Best Air Purifiers 2019 - Tom's Guide
Best Air Purifiers 2019 - Tom's Guide |
- Best Air Purifiers 2019 - Tom's Guide
- Air purifiers Singapore (2019) - Price guide to 17 air purifiers from Xiaomi, Novita & other top brands - AsiaOne
- The Best Air Purifiers, According to Doctors and Air-Quality Experts - New York Magazine
| Best Air Purifiers 2019 - Tom's Guide Posted: 23 Aug 2019 12:00 AM PDT
Coway AP-1512 HH MightyThe top air purifier overall
Blueair Blue Pure 411Works well in small spaces
Coway Airmega 400Works well in large spaces Whether you suffer from allergies, have pets who shed, live with a smoker or simply want to breathe better, air purifiers can filter out many of the most dangerous particles in your home. While no device can completely eliminate pollutants or substitute for ventilation with clean outdoor air, the best air purifiers can improve respiratory health, according to the EPA. Based on more than 15 hours of research, over 30 brands considered and dozens of customer and expert reviews read, we've identified the top air purifiers for your home or office. Our top pick is the Coway AP-1512 Mighty. With its consistently strong performance for the price, it's the best purifier for most people. If you are on a budget, we recommend either the Levoit LV-H132 or the Blueair Blue Pure 411. Finally, if money is no object and clean air is critical to your health needs, the IQAir HealthPro Plus may fit the bill. We also have air-purifier recommendations for every need in between. How We PickedTo make our short list of air purifiers for consideration, we looked at top picks from Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, Allergy Buyers Club and others, and also noted the top-selling and most highly reviewed models on Amazon, Home Depot and Best Buy. We narrowed down our list to nine models based on features, price and other factors, including clean air delivery rate (CADR) ratings and noise levels.
The best air purifier overall
(Image credit: Coway) The Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty is consistently listed among the top-ranked and highest-regarded air purifiers on the market — and with good reason. It's reasonably priced for how well it works, it's one of the quieter machines of its size, and it has most of the features we'd want in an air purifier, including a programmable timer, several fan speeds and a filter indicator light. In Wirecutter tests, the Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty outperformed most other machines even after the filter's life span had passed. Replacement filters are fairly cheap and energy costs relatively low, which makes the Coway one of the least expensive air purifiers of its caliber to maintain year to year. The reviewers also said the filter-replacement process is straightforward. Finally, the Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty is easy on the eyes. It comes in sleek black or white and is relatively compact compared with many other purifiers of similar performance, so it simply fades into a corner. The Coway Mighty is one of the only purifiers we considered that has an ionizing function. The effectiveness and safety of ion filters is questionable (due to possible ozone production), but you can just turn this function off. What Reviewers Say Wirecutter: "The Coway maintains its exceptional performance over the long term: When we measured its performance using filters that had been in use 24/7 for more than a year, it still cleaned the air as well as it did with brand-new filters. Finally, its compact form, quiet operation, and display-shutoff feature make it especially well suited to bedrooms." Amazon: "Love the colored air-quality indicator and the auto feature, so it kicks on when something is detected in the air, but is in standby the rest of the time (there are also several continuous settings). It's aesthetically pleasing as far as air purifiers go." The most attractive air purifier
(Image credit: Blueair) The Blue Pure 211+ is highly rated by Wirecutter, Consumer Reports and others for its solid performance in removing dust, smoke and pollen from room air. The Blueair's filters aren't true HEPA-certified, but they are still effective. They work by giving particles an electric charge, which causes those particles to stick to filter fibers. In Wirecutter tests, the 211+ reduced particulates by more than 99% when operating on high. The Blue 211+ pre-filter comes in five different colors, from eye-popping yellow to low-key gray, so you can customize the look for your space. The machine also has a filter indicator light to let you know when it's time to replace your main filter. Possible downsides of the Blue Pure 211+ include more noise on lower speeds compared with similar machines, and relatively high purchase and maintenance costs. For example, it draws more power than the Coway on similar speeds (though it moves more air) and it is a bit louder and more expensive (both upfront and over time). What Reviewers Say Consumer Reports: "Especially effective at removing dust, smoke and pollen at its highest speed, important for quickly cleaning the air in the room." Wirecutter: "It's not our pick because it hasn't proven the test of time like the Coway...This said, our initial findings suggest that it's an excellent purifier, with a clean, modern design (and five color options) that looks good in most spaces." Works well in small spaces
(Image credit: Blueair) The Blue Pure 411 is like the 211+'s much smaller sibling. It uses similar filtering technology and features and comes in a variety of colors. Where the Blue Pure 411 stands out is in price and efficiency. The purifier is inexpensive to buy (just over $100) and maintain (around $20 annually for replacement filters), and it uses significantly less energy than most other air purifiers we researched. The machine is also small, compact and quiet, making it a great choice for your bedroom. The one thing to keep in mind is that if you plan to move your purifier from room to room, the Blue Pure 411 won't be very effective in larger spaces. What Reviewers Say Wirecutter: "The 411 is also very easy to live with, and especially to sleep or work near — important considerations for a purifier that's meant for bedrooms and offices." Home Depot: "Great air purifier with a simple design. I use this on one side of my main house level and love it. It is small, quiet and essentially has three filters which take an array of 'contaminates' out of the air. It is also light and easy to move around. It provides great air quality for a good price." Works well in large spaces
(Image credit: Conway) Coway's Airmega 400 is a high-performing air purifier at a high price, but reviewers generally agree that the trade-off is worthwhile. The Airmega 400 has a dual carbon + true HEPA filter, which allows it to clean the air in a large space over a short period more effectively than other machines. Coway claims the Airmega 400 is good for filtering rooms of up to 1,560 square feet, but you'll likely get better performance in rooms that are half that size. In Wirecutter tests, the Airmega 400 completed 8.8 air changes per hour in a 350-square-foot room and four in a 770-square-foot room. If you put the purifier in a space up to the maximum recommended size, it'll do two or fewer air changes per hour. The Airmega 400 is large but sleek, and it has convenient features like a programmable timer and a display shut-off to minimize disruption during sleep. There's also a "smart" version (the Airmega 400S) that you can integrate with an Alexa device or a mobile app. What Reviewers Say Wirecutter: "If you have severe allergies or other health issues related to airborne particles, or if you need to purify the air in a seriously large space, we recommend Coway's Airmega 400. In our tests, its twin filters have consistently proven to be one of the highest-performing purifiers available...The Airmega 400 works faster than our other picks, too." Allergy Buyers Club: "Does a great job of keeping a pet haired open-concept family room/kitchen/dining room relatively dander free. Did my first pre-filter cleaning last week and it captured quite a bit of stuff...Much easier to breath and you can see the changes in air quality based on the front panel LED display." The longest-lasting filters
(Image credit: Austin) The Austin Air Healthmate HM-400's main selling point is its high-performing and long-lasting filters, which handle everything from mold and pet dander to gas and chemical contaminants. It isn't CADR-tested, but it gets high marks from reviewers for filtering volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come from household products such as paints, pesticides and air fresheners better than most other machines on the market. In addition to being effective, Healthmate HM-400 filters last for up to five years. You can vacuum or clean the pre-filter periodically in that time as well. Criticisms of the Healthmate HM-400 include a fairly time-consuming filter-replacement process as well as noisy medium and high fan speeds. The unit also doesn't have some basic features (such as a programmable timer or filter indicator light) that you'd expect even at a lower price, and it's fairly power-hungry. While the Healthmate HM-400 is pricey, it's a good option if you have particular concerns about chemicals and odors. What Reviewers Say Wirecutter: "In our past tests for VOC/odor/molecular-pollution removal, the Austin's 15-pound activated-carbon and zeolite (an adsorbent mineral) filter bested all other air purifiers by a wide margin, and our research has not revealed another purifier that matches it." Allergy Buyers Club: "Even though I have only used it for a short time, it has taken out the natural-gas smell that has permeated my apartment. It has also helped tremendously with my allergies." A good value pick among air purifiers
(Image credit: Honeywell) Honeywell air purifiers get decent reviews across the board, and the HPA300 is a good unit for a fairly reasonable price. It has among the highest CADR ratings for smoke, dust and pollen of the units we recommend, and it can filter slightly larger rooms effectively. It also has four speeds (compared with three on most units), a programmable timer and adjustable control panel lights. The HPA300 is also portable, so you can move it easily between rooms. Consumer Reports found that this unit is very effective and quiet at its lowest speed, so it won't be too disruptive in a bedroom or even in the background elsewhere in your home. The HPA300 is also quieter at higher speeds than some other units, although Wirecutter tests measured noise at 62 dB on the highest setting. Where the Honeywell HPA300 could fall short is in its filter-replacement and maintenance requirements. Both the true HEPA filter and pre-filter are disposable and must be replaced every six to 12 months.The HEPA filter is actually three filters that reviewers said can be tricky to get in the exact right spot. What Reviewers Say Consumer Reports: "Effective at removing dust, smoke, and pollen at its lowest speed, which matters if you'll run the unit in your bedroom at night...Not especially quiet, but among the quietest air purifiers when on its highest speed." Best Buy: "It's still more expensive than most of the competition, but you get top-of-the-line results without spending almost a grand in cash. Our whole home smells noticeably better all the time." For very tight budgets
(Image credit: Levoit) The Levoit LV-H132 is an Amazon best-seller and the most budget-friendly purifier on our list. Reviewers said it does a decent job for the price, especially with pet odors. It's also a sleek machine that's lightweight, compact and portable, so you can easily move it around your home. At this price, you can't expect bells and whistles — and the Levoit LV-H132 doesn't have any. There is no programmable timer, and the device's filter indicator light reminds you to check your filters but does not tell you when it's time to actually replace them. You have to toss all three filters every six months to a year, as the pre-filter isn't washable. But two replacement sets will cost you just $30. Reviewers report that the Levoit LV-H132 is fairly loud on higher settings, so sensitive sleepers may struggle to use this unit in their bedrooms. The buttons are also reportedly finicky — they may stick, freeze, or quit working altogether. If you're looking for an inexpensive air purifier — or want several machines to cover multiple bedrooms in your home — the Levoit LV-H132 is a decent unit to start with. Truthfully, though, it's probably worth it to spend a bit more for a better device (like the Blue Pure 411) than to compromise with the Levoit. What Reviewers Say Amazon: "We also have hardwood floors, so the dust, dander, and pet hair get kicked up very easily. This air purifier has made a world of difference!" SafeWise: "This personal air purifier has a stylish design and is portable enough to easily move from room-to-room or from home to office." For nurseries and bedrooms
(Image credit: PureZone) The PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier is another popular (and budget-friendly) model among customers. It's small, sleek and unobtrusive, which makes it a good choice for those who care about aesthetics and decent performance. What sets the PureZone 3-in-1 apart is its quiet operation. It's soft on lower settings and has an automatic timer that can shut the device off while you sleep. This makes it a good option for bedrooms and babies' rooms where noise and light disruption matter. The device comes with a five-year warranty, longer than other machines at similar prices. The PureZone 3-in-1 has one of the lowest CADR ratings of the devices on this list (80 cfm) and reportedly has a weak fan that limits it to small spaces, but reviewers say that it's effective at filtering most common air particles. What Reviewers Say Amazon: "Very attractive and functional piece of hardware. You can tell this is a quality piece right out of the box just by the decent weight of the product. It is not cheaply made. Got that luxury look to it; with touch-sensitive buttons, smooth top grill, and white all-around finish." Home Depot: "I bought it for my baby niece for her nursery...We turn it on before she goes to bed on a higher setting and then when she is ready for bed we just touch the SLEEP button and it lowers down to a quieter level, turns off the ultraviolet light, sets the automatic timer to shut itself off after 8 hours and turns off the outside blue lights on the buttons." For allergy sufferers
(Image credit: IQAir) Let's state the obvious: the IQAir HealthPro Plus is expensive. At around $900, it's more than twice the price of many other picks on our list. But if you're serious about air purification, this machine is well worth your consideration. It uses HyperHEPA filters, which reportedly retain particles at a rate 100 times higher than standard HEPA filters, as well as a secondary filter for odors and gases. The IQAir HealthPro Plus also covers a huge area (1,125 square feet) at two air changes per hour, and can do six per hour in a smaller room. Plus, it has six speeds, programming options, filter indicators and a remote control. This purifier is a top seller and highly rated by experts at Allergy Buyers Club, especially for those who have allergies or other special health concerns that are affected by air quality. While it isn't CADR-rated, IQAir tests every unit individually and offers a 10-year warranty, double the time of any other device we recommend. While the IQAir HealthPro Plus is larger, louder and pricier than most air purifiers, reviewers say it may provide the relief those with asthma, allergies and respiratory challenges seek. What Reviewers Say SafeWise: "When it comes to purifying the air for allergies and asthma, the IQAir HealthPro Plus gets the job done. Its HyperHEPA filtration catches particles one hundred times smaller than standard air filters, which means less airborne pollutants flying around your home." Allergy Buyers Club: "The IQAIR Healthpro & Healthpro Plus are the ultimate air purifiers for persons with health issues of a magnitude requiring absolute clean air...We are very impressed IQAir provides actual, not theoretical, claims for each and every air cleaner they produce." Air purifier buying tipsThere are dozens of air purifiers on the market, and it can be difficult to sort out which one is right for your home size, health concerns and price. Here are a few factors to consider. CADR
Not every purifier is tested using the CADR rating system, but real-life reviews can give you a sense of a device's effectiveness if a rating isn't available. Filter type Some devices have HEPA-type filters, which work similarly but aren't held to the same performance standards. The IQAir HealthPro Plus uses a HyperHEPA filter, which is believed to capture even smaller particles than a True HEPA filter. Your purifier will likely also come with a pre-filter (some you can clean, some you have to toss after a few months) that catches the big stuff like pet fur and human hair before it reaches the main filter. Some devices have additional filters, like carbon or charcoal filters, that trap gases, VOCs or odor compounds. Noise level Added costs You'll also want to consider the cost of electricity. Some of the air purifiers we recommend are ENERGY STAR certified, but each pulls varying amounts of power on different fan speeds. Devices for larger rooms and with higher speeds tend to use more electricity. although this isn't a hard-and-fast rule. Some devices also have eco modes. The Blue Pure 411 requires the least energy, but it covers only a small room. Extra features  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 15 Sep 2019 06:33 PM PDT  There might not be earthquakes or volcanic eruptions in Singapore, but thanks to the annual haze from our neighbours down South, we have our very own environmental disaster. Unless you're planning to get an N95 mask implanted in your face or are happy breathing in the sweet, sweet smog each year, it could be a good idea to purchase an air purifier. It's also useful if you have young children or family who is pregnant or suffers from asthma, allergies, or eczema. But an air purifier is not a must-have. Don't run out getting one if you have heard scary claims like bad air causes dementia. Save for the haze period, there's no real need to get one in Singapore (we're not living in Beijing). TOP 17 HEPA AIR PURIFIERS IN SINGAPORE 2019 Here are the top air purifiers from the cheapest to the most expensive from 9 major brands: Novita, Xiaomi, Honeywell, Philips, Hitachi, Panasonic, EuropAce, Dyson and Coway. They're available at major appliance stores like Harvey Norman, Courts, Best Denki and Gain City and are sometimes cheaper on Lazada and Qoo10.
*All prices are taken from lazada.sg as of 13 September 2019. XIAOMI AIR PURIFIERS: MI MIJIA 2S OLED ($148) Xiaomi air purifiers are the cheapest. The Xiaomi Air Purifier Mijia 2S OLED Display looks sleek and minimalist, and costs only $148 on Lazada. It displays the PM2.5 index in its surroundings real-time and can even be remotely connected to the Xiaomi Mi Home App. The HEPA filter is made with tough PET and the machine's cylindrical shape provides 360° filtration of dust, hair, pollen, allergens, animal fur, benzene and formaldehyde down to PM 2.5. Its activated coconut carbon filter also helps to remove smoke and odour. Its coverage is around 23 to 32 square meters, which is sufficient for a typical room. EUROPACE TRUE HEPA AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $228) EuropAce air purifiers use 3 filters: a washable pre-filter that captures large particles, a True HEPA filter for pollutants as tiny as 0.1 microns (up to 99.97% effective) and a carbon filter for odours, formaldehyde and benzene. EuropAce carries various models, the most affordable one being the EPU2201T, which is just over $220. The EuropAce 3300T ($378) is the mid-range model, it has UV light as well to get rid of bacteria and germs. Though it has an ioniser, it's lab-tested to be ozone free. And it's quiet, too. HITACHI AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $259) People think of washing machines when Hitachi is mentioned, but Hitachi air purifiers are pretty decent as well. They use HEPA filters in 3 modes: air purify, odour and pollen. Plus, the air suction draws air from 6 different directions for better coverage. The filters also have catalytic activated carbon that reduces 7 main odours – pet, smoke, cooking, rotten vegetables and fish, grilled meat and body odour. It also doubles as a humidifier. The most affordable Hitachi air purifier is Hitachi EP-A3000 Air Purifier, which costs $259, but if you care about design and aesthetics, the EP-NZG70J model has a sleek glass panel. COWAY AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $267) Coway air purifiers has True HEPA filters as well, cleaning dust, allergens and pollen up to 99.7% efficiency. They have an Air Quality Indicator that senses and tells you what the air quality in your room is like. To save energy, the fan will stop when there is no pollution detected for 30 minutes. The air flow speed is automatically controlled based on the air quality level. NOVITA AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $388) Singaporean brand Novita's air purifiers use True HEPA and the filter only needs to be changed every 2 years. While not cheap, this air purifier overs an impressive room capacity, which is hard to come by at this price. The most expensive in the range is Novita Air Purifier NAP866, which comes with a real-time pollutant sensor and operates at a quiet 35 decibels. The air purifiers are cheaper at Novita's e-store and also come with 3-year warranty. PHILIPS AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $298.95) Philips air purifiers come with the VitaShield Intelligent Purification System which filters out ultra-fine particles, allergens, bacteria (up to 99.9%), viruses, ammonia, dust, benzene and formaldehyde (found in a lot of household products and affects the respiratory and nervous systems). The AC0820 model is pretty affordable and it comes with AeraSense Smart Feedback which gives professional quality feedback on your room's pollution level. Then, it adjusts its own filtering operations to clean the air accordingly. The design is compact and purportedly cleans a room of 20 square meters in less than 16 minutes. PANASONIC AIR PURIFIER (FROM $498) Panasonic air purifiers double up as humidifiers, and use HEPA filters that can remove ultra-fine particles as tiny as 0.3 microns, which puts it in the top grade. The F-VXK70A even has a sensor that detects people and increases its cleaning and purifying functions when humans are near. Their Nanoe technology promises to penetrate deep into fabrics to get rid of odours. If you have fabric sofas and lots of cushions, this is very good news. Panasonic air purifiers also use the ECONAVI function that saves up to 60% of energy. The most affordable Panaosnic air purifier is the Panasonic F-PXL45A Air Purifier, which you can get at $485 from Lazada. DYSON AIR PURIFIERS (FROM $624) Dyson is synonymous with top-grade appliances – think Dyson bladeless fans, cyclonic vacuum cleaners and $599 supersonic hair dryers. For Dyson's air purifier range, they have combined their fans with an HEPA air purifier to give you a "purifying" fan, which captures gases and 99.95% of fine particles such as allergens, pollen, bacteria, pet dander and other pollutants down to 0.1 microns, even smaller than the benchmark of 2.5 microns that is commonly used. The smart appliance monitors and reacts to the air quality, then gives you the report via the Dyson Link app. The Dyson Pure Cool ups the ante with a 360-degree HEPA filter with carbon granules to get rid of VOCs and odours. HONEYWELL HAP 18200 AIR PURIFIER (FROM $578) While this air purifier is a little bulky looking, it's got a powerful fan and a HEPA filter that's been recommended by doctors for those with asthma and other respiratory problems. One of the most popular options amongst Singaporeans. Generally Honeywell air purifiers cost at least $570 but they are equipped with True HEPA filter, QuietCare technology and filters that absorb odours and VOCs. A nifty feature that Honeywell air purifiers has is the Intelli-Check Electronic Filter Indicator, which reminds you to replace the filters. The filters are easy to remove and replace as well. HEPA AIR PURIFIERS - WHAT ARE THEY & HOW DO YOU CHOOSE ONE? Air purifiers clean the air by pulling the surrounding air into the machine to trap dust, mould, pollen and bacteria. The purified air is then circulated back into the room. When looking for an air purifier, you'll come across HEPA air purifiers and non-HEPA ones. This refers to the filter. HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air filters) are the best at filtering small particles, which makes them the best for filtering pesky particulate matter during the haze season. They come in 2 grades: true HEPA filter or HEPA-type ones.
There are other types of filters as well:
Apart from how well the filter works, another concern should be filter maintenance (because you need to change the filters often). Sometimes, an air purifier may be cheap, but filter maintenance may be expensive. In general, HEPA filters are easy and affordable to replace. Other things to look for are…
HEPA AIR PURIFIERS VS ALTERNATIVES There 3 alternative types of air purifiers in the market that do not use HEPA filters. Ionisers: Ionisers use charged ions to clump dust, allergens and contaminants to purify the air. However, many ionisers produce ozone, which can irritate your lungs and cause respiratory problems over time. Ozone generators: Ozone generator type air purifiers alter oxygen molecules (2 molecules) to turn them into ozone (3 molecules) – the third extra molecule of ozone can connect to pollutants, especially smoke, and will be drawn in by the machine. It's great chemistry, but ozone is not really healthy for you. Plus, it tends to corrode metals. UV light air purifiers: These use electromagnetic radiation to destroy micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses and mould. The downside is that it takes up to hours to remove the bacteria and virus. The UV light also doesn't get rid of dust, allergens or particles in the air. This article was first published in MoneySmart .  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Best Air Purifiers, According to Doctors and Air-Quality Experts - New York Magazine Posted: 14 Dec 2018 12:00 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. |
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