling leaves and a whisper, that is the level of noise the Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier makes. On its lowest setting, the fan noise is 22 dB, which is considered a faint sound. Despite its gentle hum, this purifier has plenty of power and can capture up to 99.99 percent of nano-sized particles down to 0.1 microns. To enjoy a pleasant scent in your space, just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the aromatherapy pad. And since this purifier stands just 10.4 inches high and weighs slightly more than 2 pounds, it’s the perfect addition to a nightstand, dresser, or desk. While different people will find different levels of noise more or less tolerable, we measured how loud each machine is using a decibel reader.
It’s an attractive machine, too, with its simple cylindrical form and tweedlike fabric covering (which also acts as a prefilter; you can launder it to keep the prefilter performing at its best). The purifier comes standard with a gray covering, and several other colors “inspired by the natural landscapes of Scandinavia” are available for purchase separately. We have tested and reviewed the Molekule Air Pro and Air Mini+, and will be reviewing several other purifiers soon. With the Vital 200S, airborne pollutants that make you sneeze and cough won’t stand a chance. Here are some additional key features of the Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier, according to Levoit. Perhaps the most unique part about this purifier is that it can be mounted to a wall and mimic a piece of art.
Be advised, the Core 300 can still utilize the same pet filters, perhaps saving you some money on the initial outlay. The Levoit air purifier was not the top performer in my tests, but it was reliable, easy to use, and compact enough not to take up precious real estate in a small room. Read on to learn more about this budget-friendly air purifier and to determine if it’s a good fit for your home or office. John Holecek, who co-wrote and performed testing for previous versions of this guide, holds a master’s degree in earth science, with a focus on climate, aerosols, and analytical chemistry. He has conducted laboratory tests for Wirecutter’s air purifier reviews since 2014. Since 1999, he has studied particulate air pollution for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in the private sector.
The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is our choice among air purifiers for large spaces of up to 650 square feet, especially when the space involves open floor plans or high ceilings. With the ability to filter more air per hour than our top pick, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty, it works faster to achieve and maintain low particulate levels in such challenging rooms. It was an exceptional performer in our testing, and it’s quiet and attractive, to boot. All that said, unless you really need to clean a particularly
large space, the quieter, smaller, and more affordable AP-1512HH is usually a better option. Because most air purifiers have several speed settings, we test for dust and smoke removal both on the highest speed and at a lower speed that runs at a noise level no louder than 50 decibels. And because air purifiers must be running at all hours to be effective, we calculate annual operating costs, which include filter replacements and energy use to run the machine 24 hours a day for an entire year.
In testing, the Dyson TP07 was quick to set up—taking just under five minutes. Our tester was thrilled with the improved air quality when putting the Dyson TP07 to the test against smoke and pet hair.
Our tester found this purifier to be very lightweight and easy to move around the home. Its compact size makes it a good option for small spaces—the purifier covers an area of up to 215 square feet.
Toscano also consulted with Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro and a member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board. Homer has over two decades of professional cleaning experience, including education experience in the professional residential cleaning industry. We had to reinstall it twice when it crashed over the course of our testing period.