You’ve probably heard the statistics about indoor air being more polluted than outdoor air. Cleaning products, pet dander, cooking emissions off-gassing furniture and decor — they all contribute. Letting in fresh air from outside is the quickest way to clear things up, but if that’s not possible — due to wildfires, extreme weather, allergies or just plain bad air quality — an air purifier can help clean the air you breathe. With their combination of filters, fans and sensors, these helpful devices remove particulate matter, VOCs, dust, dander and even smells from the air. We tested a handful of well-reviewed options to find the best air purifier for most people, along with a few alternatives and even an air purifying plant.
What an air purifier can and can’t do
There are three key categories of air pollution that adversely affect the quality of the air you breathe: volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carbon dioxide. VOCs are emitted gasses that can come from cleaners, off-gassing plastics, paint, solvents, fragrances, cooking food and, ironically, air fresheners. VOCs are most closely related to odors you can smell. High levels can irritate your breathing passages, cause headaches and may become cancer-causing over time. Air purifiers with activated charcoal components can help clean VOCs from the air.
Particulate matter is usually discussed as PM2.5 and PM10, with the numbers indicating particle size in microns. This is dust, dirt, mold, smoke and, again, emissions from cooking food. Higher levels of PM can lead to respiratory irritation, allergy symptoms, respiratory infections and potentially lung cancer. Air purifiers that include a HEPA or particle filter can help remove airborne particles from your space.
Carbon dioxide is what humans and pets breathe out. Elevated levels can cause dizziness and lethargy. But no air purifier can reduce CO2 levels because the molecules are so small. Plants can help to some extent, but really the only solution is opening a window or otherwise ventilating the space.
There are no federal standards for air purifiers, but the state of California does require all air cleaners sold in the state to be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). All of our top picks here have met that certification.
What to look for in an air purifier
HEPA filters and other filter types
An air purifier isn’t an overly complicated device. Smart modes and app connectivity aside,…