What is the Best Air Cleaner for Allergies?

If you suffer from allergies and need a unit to cover larger rooms in your home, the Blue Pure 211+ is the ideal choice for you. Not only did it perform well in all of our tests, but it's also an affordable option, meaning those on a budget don't have to compromise on air quality. Thanks to its True HEPA H13 filter, this air purifier passed our tests under a number of conditions, removing 99.9% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns at certain times. The air purifier also captures some bacteria and viruses, and with an advanced activated carbon, the machine filters out volatile organic compounds from the air.

While it's a larger and bulkier model, the result is that it can cover rooms up to 600 feet long, which is truly impressive. However, this increase in coverage doesn't mean that using Blue Pure 211+ will ruin the bank. Instead, this air purifier is also economical to use and is available in a range of colors to make it a little easier to camouflage in your home. The performance of the Blue Pure 211+ in our test range proves its place among the best air purifiers of its kind; it was able to absorb particles under a range of conditions in the most effective way we have ever seen. If you're a smart home fan, then the lack of features with the Blue Pure 211+ may be a little lacking, but for simple and straightforward operation, this device should be an excellent option. The Levoit model combines intelligent functionality with impressive filtering power, thanks to its smartphone connectivity and a true HEPA filter capable of capturing particles up to 0.3 microns in size.

This black color and sleek design of this Bissell purifier give it a high-end professional look, and the three-stage filter can handle allergens, pet hair, smoke and odors with ease. In Auto (similar to medium; the air does not contain a particle counter to adjust to air conditions, but instead asks you to enter the approximate size of your room, after which the machine chooses a fan speed that Molekule deems appropriate), the air performed worse, reducing particles by 0.3 microns at only 18.0% (ambient) and 26.4% (clean). In Silent, it performed even worse, reducing 0.3 micron particles by 6.5% (ambient) and 7.2% (clean). And in Dark plus Auto, with its primary PECO purification system turned off and its fan at the equivalent of a medium setting, it reduced them by 21.3% (ambient) and 18.0% (clean).Interestingly, those numbers closely reflect our results in automatic configuration with the PECO system activated, suggesting the possibility that the Molekule Air depends mainly on its physical prefilter, not its patented PECO mechanism, to remove particles. Keep in mind that because they are so dense and efficient at trapping tiny particles, HEPA filters tend to clog quickly and replacement HEPA filters are expensive compared to other types of replacement filters. However, if the air filter has one or more pre-filters to trap larger particles, the expensive HEPA filter will often last longer, up to 2 years or more before it needs to be replaced. A carbon filter often serves as a pre-filter before a primary or other type of HEPA filter.

Depending on quality, a charcoal filter will also remove smoke and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the air and eliminate kitchen odors and many types of chemical odors. Negative ions are magnetically attracted to airborne particles and bind to the particles. As a result, they are too heavy to stay in the air, so they subsequently fall to the floor or furniture. While this process removes debris from the air, it does not completely remove it from the room, so sitting on the sofa or chair can cause residents of the house to come into contact with pollutants. While it's easy to assume that all air purifiers work in a similar way, several factors affect their functionality. The best air purifiers have HEPA filters, are the right size for the space, and work quietly.

Keep reading to learn about some of the most important qualities to consider when buying the best air purifiers for allergies. Air purifiers are labeled for specific room sizes, which are described in square feet. Calculate the square footage of a room by multiplying the length by the width. If you want to buy a multi-room air purifier, add the square footage for each room. Another figure to consider is the number of air changes per hour. This number shows how many times per hour the entire volume of air in a room will be filtered.

The rating may be displayed for a different room size than the product's “filters up to X sq ft” statement, so be sure to read the fine print. An Energy Star certification means the unit consumes less energy than standard products. These energy-efficient certified appliances generally have lower operating costs and generate less air pollution than standard equipment. Look for the blue Energy Star logo for certified products. If you live in an area associated with higher levels of air pollution, such as a city or town with industrial factories, power plants or chemical facilities, it's especially important to know the AQI. Certain household air purifiers have an air quality indicator which typically uses an infrared beam and a sensor to detect particles. Some intelligent air purifiers are capable of automatically adjusting in response to higher or lower detected air quality levels.

Some air purifiers are designed for travel. These small portable air purifiers can help users sleep better in a new environment by reducing exposure to pollutants. These devices perform the same function as larger devices but are sized just right for smaller rooms. The best air purifiers for travel have a minimum CADR of 217 which is suitable for an average hotel room size.