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The 11 best air purifiers we tested in 2023

We bought 54 air purifiers with our own money to test in our home lab to help you find the right air purifier for your home
By
Updated on March 19, 2024
Written by
Danny Ashton
Danny is the founder of HouseFresh and has been writing about air purifiers and indoor air quality since 2010. He is our lead tester, conducting all the tests we use to evaluate air quality products. That is why you will always see his name attached to our reviews.

An air purifier can help reduce the risk of COVID-19, reduce indoor air pollutants, clear the air from wildfire smoke, get rid of pet dander, absorb unwanted odors and remove harmful VOCs. But not every air purifier will do it all.

With hundreds of options to choose from, it’s easy to waste your money on a unit that won’t do the job you need. That is why we do the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.

As of November 2023, we have evaluated 452 different air purifiers to identify 54 units to purchase and put through our three-stage testing process.

  1. In our home lab of 728 cubic ft, 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. For portable air purifiers, we repeat this test inside our Tesla Model 3 to see how good the unit is at cleaning the air in a small enclosed space.

  5. 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.
    enery meter
  6. We track sound levels emitted by the air purifier at different fan speeds with the help of a commercial sound meter.
    sound meter

Based on the data from our hands-on testing, we have selected 11 air purifiers that we think are the very best on the market as of 2023 based on air cleaning performance, long-term running costs, sound levels and how easy they are to use in your home:

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

Our data shows that the most effective air purifier in 2023 is the Levoit EverestAir.

The modern design and superior air cleaning performance don’t come cheap, but the Levoit EverestAir is currently the best air purifier for 2023.
— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

The EverestAir cleaned the air in our home lab of PM1 particle pollutants from incense smoke in just 13 minutes. The EverestAir took the top place as the fastest air purifier we have ever tested.

It is also incredibly quiet, considering its powerful fan. The EverestAir reaches only 56 decibels at its highest fan speed, which is equivalent to a normal conversation or a refrigerator humming in the background. At its lowest fan speed (24 decibels = whisper), this air purifier could still clean the air in our test room in 33 minutes.

What we really like

Incredible air cleaning performance – this air purifier is FAST
It looks like it was designed by Apple, modern and stylish
Accurate onboard air quality sensor, making auto-mode effective
You can adjust the angle of the air vents

What we think could be better

It is the most expensive Levoit unit we have tested
Filter costs are higher than expected for Levoit, but they last longer than most (15 months)

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

The EverestAir is outstanding, but it won’t be the right fit for every situation. Scroll down to find out what other air purifiers I recommend, depending on your budget and the specific scenario in which you will use your device.

Best for under $100: Levoit Core 300

The Core 300 is a hard unit to beat when it comes to value for money.

When you’re looking to buy any product, your budget is usually high on the list of priorities. You don’t want to overspend, but you also don’t want to buy a cheap unit that doesn’t work. Our favorite budget-friendly unit that really works is the Levoit Core 300.

It’s light, small enough to fit on a desk or table and looks unintrusive in any room. With three fan speeds, sleep mode and a timer, the 300 has everything you need from a budget unit.

What we really like

Great performance for the price tag
It’s light and easy to move between rooms
Filter replacements are inexpensive
Sleep mode runs quietly and turns all display lights off

What we think could be better

It doesn’t come with an air quality sensor onboard, so there are no smart features such as auto-mode
You can’t remove the pre-filter to clean

Inside the circular body is a filter, which contains a pre-filter that deals with large particles, a main filter to clean airborne pollutants from the air and an activated carbon filter to remove smells and VOCs. It may not be the biggest filter out there, but they last 6-8 months before they need replacing.

SPECS & FEATURES

The 300 performed better than we had imagined for an air purifier that costs less than $100, as it cleared the air in our test room from incense smoke pollutants in just 40 minutes.

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):24 – 50dB
Filter life:6 – 8 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:2 years
Estimated energy consumption:$47.30
Country of manufacture:China

Tip

For more budget air purifiers, check out our favorite cheap air purifiers we tested in 2023.

Best for small rooms: Shark HP102

If you are looking for a stylish air purifier for a small room, then the Shark HP102 will offer efficient air cleaning without breaking the bank.

In the world of air purifiers, size matters, so finding an air purifier for a small room can be more difficult. Purchasing a unit that’s too big for the room will take up more space and waste energy. If you’re looking for an air purifier for a small room that will take care of pollutants, is energy efficient and has features usually found in larger units, look no further than the Shark HP102.

What we really like

It’s small and unintrusive
Its air quality sensor adjusts very quickly to detect pollutants
There are many cheap generic filters available
It would provide a good level of air changes per hour for spaces less than 219 sq. ft.
Great clear screen onboard sensor
Nearly silent on the lowest fan speed and still able to clean our test room in 25 minutes

What we think could be better

Shark marketing materials state that the HP102 is suitable for rooms of 500 sq. ft., but our testing shows that would be too big a space for the HP102 to clean the air effectively
No Android or Apple App support

The Shark HP102 features two high-quality screens, one for the air quality sensor display and another one for the control panel. Both screens are laid out well, making them easy to understand and to use without the need to go through the manual. That said, if you were to read the manual you would find that it is packed with excellent tips and handy diagrams to help you make the most of your HP102.

The HP102 filter features a unique type of air filtration technology called NanoSeal™ that combines a True HEPA filter with a Microban® coating and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter, making this our top recommendation for small rooms.

SPECS & FEATURES

This is our favorite air purifier for smaller spaces for several reasons, including its air cleaning performance, onboard air quality sensor and availability of cheap generic filters.

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★★
Time to clean our test room:38 minutes
Air purifier technology:NanoSeal™ Filter (True HEPA Multi-Filter with Microban® antimicrobial coating)
Recommended room size:500 sq. ft. (but it can only do 1.38 ACH so we recommend a minimum of 200 sq. ft.)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):92 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):8.66D x 8.66W x 14.56H inches (22D x 22W x 27H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):5.85 lbs (2.7 kg)
Noise level (low – high):41.7 – 56.5 dB
Filter life:6-12 months
Warranty:2 year limited warranty
Estimated energy consumption:$25.23 per year
Country of manufacture:China

Tip

Not quite what you were looking for? Check out the full list with all our favorite air purifiers for small rooms.

Best for large rooms: Alen BreatheSmart 75i

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i is worth the high price ticket: excellent air cleaning performance boosted by a large, activated charcoal filter.

An air purifier needs a few essential features to clear large rooms, including a high-powered fan and (most importantly) a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate). The BreatheSmart 75i from Alen fits the bill on both counts. 

This beast of a unit is engineered to clear contaminants from rooms up to 1,300 sq. ft., and you can see how when you open up the front to reveal its huge powerful fan and large filters. This combination gives the 75i a high CADR of 347 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), ideal for purifying large rooms. It cleared the pollutants from our testing room in just 24 minutes.

What we really like

The controls are easy to use
Replacing the filters is simple
It has wheels for maneuverability
It has an auto mode
You can turn the ionizer function on and off

What we think could be better

It’s a big unit
I wish it had handles on the sides

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i has a three-stage filter system that combines a pre-filter (which can be removed to clean), a H13 True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter packed with carbon pellets.

Tip

We prefer activated carbon filters that contain pellets over a bonded sheet, as they’re more effective at removing VOCs and odors from the air. The 75i comes with three types of HEPA filters to choose from (Pure, Fresh and Pet) to suit your specific needs.

The 75i is a high-end air purifier with a high-end price tag, but unfortunately, if you want to remove pollutants from a large room effectively, you will need to spend a little more. 

SPECS & FEATURES

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i is worth the high price ticket. Air cleaning performance is excellent and it comes with a large, activated charcoal filter, which is crucial for people who are trying to tackle smells and smoke in large spaces.

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:24 minutes
Air purifier technology:True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size:Up to 1,300 sq. ft. (2 ACH)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):347 CFM (589 m³/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):27H x 18.5W x 11.5D inches (68.58H x 46.99W x 29.21D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):12.2 kg (27 lbs)
Noise level (low – high):24 – 49dB
Filter life:12 – 15 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Estimated energy consumption:$47.30 per year
Country of manufacture:China

Tip

Looking for something different? You should definitely check out our round-up article with the best air purifiers for large spaces we’ve tested.

Best smart air purifier: Mila

The Mila air purifier is for those who want smart home features and are happy to pay for them.

You can turn your lights on and off by voice command, and you’re central heating can be controlled from anywhere in the world through an app, so it was only a matter of time before air purifiers caught up. Nowadays, air purifiers contain all modern features, from app control to built-in wireless phone charging.

The most impressive part of the Mila is its smart brain. It monitors the quality of the air in your home and adjusts the fan speed accordingly in real-time. You can delve into the menus and tailor the Mila to your specific needs and wants, but its Automagik mode is where this unit shows off its “smart” capabilities. 

What we really like

It’s super intuitive and easy to use
The air quality monitor detects PM1, PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, C02, C01 and temperature
You can choose the right filter to suit your needs from a selection of seven unique air filtration technology combinations
Modern design that doesn’t take up much floor space

What we think could be better

The myriad of smart functions in the Mila don’t come cheap
I found that the manual modes were more confusing compared to other ‘less smart’ air purifiers

Using the control panel is cool, but using the intuitive, well-designed, easy-to-navigate smartphone app available for Apple and Android devices. Here you can choose from the eight modes that focus on energy efficiency, sound levels, fan speeds etc. You can also monitor your room’s airborne particle levels and humidity and detect carbon monoxide from anywhere in the world with a WiFi connection.

A great feature of the Mila is the seven different filters you can choose from to suit your particular needs:

Mila FilterFilter TypeGood For
The Basic BreatherH12 HEPA for everyday use🚕 Pollution 🧹 Dust 🚬 Smoke
The Big SneezeH13 HEPA specializes in capturing allergens🌻 Pollen 🐈 Pet dander
🤧 Dust allergies
The Rookie ParentH12 HEPA with 0.70 lbs of activated carbon 🚕 Pollution 🧹 Dust 🚬 Smoke
👃 Odors 🧪 VOCs
The Critter CleanerH13 HEPA with 0.84 lbs of activated carbon 🌻 Pollen 🐈 Pet dander 🤧 Dust allergies
👃 Odors 🧪 VOCs
The Home WreckerH12 HEPA with 1.96 lbs of activated carbon  🚕 Pollution 🧹 Dust 🚬 Smoke
🐈 Pet dander 👃 Odors 🧪 VOCs
☠ Formaldehyde
The Mama-to-BeH14 HEPA with 0.70 lbs of activated carbon  🚕 Pollution 🐈 Pet dander 🌻 Pollen
🧹 Dust 🚬 Smoke 👃 Odors 🧪 VOCs
🔬 Ultrafine particulate (PM2.5)
🦠 Viruses and bacteria
The OverreactorH14 HEPA with 1.25 lbs of activated carbon 🚕 Pollution 🐈 Pet dander 🌻 Pollen
🧹 Dust 🚬 Smoke 👃 Odors
🧪 VOCs ☠ Formaldehyde
🔬 Ultrafine particulate (PM2.5)
🦠 Viruses and bacteria

SPECS & FEATURES

The Mila cleaned the air in our home lab in just 35 minutes, removing all traces of incense smoke pollutants. The nicest thing about this air purifier is to see it automatically map out your room and get to work, without you having to press any buttons.

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

Tip

Not your cup of tea? Check out the full list with our favorite smart air purifiers.

Best for allergies/asthma: Smart Air Blast Mini

The Blast Mini outperformed nearly all the units we’ve tested — exactly what those with severe allergies and asthma need.

The CDC states that over 60 million Americans suffer from various types of allergies yearly. For those who suffer from allergic reactions caused by airborne contaminants, an air purifier can make a world of difference by removing those contaminants from the air.  

If allergies plague your home life, we recommend this beast of an air purifie, the Smart Air Blast Mini. Smart Air is well known for making no-thrills, no-nonsense, powerful units focusing solely on performance. You won’t find any auto mode or air quality sensors on this air purifier, just one dial to operate its large fan.

What we really like

The metal shell is durable and more eco-friendly than plastic
The filter can last up to 33 months
It has an impressive CADR
It is easy to use, so there isn’t a lot that could go wrong

What we think could be better

It’s a heavy machine
Powerful fan = High energy consumption

The Blast Mini is far from its namesake; it is made from metal, so you know it will last. The downside is that it’s big and heavy, but it does come with wheels if you need to move it between rooms.

The huge fan maximizes performance giving this unit a high CADR of 435 CFM that cleared our testing room in an incredible time of just 17 minutes. Combine that with its massive H13 HEPA filter and your home will be 99.95% free of airborne allergens.

SPECS & FEATURES

It’s not loud, and although it’s heavy due to its metal body, it has wheels to move it around. I am confident this air purifier will stand the test of time.

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 (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 44.9 dB
Speed 2: 51.2 dB
Speed 3: 55.8 dB
Filter life:33 months
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0 kWh
Speed 1: 51.9 kWh
Speed 2: 87.4 kWh
Speed 3: 122.7 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$277.70 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

Tip

Too pricey? You will find a better match for your wallet in our list with the best air purifiers for allergies.

Best for medical: IQAir HealthPro Plus

The HealthPro Plus is one of the best purely mechanical (fan + HEPA + activated charcoal) air purifiers on the market bar none.

Without mentioning COVID-19, our homes can become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses without us knowing. No matter how often or thoroughly we clean, these nasty particles can survive on our surfaces. Introducing an air purifier into your home will offer extra protection as their HEPA filters can remove at least 99.7% of bacteria & viruses from the air.

It’s no secret that we fell in love with the IQAir as soon as we opened up the unit and investigated the filters inside. As part of three-stage filtration system, you get IQAir’s signature PreMax pre-filter that captures larger particles like dust, dander and allergens and their V5-Cell filter that contains over 5 lbs of activated carbon pellets to adsorb VOCs and odors.

What we really like

The filters can last four years before replacing
The HyperHepa filter is one of the top-performing filters on the market
It’s meticulously tested before shipping
Comes with a 10-year warranty 
Great clear screen onboard sensor
Nearly silent on the lowest fan speed and still able to clean our test room in 25 minutes

What we think could be better

It doesn’t come with any smart functions (the closest thing is a remote control, which is better than nothing)
It’s a heavy unit, weighing 35 lbs

The immensely effective HyperHEPA filter uses an ultrafine web of fibers to trap any airborne bacteria & viruses that try to pass through.

The HealthPro Plus may have a high price tag, but you’re paying for performance. It cleared the contaminants from our performance testing room in just 25 minutes. Each IQAir air purifier is manufactured and tested in their Swish factory, so you know it will perform flawlessly when you set it up in your home.

SPECS & FEATURES

If you are looking for a serious unit to help tackle bacteria and airborne viruses, then look no further. But buyer beware: the outstanding performance of the IQAir HealthPro Plus doesn’t come cheap.

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:25 minutes
Air purifier technology:HyperHEPA and V50-CELL gas and odor filter
Recommended room size:450 to 1125 sq. ft. 
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):300 CFM (510 m³/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):28H x 18W x 16D inches (71H x 38W x 41D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):35 lbs (16 kg)
Noise level (low – high):25dB – 69dB
Filter life:4 years
Manufacturer’s warranty:10 years
Estimated energy consumption:$165.04 per year

Tip

If you want to do some more research, I suggest you read our full list with the best air purifiers to deal with airborne bacteria and viruses.

Best for VOCs: Austin Air Healthmate 

This unit is a testament to American engineering with its HUGE filter (key for tackling chemical odors and VOCs), powerful fan and easy operation.

Wildfires can cause a lot of damage to our homes, villages, towns and cities. But even for those who aren’t directly affected by the fire, the smoke can drastically impact the air quality outdoors and in our homes. I don’t have to explain why exposure to wildfire smoke is bad, but I can explain how an air purifier will help.

The top air purifier on the market to deal with wildfire smoke is the American-made Austin Healthmate. It’s made for those with a severe air quality problem and needs a robust unit to tackle it.

What we really like

Easy to use with one-dial operation
It has a powder coat paint finish
It is made from steel
The filter can last 5 years

What we think could be better

It’s a heavy unit, weighing 47 lbs — luckily, it comes with wheels!
Filter costs are higher, but they do last longer than cheaper Levoit Core series units (up to 15 months)

The highly powerful fan can clear a room up to 1500 sq. ft. of wildfire smoke by pulling it through Austin’s True HEPA filter that consists of 60 sq. ft. of pleated fibers, trapping 99% of particles down to 0.1 microns. 

It’s not just the actual smoke that’s an issue; it’s also the smell it leaves behind. This odor can linger as it weaves its way into your furnishings. To help remove those nasty odors, the Healthmate contains over 780 cubic inches of activated carbon and Zeolite.

SPECS & FEATURES

This air purifier has been made with health at its core, which is why it comes with such a robust filter. Its air cleaning performance was 12 minutes slower than the IQAir Healthpro Plus.

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★☆
Time to clean our test room:36 minutes
Air purifier technology:Carbon Filter, HEPA Filter, Pre-Filter, Large Particle Pre-Filter
Recommended room size:750 to 1500 sq. ft. 
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):150 CFM (estimated based on HouseFresh tests)
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):47 lbs (21.3 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 42 dB
Speed 2: 53.2 dB
Speed 3: 61.5 dB
Filter life:5 years
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0 kWh
Speed 1: 61.1 kWh
Speed 2: 85.05 kWh
Speed 3: 147.6 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$254.56 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:5 years
Country of manufacture:US – Buffalo, New York

Tip

Read our full round-up with the best air purifiers for wildfire smoke available to buy.

Best for smoke: Levoit Core 600S

I had to test this thing twice because I couldn’t believe the $299 Core 600S could clean the air in our test room in under 15 minutes.

Science has shown us the dangers of cigar and cigarette smoke to our health. The advice from the CDC is that you should quit, but sometimes it’s not that simple. Whether you smoke yourself, a member of your household smokes, or smoke is creeping in from another household, the best course of action is to introduce an air purifier into your home. 

The Levoit Core 600S is one of our all-time favorite air purifiers for several reasons, but its cleaning ability is at the top of the list. The 600S impressed us by clearing the contaminants in our performance testing room in 15 minutes; that’s 10 minutes faster than a unit that costs hundreds of dollars more.

What we really like

It offers an impressive CADR to $ ratio
It is energy efficient
It’s lightweight, so you can move it easily between rooms
Replacing the filter is very simple and straightforward

What we think could be better

The pre-filter can’t be removed to clean
It’s a little loud on high fan speeds

The design of the 600S allows it to take in air from all sides, and using its circular three-stage filtration system, it works tirelessly to remove cigar and cigarette smoke from all corners of the room. The filter comprises a pre-filter, a main filter with HEPASmart technology™ and a custom Activated Carbon filter with ARC Formula™. 

Levoit’s AirSight Plus sensor allows you to monitor the quality of your air from the color-coded ring and numerical display on the unit or by connecting your unit to their VeSync smartphone app. The app also lets you control settings from anywhere with a WiFi connection.

SPECS & FEATURES

Levoit created a powerful unit with a pre-filter, a main filter and a high-quality Activated Carbon filter — the best combo for those looking to clean the air from cigar and cigarette smoke without breaking the bank.

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

Tip

Don’t miss our full guide with our favorite air purifiers to eliminate cigar & cigarette smoke.

Best bang for your buck: TaoTronics TT-AP003

A budget air purifier with premium functions and powerful air cleaning power. At $79.99, the TT-AP003 is a dream come true but that is usually out of stock.

The classroom is where we learn, grow and thrive. However, studies have shown poor air quality can impact our problem-solving abilities and decrease our concentration levels. Opening the windows may not be an option (and can let in more pollutants), so introducing an air purifier to the classroom will protect your overall health and help you concentrate on all that wonderful knowledge.

On our daily search for air purifiers, we heard rumors about how good was the TaoTronics TT-AP003 and instantly knew we had to get our hands on one to test. This unit lives up to the rave reviews, as we were highly impressed by its cleaning power, especially for a budget unit.

What we really like

The TT-AP003 cleared the air in our home lab in a mere 29 minutes — that’s faster than the Core 400S, the super smart Mila and even the highly-regarded Austin Air HealthMate
It has a high-efficiency motor, which translates into a powerful fan that won’t drain your electricity (and raise your energy bill)
It relies 100% on mechanical filtration (H13 HEPA + activated carbon), meaning it creates zero harmful ozone
Amazing performance — cleaned our test room in 13 minutes; it took the Core 300 40 minutes
Great clear screen onboard sensor
Nearly silent on the lowest fan speed and still able to clean our test room in 25 minutes

What we think could be better

It is virtually impossible to find one on Amazon — both the units and the filters are always out of stock
It comes with lots of smart functions but I really wish it had app support too

What makes the TT-AP003 ideal for classrooms is a combination of its powerful fan, a CADR of 226 CFM, auto mode, air quality monitor and its low annual running costs. It’s also straightforward to use. When you’re teaching a class, you don’t want to think about how the air purifier performs; with this unit, just set it to auto mode and let the machine do the rest.

This air purifier contains high-performance filters, including a washable pre-filter, H13 HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter packed with charcoal pellets to remove odors and VOCs from your classroom.

SPECS & FEATURES

If you’re buying one for a classroom, you will be able to buy multiple units without the need of a huge budget as the TaoTronics AP003 is extremely well-priced.

HouseFresh Rating:★★★★★
Time to clean our test room:29 minutes
Air purifier technology:H13 HEPA with activated carbon pellets
Recommended room size:322 sq ft (30 m²)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):226 CFM (384 m³/h )
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):21.8 x 14.1 x 7.9 inches (55.4 x 35.8 x 20cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):18 lbs (8.16 kg)
Noise level (measured from 3 ft. away):Speed 1: 38.4 dB
Speed 2: 42.8 dB
Speed 3: 54 dB
Filter life:3 – 6 months
Electricity consumption (kilowatt-hour):Standby mode: 0.7 kWh
Speed 1: 5.9 kWh
Speed 2: 10.5 kWh
Speed 3: 36.5 kWh
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$65.47 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

Tip

If you want to do more research, do not miss our guide to the best air purifiers for the classroom.

Other air purifiers we tested but that didn’t make the list

  • Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty – It does the job well, but it is too power-hungry for my liking, especially compared with newer units with updated technology that are a lot more budget-friendly in the long term.
  • Okaysou AirMax 10L Pro – This unit is a major seller on TikTok (tons of influencers ‘tested’ it, giving it glowing reviews), but it totally failed to impress us in our air cleaning performance test. Plus, I found some of their marketing a little unclear and potentially misleading. Hard pass.
  • Blueair Blue Pure 411+ – This air purifier did well in our air cleaning performance test and is it fairly quiet, but we are not fans of units that come with an inbuilt ionizer function that cannot be deactivated.
  • Rainbow RainMate – I didn’t expect much from this unit when I bought it (filter-less water-based air purifier) so I wasn’t shocked when it completely failed to do anything meaningful to our air quality during the home lab test. This unit should be avoided by anyone looking for any level of air cleaning.
  • AROEVE MK01 – An Amazon bestseller that completely failed to clean the air in our home lab at the rate of other similarly priced air purifiers.
  • Molekule Air Mini – It is way too overpriced and loud to be comfortable. Yes, it looks good, but steer clear if you care about air cleaning without the jet engine sound.
  • Medify MA-14 – It comes with high filter replacement costs, similar to other Medify units. That is why I always recommend other, more budget-friendly brands that don’t sting you with high long term filter costs.

What you should know about air purifiers before you buy one

Most portable air purifiers are designed for one room, so you need to make sure you consider the following regardless of what specific use case you have:

1. Calculate the size of your room

Air purifiers are designed to clean different-sized spaces, so measuring your room is important. Buying an air purifier too big for your room will waste space and use more energy than you need. On the other hand, using an air purifier that’s too small for your space means it won’t clean the air effectively.

Here’s a simple formula to help you measure the square footage of your room.

Volume = room area (length x width) x ceiling height 

2. Check the unit’s CADR with your room size

There’s a good reason we list the Clean Air Delivery Rate in the specs & features of each unit. The Clean Air Delivery Rate shows us how effectively the air purifier removes airborne contaminants. It’s measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute); the higher the number, the more powerful it is. 

If you have a larger space, you will need a unit with a higher CADR to clean the air efficiently.

We built a calculator that you can add your room size, and it will tell you what CADR level you need to achieve 4.8 air changes per hour, which is what the EPA recommends for portable air purifiers:

3. Look for HEPA and activated carbon filtration

Avoid new technologies like UV-C, PECO or anything that uses chemical processes to clean the air. Most of these devices are overpriced but could potentially generate dangerous chemical byproducts, so they are best avoided.

HEPA and activated charcoal are a mechanical filtration technology, so they don’t have byproducts but can still remove tiny particles and gases from your indoor environment.

HEPA filters have been used for decades to filter out unwanted airborne pollutants, and for good reason. They use a tightly woven maze of tiny fibers to trap microscopic particles, removing them from the air.

You can buy air purifiers that use other filters, but we’ve done our research and concluded that HEPA filters are the most efficient at removing pollutants.

If you have an issue with odors, you will want to look for an air purifier with a large amount of activated charcoal. Some good options are the Alen 75i with the Fresh filter, IQAir Healthpro Plus and the Austin Air Healthmate.

4. Check how the unit has performed in third-party tests

Here at HouseFresh, we compare all the air purifiers we review in the same test of clearing our 728 cubic ft lab of incense smoke and tracking how long it takes to remove all pollutants measuring 1 micron.

Our particulate pollutant experiment involves filling our home lab of 728 cubic feet with incense smoke and continually recording levels of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. At the same time, the air purifier runs at its top fan speed and the air quality with our industrial-grade sensor from Purpleair, which uses a Plantower PM-1003 and includes the BOSCH BME688 for gas, temperature and humidity.

This in-house testing has allowed us to evaluate all models of air purifiers, even when the manufacturer refuses to provide CADR scores. We share all our data in our reviews so you can see exactly how the air purifier performed at removing pollutants.

5. Energy consumption test

Once we have performance data, we move on to other issues like electricity usage, and using an energy meter, we track how much energy is used in watts at each fan speed.

All filters need to be replaced when using HEPA and activated charcoal, so we also made sure to use the included desk research to see how much they are priced, including both genuine and generic versions.

6. Noise levels test

Lastly, use a sound meter to track how loud and quiet each air purifier runs at each fan speed.

Tip

We always include this data in our reviews and are 100% transparent about our findings. The data from these tests helps us choose the right air purifiers for different use cases and known indoor air quality issues.


The most common questions about air purifiers

In most cases, and especially serious pollutants like smoke, you will want to try and get the biggest air purifier you can live with. Larger units often need fewer regular filter changes and can run quieter at low fan speed but keep the air clean.

If you don’t have a central HAVC system with MERV13 filters, you will need to use portable air purifiers, and most are designed for use in one room. There is a range of air purifiers for larger rooms, but even these will max out at around 600 sqft.

Try to match your room size to the air purifier CADR score. Be wary of using a small air purifier in a larger space as they might not remove all particles, which could aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms.

So yes, you will need to buy an air purifier for each room of the house you want to keep clean.

In most cases, it’s better to go for the largest air purifier you can live with as they can clean a larger room with only one set of filter costs and electricity usage. Although two air purifiers running at once can add their respective CADR scores together, it will allow you to use many cheap units cheaper than a large unit in the short and long term. Two Levoit Core 600S would give you a clean air delivery rate of 820 CFM for only $600, but you would pay twice as much for long-term costs.

HEPA type is just a trick that some companies use to sell a filter that is not certified in any way. Avoid any HEPA type or HEPA-like as they don’t mean anything.

Any other type of HEPA will be certified to capture 99.97% of particles up to 0.3 microns in size and below.

Different types of HEPA filters exist, but True HEPAs employ a mechanical air filtration method. Air is forced through a mesh, which can capture particles of up to 0.3 microns in size and below.

We wrote more about the difference between medical grade vs. True HEPA vs. HEPA.

There are plenty of overpriced air purifiers that you should avoid. However, several high-priced air purifiers still provide significant value, like the unique Dyson range of combo units and the build quality of the German-made IQAir. The Levoit Core range is good value, but I still would prefer the look and pay the extra for the Levoit Everest, but you don’t have to if how it looks isn’t of value to you.

If you don’t want to spend anything, you can make your own air purifier. Still, you can also look at an air purifier as a statement piece for your living room and spend $1.4K on the IQAir Atem X. We always try to include a range of budgets in all of our guides to air purifiers so we cover all based with our readers.

Why trust HouseFresh

Danny Ashton wrote his first air purifier review in 2011 after realizing that many companies were pushing ionizer-based units like those from Sharper Image, even though the risk of ozone was obvious. That was the beginning of HouseFresh.

We are a team of indoor air quality enthusiasts committed to recommending the best appliances for every real-life situation across all budgets. We buy every air quality product we review with our own money to ensure we are free to say exactly what we think with no strings attached to the manufacturers. We also test every product in our own home lab, using the very best air quality sensors to understand exactly how well a specific air purifier will perform at removing tiny particles from the air.

We are always continuously improving how we investigate air cleaning performance. For example, we recently moved our incense stick experiment to a Tesla Model 3 to find the best air purifier for a car after discussing our home lab test with various air quality experts on X (formerly Twitter).

If you have any questions or feedback, do not hesitate to drop us a line.

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

Danny Ashton

Danny is the founder of HouseFresh and has been writing about air purifiers and indoor air quality since 2010. He is our lead tester, conducting all the tests we use to evaluate air quality products. That is why you will always see his name attached to our reviews.