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Air Purifiers

If you know that you need an air purifier, here are some quick picks from ConsumerSearch.com . If you're not sure whether an air purifier is right for you or if you want to know the details about choosing a purifier, please read on below for descriptions of the different types, as well as major brands and more.

Top Picks

Best Performance: IQAir HealthPro  
($700)

  • The best air purifier on the market. Used in hospitals.
  • Up to 900 sq. ft.

Best Bargain: Alen 350  
($400)

  • Nearly as good as the IQAir for much less money.
  • 400-900 sq. ft.

For Small Rooms:
Whirlpool Whispure  
($270)

  • Good bargain if you don't have severe air quality issues.
  • Less than 500 sq. ft.

For Very Small Rooms:
Honeywell Enviracaire  
($150)

  • Not as powerful as the others, but good for small rooms.

The Truth About Air Purifiers

Do you suffer from severe allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems? You may want an air purifier   to tackle those harmful airborne particles in your home or office.

Keep in mind that an air purifier is a term often used interchangeably with air filter .  An air purifier is sold as a freestanding machine, whereas a filter is usually installed into an air ventilation system in your home to provide clean air throughout the entire environment, and not just in one particular space. Filters for forced-air heating or cooling systems are inexpensive ($15 a filter) and may do just as good a job as a freestanding model.

How to Choose the Right Purifier

If you have decided that an air purifier   is for you, here is what you need to know to find the right one.

Types of Room Air Purifiers

HEPA Filtration Unit
  • HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Arresting. There are stringent requirements on the manufacturing of this type of filter, so you can expect that it will be of high quality.
  • Uses a fan to pull air through a physical filter.
  • Widely regarded as the most effective type of filtration system.
  • Removes particles larger than 0.3 microns wide; most common allergens, such as dust,mold, pollen and animal dander, fit this profile.
  • Will not remove viruses or toxic chemicals.
  • Do not generate ozone.
  • Can be noisy or quiet, depending on the model and the space in which it is used.
Ionic Air Purifiers
  • Work by reversing the charges of particles in the air.
  • Particles are then attracted to surfaces in the room - flooring, furniture, walls, and even clothing.
  • You'll still have to clean regularly to remove the particles from the room.
  • Generates a small amount of ozone.
    • Ozone can be harmful, but ionic filters are within FDA guidelines for ozone emissions.
    • These types of filters are not recommended for those with asthma because the ozone can actually aggravate the problem.
  • Most of the very small models don't actually do a very good job.
  • A better bet would be a larger electrostatic precipitator ,  which is a professionally installed whole-house purifier. These cost substantially more and should only be considered if there is a severe problem and if it can be afforded.

Ozone Generators
  • Generate a large quantity of ozone intentionally.
  • Ozone can help remove strong odors, such as smokiness in fire-damaged buildings.
  • Ozone is toxic in large quantities; these odor-eliminators are not meant to be run around the clock.
  • Should only be used until noticeable odors have disappeared.
  • Do not remove allergens from the air.

Major Manufacturers

Room Air Purifiers

Whole-House Filters

* Denotes do-it-yourself whole-house models.

Related Products

Air Conditioners

Humidifiers

Dehumidifiers

Fans  

HEPA Air Filters  

External Links

Air purifiers are a hot topic and many websites have reviews and buying advice. Here are a few places to go for reviews and buying advice.