The 7 Best Air Purifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The Spruce has tested 66 air purifiers in The Lab and at home to date. And if there is one thing we've learned from the months of setting up indoor greenhouses, lighting incense, analyzing features and settings, and living with our top selections, it's that there are actually dozens of good air purifiers out there that will reliably and quietly clean your home's air.

What sets our seven favorite air purifiers apart is that, once they're set up, you can essentially forget about them and enjoy the fruits of their labor year-round. They're incredibly easy to use—even if you are using an air purifier for the first time—and remove common pollutants like dust, pollen, pet hair, and smoke quickly and efficiently. (It's true! We used an air quality monitor and a rigorous testing environment to double-check.)

Our favorites come from popular home brands like Dyson, Levoit, Honeywell, and Clorox, and have no shortage of features like remote controls, air quality readouts, and fan settings. They cost as little as $50, especially during a big sale event, or as much as $750 if they double as a fan and heater, a great investment for those with a small space who don't want to store multiple appliances.

Whether a fluffy pup, allergy season, a cooking session, a can of hairspray, or a wildfire is wreaking havoc on your home's air, the important thing to know is these models truly clean house. We're getting into them, and all your questions, concerns, and curiosities about air purifiers, below.

Editor's Note: This piece was updated in May 2024 to include new buying considerations, based on our extensive testing.

Our Three Favorite Air Purifiers

Our Pick for Most Homes

Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

$150 at Amazon $180 at Target View on Levoit.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.8/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.9/5

After hundreds of hours of testing, we can confidently say the Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier is the best air purifier—period. With 219 square feet of coverage, it's survived and thrived for over six months in a home with four cats—minimizing odors, dandruff, and smoke from cooking, and so much so that our sensitive smoke detector wasn't alerted. The air purifier features four settings, all of which are as quiet as a household refrigerator, including an automatic mode that's been our staple (and gives you the most hands-off experience).

Out of the box, the Levoit Core 300S is essentially ready to go. You can use a QR code to download a compatible app during setup, which gives you access to scheduling and monitoring features, as well as the filter's life—the most helpful indication. While these app features are handy, they're not totally necessary, because you also have access to timers and a sleep mode right on the digital display at the top of the unit. There's also a locking feature for the digital display, so curious kiddos and playful pets don't make unwanted adjustments.

We've actually had the chance to test the Levoit Core 400S as well, and loved it. The main difference between the two is that the Levoit Core 400S is larger, and has a larger coverage area to match (403 square feet). While the larger counterpart may be a better option for a home with an open floor plan or a large playroom, we typically prefer smaller air purifiers in our testing since they don't take up as much floor space and aren't as much of an eyesore.

For that reason, and the under-$200 price tag, the Levoit Core 300S is our pick for most homes and our top air purifier recommendation. It's easy to understand and changing the filter is easy, too: just unscrew the bottom, swap in a new filter (there's three replacement options: one for pet allergies, a filter dedicated to toxin absorption, and an option for removing smoke), and update the app to clear the notification. We loved it so much that we bought a second one for our home, and a smaller iteration from the same brand for a room where those four cats mainly reside.

_{Coverage Area: 219 square feet | Dimensions: 10.79 x 10.79 x 20.47 inches | CADR Rating: 260 CFM}

A Simpler Option That Totally Surprised Us

Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier

$120 at Amazon $150 at Wayfair $150 at Home Depot

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4.5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.8/5

Clorox is a household name for cleaning wipes, toilet cleaners, and disinfectants—which is why we were totally surprised by Clorox's Large Room Air Purifier, which also costs under $200 and is paired with a reasonably priced filter replacement (filters can really add up!). This air purifier is the perfect combination of handy features and a basic design. Like our best overall pick, it's basically ready out of the box, and features an easy-to-understand touchscreen display at the top.

The display gives you a real-time look at your home's air quality, multiple fan settings (an auto mode, included) to choose from, and a sleep mode. There's also a lock for the display—a staple in our home after our toddler accidentally turned the air purifier off. Beyond the display, the Clorox air purifier is a bit utilitarian; it's definitely not the most aesthetic option we've tested. However, it makes quick work of cooking fumes in spaces up to 1,500 square feet, and our allergies have been significantly better since setting it up in our main living space, in between our front door and deck door.

In terms of noise, this air purifier is practically silent on its lowest settings. You can hear it from two floors up in a split-level house when it's on high, but the lowest setting has been enough for us for everyday maintenance and the high setting has only kicked on for about 15 minutes at a time when there are cooking fumes to clear.

Notably, in addition to the digital readout, the air purifier gives you a clear, color-coded signal on the front of its unit at all times to let you know where your home's air quality is at. The digital display will also let you know when it's time to change the filter; we made it about six months, but homes with pets may need to change the filter more often.

_{Coverage Area: 1,500 square feet | Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches | CADR Rating: 206 CFM for smoke, 219 CFM for dust, and 232 CFM for pollen}

A Tabletop Air Purifier That's Great for Bedrooms

Clorox 11020 Tabletop True HEPA Air Purifier

$60 at Amazon $60 at Walmart View on Cloroxhomeappliances.com

If you want to put an air purifier in a bedroom, home office, or any other small room, a tabletop pick is all you really need. The Clorox Tabletop True HEPA Air Purifier is our favorite for this situation and can cover areas up to 200 square feet (and areas up to 80 square feet more thoroughly, according to the brand). We have this placed on a dresser in a bedroom, and it's truly been a set-it-and-forget-it type of experience.

We keep it on the lowest setting—though, it has three settings and a timer for scheduling a cleaning session if you'd prefer. On the lowest setting, you can't hear it even when you're standing right next to it, making it a great option for light sleepers who want clean air but need zero disruptions. Higher settings do make a more noticeable noise, but the noise is similar to a white noise machine versus a box fan.

The light settings, which adjust the display lights on the top of the unit, also help this air purifier be subtle. In fact, with the lights dimmed, the air purifier is dimmer than our alarm clock. It could be an awesome addition to a nursery or a small entertainment space for this reason—keeping things dim and quiet while it works continuously behind the scenes.

There is a filter life indicator on the display that will let you know when it's time to change the filter. The filter replacement process is our only complaint with this tabletop air purifier, because the filter is replaced through the bottom of the unit and it's easy for it to fall out. You're supposed to remove the filter from the bottom, but accidentally twisting the unit unlocks the filter and lets it fall. With a few trial runs, though, this process could be seamless—and we otherwise love this little unit that's under $75.

_{Coverage Area: Up to 200 square feet | Dimensions: 9.29 x 7.4 x 7.4 inches | CADR Rating: 53 CFM for smoke, 59 CFM for dust, and 55 CFM for pollen}

A Quick Guide to Air Purifiers

Our favorite air purifiers are easy to use—but, understanding more about filters, coverage areas, and potential costs will help you find the best model for you, and tailor your experience to your specific needs.

The Types of Filters You Should Know

Air purifiers can have many different filters inside of them, which you replace or clean when your unit notifies you to (either through an app or a small indicator on a digital display). Typically, your filter will be one piece that you tend to about every two to six months. However, each type of filter targets a different type of clean—similar to how you'd grab a paper towel, mop, and bucket of water to clean a spill on your floor. So, let's break the types of filters down together.

• Pre-filters: Pre-filters are the first line of defense in an air purifier's overall filtration system, and target larger particles, such as pet hair and lint.
• HEPA Filters: You may have heard of a HEPA filter before. HEPA filters are also found in some of the most thoughtfully designed vacuum cleaners, and they target smaller particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. HEPA filters are a pleated air filter, and are also known as a high-efficiency particulate air filter. When shopping, it's essential to look for an air purifier with a “true HEPA filter” for the most effective and reliable results. True HEPA filters can capture 99.97 percent of particles with diameters of 0.3 microns or even less. Our three favorite air purifiers—the Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier, Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier, and Clorox Tabletop True HEPA Air Purifier—use true HEPA filters.
• Activated Carbon Filters: Activated carbon filters target gases, and can help remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds), odors, and smoke from the air. If you live in a region or home where you are frequently around cooking fumes or wildfire smoke, it's good sense to make sure the air purifier you buy has one.

Beyond filters, some newer and more advanced air purifiers feature UV lights, which help eliminate bacteria that may be in the air as well. These models are also equipped with an ionizer, which makes the particles in the air easier to attract and capture in the filters. Keep in mind that we were not able to test manufacturer claims that UV light removes 99.9 percent of all bacteria and viruses—but this is a good bonus feature to keep on your radar when shopping.

The Importance of Coverage Area and Fan Settings

Your air purifier should be compatible with the room you're planning to put it in, if you want to see (or smell) the best results. Air purifiers can be designed for spaces as little as 80 square feet (great for apartments and smaller bedrooms) and as large as 1,000 square feet (ideal for open-concept living areas). In the case of one of our top picks, the Clorox Tabletop True HEPA Air Purifier, the brand says it can clean rooms effectively up to 200 square feet, but even more effectively up to 80 square feet.

In general, it's a good idea to match the coverage area of your air purifier as closely as you can to the square footage of the space where it'll live. However, the CADR (clean air delivery rate) specification will really help you see how effective each air purifier can be in your space. This spec measures how quickly an air purifier removes contaminants in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro and a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board, notes that this spec is tested and measured by using an air purifier's highest setting when cleaning air of dust, smoke, and pollen. To experience the maximum CADR of any air purifier, you'll have to run it on its highest setting, which tends to be its loudest.

Each pollutant leads to its own CADR rating, which is why you'll notice that air purifiers can have multiple CADR ratings. Some are better at tackling pollen, while others perform better with smoke because of the filters, the quality of the filters, and the circulation systems they have in place. In general, though, a higher CADR rating equals faster purification in larger rooms.

When figuring out how a CADR rating will translate to real, cleaner air for you, you should consider the ⅔ rule, according to Energy Star: look for a “CADR that is at least ⅔ the square footage of the space” you want to purify for the best results.

How Much Air Purifiers Cost

As we mentioned earlier, our favorite air purifiers range from about $50 to $750. This is the range you can typically imagine when it comes to the cost of air purifiers. At the lower end of the range, you'll find air purifiers that are fairly basic, small in size, or good for beginners. This includes one of our top picks, the Clorox Tabletop True HEPA Air Purifier, which we were able to set up on a dresser. These cheaper models aren't always lesser in quality, but they do typically have fewer features—like a range of smart features, a compatible app, and voice command recognition via Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant.

Air purifiers on the higher end of the range may be multipurpose. They may double as a heater, fan, or humidifier, and come with a range of smart features so you can really get into the details of your home's air quality. They may also have a particularly aesthetic design that blends in with your home decor, or that you're able to customize. These air purifiers are true investment pieces, similar to the couch in your living room or washing machine in your laundry room.

Our top pick for most homes, the Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier, can be considered rare in a sense because it has smart features—including an app that gives you access to timers, air quality readouts, and air quality trends—but costs closer to the average. On average, a quality air purifier costs between $150 and $300, and you can typically find air purifiers of any price point on sale during major sale events and holidays, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon's Prime Days, and Memorial Day weekend.

Common Concerns About Air Purifiers

Feeling a bit unsure about air purifiers? We get it. There are a few common concerns that shoppers have related to noise, effectiveness, and maintenance that we can help settle, thanks to our testing insights and firsthand experience.

Do Air Purifiers Make a Lot of Noise?

First things first: Air purifiers can make a good amount of noise. However, in our experience, an air purifier is the noisiest and most disruptive on its highest settings, which you may run when you're dealing with a specific event like a cooking situation or a wildfire. On a typical day, you'll likely run your air purifier on its automatic or lower settings, both of which can be really quiet even if you're standing next to the appliance.

In the case of the Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier, we experience loud fan noises for about 15 minutes at a time, when we're cooking something particularly smokey. Otherwise, the appliance is quiet and totally in the background. The highest setting sounds similar to a box fan—which also can be said for a lot of air purifiers. Others may mimic a white noise machine, which some people might find soothing, especially in their bedroom if they're used to falling to sleep with background noise.

All in all, even if your air purifier is being noisy, you have total control over it. So, if at any given time you want it to be quieter, you can turn the fan settings down either on the machine or via an app. It is just key to remember: Lower settings filter the air slower than higher ones, and aren't ideal if you're dealing with a specific, concentrated situation.

Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?

When you vacuum a carpet, you can see the carpet lines. When you mop a floor, you can see the wet marks it's left behind. It's quite difficult to see whether air purifiers are cleaning your air, which is why many people wonder: Do air purifiers actually work?

The short answer is that good air purifiers do, in fact, work. We double-checked this ourselves in our lab by using each air purifier in a zip-up indoor greenhouse, and lighting incense, spreading flour and sawdust, and spraying a room spray. (We go more into our testing process below in our How We Tested the Air Purifiers section.) We gave the air purifiers some time to work, making sure to record a baseline reading of the "contaminated" space before turning each appliance on with help from an air quality monitor. After using the air purifiers on various settings, we checked the air quality again—each model showed improvements, even if the improvements were minor.

At home, we double-checked this again, using the air purifiers in homes with multiple cats, people with allergies, and home renovation projects going on. Data aside, we could smell the difference in rooms where pets typically reside, noting that the air didn't have its usual stench. Our allergies also seemed to improve, and we could see less dust collecting on tables and fixtures. When we changed out the filters, we could see everything the air purifiers captured, including pet hair and dust.

While it's difficult to truly quantify an air purifier's effectiveness, we feel confident that our favorite air purifiers actually work because we saw and felt the positive side effects, both in the lab and at home.

How Often Do You Need to Change an Air Purifier's Filter?

The best products make your life easier, and the thought of maintaining your air purifier may be what's keeping you from adding one to your cart. (Another to-do list task? No, thank you!)

Rest assured, maintaining your air purifier is as simple as changing out the filter, or washing it, as some air purifiers have washable filters. Homer recommends swapping out disposable HEPA filters every three months. Many air purifiers notify you when the filter needs maintenance. We received this notification between two and six months of constant use for many of the air purifiers that we tested; your air quality will greatly affect how often you need to change yours, though.

Typically, washable filters can be vacuumed, rinsed, and air-dried. However, it's key to follow the instructions your manufacturer includes in your manual. For disposable filters, have an extra on-hand—we recommend adding one to your cart when you purchase your air purifier and linked the replacement filters for all of our recommendations to make your life easier. In some cases, an air purifier will come with one additional filter in its box, but that's not always the case.

Additionally, if your manufacturer offers a compatible filter subscription service, we recommend signing up. This makes it super easy to maintain your appliance. Instead of reminding yourself to "add a new filter" to your cart, the brand ensures a new one arrives at your door when you need it. Whether you wash or replace your air purifier's filter, be sure to turn off and unplug the appliance before removing the filter.

Design Details to Look For

When you're narrowing down your new air purifier, there are a few design details you may want to look for. These details are, by all means, not necessary for the effectiveness of your air purifier. But they may enhance your experience and make your appliance easier to operate, adjust, and move.

A Remote Control

Remote controls are typically found on more high-end air purifiers and allow you to make setting adjustments (and more) from anywhere in the room. We've found ourselves enjoying the included remote control when testing air conditioners as well, because it adds convenience. If your model has a compatible app, your phone may double as a remote control, like in the case of one of our top picks, the Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier.

Digital Readouts or Color Indicators

For a quick update on your air quality at any given time, we love digital readouts and color indicators. These digital readouts typically note your PM 2.5 rating (particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns) and/or TVOC levels (total volatile organic compounds), so you know whether to turn your air purifier's fan up or down to meet the moment. If your air purifier is set to an automatic setting, your readout allows you to see the air get better and cleaner in real time.

Color-coded indicators, like what the Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier has, are located on the outside of the unit and match your air quality rating to a specific color, like green, yellow, red, or purple. This gives you an even quicker glance at the status of your air. For models with an app, it's even possible to get into your air quality trends there, and learn more about what you're seeing on the digital readout.

Features That Enhance Portability

More often than you may expect, we have found ourselves moving around our air purifier to really optimize its performance. A handle or lightweight design absolutely makes this easier.

You may want to place your air purifier in a room where you’re particularly concerned about the air quality, or know there is a higher concentration of air pollutants. Or you may want to place it in the room where you spend most of your time. Your needs may change, or you may move, so it's nice to have a portable option that's not mounted to a wall or takes multiple people to lift. (Though, large and wall-mounted picks can be good for large rooms and freeing up floor space, respectively.)

Either way, make sure you place your appliance in an open space. Homer recommends reading your air purifier’s instruction manual for any specifics on placements. “Most manufacturers will tell you to place the purifier on a flat surface, out of direct sunlight, so it doesn't overheat, and away from the walls, so air can circulate around it freely," she notes. "Some may also caution you to keep the unit away from TV and electronics, as they may cause electromagnetic interference that causes the purifier to malfunction.”

Our Other Favorite Air Purifiers

A Multipurpose Model Worth Splurging On

Dyson HP07 Purifier Hot+Cool Purifying Fan Heater

$697 at Amazon $750 at Wayfair $750 at Home Depot

Our Ratings

• Heating Performance
  4/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Safety
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

At almost $750, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP07 Purifying Fan Heater is easily the most expensive on our list. However, it's a multipurpose appliance that you may want to consider investing in if your living space is small, since you won't have to store a space heater and cooling fan as well. This model does it all, and we found ourselves using it every single day once we brought it home, whether it was to cool things down or keep the air fresh.

Surprisingly, despite this model being a Dyson product—which can be famously high-tech—with lots of unique settings, it's incredibly easy to use. It comes with a remote control—one of those details we think you should look out for—and a compatible app that gives you your air quality highlights. Though we didn't end up using the app much, and wished the fan would oscillate for even more cooling, the space heater function has been great for a room with lots of windows, and the fan has kept us from turning on the AC on warmer days.

Notably, the Dyson HP07's purifying abilities are top-notch too, particularly when it comes to odors. We use it in a space with a litter box, and the stench is definitely not as powerful as when we didn't have this cleaning machine. Six months down the line, we still didn't need to change the filter—which is good because a replacement costs around $80—making this a particularly easy model to maintain.

Among other features are a night mode, voice controls, and a durable design that's withstood a very curious toddler. This is ultimately a great all-in-one option, from a brand that's known for reliable and well-designed home products.

_{Coverage Area: 290 square feet | Dimensions: 30 x 5.12 x 5.12 inches | CADR Rating: 53 CFM for smoke, 59 CFM for dust, and 55 CFM for pollen}

An Air Purifier That Does Simplicity and Style Well

Coway Airmega 160 Air Purifier

$189 at Walmart $190 at Target $190 at Cowaymega.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  4.9/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.3/5

Nothing tests an air purifier like a home renovation or pets, and the Coway Airmega 160 proved itself when we were removing drywall. Despite blocking off the area, the air purifier found all kinds of dust, which we then cleared off the deodorization filter and the outside of the unit with a vacuum and wet rag. On the filter, we could also see hair that it had captured. Throughout this time, we ran the model on its highest setting.

When running the air purifier in a bedroom, we weren't at all disturbed by it. Despite being on a high setting, which is disruptive and similar to a clunky box fan for other models we've tested, we could watch TV or chat with a family member with zero issues. The fan actually sounded similar to a white noise machine while sleeping, which we enjoyed since we're used to the background noise. When we woke up the next morning, we were noticeably less congested—more proof that it did its job.

Cleaning power aside, we liked that this air purifier was more basic. While we've tested and loved all kinds of other models from Coway that are outfitted with smart features, including the Coway Airmega IconS, we didn't miss having an app. Like many of Coway's other air purifiers, though, the 160 is also nice to look at and doesn't have the same utilitarian design of some of the other air purifiers we love, like the Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier.

While the replacement filters are a bit expensive (the replacement set costs $50), we love that this air purifier features a color-coded indicator on the outside to give you a quick glimpse at your air quality, even without an app or more sophisticated readout. It's really easy to change the filter, too, and the process took us a matter of seconds.

_{Coverage Area: Up to 1,035 square feet | Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.4 x 6.5 inches | CADR Rating: 153 CFM for smoke, 161 CFM for dust, and 220 CFM for pollen}

A Portable Pick That's Also Great for First-Time Users

Kenmore 1500e Air Purifier With SilentClean HEPA Technology

$170 at Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5

Another more simple and streamlined option, the Kenmore 1500e Air Purifier with SilentClean HEPA Technology has reliably tackled dust in our guest bedroom-turned-nursery, and been a very portable and compact option for our home. We've been able to move it regularly between rooms, thanks to its helpful handle. And, despite running it constantly, we didn't have to change the filter in the first six months of use. You can order a replacement filter on the Kenmore site.

Notably, this pick doesn't feature an app or a remote control—we miss the latter. However, there is a small digital display on the front that gives you a quick glance at your air quality, as well as options to adjust the fan, timer, and lock settings.

Quite frankly, there isn't too much to report with this air purifier. It's not the most aesthetic, exciting option, but it gets the job done in its square and tiny package. We enjoyed that it's small enough to slip right next to a guest bed or in a room that's limited on space. It would be a great option for a tiny apartment, or anyone looking to dive into the world of air purifiers for the first time.

_{Coverage Area: Up to 1,500 square feet | Dimensions: 21 x 11 x 11 inches | CADR Rating: Not listed}

Our Favorite Air Purifier for Pet Owners

Honeywell HPA5300 InSight HEPA Air Purifier

$193 at Amazon $242 at Walmart $242 at Best Buy

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5

Last, but certainly not least, Honeywell’s InSight HEPA HPA5300 Air Purifier was a popular model during our testing and one that's great for pet owners, specifically. Honeywell has been a leader in the air quality industry for years and we’ve had the opportunity to test several models of the brand’s air purifiers. This pick features a color-coded indicator light, so you know your home's air quality at a quick glance: green for good, orange for moderate, and red for poor. We loved using the HPA5300 on its auto mode, which automatically adjusts the fan to keep your air at a good (green) level.

It's a slightly larger model than some of the other air purifiers we've tested, but we found that this air purifier was able to reduce smells from cooking and help one of our family members with their cat allergies. The air purifier even automatically turned up when we sprayed hair spray near it—a true sign that it's not only on but very alert.

Now, this air purifier is also slightly louder than others we've tested. However, you should only have to increase your TV volume slightly if you choose to use this in a family room. You should only have to replace the HEPA filter once a year, too, and it's available in a pack of three for around $75—which is reasonable compared to other options.

All in all, this pick doesn't have smart features—but again, we didn't miss them. The only thing we'd really change about this model is that the pre-filter can't be cleaned in any way. You have to replace it, and we did see some dust and cat hair start to collect on it, so we know that's coming. That said, we've already recommended it to another family member, so the pre-filter issue hasn't stood in our way one bit.

_{Coverage Area: 500 square feet | Dimensions: 10.8 x 19.1 x 22.3 inches | CADR Rating: Not listed}

How We Tested the Air Purifiers

We’ve tested 66 air purifiers in The Lab and at home since 2022. While our methodology has altered slightly to consider energy consumption and filter replacement costs, all of the air purifiers we’ve tested have gone through rigorous evaluation.

In the lab, we start with the unboxing and setup process for each model and time how long it takes to review instructions and assemble any parts. We note the design of each air purifier, where it would be best placed in a home, and how obtrusive it might appear in a room, especially alongside typical home decor. We also consider whether the product's additional features, like a compatible app or digital readout, add to its appeal. Then, we use a decibel meter to measure each air purifier’s noise level on its lowest and highest operating modes, to see how disruptive it really will be in your home.

In our original effectiveness testing, we used five different-sized, zip-up indoor greenhouses—our “air quality testing chambers"—but we’ve evolved the methodology to use entire conference rooms based on the maximum square footage recommended by each air purifier’s manufacturer. Before turning each air purifier on, we record baseline readings of the room’s air quality using an air quality monitor and note the initial PM 2.5 ratings and TVOC levels.

We then light incense, allowing it to release smoke for approximately five minutes in the room (before extinguishing it in a cup of water). While the incense smoke is being released, we spread a mixture of sawdust, dirt, and flour to simulate common air pollutants found in a home, and spray a room spray. We record the readings again immediately after spreading the contaminants and after 30 minutes of the contaminants being in the room, allowing the air purifier to clear the air to its best ability.

We repeat this entire test on each purifier's high mode. During the high-mode test, we also release fake pet hair as an additional contaminant. At the end of all our lab testing, we review our experience and consider the value of each model based on its performance and price.

After testing the air purifiers in this controlled lab setting, we use our favorites in our own homes for six months or more. In addition to evaluating each purifier's performance in all the lab-tested categories, we consider how it improves our day-to-day living (if at all) and whether we notice any long-term impact on our lives. 

Why Trust The Spruce?

Marisa Viglione is a senior editor at The Spruce, specializing in appliances (like air purifiers!), home tech, cleaning, and organization. She has personally developed and run cleaning tests at The Lab, and currently uses and owns one of our three favorite air purifiers: Clorox's Large Room Air Purifier. She's continuously surprised by how easy it is to use, and uses the lock feature on the digital display so her toddler doesn't accidentally adjust settings (again).

For this roundup, she scoured our testing insights, compiling and comparing data to find the best of the best air purifiers for pet owners, small living spaces, heavy-duty situations (such as DIY project spaces), first-time users, design lovers, and more. All of the products in this roundup were rated and tested on their setup, effectiveness, design, features, noise level, portability, and value. Our favorites have also been tested right in our homes for six months or more.

Our Experts:

• Melissa Homer, Chief Cleaning Officer at MaidPro and member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board
• Emma Phelps, associate editor at The Spruce
• Sarah Toscano, freelance writer at The Spruce