There’s nothing more infuriating than seeing a layer of dust accumulate 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. Leaving many of us wondering what is dust and how can I get rid of it once and for all?
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 huge 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.
So, you may now be wondering where to begin in your hunt for a powerful, HEPA-certified purifier that will meet all your needs and be suitable for your space?
Well, we’ve got you covered with 7 of the best air purifiers on the market today that are guaranteed to help transform your home into a dust-free oasis.
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Dust
As no two homes are the same, we’ve put together 7 different recommendations that will help eradicate dust from your space once and for all.
With options for various budgets, room sizes, and a whole host of state-of-the-art features to choose from, there’s a perfect purifier for everyone on this list.
1. Levoit Core 600S – Best for Large Dusty Room
The Core range from Levoit are well known and well-loved for their future-proof features, purifying performance, and easy-on-the-eye design. The jewel in the Core crown is undeniably the 600S, which is the most powerful and effective unit produced by Levoit, available for a fraction of the cost of other large area purifiers on the market today.
In truth, it’s difficult for us to talk about the Levoit Core 600S without getting a wee bit giddy.
Thanks to its powerful VortexAir™ fans and a H13 HEPA 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 certain 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 that we have tested. Not to mention, its intuitive controls and advanced smart features make it super simple to transform the air in your space with minimal effort.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 410 CFM |
| Cost Per CADR: | 73 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 635 to 1,588 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 26 – 55 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23.6H x 12.3W x 12.3D inches / 60H x 31.3W x 31.3D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $102.11 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 15 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Rapidly removes pollutants from your space
👍 Energy efficient for a powerful unit, only pulling 6.2 watts on the lowest fan speed
👍 Comes with a dedicated app so you can check air quality and control the unit remotely
👍 Perfect option for open plan living spaces
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Bulkier and more boring design than other models
👎 Fixed pre-filter makes it harder to thoroughly clean
2. Blueair Blue Pure 211+ – Best Room Air Purifier for Dust
When it comes to making eye-catching purifiers that truly transform air quality, no one does it quite 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 ft² space in just 12.5 minutes, making it an excellent option for eradicating dust from your space.
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. Not only does this add a unique and customizable design feature to the unit, but also works to improve 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, just hit the button and rest assured the Blue Pure 211+ will quietly transform the air in your space.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPASilent™ and Activated Charcoal |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 350 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 91 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 540 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6-8 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 31 – 56 dB |
| 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 |
| Energy consumption: | $120.57 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: 15 minutes | 18 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Excellent performance, capturing at least 99.97% of airborne particles
👍 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 when using
👎 Pricier filter replacements than competitors
3. Coway Airmega Mighty AP-1512hh – Best for Dusty Living Room
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 of course, dust.
The unit also utilizes a pre-filter and Activated Carbon filter to eradicate VOCs and handle any larger particles. Plus, the Airmega AP-1512HH has an optional bipolar Ionizer to charge particles, making them easier to remove.
This purifier brings about genuine user-friendly features to 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
| Purifier technology: | True HEPA, Activated Carbon, and Pre-Filter plus Bipolar Ionizer |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 240 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 82 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 361 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 53 dB |
| 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 |
| Energy consumption: | $168.58 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 23 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Powerful performance in medium-sized rooms
👍 Optional Ionizer allows the user to supercharge efficiency when required
👍 Super quiet when on Eco mode
👍 Stylish design and choice of colors make it a great option for modern homes
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No app for detailed feedback or remote control
👎 Uses a lot of energy when on the higher speed settings
4. Smart Air Sqair – Best for Dusty Bedroom
Smart Air has developed a range of no-nonsense purifiers that don’t just look good but offer excellent results for a fair price. The Smart Air Sqair is a testament to this ethos, with a powerful fan and massive HEPA filter ready to remove dust and many more pollutants from your home with ease.
Although this purifier may not come with some of the high-tech bells and whistles some of its competitors offer, the Smart Air Sqair makes our list thanks to its stellar performance and user-friendly approach. With long-lasting HEPA and Activated Carbon filters to tackle a range of airborne pollutants and a powerful, yet an energy-efficient fan, this small unit will transform the air even in spaces as large as 430 sq. ft.
The Sqair has a truly unique design, bringing the cute factor to a market saturated with mini fridge lookalikes. When designing this unit, they decided to ditch the common capacitive control panel in favor of an old-fashioned yet simple-to-use dial, which fits the Smart Air bill completely.
Thanks to its small and lightweight design, it’s easy to transport from room to room and doesn’t take up much of your valuable living space either, making it a great option for many households.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPA and Activated Carbon filters |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 185.4 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 77 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 150 to 430 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | HEPA filter: Every 9 – 12 months. Carbon filter: 6 – 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23 – 52 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.6H x 13W x 13D inches / 37H x 33W x 33D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $82.55 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Lightweight so easy to transport from room to room
👍 Performs excellently in small and medium-sized rooms alike
👍 Long-lasting filters that are affordable to replace
👍 Super quiet on lowest fan speed
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No air quality sensor
👎 Lack of features make it feel more basic
5. Levoit Core 300S
For those of you looking for a purifier capable of transforming the air within a small to medium-sized space without breaking the bank, then look no further than the Levoit Core 300S. Equipped with a H13 True HEPA filter, along with 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 have also equipped the unit with a fine mesh pre-filter to capture large particles, as well as a high-efficiency Activated Carbon filter to combat any VOCs such as unpleasant odors or chemical fumes.
The Core 300S already offers excellent value, but to add the cherry on top, Levoit included a range of smart features that are not usually found at this price range. With air quality sensors relaying real-time feedback, auto mode to allow the purifier to cycle through fan speeds when required, 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
| Purifier technology: | H13 HEPA and Activated Charcoal |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 141 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 94 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 219 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 48 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.2H x 8.7W x 8.7D inches / 36H x 22W x 22D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.95 lbs / 2.7 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $30.85 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 39 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Compatible with Levoit app for remote use
👍 Lightweight and easy to maneuver around the home
👍 Auto mode lets you run the purifier without fuss
👍 Cheap to run with low energy usage
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Fixed pre-filter hinders cleaning
👎 Air sensor is located at the back of the machine so it can’t be pressed against the wall
6. Levoit Core 300
If you haven’t realized by now, we are huge fans of the Levoit Core range here at HouseFresh. So much so, we’ve included the 600S and 300S, along with the Core 300 as three of our top options for dust-busting air purifiers. Like the 300S, the 300 utilizes H13 HEPA filters to purify the air in a 219 sq. ft space, with an impressive CADR score of 145 CFM.
The 300 is almost identical to the 300S, with the same filters and fans; the only real differences are that the S model offers more smart features than the 300.
So why include the 300, you may ask? Well, advanced smart features aren’t for everyone. Many people prefer to hit the switch and trust that the air around them is being cleaned effectively without app connectivity, voice control, or color-coded indicators. And that is exactly what you get with the Core 300. A simple yet high-performing unit, all for under $100.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H13 HEPA and Activated Charcoal |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 145 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 70 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 219 to 547 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 50 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.2H x 8.7W x 8.7D inches / 36H x 22W x 22D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.48 lbs / 3.4 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $97.76 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 40 Minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Unrivaled value for money
👍 Excellent CADR score for price point
👍 360-degree air intake allows the unit to be placed anywhere in the home
👍 Very quiet when running on lowest fan speed
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Cannot connect to the Levoit app
👎 No air sensor for real-time air quality feedback
7. FÖRNUFTIG by IKEA
As a relatively new development in the air purifier industry, flat-pack furniture giant IKEA has developed a budget-friendly purifier that will work wonders in small spaces. Although not equipped with a HEPA filter, like each of our other recommendations, the FÖRNUFTIG’s EPA12 filter is optimized to capture PM2.5 particles, such as dust and pollen, with a CADR rating of 120 CFM.
For those concerned about the efficiency of this purifier without a HEPA filter, fear not, as the EPA12 filter will still remove 99.5% of particles between 0.1-2.5 micrometers, making it well within the reaches of dust particles. As this purifier is specifically designed for convenience in the modern home, it is best suited for smaller spaces, up to 105 sq. ft.
In true IKEA fashion, this purifier can be adapted to suit its environment. With the option of placing the unit on a floor stand or hanging mechanism if you wish for the unit to be wall-mounted. Plus, it also has a convenient sleep mode, which runs the unit on its lowest speed setting, creating just 28 dB of noise, allowing you to reap the benefits of clean air with minimal disruption.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | EPA12 Filter (plus optional Activated Carbon filter) |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 70 CFM |
| Cost per CADR: | 85 cents |
| Recommended room size: | 107 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 28 – 60 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 17.7H x 12.2W x 4.3D inches / 45H x 31W x 11D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.7 lbs / 3.05 kg |
| Energy consumption: | $30.41 per year |
| Time to clean our test room: | 61 minutes |
What We Really Like:
👍 Bargain price for dust-free air
👍 Great design and adaptability to suit your space
👍 Super cheap to run
👍 Its handle and lightweight design make it easy to maneuver around the home
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Activated Carbon filter must be purchased separately.
👎 No HEPA filter
Buying Guide: Air Purifiers for Dust
Dust is everywhere. Sometimes, no matter how hard you clean, there is still a high tendency to find some amount of dust in a room. Sometimes, it is hidden under a table in the corner, and at other times, you can see specks of it flying in the air. The bad thing about dust is that despite how harmless it seems, it can cause certain problems in the human body. Dust can affect the eyes and the respiratory system and even cause allergies for some people.
Air purifiers are a solution to this problem. Air purifiers have been proven to remove dust and other contaminants, improving the home’s overall air quality. Most people have turned to this option and have seen great improvements from it.
Now that you know that air purifiers can significantly reduce the effect of dust in the air, the next question is likely, “what is the best kind of air purifier to buy?” There are several kinds of air purifiers, and it is important to note that not all work the same way. Purifiers have different filtration technologies, and not all these technologies are designed to eliminate dust.
Therefore, in this guide, we will show you how to make the best choice of an air purifier. The aim is to help you make the right buying decision.
| How CADR Affects Air Purifiers Every year, the Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers (AHAM) conducts a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) test. In this test, ratings are assigned to air purifiers. Now, dust is one of the pollutants that AHAM uses to run this test. Every air purifier has a CADR, and it is an easy way for consumers to identify good air purifiers to purchase. The rating of a purifier indicates the volume of clean, filtered air that the purifier will produce. The device with the highest CADR is usually the most powerful. Each contaminant has a limit and minimum number, and for dust, that number is 10 to 450 CADR. Experts recommend devices above 150. Devices above 350 are highly effective, and those below 100 are ineffective unless for tiny spaces like RV’s or Cars. CADR rates can be trusted. These tests have been used for a long time and are recognized by reputable organizations like FTC and EPA. The problem is that not every manufacturer provides their unit for testing so you should always look for reviews that test particular removal speeds as part of their analysis. |
What Air Purifiers Do Well?
An efficiently performing air purifier filters dust, pollen, and smoke from the air. According to research, HEPA filters reduce at least 50% particulate matter, sometimes higher than that value. How does this affect your health? Further studies have shown that air purification will significantly improve cardiovascular health.
It is important to note that an air purifier can remove particulates only when they are light and still floating in the air. Heavier air particulates tend to settle to the ground faster than the purifiers can capture them.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier for Dust
The key difference between a regular purifier and a purifier for dust is going for one that uses (High-Efficiency Particle Air) HEPA filters. HEPA filters are made from a mat of fine fibers arranged together to catch these particles. The US DOE defines HEPA filters as filters that can catch more than 99.97% of particles with a 0.3-micron diameter.
Most air purifiers, H10, H11, and H12, use filters that satisfy this criterion. However, the best filters for dust are the H13, also called True HEPA filters. These are advanced, and they go further, capturing up to 99.99% of particles with 0.1-micron diameter.
While activated charcoal is still very functional in purifying the air, it is more focused on getting rid of odors and gasses that might be present in the air. When it comes to dust, the CDC recommends that you should go with a HEPA filter that has a high CADR powerful enough to keep your space clean.
These are the main factors to consider to ensure you’re buying a unit that will indeed help with your dust issue:
- High HEPA Performance – Dust is 5 microns or less, so we recommend units with high-performing HEPA filters that will result in a high CADR score for dust.
- CADR rating: To be effective, air purifiers need to have a certain airflow and circulate as much air as possible through the filters. The higher the CADR of the purifier, the more efficient it will be.
- Certifications: There are some important tests that an air purifier should pass before it is certified. Look out for an AHAM-verified seal or CR-recommended logo and look for those that perform well in third-party tests.
- Room size: The ratings on the device’s seal should tell you if the device is suitable for the size of the room.
- Noise level: Air purifiers have sounds. Before purchasing, check the noise rating to ensure you can live with it.
- Trusted technology that will do the job: Dust is a fairly simple pollutant to remove, so we didn’t look at any new technology that has no peer-reviewed performance data using portable air purifiers like UV, PECO, or DNO.
Common Questions About Air Purifiers for Dust
🤔 How do air purifiers get rid of dust?
Dust particles vary approximately 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 which is able to capture at least 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Leaving fresh, dust-free air to be redistributed into your home.
🤔 Does dust cause allergies?
Dust is made up of many different pollutants, from pet dander to pollen, which can contribute to allergies. When people refer to a specific dust allergy, however, what they are usually referring to is 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 around the world 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 when doing so, as well as keeping humidity levels low.
🤔 What happens if you inhale dust every day?
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.
🤔 Why is my house so dusty?
As dust is made up of 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 how to banish dust from your home for good.
🤔 Should I leave my air purifier on all the time?
Most manufacturers suggest that you should leave your unit to run all of the time in order 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 being 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 a day during times where pollutants will be most rife. This will usually occur when there is traffic within the space, as pollutants particles will 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, while units with an Auto mode will monitor the air continuously and cycle through the higher fan speeds when required.
Last update on 2023-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API