The Best

Moving away from home can be an exciting experience, but living in close quarters with one or more roommates can be a daunting experience.

As you prepare to get your first taste of independent living, it makes sense to consider bringing an air purifier with you to fend off unwanted smells and protect your personal space from the dreaded freshman plague rife on campus, ready to strike against weary students.

The right air purifier will draw in air from your dorm and pass it through a series of filters that capture dust, pollen, smoke, odors and viruses. What’s left behind is clean, fresh air that will be redistributed into the space.

In this article, I shortlisted a handful of budget-friendly air purifiers that will not take up a lot of space but that are powerful enough to actually make a difference. We bought each device on this list with our own money so that we could run our usual battery of tests to assess their air cleaning performance, noise levels generated, energy consumption, yearly running costs and long-term user experience.

If you don’t have time to read my full article, check out the table below for a quick TL;DR of all the air purifiers I recommend for dorm rooms:

	SMALL DORMS	LARGE DORMS	SMART OPTION	TABLETOP OPTION
	Winix A231/A230	AirFanta 3Pro	Levoit Vital 100S	CleanAirKits Triple Exhalaron
Time to PM1 zero	40 minutes	17 minutes	37 minutes	46 minutes
CADR	154 cfm	430 cfm	146 cfm	128 cfm
Filter tech	True HEPA + carbon + ionizer	H11 HEPA + carbon	Bonded particle + carbon	HEPA H10 + carbon
Max room size	231 sq. ft.	671 sq. ft.	219 sq. ft.	192 sq. ft.
Yearly running costs	$119.54	$125.23	$81.98	$110.88
List price	$75.99	$159.99	$139.99	$359.00

1. Best air purifier for small dorm rooms: Winix A231 (or A230)

Our top pick for dorm rooms no larger than 231 sq. ft. is a small air purifier with no smart features that you can find for less than $80.

Before I tell you more about this device, let me clarify that I’m writing here about the A231 because that is the model I tested: the white and grey device you can see in our photos. But if you prefer black, you can instead get the Winix A230, which is exactly the same as the A231 but in all black. Both devices have the exactly same internals, so it’s just a matter of taste. Right, with that info out of the way, let me tell you more about this unit.

If you are looking for a small air purifier you can have beside your bed or, on a narrow window sill or on top your desk, then the Winix A231 might be just what you want. With a CADR of 154 cfm, the Winix A231 can provide five air changes per hour in dorm rooms up to 231 sq. ft. thanks to a powerful fan and a high quality True HEPA filter packed with activated carbon. This combination allows the A231 to tackle both particles and gases, removing everything from dust to unwanted odors.

The Winix A231 comes with an inbuilt air quality sensor, so you get an auto-mode that will kick in autonomously as soon as the sensor detects pollutants in the air. This can come in handy if you want to set your air purifier and forget it. And, as with other Winix air purifiers, the A231 comes with PlasmaWave bipolar ionizer technology but you can disable it if you have concerns about ionization and ozone.

➜ Read our full review

2. Best for large rooms: AirFanta 3Pro

With a CADR of 430 cfm, the 3Pro can clean the air in larger dorm rooms (up to 671 sq. ft.) for just $175.99 if you go for the HEPA + carbon version.

The AirFanta 3Pro is part of a new generation of air purifiers that are powered by PC fans, which make them a lot quieter and more energy efficient than traditional devices you will find at a retail store. The design of the 3Pro is inspired by a popular DIY air purifier you might have heard of called the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, with a base around which you get four filters that are topped with four PC fans which create the perfect cube.

The 3Pro is one of the most powerful air purifiers I have tested and it truly blew my mind in 2024, becoming one of our top recommendations. If you are looking for a relatively compact device (12.6 x inches, or 32 x 32 cm) that you can assemble yourself (and disassemble, when the time comes to go back home or move to a new place), then read on as the AirFanta 3Pro might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Traditional retail air purifiers come with a control panel at the top of the device with buttons or a screen for you to switch modes and fan speeds, but the AirFanta 3Pro doesn’t. Instead, you will get a 110-220v AC to 3-12v DC power adapter which will allow you to control the speed of the fans and the noise output.

➜ Read our full review

➜ Watch our video review

3. Best smart option: Levoit Vital 100S

The Vital 100s is a smart air purifier suitable for dorm rooms no larger than 219 sq. ft. with an on-board air quality sensor that connects to your smartphone for $139.99.

The Levoit Vital 100S has a dust CADR of 146, so this relatively small air purifier will be able to provide five air changes per hour in dorm rooms of up to 219 sq. ft. It comes with a removable pre-filter and a bonded main filter with a combination of activated carbon (to deal with odors and gases) and a HEPA-like particle filter (to filter out dust, pollen and other small particles).

If you are looking for a smart air purifier that you will be able to control and manage from your phone, then the Levoit Vital 100S is worthy of consideration. As with the Winix A231, the Vital 100S comes in an on-board air quality sensor that unlocks an auto-mode that will automatically adjust fan speeds based on the quality of your air. But it doesn’t stop there. You can also connect to your 100S from your smartphone through Levoit’s VeSync app, which is one of the most polished air purifier apps out there.

The Levoit Vital 100S is the upgraded, smarter version of the older Vital 100 and the little sibling of the popular Vital 200S. The Vital 100S cleared our small 728 cubic feet test room of all PM1 particles in 37 minutes — this is 11 minutes faster than the non-smart Vital 100 (48 minutes) and 17 minutes faster than the $99 Levoit Core 300 (54 minutes).

➜ Watch our video review

4. Best tabletop option: CleanAirKits Triple Exhalaron

Designed to be used as a table centerpiece, the Triple Exhalaron is a PC fan-powered air purifier with a CADR of 128 cfm that can be used in dorms no larger than 192 sq. ft.

The Triple Exhalaron is another PC fan-powered air purifier, this time manufactured by the team at CleanAirKits. The design of the Exhalaron is quite unique, with three cylindrical HEPA H10 filters (with activated carbon inside) that sit between a thin wooden base and a thick wooden top home to three CoolerMaster Mobius argb (2400 rpm) PC fans.

If you are looking for a small air purifier you can use in your dorm but also take with you to the library or bring to study groups, then look no further than the Triple Exhalaron from CleanAirKits as this is the only air purifier we have tested that has been designed from the ground up to be used as a table centerpiece ensuring it will reduce viral load.

It has a CADR of 128 cfm, so it will be able to give you five air changes per hour in dorm rooms no larger than 192 sq. ft. This air purifier is super quiet, hitting just 40.5 dB when running at its top fan speed, while still being able to clean the air faster than popular small devices like the Levoit Core 300.

➜ Watch our video review

Three other good air purifiers for dorm rooms you should consider

These devices didn’t make the final list but they are solid performers and might be a better fit for what you’re looking for.

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty

The Coway AP-1512HH is one of the most recommended air purifiers on the web, so you will probably have seen it if you’ve been doing your research for a while. This oldie but goodie will deliver five air changes per hour in dorm rooms of up to 360 sq. ft. thanks to its CADR of 240 cfm and its combination of a removable pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, a carbon impregnated filter and its bipolar ionizer (which you can disable if you prefer not to use). Filter replacement costs are some of the lowest we have seen.

The reason why I didn’t include it on this list is that in 2025, I think there are newer air purifiers that offer more value for a better upfront price. Plus, it is quite big and could be too bulky for small dorms. But if you like the look of it, or if you prefer to go with a device that has been on the market for over a decade, then the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty could be the best pick for you.

Smart Air S

This small(ish) air purifier has a CADR of 185 cfm, making it a good choice for dorm rooms no larger than 277 sq. ft. It comes with H13 medical-grade HEPA filters that will be able to remove not just dust and pollen particles from the air but also bacteria and viruses. If odors and chemicals are an issue, you can buy the optional activated carbon filter, too.

This is a great air purifier on paper but I didn’t include it as one of my main picks because it generates nearly 60 decibels of noise at top speed (58.2 dB), which is likely to be too loud for a dorm where people are going to be studying and need quiet to concentrate.

But if you are looking for an air purifier that looks like a piece of furniture and are not too bothered by smart functions or loud noises, then the Smart Air S could be just the thing.

Levoit Core 300S

The Levoit Core 300S is the upgrade to the older, $99 Core 300, now sporting smart features such as smartphone connectivity and app support. The Core 300S is also more energy-efficient and much faster (45 minutes) at cleaning the air compared to its older counterpart (54 minutes), which is impressive considering it costs just $50 more.

It has a CADR of 141 cfm so it can clean the air five times per hour in dorm rooms as large as 211 sq. ft., and comes with a bonded filter including a pre-filter mesh, a particle filter and a layer of activated carbon. I chose to go with the Vital 100S instead of the Core 300S because it offers a higher CADR (146 cfm) for a lower price ($139.99).

But if you prefer a cylindrical design and want an air purifier that you will be able to manage from your phone, then the Levoit Core 300S might be the best option for you and your dorm room.

Other units we tested but don’t recommend for dorm rooms

• Levoit Core Mini: In testing, this device took 1 hour and 53 minutes and had a CADR of 32 CFM, making it too small even for the smallest dorm rooms. You are better off saving up more and going for the bigger Core 200S or Core 300.

• Medify MA-25: While this is cheap, the filter replacement costs were much higher than similar-performing units.

• Blueair 411+ Auto: All Blueair air purifiers use a technology called HEPASilent, which uses an ionizer, but you can’t disable its use. The activated carbon used in these units is the fabric carbon, which we found far less effective than the pelleted carbon. 

• PuroAir 240: This is an air purifier that you will often find at the top of Amazon as a sponsored option but that doesn’t offer a good enough value for your money, based on the results of our performance tests.

What to look for in an air purifier for a dorm room

Sadly, many dorm rooms in America are in older buildings with poor ventilation, which can mean levels of indoor pollutants can quickly rise and cause problems.

Indoor air pollutants can cause health problems and can even affect grades; a study from Israel showed that those students who breathed in the air with a higher count of fine particles scored on average 2.3% lower. The EPA stated that children in classrooms in highly ventilated spaces perform better on standardized tests than children in poorly ventilated rooms. 

To get the most from college, you must create a space in your dorm room free of tiny particle pollutants that have been shown to create health problems and reduced cognitive ability. 

You should try to ventilate the dorm room as much as possible, but when this isn’t possible, an air purifier can do a great job of keeping the air clean of these tiny harm-causing particles. 

But to get the right air purifier for a dorm, you need to consider the following:

1. Consider the size of your dorm room

The average dorm room in the United States measures around 228 square feet for a dorm room with two students. The good news is that smaller spaces need smaller air purifiers to be effective. Most air purifiers are given a CADR score that is used to give you an indication of an air purifier’s cleaning power. Higher CADR will allow you to keep a large space clean. 

An average double-person dorm room of 228 square feet with an 8ft ceiling will need a CADR score of 145 CFM to provide the 4.8 air changes per hour that the EPA recommends for portable air cleaners. This is exactly the CADR of our number 1 pick, the Levoit Core 300.

You can use our CFM calculator to find out what CADR you need to clean the air in your dorm room at least four times per hour: 

2. Look for activated carbon filtration if you worry about odors

Particle filters like HEPA or MERV are great for removing the tiny particles from the air in a dorm room but won’t do anything about the odors that come with student living. An activated carbon filter can help to catch these odor gasses and keep the dorm room smelling better.

As a rule of thumb, you will want to choose an air purifier that uses pelleted carbon vs. the impregnated carbon fabric as we found that the latter will quickly lose effectiveness at removing odors. 

3. Calculate long-term running costs

Most dorm rooms include free electricity usage. However, you will still need to replace the filters every six months for smaller air purifiers and potentially longer with larger devices.

We include the latest price for the genuine and generic filters for each recommended air purifier we review so you can know the accurate long-term running costs. 

4. Decide whether you need to get an air purifier with smart features

It feels like every appliance is smart nowadays, from your refrigerator to your television. It turns out that the same can be said for air purifiers.

The benefit of smart features is that they come with an onboard air quality sensor so that the air purifier will only kick in when it detects pollutants in the air. It is super useful for a kitchen but not mission-critical for a dorm room, so feel free to save money on a non-smart version.

But if budget is a concern, you can often find non-smart versions for cheaper prices. Sure, they won’t turn on and off automatically but you can simply keep the device running at a fan speed that you don’t find intrusive so it works all the time.

Why you should trust our recommendations

Unlike most guides to air purifiers you will come across on the internet, we actually put the air purifier we recommend through an in-depth testing process and share this data with our readers. We have reviewed over 90 air purifiers since 2020, and based on this original data, we have identified what we think are the best air purifiers suited for those living in dorm rooms.

We are 100% independent and don’t take review units in exchange for review; we pay retail like everyone else. This means we are free to say when an air purifier fails to deliver, and we don’t have any outside pressure to push certain brands or models.

If you still can’t find the right air purifier for your dorm room or just want to ask me more about our performance testing, please reach out to me directly danny@housefresh.com

The bedroom as the private area of the house we know today dates back to the 17th century, a period not so distant considering the world’s oldest bed is approximately 77,000 years old. Bedrooms have widely evolved since then, achieving the high level of comfort we are used to today.

Yet, more often than not, that same coziness makes bedrooms ideal places for dust and other allergens to build up. The bedding, cushions, pillows, the chairdrobe with partially used clothes piling up accumulate dead skin cells, dander and lint while shedding tiny fibers, contributing to further dust buildups — a true feast for dust mites, also known to be common allergy triggers.

Then there’s ambient pollution that can slip in through the window, such as pollen, traffic fumes or the dust of a nearby construction.

As an allergic, compulsive morning sneezer, I can confidently say that sleeping with an air purifier in the bedroom can drastically alleviate congestion and most allergy symptoms. 

Needless to say, you’ll need the right air purifier for the job. Whether you have a spacious master bedroom, a cozy small room or live in an ample studio, we’ve handpicked four units to fit all needs. All our recommendations are backed up by multiple performance tests to ensure they meet our short and long-term standards.

We also made sure to check the noise output, power and speed capable of cleaning the air without disrupting your rest.

Staff picks: Top 3 air purifiers for bedrooms

From the over 50 units we have tested, we’ve run down our selection to these three units for improving the air quality in your bedroom:

Read on to discover all the details and perks our recommended units could bring to your night’s sleep.

1. Best overall: Levoit Vital 200S

The Vital 200S is an excellent option for small to mid-sized bedrooms, offering excellent air cleaning performance for less than $200.

We’ve been favorably impressed by this unit’s performance, particularly considering its more than reasonable price. The Vital 200S is powerful and efficient. It can complete five air changes per hour in rooms of up to 375 sq. ft.

It is fast, too. With a CADR of 245 CFM, it cleaned our test room in 18 minutes, which is only three minutes slower than the mighty Core 600S and a six-minute difference compared to the Smart Air Blast Mini —the quickest (and a far more expensive unit) of the 55 units we have reviewed. 

There are four fan speeds to choose from, including a turbo mode, which not all Levoit units feature. This is quite convenient for bedrooms, as it can thoroughly clean the air in the room before it’s time for bed. 

With better, cleaner air in the room, you can safely set the unit to sleep mode for the night, which means a lower fan speed and lower noise levels (24dB) for a peaceful rest.

Another handy feature Levoit has incorporated into this unit is the light detection mode. It allows the Vital 200S to automatically turn off the display lights when the room gets dark without needing you to manually set them off, which can also be done if you prefer. 

Plus, like all other S(mart) Levoit models, the VeSync mobile app allows remote control and voice command through Alexa and Google Home to tweak the settings from bed. It also lets you create custom sleep schedules to match personal routines and keep track of the filter life, displaying the filter’s remaining life percentage.

Read our review

2. Best for large bedrooms: Alen BreatheSmart Flex

A stylish yet powerful option to rely on for the biggest bedroom in your home.

This is a trustworthy air purifier. We chose this unit for larger bedrooms because of its CADR of 208 CFM. The Alen Flex is able to completely renew the air in a 700 sq. ft. room every 30 minutes at top speed. 

It would be perfect for ample master bedrooms, studios or bedrooms with a walk-in closet: the Alen Flex can reduce the dust that would otherwise land on your clothes or remove the fiber particles that the clothes release into the air. 

I also find this unit reliable because of the medical-grade H13 HEPA filters. The robust filter is ideal for reducing allergy symptoms from pollen in the early morning, dust mite particles and other common allergens that would otherwise hinder your sleep. 

Another thing I like about this air purifier is that you can choose the filter that best fits your needs. So, if you are looking for a unit that will also deal with VOCs and odors, you could either choose between the Fresh filter, with 3.6 lbs of activated carbon, or the Odor filter, with OdorCell technology that neutralizes odors.

There’s just one downside worth mentioning. As Alen Breathsmart’s most affordable unit, the Flex has no auto or sleep mode. It does allow you to turn off the control panel lights during nighttime, though. So, you can set the fan speed for the night and press the power button once to make the lights go out and enjoy a peaceful sleep. 

As a bonus for a cozy rest, Alen units produce pink noise on all fan speeds — which is said to be more soothing and less irritating than the white noise most units on the market emit.

Read our review

3. Best for less than $100: Winix A230/A231

For those on a tight budget or limited space, the Winix A230/A231 delivers great cleaning performance with low long-term costs.

There are some ups and downs to the Winix A230, but after our hands-on tests, I can say it will do a beyond-fair job in small bedrooms of up to 230 sq. ft for a very reasonable price.

Among the outstanding features of this unit —and its twin black version, the A231— is that for a small, budget-friendly air purifier, it has an impressive CADR (Dust: 149 CFM – Pollen: 154 CFM – Smoke: 147 CFM), which is also AHAM verified. 

The True-HEPA filters under the A230/231 hood are also third-party certified and capable of removing 99.97% of airborne allergens as small as 0.3 microns. Plus, thanks to its small size, the unit is versatile enough to be placed on the night table or a shelf close to the bed without taking up too much space.

When it comes to removing VOCs and gasses, the A230 is not as well equipped as other more robust units. Instead of having a pelleted carbon filter, there’s just a carbon-impregnated fabric. However, if you are looking for an air purifier to deal with night (and morning) allergies, the True-HEPA filter on this unit stands its ground.

Besides, this air purifier comes with an in-built sensor and auto mode, which, for the price, is quite rare. The sensors also allow for a color-coded air quality light indicator in the control panel, but these can be switched off in sleep mode. Yet, there’s no option for switching all the lights off: on sleep mode, the moon icon would still be lit. All in all, for a budget option, the Winix A230 boasts plenty of virtues.

Read our review

Other units we tested but don’t recommend for bedrooms:

• Levoit Core Mini: This is the smallest unit within Levoit’s Core series. Despite boasting an impressive performance for its size and power consumption, it still falls too short for most bedrooms. It’s better suited for even smaller places; as such, it secured the top spot on our best air purifiers for cars list.

• AROEVE MK01: The price of this unit can be tempting, as it can easily be the cheapest unit in the market. However, how good is that if the air purifier won’t be able to clean your air? Just like with all the units we reviewed, we tested the Aroeve MK01 to find out it could not remove all the pollutants in the room, not even after five hours of running it. 

• Rainbow RainMate: If the Aroeve was bad, the Rainbow RainMate is worse. This cheap, toy-looking device showed a poorer performance when we put it to the test, as the PM2.5 levels wouldn’t go lower than 270 microns after two consecutive hours of running the Rainbow RainMate — 201 to 300 ug/m3 is considered to be very unhealthy air by AirNow.
  . 

What to look for when buying an air purifier for a bedroom

When shopping for a bedroom air purifier that will actually improve the air quality in your space but will also guarantee an unbothered night’s sleep, I’d suggest you take a look at the following:

1. Does the unit have a robust main filter?

By this, I’m referring to high-quality particle filters capable of removing common pollutants and allergens such as dust, pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. 

High-efficiency particulate air (or HEPA) filters are made of pleated sheets, usually fiberglass, cotton, or foam, that trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes all common allergens, on their woven fibers. Looking out for certified HEPA filters ensures the air purifier you get will remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles.

However, don’t rule out the Levoit Core 300S for the lack of a HEPA filter. We stand by this unit, not just because we fancy it, but because of its outstanding performance in our tests. Besides, just having a True HEPA filter isn’t always enough to ensure effective air filtration. Otherwise, look at the Aroeve MK01’s poor performance.

2. Does it have an activated carbon filter?

HEPA filters are excellent at removing microscopic particles. But they can’t filter VOCs or odors. That’s what the activated carbon filter is for. The activated carbon adsorbs gasses and smells, trapping them on the material’s surface and removing them from your space.

Activated carbon filters are convenient for bedrooms with poor ventilation or with windows facing busy streets that let car exhaust and other toxic fumes seep in. 

Filters with pelleted or granular activated carbon are significantly more efficient than impregnated fabrics, which contain inferior amounts of activated carbon.

3. How loud (and quiet) is the unit?

All purifiers produce a certain amount of noise as the fan and motor draw in and release the air. Most units emit white noise, which can actually be soothing for some, particularly in buzzy areas or bustling big metropolises.

However, the dB levels vary from one unit to another. While I’m sure it’s crucial for light sleepers, the noise levels should always be factored in — even more so when shopping for the bedroom. It will avoid unpleasant surprises the first night you put the air purifier to work.

At HouseFresh, we always measure how loud units are using a commercial sound meter.  We do this both at the lowest and fastest fan speed. If you’re wondering how the four units would perform on this topic, here’s a chat comparing noise levels:

4. Does it have a no-lights mode?

The option to switch off the control panel lights may not be the first requirement to choose a “BuyItForLife” air purifier. But, from experience, it’s definitely something to consider. 

A bright light projecting into the bedroom walls and ceilings all night can disrupt rest. And having to tape or cover the lights every night can be an obnoxious step to add to the night routine. That’s why the units we’ve selected have a no-lights mode. 

Then, having Sleep Mode or being able to create customized settings specifically for the night, like the Vesync app on the Levoit units, are also worthy features to consider. 

5. What’s the square footage of your bedroom?

The size of the room you are choosing the air purifier for matters. Smaller air purifiers are better suited for smaller rooms, while bigger bedrooms will require more powerful units. 

Most manufacturers include an ideal room size and a maximum sq. footage their units can cover. But these can sometimes be deceiving. As a general guideline, you’ll be best off checking the units’ CADR, or clean air delivery rate, and the air changes per hour the purifier can achieve in a specific area.

The higher the CADR, the more powerful the unit will be. But usually, this also means a more elevated energy consumption and higher noise output.

To make things easier, we’ve created a CADR calculator where you can input your bedroom dimensions and the system will do the math for you. 

Common questions about air purifiers in the bedroom

Wrapping up

Regularly changing your bedding, ventilating, vacuuming and keeping that chairdrobe as light as possible is key for creating a healthy and comfortable sleep environment. However, getting an air purifier for the bedroom is a game changer.

As the air purifier market expands and new models and brands flourish, finding a unit you can trust can be complicated.

That’s what we’re here for. Remember to look for high-quality particle and activated carbon filters. Plus, check the noise output and make sure there’s a sleep mode that enables all lights to be off while you sleep. Lastly, be sure to choose a unit with the right CADR for your room size. 

Why trust HouseFresh?

I became interested in air quality back in 2010 when it wasn’t as hyped as it is today. The air purifier industry evolved a lot since then. As consumers started taking an interest in these devices, many new models and brands appeared, not all with the same credentials, certifications or proof of their performances. 

Unfortunately, there are many opaque marketing materials that mislead those seeking air purifiers that can actually help improve their air quality.

I also know that probing through the internet in search of a good air purifier is a daunting task. Tons of articles talk about their lab tests but don’t any of their process or results. Many big media companies publish commissioned reviews. And why should we all know all there is to know about everything?

That’s why in 2020, I decided to set up our in-home testing lab. At HouseFresh, we buy all the units we review with our own money. We run performance tests and are not afraid of speaking our minds, either if a unit impresses or disappoints us. 

We believe transparent, straightforward information is the key to making a good decision. And that’s what we work every day for.  

My inbox is always open to feedback. So if you have doubts about something that I haven’t covered in this guide, or would like to know more about our testing process, don’t hesitate to reach me at danny@housefresh.com

Basements are usually the most neglected space in the house. The “ugly duckling” room — filled with pipes, exposed walls, and limited natural light (if any). It can feel like a dingy dungeon, an outlier compared to the rest of the home.

There are many reasons why your basement can turn out this way, from external factors such as radon or rising damp to dusty old belongings stored away. All of these are made much worse by the fact that the basement has restricted ventilation, which intensifies pollutants.

One good way to ensure your basement is free from particulates, gasses, and odors is to install an air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters. 

An air purifier in the basement means airborne particulates like mold will be trapped in the filter instead of on your walls. Additionally, the activated charcoal filter catches nasty odors to boost freshness.

But knowing which air purifier is best for you isn’t simple. So, the HouseFresh team tested over 80 different devices to truly understand which devices work and which don’t.

Using our in-house data, I’ve hand-picked the five best air purifiers that can tackle basement maintenance, paying close attention to filters, purification speed, and long-term running costs.

Staff picks: Top 3 air purifiers for basements

For those in a hurry, here’s a look at our top three purifier picks for your basement. 

Of course, all basements are different. So, it’s important to understand your specific needs and assess all available options. Read on to find a range of units that cover different-sized spaces, have multiple features, and fit into various budgets. 

1. Best overall: Levoit Core 600S

The Levoit Core 600S is the best basement air purifier on the market that provides rapid results, even in larger spaces.

💡exclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

The Core 600S is a no-brainer when facing the stubborn pollutants found in basements. Its powerful fans can clean large volumes of air every minute with a CADR of 373 CFM. Another plus is its relatively inexpensive price tag ( just $0.61 per CADR), which means you probably won’t mind keeping it on around the clock. 

Our review shows that Levoit’s filters can remove even the smallest airborne particles. The 600S uses a high-quality 3-in-1 filter consisting of a pre-filter for larger pollutants like dust, a primary filter for smaller particles such as mold spores, and an activated carbon filter for odors and other VOCs rife in the space. 

During our clean air speed test, the unit removed all traces of pollutants in just 15 minutes — the second-fastest purifier to do so. Although our test space is slightly smaller than the average basement, Levoit designed this unit to perform 4.8 air changes every hour in spaces up to 584 sq. ft., providing plenty of fresh air to larger rooms.  

Despite this powerful performance, this unit is also ultra-energy efficient. This will be particularly useful as you can leave the device to run at its top speed around the clock to ensure it cleans up any pollutants. Once you’re happy that the air is safer to breathe, you can utilize the 600S’s auto mode to operate at lower fan speeds and automatically react snappily whenever pollutant levels rise. 

➜ Read our full review

2. Less than $100: TaoTronics AP-003

If you want a cost-effective solution to your basement’s poor air quality, look no further than the TaoTronics AP-003.

The TaoTronics AP-003 is proof that not all cheap electronics made in China are junk. This unit from a lowkey brand promised a lot in its sales pitch, but boy, did it deliver with performance and specifications to rival units 2-3 times its RRP. 

Setting you back just $79.99, this air purifier has many features to combat basement pollutants. First up is its medical grade H13 HEPA filter. It’s proven to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is far smaller than the average dust or mold particle. Couple this with a granular carbon filter, and the TaoTronics AP-003 will take care of any musky odors, too.  

One of the main features that jumped off the spec sheet for this unit was a CADR of 202 CFM. This is super powerful for a unit costing less than 100 bucks, so we had to see it for ourselves. Lo and behold, the AP-003 made light work of our speed test, removing the smallest PM1 particles in less than half an hour, which is exactly what you’ll need when cleaning a basement. 

With a low energy draw and a highly accurate air sensor to monitor pollutant levels, this purifier continues to prove its worth. You might be wondering what the catch is. Well, it can be tricky to find in stock online (perhaps an indicator of its popularity). Still, we discovered that many other brands use this model as part of ODM, so there are models available that use the same design, and we had a chance to test one of them, the Lago air purifier.

Its performance in our test room was the same as that of the Taotronics AP003, and even the filter that came with it looks to be exactly the same and has the same model number.

The only downside of the Lago is that its price seems a little higher than Taotronics, but it is available on Amazon.com, so if you have trouble getting it from Taotronics.com, then this might be a better option for keeping your basement clean.

➜ Read our full review

3. Oldie but goodie: Honeywell HPA300

Honeywell’s HPA300 offers powerful performance without the premium price tag. 

To put it simply, the HPA300 is a workhorse of an air purifier. It may not come with the latest smart features or a shiny new design, but it clears pollutants quickly thanks to its powerful fan and quality HEPA filters.

Available for less than $200, this air purifier offers valuable bang for your buck. With a CADR of 300 CFM, this equates to just 80 cents per CFM, which is incredibly cost-efficient. 

This power makes the HPA300 a great option for use in basements as large as 465 sq. ft, as we saw when reviewing the unit, taking just 14 minutes to clear our test space of all PM1 particles.

Being an older unit, it’s not quite as energy efficient or quiet as its counterparts on this list, but this is traded off by a low initial purchase price and cheap True-HEPA filter replacements that are readily available online and in many stores, allowing you to keep your basement’s air clean and healthy long into the future.

➜ Read our full review

4. For large basements: Alen BreatheSmart 75i

Big basements meet their match with the Alen BreatheSmart 75i. 

The 75i is a giant among air purifiers. As the largest of Alen’s BreatheSmart range, it takes on the mantle of the beefy big bro to the average-sized 45i and FLEX. With this added size comes added versatility, as the unit can take on huge spaces and eliminate larger quantities of pollutants thanks to its customizable filters.

So just how large of a basement are we talking about? Alen designed this unit to circulate air 4.8 times per hour in a 512 sq. ft. space, with a generous CADR of 335 CFM. Yet somehow, this unit draws a meager 45 watts on its top speed setting, allowing you to run the purifier for longer without racking up higher energy bills. 

What I love about this option is that Alen offers a range of filters to suit your needs. Each option includes an H13 HEPA that captures particles as small as 0.1 microns with impressive effectiveness, but you can also tailor the amount of activated carbon the filter contains. Higher carbon quantities (found in the Odor or Smoke filter) provide enhanced protection from VOCs and odor, which is paramount if your basement is subject to radon or other chemical pollutants.

➜ Read our full review

5. On/off ionizer function: Winix 5500-2

Sleek style meets speedy performance. The Winix 5500-2 is one of the latest units to light up our clean air speed test.

Winix has been making air purifiers for a while. But with the 5500-2, the company has mastered its craft. This air purifier utilizes four stages of purification, including Winix’s trademark PlasmaWave technology (a type of bipolar ionizer), which can help remove particles from the air even faster.

This unit blends style and function, with impressive qualities under the hood. As well as Plasmawave technology, you’ll find a washable pre-filter ideal for dirty spaces, a granular activated carbon filter for odors and VOCs and a True HEPA filter to remove the smallest dust and mold particulates. 

Boasting a CADR score of 243 CFM when independently tested against dust makes for a highly efficient unit to use in a basement environment. We were blown away by how fast the 5500-2 performed in our speed test, clearing all pollutants in just 20 minutes. 

➜ Read our full review

Other air purifiers we tested but don’t recommend for basements

Having reviewed and tested over 50 different air purifiers, there were more than many that didn’t quite meet our high standards. To help our readers avoid wasting their money, we’ll happily call out a disappointment when we see one. So, if you’re looking to improve the air quality in your basement, steer clear of these units: 

• GermGuardian AC4825e – GermGuardian has been a staple in the air purifier world for some time. Yet, its products are unfortunately stuck in the past. When we tested the AC4825e, it took almost 2 hours to clear our test space of pollutants. At the same time, its bacteria-killing UV-C technology failed to impress and instead managed to spike electricity use. 

• AROEVE MK01 – Billed as a medical-grade air purifier, AROEVE seemingly put all its eggs in the H13 HEPA basket, forgetting that for the filter to work, the purifier must circulate air effectively. With lackluster fans providing a poor CADR of 25 cfm, this unit would always struggle to reduce indoor air pollution, especially in an enclosed basement environment.  
  
  

What to look for when buying an air purifier for basements

Basements are usually where you’ll find the worst air quality in your home. 

The reason is simple: basements lack ventilation. This means that excess moisture has nowhere to escape, resulting in mold, mildew, and an unmistakable musky odor. Other pollutants, such as dust, allergens, and VOCs, are left to linger, exacerbating the issue further. 

To fix this, you need to take action by increasing airflow and rooting out the causes of your air pollution problem. Utilizing an air purifier is an easy solution. However, to guarantee you get a device up to the task at hand, be sure to look for the following features: 

1. High-quality filters

It’s vital that your air purifier can remove the smallest particles to improve air quality. It’ll need tightly woven filters to capture minuscule dust, mold, and any other particulate lurking in your basement. 

As a rule of thumb, HEPA filters guarantee results. They’re rigorously tested to show they can remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The average dust and mold spore particles vary in size between 2 and 10 microns, so they fall comfortably within the HEPA range.

While not all manufacturers use HEPA-certified filters (see Levoit), we’ve tested each option on this list, making sure each unit is a safe choice for you. 

2. Odor-busting activated carbon

As well as an excellent primary or HEPA filter, you’ll need activated carbon to remove VOCs such as musky odor and chemical fumes. 

These filters work by trapping gaseous pollutants in the pores of a carbon substrate found inside the filter in a process known as adsorption. The more carbon a filter possesses, the more effective it will be, so keep an eye out for that when purchasing your device.

3. Energy efficiency

Tackling build-ups of air pollution in your basement is a big task for any air purifier. You’ll need to use your air purifier 24/7 to remove these pollutants as quickly as possible. 

If you opt for a power-hungry unit, this could skyrocket your electricity bill. 

Look for an air purifier with an Energy Star rating, or check out our annual energy expenses for each unit we test, where we measure how many watts a unit uses at its top speed and calculate an estimated cost using the Department of Energy’s appliance energy calculator. 

4. Room size suitability

Air purifiers are most effective when used in an appropriate-sized space. Some units are effective in smaller rooms, and others can clean the air in much larger rooms, like a basement. 

Ensuring you’ve found a suitably sized air purifier is critical, as an underpowered unit used in a basement will struggle to make a difference in your air quality. 

The advertised space should indicate that the device can perform 4-5 air changes every hour, helping to increase ventilation and deliver much-needed clean air throughout your basement. 

Manufacturers usually share what size room they have developed the unit for, so take a close look at the specifications or check out our specs and features table, where we always list the correct room size. 

Common questions about air purifiers in the basement

Wrapping up

Basements are notorious for their poor air quality, so investing in an air purifier is a surefire way to keep the space cleaner and healthier.

As these spaces have a large footprint, measuring the space and purchasing a purifier that can circulate the air is extra important. Opt for as high a CADR as your budget will allow, even if this means overlooking smart features and operating volumes that are less useful in a basement. Finally, make sure the unit you choose is cheap to run, as you’ll likely use it much more to combat the challenges in a basement setting.

When we talk about ‘Whole House’ air purifiers, there is often some confusion about which types of units we’re referring to. While most might assume this includes large air purifiers like the IQAir HealthPro Plus or Levoit Core 600S because they can clear contaminants from vast spaces, these are still classified as ‘Portable’ air purifiers.

A whole-house air purifier is a unit that installs directly into your existing HVAC system. When attached, your air purifier will use its filters to remove harmful pollutants that can plague the air you breathe, including dust, pollen and other allergens.

An HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system pulls air through its vents. The air travels through ductwork in your home as it is heated, cooled or simply used like a fan. The air is then blown into your room(s).

When introducing an air purifier into your HVAC system, the air is passed through a series of strong filters that eliminate airborne particles, leaving fresh, clean, unpolluted air circulating throughout your home.

Whole-house air purifiers can feature a combination of filters to remove pollutants:

• Media Filters: This thick stack of professional-grade filters is installed into the ductwork of your HVAC system. The design of these filters differs from system to system, but all do the same job.
  
  
• Electrostatic Filters: Also known as UV air purification filters or germicidal light filters, they discharge concentrations of charged particles that attach to contaminants and force them to stick to other surfaces, removing them from the air. They are usually installed near the cooling coils of your HVAC system.
  
  
• Electronic Filter: These types of filters use the principle of electrostatic filters. But, instead of releasing a flurry of charged particles, they feature a network of wires that creates a constant electrostatic field to capture contaminants.

What to look for when buying a whole house air purifier 

If you have a suitable space, buying a whole-house air purifier can be more effective than buying a portable one.

• It will efficiently remove harmful contaminants from all the air in your entire home without boundaries

• You won’t have to buy an air purifier for each room, which saves on money and floor space

• The filters will work constantly when your HVAC system is on

• It doesn’t emit any extra noise

If you live in a home with many rooms, a whole-house air purifier will simultaneously provide clean air to each room so that you don’t need to worry about moving a portable air purifier.

Here’s how to choose the right solution for you:

1. Consider the type of filter you will need

You must choose the kind that best suits your needs. There are three main types of filters to be aware of:

Media Filter	Capture pollutants in a maze of tiny fiberglass filaments. They are highly effective but need replacing when they become full of the particles they’ve removed from the air.	👉 Ideal if the air outside your home is contaminated with suspended particles like dust and pet dander.
Electrostatic Filter	Ca​​n produce ozone as a by-product, which can be harmful to our health. They don’t need to be replaced periodically; they only require cleaning occasionally.	👉 The most effective at removing bacteria and viruses from the air.
Electronic Filter	Great at removing smoke particles that may slip by media filters. They don’t need replacing either, but they do need a lot of energy to run, so the cost to run them is more significant.	👉 Good choice if you live in an area of smoke pollution.

2. Consider the upfront and long-term costs

When you’re in the market for a whole-house air purifier, it’s crucial to factor in the upfront cost and ongoing operating costs. Whole-house air purifiers are commonly more expensive than portable units, so you will need to consider your budget carefully.

According to the latest data from Angi, a new HVAC unit could cost between $3,000 and $16,000. This is without accounting for professional installation costs, which could amount to $1,500 on average. 

But it will all depend on the design of the system, the size of the unit, where in your home you want to install it, and other factors. And as with every other appliance, you will also be paying more or less depending on the brand you go with:

HVAC Brand	Average Price
Amana/Goodman	$2,750
American Standard	$3,750
Bryant	$3,000
Carrier	$4,250
Coleman	$3,000
Lennox	$3,500
Magic Pak	$4,750
Mitsubishi	$4,500
Trane	$6,000
Rheem/Ruud	$3,250
York	$7,500

It is also worth mentioning that not all units consume the same amount of power; some will have higher energy costs than others. Also, pay attention to the expense of replacing the filters if needed. They don’t all have the same lifespan or carry the same price tag.

3. Consider whether other options could be better suited

Apart from the initial and running costs of a whole-house air purifier, you need to consider whether a whole-house air purifier is right for your home. If the contaminants come from outdoors, a whole-house air purifier is right for you. If the source of your pollution is indoors, you might be better off with a portable air purifier.

Ask yourself: 

• Do you have an HVAC system installed in your home?
• Do you have the budget for a whole-house air purifier?
• Is your home the right size for a whole-house air purifier?

If you’ve checked every box, a whole-house air purifier would be the best way. 

But what if a whole house air purifier is not an option?

If buying a whole-house air purifier isn’t possible for you, I recommend purchasing a portable unit for your home that will still be powerful enough to clean the air in large spaces.

I’ve picked out three of the best high-powered enough to purify the air in a large area: 

As each of you will have different-sized homes and requirements, I’ve included three excellent options to suit varying needs and budgets. Each unit has the powerful fans, filters and technology required to clean air in large spaces, so check out the complete list below. 

1. Best overall: Levoit EverestAir

The EverestAir is the best Levoit air purifier I’ve tested. It looks good and it cleans the air incredibly fast.

On paper, the Levoit EverestAir looks like a powerhouse of an air purifier as it boasts a large fan and a robust Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 360 CFM, so I was excited to test it in our performance room and it’s safe to say…I was impressed. It cleared the contaminants from the HouseFresh testing room in just 14 minutes, making it the second-best-performing air purifier we’ve ever tested.

I lifted off the front grill to reveal Levoit’s 3-filter setup, which includes a washable pre-filter, a HEPA and an activated carbon filter. This thick H13 True HEPA filter will remove more than 99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including allergens, viruses, pollen and bacteria. The activated carbon filter will deal with cooking odors, pet smells, and VOCs.

One feature I was surprised to see was the ability to change the airflow direction with the touch of a button. With four distinct vent angles, the EverestAir allows you to direct the air output precisely where you need it in your home.

It also includes a timer, sleep mode, turbo mode and an auto mode that automatically adjusts fan speed to counter the amount of pollutants in the air. I tested this out by blowing vape smoke towards the unit. The sensor immediately detected new contaminants, set the fan to a higher speed and showed me how polluted the air was on its AQI (Air Quality Indicator).

SPECS & FEATURES

➜ Read our full review

2. Best budget option: Levoit Core 600S

This is the second best performing air purifier we have tested and it costs less than $300, offering excellent air cleaning speed for spaces of up to 584 sq. ft. 

💡exclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

Before we bought the EverestAir, the Levoit Core 600S was the king of cleaning performance among our units. With its high Clean Air Delivery Rating (CADR) of 410 CFM combined with a powerful motor, the 600S made light work of our performance tests, is easy to use and comes with all the features I’ve come to expect from a modern air purifier.

After filling our performance testing room with simulated contaminants, the 600S managed to eliminate them in an outstanding time of 15 minutes at its highest fan speed. When I compare this to some of the other air purifiers we’ve tested, you can see why it’s so impressive.

Their trademarked VortextAir fans allow the unit to draw in vast air from the room through a top-of-the-line H13 True HEPA filter with activated carbon pellets wrapped in a pre-filter, eradicating even the smallest particles.

With a host of smart features, including a timer, sleep mode, display lock and an auto mode that uses the unit’s in-built sensor to monitor the air quality in your room and automatically adjusts its fan speed accordingly. The 600S also uses this data to display your air quality numerically and through an LED light color wheel.

SPECS & FEATURES

➜  Read our full review

3. Best for larger spaces: IQAir HealthPro Plus

This Sweadish-made air purifier is one of the top units on the market and is perfect for spaces as big as 1125 sq. ft. 

If you have a larger space to clean, check out the HealthPro Plus from IQAir. This Sweadish-made air purifier is one of the top units on the market and will offer true peace of mind that your home will be protected from pollutants. When Danny (Founder and Senior Writer) saw this beast of a unit, he bought it with zero hesitation.

When I first lifted off the top to take a closer look at the HealthPro Plus’s filters, I found three stages of protection. The first is a Pre-Max Filter tackling larger particles such as hair, dust or lint. 

The second is a V5-Cell Filter that contains over 5 lbs of Activated Carbon, and I’m not talking tiny pieces; there are actual chunks of carbon packed into these filters to capture VOCs, chemicals and odors from the air. HealthPro Plus contains the most activated carbon I’ve ever seen in an air purifier.

This third was IQAir’s patented HyperHEPA filter, whose innovative design goes above and beyond what you will find in other purifiers, removing 99.95% of ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns in size. 

It may not be as fast at clearing contaminants as the two Levoit units above, but with its vast size, it can clear rooms up to 1125 sq. ft., making it our top recommendation for those of you who have an ample space to clean.

SPECS & FEATURES

➜ Read our full review

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Wrapping up

Whole house air purifiers are great if you have an HVAC system installed in your home. They have the ability to filter contaminants from the air that gets circulated into your rooms. They are great if you live in a highly polluted area. But they are expensive to buy, install and operate, so make sure you’ve calculated all the running costs first.