Should an air purifier be high or low?

Author: Mr. Joel Lueilwitz  |  Last update: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Air purifier floor placement is great for heavier particles like dust and pet hair, while elevated placement offers better coverage for lighter pollutants at breathing levels.

What height should an air purifier be placed?

We recommend elevating it no higher than 5 feet off the ground, and this can be done by placing the air purifier on a piece of furniture, such as a dresser.

What setting should my air purifier be on?

We recommend running air purifiers 24/7 on their highest “quiet” setting—usually medium—or leaving them on their auto mode if they have that feature. On an auto setting, they'll self-adjust the fan speed to address any changes in your air quality.

Should I keep my air purifier on high?

Cleaning Efficiency: Running your air purifier on high can quickly remove pollutants from the air. This is ideal if you need a fast clean, such as after cooking or when pollen levels are high. Noise Levels: Higher fan speeds often mean more noise.

What number should my air purifier be?

AHAM's guidelines state that the CADR be at least two-thirds of the room size. Therefore, to filter the air in a 200-square-foot area of your home, you'll need an air purifier with a CADR of at least 133 CFM, as 200 times 2/3 equals 133.

The Best Air Purifier Is A $150 DIY Option

Do I run my air purifier all the time?

Length of time to leave it on

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.

What is the ideal air purifier schedule?

Every day leave it on for at least 4 hours. If there is a noticeable smell in the room, it is recommended to keep an air purifier on for 8 hours or even longer. In this way, it can have a good indoor purification effect and discharge harmful indoor gases to the outside as soon as possible.

Are air purifiers better up high or low?

Do not forget about the height of the position of the purifier. 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.

Do air purifiers run up your electric bill?

Regardless of where you live, the good news is, air purifiers do not use a lot of electricity to operate.

Is it OK to leave air purifier on all night?

It's perfectly safe to keep the device running continuously, and the amount of energy it consumes is very small.

Should I elevate my air purifier?

Elevate the Device

In rooms where you're sitting, like a living room or office, the device can be closer to the ground, but in rooms where you predominantly stand, a slightly higher elevation tends to be more effective. Note this technique is only effective for small, portable air purifiers.

How do I know if my air purifier is effective?

To test a whole-home air purifier, you must make the space smell. Cook the smelliest food you can think of, let the wet dog indoors, or burn potent incense that produces a noticeable odor. Then, turn the HVAC system fan on and notice as the odor dissipates. That is proof the air purifier is working.

Do air purifiers help with mold?

Mold is an obvious health risk in any home, but investing in an air purifier can help limit your exposure. The best among them will ideally offer HEPA-level filtration, with this level of filtration being able to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter.

Where should you not put an air purifier?

Keep Your Air Purifier Away from Heat

Air purifiers work hard and can get hot after a period of use. To prevent overheating and potentially damaging your device, keep it away from vents or radiators. Avoid running your unit for sustained periods while it is in direct sunlight.

Do air purifiers remove dust?

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.

Can you sleep next to an air purifier?

By positioning the air purifier near your bed, you can create a localized zone of cleaner air, which can be especially comforting for those with respiratory conditions. Ensure that the air purifier is placed at a safe distance from your head to avoid direct air exposure during sleep.

Is there a downside to air purifiers?

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.

How long does it take to see the effects of an air purifier?

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.

What uses the most electricity in a home?

Heating and cooling: 45-50%

The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.

What is the most highly recommended air purifier?

Our Top Picks for the Best Air Purifiers:
  • Best Overall Air Purifier: Coway Airmega True HEPA Purifier, $225.
  • Best Runner-Up Air Purifier: Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier, $319 $290.
  • Most Versatile Air Purifier: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, $806.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive air purifiers?

The higher the MERV rating, the better the air filter is at removing particles. Cheap air filters typically have a low MERV rating of 6 or less, while expensive air filters can have a MERV rating of up to 13. This means that they can remove much smaller particles, like bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, from the air.

Do air purifiers make the room less stuffy?

Eliminating stuffiness: By removing airborne particles and improving air circulation, a room can feel less stuffy and more pleasant. This can be especially noticeable in small or poorly ventilated spaces.

How to tell if an air purifier is working?

Three Ways To Test If Your Air Purifier Is Functioning
  1. Check The Indicator Lights. In recent days air purifiers have come with light indicators. ...
  2. Test Airflow In Your Air Purifier. ...
  3. Regularly Check The Filters In Your Air Purifier. ...
  4. Use Air Quality Monitor To Test Your Air Purifier.

What setting should I leave my air purifier on?

Therefore, we always recommend that you keep your air purifier running around the clock on at least the lowest speed (higher is better). Our air purifiers and filters are designed with constant use in mind, so you can rest easy knowing that your air is clean all the time.

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