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Air purifiers can benefit those with asthma and allergies. Here are our top picks based on the most effective types of filters for dust, dander, and pollen.
Most of us spend a significant amount of the day inside, especially throughout the colder seasons. While it may be nice to snuggle up with pets or open a window to let in fresh air, it can also introduce a lot of or air impurities and trigger allergies.
Anyone can enjoy the benefits of an air purifier, but if you experience frequent allergies, you may be looking for one that specifically filters out particles that can cause allergic reactions to dust or dander.
To help you filter your options and help you breathe a little easier, we talked with an expert and compared several different brands to formulate our picks of the best air purifiers for allergies.
There are a lot of great air purifiers available, but for people with frequent allergies, a more targeted purification system is needed. So we looked for air purifiers with HEPA filters that used activated carbon or similar purification ingredients to help filter allergens like pet hair, pet dander, pollen, and smoke.
We prioritized products from trusted, proven brands with a significant number of strong customer reviews. Products that were energy efficient and generally quieter while in operation, were considered for our list.
Finally, we chose products at a variety of prices and room square foot coverage because everyone’s needs and budget are different. We wanted to build a list where most people could find something that worked for their homes.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to several studies that link the use of air purifiers to allergies and asthma symptom relief. The EPA cautions that these studies don’t always point to significant improvements or a reduction in all allergy symptoms, though.
A 2018 study found that using a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom improved people’s allergic rhinitis symptoms by reducing the concentration of particulate matter and dust mites in the air.
A 2018 study following 46 people using air purifiers with PECO filters found that their allergy symptoms decreased significantly over 4 weeks.
A 2018 study concluded that air purifiers were a promising therapeutic option for people with asthma brought on by dust mites.
A 2020 study indicated that using HEPA air purifiers may significantly reduce particulate matter levels and the need for medication among people with allergic rhinitis.
A 2022 study suggested that a portable HEPA air purifier with an adequate CADR can significantly reduce particulate matter and cat, dog, and dust mite allergens from indoor air.
Fibrous media air filters remove particles from the air.
Activated carbon
Activated carbon removes gases from the air.
Ionizer
This uses a high voltage wire or carbon brush to remove particles from the air. The negative ions interact with the air particles, causing them to attract to the filter or other objects in the room.
Electrostatic precipitation
Similar to ionizers, this uses a wire to charge particles and bring them to the filter.
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)
UV light inactivates microbes. This doesn’t pull out the microbes from the space entirely. It only inactivates them.
Photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO)
This newer technology removes very small particles in the air by making a photoelectrochemical reaction that removes and destroys pollutants.
Permanently installed air cleaners
Heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems and furnaces can remove pollutants from the air. They may use filters like the ones listed above, and they may also include an air exchanger to clean the air. These aren’t considered air purifiers, which are typically portable.
To select the best air purifier for your needs, consider the following:
Filtration system: Decide which types of air pollutants and odors you plan to filter. To target allergies, consider HEPA and activated carbon filtration.
Room size: Choose a model suitable for the size of the room or area you want to filter. Check the device dimensions and consider how it will fit into the space.
Budget: Consider the initial cost as well as filter replacements.
Company reputation: Choose a company with a solid reputation that provides quality products and excellent customer service.
Customer reviews: Read online reviews to get an overall feel for customer satisfaction and find out what people say about your specific concerns, including noise, energy efficiency, and smart features.
How big is the area you want to filter?
The amount of space in your room should also guide your selection. Check how many square feet a unit can handle when evaluating it.
You can look for the clean air delivery rate (CADR) to determine how many particles and square feet an air purifier can reach. For example, HEPA filters can clean small particles, like tobacco smoke, and medium and large particles, like dust and pollen, from the air. They may have a high CADR.
If you frequently experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and head congestion, it may be time to see an allergist. They can identify triggers and create a treatment plan that helps prevent, alleviate, and manage symptoms to enhance your overall quality of life.
It comes down to the type of filter. It’s important to consider what air pollutants you want to filter and the size of the room you’ll be using it in.
“There are many types of air filters that can remove particles at varying degrees. For example, HEPA filters, UV air filters, and ion filters are very good at removing dust, dander, pollen, and mold, but they are not great at removing odors,” said Dr. Alana Biggers, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
“Carbon-based filters are good at filtering some particles and odors, but are not as effective in removing dust, dander, pollen, and mold,” she said.
Above we created a table that breaks down the different types of air filters and how they work.
Air purifiers and humidifiers are very different devices. An air purifier removes particles, gases, and other pollutants from indoor air, making the air cleaner to breathe. A humidifier adds moisture or humidity to the air without cleaning it.
In most air purifiers, the filter does all the work, so if it’s not working at its usual capacity or you notice and increase in allergy and asthma symptoms, the filter is probably to blame. However, if the mechanical hardware — like the fan, control panel, or air quality sensors — breaks down, you’ll want to get a new purifier.
Using an air purifier can remove many allergic triggers. While there’s no official recommendation for the use of air purifiers for allergies, many medical experts and research studies point to their effectiveness.
Mold can grow quickly in humid areas with a lot of moisture and limited airflow. If you’re worried about your purifier growing mold avoid using it in rooms that tend to retain moisture, like the bathroom.
You can also remove the filter from time to time to check for mold and clean it as needed. If you live in an area where it’s difficult to manage humidity, consider using a dehumidifier.
Not only will it decrease the chances of your purifier growing mold, but it can make any room more comfortable.
Yes, air purifiers help the lungs by improving the air quality. The devices help reduce exposure to indoor particles, allergens, and pollutants, which may positively affect respiratory health.
However, research from 2021 suggests that indoor air filters may reduce indoor particulate matter but don’t significantly affect respiratory symptoms.
Sleeping with an air purifier on may help you breathe better and improve your sleep quality. You can choose a low setting to minimize noise and dim or turn off the light.
A small 2023 study suggests that using a HEPA-filtered air purifier may improve air quality and positively affect sleep for people without clinical sleep disturbances. Compared with the placebo group, the HEPA-filtered air purifier group slept an average of 12 minutes longer and spent 19 minutes more in bed.
However, there were no significant changes in other sleep and mood outcomes, and the HEPA filter group experienced more time awake after falling asleep.
The best place to put an air purifier is the area where you spend the most time or that is a source of pollution. Choose a space with plenty of ventilation that provides adequate space around the unit. Typically, you can place small models on a surface a few feet from the floor and put large models on the floor.
If you’re experiencing allergy or asthma symptoms inside your house, an air purifier may help reduce your symptoms by cleaning the air.
There are many different brands and models of air purifiers. Determine the size of your room and your specific filtration needs before purchasing an air purifier.
Last medically reviewed on January 25, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Park HJ, et al. (2021). The effect of particulate matter reduction by indoor air filter use on respiratory symptoms and lung function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8419638/
Park KH, et al. (2020). Effects of air purifiers on patients with allergic rhinitis: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7393300/
