In 2018, Tim also tested purifiers in Wirecutter’s Los Angeles office, attempting to simulate wildfire conditions. No air purifier can do anything about allergens, bacteria, or viruses that have settled on furniture and other surfaces. To remove allergens such as pet hair and pollen, you need a vacuum
cleaner or dust mop. Levoit air purifiers are equipped with 3-stage filtration to keep your home
as healthy as possible. The
Levoit Core® 600S
keeps the room fresh when you’re hosting large gatherings of people. Now that you know some of our favorite air purifiers, it’s your turn to go shopping.
The machine keeps running at whatever speed you want, and you get to sleep or watch TV in a nice dark room. The AP-1512HH has also demonstrated the ability to maintain its high performance for years, even as we’ve pushed its filters far beyond their stated one-year lifespan. We ran our original test model for two years without replacing the filter, and it still performed just as well in our follow-up test as it did on day one. We ran our second test model 24/7 for four years, and again we saw no change in performance, noise output, or reliability. Air pollution from US combustion emissions alone results in 200,000 premature deaths a year, according to a 2013 MIT study.
The Honeywell InSight HPA5300B, a large-space model, likely performs well, but after measuring its electricity demands, we dismissed it. Compared with our pick for large spaces, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+, the HPA5300B is a power hog, drawing 33, 60, 94, and 117 watts on its four (low to turbo) speeds, respectively. The Blue Pure 211+, in contrast, tops out at 64 watts on its highest setting yet is also a slightly more powerful machine in terms of clean air delivery rate (CADR). The HPA5300B also has a visually imposing presence, with its stark black color and huge size (22 inches high, 19 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, by our firsthand measurements). Blueair recommends replacing the filter “every six months or so.” Following that schedule, you spend $80 a year on replacements versus about $50 or less for the Coway AP-1512HH and the Winix machines.
Below, find the best deals on air purifiers for your home, all of which have True HEPA filtration, from Dyson, Molekule and more. From splurge-worthy to budget-conscious, these air purifiers offer you clean air that brings relief. An air purifier can help relieve allergy symptoms, whether they’re seasonal or perennial. Instead of entering your body, airborne particles enter the air filter, leaving you with crisp, clean air in your home. HEPA air purifiers capture virus particles, removing them from the air.
The HEPA filter, meanwhile, fits snugly into the AP-1512HH’s frame, sealing tightly against the plastic housing. That prevents air from bypassing the filter around the edges and ensures that virtually all air drawn through the machine gets HEPA-filtered. As we have for years, we normalized the data so that each machine’s peak represented the maximum particulate load it faced, specified as 100%, and its overall performance represented its greatest reduction of particulates relative to that load. It isn’t a perfect approach, but considering the multiple variables involved, it is the most accurate way to compare different purifiers. When retesting our existing air-purifier picks, Tim took four measurements, two using the old filters and two using new filters, to get a picture of how (or even if) their performance changed over time.
However, we can see the appeal of having more information, and the ability to control a purifier remotely or by voice command may be helpful for some people. Yes, HEPA air purifiers are extremely efficient at removing smoke particles from the air. (We use smoke to test them, in fact, so our picks directly reflect their ability to remove it.) But in a wildfire event, purifiers are part of a larger smoke-mitigation strategy. It’s helpful to think of them as a central piece of a comprehensive plan, which we detail in a separate guide to the best wildfire preparedness supplies and strategies. The Coway Airmega 200M is made by the same company as the Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty and is virtually identical to it in every important respect, namely the controls, noise, and performance. And like the AP-1512HH, the 200M lets you completely shut off its display lights, something we value highly for bedroom use.
It’s small enough to fit on the coffee table as you play with Fido or by your bedside while you snooze. Because it’s so small and lightweight, you can bring it with you to every part of your home, which is ideal if you don’t want to cash out for multiple pricey appliances.
This Dyson air purifier and fan goes above and beyond most, even destroying formaldehyde that your furniture may be releasing into the air. This True HEPA air purifier diagnoses your room’s air quality for you as it works and reports back as it cleans.