As allergens like volatile organic compounds spoil our clean air, air purifiers aren’t a luxury anymore.
Our choice of the Best Air Purifier for Allergies:
- Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA Allergen Remover (Editor’s Choice)
- GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Cleaning System
- LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier
- Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier
- Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
In this article, I’ll walk you through the best air purifiers for allergies paired with an informational section to clear out the doubts, and the air, too!
Top 5 Models
1. Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA Allergen Remover
I’ve always appreciated the 360° air intake in a tiny air purifier like the HPA100. It supplies its air intake from all sides, and the purified air comes through the upper vents. This model features a 2-stage filtration process.
The pre filter, in particular, takes care of sizable airborne particles like dust mites and pet dander, all while incorporating an activated carbon layer for VOCs.
The True HEPA filter captures culprits like pollen and mold spores. The 3-speed fan is quite noiseless, hitting 23dB at the lowest speed, similar to a whisper. The HPA100 serves well in medium-sized rooms; with a CADR of 100 cfm and 5x ACH, this model refreshes indoor air 5 times per hour in rooms up to 155 square feet.
Honeywell includes 2 indicators for pre filter and True HEPA filter replacements. Also, it features a unique mode for allergens, plus a Turbo Mode for fast-paced air purification.
I’ve been happy with the control panel dimmer when I placed this model in my bedroom. However, the Turbo Mode renders the fan noisy, and the absence of an air quality indicator is definitely a bummer.
Pros:
- 360° air intake
- Pre filter w/ activated carbon
- Quiet
- 4 modes include allergen mode
- Control panel dimmer
Cons:
- Loud fan in Turbo Mode
- No air quality indicator
2. GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Cleaning System
In this budget-friendly model, the airflow mechanism works through receiving the air intake from the back and spewing out the clean air from the front grill. It depends on 3 stages for air filtering: the pre filter with an carbon filter for big particles and odors, the True HEPA filter for allergens, and a UV-C bulb for airborne germs and mold spores.
Like most air purifiers, it supports 3 fan speeds. The fan’s noise falls in the middle of the spectrum, hitting 40dB at the lowest setting. However, the fan gets noisy at the highest speed. With a CADR rating of 125 cfm, this air purifier will deliver allergen-free air every 15 minutes in a medium-sized room (up to 167 square feet).
I valued how user-friendly the control panel is; it only hosts a fan speed switch, an on/off button for the UV-C light, and a HEPA filter life indicator. For the price, I expected no air quality indicators in this air purifier.
It’s also worth mentioning that GermGuardian offers a 3-year warranty with this affordable option.
Pros:
- Affordable
- High-quality 3-stage filtration
- Pre filter w/ activated carbon
- UV-C light
- Filter replacement indicator
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Noisy fan at the highest setting
3. LEVOIT HEPA
This cylinder-shaped air purifier inhales its air intake from the bottom grill and exhales it back through the top vents. It utilizes a pre filter that traps debris and other visible particles. In the middle, the True HEPA filter shows competence in dealing with allergens like pet dander particles and dust mites.
Independent carbon filters are a great call since they help me eliminate cooking smells and VOCs in the kitchen. This air purifier has 3 onboard fan speeds; the lowest operates at 25dB, extremely tranquil! Rated at 40 cfm, it has a low CADR, and it’ll scrub the air every 15 minutes with a room coverage of 129 square feet.
Overall, this air purifier boasts portability. I found it handy in my kitchen, especially because it features 2 light settings for dimming the control panel, which houses a replacement indicator as well. Though intuitive, the airflow method may cause dirt to accumulate around the intake grill.
Pros:
- 3-stage filtration
- Stand-alone carbon filter
- Quiet fan
- Portable
- Touch screen
- Night light
- HEPA life indicator
Cons:
- Low performance in large rooms
- Intake grill is at the bottom
4. Hamilton Beach TrueAir
I like how versatile this air purifier can be. The TrueAir operates both upright or on the side. This portable air purifier conquers pollutant particles from the back grill and lets out the air through the front vents. It accommodates a permanent HEPA filter that kills particles like fungal spores.
I was overhyped about the permanence of the HEPA filter until I found out it wasn’t a True HEPA. It will only capture particles down to 3 microns instead of 0.3 microns in True HEPA filters.
It boasts a room coverage of 160 square feet. As for the fan, it operates in 3 modes: Whisper Clean, Med, and Quick Clean. At the lowest settings, it’s pretty quiet. Unfortunately, the fan doesn’t support timer modes.
I won’t beg for filter replacements. So, this one has been a blessing for me in the long run, thanks to the permanent filter. But, I’m used to keeping this air purifier as a backup owing to its limited functionality.
Pros:
- Vertical and horizontal operation
- Permanent HEPA-grade filter
- Quiet fan w/ 3 modes
- Portable
Cons:
- No True HEPA filter
- No smart features
5. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty
At first glance, you’ll notice how compact and premium this air purifier looks. It follows the classic bottom-to-top airflow method with vents at the top. It features a filtration system with a permanent pre filter for large particles, a True HEPA filter for allergens, an activated carbon filter for odor removal, and an ionizer.
The 3-speed fan with an auto mode is definitely a blast, especially that the lowest speed nearly equates to a whisper. This air purifier has a capable CADR of 240 cfm and a 4x ACH with a room coverage of 360 square feet, meaning it can freshen the air intake every 15 minutes in large rooms despite its compactness.
The control panel lays out 5 buttons for fan speed, ionizer, filter reset, timer, and power. I let out a sigh of relief on seeing the 3-color air quality LED, knowing I would get a reference to how pure my indoor air was. I don’t know the costs of having an ozone-free ionizer, but you definitely shouldn’t turn the ionizer in this air purifier.
Pros:
- Compact
- Longlasting pre filter
- Quiet fan w/ auto mode
- Powerful CADR
- Air quality indicator
Cons:
- Ozone-emitting ionizer
Buyer Guide
I bet you’re lost in the realm of air purifiers amid a plethora of specs and unintelligible acronyms. No worries because we’ve all been there! I devised this informational section with the aspects you need to grasp in air purifiers to help you narrow down the choices.
Things to Look For
Filtration Process
Most models employ a 3-stage filtration system for air purifying. The mastermind of the best air purifiers is the True HEPA air filter. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air (2), and it works through trapping 99.97 percent of the particles down to 0.3 microns. On the other hand, there are permanent HEPA-like filters, but they don’t function as a True HEPA filter.
Purifiers also use an activated carbon filter to clean the air from smoke and other volatile organic compounds that naturally irritate allergies. In some purifiers, you’ll find the activated carbon layer integrated into the pre filter, capturing larger particles like dust mites and pet dander. It’s advisable to clean the pre filter regularly to prolong the HEPA filter’s lifespan.
For improved air delivery, some models house UV-C light, which helps with particles and viruses to some extent. Additionally, you can find ionizers in some models, which generates ion clouds that outweigh allergen particles, causing them to fall on the ground. However, I’d check whether the ionizer emits ozone. Otherwise, you can switch it off.
CADR and ACH Ratings
CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, measuring the intake of air every minute in cubic feet (cfm.) Typically, the higher the CADR, the better the performance in bigger rooms. Before buying, note how the CADR relates to the suggested room coverage of the air purifier. For instance, a CADR of 125 cfm for pollen won’t serve well in a spacious living room.
As for ACH, it refers to how many times an hour models should diffuse allergen particles to deliver breathable air. An air purifier with a 5x ACH will renew your indoor air 5 times per hour. There’s no intuitive rule to the optimal ratings for your room. Luckily, I effortlessly work out the numbers through a CADR calculator.
A valuable asset to every air purifier is the AHAM-certified seal (1). Through certifications, you can always ensure the authenticity of CADR and ACH ratings since they meet the requirements of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the celebrated authority that invented these measurements.
Smart Features
There’s nothing more convenient than being able to monitor how your air purifier performs. I personally get thrilled once I see an air quality indicator to give me a reference to how clean the air has become.
Moreover, having a HEPA filter life indicator has been a valuable perk in my air purifier. It eliminates the guesswork related to when I should replace my HEPA filter. The best air purifiers also have an auto mode for the fan to reduce the fan noise to the bare minimum.
If you’re going to place the air purifier in your bedroom, you’ll probably use the timer mode to make sure the air purifier turns off while you’re asleep. Most models allow up to 8 hours of conditional power.
Alleviating Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need an Air Purifier If I Don’t Suffer From Allergies?
No matter how frequently you vacuum, allergens (3) are everywhere in the form of particles. They stick to your carpets, curtains, windows, and even clothes. You’ll need an air purifier to filter out all of that before developing potential allergies.
Do HEPA Air Purifiers Kill Viruses?
Although HEPA filters are competent in trapping particles that cause allergic reactions, they’re nowhere near killing viruses. While HEPA air purifiers can deal with particles 0.3 microns in size, viruses are around 0.1 microns, challenging for an air purifier to capture. Purifiers with UV-C act as a line of defense against viruses, but they won’t make you bulletproof.
Is an Air Purifier or Humidifier Better for Allergies?
Humidifiers have no impact on airborne particles. Instead, they work out to cut down the humidity level, which helps with nasal congestions if you’re subject to mild allergies or asthma symptoms. On the other hand, air purifiers improve the overall air quality by killing particles that cause allergies.
Conclusion
With an overview of the best air purifiers for allergies, don’t let these particles spoil the air you breathe. If you’re reading until this point, I hope you’ve drawn a picture of the best air purifiers for allergies for you.
I believe the Coway AP-1512HH is the cream of the crop on our list. Besides being packed with performance in a compact construction, this air purifier has more onboard smart features like the auto mode, LED indicators, and ionizer that make air purification seem like a breeze compared to the somewhat limited functionality of the rest of the air purifiers on the list.
