When we first wrote this post, the World Health Organization didn’t accept that the COVID-19 virus was airborne, though they did recommend ventilation in healthcare facilities.
As we enter the summer of 2023, the WHO has finally announced that COVID-19 is actually airborne.
At this point, the U.S. CDC added the following guidelines to American schools about using ventilation to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
I always recommend checking the latest CDC advice — things change quickly as more research data is reviewed:
Dr Richard Corsi (Dean of Maseeh College of Engineering) recommends that all classrooms should get HEPA air purifiers with a CADR rating of 250-300 CFM. Most of us don’t live in classrooms, yet it would be safe to play on the side of caution by getting a similar spec model for home use.
This doesn’t mean purchasing an air purifier will replace Coronavirus prevention methods such as social distancing, mask usage and hand-washing — these have all shown to be very important to beating an epidemic like COVID-19.
After being involved with air purifiers for the past ten years, I know the biggest hurdle for many people is the number of choices available. It doesn’t help that some air purifier manufacturers try to mislead customers with different technologies.
| Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations We have a policy of never accepting freebies from companies, so we purchase every air purifier with our own money. This allows us to be honest with our findings without being biased by our relationship with the manufacturers. On top of this, we also test each air purifier we review in our own controlled environment, so we can compare units side-by-side based on our own data instead of just regurgitating marketing materials and Amazon listings. This is our testing process: 1️⃣ We fill our 705 cubic feet sized test room with incense smoke and track how long it takes for a purifier to remove all traces of PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10.0 particles. 2️⃣ We connect the air purifier to an energy consumption monitor, allowing us to see how many watts of energy are used on its various speed settings. 3️⃣ We record the decibel level of each purifier when running at its top and lowest fan speeds. |
Using the data from our tests, we can look closely at which units fit specific problems. For COVID-19, we looked for:
✅ HEPA filtration — Only units that contain a filter with HEPA technology can remove virus particles from the air.
✅ CADR — Viruses can spread fast once introduced into the home, so you’ll need an air purifier with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) to remove them quickly.
If you don’t want to read our full article, check out our top three choices below:
| 👑 BEST OVERALL | 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🛋️ FOR LARGE SPACES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levoit Core 600S | Levoit Core 300 | Smart Air Blast Mini | |
 |  |  | |
| AIR CLEANING SPEED ⚡ | 15 minutes | 40 minutes | 17 minutes |
| CADR 👩🔬 | 410 CFM (697 m³/h) | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) | 435 CFM (740 m³/h) |
| FILTER TECHNOLOGY 💨 | 3-Stage Filtration | 3-Stage Filtration | H13 HEPA Filter |
| MAX ROOM SIZE 📏 | 635 sq. ft. | 219 sq. ft. | 915 sq. ft. |
| WEIGHT ⚖️ | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 7.48 lbs (3.4 kg) | 59 lbs (26.8 kg) |
| OUR REVIEW 🔍 | Core 600S review | Core 300 review | Blast Mini review |
| PRICE 💵 | $299.99 | Price not available | $599.00 |
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Best Overall: Levoit Core 600S
With a CADR of 410 CFM, this air purifier is capable of cleaning the air in large rooms as it provides 5 air changes per hour in a room of 635 sq. ft. The CADR matched real-world performance; when we tested this in our home lab, it was the second fastest unit ever, cleaning our room in 15 minutes — just two minutes behind the Levoit EverestAir.
The price has one of the best ratios of $ to cleaning performance outside of DIY approaches. It also comes with App support and auto-mode and has a screen showing the air quality level at the top of the device.
The only downside to this unit is that it’s large and the design does not stand out compared with units like Dyson and Alen, which look much better. But for those looking to keep a large room as COVID-19 secure as possible, you should take a good look at the Levoit Core 600S.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great value for air cleaning power
👍 App support — great for being aware that it’s running without being onsite
👍 Cheap to run with fair filter and energy costs
👍 Activated charcoal pellets integrated with the main filter
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Design is fairly standard compared with competitors.
👎 Sound at full speed 55 dB will be too loud to work next to
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 (low – high): | 26 – 55 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $51.51 per year |
2. Best for Large Spaces: Smart Air Blast Mini
This large air purifier from Smart Air has a CADR of 435 CFM. It runs at a maximum of 49dB which is just less than moderate rainfall, so it’s perfect for classrooms or offices with people working intensely.
It has no smart features or app support; all your money goes into the large fan and filter. This unit will likely be overkill for something like a bedroom. But its HEPA H13 filters are excellent for reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection in large spaces that want to.
It’s even larger than the Levoit Core 600S and a significant investment. But filter costs are very fair, with the main HEPA only needing replacing every two years — just under $70 of filter costs per year.
What We Really Like:
👍 Super simple controls
👍 Wheels to easily move around
👍 Great level of air cleaning performance for a small level of sound generated
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 It would be nice to see carbon included as standard
👎 Very heavy and large – overkill for smaller rooms
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 17 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 HEPA Filter |
| Recommended room size: | 915 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 435 CFM (740 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 22.6L x 13W x 24.8H inches (57.5L × 33W × 63H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 59 lbs (26.8 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 36 – 49 dB |
| Filter life: | 33 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $277.70 per year |
3. Best Budget Option: Levoit Core 300
If your max budget is $100 then the Levoit Core 300 is the best air purifier you can get. This is the simple version of the latest Levoit flagship, the Core 300S. You get a CADR of 145 CFM for less than $100 in exchange for no-auto mode or app support.
It can only keep a smaller room safe from C-19. I recommend only to use the Core 300 in rooms up to 219 sq. ft. as it cannot clean the air many times an hour. I would still always recommend paying a little more and getting the Core 400S or Core 600S unit, but if $100 is your maximum budget, then the Levoit Core 300 is the unit we recommend.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great entry price for a decent level of air cleaning power
👍 Small size, so takes much less space than large units
👍 Max speed at 50dB is very good for the level of cleaning power
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Even cheaper would be great!
👎 Options for different filters at purchase
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 40 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: | 219 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches (22L x 22W x 36H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 50dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $47.30 |
Comparing Our Top Picks for COVID-19: Noise Levels
We tested the sound levels for each of the air purifiers on our list at both the lowest and highest fan speed and used Flourish to visualize this data:
[ ]| Our verdict: The Levoit Core 300 is the quietest unit on this list on average. |
Comparing Our Top Picks for COVID-19: Air Cleaning Speed
As we test all our air purifiers in the same room, we compare different models and brands by looking at how long they took to reduce the PM1 level to zero:
| Our verdict: The Levoit Core 600S was the fasted unit, clearing our test room in 15 minutes. |
What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier for COVID-19
The EPA states that air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space. Scroll down to see more scientific sources that agree, including consultant scientist Bharti Sharma, who helps us break it down.
| 🤔 Why should you deal with Covid-19 sooner rather than later? The way that the virus spreads makes it especially hard to tackle. It is emitted from infected persons through tiny droplets, which attach to particulate matter and remain in the air for several hours depending on factors like ambient humidity, ventilation, wind rates and the amount of particulate matter pollution in the air. I think we can all agree that it’s better to minimize the risk if possible. |
When choosing an air purifier, it’s essential to keep the main goal of your purchase in mind. Dr. Corsi keeps it simple:
“No need to purchase gimmicky add-ons that sometimes do little and sometimes emit ozone.
HEPA is fine.”
— Richard Corsi, PhD, PE
Don’t be swayed by new virus-killing technology. HEPA has been shown to be very capable of removing COVID-19 particles. HEPA is backed up by decades of research.
Most new technologies like ionizers, PECO, UV, PCO, etc. are sold as doing something new but, in most cases, perform very poorly. They also have the potential to make the air worse as they can lead to harmful byproducts created when they interact with other chemicals in the air.
| 💡 Pro Tip: Whatever air purifier you pick, run it with the windows open, as increasing ventilation is another way of reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. |
Common Questions About COVID-19 and Air Purifiers
With the sheer amount of COVID-19 research published, we asked consultant scientist Bharti Sharma who has published several academic COVID-19 papers published, to help us understand the latest research when it comes to COVID-19 and air quality:
🤔 Is it safe to use a fan during coronavirus?
Using a fan within an enclosed space during COVID-19 infection can increase the transmission of the infection, particularly if there is no ventilation. Portable and ceiling fans just circulates the air inside a room, but it does not exchange, purify or replace the air.
| 📚 SOURCES: WHO, 2021; Chen et al, 2022; Pandey, Saha and Banerjee, 2023; EPA, 2023. |
🤔 Do air purifiers remove viruses?
A limited number of research studies have shown that HEPA filters can remove viruses in droplet form in the air as the size of the airborne droplets is big and permits the HEPA filters to remove them.
| 📚SOURCES: EPA, 2023; van der Vossen et al, 2023. |
🤔 Can HEPA air purifiers capture the coronavirus?
Yes, they have shown high efficiency in capturing the COVID-19 virus and research studies. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or air purifiers are universally used in medical institution wards for filtering the air.
| 📚SOURCE: Rodríguez et al, 2021; van der Vossen et al, 2023; Ueki et al, 2022. |
🤔 Does the CDC recommend HEPA filters?
The CDC recommends ventilation through portable or built-in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems for filtering air in higher-risk areas like medical institutions or areas used by individuals suffering from COVID-19 infection or other viral infections.
| 📚SOURCES: CDC, 2023; Lindsley et al, 2021; Ueki et al, 2022. |
🤔 How can airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors be minimized?
Using ventilation within public buildings, like hospitals, malls, office complexes, schools, libraries, eateries, cruise ships and elevators, can minimize airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors together with isolation, social distancing and strict hand hygiene.
| 📚SOURCES: Morawska et al, 2020; Nair et al, 2022; Fernández de Mera et al, 2022. |
🤔 Can COVID-19 be detected in the air?
The sampling of air samples from hospital rooms in several research studies has proven that, yes, it is possible to detect SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive particles of sizes >4 μm and 1–4 μm from air samples.
| 📚SOURCES: Linde et al, 2023; Moharir et al, 2022; Nadzirah et al, 2023 ; Chia et al, 2020. |
🤔 Can you use a CO2 monitor as a proxy for risk of COVID-19?
There is still debate about the efficiency of using CO2 monitors as a proxy to determine the risk of COVID-10 transmission in an area or a room. Some studies have published mathematical models for using CO2 as a proxy.
Many scholars and researchers argue that the use of CO2 as a proxy for the risk has many caveats in terms of the association between CO2 and respiratory aerosols. CO2 has a longer lifetime in the air compared to infectious respiratory aerosols, and by strict definition, a proxy does not require to be exactly related to the variable of interest.
| 📚SOURCES: Park and Song, 2023; Iwamura and Tsutsumi, 2023. |
Wrapping Up
If your budget is limited, then go for the Levoit Core 300. If your space is big, then you’ll be better off with the Levoit Core 600S, one of the top performing units at removing particulate matter in the air from our home test lab.
For large spaces that you need to work next to, the Smart Blast Mini is perfect as it has a maximum sound level of 49dB.
But remember, ventilation, social distancing and strict hand hygiene are also all essential in the fight against the virus.
SOURCES
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- Chia, P. Y., Coleman, K. K., et al. (2020). Detection of air and surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in hospital rooms of infected patients. Nature communications, 11(1), 2800.
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Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
