These HEPA Air Purifiers Are Under $100 and Help Eliminate Germs and Odors - Rolling Stone

These HEPA Air Purifiers Are Under $100 and Help Eliminate Germs and Odors - Rolling Stone


These HEPA Air Purifiers Are Under $100 and Help Eliminate Germs and Odors - Rolling Stone

Posted: 25 Sep 2020 02:27 PM PDT

Winter is coming, and germs from the common cold, flu, and other diseases will become more common. That problem is compounded by the fact that you're not going to be letting as much fresh air into your home because it's too cold.

If you'd like to take a proactive approach to keeping the air inside your home cleaner, we recommend getting an air purifier. This appliance uses a fan to suck air inside, then runs it through a filtration system before blowing it back out into your home. Air purifiers can catch germs, dust, or dirt that's floating through your home, and even reduce the potency of unwanted odors like, smoke.

We've rounded up the best air purifiers available for under $100, and made sure to choose models that had a HEPA filtration system.

What Is A HEPA Filter?

HEPA (high-efficiency particle air) filters are a fine mesh filter that traps unwanted particles to keep your air clean. These filters generally have to be changed every six months, and some air purifiers have indicator lights that tell you when it's time for them to be changed. If you live in an area where the air quality is particularly low, you should keep spare filter on hand, and change them more frequently.

One thing to keep in mind is that the coronavirus pandemic and wildfires on the West Coast has led to a number of people stocking up on air purifiers to keep their spaces safe. Keep in mind that while an air purifier can help filter out germs and clean the air, it won't completely prevent the spread of viruses. You'll still want to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's tips for how to protect yourself.

What Are the Best HEPA Air Purifiers Under $100?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right HEPA air purifier under $100 for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.

Physical size and coverage area: Air purifiers come in a range of sizes, but these less expensive models are all under a foot and a half (18 inches) tall. An air purifier's size and power will determine how big of a space it can cover, so the ones in this guide are best suited for a single bedroom. If you want an air purifier for a larger room, these are our recommendations.

Particle size: Air particles — both good and bad — are measured in microns. The CDC says the most harmful air particles are between .9 and .3 microns because they can get through the human body's natural defense system to damage your lungs, or get in your blood.

We made sure that all of our air purifiers can filter out particles as low as .3 microns, so you don't have to worry. These air purifiers help rid your space of everything from smoke to pollen to dust mites, and even smaller particles you may not be aware of.

1. BEST OVERALL: Honeywell DH-HPA060

Honeywell DH-HPA060

Amazon

Honeywell has been a trusted name in appliances for 114 years, and its DH-HPA060 is the best air purifier we could find for under $100.

The purifier is 17.5-inches tall, and is rated to cover rooms up to 75 sq. ft. (square feet). Honeywell says its HEPA filter can capture up to 99.9% of spoke, pet dender, dust, pollen, mold spores, and bacteria.

This air purifier actually has two filters. The first is a "pre-filter" that's specifically designed to capture odors, and needs to be changed every three months. The second is the HEPA filter, which Honeywell suggests changing once a year.

If you want cleaner air in a fairly small room, Honeywell's DH-HPA060 is the right choice.

2. Entry Level: hOmeLabs H13 Air Purifier

hOmeLabs True HEPA H13 Filter Air Purifier

Amazon

HOmeLabs' H13 Air Purifier is a great choice if you need one for an extremely small room.

At 12.8-inches tall it's one of the smallest air purifiers in our guide, and hOmeLabs says it can work well in rooms  up to 57.5 sq. ft. This air purifier has a three-part filtration system: a pre-filter for odors, the HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter that can absorb unwanted particles. HOmeLabs says the filters in its air purifiers can last for up to 2100 hours (87.5 days) of active use before then need to be changed.

This air purifier allows you to switch between three fan speeds, and has a night light mode, which is great if you're using it in a kids room. It also has a child lock, so your kid won't be able to open the top and stick their fingers in an active fan blade.

If its small coverage area isn't a problem for you, hOmeLabs' H13 Air  Purifier is our top pick. Amazon is currently offering a $10 off coupon on its site, which also makes this the least expensive air purifier we're recommending.

3. ULTRA PORTABLE: LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier for Home

LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier for Home

Amazon

If you need an extremely small air purifier for your desk, LEVOIT's HEPA Air Purifier gets our recommendation.

At 10.5-inches tall, it's the shortest air purifier in our guide, but LEVOIT says you can use it in rooms up to 161 sq. ft. It's got a four-piece filtration system: an activated carbon pre-filter, a HEPA filter, a membrane net, and a high-efficiency carbon filter. LEVOIT says this system can block up to 99.9% of airborne particles under .3 microns.

The company goes on to say you should change the carbon pre-filter every two to three months, and the HEPA filter every six to eight months.

You can switch between three fan speeds, which you can switch between by twisting a knob on the front of the air purifier. LEVOIT says this model will run at a super quiet 32dB (decibels) on its lowest setting. For reference, whispering is rated at 30dB.

3. PREMIUM PICK: Vremi True HEPA Air Purifier

Vremi True HEPA Air Purifier

Amazon

A coupon on Amazon brings Vremi's True HEPA Air Purifier below $100, but its high end features don't get lost with the price cut.

This air purifier is 15.5-inches tall, and Vremi says its coverage area is 196.7 feet, which means you can use it in a mid-sized room if you'd like. It has a three-stage filtration system that includes a large particle filter, true HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter. Vremi says its filters can last up to 4320 hours (180 days) before being replaced.

This air purifier has three fan speeds, which you can control by pushing buttons on the top of the unit, and generates just 28dB of sound when set on low. Its standout feature is its built-in air quality monitor, which will update in real time. If the air quality is bad, you'll know to leave the air purifier on at a high setting; if it's good, you may only need to use its low setting for maintenance.

If you'd like an air purifier that lets you know when you really need to use it, or want a small one that can cover a larger area, Vermi's True HEPA Air Purifier gets our recommendation.

The 5 Best HEPA Air Purifiers to Help Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of Your Home - Prevention.com

Posted: 12 Sep 2020 12:00 AM PDT

Residents across the western United States are being urged to stay indoors due to thick wildfire smoke blanketing the region. Air quality in several regions of California, Oregon, and Washington are listed as "unhealthy" or "very unhealthy," according to AirNow, a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies.

Why is wildfire smoke so bad for you?

Wildfire smoke can cause your eyes to burn, irritate your respiratory system, worsen chronic heart and lung diseases, and make you more prone to lung infections, including COVID-19, according to the CDC. Smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and fine particles that are created when wood and other organic materials burn, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains. But the microscopic particles in smoke are the most concerning—they can travel deep into your lungs. That can cause a range of health problems, ranging from airway issues to premature death.

Can an air purifier reduce exposure to wildfire smoke?

Staying indoors when your region has poor air quality due to wildfire smoke is important, but fine particles in the air can still make their way into your home, says Raymond Casciari, M.D., a pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. "They can absolutely impact indoor air quality," he says.

That's why running an air purifier or air filter can be helpful, says Jonathan Parsons, M.D., a pulmonologist at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "Air purifiers draw in polluted air, trap the particles, then blow out clean air." Portable air cleaners with high efficiency filters can reduce indoor particle concentrations by as much as 85%, according to the EPA.

That said, they won't be "universally protective" in areas where high levels of smoke are an issue, Dr. Parsons says.

How to choose an air purifier for wildfire smoke

When looking for an air purifier, the EPA recommends checking the square footage rating of the device to be sure it can clean the space you need it for. It's also important to look for a high-efficiency or HEPA filter. While they may be more expensive, they are more effective than other filters.

Also keep this in mind, per the EPA: "Air cleaners that cost less than about $200 often do not clean the air as well and may not be helpful for wildfire smoke."

Finally, if you decide to invest in an air filter, Dr. Casciari says it's important to use it properly. "In order for them to be really effective, you need to close off the room and run them 24/7," he explains.

Ready to invest in an air purifier? Check out the top-rated option below:

1 Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier with Allergen and Odor Remover

Blueair homedepot.com

$299.99

Blueair's Blue Pure 211+ has a three-part filtration system that gets rid of up to 99% of airborne particles. It's designed for medium to larger rooms between  400 and 600 square feet, making it ideal for large bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. Three different fan speeds make it easy to customize the purifier to your needs. 

2 HPA250B Bluetooth Smart True HEPA Allergen Remover

Honeywell Home amazon.com

$247.22

Recommended for rooms up to 310 square feet, this air filter claims to capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It also helps trap odors, and circulates air in the room up to five times an hour. A nice perk: This purifier comes with a free app that allows you control your cleaner from just about anywhere.  

3 AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

Coway amazon.com
$229.99

$178.24 (23% off)

Coway's AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier—which is currently discounted on Amazon—has built-in sensors that can monitor your indoor air quality. If it doesn't detect pollution for 30 minutes, it shuts itself off to conserve power. The air filter is designed to clean rooms up to 361 square feet (although it notes that it does a better job of filtering out smoke in a smaller space).  

4 air400 Air Purifier with High Efficiency Filter and CirQulate System

BISSELL walmart.com

$349.00

This Bissell machine has a massive reach—it can filter a room that's up to 1,200 square feet in size (although works best in rooms about 400 square feet)—and reduces up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in the air. It features a honeycomb-style filter to weed out impurities in the air and a special sensor to monitor, report, and respond to changes in your indoor air quality by adjusting fan speed as needed.

5 D480 3-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier

Winix homedepot.com

$219.00

This air purifier by Winix is designed for rooms that are 480 square feet or smaller, making it a great fit for your living room, kitchen, or bedroom. The machine has a three-stage cleaning system that starts by filtering out larger particles, before moving on to remove 99.97% of unseen particles down to 0.3 microns. Four fan speeds and a sleep mode help ensure you'll find the right setting for you, no matter the time of day.

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