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An air purifier that cant accommodate your space ultimately wont be as successful atremoving pollutants from the air.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
For example, for a 750-square-foot room, youd ideally want a model that has a CADR of 500.
We evaluated each model based on performance, design, noise level, and other factors.
For more on how we tested air purifiers, seeour testing processbelow.
Credit: Amazon
Filters cant be washed and are pretty expensive.
Its a quiet machine that has three settingsthe low and medium parameters barely make any sound.
We were impressed by the amount of hair the filter picked up, making itgreat for pet owners.
Removing the filter is a little messydoing so visibly released allergens and pollutants back into the air during testing.
The Kenmore 850e Air Purifier is a no-frills air purifier that works in spaces up to 850 square feet.
It has a few controls such as fan speed, light options, sleep mode, and a timer.
It also improved VOCs at a range of 72.6582.76% on the low setting.
It has a small light that functionslike a night light, which is a nice bonus feature.
Dyson doesnt release CADR ratings for its air purifiers.
Like the brand’s other appliances,Dyson air purifiersare sleek and design-forward.
The TP07 also functions as a fan.
With a whopping 10 options, it’s a versatile rig.
The loudest setting registered no more intrusive than a typicalwhite noise machine.
After five minutes, the number was reduced to 115.2 and went down to 8.0 after 10 minutes.
During the high-setting test, after smoke and pet hair, PM2.5 levels measured 678.
After five minutes, the number was reduced to 13.9.
Its filtration system includes a HEPA filter and a carbon filter, so it eliminates odors as well.
Of course, all these perks come at a steep price.
For a model that purifies large space, it’s fairly compact and unobtrusive.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
However, a note for those who look for CADR ratings: Dyson doesnt release those.
If youre looking to spend a bit more on a high-tech option, the Dyson is our top choice.
you’re able to control the gadget via the app or with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Ultimately, thats a good thing, as it would keep things quieter and would use less energy.
Fun additions like mood lighting likely drive up the cost without impacting the efficacy.
One option is specifically for pet allergies.
Another great feature is the customizable lighting with plenty of color options.
For instance, add blue or purple mood lights or turn it into a nightlight for a kids room.
Even though it has VOC filtration, it wasnt as effective at eliminating VOCs compared to others.
The Coway Airmega 400S uses a washable pre-filter to capture large particles.
The Green True HEPA filter captures mold, pollen, and other irritants.
During testing, the pre-filter and HEPA filter performed the strongest.
Numbers went from 800 to 3.6 after 10 minutes during the PM2.5 test on the low setting.
On the high setting, the PM2.5 went from 800 to 2.4 after 10 minutes.
After we recorded the numbers with the air purifier off, we distributed pollutants.
We again measured air quality and assessed how much pet hair ended up in the filter.
CADR Rating
Air cleaners have ratings that show the volume of air they can clean.
A useful way to determine this is by an air cleaners CADR rating.
However, some models will only note the ACH.
Some of the best large room air purifiers arent necessarily large themselves.
Our top pick, thePuro Air, is a little over 14 inches tall.
Most options are under 20 inches tall and less than 20 inches wide.
Many air purifiers that we test have HEPA filters capable of removing the smallest PM2.5 particles.
A micron is one-thousandth of a millimeter," Carver says.
“PM2.5 are particles in the air that are two and one-half microns or less in width.”
Another frustration point: you could only access its instructions online.
Is it better to have one large air purifier or several smaller ones?
Do air purifiers work in large rooms?
Carver adds, Be sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations onwhere to placeyour air cleaning unit.
Air cleaners should be placed in a spot with unobstructed airflow.
The Kenmore 850e Air Purifier has a washable filter, though we would consider buying a new one each time to ensure that it is fully clean.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Keep it free of clutter in front and behind the appliance.
What size air purifier should I buy?
Who We Are
Alida Nugentis a writer with over seven years of experience.
She was previously an editor and strategist, working across company-wide portfolios on both editorial and sales content.
She has written several articles for BHG.com about air purifiers.
For this article, she spoke withMelanie Carver, chief mission officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
This air purifier fan was extremely effective in our lab environment, sensing nail polish fumes, burning candles, and pungent cooking odors.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The Levoit Core 400s can purify rooms up to 1,980 square feet.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
This air purifier’s Quick-Start Guide was easy to follow, allowing for fast assembly.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
To use, just place the Conway Airmega 400S air purifier near an outlet 1 to 2 feet away from other objects.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
For each air purifier we tested, we evaluated how easy it was to access and change the air filter.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Many air purifiers we test have HEPA filters that remove the smallest PM2.5 particles from the air.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Air purifiers can be placed anywhere as long as they are at least a foot away from walls and furniture.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
