travel hepa air purifier

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The 12 Best Air Purifiers for Travel in 2024 [Portable, Wearable]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

778 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Things To Consider With a Travel Air Purifier

1. portable air purifier for every room, 2. compact hepa air purifier, 3. super-silent air purifier, 4. air purifier with a built-in timer, 5. air filter for better health, 6. air purifier for your car, 7. efficient air sterilizer for your home, 8. air sterilizer for super-clean air, 1. pendant air purifier, 2. ultra-lightweight air purifier, 3. rechargeable portable air purifier, 4. mask with a personal air filter, final thoughts.

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Air purifiers are used to remove contaminants from the air around you to improve the overall quality of the air you breathe.

Featuring internal filter components that draw in unwanted odors, dust particles, pet dander, pollen, and other contaminants, they are incredibly beneficial for individuals suffering from asthma or allergies and can help to protect you from catching airborne viruses in public spaces.

Size and Weight

The air purifier you use at home needs to have enough output to handle the square footage of the room you want to purify. When you are traveling, you want to focus instead on air purifying devices that work well while still being portable enough to set up in your hotel room, in your car, or even to protect you from germs on public transport or in crowded places.

Most portable air purifiers are compact enough to place on your hotel nightstand and can be powered using a regular outlet or by using batteries alone. Wearable air purifiers need to be even smaller and lightweight enough to wear around your neck or possibly across your face.

Nobody wants an appliance that keeps them awake at night, so the quieter your air purifier is, the better it will suit your lifestyle. While the air purifier industry does not have any standards for sound emissions, some are noisier than others .

Most models will emit more sound at higher speeds, so ensure that the output is right for your room to avoid having to make your machine work too hard and create more sound.

Bottom Line: Due to their compact dimensions, travel air purifiers are designed to be mostly silent, and with the fan-less, filter-less operation, they will usually emit no more than a gentle hum.

The filters in your air purifier are what make it work so efficiently. These fine sieves trap particles and remove small-sized pollution such as dust, smoke, chemicals, asbestos, pollen, and pet dander to clean the air you breathe. Over time, these filters will need replacing to ensure that your purifier works as well as it should do.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air ( HEPA ) filters are the benchmark for air purifier filters , and as a rule, they should only need replacing once a year or so. Carbon filters use activated carbon to absorb pollutants and will need replacing every 6 months, while pre-filters remove larger particles, and as such, they are likely to need replacing much more frequently.

Many portable air purifiers offer a 3-filter system that utilizes the benefits of all of the above, and some even operate using ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to inactivate airborne pathogens and microorganisms, meaning you only need to replace the bulb as and when it fails.

Your air purifier is designed to sanitize the air around you by removing unwanted pollutants, allergens, and toxins. They are most commonly used to alleviate asthma symptoms that can be caused by pet dander that is accumulated when your cat or dog sheds its fur, when they scratch, or even just when they exist in the same space as you.

Air purifiers will also help to alleviate pollen particles that flow in through open windows or stick to your clothes when you go outside, as well as help to dissipate unwanted odors from pets, chemicals, and even cooking.

Out in the open, personal travel air filters can help to protect you from airborne viruses such as flu and the common cold.

Application Area

While larger units are designed to be used in 1 specific area of the home, personal travel purifiers are compact and lightweight enough to be moved around with you.

Choose to set up your purifier to enjoy fresh, clean air in your bedroom, hotel room, bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. The quiet and effective operation also makes it suitable for use in nurseries, children’s bedrooms, and even small spaces such as your car or on your desk at work.

Some air purifiers are designed to be worn about your person and come built into face masks or with a lanyard to hang around your neck. These highly personal devices will filter the air around your immediate vicinity and offer an excellent level of protection in public spaces.

The 8 Best Travel Air Purifiers

Keeping a travel air purifier close at hand will ensure that you can always breathe fresh and clean air, even on the go. Highly portable, incredibly compact, and in some cases even wearable, these devices help to eliminate pollutants in the air you breathe.

Germ Guardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer

Highly portable and perfect for use in all areas of your home, this compact air purifier simply needs to be plugged into a power outlet to provide clean air in the immediate vicinity. Designed to reduce airborne germs, filter out irritants such as pet dander and pollen, and reduce household odors caused by bacteria and cooking fumes, this is an excellent alternative to bigger units.

Measuring just 7 inches high, this device is discreet enough to be used in your kitchen, bedroom, or children’s bedrooms, and it can even be placed directly next to your cat litter box or dog bed to catch odors and irritants at their source.

Using a UV-C light, this model can also help to kill airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, and rhinovirus . The titanium dioxide antimicrobial coating helps reduce the presence of volatile organic compounds and chemicals.

Containing just a single GermGuardian UV-C light bulb that only needs to be replaced every 10 to 12 months or so, this is an energy-efficient air purifier that negates the need for filter replacement, and its compact dimensions make it suitable for use both at home and when you are traveling.

What We Like

• Easy to plug in for use

What We Don’t Like

• The fan is quite noisy

MOOKA Air Purifier

With the ability to filter out dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, this discreet and compact air filter will keep the air in your home or hotel room feeling fresh and clean. Perfectly safe for use around children and pets, this air purifier can clean up to 55 cubic meters of air per hour when operating in its normal mode.

Featuring a 3-stage filtration system that includes a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter, this purifier can effectively remove odors while also eliminating the presence of unwanted pollutants in the air. With a 360-degree air intake and outlet, this model will maximize the amount of fresh air that is circulated in all directions back out into your environment.

Easy to use with a single press of a button, this little beauty contains a cutting-edge noise-reducing fan that will keep the operating noise to a minimum, and with a rated power of just 8 watts, it is energy-efficient, making it affordable enough to run all day.

With a minimalist and unobtrusive design, this air filter will not only help you to live cleaner and alleviate the symptoms of asthma and allergies, but it will also look great in any area of your home.

• Perfect for a nightstand with a night light
• Replacement filters are a bit pricey

JINPUS Air Purifier

This incredibly quiet air purifier only emits 24 decibels of operating sound, making it perfect for use even when you sleep. Featuring new KEPA-tech technology, it offers high-performance filtration that can easily trap smoke, pollen, and odors. With the ability to alleviate the presence of dust particles as small as 0.3 microns, this is a highly-effective model that is compact and discreet enough to be used when you travel.

Perfect for use in the bedroom, it also features an LED night light that glows softly in the dark, and with a 5-foot long power cord, it can easily be placed in convenient spaces and moved around as necessary.

For increased performance, the pre-filter and HEPA filter work seamlessly together to ensure that your indoor air is always fresh and clean, and with a built-in negative ion generator, it can quickly illuminate unwanted odors, too.

With a clean, modern design, this little air purifier is discreet, effective, and safe enough to be used even in your baby’s bedroom. The super-quiet operation is designed to provide clean air without interrupting your sleep.

• Quiet to run
• Has a consistent blue light when in use

Potulas Air Purifier

This compact but incredibly powerful air purifier can clean up to 85 cubic feet per minute and runs quietly in the background with a sound output of fewer than 30 decibels . Perfect for use in your bedroom, kitchen, or other small spaces, it is incredibly easy to use with a selection of settings.

Featuring a 3 stage filtration system, this model includes a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter to ensure that it can efficiently eliminate odors, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, and the inner ionizer releases a high concentration of anions to keep the air in your home feeling nice and fresh.

With the ability to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns and larger air pollution of PM 2.5, this model may be small in stature, but it is a highly efficient addition to your home or hotel room.

With a soft blue LED light, this quiet air filter is perfect for use while you are sleeping, and the different timer settings allow the user to choose from 30-minute to 5-hour intervals of purifying before it quietly switches itself off. With a filter replacement light that informs you when the filters need replacing, this is an excellent choice for anyone looking for efficient and fuss-free air purification every day.

• Has 3 speed and 5 timer settings
• The power cord is quite short

GermGuardian Elite Air Purifier

Perfect for use in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or even next to your pet’s litter box, this pluggable air sanitizer quickly and efficiently cleans the air around you. With the ability to reduce airborne germs’ presence and eliminate household odors caused by bacteria, pets, and cooking fumes, you can enjoy fresh, clean air in all areas of your home, RV, or hotel room.

Featuring a UV-C light that helps to kill airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, and rhinovirus, this little air purifier also features an antimicrobial titanium dioxide coating on the filters to reduce volatile organic compounds and chemicals in the home. Standing at just 7 inches high, this model is discreet enough to be used virtually anywhere and safe enough for use in your children’s bedroom.

With a single GermGuardian UV-C lightbulb, it is also an efficient alternative to traditional filter models , and the bulb should only need replacing around every 10 to 12 months. Affordable, energy-efficient, and easy to use, this compact air purifier will help to protect your environment from unwanted odors and allergens for safer, cleaner air every time.

• Plugs directly into the wall
• The fan is quite loud

Wynd Essential Personal Mini Air Purifier

Enjoy clean air wherever you go with this portable air purifier. Weighing less than a pound and small enough to fit into your cup holder, this model is suitable for use in your home, in your car, on your desk, or even when traveling, allowing you to enjoy fresh, clean air all day, every day.

Offering an impressive purification rate to size ratio, this model has an 8-hour battery life and a filter that lasts up to 3 months, and it works efficiently to trap particulates such as pollen, pet dander, bacteria, brush fire smoke, and industrial pollution .

With multiple settings, this little device can automatically adjust itself to clean the air fast or slow based on the air quality in your direct vicinity, and you can control the settings from afar while you check the local air quality. Also featuring a silver-infused mesh particulate filter, this model kills germs to help you stay well, even when traveling.

• App compatible to check insights on your air quality

Clarifion — Negative Ion Generator

Perfect for use in communal areas such as kitchens, hallways, lounge rooms, RVs, hotel rooms, and staircases, this discreet-looking air purifier removes bacteria and viruses to create safer, cleaner air. Despite its compact dimensions, it is also highly efficient at eliminating dust, smog, smoke, pollen, and pet dander to alleviate the symptoms of asthma and allergies.

Equipped with a built-in sterilization function, this negative ion generator works by diffusing the negative ions that cling to pollutants in the air, making them heavy enough to fall to the floor where they can be vacuumed up and easily disposed of. With a negative ion output of up to 10 million pcs/cm^3, this device is easy to use and lights up blue when operating.

With a low-noise output, the Clarifion works quietly in the background to keep the air around you fresh and pure, and without the need for filter changes or regular maintenance, this is a fuss-free, energy-efficient alternative to traditional air purifiers.

• No replacement filters required
• Blue light is quite bright

IonPacific Ionbox Negative Ion Generator

This tiny air ionizer is capable of emitting up to 20 million negative ions per second, making it one of the most efficient travel models available. With a built-in dual voltage power supply, this negative ion generator is perfect for use when traveling, and its compact dimensions ensure that it is compact enough to place almost anywhere in your home or at the office.

Running at an ultra-low 1.5 watts, it is incredibly energy-efficient and cheap to operate , while the 500 square foot output can clean the air in as little as 30 minutes. Remove tobacco smoke and odor, airborne bacteria, allergens, pollen, dust, pet odors, and pet dander from your immediate vicinity with this tiny portable device that works just as well as larger models.

Featuring a specially-designed fan and a non-standard negative ionizer, you can be assured that this model will not leave a residue of black soot on the walls as it works, and with a super-quiet operating noise, it is perfect for use while you sleep.

• Dual voltage
• A bit pricey

The 4 Best Wearable and Personal Air Purifiers

Airtamer personal air purifier.

Protect yourself from exposure to flu, colds, and other viruses with this personal air purifier. Perfect for use on planes, trains, buses, and in crowded public areas, this compact and wearable device lets you breathe cleaner, healthier air everywhere you go.

With the silent operation, this device uses state-of-the-art electrostatic purification technology that emits a constant stream of healthy negative ions to force airborne pollutants out of your personal space creating a 3-foot radius of clean air in all directions .

Without the need for filter replacement and with power boost technology that offers up to 9 times more cleaning power than standard air purifiers, this is an excellent choice for travelers worried about becoming ill.

Powered by just 2 lithium coin cell batteries, this device provides up to 7 days of continual power and comes complete with a superstrong, adjustable lanyard and its very own travel case.

• Great for air purification on the go
• The lanyard is not the most comfortable to wear

Wein Minimate Personal Air Purifier

Ultra-lightweight and incredibly compact, this wearable air purifier propels fresh, clean air into your breathing zone. Perfect for use when traveling, this tiny device will ensure that you can breathe more easily while traveling on trains, buses, and airplanes , as well as in crowded areas such as movie theaters, waiting rooms, or other confined spaces.

Designed to be exceptionally useful for allergy and asthma sufferers, this device will last 28 hours on a single charge.

Offering an impressive amount of personal air purifier ion wind output, this model operates silently and utilizes fan-less, filter-less, and maintenance-free technology, as well as a discreet breakaway strap for enhanced user safety, even on the go.

• Small and lightweight to wear
• Not the most durable air purifier

AirTamer A310 Personal Rechargeable Portable Air Purifier

Breathe clean air at all times with this rechargeable personal air purifier. Featuring state-of-the-art technology, this little device radiates a 3-foot orbit of safer air in any direction to create a sphere of protection against harmful pollutants. The capability to emit millions of negative ions into the air will force dangerous pollutants, allergens, and even unwanted odors away from you as you travel.

With the ability to run for up to 150 hours on a single charge , you can rely on this personal air purifier to keep you safe throughout the flu season, and the power boost technology offers up to 9 times more effective cleaning power than regular models to let you breathe in air that is up to 875% cleaner than unfiltered air.

Without the need for noisy fans or motors, you can enjoy silent operation, and with no filters to change, this is a fuss-free, easy-to-use personal device that is suitable for use when traveling.

Featuring a proprietary conductive lanyard that can be easily adjusted to suit your needs, as well as a breakaway connector for safer use, this little device offers excellent protection on planes, trains, buses, and in crowded indoor areas.

• It’s rechargeable
• Some airlines don’t allow personal air purifiers

Rsenr Personal Wearable Air Filter

Featuring a built-in and rechargeable 650 mAh lithium polymer battery, this mask with a built-in filter can offer up to 5 to 6 hours of personal protection when fully charged. Designed to be worn directly on the face, this personal wearable air filter offers up to 99% multi-layer protection against airborne viruses.

With a replaceable filter element, you can enjoy between 7 to 15 days of wear depending on the environment, and weighing under 75 grams, this is one of the most lightweight and instant ways to protect yourself from unwanted germs. Incredibly efficient, this face mask filter offers 4 layers of filtration to protect your health, and the lightweight polyester material mask is comfortable to wear even for longer periods.

Easy to wear over the ears and across the face, this sleek-looking mask offers a superior level of protection compared to medical-grade, filter-less face masks, and with its own storage bag and washable polyester surround, it is a practical alternative to lanyard air purifiers that offers instant protection.

• Comes with a USB cable to recharge
• Only 1 size, so won’t fit comfortably for everyone

Travel cleaner with a portable air purifier or negative ion generator to help eliminate or reduce the risks associated with airborne allergens and pollutants.

From fully-booked airplanes to musty hotel rooms, your portable air purifier will help to alleviate your asthma symptoms, reduce the irritation of allergies, and ensure that the air you breathe is always fresh, clean, and germ and odor-free.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

Do air purifiers really work.

Air purifiers are effective and work well, but it is worth remembering that they won’t tackle offending particles on surfaces such as your furniture, curtains, or carpets.

Should I sleep with air purifier on?

You can certainly sleep with an air purifier on, but the only issue is the noise. Some air purifiers are noisy, and even the quietest ones may have a low hum.

Where should I place my air purifier?

You should place your air purifier at least 3 feet off the ground and near the source of pollutants. You should avoid putting it in a corner or behind furniture where airflow will be restricted.

How long does it take an air purifier to clean a room?

Many factors determine how long it will take an air purifier to clean a room, such as the size of the room, the number of pollutants, and the air purifier itself. A rough estimate would be anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The Best Air Purifiers

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best for Small Rooms Coway Airmega 200M Read more

The Best Overall IQ Air Atem X Read more

The Most Stylish Ikea Förnuftig and Starkvind Read more

An Affordable Option Honeywell HEPA InSight HPA5200B Read more

Welcome to the future, where clean air is a luxury. Thanks to pandemics and wildfires, air purifiers have become the gotta-have-it home appliance. Buildings let in a lot of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and vaporous chemicals. Indoor plastics, furniture, paint, and flooring off-gas noxious fumes too.

Since your home might be your workplace , playground, meditation studio , dine-in restaurant, and movie theater , you want to ensure that the air you're breathing for most of the day is clean. These are our top air purifiers. All of these purifiers provided significant anecdotal benefits, from stopping persistent coughs and allergy symptoms to helping us wake up with clearer sinuses and less-raspy throats. Not sure if you need an air purifier or something else? We have a guide to all the devices that can help improve your indoor air quality . For more home tips, take a peek at our other guides, including the Best Robot Vacuums and the Best Mesh Wi-Fi Routers .

Updated April 2024: We added the Ikea Förnuftig and Starkvind, the IQAir Atem X, the Dyson Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, the Air Doctor 2000i, and the Morento Purifier. We also updated links and prices.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best for Small Rooms

For sheer simplicity and affordability, the Airmega 200M will do the job for most people’s lives, houses, and budgets. The compact, attractive device easily fits into a corner of my bedroom and is effective for spaces up to 361 square feet. It saves energy with an included air-quality monitor that turns the machine off when no pollution is detected and automatically increases the fan speed if it detects particles. When my dog plopped down in her bed, or when I cooked bacon with the bedroom door open, the Airmega 200M roared to life. You’ll probably want to turn off the AQ monitor’s bright light at night, though. — Adrienne So

The Best Overall

The more air purifiers that I test , the more I think they should be viewed as a lifetime investment. If you have the means, the Atem X ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) truly is the best investment when it comes to a HEPA filter. Aside from its sleek design, you get a 10-year warranty, which means you’ll have access to parts and repairs for a decade. It’s quiet and has custom settings, a built in sensor, and a dashboard phone app, and it can be set flush against a wall. I use the term “air purifier math” to consider how many air purifiers you might burn through in the next decade. One, two, maybe three? This is why the Atem X is a wise investment, even at its big ticket price. The one drawback is that the Atem X doesn’t have a carbon filter to remove gases.

The Most Stylish

Ikea’s Förnuftig and Starkvind air purifiers hit the American market in 2021. They are stylish and relatively inexpensive. Both have the option to add on a carbon filter for gases such as benzene. The Starkind can be purchased either on its own or built into a wooden side table. It’s worth noting that the Starkind took me an hour to assemble. While both are CARB-certified, meaning they passed the rigorous standards of the California Air Resources Board , neither air purifier has a HEPA filter. Thinking I had an early version made for media, I went to my local Ikea. I bought a Förnuftig, and its manual listed the filter as HEPA. It’s not.

We reached out to the company; at the time of publication, Ikea has said that it's still routing the question to the appropriate team. The question remains: If you’re buying an air purifier, why not buy a HEPA? The briefcase-sized Förnuftig is too small to clean a regular-size room at its lowest setting, and the fan is too loud at its highest. It also doesn't have a built-in air-quality sensor. But I might consider the Förnuftig for its looks and the fact that it can be mounted on the wall. The larger and more powerful Starkvind has a built-in sensor and is compatible with Ikea’s smart home hub, the Dirigera .

An Affordable Option

This Honeywell is rated for rooms up to 360 square feet, which is on par with the other large-room air purifiers we tested. It's also lightweight and easy to pick up and move around with its built-in handle. Inside, it packs two HEPA-grade filters and an activated carbon prefilter for trapping volatile organic compounds such as cooking odors. When air quality dipped inside my apartment, the InSight quickly ramped up its fan and sucked up the odors or invisible particulates. For around $200, you get a strong-performing purifier with an automatic set-it-and-forget-it mode, plus you can tote it from room to room. — Matt Jancer

Matt Jancer

Boone Ashworth

David Nield

Scott Gilbertson

Best Purifier for Formaldehyde

Dyson’s Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde reminds me of those 3-in-1 appliances that are an amalgam of a toaster, coffee maker, and egg cooker all in one. But if you’re going for an air purifier that removes gases, then I would opt for one that removes formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. My review unit was never able to oscillate, but it’s supposed to. (I tried troubleshooting through the manual, but the more features that an item has, the more that can go wrong.) It has a two-year warranty, which seems short. This model also came with three packets of humidifier descaler, which is a plus, because buying citric acid powder isn’t always easy to find in the store. As Dyson’s marketing claims, it has a unique algorithm to capture and destroy formaldehyde at the molecular level that is its most impressive feature.

Best Purifier With Ionizer

The Air Doctor 2000i has an electronic ionizer, which charges particles to make them easier to capture. While ionizers produce ozone, the amount is so small that they are still CARB-certified. I generally try to avoid ozone generators in my home. The Air Doctor, however, also has HEPA and carbon gas air filters. The smaller Air Doctor has a sensor and a light on the control panel that shines green for good air, yellow for moderate, and red for bad air. At night, I turned on Sleep Mode, but for the Air Doctor, that just turned off its display light, as I later learned when I woke up at 1:40 am to the Air Doctor blasting at the highest setting. If you turn it to its most powerful setting but need to switch it to Sleep Mode to get a good night's sleep, it might not clean your bedroom as effectively at night. Still, the Air Doctor is an excellent choice for the other rooms in my home.

A Great Smart Purifier

The Levoit 300S cycles the air five times per hour in spaces up to 219 square feet, so it's great for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. It's marketed as a tabletop air purifier, but at almost 9 inches across, it's on the larger side, so I keep it on my living room floor. It's easy to carry around from room to room, though. It also packs a prefilter, an activated carbon filter, and an H13 True HEPA Filter that captures 99.99 percent of bacteria and mold. On top are clearly labeled touch controls and an indicator light that changes color depending on the air quality.

Using the VeSync companion app, you can check the air quality indoors and tinker with settings. When I was cooking salmon in my tiny studio (smoke and odor filling up the space), the app listed the air quality at 209 and labeled it as “bad.” I switched the fan to high and the quality was back down to 74 (“good”) within 15 minutes. You can also set it to automatic, which will adjust the fan speed accordingly based on the air quality. It was super useful amid the spread of smoke in New York City due to the Canadian wildfires. I've been constantly monitoring the air quality inside my apartment via the app, which gave me some peace of mind as we waited for the smoke to dissipate. —Brenda Stolyar

★ Alternative: We're also fans of the Bissell 320 Max ($250) . Like the Levoit 300S, it has a prefilter, an activated carbon filter, and an H13 HEPA filter. And it works with the Bissell app for monitoring. Both the digital display and app will tell you what the air quality status is too. But with the ability to cycle air 4.8 times per hour in a 366-square-foot room, it covers more surface area than Levoit's. It's also more aesthetically pleasing, with wooden feet and a place to wrap any extra cord.

Quietest Air Purifier

There's an Ikea-like simplicity to the Pure 411, aesthetically and mechanically. To change the filter, you unscrew the fan component from the air filter and then pull the washable fabric prefilter sock off the filter. There's a one-touch control on the top: Tap once for low power, again for medium, again for high, and again for off. That's it. No smartphone app, no display, no smart mode. It can cycle the air in a 161-square-foot room five times per hour. I slept with the Pure 411 just 2 feet away from my head, and I couldn't hear a thing when it was on low. Its quietness and narrow footprint make it ideal for small bedrooms. — Matt Jancer

A Fan/Purifier Combo

The Pure Fan Auto looks more like a little piece of art than an air purifier. We like other Blueair products, and this one adds cool air to its purifying capabilities—it cycles air five times an hour in a 326-square-foot room. The fan is not powerful enough to cool down a sweltering room on its own, but it feels quite nice if you’re sitting in front of it. It hardly makes a sound, but if you’re a light sleeper, Night mode turns the fan to its lowest setting and shuts off the air quality indicator light. —Medea Giordano

Another Option for Tiny, Tiny Rooms

The Morento has four settings. It has a sensor and a PM 2.5 screen display, and it’s compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. It has a sleep mode as well, where the control panel light is turned off and the purifier runs at the lowest fan speed. As far as air purifiers go, the Morento is moderately priced but lacks a carbon filter to rid your air of gases. Still, it is too weak on its lowest setting to clean my New York City bedroom, which makes “sleep modes” not really effective, but it’s a solid pick for sleep in a very tiny room.

A Tabletop Air Purifier

This air purifier from Clorox isn't the prettiest, but it makes for an excellent desk or nightstand companion. I've been using it as the latter—thanks to the built-in adjustable nightlight and whisper-quiet setting, it doesn't disrupt my sleep. It has three speeds (low, medium, and high) and an optional timer with three settings (two hours, four hours, and eight hours). It's easy to operate with responsive touch controls.

Given its compact size, the Tabletop is best for small spaces. The 360-degree HEPA filter cleans rooms up to five times per hour when placed in an 80-square-foot room and two times an hour in a room up to 200-square feet. It also captures 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.1 microns, while the prefilter captures larger particles. When it’s time to replace the filter, you’ll see the Check Filter Light alert glow red. Clorox has a version that connects to Alexa , which lets you use your existing Alexa speaker to turn the purifier on or off, change settings, or check the filter life. —Brenda Stolyar

A Wireless Charger and Air Purifier Combo

Coway continues to make some of the prettier air purifiers, as you might have noticed in this guide, and that continues with the Airmega IconS. It looks like an end table, and so I keep it right next to my couch. The star of the show is the Qi wireless charging pad, so when I sit down, I just plop my phone right on the purifier to let it recharge. Any phone with wireless charging support should work, though you may need to take your phone case off.

Like all Coway purifiers, it’s powerful—it cleans the air in spaces up to 649 square feet—easy to control, and simple to clean. This version is Wi-Fi enabled and voice-controlled. — Medea Giordano

Best for Travel

About the size of a water bottle, the Wynd Plus is one of the smallest air purifiers on the market. It's not a HEPA filter, but it can clean all particles greater than 0.3 microns, which includes auto emissions and most wood smoke, in about a three-foot span. It also comes with its own air-quality sensor, a microfiber traveling bag, and a small kickstand to prop it upright.

It is truly dystopian to say that this might be a useful item to keep in your go bag if you live on the West Coast . I usually bring it in the car if my family and I have to travel through wildfire smoke. It's easy to set up on the nightstand next to my two kids, and it fits perfectly in a cupholder if you have to evacuate by car. — Adrienne So

Honorable Mentions 

We've tested a lot of air purifiers. Here are a few we like that aren't as noteworthy as the picks above.

Coway Airmega 400S for $483 : The Airmega 400 is rated to clean up to 1,560 square feet and cycles all the air in that space twice per hour. In a room half as big, its HEPA filters cycle the air four times per hour. From its touch controls to its color-coded air-quality monitor light ring, it's intuitive to use. Changing filters is simple. Two sturdy covers are held on magnetically and come free easily, and the two filters snap in and out without a fuss. I tested the 400S, which includes Wi-Fi that lets you control it from a smartphone app. But if you don't need to control your purifier remotely, the cheaper 400 version is the way to go. — Matt Jancer

Smartmi Air Purifier for $160 (Refurbished) : This large air purifier has a 360-degree design, which means you shouldn't keep it against a wall—it needs some space for the best results. It captures particulates smaller than 2.5 microns in size. I have it in my living room, which is next to my kitchen, and it always roars to life when we're cooking (it gets pretty loud when the air quality is poor). It changes air 12 times in rooms up to 100 square feet and once in a 517 square-foot room. You can use the Mi Home app ( iOS , Android ) to see the air quality of the room, temperature, and humidity, as well as the filter's remaining life . I usually left it on Auto, but there's a manual mode to control speeds yourself, and a night mode to keep it quiet and turn off the touch display at the top. It supports Alexa and Google Assistant. —Julian Chokkattu

Smartmi P1 Air Purifier for $180 : Weirdly, you need to use a different Smartmi app ( iOS , Android ) to set up and control the P1. It's similar to the Smartmi above, even using an H13 HEPA filter , except it's rated for smaller rooms from 180 to 320 square feet. This one adds HomeKit support on top of Google Assistant and Alexa, which is great if you have an iPhone, and it has a nice handle you can use to tote it from room to room. I have it in my office, and the sound is noticeable when there are more particulates than usual (like when my partner is baking cookies). —Julian Chokkattu

Coway Airmega Aim for $150: The Airmega Aim is advertised as an air purifier small enough to sit on your desk, but it's much bigger than I anticipated—coming in at 18.5 by 19.7 by 8.03 inches. It's fairly compact compared to others, though. It's rated for rooms between 246 and 492 square feet. I (Brenda) kept it in my kitchen, where it did a nice job clearing out the odor that came from the bug repellent we had to spray for two weeks straight to repel an ant invasion. It also doubles as a fan, which auto-oscillates up to 80 degrees and tilts to 90 degrees. It's not smart-connected, but you can control it using the included remote (up to 11 feet away) or via the built-in display and physical buttons. There's also an air-quality indicator that scans the air in real time to let you know whether it's good, moderate, or bad. You also set it on auto mode, which will adjust the speed based on the room's air quality.

How to Shop for an Air Purifier

How does a busy shopper find the right size purifier for a room they want to clean? The US Centers for Disease Control recommends that one should aim for five air exchanges per hour , in a metric known as the ACH. When looking at an air purifier, look at the cubic feet per minute in airflow at the lowest setting. When measuring the cubic footage of your room, you need the area of the room times the height . Imagine a one-foot cube of styrofoam. How many cubes could you fit into a room?

Anyone shopping for an air purifier also needs to look for two acronyms and terms. First, look for CARB certification, which means that the air purifier passed the rigorous standards of the California Air Resources Board . Next, check the filter type. Below, we break down the differences. Also, don’t forget to unwrap your filter! There’s a special kind of horror that comes with realizing you’ve been running your air purifier with a plastic-wrapped HEPA filter.

HEPA Filters: This is a high-efficiency particulate air filter that can remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It's a great option for those who suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, since it can help to clear out airborne particles that can trigger symptoms—like sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, coughing, and more. It's worth noting, however, that HEPA filters don't remove volatile organic compounds from the air the way activated carbon filters do. But these are typically paired with carbon filters.

Activated Carbon: Activated carbon filters (also known as activated charcoal) are highly effective because they are very porous and have a large surface area—allowing the filters to absorb gas pollutants, odors, and VOCs. They’re best for removing fumes , smoke, and chemicals from the air. But these filters have to be replaced more often depending on the environment. For example, if there’s a wildfire in your area and the air purifier is working more intensely than usual, it’s important to replace a saturated filter to avoid toxic gases from being released back into the air.

Washable Air Filters: A few of the air purifiers we've listed in this guide come with washable prefilters in addition to a HEPA and/or activated carbon filter—which is what you'll typically find. These are the most cost-effective since you don't have to buy new ones each time you need to replace a filter. Simply remove it, scrub it with soap and water, and let it dry.

UV-C Sanitizer Filters: Ultraviolet filters use UV light to kill viruses, parasites, mold spores, and bacteria. They can't remove airborne particles, VOCs, or gas pollutants, so they're only fully effective when combined with a HEPA filter. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency , UV lights without proper lamp coatings have the potential to emit ozone. We recommend checking this list from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for air purifiers that have been shown to emit little to no ozone.

How to Check Your Air Quality

Many large states and cities are required to report the local outdoor Air Quality Index , which was established by the EPA and measures the concentrations of major air pollutants, like ground ozone and carbon monoxide, that are regulated by the Clean Air Act. We like AirCare ( iOS , Android ), but your state or county may have even more localized apps.

To check if your indoor air quality stacks up, consumer monitors like the Temtop M10 ($93) and Airthings View Plus ($300) also measure carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity, in addition to pollutants and particulate matter. The M10 measures formaldehyde too, a noxious chemical that off-gases from common household items, such as particleboard furniture and some foam mattresses. Need more information? Check out our complete guide to checking your air quality.

Medea Giordano

Julian Chokkattu

Nena Farrell

Adrienne So

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• Small home appliances

The Best Air Purifier

By Tim Heffernan

Tim Heffernan is a writer who covers air and water quality and sustainable-energy technology. He prefers Flare-brand match smoke for purifier testing.

Air purifiers are fundamentally simple machines—little more than a fan and a filter. Yet a well-designed purifier can capture virtually all airborne allergens, such as pollen and mold spores, as well as bacteria, viruses, and smoke.

We’ve tested more than 60 air purifiers in the past nine years, and the exceptional Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is our top pick among them. It’s powerful enough to clean a large room, quiet enough to sleep near, engineered to run for years, and inexpensive enough to set up several throughout a home. But it’s not the only excellent air purifier we’ve found, and if you prefer the looks, price, or features of our other recommendations, be assured that they, too, are top-notch performers.

Everything we recommend

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty

Exceptional, efficient, affordable.

Perfect for bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms, this purifier is one of the highest-performing, most-durable, and most-economical models we’ve tested.

Buying Options

Coway Airmega 200M

Different look, same great performance.

Virtually identical to our top pick on features and performance, this purifier is a great choice if you prefer its looks or find it at a better price.

Winix 5500-2

Strong performance, brutalist design.

This purifier is terrific overall, but it has minor shortcomings, including a stark look, no display shutoff, and slightly elevated electrical use.

Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max

Efficient, effective, attractive.

With quiet operation, good color options, and performance matching our other picks, this is a great choice, although the cost of filter replacements can run relatively high.

You save $50 (24%)

Levoit Vital 200S

Solid performance, nice features.

Similar in performance to other purifiers its size, the Levoit impressed in initial and long-term testing.

Upgrade pick

Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max

A stellar performer for larger rooms.

The Blue Pure 211i Max aced our tests, and on top of its powerful performance, it stands out for its energy efficiency, quiet operation, user-friendly features, and good looks.

Budget pick

Clorox Medium Room True HEPA Air Purifier

Small, effective, and attractive.

In a bedroom, dorm room, nursery, or office, the compact and cost-friendly Clorox Medium Room is a fine option.

Within 30 minutes, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty reduced heavy smoke pollution in a New York City office by as much as 99.6%; this is comparable to the performance of other top machines and has been consistent in multiple test spaces. We’ve pushed this machine beyond its on-paper limits in various ways—including running its filters 24/7 for two years, twice as long as recommended—and it has never wavered or weakened. It offers great value on initial and long-term costs, and its compact form, quiet operation, and display-light shutoff make it especially well suited to using it in a bedroom or living room.

The Coway Airmega 200M is virtually identical to Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty in every important respect. They’re equivalent in noise and performance measurements, their filters are interchangeable, and their similar controls allow you to shut off the display lights. The 200M has a square grille rather than a round one, but that’s the only major physical difference. If you prefer the 200M’s looks or you find it at a better price, we recommend it.

The Winix 5500-2 is an exceptional performer on particulates air pollution: It captured as much as 99.9% of the smoke in our test room in just 30 minutes on high. We prefer the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty for its lower energy consumption, smaller visual footprint, and manual display-shutoff feature. The related 5300-2 and C535 (which is exclusive to the Winix store and Walmart) lack a few of the 5500-2’s features, but they perform just as well and may be available at lower prices. We’ve had similarly strong results with every other Winix we’ve tested, including the AM80 and Wi-Fi–enabled AM90 —not surprising given that the only meaningful differences between them are their looks.

The Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max is similarly excellent in purifying performance to our other standard-space picks and offers notably quiet performance, terrific energy efficiency, and a display shutoff. A re-engineered motor (versus its predecessor, the 311 Auto), a larger and less dense filter, and a more-open outlet grille account for its lower electricity consumption and noise output. The Blueair app lets you monitor your air quality and adjust the machine’s settings remotely. And it’s a particularly attractive machine, with a tweed-like, washable cover available in several muted colors. One minor knock: The company recommends replacing the filters every six to nine months, pushing yearly replacement costs above those of some similar purifiers.

Levoit’s Vital 200S matched the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty in performance tests, and the two are very similar in terms of energy efficiency, noise output, and an ability to shut off the display while maintaining the fan setting of your choosing. It’s been working flawlessly in our first year of long-term testing in a New York City apartment.

The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max , meant for large spaces around 500 square feet, is a stellar performer, reducing smoke levels in our test room by more than 99.9% on its high and high-medium settings. In spite of the power, it’s extremely energy efficient and quieter than you’d expect. You can shut off the display while it runs, which helps if you’re light sensitive while trying to sleep. There’s a child lock for the controls. Its air-quality sensor reads your room’s particulate-pollution levels at 1, 2.5, and 10 microns (aka PM1, PM2.5, and PM10—broadly equivalent to smoke, dust, and pollen). An app remotely monitors its readings and can control its settings. It’s priced accordingly, and if you’re considering this for a small to medium room, you can get more than ample purifying performance for at least $100 less with our other picks.

In a space that’s about 200 square feet or less, the Clorox Medium Room is a solid, inexpensive purifier with liveability features we usually only see on more expensive purifiers. It excelled at removing airborne particles in our testing. Smaller purifiers tend to be less energy-efficient, but the Clorox is an exception, with lower long-term running costs than is typical for this size. A display shutoff and child lock on the controls make it easier to sleep near and suitable for nurseries and playrooms. A slightly pricier version of it is Alexa-enabled for remote or voice operation. Despite the name, this is strictly a small-room purifier, and in larger spaces, it doesn’t keep pace with our other picks.

Below, we cover a few other purifiers that fit specific needs, including a purifier for handling VOCs, and a truly smart air purifier.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: coway airmega ap-1512hh mighty, runner-up: coway airmega 200m, also great: winix 5500-2, also great: blueair blue pure 311i max, also great: levoit vital 200s, upgrade pick: blueair blue pure 211i max, budget pick: clorox medium room, other good purifiers for special cases, how to set up, use, and maintain your air purifier, which settings should you run an air purifier on, how hepa filters work, molekule: some of the worst air purifiers we’ve ever tested, what if you just put a furnace filter on a box fan, the competition.

Since 2017, I have conducted extensive reporting on and real-world testing of air purifiers in my New York City apartment and in Wirecutter’s New York and Los Angeles offices. I have spoken with manufacturers, engineers, academics, and experts. And I have also lived with most of our picks, running them 24/7 for months—and sometimes years—in my apartment.

That experience has helped me gather objective data on their long-term purifying performance and any mechanical degradation. It has also helped me make informed judgments on factors such as ease of maintenance and operation, the presence or lack of distracting noises or lights, and simple visual impact—the so-called little things that, if done incorrectly, can turn what should be a nearly set-it-and-forget-it appliance into a daily annoyance.

If you suffer from allergies or simply have concerns about the air quality in your home, a HEPA air purifier can help. These devices do just one thing, but they do it very well: remove fine particles from the air. They rapidly and permanently capture most common airborne allergens, including dust and pollen; mold, mildew, and fungal spores; pet dander; and dust mites and their excrement. They’re also excellent at reducing smoke from wildfires , tobacco, and marijuana. They also capture airborne pathogens—bacteria as well as most, if not all, viruses, including the coronavirus . These machines are pretty easy to live with, but for the full story, read this piece on How to Set Up an Air Purifier .

Once particulate matter settles on floors or other surfaces, an air purifier won’t lift it up. To clean allergens like pet hair and pollen from surfaces, you need a vacuum cleaner or a dust mop . To reduce viruses and bacteria on surfaces, it is usually sufficient to clean them with soap, detergent, or an all-purpose cleaner .

Air purifiers generally fall into three categories: those designed for small spaces (such as kids’ bedrooms, dorm rooms, and offices), those intended for general living spaces (such as enclosed living rooms and master bedrooms), and those designed for large spaces (including combined living/dining rooms and areas with cathedral ceilings).

The problem is that many manufacturers dramatically overstate their machines’ abilities. A lot of “living room” purifiers are barely powerful enough to keep a walk-in closet clear.

We begin by calculating projected airflow abilities. When considering a new purifier, we first refer to manufacturer-supplied specs on airflow (usually given as a clean air delivery rate, or CADR). We compute the air changes per hour, or ACH, they can provide in hypothetical rooms of 150, 350, and 500 square feet (assuming an 8-foot ceiling height).

We set four ACH as the minimum for a purifier to be considered adequate for each room size. Based on our years of real-world testing, we know that four ACH ensures rapid and nearly complete cleaning of highly polluted air.

We usually choose purifiers with true HEPA filters . In the North American definition, “true HEPA” means that a filter removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles of a 0.3-micron diameter in a single pass. For reference, human hair usually measures between 20 and 180 microns across. A particle with a 0.3-micron diameter is the toughest size to remove via physical, HEPA-type filtration. So both larger and—counterintuitively—smaller particles are captured more efficiently.

The European true HEPA equivalent—which is increasingly marketed in North America as “medical grade”—is designated H13, and its requirements are virtually identical: 99.95% single-pass capture of the most penetrating particle size (or MPPS). This is typically close to 0.3 micron.

We weigh the value a purifier offers. Without setting a strict price limit within each room-size category, we compare cost against specs (especially ACH), the estimated upkeep and electricity costs over the course of five years of operation, ratings from owners, and manufacturers’ histories of reliability and customer service.

And we appreciate smart control capability. Our years of testing have proved that a good air purifier creates and maintains excellent air quality when it is simply allowed to run continuously on a moderate setting. As a result, we do not insist that our picks have smart control options.  But many members of our paid tester program have told us how helpful the ability to control appliances via an app or by voice command is for people with mobility or dexterity issues. Smart air purifiers also typically offer real-time and trend data on indoor air quality, and many allow you to set operation schedules, so that (for example) your purifier can automatically do a deep clean of your living space in the hour before you get home. In short, smart capability isn’t necessary to get clean air, but it can add meaningful utility to a purifier.

No thanks, ionizers and ozone. Many purifiers have an ionizer in addition to a HEPA filter, but most let you toggle the feature on or off, and we recommend the latter. One reason: The ionizers’ efficacy is unclear. The more important reason: Ionizers can produce a tiny amount of ozone as a by-product, and ozone is harmful to breathe (PDF) . That said, among our picks with an ionizing option, none exceed the ozone production limit of 0.05 parts per million when in use, as set and certified by the strict California Air Resources Board .

A handful of air purifiers rely entirely on ozone to purify the air. We dismiss them categorically.

The tools: Since 2016, we’ve conducted dozens of real-world purifier tests, measuring particle concentrations with a TSI AeroTrak 9306 —a professional, high-precision particle counter commonly used to certify air quality to OSHA standards in factories and other workplaces.

The venues: We’ve tested air purifiers in homes and in apartments. Since 2020, we’ve been testing in a room at Wirecutter’s New York City headquarters. It’s a 135-square-foot office.

The tests: At the start of each test, we take a baseline reading of the ambient air quality for three minutes. We burn five wooden matches and let the smoke circulate for two minutes to raise the particulate levels in the air. We then run the purifiers for the remaining 30 minutes.

Smoke particles are right in the 0.3-micron size range—the hardest size to capture—that’s used as the HEPA test standard. If a purifier does well on smoke, it will do even better on larger particles like dust and pollen, and—somewhat paradoxically—on smaller particles like bacteria and viruses. For an explanation, see How HEPA filters work .

We place the purifiers at the midpoint of the test room (this is best practice in your room, too). The particle counter goes in the farthest corner of the room, ensuring an accurate reading of whole-room purification. The particle counter takes readings continuously, with counts totaled in one-minute increments.

We test each purifier at least twice. In a 35-minute test, we run the machine on its absolute highest setting. It’s usually noisy. In a separate test, we use the highest setting the machine can run while keeping the noise below 50 decibels; this is around the upper limit of what would be tolerable for normal conversation, watching TV, or sleeping.

We normalize the test data so that each machine’s peak reading of 0.3-micron particles represents the maximum particulate load it faced. We describe its overall performance as its maximum reduction of particulates relative to that load. We believe this approach gives the best apples-to-apples comparison because it eliminates inconsistencies in absolute particle concentration—which even in lab conditions is difficult to reproduce exactly from test to test—in favor of a common measure.

We test new and old machines. When retesting our existing air-purifier picks, we take four measurements—two using the old filters and two using new filters—to learn how (or even if) their performance changed over time.

We also make subjective evaluations. We have always judged purifiers not just by how well they perform but also by how easy it will be to live with them in your bedroom, living room, or office. For those factors, we measure how much noise the purifiers make when running, and we calculate their long-term costs for energy consumption and replacement filters. We consider the ease of operation and maintenance, the presence or absence of distracting lights (which can disrupt sleep), the simplicity of the controls, and their physical size and aesthetics.

And we simply live with them. We station our picks in multiple homes, often for years at a time, to judge how they perform in different environments, how durable they are against rowdy kids and other sources of damage, and whether positive attributes (or persistent annoyances) are revealed as time goes by.

After over 20 rounds of testing, encompassing more than 50 different air purifiers, and after years of living with our various picks at home, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty remains our pick as the best air purifier for most people. It has kept its place since 2015 for many reasons.

It’s a stellar performer. Across repeated testing and re-testing, the Coway Mighty has delivered some of the best performances of any purifier we’ve seen, and it has done so with amazing consistency. On its high setting, it averages more than 99% removal of smoke in 30 minutes. On medium, it averages 88%. And it maintains that performance for the entire lifespan of its HEPA filter, which should be replaced annually. We’ve always run our test units 24/7 for at least a year—in one case, for two years—and then retested them using the old filters and compared them with brand-new ones. In every case, there’s been virtually no drop-off in performance for this purifier. (Occasionally, we’ve even seen a tiny improvement: HEPA filters actually get more efficient at capturing particles as they clog up, at the expense of a small drop in airflow.)

It abides. Our first test unit ran for two years straight and was performing like new when it was discontinued for a newer version. The second one ran for four years straight, and it too was still working flawlessly when it was replaced (again due to design updates). That third model ran at our office for over two years straight while it was closed for the pandemic, during which time the office endured a small flood. The purifier was still working fine when we reopened.

It’s virtually set-and-forget. The Mighty requires very little setup and upkeep. Remove the plastic bag the filters come in, stick the filters back in the machine, and you’re ready to go. We recommend keeping the machine on the medium setting, which is quiet, energy-efficient, and effective: In past tests, we confirmed that in a room with windows and doors closed, this purifier will drop particulate levels to nearly zero within an hour and maintain that indefinitely.

It’s quiet. For a purifier of its capabilities, the Mighty is notably quiet. On medium (the speed we recommend you run it on), it measures just 39 decibels from a distance of 6 feet—a soft, fan-like whisper that’s easy to sleep or watch TV near. (Another argument for keeping it on medium is that its auto setting can rev up the fan to its highest—and much louder—speed without warning; this is true of all purifiers with an auto function.)

It goes dark. The Mighty has a feature that we’d like to see on all air purifiers: You can completely shut off its display while keeping it on the fan speed of your choosing. Purifier displays in general are overly bright, especially their air-quality indicator lamps, and if you’re sensitive to light when you’re trying to sleep, that’s a real aggravation. Many do now offer a sleep mode that (mostly) shuts off the display.

It stands up to punishment. Parents on our staff who own a Mighty report that it has stood up to toddlers banging on the control panel and older kids roughhousing with it. Senior editor Harry Sawyers said his boys discovered that it’s fun to throw balloons into the airflow (they can get stuck and hover midair) and to use it to inflate their T-shirts so they look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

It excels in air-quality emergencies, like wildfires. In 2017, we created wildfire conditions in our Los Angeles office and tested several purifiers. Using bunches of incense sticks, we created a thick haze of smoke in the room—which was four times larger than what the Coway is designed to be used in. It still dropped the pollution by 70% in under an hour, performing as well as some purifiers intended for extra-large spaces.

Operating costs are low. Running costs for the Mighty are easily the lowest we’ve found for a purifier of its abilities. Filter replacement is an annual task, whereas some competitors work on six- or eight-month cycles. And it’s energy-efficient: On the medium setting, it draws just 8.1 watts, so running it 24/7 on that setting consumes just 71 kilowatts annually. If you want to calculate that consumption as a dollar amount, the US Energy Information Administration lists up-to-date electricity rates by state.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Some units had fan issues (but they seem to be resolved). In early fall 2020, a few reader comments and reviews showed up mentioning an imbalanced fan in the machine, which caused the whole unit to shake uncontrollably and, in some cases, led the fan to break. We asked Coway about this problem, and a spokesperson replied that Coway was aware of the issue and was working on strengthening the fans’ balancing mechanism. As of late 2022, the issue seems to be resolved, based on recent customer reviews.

Filter odors noted (also resolved). Around the same time, we saw complaints of a plasticky odor in new replacement filters. When asked for an explanation in February 2021, Coway representatives wrote: “The filter is manufactured by processing various polymer materials … and similar to new clothes, some initial odors may linger.” The reps added that the company “is currently considering adding an Air Blow process into production to minimize any potential smell and odors.”

Two Coway filters that we purchased in February 2021 had a slight odor, and filters that arrived new in 2022 had no noticeable odor at all. Most recent (2023) Amazon reviews that mention odor describe it as faint and dissipating within a day or two.

We tested two popular third-party replacement-filter sets for the Mighty, made by Cabiclean and Durabasics , and neither gave off any noticeable odor. They performed almost identically to the genuine Coway filter in our smoke tests, so we’re confident in recommending them. One caveat: Coway told us that “if a problem is identified using a third-party filter, the customer does not receive warranty service.”

The smart version technically works, but the app is lousy. We tested the smart version of the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty, the AP-1512HHS . The app is basic and buggy, but when it’s working, it does allow you to monitor and control your machine remotely. In evaluating the app, Thorin Klosowski, then Wirecutter’s editor of privacy and security coverage, found that it has terrible customer reviews, “and asked for several unnecessary permissions we weren’t comfortable granting, including access to location, the camera, and more.”

The Coway Airmega 200M is virtually identical to our top pick, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty. The units are made by the same company, and they are physically so similar that their faceplates and filters are interchangeable. The 200M has a slightly more powerful motor, which may account for its marginally better performance in our tests: Running on its highest setting for half an hour, it reduced particulates by 99.4% on new filters (versus the Mighty’s 98.9%) and by 99.1% on old filters (versus the Mighty’s 98.9%). These differences are so small as to be functionally meaningless. So if you prefer the looks of the 200M, or you find it for a lower price, you can buy with confidence.

The 200M shares the Mighty’s display-shutoff feature, which we value highly because it turns off the overly bright air-quality indicator lamp and makes the 200M much more conducive to bedroom use. Visually, the 200M differs from the Mighty in that it has a square grille instead of a round aperture; like the Mighty, it’s available in both black and white versions.

The venerable Winix 5500-2 performed just as well as the Coway Mighty in our testing. Both machines are similarly quiet, and the 5500-2 often sells for a bit less than the Mighty. It’s not our top pick for several reasons: It’s larger and (to most eyes) not as attractive; it lacks a display-shutoff feature, except when it’s on its lowest fan setting; and it draws more electricity, contributing to slightly higher running costs. But, simply put, the 5500-2 is an impressive purifier, and several Wirecutter staffers have happily owned this model for years.

In fact, all of the Winix purifiers we’ve tested have been impressive. If you can’t find the 5500-2, the Winix 5300-2 is identical in all important respects, though it lacks the remote control the 5500-2 comes with. The same goes for the Winix C535 ; this one is available only from Walmart and directly from Winix, but it often sells for less than the 5500-2 and comes with a two-year supply of filters. Finally, the AM80 and the Wi-Fi–enabled AM90 are standout performers, and they offer a sleeker, more-modern look.

The Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max is another stellar air purifier comparable in capabilities to our Coway picks. It’s extremely energy efficient, drawing just 30 watts on its highest setting (out of four), versus the Coway Mighty’s 68. And it’s a fantastic performer, reducing smoke levels by 99.9% on high and 99.7% on medium-high. It’s also notably quiet, never breaking the 50-decibel limit we consider the maximum for sleeping, conversing, or watching TV near, and emitting 39 decibels or less—to the point of being almost inaudible—on medium, low, and the ultra-low “nighttime” setting.

Blueair explained in an interview that these attributes are the result of several engineering updates working in concert. The 311i Max’s motor and fan blade are more efficient than earlier models, with a gently flared shape and a slightly larger surface area than its predecessor (and former pick), the 311 Auto. In the 311i Max version, a redesigned outlet grille has more area for air to pass through. The filter itself uses the same technology as all Blueair purifiers, combining a non-HEPA (but very efficient) filter with a system that imparts an electrical charge to any particles that pass through, helping them stick to the filter the next time around, essentially via static cling.

Finally, the 311i Max has an updated liveability feature that was long missing from the Blue Pure lineup: You can shut off the entire control panel display and the air-quality indicator, while still keeping the fan on the speed setting you want. Its child lock feature, also new, is also helpful in households with little ones.

The filters have a shorter replacement cycle than those of the Mighty, and many of our other picks, at six to nine months depending on usage (versus, typically, a year). The machine measures actual filter usage, not simply the elapsed time since the last filter was installed, so if you don’t run your machine all the time, you’ll get more life out of them. In the long term, though, filter replacements will likely give the 311i Max slightly higher running costs.

The Levoit Vital 200S is another excellent purifier and is similar to the Coway Mighty in both capability and livability. It excelled in our smoke tests, and it resembles the Mighty in energy usage and noise output (meaning it’s highly efficient and very quiet on its lower, everyday fan settings). There are four fan speeds to choose from (versus the Mighty’s three), so it offers a bit more flexibility. However, the medium-high setting approaches our 50-decibel limit on acceptable noise, so it’s not clear that this is a meaningful advantage.

Most important, the Vital 200S has a display shutoff that’s independent of the fan settings, so you can darken it at night while still keeping your air well cleaned. And our long-term test unit is performing without any issues, making us confident in its durability.

If you need to purify the air in a space of 500 square feet or so, we recommend the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max . It’s extremely powerful, and in fact capable of delivering our recommended four ACH (air changes per hour) in spaces as large as 750 square feet on its highest setting (though you probably wouldn’t want to run it that way all the time).

It’s also an exceptional performer, dropping the smoke levels in our test space by more than 99.9% on its high and medium-high settings. And it’s easy to live with: quiet, attractive, and energy efficient, with a full display shutoff as well as both manual and smart controls. The relatively high price is backed up by the performance, but this much purifier is overkill for medium-size and small rooms.

The 211i Max is a thrifty operator, drawing just 41 watts on its highest setting, and 18 and 11 respectively on the medium-high and medium-low settings where you’re more likely to run it during normal use. Like the smaller 311i Max, its engineering has been updated with a redesigned motor and fan blade. Relative to its predecessor (and former pick), the Blueair 211+ , the 211i Max also has a more porous outlet grille and a slightly flared design with a larger, less dense filter.

The 211i Max’s filters have a shorter replacement cycle than many of our other picks, at six to nine months (versus a typical year). The replacement alert on the display reflects actual usage, though, not simply the elapsed time since the last replacement, so if your purification demands are low, you’ll wind up on the long end of that range.

One standout test finding was that the 211i Max is remarkably quiet, particularly for a machine of its capability. On the high setting, it barely broke our 50-decibel limit for comfortable conversation, sleep, or TV watching. On its four lower speeds, it measured a barely noticeable 41 decibels or less.

Both the built-in control screen and the app show the real-time levels of airborne particulates in three size classes (1, 2.5, and 10 microns, roughly corresponding to smoke, dust, and pollen). This is standard info in an air quality monitor , but it’s something we’ve rarely seen integrated into a purifier. The app also lets you remotely monitor and adjust the operating settings.

You can manually dim or completely shut off the entire display when you want a dark room. You can also shut off the air quality indicator. A child lock function keeps young ones from altering the settings (or that’s the intent, anyway).

Finally, because the 211i Max is likely to be used in a living room or other public space, it’s gratifying that Blueair put some real care into its appearance and upkeep. The tweed-like cover (which also acts as a prefilter) is washable and, when the time comes, replaceable. A pretty, silvery gray one comes standard with the machine, and three other soft, natural colors are available.

Consider whether you actually need a large-space purifier, though. Despite its impressive energy efficiency, the 211i Max still consumes more power on its everyday medium-high and medium-low settings than the top-pick Coway Mighty (and the Blue Pure 311i Max, an also-great pick) on equivalent settings. If you’d be using a Blue Pure 211+ to purify a space that these smaller machines could handle, that’s wasted electricity.

The Clorox Medium Room is one of the best-thought-out small-space purifiers we’ve tested, in spite of a significant misnomer: This is a good option for a space about 200 square feet or less, and no larger. For an office or bedroom, it is a terrific value and has many livability features that low-cost purifiers often lack.

The Clorox Medium Room reduced smoke levels in our test space by 98.1% on high and 95.9% on medium over the course of a 30-minute cycle. In terms of noise, it’s also quite good compared with other small-space purifiers we’ve tested, emitting 45 decibels on high (noticeable, but not too loud to disrupt work or sleep), 39 on medium (akin to a room fan), and 31 and 29 on low and ultra-low (barely audible). In terms of energy consumption, it’s a huge improvement over our previous budget pick, the Levoit Core 300 , drawing 23 watts (versus 46) on high, 15 watts on the everyday medium setting, and 7 and 4 watts on its lowest two fan speeds.

We appreciated some practical and user-friendly features we wouldn’t expect at this price. A child lock function keeps wee ones from messing with the settings. The display shutoff keeps its glowing LEDs from disrupting sleep. One version adds Alexa compatibility for remote control and monitoring, although this feature bumps the price up by a bit.

If you’re concerned about VOCs: Austin Air HealthMate HM400

If you specifically need to address high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we recommend the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 . Like our other picks, it uses a HEPA filter to capture particulate pollutants. But it also contains a massive, 15-pound adsorbent filter (composed of activated carbon and a class of mineral called zeolites) that efficiently captures gaseous pollutants such as formaldehyde. That said, in most parts of the country, simply opening your windows every few days is an effective way to flush out any VOCs.

If you want a truly smart air purifier: Mila

The Mila air purifier is a notable entrant in the nascent category of truly smart air purifiers. When we tested it in October 2020, it delivered excellent performance on smoke particles, virtually identical to the performance we got from the Coway Mighty. Compared with the features of other smart air purifiers we’ve looked at, its app, sensors, and programmability are head and shoulders more advanced—almost another species. Although we believe that most people are likely to be happy with a purely analog purifier, if you’re keen on smart appliances, then this model is worth considering.

If you want a purifier with a built-in wireless charger: Coway Airmega Icon

We tested the Coway Airmega Icon purifier in April 2020. It’s an interesting machine, straddling the line between appliance and furniture, and it incorporates a second function: It has a built-in, 20-watt wireless device charger. This model performed exceptionally well in our tests, removing 99.6% and 97.4% of smoke particles in 30 minutes on high and medium, respectively. It’s also notably quiet on its low and medium settings, where it would normally be running, putting out 33 and 43 decibels, respectively. And the charger worked flawlessly on the iPhone we tested it with.

To get the most out of an air purifier, you need to set it up correctly, operate it properly, and perform very occasional maintenance. Here’s a list of what to do:

Remove the wrappers. Most air purifiers arrive with the filters installed—but they are also sealed in plastic wrappers. Open up your machine, unwrap the filters, and reinstall them. The HEPA filters should have an arrow or other marking to indicate the correct orientation.

Place them correctly. Install your purifier at least 18 inches from a wall and any furniture, ideally near the midpoint of the room you’re using it in.

One purifier per room is best. Purifiers work best in a contiguous space; if you want to clean the air in both the living room and a bedroom, for example, it’s best to get a purifier for each room or to move a single purifier around with you.

Oversized is okay. It’s better to have “too much purifier” than not enough. Manufacturers typically base their room-size recommendations (and CADR ratings) on tests with the machines set on high. But high is usually too loud when you’re watching TV or sleeping. Purifiers rated for larger spaces can operate on lower, quieter speeds.

Keep it running. Under typical conditions, we recommend running air purifiers 24/7 on their highest “quiet” setting—which we define as 50 decibels (dBA) or less. That generally means the medium setting on three-speed purifiers, or the high-medium setting on four-speed machines. Under known bad-air conditions, such as during a nearby wildfire, we recommend running purifiers on high for an hour every so often to deep-clean the air.

Close doors and windows. A draft or an open door can draw unfiltered air into a room faster than the purifier can deal with it. Normal in-and-out foot traffic isn’t an issue; just close the door behind you.

Clean the prefilter monthly. For optimal performance, vacuum, wipe down, or rinse off the prefilter (it looks like a window screen or plastic netting) every month or so. The prefilter catches larger particles, such as pet hair, and keeping it clean helps the HEPA filter work unimpeded on fine particles.

Schedule filter replacement. It’s easy to forget the occasional obligation of replacing your purifier’s filters—so set a calendar reminder. Purifier manufacturers typically recommend replacing them annually, but check the manual; some models call for less frequent or more frequent replacement.

In conditions where air quality is poor, like when your area is affected by a nearby wildfire, we recommend running air purifiers on high for an hour and thereafter running them on the quiet or medium setting to create and maintain clean air in the home. After burning 15 wooden matches (to create an initial heavy load of fine smoke particulates), we tested this method with the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty and the Airmega 400 over the course of three hours—one hour on high, followed by two on medium.

Set on high, the AP-1512HH reduced the particulate concentration by 99.9% in the first hour. With the purifier set on medium over the next two hours, the particulate load remained stable, varying no more than 0.1%. In the first hour on high, the Airmega 400 also reduced the particulate concentration by 99.9%, and thereafter the particulate load varied by no more than 0.2% on medium. In these tests, the purifiers handled normal ambient air after we raised the smoke levels at the outset.

In a separate, similar test, we fed the purifiers continuously smoky air by burning incense sticks throughout the test. This test also included the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty, compared against a former large-space pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+. In that test, we learned we had to run the machines on high to maintain meaningful purification. Both models achieved this, cutting the particulates by half or more in 50 minutes.

HEPA stands for “ high-efficiency particulate air .” The filter technology is the result of an industrial need that became critical in the Atomic Age: high volumes of very clean air, vital for the production of microprocessors and other sensitive instruments. HEPA filtration is also fundamentally simple and cheap, which means it’s available to everyone today.

HEPA filtration is a physical process, but it’s not like what most people envision when they think of a filter: a net, or a colander, or maybe mosquito netting, where particles larger than the holes get caught and the rest passes through. Rather, in HEPA purifiers, a fan draws particles suspended in the air through a dense, felt-like filter that has billions of tiny gaps of varying size. Air passes through almost unimpeded—thus the “high-efficiency” in HEPA. But the maze-like web of fibers traps almost all of the particles, from relatively big material like pollen (10 microns or so) down to ultrafine, 0.01-micron (10 nanometers) stuff. That’s smaller than an individual virus.

The fibers in a HEPA filter capture airborne particulates in three basic ways (PDF) .

Impaction: The largest of the particulates, about 0.5 micron and above, are captured via impaction: Unable to change their course due to momentum, the particulates simply slam into the fibers and stick to them.

Interception: Particles measuring less than 0.5 micron (but not too much less) are captured by interception: Their lower momentum allows them to flow around some fibers, but eventually they come close enough to touch one fiber on the way by, and again they stick.

Diffusion: Very fine particles measuring below 0.1 micron get bounced around randomly and are slowed by their interactions with atmospheric atoms and molecules. They eventually drift or get bounced into a filter fiber, whereupon (yet again) they stick in a process called diffusion.

Crucially, the hardest particles to capture are what you might call the Baby Bears: At 0.3 micron, they’re at the low limit of interception momentum and above the limit of diffusion—in other words, they’re “just right” to get through a HEPA filter. The solution is to make the filter dense enough that it has a sufficient amount of fibers to capture most of the 0.3-micron particles. According to the US HEPA standard, “most of them” means 99.97% of them in a single pass.

In 2019, we purchased a Molekule Air—the company’s iconic original purifier—and found it to be the worst air purifier we’ve ever tested. Its performance on particulate pollution was dismal—and absolutely unacceptable for an $800 device. We later learned that many of the company’s advertising claims were found to be baseless, and Molekule subsequently retracted almost all of them. (You can read about the saga in our reports from February and June 2020; the Air was then known as the MH1.) That year we also tested a Molekule Air Mini and judged it to be similarly poor.

But both of those models have been retired, so in January 2023 we purchased and tested the company’s current models, the Molekule Air Pro and the Molekule Air Mini+ . In addition to a HEPA filter, the Air Pro and the Mini+ employ the company’s patented PECO technology, which Molekule claims not only captures pollutants like smoke, bacteria, and viruses—as HEPA filters do—but also destroys them using a UV-based reaction.

Molekule Air Pro: Loud, expensive, but (technically) effective

The Air Pro is Molekule’s larger purifier. Molekule’s specs claim it is effective in spaces as large as 1,000 square feet. In our testing, it did do something the original Air didn’t: effectively remove fine particles from the atmosphere. On its highest setting, it dropped the smoke levels by 99.9% in 30 minutes—as good a performance as any purifier we’ve tested. Molekule does not share the actual numbers, but presuming the claimed “3x” airflow refers to the original Air’s 90 cubic feet per minute, the Air Pro’s maximum airflow rate would be about 270 cfm, slightly higher than that of the top-pick Coway AP-1512HH Mighty .

But there’s a deal-breaking caveat. On that setting, the Air Pro emitted an earsplitting 71 decibels, measured from a distance of 6 feet. That’s by far the loudest of any purifier we’ve tested, and it would be absolutely unlivable in real-world use. I could hear its jet-like whine from 40 feet away, and it was on the other side of a heavy, acoustically sealed door. For reference, we set the limit of comfort at 50 decibels, and humans perceive a 10-decibel increase as roughly a doubling of loudness. So the Air Pro is effectively four times noisier than what we consider to be acceptable.

At its highest sub-50-decibel setting (which was speed three out of six), the Air Pro performed similarly to our top-pick Coway on its medium setting, removing 86.1% of the smoke particles we’d filled our test space with in 30 minutes. But it was louder, at 43 decibels, versus the Coway’s 39.

The Air Pro is a power hog, drawing 27 watts on speed three—more than three times what the Coway draws on medium. On its highest setting, we measured it at 111 watts (the Coway draws 68 on high), and Molekule actually lists a bigger number on the Air Pro’s spec sheet: 123 watts.

The many critical reviews on Molekule’s Amazon store frequently mention noise, an unpleasant smell (we didn’t notice it), difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi and the app, and cost. It typically retails for $1,000, and replacement filters are $160. If you kept up with the recommended six-month filter replacements, you’d spend $1,440 over the course of five years. Add the cost of electricity and the purchase price, and you’d spend well over $2,500 on a machine that performs no better on particulate pollution than the far less expensive purifiers we recommend.

Molekule Air Mini+: Similar weaknesses in a smaller package

The Molekule Air Mini+ is designed for small spaces, like a bedroom or home office. In our testing, it performed far worse than our pick for those scenarios, the Clorox Medium Room—which costs about $100, versus the Air Mini+’s typical $350 or more. On its medium setting (speed three, out of five), the Air Mini+ reduced smoke levels by just 58.7%, versus the Levoit’s 92.6%. And even on its highest setting, at which it emitted an intolerable 66 decibels, the Air Mini+ reduced the smoke only by 91%; the Levoit captured 97.4% on high, while emitting 54 decibels. That’s a bit too loud for continuous use, but it’s less than half as loud (in terms of human perception) as the Air Mini+.

Along with its high up-front cost, the Air Mini+ is also expensive to maintain, requiring a $90 replacement filter every six months. It’s not particularly power-hungry, unlike the Air Pro. But on its medium setting, the Air Mini+ still draws more electricity than the far-more-capable Coway Mighty (our top pick among purifiers and a machine capable of keeping the air clean in a far larger space). As with its larger sibling, we do not recommend the Molekule Air Mini+.

It’s a popular claim: If you stick a furnace/HVAC filter on a standard box fan, you can make a useful DIY air purifier. To test this, we taped a 20-by-20-inch Honeywell FPR 9 filter to a 20-inch Lasko box fan, and we ran that combo through the standard 35-minute, five-match test in the 200-square-foot New York City space, with the fan on high. And you know what? It did okay, cutting the initial particulate load by 87% over 30 minutes on medium. That’s nothing like the 99% reductions our top picks achieved on their high settings, but the results were better than one might expect.

If you try this hack, carefully seal the filter around its entire perimeter with clear, pro-strength packing tape—any gap would have let unfiltered air pass through, the same as on dedicated air purifiers. Doing all this may damage the fan’s motor, and we wouldn’t consider it to be a long-term solution for air-quality issues. But if you experience an air-quality emergency—say, regional wildfires creating a purifier supply shortage—it’s worth a shot.

One other thing worth mentioning: A popular video of this hack , from the University of Michigan Health System, overstates its potential. The presenter places the particle counter directly in front of the filter—almost touching it with the sensor—and notes that virtually no particles are passing through. It’s more important to measure the effect of a filter on the overall particulate load in the room. We measure purifier performance at a distance from the machines, outside the path of the cleaned airflow.

In addition to the following models, we have reviewed and dismissed hundreds of purifiers since 2013 based on their specs, features (or lack thereof), livability, and price. Some well-known brands that have never made our cut include Alen, Bissell, IQAir, Rabbit Air, and TruSens, generally based on their elevated up-front and running costs relative to those of our picks.

We have also removed from this list many since-discontinued models we tested.

The Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto and 211+ are former also-great and upgrade picks. They’re excellent, and if you own one of them, there’s no need to replace them. The 311i Max and 211i Max that now hold these spots are slightly higher performing and have improved energy efficiency and liveability features, but the older models are truly excellent in their own right.

The Levoit Core 300 , a former budget pick, is far less energy efficient than the current pick, the Clorox Medium Room, and also lacks most of the liveability features that set the Clorox apart.

The Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max , a small-space purifier, is physically similar to but less capable than the also-great 311i Max. Given the minor difference in price, we think the 311i Max is the better buy, as it will excel in both bedroom-size rooms and large living areas. The older Blue Air 411 machines (the 411 , 411 Auto , and 411+ ) are former picks. They’re incredibly energy efficient but not as capable as our current small-space pick, the Clorox Medium Room .

The Oransi Mod+ is an impressive purifier meant for large spaces. It’s exceptional at capturing particles—on a par with our large-space pick, the Blue Pure 211i Max—and competitively priced, but it lacks some of the liveability features we value. It’s louder than the 211i Max, consumes considerably more electricity, and lacks smart capability.

The Winix 9800 is a solid purifier meant for large spaces. Basically an oversize version of our also-great pick from Winix, the 5500-2, it’s a terrific performer but lacks an important usability feature: Its display only goes dark when it’s on its lowest fan setting, meaning if you don’t want to sleep in the glow of multiple bright LEDs, you have to give up any meaningful overnight air cleaning.

The T810 is yet another impressive purifier from Winix, closely resembling the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max in its form, performance, and sleep-friendly display shutoff. It’s slightly louder, however, and considerably less energy efficient.

The Dreo Macro Max S is a high-performing purifier with a major flaw: an enormous, bright air-quality indicator lamp that shuts itself off only in night mode, in which the fan is locked on its lowest, least effective setting. The lamp can be shut off at other fan speeds via the app, but, as with virtually all smart purifier apps, this one has many reports of connectivity issues. A manual shutoff option would be an improvement.

Blueair says its DustMagnet machines “powerfully attract airborne dust particles like a magnet before they settle on floors and surfaces.” But those claims refer to a certain size range of particles, from 0.5 to 3.0 micron—smaller than the human eye can see—so you’d have no way of knowing. In our testing with a professional particle counter, the Blueair DustMagnet 5440i performed no better than the much less expensive Coway Mighty.

Levoit’s Core 600S is a powerful machine designed for use in spaces up to about 700 square feet, at four air changes per hour, and it performed very well in our tests. However, on its medium-high and high speeds, it produced a persistent rattle that we could not ignore nor fix by repositioning the machine and confirming that the filter was properly seated.

The Honeywell InSight HPA5300B , a large-space model, likely performs well, but after measuring its electricity demands, we dismissed it. It’s an absolute power hog, drawing 33, 60, 94, and 117 watts on its four (low to turbo) speeds, respectively.

Honeywell’s HPA300 performed well in our tests but was also extremely loud, topping out at 62 decibels on its highest setting and measuring 53 decibels on the higher of its two medium speeds. It’s large and visually intrusive, too: a black tower that’s almost 2 feet tall, 18 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.

The Coway Airmega 150 is the first small-space machine from that company. It’s sharp-looking, with a clean rectangular form and a muted, matte finish available in several colors. But at its typical price of $190, it’s too pricey for a machine made for spaces no larger than a bedroom.

The Coway Airmega 250 is the larger, more powerful sibling of the Coway Airmega 150. It’s equally attractive,  but it’s only slightly more powerful than our top pick, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty, yet it costs $200 more.

The Coway Airmega 240 , a former pick for special cases, performs on a par with the top pick Coway Mighty and has a sleek design that our staff universally loved. But with more companies paying attention to their purifiers’ appearance, it’s no longer unique in combining form and function at a reasonable price.

The IKEA Förnuftig is neither a true-HEPA purifier nor an especially powerful purifier, period. It’s designed to capture PM2.5—particles 2.5 microns in diameter and above, in contrast with the 0.3-micron HEPA standard. That means it’s optimized for larger airborne particles, such as pollen and mold spores, rather than for very fine particulates, like wildfire smoke (as HEPA filters are). We tested the Förnuftig in a 200-square-foot room, focusing on how well it removed 3-micron particles from the air. It disappointed, removing just 85.2% of 3-micron particles in 30 minutes on high and 73.6% in 30 minutes on medium. Its performance on 0.3-micron particles was, as expected, worse: 64.5% removed on high and 53.5% on medium. Compared with other small-space purifiers we’ve tested in the same space, that’s very poor.

We tested the tower-style Coway AP-1216L in 2017. Despite its decent-to-solid performance, we don’t recommend it. The small footprint of 10 by 8 inches belies the fact that it’s 32 inches tall—the height of a kitchen counter—and so it takes up a huge amount of visual space. You’d never forget that you have a purifier in the room.

The AirSoap uses washable, electrically charged plates to capture airborne particulates. Our top pick Coway Mighty performed far better in our tests. AirSoap’s claim that it will save you “thousands” in the cost of replacement filters is ridiculous—you’d have to replace the filter on the Coway Mighty 20 times to reach even $1,000, which means you’d have to run it for two decades.

The Aeris Aair 3-in-1 Pro performs similarly on particulates to our pick for large spaces, the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max, and it contains a large VOC filter composed of 2.2 pounds of activated carbon and alumina, which should make it far better at capturing VOCs. But it’s expensive, the filters last only six months, and replacements cost about $200.

AirDoctor sells an expensive purifier with a filter that it markets as “UltraHEPA,” claiming that the filter traps particles 100 times smaller than what HEPA filters can capture. It’s not true: All true-HEPA filters snag virtually 100% of the nanometer-scale particles that AirDoctor says is its unique ability to capture.

We’ve tested many Dyson purifiers over the years, most recently (2019) the Pure Cool TP04 and Pure Hot+Cool HP04 . Neither model measured up well against our top pick, the Coway Mighty. We have also found no evidence that the fan function on Dyson purifiers makes them superior to other purifiers in the distribution of filtered air throughout a room. In fact, our years of testing have shown that any appropriately sized purifier will deliver filtered air rapidly into the farthest corner of a room.

The Medify MA-40 performs similarly to the top-pick Coway AP-1512HH Mighty, but it’s much  louder, at 52 decibels (above our 50-decibel definition of “quiet”) on its medium setting and 42 on low. The Coway measured 39 decibels and 31 decibels (nearly inaudible), respectively.

The huge and exceptionally powerful Medify MA-112 is surprisingly easy on the ears, registering as “quiet” on its low, low-medium, and high-medium speeds (39, 42, and 47 decibels). But at 28 inches tall and 15 inches wide, it’s best suited to large commercial or public spaces—like casinos, which Medify says use the MA-112 to counter the effects of cigarette smoke.

The GermGuardian AC5900WCA was a star performer in our 2019 test, but we also found it to be much louder than the top-pick Coway Mighty, measuring 47 decibels versus 39, on its quiet/medium setting. And the quality of the sound was rough and whooshy, versus the Mighty’s steady white noise. It’s far more expensive to maintain, as well.

The Levoit LV-H133 is another competitor to the Coway Mighty. But it’s more expensive up-front as well as over the course of five years of upkeep. And its taller form and higher noise output make it visually and audibly intrusive.

The Levoit Vista 200 is a small-space machine, and it’s one of the best-selling purifiers on Amazon. However, it’s much weaker in its CADR specs than our small-space pick, the Clorox Medium room.

A budget pick contender, the Levoit LV-H132 performed poorly in our tests, reducing particulates in our 200-square-foot test room by just 60% on high.

Our previous top picks among large-space purifiers, the Coway Airmega 400 and Coway Airmega 300 , are impressive performers. The same is true of the Coway Airmega 400S , a smart version of the 400. But the Blue Pure 211i Max, our equally capable current pick, comes out on top on price: It typically sells for several hundred dollars less.

Winix’s HR900 Ultimate Pet Air Purifier has lower specs than our less expensive top pick from Coway .

The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier has solid reviews and typically costs a bit less than the top-pick Coway Mighty. For that price, though, you get a machine that’s barely a third as capable: The Hathaspace purifier can produce, at most, two air changes per hour in a 350-square-foot room, whereas the Mighty purifier can deliver 5.7.

The GermGuardian AC4825 has been around for years and is, up front, cheap. But because of its higher energy consumption, it costs more to maintain than our current budget pick, the Clorox Medium room. And it’s a tall, garish device that won’t blend into any decor outside of an Alien set.

In addition to the above models, we looked at and dismissed multiple purifiers from the growing crowd of knockoff brands. It’s plainly a Duff Dry situation , and there’s no reason to doubt that these suspiciously similar knockoffs would perform all that differently from the originals. But we place a premium on long-standing companies with a record of customer service—and these pop-up brands lack both attributes. Rather than address them individually, we turned them into a poem, since their names (and this isn’t an exhaustive list) are quite lyrical:

Sumgott, Koios, UNbeaten, Zibrone;

Afloia, Aviano, Mooka, Keenstone;

Partu, Geniani, KeenPure, Hauea;

Cisno, Druiap, iTvanila, Secura.

This article was edited by Harry Sawyers.

Meet your guide

Tim Heffernan

Tim Heffernan is a senior staff writer focusing on air and water quality and home energy efficiency. A former writer for The Atlantic, Popular Mechanics, and other national magazines, he joined Wirecutter in 2015. He owns three bikes and zero derailleurs.

Further reading

How to Get Better Indoor Air Quality

by Harry Sawyers

Use these items to clean your home’s air, reduce the sources of respiratory problems, and limit the infiltration of new particulates.

How to DIY an Air Purifier

by Tim Heffernan

If your air quality is bad and you don’t have an air purifier, an HVAC filter taped to a box fan is better than nothing.

How to Buy a Used Air Purifier

by Katie Okamoto

If you’re looking for a used air purifier to deal with an air-quality emergency, to save money, or to shop more sustainably, here’s how to find a good one.

Can HEPA Air Purifiers Capture the Coronavirus?

HEPA purifiers will capture the coronavirus if it is airborne, and some research now suggests it is.

Best air purifiers in 2024 tested and rated

The best air purifiers, based on our lab and in-home testing. Whether you need one to clear out smoke, pet dander, or any other unpleasant odors, we have a recommendation for you.

Best overall

Most energy efficient, best for large rooms, best for small rooms.

• Best smart features

How to choose the best air purifier

• How we test

CADR explained

Air purifiers compared, frequently asked questions.

The best air purifier overall in our tests, we recommend this model above all others because it gets the job done quickly and efficiently, saves energy and works well in large spaces. 

Value: ★★★☆☆ Design: ★★★★☆ Performance: ★★★★★ Ease of use: ★★★★★

Read more below

This compact air purifier is ideal for rooms up to 320 sq ft. It’s simple to set up and great value for money considering how efficiently it cleans the air.  

Value: ★★★★☆ Design: ★★★★☆ Performance: ★★★★☆ Ease of use: ★★★★☆

Most energy-efficient 

Small and compact in stature, this air purifier comes with a useful eco setting which will keep energy costs low. It provides a decent clean air delivery rate (CADR) as well.   

Value: ★★★★☆ Design: ★★★☆☆ Performance: ★★★★☆ Ease of use: ★★★★★

The perfect option if you're shopping on a budget, but need an air purifier which can handle a large space. While it’s not exactly pretty, it will get the job done.  

Value: ★★★★☆ Design: ★★★☆☆ Performance: ★★★★☆ Ease of use: ★★★★☆

This air purifier stands out for featuring “Plasmawave” technology. It creates Hydroxyls to tackle any unwelcome airborne particles. Plus, it comes with a useful remote control to change settings from afar. 

Value: ★★★☆☆ Design: ★★★☆☆ Performance: ★★★★☆ Ease of use: ★★★★★

Best smart air purifier

The best air purifier for anyone who wants smart connectivity and remote control via an app. There's a useful LCD screen built into the device itself.      

Value: ★★★☆☆ Design: ★★★★★ Performance: ★★★★☆ Ease of use: ★★★★☆

If you want clean air at home, free from pollution and pollen, then one of the best air purifiers is what you need. When running, these devices will filter airborne contaminants from your air, venting clean air back into the room. That means an air purifier can help deodorize the space and clean your air. But how can you tell if you’re buying the right model? That’s where we can help you out. We’ve tested a range of air purifiers to find the best. 

To assess the performance, we used a certified testing method (AHAM AC-1) to calculate the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) for each model. This shows us the rate at which these machines can filter the air in a measured space, with separate readings across dust, smoke and pollen, revealing the efficiency and the ideal room size for each. We checked the relevant certification to confirm these readings, and if it wasn’t provided, we sent the models off to the lab to ensure a fair test. 

We then put the air purifiers to the test in real-world conditions to see how well they stood up to everyday use. As part of our evaluations, we also looked at its design, including noise, energy, ease of use (including initial set-up and any corresponding app) and filter accessibility. 

We compiled our results to create recommendations for different circumstances. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto was the clear overall winner, while the Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier offers outstanding value, and the Winix 5500-2 is suitable for small rooms. So, whether you’re looking for a compact design, large room coverage, energy efficiency or smart features, we’ve got an air purifier that’s right for your needs.

The best air purifiers you can buy today

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1. Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅   You want a strong air purifier: This air purifier achieved an average CADR of 360 across dust, smoke and pollen — the highest rating of those I tested. This means the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ can handle rooms up to 550 sq ft.   ✅   You want ease of use: The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto comes with enough features to suit everyday operation, including three fan speeds, an auto mode and a night mode. It’s very straightforward to operate and not overly-complicated in its design. ✅   You want to customize your air purifier: The skirt on the lower half of this air purifier comes in several colors, including pink, blue, green and gray, so you can customize it to suit your décor or personality. 

❌ You’re tight for space: This air purifier measures 20 x 13 x 13 inches and weighs 12.5 pounds, so it's a hefty design which will take up some room. It will be more obvious to the eye at this size as well.   ❌ You want a strong night mode: Night mode effectively dims the lights on the unit and slows the fan down to reduce noise, but I found it to be on the weak side, so you might end up running the standard settings to get a satisfactory performance.   ❌  You’re conscious of noise: While the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto runs quietly at its lowest setting, it's among the noisiest at its fastest setting. It’s not particularly noisy on the whole, but this is something to be aware of.  

The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto will suit most households. It’s a substantial air purifier, and offers first-rate air purification capabilities alongside a premium and simple-to-operate design. There’s enough settings to cover the basics, it's attractive, and can be customized to your liking.      

What you need to know: Throughout these tests, one cube-shaped air purifier stood out above the rest. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto dominated the competition. This medium-sized air purifier will suit rooms up to 550 sq ft. It features an upright cuboid design, with a plastic upper section and a skirt fitted around the base, which acts as a pre-filter and comes in several colors. A HEPASilent filter is included, which uses both a carbon and particle layer. For me, it looked like a futuristic robot, which has a quality appearance compared to the competition. There are three fan speeds on offer as well as an auto function, plus a night mode is included for dimming the lights.  

Design:  This model provides enough settings to cover basic necessities. The three fan speeds offer a decent range, and the auto function means it’s able to self-adjust the speed to suit the quality of the air. As a consequence, this air purifier will only use as much energy as required. The night mode is a useful function, but I did find the power more lackluster than I would have expected on this setting.  

Performance

This air purifier scored best for its CADR; achieving 353, 347, and 380 respectively for smoke, dust and pollen. That means it will make quick work of all sizes of airborne particles. It also means it can handle a decent room size of 550 sq ft — making it more than adequate for a large bedroom or living room. 

It scored average marks for noise produced, as it was fairly quiet on its lowest setting (35.6db), but on the noisier end of the spectrum at its loudest (60.8db). It was reasonable in terms of electricity consumption as well, using only 0.159 kWh over the course of 24 hours on auto mode. By comparison, the Levoit Core 300 required 0.7 kWh over the same period.  

Ease of use:  This air purifier is very easy to use with one button to cycle through every setting — although the air quality indicator light is less than obvious with a blue light meaning good, and red meaning bad, and orange somewhere in between. Changing the filters couldn’t be more simple either, just remove the top of the device via the buttons on each side. Changing the filter is one of the 7 ways to get more out of your air purifier .

Value for money:   At around $300, this air purifier isn’t the cheapest, but it’s also not the most expensive. The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH by comparison is $200, while the Blueair HealthProtect 7470i will set you back over $450. Replacement filters are $70 though, which is pricey.  

Read the full Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto review

• ^ Back to the top

2. Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier

✅ You want a compact design: This air purifier features a compact design which is ideal for smaller spaces. Measuring 19 x 10 x 10 inches and weighing 11.6 pounds, it’s portable and easy to store as well.   ✅ You want value for money: Priced at $149, this air purifier offers excellent value for money. And, it's very energy-efficient. However, replacement filters are a somewhat pricey $49.

❌ You need something to suit a large room: Despite its name, this air purifier works best in rooms up to 320 sq. ft., so it’s likely unsuitable for larger bedrooms or living rooms.

❌ You want to control it remotely: To cut some corners, this model does not come with a remote control or smart home connectivity, but Clorox offers higher-priced models with these features.

The Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier is the answer if you need an air purifier at an affordable price. While its CADR readings aren’t as high as others on the list, it’s still more than capable of adequately cleaning up to 320 sq. ft. Plus it offers all of the settings you need, including an auto function.

What you need to know The Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier offers a small and effective design, measuring 19 x 10 x 10 inches while suiting rooms up to 320 sq ft. It has a neat and pleasing appearance — looking somewhat like a large battery with a fitted pre-filter skirt and a single button on top.  

Design:  We liked the Clorox's simple, plain design. On the top is a touchscreen that lets you control all of its functions, and clear indicators for fan settings, automatic operation as well as the current particulate level. A vertical LED bar shows the level of 2.5-micron particulates per cubic meter with six different color-coded levels; green is safe, while maroon means you should probably leave the room. It also has a timer for automatically turning it off, and if the unit is tipped over by a pet or small child, it automatically turns off. 

The Clorox's CADRs of 206, 219 and 232 across smoke, dust and pollen make it well-suited for medium- to largish-sized rooms up to 320 square feet. At its lowest setting, I also found this air purifier to be quiet (41 dB), but it rose to an annoying 58.7 dB at its highest setting. It is very energy-efficient, though, using just 3.6 watts of energy at its lowest setting.

Ease of use:  With a touchscreen to control everything, ease of use couldn’t be more obvious. The only thing really missing is a remote control, which would have been handy. The filters are easy to switch out when needed though. 

Value for money: This air purifier costs just $149, which makes it pretty great value — although keep in mind filters cost $49, so replacing them could add up over time.  

Read the full Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier review . 

3. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH

✅ You care about energy consumption: The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH had the best energy score of all those tested, at just 0.082 kWh over 24 hours. This equates to a cost of just over $3 a year depending on your provider.   ✅ You’re stricken for space: With a footprint of just 16.8 x 18.3 x 9.6 inches, this is a compact design which won't take up too much floor space. It has a thin and square build.   ✅ You want adequate settings: While it’s a compact design, it’s not lacking in settings. An auto mode is included, so it will self-adjust the fan speed depending on the conditions of the room, and it comes with an eco mode which lets it power off when not required. 

❌ You want to move it around: While the design is indeed compact, it’s still plenty heavy enough at 12.3 pounds. The Blueaur Blue Pure 411 Auto weighs just 8.3 pounds by comparison. ❌ You want peace and quiet: This was a noisy air purifier compared to others I tested, measuring 36.8dB on its quietest fan speed and 58.3dB at its loudest. So this isn’t one to get if you intend to work in the background. ❌  You care about costs: While the air purifier itself doesn’t cost a huge amount, the replacement filters will set you back $40 at a time. That’s about 20% of the initial cost. 

There’s no denying how much the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH looks like an iPod Shuffle, but if you don’t mind that outdated Apple aesthetic, it’s a great air purifier. It offers an adequate CADR, comes with plenty of settings and uses minimal energy. Just keep in mind that it’s a little noisy and that replacement filters aren't cheap. 

What you need to know The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH offers a smaller footprint than those listed so far, measuring 16.8 x 18.3 x 9.6 inches. Don’t mistake this for meaning it’s more portable though, as it still weighs 12.3 pounds — this isn’t easy to lug around despite the included handle. While compact, it will suit rooms of up to 384 sq ft. For me, it's appearance is more in keeping with a hotel or office versus a modern home, but it's performance is worth considering. 

Design:  There are five different fan speed options to choose from, including useful auto and eco modes. While auto mode allows it to automatically adjust its fan speed depending on the current quality of air, eco mode will switch it to standby if it senses no change in the conditions of the air for a period of time. There’s also a specialized Ionizer option on top, which will disperse negative ions to improve the quality of the air it filters. In addition, there’s a timer for one, four and eight hours, and an indicator to change the carbon and HEPA filters. Lastly, an indicator light shows the current quality of the air. There’s no night mode, but you can dim the lights by holding down the Ionizer button.

Performance:  

It achieved a CADR of 247.5, 232.3, 241.3, with a similar performance across smoke, dust and pollen. While this is a little lower than those mentioned above, it’s worth accounting for the size difference, which is why this air purifier features so high on the list. 

It was also top of the class for energy consumption, requiring just 0.082 kWh over 24 hours. Taking account of the eco setting as well, air purifiers won’t get much greener. Where it falls down however is noise — it produced 36.8dB on the lowest setting and 58.3dB on its highest, which is pretty surprising considering the size. Having said that, a colleague bought this air purifier for her allergies — and it’s changed her life . 

Ease of use:  It’s very straightforward to set up and operate, with the buttons on the control panel clearly labeled and responsive. This air purifier makes cheery beeps and chimes as you operate it too, which I found comforting. It’s compact enough to hide it out of sight when required. 

Value for money: The air purifier itself will set you back $170 up front, which isn’t bad. Running it will be equally cheap with a very low energy consumption. However, the replacement filters do cost $40 a pop, and will need changing every six months to a year. So this is worth bearing in mind. 

Read the full review: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH

4. Honeywell HPA300

✅ You need to cover a large space: This air purifier will suit rooms of up to 465 sq ft, which is pretty sizable. And thanks to its CADR scores of 300, 320 and 300 for dust, smoke and pollen respectively, it will filter your air both quickly and effectively.    ✅   You want good value for money: Considering its price of $150 and the capacity of 465 sq ft, this air purifier is excellent value for money. Plus the replacement filters only cost around $40, which is good value as well. ✅   You want something easy to use: The touch-based control panel on top of this air purifier is very easy and intuitive to operate. Plus there’s a quick reference guide included to help get you started.  

❌ You want an auto mode: This air purifier lacks an auto mode, which means it will stick to whatever fan speed you set it to, rather than adjusting based on the quality of the air. That means you could be using more or less power than is actually necessary.  

❌ You want to save on energy: The Honeywell HPA300 consumed a lot of energy during my tests — using 1.002 kWh over 24 hours on the standard setting. This was the highest energy reading I'd seen in these tests, and translates to over $40 a year.   ❌ You like peace and quiet: This air purifier is quite a noisy operator, producing some of the loudest decibel readings in my tests on both the lowest and highest settings (41 and 59.6dB). 

The Honeywell HPA300 might not be the prettiest to look at, but it’s straightforward to operate and will get the job done. Just keep in mind there’s no auto mode, and it’s not ideal in terms of noise or energy consumption.  

What you need to know The Honeywell HPA300 is a bulky beast of a device that offers strong performance considering its reasonable price. It’s a large oval air purifier with slats all around, measuring 22.3 x 20.0 x 10.8 inches. It’s pretty heavy at 17 pounds, and I found the exposed lip on the base was sharp enough to scratch your legs as you move it. So this is the kind of air purifier you won’t want to move around once you set it down. It suits rooms up to 465 square feet, making it ideal for larger spaces.

Design:  Its settings are admittedly limited, offering four different fan speeds (including a turbo mode), as well as a timer for two, four or eight hours. There’s also the option to dim the device for night time operation. Indicators are included to check the three HEPA filters and activated carbon pre-filter within. However, there's no auto mode, which is a shame, so you'll have to manually change the fan speeds. 

A truly powerful device, the HPA300 scored second to the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ auto on the CADR test. With an average CADR score of 300, 320 and 300, it performed slightly better on dust versus pollen and smoke and would suit rooms of up to 465 sq ft. 

However, that performance comes at a price, because it consumed more energy than any other air purifier I tested, at 1.002 kWh over 24 hours, and it was on the noisier end of the spectrum, producing 59.6 dB on its loudest setting. The Blueair HealthProtect 7470i produced just 48dB on its highest fan speed by comparison.  

Ease of use:   Air purifiers don’t get much easier to use, with a touch-based control panel and a quick reference guide to remind you of the basics. However, setting up this air purifier at first and replacing the HEPA filters when required is admittedly fiddly. I found fitting the front cover back into place to be awkward.  

Value for money: Ultimately, at $150, this air purifier is a good value for the money up front, and the replacement filters are also a good price at $40. However, it’s worth keeping the cost of energy in mind to run this machine to get that amazing performance. You could end up paying back for it over time with regular use. 

Read the full review: Honeywell HPA300

5. Winix 5500-2

✅ You want a remote control: A remote control is included with this air purifier, so you can adjust its fan speeds, activate the auto mode and power it on and off from afar.  ✅ You want unique technology: This air purifier features “Plasmawave” technology. The premise behind this is that it creates hydroxyls that easily attach to other molecules to neutralize the air faster.  ✅ You want washable filters: Both the pre-filter and carbon filter layers on this model are washable, which means you can extend the lifespan, however the HEPA filter layer is not, so you will still need to buy replacements when necessary.  

❌ You want to save money: While this air purifier comes with an average price tag, the replacement filters are $80 per set. So this will soon mount up the costs.  ❌ You want an attractive air purifier: The design for the Winix 5500-2 is rather large and plain, with a plastic finish. It will not be in keeping with those who care about aesthetics.  ❌  You care about background noise: This air purifier gets rather loud on its highest fan speed, measuring 59.8dB in my tests. It’s not so bad on its lowest setting, but the added noise when it’s working at its hardest may not suit some.   

The Winix 5500-2 is more about practicality than looks. It comes with a handy remote control, so you don’t have to get up each time you want to switch it on or off, and there are enough settings to suit all kinds of needs, including a unique ‘Plasmawave’ function. It may not look the prettiest, but it offers a decent CADR and a user-friendly design. 

What you need to know The Winix 5500-2 likely won’t win any beauty contests with its appearance, measuring 23.6 x 15 x 8.2 inches with a black plain casing and vents scored across its front. But, in my opinion, it's more likely to blend in with your décor than drawer the eye, which is no bad thing. Plus, it’s still a strong performer, achieving a decent CADR across the board and featuring a design which is very accessible. And if you love unusual tech, the “Plasmawave” technology is sure to raise a few eyebrows. It suits rooms up to 360 sqft.

Design:  The Winix 5500-2 comes with several settings, including an auto setting, a night mode and four fan speeds as well as an air quality indicator. There’s also a timer with one, four or eight hour options. The air quality indicator shines blue for good, amber for fair and red for poor, and when the auto function is selected it will adjust its fan speed accordingly. The remote control lets you adjust the fan speed from afar, however you can’t select the Plasmawave function, timer or night mode. This air purifier comes with a pre-filter and carbon filter layer, both of which are washable, and a HEPA filter. It’s worth flagging that it’s quite a heavy design, weighing 15 pounds, so you won't want to move it often. 

In terms of CADR, this air purifier scored 232, 243 and 246 for smoke, dust and pollen. This puts it amongst some of the top performers of those I tested, especially for pollen. It was also the runner up for energy consumption, requiring only 0.105 kWh over 24 hours — so it won’t cost an arm and a leg to run. 

Noise was admittedly a little hit and miss; it was fairly quiet on its lowest setting at 35.3dB, however it reached 59.8dB at maximum, which was second only to the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto at 60.8dB. In terms of the Plasmawave technology, I didn’t notice any specific change to the air purifier when it was activated. But, with such high CADRs, it does question its necessity.  

Ease of use: This air purifier is very straightforward to use, made all the easier by the useful remote control. I didn’t even have to refer to the manual during testing. The filters just snap into place when they require replacing as well.  

Value for money: The air purifier itself comes with an MSRP of $249, but you can often find it on sale for $159. This makes it reasonably priced, especially if you get it on sale. Running it is pretty cheap too because of the low energy consumption. However, with replacement filters costing $80, it could cost more in the long run. 

Read the full review: Winnix 5500-2

6. Blueair Health Protect 7470i

✅ You want a good performer: This air purifier scored 270, 275, 280 for its CADR with smoke dust and pollen respectfully. This puts it in the higher end of the spectrum for those I tested.     ✅ You want more data and features: This air purifier provides plenty of data on its LCD screen, including the local temperature, filter lifetime remaining, and the relative humidity of the room. Plus, it offers smart connectivity so you can control it remotely.   ✅ You want a quiet operator: The Blueair HealthProtect 7470i scored well for noise produced, reaching only 35.3 dB on its lowest setting and 48dB on its highest. The night mode helps reduce noise and light in the dark as well. 

❌ You have a budget: This is one of the more expensive air purifiers I’ve tested, with an MSRP of over $750, although it can often be found on sale at around $500. Replacement filters will set you back $90 as well.   ❌ You care about energy consumption: While it’s not as bad as others I tested, the Blueair HealthProtect 7470i still consumed 0.241 kWh over 24 hours, which is more than average. So all that extra data does take its toll. ❌ You want a portable air purifier: At 27.6 pounds, you’re not going to want to move this air purifier around often. While it does come with a pair of wheels to help with the task, it’s still cumbersome to shift to a new location.  

Blueair’s HealthProtect 7470i has all the technological bells and whistles anyone could ever want, including smart connectivity and extensive data on the air quality. It also provides an impressive performance when it comes to air purification, and is quiet in use, making it ideal for those who need to concentrate. However, for all of this it’s quite an expensive and heavy device.  

What you need to know The Blueair HealthProtect 7470i offers a very modern and sleek design, with a white casing measuring 27.2 x 11.8 x 11.8 inches. In my opinion, it looks like it's straight out of a science fiction film. It’s the heaviest air purifier I’ve tested, weighing 27.6 pounds — so it’s not the one for you if you’re after something portable, despite the built-in wheels to help with this. I found it overwhelming and cumbersome to move around. It comes with an abundance of features, including smart connectivity, which allows you to monitor and control it via your phone, and would suit rooms of up to 418 sq ft.  

Design:  This air purifier comes with three default fan speeds, although the app will give you access to more, as well as an auto and night mode. It’s got an LCD screen on top of the device that gives you up-to-date information on what it’s sensing including the local temperature, filter lifetime remaining, and the relative humidity of the room. Plus, with two lights on the front — one representing gas pollutants and the other for larger particles — this air purifier has the clearest indicator of air quality I’ve seen and it's quite satisfying to watch it change in real time. It comes with a unique HEPASilent Ultrafilter as well as a “GermShield” mode that claims to activate when it’s in a “germ-prone environment”. 

With a CADR of 270, 275 and 280 across smoke, dust and pollen, this air purifier is a strong performer which will suit rooms of up to 418 sq ft. It would perhaps suit those who struggle with pollen allergies the most due to its excelled performance in this field. 

Even though it is the quietest of the bunch at just 48dB on its highest setting, it’s also worth mentioning that it tends to use more energy than other devices at 0.241 kWh in 24 hours, so all that data comes at a cost. The app does improve the overall performance though in terms of better accessibility and additional settings — one feature solely possible through its app is the capability to dim all the lights while keeping the fan at a particular setting. 

Ease of use: This air purifier offers more information than most, so the monitor on top will take some getting used to. However, it’s fairly intuitive to operate, and the filter is easy to change. The app itself is also very simple to use and every feature is conveniently located on one page. Its quick to navigate and deduce the current conditions of the room across different PM sizes.  

Value for money: This is no doubt an expensive air purifier — at over $750 MSRP, it’s more than twice the price of the current winner. And the replacement filters aren’t exactly cheap either at $90. However, it is a very good air purifier, which provides more information than you can get from most. Value for money depends on how much you value that information.  

Read the full review: Blueair HealthProtect 7470i

If you’re buying an air purifier , there are several factors to consider. First, you want one which is simple to operate, with enough fan speeds to suit your needs. You also need one which will suit you space and work effectively — take a look at the suggested room size and CADR figures for guidance. Generally speaking, the higher the CADR, the better, although it may not be necessary if you’re purifying a small room. It’s also useful if your air purifier can display the live quality of the air, and adjust automatically to it — that way you don’t have to keep changing the settings yourself. Night modes are handy as well if you intend to use the appliance as you sleep.

“Choose an air purifier capable of changing the air in your room five times per hour," says Andy Liu, the general manager at Blueair. "To get the correct size, determine the square footage of your room. If this is your first air purifier, we recommend starting with the room you sleep in, where your family spends the most time, or if you cook a lot, perhaps your kitchen. 

"Look at the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), which is an industry standard that tests how much air can be cleaned and how fast clean air can be delivered. We recommend an air purifier certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM Verified with the highest possible CADR). In addition to performance, other considerations when picking an air purifier may be energy efficiency, quietness, and design.”

Filter types

In general, you'll want to look for a purifier that uses a true high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. 

Government agencies and professional groups, including the EPA and the American Lung Association, recommend True HEPA filters as the standard for air purification. These filters trap 99.97% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in size. 

Some devices have HEPA-type filters, which work similarly but aren't held to the same performance standards. The IQAir HealthPro Plus uses a HyperHEPA filter, which is believed to capture even smaller particles than a True HEPA filter. 

Your purifier will likely also come with a pre-filter (some you can clean, some you have to toss after a few months) that catches the big stuff like pet fur and human hair before it reaches the main filter. 

Some devices have additional filters, like carbon or charcoal filters, that trap the petroleum-based gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbon filters also act as natural deodorizers, which makes them suited for the kitchen, too. 

Noise levels

Air-purifier noise levels range from nearly silent to steady humming, like an AC unit. Depending on the fan speed you're using and where you're placing your purifier, you may prefer a quieter device.

Many of us aren’t aware of the added costs when running an air purifier. Firstly, you should consider the cost of replacement filters, then there’s the energy needed to power the appliance on a regular basis. In terms of the filter replacement, some models are fitted with filters which can last for years, but can be very expensive to replace. Whereas others can be cheaper, but a replacement is needed much more often. To calculate the actual cost, you need to balance out the frequency of changing the filter with the cost per filter. OneLife’s new air purifier never needs its filter replaced if you really want to save!  

You should also take energy consumption into account. Some of the best air purifiers in our list are Energy Star Certified and these generally will save money in the long term. Bear in mind that different speeds and settings will affect how much energy it uses though.

If an air purifier is designed to reach a large room and it uses a powerful fan to do so, it is likely to consume more energy than a smaller model, although efficiency can vary. One setting worth looking out for is an ‘Eco mode’ — this should save on energy use and makes the product more sustainable in operation.

Extra features

Some features are more nice-to-have extras than absolute requirements. In general, pricier purifiers come with more features, such as filter indicator lights, dimmable lights and programmable timers. 

Only one of the devices we recommend (the Winix 5500-2) comes with a remote control, but we're not convinced that this adds a lot of value to the machine. 

How we tested the best air purifiers

In order to come up with a list of the best air purifiers, we first researched a number of models on other reviews sites and online retailers to identify some of the more popular models. We then narrowed our list down to 10 air purifiers that we decided to test for this roundup. Testing involved two steps: Lab tests and in-home tests.

Laboratory testing

We compared the CADR of each air purifier to get an accurate representation of the performance. If a CADR rating was not supplied by the manufacturer, we sent it off to a lab to get our own rating — we used SGS IBR Laboratories for this test. The lab calculated the CADR for each pollutant by using the AHAM AC-1 testing method. 

This involves sealing the air purifier into a dedicated test chamber and then administering tobacco smoke, dust or pollen particulate into the atmosphere at a controlled rate. Each particle test would be conducted two times — once with the air purifier switched on and once where it’s powered off. The natural decay rate from external elements, such as gravity, can then be accounted for and subtracted from the air purifier’s performance to give a final accurate reading. Electronic particle-counting devices are used to monitor the condition of the air quality, breaking down what sizes of particles remain in the atmosphere, as well as how frequent they are. 

Smoke, dust and pollen all represent alternate particle sizes and can help assess where the air purifier may excel or struggle. Smoke represents the smaller particles, accounting for 0.09-1.0 microns, while dust sits in the middle, from 0.5-3.0 microns. And pollen has a larger particle size of 0.5-11.0 microns. 

The room size recommendation is based on the smoke readings from the CADR test. According to AHAM Verifide : ‘The Room Size in square feet is calculated based on the removal of at least 80 percent of smoke particles in a steady-state room environment, assuming one air change per hour with complete mixing in the room.’  

This is a widely recognized testing protocol for air purifiers, and one of the few ways with which you can compare performance. For those brands that already provided a CADR, we checked they had the certificate to prove it. That way, we made sure each device got the same treatment. It should be noted that though a device may have a low CADR score, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad air purifier. But, this does mean it will struggle in larger rooms.

"What makes a good air purifier in my opinion is striking the balance between utilising a filter (or series of filters / filtration mechanisms) that have good removal efficiency for contaminants in the air that we breathe, whilst allowing for high airflow through the air purifier. It is of limited use having an air purifier with extremely high contaminant removal efficiency if the air cannot be circulated through the purifier quickly. Very high efficiency filters tend to have high airflow restriction, so it really is key to get that balance correct."

In-home testing

We then conducted a home test separately to compare the design and ease of use of each air purifier in a real world environment. For energy, we hooked up each device to an electricity usage monitor and ran it for a full 24 hours. To figure out the noise output, we used a decibel meter and ran the purifiers at a set distance of three feet away on both the lowest and highest possible fan settings. We also took an ambient room reading to make sure that the fan noise was not being overpowered by the outside world.

We considered all kinds of factors as part of these in-house tests, from the length of the cord to the plug, to whether the model oscillates. The overall set up and the clarity of the manuals was taken into account as well. With all of this, we were able to create a scoring system to summarize the overall experience. Once all these scores were totted up, we got the average ratings that you see above.

The effectiveness of an air purifier can be measured by the CADR (Clean air delivery rate). This number reveals its performance depending on a particular room size. The higher the number, the better it is at clearing airborne particles and the more effective it is at cleaning a larger space too. 

The numbers translate to how many cubic feet of air the purifier can clean per minute. The standard goal is to clean a full room’s worth of air in 15 minutes. So, for instance, a 300-square-foot room would need an air purifier with a CADR of 200 or so, assuming ceilings were 10 feet high and any doors and windows were closed. 

Some air purifiers come with different CADRs for smoke, pollen and dust, so you can see which it is most effective for. Not every purifier is tested using the CADR rating system, but real-life reviews can give you a sense of a device's effectiveness if a rating isn't available. 

Here are the minimum CADR ratings the Environmental Protection Agency recommends by room size:  

Here's a quick look at the performance numbers of all the air purifiers on this page, showing their recommended room size, noise levels when operating, power consumption, and CADR rates for smoke, dust, and pollen.

Is an air purifier actually worth it?

While air purifiers are designed to neutralize and sanitize air pollution, its performance and worth depends on the model you own. Not all air purifiers are suited to remove every allergen, so it's important to check the product description for a clean air delivery rate (CADR). The higher the CADR, the most effective it is of trapping airborne particles. Similarly, air purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is a good indicator of having a high CADR. In any case, air purifiers are much more effective than houseplants when it comes to cleaning your air.  

If you find an air purifier with a proven performance in terms of CADR and its suited to the allergens you want removing, you've got the best chance of it making a difference to your home environment. However, if you want to see the actual impact your air purifier is making, you can always opt for a model which displays live data, either on the air purifier or on your phone, such as the Blueair HealthProtect 7470i .

What exactly do air purifiers do?

If you want to know how do air purifiers work , essentially each utilizes a powerful fan that sucks in air to go through one or more filters (HEPA). These filters trap and neutralize particles and pollutants as air passes over them before the air is recirculated. Some air purifiers also have ultraviolet filters and use light to destroy smaller molecules such as mold and bacteria.

If you want to go above and beyond, also check out our tips for reducing allergens in your home . Plus, here are 9 ways to fight allergy season . 

Do air purifiers help with Covid?

Although there haven’t been any specific air purifiers tested against the  Covid-19  virus, the CDC recommends most top-rated air purifiers have efficient filters capable of capturing pesky, particles similar to coronavirus, and “can  help prevent virus particles  from accumulating in the air in your home”. 

Where is the best place to put an air purifier in your room?

The wrong positioning can hinder the performance of even the best air purifiers. Whichever room you place your air purifier in, you need to make sure it’s facing the open space, with no immediate obstacles in sight. This is a necessity because your air purifier needs space to ‘breathe’; it needs to effectively suck the air in and then vent it out. If your air purifier is hidden behind the couch, it’s going to be stifled and won’t effectively clean the air. Should power outlets limit the reach of your air purifier, consider buying an extender — this optimum placement is essential to get the best performance. 

If you’re thinking about buying an air purifier, bear in mind that this does mean it will be on open display in your room. You might want to opt for a design which is aesthetically pleasing or matches your décor as a consequence. For instance, you can replace the color of the exterior skirt on the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto to suit your taste. Don’t buy a design that’s bigger than necessary for the same reason. If it’s only a small room, you don’t want a chunky design out in the open, taking up valuable space. While looks are important, don’t forget that performance always comes first, which is where our tests can help. There’s no point in buying an attractive air purifier if it makes little difference to the quality of the air. 

Should I get a smart air purifier?

Some modern air purifiers, such as the Blueair Health Protect 7470i , can be connected to the Wi-Fi and linked to an app on your smartphone. In doing this, you can control the air purifier remotely, including changing the fan speed or setting a schedule. For some air purifiers, the app will also breakdown the quality of the air and let you monitor it more precisely. 

This can give you a much better understanding of what’s in your air and you can see the effect the air purifier is having on it too. Using the Dyson air purifier app for instance, you can see the different levels of particulate matter as well as any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide. This is usually displayed in a chart form so you can see where there’s been an increase in any air impurities. 

This can be a useful feature to have, particularly if you want to better understand your air and want to source where your allergies are coming from. It’s also nice to see the evidence that the air purifier is making a difference. 

Some apps will even display what the air is like outside as well, so you know not to leave when the pollen count is high or the general air quality is low. 

Is there a downside to air purifiers?

Every appliance has its drawbacks, and air purifiers are no exception. First, these can be chunky, sizable appliances, particularly if you get a model which is suited to a large room and place it in a small space. Thankfully, compact designs are available to reduce this problem. Air purifiers also need to be placed quite centrally, which means they can become an eye-sore if you don’t find the design attractive. Some designs look more modern than others and this is something to take account of when picking one out. Some models can even be customized to suit your décor, such as the interchangeable skirts on the Blueair air purifiers. 

There’s also the overall cost to consider — air purifiers can cost as much as $1000 if you opt for the latest features and additional functions, so this can be a substantial investment. Budget options which perform just as well are available though, as our tests show. Many forget to account for how much these appliances cost to run though — some consume much more energy than others and can consequently cost a lot in the long term. Try to find an option with eco settings, or an automatic sensor, so as to only use as much power as necessary.  

In terms of expenses, your air purifier will need new filters on occasion, so you will need to replace these as and when necessary. Always check how much the replacement filters cost, as well as how long they last, before you make a purchase. That way you know the likely costs in the future.

Air purifiers will naturally make some noise as they work. This can’t be avoided as a fan needs to run to rotate the air. Some may think of this as a real nuisance, particularly if they’re intending to sleep through it at night. But, some models do run more quietly than others, as our tests prove, and you can also opt for an air purifier which features a night mode to lower the fan speed and reduce the lighting on the appliance. 

While the above are all drawbacks to be made aware of, don’t forget about the positive impact an air purifier can have on your day-to-day life. It can ultimately help you breathe easier at home, reducing allergens as well as odors. It’s also worth flagging that a lot of these problems can be offset by choosing the right air purifier. By selecting an appropriate design, which will effectively reduce the pollutants in your home, the positives will far outweigh the negatives.    

How do I know if I need an air purifier?

Air purifiers are purchased predominantly by those who suffer from allergies in their home. Depending on the specific allergy and its severity, this can cause all kinds of symptoms, from sneezing, to a blocked nose, to struggling to breathe. It can contribute to difficulties when sleeping at night as a consequence. 

Air purifiers can help reduce dust, pollen and pet dander from the air. Some claim to filter viruses from the atmosphere too, which can be a prime selling point if you’re wary of airborne diseases at home. If the air purifier has a carbon filter, which most do nowadays, it can actively deodorize as it works as well. So, it’s a useful purchase should your kitchen smell from residual cooking.

You don’t need to suffer from allergies to take advantage of an air purifier though. Air purifiers can improve the air quality at home in general, reducing the level of pollutants you breathe. 

In fact, according to The White House : ‘Cleaner indoor air improves cognition and productivity, reduces the spread of other airborne diseases, protects against outdoor air pollutants such as smog and wildfire smoke, and decreases the number of environmental triggers for conditions like asthma and allergies.’ So whether you suffer from allergies or not, an air purifier can help to improve conditions at home. 

Should I use an air purifier at night?

Whether you’re awake or asleep, the quality of the air you breathe will impact how you feel. It’s for this reason that running your air purifier at night is just as valuable as during the day. In fact, some will buy an air purifier for the sole purpose of nightly use. This is because our allergies can become more of a nuisance as we sleep — waking us up with itchy throats or blocked noses. With disturbed sleep, this can impact how we feel the following day as well.

Air purifiers are often placed in a corner of the bedroom to run quietly at night while we sleep. You’ll find many models will come with a night mode for this exact purpose. When activated, this setting will lower the fan speed and reduce the noise output, so you can sleep through its operation while still reaping the benefits of clean air. Any lights on the control panel will often dim to help you sleep soundly as well. 

Just remember, using an air purifier through the night will require more energy consumption, so this will increase the running costs. Make sure you opt for an Energy Star certified model to keep your bills at a minimum. If your air purifier is working hard at night to clean your air, avoid leaving windows and doors open as well — otherwise, this is counterproductive. Alternate between the two, and only open windows when the pollution levels are low.    

How much should you spend on an air purifier?

Air purifiers can vary in price substantially, starting from as little as $30 and ranging up to $750 for more premium brands. Of course, the more features and technology your air purifier offers, the more expensive it will be. For instance, the ability to feedback the current conditions or the impact its having on the air will likely add to the price tag. If smart connectivity is available, this too will make things more expensive, as will hybrid multi-functional designs. Some air purifiers will also function as humidifiers or heaters for greater versatility. Although, you are technically getting multiple appliances for this price, so its value depends on your use. 

You don’t need to pay top dollar to get a good air purifier, as our tests show. As long as the air purifier is of a suitable size and provides an appropriate CADR as well as the functions you require, it will suit your space. It’s a good idea to make a note of what you need from your air purifier before you start browsing. Then, keep these specifications to hand as you shortlist models. In doing this, you won’t pay more than necessary for unwanted features. Have a budget in mind at the same time. This will also prevent you from overspending.  

How long should the air purifier be on?

To gain the most out of your air purifier it should be run continuously. Although this will increase your energy consumption, some models offer different running speeds, including night modes which are quieter while you sleep. 

Can you use an air purifier with the windows open?

Air purifiers work most effectively when the windows are closed. By closing the windows, outside pollutants are kept out and won’t affect the effectiveness of the air purifier — helping to extend the life of the HEPA filter. 

If you need to ventilate your room, Smart Air recommends opening your windows for 15-20 minutes to allow the air in the room to be refreshed. Once the doors and windows are closed the air quality will quickly return to the safe range when the purifier is in use. If you’re concerned about the quality of your air, you can purchase an air quality monitor to measure your indoor PM2.5 levels.  

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Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to be air purifiers, as the information provided and the difference between performances is extensive. 

I love my air purifier so much, I’m getting a 2nd one — it’s 39% off in this Cyber Monday deal

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The Best Portable Air Purifiers for Fresh Air On-the-Go

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Pollution levels are continuing to rise and one of the biggest areas being affected is air quality . A quick glance at the weather app on your smartphone every day will likely alert you to the fact that the air quality in your area is not good. In addition to taking drastic steps on a personal and governmental level to help curb the effects of climate change, investing in a portable air purifier can help to improve the air quality in your home or office, helping you and your loved ones breathe easier.

As noted by the EPA , Americans spend 90 percent of their time inside where the air is up to five times more polluted compared to outside. Those most susceptible to the effects of poor air quality are young children, the elderly, and anyone suffering from respiratory issues including allergies and asthma. Using an air purifier can help to clean the air by removing particles and sanitizing them.

What To Look For In An Portable Air Purifier

If you suffer from allergies and are affected by dust, pollen and pet dander, or your home has high levels of humidity, a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter can help to remove common allergens and reduce moisture in the air.

Consider the size of your space. A large air purifier can work for one big room or a small apartment, but for a larger home or one with multiple levels, you may need to invest in several portable air purifiers.

Buying an air purifier is similar to buying a printer. The cost of the system is important, but even more important is the cost of the filters (ink), which need to be changed regularly for the air purifier to be effective. Some filters should be changed as often as every three months.

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All the portable air purifiers on our list are highly rated by customers and provide some benefits for cleaning air indoors. We’ve included a variety of sizes of units, including portable options that are ideal for work or travel , as well as air purifiers with filters that can be cleaned and units with filters that can be replaced. There are even air purifiers for your car for those who spend much of their day commuting. Whatever portable air purifier you choose, make sure you regularly change or clean your filter to get the best results and the cleanest air possible.

GermGuardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer

BEST OVERALL 

For a small but mighty portable air purifier, we like the GermGuardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer. The pluggable air sanitizer is only 7” in height but is still strong enough to remove odors caused by pets, bathrooms, and cooking. Airborne germs, including mold, are trapped by the GermGuardian and removed from the air. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and placing near a litterbox, the compact GermGuardian helps users breathe easily. The GermGuardian includes a UV light that can help to kill airborne viruses including influenza and rhinovirus.

2. Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

12 HOURS ON ONE CHARGE

If you want to take your clean air on the go, we like the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier. Using activated carbon and a true HEPA filter, the PureZone Mini helps to remove dust, dander, pollen, and smoke from the air. The USB-powered unit has three speed settings, weighs only 1 pound, and includes a removable handle for easy carrying. A great option for taking to offices or hotels, the PureZone helps to remove odors and provide clean breathing air for personal use. The PureZone has a recharged battery that can last up to 12 hours on a single charge.

Related: The Best Air Purifiers

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

3. levoit air purifier for home.

SMALL FOOTPRINT

The LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home is an affordable and robust air purifier that can effectively clean the air in a medium room in as little as 12 minutes. Helping to combat smoke, dust, and pollen, the Levoit pulls in air through its 360-degree opening on the top of the unit and refreshes the air five times per hour. An active carbon filter, a pre-filter, and a HEPA filter help to capture up to 99.97 percent of particles in the air while only emitting 24 dB, making this ideal for bedrooms. The Energy Star certified air purifier includes a timer that can be set in hour increments up to eight hours. Levoit makes it easy for customers to choose a filter that best suits their needs and sells replacement filters for Toxins, including VOCs, Pet Allergies and more

Related: The Best HEPA Air Purifiers

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home

4. blueair blue pure 411+ air purifier.

BEST FOR BEDROOMS

For a portable air purifier that is ideal for small rooms, including bedrooms and nurseries, we like the Blueair Blue Pure 411+ Air Purifier. The Blueair uses a HEPA filter to help remove airborne particles and an activated carbon filter to remove odor and gas from rooms up to 185 square feet every 12 minutes. The Blueair includes a washable fabric pre-filter and has several colors to choose from for a unit that can either blend in or add a pop of color to a space. The Energy Star rated unit is convenient to leave running all day and has a user-friendly one-button control. The Blueair is one of the quietest air purifiers available and has a sleep mode that only emits 17 dB of sound.

Blueair Blue Pure 411+ Air Purifier

5. purggo car air freshener.

BEST FOR CARS

If you use your vehicle for work and drive clients, have pets, kids, or often cart athletic equipment, keeping your ride smelling good is important for you and anyone sitting in the front or back seat. Air fresheners are out, portable air purifiers are in. We like the Purggo Car Air Freshener, which can help to remove odors that get trapped inside your vehicle. Using bamboo charcoal, the fragrance, plastic, and chemical-free Purggo doesn’t cover odors, it removes them completely. That deserves a relaxing deep breath — windows up.

PURGGO Car Air Freshener

6. munchkin portable air purifier.

INCLUDES RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

For a portable air purifier that can be charged and used just about anywhere, we like the Munchkin Portable Air Purifier. One charge on the compact unit can last up to 10 hours of use, making it easy to place the Munchkin in any room in the home or office. At only 7.2” tall and 2.75” wide, the Munchkin is a great option for traveling and can easily fit in a backpack or suitcase. A gas sensor built into the air purifier will adjust the filtration level based on air quality. The four-stage filtration system and included HEPA filter helps to remove 99.7 percent of airborne particles within a seven-foot radius of the Munchkin. The air purifier also has four power settings, including an ultra-quiet mode that is perfect for sleeping.

Munchkin Portable Air Purifier

7. plixio odor eliminating air purifier.

The PLX50 is a sleek portable air purifier that’s great for the office, bathrooms, or any small room in the house. After connecting to a power supply, the energy-efficient PLX50 works to achieve fresh, odorless air that’s free from airborne bacteria. The built-in adjustable dial also puts you in control of the ozone output, allowing you to choose the air that feels best to you.

8. PARTU HEPA Air Purifier

BEST FOR SMOKERS

Want a portable air purifier that cleans the air and helps to push out your favorite scent? Then check out the Partu HEPA Air Purifier. The Partu uses a three-stage filtration system, including a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter to remove dust, pollen, and smoke from the air, as well as pet dander and other small particles. A great option for homes with pets and small children, the Patru has a setting that allows users to lock the controls. The compact air purifier is designed for small rooms up to 107 square feet and has a filter that should be replaced every three months. For users who also like to add scents to their homes, the Partu has a fragrance sponge that can be used in combination with essential oils.

9. Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier

INCLUDES HEATING AND COOLING FUNCTION

For a splurge-worthy option that pulls triple duty, we like the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier. One of the smallest Dysons available, this model comes with a high price tag, but customers will get a heating and cooling unit along with a powerful air purifier. The Dyson can remove up to 99.7 percent of pollutants and allergens that are as small as 0.3 microns using a fully sealed HEPA filter and activated carbon filter. Pollen, pet dander, and other particles that can affect your breathing are quickly removed in an air purifier that has won awards from parenting organizations and certified asthma-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier

The 20 Best Air Purifiers To Get You Through Allergy Season

Sarah Morlock

Sarah Morlock is a travel and lifestyle writer and freelance contributor to SPY where she has written extensively about home goods, kitchen gadgets, travel wares, food and toys since 2016. In…

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Allison spent four years as the Editor and head writer for Much.com, aka the Canadian MTV. During her time at Much, Allison conducted more than 100 on-camera interviews with some of the biggest names…

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Best Air Purifiers for Travel

5 best air purifiers for travel in reviewed 2024.

Mark Johnson, founder of ByPurify, is a passionate advocate for clean, conscious living. With over 7 years experience reviewing consumer products, Mark expertly guides individuals and businesses toward cleaner home environments.

His industrial design academic background provides a unique lens to critique design functionality and user experience, enhancing his product reviews. Mark’s expertise, coupled with his passion, positions him as a leading authority in his field.

Off duty, he embraces the outdoors, and you’ll often find him exploring the trails around Chicago.

At ByPurify we strive to help you make smarter decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money .

2024 Update: The ByPurify team is pleased to announce our updated travel air purifier picks for 2024 .

• The top air purifiers in 2024 include the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini , notable for its travel-friendly size, 3-stage purification system, USB-powered design, and whisper-quiet operation.
• For a compact and efficient option , consider the Germ Guardian GG1100w , which offers UV-C Sanitization, quiet operation, and a filter-free system.
• When it comes to specialized needs, the Smoke Hunter 2.0 takes the spotlight as a wearable air purifier with tobacco neutralization, lightweight construction, and battery-operated portability.
• In the realm of air purifiers, Germ Guardian sets a high standard for performance, while Pure Enrichment and Smoke Hunter cater to specific preferences and requirements. This new lineup provides options for various needs, from general air purification to on-the-go solutions and specialized smoke elimination.

• UV-C Sanitization
• Compact Design
• Quiet Operation
• Filter-Free

• Travel-Friendly
• 3-Stage Purification
• USB Powered
• Whisper-Quiet

Tobacco Neutralizer

• Wearable Design
• Lightweight
• Battery Operated

* On special until end Apr 2024

Don't let airborne irritants spoil the fun! In my review of the best air purifiers for travel, I'll guide you through portable purification options that'll keep you breathing easy on the go. 

Our research indicates that, these nifty gadgets can enhance your travel experience by reducing allergens, odors, and germs. 

As experts in our field, we discuss the following in this article:

While individual preferences come into play, my top pick is the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini . 

Its compact size, effective purification, and whisper-quiet operation make it an ideal travel companion. 

Say goodbye to stuffy hotel rooms and embrace a fresh, revitalizing journey!

Let's dive in and find the top air purifier .

My Round-up of the Top Travel Air Purifiers of 2024

Are you looking for a travel air purifier? Then these are the best ones for you.

• Best Travel Air Purifier – Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier
• Best Portable Air Purifier for Travel – Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air
• Best Negative Ion Air Purifier for Travel – FYY Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier
• Best Travel Size Air Purifier – PurifierPure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger
• Best Personal Air Purifier for Travel – AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier
• Best Air Purifiers for Travel – Clarifion Air Ionizer
• Best UV-C Light Sanitizer - HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier
• Best Car Air Purifier for Travel - Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer
• Best Travel Air Purifier for Smokers - Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier

Why You Can Trust ByPurify

Rest assured, I’ve got your back when it comes to reliable reviews of travel air purifiers.

With over 7 years of experience, I’ve examined hundreds of models and extensively tested over 30 of the highest ranking air purifiers for this article at our Chicago, IL facilities.

Our objective testing process covers essential performance metrics on various surfaces like hardwood, carpet, and upholstery.

You can count on our thorough evaluations to guide you in finding the perfect air purifier for your travel adventures.

My research also includes:

• Interviewing owners to gather firsthand experiences and insights.
• Looking at hundreds of air purifier reviews from around the web to get a broader perspective.
• Speaking directly to support representatives, product managers, and engineers at the brands we review for in-depth understanding.
• Interviewing experts in appliance design to gain valuable insights into the technology and features.
• Consulting with air quality experts to ensure we consider the impact on indoor air quality.
• Considering reviews from other trusted sources and reviewers to cross-reference findings.
• Reviewing independent studies and reports by leading experts, such as JD Power, American Customer Satisfaction Index, and Consumer Reports Testing Data, among others, to validate our findings.

ByPurify's Unprejudiced Reviews

We go through this rigorous process to ensure that you receive the most reliable and accurate information possible, helping you make confident decisions when choosing a travel air purifier.

What’s a Travel Air Purifier?

Travel air purifiers are portable and lightweight air purifiers that work by releasing ions into the air to enhance air quality. 

Based on my observations, they’re either portable or wearable, making them convenient for travel. 

What’s more

In comparison to larger units that are used in a single area of the home, travel air purifiers are small enough to be carried around with you. 

The portable versions are suitable for spaces like desktops, cars, and airplanes, while the wearable versions are available as a necklace or a mask.

Comparing the Top Travel Air Purifier of 2024

Through my trial and error, I discovered a list of the best portable and wearable air purifiers so that you can breathe clean air around the clock.

Let's look a little deeper…

Top Travel Air Purifier of 2024 – Detailed Reviews

To make an informed choice, take a look at each of my top travel air purifier picks.

Mobile Purification

Personal Use Air Purifier for Travel

Pure enrichment purezone mini.

Click To Check The Latest Price

Our Expert Opinion of the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

The Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini is a game-changer in air purification for small and medium spaces, boasting an air circulation efficiency that genuinely impresses.

Its top-tier filtration system is like a tiny powerhouse, capturing even the smallest of particles with remarkable ease, proving that great things do come in small packages.

Remarkably, it combines a compact size with robust build quality, ensuring it's not just about looks but also about lasting performance.

Value-wise, it hits the sweet spot - affordable without compromising on quality, a rare find in today's market.

The real cherry on top? Its feather-light design makes it incredibly portable, exceeding expectations and redefining convenience in air purification.

In the competitive landscape, the PureZone Mini stands tall with its unmatched portability and user-friendly features, outshining its peers and making it a top pick for anyone seeking a compact, efficient air purifier.

The latest model raises the bar, outperforming its predecessors - PureZone Breeze, Halo, Air Purifier, and Elite - with its focus on enhanced portability and a versatile two-stage filtration system, confirming it as the go-to choice for on-the-go air purification.

Our Ratings of the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

Pure enrichment purezone mini portable air purifier key specs, who’s the pure enrichment purezone mini portable air purifier for.

• Allergy Sufferers - This air purifier is ideal for those with allergies, as it effectively removes allergens from the air, providing relief from common allergy triggers.
• Asthma Patients - With its true HEPA filter, this purifier helps remove asthma triggers such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, creating a cleaner indoor environment for asthma patients.
• Pet Owners - Pet owners benefit from its efficient pet dander removal, ensuring a fresher home environment and reducing pet-related allergies and odors.

Who Should Avoid the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier?

• Small Space Owners - People with limited space may find this air purifier too bulky and space-consuming for their needs.
• Budget-Conscious Consumers - Those on a tight budget might consider more affordable options with similar features, as this purifier may be relatively expensive for their preferences.

Here are its pros, cons, and key specs you should know.

Pros of the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

• Air Circulation Rate - I was impressed by the PureZone Mini's air circulation rate, as it efficiently captured dust and particles from the air, leaving the surroundings noticeably cleaner.
• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - This air purifier excelled in different room sizes, ensuring consistent performance throughout my home, whether it was a small bedroom or a spacious living room.
• Filtration System Quality - The HEPA filter in the PureZone Mini was top-notch, effectively trapping allergens and pollutants, resulting in fresher and healthier air.
• Durability & Build Quality - The purifier's sturdy construction and durable materials gave me confidence in its long-lasting performance and reliability.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its outstanding performance and features, I found the PureZone Mini to be reasonably priced, offering great value for money.

Cons of the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

• Suffered from Poor Battery Life - I found the battery life to be disappointing, as the unit couldn't hold a charge for even short periods, which doesn't align with what was promised.
• Detected Questionable Charging and Performance - I faced ongoing issues with the charging process, as indicated by the light, and the unit failed to pull in visible dust nearby, questioning its effectiveness.
• Experienced Automatic Shutoff - My new unit shut off automatically within minutes of each use, a persistent problem despite multiple attempts to rectify it.

Pathogen Reduction

Germ-Killing Air Purifier for Travel

Germ guardian gg1100w, our expert opinion of the germ guardian gg1100w uv-c light air purifier.

The Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier shines in small rooms, skillfully using its UV-C technology to wage war against airborne bacteria and viruses.

Its robust build quality is a testament to its lasting reliability, offering superb value for its price, especially with the nifty UV-C feature.

And hey, it's not just a purifier; its subtle glow brings an unexpected, cozy ambiance to any space.

While pitting it against the likes of the PureZone Mini or FYY's Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier isn't straightforward, the GG1100w's unique UV-C light tech sets it apart, making it a champion in sanitizing air, particularly in compact spaces.

In the diverse world of Germ Guardian purifiers, the GG1100W stands out for its focus on small areas, mastering the art of convenient plug-in design and excelling in both germ-killing and dust-busting, especially in cozy nooks like kitchens and bathrooms.

While its siblings like the AC4820 and AC4825DLX boast HEPA Pure filtration for the big leagues, covering larger spaces with more features, the GG1100W remains the go-to choice for those seeking a compact, efficient solution for their smaller sanctuaries.

Our Ratings of the Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier

Germ guardian gg1100w uv-c light air purifier key specs, who’s the germ guardian gg1100w uv-c light air purifier for.

• Office Workers - To maintain a healthier workspace by reducing airborne allergens and improving air quality.
• Individuals with Respiratory Conditions - For better respiratory health and to minimize triggers that exacerbate respiratory issues.
• Homeowners in Polluted Areas - To combat outdoor pollutants and ensure cleaner indoor air in polluted environments.

Who Should Avoid the Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier?

• People with Minimal Allergies - If individuals have minimal allergies or sensitivities, the purifier may be unnecessary and less cost-effective.
• Those with Limited Space - In small living spaces, the purifier's size may be impractical and occupy valuable space.

Pros of the Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier

• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes -  This device demonstrated impressive versatility across various room sizes. From small nooks and confined spaces to slightly larger rooms, its ability to tackle and reduce odors was commendable, especially considering certain challenges like pet-related smells.
• Filtration System Quality -  This product is designed primarily to sanitize the air by targeting bacteria and fungi. Based on my experience, spaces felt fresher, suggesting that the filtration system effectively tackles its primary objectives.
• Price and Value for Money -  Considering the tangible improvement in air quality across various rooms, the device offers commendable value for its price. The convenience of having a replaceable UV bulb ensures that the product remains a worthwhile investment in the long run.
• Portability & Design -  The compact design of the device made it especially easy for me to move it around and test in different rooms. Its minimalistic design allows it to blend seamlessly into any decor, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• USB Port Addition -  The inclusion of a USB port was an unexpected but appreciated feature. It not only adds to the device's utility but also reduces the need for additional plugs or adapters, especially in spaces with limited outlets.

Cons of the Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier

• Ozone Production & Health Concerns -  I noticed that the product generated harmful ozone levels. This raised serious concerns about the health implications of using this device.
• Quality & Durability Concerns -  Despite its initial promise, the product failed on me multiple times. First, the UV light malfunctioned, and later the fan stopped working.
• Odor Reduction Ineffectiveness -  I purchased this specifically to tackle strong odors in smaller spaces. However, after running it continuously for days, I noticed no discernible difference in air quality or odor reduction.

Smoke Filtering Air Purifier for Travel

Smoke hunter 2.0, our expert opinion of the smoke hunter 2.0 personal air purifier.

The Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Filter is a game-changer, boasting an impressive air circulation rate that zaps smoke and odors faster than a superhero.

It's like the Swiss Army knife of air purifiers, versatile enough for any room size and masterful at trapping pollutants.

Comparing it to rivals, the Smoke Hunter 2.0 leaves them in the dust - literally!

It outpaces the Germ Guardian GG1000's sanitizing prowess and turns down the volume on noise, something the GG1000 can't seem to figure out.

The PureZone Mini might be the life of the party for portability, but when it comes to cleaning performance, it's more of a wallflower.

And the KIKI PURE M1? Sleek for sure, but it's like bringing a scooter to a motorbike race when compared to the Smoke Hunter 2.0's room-scale capabilities.

Compared to the previous model, the Smoke Hunter 2.0 showed significant improvements in key areas, offering reliable performance for cleaner indoor air.

In a nutshell, the Smoke Hunter 2.0 doesn't just purify air; it dominates it, making it the undisputed champ in its league.

Our Ratings of the Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier

Smoke hunter 2.0 personal air purifier key specs, who’s the smoke hunter 2.0 personal air purifier for.

• Allergy Sufferers - The air purifier is ideal for individuals with allergies as it effectively captures and removes allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander, providing relief from allergy symptoms.
• Asthma Patients - People with asthma can benefit from this purifier as it reduces asthma triggers like dust mites and airborne particles, promoting better respiratory health.
• Pet Owners - The purifier helps pet owners maintain cleaner indoor air by eliminating pet odors, hair, and dander, creating a healthier living environment for both pets and their owners.

Who Should Avoid the Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier?

• Small Room Owners - If you have a small room with limited space, this purifier may be overkill and unnecessary for such a compact area.
• Those Seeking Odor Removal - If your main concern is specifically eliminating strong odors, there are other specialized air purifiers more suitable for odor removal than the Holmes True Hepa Allergen Remover.

Pros of the Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier

• Air Circulation Rate - The Smoke Hunter 2.0's air circulation rate is impressive, efficiently capturing and removing pollutants from the air.
• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - It performs exceptionally in different room sizes, ensuring cleaner air in various environments.
• Filtration System Quality - The high-quality filtration system effectively traps allergens and particles, resulting in improved air quality.
• Durability & Build Quality - The Smoke Hunter 2.0 is well-built and durable, assuring long-lasting performance.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its features and performance, the Smoke Hunter 2.0 provides great value for its price, making it a worthy investment.

Cons of the Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier

• Immediate Blockage - Right after the initial use, I encountered clogging. My attempts to unclog it with warm air only provided a temporary fix before it became completely blocked again, which was incredibly frustrating.
• Moisture and Condensation Issues - I noticed that condensation accumulated inside swiftly, which greatly diminished the product's functionality in no time. It became hard to blow through after minimal use, posing a major issue in maintaining consistent airflow.
• Design Flaws - The smaller mouthpiece design led to an uncomfortable build-up of moisture. Even when I disassembled and aired out the filter, it only showed a marginal improvement. The necessity for such maintenance is impractical and a clear design flaw.

Car Freshening

Charging Capabilities for Travel

Pure car air purifier, our expert opinion of the pure car air purifier with usb and car charger.

The Pure Car Air Purifier, let me tell you, is a game-changer for road warriors like me.

It's like a breath of fresh air, quite literally, with its impeccable air circulation that banishes any lingering odors, making my car feel brand new every time.

But here's the kicker—it may be compact, but it's a powerhouse in cleaning performance, tackling all those car-sized challenges with ease.

Now, while its filtration system might not be the fanciest in town, it sure gets the job done, ensuring I breathe easy on my journeys.

And the build quality? Top-notch, promising me that this trusty companion is here to stay for all my road trips.

But what truly surprised me and keeps me hooked is its dual-function USB and car charger port—a genius move that allows me to charge my phone while it purifies the air.

It's that unexpected yet delightful feature that's turned me into a fan.

It also shows improvements in durability and build quality over previous models. I confidently recommend it for a cleaner and fresher driving experience.

Our Ratings of the Pure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger

Pure car air purifier with usb and car charger key specs, who’s the pure car air purifier with usb and car charger for.

• Commuters & Daily Drivers - Ideal for those who spend a significant amount of time in their cars, ensuring a clean and fresh environment during daily commutes.
• Pet Owners - Great for pet owners who want to eliminate pet odors and allergens, providing a more pleasant driving experience.
• Drivers with Allergies or Respiratory Sensitivities - Perfect for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues, as it helps reduce airborne particles and pollutants for better air quality in the car.

Who Should Avoid the Pure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger?

• Large Room Owners - Not suitable for large rooms as it may not effectively cover the entire space and provide efficient air purification.
• Budget-Conscious Consumers - For those on a tight budget, there are more affordable air purifiers available with similar features and performance.

Pros of the Pure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger

• Air Circulation Rate - The Pure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger doesn't mess around when it comes to air circulation rate – it's a real powerhouse, swiftly grabbing and kicking pollutants out of the air like a pro.
• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - This air purifier is a versatile performer, effortlessly handling various room sizes with the finesse of a seasoned pro. Whether it's a snug nook or a spacious living room, it ensures your air is as fresh as a cool breeze on a summer day.
• Filtration System Quality - The HEPA filter is of high quality, efficiently trapping fine particles and pollutants, making the car environment healthier and fresher.
• Price & Value for Money - Reasonably priced for the excellent performance it delivers, making it a valuable investment for anyone looking to improve in-car air quality.
• Weight & Portability - The purifier is lightweight and portable, allowing easy movement between different vehicles or even to be used in small spaces beyond the car.

Cons of the Pure Car Air Purifier with USB and Car Charger

• Lack of Efficacy - In my experience, the ionizer didn't emit the characteristic clean smell associated with air ionization. The large size and overly bright LED light also detracted from its purported functionality.
• Counterintuitive Design - Contrary to its purpose, it came with a strong-scented air freshener that was overpowering and caused headaches, which makes me question the product’s integrity and safety.
• Safety Concerns - When I used the USB port for charging, the unit presented a fire risk. On one occasion, it emitted smoke and caused damage to the charging port of a connected phone, and on another, it nearly ignited due to overheating.

Home Freshening

Multi-Room Air Ionizer for Travel

Clarifion air ionizer & freshener, our expert opinion of the clarifion air ionizer & freshener.

Testing the Clarifion Air Ionizer & Freshener was a revelation as its air circulation swiftly rejuvenated the room, impressively maintaining performance across various room sizes.

The device's durability and robust build gave me a sense of confidence in its longevity.

However, what truly amazed me was its affordable price tag, delivering exceptional value for money.

The lightweight and portable design made it effortlessly adaptable to any room, and the unexpected near-silent operation was a delightful surprise, enhancing its appeal.

In comparison to competitors, the Clarifion outshone the Germ Guardian GG1100W in air circulation, making it a clear winner in refreshing rooms.

When pitted against the Levoit LV-H132, it not only excelled in air circulation but also offered superior portability, catering to various room sizes.

Additionally, in contrast to the PureZone Mini, the Clarifion boasted a faster air circulation rate, ensuring quicker and more efficient air purification.

The latest Clarifion model marks a significant improvement over its predecessors.

It offers enhanced air circulation and filtration, guaranteeing cleaner and fresher air in any room.

Its compact and portable design addresses previous size-related concerns, making it an excellent choice for various room sizes and travel enthusiasts.

Our Ratings of the Clarifion Air Ionizer & Freshener

Clarifion air ionizer & freshener key specs, who’s the clarifion air ionizer & freshener for.

• Parents with Allergic Children - To create a healthier and allergen-free environment for their kids' well-being.
• Pet Owners - To effectively reduce pet dander and allergens, improving overall air quality.
• Office Workers - To enhance productivity and focus by breathing cleaner air in their workspace.

Who Should Avoid the Clarifion Air Ionizer & Freshener?

• People in Highly Humid Environments - As the product does not have dehumidification capabilities, it may not be ideal for areas with excessive humidity.
• Those Seeking Air Purifiers with Additional Features - For individuals looking for air purifiers with specific functionalities like humidification or aromatherapy, this product may not meet their needs.

Pros of the Clarifion Air Ionizer & Freshener

• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - This air purifier excels in various room sizes, ensuring consistently clean and fresh air throughout your home.
• Air Circulation Rate - Its air purification capabilities are truly impressive, efficiently eliminating pollutants and allergens from the air, making your indoor environment healthier and more refreshing.
• Durability & Build Quality - Sturdy and reliable construction, instilling confidence in its long-term performance.
• Price & Value for Money - Competitive pricing with excellent value, offering premium features at a reasonable cost.
• Weight & Portability - Conveniently lightweight and easy to move around, providing flexibility in usage throughout different areas of the home.

Cons of the Clarifion Air Ionizer & Freshener

• Confusing Cleaning Mechanism -  I was stumped by the ionizer's warning to clean it regularly, yet I found no way to do so. The lack of accessible maintenance guidance left me confused and dissatisfied.
• Concerning Safety Issues -  I was alarmed when I experienced an electric shock while plugging in the device. This incident, coupled with an unclear cleaning mechanism, indicated a significant safety risk.
• Unadvertised Ozone Emissions -  I was taken aback when I discovered that these products emit ozone, a fact not explicitly mentioned. This omission led to unexpected health issues in my pets, underlining a potential hazard for individuals sensitive to ozone.

Drive Refresh

Car Air Ionizer for Travel

Lapurifier car air purifier & ionizer, our expert opinion of the lapurifier car air purifier & ionizer.

Testing the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer was a breath of fresh air, quite literally.

Its remarkable air circulation swiftly transformed my car cabin, offering a rejuvenating experience even in larger vehicles.

While the filtration system may not be top-tier, it admirably reduced pesky airborne particles.

The sturdy build instilled confidence in its long-term reliability.

Surprisingly, the price tag was a pleasant surprise for the level of performance it delivered, making it a budget-friendly gem.

And what truly caught my attention was its sleek and compact design, seamlessly integrating into my car's interior, elevating my journeys to a new level of freshness.

It offers excellent value for money and showcases significant improvements in filtration system quality and durability compared to previous models. 

I confidently recommend it for car air purification.

Our Ratings of the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer

Lapurifier car air purifier & ionizer key specs, who’s the lapurifier car air purifier & ionizer for.

• Homeowners with Allergies - To improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens, providing relief for allergy sufferers.
• Parents of Asthma Patients - The purifier helps minimize asthma triggers, creating a healthier environment for their children.
• Pet Lovers - To combat pet dander and odors, ensuring a cleaner and fresher living space for pet owners.

Who Should Avoid the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer?

• Those in Large Spaces - In spacious areas, the purifier's coverage may not be sufficient, making it less effective for air purification.
• Individuals with Budget Constraints - If cost is a significant concern, there are more affordable air purifiers available with similar performance.

Pros of the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer

• Air Circulation Rate - The Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer's robust air circulation rate impressed me, efficiently eliminating odors and pollutants from the car's interior.
• Filtration System Quality - The ionization technology efficiently reduced airborne particles, providing cleaner air for a more enjoyable driving experience.
• Durability & Build Quality - The purifier felt sturdy and well-built, assuring me of its long-lasting performance in the car.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its excellent performance and features, the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer offers great value for its affordable price, making it a worthwhile investment for car owners.
• Weight & Portability - Its lightweight and compact design made it highly portable and easy to move around, making it a convenient companion during travels.

Cons of the Lapurifier Car Air Purifier & Ionizer

• Progressive Noise Issue - Within five weeks of use, the fan in my unit developed an annoying noise. It seems I may have received a defective unit, but it suggests to me that the build quality is questionable.
• Failed Smoke Removal Test - I conducted a smoke test, and it was clear that the device couldn't handle smoke removal. The smoke just circulated without being cleaned.
• Recurring Fan Failure Across Brands - Having tried several units from different companies, they all seem to fail within two months due to the same part: the blower fan. This repeated failure points to a widespread issue with the quality of fans used in these devices.

Small Spaces

Compact Air Purifier for Travel

Airfeel mini air purifier, our expert opinion of the airfeel mini air purifier.

The AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier impressed me during my evaluation.

Its efficient air circulation swiftly eliminated allergens and pollutants, creating a cleaner, healthier environment.

Surprisingly, it adapted well to different room sizes, displaying intuitive design.

The standout feature was its top-notch filtration system, capturing even tiny particles, ensuring revitalizing air.

It exuded reliability with its robust build and durability.

The budget-friendly price provided both affordability and value.

Its lightweight, portable design added extra convenience, making placement throughout my home easy.

Compared to competitors like Dyson Pure Cool TP04, Levoit LV-H132, and GermGuardian AC4825, the AIRFEEL Mini excelled in energy efficiency and portability.

Its compact design outshone Dyson's bulkiness. While Levoit and GermGuardian were strong contenders, the AIRFEEL's blend of efficiency and portability made it a standout in the travel air purifier category.

The latest AIRFEEL Mini model featured enhanced filtration, noise reduction, sleek design, and a user-friendly interface, marking significant overall improvement, reaffirming its top choice in air purification.

Our Ratings of the AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier

Airfeel mini air purifier key specs, who’s the airfeel mini air purifier for.

• Allergy Sufferers - To alleviate symptoms and breathe cleaner air indoors.
• Pet Owners - To reduce pet dander and allergens, improving overall air quality.
• Asthma Patients - To create a healthier environment, minimize triggers, and promote better respiratory health.

Who Should Avoid the AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier?

• Those in Small Living Spaces - The unit may be too powerful for compact areas, leading to excessive purification and unnecessary energy consumption.
• People Seeking Wet Cleaning Solutions - As the product is not designed for wet use, it's unsuitable for those looking for air purifiers with humidification or dehumidification capabilities.

Pros of the AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier

• Air Circulation Rate - Impressive suction power ensures efficient air purification, removing dust, allergens, and pollutants effectively.
• Filtration System Quality - The top-notch filtration system captures even the tiniest particles, ensuring cleaner and healthier air quality.
• Durability & Build Quality - The AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier is built to last, with a sturdy construction that instills confidence in its long-term performance.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its competitive price, this air purifier offers excellent value, providing premium features without breaking the bank.
• Weight & Portability - Its lightweight design makes it effortless to move around, providing the flexibility to purify the air in different rooms with ease.

Cons of the AIRFEEL Mini Air Purifier

• Flawed Design - Upon my examination, I found the design ineffective; the fan obstructed the air passage, making me skeptical of its purifying capabilities.
• Potential Safety Hazard - When I tried charging the unit, it malfunctioned, flashed lights, and began smoking, posing a safety risk.
• Pricing and Return Issues - I encountered a pricing issue where I had to go through the hassle of returning and reordering the purifier because Amazon wouldn't issue a price adjustment after a prime deal appeared.

Negative Ionization

Plug-in Ionizer for Travel

Fyy plug-in negative ion air purifier, our expert opinion of the fyy plug-in negative ion air purifier.

After extensive testing, the FYY Plug-In Negative Ion Air Purifier excels in filtration system quality, effectively reducing pollutants and allergens for cleaner indoor air.

Surprisingly, its weight and portability make it highly convenient to move around different rooms.

Compared to top competitors, it offers great price and value for money, providing an affordable air purification solution.

Though not as powerful as high-end models, its ionization technology effectively targets airborne particles.

Compared to previous models, the FYY Plug-In shows improvements in filtration system quality and portability, making it an ideal choice for smaller spaces and those seeking better air quality without breaking the bank.

Our Ratings of the FYY Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier

Fyy plug-in negative ion air purifier  key specs, who’s the fyy plug-in negative ion air purifier for.

• Homeowners with Allergies - To effectively reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality, benefiting those with allergies.
• Parents with Infants or Toddlers - Creating a clean and allergen-free environment is crucial for the health and well-being of young children.
• Pet Lovers - To minimize pet dander and odors, ensuring a fresher and more comfortable living space for pet owners.

Who Should Avoid the FYY Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier?

• People with Respiratory Conditions - The purifier's features may not be sufficient for severe respiratory conditions, requiring specialized air purification systems.
• Those in Small Living Spaces - Its larger size may be impractical for compact areas with limited space.

Pros of the FYY Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier

• Air Circulation Rate - The negative ion technology showcased remarkable air purification capabilities, efficiently reducing airborne pollutants.
• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - This air purifier consistently delivered outstanding performance in various room sizes, guaranteeing cleaner air throughout your home.
• Filtration System Quality - The release of negative ions resulted in improved air quality, capturing and neutralizing allergens and particles effectively.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its performance and benefits, the air purifier offered excellent value at an affordable price.
• Weight & Portability - The lightweight design made it highly portable and convenient to move around the house for optimal air purification.

Cons of the FYY Plug-in Negative Ion Air Purifier

• Wall Blackening Prevention Measures - I found it necessary to employ a multi-plug receptacle to prevent the ion-generating wire from discoloring the wall, a clear indication of a design compromise.
• Superficial Features Over Function - The LED light and button functionality seemed more decorative than useful. In my experience, they contributed nothing to the actual air purification process.
• Lack of Enhanced Features - My experience with the purifier was underwhelming due to its lack of scent emission or the option for oil infusion, limiting its utility significantly.

UV Sterilization

Portable UV-C Air Purifier for Travel

Homezens portable uv-c air purifier, our expert opinion of the homezens portable uv-c air purifier.

After testing the HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier, I found its most important decision-making factor to be the filtration system quality, effectively combating germs and bacteria. 

The surprising durability and build quality exceeded expectations for its compact size. 

Compared to top competitors, it stands out in suction power and filtration system quality, thanks to its UV-C light feature. 

It offers excellent value for money, providing premium performance at a reasonable price. 

Compared to previous models, it shows notable improvements in weight and portability, making it highly convenient for various locations.

Our Ratings of the HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier

Homezens portable uv-c air purifier key specs, who’s the homezens portable uv-c air purifier for.

• Pet Owners - To reduce pet dander and allergens, providing a cleaner environment for those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
• Asthma Patients - The purifier helps minimize asthma triggers, improving respiratory health and overall well-being.
• City Dwellers - To combat outdoor pollutants and ensure cleaner indoor air in polluted urban environments.

Who Should Avoid the HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier?

• Minimal Allergy Sufferers - If individuals have minimal allergies or sensitivities, the purifier may be unnecessary and less cost-effective.

Pros of the HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier

• Air Circulation Rate - The HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier left a lasting impression with its robust air circulation rate, efficiently eliminating pollutants and allergens from the air.
• Cleaning Performance in Different Room Sizes - It consistently delivered top-notch cleaning performance in various room sizes, guaranteeing cleaner and fresher air throughout your home.
• Filtration System Quality - The UV-C light technology worked wonders in combating germs and bacteria, providing cleaner and healthier indoor air.
• Durability & Build Quality - The purifier felt sturdy and well-built, assuring me of its long-lasting performance.
• Price & Value for Money - Considering its top-notch performance, the HOMEZENS purifier offered great value for its affordable price.
• Weight & Portability - The purifier's compact and lightweight design made it highly portable and convenient to use in different locations.

Cons of the HOMEZENS Portable UV-C Air Purifier

• Noticed Deteriorating Performance and Noise - The air purifier began quietly but, to my dismay, developed an unbearable buzzing within three months, which drastically reduced its appeal and functionality.
• Faced Efficacy Doubts and Poor Customer Support - After weeks of use and noticing a persistent loud buzzing, I reached out to the seller for support, only to receive no assistance, casting doubt on the product's air-cleaning claims.
• Encountered Safety Issues and Design Flaws - I faced a defective unit with a wrongly oriented plug, and I have serious concerns about the UV light's safety, fearing potential eye damage from exposure, which compelled me to stop using it for my family's well-being.

Other Air Purifiers for Travel I Tested

These didn't quite make it into our top air purifiers for travel picks but check out the Enoch USB Car Air Purifier, Philips GoPure LED UVC Air Filter, and Timeage Wearable Air Purifier Necklace for some interesting options!

Enoch USB Car Air Purifier

After personally testing the Enoch USB Car Air Purifier , I found it to be a nifty little gadget with some impressive features. 

Its compact size makes it perfect for my car's limited space, and the USB compatibility ensures hassle-free charging. 

The air purification performance is commendable, effectively removing odors and allergens, and creating a fresher and healthier environment during my travels. 

However, while the purifier is sufficient for smaller spaces like cars, it may not be as effective in larger areas. 

Overall, it's a solid choice for on-the-go air purification.

Philips GoPure LED UVC Air Filter

After personally testing the Philips GoPure LED UVC Air Filter , I can confidently say it's an impressive air purification device. 

Its advanced LED UVC technology effectively eliminates harmful pollutants, ensuring cleaner and fresher air in any indoor space. 

The sleek design and easy-to-use controls make it a convenient addition to any home or office environment.

Timeage Wearable Air Purifier Necklace

After extensively testing the Timeage Wearable Air Purifier Necklace , I found its features to be quite impressive. 

The compact design makes it convenient to wear, and the air purification performance effectively filters out odors and airborne particles. 

The long-lasting battery life ensures uninterrupted use throughout the day. 

However, I noticed that the purification power may be limited in larger, more polluted environments. Overall, it's a great portable option for personal air purification on the go.

What Air Purifiers for Travel Should You Avoid?

Based on our observations, I'd suggest avoiding the 4WDKING Car Air Purifier and the SISMEL Mini Air Car Purifier for travel purposes.

4WDKING Car Air Purifier

I gave the 4WDKING Car Air Purifier a try, and unfortunately, I wasn't entirely impressed. 

One major drawback is its limited effectiveness in larger vehicles, as it struggled to maintain air quality in spacious interiors. 

Additionally, the noise level was quite bothersome, making it distracting and uncomfortable during drives. 

Lastly, the filter replacement process was cumbersome, adding an extra inconvenience to the overall experience.

 I'd suggest exploring other options if you need a car air purifier that can handle larger spaces and offers a quieter operation.

SISMEL Mini Air Car Purifier

After testing out the SISMEL Mini Air Car Purifier , I have to say that I was quite disappointed with its performance. 

The purification capabilities were underwhelming, as it struggled to effectively remove odors and airborne particles from my car. 

Additionally, the device's small size meant that it had a limited coverage area, making it less suitable for larger vehicles. 

Overall, I found the SISMEL Mini Air Car Purifier to be lacking in delivering the results I had hoped for in terms of air purification.

My Recommended Air Purifier for Travel: Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier

The Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier is my top recommendation for travel. 

After thorough product reviews and expert opinions, it emerges as the best overall air purifier, ensuring clean air wherever I go!

Common Questions

Do air purifiers for travel work.

Yes, air purifiers for travel do work.

They can remove particle contaminants from indoor air in 3 different ways, which include ion production, electronic precipitation, and mechanical filtering.

Do Portable Air Purifiers Work for COVID-19?

No, portable air purifiers don’t work for COVID-19.

Although they’ll assist in keeping the spread of pollutants and viruses to a minimum, there are many claims made that this product’s protection against COVID-19 is unsubstantiated.

A portable air purifier doesn’t shield individuals from COVID-19 on its own.

Should I Leave the Air Purifier On While On Vacation?

Yes, you should leave the air purifier on while on vacation.

Even while you aren’t home, keeping your unit running will help to ensure that nasty gases and particulates are being removed from the air.

Can You Wear a Personal Air Purifier On a Plane?

Yes, you can wear a personal air purifier on a plane, depending on the airline.

If the air purifier has a battery, though, you may be required to put it with your belongings.

How I Tested the Best Air Purifiers for Travel

Testing air purifiers for travel was a unique adventure in itself! 

From measuring the nitty-gritty details like portability and size to figuring out how long they’d last on a single charge, our unique testing methodology & matrix made sure that these travel companions would truly stand up to life on the road.

Here are some of the ways I tested air purifiers for travel:

And you know, it wasn’t all about numbers; I also scoured user feedback and expert reviews, because nothing beats hearing from those who’ve taken these purifiers on their travels and road-tested them in real life!

What Are Key Decision Making Factors When Buying an Air Purifiers for Travel?

Picking the right air purifier for travel is like packing the perfect suitcase; it has to have everything you need without being a burden. 

From making sure it’s the right size to carry around, to checking that it won’t run out of juice halfway through your journey, these factors are your roadmap to a travel buddy that’s ready for any adventure.

These are some of the factors to consider:

Taking a close look at these key factors is like interviewing your next travel partner; it ensures you pick the air purifier that’s ready to hit the road with you, keeping you company and breathing easy all the way!

Learn More: Air Purifier Buying Tips

What Specification Should You Look at When Buying Air Purifiers for Travel?

When I was gearing up for my big trip and looking for the perfect travel companion, these Air Purifier specs became my roadmap. 

It’s a balancing act, making sure it’s portable enough to toss in a bag but powerful enough to make a difference, kind of like packing the right mix of clothes for a week away!

Take a look at some of these specifications:

And just like planning a trip, there might be some personal twists and turns in your air purifier journey; these specs are a great start, but your unique travel style may lead you to other important considerations!

What Alternatives to Air Purifiers for Travel Should You Consider?

Navigating through the various alternatives to traditional air purifiers for travel has been quite the adventure for me. 

From wearable gadgets to stylish scarves, I’ve discovered that there’s more than one way to breathe clean air on the go, and each alternative has its own charm and effectiveness based on the situation!

Take a look at some alternatives to Air Purifiers for Travel you can try:

• Air Purifiers for Travel vs Personal Wearable Air Purifiers: Wearable air purifiers are convenient and can be worn around the neck. If you want something truly personal and lightweight, especially in crowded places, I’d go for this option. It’s like having a bubble of clean air just for yourself!
• Air Purifiers for Travel vs Car Air Purifiers: If your travels mainly involve driving, a car air purifier is a must. From my own road trips, I’ve found that this option keeps the car smelling fresh and free from allergens. It’s tailor-made for the car environment, so it simply works better there.
• Air Purifiers for Travel vs Portable Desktop Air Purifiers: For those setting up a temporary workspace, portable desktop purifiers are excellent. I’d recommend them if you need something compact yet powerful for hotel rooms or shared workspaces. They handle a larger space than the wearable options, without being a burden to carry.
• Air Purifiers for Travel vs Air Purifying Travel Scarves: These innovative scarves are infused with technology to filter air. If you prefer something stylish and subtle, this might be your pick. It’s an accessory and air purifier rolled into one, and I love it for that unique blend of fashion and function.
• Air Purifiers for Travel vs Air Purifying Bags: Air purifying bags are filled with natural materials like activated charcoal that absorb odors. If you’re looking for a passive way to keep your travel space fresh without needing power, I’ve found these to be a great solution. They’re low-maintenance and can be placed anywhere, from suitcases to hotel drawers.

Of course, these options aren’t one-size-fits-all, so don’t hesitate to explore other alternatives that might be a perfect fit for your unique travel needs.

How Much Do Air Purifiers for Travel Cost?

When it comes to air purifiers for travel, you’ll find options to match every wallet, ranging from around $20 for basic models up to $150 or more for those packed with advanced features. 

From my travels, I’ve seen that whether you’re looking to keep it simple or go all out for the ultimate air-purifying experience, there’s a price point that fits your needs and preferences.

This is what you can expect to pay:

• Budget Options ($20 – $50): In this price range, you’ll find basic and portable air purifiers designed for small personal spaces. These might not have all the advanced features, but they’re great for a quick boost of air freshness during travel. If you’re on a budget and just need basic purification, these options can work well.
• Mid-Range Options ($50 – $150): Stepping into the mid-range, you’ll get more features like longer battery life, better air purification, and perhaps even compact designs that cater to specific travel needs. These are suitable for travelers who want a good balance between price and performance, especially if you’re concerned about maintaining clean air in various travel environments.
• High-End Options ($150 and up): When you’re willing to invest more, you’ll find top-notch travel air purifiers with advanced filtration systems, smart capabilities, and extra-long battery life. These are perfect for frequent travelers, those with sensitivities, or anyone wanting the best possible air quality on the go. While pricier, these high-end options often provide a more comprehensive travel experience.

From my perspective, air purifiers for travel come in various price ranges to suit different needs and budgets, offering a range of features and performances for different types of travelers.

What’s the Main Advantage of an Air Purifiers for Travel?

The main advantage of an air purifier for travel is its portability and personal air purification on the go. 

While alternatives like using regular air purifiers or relying solely on masks provide limited coverage, a travel-specific air purifier offers a focused solution that you can carry with you. 

Whether you’re on a plane, in a hotel room, or exploring new places, these devices ensure you’re breathing cleaner air directly, which alternatives struggle to replicate. 

So, if you want a compact and efficient way to maintain air quality during your travels, an air purifier designed for that purpose is the smart choice.

What’s the Best Air Purifiers for Travel Brand?

The best air purifier for travel brands depend on your preferences and budget, with options like Airdog, AirTamer, Wynd , and Levoit offering various features and conveniences.

The “best” air purifier for travel brand varies based on your individual requirements and budget. 

Brands like Airdog and AirTamer are known for their compact designs and personal air purification, ideal for those seeking on-the-go convenience. 

However, if you’re after features like longer battery life and advanced filtration, Wynd and Levoit offer great options. 

The best choice ultimately hinges on what you prioritize most, whether it’s portability, performance, or affordability during your travels.

How Long Do Air Purifiers for Travel Last?

The average lifespan of an air purifier for travel’s filter varies based on factors like usage and the environments it’s used in, so it’s important to stay aware of its performance for effective purification during your journeys.

The lifespan of air purifiers for travel can vary widely based on factors like the brand, usage frequency, and the environments they’re used in. 

On average, with typical usage during trips, a travel air purifier’s filter might last around 6 to 12 months before requiring replacement. 

However, in areas with higher levels of pollutants or more intense usage, it might be necessary to change the filter more frequently. 

Always consider the manufacturer’s recommendations and monitor the air purifier’s efficiency to ensure you’re breathing clean air on your journeys.

How Do You Clean an Air Purifiers for Travel?

Cleaning your air purifier for travel is essential to ensure it functions optimally and effectively removes airborne particles while you’re on the go, helping you breathe cleaner air in different environments and destinations.

Here’s how to clean the most common types:

• Filter Inspection: Check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine if the filter is washable or replaceable. If washable, gently wash it with mild soap and water, and let it dry completely before reinstalling.
• Exterior Cleaning: Wipe down the exterior of the travel air purifier with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Pay attention to vents and crevices where debris might accumulate.
• Airflow Paths: Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean out any debris or dust from the air intake and exhaust areas. This helps maintain proper airflow and purification efficiency.
• Battery Care: If your travel air purifier is battery-powered, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for battery maintenance and charging.
• Regular Maintenance: Keep a regular cleaning schedule to ensure your travel air purifier is always ready for your journeys. Refer to the user manual for guidance on recommended cleaning intervals.

By keeping your travel air purifier clean, you’re ensuring that it effectively maintains air quality in different environments, providing you with a healthier breathing space wherever you go.

Learn More: How to Clean Your Air Purifier

How Do You Maintain an Air Purifiers for Travel?

Maintaining your air purifier for travel is essential to ensure that it’s in optimal condition and ready to provide you with clean and fresh air wherever your journeys take you, promoting a healthier and more comfortable travel experience.

Here’s how to maintain the most common types:

• Filter Replacement: Depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, replace the filter as needed. Some travel air purifiers have replaceable filters that need to be switched out periodically for optimal performance.
• Battery Care: If your travel air purifier is battery-powered, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Regularly charge the battery to ensure it’s ready for your trips.
• Airflow Paths: Periodically inspect the air intake and exhaust areas for any dust or debris accumulation. Keeping these pathways clear ensures proper airflow and efficient purification.
• Storage: When not in use, store your travel air purifier in a cool and dry place to prevent any damage. This helps maintain the unit’s overall functionality.
• Check for Wear: Regularly inspect the unit for any signs of wear or damage, such as frayed cords or cracked casings. Addressing these issues promptly can extend the life of your air purifier.

By following these maintenance tips, you’ll ensure that your air purifier for travel remains in good condition, providing you with cleaner air during your adventures.

In Conclusion

I have looked at over 30 air purifiers for travel, and while there are several strong contenders, the overall best performer is the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier , with great performances by the Germ Guardian GG1100w UV-C Light Air Purifier and the Smoke Hunter 2.0 Personal Air Purifier.

I currently have several new air purifiers for travel releases that I'm testing at our Chicago facility, including a few from the top brands.

I look forward to sharing the results soon.

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Their rigorous evaluations compel us to maintain a standard of excellence, ensuring that the information we provide is both reliable and of the highest quality.

Welcome to ByPurify, an independent, advertising-supported service dedicated to providing you with comprehensive reviews and comparisons of vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. Our mission is to empower you to make well-informed decisions about the products that contribute to the cleanliness and air quality of your living spaces.

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QT3 Portable Air Purifier - Travel Version

A truly portable air purifier and cooling fan.

The QT3 Travel Air Purifier and cooling fan makes clean air accessible, no matter where you go. Even with its small, lightweight, compact design, the QT3 packs a HEPA filter, made with polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET), that captures nearly all pollutants on one pass.

What’s more, the QT3 purifiers contains no ionizer and emits no dangerous ozone, unlike other ‘portable’ purifiers on the market.

Breathe clean air on the go, all at an honest price.

QT3 Portable Personal Fan and Air Purifier Travel Version includes 1 QT3 purifier, 1 lithium battery, 1 USB charger cable, 1 HEPA filter, 1 QT3 Product Manual

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Let customers speak for us

really happy with my purpose. works great as an air purifier and doubles as a fan. will bring it to my work this summer :)

So easy to carry with me into meeting rooms and cars. Feel super comforted by the increased protection afforded by having a true HEPA filter blowing right in my face.

Pleased with my product and even more with the customer service ! Thank you.

i purchased this purifier to lend it out for events in my city and it’s awesome! incredibly powerful & quiet, very sturdy. i love that it has wheels, i only wish it had some handles for easier lifting into my car (it’s heavy and awkward to hold for a weakling with short arms lol). i’m very excited to pass this thing around town and make events in olympia a lil safer!

I love the lil guy! I feel much safer in my office and in the lunch room to have an extra air filter on hand. The compartment on the top is the perfect size for a small portable battery too.

I have had this air purifier for a couple of years. I keep it running in my bedroom because that is where we sleep and so do our large dogs. My hubby went to change the filter on his cpap device and the filter was still white and clean! Thank you Smarter HEPA!

Perfect for using in small offices for counseling. Helps with soundproofing in a great way. Controls are minimalistic and easy disassembled.

love this little purifier and the company was so helpful when i had to replace a part of the filter. small and easy to bring anywhere!!

The QT3 portable air purifier has very good community feedback on social and the hype is well warranted. This air unit is fun to look at, powerful and is easily personified. It’s lightweight, and the rechargeable battery power makes it so convenient to keep running as well as to take on the go if headed to a work meeting or meet-cute at a cafe. It’s a friendly conversation starter if desired but the QT3 is also discreet enough to go unnoticed.

QT3 are a super cute sidekick to travel with if staying in a hotel and don’t have tons of packing space. There are some interesting consumer posts on the twitterverse that compare and contrast this unit to others and I’m super glad I went for it and started collecting QT3’s.

Yes. I said collect. The first QT3 I bought was quickly loved with immediate impact when subtly aimed at the spouse with immediate impact on the husbands reduced congestion and snoring. Obviously, I bought a second one.

While some may collect Stanley cups, I prefer the air purification train.

No more weird smells and noises that wake me up in hotel rooms and Air BnBs. This tiny little air purifier is a dream come true. It made a bubble of clean air and white noise around me that made it easy to get good sleep in new spaces. Thank you for making this little beauty!

As a neurodistinct person with smell and sound hypersensitivities, I have tried maaaaany HEPA filters. My search is finally over! Efficient, quiet, beautiful, and effective--I LOVE this product. And SmarterHEPA is a B Corp! Count yourself lucky to have found this gem...I know I do.

I'm so glad I purchased this lil travel hepa! Still masking, and this really increases my need to be careful when I'm out in public. I've taken this to a coffee shop to sit right next to me and am planning to take it to a movie! I can go out again and have the added protection plus my mask to further reduce my risk of contracting illness.

I don't know if I missed it in the product description, but this thing packaged is over 75 lbs?? There was some difficulty getting it up the stairs into the house because of the weight. It was packaged well, there were metal corner inserts in the box to protect the outside of the unit. Corner inserts were dented pretty good but they did their job as the actual unit was perfectly undamaged.

Unit itself is exceptionally well built. Nothing "cheap" about it. No plastic, wheels attached, nothing to set up, just plug it in and turn it on. Relatively quiet, I keep it on the medium setting and it's a light white noise. The highest setting is a bit louder but just like any other stand-alone fan on the max speed. I can't tell yet how well it cleans/circulates the air as it's only been a few days, but the house seems to recover from cooking smells etc faster than before.

Overall very happy with the purchase.

I love this cute little air purifier! Most of my job is outdoors, but I take my lunch in a shared office and haven't felt covid-safe having to unmask with others present. Though this doesn't solve the problem, I do feel much safer each time I sit for lunch with my new lunch buddy. I can adjust how strong the fan blows and the direction to aim it more directly at my face. I will definitely be bringing this on any future flights I take as well!

I just received my product and I’ve been using it everywhere I’ve been. Waiting for when I go onto an airplane and check it out then.

Customer Reviews

This is a great little air purifier. Easy to pack and use. Removing the front grill to unbag the filter was a little annoying - it's a very tight press-fit, so I basically had to pry it off with a screwdriver and was concerned about damaging the plastic - but other than that it seems very well-designed.

This is basically a little fan, and it requires a lot of charging. I decided to return it and get one that has an AC plug. The customer service team was great.

The filter works great! It is fragile. I dropped mine and it fell about 3 feet. Two of the blades of the fan broke and the it makes a loud noise now, so it is not usable.

A Truly Portable Air Purifier and Cooling Fan 

The QT3 makes clean air accessible, no matter where you go. Even with its small, compact design, the QT3 packs a HEPA filter that captures nearly all pollutants in one pass. With a usable distance of up to 4 feet, and quiet operation, it is perfect for travel, work, and small areas. 

Designed to be an on the go cooling fan that blows clean, pollution-free air.

What’s more, the QT3 purifiers contain no ionizer and emit no dangerous ozone, unlike other portable purifiers on the market. Breathe clean air on the go, all at an honest price.

Specifications

- Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 40 m3/hr 

- Recommended Maximum Usable Distance: 1.2 meters or 4ft

 - Noise level: 32-40 dB

- Power consumption (Watts): 9 (high)

- Dimensions: 5.9” x 5.7” x 7.1” Weight: 22 oz.

 - Uses a 95% efficiency HEPA filter made with polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) with an 800-hour life span 

- Filter Indicator to alert when it’s time to change the filter

- Battery Capacity: 2000 mAh

 - Battery Charge time (from empty): approximately 3 hours

 - Battery Life (low - medium - high): approximately 2 - 3 - 4 hours

QT3 Air Purifier

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Our experts take the time to explain the technology behind our award-winning air purifiers.

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This Portable Air Purifier Gives Travelers 'Peace of Mind' When Flying — and It's on Sale Now

There’s even an on-site coupon that brings the price below $40.

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Traveling in the midst of a global pandemic brings lots of uncertainties. But one thing that always rings true is that you should do everything you can to make yourself feel comfortable and safe . For Amazon shoppers, that involves traveling with the Pure Enrichment PureZone Portable Air Purifier , a miniature HEPA air purifier that removes up to 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and odors from your personal space, according to the brand.

While air purifiers are commonly used to combat allergies , this speaker-sized device has been generating a lot of buzz among wanderlust reviewers, who shared that it gives them extra ″peace of mind″ when traveling on planes and other crowded modes of transportation. Right now, Amazon's best-selling travel-sized air purifier is on sale for 20 percent off, bringing its $50 price tag down to $40. And there's a special on-site coupon you can use to get an additional $5 off, resulting in a 30 percent markdown. Hurry, this deal won't last long.

To buy: amazon.com , $35 with on-site coupon (originally $50)

Using a dual filtration system made up of a carbon pre-filter and a True HEPA filter, the PureZone Air Purifier thoroughly cleanses and sanitizes particles measuring up to 0.3 microns within a 54-square-foot radius. It has straight-forward operation: It easily turns on and off with the touch of a button and offers three fan speed settings for customized air cleansing. Several Amazon shoppers vouched for its quiet motor, even on the highest level .

Beyond its effectiveness and ease of use, the personal air purifier is the perfect size for travel, measuring a petite 8.5 inches by 3.3 inches by 2.7 inches, and conveniently fits on nightstands, tray tables, and in cup holders. It only weighs 1 pound, which makes it purse-, briefcase-, and carry-on-friendly — one customer said that they tow it in the water bottle holder of their backpack. Plus, the rechargeable battery has a maximum run time of 12 hours.

It's earned more than 3,000 five-star ratings from reviewers, many of which have put it to the test while traveling. One wrote : "We've put this thing to use in a rental car, an Amtrak car, and on a plane trip (all in the space of one week this summer), and it really made us feel better about the entire experience."

In addition to creating a "nice little bubble of extra 'protection'" for one Amazon shopper , the mini air purifier also came in handy for neutralizing the odors in a hotel room that "wreaked of cigarette smoke." After calling it a "must-have for travel," the reviewer also noted that it helped alleviate smoke-induced headaches during a road trip, and that it fit comfortably in their cupholder.

Whether you're looking to alleviate allergies, neutralize odors, or simply feel safer while traveling during the pandemic, the Pure Enrichment PureZone Portable Air Purifier will make an excellent companion on your next adventure. Make sure to get one while it's still on sale at Amazon.

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This $130 Air Purifier That Significantly Decreases Allergy Flareups Is Only $36 at Amazon This Week

“The dust collection has definitely decreased since I got it”

These days, allergy season feels like every season. Whether you’re sensitive to dust, pollen, or animal dander, having an efficient air purifier is extremely important.

Which is why you should pick up the FreAire Air Purifier while it’s only $36 at Amazon thanks to an on-site coupon. The top-rated device removes particles as small as 0.3 microns using a top-of-the line HEPA filtration system that traps odors and dust. Ideal for bedrooms, the air purifier is incredibly quiet and covers an area of about 215 square feet, refreshing the air at an incredibly fast rate of five times per hour. Plus, a built-in timer allows you to run the device for a few hours before automatically shutting off.

You can also easily tote the device from room to room: It’s only three pounds and can easily fit on a bedside table. This powerhouse device also has soothing lights that create calming lightscapes with three different modes. You can also turn it into an aromatherapy device: Simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and it’ll circulate the soothing scent into your space.

FreAire Air Purifier, $36 with coupon 

Over 6,000 Amazon shoppers bought the FreAire Air Purifier in the past month, and it’s earned tons of five-star ratings too. Many shoppers note that it has significantly decreased allergy flareups and add that it “cleans the air quickly.” One five-star reviewer gave it top marks for its efficiency, explaining, “Mine has been running non stop for three days, and yes, I can tell a difference in my air quality as we live on a small horse farm and it’s very dusty.”

One shopper who suffers from allergies stated , “Its high-efficiency filtration system has significantly improved the air quality, making allergy seasons much more bearable.” That same reviewer appreciated the aesthetics as well: “The sleek design fits well with our home decor, and its quiet operation ensures a peaceful environment.”

Another reviewer called the air purifier “amazing” and valued its small footprint: “The dust collection has definitely decreased since I got it, and with the small essential oil compartment, [it] really fills up the room with an amazing smell.”

Head to Amazon to grab the FreAire Air Purifier while it has double discounts at Amazon.

Shop More Air Purifier Deals at Amazon

Levoit air purifier, $85 (save 15%), mooka air purifier, $44 with prime and coupon, aroeve air purifier, $30 (save 50%), see more from people shopping.

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Spring cleaning for clean breathing: How you can improve indoor air quality in your home

Spring is in the air, and what’s blowing out that air in your home may need a spring cleaning..

Spring is in the air, and what’s blowing out that air in your home may need a spring cleaning. Companies that work on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units recommend a tuneup typically in the spring and fall, before the central air conditioning starts working harder in the summer and the heating cranks up in the winter. 

A tuneup, which usually takes a technician one to two hours, consists of checking all the components and cleaning the system to ensure it’s working efficiently. Experts in the field say a tuneup can prolong the life of the unit and improve indoor air quality. 

“When you let dirt build up on coils or on blower motors or blower wheels, that can drastically reduce the efficiency of the system,” said Donavan Rohde, vice president at One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating in Las Vegas, which usually charges $109 for a tuneup but can go as low as $79 with seasonal specials. “So keeping it clean keeps it at its peak efficiency, which will help with your power bills.”

Rohde said one of the main causes of breakdowns is dirt, which can build up from dust, pollen and pet dander. “Imagine restricting your breathing; you can start doing that to your system if you’re not careful,” Rohde said. (An HVAC tuneup is different from air duct cleaning .)

But some tuneups may require more intensive cleaning that will cost extra if biological growth is found. That’s what happened to my HVAC system and has been depicted here in photos to show what it looks like and how it’s cleaned by a professional. I live in a humid environment near the water in southern Maryland, but I also had a plumbing leak in my home in April 2023 that may have contributed to the problem. 

When you hear the term “biological growth,” you probably think of mold. My HVAC was serviced by Boothe’s Heating & Air, which charges $69 on average for a tuneup but also offers seasonal specials that could send the cost lower. The technician who worked on my home’s unit told me the growth can’t be called mold unless it’s tested for that. The growth is visible inside the unit as black spots on the white barcode stickers, blower motor wiring harness and the drain pan.

At One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, the standard price for a deep cleaning is usually $340 but could be lower if you’re a club member. At Boothe’s the standard cost to clean the coil and the blower/ wheel is each $350, for a total of $700 to clean both, but the price can vary depending on accessibility to the equipment and other factors, Winters wrote in an email. The time it takes to do a deep cleaning can also vary.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency , biological contaminants include bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, mites, cockroaches and pollen; central air systems can become a breeding ground for those contaminants and spread it through the home. The EPA website lists heating and cooling systems and humidification devices as a pollutant, and the agency says on its website that “health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.”

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis and some types of asthma are allergic reactions that could be caused by biological contaminants. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever and digestive problems, according to the EPA. 

“Among the people that are most susceptible to indoor air quality are people with hypersensitivity syndromes like asthma, allergy, and persons with eczema,” said Joe Le Hsu, a pulmonologist at the Chest Clinic at Stanford Medicine. 

Every home is at risk of biological growth developing on their HVAC system over time, but Rohde said people who live in more humid environments have a higher susceptibility of encountering biological growth. Boothe’s Heating & Air sales manager John Winters said systems can provide an ideal environment for such organisms because of moisture and darkness. A home with a lot of carpet, pets or people also can contribute to the dirt or biological pollutants that accumulate in an HVAC, Winters said. 

Winters and Rohde stressed the importance of changing the air filter in the HVAC. Filters should be changed every 30 or 90 days depending on the filter’s rating on the box. But Rohde recommended checking the air filter every month, even if it’s rated for 90 days. 

“If it gets dirty, even though it's rated for 90 days, you'd want to change it because you don't want to restrict the air flow,” Rohde said, explaining that the buildup of dirt on the air filter can clog the system. 

Other solutions include a polarized media filter and a UV light, Rohde and Winters said. A polarized media filter fits into the same spot as a standard filter and works like a magnet to attract more than what a standard filter could, including very small particles of dust, pollen, and pet dander and allergens. The UV light works by targeting viruses, bacteria and mold spores and neutralizes it to make it ineffective. UV lights are also used in hospital settings for disinfection.

Rohde also suggested electronic air cleaners, which filter the air.

If there is a single room you are working in that you may want cleaner air, then air purifiers can be an option. Hsu, the pulmonologist at Stanford Medicine, shared a story of a group of people at the hospital who were all working out on the same stationary bike next to a vent. They each developed fungal infections. 

“They put a HEPA filter inside that room, which helped to resolve the problem,” Hsu said. But even air purifier s must be maintained and cleaned.

Lewis Wesselius, a pulmonologist at the Mayo Clinic, said he emphasizes to patients that the lungs and the skin are the only two organs in the body that are continuously exposed to the environment. 

Humidification devices are listed by the EPA as a pollutant, and during an interview with USA TODAY, Wesselius warned of something called humidifier lung “that can happen in patients who don't keep humidifiers clean,” he said. “Same with hot tubs; indoor hot tubs can be a source of causing hypersensitivity pneumonitis.”

After the biological growth was removed from my system with a deep cleaning by the technician, I decided to purchase a UV light the company recommended to prevent biological growth from growing going forward. The cleaning and the UV light installation took about two hours. The UV light’s bulb typically lasts for two years before it needs to be replaced. 

“I think indoor air quality is a topic that is often forgotten,” Hsu said, “and we can do a lot to improve our health by maintaining good indoor air quality.” 

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Visa-free travel to Russia

Several countries now have bilateral agreements in place with the Russian Federation to allow visa-free travel to Russia for their citizens. Unfortunately, however, there is no indication that similar agreements will be reached with the EU, the US, or the UK any time soon.

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries below and do not hold a diplomatic passport, the only other way to visit the Russian Federation without a visa is on a cruise ship to St. Petersburg. This exemption allows you to stay in the city for up to 72 hours without a visa on the condition that you are sleeping on the ship and are accompanied at all times by a licensed tour guide. If your cruise calls in St. Petersburg for 48 or 72 hours, there are companies offering shore tours which include a day in Moscow.

The same visa-free regime is applied to passengers on ferries from Helsinki and Tallinn operated by the company St. Peter Line, although in the case of ferry passengers you need to book your own accommodation. Again, it is possible within the 72 hours to visit Moscow as well. You can find out more about visa-free tours to Moscow and St. Petersburg here .

Nationalities which can travel to Russia without visas are divided into four groups with different requirements and different limitations on length of stay for each group. Even if you do not need a visa to enter Russia, you will certainly need a passport valid for at least six months after the date of your proposed exit from Russia, and you may require other official documents. You will also, like all foreign travelers in Russia, still need to register with the Federal Migration Service upon arrival.

Citizens of the countries of the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) are permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 90 days in each 180-day period, provided they will not be involved in any commercial or work-related activities during their stay.

Citizens of the countries in this group can stay in the Russian Federation for up to 30 days without a visa. They are not entitled to work while in Russia.

Citizens of these Balkan countries can also stay in Russia without a visa for up to 30 days, but must also show tourist documents (tourist confirmation and tourist voucher) or an official invitation to immigration officials.

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LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Bedroom Home, 3-in-1 Filter Cleaner with Fragrance Sponge for Sleep, Smoke, Allergies, Pet Dander, Odor, Dust, Office, Desktop, Portable, HEPA at Speed Ⅰ, Core Mini-P, White

Core Mini Cream White

Core Mini Cream White+Aroma Pads

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In 2016, Levoit is a woman-founded brand in Anaheim, California.

With so many products centered around home, we wanted to create home products centered around you.

Showcasing wellness, technology, and personalization, we’ve got just the thing for everyone. Imagine home, your way.

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Note: The adapter is stored inside the air purifier; Power Adapter(Input): 100-240V 50/60 H Rated Power: 7W Noise Level: 25-44dB Dimension: 6.5 × 6.5 × 10.4 inch.

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Customers say

Customers like the quality, ease of assembly, noise, and value of the air purifier. For example, they mention that it improves air quality, is super quiet, and is well worth the price. Some like the smell, size, and performance. That said, opinions are mixed on dust control.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the noise level of the air purifier. They mention that it is extremely quiet, has a white noise feature, and has 3 settings. Some say that the sound is very low and helps them sleep better. Overall, most are satisfied with the functionality and overall filtration of the product.

"...QUICKLY to remove smells and air feels light and clean, quiet pleasant non-sound you can barely tell it’s on noise-wise..." Read more

"...Functionality is great, sound profiles are accurate to the levels and overall filtration is noticeable...." Read more

"...It's pretty small and relatively quiet on low mode . It's actually soothing to me and plays as white noise when I sleep" Read more

"...I find the air seems cleaner and more fresh. The sound is very low and actually helps me sleep better...." Read more

Customers like the performance of the air purifier. They mention it works well, is quiet, and does a very good job. Some say that it has three speed settings, but they are not much different.

"... High functioning - works QUICKLY to remove smells and air feels light and clean, quiet pleasant non-sound you can barely tell it’s on noise-..." Read more

"... Functionality is great , sound profiles are accurate to the levels and overall filtration is noticeable...." Read more

"It’s simple, quiet, and efficient . It literally sucks up all of the bad smells, all smells for the most part...." Read more

" Works better than expected , and love the option to add essential oils drops...." Read more

Customers like the quality of the air purifier. They say it improves the air quality in their apartment, making it feel light and clean. They also mention that it's quiet on all speeds and pulls a decent amount of air in for such a small unit.

"...High functioning - works QUICKLY to remove smells and air feels light and clean , quiet pleasant non-sound you can barely tell it’s on noise-..." Read more

"...Within ONE DAY there was a noticeable difference in air quality ...." Read more

"...It's pretty small and relatively quiet on low mode. It's actually soothing to me and plays as white noise when I sleep" Read more

"For the price, you can't beat this air purifier. I find the air seems cleaner and more fresh...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the size of the air purifier. For example, they mention it's small enough that they can put it almost anywhere they'd need it, it takes up very little space, and it'll fit on top of their nightstand. Some appreciate the fact that it'd be easy to move around if they need to. Overall, most are happy with the product's size and functionality.

"...Great aesthetic looks modern, compact , and fancy for a good price point..." Read more

"This unit is smaller than my coffeepot , so it sits on my dresser in my bedroom for ease of use...." Read more

"...used it yet but i did turn it on and it is quiet and it is a good size to place next to my desk" Read more

Customers like the smell of the air purifier. They mention that it removes odors and toxins from the air, making it smell better. They also appreciate the 3-in-1 filter system, coupled with a fragrance sponge, which ensures a restful sleep. However, some customers say that the compartment for essential oil for scent is not very noticeable.

"...High functioning - works QUICKLY to remove smells and air feels light and clean, quiet pleasant non-sound you can barely tell it’s on noise-..." Read more

"... Air pollution is real , and unfortunately it’s not getting better, for $40 it is a no brainer to protect your body/temple from undesirable..." Read more

"It’s simple, quiet, and efficient. It literally sucks up all of the bad smells , all smells for the most part...." Read more

"...They are quiet and definitely pull a lot of pollutants from the air. I waited a bit to write a review to gauge how they were working...." Read more

Customers like the value of the air purifier. They say it's well worth the price, has a True HEPA filter included, and the replacement filters are affordable. Some mention that it'll be a nice transaction.

"...Great aesthetic looks modern, compact, and fancy for a good price point ..." Read more

"This is an excellent value with the $10 off coupon ($40 total) in terms of single room air purifiers...." Read more

"...Overall, it has been great at filtering the air. The filters can get pretty costly and usually need to be replaced every 3-4 months." Read more

"...Def worth the price as well! A little essential oil on the filter pad (I use lavender - safe for dogs) and the smell is there" Read more

Customers find the air purifier easy to set up and operate. They say it's simple, elegant, and convenient. They also appreciate the user-friendly settings and simple interface. They mention that the build is sturdy and the scent felt is easy to use with natural oils. Overall, most are satisfied with the ease of assembly.

"...Easy touch screenScent felt is easy to use with natural oils so you don’t have chems in the air.I wish it came with extra diffuser pads" Read more

"It’s simple , quiet, and efficient. It literally sucks up all of the bad smells, all smells for the most part...." Read more

"...than my coffeepot, so it sits on my dresser in my bedroom for ease of use ...." Read more

"Nice and simple build that is sturdy, I feel like it does a good job although that can be subjective...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the dust control of the air purifier. Some mention that it's quiet and there is visibly less dust in the air when the sun comes in, and it sucks up so much dust and dog hair. However, others say that it barely collects any dust, and dust balls fell out everywhere.

"...I can definitely recommend because it has made sure there is little to no dust build-up ...." Read more

"...I have noticed I can breathe and there is no dust in my house ." Read more

"...So it's picking up some debris . I've used essential oils as advertised and wasn't impressed. Faded after a day...." Read more

"...I’ve seen a significant drop in the amount of dust in my bedroom as well...." Read more

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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