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Gear Team

Gear
May 1, 2022 9:00 AM


THE BEST AIR PURIFIERS

Keep the wildfire smoke, smog, and allergens out. We tested standard and HEPA
models to find the right one for your home.
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Welcome to the future, where clean air is a luxury. From pandemics to 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.
There's also evidence that air filters can help clean Covid-causing virus
particles from the air. 

Since your home might be your workplace, playground, meditation studio, dine-in
restaurant, neighborhood bar, refuge, 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. We ran them in a New York City apartment, a Long Island apartment, a
Dallas-area apartment, and a Portland, Oregon home. We tested them during
wildfire season and in living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. 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 different devices that can help you 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 May 2022: We've added the Bissell Air320 Max and Aura Air, and removed
the Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool, as it's been discontinued. 

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WIRED

 * Photograph: Coway
   
   
   BEST FOR SMALL ROOMS
   
   Coway Airmega 200M
   
   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
   
   $197 at Walmart
   $230 at Coway
   
 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   BEST FOR LIVING ROOMS
   
   Coway Airmega 250
   
   Coway's Airmega 250 splits the room capacity between its bedroom and office
   model, the 200M, and the excellent Airmega 300/400 series. This is the
   perfect size for a typical living room or den. It captures 99.999 percent of
   particulates down to 0.1 microns, which makes it capable of tackling wildfire
   smoke and big-city pollution. The washable prefilter keeps the replaceable
   HEPA filter lasting longer too. And, hey, it looks like the air purifier
   version of a 1994 Plymouth Acclaim, but in an endearingly hip way; retro
   without trying to look retro. —Matt Jancer
   
   ★ Another alternative: The Airmega 250S ($361) is the smart version of the
   standard Airmega 250. You can conveniently view air status and control it
   with your phone via an app. If you find them both at similar prices, it might
   be worth the small upgrade.
   
   $289 at Amazon
   $349 at Coway
   
 * Photograph: Honeywell
   
   
   AN AFFORDABLE BIG-ROOM AIR PURIFIER
   
   Honeywell HEPA InSight HPA5300B
   
   This Honeywell is rated for rooms up to 500 square feet, which is on par with
   the other large-room air purifiers we tested. It's also very 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 under $300, 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
   
   $160 at Target
   $160 at Best Buy
   
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 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   A GREAT SMART PURIFIER
   
   Bissell Air320 Max Smart WiFi Air Purifier
   
   The Bissell Air 320 Max cycles air 4.8 times per hour in a 327-square-foot
   room, or once an hour in a 1,582-square-foot room. In my bedroom, I noticed
   and very much appreciated the change in my stuffy nose while I was trying to
   sleep. 
   
   It includes a fabric prefilter that collects a shocking amount of dust, an
   activated carbon filter, and an H13 HEPA filter, plus you can connect it to
   the Bissell app for easy monitoring. The app, as well as the digital display,
   will tell you when it's time to change the filters, and what your air quality
   status is (good, moderate, or poor) based on a color-coded system (green,
   yellow, red). It also looks elegant, with little wooden feet and a place to
   wrap up any cord excess. The control knob is satisfying to rotate, and I like
   that all Bissell purchases help get homeless pets a forever home via the
   Bissell Pet Foundation. —Medea Giordano
   
   $250 at Amazon
   $350 at Walmart
 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   QUIETEST AIR PURIFIER
   
   Blueair Pure 411
   
   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
   
   $120 at Amazon
   $120 at Bed Bath and Beyond
   
 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   SAME SILENCE, BUT AUTOMATIC
   
   Blueair Pure 411 Auto
   
   I tested the slightly different Pure 411 Auto in my kid’s bedroom. It's a
   little more effective in slightly larger rooms (190 square feet). At its
   lowest setting, it’s remarkably quiet, but it also has an onboard sensor that
   automatically turns up the fan speed when it detects particles. Even if I
   left it on the lowest fan setting at night, it usually ratcheted up to the
   top fan speed by morning. I also like that it’s soft and light—I wasn’t
   worried about my kids running into it and having it fall on them. It kept my
   kids' room free from smoke during the latest wildfire season. —Adrienne So
   
   $140 at Amazon
   $140 at Target

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 * Photograph: Coway
   
   
   BEST FOR VERY BIG ROOMS
   
   Coway Airmega 400
   
   The Airmega 400 is rated to clean up to 1,560 square feet and cycles all the
   air in that space twice per hour. But 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
   
   $495 at Amazon (Airmega 400S)
   $572 at Walmart
 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   A WHISPER-QUIET AIR PUSHER
   
   Blueair Pure Fan Auto
   
   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. The standard Pure Fan costs
   the same as the Auto, but the latter offers Auto mode, Night mode, and an air
   quality indicator light. —Medea Giordano
   
   $300 at Amazon
   $300 at Best Buy
 * Photograph: Coway 
   
   
   AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION (FOR SMALL ROOMS)
   
   Coway Airmega 150
   
   If you haven't noticed, we're fond of Coway. The Airmega 150 is ultra-quiet,
   and the color-coded air monitor light and touch controls are intuitive.
   There's also a light that indicates when it's time to change the
   deodorization or HEPA filter. The third prefilter is washable.
   
   It's made for small spaces up to 214 square feet. My apartment is bigger than
   that, yet leaving it in the living room still managed to improve the air
   quality throughout the whole space. It's pricey for its size (our top Coway
   pick is a better bang for your buck), but if you want something that looks
   pretty, go with this. It comes in pink (!!) and a gorgeous sage green. —Medea
   Giordano
   
   $175 at Amazon
   $190 at Coway

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 * Photograph: Wynd
   
   
   BEST PURIFIER + SENSOR COMBO
   
   Wynd Halo & Max Bundle
   
   The best spot to park an air purifier is near the center of the room, but
   that's not always convenient. Wynd's bundle splits up the air purifier and
   the air quality monitor. You position the orange-sized Halo monitor anywhere
   in the same room, and the Max air purifier—equipped with HEPA filters and
   rated by Wynd to cover 1,200 square feet—varies its filtering power based on
   the data received from the Halo. It's a smart, set-it-and-forget-it
   combination. Like most of the air purifiers on our list, it includes Wi-Fi
   connectivity and an app that lets you set schedules, monitor air quality, and
   turn it on and off remotely. —Matt Jancer
   
   $548 at Wynd
 * Photograph: Wynd
   
   
   BEST FOR TRAVEL
   
   Wynd Plus
   
   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 3-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 brought it on vacation with my family
   when we had to travel through some wildfire smoke last Labor Day weekend. It
   was easy to set up on the nightstand next to my two young kids, and it also
   fits perfectly in a cup holder if you have to evacuate by car. —Adrienne So
   
   $199 at Amazon
   $101 at Best Buy
 * Photograph: Walmart
   
   
   BEST FOR HEAVY SMOKE
   
   IQAir HealthPro Plus
   
   I’ve had this IQAir model in my house for a little over a year now, purchased
   in response to Oregon’s intense wildfires in the summer of 2020. Since then,
   I haven’t used it for anything other than basic kitchen smoke, but it does
   the job very well. It's rated to remove the volatile organic compounds from
   smoke, which means we’ll be safe if a bad wildfire season hits Portland
   again. It covers large rooms up to 1,125 square feet. Unfortunately, it's one
   of the pricier options in our guide. I only recommend it for those with
   breathing issues, if you live near industrial areas, or if you're in a
   wildfire-prone area. Otherwise, you’re probably fine spending less. —Parker
   Hall
   
   $899 at Walmart
   $899 at Amazon

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 * Photograph: Aura
   
   
   A WALL-MOUNTED PURIFIER
   
   Aura Air
   
   If you have a large room (up to 600 square feet) and want to save floor
   space, consider the Aura Air. You can prop the Air up on a shelf or tall
   table if you want (I did), but you can easily mount it on a wall. Air goes
   through four stages of purification: The prefilter grabs dust, pollen, and
   larger particles; a HEPA “Ray” filter with three antibacterial layers targets
   fine particles; a “Sterionizer” releases positive and negative ions to
   freshen the air and further remove pollutants; and UVC LEDs kill parasites,
   viruses, and other bacteria. Or so the company says. It's difficult to test
   how well all of that works, but I found it helpful.  
   
   The app is convenient. A questionnaire asks for health conditions that might
   apply (like pregnancy, asthma, or if any children or elderly folks live in
   the home), common allergens that affect you, and your level of physical
   activity. Based on your location, the app might give recommendations to keep
   you breathing easily, like staying inside if the outdoor air quality is poor.
   —Medea Giordano
   
   $500 at Aura
   
 * Photograph: Amazon
   
   
   HOW TO CHECK YOUR AIR QUALITY
   
   A Note on Air Quality Monitors
   
   Many large states and cities are required to report the local outdoor Air
   Quality Index (AQI), which was established by the Environmental Protection
   Agency and measures the concentrations of major air pollutants, like ground
   ozone and carbon monoxide, that are regulated by the Clean Air Act. We like
   Wynd's app, Air Bubbles (iOS, Android), and AirCare (iOS, Android), but your
   state or county may also have even more localized apps. 
   
   To check if your indoor air quality stacks up, consumer monitors like the
   Temtop M10 and Airthings View Plus also measure carbon dioxide, temperature,
   and humidity, in addition to pollutants and particulate matter. The M10
   measures formaldehyde too, a noxious chemical that off-gasses from common
   household items, such as particleboard furniture and some foam mattresses.
   
   
 * Photograph: Coway
   
   
   DO YOU NEED A SMART PURIFIER?
   
   A Few Pointers
   
   If you run your air purifier constantly, you probably don't need Wi-Fi
   connectivity, which could save you a hundred bucks or so. A few of our
   favorite purifiers have a smart mode that monitors your air quality
   periodically, switching on more power when pollutant levels rise and
   switching back to a low-power eco mode when air quality is good. However, if
   you are frequently turning your purifier on and off depending on external
   stimuli (sunny day, or your city is on fire), remote connectivity might make
   sense for you.
   
   Check the room-capacity ratings on our picks. Manufacturers rate their
   purifiers by square footage, but they use different yardsticks to come up
   with their ratings. One may rate their air purifiers' coverage based on two
   air changes per hour (ACH), or how many times the purifier can cycle through
   all the air in a room, while another may rate theirs based on five ACH. The
   American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
   recommends a minimum of about three ACH for residential buildings. You'll
   likely end up needing more than one purifier. Even if doors are open,
   thresholds act as soft barriers. One larger air purifier for your main living
   space and one smaller one for your bedroom is a good setup.
   
   




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