Top rated units fall in the $120 to $200 range. We generally do not recommend units that cost less than $100 (If you find this price range unaffordable we recommend that you hold off on your purchase - it's that important). More expensive units are also not recommended.
Whole house air purifiers can enhance respiratory health by significantly reducing the inhalation of irritants. This is particularly crucial for vulnerable individuals, including children and the elderly, who may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of poor indoor air quality.
Tests reveal that cheaper models often match their effectiveness, challenging the idea that higher prices mean better quality. In choosing an air purifier, it's crucial to ignore marketing and focus on practical features like CADR rating and noise levels, instead of equating price with quality.
But air purifiers aren't cheap. Most models that CR recommends cost more than $200, and up to $900. They can be expensive to operate, too, because they typically require filter replacements once or twice a year and should be run around the clock. (See our chart below for a breakdown of annual costs.)
Regardless of where you live, the good news is, air purifiers do not use a lot of electricity to operate.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
When running 24/7, most HEPA air purifiers rated 50 to 100 watts per hour would only set you back around $4 to $10 monthly or $72 to $120 in a year.
However, in general, the duration of use required depends on the size of your space and the amount of indoor pollution (which varies throughout the year). This is why most manufacturers will recommend you to leave your air purifier running all day, especially if it comes equipped with an automatic setting.
Top rated units fall in the $120 to $200 range. We generally do not recommend units that cost less than $100 (If you find this price range unaffordable we recommend that you hold off on your purchase - it's that important). More expensive units are also not recommended.
According to Li, air purifiers are most important for people who are sensitive to particles because they have asthma, allergies to pollen or dust, or cardiovascular issues, as well as children, pregnant people and the elderly.
Air purifiers assist in eliminating household dust by helping to clean and purify the air in the home. Dyson's advanced purification machines are engineered with technology that traps dust before it settles on your furniture and floors. Dyson purifiers capture 99.95% of dust and ultrafine particles1.
Air circulation: If your room has poor air circulation, or is a complex shape (such as an L shape or a long thin shape) then you may benefit from multiple smaller air purifiers to improve ventilation. Two air purifiers placed at different locations in your room may help improve air circulation.
Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners
One mechanism of damage results from ozone-olefin reactions, and another from ozone reacting with electron donors (such as glutathione). Inhalation of relatively small amounts of ozone can cause coughing, chest pain, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
The reality is, air purifiers offer an effective option for helping remove particles from the air that circulates in your home.
While air filtration can help reduce airborne mold spores, an air purifier will not eliminate indoor mold growing on or beneath surfaces like walls and floors. Dr. Fineman emphasizes that effective indoor mold control requires managing moisture and humidity to prevent conditions that promote mold growth.
For context, electricity usage is a minor factor in the cost of air purifier ownership. The cost to run Alen's largest unit, the 75i, on its top fan speed 24/7 for a year is likely less than $50. Customers typically run the unit on speed 2 or 3, so the average cost is likely less than $25 for an entire year.
However, extremely large rooms, or rooms with ceilings higher than 8 ft.1, might require more than one air purifier due to their larger square (or cubic) footage. In those cases, each unit can be strategically placed for maximum coverage, while one air purifier might be enough for smaller rooms.
Specialists recommend placing the device on the floor, because it is near the ground that there is a higher concentration of pollutants. Setting it on a shelf can significantly reduce the filtration efficiency.
Air purifiers help reduce allergens and pollutants, but improper use can have health risks. Overuse of ozone-producing purifiers can irritate the respiratory system. Additionally, if filters are not replaced regularly, purifiers may become less effective, leading to poor air quality.
Room air cleaners are portable, electric appliances that remove fine particles, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air. A standard room air cleaner, operating continuously, uses approximately 450 kWh per year in electricity. This is more than the energy used by some new refrigerators!
Keep your device away from moisture or areas with high humidity. Place your device at least 6 inches from walls, furniture, or other items while in use. Place your air purifier near the most likely source of indoor air pollution. Consider investing in an air purifier that shuts off automatically with a timer.
In a typical home environment, an effective air purifier can start to reduce these pollutants within 30 to 60 minutes. Noticeable improvements in air quality are often observed within a few hours, with significant reductions occurring over 24 hours of continuous use.
Is It Safe to Leave an Air Purifier On While You're Away? Leaving an air purifier on while you're away from home is generally considered safe, as most modern air purifiers are designed for continuous operation.