The Best Air Purifiers To Trap Allergens And Improve Air Quality - Forbes
The best air purifiers for those with allergies pull out pesky allergens like pollen and pet dander from the air without much noise, allowing you to breathe easier in the process. Our top choice is the Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier thanks to its large coverage area and quiet operation, but there are several other great options to consider, too.
Doctors generally recommend that those who experience allergies to pollen, pet dander and mold spores consider investing in an air purifier. "An air purifier can reduce these allergens," says Niha Qamar, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with ENT and Allergy Associates and author of What? I Could be Allergic to That?!. Symptoms associated with allergies include itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose which typically happen after you inhale allergens in the air, says David Corry, M.D., a professor of medicine in the section of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at the Baylor College of Medicine. "A great way to avoid allergy symptoms is to physically remove the particles from the air using air purifiers," he says.
When shopping for the best air purifier for your home, consider important information like the square footage of the space you want to purify, filtration levels, noise, size of the purifier itself and your budget. These are the best air purifiers for allergies to help you get relief inside your home. While you're at it, consider our lists of the best air purifiers for pets and best robot vacuums for pet hair.
- Best Air Purifier For Allergies Overall: Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier
- Best Budget-Friendly Air Purifier For Allergies: Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA Allergen Remover
- Best Air Purifier For Allergies On Amazon: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
- Best Large-Space Air Purifier For Allergies: Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02
- Best Small-Space Air Purifier For Allergies: Bissell MyAir Tabletop Air Purifier
- Best Splurge Air Purifier For Allergies: Molekule Air Pro
- Best Air Purifier For Allergies And Asthma: Blueair 411a Max
- Best Bedroom Air Purifier For Allergies: Dreo Air Purifier for Bedroom
- Best Air Purifier For Allergies And Pets: RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier (Pet Allergy)
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want appliances that work efficiently, hold up over time and help make daily living a little bit easier. To find the best air purifiers for allergies, we took our own air quality concerns into consideration. When we evaluate products like best air purifiers we look at all the bells, whistles and functions that make these small appliances ideal for using in our busiest and most personal spaces.
In addition to articles about how to scrub the air of allergens, we've also written, researched and, in some cases, tested a slew of content related to cleaning and improving our most-used living spaces. This includes input on the best vacuums for pet hair and the best tower fans to get air circulating.
We refresh this story regularly and it was last updated September 2023.
How We Chose The Best Air Purifiers For Allergies
To choose the best air purifiers for allergies, we consulted with three allergists for their input on important features to consider in these devices. We then tracked down the most popular air purifiers on the market and analyzed each one for elements like filtration capacity, noise and value. We also considered reviews from real users to ensure we had the best view of how these devices perform across a range of households.
What To Look For In Air Purifiers For Allergies
An air purifier can be a valuable appliance when you have allergies, but it's important to choose wisely. Here are a few elements to consider in your search.
Coverage Area
Air purifiers have a specific coverage area that dictates how much square footage a machine can filter in a given period of time. Many companies will state several numbers, including how often their machine can clean a certain amount of space in 15, 30 or 6o minutes. It's a good idea to figure out in advance where you plan to use your air filter and choose a machine based on that.
Filtration
HEPA filters are generally considered the gold standard for air purifiers, and most machines have these as a result. If you're concerned about filtering a particular type of allergen, consult the manufacturer's description to make sure the filter is up for the task. Some machines, like the RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier, have different types of filters you can choose to customize your cleaning.
Noise Level
Most air purifiers will make some level of detectable noise, even at the lowest setting. In the same regard, many will also be more noticeable at the highest setting. However, some are quieter than others. If noise is a concern for you (or if you plan to use your air purifier in your bedroom while you sleep) check the decibel level to see if it will work for your needs.
What Type Of Air Purifier Is Best For Allergies?
Experts agree that it's crucial to choose an air filter with a high efficiency particulate accelerators (HEPA) filter. "HEPA has the most data with allergies and asthma so I would stick to that technology," says Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network. "There are other types of filters, but HEPA units are the gold standard and outperform all others," Corry says. It doesn't hurt for an air purifier to have an activated carbon element as well to help remove odors, Qamar says. You'll also want to ensure the purifier you buy can tackle the size of the room. "Check to see that the filter has a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) that matches the size of the room where you plan to use it," Qamar says.
Do Air Purifiers Really Work For Allergies?
An air purifier is not going to get rid of your allergies, but it can help reduce your symptoms inside your home. "A good, properly installed and positioned HEPA filter can revolutionize control of allergies, but also other, more serious conditions such as asthma and sinusitis," Corry says. "However, they perform better when the things you are allergic to are largely confined to the house such as pet danders, dust mites, cockroaches and molds." Keep this in mind, per Corry: "HEPA filters only work if the house is kept relatively sealed from the outside, the HVAC is run to keep the house at a consistent temperature (about 72 to 78 degrees in the summer; 65 to 70 degrees in winter), and the inside humidity is kept below about 50%, ideally closer to 40%. Depending on your house, in addition to a HEPA filter, you might also need a dehumidifier if your HVAC is not keeping humidity in these limits."
Is Sleeping With An Air Purifier A Good Idea?
Experts say it's a good idea to have an air purifier in your bedroom, if possible. "The bedroom is the most important room to keep allergen-free as all night when we sleep, we have continuous exposure to the allergens," Parikh says. "Thus, placing the air purifier there along with dust mite covers and keeping pets out of bedroom is helpful." You also spend a lot of time in your bedroom "so reducing allergen levels in that room in particular is very helpful," Qamar says. She also points this out: "Dust mites tend to accumulate in carpeting, and many bedrooms are carpeted, making an air purifier helpful. Dust mites also are found in bed sheets which is another source of allergens in the bedroom."
Do Doctors Recommend Air Purifiers For Allergies?
Typically, yes. "Most allergists do recommend air purifiers for their allergy patients, but tailored depending on exactly what their patients are allergic to," Corry says. "For example, someone who is only allergic to grass pollen would not benefit from an air purifier because grass pollen generally does not intrude into and contaminate a house." But many patients are highly allergic to things in carpets and other areas of the house, like molds, dust mites, cockroaches and animal danders, he says. "These folks can benefit greatly from a HEPA filter," he adds. "An air purifier also helps with air pollution, cigarette smoke and viruses—all of which can make allergies and asthma worse," says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network.
Should I Get An Air Purifier Or Humidifier For Allergies?
If you're between the two, doctors say it's best to get an air purifier. "A humidifier will increase humidity in the home—and can worsen dust and mold allergies," Qamar says. "You want humidity to be less than 50% for these types of allergies." That doesn't mean a humidifier can't be helpful—it's just typically better for other issues. "A humidifier won't help your allergies, but will help dry nose, dry nasal passages and bloody noses, Qamar says. If you live in a very dry climate, Parikh says you may want to consider getting both an air purifier and a humidifier. "Just make sure you clean the humidifier often to avoid dust mites and mold," she says. But if you live in a humid climate, you may want to consider investing in a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels in your home (and reduce the odds of mold build-up), Corry says. "I strongly recommend the combination of an air purifier and dehumidifier for many of my patients," he adds.
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