One of the big questions we get asked from readers is, “What air purifiers are manufactured in the USA?”
Like many consumer products, most air purifiers are built in China, with a smaller number being made in Korea and Germany.
Buying American-made means you will support manufacturing jobs in the USA and benefit from the extra rules and regulations that factories in America must follow.
I am the lead tester here at HouseFresh, so my job is to review and test air purifiers in our home lab regularly. Based on my data and first-hand experience, I have uncovered the best-performing units completely built in the United States.
1. A classic American-made air purifier: Austin Air HealthMate
All Austin Air devices are built at the largest air-cleaning manufacturing facility in the world in Buffalo, New York.
The Austin Air HealthMate has an estimated CADR of 150 CFM, making it suitable for rooms of up to 234 sq. ft. It comes with four stages of filtration to protect your home from a wide range of pollutants. With a medical-grade HEPA filter, this air purifier will clear particles such as dust, pet dander, pollen, viruses and bacteria from the air.
However, the HealthMate isn’t just a good option for clearing particulate matter. With a carbon blend filter packed with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite, the HealthMate comes with a MASSIVE carbon filter that will work wonders in removing VOCs and odors from the air. While the two-stage pre-filter handles larger particles, protecting and improving the efficiency of the HEPA filter in the process.
What we really like
What we think could be better
Something I need to mention is that the 15 lbs of carbon impact the HealthMate’s ability to remove particles quickly. In our particle removal test, the HealthMate needed 52 minutes to reach PM1 zero in our 728 cubic feet test room after we burnt an incense stick with the door closed. Just to put this into perspective, the IQAir HealthPro Plus, which also has a lot of carbon and zeolite, completed the same test in 28 minutes, which is 24 minutes faster than the Austin Air device.
In terms of the control panel of this device, Austin Air decided to include just a single dial for fuss-free operation for those looking for a functional unit. When it comes to the overall design, the body of the HealthMate is large and heavy, but it comes on castor wheels, which really help when the time comes to move it from room to room.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 52 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | HEPA filter and 15 lb of activated carbon |
| Recommended room size (estimated by HouseFresh to achieve 5 air changes per hour): | 234 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Estimated: 156 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23H x 14.5W x 14.5D inches (58.4H x 36.8W x 36.8D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 20.41 lbs (9.26 kg) |
| Filter life: | 5 years |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 42.5 dB Speed 2: 53.2 dB Speed 3: 61.5 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 61.1 watts Speed 2: 85.05 watts Speed 3: 147.6 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $283.03 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $4.80 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of manufacture: | U.S. (Buffalo, New York) |
As all Austin Models are made in the USA, you could also look at the following other air purifier models:
- Austin Air Healthmate Plus®
- Austin Air Bedroom Machine®
- Austin Air Allergy Machine®
2. The next generation of made-in-USA air purifiers: CleanAirKits Luggable XL
All CleanAirKits devices are hand-assembled in and shipped from Missouri, United States.
CleanAirKits is a family business founded in 2022 with the goal of finding a quiet, cheap and efficient air purifier to keep the air in classrooms across America clean and safe after mask mandates were dropped. Every DIY kit sold by CleanAirKits is assembled by hand in Missouri, and that is why they earned a spot on this list.
The Luggable XL-7 is not your traditional air purifier. Inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box, the Luggable XL is part of the next generation of air purifiers powered by PC fans. Boasting 323 cfm, the Luggable XL-7 can clean the air 4.8 per hour in rooms of up to 485 sq. ft.
What we really like
What we think could be better
If you opt for the DIY kit to assemble your Luggable XL at home, you will receive a box with everything you need other than the filters. You will get Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans, four hardboard panels (one with an integrated handle), a power supply, internal pre-tensioner cords, foam tape strips and seven fan guard grills. Check out this video where I show you the steps to build it yourself.
In terms of the filters, you can choose any 20×25 MERV 13 filters. CleanAirKits recommends 3M Filtrete MPR1900+, and I agree with their recommendation after testing different brands of MERV 13 filters.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 23 minutes |
| Air filtration technology: | MERV 13 |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 485 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 323 CFM Smoke: 259 CFM Pollen: 370 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 7D x 25W x 20H in (18D x 64W x 51 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6-12 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Only speed: 38.8 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Only speed: 10.5 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $58.16 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by Intertek): | $0.93 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of manufacture: | United States |
3. A small air purifier made in the USA: CleanAirKits Triple Exhalaron
All CleanAirKits air purifiers are assembled by hand in Missouri, USA
The Triple Exhalaron is another device from the team at CleanAirKits, hand-assembled and shipped from their headquarters in MIissouri.
This small air purifier has a CADR of 120 cfm and it is powerful enough to give you 4.8 air changes per hour in rooms of up to 180 sq. ft. When we tested its air cleaning performance when running at its highest fan speed, it cleaned our test room in 46 minutes, which is faster than the popular Levoit Core 300, the PuroAir 240 and the Aroeve MK04.
What we really like
What we think could be better
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 46 minutes |
| Air filtration technology: | HEPA H10 + carbon |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 180 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 128 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 22W x 7.25D x 8.5H in (56W x 14D x 22 cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 35.2 dBA Speed 2: 37.7 dBA Speed 3: 40.5 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby: 0.1 watts Speed 1: 1.1 watts Speed 2: 2.8 watts Speed 3: 6 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $96.36 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by Intertek): | $2.99 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of manufacture: | United States |
What to look for when buying an air purifier made in the USA
While shopping for a U.S made or designed air purifier is an excellent place to start for a quality unit, you should still pay close attention to the purifier’s specification, ensuring it is a good fit for your needs, whether it needs to be capable of cleaning the air in a large open-plan home or be able to target specific pollutants that may be detrimental to your health.
Consider these five key factors to make life easier when choosing the right unit for your needs:
1. Look for high quality particle filters
High-efficiency particulate Air filters consist of tightly woven fibers constructed layer upon layer of densely packed pleats. This provides an inescapable maze for pollutants to travel through as they enter the purifier, removing at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
While other filtration methods exist, HEPA filters are tried and tested to provide the most effective changes to poor air quality.
2. Decide if you also need to tackle gases and odors
Whether you live near a busy road affected by traffic fumes or have a stinky pet, pollutants known as VOCs comprise nuisance and often harmful gasses rather than particulate matter. In reality, every home will be affected by VOCs to some extent, as they emit from many household items (carpets, furniture and cookers) and occur naturally in the earth’s atmosphere.
To tackle VOCs, look for an air purifier that utilizes Activated Carbon filters. These filters usually work alongside HEPA filters to provide the most comprehensive level of protection.
If you think that your air quality might be adversely affected by VOC pollutants, look for a carbon filter with a large amount of charcoal and that the substrate is made of pellets rather than dust for the best results.
3. Determine the size of the space your air purifier will need to clean
Unbeknown to many, each air purifier is designed to work optimally in a specific-sized space. This means the fans and filters can only effectively process a given amount of air.
Purchasing a small purifier in a large, open-plan space won’t affect air quality. By measuring your room and comparing the dimensions to the manufacturer’s recommended room size, you’ll get a good idea of the right unit for you.
Once you’ve measured the room where you will place the air purifier, you can use our calculator to find out what CADR rating you should be looking for:
4. Consider how opting for a made-in-USA device will impact its price
Like many goods, air purifiers made in the USA often have a premium price tag. You must opt for a unit that meets the minimum requirement for your space without compromising on room coverage or filtration.
If you find that no suitable options are made in the USA within your budget, look for options that may be designed here yet are manufactured overseas, as this will usually reduce the cost considerably.
5. Beware of how much energy the air purifier consumes
As the cost of living rises and energy prices continue to fluctuate, it’s important to understand what you will expect to pay when using an air purifier before taking the plunge. Using our energy cost calculator, you can enter the unit’s wattage and receive an approximate cost to avoid any nasty surprises when your energy bills arrive.
Common questions about American-made air purifiers
Regarding manufacturing, China has very high-quality factories and lower production costs, making it hard for US companies to build their goods on US soil. This has been happening across various industries for some time, but if you want to read more about it, check out this Proquest study.
You’ll also find that eastern technology hubs such as Beijing and Seoul are somewhat ahead of the game regarding air quality, having needed a solution to polluted air due to their increasing industrialization and booming populations over the years.
Most air purifiers are made in China due to lower costs associated with production. Levoit, Blueair, Medify and Honeywell are headquartered in the United States, but their factories are based in China.
Air pollution is increasingly on the radar for many people in the USA. And for good reason, too. Whether affected by high traffic or industrial areas that emit harmful fumes, the toxic smoke created when wildfires strike or simply the desire for a healthier environment in your home, free from dust, allergens or odor. There are plenty of factors that negatively impact air quality in American homes.
Using an air purifier in your home will protect yourself and your loved ones from breathing in these harmful pollutants daily. Many of which can contribute to health concerns in the long run.
Here in the USA, we’ve been making promising strides in recent decades, seeing a reduction in the level of toxic pollution emitted into our atmosphere from unregulated industries.
Yet, as our planet faces new challenges, hundreds of millions of Americans live daily in environments plagued by poor air quality, often unaware that the air they breathe harms their health.
As air pollution, consisting of microscopic particles, is usually invisible to the naked eye, it can be easy to turn our attention elsewhere. However, the particulate matter from burning fossil fuels, agriculture, construction and wildfires contribute to 100,000 deaths in the USA annually.
Other common pollutants found in the home, such as bacteria, viruses, mold and allergens, directly affect millions more, all of which can kill any vulnerable person.
Wrapping up
Air pollution in the USA remains a key issue, with no sign of things changing for the better soon. Investing in an air purifier with HEPA and Activated Carbon filters can help protect yourself and your family from the range of pollutants we face.
Opting for a purifier made in the USA is a great way to guarantee you’ll be purchasing a purifier made and designed to tackle the challenges we experience in the U.S. while being made to the highest standard by American workers.
Suppose your budget doesn’t allow you to buy an American-made air purifier. In that case, there are plenty of excellent options from US-owned businesses that develop air purifiers here in the USA before having them assembled overseas, meaning you can reap the rewards of an American-designed unit without paying a premium. Our favorite US brand that manufactures well-priced air purifiers is Levoit, which makes the Levoit Core 300, Core 600S and EverestAir in China, and they performed very well in our in-house performance tests.
