Investing in one of the best air purifiers on the market can be an invaluable addition to your home, helping to reduce and remove airborne particles that can impact indoor air quality.
As Lars Dunberger, Technology Development Manager at Blueair, one of the leading names in air purifiers explains, ‘dust, pollen, and smoke, are the three most common indoor air pollutants’, however, depending on the issues your home faces, indoor air could also contain ‘mould spores, bacteria, viruses and pet dander’. Many of these can trigger allergies in those of us sensitive to particular allergens, although, as Lars continues, ‘even if you have no other underlying health issues, studies show that improved air quality is conducive to better productivity and a general sense of wellbeing’.
As such, the Ideal Home team has tried, tested, and reviewed some of the best air purifiers on our radar to bring you our top recommendations below, including options from Levoit, Meaco, Philips, and more.
We also run through what to look for when shopping for the best air purifier for your home at the end of this guide, including CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), removal rate, filtration efficiency, energy consumption, and noise. And if you’re looking to improve indoor air quality in more ways than one – in particular the harmful effects of mould in the home – then don’t forget to also check out the moisture-banishing powers of the best dehumidifiers on the market.
Best air purifiers
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If you’re looking for a quiet and unfussy air purifier that will fit into smaller spaces, then the Blueair Blue 3210 is ideal. Perfect for bedrooms or a home office, the Scandi-style machine is super-easy to set up and use. Recommended for use in a room of around 17m2, the Blueair Blue 3210 will change the air in the space five times an hour, going down to about twice an hour in a room of 43m2.
The lower section of this cylindrical air purifier is wrapped in what the brand calls a fabric 'pre-filter', designed not only to look attractive but also to catch larger particles and extend the life of the primary filter inside. You can vacuum the fabric outer or pop it in the wash to clean it.
Setting up and using this air purifier during our review process couldn't have been easier. The pre-filter was already in place, and all we needed to do was keep the air purifier in Auto mode in order to see the positive effect. It made light work of eradicating polluting particles during testing, lighting up amber or red briefly before returning back to a steady blue, which indicates a good air quality reading.
Our tester, Smart Homes editor Caroline Preece says 'the Blueair Blue 3210 looks good, is incredibly quiet, user-friendly, and has impressive performance for its size and price point. As long as you don't mind the lack of timer or smart features, it's a great buy'.
Read our full Blueair Blue 3210 air purifier review for more detail.
Small, lightweight, and relatively affordable, we think the Levoit Core 300 air purifier is a great option for smaller homes, and, thanks to its unobtrusive build and quiet 'sleep mode' we rank it alongside the Blueair Blue 3210 air purifier as one of the best air purifiers for the bedroom.
Despite its relatively affordable price point, this model offers a pre-filter to capture large particles such as dust, lint, fibers, hair, and pet fur, a HEPA filter that traps fine dust, smoke particles, and allergens such as pollen and pet dander, and a carbon filter that works to neutralise smoke, fumes, VOCs, and household odours such as cooking smells and pet odours.
It's not quite as quiet as the Blueair Blue 3210 air purifier on its lowest setting, offering noise levels of 24dB compared to the Blueair Blue 3210's lowest 18dB setting, but it's still pretty quiet compared to other options. However, like the Blueair Blue 3210, those noise levels do get considerably higher as you move up the fan settings.
The Levoit Core 300 promises to filter a larger area – capable of cleaning a 20m2 space as opposed to the Blue 3210's 17m2 limit – however, in line with its lower price point, performance is also lower, with it struggling to match the Blueair Blue 3210 on CADR results. It also uses more energy, at 45W compared to the low 2-10W energy consumption of the Blueair Blue 3210.
However, if you want a compact and portable air purifier without having to invest a big sum upfront, we think the Levoit Core 300 is a great unit to improve your home's air quality without breaking the bank.
A powerful air purifier that's designed to fix air quality in larger spaces, the Philips Series 3000i Connected air purifier promises to remove impurities in areas up to 104m2. If you're using it in a smaller room, then that translates to super-fast results, with the unit able to purify the air in a room of 20m2 in less than 6 minutes, thanks to an impressive CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 520 m3/hr.
Our testers found the top control panel to be very user-friendly, with an auto mode that uses the built-in sensor to adjust filter speed accordingly, and a handy digital display on the top that gives you real-time information on air quality levels.
The drawback of the 3000i Connected is both its size – at 64cm tall and weighing 9kg it's a unit that isn't particularly portable, although thanks to its air cleaning capacity, we suppose it doesn't need to be, and it's stylish enough that it won't be an eyesore left out on display – and the price. This unit is an investment, but you do get powerful performance for your investment.
Our Smart Home Editor Caroline certainly found that it made quick work of purifying the air within her flat, 'The Philips Series 3000i Connected air purifier never turned red (to indicate pollutants) for more than a few seconds or minutes at a time, proving that it makes quick work of any airborne nasties'.
Read our full Philips AC3033/30 Air Purifier Series 3000i review for more detail.
If your home is prone to excess moisture and damp issues like mould and mildew, then although many air purifiers will help, a dehumidifier is going to be the best option for sucking excess moisture from the air.
Thankfully you don't have to buy two separate products, with the MeacoDry Arete One dehumidifier and air purifier offering the best of both worlds. This multifunctional unit gets our vote for the best dehumidifier money can buy thanks to its generous water tank, high moisture extraction rate, easy-to-use design, and its air filtering capabilities with washable dust filter and HEPA filter.
There are 10, 12, 20 and 25 litre options available (these numbers denoting how much water can be extracted from the air per day), all offering air purifying functions on top of their dehumidifying powers.
The controls are easy to operate, with an LED display and large push buttons. The unit also has wheels, a retractable carry handle, and a cable tidy that makes it easy to move around the house and store neatly away when it's not in use.
It is large, heavy, and perhaps not the prettiest to look at, but if you want versatility then we think this option offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Open-plan living spaces, especially when they combine cooking, eating and relaxing areas, can feel sometimes feel stuffy, or contaminated with food smells. That's where the Shark Air Purifier 6 HE600UK is best used, with the size and the range to purify air in spaces up to 64m².
There are six fans at work here, and in our tests at home, our Ecommerce Editor Molly Cleary found the effect of this air purifier noticeable from the offset. Mingling smells were reduced, and the easy-to-use display was excellent for keeping tabs on the quality of the air you're breathing.
This air purifier has a multi-staged filtration system capable of capturing up to 99.97% of pollutants and allergens at 0.3 microns, which is the threshold for HEPA filters (though this model doesn't have an official HEPA certification). It also uses Clean Sense IQ to track air quality, which in real terms means that the display consistently updates when on to show you how clean your air is, and how long you need to keep it on to achieve optimal levels.
After testing this air purifier in a lounge-kitchen space, it's clear to see why customers who have bought it find it to be an impressive addition to their home, with the air quality vastly improved. With an RRP of £349.99, it's not the most affordable, but it is a competent purifier for family homes and larger spaces.
The BekoTP6100I is a no-nonsense air purifier that's very straightforward to use. During testing, the feature that stood out most is the auto adjust, which automatically brings the power level up or down depending on the air quality reading in the room at that moment.
Named the 'Beko HygieneShield', this air purifier works to filter out the nasties in a room (up to 24m² large) with a system that contains a pre-filter, a HEPA 13 filter and a carbon filter. These combined filters banish dust, hair, pollen, and unwanted smells.
The area size isn't the most impressive out there, but the CADR (clean air delivery rate) of 204 m3/hr is a serious strong point with this air purifier. The interface is similarly pleasing and uses colours to indicate how clean the air is at any moment. If you set your air purifier to auto, then after an initial spurt of louder cleaning, then this model also works very quietly in the background, making this air purifier very easy to live with.
The Meaco MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5 air purifier is a really great all-rounder which, despite not topping the other appliances on this list in areas like CADR, power consumption or quiet operation, performed solidly in our tests. While trialling this purifier, our reviewer Millie found it very simple to set up and use and quiet to run throughout the process. It helped to alleviate allergy symptoms after use, and it was satisfying to watch the numerical reading on this air purifier drop as the air got cleaner.
It lost some points with the advice to replace the non-recyclable filter every six months, but this is also not uncommon for air purifiers at this price point. The Meaco is also smart with its own app, though you won't be able to integrate it with your Alexa, Google or HomeKit smart home. It wins on a few practical points too, with a useful foldaway handle and a minimalistic control panel that isn't a headache to get working.
Read our full MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5 WiFi Air Purifier review for more detail.
The Blueair DustMagnet 5440i air purifier is designed 'for a life with less cleaning' which certainly made our ears prick up at the prospect.
Although it also does an impressive job of filtering pollen and airborne allergens from the air, its USP is eliminating dust before it even has a chance to land on your surfaces, a feat it achieves via what Blueair describes as 'a dual air intake and vortex airflow pattern that keeps airborne dust particles moving, and an electrostatic charge that clusters them together. Once inside the air purifier, the brand says the 'dust particles stick to the charged stainless steel pre-filters, just like a magnet'.
Our reviewer, Jack, certainly soon noticed a difference in his home 'after only a brief time using this air purifier, I noticed a clearer atmosphere. I was able to see live air quality readings of the room on the app as the tracker quickly went from Moderate levels of pollution to Excellent'.
He was also impressed by the DustMagnet's looks, with this Scandi-style unit designed to look like a piece of furniture, with a flat top and high-legged body that emulates a handy side table.
Overall this is a stylish and powerful air purifier, which just about justifies its premium price tag.
Read our full Blueair DustMagnet 5440i air purifier review for more detail.
This small air purifier uses hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring molecule created using non-iodized salt, water, and electrolysis, to clean, deodorize, and humidify dry air.
On delivery, DH Lifelabs Aaira Mini air purifier needs the water tank filling and salt adding, but it's then ready to roll. Our reviewers found the control panel very easy to navigate, with clear labels for the power button and the three fan speeds. The unit lights up during the highest two fan speeds but is unilluminated during the ultra-quiet sleep mode. In this setting, this low-decibel air purifier delivers the quietest performance of all the air purifiers in our round-up making it a great option if you're easily disturbed by sound.
We aren't wholly sold on the air filter's looks – we found it slightly reminiscent of a goldfish tank on first appearance – but our reviewer, Jack, was particularly impressed by the purifier's impact on air humidity which helped to ease his respiratory problems, 'this air purifier definitely made a material difference in stopping my coughing fits and sinusitis. The air felt less congested and the HOCI that is dispersed gave the room an oceanic-like odour'.
Read our full DH Lifelabs Aaira Mini air purifier review for more detail.
Which air purifier is best?
When shopping for the best air purifier for your home it helps to have an understanding of the terminology manufacturers use to explain an air purifier's performance.
We enlisted the help of Lars Dunberger, Technology Development Manager at Swedish brand Blueair (opens in new tab), one of the leading manufacturers of air purifiers, to help decode some of the most common technical terms you're likely to come across. These are namely CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), removal rate, filtration efficiency, energy consumption, and noise levels, all of which can help determine which is the best air purifier for your needs.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
'Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a measure of an air purifier's efficiency in cleaning the air in a particular room. CADR measures an air purifier’s effectiveness based on room space and the volume of clean air it produces per minute. This shows how well dust, pollen, and smoke, the three most common indoor air pollutants are removed from the air that you breathe', says Lars Dunberger.
'CADR is an industry-standard measure defined by the independent Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in the U.S. Certified and verified by an independent laboratory, CADR provides consumers with a reliable way to compare the efficiency of different air purifiers'.
'A higher CADR rating means that the air purifier can clean the air faster, making it more efficient. An air purifier with a low CADR rating may not be as effective in removing pollutants from the air. CADR is a standardized measure that allows you to compare air purifiers of different sizes. The AHAM recommends a CADR rating of at least 2/3 of the room's area'.
Removal rate
'The amount of pollutants that the unit removes during a specified period of time is referred to as the unit’s removal rate (%). The removal rate is calculated by comparing the initial amount of pollutants with the amount of pollutants remaining after the specified period of time has passed. The higher the removal rate, the fewer particles remain', says Lars.
Energy consumption and efficiency
'Naturally, air purifiers with a higher CADR, intended for use in larger areas, will have a higher power consumption than air purifiers for smaller areas. For this reason, the power consumption should always be compared to the CADR performance of the unit. A common way to compare the power consumption of different air purifiers is to look at or calculate the CADR/Watt measurement. The higher CADR/W, the better the efficiency'.
Noise levels
'Noise from air purifiers generally comes from the fan or motor and the air pressure through the filter. When specifying an air purifier’s noise level, an A-weighted decibel value, or dB(A), is commonly used. “A-weighted” means that the measurement compensates for the ear’s inability to perceive all acoustic frequencies in the same way.
However, 'It should be mentioned that the dB(A) value alone does not provide enough information in order to determine how “noisy” an air purifier is', says Lars, 'the characteristics of noise, tone and how the individual subjectively perceives the noise also weigh in'.
If you're sensitive to noise then look for the model with the lowest dB rating. Most air purifiers also offer different settings, with some offering a quieter night-time mode. Others offer an auto-mode that remains quiet unless pollution levels rise and it needs to scrub the air more, rather than the appliance running continuously.
Do air purifiers work?
Are air purifiers worth it, and can’t I just open the window instead, you might be wondering.
Well, yes, regular ventilation like opening the windows and doors in your home is key to a healthy building. In fact, this is how long to keep windows open to stop mould, as recommended by the experts. However, if you live in an area with poor outdoor air quality, or are sensitive to pollen, then this isn’t always as good a solution as we might hope.
An air purifier works by using a fan to draw air into the air purifying unit whereby it passes through a series of filters that remove particulate matter. The cleaned air is then discharged back into the room. As such, an air purifier can be a brilliant way to improve indoor air quality.
What are the different types of air filters, and which do I need?
The more stages of filtration, the better to remove different-sized particles.
- Dust pre-filter – think of air filtration as sifting sand on a beach. You want to remove the large pebbles first with a big sieve before using a finer one. Otherwise, the fine filter gets clogged up.
- HEPA filter – this catches more dust, pollens, other allergens, and even bacteria, so you’ll breathe cleaner whether you suffer from pet allergies or hay fever.
- Electrostatic filtration – this charges small particles so that they stick more easily to the filters.
- Active carbon is excellent for microscopic particles from traffic fumes, cigarette smoke, and the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that carry unpleasant smells. They can even remove viruses from the air.
Do air purifiers help with dust?
Yes, dust and pollen are some of the largest particles likely to be in the air, so most air purifiers will manage to capture and filter out a good amount of dust particulate from the air.
Do air purifiers remove smells?
The best air purifiers use activated carbon filters will remove the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that cause smells. That could be a musty smell, the particulates from a scented candle, or aerosol.
How do I get the right-sized machine for my room?
Measure your floor space in m². Then pick a machine that promises to clean the air in the room five times an hour. Ceiling heights are pretty consistent, so this is accurate enough. If you enjoy maths homework, you can measure the volume of the space in m³ and look at the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of various machines to see which suits you best.
Where to place an air purifier
The machine cleans and circulates all the air in the room. So the only thing that matters is not to place it too close to the wall or furniture. You want 10cm around it on all sides to guarantee airflow in and out of the air purifier.
Room-wise, if you pick one room, choose the bedroom. You spend about a third of your life in there, hopefully with the door shut (which is better for fire safety, too). The clean air will help promote deep sleep, as well as being good for your health.
Do air purifiers cool the air?
An air purifier won't actively cool the air, but because an air purifiers fan keeps the air in the room circulating you might notice a slight breeze which – similarly to turning on one of the best fans on the market – can help you to feel a little cooler on a hot and muggy day.
If you're looking for an appliance to actively lower the temperature indoors, then you'll want to invest in an air conditioning unit. Our guide to the best portable air conditioners has the Ideal Home team's round-up of our top-rated products.
What else should I think about when buying an air purifier?
If you want the option to transport the air purifier from room to room then consider the appliance's weight, and whether it rolls or comes with an integrated carry handle.
And, of course, you might also want to consider appearance. As this is an appliance that will be in use a lot of the time, paying a little more for a more stylish design might be worth the investment.
How we test air purifiers
Our testers have a wealth of experience when it comes to reviewing products. Each of these machines is tested rigorously at home, with our team considering the size, price, controls, features, noise levels, and the all-important air purification performance.
Caroline has been Smart Homes Editor for Ideal Home since 2021 when she transitioned from writing about technology in general to how technology can improve our home lives. She can just as often be found trying the latest air purifier as she will the latest smart speaker. With over a decade of experience in journalism, writing for titles including IT Pro and Expert Reviews, her passion has always been for how a well thought out smart home can make people’s lives easier, helping us all navigate lives that are only getting busier and more expensive.
From this round-up, Caroline has reviewed the Blueair Blue 3210, which was ultimately our top choice, the Phillips AC3033/30 Air Purifier Series 3000i and the Levoit Core 300 air purifier.
Millie is the Senior Content Editor at Ideal Home. She works on Ideal Home’s digital content strategy, taking care of evergreen articles on everything from dreamy neutral bedroom ideas to bold DIY projects, all to inspire people to make the most of their homes. She has also turned her hand to reviews, as is the case with the Meaco MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5 air purifier, which she tested out in her North London home.
Amy is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor primarily covering homes and interiors, wellness, travel and careers. She reviewed the Dimplex DXAPV3N air purifier in her two-bedroom home to see how it affected the air quality. The air purifier was tested over a few weeks and was primarily used in her smaller office room (and, on occasion, the bedroom) where she works day in, day out, to ensure she could study the appliance first-hand.
Molly is one of Ideal Home's Ecommerce Editors, and an expert in all things home appliance related. She's tried and tested all manner of products, from coffee machines to air purifiers, in order to tell you which one you should invest in for your home. From this list, she tested the Beko Beko TP6100I Air Purifier, which now lives in her bedroom full-time.
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