Best Air Purifiers of 2023

We've tested scores of models. Here are five that blew us away.

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.

An air purifier can remove very small particles, such as dust, pollen, and the particulate matter in smoke. It can also tackle viruses and suspicious-smelling volatile compounds. But our current ratings of more than 140 models confirm that some are better than others. The best air purifiers can remove particles at any of its speed settings, says Misha Kollontai, who oversees air-purifier testing at Consumer Reports. And the worst, he says, will struggle, even when running at the highest speed, "accompanied by a lot of noise."

A high-quality air purifier can come in handy if you spend a lot of time cheffing it up in the kitchen, if you have pets that shed, if you use cleaning products throughout the house, or even if your surfaces just seem to collect a considerable amount of dust. This is particularly true if you don't or can't open the windows to let fresh air circulate, or if the air out there isn't the freshest to begin with, as may be the case during allergy or wildfire season.

How We Pick the Best Air PurifiersOur engineers find that many of the models we run in our labs can ace our tests at high speed, with no problem. It's often how much debris these machines can capture when not on full blast that's a challenge. The best air purifiers in our ratings are capable of clearing the air even on low settings—and they do it without making a racket and at a reasonable annual cost. What's more, they feature an intuitive design, so you don't need a PhD in particle physics to operate them. And it's a breeze to move them from room to room, maneuver the controls, and change filters. In March 2023, we also began folding in a brand's owner satisfaction and reliability ratings into a model's Overall Score. These ratings are based on Consumer Reports’ 2022 Summer Survey of 8,377 air purifiers purchased between 2012 and 2022.

How Consumer Reports Tests Air PurifiersTo test air purifiers, we inject smoke and dust particles into a sealed chamber and assess how well each model removes particles between 0.1 and 1 micron. (Human hair has a diameter of roughly 100 microns.) Using a particle counter, we measure the change in particle concentration as the air purifier runs for 15 minutes at the highest speed, and then at a lower speed. And because these machines are designed to run day and night, we measure noise levels, in decibels, at every speed, and calculate annual operating costs for filter replacements and energy use to run the machine 24 hours a day.

We recently tested nine more models, including those from Blueair and Coway. Some performed well enough to earn a CR recommendation; two even cracked our Best of the Year list.

Here's a closer look at the top five models, listed in alphabetical order, from our ratings. For more options, explore our comprehensive air purifier ratings, where you can read more about the 141 models we currently rate, and filter them according to your needs (including by price, brand, and weight). To learn more about how air purifiers work, check out our air purifier buying guide.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure

CR's take: The Alen BreatheSmart 75i Pure proves to be top-notch at capturing and removing dust and smoke while running at both high and low levels. It's not terribly loud, so holding a conversation or getting work done while the unit runs should be easy enough. Another reason this model receives high marks? Its energy and operating costs, including filter replacements, run roughly $140 annually, which is lower than that of many of the standout models in our ratings. Plus, the machine covers up to 1,300 square feet, much more than the others highlighted here. Alen received high marks for predicted reliability, and CR members were highly satisfied with their purchase.

Blueair Blue Pure 211+

CR's take: The reasonably priced Blueair Blue Pure 211+, designed for floor use in a large room, aces our test for particle removal at both high- and low-speed settings. Plus, it has a machine-washable fabric prefilter for capturing larger particles (like pet hair), which can prolong the life of the main filter. However, expect some noise when the unit is running at high speed; it lands a below-average score on that test. You’ll also have to shell out about $200 each year for energy and operating costs. Blueair is one of just three air purifier brands that received top-notch scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our member surveys.

Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max

CR's take: The portable Blue Pure 211i Max features an indicator light to alert you when you need to change or clean the filter. It also has a dirt sensor and four speeds. On its higher setting, it's terrific at removing dust, pollen, and smoke, but expect a bit of noise. Try it on low and you’ll have more quiet while still experiencing top-notch results. This model is designed for use in a large space of 350 to 650 square feet and costs about $109 a year to maintain—just more than half that of the Pure 211+. It also weighs just 17 pounds, making it easy to move around. CR members found Blueair air purifiers highly reliable and were quite satisfied with their purchase.

Blueair Classic 605

CR's take: This Blueair machine removes particles impressively at both high- and low-speed settings. While it hums along pretty quietly on low, it's downright noisy on high—though it will clean a room quickly at that setting. Filter replacements and energy use will set you back around $260 per year. The machine weighs a hefty 30 pounds but has casters that make it easy to move from room to room. Its claimed capacity is a room of 775 square feet. Blueair is highly rated for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

Coway Airmega ProX 3522F

CR's take: At 50 pounds, Coway Airmega ProX is by far the heaviest air purifier in this roundup, but it also provides the best performance. On both higher and lower speeds, this newcomer to CR's ratings excels at clearing rooms of dust, pollen, and smoke. And it has the best noise scores of this list. This air purifier accommodates indoor spaces of up to a whopping 2,126 square foot—that's 800 square feet more than the comparably sized Alen. However, the ProX's top-tier performance comes at the hefty price of about $1,000 up front and $247 annually. And unlike many of the air purifiers shown here, it does not have a remote control or an app. The ProX features three speeds, a filter indicator, and a dirt sensor. Like with Blueair purifiers, CR members are highly satisfied with their Coway air purifiers, and it earned top marks for predicted reliability.

Tanya A. Christian

Tanya Christian joined Consumer Reports as a multimedia content creator in 2021, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in the home and lifestyle space. As a content manager for small kitchen appliances, home remodeling products, and the sleep category, she's happy to provide readers with recommendations on great design, helpful cooking tools, and smart ways to achieve better sleep. Follow her on Twitter @tanyaachristian.