14 Best Air Purifiers for Clean Breathing (2023)

By Audrey Lee

Illustration by Lizzie Soufleris

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

If you’re prone to coughing and sneezing indoors, your air quality could be to blame—and that's where the best air purifiers come in. These powerful machines will rid your home of airborne dust mites, pesky dander, and other airborne pollutants.

We put leading air purifiers to the test to find out which ones truly deserve the title of best. Ahead, discover the purifiers that came out on top, complete with thorough reviews based on our editors' in-home tests.

Jump straight to any individual review or check them all out. (And scroll to the bottom for our quick tips for picking out the best air purifier for your home!)

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde

Dyson

Best Buy

Walmart

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, senior commerce editor

My space: I have pretty intense dust and fragrance allergies and I work from home a lot these days with a large dog in an old building. It’s not an exceptionally dusty space, but we live on a block with a decent amount of car traffic and I’m pretty much always obsessing about the air quality. If I start sneezing or waking up with a sore throat, I want answers!

Area coverage: The Humidify+Cool is meant to work in a single room at a time (it was previously tested by Dyson in an 81 cubic feet chamber), and I placed it in my bedroom, which is the smallest room in my home.

Filter replacements: Filter replacements cost $79.99 and it’s recommended that they be replaced once every year. Installing them initially was quite quick–they snapped into place fairly easily.

My experience: It’s rare to find a machine that can purify your air, humidify it, and cool down a space all in one–so I was impressed right off the bat. An update to earlier Dyson models, this machine does all that and aside from getting rid of the usual particles, it also removes formaldehyde (which can cause even more irritation to your eyes and throat) from the air.

The Humidify+Cool has a HEPA filtration system and a separate carbon filter detects formaldehyde. I guess it could be due in part to my obsession with clean air, but, so far, the Dyson has reported good air quality every time I’ve checked in–the only exceptions being after I’ve lit candles or cooked something on the stovetop. But when the air quality has dipped below ideal levels, it doesn’t seem to take much time for the purifier to do the job once I turn up the fan speed (it should be noted that this model also has an auto purify setting that will kick into high gear if the quality dips, but it is a little loud for my taste so I tend to keep it on a lower setting).

While I hate having an app for literally every device in my home, installing the Dyson Link app really did make installation a snap. And I love being able to check in on the air stats (temperature, particle level, humidity level, etc) whenever I want. You can also control the fan speed, oscillation range, and set timers from the app.

As for specific features I appreciate, filling the water tank from the top is a huge plus and it’s large enough that it doesn’t have to be refilled every day. I also appreciate the night mode setting, which makes everything a little quieter and less bright.

What I would change: This may be a misconception about the purpose of a humidifier, but I am used to really intense humidifiers that emit visible plumes of moist steam all night long. This is not that. The humidity that the Dyson model generates in the house is definitely a healthy and reasonable level (most sources recommend 30–50% humidity, and the Dyson, at its max humidity setting, hovers around 60%), but if you are like me and want more targeted humidity in the super dry winter months, this is not the machine for you and you might want to stick to separate devices for purifying, humidifying, and cooling.

The bottom line: Aside from the note above, this is a really expensive device, coming in at more than $800. That said, it might actually save you money in the long run if you don’t want to buy a purifier, a fan, and a humidifier individually and you want a powerful device for each activity. I’d recommend it if you have deep pockets and not a ton of challenging air pollution situations to combat on the regular.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Air Purifier, Heater, and Fan

Best Buy

Dyson

Amazon

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My space: I’m always looking for ways to protect myself from anything that could flare up my eczema and dust allergies, but once pollen gets thrown into the mix, all bets are off. While I do a pretty good job of catching the visible aggressors with dusting and vacuuming around my house, it’s difficult to monitor microscopic allergens and airborne contaminants, so I’m usually left sniffling or itching during transitional seasons.

Area coverage: Dyson’s Purifier Hot+Cool is great for medium to large rooms and can easily cover an area of up to 315 square ft (2860 cubic feet) if not more, according to tests conducted by Dyson. I kept mine in my bedroom, which is about 170 square feet.

Filter replacements: Filter replacements run about $80 from Dyson, though cheaper alternatives do exist from outlets like Amazon (just know these off-brand versions have been reported to work to varying degrees). The filters easily snap into the chamber-like base of the purifier and Dyson recommends replacing your filters when you’re alerted by the app or every 12 months, whichever comes first.

My experience: In addition to a small remote control, there’s also the Wifi-enabled Dyson Link app, which you can download to your smart device. I usually detest having to download an app to get the most out of my tech and appliances, though the Link app made setup a breeze; plus, if you own more Dyson home products it’s easy to manage them all in one place.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

The purifier itself works like a dream, and I noticed within a week of use that I felt noticeably less congested. The intuitive device uses a 360° filtration system that implements a combination of activated carbon to remove potentially harmful gases and odors from the air and a HEPA H13 filter to capture 99.97% of particles. I appreciated that the Hot+Cold has an auto mode, which continuously monitors room temperature and indoor air quality, while also running the fan or heat to the degree of your choosing.

When you first turn on the purifier, it immediately starts assessing the surrounding air quality, and you can monitor any fluctuations in general air quality, particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10), volatile organic compounds usually from air sprays or aerosol (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as well as temperature and humidity. I was particularly fond of this feature and frequently looked at these charts to see how the levels would rise or decrease over long periods of time.

Visually, the Dyson purifier definitely grabs attention with its sleek, modern design—a big draw to me when incorporating it into my space. Noise was never something that bothered me, though it emits louder sounds when the fan/heater is on a higher level or if it’s working to clean the air in a more polluted space. Besides its impressive air purification skills, the device doubles and triples as an oscillating smart fan and heater with adjustable airflow which I became hugely hooked on during winter (on account of some drafty windows in my room). With the ability to set your desired temperature, the heater can make a closed space feel noticeably warmer in very little time (my room size is average and I would say it took under 10 minutes).

The bottom line: I really love this air purifier because I can feel and see it working (via the app). At $650 a pop, this air purifier is definitely a splurge. Are there other air purifiers out there that work just as well at a lower price point? Probably—but I would say it’s the combination of a high-quality air purifier, fan, and heater that make this one worth its price.

CleanForce Rainbow H13 True HEPA Air Purifier

Amazon

Tester: Audrey, commerce editor

The space: I’m always looking for ways to protect myself from anything that could flare up my eczema and dust allergies, but once pollen gets thrown into the mix, all bets are off. Though I do a pretty good job of catching the visible aggressors with dusting and vacuuming around my house, it’s difficult to monitor microscopic allergens and airborne contaminants, so I’m usually left sniffling or itching during transitional seasons.

Area coverage: One of the many things CleanForce’s air purifier has going for it is versatility. It can clean smaller rooms of about 510 sq ft in around 12 minutes and rooms up to 2550 sq ft in about an hour. I use mine in several spaces in my apartment—including my bedroom, living room, and kitchen.

Filter replacements: Filter replacements run about $70 from Amazon. They easily snap into the chamber-like base of the purifier and CleanForce’s app lets you know exactly how much longer until it’s time to replace your filter.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

My experience: The CleanForce has a manual control panel, which lets you switch the device on and off in addition to the Wi-Fi-enabled CleanForce app, which allows you to closely monitor and control your air purifier through your phone or tablet. Note that it’s important to have a strong Wi-Fi connection when pairing your phone and purifier—the first few times I tried to link the two, there were multiple hiccups.

The purifier itself works super well. I’ve been running it at night when I have my AC on and I’ve noticed that I don’t wake up with a sore throat the next morning. The device uses a triple filtration system that includes an antibacterial prefilter, H13 medical grade HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter to reduce allergens and eliminate odors. Since it’s on the larger and heavier side, I appreciated that the CleanForce also has wheels attached to its base so that I can easily transport it from room to room.

Visually, the purifier is sleek and not overly technical looking—one of its main draws being the colorful options it’s available in. I also love that the device is incredibly quiet on its lowest fan setting (you can toggle between one of three fan levels which get louder depending on the speed). On the front of the air purifier (and in the Cleanforce app), your current air quality rating is prominently displayed in real time. When you’re using the app, you can even track how your room’s air quality fluctuates as well as the outdoor air quality in your area.

The bottom line: For me, this air purifier is a win because I can feel and see it working (via the app). Not only does it get the job done but it looks great doing it—my only wish is that you could switch out the colored panels. At around $350, it’s on the pricier end (though not more than a Dyson), but I think the advanced tech features and smart design make the CleanForce absolutely worth the price.

Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier

Amazon

Coway

Tester: Nick Mafi, features editor

My space: Luckily, the air quality in my home is pretty good and I don’t smoke nor do I live with any animals. I will say that I live in Brooklyn and my windows face a street. So, naturally, some dust from the street does find its way into my apartment.

Area coverage: My apartment is 814 square feet and I have the air purifier unit located in the center of the apartment, next to a wall. At this size, the purifier can and does cycle and clean the air that spans the entirety of the space. (It can clean air in large spaces up to 930 square feet.)

Filter replacements: New filters cost about $79 and replacing the pre-filter (the first of four filters) is very simple. You simply pull the washable pre-filter out of the device, clean it, allow it to properly dry, then slide it back into place.

My experience: My experience with the air purifier to date has been a very good one. When turned on, it is very quiet. This is important because I typically turn the unit on while having friends over for dinner. I do this to create an extra level of protection in my apartment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the noise level of the product is important, so as not to drone out people speaking at the table. Fortunately, it’s not an issue with this machine. The design of the product is great, too. It almost looks like a fancy, sort of futuristic speaker. In fact, it’s turned into a bit of a dinner table conversation, as people often don’t immediately guess that it’s a purifier.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

In terms of the technology, Coway’s unit has a four filtration system, which in and of itself is kind of incredible. I mean, how often do we get four layers of protection for anything? The first layer is for the larger dust particles or pet hairs. Then, the second layer involves capturing the small particles that made it through. The third layer is carbon activated, which means it can extract carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals from the air. The fourth and final layer involves the capturing and containment of viruses and bacteria.

In terms of smart features, I was impressed with how I could control everything from the tap of a button on my smartphone. The app also allows me to set a timer for the duration that I’d like the purifier to stay on, while also providing a detailed report on the air quality in real-time.

The bottom line: I would recommend this air cleaner to anyone who is in the market. At this time, when clean air in your home is so important, this air purifier is a must for those who can afford it. I think the fact that this filter involves four layers of protection, and that the fourth actually contains and extracts 99.999% of viruses and bacteria is phenomenal. All the more so that it can do it in the midst of a global pandemic. And as we are starting to learn how to “live” with the pandemic as part of our daily lives, having a state of the art air purifying system is all the more important. By paying $350, you are providing you and your family the safety and security to invite friends and family to your house, with much needed peace of mind, too.

Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier

Amazon

Tester: Zoë Sessums, digital design editor

My space: Currently, I live in a house with two cats and a wood stove, so there is often some kind of fur, dander, and smoke in the air. I’ve also found that my gas stove puts out a decent amount of VOCs every time I cook, which isn’t great. Essentially, I find my allergies constantly shifting so I’m always trying to pay attention to the air in my house.

Area coverage: I use this air purifier in my bedroom (roughly 130 square feet), since it’s best for small spaces (up to 161 square feet).

Filter replacements: The filter replacements are only $20—you can even buy a replacement pre-filter (the sleeve on the outside) for only $8—and it is incredibly easy to replace. I didn’t even need to look at the instructions, so I’d say it is very intuitive.

My experience: I really like this purifier because of how quiet it is and how there are minimal bright indicator lights to bug me at night (I really need a totally dark room). It’s also a very unobtrusive object—it tucks into a corner quite easily and has various outer sleeve color options if you do want it to pop in a room. While it doesn’t have a ton of extra features or buttons, I enjoy how simple and efficient it is—when you want a great little air purifier for your room, this is the way to go. It’s also easy to clean—I’ve used a vacuum on it and I’ve hand washed the pre-filter/cover.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

According to Blueair’s website, the purifier is ENERGY STAR rated to use less energy than the average LED lightbulb, so you can keep it running all day without using too much energy. It also has a three-part filtration system, so the fabric pre-filter catches large particles like pet hair and dust and then the combination particle and carbon filter uses a layer of activated carbon to filter light household odors from pets, cooking, and smoking, while the main particle filter removes airborne particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander.

The bottom line: At $120 (or less when it's on sale!), I think this air purifier is worth the price. It’s an ideal option for a smaller space or single room, and with its ultra quiet operation, it is a great pick for a bedroom.

Shark 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Heater & Fan with NanoSeal HEPA

Shark

Amazon

Best Buy

Tester: Mel Studach, AD PRO editor

My space: While I love the charming architectural details of my prewar rental in New York, I don’t necessarily love the old gas range and dated ventilation that came with it. My biggest air quality concerns generally come to mind when I’m cooking, so I always keep a nearby window open.

Area coverage: Shark’s three-in-one unit is great for medium-to-large rooms, as it promises a purifying capacity of up to 500 square feet. I kept the system in my kitchen, which has an open floor plan that connects to the living room.

Filter replacements: The air purification system uses a Nanoseal HEPA filter with Microban, which costs $69.99 on Shark’s website to replace. The company recommends changing the filter every six months for best results, and doing so is super simple—just open the back of the base, snap the new piece in place, then reset the filter life on the remote by holding down the air icon for a few seconds.

My experience: Setting up the system took only a few minutes thanks to Shark’s straightforward directions that were strategically placed on the unit itself. The air purifier comes with a Nanoseal HEPA filter with Microban, which traps 99.98% of large, small, and micro-size particles. Should you be the type of person who gets great pleasure out of cleaning, you might also enjoy the unit’s Clean Sense IQ monitor, which measures particle sizes (of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) in real time.

There are several features I found to be worthwhile with the air purifier. For starters, it’s so quiet you might even forget it’s in your space—a huge benefit for a room that has to serve multiple functions, from at-home office to entertaining hub. I also like that the system comes with a remote control, so I can adjust the settings or swap functions from anywhere in the room.

Overall the system’s intuitive design has been a breeze to use, and I’m happy with its performance in my home. I also appreciate that I now have a greater understanding of my space: The air purifier’s visual tracking of the air quality in the room allows me to be more aware of my surroundings, alleviating any concerns of airborne allergens.

What I would change: My only critique is a visual one: Because most of the walls in my apartment are white, I wish I would have gotten the white version so it would blend in with my space more. My mistake!

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

The bottom line: At $400, the unit is on the mid- to higher-range pricing, but I found it to be worth it for the added benefits (and convenient consolidation!) of a heater and fan.

Honeywell HPA204 HEPA Air Purifier for Large Rooms

Amazon

Tester: Sydney Gore, senior digital design editor

The space: My allergies have always made me a sensitive person in regards to air quality, but it wasn’t until I got sick from the smoke that spilled into New York from the Canada wildfires that I was pushed to invest in an air purifier. My apartment gets dusty despite all my efforts to keep it clean and that’s a much smaller space compared to an entire house in the suburbs—in addition to me and my parents, we have two cats and their fur gets caught on every surface.

Area coverage:

The dimensions of this model are 17.72 x 10.05 x 18.86 in and it was specifically designed for larger spaces to circulate and filter room air in a 310 square foot space. I set this up in the family room on the first level of my parents’ house since it’s an open floor plan and that zone gets the most foot traffic, especially from our cats.

Filter replacements:

$36.95 for the Replacement True HEPA Filter R

$15.95 for the Replacement Pre-filter A

$69.95 for the Replacement True HEPA and Pre-filter Combo Pack

My experience:

My parents have always had Honeywell air purifiers around the house, which I didn’t notice until recently, so that felt like a strong indicator for me to trust the brand—they’re true to this, not new to this. The setup is pretty simple, but I unboxed everything to make sure that my parents would be good to go on their own when I’m not around. Within the first few days of using the HPA204, I felt like the air quality in that section of the house had improved. (We get a lot of dust and other miscellaneous particles downstairs so you can usually hear a lot of sneezing.) After three months, my dad actually likes this version more than his older Honeywell products so he has since moved it upstairs into his bedroom (a very strong endorsement)—I wouldn’t be surprised if he ordered more of them for the rest of the house. Also, the cats don’t seem to mind when it’s on and they’re the toughest critics out of all of us!

Honeywell’s True HEPA Air Purifier uses an activated carbon pre-filter to help capture large airborne particles and reduce odors and VOCs. The filtration helps capture up to 99.97% of the following microscopic airborne allergens and particles: Dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mite debris, and smoke. It has three cleaning levels (high/medium/low) with a turbo setting that is supposed to be excellent for people with allergies, so essentially our entire household. I especially appreciate the silent operation and dimmer option, this is critical in the evenings.

The bottom line:

Honeywell is an OG air purifier and air conditioner brand, I would highly recommend any of their products. Did I forget to mention that they offer a five year warranty? Doesn't get classier than that. Also, this model earned the ENERGY STAR label by meeting strict energy efficient guidelines set by the U.S. EPA so seems pretty legit! The Gore family swears by it, what other approval do you need?

IQAir Atem X Room Air Purifier

IQAir

Tester: Rachel Davies, associate digital design editor

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

My space: I have a dog who sheds, so this air purifier was definitely intended to help with the dander in the air. I have a fragrance allergy and I’m not sure how much this really does for me, but I like the idea that hypothetically, if I were to have a party with people who were wearing very overpowering perfume, this could help tamper that and maybe lessen the chances of me getting a headache from it. Also, living in an apartment building in a city, I feel like it never hurts to purify.

Area coverage: The air purifier is intended for larger rooms of up to 1650 square feet. The room I have it in is a combination living room, dining room, and kitchen, and while my space is probably a little under half of that square footage, it’s still a fairly large area.

Filter replacements: The filters are $199 and come in a pack of three.

My experience: I think that with something like an air purifier, where the user is not necessarily *seeing* a difference in the space (compared to, say, a vacuum cleaner, when one can tell how effective it is), it’s really important to trust the technology at hand, and I definitely do trust what’s going on with the IQAir system. There’s a lot of helpful information on their website—including a breakdown of all of the particles it filters out and how those particles affect one’s health, along with information on third-party testing of the filter. Its promise of filtering even human coronavirus is especially assuring.

The big promise that the product makes is that it’s quiet—and the filter is certainly very quiet. It has a big range of settings so if for some reason the (still quite quiet) highest setting is undesirable, you can set it lower without having to simply turn it off. I have an issue with a space heater’s volume (it adds extra drama to my Zoom set up!) and I don’t have similar volume problems with the air filter. The other big promise is its design—a lot of air purifiers are ugly—and even though the size of this purifier is quite large, it’s round, space-y appearance is a lot of fun (dare I say it’s a statement piece?). The design is super intuitive and there’s an app you can use too (though I don’t feel a need for it). I also appreciate the ability to turn the display lights off without turning the purifier itself off (I have this problem with a couple devices).

What I would change: I think it’d be great if there were a midsize version (they have a much smaller desk version) for spaces in between.

The bottom line: I would 100% recommend this filter to anyone who is down to drop more money on an air purifier for the promise of truly clean air. Definitely get the smaller size if you’re in a smaller space. I have learned the “buy it nice or buy it twice” lesson too much to mess around with this kind of thing!

My Happi Air Purifier

My Happi

Amazon

Tester: Elise Portale, contributor

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

My space: I live in a prewar apartment that is absolutely loaded with dust, not to mention that I have a cat (and light cat allergies), so my air quality is suspect for sure. My apartment is also a studio, which means that any weird smells, whether they’re from the kitchen or litter box, are inescapable if not dealt with immediately.

Area coverage: The My Happi purifier can cycle air in spaces up to 500 square feet, which is perfect since my studio is less than 400. While the appeal of bedside purification was tempting, I opted to place My Happi in the kitchen, where garbage smells, cat food odor, and other symptoms of my pandemic lockdown depression reigned supreme.

Filter replacements: Filters for the My Happi cost $35, and wow! They’re insanely easy to replace. The My Happi is literally a canister—you open up the bottom, take the old filter out, set the new one in, and close it up. I’ve had water pitchers harder to work with. You can even “subscribe and save,” getting the filters automatically delivered to you every 6 months at a 10% discount.

My experience: As someone who has never had an air purifier before, I was a little intimidated and wasn’t totally convinced it would be worth the hassle of taking up space in my small apartment. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well it handles kitchen odors in particular. The key to the My Happi is the five-layer HEPA filter, which catches all sorts of particles in the air. It’s kind of incredible how much coverage this purifier has given how small the unit is—a huge plus, given I have so little square footage to give up to an appliance like this. Along those same lines, this thing is the quietest, which is ideal for a studio. If the air quality gets bad for some reason (the LED indicator changes color to indicate this), the fan picks up speed and can get quite loud, but it’s usually only for a moment or two. I’m so happy with this purifier that it’s really hard to think of any improvements. If only it could work double duty as a humidifier, then me and my eczema could be truly happy.

The bottom line: If you need a purifier, this is the one, I’m telling you. It’s so easy to use and maintain, and with such a tiny footprint to boot. If you’ve got a smaller space like I do and the thought of another appliance taking up space stresses you out, My Happi is for you. It’s barely bigger than a cookie jar and after a time, you’ll stop noticing it entirely. What you will notice is that bad smells, allergies, et cetera, don’t seem to bother you as much. It’s really a small thing that makes a huge difference.

Sans HEPA 13 Air Purifier

Sans

Amazon

Tester: Sophia Herring, contributor

My space: My boyfriend is a smoker so the air quality isn’t always the best in the apartment. I usually kick him out when he wants a smoke but regardless, the smell lingers. I’m super sensitive to everything: I’m asthmatic, I have pollen allergies and super intense dust allergies. Whenever I sleep in an old house, I can feel it the next morning. I wake up very congested.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

Area coverage: The purifier has air coverage up to 1,560 square feet every hour, or 780 square feet every half hour. I have mine in the living room which has about 800 square feet.

Filter replacements: You will be alerted when it’s time to replace the filter and each provides about three months of continuous use. Replacements cost $39.99 and slip right in so it’s super easy.

My experience: This purifier is an amazing find. The design is super unobtrusive and fits seamlessly in front of a white wall without much visual obstruction. It’s also very quiet—so much so that I frequently forget it’s there.

I appreciate it most whenever we cook, and the fumes and smoke fill up the living room (since our kitchen is windowless and relatively unventilated). Each time, the Sans blinks and signals an upward motion, telling us where the air impurities were. It has a HEPA 13 medical grade filter, which is said to remove 99.97% of air bacteria. Within no time, it clears the smells and the fumes. It’s particularly amazing in winter, when the last thing you want to do is keep the windows open for the freezing cold air to clear everything out.

The bottom line: For those who are willing to splurge on a durable purifier to stand the test of time, I definitely recommend it (I would love for it to come in different sizes someday!). The filtration system is really high-end, and the quietness is not something you always get with purifiers. It also has a bunch of other great qualities such as auto-cleaning, U.V. light self-sterilization, and an air quality display to keep you in the know. Although not all of this is needed, having it has been a very welcome added bonus.

Smartmi Air Purifiers for Home

Amazon

Tester: Livia Caligor, Content Operations Associate

My space: I got this air purifier when I was living in my last apartment, which was a stereotypical stuffy Lower East Side walk-up closet—one filled with lots of dust bunnies, amongst other less desirable creatures, of course.

Area coverage: The smartmi Air Purifier has a 360° air purification system that allows powerful indoor air flow to reach every corner. Intended for smaller spaces (like a single room), in a 100 sq ft space, it renews the air in 6.5 minutes.

Filter replacements: The standard filter replacement costs $39.99 for a pack of two. Each filter has four layers: A preliminary filter (meant to capture common large particles like hair and lint), a H13 True HEPA filter that captures 99% of airborne particles like pollen and dust, as well as an activated carbon and inner filter to absorb odors and smoke.

Changing the filter was a simple one-step process: You turn over the device and rotate the filter to remove it, then insert the new one by rotating in the opposite direction (it’s recommended that the filter is replaced every six months). There’s also a pet filter that specifically targets pet odors and particles available, but I only tested the standard one.

My experience: I had never used an air purifier before and was really impressed with my first experience. Off the bat, I really liked the packaging—specifically that the purifier came in a protective box with a handle, which made it very easy to carry up a few flights of stairs and which I saved for my move later in the year. The air purifier itself has a leather handle, which makes it simple to relocate and use in different rooms, and I also really appreciated how surprisingly light the air purifier was for a device that’s 11"D x 17"H 11"W.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

It was very simple to plug it in and get it started; I put it on the Automatic mode, which was the strongest, for the maximum amount of time, which is an eight-hour cycle. Though I don’t usually go for smart devices because I’m not too tech savvy and don’t find the hassle of setting them up to be worth it, it took two seconds to connect the device to Google Home, and it ended up being really nice to turn it on when I was leaving work or especially returning from a trip, so that my air would be clean when I got home.

My favorite feature is definitely how quiet it is—even when it’s on the most powerful setting it doesn’t at all disrupt my sleep. I felt really relieved to have this purifier in my last apartment, as I was living in a windowless bedroom surrounded by racks of clothes on all sides—I could practically feel dust collecting on my canopy of faux fur coats and flaking off of my shoes hanging in midair. Unfortunately, due to my lack of floor space, I only vacuumed when in crisis-mode (a.k.a. after mass infestations and a subsequent chemical deep clean), so I’m glad I had a little device collecting my bedroom’s dust bunny families on my behalf.

Another one of the best parts of the device is that it purifies the air beyond tangible particles. When I moved out of my apartment, a Taskrabbit guy informed me that the abundance of insulation foam sealant in my room wasn’t intended for indoor use—especially not in a windowless space—as it emits noxious fumes, releases a flammable and explosive vapor, and is harmful when inhaled. After doing some research on its side effects, I realized that I never smelled a strong chemical odor in my room and luckily nothing was arbitrarily set on fire by the vapor. I also don’t think I experienced chronic headaches, dizziness, rashes, or lung irritation, which are common side effects of inhaling the spray, so I like to think that the air purifier helped mitigate these side effects!

What I would change: The only thing I would change is that when it collected extra large particles, I could hear it rattling inside the filter, which was pretty loud and a little inconvenient to remove from the vents. Otherwise, I had a perfect experience!

The bottom line: When I moved out, I saw that the purifier filter had collected a year’s worth of shedded hairs, crumbs, and bacteria invisible to the human eye, so now I don’t think I can ever live without one again! The filters are priced at a slightly higher price point than the average, but I think getting a high-quality purifier and a filter for around $200 is well worth it.

Galanz Personal Air Purifier, 3-Stage Filtration

Amazon

Tester: Megan Wahn, associate commerce editor

My space: Overall my home is pretty average—it collects the standard amount of dust over the course of a week (which is an absolute pain to clean). I cook and use the oven fairly frequently, leaving my kitchen pleasantly smelling like whatever dish I just made, but that also might allow any manner of other odors, slight smoke, and particles to linger. Recently I also have been leaving my bedroom window open, especially when I’m asleep, so that could be allowing certain dust and bits from the outdoors to invade. My roommate also got a dog within the last week or so of me testing this air purifier, so that was one change to the air of our space. Other than that, I sometimes get bad allergies in late spring and early summer.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

Area coverage: According to Galanz, this personal air purifier works best for up to 36.5 square feet. As such, I mainly kept it in my bedroom, though I did move it into my living room–kitchen area on occasion, specifically when I cooked or if I was working from the living room with the window open. It definitely works best for smaller spaces and areas, though its petite size and leather handle makes it easy to move around a space as needed.

Filter replacements: Filters are super easy to replace, you just need to twist the body of the purifier and it breaks apart in the middle so you can put the filter in. A filter replacement is about $45. I’m not quite sure how long each filter lasts for until you need to replace it, but I’ve been using mine for about a month and it’s seemed alright.

My experience: This was my first time ever using an air purifier so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. To be honest, up until now I’ve never really fully considered the air I’m breathing in. The main reason I wanted this specific air purifier was for its look and size. I live in a small apartment and I like everything to look nice, so compactness and style is key with the gadgets I bring in. I really liked the clean, sleek look of the white combined with the leather strap on top, which helped elevate the purifier from an eye sore of a machine to something that blended in a bit more. Even though it doesn’t have a super far reach, I liked its portability that enabled me to carry it from room to room. The purifier does have a scent diffuser capability that I didn’t try out, but if you’re someone that’s always lighting candles then this might be a purifier to consider.

Much like my relationship with air quality, I feel like the greater impact of this purifier is going to go unnoticed by me for a pretty long time. Since there aren’t really any smart features to notify you about your air quality or any alarms that go off when the air is especially bad like with some other purifiers, I can’t tell any noticeable differences. That being said, it is nice to have gently whirring in the background doing work I know can only help me in the long run.

What I would change: Since I don’t have a super deep awareness or understanding of air quality, I’d love for this air purifier to be able to tell me that—especially knowing other purifiers do. Even just a little beep to alert me that it’s getting bad, because I truthfully can’t tell the difference between “good” or “bad” air quality so it would be nice to know. I really love the design and packaging and don’t want to change any of that, so some little feature I think could really take this machine to the next level.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

The bottom line: I think if you’re someone who’s kind of neutral about air quality or doesn’t know much about it, this is a great starter purifier. It’s also great if you value style over everything. It’s pretty no frills, which is appreciated. Maybe after some time, more advanced features might be something you add to your air purifier wish list, but if you’re just beginning your journey to breathe cleaner air, I think you can’t go wrong with this.

Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Amazon

Tester: Rebecca Grambone, associate social media manager

My space: No matter how much I dust my bedroom in my apartment, the wooden floors always seem to get dusty the next day. I live with two other roommates and my bedroom is attached to a hallway that we all are constantly walking through to get to the bathroom or the laundry area. I’ve realized recently that having a bedroom near a “high traffic” area of the apartment may be the culprit behind my dust issue, especially if people are walking through after having been outside.

Area coverage: The effective range of the air purifier is 403 square feet and can be used in larger areas, however purification will take longer. I used it in my bedroom, which is approximately 12 feet by 13.

Filter replacements: The filter replacements for this particular model cost around $50. I haven’t had to replace my filter yet since it lasts about 12 months. However, when you first take the air purifier out of its delivery packaging, you have to remove the filter from a plastic covering and place it back in the purifier. I found this process super simple since all you have to do is twist the bottom portion of the purifier off, remove the filter, put the cleaned filter (or a new one) back in, and then twist the bottom portion back on.

My experience: After about a week using the air purifier in my bedroom (along with regular dusting), I noticed that I wasn’t waking up with puffy eyes anymore. This may sound cliché, but the air in my room felt crisper and definitely cleaner. I specifically liked the Auto Mode feature that adjusts the fan settings automatically based on the current air quality in the room. I also appreciated the Sleep Mode feature that keeps the air purifier operating quietly by using a fan speed lower than low speed, this way I could use it throughout the night without the sound disrupting my sleep. I found it interesting that this air purifier has a 3-Stage Filtration system: the first is a pre-filter that captures larger particles such as dust and pet fur, the second is a H13 True HEPA filter that “captures at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size,” and the third is a custom high-efficiency activated carbon filter that absorbs smoke, odors, and fumes. Each of these filters also serves the purpose of maximizing the filter’s life which I find makes this purifier a good investment.

I was also impressed with other high-tech features such as the VeSync app, which allows you to control the air purifier from your smartphone by connecting it through Bluetooth. Having access to the app allows you to easily view the air quality in the room you have the air purifier set up in with words like “good” or “very good.” You can also view the air purifier’s filter life, as well as set up features such as “Auto Clean,” which turns the air purifier on automatically when the air quality is bad and “Auto Stop,” which automatically turns the air purifier off when the air quality is good. I also found it helpful that the app lets you view how long you’ve had the air purifier running as well as how much air has been purified. You can visibly see the job getting done!

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan

For someone who really isn’t that tech savvy, I found everything to be easily accessible. Sometimes products add all this extra tech just as a bonus, but I truly felt that each and every tech feature that this air purifier had to offer was functional and beneficial.

What I would change: One downside of this air filter is that it’s definitely on the larger and bulkier side and you definitely need to have the space for it, especially since the manual recommends keeping it 15 inches from anything surrounding it.

The bottom line: Overall, I found this air purifier very effective! I would recommend this specific product to anyone who is looking for more of a high-tech option that will definitely get the job done. However, you definitely have to have the space for it, as it is not a sleek and sexy option compared to other air purifiers on the market that are on the pricier side.

BISSELL MYair Air Purifier

Amazon

Walmart

Tester: Kristi Kellogg, contributor

My space: We live in a three-story townhome in Los Angeles. I use the Bissell in the bedroom where my husband, two dogs, and I sleep.

Area coverage: The Bissell is designed for small spaces around 100 square feet. The bedroom I use it in is a bit bigger, but I can attest that the Bissell nonetheless makes a noticeable difference in the quality of the air.

Filter replacements: Bissell recommends replacing the air filters every three months, and the process is easy and intuitive. OEM replacement filters are available on Bissell, and generic replacement filters can be found on Amazon.

My experience: This was the first air purifier I ever bought. I purchased it in the height of Covid, and it gave me peace of mind that the air in our bedroom was fresh and clean. It’s always worked great and left the air in the room feeling crisp and well circulated. It’s also impressively quiet. Even on the highest setting, it’s still not loud and the “low” and “whisper quiet” speed settings are even quieter, of course. I also love how compact it is: It’s less than five pounds, stands 12" tall, and has an has an 8” diameter. I personally have it in white, but it’s also available in blue and lavender.

The bottom line: This is a solid choice, and I’ve always been happy with it. When it’s on sale, the price goes as low as $74—and that’s pretty hard to beat! If you need an air purifier for a bedroom, dorm room, or office, this is a super solid choice. And I think the lavender or blue would be so nice in a kid’s room (and if you leave the optional glowing light on it can double as an energy-efficient night light).

Now that you know some of our favorite air purifiers, it's your turn to go shopping. Whether you stick with one of our top picks or branch out, these are the things we recommend keeping in mind when choosing an air purifier.

By Zoë Sessums

By Sara Barragán del Rey

By Ludovica Stevan