HEPA filters are certified to trap particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns, which covers dust, pollen and most bacteria. Some purifiers boast a medical-grade Hyper-HEPA filter that will go down to 0.003 microns — enough to pick smoke out of the air. The ability to move air throughout 1100 sf within 30 minutes is a good sign of solid performance. An air purifier with poor fan speed would struggle to clean the air simply due to the inability to process it effectively.
Air purifiers can’t remove the larger allergens—dust mites and pet hair,for example—that settle on furniture and carpets unless they get disturbed and redistributed into the air. One of our top-scoring small-capacity dehumidifiers, the Midea MAD20S1QWT Lasko Box Fan earns top marks for water removal, noise, convenience, and humidistat accuracy in CR’s lab tests. Since they’re meant for indoor use, most air purifiers are better looking than, say, that wall AC unit you had in your dorm room at college.
The highest speed of the fan also has a pleasant noise level which can be compared to that of a refrigerator. Impure air leads to various underlying health issues, and Alen Breathesmart 75i caters to these problems specifically by offering an array of filters. Depending on the issues that vary from odor to allergies, you can choose the type of filters for your purifier. Every filter is a true HEPA, it is the other layers of the filter that acts against specific problems.
Air purifiers should be where nothing is blocking the air vents, exit, and entrance. Keep the unit at least one foot away from the furniture ad walls to allow proper air circulation between the room area and the air purifier. Just like 45i, this model too has a lights-off mode that you can turn on at night to sleep better. The sound frequency is lower in this unit, with a maximum of 49 decibels only. Although this model covers a larger area, the size of the unit fits perfectly well anywhere in the house.
It earns Very Good ratings for improving flavor and for odor reduction. This versatile pitcher also earns an Excellent score in our test for clogging, which means it will flow consistently over time. But you’ll pay for that effectiveness, with a pricey filter replacement cost of $78 per year.
Polluted air first passes through Alen’s washable pre-filter to capture large particles, extending the life of the filter. Optional filter upgrades are available with additional filtration layers to address bacteria, chemicals, heavy odor and smoke concerns. An optional ozone-safe ionizer complements the True HEPA style filter by charging particles in the air, causing them to stick together and become more easily captured. It’s 1 of only 4 models that earns Excellent scores for particle removal at high- and low-speed settings. The Blueair Classic 605 is pretty quiet at low speeds but downright noisy at high speed, though it will clean a room quickly in that setting. Filter replacements and energy use will set you back around $260 per year.
Our reviews and buyers guides are always either based on reviews we’ve done ourselves, or aggregated from trusted sources. Too many are simply trying to capitalize on affiliate revenue. And often they review only the products that provide the most kickbacks when you buy. It is rated to cover a 1,100 sqft once every 20 minutes.
HEPA filters will filter out bacteria and viruses and are worth it for those with severe respiratory conditions such as emphysema. TheMidea MAD35S1QWTis one of the very best dehumidifiers in all of our ratings. This top performer, which can remove 35 pints of moisture from the air per day, aces our water removal, energy efficiency, and convenience tests. It also earns an Excellent score for noise, making it one of the quietest in this category. This model is equipped with a digital display, a built-in water pump, and a timer. TheFrigidaire FFAD2233W1can remove 22 pints of water from the air per day, and the tank holds 12 pints, almost twice the amount of most models we tested in this category.