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These air purifiers can help quell allergies to pets, pollen and more.
We updated this guide in June 2022 to ensure all products vetted by the Home Improvement Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and correctly priced. We also added more insights from our most recent tests, new picks from Alen, Coway, Dreo and LG and additional questions to consider before you buy.
It wasn’t all that long ago that air purifiers were considered novelty items, the kind of thing you’d see in airline catalogs or at gadget shops. But over the last decade, as awareness around indoor air quality (IAQ) started to rise, air purifiers entered the mainstream. Then the pandemic happened, driving even more consumer interest — not to mention an influx of big-name brands like LG, Philips, Samsung and Whirlpool. Years of rigorous testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute have found that a top-quality air purifier can improve IAQ by removing harmful pollutants, especially as the technology keeps getting better. However, we continue to call on the industry to create stricter standards for this product category, since there are situations where the devices can cause more harm than good — for example, if the air purifier produces ozone, a known lung irritant (more info in the FAQs below). When combined with IAQ best practices, like regular vacuuming and control of indoor humidity levels throughout the year, our experts say the following top-rated air purifiers can help make your home a healthier place.
Once you’ve perused our picks, read on for details on how we test air purifiers, plus everything you need to know when choosing the best model for your home. Also, check out expert advice for other ways to control allergens and air irritants in the home, including the smart use of dehumidifiers.
Our testers have evaluated many Blueair air purifiers in recent years. The brand is a standout for performance and reliability and we found the Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier to be best for removing an array of particles from the air, including dust and smoke. The device uses a three-part filtration system: a fabric one for dust and other large particles, a true HEPA one for smaller particles like mold and bacteria and a carbon-activated one for odors caused by smoke, pets and the like. That's enough to clear up to 99.97% of common airborne pollutants across 540 square feet, which is the ideal size for a family room, master bedroom or large office. The best part? You'll barely notice it working since it's so quiet. If you're looking to clear the air in a smaller space, our testers also liked the Blue Pure 411 Auto Air Purifier, basically a smaller, more affordable version of our top pick.
• Coverage area: Up to 540 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 20 inches • Weight: 13 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $70
We like the price of this newly released air purifier from Dreo as much as our product testers lauded its performance. With its three-stage filtration, including a true HEPA filter, the Dreo effectively vanquished odors and stale air and its compact design won’t get in the way in small spaces. “It seems to have really freshened up the air in our basement apartment where we have a dog and lots of dust,” noted one tester. Others quibbled that the interface takes a little getting used to, but in time, most appreciated the bevy of modes, including three fan speeds and separate modes for sleep, turbo and auto, in which the purifier uses onboard sensors to make automatic adjustments based on current air quality conditions in the room. • Coverage area: Up to 679 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 15 inches • Weight: 7.27 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $30
This Levoit air purifier is a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, thanks to it combination of value, performance and intelligent design. In particular, the unit’s three-stage filtration, including a true HEPA filter, helps it capture even the smallest airborne pollutants in rooms up to approximately 400 square feet. A built-in precision laser sensor accurately monitors particles in the room and auto-adjusts fan speeds as needed. The purifier is also incredibly quiet, operating at just 24db, which you’ll appreciate if it’s stationed in your bedroom. One of our staff testers has been running the unit for several months in her home and says the light hum is quite peaceful at night. Then there are the smart capabilities, including the Levoit app, which allows you to monitor real-time air quality, view filter life and set schedules.
• Coverage area: Up to 403 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 10.79 x 10.79 x 20.47 inches • Weight: 12.79 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $50
Using a true HEPA filter, this Dyson air purifier claims to clear up to 99.97% of airborne pollutants, including smoke from wildfires, as well as various odors and toxins. Our ease-of-use tests also found a bunch of family-friendly extras on the unit: unlike other fans, it has no accessible blades, so it's safer for small hands. There's also a nighttime mode and a sleep timer as part of its 10 speed settings. You can use the Dyson app to deliver real-time air quality reports that also include temperature and humidity.
• Coverage area: Dyson only claims "large" • Dimensions: 8.77 x 8.77 x 41.49 inches • Weight: 10.89 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $40
This air purifier from Honeywell, another established brand in the home comfort space, comes in five different sizes that target rooms ranging from small (75 square feet) to extra large (500 square feet). This mid-sized model, previously the brand's largest, claims to clean the air as often as five times an hour and remove up to 99.97% of super tiny airborne particles (including viruses). Since it's HEPA-certified, our testers found this air purifier to be a superb choice for allergy sufferers because it can remove fine particles and common allergens from the air.
• Coverage area: Up to 465 sq. ft • Dimensions: 9.25 x 20 x 22.25 inches • Weight: 17 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $20
Since air purifiers work best when they’re placed out in the open in commonly used rooms, design matters. With its sleek front panel available in eight colors, the Alen is one of the best-looking air purifiers our experts have seen. More than just a pretty face, the unit packs massive cleaning power across 1,300 square feet, thanks to its powerful fan speed which can move up to 350 cubic feet of air per minute. Its true HEPA filter captures 99.9% of particles greater than 0.1 microns. Our safety experts point out that the Alen has an optional ionization setting designed to combat even more pollutants, but we don’t recommend this feature on any air purifier since it can produce ozone, a lung irritant. But even without the use of the ionization setting, the Alen should capture plenty of dust, pollen, smoke and more, while looking good in the process.
• Coverage area: Up to 13,00 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 12 x 19 x 27 inches • Weight: 27 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $129
With an average 4.7-star rating across over more than 16,000 reviews, Amazon customers clearly love this air purifier. Its four-stage filtration system includes a deodorization layer that's tough on smells. We like that the model also has an LED light that constantly indicates how clean or dirty the air is. It's built to purify the air in rooms up to 361 square feet. In usability tests, our testers gave points for the fact the unit has various fan speeds, timers and modes to choose from like an eco mode that claims to automatically save energy when it doesn't detect air pollution for 30 minutes.
• Coverage area: Up to 361 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 9.6 x 16.8 x 18.3 inches • Weight: 12.3 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $40
The Airmega’s four-stage filtration system includes an activated-carbon layer that’s designed to capture odors, including those from a beloved — yet stinky — pet. The unit is good for room sizes up to roughly 360 square feet. Our testers also like the easy-to-clean pre-filter, which captures hair, fur and other large particulates before they reach the inner HEPA filters. Indicator lights give the heads up when filters need to be cleaned or replaced.
• Coverage area: Up to 361 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 16.8 x 18.3 x 9.6 inches • Weight: 15.41 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $40
This triple-duty machine is a heater, fan and air purifier all in one. It features all the same air-purifying features as Dyson's Pure Cool model, but it also includes a heater to keep your family warm and toasty all winter. In terms of intelligence, the unit syncs with Amazon Alexa through your Echo device and can also deliver real-time air quality reports through the Dyson app.
• Coverage area: Up to 800 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 24.9 x 8.7 x 8.7 inches • Weight: 8.4 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $40
Our experts know LG as an innovative manufacturer of appliances and electronics, and the brand is now bringing that same imaginative muscle to air purification with the AeroTower. Its unique design uses true HEPA filtration to vanquish virtually all airborne contaminants. Though we didn't test this specific feature, the device also uses LED technology that was shown in third-party testing to reduce bacteria on the fan blades after a one-hour period of operation, according to LG. WiFi connectivity allows for remote control via the smartphone app, which is nice if you want to start purifying shortly before you arrive back home. The AeroTower's 10-speed fan adds cooling power that can be distributed throughout the space in a direct, diffused or wide airflow, depending on your needs. Standing 44 inches tall, the AeroTower is the biggest air purifier we’ve reviewed but provided it’s going in a large space, that shouldn’t be an issue. As one tester noted, “At first I was worried about the size, having never had a large air purifier, but I quickly fell in love with it. I like the style, the easy-to-read display, easy-to-use remote and the amount of cool air that the fan provides is also nice.”
• Coverage area: Up to 818 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 44 x 10 x 10 inches • Weight: 27.6 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $150
This new model from Coway claims to cover up to 1,560 square feet, making it a great option if you need to purify the air in a bigger room or even a whole apartment. The brand says it'll clean the air twice in an hour and reduce 99.97% of particles. There are five different modes to select from, including a sleep setting. It comes in black and white color options, both of which have a bright LED ring that signifies the air quality. Consumer testers said they like having that visual recognition in real-time. This model is not WiFi-connected, but the Airmega 400S is and our experts say it should perform similarly when it comes to cleaning the air.
• Coverage area: Up to 1,560 sq. ft. • Dimensions: 14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches • Weight: 24.7 lbs. • Cost of replacement filter: $30
Fridababy, a company known for ingenious solutions to everyday parenting problems, recently introduced a small-room air purifier designed for spaces up to 150 square feet — like a baby's nursery. It's on our recommended list because, not only is it meant to help filter out dust mites and the like, but it also has a built-in sound machine and nightlight. We’re all about finding space-saving, multi-purpose products, particularly for our littles! While we have yet to review company testing data on the air purity claims, we found the sound machine and nightly aspects easy to use and the filter easy to replace.
• Coverage area: Not listed • Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 9.5 inches • Weight: 1 lb. • Cost of replacement filter: $15
Our product experts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify top-selling air purifiers that you’re most likely to find at stores and online. They also attend trade shows and industry events, like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to stay on top of the latest innovations in indoor air quality. Next, they identify brands that have performed the best and proved the most reliable through more than a decade of air purifier testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. They also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations.
Based on an extensive preliminary review of technical data, including claimed coverage area and type of filtration, our review team selected various models for hands-on testing, which took place both in our Lab and homes, the latter allowing us to test how they performed in real-world conditions. Controlled Lab tests measured an air purifier's ability to capture specific contaminants, such as smoke and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds). At-home testing checks for general improvement to freshness, as well as overall usability. Our consumer testers measure factors like ease of setup, intuitiveness of controls and how easy it is to locate and replace the filter (or clean it, when applicable). Following the combined 50-plus hours of data review, Lab testing and at-home evaluations, we arrived at our 12 top picks out of more than 40 reviewed models.
To zero in on the ideal air purifier for your needs, weigh the following factors:
✔️Coverage area. Manufacturers typically list how much square footage a purifier is designed to cover. You might see multiple areas listed, say one for the coverage provided in one hour and another for the coverage provided in five hours. Our experts recommend using the lower number since you'll likely want a device that delivers quick purification.
✔️Filtration. Most top-performing air purifiers use mechanical filters with a dense web of fine fibers that trap particles from the air as it is pushed through by a fan. True HEPA filters use a very fine mesh certified to capture 99.97% of particles measuring at least 0.3 microns in diameter. "HEPA-like" filters have not been certified to meet that standard. Some air purifiers also have a pre-filter designed to capture dust and other larger particulates. Our experts like this feature. Other filtration technologies are harder to evaluate, including those that incorporate activated carbon and ultraviolet light. We don't test these technologies specifically, so we can't attest to their efficacy. But our bottom-line advice is that the best cleaning power comes from a true HEPA filter.
In short, yes, air purifiers work. In order to clean the air, these appliances use filters and fans to remove particles and circulate the purified air back into the room. They can improve air quality and help you breathe easier. People suffering from allergies or asthma might find air purifiers with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters particularly helpful because they remove common allergens and fine particles (99.97% of those measuring 0.3 microns in diameter in a lab setting, according to industry standards) from the air. Not all air purifiers meet that high bar. For example, the much-hyped, sleek-looking IKEA Förnuftig can only capture 99.5% of smaller airborne particles.
Even air purifiers that excel at removing particles like dust, smoke and pollen are limited in their ability to capture smaller toxins, such as those from cleaning products and paint. One more thing to note: the effectiveness of air purifiers in real-world situations likely won’t mimic those of controlled conditions in a lab. That means it can be difficult to measure an air purifier’s true efficacy of how it will perform in your home.
An air purifier with a HEPA filter will capture particulate matter down to the size of airborne viruses, including COVID-19. That’s why you often see manufacturers claiming their products remove 99% (or more) of particles in the air. Unfortunately, the science simply isn’t clear enough on how quickly droplets containing the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted from person to person. That’s why our advice is to follow CDC guidelines for COVID protection, including getting vaccinated and wearing a mask indoors if you’re in an area of substantial or high transmission.
Microscopic particles in smoke can trigger a range of health issues, from burning eyes to chronic lung disease, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but "generally, outside pollution or smoke or temporary bad air isn't a constant concern for bystanders," says Ryan Roten, D.O., an emergency medicine doctor with Redlands Community Hospital in California. If you're still concerned, Dr. Roten notes that a HEPA filter-equipped purifier is once again your best bet: "Anything that has a true HEPA filter in it is probably adequate enough to filter out most of the large particles that would be concerning,” he says. "Most of the smoky smell will also be addressed as well."
Air purifiers are not a cure-all for every possible air quality issue. Yes, they can be part of your overall strategy. But they become a disadvantage if they give you a false sense of security that keeps you from combating indoor pollution in other ways — for example, vacuuming regularly and running the kitchen range hood while cooking (or at least cracking a window to allow fumes to dissipate). It’s also critical to maintain and upgrade your home’s heating and cooling equipment. “[Whole-house] filtration is the easiest retrofit opportunity by installing high-capture filters in HVAC systems,” says Sam Rashkin, chief architect of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technology’s Office.
Another possible concern is with air purifiers that use ionizers to help attract particles like static. In some cases, these purifiers can end up producing ozone in the process. While some manufacturers claim that the gas helps break down pollutants, it can also be a lung irritant and further aggravate asthma conditions. If you're interested in buying an air cleaner that uses ionizers, make sure it meets the California Air Resources Board (CARB) limit of 50 parts per billion; the CARB website includes a list of approved air purifiers, and the information is usually listed in marketing material as well. For certified units with ionization, we still recommend that you operate the device with this function turned off until more research is done on the effectiveness and safety of these types of machines.
✔️Cleaning: Apart from wiping down the housing every now and then, cleaning the exterior of the device is minimal. However, the filters that do the dirty work inside an air purifier require regular attention. Whether made of paper, fiber or mesh, the filters should usually be cleaned and/or replaced every few months or so (check the owner’s manual for specific recommendations). Some filters are reusable, but they require meticulous maintenance, so you don't usually find them on the most effective air purifiers. An exception is models with a washable pre-filter, designed to capture large particles before they reach the primary filter; this feature can cut operating costs by extending the life of the main inner filter.
✔️Operation: For maximum air cleaning, you should run the air purifier all the time when you’re home. Our picks are all UL-certified for safety, though as with any electrical device, be mindful of fire hazards like frayed wires. Where noise is a factor, like the bedroom, you could operate the machine on high when you’re out of the room, then drop it to a lower fan setting before going to sleep. It’s also best to keep windows and doors closed, so the unit isn’t cleaning air from outside or other parts of the home. And make sure airflow to the device isn’t obstructed by furniture, curtains or other objects.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home and related, including indoor air quality. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House.
For this report, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about products across the home improvement space. She leads efforts for the constant evolution of GH’s technical and testing protocols, responding both to market drivers and growth opportunities. With regards to IAQ, she is a leading advocate for the adoption of rigorous industry standards.