Since 2020, we have bought and tested over 130 air purifiers (and counting!), gathering first-hand comparable data on overall air cleaning performance, particle removal speed at different fan speeds, sound levels, energy consumption, and long-term running costs. If you want to learn more about how we test, read our full methodology.
There are many ways you can use our data to compare different air purifier models. That is why, instead of developing a one-size-fits-all air purifier comparison tool, we have created a series of different tools to help you find the best air purifier for your specific situation.
Performance, sound & costs comparison
Compare the running costs, air cleaning performance, sound and energy test results of different air purifier models side-by-side.
If you’re on your computer, you’ll be able to compare up to seven different models. But if you’re visiting this page on your phone, we suggest sticking to just four air purifiers to ensure the charts display properly.
Keep in mind that some units in our list don’t have fan speeds below the 45 dBA limit we set for quiet performance testing. There are also units in there that have been discontinued, so they won’t display a price. All costs are calculated in U.S. dollars, with energy prices being calculated based on the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Ranking & score comparison
See where the air purifier you’re researching ranks in our leaderboard.
Explore the ranking, or look for specific air purifier models or brands in the search box. To see the full scorecard and details for a model, just click the image or the device name. Use the filters to isolate units based on their price (and your budget).
Beware the rankings change when you swap tabs:
- The overall ranking shows all the air purifiers we have tested ranked by their overall score according to our HouseFresh weighted scoring system, which combines rankings across six different criteria: performance, value for money, ongoing costs, user experience & design, brand transparency & trust, and customer service.
- The performance ranking is weighed based on air cleaning performance, with a strong focus on particle removal speed at fan speeds below 45 dBA, which is about the sound of a quiet library or classroom.
- The value for money ranking has a focus on financial data points, such as price and long-term running costs, in relation to air cleaning performance.
Everything you need to know about air purifiers
Don’t buy an air purifier before watching this three-minute video packed with practical advice on what to look for, and what to ignore.
Watch this video where our founder, Danny Ashton, shares his crash course on what to look for when you’re buying an air purifier.
The right air purifier will clean your air for years to come, but the wrong one will just waste your money, so make sure to read the tips below before you buy:
Calculate the CADR needed for your room size
The higher the CADR (stated in CFM, or cubic feet per meter), the higher the air cleaning power. Use our CADR calculator to find out how powerful an air purifier needs to be based on the size of your space.
Choose the right filters for the job
If you’ve got hairy pets, look for a removable pre-filter. If you want to tackle allergens like dust, pollen and mold, you’ll need a HEPA or MERV filter. And if you want to remove odors and chemical gases, you’ll need kilograms (and not just grams) of pelleted activated carbon.
Factor in how noisy the air purifier will be
For quiet rooms like a home office or a bedroom, you’ll want an air purifier powerful enough to clean the air while generating less than 45 dBA. Read our full reviews to find out if the model you’re considering is a good option for your quiet space.
Calculate the long-term running costs
Your air purifier will eventually need its filters replaced, so take your time to find out how much the replacements will cost over a year. There are models that will be cheap to buy but expensive to run!
Consider whether you need smart features or an app
Special features like smart functions, app connectivity, onboard air quality sensors or remote controls are handy perks that can make life easier. However, you shouldn’t sacrifice CADR or performance over nice-to-have features – if your budget is tight, drop the fancy functions.
We’re currently working on a few more comparison tools, so if you have any ideas, please drop your comment below. And if you would rather find out which air purifier models we recommend, just check out our top picks.
