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7 best air purifiers for dust, based on our home lab tests

Get rid of the dust in your home air with this selection of high powered air purifiers
By
Updated on March 20, 2024
Written by
Teddy Booth
Teddy joined HouseFresh in 2019 as a senior content producer, producing written content as well as product photography and YouTube videos. He supports Danny as a product tester and is our lead how-to writer.

Our verdict

  • Our top pick when it comes to the best air purifiers for dust is the Levoit EverestAir.
  • For those on a tight budget, we recommend the Core 600S for large spaces and the Core 300S for small spaces.
  • If your dusty room is large or you’re looking for a unit for an open space, check out the Blueair Blue Pure 211+.

Nothing is more infuriating than seeing a dust accumulation on your freshly cleaned surfaces. Whether on shelves, furniture, doorways, or TV screens, the nuisance gray matter can seemingly coat your entire home in a blink of an eye. Many of us wonder what dust is and how we can eliminate it. 

While there are various reasons why your house might get dusty, one surefire way to bust dust for good is to invest in an air purifier. 

As air purifiers essentially work as powerful fans that draw in vast amounts of air, with a considerable net inside ready to capture any airborne pollutants that pass through, they are one of the most effective tools for removing pesky dust particles from your space. 

Instead of a net, however, a high-quality air purifier, like those recommended below, utilizes HEPA filters. These filters are certified to capture 99.7% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, making removing dust from your space light work for a HEPA-powered purifier. 

Alongside a HEPA filter, you’ll want to pay close attention to how powerful a purifier is, which you can discover from its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This independently verified score indicates how much air the unit can clean within your space and will also determine what sized room the purifier will be effective in.

  1. In our home lab of 728 cubic feet, we light an incense stick to generate particle pollution and VOCs.
  2. We set up our trusted Purpleair Indoor Sensor with the latest Bosch gas sensor to track levels of PM1ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10ug/m3 and VOCs in the air.
    purpleair
  3. We switch the air purifier to its highest speed and measure how long it takes to get our room air quality down to PM1 level to 0.
  4. We use an energy meter to measure precisely how much electricity is used when running the unit at the lowest and highest fan speed settings.
  5. We track sound levels emitted by the air purifier at different fan speeds with the help of a commercial sound meter.
    sound meter

For each of our hand-picked recommendations, we ensured the units we chose passed certain criteria that made them proficient at clearing dust from the air in your home.

We chose units that have:

Large efficient HEPA filters –  An air purifier designed for dust should be capable of trapping particles smaller than 5 microns (the size of dust particles). HEPA filters are the most efficient filtration system, capable of cleaning 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air. 

High Clean Air Delivery Rates – This measure indicates how quickly an air purifier can clean a certain amount. That’s why the CADR score is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute). When dealing with dust, you want an air purifier capable of cleaning your indoor air fast, preventing those particles from lingering in your home.  

Efficiency – Your air purifier must run constantly to manage dust effectively. An energy-efficient cleaner ensures running it 24/7 doesn’t significantly increase your electricity bill.

Staff picks: Top 3 air purifiers for dust

If you prefer to go straight to the recommended units, here are three great choices that will effortlessly keep your home dust-free.

👑 BEST OVERALL💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS🛋️ FOR LARGE SPACES
Levoit EverestAirLevoit Core 600SBlueair Blue Pure 211+
AIR CLEANING SPEED ⚡13 minutes15 minutes18 minutes
CADR 👩‍🔬360 CFM (612 m3/h)410 CFM (697 m³/h)350 CFM (595 m3/h)
FILTER TECHNOLOGY 💨3-Stage Filtration3-Stage FiltrationHEPASilent™ filter
MAX ROOM SIZE 📏Up to 558 sq. ft.Up to 635 sq. ft.Up to 540 sq. ft.
WEIGHT ⚖️9.38 kg6.2 kg5.67 kg
OUR REVIEW 🔍EverestAir reviewCore 600S reviewBlue Pure 211+ review
PRICE 💵$499.99$189.99$748.99

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

As no two homes are the same, we’ve put together nine different recommendations to help eradicate the dust from your space once and for all. With options for various budgets, room sizes and a host of state-of-the-art features, there’s a perfect purifier for everyone on this list. 

1. Best overall: Levoit EverestAir

The EverestAir is Levoit’s newest air purifier, and it certainly goes beyond the usual with its exceptional efficiency and game-changing design. Setting a new benchmark as Levoit’s fastest air purifier to date, the EverestAir seamlessly merges speed, power and style.

At its core, a robust fan and filter give the EverestAir the power to cycle the air in a 558 sq. ft. space five times per hour. 

Levoit’s renewed three-stage filtration also includes a washable pre-filter in this model (which is easy to remove and clean), a main filter (that captures tiny airborne particles) and an activated carbon filter equipped with ACR technology (which decomposes harmful molecules captured within the filter, preventing their reentry into your home.)

What we really like

Impressive CADR of 360 CFM and the fastest air purifier we have tested in our home lab – cleaning our room of PM1 in 13 minutes
VeSync app connectivity to create schedules, set times check real-time air quality and control settings remotely
Comprehensive touchscreen control panel that displays PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 reading
Very quiet on lower fan speed – 24dB

What we think could be better

As a Premium-tier air purifier, it comes with a high initial price
While the filters last a long time, they are pricier than those in the Core series

Incorporating a three-channel laser dust sensor, the EverestAir can detect particles as small as 1 micron (PM1.0). As a result, the unit’s Auto Mode jumps to a whole new level of efficiency, protecting your indoor air from dust and keeping your electricity bill in check as it accurately adjusts the fan speed and eliminates guesswork.

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★★
Time to clean our test room:13 minutes
Air purifier technology:3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size:558 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):360 CFM (612 m3/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):18.9L x 8.5W x 23.2H inches (48L x 21.6W x 58.9H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):20.7 lbs (9.38 kg)
Noise level (low – high):24 – 56dB
Filter life:12-15 months
Warranty:2 years
Estimated energy consumption:$87.25 per year
Country of manufacture:China

2. Best for large spaces: Levoit Core 600S

The Core range from Levoit is well-known and well-loved for its future-proof features, purifying performance and easy-on-the-eye design. The jewel in the Core crown is undeniably the 600S, one of the most powerful and effective unit produced by Levoit, available for a fraction of the cost of other large-area purifiers today. 

In truth, it’s difficult for us to talk about the Levoit Core 600S without getting a wee bit giddy. 

What we really like

The second fastest air purifier we have tested, it achieved zero PM1 in 15 minutes
Has the auto-mode and app support that all high-end Levoit units have
With this level of CADR, you can use it in large open-plan spaces that smaller units would find hard to deal with
There are no plenty of generic filters that reduce long-term running costs

What we think could be better

It is a bulkier and more boring design than other models
Fixed pre-filter makes it harder to thoroughly clean 

Thanks to its powerful VortexAir™ fan and filter, the 600S boasts a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 410 CFM in a 635 ft² space, offering unrivaled performance for its price and is sure to help get dust under control in your home. 

These impressive statistics were proven during our real-world tests, where this purifier cleared our test space of all pollutants in record time, outperforming every other purifier we tested. 

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★★
Time to clean our test room:15 minutes
Air purifier technology:3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size:635 sq. ft. 
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):410 CFM (697 m³/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 40.9 dB
Speed 2: 45.9 dB
Speed 3: 61.4 dB
Filter life:6 months
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 1.53 kWh
Speed 1: 7.92 kWh
Speed 2: 11.35 kWh
Speed 3: 21.15 kWh
Speed 4: 49.27 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$107.29 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:China

3. Best for small spaces: Levoit Core 300 / Core 300S

For those looking for a purifier capable of transforming the air within a small to medium-sized space without breaking the bank, look no further than the Levoit Core 300S. Equipped with a 3-Stage Filtration system and Levoit’s VortexAir™ Technology, this purifier offers an excellent option for ridding your room of dust, all for under $150. 

To further boost the performance of this purifier, Levoit has also equipped the unit with a fine mesh pre-filter to capture large particles, as well as a main filter to tackle airborne pollutants, and a high-efficiency Activated Carbon filter to combat any VOCs such as unpleasant odors or chemical fumes. 

What we really like

Great ratio of CADR to $, especially with the non-smart Core 300
Auto-mode enables the 300S to be used in places like the kitchen that has occasional issues with pollutants
Lots of generic filters are available due to the unit’s popularity which helps bring down the long-term costs
Low energy usage, especially with the newer 300S

What we think could be better

Fixed pre-filter hinders cleaning
Some customers complain of coil whine at higher fan speeds, so be sure to listen to our video of it running that is available on each review

The Core 300S offers excellent value, but Levoit has also included smart features not usually found in this price range to add the cherry on top. 

With air quality sensors relaying real-time feedback, auto mode to allow the purifier to cycle through fan speeds and even app compatibility to allow you to operate the purifier remotely, the 300S gives rival purifiers that cost twice as much a run for their money.

SPECS & FEATURES

Levoit Core 300Levoit Core 300S
HouseFresh Rating:★★★★★★★★★★
Time to clean our test room:40 Minutes39 Minutes
Air purifier technology:3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size:219 ft²219 ft²
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):141 CFM (240 m³)141 CFM (240 m³)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches (22L x 22W x 36H cm)8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches (22L x 22W x 36H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):75.95 lb (2.7 kg)5.95 lb (2.7 kg)
Noise level (low – high):24dB – 50dB24dB – 48dB
Filter life:6 – 8 months6 – 8 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:2 years2 years
Estimated energy consumption:$27.33$52.56

4. Best customizable design: Blueair Blue Pure 211+

When it comes to making eye-catching purifiers that perform at a high level, no one does it as well as Blueair. Although the Blue Pure 211+ lacks some of the smart features we’ve come to expect at this price point, Blueair certainly hasn’t skimped on performance. 

With their trademarked HEPASilent filters providing ultra-efficient purification at whisper-quiet volumes, this unit completely cycles the air in a 540 sq. ft. space in just 12.5 minutes, making it an excellent option for eradicating dust from your space. That said, it’s worth mentioning that one of the reasons why Blueair is able to do this is that they use ionizer technology for their air purification.

What we really like

Very fast at removing PM1 in our test room with its HEPASilent technology, it cleaned our test room in 18 minutes
Simple to operate with just a single control button 
Bold design, with interchangeable pre-filters
Sleep mode is ultra-quiet and uses minimal energy

What we think could be better

A simple timer would give the user more flexibility
Pricier filter replacements than competitors 
We wished the ionizer function could be turned off

On top of its high-performing HEPASilent filter, this purifier comes with a fabric mesh pre-filter fitted to the outside of the unit to capture large pollutants before they enter the purifier. This adds a unique and customizable design feature to the unit and improves the lifespan of the HEPA filter, allowing it to capture more dust particles for longer.  

This option is the ideal unit for those looking for a simple-to-use, fuss-free purifier. With a single button to operate the machine and cycle through its settings, this purifier doesn’t bog you down with depressing displays or confusing controls.

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:18 minutes
Air purifier technology:HEPASilent™ Technology and Activated Charcoal Filter + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size:540 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):350 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):20H x 13W x 13D inches (51H x 33W x 33D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):12.5 lbs (5.67 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 37.2 dB
Speed 2: 45.8 dB
Speed 3: 55.7 dB
Filter life:6 – 8 months
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0.1 kWh
Speed 1: 16.9 kWh
Speed 2: 40.5 kWh
Speed 3: 54.5 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$117.50 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:Designed and engineered in Sweden, assembled in China

5. Best warranty: Alen BreatheSmart 45i

Alen is one of the top brand names associated with air purifiers and for a good reason. Their BreatheSmart house powerful fans and large filters that make them ideal for removing dust from your home. For this guide, I’ve chosen the BreatheSmart 45i as it showcases the best parts of the range in an affordable unit.

When you remove the front cover of the 45i, you’ll see that they’ve wasted little room as the large H13 True HEPA filter covers nearly the whole of the unit. Attached to the HEPA is an activated carbon filter containing actual carbon pellets instead of bonded carbon, which some companies opt for as a cheaper alternative.

What we really like

It has a lifetime warranty when you have an active filter subscription
You can buy different faces to match your room’s interior
You can choose different filter options, so for those worried about dust, you can just have pure HEPA H13 for the best performance
It saves the mode when you switch it off, even if it’s unplugged
Great clear screen onboard sensor
Never makes more than 49dB of sound, even on the highest setting

What we think could be better

Higher initial price than other brands
You need the filter subscription for the lifetime warranty

Behind the filters is a large, powerful fan that can pull in air from rooms up to 800 sq. ft, giving the 45i a CADR of 245 CFM, making it highly efficient at clearing dust particles from medium-large spaces.

The discrete control panel sits on top of the unit and looks blank until you turn the unit on, illuminating the touchscreen buttons. The 45i has four fan speeds, auto mode and a circular color-coded air quality indicator that shows you the state of the air in your room in real-time.

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:33 minutes 
Air purifier technology:True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size:Up to 800 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):245 CFM (416 m³/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):25H x 15W x 8.5D inches (63.5H x 38.1W x 21.6D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):20.1 lbs (9.1 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 36.2 dB
Speed 2: 45.7 dB
Speed 3: 51.1 dB
Filter life:12 months 
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0.8 kWh
Speed 1: 4.4 kWh
Speed 2: 7.4 kWh
Speed 3: 15.2 kWh
Speed 4: 25.3 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$105.40 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Country of manufacture:China

6. Best on/off ionizer function: Coway Airmega AP-1512hh

The Coway Airmega is an award-winning air purifier that is one of the most effective units for removing pollutants from medium-sized rooms of up to 361 sq. ft. With powerful fans under the hood, you can expect dust to be a thing of the past, while thanks to its sleek design, this purifier won’t look out of place in any modern home.

The secret to the Airmega’s advanced performance comes from its four-stage filtration. The first line of defense comes from the True HEPA filter, capable of capturing particles as small as 99.9%, including bacteria, viruses and dust. The unit also utilizes a pre-filter and Activated Carbon filter to eradicate VOCs and handle larger particles. The Airmega AP-1512HH has an optional bipolar ionizer to charge particles, making them easier to remove. 

What we really like

Powerful performance in medium-sized rooms – 23 minutes to clean our test room of PM1
Optional ionizer allows you to improve air cleaning performance
Stylish design and choice of colors make it an excellent option for modern homes
Super quiet when on Eco mode

What we think could be better

No app or remote control
Uses a lot of energy when on the higher speed settings

This purifier brings genuine user-friendly features that make removing dust easier than ever. With three timer settings and auto and eco modes, which automatically adjust the fan speeds to combat pollutants, you can let the purifier work its magic without worrying about overseeing it.

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:23 minutes
Air purifier technology:Pre-filter, True HEPA, Activated Carbon, and Bipolar Ionizer
Recommended room size:361 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):240 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):18.3H x 16.8W x 9.6D inches (46.5H x 42.7W x 24.4D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):12.3 lbs (5.58 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 38.9 dB
Speed 2: 44.4 dB
Speed 3: 60.1 dB
Filter life:6 months
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0.3 kWh
Speed 1: 3.7 kWh
Speed 2: 8.7 kWh
Speed 3: 75.3 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$162.93 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:3 years
Country of manufacture:South Korea

7. Best smart option: Mila Air Purifier

Our homes are full of gadgets that make our lives easier. If you pride yourself on living in a “smart home,” the Mila Air Purifier will suit your needs. With its modern design, large display screen and intuitive app connectivity, the Mila shows how far air purifiers have come from the old days of simply a filter attached to a fan.

Let’s start by talking about some of the smart features Mila have installed into their unit. The digital screen is informative and intuitive, giving you air quality data in real-time in an easy-to-understand way. Their Automagic Mode offers eight unique smart modes to allow you control everything from energy usage and noise emitted to set routines that fit into your bedtime regime.

What we really like

It is easy to monitor and control air quality through the smartphone app
On-board sensor can detect PM1, PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, CO2, CO1 and temperature continuously
Modern design that won’t look out of place in a modern living room
There are numerous filter options available to buy, allowing you to customize the device to meet your specific requirements.

What we think could be better

Replacement filters are expensive
On the highest fan speed, the noise level is loud. However, it’s unlikely to reach this level due to the smart modes that detect your proximity.

For those who feel that pressing buttons on your air purifier is “so last year,” Mila has developed an app for your smartphone so you can control your unit from anywhere. With smart, colorful graphics, you can monitor and dictate every aspect of the air quality in your home.

The Mila is just all about the tech; there are a variety of filters to choose from to tailor the unit to your specific needs. Ranging from H12 – H14 HEPA, the choice of filters are designed to suit your needs; whether you suffer from allergies, have pets, suffer from odors, or you’re expecting a new baby, you’ll be able to find the right filter for you in Mila’s filter range.

SPECS & FEATURES

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:35 minutes
Air purifier technology:HEPA (ranges from H12-H14) + Activated charcoal (granular carbon)
Recommended room size:1000 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):263 CFM (447 m³/hr)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12L x 12W x 15H inches (30.48L x 30.48W x 38.1H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):18 lbs (8 kg)
Noise level (low – high):24dB – 74dB
Filter life:6 months 
Manufacturer’s warranty:1 year
Estimated energy consumption:$52.56 per year
Country of manufacture:China

What to look for when buying an air purifier for dust

Dust particles approximately vary between 1 and 100 microns in size, meaning they can stay suspended in the air for hours at a time. When using an air purifier, the unit uses powerful fans to draw in vast amounts of air from space, along with any particles that may be airborne, such as dust. 

As the air enters the unit, it passes through the purifier’s filter, which is made up of ultrafine pleated filtering material that can capture at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Leaving fresh, dust-free air to be redistributed into your home.

Introducing an air purifier to your room will drastically reduce the dust in your home, but it doesn’t mean you can skip out on your cleaning chores. You must also regularly clean your home to keep it dust-free.

Air purifiers might look like they all do the same job, but some are more efficient than others when removing dust particles from your home. Here are some things to consider when choosing and air purifier for dust.

1. Make sure the air purifier you choose comes with a HEPA filter

HEPA filters are engineered to remove at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, like allergens, pet dander and dust. It achieves this by trapping the dust particles in its tightly woven maze of fibers removing them from the air that passes through your purifier.

By running air purifiers that use other filters, you risk those dust particles escaping and remaining airborne.

2. Pay attention to the CADR rating

CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate, which shows us the effectiveness of an air purifier at removing different particles from the air in your home in a certain period. 

The main rule is the higher the CADR, the more powerful the air purifier is.

If you have a particularly dusty environment, you will need an air purifier with a higher CADR to remove those particles effectively.

Here’s a handy table to help you determine what CADR you need for your space.

Minimum CADRRoom area
225 square feet150 cubic feet per minute
300 square feet200 cubic feet per minute
375 square feet250 cubic feet per minute
450 square feet300 cubic feet per minute
525 square feet350 cubic feet per minute
600 square feet400 cubic feet per minute
675 square feet450 cubic feet per minute

Feel free to enter your room size to see what CADR you should be looking for:

3. Measure the size of your dusty room

Room size is an extremely important factor for consideration to ensure your unit will work at maximum efficiency. Air purifiers are built to clean certain-sized spaces, so pay attention to the specifications of the unit you’re looking to buy. 

If you buy an air purifier engineered to clean a smaller space than you have, it will be ineffective as it won’t clear the dust efficiently. If you buy an air purifier that’s too big for your space, you’ll be wasting energy and floor space.

Measuring your space is a simple way to determine which air purifier you need: Volume = room area (length x width) x ceiling height

Tip

Where you place your air purifier in the room is also important, so remember this when looking at the size of a unit.


Common questions about dust and air purifiers

As well as being unsightly, dust exposure can negatively affect your health. Studies have shown that breathing in dust particles regularly can cause:

Respiratory problems
Asthma
Allergic reactions
Coughing
Sneezing
Irritation to your eyes

And the longer you breathe these particles in, the more at risk you are.

Dust comprises many different pollutants, from pet dander to pollen, many of which can contribute to allergies. However, when people refer to a specific dust allergy, they usually refer to dust mites. 

These microscopic critters feed off dust particles and excess moisture in the air and are found to be one of the most common allergens found in the home. As we inhale or come into contact with dust mites or the proteins they leave behind, they often cause symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, itching, or developing a runny or stuffy nose. 

Dust mites will exist in every home worldwide, and although they are nigh-on impossible to eradicate, they can be curtailed and symptoms can be managed. The best way to keep on top of dust mites is to frequently dust your home, keeping the space ventilated and an air purifier running and keeping humidity levels low.     

Inhaling small quantities of dust will happen from time to time. Fortunately, our immune system is well equipped to deal with foreign pollutants, such as dust, entering our bodies. 

When we inhale dust regularly, however, we may see our immune system kicking into overdrive to help resolve the issue. When this happens, you may recognize having a stuffy nose, itchy eyes or other common allergy symptoms that flair while the dust is in your system. 

Being exposed to vast quantities of dust every day over prolonged periods (usually through work rather than domestic exposure) can lead to more serious conditions such as:

  • Silicosis
  • Lung cancer
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Kidney disease

If you work in a dusty environment, such as a building or industrial site, then your employer should ensure the necessary PPE and safety precautions are provided. 

As dust comprises hundreds of pollutant particles such as skin cells, cloth fibers, and dirt from the earth, it is simply impossible to escape. 

Certain homes may be more susceptible to dust build-ups. Sometimes based on what’s inside, such as pets or lots of soft furnishings, sometimes based on the house itself, with gaps by old doors or windows, an old HVAC system, or your local environment being key factors, and sometimes down to having a poor dusting and vacuuming regime.

 Be sure to check out our 10-step guide on banishing dust from your home for good.   

Most manufacturers suggest that you leave your unit to run all the time to reap the benefits of clean air. However, this may seem overkill to leave the unit running while no one is home or the space isn’t utilized. Not to mention the effect this can have on your energy bills.

Instead, we recommend allowing your unit to run for a few hours daily when pollutants are most rife. This will usually occur when traffic within the space, as pollutants particles become disturbed and affect your surrounding air. 

Many modern purifiers come with smart features which can be extremely useful in letting you know when or how to operate your purifier. Many purifiers will have in-built or app-compatible air quality monitors so you can keep an eye on pollutants and use the purifier accordingly. In contrast, Auto mode units continuously monitor the air and cycle through the higher fan speeds when required.

Wrapping up

Dust is a problem we all have to deal with in our homes, and it’s not going away anytime soon. The best thing we can do to manage it is to introduce an air purifier into the home and ensure we’re cleaning thoroughly and regularly. 

Before buying the air purifier that looks the best or suits your budget, remember these other factors to consider:

  • It uses HEPA filters
  • It has an appropriate CADR
  • It will operate efficiently in your room size

In this buying guide, we’ve only chosen air purifiers that use HEPA filters and made sure to include a range of units that have a variety of CADRs for different sized rooms, so you can find the right air purifier to keep dust from taking over your home.

If you have any questions about any of the air purifiers on the list or you have some recommendations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Tip

You can’t eliminate dust from your home forever, so combine your air purifier with a solid cleaning routine. Check out our step-by-step guide on How To Remove Dust in the Air to guarantee you conduct a thorough clean.

At HouseFresh, we have been reviewing air quality products since 2010. In all these years, we learned not to rely on manufacturers’ claims and the ever-so-glowing marketing materials. That is why we buy products with our own money, so we can write unbiased reviews after we’ve had enough time to evaluate air quality products in our home lab. Every unit we recommend has been thoroughly tested to assess its performance, energy consumption, and noise levels emitted in real-life environments. If you have any questions about our testing process for different types of air quality products, just drop us an email at hello@housefresh.com.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About the author

Teddy Booth

Teddy joined HouseFresh in 2019 as a senior content producer, producing written content as well as product photography and YouTube videos. He supports Danny as a product tester and is our lead how-to writer.