Investing in an air purifier is a must these days. Especially, as another protective barrier against COVID. No matter the reason, a great air purifier can help to “eliminate dust, pollen, smoke and other irritants from the air,” while also doing its best to eliminate “dangerous airborne germs and bacteria.” Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, finding the right high-performance air purifier may “help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses.” Basically, a win-win!

With that said, there are a few baseline elements that you’ll want to keep an eye out for when selecting an air purifier. For instance, if your goal is to reduce the risk of viruses, bacteria, and germs — along with allergens such as pollen and dust — then choose one that uses a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters are far more advanced at capturing “unwanted particles from the air.” On top of that, per the CDC your air purifier needs to be “effective in removing viruses from the air,” which means that it “must be able to remove small airborne particles (in the size range of 0.1-1 um).” When purchasing an air purifier, the manufacturer may directly indicate the “particle removal efficiency for particle size,” they may use the “Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating system,” or they may simply say that they use a HEPA filter.

So, how do you choose the right one? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breaks it down into two easy identifiers:

• Select an air purifier that is the “right size for the space you will be using it in.”
• Select an air purifier that has a “high CADR for smoke (vs. pollen or dust), is designated a HEPA unit, or specifically indicates that it filters particles in the 0.1-1 um size range.

Luckily, I’ve done a bit of the heavy lifting for you with the following air purifiers that meet these guidelines and fall under a broad range of pricing.

1. Oransi mod Air Purifier

Oransi mod Air Purifier/Amazon.com

We’ll start out with one of the pricier models, the Oransi mod Air Purifier. While the sticker price may be a shocker, this air purifier is meant for large spaces and is high-quality which means you won’t be left wondering how clean your air really is. This air purifier is ideal for larger areas — up to 1250 square feet — including offices, classrooms, and large living areas. It’s complete with a 99.97 percent-plus HEPA filter, imbuing you with the confidence of pure air. Oransi promises this air purifier to be quiet, easy-to-use, and free of an ionizer and ozone. Comes with a 10-year warranty! This air purifier costs $599.

Mario says “I love this air purifier been in the market for one and seen this model and decided to try it out and def recommend it. Touch controls are easy to use look nice. Has a filter indicator. I use it at max speed in a bedroom the noise isn’t bothersome for me because I enjoy white noise and this is perfect to help me sleep. After a few days I noticed a difference in the room so I know this product is working. I run this thing 24/7 and so far on my electric bill there really isn’t a significant amount in usage increase. Oransi is doing good and I’m planning to purchase a model for my parents.”

2. RENPHO Air Purifier

RENPHO Air Purifier/Amazon.com

On the other end of the pricing spectrum is this RENPHO Air Purifier. While it may be more cost-effective, this purifier doesn’t skimp on the safety ratings with a CADR high enough for smoke and a True HEPA filter, both of which meet the CDC’s recommendations. The RENPHO Air Purifier has more protection with an advanced 4-stage filtration system that captures 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 micros. This air purifier offers 3-fan speed, sleep mode, and a whisper-quiet mode along with auto timers. This air purifier costs $79.99.

Sean Nelson says “I originally bought this because of allergies. I actually bought two of their products. I bought this big black one for my living room and a small white one for my bedroom. Both of these work really well. We had gotten a puppy that peed everywhere making the house smell terrible… with these, the smell has gone away. They are quiet at night but giving off this very faint humming sound which actually helps me sleep. They are super easy to use and set up… but do be sure to take the plastic off the filter before use, it tells you this in the instructions. The big black one is powerful enough to clean the air in the whole downstairs part of my house which includes the living room, kitchen, dining room, and a hallway.”

3. Bagotte True HEPA Air Purifier for Large Room

Bagotte True HEPA Air Purifier for Large Room/Amazon.com

Slee and stylish without sacrificing protection! This Bagotte True HEPA Air Purifier for Large Room offers rapid purification for large spaces with a CADR of 210m³/h and a True HEPA filter that collects up to 99.97 percent allergens in the air. This purifier has power in mind with a 30-watt operating system and an advanced motor that offers long-lasting filtration while also saving energy, which means you can run this machine 24/7 without worrying about your bill! This purifier has a sleep mode and 3 fan gears to find the perfect mode for any time. This air purifier costs $84.99.

Daisy N says “This is one of the best air purifiers that I have used so far in my bedroom. I was using a smaller one before but did not do the job so well. The previous one was a bit noisy when it ran and was hard for me to get to sleep. This one has a sleep mode which is almost no sounds to hear and I can sleep well with it.
I have the carpet in my room and there is a lot of dust that I can see with the flashlight but you cannot see it well. This one collects them all for sure. I have a really bad allergy and pretty sensitive to poor air. After using this, I can tell it does the job well done. It has a different level of speed which will run faster and stronger, easy to adjust with the button. It does have a timer to set before you sleep so you can set how many hours to stop it. It does have a reminder button to replace the air filter which is cool. I don’t have to remember or worry about when I need to replace it. I definitely recommend it and will buy more to put in each room.”

4. Smartmi Air Purifier HEPA H13 Filter

Smartmi Air Purifier HEPA H13 Filter/Amazon.com

This Smartmi Air Purifier HEPA H13 Filter is excellent for riding your house of odors, smells, and unsavory air particles such as viruses and bacteria. This machine is CARB certified with a HEPA filter and a TVOC sensor that indicates the approximate concentration level of harmful volatiles. Smartmi takes this air purifier to the next level with a color-changing loop strap that indicates your environment safety in real-time. This is a high-efficiency air purifier for moderate size rooms up to 500 square feet. Can be used in the living room, dining room, or even the master bedroom with the option for a quiet operation mode, which makes less than 30dB noise, and a dimmable OLED display. This air purifier costs $186.99.

Haozhu Wang says “The air purification function is good! I like that I can set a schedule on my iPhone app. Would recommend this product to my friends.”

5. IQAir Atem Desk Personal HEPA Air Purifier

IQAir Atem Desk Personal HEPA Air Purifier/Amazon.com

While the price for this air purifier is a bit on the high side, you’ll be bringing an award-winning machine into your home! This IQAir Atem Desk Personal HEPA Air Purifier was rated the number one personal air purifier for the 2019 Global Innovations Awards. This personal air purifier uses a unique HyperHEPA filter, which stops ultrafine particles as small as 0.003 microns — that’s 10 times smaller than a virus — and provides 99.9 percent air purification in your personal space. Therefore, if you’re looking for the most efficient personal air purifier, this one is worth the price! This air purifier costs $399.

AmyS says “I ordered the Atem on Thursday and got it on Friday. The first impression was pretty good with the quick delivery. Once I opened the box, I noticed that this has several power voltage options for different countries. (I probably buy another one and send it to my family member in another country. ) The design is pretty simple and easy to assemble. Also, you just need to touch the side to turn it on or to adjust the level of air out. I have several other air purifiers such as germgardian, dyson, winix in each room. But I see this Atem is small but strong. It is a perfect portable air purifier especially on the desk or on the side table next to the bed.”

6. NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier

NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier

This NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier not only has the safety ratings — high CADR and HEPA filter — but it’s rated for large areas and has a slew of bells and whistles that make the higher price worth it. NuWave’s air purifier will rid your home of all the bacteria, viruses, allergens, gasses, and volatile organic compounds as other purifiers, yet this one also offers wi-fi capabilities to connect your purifier directly to your smart device. This means you can control your home environment from anywhere. This air purifier costs $599.99.

Carol Steinhoff says “I bought this as I have COPD and allergies and a dusty house with dogs playing back and forth. This product does what it says it does. It was a little expensive but worth the price. It’s multi-functional and is in use all day with no problems. It’s too heavy for me to carry upstairs for night time so it is in the living room which is high traffic. A worthwhile investment.”

7. Molekule Air Mini+ Small Room Air Purifier with Particle Sensor and PECO Technology

Molekule Air Mini+ Small Room Air Purifier with Particle Sensor and PECO Technology/Amazon.com

You may be asking, why the large price tag for a small room air purifier? Put simply, this is no ordinary air purifier. In fact, this little cube packs a punch, plus lots of bells and whistles! This Molekule Air Mini+ Small Room Air Purifier with Particle Sensor and PECO Technology is designed for small spaces up to 250 square feet. The Molekule Air Mini+ collects and destroys pollutants using a particle sensor, PECO filter, and auto-protect mode. Low energy needs, super quiet, — 30-decibel silent mode — and offering automatic filter refills at 6 months, this mini cube is completely worth the price tag! This air purifier costs $439.00.

8. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier/Amazon.com

Middle of the road cost-wise, this Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier is sleek and unobtrusive, yet fits with the CDC guidelines if you’re looking to protect your home from viruses. This air purifier uses a true HEPA filter that removes 99.97 percent of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. Great at removing common allergens, along with bacteria and viruses, for fresh and clean indoor air. This product uses auto mode to detect pollutants, make fan adjustments, and remove harmful agents all without your intervention. This air purifier costs $160.00.

Bradjamc says “I live in an apartment in Houston that was affected by our last hurricane. With the 1 year anniversary approaching, my roof is JUST NOW getting repaired. My guest has told me that my place doesn’t smell right, I don’t smell it, used to it. All I know is my skin and eyes are dry, and I am tired (poor sleep). I have an 800sq/ft apartment. The first day, I moved it from room to room. The air quality sensor would move from red to green, and I could suddenly tell the difference in smelling clean air. On days 2 and 3, I started to have my doubts, so I did things to test the sensor (cleaned the litter next to it, sprayed aerosols, vacuumed, etc) and the sensor changed colors. It detected the chemicals being kicked up in the air and changes colors. I plan on getting 2 more units in the near future. I wish they made a unit the filtered a larger area. I really like that the UV and Ionizer can be turned off, as one of my pets is a bird. Oh, and my friends swear by it too. At first, I thought it was a decent investment but have since been convinced the unit is under the price. Their selling factor was the other reviews on here raving about their customer service. I can see why they are willing to issue refunds so readily. Once you have tried it, you will wonder how you did without.”

9. Germ Guardian Air Purifier 4 in 1 High CADR True HEPA Filter

Germ Guardian Air Purifier 4 in 1 High CADR True HEPA Filter/Amazon.com

This Germ Guardian Air Purifier 4 in 1 High CADR True HEPA Filter meets all the standards: a true HEPA filter that removes 99.97 percent of harmful agents (.3 microns), high CADR rating, and super quiet. This air purifier works with titanium dioxide to reduce volatile organic compounds including viruses, allergens, mold, and smoke. It has a 3-speed setting, an 8-hour timer, and optional UV C light. Depending on what you’re filtering, this air purifier is good for rooms up to 365 square feet. This air purifier costs $179.99.

Amy R. says “My husband and I have been looking for a better air purifier and we finally found it! As a mom with kids and pets in our home, I have suffered from severe allergies and have great difficulty sleeping in the past few years. Earlier this year we tried a much less featured air purifier and did not have good results. I think it was mainly because it had a cheap filter that was not good – I don’t think it filtered very much. After a lot of research, we found this air purifier from GermGuardian and after just a couple of nights now I have been super pleased. My allergies have diminished and I have had several nights of great sleep now. It has a real HEPA filter and also has a UVC light to help fight germs etc which is why I have been so happy. I think this will be a really good product for my kid’s health as well at our house. It is a very nice-looking product and is big enough to clean the air in a very large room. I am going to tell all my friends and family about this air purifier.”

10. Coway Airmega 150 True HEPA Purifier with Air Quality Monitoring and Auto Mode

Coway Airmega 150 True HEPA Purifier with Air Quality Monitoring and Auto Mode/Amazon.com

With one of the more attractive prices, this Coway Airmega 150 True HEPA Purifier with Air Quality Monitoring and Auto Mode still offers a high level of protection. Accommodates rooms up to 214 square feet — think, bedroom, office, smaller living room, or kitchen — and has a 3-stage filtration system for maximum compound removal — pre-filter, deodorization filter, and Green True HEPA filter. This air purifier has a Pollution sensor that shows real-time indoor air quality via LED colored light. On top of that, it’s energy-efficient with a 3-fan speed and auto mode. This air purifier costs $141.43.

Chris Smith says “I’ve had this unit for a couple of weeks now and I’m extremely pleased. Considering purchasing another one! Have owned several air cleaners over the years, returned a few immediately due to noise and unpleasant smells, and this one is the best. The form is A+, looks great – function is A+, works great. This unit is being used in a multi-use living/sleeping area with high ceilings in an urban environment, work from home, cooking, dust, pet dander, etc. This Coway is sensitive to air changes happening during cooking times, ruffling bedclothes when making the bed each day, an open window allowing additional dust, traffic, outdoor cooking smells when they occur – super! Unit controls are intuitive and filters are easy to change and/or clean. Also quiet on 1st setting around 20db for nighttime and sleeping – incredible! I use the 2nd setting for the workday, also quiet. The 3rd setting is probably in the 50-55 db area, perfect for when you leave the house, or you may use the Auto setting which adjusts accurately to changes in air condition. 4 air quality colors are nice too – BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, RED – I’ve had them all! Lastly, there’s no timer and that’s okay with me – it’s on 24-7! Excellent and 5 stars!”

11. Medify Air MA-40-W V2.0 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filter

Medify Air MA-40-W V2.0 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filter/Amazon.com

This Medify Air MA-40-W V2.0 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filter has it all plus a little something more! It meets the CDC standards for filtering virus-sized particles — HEPA filter with 99.9 percent particle-removal and a CADR rating of 330 — fit into a high-quality, energy-efficient — CARB, Energy Star, and ETL certified — machine. This purifier has sleep, night, and child lock modes, along with three fan modes and an eight-hour timer. Great for rooms up to 1600 square feet or as small as 420 square feet depending on how quickly air purification is needed. This air purifier costs $270.00.

Brad G. says “This was the best holiday gift ever! We’ve had air purifiers in the past, but this Medify unit is on a whole new level! Many of us in the family have allergies and have already notice an improvement within the first few days. Also, we cook and entertain frequently and have 2 large dogs and the Medify Air unit is helping to keep our home free of from these odors as well!”

12. PARTU HEPA Air Purifier 

PARTU HEPA Air Purifier/Amazon.com

This PARTU HEPA Air Purifier is a lot of bang for a very decent buck! It comes fully loaded with a Partu HEPA air filter — pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter — which filter particles as small as 0.3 microns. This means it is capable of filtering out those harmful viruses! On top of that, this air purification has an aromatherapy design, which means you can add a drop of essential oil to give your room a bit of calming scent along with purification!  This air purifier costs $99.99.

Chris says “I have no idea how to quantify how well this works, but I haven’t needed my inhaler since we got it. Our neighbors (older apartment building) are heavy smokers and my wife and I were both bothered by it. It feels better now. We’ve been leaving this running whenever we’re home. The touch sensor works well to turn it on and off. It does make some noise, but it’s just kind of a low ambient fan sound that’s easy to ignore. As an unexpected bonus it’s really really good at filtering pet smells- I have two stinky male rats in the middle of rat puberty, their bedding gets changed every other day, and when they were due for a cleaning you used to be able to smell it across the room. You can’t anymore unless you’re right next to the cage. I honestly didn’t have high hopes for this but it’s worth it for that alone.”

Related Content:

• 10 Best Houseplants for Improving the Air Quality In Your Home
• 15 Cruelty-Free Aromatherapy Products for Ultimate Relaxation
• 12 UV Lights that Kill Bacteria and Germs

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out! For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please support us!