Compare Our Picks
Others We Tested
Airthings Renew for $300: I wasn’t expecting to like the unassuming minimalist Renew from Airthings as much as I did. Its gray box design is so understated, quiet, and powerful that it was easy to plug it in and forget about it. The Renew is the first purifier I’ve tested that gives the user three placement options: it can stand up with the air output facing up and sideways, and the entire box can lie on the floor. The Airthings app not only presents data in a graph style but also serves as a remote for adjusting the purifier settings, including the handy panel lock for cat owners. The control panel and the indicator light are discreet, making it tough to see the tiny light that signals my indoor air quality. Initially, I thought the size was a drawback—after all, the Renew is designed for a bedroom, home office, or nursery. If used in a larger room, it needs to run on its highest setting. After several months, the main issue I noticed was the exterior prefilter. While it did its job capturing pollutants, I found it challenging to clean, unlike Blueair’s fabric prefilters, which are machine washable.
Air Doctor AD4000 Air Purifier for $519: While pairing Air Doctor’s newest model, the AD4000, I discovered there was no Wi-Fi button on the control panel. Weighing 15 pounds and costing over $500, it should definitely be Wi-Fi compatible, especially with its internal air quality sensor. Users should be able to check air quality on the Air Doctor app. Although designed for larger rooms, to achieve the claimed four air exchanges per hour, it would need to run at maximum fan speed. My consumer sound level meter registered 100 dB at full blast, comparable to a hair dryer on low. The CDC recommends limiting exposure to this noise level for over 15 minutes. Thus, all air purifiers should ideally run at lower settings. The AD4000 works well in spaces of 200 to 300 square feet. Also, when I unboxed it, the instruction sticker for filter removal stuck to the control panel while I was peeling it off.
Briiv 2 Pro Air Filter for $374: Briiv’s 2 Pro Air Filter packs big claims into a small package. Weighing in at just 2.5 pounds, it’s the smallest air purifier I’ve tested, though certainly not the cheapest. The company claims that one Briiv is the equivalent of 3,043 houseplants and boasts AI-powered air quality sensors. I typically avoid non-CARB-certified units (California Air Resources Board), but Briiv piqued my interest. However, the actual space the Briiv 2 Pro can clean is quite limited. According to Briiv’s website, I needed two units to effectively clean my dining room measuring 20 feet by 11 feet with 9-foot ceilings. This contradicts their claim that it improves air quality in a 794-square-foot space in just 11 minutes. I have it in my kitchen, and the first time the indicator light turned red while cooking, I couldn’t get the fan to activate until I cranked it to full blast through the somewhat clunky app. After some tinkering, the fan now adjusts automatically to bad air without me having to intervene. Plus, it looks really cool.
Mila Air 3 Critter Cuddler for $399: Mila offers seven custom filters tailored for moms-to-be, allergy sufferers, pet owners, and more. With its built-in sensor, user-friendly app, and stylish wooden-legged design, Mila quickly became a favorite. However, smaller models tend to run loudly at their highest settings, and Mila wasn’t as quiet as I’d hoped. At full capacity, I measured 70 decibels. With a CADR of 447 m3/hr, it’s ideal for a typical 200-square-foot American bedroom, but running it at maximum speed for the recommended five air exchanges an hour in a 400-square-foot room can get noisy. When tested in my sons’ 200-square-foot bedroom, Mila adjusted correctly to the air quality, though it struggled to sync with my PurpleAir outdoor monitor.
Dreo Air Purifier Tower Fan for $330: This Dreo model comes with 99.97% HEPA filtration and an air quality sensor. It can be controlled via a remote, the Dreo app, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. I often use it in my son’s bedroom, as the fan and purifier operate independently. While the 12-month warranty isn’t as impressive as Dyson’s, the Dreo, at $130 less, is definitely worth considering.
Eye-Vac Air for $249: I was eager to try out Eye-Vac Air with its 2-in-1 air purifier and touchless vacuum. Its dual HEPA and activated carbon filters pull in air from both sides, allowing it to be placed flush against a wall, which is handy in kitchens. It’s capable of cleaning the air effectively, achieving five exchanges per hour in a 120-square-foot space. Eye-Vac has a large, easy-to-read control panel but only offers two settings for both the air purifier and vacuum: manual or automatic. There are lights indicating when the bagless vacuum canister is full and when filters need replacing, along with three fan speeds. However, there are no color-coded indicators corresponding to air quality—only three blue bars corresponding to fan settings.
Windmill Air Purifier for $399: I appreciate the Scandinavian aesthetic of this bamboo purifier; it adds a furniture-like touch to the space. However, on the blue model, the nicks in the veneer show up as white. The bamboo finish may hold up better over time. I’m a fan of this brand, having reviewed its desk fan and air conditioner, which pairs with the Windmill Air app, and the air purifier works seamlessly with the app too. The Windmill has a built-in sensor and indicator light: green for good, yellow for moderate, pink for bad, and red for unhealthy air. While the Boost setting is the loudest, it remains relatively quiet at lower levels, and I prefer to use it in the auto-adjusting Eco mode.
Coway Airmega 50 for $80: A mini version of the Airmega 100, the 50 model includes many features from Coway’s larger, pricier models and is the most affordable Coway purifier available. Surprisingly effective for its size—similar to a roll of paper towels—it has a built-in sensor that triggers both auto mode and an air quality indicator light for instant feedback. A downside is that the custom-color air quality indicator lights don’t align with the six-color categories of the US air quality index. For example, green indicates moderate air quality instead of good.
Puroair 240 HEPA Air Purifier for $159: Under 9 inches tall, the Puroair 240 is compact, though like many small tabletop models, it can be quite loud. It might work well in a small space, like a 100 to 150 square-foot room. Like others in this guide, it’s CARB-certified. However, its small filter size seems ineffective for cleaning larger rooms. Despite still reviewing smaller air purifiers, larger and quieter models are often available for a similar price, offering better air exchanges for bigger areas. The Puroair’s indicator light, controlled by its internal sensor, glows green for acceptable, yellow for moderate, and red for poor air quality, though I found the slim indicator light hard to see sometimes. The 240 has an auto or manual mode, a timer, child lock, and replacement light. Its black plastic also attracts fingerprints.
Dyson Purifier Cool Gen 1 for $480: This is my fourth Dyson purifier, and my feelings toward them are mixed. While I admire the design and built-in air quality sensor, there’s always something I find frustrating. Replacement remotes can be hard to come by since Dyson rapidly phases out older models, and I’ve never much used the magnetic spot on top of the filter to hold the remote. This time, I was surprised that the Cool Gen1 lacks app compatibility, requiring remote control for fan speed adjustments. On the upside, the fan operates well, but it doesn’t oscillate like traditional fans. Instead, it blows air out of the sides, adjusting its direction to circulate cool air throughout the room.
Blueair Blue Signature for $450: Designed to double as a side table, this new purifier has options like a chrome ring base and six different color sleeves to match its style to your room. Without any bases, I found it too low for effective use as a side table. While I didn’t test the wooden leg base, it could be the right height. Navigating the minimal control panel proved challenging. The PM 2.5 count only displayed with a hand wave over the panel, and the indicator light initially moved back and forth, reminiscent of a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica, until I adjusted it to a static setting. Despite these quirks, the Signature works well with Blueair’s user-friendly app. Pet hair did cling to the cloth outer sleeve, but after a machine wash, it looked good as new.
Levoit Core 300s for $150: This model cycles air five times per hour in spaces up to 219 square feet, making it suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. While it’s marketed as a tabletop model, measuring nearly 9 inches across, it feels a bit larger, so I kept it on my living room floor. Portable enough to move from room to room, it features a prefilter, activated carbon filter, and a filter capturing 99.99% of bacteria and mold. The touch controls on top are labeled clearly, and the indicator light switches color based on air quality. It’s worth noting that due to a challenge from Dyson, VeSync dropped HEPA claims from advertising, but it still performed well in my tests.
Coway Airmega 250 for $240: The Airmega 250 has a decent footprint, rated to clean a 930-square-foot room twice an hour. I placed it in the center of my first floor to purify the air in the kitchen and living room. Every time I cook, it detects unhealthy particles and ramps up the fan. It also responded similarly during drywall repairs in my mudroom, thanks to its PM10 and PM2.5 particle sensors. The fan, even at maximum speed, isn’t overwhelmingly loud—measuring 60 decibels up close. A Sleep mode offers silent operation. Controls include timer functionality and filter replacement indicators. It uses a true HEPA filter that should be changed every six to twelve months, along with a washable prefilter cleaned biweekly and an activated carbon filter, said to remove 99.999% of ultrafine particles down to 0.01 microns. Filters are simple to swap out. Weighing around 21 pounds, it’s easily moveable, and Coway offers a three-year warranty. The Airmega 250S, which includes Wi-Fi functionality, allows app control and detailed monitoring. I don’t need another app, but maybe you do.
Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max for $299: Standing at just under 2 feet tall, the NeverChange Max can be positioned as close as 3 inches to a wall, making it ideal for tight spaces. It boasts an air exchange rate of nearly five times per hour in a 216-square-foot area. Equipped with a HEPA filter to trap fine particles and an activated carbon filter for odors and gases, it also features Shark’s “Odor Neutralizer Technology,” a cartridge filled with an Ocean Breeze “fragrance pod.” Nonetheless, the scent brought more to mind an interstate service area than the beach. When I placed it next to my cats’ litter box at maximum setting, it eliminated odors in under a minute. The Max claims to save $300 in filter costs over five years since its filter lasts ten times longer than others, but this is valid only in a 300-square-foot room. I’ve written about bespoke air scores in monitors, and I have similar concerns with Shark’s air quality ratings. It lacks smart home compatibility, an app, or remote control. Despite these drawbacks, with its easy setup and low maintenance, it’s great for dorms.
Shark NeverChange Air Purifier for $159: Much of what applies to the NeverChange Air Purifier Max also holds for the smaller NeverChange version, featuring an air exchange of nearly five times per hour in a 130-square-foot area. While I couldn’t find AHAM certification, it meets standards for measuring clean air delivery rates for that size, making it suitable for bathrooms or laundry rooms. Like the Max, it uses a HEPA filter for fine particles and an activated carbon filter for odors. I tested the matte black finish, which didn’t attract pet hair and resisted fingerprints. The NeverChange also employs “Odor Neutralizer Technology” with a cartridge of “fragrance pod.” The cost-saving claims are valid only in a 135-square-foot space, but due to its compactness and odor-neutralizer potential, I’d recommend it to fellow cat owners.
Oransi AirMend True Carbon for $350: Unlike other AirMend models with HEPA filters, the True Carbon has a robust 3-pound activated carbon filter. It comes with a remote control, but lacks an internal sensor, so fan speed adjustments must be made manually. There can be a slight lag when changing speeds with the remote. The magnetic remote holder on top is helpful. It operates quietly on most settings and has a subtle design that blends well in any space. The True Carbon excels in odor removal; I placed it next to my cats’ litter box, and in about 30 minutes, it eradicated the smell. It’s ideal for homes with smokers or kitchens retaining odors, but it’s important to note this model doesn’t capture fine particles or VOCs.
PurOxygen P500i for $170: This purifier is designed for smaller-than-average rooms, and it features an easy-to-read display, app compatibility, side handles, and a unique all-in-one filter. I generally avoid small air purifiers due to their loud noise and limited cleaning power, but while the P500i reaches up to 50 decibels at its highest setting, it runs quietly at lower speeds and effectively sanitizes rooms under 200 square feet. It uses a combined filter with a washable prefilter, activated carbon, HEPA 13, and a cold catalyst filter, which decomposes gases like VOCs. Although it’s CARB-certified, the EPA doesn’t recommend catalysts due to their limited effectiveness.
Coway Airmega IconS for $649: Coway continues to produce attractive air purifiers, and the IconS is no exception. It resembles an end table, which I keep next to my couch. The standout feature is its Qi wireless charging pad, allowing me to recharge my phone effortlessly. Any phone with wireless charging compatibility should work, although removing your phone case might be necessary. Like all Coways, it’s powerful—cleansing air in spaces up to 649 square feet—easy to control, and simple to clean. This model also features Wi-Fi enabled voice control.
Dreame Air Pursue PM20 for $700: This purifier promises a revolutionary approach to air quality management, claiming “innovative human tracking capabilities” and precision detection. The Pursue, similar in shape to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet, is designed to follow human movement and redirect clean air accordingly. The unit I tested functioned well initially but stopped tracking early on, and no amount of clicking the remote brought it back to Pursue mode.
Mila Air Mini for $229: Unfortunately, this small unit lacked the capacity to effectively clean larger rooms during testing unless run at full capacity.
Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Compact Pro for $139: The newest addition to Shark’s NeverChange range faced similar issues as the Mila Air Mini.
Lunino K1 Air Purifier for $120: This unit adopts a different air intake style compared to Coway’s cylindrical Airmega 50. It draws air in through front and back HEPA and activated carbon filters, standing just over a foot tall—ideal for a nightstand or side table in a smoking area. Unique to the Lunino are the adjustable airflow angles via three louvers at the top, which is particularly useful near a bed. It also features many functions not typically found in smaller air purifiers, such as a built-in air quality sensor and indicator light, which glows green for good, orange for moderate, and red for poor air. The indicator dims in sleep mode, which reduces noise but compromises effectiveness. The Lunino also offers a timer, child lock, filter replacement indicator, easy pairing app, and an auto mode.
Not Recommended
Ikea Starkvind for $200: Launched in the U.S. market in 2021, Ikea’s Starkvind is stylish and affordable, with an option to enhance it with a carbon filter for gases like benzene. It can be sold as a stand-alone unit or embedded in a wooden side table, but I spent an hour assembling mine. While it’s CARB-certified, it lacks a HEPA filter. Thinking I had received an early version made for media, I visited my local Ikea and purchased a Förnuftig, but discovered its manual listed the filter as HEPA—it wasn’t. Ikea indicated they were escalating this query to the appropriate team at the time of publication. If you’re in the market for an air purifier, it’s best to prioritize a model with a HEPA filter.
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde for $800: Reminiscent of those multi-functional appliances, Dyson’s Humidify+Cool raises eyebrows, especially if you want an air purifier that eliminates gases. If you specifically need formaldehyde removal, a dedicated solution might be wiser. My unit struggled to oscillate, and despite troubleshooting attempts from the manual, the complex features seem to invite issues. Additionally, its two-year warranty feels lacking.
Morento Air Purifier for $68: This CARB-certified model initially attracted attention for its affordability. With a CADR of 200 cubic feet per minute, the Morento performs well against many competitors at its price point, boasting features like a PM2.5 sensor and smart capabilities via the Havaworks app. However, during testing, its fan failed to ramp up in response to raised PM2.5 levels, even when I burned incense in the room. This issue persisted despite being set on auto mode in the app and on the device itself, along with regular sensor cleaning and resetting the unit. The Morento’s ring-light indicator also displays overly lenient tolerances for acceptable PM2.5 levels—showing green (good) up to 75 PM2.5, which greatly exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended level of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
FAQs
How to Shop for an Air Purifier
How does a busy shopper find the right size purifier for a room they want to clean? The US Centers for Disease Control recommends aiming for five air exchanges per hour, known as the ACH. When looking at an air purifier, examine its cubic feet per minute airflow at the lowest setting. To measure a room’s cubic footage, calculate the area multiplied by the height. Visualize a one-foot cube of styrofoam: how many cubes fit in the room?
When shopping for an air purifier, also look for two key acronyms and terms: CARB certification signifies that the unit passed the rigorous standards of the California Air Resources Board, and checking the filter type is crucial. Don’t forget—the horror of realizing you’ve been running your air purifier with a plastic-wrapped HEPA filter is real.
HEPA Filters:
This high-efficiency particulate air filter removes at least 99.97% of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It’s ideal for allergy sufferers or those with respiratory issues, effectively clearing triggers like dust and pollen. However, HEPA filters don’t eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a role activated carbon filters usually fulfill.
Activated Carbon:
Activated carbon filters (or activated charcoal) excel at absorbing gaseous pollutants, odors, and VOCs due to their highly porous nature. They’re especially suitable for clearing smoke and chemicals from the air but need replacement more often based on the environment. For example, if wildfires occur nearby, a saturated filter must be replaced promptly to prevent toxic gases from re-entering the air.
Washable Air Filters:
Some units include washable prefilters alongside HEPA or activated carbon filters—this is the most cost-effective option. You can simply remove, wash with soap and water, and let dry instead of constantly buying new filters.
UV-C Sanitizer Filters:
Ultraviolet filters use UV light to kill viruses, mold spores, and bacteria but don’t eliminate airborne particles or gases. Their effectiveness improves when paired with a HEPA filter. It’s advisable to check the list from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for models that produce minimal ozone, given the potential risk of ozone emissions from uncoated UV lights, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
How to Check Your Air Quality
Many states and large cities are required to report local outdoor Air Quality Index data, established by the EPA to measure major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act. I enjoy using AirCare (available on iOS and Android), but your state or county may have more localized options.
For indoor air quality checks, consumer monitors like the Temtop M10 ($90) and Airthings View Plus ($300) can measure pollutants, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity. The M10 also tracks formaldehyde, a harmful chemical released from common household items like particleboard furniture and some foam mattresses. For a more thorough guide on air quality checks, explore our complete resource.
How Do We Test Air Purifiers?
Since diving into air quality coverage in 2019, I haven’t lived without air purifiers. I subject them to a minimum of four weeks of testing in either my 130-year-old Brooklyn apartment or a cabin in Maine. I cook with a gas stove and live with two cats and a dog. Lacking central air or HVAC with MERV filters, and with no exhaust fan to remove cooking fumes, I also use a decibel meter to gauge noise levels and an air quality monitor to assess how effectively each unit cleans the air.
How Does WIRED Select Air Purifiers to Review?
We evaluate popular models from all brands, old and new, at diverse price points, considering features, size, efficiency, and consumer preferences. Companies often provide samples with the understanding that editorial coverage isn’t guaranteed. Although WIRED earns affiliate revenue from purchases, it doesn’t influence our editorial choices.
What Does WIRED Do With Air Purifiers After Testing?
A selection of top picks is retained for further assessment and testing against new contenders, along with use in trials for related products, such as food dehydrators and the Plantaform indoor smart garden. The rest are donated to local organizations, including NYC public schools.
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