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Allergy season is the perfect time to invest in a new air purifier
Is anyone else having a really bad time this allergy season? I don’t know about you, but it seems like my daily Zyrtec is hardly putting a dent in the deluge of tree pollen that’s descended this spring, leaving me a sneezy, watery-eyed mess, despite my best efforts.
If you’re in the same boat, one great way to get relief is by investing in an air purifier. They’re a great way to remove all kinds of allergens from the air in your home — from seasonal triggers like pollen to year-round environmental allergens like dust, mold and pet dander. Air purifiers are also great if you live somewhere that gets a lot of wildfire smoke during the summer (basically the entire United States these days), or if you live in a city that has days when the air quality index can be unhealthy due to trapped smog and other pollutants.
More pluses of air purifiers
As an added bonus, if you have limited ventilation or circulation, an air purifier will even help eliminate cooking smells and keep your home from feeling stuffy during long spells of cold weather when you can’t open the windows to air things out.
In other words? They’re good to invest in, even though they can be pricey. Thankfully, Amazon has some high-quality models on sale, including some of the best air purifiers we’ve tested in a few different categories.
What to know before you buy an air purifier for allergies
Location
Where you plan to put your air purifier may help you determine which one to purchase. The best purifier for your needs depends on how much space you hope to purify and what kinds of particles you’re trying to filter out. Portable air purifiers are designed to purify a single room, while whole-house purifiers are more expensive but can improve a much larger space.
Allergies
The type of allergies you’re fighting may also determine which purifier works best, especially if a given model covers them. For example, pollen is a common cause of allergic reactions, and many air purifier models with one or more filters list helping with pollen specifically. Many companies also make specific filters geared toward specific allergens like pet dander, pollen or other debris.
HEPA and other filter types
Air purifiers for allergies should, at least, include a HEPA filter. And many models feature multiple filters and a HEPA filter. Purifiers with more than just a single filter sometimes have as many as two pre-filters, and occasionally they include a third carbon filter. It’s also important to consider that air purifiers require you to change their filters at least a few times per year.
What to look for in a quality air purifier for allergies
Airflow coverage
Purifier airflow capacity is usually measured in either cubic feet per minute or air changes per hour. The first measurement can help you decide which model fits into the location you hope to use to mitigate allergies.
A small air purifier’s airflow capacity may be as small as 150 square feet, while it may perform as few as four air changes per hour. Other high-end models may work for spaces as large as 3,000 square feet.
Purifiers also often include multiple fan speed settings that let the user customize how much air is being moved.
Efficiency
A purifier’s efficiency ultimately determines its effectiveness at reducing allergies. Air purifiers can remove debris, bacteria and allergens from a room as small as 0.1-0.3 microns, with some advanced models eliminating particles as small as 0.003 microns. In comparison, an individual human hair is about 50 microns in size.
Air quality indicator
Some air purifiers include a means for telling you how the air quality is. This may be as simple as a color system to signify how the air is, or as detailed as a digital interface with various details on air quality status. Other common indicators include change filter notifications.
How much you can expect to spend on an air purifier for allergies
Cheap air purifiers can cost as little as $50, while most mid-tier purifiers range from $100-$600. As most HEPA air purifiers require you to change the filter a few times a year, you can also expect to spend $25-$500 annually on filters.
Air purifier for allergies FAQ
Is a HEPA air purifier good for allergies?
A. HEPA-filtered air purifiers are relatively good at helping control allergies and are among the best purifiers. Even better are purifiers with one or two other filters in addition to a HEPA filter.
What’s the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?
A. An air purifier uses filters to remove particles from the air, while a humidifier adds moisture to the air. Both can be useful for mitigating allergies, though an air purifier with a HEPA filter may be most effective.
Best of the best Dyson on sale
Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link Purifier Heater Fan HP02
This was the best of the best when our testing lab put air purifiers through their paces. It’s technically a bladeless fan, which means it can both heat and cool your home, with either focused or oscillating airflow. But it also includes HEPA filtration that removes pollutants up to 0.3 microns, including wildfire smoke and most allergens, and circulates the purified air. An app alerts you to changes in air quality, which can be handy for those with severe allergies.
Best of the best air ionizer on sale
Clarifion – Air Ionizers for Home (3 Pack)
An air ionizer creates negative ions that bind to particulate matter in the air. This makes them more likely to cling to walls or furniture or fall to the floor so they can be filtered, swept or washed away. In this way, ionizers can eliminate even smaller particles than air filters, removing some of the trickiest allergens from the air. In the BestReviews Testing Lab, Clarifion came out on top with this three-pack of portable ionizers that can plug into any standard outlet and produced negligible ozone. They don’t need much upkeep, and with one in each room of your home, you can rest easy knowing that allergens are being removed from the air at pretty much all times.
More great deals on air purifiers
GermGuardian Air Purifier for Home, Large Rooms, H13 HEPA Filter
This purifier can circulate air once per hour in a room up to 870 square feet, or four times per hour in a room up to 180 square feet. It’s ideal for medium to large rooms like bedrooms or home offices.
This smart purifier is great for large homes — it can cover areas of up to 1,800 square feet, which means it will work in open-concept living rooms and kitchens.
This smart purifier can cover up to 930 square feet and is great for those who don’t like the look of a traditional air purifier because it comes in midcentury-inspired colors and patterns.
This portable mini purifier is meant to travel with you, in case you need fresher air in your car or your desk space at work.
This powerful purifier can cover up to 1,980 square feet, making it ideal for large homes.
MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Rooms up to 1,200 Square Feet
The Mooka air purifier can clean air in rooms up to 1,200 square feet, making it ideal for bedrooms and smaller living rooms.
Need to freshen up a large space? This air purifier can clean up to 3,175 square feet, making it a top choice for large open-concept homes.
FreAire Air Purifier for Home, H13 HEPA Air Purifier
Small and quiet, this air purifier is made for smaller bedrooms and less likely to disturb you while you sleep.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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