The best air purifiers for your home - Popular Science

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The best air purifiers for your home - Popular Science Posted: 18 Apr 2019 10:15 AM PDT After more than a year of construction on my apartment, I started noticing particles floating around my bedroom. Not long after, it occurred to me that poor air quality could partially explain my sleep troubles. I decided to test out some air purifiers to see if they make a difference. They really did. The best air purifiers can improve sleep and alleviate allergies by removing particulates from the air. Most high-end models use True HEPA filters—High Efficiency Particulate Air—to catch floating bits of mold and pollen, as well as suck up smoke, dust, and bacteria. These certified filters cleanse the air of 99.97 percent of small particles (as tiny as 0.3 microns in diameter) on the first round of filtration. These purifiers do not handle heavier particles that have settled on your furniture, so you'll need to swipe at those with a cloth or duster. If you're convinced you want an air purifier but are overwhelmed by the options, you'll be relieved to know I did the research for you. Below are my favorites on the market. The absolute favorite is Coway's Airmega 200M, which suits rooms up to 361 square feet. To clean your air, it relies on a four-stage filtration process: a pre-filter that nabs larger debris, an odor filter, a true HEPA filter, and finally, something they call a Vital Ion System. This air ionizer introduces negatively charged ions into the air, which supposedly bond with positively charged allergens and cause them to fall to the floor rather than float on your air. The device has three fan speeds and will tell you when to change the filter. There's an eco-mode that will turn the device off if no harmful elements are detected in the air and an auto mode that adjusts fan speed according to air quality. You could also just schedule it to run for one, four, or eight hours at a time. The true HEPA filter should last about a year and the odor filter lasts up to six months. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ air filter is the device that's most likely to make you smile when you see it. The 60-watt, low-energy machine is operated by a single touch-activated button on the front, so it's simple to use. It boasts three speed settings and a three-step filtration process that can purify the air five times per hour. The washable exterior acts not only as a pop of color but also as a pre-filter that catches larger particles, thus extending the life of the main filter. After passing through that first layer, air travels through Blueair's dual mechanical and electrostatic filtration system that charges the particles in the air so they stick better to the filter. After this, the air is goes through an activated carbon filter, which removes odors and smoke. This particular model is designed for rooms up to 540 square feet. Expect to replace the filter every six months, though a light will alert you when it's time. If you're not interested in spending more than $200, there's always the Levoit LV131, which also uses a three-stage filtration system. Like the other models, air first travels through a pre-filter to catch larger debris like pet dander and mold, It then goes through the TRUE HEPA filter, which removes dust, allergens, and bacteria. Finally, the air passes through an activated carbon filter for odors. In auto mode, the purifier gauges air quality and adjusts the fan speed accordingly. It offers a quieter sleep mode and a timer so you can shut it off at a specific time. The filter should be changed every six months. The brand has also got a version that connects over Wi-Fi and can be controlled with your smartphone. This portable option is perfect for small rooms or bathrooms. It's super quiet, weighs less than a pound, and is a little larger than a Big Mac. You could even travel with it. It comes with a carrying case and an essential oil pad for waterless aromatherapy. It's also the simplest to use: just press the power button. Interested in talking about deals and gadgets? Request to join our exclusive Facebook group. With all our product stories, the goal is simple: more information about the stuff you're thinking about buying. We may sometimes get a cut from a purchase, but if something shows up on one of our pages, it's because we like it. Period.

The Best Air Purifiers, According to Doctors and Air-Quality Experts - New York Magazine Posted: 14 Dec 2018 10:30 AM PST Photo: Courtesy Rabbit Air Compared to gifts like scarves, slippers, and trendy toys, a portable device that measures air pollutants and allergens doesn't seem like something you'd be eager to unwrap under the Christmas tree, but last month's New York Times story about air quality trackers does have a point. Between climate change, devastating wildfires, and weakening environmental regulations, it makes sense that you'd want to know what's in the air you breathe. Even if you aren't in an area affected by fires or especially high pollution, everyday activities can change air quality in ways that can negatively affect your health and trigger allergies. "We've seen many examples in homes and offices where small changes like new furniture, air fresheners, cooking, [or] cleaning significantly impact the health of the air around you," says Nic Barnes, chief marketing officer for the air monitor company Awair. And according to Michele Ann Cassalia, director of marketing at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), "the indoor level of pollutants can be two to five times higher than the outdoor levels." Along with simple methods like keeping rooms well-ventilated and removing pollutant sources where possible, an air purifier can go a long way to improving air quality. We asked Barnes, Cassalia, an asthma and allergy doctor, and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson about what to look for when shopping for an air purifier, and which models have proven to be the best. Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier (SPA-700A) In general, experts prefer high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters over electronic or ionizing devices that release ozone into the air, which can actually irritate asthma symptoms. "Devices that use HEPA filters have been shown to help decrease certain allergen exposure — those [greater than] three microns [in size] that are airborne — like animal dander and mold," says Dr. Asriani M. Chiu, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The U.S. Department of Energy certifies true HEPA filters for their ability to effectively remove these small particles from the air, and according to the EPA, true HEPA filters have been shown to cause small improvements in cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as a reduction of asthma and allergy symptoms, in scientific studies. The Rabbit Air HEPA purifier comes recommended by Barnes (who likes that it filters both fine dust and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) and Cassalia, who notes that it's been certified by the AAFA as asthma and allergy friendly, based on third-party testing performed and reviewed by the foundation and by the independent certification company Allergy Standards Limited. Along with the particle-filtering HEPA filter, an activated carbon layer absorbs dangerous gaseous compounds in the air. The low-profile purifier can either stand on its own or be mounted on a wall, and includes an air quality indicator. A light sensor automatically transitions to a lower-power (read: quieter) mode when it's time for bed. Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier w/WiFi (SPA-780N) For a little more, you can get a WiFi-enabled Rabbit Air. This model lets you check your room's air quality, set the purifier to a daily schedule, set reminders to replace your filter, and more from the connected app. Blueair Pro M Air Purifier HEPA filters are also judged by their clean air delivery rates (CADR), or the rates at which they remove allergens and other particles from the air. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) measures CADR for different devices, which determines the interior areas they're capable of cleaning. The Blueair Pro M, one of Barnes's recommendations, has a CADR high enough for a room of up to 400 square feet and is especially quiet for how powerful it is. Like the Rabbit Air, it includes an additional filter to catch VOCs and smoke. Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier Certified as asthma and allergy friendly, Dyson's air purifier also functions as a fan and a heater. It connects to the Dyson app so you can monitor air quality and control the device remotely, and it responds to voice-activated commands via Amazon Alexa. Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier If you don't need the heating function, you can save on this less expensive tower fan model. It also connects to the Dyson app for air-quality monitoring and uses an AAFA-approved HEPA filter. The fan can be set to ten different speeds and with no moving blades, it's safer around small children and pets than a standard fan. LG PuriCare Tower 3-Stage Filter Purifier Another AAFA-certified purifier, this LG tower is approved by the AHAM to keep the air clean in rooms of up to 217 square feet. A digital display shows the current concentration of pollutants, and the device uses colored lights to indicate air purity levels in real time. Honeywell HPA200 True HEPA Allergen Remover Honeywell HPA160 HEPA Tower Allergen Remover If your budget is under $200, you can't go wrong with a true HEPA air purifier from Honeywell. The HPA200 is certified by the AHAM for rooms of up to 310 square feet, while the smaller and sleeker HPA 160 will work in any room up to 170 square feet. Both include a carbon pre-filter to catch gaseous VOCs and they've been proven not to release any hazardous ozone during testing. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women's jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. 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