Investing in one of the best air purifiers can provide reassurance that the air you and your family breathe is as clean as possible. This is particularly important for those with respiratory conditions or young children. With numerous options available, we’ve narrowed down the choices based on rigorous testing in both controlled and real-world environments.
Our testing protocols ensure that the selected air purifiers excel in performance. If you’re uncertain about the need for an air purifier, you can refer to the FAQ section at the end of this guide, which includes insights from doctors and the Environmental Protection Agency on the benefits of air purifiers and their role in maintaining clean indoor air.
For those specifically seeking an air purifier for allergies, a dedicated guide tailored to those needs is available. Continue reading for an overview of the best all-around air purifiers.
1. Levoit Core 400S
The Levoit 400S performed best to remove airborne particles in our at-home testing, capturing at least 99.5% and up to 99.9% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size during testing.
Its sleek and stylish cylinder shape with a neutral colorway makes it an easy addition to any room, whatever the décor, while a color-coded display gives users a great visual on air quality at any given moment.
The air purifier is light and features indented handles at either side, which we found made it easy to move it from room to room.
A companion app that users can download gives useful data on air quality and allows users to schedule and time the air purifier to fit round a busy family schedule. Unfortunately, for all its great functionality, the VeSync app wasn’t always reliable for us. During the course of our testing, we had to uninstall and reinstall the app twice when it crashed.
The quietest setting on the Levoit 400S is barely discernible, while the most powerful setting still clocks in at just 52 decibels.
Stylish, quietly powerful, and with an intuitive, easy-to-use Smart interface, the Levoit 400S is our top pick of air purifiers. It could be the ideal appliance for you if you’re looking for an effective air purifier that’s big on performance but doesn’t blow the budget.
2. Levoit H132
The Levoit H132 is an ideal air purifier for those looking to try their first unit at home. Its compact size and affordable price make it suitable for placement on any desktop or shelf. If you have a small apartment or intend to use the air purifier in a single room, the Levoit H132 could be the perfect choice for you.
The Levoit H132 may not boast the same stylish design as some other purifiers, but its affordability sets it apart. Priced at under $100, it stands out as one of the best air purifiers for those on a budget.
While lacking a HEPA filter found in premium purifiers, it compensates with features like a built-in dimmable nightlight, making it suitable for a nursery or child’s bedroom. Although lacking a pre-programming option, its memory function retains previous fan settings upon powering down.
In particle absorption tests, the Levoit H132 fell slightly short of the expected 99.97% efficiency attributed to devices with an H13 HEPA filter. Extended usage may, however, lead to improved results.
While not equipped with the advanced features of smart air purifiers, the Levoit H132’s affordability and compact size make it an excellent entry-level option for indoor air purification, particularly effective in small to medium-sized rooms.
3. Dyson Purifier Cool
The Dyson Purifier Cool stands out as one of the most stylish air purifiers available in the market. Its unique design makes it a distinctive focal point in any room. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this air purifier offers simple yet ingenious features, including a magnetic remote control, elevating it above your average air purifier.
The Dyson Purifier Cool serves a dual purpose as a fan during warmer weather, although some users find its cooling capability less powerful than desired. With the Dyson app, users can activate, schedule, and monitor the purifier remotely, adjusting fan speed, setting timers, and checking air quality whether they are at home or away.
Featuring a clever LCD display that switches between icons reflecting real-time air quality data, the auto-mode senses air particles and adjusts fan settings accordingly. In particle capture tests using burnt matches, the purifier demonstrated effectiveness. At a level 6 setting, it removed 98% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 72% of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, and 73% of particles smaller than 10 microns. At a level 10 setting, it captured 95% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 96% of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, and nearly 100% of particles smaller than 10 microns.
While the Dyson Purifier Cool did not consistently achieve Dyson’s claim of removing 99.95% of particles in these limited tests, it performed well, often capturing over 95% of monitored particles when used at its highest setting for at least 30 minutes. Although its high price may not fit everyone’s budget, its stylish design and smart, connected functionality leave a lasting impression.
4. Blue Pure 211+
The Blue Pure 221 is specifically designed to cover areas of up to 600 square feet, making it an excellent choice for homes with larger rooms or office spaces. Its simplicity is a key feature, with three power settings operated using a one-touch button for ease of use.
In our at-home tests, the Blue Pure 221 consistently outperformed other air purifiers, even those priced nearly double its cost, despite lacking smart technology.
In particle absorption tests using burnt matches, at a level 2 setting, the purifier absorbed 99.7% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 99.5% of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, and 100% of particles smaller than 10 microns. At a level 3 setting, it absorbed 99.9% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns, 99.6% of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, and 100% of particles smaller than 10 microns.
While some users might be deterred by its weight and bulk, the Blue Pure 221 remains a stylish and thoughtfully designed machine. Its customizable fabric pre-filters also make it easy to match with any home’s color scheme.
The verdict? A reliable and high-performing air purifier that prioritizes functionality over appearance. Additionally, its energy-star certification and cost-effectiveness add to its appeal.
5. Coway AP 1512 HH
The Coway AP-1512 is recognized as an outstanding air purifier, appreciated for its excellent value and high-quality performance. While it may not boast the same stylish design as some other purifiers, our testing revealed its remarkable ability to efficiently remove particles within just 30 minutes.
Priced at under $300, the Coway AP-1512HH air purifier offers a four-stage filtration system, a HEPA filter, and coverage for up to 361 square feet. Available in sleek black or white designs, it excels in dust removal and odor eradication, featuring a pre-filter and an odorization filter to reduce contaminants in the air. With a compact size and low noise output, it is suitable for bedrooms.
Equipped with a built-in particle sensor, the Coway AP-1512HH provides real-time air quality feedback through a color-coded system on the top of the device. The color changes to blue for clean air, purple to indicate pollution, and red for high pollution levels. The air purifier’s sensors can adjust the fan speed automatically to maintain clean air without manual adjustments.
Noteworthy features include the Eco mode, which efficiently powers down the purifier in low pollution conditions, saving energy and costs. The auto mode also effectively toggles between fan settings based on indoor air quality. The Coway AP-1512HH is best suited for rooms up to 361 square feet, making it suitable for smaller spaces and bedrooms. If you require coverage for a larger room, other options may be more appropriate.