Got Seasonal Allergies? These Air Purifiers Will Help Your Home Stay Allergen-Free - Rolling Stone
Got Seasonal Allergies? These Air Purifiers Will Help Your Home Stay Allergen-Free - Rolling Stone |
| Got Seasonal Allergies? These Air Purifiers Will Help Your Home Stay Allergen-Free - Rolling Stone Posted: 31 May 2021 12:00 AM PDT Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. As plant life starts blooming up again this summer, you may be dreading the onslaught of seasonal allergy symptoms more than ever. Even if you've been staying at home more often, allergens can circulate inside, leaving you sneezing, coughing and just generally miserable. Besides cleaning all the pent-up dirt and grime out of the nooks and crannies of your home, getting a good-quality air purifier will help make sure that you won't spend this time of year worrying about both allergies and Covid-19. Related: This Brand Says Its Air Purifier is 99% Effective at Warding Off Covid Air purifiers help filter out the majority of allergy-aggravating particles from the air, as well as tiny pollutants that have settled into your furniture, walls, and floors after a long year in quarantine. While the filters can't completely eliminate common allergy triggers like dust, dirt, pollen and pet dander, the best air purifiers will help boost the overall air quality in your home, hopefully helping to reduce some of the nastier allergy symptoms and helping you breathe a little easier. According to the CDC, the best air purifiers can also give an extra air-cleaning boost, since air purifiers "can help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in a home or confined space." Whether you're looking to reduce toxic allergens in your home, keep your spaces germ-free, or even filter out harsh odors, here's our guide on the best air purifiers for allergies. Can An Air Purifier Help With Allergy Symptoms?There's some evidence that air purifiers may help reduce your symptoms by cleaning the air around you, especially by removing triggers for asthma and allergies like dust mites, pollen, and mold spores. But it depends on several factors, including the square footage of the area needing to be filtered. The type of air filter you get matters too, since some work by capturing and filtering out larger allergen particles like dust, while others, like UV purifiers, work better for killing mold and bacteria. Wondering if your air purifier can help with Covid too? The CDC says these air purifiers can can help "reduce the airborne concentration of the virus that causes Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), which can reduce the risk of transmission through the air." But even the best air cleaner won't completely protect you against viruses, so you should still commit to practices like frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing a face mask when in close contact with others. Still, a good air purifier will go a long way to helping clean out the air in your space, so here's what to look for along with our top recommendations. What Are the Best Air Purifiers For Allergies?You'll want to consider several factors when choosing the best air purifier for allergies; below are the most important ones to think about. Room Size: Air purifiers come in many varieties, from portable picks, to ones you might want to keep stationed long-term in a larger living area. Not all air purifiers are one-size-fits-all. Consider the size and power of your air purifier, as you might want one you can move around from your bedroom to your home office, depending on where you spend the most time, or a heavy-duty choice for your whole home if you have several allergy sufferers under one roof. Allergen Removal: Check which airborne substances your air purifier says it will specifically filter out, and whether these trigger your allergies. The best air purifiers for allergies can tackle allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander just as well as it can clear out smoke and unpleasant odors from cooking, pets, and chemical disinfectants. Filters: Several air purifiers have multi-layered filtration systems, but we recommend choosing a model with a HEPA (high-efficiency particle air) filter. Usually made of materials such as cotton, fiberglass, or foam, True HEPA filters in particular can trap up to 99.97 percent of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns or smaller, which include most allergens. Carbon-based filters, on the other hand, while good at generally filtering larger particles and odors, are not as effective against dust, dander, and mold. Noise: Air purifiers won't be completely silent if they're working properly, so we've chosen picks that have multiple fan speeds, or are specifically designed to not blast too many decibels. You'll still get the same great air-cleaning power on the lowest fan setting without all the noise distraction. Smart Features: High-tech options are endless nowadays, with smart air purifiers giving you the power to keep track of the air quality around you and adjust accordingly. If you're worried that the spring time may be kicking up the airborne irritants in your home, chose an air purifier with an app or features that will help you monitor trends in your air quality, detect types of toxins, and send you alerts when it's time to switch your filter. We've rounded up the best air purifiers to help eliminate allergens and virus-causing germs from your home. Breathe a little deeper with our favorite picks below. 1. Coway Airmega 150 Coway Coway's Airmega 150 air purifier combines a three-stage filtration process (including a pre-filter and deodorization filter) to get rid of 99.97% of particulates in the air. Their specially-designed Green True HEPA filter can also better reduce and eliminate airborne allergens like pollen, pollutants, and dust mites. Clean and compact, it can cover up to 214 square feet of space, making it great for a bedrooms, home offices, or smaller apartments. An air quality indicator will monitor air in your room in real time, so you'll always be aware that your quality is within safe levels. The reusable filter slides out easily for cleaning and drying. The cartridge design also has batch separation, which just means it's simple to replace filters without worrying about dust flying everywhere. We also love the sleek and stylish design of this shoe-box sized model, which blends in perfectly with any decor, providing a pop of color unlike other drab models on the market. 2. PhoneSoap AirSoap PhoneSoap If you're looking for an air purifier with enough power to filter an entire large living room, or even your whole home, this is your best pick. PhoneSoap says its air purifier can clean an area up to 400 sq. ft., and changes up a traditional filter for a custom system that can block viral particles down to 14.6 nanometers, even smaller than particles that can break through a traditional HEPA filter. The AirSoap's "high-energy 'Electric Wind' technology" also uses a plasma field to trap and kill bacteria in the airflow that runs through it, using plates made of graphene to remove the polarized particles from the air. Unlike traditional filters, these plates are washable and reusable, which is a huge bonus. PhoneSoap says this air filter can also reduce allergens like pet dander, as well as help purify polluted and smoke-filled air more than traditional filters who can get built-up pollutants if they're not changed often enough. PhoneSoap says it's filtration process is "whisper quiet," if noise is a concern. The company says its air purifier is also more energy efficient because it uses electricity to capture germs instead of forcing air through a filter on high fan speeds. 3. RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Amazon Get all the allergen-targeting power in one comprehensive filtration package with RabbitAir's MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier. It uses a six-layer purification and deodorization system, including a pre-filter, BioGS HEPA filter, activated charcoal carbon filter, and a customizable filter than can be tailored to the air quality needs of your home. While a regular HEPA filter might suffer from build-up of the allergens it's supposed to be clearing out, this unique BioGS HEPA filter reduces common pollutants including dust mites, mold, pollen and pet dander trapped on the filter, so you won't have to change it as often. We also love the versatility of the custom filters too—including choices like Germ Defense, Pet Allergy, Odor Remover, or Toxin Absorber—all of which will improve you air quality and hopefully help relieve some allergy symptoms. It's range is pretty impressive for its size, working in rooms up to 815 square ft, and with five fan speeds you will barely notice it's there on the quietest setting. You won't have to sacrifice style for comfort though, since this filter can be wall-mounted and comes with different skins inspired by works of art from Monet to Van Gogh. 4. EnviroKlenz Air System Plus Environklenz EnviroKlenz has one of the few air purifiers on the market that takes such a wide approach to both destroying harmful bacteria and capturing allergens. Using a premium HEPA filtration system, germicidal UVC rays and "advanced chemistry technology", testing showed that their mid-sized Air System Plus purifier could essentially filter out pathogens that are about 1/4 the size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus — a.k.a. the virus that causes Covid-19. But it's 99.9% effective in helping to ward off other viruses, with the high-end HEPA filter capturing and trapping dust, pollen, mold and other potentially harmful particles in the air too. Our editors have tested the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus in a roughly 2000 square feet space, and it made a noticeable difference in air quality. The air felt less stagnant and stuffy, and allergy symptoms like a dry throat and watery eyes were improved. The Enviroklenz's "NanoActive" technology also neutralizes chemicals and odors, the company says, by breaking down harmful chemical compounds until they're rendered inactive. This means you'll breathe in less stale and "dirty" air. What sets it apart from other air purifiers, though, is the use of UV-C light for additional germ-killing power (which helps clean the system internally, as an added bonus). You may not be using this utilitarian-looking model as the centerpiece of your living room anytime soon, but it's compact and unobtrusive, with a fan that's surprisingly quiet, even at the highest speed settings. For a multifaceted approach to busting allergy symptoms, the Air System Plus can't be beat. 4. Molekule Air Mini+ Amazon Looking for cleaner air, but don't want a bulkier model that'll take up too much room in a small apartment or bedroom? The Molekule Air Mini was designed to filter the air in small spaces up to 250 square feet every hour, and it's remarkably quiet to boot with a 30-decibel "Silent Mode." This air purifier for allergies also uses PECO filters, using nanotechnology to destroy viruses, VOCs, allergens, bacteria and mold, destroying the widest range of pollutants compared to larger air purifiers on the market. The Air Mini+ also has you covered with Auto Protect mode, which adjusts the filtration levels and fan speed based on the levels of pollutants in the air. Connect it to the iPhone and Android app, and you can choose your fan speeds and track your filter's status too, giving you a convenient reminder when it's time to change the filter. The energy-saving quality of this filter can't be beat—with a 360 degree air intake that doesn't require a heftier fan, you can run it 24/7 without worrying about slowing down on providing you fresh, clean air.  |
| The Best Air Purifier Options for Smoke in 2021 - BobVila.com Posted: 20 Oct 2020 11:06 AM PDT  Photo: amazon.com Wood-burning fireplaces, tobacco products, candles, cooking accidents, and other sources of smoke may be polluting your indoor air. Smoky air can irritate the eyes, sinuses, and throat, which might seem like only passing discomfort, but the effects add up. The main health threat from smoke is fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Extended exposure can lead to heart and lung diseases and possibly even premature death. An air purifier can help minimize adverse side effects and benefit your health. Home air purifiers filter out fine particles of harmful smoke as well as dust, pollen, mold spores, and other unwanted pollutants. These appliances help relieve asthma and allergies and can reduce the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses. But not all are equally capable. The best air purifier for smoke uses high-efficiency particulate air filtration to remove the fine particles, and activated carbon filtration to remove odors. If you're dealing with indoor smoke and need a way to clean the air, one of these units may be the answer.
 Photo: amazon.com What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Purifier for SmokeIf you've never owned an air purifier, finding the best model for your home is much easier if you understand the technical features, as well as air and environmental ratings. There are numerous acronyms that can be somewhat confusing, but learning about them makes comparison shopping much simpler. Below you'll read about the considerations we used to determine which units made our list. FilterThe best home air purifiers use mechanical HEPA filtration to remove larger unwanted particles combined with activated carbon filtration, which targets smaller pollutants. HEPA is a designation used to describe mechanical air filters that trap 99.97 percent of particles that are between 0.3 and 10 microns. This is the particle size most likely to escape filtration in non-HEPA systems, including pet dander, pollen, and dust mites. HEPA also removes the contaminants found in visible smoke including those emitted by wildfires, cigarette smoke, and cooking. It's important to note that not all HEPA filters are created equal, since manufacturers can produce their own. Medical-grade HEPA filters are the most efficient. HEPA filters are made from interwoven glass fibers that create a barrier maze. As air travels through the filter, particles are removed from circulation by either direct impact, sieving, interception, or diffusion. Washable HEPA filters should be cleaned with cold water once every 3 months. Be careful not to touch the filter material while washing, as the material is easily damaged when wet. It should be completely dry before reinstalling the filter into the purifier. Some purifiers also contain prefilters that capture large particles in the air before reaching and clogging the filtration system. HEPA filters are more costly to replace than prefilters, so the inclusion of both saves money in the long run. Maintaining the prefilter involves monthly cleaning and replacing it if it gets damaged. Activated carbon filters remove unwanted odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are commonly found in household products. These contaminants are removed by absorption and adsorption. The carbon filter chemically attracts the unwanted elements and traps them in interior pores (absorption) or on its textured surface (adsorption). Carbon filters should be replaced every 3 to 6 months, following manufacturer recommendations. Room SizeAir purifiers are labeled for specific room sizes, which are described in square feet. You can calculate square footage of a room by multiplying the length times the width. If you'd like to buy one air purifier to handle multiple rooms, add up the square footage for each room. These machines are also labeled with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This value is influenced by filter efficiency and air flow in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher the CADR rating, the faster the unit can deliver clean air. CADR values can reach a maximum of 450 for smoke and pollen, while 400 is the highest score for dust. While CADR is a standard for air purifier performance in the U.S., the values can be misleading for purifiers that contain filters other than standard HEPA filtration. Some manufacturers design air purifiers to circulate a lot of air at a faster rate, filtering only the larger contaminants. The CADR test does not take into account gases, odors, or VOCs, which are targeted by carbon filters. Adding filter options reduces the air flow rate, and CADR only measures certain filtering capabilities, meaning it does not provide a full picture of how clean the air is. If gaseous contaminants are a health concern for you, CADR value should not be the only metric taken into account when choosing an air filter. Another figure to keep in mind is the number of air changes per hour (ACH). This number shows how many times per hour the entire air volume of a room will be filtered. The rating may be shown for a different room size than the product's "filters up to X square feet" statement, so be sure to read the fine print. EPA RatingEnergy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The program's goal is to help customers, businesses, and industries save money and protect the environment using energy-efficient products and practices. An Energy Star certification means that the unit uses less energy than standard products. These certified energy-efficient appliances usually have lower operating costs and create less air pollution than standard equipment. Look for the blue Energy Star logo to find certified products. Air Quality IndicatorThe Air Quality Index (AQI) is a national system managed by the EPA that is used to measure and report air quality. AQI is affected by five major pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. A benefit of using a home air purifier is that it can improve the AQI inside the home. AQI ranges from 0 to 500, with high values indicating greater air pollution levels. Good air quality conditions fall in the 0 to 50 range. Unhealthy values start at 100, indicating the air is a moderate health concern for sensitive groups including people with lung or heart disease, older adults, and children. Air is considered unhealthy for everyone if the AQI value is greater than 151, with the risks of adverse health effects increasing until conditions are deemed hazardous between 300 and 500. If you live in an area associated with higher levels in air pollution, such as a city or town with industrial factories, power plants, or chemical facilities, awareness of AQI is especially important. Certain home air purifiers feature an air quality indicator, which typically uses an infrared beam and sensor to detect particulate matter. Some smart air purifiers are capable of automatically adjusting in response to higher or lower detected air quality levels. Noise LevelNoise level can be an important factor when selecting an air purifier. Many air purifiers operate at about 60 decibels (dB), at about the same noise level as a normal conversation. Quiet air purifiers operate at a noise level below 55 decibels, making them a better alternative for bedrooms and home offices. There also are quiet models that operate at 25 dB or lower. Smart TechnologyVarious smart technologies help home air purifiers perform efficiently and maximize user control. Onboard air quality sensors can automatically adjust the output of the unit in response to the air quality in a home. Bluetooth connectivity, smart device apps, and compatibility with personal digital assistants allow you to monitor air quality conditions and control the unit while away from home. PortabilitySome air purifiers are designed for travel. When in a new environment, they can help you sleep better and reduce exposure to pollutants by using a small, portable air purifier. These devices perform the same function as larger devices but are sized for smaller rooms. If you need an air purifier for travel, you may want to look for a purifier with a minimum CADR of 217, suitable for an average hotel room size of about 325 square feet. Additional FeaturesDifferent comfort and convenience features can make a good air purifier even better. Popular features include quiet operation, easy access for filter maintenance, dimensions that fit well in your home, caster wheels, handles, remote control, multiple speeds, and filter change indicators. Filters need to be changed periodically, so it helps to have indicator lights that remind you when it's time for a change. Changing a filter tends to be easier when filter covers and access points are located near the top or front of the machine and are fastened with magnets or sliding latches instead of screws. Handles and caster wheels make it easier to move the machine when needed. Variable speed options allow you to increase or decrease filtration power in response to changing conditions, like when there's a fire in the fireplace. Remote control ability using a smart device app makes it easier to adjust operation from other places in the home or away from home. Our Top Picks Photo: amazon.com The Levoit Smart Wi-Fi Air Purifier LV-PUR131S offers proficient filtration capability and several convenient features. A cloth prefilter and HEPA filter remove larger pollutants like pet hair, dust, and pollen, while an activated carbon filter removes VOCs and harmful odors. Operating on Max Mode, this Levoit purifier cycles clean air in a 900-square-foot room once per hour, or every 15 minutes for a 500-square-foot room. For individuals with allergies, the Levoit functions best in rooms up to 350 square feet. This Levoit purifier has three operating speeds and runs at a quiet 27 decibels on the lowest setting. An air quality sensor automatically adjusts the operating speed in response to higher or lower air particulate content. The Energy Star-rated unit works by voice command with the Vesync app via Alexa or Google Home Assistant. The Vesync app comes with over 10 advanced features including direct control, scheduled air purifying, air quality display, cleaning modes, and filter life.  Photo: amazon.com The Honeywell HPA030 tower air purifier includes a HEPA filter that removes smoke, dust, mold spores, pollen, and other allergens. It features a Honeywell activated carbon prefilter that removes VOCs, gases, and odors. The device cleans the air in rooms up to 170 square feet, circulating purified air five times per hour. This model is Energy Star certified and operates at four cleaning levels, with one-touch LED controls and an automatic filter replacement indicator. The cost of this Honeywell unit is significantly lower than many competitors with similar filtration ability.  Photo: amazon.com The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780N air purifier uses an advanced six-stage filtration system to remove larger particles, smoke, odors, and VOC pollution from the air. This model provides two air changes per hour in spaces up to 700 square feet. For those who suffer allergies, this unit functions well in rooms up to 350 square feet, with four air changes each hour. The sound range of 25.6 to 51.3 decibels is much quieter than most other air purifiers. Air passes through a prefilter, medium filter, and HEPA filter to progressively trap larger particulates. A customized filter reduces airborne bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and other germs. Air continues through an activated charcoal filter to remove chemicals and VOCs, before finally passing through an ion generator to freshen the air. This smart air purifier has integrated particle sensors that respond to changing air quality by increasing or decreasing power as needed. You can adjust the RabbitAir's LED light display, mood light, and air quality indicator to give off more or less light, depending on what you prefer. Connect it to Wi-Fi and use the RabbitAir app to monitor and control the device remotely, or to set a daily air purifying schedule. Other useful features include a removable base mount for tabletop or wall-mount applications.  Photo: amazon.com The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier boasts a 5-in-1 filtration system that targets pollen, dust, pet pander, mold, bacteria, VOCs, smoke, and odors. This unit includes a washable prefilter, polypropylene prefilter, H13 medical grade HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and cold catalyst filter that together eliminate over 99% of allergens and pollutants down to 0.1 microns. This powerful Hathaspace purifier cleans air in a 1,500-square-foot room up to 24 times per day, with Energy Star, CARB, and ETL certifications for energy efficiency and safety. Using the sleek touch panel, users can enable Auto Mode or a quiet Sleep Mode and choose from five operating speeds. The Hathaspace includes an air quality sensor based on AQI; when the device is on Auto Mode, this monitoring feature will automatically adjust the fan speed to meet air quality needs.  Photo: amazon.com The small but mighty Honeywell HPA020B features a two-stage filtration to remove odors and particulates from the air. The activated carbon prefilter removes VOCs, gases, and odors, while the HEPA filter reduces concentrations of fine pollutants like smoke, mold, pollen, and certain bacteria. This compact tabletop device is suitable for small rooms up to 80 square feet, providing five air changes per hour. Designed to sit on a table, desk, or shelf, this air purifier is sized for small spaces like walk-in closets, small bedrooms, or bathrooms. The Honeywell operates on three speeds and a replacement indicator shows when it's time to change the filter.  Photo: amazon.com The Bissell air320 uses three-stage filtration, including a cloth prefilter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter to remove smoke, VOCs, odors, dust, and other large contaminants from the air. This model can filter up to 1,000 square feet in one hour, with features that are particularly well suited for bedrooms. The smart purifier monitors the air quality to automatically adjust speed when pollutant levels change, maintaining air quality as you sleep. The Bissell Smart Purifier includes five air cleaning settings and a pleasantly quiet operating range of 34 to 51 decibels, and an automated night mode dims the LEDs on the unit. The Bissell air220 includes elevated legs for easier cleaning beneath the unit, with convenient front panel filter access.  Photo: amazon.com The Westinghouse 1804 Portable Air Purifier uses a combination of HEPA filtration and nano confined catalytic oxidation (NCCO) technology to remove and decompose airborne pollutants. Incoming air passes through an oxygen generator, HEPA filter, and NCCO reactor. In the patented NCCO process, activated oxygen particles and polluted air pass through a nano tunnel where transition metals vibrate the air, reducing pollutants to harmless materials that include carbon and water molecules. This personal, portable air purifier is ideal for car, plane, and train travel, as well as compact spaces including bathrooms and small offices. It's incredibly quiet and weighs only 2 pounds, with a leather strap for easy transport. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 8 hours of run time per charge on low power. The Advantages of Owning an Air PurifierIndoor air pollutants like smoke can cause a range of acute symptoms and may lead to chronic illness after prolonged exposure. Some of these pollutants may be aired out by simply opening a window, but that isn't always possible. Air purifiers improve indoor air quality overall, using a mechanical and chemical filtration to remove pollutants from the air.
FAQs About Air PurifiersIf you still have questions about air purifiers, this section addresses some of the most common queries and their answers. Read on to learn more about the effectiveness of air purifiers for smoke removal. Q. How do air purifiers work?A typical filtration system includes a HEPA filter for larger particles including dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. Some include an activated carbon filter for VOCs, gases, and odors. Additionally, certain air purifiers also include a fabric prefilter to trap larger particles before reaching and clogging the other filters. Q. How well do air purifiers work for smoke?This depends on the type, since smoke particles vary in type and size. The best air purifiers can effectively reduce particle concentration of visible smoke. For example, they decrease the amount of wildfire smoke in the air by up to 85 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Q. Does a HEPA filter remove smoke?Yes, though only some types of smoke. A HEPA filtration system is the best solution for smoke available in purifiers, but certain forms of smoke contain particles that pass through the filter. Smoke particles can be as small as 0.001 microns, while HEPA filters trap 99.97 percent of particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. HEPA filtration traps visible matter, such as smoke from wildfires, cigarettes, and burning food.  |
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