Because of their recent rise in popularity, the market for air purifiers has been flooded with hundreds of models. Check out this detailed buyer’s guide for some tips and things to look for when searching for the right air purifier for your specific needs.

Air purifiers come in many different shapes and sizes, from smaller models that plug into the wall to larger versions that can clean the air in a whole house.

When choosing an air purifier, you should think about the rooms you want to clean the air in — or you can go for a portable unit that you can use all over your house. Once you have the measurements of your area, you can choose an air purifier that takes up the right amount of space.

Most high-quality air purifiers have three or five-stage filtration systems that can get rid of all kinds of air pollutants. We recommend getting an air purifier with at least a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter for the right amount of air filtration.

The pre-filter gets rid of bigger, more obvious pollutants that can hurt the fine-filtration layers inside. The air then goes through a HEPA filter, which catches the smaller particles. Last, the carbon filter soaks up the gaseous molecules that can cause different smells to linger in a room.

ACH is the number of times in an hour that an air purifier can clean and change all of the air in a room. The higher this number is, the more efficient an air purifier is. Try to get an air purifier that can change the air at least four times an hour.

CADR is the amount of air that an air purifier can clean at its highest speed. The rate of cleaning the air is faster when the CADR is higher.

You should know that an air purifier can be a loud household appliance. While the noise won’t bother you much during the day, it can keep you from sleeping well at night. 

So, if you want to use an air purifier at night, make sure to get one that doesn't make a lot of noise. Look for a model that has a sleep mode or makes a noise at less than 40 decibels.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your air purifier:

The Aroeve Air Purifier is a compact, attractive, and extremely efficient appliance. This option uses an H13 HEPA filter to capture even the smallest particles, up to 0.3 microns, helping purify indoor air of smoke, dander, hair, and pollen. It also uses a dual-channel technology with a 360-degree air outlet — effectively trapping airborne particles at 30% higher speeds while also eliminating odor-causing agents. 

This product purifies indoor air five times per hour and operates at an extremely low frequency, allowing you to enjoy deeper sleep in a quieter environment. The filter in this pick is strong enough for areas up to 215 square feet, too. With its sensitive operation panel, built-in essential oil sponge, and sturdy air-filtration base, this air purifier is the best overall product.

The option from Levoit is built to last and is extremely efficient. It can filter 99.97% of airborne particles while also addressing odor issues. This pick features a triple-stage, air-purification system that consists of a pre-filter, an H13 True HEPA filter, and a carbon filter for trapping mold, smoke, and pollen. This air purifier uses a cylindrical design with an amazing 160-degree air intake — and it blows out clean air in a powerful vortex. 

The filter is also strongly packed and efficient enough for purifying an area up to 517 square feet in just 30 minutes, and it works even quicker in smaller spaces. This product also changes air up to five times per hour, helping provide more efficacy.

Another great option is the Blueair Air Purifier, and it comes with a one-touch auto mode that can filter micro particles from the air. And if you want to see the current air quality of your room, you can check its LED indicator. A blue light indicates excellent air quality, an orange light indicates moderate, and a red one alerts you that the air is extremely poor. 

Using its “HEPA-silent” dual filtration, this air purifier delivers clean air without making annoying noises, allowing you and your family to rest peacefully. The greatest thing about this appliance is that it’s energy-star rated and uses just two watts of energy — so it can also help save you money on your electric bill.

This pick from Coway is a compact and powerful appliance, and it can cover larger areas up to 361 square feet using five-stage airflow control. You can easily set up and use this option with the simple-to-use control panel on top, and you can keep track of your indoor environment with the built-in, air-quality sensors.

This air purifier has a four-stage, air-filtration system that can reduce up to 99.97% of particles of up to 0.3 microns, including allergens and pollutants. With its permanent pre-filter, activated-carbon filter, green true HEPA filter, and optional ionizer function, you can feel more confident about your air quality. And there’s also an auto mode that senses air quality and adjusts the fan speed automatically.

If you’re looking for a stylish purifier that blends in with your decor and won’t become an eyesore, then the HEPA Air Purifier for Home is a great choice. It features a three-stage filtration system, and it’s powerful enough to clean particles as small as 0.3 microns. There’s also an aromatherapy design, allowing you to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the pad — then you can unwind and relax while it purifies the air. 

The silent operation produces only 28 decibels, which is almost noiseless. Plus, you can turn the display light off at night and enjoy a good night’s sleep. The sleek design and modern black finish fits with traditional and contemporary settings pretty effortlessly, making this a very attractive option.

The filtration system of an air purifier determines its efficiency, so always go for a multi-stage filtration system for cleaning indoor air. It’s better to get a unit that has at least a three-stage filtration system, including a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. Air purifiers with five-stage filtration systems, on the other hand, are even more efficient.

An air purifier, as the name suggests, filters the air by trapping harmful pollutants like dust particles, smoke, mold spores, pet hair, and pollen — and they can help get rid of bad odors, too. Some air purifiers also come with an aromatherapy design, so you can freshen up your indoor environment as well help purify it.

With the outbreak of the pandemic, some manufacturers have upgraded the designs of their air purifiers to capture the droplets that can spread coronaviruses and COVID-19. Make sure to confirm this with the manufacturer before relying on a product though.