The ideal time to purchase a new air purifier is during allergy season.
This allergy season, is anyone else having a terrible time? Despite my best efforts, I’m a sneezy, watery-eyed mess since it feels like my daily Zyrtec is hardly making a dent in the deluge of tree pollen that has fallen this spring. I don’t know about you.
Purchasing an air purifier is a fantastic option to find relief if you’re in the same situation. They are an excellent method of eliminating a variety of allergens from the air in your house, including dust, mold, and pet dander, as well as seasonal triggers like pollen. If you live in a city where the air quality index might be dangerous on certain days because of trapped smog and other pollutants, or if you live somewhere that receives a lot of wildfire smoke during the summer (which is pretty much the whole United States these days), air purifiers are also a smart investment.
Additional benefits of air purifiers
Additionally, an air purifier can help get rid of cooking odors and prevent your house from feeling stuffy during extended cold weather when you are unable to open the windows to let fresh air in. This is especially beneficial if you have poor ventilation or circulation.
That is, in other words? Despite their potential high cost, they are an excellent investment. Fortunately, there are some excellent models available on Amazon, including some of the top air purifiers we’ve tested in a few different categories.
Things to consider when purchasing an allergy air purifier
Where
Which air purifier to buy may depend on where you intend to install it. How much room you want to purify and the kind of particles you want to filter out will determine which purifier is best for you. While whole-house air purifiers are more costly but can enhance a much greater space, portable air purifiers are made to purify a single room.
Allergies
The finest purifier for you may also depend on the kind of allergies you’re battling, particularly if a particular model is compatible with them. For instance, many air purifier models with one or more filters particularly include pollen removal as a benefit because pollen is a typical source of allergic reactions. Numerous businesses also produce filters designed to target particular allergies, such as pollen, pet dander, or other detritus.
HEPA and more kinds of filters
At the very least, allergy-friendly air purifiers ought to have a HEPA filter. Additionally, a HEPA filter and several other filters are included in many versions. Occasionally, purifiers with several filters incorporate a third carbon filter in addition to as many as two pre-filters. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that air purifiers need their filters changed at least a couple times annually.
What to look for in an allergy-friendly air purifier
Coverage of airflow
Typically, purifier airflow capacity is expressed in either air changes per hour or cubic feet per minute. Selecting the model that best suits the area you intend to use to reduce allergies might be aided by the first measurement.
The airflow capacity of a small air purifier can be as small as 150 square feet, and it can only alter the air four times an hour. Spaces as large as 3,000 square feet would be suitable for other high-end models.
Additionally, purifiers frequently have a variety of fan speed settings that allow the user to adjust the amount of air being moved.
Effectiveness
The efficiency of a purifier ultimately dictates how well it reduces allergies. Debris, bacteria, and allergens as small as 0.1–0.3 microns can be removed from a room by air purifiers; some more sophisticated versions can even get rid of particles as small as 0.003 microns. By contrast, a single human hair is roughly 50 microns in size.
indication of air quality
Certain air purifiers have a way to indicate the quality of the air. This could be as basic as using colors to indicate the quality of the air or as complex as a computer interface that provides a variety of information on the state of the air quality. Change filter notifications are among the other typical signs.
The anticipated cost of purchasing an allergy air purifier
While most mid-tier air purifiers cost between $100 and $600, cheap air purifiers can be as low as $50. You should budget between $25 to $500 a year for filters because the majority of HEPA air purifiers require you to change the filter a few times a year.
FAQ on air purifiers for allergies
Is a HEPA air purifier suitable for those with allergies?
A. Among the top air purifiers, HEPA-filtered models are reasonably effective at reducing allergies. Purifiers having one or two additional filters in addition to a HEPA filter are even superior.
What distinguishes a humidifier from an air purifier?
A humidifier provides moisture to the air, whereas an air purifier utilizes filters to remove airborne contaminants. Although an air purifier with a HEPA filter could be the most effective, both might be helpful in reducing allergies.
The finest Dyson available
Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link Purifier Heater Fan HP02
This was the best of the best when our testing lab put air purifiers through their paces. It’s technically a bladeless fan, which means it can both heat and cool your home, with either focused or oscillating airflow. But it also includes HEPA filtration that removes pollutants up to 0.3 microns, including wildfire smoke and most allergens, and circulates the purified air. An app alerts you to changes in air quality, which can be handy for those with severe allergies.
Clarifion – Air Ionizers for Home (3 Pack)
An air ionizer creates negative ions that bind to particulate matter in the air. This makes them more likely to cling to walls or furniture or fall to the floor so they can be filtered, swept or washed away. In this way, ionizers can eliminate even smaller particles than air filters, removing some of the trickiest allergens from the air. In the BestReviews Testing Lab, Clarifion came out on top with this three-pack of portable ionizers that can plug into any standard outlet and produced negligible ozone. They don’t need much upkeep, and with one in each room of your home, you can rest easy knowing that allergens are being removed from the air at pretty much all times.
The iAdapt 2.0 Air Oasis
This smart air purifier includes a fan option that cools your space, operates silently, and collects 99 percent of allergens. This is your best option if you’re looking for a high-quality air purifier that doesn’t take up a lot of room or make a lot of noise. Additionally, the business claims that “particles as small as 0.05 Microns are removed by medical-grade True HEPA (H13) filters.” provides clean air in all directions for up to two years between filter changes. We adore its sleek appearance, quiet operation, and ease of use.
