Paul is our go-to-guy for air purifier and dehumidifier reviews. His apartment has become a de facto HouseFresh test lab where he pits the latest clean air technology against the perils of city center life. When he’s not putting a purifier through its paces, Paul likes to endlessly dig through dusty record shops (making his dust-free apartment even more important).
Update September: Removed several older products and added Envion as the best budget option.
Despite more information than ever on the prevalence and ill effects of poor air quality, it remains criminally overlooked by most homeowners. Instead, our air is rarely given the attention it deserves or considered a broader issue we have no control over.
After all, you can’t see, hear, or touch it, so it is easy to neglect.
It’s important to highlight this oversight, as the air we breathe indoors is found to be more harmful than what we would find outside. Many pollutants, such as dust, mold, or bacteria, became trapped inside the home, thanks to highly efficient insulation and sealed windows and doors.
According to the CDC, this concerns reading, especially when the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. However, there is something you can do to create a happier and healthier environment for you and your family. Namely, invest in a quality air purifier. This will cleanse the air, removing harmful particles and allowing you to breathe much easier.
Many of us would also benefit from using a humidifier. Low humidity can cause severe discomfort as it essentially dries out and irritates your eyes, nasal passage, throat, and even lungs. Low humidity can damage your belongings, and home as structures and wooden materials dry out and warp.
A common misconception is that low humidity only affects warm, dry climates. While they will undoubtedly feel the adverse effects, those of you who live in regions with cooler weather are equally affected. Primarily down to the need to heat our homes and spaces to stay comfortable.
Fortunately, some excellent products on the market can protect you from pollutants and help regulate the moisture levels in homes with low humidity. We’ve selected our favorite air purifier and humidifier combos to help you revitalize your air and breathe comfortably year-round, even when the humidity drops.
In many cases, choosing a separate cheap air purifier and a humidifier will be more efficient than using a device that can do both. Still, if you do want to do both, these are the units we would recommend to clean and humidify the air:
The Top 3 Air Purifier and Humidifier Combos
As each of our homes and needs is different, we’ve included a few options for you to choose from, but we still stand that the Dyson PH series is the best on the market as of 2023.
Be sure to check out the full list below.
1. Dyson PH03 Humidify+Cool – Best Air Purifier and Humidifier Combo 2023
We got to test the PH03, and it’s our current number 1 recommendation for an air purifier and humidifier combo. Yes, it’s expensive, but there really is nothing else on the market that combines an air purifier, humidifier and fan in one unit.
Dyson is a big name in household cleaning products. They revolutionized the vacuum cleaner and have recently stepped into the air purification and humidifier game. The PH04 rolls both technologies into one, offering a high-spec machine that will capture 99.97% of airborne particles, thanks to its H13 HEPA filter and a one-gallon water tank that can add plenty of moisture to your space over 36 hours.
Along with its top-class H13 HEPA and activated carbon filters to tackle VOCs, Dyson has also included a lifetime catalytic filter to trap and break down formaldehyde, keeping you protected from the harmful chemical is released from furnishings and fabrics commonly found in the home.
Although Dyson doesn’t believe CADR scores offer an accurate account of performance, they state that this unit can clean 45.6 liters of air a second, providing us with helpful insight into the powerful fans this unit has under the hood. It also has a self-cleaning function which is key for a device that removes water from the air. When we tested the PH03 is on our particle removal test, it was able to remove all pollutants in 70 minutes.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Activated Carbon and H13 HEPA filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 99.85 CFM / 169m³/h |
| Recommended room size: | 290 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 46 – 61dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 36.3H x 11W x 12.2D inches / 92.2H x 27.94W x 31D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 18 lbs / 8.16 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $86.90 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 Draws only 6W on its lowest power setting
👍 Auto mode allows you to let the purifier work its magic whenever required
👍 Compatible app allows you to check air quality and control the unit remotely
👍 Comes in a classy white and gold, or silver and gold colorway
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 This unit isn’t the quietest
👎 May well be out of most people’s budget
2. SHARP KC850U – Best Alternative
The KC850U from Sharp offers serious bang for its buck. With powerful fans and quality filters, this unit can perform 4.8 air changes an hour in a 254 ft² room, as certified by AHAM. Still cleaning the air effectively in much larger spaces (up to 1230 ft²), if you don’t need rapid results.
The humidifier can help you re-balance your moisture levels with a 3.6-liter tank and long-lasting humidifier filter, to keep the air fresh and clean.
The purifier has three stages of traditional protection: a washable pre-filter, an activated carbon filter to tackle household odors, and a True HEPA filter to eradicate any airborne particulate matter. Sharp has also utilized their Plasmacutter technology in this unit, allowing users to actively charge particles, making them earlier for the HEPA filter to remove, providing greater efficiency.
Sharp has created a fuss-free control panel with clearly labeled features. The purifier has three fan speeds plus an auto mode, enabling the machine to monitor air quality levels and adjust the settings accordingly to combat pollutants. You also have the option to turn on or off the Plasmacutter ionizer, select between purifier and humidifier (or operate both simultaneously), and dim the LED lights, making it ideal for nighttime use.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | True HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 164 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 254 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 19 – 50dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23.1H x 14.9W x 10.5D inches / 58.7H x 37.8W x 26.6D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $108.62per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 Solid CADR rating of 164 CFM
👍 Runs whisper quiet on lowest speed setting
👍 Boasts an optional ionizer for greater efficiency
👍 Long-lasting filters, with Sharp claiming they can last for up to 5 years!
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Water tank could be larger if to be as effective in larger spaces
👎 Design is a little uninspiring
3. Envion FS200 – Best Budget Humidifier and Air Purifier Combo
The Envion FS200 is a 4-in-1 machine that offers its users versatility and enhanced comfort all year round. Billed as the ideal unit for all four seasons, thanks to its purifier, humidifier, heater, and fan features, this combo unit will keep your air clean, moisture levels on point, and temperature just right, no matter the weather.
Under the hood, this unit comes with a True HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of allergens and irritants such as dust, pollen, and smoke. With 3 separate humidifier settings and a 3.2-liter water tank, the FS200 will double down on this protection, helping to keep dry skin, eyes, and throat at bay as you find the perfect humidity level for your needs.
Designed as a unit for small-medium-sized rooms, this purifier and humidifier combo will work excellently in spaces up to 150 ft², performing three air changes every hour. It has an intuitive control panel leading to simple operation, while its tower design offers a contemporary aesthetic without taking up too much of your valuable living space.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | True HEPA Filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 80 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 150 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 3 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 40 – 52dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 25.6H x 10.2W x 9D inches / 65H x 25.9 W x 22.7D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 12.35 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $282.42 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 Sleek tower design
👍 Budget-friendly at under $100
👍 Can be used as a purifier, humidifier, fan, or heater
👍 Comes with HEPA filters for peace of mind
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Filters could last longer
👎 Not the quietest purifier on the market
The rest of the air purifiers/humidifiers on the market as of 2023:
4. Afloia MIRO PRO
The Miro Pro from Afloia offers excellent protection from pollutants while allowing you to banish low humidity with its 2-in-1 modular design. Capable of altogether cycling the air five times an hour in a room up to 219 ft², you’ll soon begin to notice much fresher and cleaner air. With the evaporative humidifier and 1.9-liter water reservoir, water molecules will discreetly be added to your space, making low humidity a thing of the past.
With a pre-filter, True HEPA, and activated carbon filtration, this unit will make light work of airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, and household odors. Thanks to this three-stage protection, the unit scored an impressive CADR score of 150 CFM, making it an excellent choice for its price tag.
The unit is cleverly designed, with a cylindrical shape allowing for 360-degree air intake, for more efficient air cleaning capabilities. The modular design also allows you to separate the humidifier from the purifier if independent use is required. The Miro Pro also includes nice design flourishes in a seven-color LED cycle and an intuitive control panel for simple operation.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Pre-filter, True HEPA, and Activated Carbon Filter |
|---|---|
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 150 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 270 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | Every 3 – 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23 – 55dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 21.8 H x 7.7W x 7.7D inches / 55.3H x 19.5W x 19.5D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.73 lbs / 2.6 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $49.69 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 Unique modular design
👍 Energy efficient, using just 23W on the highest setting
👍 Evaporative humidifier doesn’t produce mist or dust
👍 Has a 2, 4, or 8-hour timer
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Filters aren’t the biggest, so they may need regular replacement
👎 No smart features or auto mode
5. BONECO W300
As the largest unit on our top recommendations, the Boneco W300 comes with a colossal 12-liter water tank, offering relief from low humidity for three days straight without needing to refill. Its ingenious air-washing technology removes toxins such as pollen and dust, distributing clean and healthy air throughout your home.
This Swiss-designed machine has been thoughtfully built with high-quality components for long-lasting performance. Its modern aesthetic allows it to blend into the home with ease and despite its bulkier size, it is surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to move from room to room.
Operating the unit couldn’t be simpler, with a one-button control allowing you to select day, night, or off, meaning you don’t have to concern yourself with its operation, switch it on and enjoy the benefits. When set to night mode, you can sleep easy knowing you will be reaping the benefits of clean, moist air without disruption as it gently purrs at 27 dB.
What’s more, the humidifier also incorporates an essential oil diffuser, so you can add your favorite aromas to create a calming, pleasant-smelling atmosphere in your home.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Air washing humidifier |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | No score available |
| Recommended room size: | 500 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | Permanent |
| Noise level (low – high): | 27 – 43dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 19.2H x 12.7W x 20.55D inches / 48.7H x 32.4W x 52.2D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 14.11 lbs / 6.4 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $49.53 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 The filters are washing machine and dishwasher-safe, allowing you to keep them at their optimum level without the need to scrub
👍 Simple to use and user-friendly, with one button control
👍 Extremely energy efficient
👍 Automatically switches off when the water tank is empty
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No HEPA filter, so it won’t be as effective at removing ultra-fine pollutants
👎 No advanced smart features or timer
Common Questions About Air Purifier and Humidifier Combos
Air purifiers use a powered fan to pull the air in from your room. As the air passes through the unit, pollutants are removed through a series of filters, leaving clean air to be redistributed. The most effective air purifiers will contain a True HEPA filter which can trap pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.
🤔What do Humidifiers do?
A humidifier’s job is to add moisture to dry air in the home. Low humidity can be damaging to your health, causing dry skin, throat, and lips, and can also cause shrinking and even cracking to wooden furniture, so it’s important to regulate moisture levels, aiming for between 30-50% humidity.
🤔What is a True HEPA Filter?
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting. A True HEPA filter comprises tightly woven glass fibers, with a 99.97% efficiency rate at capturing small airborne particles. They have become the industry standard in air purification; even NASA has studied this type of filter and concluded them to be the best way to clean the air in the home.
🤔Can You Use a Humidifier and Air Purifier at the Same Time?
There’s nothing to stop you from using both devices simultaneously. Using both in the same room would be best as they do different jobs. As you’re here, you’re most likely looking to complete both jobs with the same device, saving you money and floor space.
🤔Do Humidifiers Clean The Air?
No. Humidifiers change the amount of moisture in the air. They typically don’t contain the filters needed to clean the air (True HEPA filter) as found in an air purifier.
🤔Is an Air Purifier better than A humidifier?
Both have very different jobs, and depending on the situation, you might need one or the other or both. During winter, you will benefit from using a humidifier to make the air less dry and an air purifier to remove particles and odors. Having one device, such as the air purifier and humidifier combo units featured here, allows you to simultaneously reduce dryness and clean air of pollutants.
How We Picked Our Top Choices
We don’t recommend units without being 100% confident in them. We’ve been doing our homework and testing units for 3 years now, knowing what works and what doesn’t.
The most important features we considered when making this selection were:
- High End – The reality is that having a humidifier and air purifier needs a device to deal with both issues. This is why our Dyson HP03, while expensive, is our top pick for 2023.
- True air cleaning – Many “humidifiers,” say they clean the air but do very little. That is why we didn’t include any water air purifiers, as in our performance tests, they failed miserably at cleaning the air, although they did help to humidify.
- Budget – Our top recommended units are $400 and $800, as these are the best currently available. If you have less budget, you will be better off purchasing two units, a cheap air purifier and a cheap humidifier, as you could achieve similar results for less than $200.
SOURCES
Monthly energy consumption costs have been calculated using our air purifier electricity usage calculator, which allows us to calculate daily and yearly costs associated with running an air purifier for 24hs a day.
You can customize the result by air purifier wattage and by state. Regarding the calculations we shared on this page, we used California as our base state for energy prices.
Last update on 2023-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API