Indoor air pollution is a serious problem today, especially with the global spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Thus, maintaining clean air in your space is more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to do so is by investing in one of the best air purifiers for viruses. Not sure where to start your search? Finding a model suited to kill viruses that cause infections and make you sick. Read on for our reviews and advice on cleaners from leading brands.
Best Air Purifiers for Viruses
- Winix HR900 Air Purifier(Editor's Choice)
- HomeLabs Air Purifier
- Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier
- PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier
- Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HEPA Air Purifier
Given the wide selection of air purifiers available on the market, we explore some top-rated products to help you pick the best one for your needs.
5 Best Air Purifiers for Viruses (2021)
1. Winix HR900 Air Purifier
First, if you're looking for a well-priced, robust, and comprehensive air cleaning system for your home, you might want to choose the Winix HR900 Air Purifier. The HR900 boasts a wide coverage, making it one of the best budget air purifier for large rooms like the living hall or main bedroom.
It features a True HEPA filtration coated with antimicrobial, which inhibits bypassing viruses from proceeding forward. According to the manufacturer, Winix HR900 can capture up to 99.97 percent of particles, as little as 0.3 microns, compared to other air purifiers. These particles include pollen, mold spores, indoor allergens, and virus particles from the outdoor air.
Another remarkable feature of this air purifier is the Winix PlasmaWave ionizer, which further lowers the level of air pollution and harmful particles in your home. PlasmaWave technology creates hydroxyls that neutralize residual odors, chemicals, and germs.
This air purifier also captures pet hair, odors, and dirt. Hence, it's an ideal choice if you have pets at home. The product has auto and sleep modes, allowing autonomous purification in the background, so you don't have to leave it running every minute to have clean air.
Pros
- All-round performance
- Smart design
- 300 square footage coverage with strong airflow distribution
- Built-in timer, auto mode, and sleep mode
- Professional grade air purifier
Cons
- High replacement filters cost
- Fan noise is relatively high on maximum fan speed
2. HomeLabs Air Purifier
Second, the best air purifier list is none other than the hOmeLabs air purifier. If you're looking for a product that delivers high efficiency and fresh air, consider investing in the HomeLabs Air Purifier. The HomeLabs Air Purifier features high-performance HEPA filters, which can capture every impurity, including smoke, dust, pollen, and allergen. If you suffer from allergy symptoms, this device may prevent some of them. It can also help rid your environment of viruses.
Designed for larger spaces up to 197 square feet, this device offers a three-stage filtration system, which can capture particles as minute as 0.1 microns in size. The size of COVID-19 virions is about 0.125 microns, remember?
You can regulate both the light brightness and the fan speed. This air cleaner is also very quiet. Moreover, each filter can last up to 2,100 hours, so you'll replace them less often.
Pros
- Extensive coverage
- Easy to relocate
- Portable air cleaner
- Silent operation
- Practical all-around inlet design
- Removal of air contaminants that cause allergies
Cons
- Limited cleaning features
3. Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier
Here's another efficient and good air purifier from Leviot with three different filtration systems that can capture pet hair, allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The LV-H132 features three additional filters, each with its function.
Namely, the HEPA filter minimizes allergy-causing particles, the activated carbon filter (also called activated charcoal filter) neutralizes terrible odor, and the pre-filter eliminates molds and bacteria. Thanks to its compact size, this device can be a perfect choice if you're a city dweller.
This air cleaner has simple, easy-to-use controls, three different fan speeds, and a soothing blue nightlight. I love the nightlight feature because it can light up my room, sparing me the agony of stubbing my toes in the dark.
Another remarkable of the LV-H132 is that it alerts you when it's time to replace your filter, especially the pre-filter, which usually lasts six to eight months, depending on air quality and usage. This device runs smoothly and is easy to relocate. It can work well for your bedroom, condo, or small office.
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Three-stage filtration system
- Filter change indicator
- Portable air purifier
- Check-circle
- Doubles as a nightlight
- Ideal for small condos and bedrooms
Cons
- The fan is relatively weak
4. PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier
PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA air purifier is an efficient germ killer with a four-stage air filtration system. The filtration system includes a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon (activated charcoal) filter. Despite compact, this device also has ultraviolet light (UV-C light), which permanently kills bacteria and viruses trapped in the filters producing clean air.
The Pure Zone 3-in-1 is easy to assemble. With a dedicated carbon filter, this device can efficiently rid your home of smoke pollutants. PureZone 3-in-1 boasts a 200-square-foot capturing range, which makes it effective in capturing household contaminants.
The controls are pretty easy to understand. You can adjust the device to suit your needs by choosing different fan settings, setting the running time, or activating the UV light. You might want to buy it for your bedroom, living room, or office.
Pros
- Inexpensive to buy and maintain
- Portable air purifier
- User friendly
- Smooth operation
- Tabletop friendly size
- UV light neutralizes bacteria and viruses caught on the filter
- Dedicated carbon filter
Cons
- No autonomous (auto mode) purification
- Short filter lifespan
- It tends to dry the air out
5. Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HEPA Air Purifier
The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool is an intelligent, three-in-one device. It's a fan, humidifier, and air purifier all in one. It will keep you warm in winter, cool in summer, and purify the air you breathe all year round.
This device boasts a sleek design and various valuable features, including a sleep timer, space heater, nighttime mode, Wi-Fi connection, and Alexa compatibility. With its high-quality Glass HEPA filter, the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool can eliminate 99.95% of asthma-causing allergens, viruses, and other pollutant particles as small as 0.1 microns.
It also features a dedicated carbon air filter to rid your home of gases and smells. According to the manufacturer, both filters can last up to twelve months based on usage and indoor air pollutants in your home.
Another great feature of this device is that it can measure humidity and temperature, allowing you to monitor the overall comfort of your room. You can check the air quality level through the LCD panel on the device or use the Dyson Link smartphone app. It uses proprietary algorithms to process the data it gets from its many sensors, and displays real-time reports.
Pros
- Quiet, autonomous operation
- Air quality indicator equipped
- Activated carbon air filters
- Reversible airflow
- Smooth air ventilation output
- Detailed LCD
- Excellent warming
Cons
- Quite expensive, higher cost compare to others
- You can't use the device without the remote. The on/off switch is the only onboard control it has.
6. Other models we looked at
We also looked at the following air cleaner technologies that are not just for viruses but also for allergens, dust, pollens, mold spores, pet dander, particulates, and other airborne particles to accommodate your choices in our review rating:
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier, Molekule Air, GermGuardian AC4825 Air Purifier, Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier, Austin Air Healthmate Standard Air Purifier, IQAir Atem Desk Personal Air Purifier, Oransi Max Air Purifier, Coway Airmega 150 Air Purifier, PhoneSoap AirSoap, Samsung Cube, Winix 5500-2, Filtrete Medium Room Smart Air Purifier, LG PuriCare 360-Degree Air Purifier, Honeywell PowerPlus True HEPA Allergen Remover/Air Purifier, Coway Airmega 300 Smart Air Purifier, Modify MA-40 and LEVOIT H13.
These powerful air purifiers (also known as air cleaners) are equipped with different types of air purifier filters, such as an electrostatic filter, to keep up with the dynamic nature of airborne particles as they mutate in a short period.
Feel safe despite the surging cases of COVID-19 as these popular air purifiers produces air quality free from airborne contaminants, volatile organic compound, and particulates.
Purchase these portable air cleaners at Amazon, which come at affordable prices.
Can Air Purifiers Capture The Coronavirus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (1) and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 spreads through close contact, particularly when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Coughing is one of the primary symptoms of the coronavirus, and hence airborne transmission is a significant concern.
Since health experts advise people to stay home, a HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air purifier can help minimize airborne transmission and promote overall wellness. Remember that air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filters can effectively capture particles of at least 0.01 microns (10 nanometers) in diameter. That is why most air purifiers should have HEPA filters.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is about 0.125 microns (125 nanometers (2)) in diameter. It falls within the particle-size range that HEPA filters can capture with exceptional efficiency.
Thus, if researchers confirm that the virus particles can be transmitted through the air, HEPA air purifiers will be able to support the effort to capture airborne coronaviruses. This doesn't mean that HEPA air purifiers can completely protect you from catching COVID-19 and other related viruses. Also, avoid running ozone generators and air cleaners, as they can be harmful.
Thus, in addition to running air purifiers or portable air cleaners in your home, you must continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and other global health agencies, including social distancing, washing your hands frequently, sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, and wearing a face mask outdoors. With this combination, you're taking reasonable measures to stay virus free.
Final Thoughts
With the global outbreak of COVID-19, it is now more important than ever to invest in air purifiers that can help combat airborne viruses. These air purifiers can remove particles as small as 0.1 microns. There's a wide selection of these cleaners available on the market, but the five reviewed above are some of the best quality. I especially recommend the HomeLabs air purifier. While inexpensive, it is efficient in filtering viruses, has a stylish design, and boasts durable filters.
Further Reading
- Can Air Purifier Help Coronavirus?
- Best Air Purifier for Allergies
- Best Air Purifier for Dust Removal
