The COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire smoke covering the NYC skyline highlighted the importance of clean air.
Sadly, the air purifier industry is full of many bad actors, with manufacturers claiming lab reports that don’t exist and exaggerating room size recommendations — and even big media publications recommending sub-par devices to boost their affiliate commissions.
But improving the air quality inside your home doesn’t need to burn a hole in your pocket.
Since 2020, we have bought and thoroughly tested 117 air purifiers (and counting!) to separate the good from the absolute scams.
In this article, I will share our top picks for every room of the house, including options for those living in and outside the U.S. Along the way, I’ll teach you what you need to know about air purifiers before you buy one, so you can make the best choice for your specific needs.
And at the very end, I’ll potentially save you hundreds of dollars by steering you away from popular models that are not worth it or that have been quietly discontinued.
Don’t buy an air purifier before watching this
These are our picks for the best air purifiers in 2025.
Read on to learn about the solid air purifier models that didn’t make the list, as well as the ones we tested that aren’t a good investment based on our data.
1. Best for most people: Levoit Vital 200S
A high-performing air purifier with smart functions and cleaning power that matches units sold for double its price.
This was my pick for most people last year and it remains so because it costs less than $200, it will fit small to medium sized rooms, it comes with activated carbon as default, it has an air quality sensor that unlocks smart features, you can control it through the VeSync app (which is a great app) AND it offers good performance at both top speed and lower fan speeds. In short, the Vital 200S will tick off most boxes for most people.
It completed our particle removal test in just 23 minutes, outpacing the newer Winix 5510 and the popular Blueair 311i Max. However, unlike those two units, the Vital 200S achieved this without an ionizer.
Based on this result, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 260 cfm, which will be powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 390 sq. ft.
It comes with a bonded particle and gas filter: on one side, you get a pleated particle filter (for pollen, dust and other allergens), and on the other side, you get pelleted activated carbon (for odors and gases).
In addition to a particle filter, the 200S comes with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a pre-filter that can be removed and washed easily to extend the life of the filter.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 254 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | Bonded particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a removable pre-filter |
| Recommended room size: | 390 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 15.6D x 8.5W x 19.8H inches (39.3D x 21.5W x 50.2H cm) |
| Weight: | 13.2 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 38.3 dB Speed 2: 41.9 dB Speed 3: 53.8 dB Speed 4: 57.7 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby mode: 0.97 watts Speed 1: 5.71 watts Speed 2: 8.01 watts Speed 3: 31.96 watts Speed 4: 44.55 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
- For those in the UK and Europe, check out the Xiaomi 4 Pro. It has a top speed PM1 CADR of 249 cfm, comes with smart functionalities, and is available for £210 or €250. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
- For those in countries where neither the Vital 200S nor the 4 Pro is available, I recommend the Levoit Core 400S, as it offers comparable air cleaning performance (247 cfm) and it also has all the same smart functions. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
- If you want a HEPA filter, consider the Winix 5510. It offers similar air cleaning performance as the Vital 200S, but it comes with a True HEPA filter. It also features an on/off ionizer function that can be engaged as needed. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
2. Best value for money: AirFanta 3Pro
The PC fan-powered 3Pro is one of the best-performing air purifiers to date, with a super budget-friendly initial price.
Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.
The AirFanta 3Pro is another PC fan powered air purifier that broke the mold. Based on our tests, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, which is incredible considering its low price of $159.99 and will allow the 3Pro to provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 529 sq. ft.
With a design inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, the 3Pro is a box with a plastic base, four HEPA filters (with optional pelleted carbon) at each side, and four PC fans on top.
You can even disassemble and reassemble the 3Pro to bring it with you inside a carry-on suitcase or large backpack wherever you go.
In terms of size, the 3Pro is relatively small and can fit comfortably on top of a side table or windowsill.
But don’t let its size trick you into thinking this is not a powerful unit. This PC fan-powered air purifier can outperform air purifiers twice its size that cost three times its price.
If you care about one thing—maximum air cleaning for the minimum price—the 3Pro is untouchable.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 213 cfm |
| Filter technology: | True HEPA H11 and optional pelleted activated carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 529 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm) |
| Weight: | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | 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 : | 43.23 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 6 – 12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
- For those looking for a more traditional-looking budget device, check out the Levoit Vital 100S. It can remove both particles and odors from the air (and comes with an app too) for $140. WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜
- For those in Europe, check out the Midea SmartAir Pure Control, which is built on the same design as the now-discontinued TaoTronics AP003 and offers the same top-notch performance for just £160. WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜
3. Best quiet: CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7
If you want the absolute best performance-to-noise ratio on the market with the lowest long-term running costs, then you cannot beat this PC fan-powered air purifier.
The Luggable XL-7 is an air purifier that you can build yourself with seven PC fans and two MERV 13 filters, resulting in an estimated PM1 CADR of 260 cfm with a sound level below 40 decibels! That means this air purifier can clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 390 sq. ft.
It’s the quietest high-performing air purifier I have ever tested. Running at its own fan speed, it cleared our test room in just 23 minutes while generating just 38.8 dBA of noise.
For a traditional air purifier to match this level of quiet performance, you have to buy a much larger, much more expensive machine and run it on its lowest settings.
And even then, the Luggable XL-7 will outmatch it with the energy efficiency of its seven Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans.
You can choose any 20×25 HVAC filters, but we recommend the 3M Filtrete MPR1900. Sadly, there is no carbon option for odors.
This combination of energy-efficient PC fans and 25×20 HVAC filters leads to incredibly low long-term running costs.
To put it into perspective, for the first-year cost of one premium IQAir unit, you could buy four Luggable XLs and put one in almost every room of your house.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Intertek PM2.5: 323 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | MERV 13 (20×25) |
| Recommended room size: | 390 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 7D x 25W x 20H in (18D x 64W x 51 cm) |
| Weight: | 8 lbs (3.63 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Only speed: 38.8 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Only speed: 10.5 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 6-12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | United States |
- For those in Canada, you will want to check out Northbox Systems. They are a Canadian team that produces PC fan-powered air purifiers that use HVAC filters locally. We tested the 6XL and its air cleaning performance is outstanding. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
- For those in Europe, check out the Nukit Tempest Euro, which uses PC fans and IKEA Starkvind filters. But be aware that it is only available as a DIY kit for you to build yourself. WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜
4. Best for small spaces: Xiaomi 4 Compact
Small, affordable, smart AND quiet, the 4 Compact from Xiaomi is my top choice for rooms smaller than 175 sq. ft.
Amazon is full of small air purifiers that cost next to nothing. But unfortunately, the vast majority of them are too underpowered to make a meaningful difference to your air. After testing nearly 40 small air purifiers, my top pick right now is the $99 Xiaomi 4 Compact.
Running at top speed, it completed our test nearly as fast as the Winix A231 (2024 best small device). We estimate a PM1 CADR of 117 cfm, which can provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 175 sq. ft.
You might be thinking, ‘Why not choose a more powerful air purifier that can clean the air faster?’ Well, when it comes to small air purifiers, fast cleaning comes at a cost, and that cost is noise.
The best feature of the Xiaomi 4 Compact is its wide range of fan speeds, allowing the device to offer better air cleaning performance without sounding like a jet engine — the only small device to beat it is the Levoit Core 300S, but it costs $50 more.
The filter has three layers: an outer pre-filter mesh cover that you should vacuum regularly, a pleated particle filter, and a layer of activated carbon on the inside.
It comes with an infrared laser particle sensor that enables a color-coded air quality indicator on screen, as well as auto-mode.
It also connects to Xiaomi’s Mi Home app, through which you can adjust fan speeds, schedule routines, check the filter lifespan, and set automations.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 117 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – Manufacturer provided CADR: 135 cfm |
| Filter technology: | Bonded cylindrical particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a pre-filter mesh cover. |
| Recommended room size: | 175 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 8.6 x 14 inches (21.8 x 35.5 cm) |
| Weight: | 4.85 lb (2.2 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Sleep mode: 35.6 dBA Speed 1: 35.3 dBA Speed 2: 35.6 dBA Speed 3: 42.2 dBA Speed 4: 44.5 dBA Speed 5: 46.4 dBA Top speed: 56.1 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby: 1.4 watts Sleep mode: 2.2 watts Speed 1: 2.4 watts Speed 2: 3.6 watts Speed 3: 8.1 watts Speed 4: 9.5 watts Speed 5: 11.3 watts Top speed: 26 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
- Check out the Winix A231. It was my top pick for 2024 because it has solid air cleaning performance at top speed (PM1 CADR of 148 cfm), looks good, and costs less than $80. The biggest downsides are that it’s louder than I’d like (57.9 dBA) and it lacks app support. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
- If you’re looking for a small air purifier you can connect to your smart home and control through your phone, then you should consider the Levoit Core 300S. It offers better air cleaning performance (PM1 CADR of 131 cfm) than the Xiaomi 4 Compact, but it’s $50 more expensive. READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
5. Best for large spaces: Coway Airmega ProX
The ProX offers an impressive CADR of 586 cfm (dust), smart modes, and an accurate air quality sensor for just over $800.
The Airmega ProX from Coway is a large, powerful air purifier that can offer five air changes per hour in spaces up to 693 sq. ft. Running at top speed, it generates 53.6 dBA and has an estimated PM1 CADR of 462 cfm.
In our tests, it outperformed the $1,400 IQAir Atem X and currently ranks at the top of our leaderboard for large residential air purifiers.
And when it comes to sound, the ProX is the only traditional air purifier that comes close to the quiet performance we saw from the PC fan models.
You get double filtration, with a True HEPA filter and a pelleted carbon filter at each side of the device.
The ProX lacks smartphone connectivity, but it comes with an onboard air quality sensor that enables four smart modes: eco, silent, turbo, and auto. You also get real-time PM2.5 readings on screen.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 462 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 299 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 586 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | Green True HEPA filter with pelleted activated carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 693 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 18.9 x 36.6 x 24.3 in (48 x 93 x 62 cm) |
| Weight: | 51 lbs (23kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 37.4 dBA Speed 2: 44.4 dBA Speed 3: 53.6 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby: 0 watts Speed 1: 11.76 watts Speed 2: 26.09 watts Speed 3: 58.88 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 3 years |
| Country of origin: | South Korea |
| Country of manufacture: | South Korea |
In the past, if you needed to clean the air in an area larger than 500 sq. ft., you would need to pay upwards of $500. But in 2025, you can get up to five (5!) air changes per hour in spaces up to 559 sq. ft. for just $299.99 if you get yourself a Levoit Core 600S.
For less than $300, the Levoit Core 600S includes an auto-mode, an onboard screen showing current air quality levels, and even app support. For raw cleaning power for larger spaces, the Core 600S offers the most bang for your buck in rooms of up to 559 sq. ft. Be aware, though, that this is a big air purifier that will require floor space. READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜
CONS
PROS
6. Best for smoke and odors: Austin Air HealthMate
If odors are your primary focus, my top pick is the Austin Air HealthMate because it comes with a MASSIVE filter packed with 15 pounds of carbon and zeolite mix.
To remove serious odors and gases from your air, you need to look beyond the standard air purifiers, as they usually come with a small amount of carbon that will become saturated quickly in spaces with high levels of VOCs.
Although many air purifiers come with activated carbon filters, these usually come with small quantities of carbon. Now, this is where the HealthMate truly shines, thanks to its gas filter packed with over 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite.
We have recently finished our methodology for testing VOC removal and the Austin Air Healthmate was the quickest in our tests, and the only air purifier to reach zero ppm. Video coming up 🙂
The filter in the HealthMate is larger than most small air purifiers. But this device is not cheap (over $700), so I don’t think you should consider it unless you want to remove harmful VOCs from your air or you’re dealing with serious unwanted odors.
Be aware that, while its VOC removal is excellent, the particle removal is on par with that of a small air purifier. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 113, which is good for five air changes per hour in rooms up to 169 sq. ft.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 156 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 154 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | HEPA particle filter with 15 lb of activated carbon and zeolite mix gas filter |
| Recommended room size: | 234 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 23H x 14.5W x 14.5D inches (58.4H x 36.8W x 36.8D cm) |
| Weight: | 20.41 lbs (9.26 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 42.5 dB Speed 2: 53.2 dB Speed 3: 61.5 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 61.1 watts Speed 2: 85.05 watts Speed 3: 147.6 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 5 years |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | United States (Buffalo, New York) |
- I highly recommend the Alen BreatheSmart 75i V2, which comes with 3.6 lbs of pelleted activated carbon, and it was still able to clear our test room in just 18 minutes. Based on this result, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 333 cfm, which will be good enough to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 448 sq. ft. WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜
- If you don’t mind paying for the Dyson tax, check out the Dyson Big+Quiet BP06, with its 1.94 lbs of carbon and super quiet operation, but still boasting good particle removal performance. Based on our tests, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 198 cfm so this is a good choice for rooms up to 297 sq. ft.
7. Best for your bedroom: Smart Air SA600 (5-speed version)
A mid-sized air purifier that automatically switches all lights off and offers powerful yet quiet air cleaning performance.
The Smart Air SA600S is my top choice for bedrooms because it comes with H13 HEPA filtration for allergens and particles, pelleted activated carbon for odors, powerful air cleaning at quiet fan speeds, and lights that switch off automatically without the need to do anything extra.
This is a mid-sized device that will take up as much floor space as devices like the Levoit Vital 200S (left) and the Coway Airmega 150 (right).
However, unlike the Vital 200S or the Airmega 150, the SA600 pulls air from both sides of the device and has two sets of removable pre-filters, pelleted activated carbon filters, and H13 HEPA filters at each side.
This double air filtration combo supercharges the SA600’s air cleaning performance by drawing and cleaning air from both sides of the device.
The controls are straightforward with simple operation, but you don’t get any smart modes or app support. That said, the SA600 will turn off all lights automatically after 3 minutes, making it perfect for the bedroom.
Sleep modes are nice, but they are usually too underpowered to be useful. The sweet spot is a medium-sized air purifier that can run continuously at speed 2 or 3 without disturbing your sleep.
You can set the SA600 at speed 3 and it will generate less than 40 dBA of noise, while providing a PM1 CADR of 128 cfm that will be powerful enough to circulate and clean the air in rooms up to 192 sq. ft. five times every hour.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 287 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | H13 TrueHEPA filter with a removable pre-filter and pelleted activated charcoal filter (set of two) |
| Recommended room size: | 373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 13.8 x 9 inches (51 x 35 x 23 cm) |
| Weight: | 15.5 lbs (7 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 35.2 dBA Speed 2: 37.2 dBA Speed 3: 41.5 dBA Speed 4: 46.1 dBA Speed 5: 56.7 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby: 0.1 watts Speed 1: 2.4 watts Speed 2: 4.3 watts Speed 3: 7.1 watts Speed 4: 12.9 watts Speed 5: 53.8 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 18 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
- Check out the Alen BreatheSmart Flex. It’s a variation of the popular 45i that comes without app connectivity, auto-mode, or an ionizer BUT still provides good performance at quiet fan speeds for a cheaper price. At speed 2, the Flex offers a PM1 CADR of 123 cfm, which will be powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in bedrooms no larger than 185 sq. ft. while generating just 38.7 dBA! READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜
- If you want to get access to an air quality sensor, smart functions and app connectivity, then consider the Levoit Core 400S. This is a smart cylindrical air purifier with a relatively small footprint that offers solid air cleaning at top speed as well as quiet fan speeds. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 134 cfm at speed 2 (44 dBA), making this a solid choice for bedrooms up to 201 sq. ft.
8. Best portable air purifier: CleanAirKits Triple Exhalaron
A PC fan-powered air purifier with a CADR of 131 cfm that you can use on the go or inside your car with a USB-C power bank.
After testing multiple portable air purifiers, I’m confident that the Triple Exhalaron is the only one you can use on the go with a battery pack that will provide enough clean air to make it useful.
In our testing, the Exhalaron cleaned our test room in 46 minutes, matching the speed of the Levoit Core 300S, while generating just 40.5 dBA. This is outstanding for a device that you can run on a battery pack.
It features three cylindrical HEPA filters (with activated carbon) sitting between a thin wooden base and a thicker wooden top that houses the PC fans. It comes with two handles and a colorful knob.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm |
| Filter technology: | HEPA H10 with a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric |
| Recommended room size: | 192 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 22W x 7.25D x 8.5H in (56W x 14D x 22 cm) |
| Weight: | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 35.2 dBA Speed 2: 37.7 dBA Speed 3: 40.5 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby: 0.1 watts Speed 1: 1.1 watts Speed 2: 2.8 watts Speed 3: 6 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | United States |
9. Best for offices and classrooms: Smart Air Blast
A large, powerful, quiet, no-nonsense air purifier with a massive fan and filter that can effectively clean the air in large classrooms, offices and other high-traffic areas.
With an estimated PM1 CADR of 547 cfm, the Blast from Smart Air can provide five air changes per hour in rooms as large as 820 sq. ft. But what’s incredible about it is that this power doesn’t come with a super loud noise attached to it.
At its highest fan speed, this air purifier hits only 54.7 dBA, which is quieter than the much smaller Levoit Vital 200S (57.7 dBA).
This air purifier boasts one of the highest CADR ratings across all the air purifiers we have tested to date.
It has a huge H13 HEPA filter that traps particles (dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria). You can also get an optional pelleted carbon filter for VOCs.
The combination of a quiet operation and a high CADR makes it the best choice for classrooms. I appreciate the brackets to fix it to the wall.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 547 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 375 cfm – Manufacturer provided CADR: 559 cfm |
| Filter technology: | H13 HEPA filter (and optional pelleted activated carbon filter) |
| Recommended room size: | 820.5 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour): |
| Dimensions: | 15D x 25W x 50H inches (38.1D × 63.5W × 127H cm) |
| Weight: | 84 lbs (38 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 41.9 dB Speed 2: 49.4 dB Speed 3: 54.7 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 56.3 watts Speed 2: 94.5 watts Speed 3: 133.5 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 19 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
10. Best you can build yourself: Corsi–Rosenthal Box
A DIY approach to air purifiers that can democratize indoor air cleaning.
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box (or CR Box for short) was popularized during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to help people clean their air with items they could find at home: a standard box fan, four MERV-13 HVAC filters, duct tape and cardboard. While a high-quality commercial device offers long-term and quality-of-life benefits, a DIY air cleaner can be the best option for those who need a swift air purifying solution due to wildfire smoke or an unexpected airborne pandemic.
CONS
PROS
An air purifier is just a fan and a filter and the CR box is a perfect example of this. Even with MERV 13 filters, which are lower-graded compared to HEPA, it removed PM1 (particles measuring 1 micron) from our 728 cubic feet test room in 30 minutes. But don’t just take our word for it; the EPA tested it and found it to be 99% effective at removing airborne viruses.
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 198 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: n/a |
| Filter technology: | MERV 13 |
| Recommended room size: | 297 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 20L x 20W x 20H inches (50L x 50W x 50H cm) |
| Weight: | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 49 dB Speed 2: 55.1 dB Speed 3: 60.7 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby mode: 0 kWh Speed 1: 40.5 kWh Speed 2: 44.5 kWh Speed 3: 46.7 kWh |
| Filter life: | 6-12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | n/a |
Special mentions
Five good-performing air purifiers that didn’t make the cut, but that could be a good choice for you.
While we only wanted to feature the best of the best units we’ve tested, it’s also worth mentioning some other air purifiers with outstanding performance.
Coway Airmega 100
This small cylindrical air purifier has low yearly running costs and an estimated PM1 CADR of 148 cfm at top speed (57.2 dBA). It features an onboard sensor and a light inside the air inlet grill at the top, which changes color based on air quality. It didn’t make the cut because it isn’t as effective at cleaning the air at speeds that generate less than 45 dBA of noise.
Xiaomi 4 Pro
The 4 Pro has an ionizer function, a non-HEPA particle filter and a gas filter with 650 grams of activated carbon pellets. It has smart functions and app connectivity through the Xiaomi app, which could be a benefit if you already have Xiaomi smart devices.
Winix T810
A medium-sized cylindrical device with a HEPA filter and a layer of carbon. With a CADR of 229 cfm at 62.5 dBA, it offers better performance than the PuroAir 400 and the Dyson BP06. But with a price list of $249.99, it won’t be suitable for most budgets. However, if you are looking for a stylish mid-sized unit with app connectivity and smart features, then this might be the right choice.
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
It comes with a True HEPA filter and carbon impregnated fabric, and has a dust CADR of 247 cfm. It is a solid unit but, after testing over 100 air purifiers, I think it’s a little dated. In 2025, there are better options for performance per $ spent (AirFanta 3Pro), energy efficiency (Vital 200S), sound generated (Luggable XL-7) and odor removal (Winix 5500-2).
Levoit Core 400S
It has a smartphone app and comes with the largest amount of carbon of any Levoit model when choosing the Smoke Remover filter. Its performance is good but I believe there are newer models (such as the Vital 200S or the T810) that offer a better bang for your buck.
Other models that we tested but don’t recommend
These are the popular models that other reviewers often recommend, along with what our tests show.
- Okaysou AirMax 10L Pro – This device became a best-seller on Amazon thanks to a successful influencer campaign on TikTok. In our testing, it failed to match the hype or price point. We found that Okaysou used marketing tricks to inflate its performance. I would avoid any Okaysou device. Update 26 June 2024: Okaysou is now bankrupt, and you can no longer buy it and their 5-year warranty is now worthless.
- Molekule Air Mini+ – Molekule has been touting its new PECO technology, but has had to remove many of its previous marketing messages due to misleading advertising claims and class action lawsuits resulting from underperformance. In our test, it was very poor at removing PM1 particles and emitted 86 dB at its highest fan speed — louder than a leafblower! If this device is recommended in 2025, it’s likely due to the high commission for the publisher recommending it, as they start at $349 and go up to $999 with the Pro series.
- Rainbow RainMate – This is an old device that is still touted as being able to clean the air. However, it was the worst-performing device in our tests, making me think that water air-cleaning is totally useless in even the smallest of home rooms. Don’t rely on this device to clean your air; stick to a good old mechanical filtration.
- PuroAir 240 – Previously sold under the name ‘PuroAir HEPA 14 240’, the PuroAir 240 didn’t live up to the marketing spiel. After completing all our tests, we found that this air purifier has poor air cleaning performance for its price and is too underpowered to clean spaces of up to 1,100 sq. ft., which is something that is mentioned multiple times in the marketing materials and on PuroAir’s website.
- Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max – This air purifier has a good CADR-to-sound ratio thanks to their HEPASilent electrostatic ionization technology, but I don’t recommend it because I would much prefer to be able to disable the ionizer the same way I can with Winix, Coway, Xiaomi and Alen devices.
- Shark NeverChange HP152 – I liked the innovative pre-filter design for this cylindrical device, the low running costs and the use of a laser particle sensor. Those are all nice features, but unfortunately, the CADR is too low for the price, both at top speed (88 cfm) and at sub-45 dBA fan speeds (52 cfm).
What to look for when buying an air purifier
The basic things you need to consider to make sure you’re not being duped into buying a device that won’t help.
The qualities you should look for in an air purifier will differ if you want to reduce allergy triggers at home, live near a busy road, need to improve your air quality during wildfire season, or deal with pet odors and dander. However, some things will always be important.
1. The size of the room and the CADR (clean air delivery rate) of the air purifier.
It’s vital to analyze these two aspects together, considering many brands overstate the cleaning performance of their units. It’s not necessarily unfunded, but there’s a catch.
According to the EPA, for an air purifier to be truly effective, it should be able to perform 4.8 air changes per hour (or ACH) in a room. Unfortunately, some brands will advertise the room size coverage to achieve just one ACH, being able to claim a somewhat opaque wider coverage.
The rule is simple: a higher CADR (stated in CFM, or cubic feet per meter) means greater cleaning power. Instead of focusing on room sizes recommended by the manufacturer, look at the CADR rating.
The best way to go about it is to figure out how powerful an air purifier needs to be for your space’s specific dimensions. You can use our calculator to do just that:
2. The filtration system
Pure mechanical purifiers stand their ground on efficiency and safety when it comes to air filtration. The most comprehensive systems feature three stages:
- A pre-filter to trap larger particles that would otherwise clog the main filter faster. The best units feature a removable pre-filter, making it easier to vacuum, rinse and keep in top shape. But you may find the pre-filter attached to the main one in budget air purifiers. It’s better than not having one, but it’s also harder to clean.
- An activated carbon filter to adsorb gasses and smells. If you need an air purifier to deal with mold spores, for example, an activated carbon filter won’t be absolutely necessary, as spores are not gases but particles.
But if you are after a device to help you reduce unwanted smells or deal with chemicals and VOCs, then an activated carbon filter will be able to do what particle filters (like HEPA or MERV 13) cannot.
Activated carbon is a sorbent media that traps gas molecules on its porous surface. If you need powerful VOCs or odor filtration, look out for pelleted or granular activated carbon, which has a wider surface to collect pollutants. An impregnated carbon fabric filter is not as remotely efficient as pelleted charcoal, but it can help reduce mild everyday smells.
- Lastly, the main particle filter will remove microscopic particles from the airstream. HEPA-grade filters can remove at least 99.97% of particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns.
Yet, a denser filter just for the sake of it—like with PuroAir’s HEPA 14—is not necessarily equivalent to a better performance. On the contrary, it’s important to balance fan power and filter thickness. If a filter is too dense and the air purifier is not potent enough to draw a good amount of air and pass it through, the cleaning power is reduced. It takes longer to remove airborne pollutants with restricted airflow.
Many mechanical air purifiers also feature a built-in ionizer that can boost the units’ CADR and efficiency. Although ionizing technology is continuously evolving, at HouseFresh, we prefer those units where, like in the Winix A230 or the 5500-2 included in the list, the ionizing function can be disabled at the user’s convenience.
3. Noise output
The fan that powers your air purifier can generate a lot of noise, and you are unlikely to want to use your unit regularly if this noise becomes too much. That is why it’s worth factoring in how noisy the unit will be, especially when running at its top fan speed. This is particularly important if you want an air purifier for the bedroom or your home office.
Two things to consider:
- Smaller units won’t make much of a difference to the air when running at the slowest fan speed, and they tend to be noisier than larger ones at top speed.
- Some air purifiers suited for big spaces can be whisper-quiet when running at their lowest fan speeds, so it is worth going bigger to get a unit that will run quieter.
4. Long-term costs
In addition to the upfront cost of buying an air purifier, you should also consider associated maintenance costs such as energy usage and filter replacement.
Running your air purifier 24/7 2ill substantially improve your air, but that also means an appliance adding to your electricity bill all day, year-round. The good news is that many energy-efficient units out there won’t significantly affect your monthly expenses. However, make sure to check this to avoid unpleasant surprises, as some units are on the power-hungry side.
A few things to consider in terms of filters:
- Filter replacement costs vary among brands and models — and so does the required replacement frequency.
- The longer a unit has been on the market, the more probable good-quality generic filters will be available.
- More and more brands are offering convenient filter subscriptions that are cost-effective and include perks for happier customers.
5. Extra features
An extensive control panel with smart functions, app support, onboard air quality sensors or remote controls are handy perks that can make life easier. A no-lights mode for the bedroom, for example, is definitely something worth considering.
However, if asked, I would recommend not to sacrifice CADR or performance over fancier tech-y bonuses. After all, the purpose of an air purifier is to clean the air.
How we test air purifiers
Saying we tested over 110 air purifiers in the last five years sounds great, doesn’t it? But what does testing mean for HouseFresh?
It’s definitely not just getting the units out of their boxes to take some cool editorial pictures for our articles. On the contrary, it is a thorough process that involves reliable testing devices to cover the many aspects of air purifier evaluation.
Air cleaning performance is key, for sure. But we go further. When you decide to invest in an air purifier that will be constantly running at home, things like long-term costs and noise output are also important in a real-world context.
Our testing process includes the following steps:
Step 1. We conduct a particle removal test
First, we burn some incense to pollute the air. Using our PurpleAir indoor sensor (which we’ve chosen after thorough research), we measure how fast each unit can remove PM10, PM1 and PM2.5 at top fan speed. The PurpleAir sensor provides regular updates on particulate matter levels, allowing us to create graphs showing the evolution of air quality in the room.
Step 2. We assess the power of the fan
We also measure the unit’s fan power with the Testo 410i anemometer. It’s interesting to see the variation in airflow coming out of the unit at every fan speed. Especially considering the AHAM Verified program measures CADR at the highest speed setting.
Step 3. We measure sound levels generated
For noise levels, we use a commercial sound meter from 3 ft. away to measure how much noise in decibels (dB) is generated by the air purifier at each fan speed. Like other measurements, the data is displayed in our reviews, but we also share the results on HouseFresh YouTube channel.
Step 4. We measure electricity consumption
We use a power meter to record how much electricity (in watts) the air purifier consumes when running at each of its fan speeds, including sleep mode and stand-by mode.
Step 5. We estimate yearly maintenance costs
We also calculate the long-term costs you can expect to spend each year to run the air purifier. First, we calculate how much money running the air purifier will add to your yearly energy bill. Next, we conduct desk research to determine the costs of genuine and generic replacement filters, using filter lifespan information stated by the manufacturer.
Step 6. Real-life experience
All four steps comprise the core performance evaluation we run on every unit. We know the data is solid. However, there’s something about everyday use that cannot be measured in a lab-test situation. That is why our “final step” is using the air purifier regularly at home in an ordinary context. You can learn a lot by just living with a device.
Common questions people have about air purifiers
After conducting a quick Google search, a few brands monopolize the #1 air purifier ranking, including Coway, Blueair and Levoit. It makes sense, as these are all popular brands that have also been on the market for quite a long time. Most publications, however, don’t share much of their testing process, not to mention results or data, which are rather on the unexisting side.
Right now, based on our own published test results, the Leovit Vital 200S has proven to be a versatile and reliable unit that outshines many great units with a budget-friendly price point, plenty of smart features, but most importantly, a high CADR of 245 CFM capable of delivering five air changes per hour in rooms up to 375 sq. ft.
It depends. More often than not, expensive air purifiers get boosted because the associated commissions are higher than those for budget-friendly air purifiers. There are plenty of overpriced units out there with shockingly low cleaning performance that are best to avoid, such as the PuroAir 240 or the Molekule Mini.
However, some expensive air purifiers are definitely worth considering. Take the IQAir HealthPro Plus, for example. It’s a pricey unit, no doubt. But you get certified quality for a life-long unit that will tackle any pollutant in your home.
Smart features also build up in a unit’s price tag, so if you are into auto modes, air quality readings or remote app control, you might consider chipping in an extra buck.
Usually, one powerful air purifier is more convenient than two or more smaller units. Although a bigger, high-performing unit will have a larger footprint and take up more space, the long-term costs (filters, energy bills) and noise output would be doubled or tripled with more than one air purifier running constantly.
That being said, if you have a very large space (think 800+ sq. ft.), then you might be better off placing multiple air purifiers around the room. In this thorough guide to ventilation and air cleaners you will find an example of someone who chose multiple units to clean the air in her large loft.
Finding the right spot to place an air purifier is key. Height is only one variable, but ensuring the unit is far enough from the wall or furnishing to draw in enough air is as important. And so it is that the air purifier has the right CADR to effectively achieve enough ACH in the room.
Now, in terms of height, ideal placement will depend on the use you’ll give the air purifier. In bedrooms, for example, it is best to place the unit 2-3 ft off the ground to take advantage of the clean airflow as you lie sleeping. But if the unit will be in the kitchen, where you spend most of the time standing, it would be best to put it a tad higher, about 4-5 feet off the ground. The idea is to keep the air outlet close to the source of pollutants and to your breathing zone.
Short answer: yes, air purifiers definitely remove dust.
The woven fiber maze of HEPA filters captures larger, coarse particles (such as pollen, dead skin flakes, dust mites, mold spores, pet fur or dander) and tiny ones as small as 0.3 and sometimes 0.1 microns (fine dust, soot, smoke, viruses and bacteria).
As this particulate matter (usually called PM10 and PM2.5, referring to the particle sizes) is trapped by the filter, it’s permanently removed, unable to reenter your indoor air.
There are a few things to consider:
- Placement: Finding the right spot for your unit is of utmost importance. You’ll ensure optimal airflow by avoiding obstructions on both the air inlet and outlet.
- Maintenance: Replace the filters when needed and keep the unit clean, removing any particle or dust deposition on the fan, controls, inlet and outlet. A not-so-demanding routine will help keep your air purifier in top shape for longer.
- CADR: Make sure to choose a unit with the right CADR for the room in which you’ll be placing it. If the CADR is too small, it will make little difference to your air. Try to stick to 200 cfm as a minimum if you can afford it.
According to several studies, particulate matter (PM) and VOCs (such as ozone) are potent oxidants that induce oxidative stress in our organism.
Oxidative stress can trigger immune system responses, with adverse health effects including inflammation of the airways, organs and tissues. These can then lead to lung diseases, such as asthma and OCPD. Inflammation can also decrease blood flow (or increase blood pressure), potentially predisposing cardiovascular diseases.
By removing PM and VOCs from our indoor air, air purifiers can, in fact, reduce harmful responses of the immune system, among many other health benefits.
Wrapping up
Air pollution is real. Over one-third of Americans still live in areas with unhealthy air and suffer from the consequences to their health. Improving our indoor air shouldn’t be something to take lightly.
Considering how a high-performing air purifier can improve people’s daily lives, it’s somewhat infuriating to find the internet flooded with unfounded reviews of air purifiers that lack the research and data to back them up.
Our goal at HouseFresh is to help consumers find the right air purifier to fit their needs and budgets in real-life situations. We don’t take free units from manufacturers and are not afraid to raise our voices when a hyped unit turns out to be a disappointment. Most importantly, we are driven by a transparent, hands-on approach and constantly improving methods of real-life testing.
We want our readers to find actual, helpful solutions. We may not always address all of your doubts in our articles. That’s why my mailbox is always open: danny@housefresh.com
Since 2020, we’ve been conducting our tests in the same 728-square-foot room to gather comparable data. We buy every device with our own money because we don’t want any strings attached. We are data-driven, and all our findings are openly published on the site.
Performing our tests in the same location under the same conditions allows us to compare air purifiers like-for-like in order to draw consistent conclusions. With all this data in hand, we are able to compare performance across different air purifiers from different manufacturers to quickly identify the best units for unique scenarios or situations, no matter how specific or average these may be.
We are confident that our tests reveal what manufacturers won’t tell you. That is why we don’t blindly repeat manufacturers’ specifications and marketing claims without further research or hands-on testing. We know that in many cases, their data has a degree of bias, with many brands overstating the capabilities of their devices with clever marketing and outright lies.
October 15th, 2025
- Updated our pick for ‘best for small spaces,’ incorporating the Xiaomi 4 Compact to our list.
- Updated our pick for ‘best for VOCs’ with the Austin Air HealthMate replacing the IQAir HealthPro Plus.
- Added two new categories: best for bedrooms and best portable air purifier.
- Updated our pick for ‘best for classrooms,’ replacing the Smart Air Blast Mini with the Smart Air Blast.
- Added new models to the list of units we don’t recommend.
- Added the Coway Airmega 100 and the Winix T810 to our list of ‘Special mentions.’
October 14th, 2025
- Added our new YouTube video with Danny’s picks for 2025.
- Updated the category of the Luggable XL-7 to ‘Best overall’ based on its CADR vs Sound vs Energy Consumption vs Running Costs.
- Added new charts to show our test data in an easy-to-digest way.
August 31st, 2025
- Added our interactive leaderboard, with a live ranking of all the units we’ve completed tests on bar those effectively discontinued.
- Updated our pick for ‘best for large spaces,’ incorporating the Coway Airmega ProX to our list.
- Moved the Levoit Core 600S as a budget option for large spaces.
- Added links to our written and video reviews for all the models in the ‘Special mentions’ section.
June 26th, 2025
- Trimmed the text for the devices under ‘Special mentions’.
- Removed the big table with all my top picks at the top, as it wasn’t working well on mobile.
May 11th, 2025
- Replace the Winix 5500-2 with the Winix 5510 after we learned that the 5500-2 has been announced to be discontinued in the U.S. and Canada soon.
- Removed auto-play videos from the ‘How we test’ section and replaced them with photos of one of our latest tests.
April 3rd, 2025
- Included a new category (best performing stylish air purifier) after receiving emails from people looking for a more ‘fashionable’ recommendation.
- Added a quick list with all the shortlisted air purifiers at the top of the article with jump links for people who want to navigate faster through the page.
January 2nd, 2025
- After learning that that the mighty TaoTronics AP-003 has been discontinued, we added a new budget option (the AirFanta 3Pro).
- Included a new category (best performing quiet air purifier) after many people requested a recommendation under 40 dB of noise.
- Updated the results of our particle removal test for all units, based on data collected with our new PurpleAir Zen sensor, replacing the data from our older PurpleAir Indoor sensor.
November 10th, 2024
- Embedded our video with 10 things you need to know before buying an air purifier into the buying guide section of the article.
- Updated the FAQ section to clarify when it makes sense to buy multiple small air purifiers over a large unit.
October 4th, 2024
- Added two alternatives to the TaoTronics AP-003 as it has become nearly impossible to find in stock. We tested two devices based on the same ODM KJ35-G-S1 model: the Lago air purifier for the U.S. and the Midea Smart Air SmartAir Pure Control for those in Europe and Asia.
July 12th, 2024
- Embedded our new CADR calculator into the buying guide of the article.
May 24th, 2024
- Removed internal links and made layout changes after receiving advice on potential reasons why Google had demoted our website, taking away 90% of our search traffic.
April 26th, 2024
- Embedded our video shortlisting the best air purifiers of 2024 based on our test data collected between 2020 and 2023.
