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).
There’s no denying the air purifier market can be a minefield to navigate with a simple search on Amazon, resulting in thousands of purifiers, its often not easy to decipher where your gadgets are designed and made. To help you in your search, we’ve researched the best companies based closer to home and collated the 6 best US-made or designed purifiers available right now.
As air pollution is undeniably rising throughout the country, now is the right time to invest in an air purifier you can trust. Even more so when taking into account a recent report from The Washington Post warning about the dangers of fine particle inhalation, which has already registered a sharp rise in:
- emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses
- cognitive decline and dementia
- excess deaths, numbering in the thousands
One sure-fire way to remove the guesswork and ensure you’re purchasing a top-quality product is to look for the Made in the USA stamp. Apart from supporting local manufacturing, these air purifiers are subject to rigorous testing to meet US quality standards and can remove dangerous airborne pollutants with efficiency.
We also wanted to highlight some products from American-owned businesses whose air purifiers are researched, developed, and designed to the highest standards in the USA, even though they might be constructed overseas.
The Top 3 Air Purifiers Made in the USA
The shortlisted air purifiers you’re about to learn about are suitable for different-sized rooms throughout your home and can counter many pollutants. Whether utilizing Activated Carbon to absorb smells from the kitchen, HEPA filters to tackle wildfire smoke, or UV light to eradicate bacteria and viruses, each purifier has been tested by our team to ensure it is a worthy contender.
1. The Best Air Purifier Made in the USA: Austin Air HealthMate
The Austin Air HealthMate is a highly efficient air purifier with 4 stages of filtration to protect your home from a wide range of pollutants. With a medical-grade HEPA filter, this air purifier filters out 99.97% of polluting particles as small as 0.3 microns and 95% of particles that measure 0.1 micron and smaller. Ensuring a maximum number of irritants – dust, pet dander, pollen, viruses, and other toxins – will be removed from your home.
The carbon blend filter is composed of 15lbs of Activated Carbon and Zeolite, which equates to a surface area of approximately 1500 acres of adsorbent material. This huge amount of carbon will work wonders in removing odors and other chemical compounds from your space. While the two-stage pre-filter captures larger particles, protecting and improving the efficiency of the HEPA filter in the process.
The air purifier is super simple to use. There are 4-speed settings controlled through a single dial for fuss-free operation. Thanks to its castor wheels, it is easily transported to target different rooms or to be stored out of sight when not in use. With a 360-degree filtering system, the Austin Air HealthMate makes light work of pollutants even within a large space and will certainly help transform the air in your home.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Medical-Grade HEPA Filter with Activated Carbon and 2-stage pre-filter. |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 400 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 1500 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 5 years |
| Noise level (low – high): | 40 – 62dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23H x 14.5W x 14.5D inches (58.5H x 37W x 37D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 47 lbs. (21.3 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $286.77 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 Comes in a variety of color options, adding flair to a room
👍 The longest-lasting filter
👍 Sound emulates a white noise machine
👍 Wonderful remedy to filtering indoor allergens
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Can be very loud on the higher settings
👎 The filter may let out a bad smell with the first few uses
👎 Use a lot of energy when used on higher speeds.
2. Oransi HEPA Max
Known for its use in hospitals, laboratories, and even the Javits Center Covid field hospital, the Oransi HEPA MAax is a highly effective air purifier made in the USA. Using MERV16 rated, True HEPA filters along with a 1” deep pleated Activated Carbon filter, this unit can deliver excellent air quality within your space, removing a host of particulate matter and VOC pollutants.
The German-engineered, US-built EC motor provides higher airflow while being quieter and more energy-efficient, typifying this unit’s quality components and brilliant build quality. Backed up by Oransi’s generous 10-year product warranty.
Oransi’s effective no air by-pass system offers extra efficiency and is said to filter out more than 99.99% of airborne particles at 0.3 microns, including dust, smoke, mold, and pet dander. Therefore, the filters are beneficial for those who suffer from asthma or any type of allergy. Since they are collecting the dust and pet hair along the way, the filters can even be vacuumed, in order to keep them performing at a highly efficient level.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | MERV 16 plus Activated Carbon filters. |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 217 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 600 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 34 – 53dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 17″ x 22″ x 8″ (W x H x D) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 18.5 lbs. (8.39kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $195.52 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 No ionizer or technology to create ozone
👍 Almost silent; great for nighttime use
👍 10-year warranty included
👍 4 different fan speeds
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Laborious to install
👎 Higher fan speeds can give off a cold breeze
3. Air Oasis iAdaptAir
Recently available on Amazon, the Air Oasis iAdaptAir air purifier is a good investment for those looking for a high-tech purifier that effectively eradicates germs and bacteria, whilst also capturing common pollutants, such as allergens, dust, and pollen. The air purifier offers users a future-proof experience with a Smart mode to monitor the air in your space and adjust the fan speed automatically. As well as a handy mobile app to allow you to control your appliance and check air quality reports remotely.
This purifier utilizes specialist technology first developed by NASA to eliminate germs and bacteria. With polar ionization and germicidal ultraviolet technology, the air purifier works to remove mold, yeast, and viruses, to keep your home a happy and healthy environment. Moreover, the unit is CARB certified to produce no harmful ozone emissions often associated with this technology.
The Air Oasis iAdaptAir will also eliminate odors and target VOCs down to their molecular makeup. This is achieved through Activated Carbon and AHPCO technology. Even though these filters deliver effective filtering capacity the air purifier itself is not loud, making for peaceful cohabitation with the unit.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPA and Activated Carbon filters with UV, AHPCO, and Bi-Polar Ionization. |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 237 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 850 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 – 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 25 – 52dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 37H x 11.2W x 11.2D inches (94H x 28.5W x 28.5D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 20 lbs. (9 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $69.52 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 User-friendly interface
👍 A cost-effective air purifier option
👍 All units are scientifically tested
👍 Lifetime warranty included with purchase
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Some customers have reported tech issues with the unit after a few months of use
👎 Low CADR rating for price
Top 3 Air Purifiers Designed in the USA (But Manufactured Elsewhere)
As global mega-factories increasingly improve production efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs, it’s no wonder we see more household appliances and gadgets being produced overseas. So, now we turn our attention to some of the best purifiers researched, designed, and developed to the highest specs here in the USA, despite being manufactured elsewhere.
1. RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A (Made in Korea)
The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is a sleek option for a home air purifier. Available in four different options: Germ Defense, Odor Remover, Pet Allergy, and Toxin Absorber, shoppers are able to choose the type of purifier that will best suit their needs. It is a light and discrete unit, making hiding in the room simple or tucking away with some strategic wall mounting. It also comes in 2 distinct colors, black or white, which can readily match the room décor in your home.
The HEPA filtration in this air purifier marks 6 stages, pushing intricate deodorization and purification up to 99.97% effectiveness. The purifier can also filter out particles less than 0.1 microns, reducing the build-up of allergens, dust, mold, pollen, pet dander, and other contaminants that may get trapped in the filter. Because of this, there is also a reduction in bacterial growth on the filter itself. All in all, the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is a valuable addition to a home environment that needs to be protected from irritants and harmful air particles.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | BioGS® HEPA filtration |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 200 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 815 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 25.6 dB – 51.3 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 20H x 21.4W x 7D inches (51H x 54.5W x 17.8D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 19.4 lbs. (8.7 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $132.52 per year |
What We Really Like:
👍 700ft. room coverage in normal usage, 350ft. room coverage in allergen usage
👍 A different, specific filter for each option
👍 Automatic smart sensor for night modes
👍 The filter has six layers
👍 Super quiet filtration that lasts up to 2 years
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Filter costs are a lot higher than other unit in the same price range
👎 Some customers reported an unpleasant smell when first using this air purifier
2. Levoit Core 300 (Made in China)
The Levoit Core 300 is an air purifier designed in California, bringing the latest high-performance technology for a budget-friendly price. By utilizing a H13 True HEPA filter, ultra-fine pre-filter, and a high-efficiency Activated Carbon filter too, this purifier will remove 99.97% of allergens, including dust, pollen, and pet hair, as well as tackling VOCs, smoke, and odors to boot.
Thanks to LEVOIT’s patented VortexAir system and 360-degree air intake, this unit certainly packs a punch for its price tag, offering comparable performance to much more expensive units. Designed for use in medium-sized spaces, this purifier’s smooth operation brings about 5 air changes every hour within a 219 sq. ft. space to transform the air in your home. As seen during our real-world tests, it removed all traces of vape smoke from 705 cubic ft. of space in just 49 minutes.
Replacement filters are widely available and cheap, adding another string to the LEVOIT’s bow. At the same time, the unit’s QuietKEAP shock pads reduce any noise made from the motor down to a whisper-like 24 dB, and protect the mechanics from any unwanted abrasion and extend the unit’s lifespan.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA and Activated Carbon filters |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 140 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 219 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 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): | 7.5 lbs. (3.4 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $97.76 per year |
| Note: | Designed in the USA and built in China |
What We Really Like:
👍 Offers a near-silent sleep mode for nighttime
👍 Display also turns off for the night
👍 Offers special pet allergy and toxin absorber filters
👍 Really helps with indoor smoke and animal smell
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 First run may expel an unpleasant smell
👎 May take a few runs to really feel a change in air quality
3. Alen BreatheSmart 75i (Made in China)
The Alen BreatheSmart air purifier is a smart addition to the home, providing quality air filtration to large spaces, up to 1300 sq. ft. Designed in Austin, Texas to combat a myriad of pollutants, this purifier comes with a choice of 3 different filters, with options for allergy filtration, heavy odor, and one which collectively targets allergies, odors, and smoke—allowing you to adapt your purifier to the needs of your home environment.
With both a True HEPA and Activated Carbon filter, the 75i removes 99.99% of particles as small as 0.1 microns from the air. While the pre-filter can be cleaned to remove any build-up of larger particles and ensure your HEPA filter has a longer lifespan. In our real-world tests, this unit removed all traces of pollutants in a record time, beating some of the industry’s leading purifiers.
This air purifier is extremely easy to use while providing users with additional controls such as an auto mode and optional ionizer for tailored performance. The interface also provides real-time feedback to the user with 5 different colors, which indicate current air quality, on a scale from blue to purple. All while coming with a lifetime warranty, which is hard to find among modern-day appliances.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA and Activated Carbon Filtration |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 347 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 1300 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 25 – 49dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 27H x 18.5W x 11.5D inches (68.5H x 47W x 29D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 27 lbs. (12.3 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $97.76 per year |
| Note: | Austin based company (USA) but built in China |
What We Really Like:
👍 Soothing pink noise, offering a more peaceful sleep experience
👍 Built to last; has a Forever Guarantee
👍 Many color options, some of which are wooden textures
👍 Air quality indicator lights
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No remote for the unit
👎 Quite a bulky design
The One Air Purifier Made in the USA We Don’t Recommend: Molekule Mini
While you may be familiar with Molekule, in part thanks to their effective marketing, favorable press coverage, and online presence, the Molekule Mini failed to live up to our expectations when we independently reviewed the unit. Regrettably, we found this purifier is best avoided at all costs, despite being designed and made in the USA.
With their flagship PECO filtration system being hailed as the tech to transform air purification, we had high hopes when putting the purifier through its paces. However, the claims that PECO can “destroy pollutants regardless how small, incl. those 1000x times smaller than what HEPA can collect” failed to materialize. In our real-world tests, the purifier took 1 hour 19 minutes to bring PM2.5 particles down to the safe level stipulated by the Indoor Health Institute, and took over 3 hours to remove all pollutants entirely
Molekule undeniably creates aesthetically pleasing purifiers; however, what’s underneath the surface doesn’t cut the mustard for a purifier retailing at $449.99. Its substandard performance, unusable ‘smart’ features, and deafening motor noise make this a disappointing machine with which Molekule must go back to the drawing board.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | PECO |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | Estimated at 80-90 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 250 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 39 – 82 dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12H x 8.3W x 8.3D inches (30.5H x 21W x 21D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.3 lbs. (3.3 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $132.52 per year |
| Note: | Designed and built in the USA |
What We Really Like:
👍 Great design that will suit most modern homes
👍 Small size makes it easy to maneuver and store
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 PECO technology is not up to scratch when compared with HEPA and Carbon purification
👎 Very expensive for its performance
👎 High lifetime running costs with substantial energy usage and filter replacement costs
A Fantastic Air Purifier Made in Canada That We Love: Airpura C700
With a colossal CADR rating of 635 CFM, the Airpura C700 is the most powerful purifier on our list. They are combining a HEPA-Barrier filter, capable of removing 95% of airborne irritants and allergens as small as 1 micron with a whopping 26lb Activated Carbon filter to tackle a host of VOC and odor pollutants too. Although not strictly manufactured in the US, but just a short hop, skip, and jump away in Canada, this unit offers unrivaled performance, suitable for spaces as large as 2000 sq. ft.
The unit is available in white, cream, or black and comes with castor wheels to easily transport the unit from room to room. Despite lacking some of the smart features we’ve come to expect, the power and performance of this machine soon make up for this. With the carbon filter equates to over half the weight of the unit, providing highly efficient results for up to two years.
At its top fan speed, the purifier makes light work of any pollutant that crosses its path, although this will consume a lot of energy. For any domestic setting, however, it’s safe to say you’ll be able to run this purifier on its lower speeds and still see fantastic results while saving on running costs.
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPA-Barrier and Activated Carbon filters |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 635 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 2000 sq. ft. |
| Filter life: | 12 months (HEPA) / 24 Months (Activated Carbon) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 30 – 63dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23H x 15W x 15D inches (58.5H x 38W x 38D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) |
| Energy consumption: | $260.70 per year |
| Note: | Designed in the USA but built in Canada |
What We Really Like:
👍 26 lbs. of Activated Carbon will eliminate VOCs and odors for years to come.
👍 Powerful enough for commercial and domestic settings alike
👍 2 air changes per hour to rooms as large as 2,000 square feet
👍 Long lasting filter life
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Heavy and bulky unit, although does come with wheels
👎 HEPA filter is not medical-grade
What You May Be Wondering About American-Made Air Purifiers
🤔 Why are so few air purifiers manufactured in the USA?
China has very high-quality factories and lower costs – this has been happening for some time. If you want to read more about it, check out this Proquest study.
🤔 Where are the biggest name-brand air purifiers?
Most mid-market budget air purifiers are made in China due to lower costs associated with production. Levoit, Medify, and Honeywell are companies headquartered in the United States, but their factories are based in China.
🤔 What makes an air purifier made in the USA better than international competitors?
Products designed and made in the United States have to meet requirements for the “Made in the USA” standard set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), implying a higher level of quality and the promise of jobs for American workers.
In addition, the “Made in the USA” label comes with a sense of pride and support for the U.S. manufacturing sector. Read more about this topic on Investopedia.
🤔 Why do I need an air purifier in the first place?
With dangerous air pollutants such as the COVID-19 virus particles, along with dust, allergens, and other pesky irritants found in the air, the benefit of owning an air purifier is evident, providing peace of mind as you breathe clean, crisp air at all times.
If you live in an area where air quality is poor or suffer from allergies, an air purifier will help filter out the damaging irritants. With the right technology available in your house, you will finally be able to breathe better.
🤔 What should I look for in air purifiers made in the USA?
An air purifier is meant to meet your personal needs, so consider the following:
- What do you want to filter out of the air? Learning about the filter a purifier comes equipped with (HEPA or Carbon) will outline what it can clean: dust, pet dander, or known allergens.
- How large is the room or space where the air purifier will be active? Every air purifier has a particular area size it can handle without diminishing its performance.
- What is the CADR rating of each air purifier? This will allow you to compare data, noting how much smoke, dust, and pollen particles are removed from the air by a specific air purifier.
- What is the cost of running and maintaining the unit? How often you need to change the filter and how much energy is consumed by the air purifier are both critical factors to consider.
🤔 So… Which air purifier is best for you?
Air purifiers are meant to clean and filter the air around you. It is important to get an air purifier that targets the specific particles in your air and can address any irritants triggering your allergies. Of course, price and aesthetics are a factor, but choosing the best air purifier for you requires assessing your particular needs and what you hope to gain from purchasing one.
SOURCES
We calculated the monthly energy consumption costs with the help of our air purifier electricity usage calculator. We calculated daily and yearly costs associated with running an air purifier for 24hs a day in California. You can customize the result by air purifier wattage and by state.
Last update on 2023-06-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API