As an expert in the field of air purifiers, I have seen a significant increase in their popularity since the pandemic began. With air quality alerts becoming more common, it's important for people to understand what to look for when choosing an air purifier for their home. These devices filter out pollutants such as smoke, pollen, and dust, and some have even been proven to capture particles carrying the COVID-19 coronavirus. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know which one is right for you. The first step in finding the perfect air purifier is to determine how much space you want it to cover.
Small desktop devices are not effective in large living spaces, while larger and more powerful purifiers may be overkill in a smaller room. If you want to improve overall air quality in your home, look for a purifier that works well in all areas, such as the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty. However, if you are specifically looking for an air purifier to clean the air of someone with COVID-19, Consumer Reports recommends choosing one with a CADR (clean air delivery rate) of 240 or higher for the recommended room size. To put this into perspective, the average human eye can only see objects that are around 70 microns in size. However, airborne particles that scatter light can be as small as 10 microns.
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty has an ionizer that can be turned off, while other models such as the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ and Blueair Blue Pure 411 have ionizers integrated into their patented HEPASilent filters. These manufacturers claim that their devices produce very little ozone, making them safe for use in your home. The Pure Enrichment PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier even has a UV light feature for added purification. When it comes to energy consumption, smaller air purifiers like the Levoit LV-H132 typically use less energy than larger ones. However, they are only effective in cleaning smaller spaces.
You can usually find the estimated energy consumption of an air purifier in the product specifications. Some devices may consume as little as 1.5 watts in low conditions, while others can consume over 200 watts in high conditions. It's important to consider this when choosing an air purifier, as it can have an impact on your electricity bill. As an expert, my top recommendation for an air purifier is the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty. It has all the features you need at a reasonable price.
However, if budget is a concern, I recommend prioritizing other factors over cost. As a freelance writer covering consumer technology, privacy, and personal finance, I have tested and reviewed various air purifiers over the years. And while the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty remains my top pick, there are other great options on the market as well. When choosing an air purifier, it's important to keep in mind that the filter will need to be replaced every few months. The frequency of replacement depends on the type of filter and how often you use the device.
To make it easier to remember when to change your filter, you can set a reminder on your calendar according to your air purifier's maintenance schedule. This way, you won't have to rely on the filter replacement light. If you plan on using the air purifier in a bedroom or baby's room, it's important to choose a device that is relatively quiet even at higher speeds. As air enters the purifier, it passes through layers of filters to remove fine particles, and clean air is released on the other side. Some air purifiers have a single CADR number, while others have different CADR numbers for smoke, dust, and pollen.
There is also a specific CADR number for smoke particles, which is used to determine how well an air purifier can clean a room from smoke. Most air purifiers are labeled with a CADR number (clean air delivery rate), which was developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to help consumers understand the effectiveness of a device in filtering various particles in a room of a specific size. However, it's important to note that while air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality, they are not a substitute for regular cleaning practices. For example, large allergens can quickly settle on surfaces such as furniture and floors before reaching an air purifier. Therefore, it's important to vacuum, mop, and dust regularly. However, when used properly in conjunction with other practices recommended by the CDC, air purifiers can be an effective tool in reducing the chance of indoor airborne transmission.
Just like dehumidifiers, it's impossible to have an air purifier that doesn't make any noise. So when choosing one for your home, consider what level of noise you find acceptable in the background, especially if you plan on using it while sleeping. Air purifiers are becoming increasingly popular, and there are thousands of different types to choose from. You may need an air purifier if you live in an area with high pollution levels or if you are exposed to wildfire smoke. When shopping for an air purifier, look for one that is ENERGY STAR certified, meaning it is energy efficient and consumes less energy than a standard model.
In general, it's best to choose an air purifier that uses a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA), which is the standard recommended by the EPA and the American Lung Association.
