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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 some fresh air, it can also cause a lot of dust, dander, or air impurities to come inside or get kicked up into the air.
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 the particles that can cause allergic reactions.
It can be challenging knowing where to start your search with so many different models and special features on the market. So to help you filter your options and help you breathe a little easier, we talked with an expert and compared several different brands for this list of our picks of the best air purifiers for allergies.
- Best air purifier for air circulation: Dyson Pure Cool DP04 Air Purifying Fan | Skip to review
- Best portable air purifier: Molekule Air Mini+ Air Purifier | Skip to review
- Best budget air purifier: Honeywell HPA100 HEPA Air Purifier | Skip to review
- Best air purifier for pets: BISSELL air320 Air Purifier | Skip to review
- Best wall-mounted air purifier: RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier | Skip to review
- Best air purifier for large rooms: Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier | Skip to review
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 price points 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.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $250
- $$ = $250–$450
- $$$ = over $450
For people with allergies, these tiny air pollutants and microscopic allergens can cause frequent — and sometimes even severe — allergic reactions. Many of these particles are so small that they can’t even be seen, but their presence in the air can have an impact on someone’s allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.
However, it’s possible to extract a lot of these irritants from the air by using an air purifier. These machines are designed to take in air, run it through a filtration system, and release it back into the room.
Dr. Alana Biggers, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Illinois-Chicago, believes that air filters can be useful for those with allergies because they remove a majority of aggravating air particulates from any given room, though they don’t take away all particles. They filter what’s in the air and not pollutants that are settled into walls, floors, and furnishings.
If you decide to purchase an air purifier to reduce allergy symptoms, keep in mind that devices can vary. It’s important to consider what air pollutants you want to filter, and the size of the room you’ll be using it in.
What are you hoping to filter?
“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,” Biggers noted.
She added, “Carbon-based filters are good at filtering some particles and odors, but are not as effective in removing dust, dander, pollen, and mold.”
This table breaks down the different types of air filters and how they work.
| Types of air filters | How they work and what they target |
|---|---|
| High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) | 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. |
| Product name | Price | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Pure Cool DP04 Air Purifying Fan | $$$ | 10.25 lb | air circulation |
| Molekule Air Mini+ Air Purifier | $$ | 7.3 lb | portability |
| Honeywell HPA100 HEPA Air Purifier | $ | 7.74 lb | budget |
| BISSELL air320 Air Purifier | $$ | 19.2 lb | pets |
| RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier | $$$ | 19.4 lb | wall mounting |
| Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier | $ | 14.12 lb | large rooms |
*Prices accurate as of May 2023
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.
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.
Additional reasons to see an allergist include:
- chronic sinus infections
- breathing difficulties
- chest tightness
- nasal congestion
- frequent wheezing
How big is the area you’d like 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 the smallest particles like tobacco smoke and medium and large particles like dust and pollen out of the air and may have a high CADR.
How big is the area you’d like 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 the smallest particles like tobacco smoke and medium and large particles like dust and pollen out of the air and may have a high CADR.
What’s the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?
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 doing anything to clean it.
When should I get a new purifier?
If you’re finding that your air isn’t as clean as you’d like it to be or you’ve noticed an increase in allergic reactions, you might be thinking about buying a new air purifier. If this is the case, consider checking the filter first and make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced.
In most air purifiers, the filter does all the work, so if it’s not working at its usual capacity, the filter is probably to blame and not the purifier itself. However, if the mechanical hardware — like the fan, control panel, or air quality sensors — breaks down, you’ll want to get a new purifier.
In addition, if the air purifier can’t keep up in new and larger spaces, consider getting a larger purifier.
Do air purifiers actually help with allergies?
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.
How do I prevent my purifier from getting mold?
Mold can grow quickly in humid areas with a lot of moisture and limited airflow. If you’re worried about your purifier growing mold, try using it in a dry room, and 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 a humid area where it’s difficult to control 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.
Do air purifiers help the lungs?
Yes, air purifiers help the lungs by improving the air quality so you breathe healthier air. The devices help reduce exposure to indoor particles, allergens, and pollutants, which may positively affect respiratory health.
However,
Does sleeping with an air purifier help improve my sleep quality?
You should sleep with an air purifier on since the devices are designed to run constantly. Sleeping with an air purifier may help you breathe better and improve sleep quality. You can choose a low setting to minimize noise and dim or turn off the light.
What are the disadvantages of air purifiers?
The disadvantages of air purifiers include noise, energy consumption, and the cost of filter replacements. Plus, they require regular cleaning and may take up precious space in small areas.
Where is the best place to put an air purifier?
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 large models on the floor.
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.
- 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 triggered by dust mites.
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.
Steven Rowe is a New York-based writer, editor, and father. He has a degree in psychology, a master’s from Columbia School of the Arts, and he enjoys writing about mental health and childhood development. When he’s not writing, you can find him hiking in the woods with his family and rescue beagle.
Natalie Silver is a writer, editor, and owner of Silver Scribe Editorial Services, a publishing services company. Natalie adores working in a profession that allows her to learn about many different topics all in a day’s work. She lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and two children. You can learn more about Natalie’s work on her website https://silverscribeeditorial.com/.
