While many of us worry about the air quality on bustling city streets – heck, Dyson even launched a wearable air purifier to tackle the problem – few of us are aware that the air we breathe inside our homes can be just as detrimental to our health.
In a 2019 study, environmental charity Global Action Plan found that Indoor air pollution could be 3.5 times worse than outdoor pollution in British towns and cities, where fumes from trains and traffic are trapped inside well-insulated homes.
Fresh paint, cooking gases and even that beloved scented candle make the pollution worse, not to mention all those airborne allergens such as dust and pet fur. While regular cleaning is always good, it won’t come close to investing in one of the best air purifiers, which clean the air and remove impurities.
Air purifiers literally plug pollutants out of the air and trap them in a filter. The CADR (clean air delivery rate) indicates how quickly the purifier will remove contaminants from the air. But be aware that some manufacturers, most notably Dyson , believe this rating can be misleading. Testing for it doesn’t always represent real living conditions.
Though we love our feather duster, it won’t eliminate microscopic particles or prevent the continual release of gases, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from some paints, varnishes or furniture made from MDF and plywood.
There are a few things to consider. Not all purifiers come with comparable information to help choose the right one for your home. If you suffer from allergies, look at the number of cleans per hour, the recommended room size and the type of filter included.
“Three air cleans an hour is fine for general cleaning of the air; five is better for someone whose life is disrupted by allergies,” advises Chris Michael, managing director and founder of manufacturer Meaco . “All too often, people buy too small or too large and get it wrong. Make sure your air purifier actually cleans what you are allergic to from the air as well. If you are a hay fever sufferer, don’t worry about a charcoal filter, but if you want to remove smells, then charcoal is better than Hepa [high-efficiency particulate absorbing].”
How we tested the best air purifiers
We plugged in a range of air purifiers, then sat back and let them do the hard work. For each, we tested how easy it was to operate, how noisy it was, and any smart features offered, including air monitoring. We also considered whether we would be happy leaving the purifier out on display and if we noticed any discernible improvement in the air. Did we still get the sniffles if the air purifier claimed to be able to suck up allergens?
Where manufacturers have only provided recommended room size in square metres, we have calculated the approximate size in cubic metres, for a more accurate comparison, using 2.5m as the average height of a room.
The best air purifiers for 2024 are:
- Best air purifier overall – Levoit core 400S air purifier: £219.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget air purifier – Beldray EH3348 compact air purifier: £35.95, Bonnypack.com
- Best quiet air purifier – Coway AP-1512HH Airmega Mighty: £219.98, Amazon.co.uk
- Best air purifier for large rooms – Philips 3000i series AC3033/30: £338.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best air purifier for power – Dyson purifier cool auto react: £449.99, Johnlewis.com
Levoit core 400S air purifier
Beldray EH3348 compact air purifier
Coway AP-1512HH Airmega Mighty air purifier
Philips 3000i series AC3033/30 air purifier
Dyson purifier cool autoreact
AEG AX91-404GY air purifier
Dyson Purifier humidify + cool formaldehyde air-purifying fan
MeacoClean CA-Hepa 76x5 air purifier with wifi
Gastroback AG+ portable air purifier
Shark 4 HE400UK air purifier
Air purifiers FAQs
What does an air purifier do?
How do air purifiers work?
Do air purifiers remove dust?
Do air purifiers help with allergies?
Can air purifiers help to remove smells?
Do air purifiers help with mould?
Should you buy a combined air purifier and dehumidifier?
The verdict: Air purifiers
Most Popular
Comments / 0