17 Best Air Purifiers [Tested and Reviewed]

Dyson's Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde is a high-end air purifier boasting excellent dust collection and deodorization capabilities. One of its most appealing features is the MyDyson app, which lets you schedule and monitor your home's air quality levels, even when you're away.

Another big selling point is this air purifier’s dust collection and deodorizing power. Regardless of particle size, this model was able to remove over 99.9% of all particles sized 0.3 micron, 0.5 micron, and 1 micron. It captured and eliminated dust and contaminants, including fine smoke. This purifier was also able to eliminate the smell of cat urine in just 2 minutes. In addition, with its overwhelming wind power, this model could draw in the air beyond its immediate surroundings, ensuring optimal performance even in a large living room.

This purifier was also designed for quiet performance. In Wind Speed 1 mode, it emitted just 24.1dB of sound. In Wind Speed 10 mode, this model was somewhat louder, creating 43.6dB of sound. This machine is user-friendly, with a main unit and remote control that can connect with a smartphone app or a smart speaker using voice controls. The app can monitor specific particle diameters, such as PM2.5 and PM10, and also has an automatic mode. The dust sensor detects pollutants, allowing you to maintain clean air at all times, even if you leave the purifier unattended.

This product costs about $1,000, which is more expensive than other models. But it's an optimal choice for those looking for a high-performance air purifier with quiet operation.

Dyson's Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 Purifier Heater HP02 is a multifunctional air purifier that can filter pollutants and heat or cool a room at the same time.

Despite its compact size of 8.7 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and 24.9 inches high, the air purification of this model was exceptionally good. It fell slightly short of the Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde, but it still filtered over 99.7% of any particle size. This model can also remove the odor of cat urine in just 6 minutes, so it should be suitable even for large rooms.

This purifier is equipped with an auto mode, which automatically adjusts the energy output according to the air quality. It also features a maximum 70° oscillating function, which can distribute purified air throughout a room. You can operate the device through the unit, with an included remote control, using a smartphone app, or through a smart speaker using voice commands. The app allows you to monitor and adjust the air quality. Another attractive feature is that this purifier requires no maintenance. You only need to replace the filter once a year, and the only upkeep required is dusting the unit off with a brush.

Priced at around $630, this unit is more expensive than others on this list. But you can rely on this purifier in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen, and it performs double duty as an air purifier and heater in one. 

The Airmega 250 from COWAY can clean the air in a space up to 930 square feet. This purifier doesn't have a remote operation feature, but it is equipped with highly efficient dust collection and deodorization capabilities, as well as an advanced automatic mode.

The performance of its activated carbon filter and True HEPA filter is superior, resulting in high levels of dust collection and deodorization. This model achieved a removal rate of over 99.7% for any particle size and was able to eliminate the smell of cat urine in just 8 minutes. This purifier is suitable for large rooms, such as living rooms.

In addition, this model features an auto mode (smart mode) that automatically adjusts the speed of the fan according to the quality of the air. Its dust-collection sensor is highly sensitive, and it was able to detect a deodorant sprayed from 10 feet away in about 15 seconds on its own. Although you can only operate this purifier from the main unit, it does feature an air quality indicator that provides 24-hour monitoring.

The cost is somewhat high at around $400, but considering this machine’s stellar performance, it's worth the price for reliable air purification in the living room or bedroom.

COWAY's Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH can cover up to 874 square feet. It doesn’t perform as well as the same company's Airmega 250, but because it costs about $170 less, we recommend it for people who prioritize low prices.

The dust collection and deodorization capabilities of this air purifier, considering the price, are high. Although it could not completely remove 0.3 micron particles with a 99.6% removal rate, it achieved a removal rate of over 99.9% for 0.5 micron and 1 micron particles. This device also effectively captured dust and eliminated the odor of car urine within 10 minutes, so it should perform sufficiently in a living room.

The device is equipped with an auto mode that automatically adjusts the fan speed according to the quality of the air. This purifier’s sensor was sensitive enough to detect a deodorant that was sprayed from about 10 feet away within approximately 14 seconds. This model also features an Eco mode, and if it does not detect any dirt for 30 minutes, the fan automatically shuts off, which helps with energy efficiency and electric bills. The price of the main unit is affordable, and the total annual cost of filter replacement and electricity charges is economical at around $42.

Although this purifier couldn't capture minute particles, considering its price, this model performs to a high standard. We recommend this model for people looking for an effective unit that can cover an average living room while not spending a lot of money.

COWAY's Airmega 200M AP-1518R can cover up to 361 square feet. It uses the same filter as the manufacturer's Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH,so they perform similarly well but feature different designs.

When we evaluated this purifier’s dust-collection capabilities, we observed that the 0.3-micron particles were not completely eliminated at 99.6%, but the 0.5-micron and 1-micron particles boasted a removal rate of over 99.8%. This purifier also removed the smell of cat urine in 10 minutes, which is appropriate effectiveness for an average-sized living room.

This purifier comes with an auto mode, which automatically adjusts the fan speed according to the quality of the air. The sensor is also sensitive and detected a deodorant sprayed from 10 feet away in about 16 seconds. Additionally, it comes with an Eco-mode that automatically shuts the fan off if this purifier doesn't detect any dirt for 30 minutes. This unit is not only affordable, but the annual cost of filter changes and electricity is also economical at around $42.

While the purifier struggled to eliminate fine particles, considering the low price and excellent performance, this purifier provides great value. You may want to compare it to the same manufacturer's Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH before making a purchase based on your design preferences.

The 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier 5500-2 by WINIX can cover 360 square feet. It's budget-friendly at under $250, and comes equipped with both a dust sensor and an odor sensor.

Although we were unable to remove 0.3-micron particles during our testing completely, only 0.4% remained, and this purifier got rid of over 99.9% of 0.5-micron and 1-micron particles. We were also able to remove the smell of cat urine in 12 minutes, which is adequate performance for the size of a typical living room.

This purifier's auto-mode sensor is quite responsive. It successfully detected the deodorant sprayed from 10 feet away within approximately 8 seconds. In addition, this device features an odor sensor, which is not often included in other air purifiers. This feature enables it to automatically detect and deodorize not just dust and house dirt but also cooking odors. This device comes with a remote control, but it isn’t set up to operate from a smartphone, which is a drawback when you go to work or on vacation.

Though this purifier didn’t remove every microscopic piece of dust, we recommend this cost-effective device to people looking for a purifier that can automatically respond to odors from the kitchen and pets.

Levoit's Vital 200S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier LAP-V201S-WUS is priced under $200 and can be operated from a smartphone. This device can also be linked to a smart speaker, so you can easily change settings with voice commands.

This device's air purifying power shows a removal rate of over 99.3% for all particle sizes. It can also dispel the smell of cat urine in 14 minutes. That level of performance is sufficient for an area the size of a bedroom.

In automatic mode, this purifier's built-in infrared sensor detects dirt in about 20 seconds. For those who aren't allergic to house dust or sensitive to odors, this sensor sensitivity should be sufficient. The display allows you to check the air quality in four stages. This device also works with the VeSync app, so you can check the air quality even when you're not home and set schedules by day and time. This purifier also runs quietly, so it's great for the bedroom.

This model's air-purifying capability may be inferior to higher-end products, but it boasts robust smart features. This purifier likely satisfies those looking for an affordable and user-friendly air purifier for the bedroom.

Alen's BreatheSmart 75i True HEPA Air Purifier features top-of-the-line deodorizing capability, so we highly recommend it for people who are sensitive to smells.

The purifier recorded a deodorizing speed second only to Dyson's Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde, erasing the smell of cat urine in just 6 minutes. This model is also equipped with a smell sensor, which automatically adjusts the wind volume to quickly deodorize the space once a smell is detected. When it comes to cleaning, you don't have to maintain the filter in this purifier, just replace it. Even if you run this purifier continuously 24 hours a day, you only need to replace the filter once every 15 months.

The drawbacks? Its dust-collection capability and annual cost. Our testing showed disappointing results of 92.7% for the collection of 1-micron particles. In addition, the replacement filters result in an annual cost of about $100. If you have hay fever or dust allergies, we recommend you consider higher-rated products instead.

With a base price of about $770 and high annual costs, this purifier is expensive. While its dust collection capability is not particularly high, it excels in odor removal. So, if getting rid of unpleasant smells is your top priority, this purifier might be worth considering.

The Blue Pure 311i Max by Blueair is suitable for up to 929 square feet. It features high-performance dust-collection capabilities, so we recommend it for people who are concerned about dust and allergens.

During testing, we recorded a 99.9% removal rate for all particle sizes, so you don't have to worry about missing any dust. This purifier also runs quietly, with the lowest airflow setting—night mode— producing just 20.5dB of sound. Since this device operates almost silently, it’s great for the bedroom.

That said, this purifier fell short when it came to deodorizing. It took 16 minutes to completely remove the smell of cat urine. Compact in size, this purifier can fit in small spaces. Still, we don’t recommend it for use in kitchens, bathrooms, or for people who own pets. Plus, this purifier is difficult to maintain because the pre-filter and main filter are designed in a way that makes them challenging to remove.

Although the price is relatively cheap at around $225 and it collects dust very well, this model is not very effective for odor removal. But if you're mainly concerned about dust in your bedroom or living room and aren’t looking to spend a lot, this purifier might be worth considering.

The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX HP302 from SharkNinja Operating features a unique four-layer filter system. Its appeal lies in the fact that it doesn't require filter changes for up to 5 years, resulting in easier maintenance and cost savings.

Our testers gave this purifier dust-collection power high marks, as it tallied over 99.9% removal for all particle sizes between 3 and 1 micron. With its outstanding dust-collection power, you can maintain clean air even in large rooms. Running costs amount to only about $16 per year, making it one of the least expensive products in our rankings when considering total cost over 5 or 10 years.

However, this purifier’s deodorization is not very good. It took 24 minutes to eliminate the smell of cat urine, which is 12 times longer than the best-performing Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde. If odors are a major concern, you'd probably be more satisfied with either the Airmega Mighty or Airmega 200M by COWAY in the same price range.

With a dust-collection performance that is more than sufficient, this purifier provides excellent value for the total cost. You may want to buy multiple units to purify the air in every room.