Top 5 Best Air Purifiers In 2024

Air purifiers are essentially straightforward devices, consisting mainly of a fan and a filter. However, a well-designed purifier can effectively capture nearly all airborne allergens, including pollen, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and smoke.

Over the past nine years, we have evaluated more than 60 air purifiers, and among them, the outstanding Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty stands out as our top choice. It possesses the necessary power to clean large rooms, operates quietly enough for sleeping nearby, is engineered for long-term use, and is affordable enough to be placed in multiple areas throughout a home. Nevertheless, there are other excellent air purifiers in our recommendations, and if you favor their aesthetics, price, or features, rest assured that they also deliver exceptional performance.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Best Air Purifiers

1.Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

In a New York City office, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty significantly reduced heavy smoke pollution by up to 99.6% within just 30 minutes. This level of performance is comparable to other leading air purifiers and has been consistently observed across multiple test environments. We’ve extensively tested this machine, pushing it beyond its stated capabilities, such as running its filters continuously for two years—twice the recommended duration—without experiencing any decline in its effectiveness. Not only does it offer excellent value in terms of both initial and long-term costs, but its compact design, quiet operation, and ability to switch off display lights make it particularly suitable for use in bedrooms or living rooms.

Despite its diminutive size, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH more than makes up for it with a powerful fan and a good performance. It may have an unconventional appearance, but if you’re looking for an energy-efficient air purifier that can monitor the quality of the air in your home, this is the gadget your family has been waiting for. It ranks among our top air purifiers because of this.

Our Coway Airmega AP-1512HH review demonstrates that this little air purifier is powerful even at such a low cost. It may not be the quietest operator, but it will definitely finish the task.

There is nothing else on the market that looks like the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH. Its body resembles an old iPod Shuffle, minus the music playing capability. It is basically a little box with a circular opening in front to admit air in and a fan on top to send it back out. It also feels more at home in a hotel or office building than in a contemporary home due to its extremely plastic surface. Despite this, its charming style and small size help it to remain out of the spotlight. It is easy to store because it is only 17 inches tall.

Its adorable design complements its beeps and boops. As soon as you turn the gadget on, it alerts you to its operation with a sweet little chirp. Additionally, it emits a sound when the front latch of the device is turned on and off. The gizmo beeps cheerfully, which is odd but kind of comforting.

Its weight is what makes it uncute. Even with the handle attached, the air purifier is heavy to carry around—15 pounds when the filters are included. Although it doesn’t appear to be extremely heavy at first, your arms will feel the weight if you have to lug it across rooms.

There are five fan speed settings available for the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, including an eco and auto mode. There’s also a timer you can use if you want your air purifier to turn off when you leave. On top of all of this, there’s an ionizer option with a separate button that helps enhance the quality of the air it draws in. It distributes negative ions, which cling to impurities and facilitate or the machine to filter them out.

2.Coway Airmega 200M

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Coway Airmega 200M closely resembles Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty in all significant aspects. They exhibit equivalent noise levels and performance metrics, with interchangeable filters and similar control features, including the ability to deactivate display lights. The primary physical distinction lies in the shape of their grilles, with the 200M sporting a square grille as opposed to the round one on the AP-1512HH Mighty. If you are drawn to the appearance of the 200M or come across a more favorable price for it, we confidently recommend it as an alternative choice.

The Coway Airmega 200M has respectable air-purification powers. Its user interface is nice and it’s silent. It’s a high-quality machine that should satisfy the majority of customers because it provides excellent air cleaning capabilities coupled with simplicity of use and low operating expenses. Though the built-in handles make it more manageable, this unit is a little trickier to build than other models in our fleet, and it is a little heavy to transport from place to place. Although it’s a good choice for your house or workplace, there are more capable items available for about the same cost.

Among the high-end features of the Coway Airmega 200M are an air quality monitoring sensor and indicator. Overall, it performs admirably but is rather lacking, especially in terms of pricing and performance.

When it came to setup simplicity, the Airmega 200M dropped a few points. Our testers needed roughly eight minutes to unbox and operate the machine. Our testers were a little concerned about breaking the front cover because it required a little bit of force to remove.

It is easy to use the user interface. This device has many options, including an automated mode that adjusts the temperature based on the air quality in the room, and an air quality meter. It is a tad heavy at slightly over 12 pounds, but its integrated handles make it simple to move around if necessary.

3.Winix 5500-2

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Winix 5500-2 demonstrates outstanding performance in reducing particulate air pollution, with the capability to capture up to 99.9% of smoke in our test room within just 30 minutes on its highest setting. However, our preference lies with the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty due to its lower energy consumption, smaller visual footprint, and manual display-shutoff feature, which enhances flexibility and convenience.

Although the Winix 5300-2 and C535 models lack some of the features of the 5500-2, they perform just as effectively and may be available at more budget-friendly prices. Additionally, our tests have yielded similarly impressive results with other Winix models, such as the AM80 and Wi-Fi-enabled AM90. These consistent outcomes are not surprising, as the differences between them are primarily aesthetic in nature.

One of our top picks for an air purifier with enormous potential is the Winix 5500-2. It is one of the best air purifiers since it has a unique style and can remove the majority of pollutants from a room. In short, it offers nearly everything a person might desire in an air purifier.

In a congested market full of well-known brand air purifiers, Winix demonstrates that quality may be produced without a large tech following. Additionally, it boasts a completely new feature called “Plasmawave” technology, which can be turned on or off as needed to enhance performance. Are you curious to learn more? This is our review of the Winix 5500-2.

The Winix 5500-2’s appearance won’t appeal to everyone, that much is certain. Its black plastic shell has many corners and slopes, giving it an upright printer-like appearance rather than an air purifier. It’s not necessarily a bad thing because the design is more likely to fit in with any type of interior decor than draw attention to itself.

Nonetheless, this air purifier seems plastic-like and weighs a lot. After the BlueAir HealthProtect 7470i, it is the second heaviest air purifier we tested, weighing about 15 pounds. That being said, the HealthProtect has a full touch screen and two wheels for easy mobility, whereas the Winix 5500-2 does not. Not only is there no jutting plastic to snag you in transit, but there is a handle right beneath the top lip, making it slightly simpler to lug about.

What then constitutes that weight? Three filter layers are included with the Winix 5500-2: a pre-filter, a carbon filter, and a HEPA filter. To prevent everything from jiggling, each is placed on top of the other, with the pre-filter snapping in last.

Its options include four customizable fan speeds, an auto mode, and a night mode that dims the front light. Additionally, the device has a timer that sets off an automatic power down after one, four, or eight hours. When in auto mode, the air purifier adjusts the fan’s speed automatically based on the amount of pollutants it detects in the space. It also has a colored light to indicate the present state; blue indicates everything is OK, and yellow indicates it’s ramping up and red means it detects a high level of pollutants and needs to work over time.

4.Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max stands out for its exceptional purifying performance, aligning closely with our other top picks for standard-sized spaces. Notably, it offers remarkably quiet operation, impressive energy efficiency, and a convenient display shutoff feature. Its redesigned motor, along with a larger and less dense filter, as well as a more open outlet grille, contribute to its reduced electricity consumption and noise levels compared to its predecessor, the 311 Auto.

Moreover, the Blueair app enables users to monitor air quality and adjust settings remotely, enhancing convenience and control. Additionally, its aesthetic appeal is noteworthy, featuring a tweed-like, washable cover available in various subdued colors.

One minor drawback is that the company recommends replacing filters every six to nine months, which may result in slightly higher yearly replacement costs compared to some similar purifiers. Nonetheless, the overall performance, features, and design make the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max a compelling choice for those seeking effective and stylish air purification solutions.

A Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max air purifier can be helpful if you have allergies, a respiratory condition, or just want to keep the air in your house free of pet or cooking odors. which is intended for areas up to 929 square feet, swiftly purges the air of dangerous impurities and offers voice and app control. It has a washable fabric pre-filter, is somewhat quiet, has a nice design, and is simple to operate. It doesn’t have nearly as many features as the more cost-effective Wyze Air Purifier or the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 sold down to which also functions as an oscillating fan. However, the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max is a solid midrange model for large spaces.

5.Levoit Vital 200S

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Levoit’s Vital 200S has proven to be on par with the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty in performance tests, exhibiting similar levels of energy efficiency, noise output, and the ability to shut off the display while retaining the desired fan setting. During our initial year of long-term testing in a New York City apartment, the Vital 200S has operated flawlessly, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness in real-world conditions.

The Vital 200S purifier is designed with a glossy white shell and black accents, so it should look well in most spaces. The product has dimensions of 15.6 by 19.8 by 8.5 inches (HWD) and a U-shaped air intake on the front, which the manufacturer claims keeps big dust particles and pet hair from clogging the system. A power port is located on the back, and an air sensor is located on the right side. Up to 380 square foot rooms are supported by the Vital 200S. In contrast, the Wyze model can operate in up to 550 square feet of space.

A washable pre-filter screen that captures larger particles like hair and lint is visible when the front cover pops off. The True HEPA/Activated Carbon filter is located behind that, and it has the ability to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke particles, pollen, pet dander, and fine dust. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and smoke and cooking aromas are eliminated by the carbon filter. It should be possible to use the HEPA filter for up to a year before replacing it.

The top of the purifier features the air outlet grille, as well as a control panel with an air quality LED ring and several function buttons and indicators. As mentioned, this device doesn’t show actual PM2.5 readings like most other air purifiers do; the LED ring simply glows blue when the air quality is very good, green when it is good, orange when it is moderate, and red when it is poor.

Auto Mode, Display Lock, Display Off, Fan Speed, Power, Timer, and Sleep Mode are some of the function buttons. Additionally, an inbuilt light sensor is compatible with the app’s Light Detection feature. Enabling this setting prevents the fans from operating at high or turbo speeds in dimly lit areas and turns off the control panel lights. The purifier resumes regular functioning if the sensor picks up lights once again.

What To Consider When Buying An Air Purifier

Dimensions

Verify the maximum area that an air purifier can saturate. Make sure the model you’re considering will truly function well in the area where you plan to utilize it. Many models mention “Air Changes per Hour” for a certain size room.

Filter

HEPA filters are regarded as the industry standard when it comes to air purifiers. According to Catherine Monteleone, M.D., a professor of medicine, allergies, and immunology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, “the filter captures both large and small particles that move through it.” “This type is typically best used in a single room and is best for allergens.”

Visual Appeal

For an air purifier to function properly, it can’t exactly be hidden in a cabinet; it needs to be seen. Select one that blends in with your décor, or at the very least doesn’t look bad while it’s on a shelf, table, or the floor.

Additional Elements

Certain smart purifiers allow you to operate the entire device from your phone through apps. Others serve as cooling systems, heating systems, or both. However, not everybody require all of the extra bells and whistles. It’s critical to plan ahead and decide what features you will and won’t need from your purifier; otherwise, you risk overspending on features you won’t utilize.

Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?

The answer is unquestionably “yes” in terms of the majority of models. Basically, these devices are meant to take undesirables and allergens out of the air, and they usually do the job. As stated by allergy and asthma network physician Purvi Parikh, M.D., “an air purifier can filter particles down to a specific size.” “This is beneficial for certain viral, bacterial, fungal, and other irritants and pollutants as well as allergens like mold and animal dander.”

According to David B. Corry, M.D., vice chair for immunology at the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, air purifiers usually have a fan that pushes air through a filter to remove pollutants. Apart from HEPA filters, which typically possess Some air filters are electrostatic, which means that air is pushed across an electrically charged series of plates and causes particles to cling to other items. They are made of “woven material of differing weaves that can remove things as small as 0.3 microns.”

Should your appliance possess a HEPA filter, it is recommended that you replace it frequently. This “leads to permanent removal of the particles and volatiles from your local environment,” according to Corry.

Can You Sleep With An Air Purifier On?

It is safe to use an air purifier while you sleep, and it can be quite helpful if you have allergies or asthma. The air purifier can help you sleep better and creates a more comfortable resting environment. If you intend to leave your gadget running while you sleep, make sure it is placed in a clear, clutter-free area.

How Often Should You Replace Your Air Purifier Filters?

That all relies on your locality and the air purifier you now own. However, it’s generally advised that you change your filters every six to twelve months. For example, to make sure your machine is operating at peak efficiency, you might need to change your filter more frequently if you live somewhere with a lot of indoor air pollution. You may be able to extend the life of your filters if the quality of your indoor air and surrounding conditions are both intact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, after extensive testing and evaluation of various air purifiers, several standout models have emerged as top performers in different categories.

• The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty excels in its ability to effectively reduce airborne pollutants, offering powerful performance suitable for large rooms, quiet operation conducive to sleeping environments, and long-term durability even when pushed beyond recommended usage limits. Its compact design and affordable pricing make it a practical choice for multiple areas within a home.
• The Winix 5500-2 demonstrates exceptional performance in particulate air pollution reduction, capturing up to 99.9% of smoke within 30 minutes on high settings. While lacking some features compared to other models, such as the Coway Airmega, the Winix 5300-2 and C535 offer comparable performance at potentially lower prices.
• The Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max stands out for its quiet operation, impressive energy efficiency, and sleek design, along with convenient features like remote monitoring via the Blueair app. Despite slightly higher yearly filter replacement costs, its overall performance and aesthetics make it a compelling option for those seeking effective air purification with style.
• Levoit’s Vital 200S has proven to be a strong contender, matching the Coway Airmega in performance tests while offering similar energy efficiency, noise levels, and convenient features. Its flawless operation during long-term testing in a New York City apartment underscores its reliability and effectiveness in real-world conditions.

Ultimately, the best air purifier for each individual will depend on specific needs and preferences, such as room size, noise tolerance, budget, and desired features. However, all of these top-performing models offer excellent air purification capabilities and represent reliable choices for improving indoor air quality.