CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It’s a rating independently provided by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to indicate how well an air purifier will perform.
The CADR score is calculated by measuring the volume of clean air produced when a purifier is used against the three most common pollutants: dust, pollen and smoke. The score is given as a measurement of cubic feet per minute (CFM) and the maximum CADR value certified by AHAM is 450 CFM for pollen/smoke and 400 CFM for dust.
In simple terms, the higher the CADR score for each pollutant, the faster the air purifier filters the air. That means that you can use CADR values to make a confident and informed decision, knowing that a higher score means greater efficiency and ensuring that you are choosing an air purifier with enough power to clean your specific room.
High CADR devices are the best choice for large rooms, open-plan spaces, classrooms, office and homes with high ceilings.
However, CADR is just one of many important metrics for evaluating air purifiers. That’s why here at HouseFresh, we also perform our own experiments and tests to benchmark and compare the performance of all the units we recommend.
Staff picks: Top performing, high CADR air purifiers
If you’re short on time, here is our short list of the high CADR air purifiers we recommend, based on our own testing:
| Smart Air Blast Mini | AirFanta 3Pro | Levoit Core 600S | Levoit EverestAir | CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 | Corsi-Rosenthal Box | |
 |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Time to PM1 zero | 15 mins | 17 mins | 15 mins | 16 mins | 23 mins | 30 mins |
| CADR | 435 CFM | 430 CFM | 373 CFM | 365 CFM | 323 CFM | 274 CFM |
| Filter tech | H13 HEPA + optional carbon | H11 HEPA + optional carbon | Particle + carbon | Bonded particle + carbon | MERV 13 filters | MERV 13 filters |
| Max room size (5 ACH) | 703 sq. ft. | 671 sq. ft. | 615 sq. ft. | 547 sq. ft. | 485 sq. ft. | 411 sq. ft. |
| Noise levels | 44-56 dB | 36-56 dB | 40-61 dB | 39-57 dB | 38.8 dB | 49-60 dB |
| Yearly running costs | $311.89 | $125.23 | $195.13 | $206.36 | $58.16 | $110.88 |
| List price | $599.00 | $159.99 | $299.99 | $499.99 | $299.00 | $85.00 |
There’s something for everyone on this list, with air cleaners across a range of budgets — although we ensured that each purifier has a CADR score of at least 270 CFM.
1. Smart Air Blast Mini (435 CFM)
The Blast Mini is the most powerful air purifier we have ever tested.
The Blast Mini from Smart Air is a beast of an air purifier suitable for large spaces of up to 703 sq. ft. This unit can draw a lot of air, cleaning it quickly as it passes through its combination of H13 HEPA filters and optional activated charcoal (an option we recommend).
What we really like
What we think could be better
The Smart Air Blast Mini will likely be overkill for many homes, but if you the $599 price tag doesn’t put you off and you want the most power you can get, then this is the air purifier we recommend.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 HEPA filter (and optional activated carbon filter) |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 703 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (estimated CADR): | 435 CFM |
| 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) |
| Filter life: | 13 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 44.9 dB Speed 2: 51.2 dB Speed 3: 56.3 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 51.9 watts Speed 2: 87.4 watts Speed 3: 122.7 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $285.29 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $1.38 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
2. AirFanta 3Pro (430 CFM)
An air purifier powered by PC fans that can be disassembled to fit inside a carry-on suitcase or large backpack.
Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.
We tested the AirFanta 3Pro in 2024 and it blew my mind. The 3Pro is a truly affordable, high CADR air purifier that you can find on Amazon for less than $160. This is unheard of for an air purifier with a CADR above 400 CFM!
What we really like
What we think could be better
The design of the AirFanta 3Pro is inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box, with filtration across four sides of the cube with HEPA H11 filters (with the option to add activated carbon), a base and four powerful PC fans arranged as an array at the top.
You will get to build the 3Pro yourself and you can also take it apart to bring it with you when you travel to use in spaces up to 559 sq. ft.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 17 minutes |
| Air filtration technology: | True HEPA H11 |
| Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 671 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Estimated: 430 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6 – 12 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | 3.63 volts: 36.1 dB 4.19 volts: 36.9 dB 5.24 volts: 39.7 dB 6.54 volts: 43.3 dB 7.44 volts: 46.7 dB 8.56 volts: 49.1 dB 12.6 volts: 56.3 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | 43.23 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $125.23 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.35 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
3. Levoit Core 600S (410 CFM)
The Core 600S provides powerful performance in a large package for a budget-friendly price.
With an overall CADR rating of 410 CFM, the Core 600S will be able to clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 615 sq. ft. Powered with Levoit’s signature 3-stage filtration system, the 600S has a bonded cylindrical filters inside that includes a pre-filter you can vacuum, a non-HEPA particle filter and a layer of pelleted activated carbon to tackle odors and gases.
What we really like
What we think could be better
Costing $299.99, the Levoit Core 600S offers excellent bang for your buck. Equipped with a 4-speed fan setting and an auto mode, the 600S also connects to an app to control the device from your phone or tablet.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 22 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 (5 air changes per hour): | 615 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 373 CFM Smoke: 377 CFM Pollen: 437 CFM |
| 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) |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 40.9 dB Speed 2: 45.9 dB Speed 3: 61.4 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 1.53 watts Speed 1: 7.92 watts Speed 2: 11.35 watts Speed 3: 21.15 watts Speed 4: 49.27 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $195.13 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.80 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
4. Levoit EverestAir (360 CFM)
The EverestAir is the most expensive air purifier in the Levoit range, and it shows. It’s stylish, smart and powerful.
The EverestAir is a powerful air purifier that quickly became a favorite at HouseFresh after we first reviewed it back in 2023. With a CADR of 360 CFM, it can clean the air in rooms up to 547 sq. ft. five times in one hour. To put this into context, the EverestAir cleaned our test room in 16 minutes, placing it right between the Blast Mini and the AirFanta 3Pro.
What we really like
What we think could be better
It comes with an on-board air quality sensor that makes it possible for you to run the EverestAir in automatic mode, adjusting fan speeds autonomously based on the air quality readings of the sensor.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 16 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 (4.8 air changes per hour): | 563 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 365 CFM Smoke: 363 CFM Pollen: 428 CFM |
| 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 (9.39 kg) |
| Filter life: | 12-15 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 39.1 dB Speed 2: 43.2 dB Speed 3: 48.6 dB Turbo: 57.8 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 1.26 watts Speed 1: 9.85 watts Speed 2: 15.59 watts Speed 3: 26.6 watts Turbo: 69.8 watts |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $206.36 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $1.37 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
5. CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 (323 CFM)
The Luggable XL from CleanAirKits is officially the quietest high CADR air purifier we have tested.
The Luggable XL-7 from the team at CleanAirKits is a high CADR air purifier that can clean the air five times in an hour in rooms up to 485 sq. ft. It uses seven Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans and two 20×25 MERV 13 filters. We chose the 7-fan version of the Luggable XL but you can also go for a model with five PC fans instead.
What we really like
What we think could be better
As I said before in my review of this device, once I finished testing the particle removal speed of the Luggable XL, I became convinced that PC fans might be the future of air purifiers. When you consider air cleaning performance to sound ratio (or energy consumption ratio), the Luggable XL-7 can out-clean even the best traditional HEPA air purifiers sold in retail stores.
| 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 |
6. Corsi-Rosenthal Box (274 CFM)
An air purifier you can build yourself at home with four HVAC filters, a box fan, a piece of cardboard, some duct tape and scissors.
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box is a DIY air purifier that was popularized during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can build this box air filters in less than 10 minutes using components you might already have in your house: four 20-inch MERV 13 filters, a box fan, two pieces of cardboard and duct tape.
What we really like
What we think could be better
When testing the particle removal speed of our 20×20 Corsi-Rosenthal box, we found that this $85 DIY air purifier was able to remove all PM1 pollutants in the air as quickly as $500+ devices. That is wild and goes to show that you don’t need HEPA filters to achieve a high CADR and get access excellent air cleaning performance of MERV 13 filters.
| HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 30 minutes (with a cardboard shroud) |
| Air purifier technology: | MERV 13 |
| Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour): | 411 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Estimated: 274 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 20L x 20W x 20H inches (50L x 50W x 50H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6-12 months |
| Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 49 dB Speed 2: 55.1 dB Speed 3: 60.7 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0 kWh Speed 1: 40.5 kWh Speed 2: 44.5 kWh Speed 3: 46.7 kWh |
| Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $110.88 per year |
| Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.29 |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | n/a |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
Four high CADR air purifiers that nearly made the list
These devices will offer powerful air cleaning performance. If none of the options above feels right for you, one of these units might be a good pick.
As of 2025, we have bought, tested and reviewed 94 air purifiers. When shortlisting the best high CADR units in our collection, we had to make some tough calls and some models didn’t make the cut. However, these four air purifiers are solid choices.
Alorair Clean Shield HEPA 550
The Clean Shield HEPA 550 from Alorair is a good choice for those looking for a high CADR air cleaner for a construction site or to use during a home renovation.
With a CADR of 410 CFM, this device comes with a MERV 10 (pre)filter, a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter, and is capable of cleaning 550 cubic feet of dirty air per minute.
The reason it didn’t make the list is because this device is way too loud (74.5 dB) and way too power-hungry (224 watts) to be used at home.
Blueair Blue Pure 211+
With a CADR of 350 CFM, the 211+ is one of the more powerful air purifiers in the Blueair range.
Equipped with a HEPA filter and activated carbon, this air purifier can clean the air in rooms up to 525 sq. ft. five times in one hour. The 211+ completed our particle removal test in 20 minutes, which is faster than the Levoit Core 600S.
This air purifier didn’t make our short list because it comes with an ionizer (HEPASilent technology) that cannot be disabled. If ozone or ionization are not a concern for you, then the 211+ might be just what you have been looking for.
AirDoctor 3000
The AirDoctor 3000 has a CADR of 339 CFM thanks to its powerful fan, a chunky UltraHEPA filter and an equally chunky carbon filter packed with pelleted activated carbon.
It comes with an ionizer function but, unlike what we see with Blueair devices, AirDoctor included a button to turn the ionizer on and off. It also has an in-built air quality sensor that makes it possible for the device to run in automatic, autonomously adjusting fan speeds when the quality of the air in the room declines.
We didn’t include the AirDoctor 3000 in our final list because it costs $519 but it doesn’t come with any smart functions or design elements. We opted for including the Levoit EverestAir in its place because it’s $20 cheaper but it offers a lot more value.
Honeywell HPA300
What it lacks in looks, the veteran HPA300 makes up for in performance, fueled by a cost-effective CADR of 300 CFM.
Featuring three HEPA filters and a carbon filter, the Honeywell HPA300 is a high-powered air purifier with four fan speeds and straightforward controls. Unfortunately, these days, it is hard to get hold of the HPA300 on Amazon but you could find it on eBay for less than $100 if you go hunt for it.
The reason why this unit didn’t make the cut is that in 2025, the Honeywell HPA300 is now too dated, too loud and too power-hungry compared to newer air purifiers. However, we still recommended to those looking for a high CADR air purifier for a space like a basement, where a sturdy, hard-wearing device is the best option.
What to look for when buying a high CADR air purifier
Before taking the plunge on a new air purifier, there are a few things you should consider first.
1. Look for a high-quality particle filter
Despite how powerful an air purifier is, it will struggle to remove the smallest of pollutants without high-quality filters.
Of course, a high CADR score is a great indication that a purifier will perform well, but it’s also wise to look for quality filters. Keep an eye out for certifications such as HEPA 13 or MERV, as these show that a filter has been tested by an independent body.
2. Decide if you need activated carbon to tackle odors and VOCs
Clean Air Delivery Rate refers to an air purifier’s ability to remove particulate matter, tested against dust, pollen and smoke. If you’re looking for a unit to tackle gaseous pollutants such as smells, chemical fumes and VOCs, then you’ll need to double up on filtration, combining a particulate filter with an activated carbon filter, too.
Remember, the more carbon a filter has, the more effective it will be.
3. Measure the room where you will use the device
Many people use CADR as a gauge for buying a quality air purifier. After all, the higher the number, the better it will be at removing pollutants.
While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, you may find that you will buy a larger unit than you actually require, taking up valuable living space and incurring higher running costs.
It’s always advisable to measure the size of the room in which you intend to use the purifier so you have an idea of how powerful it will need to be. Remember that to really reap the rewards, a purifier will have to be able to circulate the air 4.8 times an hour in your specific space.
Use our CFM calculator to see what the minimum CADR your purifier will have to be to make an impact.
Common questions about High CADR air purifiers
This metric means the unit has been independently tested and verified to clean a certain amount of air per minute, so, generally speaking, the higher the CADR an air purifier has, the better it will be at cleaning the air.
Purifiers designed for large spaces will normally have higher CADR scores, so relying on this alone may leave you with a huge unit that uses a lot of power. Be sure to assess all your options in order to find the best unit for your needs.
It’s easy to say to purchase an air purifier with the highest CADR score you can afford. After all, can you really have too much of a good thing?
However, this may result in you paying over the odds for a powerful purifier you don’t really need.
Determining what makes a good CADR level will depend entirely on the space you plan to use the unit in.
- For a small room measuring up to 120 square feet, your purifier would need a CADR of 100 CFM.
- The average primary bedroom size in the U.S. is 225 square feet, so you would need a more powerful unit with a CADR between 180-200 CFM.
- For an open-plan living space, you’ll need to go even bigger, looking toward air purifiers with a CADR over 300 CFM.
There are some pretty beastly air purifiers out there for use in commercial, public and domestic settings.
The most powerful air purifier we’ve tested is the Smart Air Blast Mini, which clocks a colossal CADR of 435 CFM. Making it a versatile option for open-plan homes, or even schools and offices.
A purifier’s Clean Air Delivery Rate is an independent verification of how well it can clean the air, carried out by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
As this is a third-party test, it can be trusted and used to compare similar air purifiers side by side.
It’s worth noting that CADR is tested against the three most common pollutants: dust, pollen and smoke. This will provide a good indication of how well an air purifier combats particulate matter, but not against VOC pollutants.
The ⅔’s rule is a rough guide to finding the minimum CADR your air purifier will need to work within a given space.
For example, if your space measures 150 square feet, you’ll need an air purifier with a CADR of 100 CFM.
When combating severe issues that pose a health danger, like wildfire smoke or allergens, it’s advisable to match the CADR to your square footage.
Jargon like CADR and Merv can often trip consumers up.
These are simply two terms that indicate how well an air purifier will perform.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is an independent metric from AHAM, measuring how many cubic feet of air a purifier can clean per minute.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (Merv), on the other hand, looks at how effective the filters inside the purifier are at removing airborne particles between 0.3 and 10 microns in size. This can range from Merv 1-4, which captures 20% of particles 10 microns in size, to Merv 17 (aka HEPA), which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
CADR and airflow are often mistaken for the same thing.
While an air purifier’s airflow measures how much air it can intake and expel, CADR looks at how well it cleans the air it has drawn in from its surroundings.
While airflow tells you how powerful the fan inside the purifier is, CADR tells you how well it will perform.
Wrapping up
An air purifier that has a higher CADR rating will help clean rooms faster and work to remove pollutants in the air. My personal rule of thumb is to look for air purifiers with a CADR of at least 200 cfm as that will offer enough power to clean the air multiple times per hour. However, your room size will determine the CADR rating you should look for.
If you can’t find an air purifier that fits your needs in my short list above, just shoot me an email to danny@housefresh.com and I will do my best to help!
