An air purifier can be a worthwhile investment if you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, use chemical-laden cleaning products or have pets, all of which can lead to dust build-up. It can also be useful if your allergies are bothersome or you live in an area affected by pollution or a wildfire.
An effective purifier has a fan that draws in air, and it then pushes the clean, filtered air back out into the living space. The air passes through a filter or series of filters, which trap pollutants and particles, and a prefilter and postfilter reduces odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). You’ll need to replace the filters regularly to keep them working efficiently.
There are several different types of air purifiers, and each works using a slightly different method. For example, some models have mechanical filters that trap microscopic particles with a weave of fine fibers similar to the fibers in your clothes—these are called HEPA filters. They’re great for capturing dust, pet dander and mold spores. They don’t help with gases and odors, however, which require another type of filter.
The Coway Airmega 400S took the longest to clean the air in our testing and is a bit expensive to purchase and operate, but it has a very sophisticated onboard air monitor that relays data about particulate matter, VOCs and nitrogen dioxide to a sleek app that provides an intuitive way to check your home’s indoor quality. It also has a nice design, with a slim, cylinder shape and indented handles on either side that make it easy to carry from room to room. air purifier