If you can see dust particles floating through your living room or notice that cooking smells linger around the house for days, it might be time to invest in an air purifier for your home. The best air purifiers remove air pollutants like pollen, dust, smoke, and pet dander, and many can also help eliminate unwelcome odors.
There are a few different types of air purifiers available, but experts recommend models that use HEPA filters, which are highly effective against microscopic particles. To find out which air purifiers can truly help relieve us of our sniffling allergy symptoms, we tested 38 top-rated models, evaluating each device on design, ease of use, and how effectively it cleared the air. These are the 10 best air purifiers we tested.
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Highly effective on allergens and odors
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Auto mode helps maintain air quality
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Specialty filters available
The Honeywell InSight Series HEPA air purifier was a top performer in our testing, proving to be efficient against allergens, odors, and everyday dust — it helped to noticeably alleviate one of our tester’s pet allergies with frequent use. The purifier is equipped with a HEPA filter that captures microscopic airborne particles, as well as a carbon pre-filter to neutralize odors. We like that there are also specialty filters that you can add to your setup to target things like pet odors, smoke, or even VOCs.
The Honeywell air purifier has three speed settings and an auto mode, which responds quickly to contaminants in the air. We like that this model has an indicator light that changes color to let you know when the air quality has decreased, and on its lowest setting, we could barely tell that the fan was running. The only downside is that the unit’s pre-filters aren’t supposed to be vacuumed — instead, the brand recommends replacing them every three months.
Dimensions: 19 x 17.9 x 10.1 inches | Weight: 20.5 pounds | Room Size: 500 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA and carbon | Filter Life: 3 months (pre-filters), 12 months (HEPA)
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Performs well in small and medium spaces
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Virtually silent on low speed
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Energy-efficient operation
The Kenmore 850e air purifier may be inexpensive, but it still uses a HEPA 13 filter to remove contaminants from the air. In testing, we found that it was effective in small- and medium-sized rooms, and it’s virtually silent on the lowest of its three speed settings. This air purifier has three filters — a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter — making it efficient against things like dust and pollen, as well as odors, but the downside is that they’re all connected, so you can’t replace just one at a time.
This air purifier is Energy Star-certified, and it used notably less power than other models in our testing. However, this model does require more upkeep than others — the brand recommends vacuuming its filter every two to four weeks to keep it working optimally.
Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 14.07 inches | Weight: 4.38 pounds | Room Size: 850 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA H13 and activated carbon | Filter Life: Not listed
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Lightweight and compact
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Works quickly, even on low
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Removed smoke and odor from the room
Despite its surprisingly small size, the Clorox air purifier noticeably improved the air quality in our testing space after 30 minutes on the lowest setting. We found it to be super easy to get started with, too. It has four fan speeds and an auto setting, and the rounded filter sucks in debris from 360 degrees around the device. This model is 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 its filter during our test, so if your main goal is to trap fur, this might not be up to par. After six months of testing, we also noticed that it can be a bit noisy when it kicks up to high fan speeds.
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches | Weight: 12.7 pounds | Room Size: 1,500 square feet | Filter Type: True HEPA and activated carbon | Filter Life: 6-12 months
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PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
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PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
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Noisy on higher speeds
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Fairly bulky unit
After turning the Black and Decker air purifier on its highest setting in our test room, not only did the air smell clean and crisp but there was also a noticeable amount of pet hair built up on the filter that the air purifier extracted from the air. That may be thanks to the four-stage filtration system which includes an activated carbon HEPA filter, ozone filter, electrostatic filter, and pre-filter.
The Black and Decker purifier has several useful features, including a sleep and auto mode. While the highest settings were super effective, they were also a little loud for our liking. The unit is a bit larger than others we’ve tested, and the design looks like a futuristic kitchen trash can. 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-capturing abilities make it well worth the price.
Dimensions: 27.1 x 14.4 x 14.8 inches | Weight: 28.2 pounds | Room Size: 500 square feet | Filter Type: Activated carbon, HEPA, ozone, and electrostatic precipitator | Filter Life: 3 months
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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, thanks to its HEPA and activated carbon filters, which help control odors.
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 pounds | Room Size: 325 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA and activated carbon | Filter Life: Not listed
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We didn’t even need to consult the air quality measurements to know that we were breathing in fresher air with the Bionaire True HEPA air purifier — it was noticeably fresher to the senses after 30 minutes. We had no trouble getting the machine up and running, and the buttons were easy and intuitive to use. The air purifier itself is sleekly designed with a few cool features, including an internal UV light to kill bacteria and mold, a 360-degree air filter that sucks in pollution from all sides, and an Energy Star certification.
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 we tested. But, other than that, this model gave us everything we needed to breathe easy (literally).
Dimensions: 10.98 x 10.43 x 17.01 inches | Weight: 7.98 pounds | Room Size: 175 square feet | Filter Type: True HEPA and carbon | Filter Life: Up to 12 months
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Fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box, the Winix 5500-2 air purifier is a top choice if you want something easy to use. Plus, it can refresh the air in a space of up to 1,740 square feet in an hour, which makes it ideal 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 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 it claims to be.
Dimensions: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | Weight: 14.8 pounds | Room Size: 1,740 square feet | Filter Type: True HEPA and carbon | Filter Life: Up to 12 months
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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 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 pounds | Room Size: 214 square feet | Filter Type: True HEPA and carbon | Filter Life: Up to 12 months
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This air purifier from Rabbit is Energy Star certified and impressively quiet. It uses three filters — a pre-filter, charcoal-based carbon filter, and HEPA filter to top it all off — and after about 10 minutes on its lowest setting, the Rabbit Air BioGS was able to significantly improve the air quality of our testing room. Plus, the pre-filter and HEPA filter did a good job clearing away pet hair particles, as well as pet allergens and odors. We also 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 and sculptural, so we’d probably try to pass it off as a piece of living room decor. It’s also pretty heavy, so keep in mind that it’s not the most portable option. It’s rated to be effective for spaces up to 550 square feet for normal use or 275 square feet for heavy allergy sufferers.
Dimensions: 22.2 x 16.6 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 16.8 pounds | Room Size: 550 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA and activated carbon | Filter Life: Up to 18 months
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PHOTO: People / Henry Wortock
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PHOTO: People / Henry Wortock
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Heavy and hard to move
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Very expensive
For those who are also shopping for a high-quality humidifier, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool model packs a one-two punch with both purifier and humidifier capabilities in one machine. It has a sleek design like all Dyson products, but 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.
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. However, 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. The price may cause some sticker shock, but the unit does offer high-tech features like air quality monitoring and smart capabilities to make it worth the price.
Dimensions: 36.33 x 11.02 x 12.23 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Room Size: 400 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA H13, activated carbon, and catalytic | Filter Life: Up to 12 months
Experts Say
“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, assistant clinical professor of Allergy Immunology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
What to Know About Air Purifiers
Filter Types
There are a few different types of filters commonly used in air purifiers, and it can be helpful to understand how they work to decide which type is best for your home.
- HEPA: All of the air purifiers on our list include HEPA — high-efficiency particulate arresting — filters. These filters have a super-fine mesh that traps airborne particles as they pass through the pleated material, and HEPA filters can capture at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other particles with a size of 0.3 microns. However, it’s important to double-check that your air purifier uses a real HEPA filter — some brands use vague terms such as “HEPA-like,” which can be misleading.
- Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal or carbon filters are often used alongside HEPA filters as a secondary layer of filtration. This material efficiently filters out odors and volatile organic compounds from the air, complementing the particle-filtering abilities of a HEPA filter.
- Pre-filters: Most air purifiers also have some type of “pre-filter,” which is generally a less fine mesh screen that captures larger dust particles and things like pet hair. These filters can be vacuumed off, and they help to increase the lifespan of the HEPA filter.
- UV disinfectant: If you’re concerned about germs, you may want to consider an air purifier that uses UV light to neutralize these pathogens. In UV purifiers, the air is exposed to UV-C rays as it passes through the unit, helping to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and even mold.
While these filters are often highly effective for improving air quality, they’re not infallible. “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,” says Dr. Parikh. For pet owners, using a pet hair vacuum can greatly reduce the amount of pet-related allergens in the air. Pet hair removers can also help.
Room Size
All of our recommended air purifiers come with guidelines for room size. If you’ve got a 350-square-foot bedroom, for example, you’ll want to check the specs and find a purifier equipped to handle a room that large.
As for which room(s) are best to use an air purifier, “most often, I suggest an air purifier in the bedroom,” Wada 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 (and odors) it generates while having one near your kitchen can help deal with smoke particles and food odors.
Features
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 come with connected smart apps and other high-tech features like air quality monitoring, but in some cases, you can save money by purchasing an effective product with simple, streamlined features, such as the budget-friendly Veva 8000 Black Air Purifier.
Noise Level
For every person who likes to sleep with a fan, white noise, and sound machine, 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 Coway Airmega 160 Air Purifier to be impressively quiet.
Price Range
You can find budget-friendly air purifiers for as low as $50, while high-end models may cost $1,000 or more. On the lower end, models like the Veva 8000 Black Air Purifier cost less than $100 but have limited features and are only suitable for small spaces. If you want an air purifier that can handle multiple rooms, such as the Black and Decker BAPUV350 Air Purifier, you can expect to pay between $200 and $500. There are also very high-end options like the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde that boast additional filtering abilities and advanced technology.
People / Henry Wortock
Behind the Scenes
We tested a total of 38 air purifiers in our PEOPLE Tested lab and scored each model on its ease of setup, design, noise level, features, effectiveness, and value.
- Setup: We started with timing assembly from the moment we opened the box until the machine was up and running.
- Design: Next, we evaluated the air purifier’s design, features, and noise level using a decibel meter.
- Effectiveness: To test the effectiveness of each air purifier, we set up indoor greenhouses, released a clump of pet hair, and lit an incense match inside. We tested the air quality level before and after using the air purifier. The results were considered on the low and high settings of each model after five minutes and after 10 minutes. We also used mothballs to test the effectiveness of air purifiers that claimed to filter VOCs.
- Overall Value: After evaluating all of the above, we learned the MSRP. We then determined the value of each air purifier, given its price versus the testing results.
After testing, we rated each purifier on a scale of one to five. The air purifiers with the highest average scores ultimately earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list — our top recommendation, the Honeywell InSight Series HEPA Air Purifier, earned a near-perfect score of 4.98.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Rennie Dyball is an award-winning author who began her career at PEOPLE in 2002 as a reporter and remained on staff until 2017. She now regularly freelances for the brand, primarily focusing on home, kitchen, and outdoor topics. She has written extensively about everything from electric blankets to garden hoses to Dutch ovens. To inform this article on the best air purifiers, Rennie referred to the in-depth insights gathered from the PEOPLE Tested lab and consulted allergy and asthma experts who provided information on who can benefit from an air purifier and what features are most important when choosing one for your home.
Most recently, this story was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her over six years of experience as a product tester, she’s reviewed several air purifiers firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, and Homes & Gardens. She updated the article with new top-performing air purifiers from the PEOPLE team’s latest round of testing, and she removed any previous recommendations that didn’t have true HEPA filters.
Our Expert Panel
- Kara Wada, MD, is an assistant clinical professor of Allergy Immunology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
- Dr. Purvi Parikh, MD, specializes in Infectious Disease Allergy and Immunology and Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at NYU Langone Health.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
