The Best Air Purifier to Keep Allergies at Bay All Year Round

By Nikhita Mahtani

If you’re constantly sneezing or seem to always have allergies, finding the best air purifier for your home is probably a safe bet—and there are many reasons why. Air purifiers are devices that are designed to remove contaminants within the air such as dust, mold, smoke, and odors to improve indoor air quality. They use filters and a fan to then push the clean air back into your home, allowing you to breathe easier and better. We spoke with Denna Zebda, MD, otorhinolaryngology with UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann, and Julie Wendt, MD, of Relieve Allergy, to understand when it might be beneficial to get an air purifier, and whether or not you really need one.

Dr. Zebda explains: "One could consider having an air purifier at home if you suffer from allergies and asthma, especially if you’re allergic to dust, as the purifier can remove dust particles before they collect on surfaces. Air purifiers can reduce the level of pet dander, hairs, and odors which helps pet owners who may be allergic to their pets."

This is not to say that air purifiers are effective at cleaning contaminants that have settled on the ground (it picks up those in the air), so they may not work to help keep your home entirely dust-free. Still, research shows that air filtration can effectively remove contaminants and pollutants from the air, helping you breathe better.

Dr. Wendt also adds, "Some [air purifiers] are loud, messy, and can get expensive," since filter options need to be replaced and some of them can get discontinued in the interim period. These are things to take into consideration before purchasing an air purifier. So if you’re ready to explore shopping for an air purifier but have no idea how to start, the experts we spoke to can help make that decision a little easier for you.

With such a vast variety of air purifiers on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best air purifier. Therefore, Dr. Zebda recommends the following considerations when it comes to picking the one for you:

There are many different types of filtration systems on the market, and they all have different benefits and focus on different types of contaminants.

Mechanical filtration using a HEPA filter: This is the ultra-fine mesh that filters particles within the air as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke, as well as other larger contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold. A High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter must meet the U.S. Department of Energy's standard for removing 99.97% or more of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter, according to Dr. Zebda. For the purpose of this list, we focused mainly on true HEPA filters, as they were recommended to us the most.

Activated carbon filters: These are useful to capture odor-causing molecules within the air. They are also helpful in capturing volatile organic compounds that may accumulate from adhesives, paints, and cleaning products. Alone, they don't filter contaminants as well as HEPA filters do, but often, they are found in combination with a HEPA filter. They also need to be changed more frequently, says Dr. Wendt.

Since air purifiers use filters to work properly, take a look at the filter's cost, availability, and shelf life. Affordable air purifiers might actually be more expensive in the long run if their filters need to be replaced more frequently, or even if the filters are expensive or hard to find. Don't just look at the upfront cost of the air purifier to determine whether it’ll end up being cheaper in the long run. "If the manufacturer goes out of business, you may need to purchase an entirely new unit, and the unit cost may have been expensive to begin with!" says Dr. Wendt.

Electronic air purifiers act as ionizers that charge contaminants in the air, so they stick onto the machine, while ozone generators produce ozone to react with contaminants in the air. The amount of ozone produced by these filters is considered very low, but exposure to ozone can cause worsening airway symptoms including throat irritation, cough, and inflammation, cautions Zebda.

Air purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill certain airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungal spores. Keep in mind that this light does not prevent infections, and there are certain infectious processes that are resistant to ultraviolet light.

Your room size is important because a device that's too small won't be able to perform as well in a bigger room. To determine the size of the air purifier you need, it's important to check the cubic square footage of your room (by multiplying the room's length, width, and height), and then make sure the air purifier's package determines it matches that number. Also, if it's in the bedroom, Dr. Wendt cautions that you should make sure you’re able to sleep with it in peace or it won't be useful.

Since the start of the pandemic, air purifiers have increased in popularity due to the belief that they can help clean the air of the COVID-19 virus particles. It's important to be aware of the fact that while air purifiers can certainly reduce the number of contaminants in the air, they have not been effectively proven to reduce the infection of COVID-19. While there are some products that can capture ultra-fine particles that are about the same size as the coronavirus (0.12 microns), this doesn't guarantee that you are fully protected.

Below are the most reliable air purifiers available on the market right now.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

An ideal air purifier for your bedroom, the Levoit Core 400S operates at a super quiet 24db, which is basically as loud as a whisper. But that doesn't mean it doesn't work: Using a three-stage filtration system (including HEPA), it captures tiny pollutants in rooms of up to 400 square feet. The Levoit app allows you to monitor real-time air quality, view filter life, and set schedules.

Replacement filter: A replacement filter, though pricey at $90, lasts for a whole year before you need to swap it out.

While it definitely isn't one of the more affordable options on this list, the Dyson Pure Hot and Cool link uses a true HEPA filter and claims to clear up 99.7 percent of all airborne pollutants, including smoke from wildfires. The extras on hand, however, make it well worth the extra $$—night time mode makes it quieter than ever, 10-speed settings let you organize it just how you like it, and the included Dyson app lets you operate it from anywhere. You can also get real-time reports from the app, such as the quality of the air, humidity levels, and temperature.

Replacement filter: Similarly to the Levoit, a replacement filter lasts 12 months and ranges from $70 to $80 depending on where you buy it.

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With an extra-large capacity of up to 1,560 square feet, this air purifier is in a league of its own. It has a three-stage filtration system that the brand claims can remove up to 99.99 percent of ultra-fine airborne particles and odors, as well as a cool color LED light that helps showcase the room's air quality. The Wi-Fi-equipped Airmega 400S also has app-enabled controls and compatibility with Amazon Alexa voice commands.

Replacement filter: A replacement filter runs quite cheap at $40, and lasts approximately a year between uses.

For smaller rooms of up to 200 square feet, the Honeywell Tower Air Purifier is super compact, yet efficient. It uses pure HEPA filtration systems to capture up to 99.7 percent of all airborne particles, including dust and allergens. It even includes an activated carbon pre-filter to reduce odors, with three levels of cleaning power. The filters, however, aren't as durable as those on other models on this list.

Replacement filter: Filters will need to be replaced every three months in the case of the carbon option.

Using the brand's proprietary PECO (Photo Electrochemical Oxidation) filters, the Molekule Air Mini+ covers areas of up to 250 square feet, making it great for smaller areas like offices and kids’ rooms. The company claims to trap 95 percent of all air particles greater than 0.3 microns, and the cool Wi-Fi-enabled device comes with an AutoProtect mode that delivers particle protection by auto-adjusting fan speed based on a sensor.

Replacement filter: Each filter lasts six months between uses.

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One of the most stylish air purifiers we have ever seen, the Alen 75i features a sleek front panel available in a variety of fun colors, including graphite, oak, and espresso. It claims a filtration rate of 99.99 percent for any particle that's above 0.1 microns. It includes an option ionization setting, covering up to 13,000 square feet—enough for most two-bedroom apartments!

Replacement filter: The B7 proprietary filter is very durable, lasting over a year between uses. Options to buy include an allergies option, allergies and odor option, or allergies, odor, and smoke option, depending on the level of protection you’re looking for.

Using a three-part filtration system (one each for fabric, particles, and carbon particles), the Blueair Blue 211+ Auto Air Purifier is incredibly quiet and covers areas of up to 550 square feet. It can easily remove an array of particles from the air, including smoke and dust.

Replacement filter: The washable pre-filters available for this option come in several colors, and are easy and affordable to replace. Note, however, that you’ll have to replace it once every six months.

For those on more of a budget, the Germ Garden 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier still delivers stellar air protection without the more tech-heavy tools of the other options on this list. With a compact footprint of 153 square feet, what it lacks in WiFi connectivity, it makes up for with a true HEPA filter and UVC-light that can capture up to 99.7 percent of all allergens and dust particles in a room. Rather impressively, it can also remove unpleasant odors, thanks to a built-in charcoal filter.

Replacement filter: Its filter can last for eight months between replacements.

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Blueair is the one air purifier on this list that claims to protect homes against the COVID-19 virus, due to its antimicrobial tech that kills 99.9 percent of germs caught in its filter. Covering up to 930 square feet, the incredibly quiet device can be controlled both via its feature-packed app, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. The purifier also boasts a control panel with a color display and air-quality indicator.

Replacement filter: Depending on how often you use your air purifier, the filter lasts between eight months to a year between uses.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.