There’s dust everywhere (literally) in your home. Tiny dust mites, pollen, dirt, mold spores, and more get tracked in by you and everyone you have over. Crazy, right?
Best Air Purifier for Dust Removal
- Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier (Editor's Choice)
- LEVOIT Air Purifier LV-H132
- Pure Enrichment PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier
- Alen BreatheSmart Classic Customizable Air Purifier
- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing
I use an air purifier to keep my home air as clean as possible. In addition to getting rid of dust, it also helps with allergies! It was easy to use once I had it, but I wish I had help finding the top air purifier for dust removal when I was shopping.
In this best air purifiers guide, you get all the help you need, including an air purifiers buyer’s guide and reviews. You’ll learn what certifications make a good air purifier for dust removal, what each feature does, and which air purifier I think is the best for dust removal.
The Top 5 Contenders
1. Coway AP-1512HH
This air purifier is a fan favorite for fighting dust, with many features. With its 4-step filtration system, particles don’t stand a chance. I like that it includes a deodorizer, which is a great addition for animal lovers.
This air purifier is AHAM-tested with a CADR of Dust 246 / Pollen 240 / Smoke 233. The certified room size for this air purifier is up to 261 square feet. Its compact size is perfect for accommodating the low certified room size.
The LED system is a great addition. I have a hard time remembering when to switch air purifiers filters out, so the indicator light takes some of the stress off. The Coway AP-1512HH has lights to show when the filter needs to be replaced or cleaned and to inform you of how dirty or clean your indoor air is.
This unit looks ready to plug and go when it arrives, but you need to open the device first. The filters inside are plastic-wrapped. Unfortunately, this can damage your equipment if you don’t catch that.
Overall, the Coway is one of the more expensive air purifiers for dust removal, but it's a great option for someone who has a small room and needs their unit to blend in with their furniture.
Pros:
- AHAM-certified
- Filters dust and particles as small as 0.3 microns
- LED filter status indicators
- 4 fan settings, including an auto option
- Timer
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Compact
- The 4-level filter system, featuring a True HEPA filter and Vital Ion
- LED filter replacement indicator
- Eco-mode
- Quiet
Cons:
- Requires some assembly
- Expensive
2. LEVOIT LV-H132
The Levoit LV-H132 is a good option for college students. It works well with up to small to medium size rooms with its 3-step filtration system that targets dust, dust mites, particles that cause allergies, and more.
The filters in this air purifier include a HEPA filter and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter. With both of these filters, you can filter dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and more. If you suffer from allergies, this is a great option for you.
The Levoit LV-H132 is one of the quieter air purifiers, but beware that some users report issues with the sound after 2 to 3 months. This unit doesn’t seem to age well. If you’re planning to be gentle with this unit, then you should get plenty of use out of it.
The unit itself is small and can fit in most places. You could stick this on the coffee table and it wouldn’t look out of place. In addition to getting rid of dust, it also functions as a night light, so if you need to sneak off for a snack during the night, this air purifier lights the way.
All things considered, I would recommend this for temporary situations like dorms or subleasing a room. It may come with issues later, but it’s affordable and is effective to remove particles like dust.
Pros:
- 3-step filter system, featuring a true HEPA filter
- Quiet
- Remove dust mites
- Nightlight
- Filter change reminder
- 4-setting timer
- Ozone-free
- Affordable
- High-efficiency (circulates >4 times)
Cons:
- Purifier gets louder the longer you have it
3. Pure Enrichment PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA
The PureZone 3-in-1 is a great option for getting rid of dust in small rooms. This air purifier uses a HEPA filter and a UV-C light. If you’re prone to getting sick, this light adds a layer of filtration by destroying microorganisms that cause illness.
The PureZone 3-in-1 has some useful and versatile features. The carrying handle, the timer, and the quietness mean that transitioning from room to room is easy and intuitive.
The manufacturer claims the filter on this purifier doesn’t need to be replaced but does need cleaning. I feel that this filter will eventually need to be replaced. Nothing lasts forever.
The filter may last a while because the fan is weak. This air purifier thrives in small, clean spaces. If you don’t have pets and few housemates, this may be the best air purifier you can find for dust removal.
The control panel is easy to read, adding to the overall ease of use. The downside is that this air purifier is not as aesthetically pleasing as other air purifiers for dust removal. If all you’re worried about is clear air, not aesthetics, this is a great option.
Pros:
- True HEPA filter
- UV-C light
- Quiet
- 3-setting timer
- Easy to set-up
- Reusable filter (needs cleaning)
- Portable carrying handle
- Easy-to-use control panel
Cons:
- Not aesthetically pleasing
- Weak fan
4. Alen BreatheSmart Classic
Large spaces are no problem for this monstrous purifier. It’s built like a large cabinet speaker but blends in well with many color options. I think this is one of the best air purifiers for dust removal in a large room, especially if you're trying to match a color scheme.
The BreatheSmart classic uses a True HEPA filter, mold and bacteria filter, and an Ionizer. In 30 minutes, it completes three rounds of filtration in any room up to 1100 square feet. It also filters, cleans and removes dust and dust mites.
My favorite part about this air purifier is that it acts as a white noise machine in addition to eradicating dust. It’s quiet enough not to bother you and serves a dual purpose. This is great for rooms with animals or sleeping children.
The LED lights are another great feature. They let you see your air quality at all times, although there is a lights-off mode if you need it.
The BreathSmart classic is a powerful air purifier. This is a great option if you need some heavy-duty filtration to remove dust in a large room.
Pros:
- True HEPA filter
- Filters mold spores and bacteria as small as 0.3 microns
- Ionizer
- Covers up to 1100 square feet in 30 minutes
- Air quality sensor light
- WhisperMax technology
- Lights-off mode
- Adaptable to large rooms
- Dust removal (including dust mites)
Cons:
- Large
- Expensive
5. Winix 5500-2 with PlasmaWave and Odor Reducing
One of my favorite things about the Winix 5500-2 is its value. It's one of the more affordable air purifiers without sacrificing useful features.
This air purifier has a true HEPA filter, an AOC carbon filter, and PlasmaWave to eliminate odors, dirt, dust, allergens, and more. The carbon filter is washable instead of disposable, which is a nice environmentally-friendly touch.
I love air purifiers with a sleep mode; this air purifier takes it up a notch. The sleep mode for this unit senses the amount of light and adjusts the fan speed and indicator light brightness.
There are indicator lights for the filtration status, which I find helpful. The only downfall of this unit is the volume of the 3rd and 4th fan speeds, which are very loud. Fortunately, though, settings 1 and 2 are quiet.
Overall, the Winix 5500-2 is versatile and a good value to get rid of dust and ease symptoms of allergies. The multiple fan speeds make it adaptable for any size room while still managing the upper part of the room size range well.
Pros:
- True HEPA filter
- Washable AOC Carbon filter
- Targets dust, dust mites, pollen, allergens, and mold spores
- PlasmaWave
- Smart sensors/Auto mode
- AHAM-certified
- 4-speed fan
- Sleep mode
- Filter replacement indicator
- Affordable
Cons:
- Highest setting is loud
What are the benefits of using it?
Before you bring an air purifier into your home, let’s talk about the benefits of having one. Air purifiers filter out three main things: dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen. Some filter out other particles, too, like mold spores and other particles that inflame allergies.
Besides getting rid of dust and dust mites, a purifier and regular vacuuming can help relieve symptoms of allergies to things like pet dander.
I also love to cook, but what tastes good doesn't always smell as good, especially if the scent lingers for days. Air purifiers neutralize and filter out those odors so they don’t stay around too long.
In a nutshell, air purifiers for dust removal make it easier for your lungs to get fresh, clear air, free of dust mites and other particles that cause allergies.
Choosing the best pick
There is a lot of information on the internet about air purifiers for dust removal and allergies, which makes finding the best one for your home frustrating. To start your search for the best air purifiers, you first need to look at the specifics of your home.
The best air purifiers effective is how often they can filter the air to get rid of dust. Decide which room your air purifier will live in, then calculate the room's cubic volume. You can get this number by multiplying the room's length, width, and height (length x width x height). Hold on to this number.
Next, consider what is in the room where you’re placing your air purifiers. How much stuff is in the room? By stuff, I mean furniture, appliances, windows, and other things like that.
This is important because more surfaces mean more places for dust to live. If you don’t open the windows (or there are none), that dust sits there forever. The type of dust that gets deep into your lungs is small, too. The dust particles measure 10 micrometers in diameter.
Last, think about how much traffic you get in that room. With no traffic, you get dust settling and piling up. With more traffic, you get extra dust brought in by that traffic, and likely other allergens, so making sure you have the best air purifiers is much more important.
Understanding the jargon
You'll notice a lot of jargon when you shop for the best air purifiers for dust removal. These terms can be confusing but are crucial in figuring out how effective different purifiers are at removing dust from your home.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
The Clean Air Delivery Rate tells you two things. First, it lets you know how fast your air purifier can eliminate dust and produce clean air by volume. The higher this number is, the better.
The CADR rating also comes with three additional numbers representing the main pollutants: smoke, pollen, and dust. These numbers tell you the number of dust and pollutants replaced by clear air in cubic feet.
The criteria for this test are:
- Particle size
- % of particles filtered
- The volume of air passing through the filter
It also helps to check if the air purifiers is certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM.) The AHAM specifically tests air purifiers' efficacy at removing dust.
The benefit of an AHAM-tested air purifier is that it gathers all the information you need in an easy-to-understand number. Don’t feel discouraged if the air purifier you have your eye on is not AHAM-tested, though. It’s not required, but it does come with information that helps you make an informed purchase.
The downside to AHAM testing is that these tests happen in a manufactured environment. There aren’t as many surfaces collecting dust as in your home. There are no pets to irritate allergies. No people are walking in and out, tracking in dust and dirt. The purifier is set up in the best place – the center of the room. Dust, dirt, and other particles that cause allergies are then distributed unlike the inside of a home.
To compensate for the test conditions not matching real life, choose an air purifier that services a larger room than you need. This ensures that your purifier can accommodate all the extra surface area your things add to the room’s measurements.
Air Changes per Hour (ACH)
Air changes per hour (ACH) is the rate that an air purifier can filter out (or change) and in improve the air quality in a room. This number is usually shown with an x and a number following it. For example, an air purifier with an ACH of x3 means that every 20 minutes, the air in the room filters out.
To filter a large room, you’ll want a higher ACH. It’s important to note, too, that they take a purifier’s ACH measurements while it’s running on the highest fan setting. If you don’t plan on running your purifier on high, be sure to find an air purifier with an ACH that accommodates a larger room than where you plan to use it to effectively remove dust, dust mites, pollen, and other particles that cause allergies.
Things to look for when buying one
Air purifiers that remove dust share a lot of features. The difference is usually how well any one of these best air purifiers' features removes particles from the air. Familiarize yourself with the popular features, so you can effectively compare and contrast air purifiers for dust removal.
- Clear Air Delivery Rate: Multiply the clean air delivery rate (if given) by 1.55 for the square feet the purifier can accommodate on the highest fan setting.
- Certified Room Size: Air purifiers typically list a certified room size. This room size is what the purifier can accommodate on the highest setting. Certified room size is a good number to reference if you don’t have a clean air delivery rate.
- Type of filtration system: There are 5 types of filtration systems: High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA), Ionic, UV Lamp, Ozone Generator, and Carbon Filter. HEPA filters are the best option for getting rid of dust and dust mites in most cases, as they remove 99.97% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns.
- Size: Air purifiers come in different shapes and sizes. Make sure the one you’re considering fits somewhere in the room you want it to filter.
- Aesthetic: Think about whether the outward appearance of your air purifier matters to you. Remember that the purifier should be as close to the center of the room for optimum filtration as possible.
Does it actually work?
Air purifiers are great at filtering dust and other particles out of the air in a single room. For many people, this helps reduce allergies and asthma symptoms and makes your home smell cleaner. A full-home dust filtration system is a more effective option if you want to filter your entire home.
Do I need it?
It depends. There is evidence that people who have a respiratory diagnosis (like asthma or allergies) benefit from air purifiers. There is not enough evidence to suggest that you must own one if you’re healthy. You can benefit from having one, though.
Research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that with enough sustained exposure to dust and pollutants, even the healthiest person feels the effects. So, air purifiers are beneficial to everyone, even if marginally. The benefits only last if you keep up regular maintenance like changing the filters every 3 months, though.
Other ways to improve air quality
Unfortunately, your air filter won’t completely “fix” your respiratory issues or allergies. The suggestions in the list below, combined with an air purifier, will help ensure that your home has clean air free of dust mites and other particles.
- Vacuum: Vacuuming the floors frequently can help eliminate pet dander, dust, and dirt that irritate allergies.
- Open the windows: Ventilating your home with fresh air is the fastest way to filter out dust from your home. Regularly open your windows to let fresh air circulate.
- Change your air filters: A lot of people use air filters that are cheap and flimsy. Switch those low-quality air filters out for high-quality ones. Don’t forget to change filters regularly to eliminate dust effectively.
- Use natural cleaning products: Cleaning products contribute to lower air quality by letting gases into the air, which can irritate allergies. Switch to natural cleaning products to reduce the number of pollutants released into your home.
- Use a vent hood while cooking: Using a vent hood while you cook reduces the stove-related pollutants released into your home.
- Minimize indoor air smoke: This applies to candles, incense, fireplaces, and other similar items. The smoke produced from these items affects the body. Keep indoor air circulating and opt for a wax melter or electric fireplace to replace their smoke-producing counterparts.
Conclusion
The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is my clear favorite to clean the air and remove dust in your living space. Like the Alen BreatheSmart, the Winix 5500-2 is one of the best air purifiers for dust and dust mite removal. The multiple fan settings help the unit manage large rooms while having the option to accommodate smaller rooms. The Winix 5500-2 has an inarguably better price point, too.
The PureZone, Levoitt, and the Coway are good units, but they can’t compare to the Winix 5500-2 in versatility since their upper maximum is a medium room. However, they are some of the best purifiers for dust removal in small to medium-sized rooms.
Hopefully, this guide helps you when you start shopping for the best air purifiers. There are plenty of solid options available, but you need to be clear on what you want out of a unit, whether removing dust or easing symptoms of allergies. Once you know that, you’re well on filling your home with the best air.
