We believe in testing products in the same way that regular people use them. To help us determine the best air purifiers 2021 we use an electronic air quality detector, objective data, expert analysis, and real-world testing.
These testing procedures help give our opinions real merit, since we have hard data to back up our reviews. For more about how we test and how we pick click those links, otherwise click here for our top picks for the best air purifiers.
#1. Oransi EJ120
The Oransi EJ120 is an absolute monster of air purifying power. Expensive? Yes. Amazing? Also, yes.
The Ultimate HEPA Air Purifier
Oransi EJ120
The Oransi EJ120 dominated our purification tests. In our standard 1 hour test the EJ120 was able to reduce PM10 to 0.0, PM2.5 to 0.1, AQI to 0, and total particles to 4 per cubic liter of air. The controls are simple, build quality is great, the German-made EC motor is quiet. It’s able to purify spaces up to 1,250 sq. ft., making it the highest air flow purifier we’ve tested to date. No question, it’s expensive, but it’s also the best of the best.Check PriceThe only area where the Oransi EJ120 lacks is smartphone connectivity. It’s not wifi enabled, so you cannot control it from your phone. However, given the performance, I find it’s something I can easily overlook.
The Oransi EJ120 uses two different filters:
- HEPA filter – 3″ thick, removes particulates up to 0.3 micros small
- Carbon filter – 1″ thick, removes odors and gasses (re-designed pleated version helps improve performance)
As far as purifiers go, the EJ120 has a relatively simple, but high quality design. It uses thick high performance filters alongside an electrically commutated motor.
The combination speaks for itself when it comes to air purification performance.
Purification Testing
The Oransi EJ120 was dominate in our air purifier tests. It reduced PM2.5 to 0.1, PM10 to 0.0, and AQI to 0. You can see our full before and after air quality data below:
Starting Baseline
- PM 2.5: 3.1
- PM 10: 5.6
- Particles: 199
- AQI: 13
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.1
- PM 10: 0.0
- Particles: 4
- AQI: 0
To sum it up, the Oransi EJ120 is the best air purifier we’ve tested to date. It’s also among the most expensive, but if you need the absolute best air purification performance this is it.
You can read our full Oransi EJ120 review here.
#2. Rabbit Air MinusA2
The Rabbit Air Minus A2 is a feature-packed air purifier designed to seamlessly integrate into your home and life.
A High-End Purifier with XL Area Coverage
Rabbit Air MinusA2
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is a large air purifier with one of the largest coverage areas we’re seen to date, up to 815 sq. ft.. It has a 6-stage filtration process and did an excellent job of purifying the air during our tests. For a purifier with excellent coverage, customization, and purification, check out the Rabbit Air Minus A2. Check PriceIt offers smart connectivity so you can pair the purifier with your smartphone for remote controls or control via voice commands. It also has a variety of interchange front panels for an artistic design that is unique to this purifier.
The Minus A2 uses 6 different filters to clean the air, including:
- Pre Filter
- Medium Filter
- HEPA Filter
- Customized Filter (see below)
- Charcoal Filter
- Negative IONs
Rabbit offers 4 different customized filter options (this goes in slot #4 above).
These filters help to tailor the system to perform better in your home. You can choose between a germ defense filter, pet allergy filter, toxin absorber filter (for VOCs and chemicals), and the odor remover filter.
Purification Testing
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 performed exceptionally well in our air purification tests. It was able to remove 98.4% of particulates within our 1 hour test. PM2.5 was reduced from 12.4 to 0.1, PM10 from 21.6 to 0.1, and AQI from 50 to 0.
Starting Baseline
- PM 2.5: 12.4
- PM 10: 21.6
- Particles: 584
- AQI: 50
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.1
- PM 10: 0.1
- Particles: 9
- AQI: 0
In terms of purification performance, it’s one the best air purifier we’ve tested so far.
We can’t fully cover the Rabbit Air Minus A2 in this little summary (there are just so many features), but here are some of the other feature / spec highlights:
- Cleans up to 815 sq. ft.
- Filters last 1-2 years (running 12 hours a day)
- Filter replacement cost is $85
- Ultra-low ozone created (0.002 parts-per-million)
- WiFi-enabled, so you can control with your smartphone
- Customized panels featuring images and artwork available
- Intelligently knows when to turn on to clean the air based on air quality, time of day, and other factors
- 5 year warranty
Read our Rabbit Air Minus A2 Review
If the MinusA2 is prohibitively expensive for you, check out the Rabbit Air BioGS review, the younger brother to the MinusA2.
#3. Dyson Pure Cool
If you like the power and detailed design aesthetic of a Dyson, you will probably really like Dyson’s Pure Cool lineup.
A Dyson Full Tower Purifier for Large Rooms
Dyson Pure Cool TP04
The Dyson Pure Cool TP04 is the largest air purifier in the Dyson Pure Cool lineup and moves up to 361 liters / sec of air. It comes with an auto mode for self-directing settings or can be customized (like airflow speed, direction, or oscillation angle). Overall, the TP04 is a great option for large room purification. Check PriceThe Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers are designed to purify air in rooms of various sizes and come with a variety of different features.
The Dyson TP04 air purifier, also known as the Dyson Pure Cool tower fan, is a large and powerful unit in the Pure Cool collection, capable of cleaning large rooms.
The TP04 uses a 360° sealed HEPA filter with activated carbon to the clean. The filter is able to remove gasses, allergens, and pollutants (99.7% of particulates as small as 0.3 microns).
Simple Usability
The TP04 is incredibly easy to use, including a remote control, smartphone integration, voice control, and automated operation. Additionally, the Dyson TP04 senses pollutants in real-time, including PM 2.5, PM 10, VOCs, and NO2.
Air purification performance on the Dyson TP04 was excellent. It was nearly as good as the Rabbit Air MinusA2.
Starting Baseline
- PM 2.5: 7.4
- PM 10: 12.1
- Particles: 599
- AQI: 30
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.2
- PM 10: 0.2
- Particles: 14
- AQI: 0
The TP04 was able to reduce particulates by 97.6% within 1 hour. In addition, PM2.5 was reduced from 7.4 to 0.2, PM10 from 12.1 to 0.1, and AQI from 30 to 0.
Below is a list of the features included on the Dyson TP04 air purifier:
- Air quality sensor (PM2.5, PM10, VOC, NO2)
- HEPA filtration with activated carbon (to remove gasses)
- Circulates 77 gallons of purified air per second
- Can be used as a purifier + cooling fan or just a purifier
- Certified Asthma and Allergy-friendly
- Can be controlled via smartphone, voice, remote, or Alexa
- Wifi-enabled, can be controlled via the Dyson Link app
- 2-year warranty
Read our Dyson Pure Cool TP04 review here.
What About Other Dyson Air Purifiers?
We had a hard time deciding on which Dyson air purifier should be included with our best of list.
We felt that the Dyson TP04 was the most well rounded among Dyson air purifiers (and slightly outperformed the DP04), which is why we think it’s overall the best.
Nevertheless, there are several other Dyson air purifiers that could be better for you depending on your exact needs.
How to Choose a Dyson Air Purifier
As a general rule, here’s how to decide which Dyson air purifier is right for you:
- You want the best air purification performance – Get the Dyson TP04 or Dyson DP04. These both have a HEPA filter and carbon filter. In addition, they offer high air flow (making them good for large spaces). If you want it in a corner of the room, get the TP04. If you want to put it on a table or desk, get the DP04.
- You want the best value – You should get the Dyson TP02. It only has a HEPA filter, but it also has incredibly strong air flow at a very reasonable price.
- You want year round usage – The Dyson HP04 and HP02 heat, cool, and purifier the air. They are the only models that can heat. HP04 has the carbon and HEPA filter. HP02 only has a HEPA filter.
- You want a purifier for a small room – Get the Dyson BP01. This is a compact air purifier. Usually it’s for small rooms or even sitting directly on a desk or table that you’re in.
Below we have a comprehensive comparison chart for Dyson’s air purifier model lineup.
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 BEST OVERALL  | Dyson TP04 |
| Check Price |
BEST VALUE  | Dyson TP02 |
| Check Price |
BEST AIR FLOW  | Dyson DP04 |
| Check Price |
BEST DESK SIZE  | Dyson HP02 |
| Check Price |
BEST YEAR-ROUND  | Dyson HP04 |
| Check Price |
BEST SMALL  | Dyson BP01 |
| Check Price |
Related Dyson air purifier reviews:
- Dyson air purifiers compared (all models)
- Dyson Pure Cool models compared
- Dyson TP04 review
- Dyson DP04 review
- Dyson HP04 review
- Dyson TP02 review
#4. Coway AP 1512HH
The Coway AP 1512HH air purifier is a more compact purifier that is designed for great area coverage and easy usability.
A Compact, Modern Purifier
Coway Air Purifier
The Coway Mighty air purifier has a smaller footprint, but can tackle up to 360 sq ft. of area coverage and also includes real-time air quality assessment. If you’re looking for a more compact air purifier that has sufficient coverage for a medium to large room and is value priced, the Coway AP 1512HH is a good fit.Check PriceIt has a simple aesthetic with all of the controls and air flow outlets located on the side and back of the unit. For a purifier that doesn’t look as much like a traditional air purifier, the Coway is a solid option.
There is nothing overly fancy about the Coway. It doesn’t have a remote control, nor can it connect to your smart home.
Nevertheless, we still think it’s a good choice because of its exceptionally fair and reasonable price in relation to its air cleaning performance. It did well in our air purification tests, reducing PM2.5 from 3.1 to 0.3 within 1 hour.
Below is our full air purification testing data for Coway’s 1512HH.
Initial Baseline
- PM 2.5: 3.1
- PM 10: 5.4
- Particles: 234
- AQI: 13
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.3
- PM 10: 0.3
- Particles: 34
- AQI: 0
The square footage coverage isn’t as huge as Dyson or Rabbit Air, but if you have a smaller space and need a good value option we think the Coway AP 1512HH is perfect.
Filter Process
The Coway air purifier uses a 4-stage filtration process:
- Pre-filter
- HEPA filter
- Carbon filter
- Ionizer (optional)
Here are the feature highlights on the Coway air purifier:
- Cleans up to 360 sq. ft.
- 4-stage filtration with washable pre-filter
- Optional air ionizer
- Auto mode self adjusts fan speed for varying levels of air quality
- Displays real-time air quality with 3 colors of LED lights
- Timer (1, 4, or 8 hour)
- Lets you know when it’s time to replace the filter (HEPA or carbon)
- 3-year limited warranty
Read our Coway AP 1512HH Review
#5. Levoit LV-H134
The Levoit LV-H134 air purifier is a large purifier with a high capacity air flow (up to 710 sq. ft. of area coverage) and excellent purification performance.
Overall Excellent Air Purifeir for Large Sapces
Levoit LV-H134
The Levoit LV H-134 is a large air purifier that can treat up to 710 sq ft of air with excellent air purification scoring. While it lacks smart features like voice control or smartphone connectivity, it has the most important feature, excellent air purification. The HEPA filter is absolutely massive, as is the purification coverage area. It’s a great way to purifier large spaces on a budget. Check PriceIt has an Auto Mode to help detect indoor air quality in real time and change setting as necessary to distribute the cleanest air possible.
The Levoit LV-H134 uses a large HEPA filter for primary air filtration. It is by far the largest HEPA filter we’ve tested to date.
This massive HEPA filter is needed given the size of the fan, which allows the LEVOIT LV-H134 to purifier extremely large rooms up to 710 sq. ft.
Features
In terms of features, the H134 is fairly simple. No smartphone control and no remote control.
However, we think that’s perfectly fine given how strong the air purification performance is.
In our air purification tests it reduced PM2.5 from 7.0 to 0.1 within 1 hour. It’s among the best air purifiers we’ve tested to date. See the rest of our testing data below:
Starting Baseline
- PM 2.5: 7.0
- PM 10: 11.6
- Particles: 444
- AQI: 29
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.1
- PM 10: 0.1
- Particles: 13
- AQI: 0
When you consider the price point compared to the performance, it’s really hard to overlook what an amazing value the LEVOIT LV-H134 is.
Here is a quick list of top features on the Levoit LV-H134 air purifier:
- Cleans up to 710 sq. ft.
- Offers real-time air quality assessment (4 LED colors)
- Adjustable fan speed
- Auto mode
- Sleep mode
- Adjustable brightness display
- Filter status
- Timer
Read our Levoit LV-H134 Review
Other Top Air Purifiers
Below we’ve listed several other air purifiers we tested that we think are definitely worth considering. They may be a better fit for you and your home, depending on your exact needs, budget, and desires.
All of the following air purifiers:
- Performed excellent in our cleaning tests, reducing PM2.5 to 0.3 or lower (except Molekule, but we explain more about that below)
- Can clean spaces 300+ square feet
- Use a HEPA filter, while many also including a carbon filter (again, Molekule is an exception, but uses an advanced type of filter called PECO, we explain below)
Other features like smart home integration, remote control, air quality sensing, and ionization are great to have, but we don’t think of these features as critically essential as the above.
Even so, many of the following air purifiers still have these features. Nevertheless, we focused our recommendations around purification power.
Full List of the Best Air Purifiers 2021
So with that said, here’s our complete list of the best air purifiers:
- Oransi EJ120
- Rabbit Air MinusA2
- Dyson Pure Cool TP04
- Dyson Pure Cool DP04
- Dyson Pure Cool + Hot HP04
- Dyson Pure Cool TP02
- Coway Mighty AP-1512HH
- LEVOIT LV-H134
- LEVOIT PUR131
- Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0
- Molekule
We cover the Oransi EJ120, Rabit Air MinusA2, Dyson TP04, Coway 1512, and Levoit H134 in detail above. Click here to jump back to those sections. The other 6 air purifier models are detailed below.
Dyson Pure Cool DP04
The Dyson Pure Cool 4th generation lineup is an absolute powerhouse, including both the DP04 and TP04. The only difference between the DP04 and TP04 comes down to size and form factor.
The Dyson DP04 has a slightly wider amplifier (the thing on the top of it) and is notably shorter than the TP04.
As a result, it’s better suited for desks and tables, while the TP04 is better for sitting on the floor in a corner of the room.
Like the TP04, the DP04 includes both a HEPA filter and carbon filter.
In our air purification tests the Dyson DP04 performed well, reducing PM2.5 to 0.3. PM10 was also reduced to 0.3, while particles was reduced from 359 to 29 (per cubic liter of air).
Starting Baseline
- PM 2.5: 4.9
- PM 10: 8.5
- Particles: 359
- AQI: 20
After 1 Hour
- PM 2.5: 0.3
- PM 10: 0.3
- Particles: 29
- AQI: 0
This performance wasn’t quite as strong as the TP04, however, we feel that it’s within the margin of error on our tests and as such, equally as good.
Notably, the Dyson DP04 does have a faster air cycle rate of 419 liters per second (an increase of 16% over the TP04, which has a rate of 361 liters per second).
Related Reviews:
Dyson Pure Cool TP02
The Dyson Pure Cool TP02 is a few years old, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad air purifier by any stretch.
The TP02 includes only a HEPA filter, but is powered by a strong fan capable of cycling the air at a rate of 410 liters per second.
It includes many of the same features that you’ll find on the 4th generation Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers, including:
- 360 degree HEPA filter
- Smart home integration
- Remote control (both via your smartphone and physical remote)
- Real time air quality sensors
- Similar form factor
The biggest feature the Dyson TP02 doesn’t have is the carbon filter. So that’s something to keep in mind if you’re comparing.
Additionally, the TP02’s digital display is more basic compared to that on the TP04 and DP04.
Nevertheless, we think the Dyson Pure Cool TP02 is worth mentioning due to its strong air purification performance relative to the price point. The TP02’s purification was just as strong as the 4th generation models, reducing PM2.5 to 0.2.
Starting Baseline
- PM2.5: 2.8
- PM10: 4.1
- Particles: 279
- AQI: 11
After 1 Hour
- PM2.5: 0.2
- PM10: 0.2
- Particles: 29
- AQI: 0
Related Reviews:
Dyson Pure Cool + Hot HP04
The Dyson HP04 is a 4th generation Dyson air purifier. Like the Dyson DP04 and TP04 it has a carbon filter and HEPA filter.
However, where its different is its ability to heat.
The Dyson Pure Cool + Hot HP04 is able to purify air, blow cool fan air, and also blow heated air into your room. This is a rarity among air purifiers and something we’ve not seen anywhere else.
Since it both cools and heats it’s a nice option for use all year long.
Air Cycle Rates
The biggest negative to the Dyson HP04 is the lower (relatively speaking) fan speed, which can only cycle 310 liters of air per second.
We haven’t had a chance to personally test the HP04 yet. However, there is no reason to think its air purification performance would be any worse or better than the Dyson DP04 and TP04.
The only area where the HP04 might not be as strong as its ability to purify large spaces. See relative air cycle rates below:
- HP04 – 310 liters / second
- TP04 – 361 liters / second
- DP04 – 419 liters / second
Related Reviews:
Levoit LV-PUR131
The Levoit LV-PUR131 isn’t the biggest or best at anything. However, where it excels is its ability to strike an exceptional balance of performance vs. price.
The PUR131 is the cheapest air purifier on our list by a healthy margin.
Despite this fact, it was still able to achieve a PM2.5 of 0.2 in our air purification tests. PM10 was reduced from 9.5 to 0.2, particles from 289 to 39, and AQI from 23 to 0.
Starting Baseline
- PM2.5: 5.6
- PM10: 9.5
- Particles: 289
- AQI: 23
After 1 Hour
- PM2.5: 0.2
- PM10: 0.2
- Particles: 39
- AQI: 0
In addition, it includes both a sizable HEPA filter and carbon filter (for removing smells).
Where it lacks…
- No smart home integration
- Doesn’t have a digital display of sensor data
- No remote control
- Limited coverage of ~322 sq. ft. (good for medium to large bedrooms or other large single rooms)
- No scheduling
In exchange for giving up those features you get an air purifier that’s significantly less expensive than other air purifiers, despite still having good overall air purification performance.
Related Reviews:
Rabbit Air BioGS
The Rabbit Air BioGS SPA-625A is the little brother of the Rabbit Air MinusA2.
Notably, it lacks smartphone connectivity and doesn’t have quite the raw power of the MinusA2. These factors aside, it’s still a powerhouse in its own right.
The BioGS SPA-625A is able to purifier spaces up to 625 square feet.
Like the MinusA2 it has a combination of filters, including:
- Pre-filter (that you can periodically wash at home)
- Carbon filter
- HEPA filter
- Ionizer (you can turn it off if you prefer)
It performed well in our air purification tests, where it crushed its way through a starting baseline of 15.5 PM2.5. Within 1 hour it reduced PM2.5 to 1.8 and within 4 hours to 0.3.
Starting Baseline
- PM2.5: 15.5
- PM10: 25.2
- Particles: 899
- AQI: 57
After 1 Hour
- PM2.5: 1.8
- PM10: 3.3
- Particles: 76
- AQI: 8
After 4 Hours
- PM2.5: 0.3
- PM10: 0.3
- Particles: 19
- AQI: 1
Again, not quite as amazing as the MinusA2. However, considering the price point, this is still a beefy air purifier that can handle large square footage areas.
Related Reviews:
Molekule
Molekule is arguably the most advanced air purifier on the market. The Molekule uses Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) to clean air. PECO works at the molecular level to destroy pollutants in the air.
Unlike traditional HEPA filters, the Molekule is able to capture and destroy a wider range of ultra-small particles, including:
- Chemicals floating in the air aka volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Bacteria & Viruses
- Mold
- Allergens (ex. dust, pollen, and pet dander)
While the Molekule didn’t quite reach the 0.1-0.3 PM2.5 reading we saw for the other air purifiers on our list we still feel it’s worth mentioning since the PECO destroys the particulates, as opposed to just capturing them.
Starting Baseline
- PM2.5: 6.2
- PM10: 10.7
- Particles: 379
- AQI: 25
After 1 Hour
- PM2.5: 0.6
- PM10: 1.2
- Particles: 44
- AQI: 0
The PECO Filter
The PECO filter is an interesting development within the air purification market that has remain largely unchanged since the development of HEPA filtration (at least in terms of how particulates are trapped and removed).
Below is the full list of features included with the Molekule:
- Cleans up to 600 sq. ft.
- Take about 1 hour to fully clean the air within the room
- Zero ozone created
- Filter replacement cost (annually) is $129
- Annual filter subscription include 2 PECO filters and 4 Pre-Filters
- Wifi enabled, so you can control via your smartphone
- 1 year warranty
Related Reviews:
How We Test
At Modern Castle we test products the same way that regular people use them.
In the case of air purifiers our process looks like this:
- Close a bedroom door and turn off the HVAC. We don’t perfectly seal the bottom of the door, but we do make an effort to prevent extra air and particulates from flowing into the room during the test.
- With the door closed we take a baseline measurement of air quality.
- We then let the air purifier run for 1 hour on the highest settings.
- Next, we take a new measurement of the air quality and compare those results to our baseline data.
- Lastly, we analyze data and compare it to other air purifiers to determine the final score and determine any recommendations we want to make.
What about long duration tests?
Some people have asked us why we don’t test air purifiers for longer durations. The answer is, we have.
In the past, we ran tests as long as 36 hours. However, in our experience almost all air purifiers we’ve tested were able to fully cycle the air in the test room within 1 hour. Our data after the 1 hour mark very rarely changed.
As a result, we decided 1 hour tests were sufficient in most cases.
On some air purifiers we include data for more than 1 hour. As a result, you may come across a few of those in our list of air purifier reviews. If we feel it’s needed we include the supplementary data to help round out our tests.
At the end of the day, we complete in-depth tests to help us better understand which air purifiers perform best, how they compare to each other, and which are better under various environments.
How We Picked
We’ve personally tested over a dozen different air purifiers and researched dozens more. From the most personal, compact purifiers to hospital-grade purifiers, there’s certainly a wide range to choose from out there.
So what exactly makes one purifier better or worse than another?
After all, they’re all designed to clean something invisible so can one be definitively better than another?
The asnwer is yes. When testing air purifiers, we’re looking at a range of different features, but some of the most important include:
1. Performance
First and foremost, let’s talk performance. If an air purifier doesn’t effectively purify the air in an indoor space, can it really be called a “good air purifier”?
To test any air purifier, we follow the process below:
- Get a baseline measurement of starting air quality.
- Run the selected air purifier for 60 minutes in a closed room.
- Retest the air quality and document the improvement.
How the number of particles relates to the air quality index tells us a lot about the overall quality of the air.
We are looking at the following features to assess overall air quality:
- AQI – Air Quality Index
- PM 2.5 – Particulate matter under 2.5
- PM 10 – Particulate matter under 10
- Overall number of particles
Here are a few of our top performing air purifiers. All of these models purified the air down to 0.1-0.2 (concerning particulate matter size) and drastically improved indoor air quality.
2. Filter Type
The best air purifiers have multiple forms of filtration to tackle a range of airborne media, like:
- HEPA air purifiers: HEPA filtration is the most popular type of air purifier on the market. These filters use an ultra-fine mesh to help filter out ultra-tiny particles, in some cases all the way down to 0.3 microns.
- Activated carbon air purifiers: There are not many air purifiers that rely solely on activated carbon filters, but carbon purification is highly effective at helping to remove odors from your home. If odor-reducing features are your main aim, you’ll want to make sure you select a purifier with an activated carbon (charcoal) filter.
- Ionic air purifiers: Ionic air purifiers (aka ionizer) use the power of negative-charged ions to attract to positively charged airborne particles in your room and sink them to the floor, where they can later be vacuumed up. Getting these particles out of the air is the first step in preventing airborne illnesses and the spread of germs.
- PECO (photo-electrochemical oxidation) filters: This type of filtration is less common on the market, but not unseen. PECO technology is a form of filtration that uses light combined with a nano-coated filter to chemically destroy unwanted airborne particles. Those in favor of PECO technology claim that it may be more effective than HEPA because it destroys the particles, not just captures them.
3. Top Features
Different air purifier put their design efforts into a variety of different features. Depending which features are most important to you, may help to drive the decision of which air purifier to select.
Some of the most popular features in air purifiers includes:
- Real-time air sensing: With real-time air sensing, the air purifier will be able to constantly access the indoor air quality and determine what level of purifier cation is needed.
- Remote control: Some air purifiers can be controlled remotely with a physical remote control, smartphone control, or even voice control (when paired with a smart device like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant).
- Auto mode: Auto mode can be based off of indoor air quality, pre-programmed schedules, or time of day. Essentially, this mode automatically adjusts the fan speed or intensity if purification based on a specific factor.
- Sleep mode: Sleep mode is a quieter level of purification that allows you to rest easier without high fan speeds stealing your sweet dreams.
Note, that the above models we called out are just one possible good option.
There are actually quite a few air purifier models that can sense air in real time including Dyson’s Pure Cool, Rabbit Air MinusA2, Levoit’s PUR131, Molekule, and many others.
The same is true of models with auto mode and remote control.
Air Purifier Reviews
Below we have listed all of the air purifiers we’ve reviewed to date. As we test and review more air purifiers we will add them to this list.
Air Purifier Comparisons
Check out these quick links to compare top air purifier models:
- Molekule vs. Dyson
- Dyson Pure Cool Comparison (TP04 vs. TP02 vs. TP01 vs. DP04 vs. DP01 vs. BP01)
- Molekule Air vs. Air Pro vs. Air Mini
More Resources
- Do air purifiers remove odors?
- What is a HEPA filter and how do they work?
- Air Ionizer Dangers: Are Ionic Air Purifiers Safe?
- How to smoke in your room without smelling it?
- Best Hardwood Floor Vacuum (getting dust off floors can help improve air quality also)
The Last Word
Still not sure what to buy? Please drop us a comment below or send us an email, we’d be happy to help you decide.
Similarly if there is an air purifier that isn’t listed above that you think we should test let us know!
Update Log
- October 15, 2019 – Added Oransi EJ120 to our top pick lists.
- August 9, 2019 – Overhauled the page with improved formatting, images, and content. Re-organized what we think are the best purifiers based on our updated testing data and continued research.
- February 5, 2019 – Original version of the page published.
Hi Derek
Do any air purifiers actually remove any virus from the air?
Or is the air flow the purifiers produce assist with the transmittal of virus indoors?
Thank
Most air purifiers remove some portion of viruses from the air.
Virus get airborne by hitching a ride on lighter than air particulates…namely water droplets, dust, dirt, pet dander, etc. All of those particulates are easily removed by air purifiers.
So any virus that was airborne is captured and removed by the HEPA filter.
I just bought an Ionicpro platinum. Do you have any review on this air Purifier? It’s a TA750. Thank you
That’s not a brand I’ve ever heard of. Sorry.
Hi, I’d love to hear your opinion about the Nikken Kenko Air Purifier. I bought 2 of them years ago and the replacement filters (which should be replaced every 6 months) are extremely expensive ($120-160)… I’ve always wondered if this is really a good product really or not. Or perhaps it is a good product, but way, way, way over-priced… Thanks!
There’s not much info online that I could find about the Nikken Kenko, but from what I did see, it looks like a nice purifier, but certainly not one worth spending $120-$160 per filter. They filtration looks to be part with any standard high-quality HEPA / carbon multi-stage system…which is to say, it’s good! But that’s an insane price per filter. Those filters should be more in the $30-$60 range.
Hi there. Have you tried Blast Air by Smart Air? a higher end sibling by SQAir which you have reviewed before. Pricing wise if getting it from China (approx USD400 excl shipping) for an air purifier that covers 1400sqft, its pretty cheap.
Unfortunately, no. That’s not one we’ve tested yet.
Am interested in your opinion of the Alexapure Breeze. Seems to offer a lot.
Not a brand I’ve tested before, but looks like a pretty typical HEPA + carbon air purifier. I expect in terms of performance it would be fine.
Though I cannot really speak to the brand in general.
Great reviewing!
My question is about the Levoit Vital 100 vs. Levoit PUR131. Your tests indicate 15 particles after 1 hour for the Vital 100 and 39 particles after 1 hour for the PUR 131 after 1 hour. In your opinion, considering the other test performance results for these two models which appear to be close, in real life is 15 particles versus 39 particles significant or likely to be noticed by (a) the average non-allergic user and by (b) a user with pet dander allergies?
Thanks for your help and your reviews! Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you!
And good question. To answer, no, a difference between 15 and 39 particles is effectively nothing. Any machine that gets 50 or lower particles is considered very good in my view. And the difference between 15 and 39 is well within the margin of error on our sensor equipment.
A few questions:
1. Did you look at energy efficiency? Are any of these models Energy Star certified? Can their energy use be compared?
2. My entire house is 1250 sq ft, but it is not an open plan. Living room/dining room is somewhat open to kitchen and spans the middle of the house, but I’d like my bedroom to be purified as well. With doors open would Oransi EJ120 or others pull and purify air from other rooms or would I need to buy purifiers for each room I cared about?
3. Filters are key. If they are expensive and don’t last long they can drive costs up –maybe higher than the more expensive models. Do you have any idea about the duration and cost of replacement filters. Are they all equally easy or difficult to change?
Thanks much for your work
1. Unfortunately, we didn’t look at energy efficiency.
2. If you position the EJ120 or other purifier centrally within your house and keep the doors open it should do a good job of purifying the entire home. A unit in each room might be more efficient, but it will almost certainly be more expensive.
3. In any of the purifiers on this list have filters that are easy to change. 12 months is a pretty typical duration for most brands, though it can vary based on usage.
Thanks for all your help.
I’m looking into the winix. What is the plasmawave they are promoting? Just a marketing play?
To be honest I like the look of the homedics machine. It’s sleek, nice round, just not sure it does anything….
Plasmawave is just their name for an ionizer. Doesn’t sound like it’s anything extra special.
Thanks for your advice. I have gift cards by target /Walmart many of the models you reviewed are not sold there. I’m looking for something simple, no need wifi, or sensors etc. Simple nice design 300 square feet or more something that has real good filtration for allergies my mother has breathing issues.
Looks for one that filters everything, that’s why I want 3/4 stage filters. The winex? What would you recommend if not the homedics? 250 range.
Are they all more or less the same? If I don’t need bells and whistles. Just solid food filtration.
Thanks so much!
If Winix is sold at Target / Walmart I’d suggest that. I’m familiar with that brand and they are well known / trusted.
I’d buy the most expensive Winix you can afford, as that will yield the best coverage area.
I call homedics the real Sq size is 343, the 1500 is cubic air. Cadr is 223
The reason in looking on this model cause it has a uvc light. Any other good fairly priced.
What about the blueair pure 211+?
Germgaudian ac9200wca?
Or maybe these uv lights don’t kill much more? Somewhere I read that it’s ineffective cause the air isn’t really passing thru the light and exposed to it long enough?
I would not buy this unit, or really any unit, due to the UV light. UV light can work. We tested a unit with a large UV-C bulb here – https://moderncastle.com/clean-tech-review/
However, the problem with UV light is it needs to be both 1) strong enough / lots of light and 2) shinning onto the surface for an extended period of time.
For an air purifier that’s pumping at 223 CADR I am skeptical that a UV light is doing much. The air just isn’t within the chamber of the unit long enough for that UV light to have a significant impact, in my view.
So your last sentence is right on the money. The air just doesn’t engage with the UV light long enough.
All that said, this doesn’t mean the Homedics is a bad unit. With that level of CARD + a quality HEPA filter it’s probably a perfectly good unit. It’s just that the UV light is more of a marketing angle than a feature that’s going to have a huge impact on the air’s quality, in my opinion.
I’m wondering about the homedics extra large room
HoMedics® TotalClean® PetPlus 5-in-1 Tower Air Purifier with UV-C
Has all types of filtration can’t seem to find the cfm or objective ratings. Anything you can say on those?
I don’t know much about it and we have not yet tested it.
Kind of a weird product page: ” Perfect for large family rooms, laundry rooms, bedrooms, and more up to 266 sq. ft. Circulate fresh, clean air every hour in spaces up to 1343 sq. ft.”
So I’m not sure if it’s coverage is 266 or 1343.
What room size do you test in? Have you tried an open floor plan?
We test in a medium sized bedroom.
We have not done tests on open floor plans.
Hello, what would be the top 5 travel air purifiers? for example for cars or desks.
Thank´s
#1 would be the IQAir atem – https://moderncastle.com/iqair-atem-review/
It would be suitably small enough to put in a suitcase. Beyond that, I cannot think of a single purifier we’ve tested that is really well designed for travel, while also being a good performer.
If you had an AC adapter for your car the Atem would work well there also. However, all of the super compact car dedicated air purifiers we’ve tested to date leave much to be desired. They just don’t pump out enough air flow to be effective.
Hi,
I recently purchased a Rabbit MinusA2, but I am not getting anywhere near the results as you are presenting.
When using the purifier on the highest setting in a 200 sqft room with closed door, I can get it down to about pm 2.5: 5 (even after running it all night). When I put it on auto (and high sensitivity), I get pm 2.5: 8-20. Note: my whole apartment is only 440 sqft.
I use a Temtop LKC-1000S+ air quality monitor, which has performed very well in tests, so I do not think that it is a problem with the meter.
Do you have any ideas of why the results are so different?
I am thinking about sending my unit back and try a different one (Air Doctor or Blue Air 211+).
Lastly, what would be an acceptable / expected PM 2.5 range when an air purifier is doing a good job in a room that is within the specs of the unit?
Thanks,
Laban
Hi Laban,
So a few things that could be creating differences in our results.
1) In our tests we typically turn off the HVAC so we’re not pouring new sources of particulates into the room while the test is running
2) In our tests we always use the highest possible manual setting. So whatever the highest fan speed setting it.
Did you take a baseline of your apartment’s air quality before running the air purifier? If your air quality was really bad before then getting down to a PM2.5 of 5 could be considered pretty good.
The EPA considers any AQI of 12 or lower to be good. Now, I think for an air purifier like Rabbit Air, in most cases it should get to the 2-5 PM2.5 range without must issue…but again, it really depends on the existing air quality in your room, any sources in new particulates flowing into the room, seals around windows / windows, and the speed at which you keep the fan on.
If you don’t think any of the issues I’ve detailed above are present then yes, you probably have a defective unit and should return or replace.
Sad to say, pollutants that are 0.3 microns is a *very* small fraction of the particles that need to be filtered out of the air.
The testing is not very valuable if it does not test lower than that. At LEAST .1 microns needs to be tested. And a laser tester is best.
I’m not able to find any data that shows the percentage of various sized of airborne debris, but I do find your statement hard to believe.
In any case, we test PM10, PM2.5 and AQI because that’s what most government and air quality agencies also test and report on.
Lastly, we do use a laser based testing device.
LOL! I found a lot of references to composition of pollutants in the air – specifically of interest is the wildfire smoke that is the impetus for so many air purifier purchases right now.
Here’s one quote:
“Particulate matter is the principal pollutant of concern from
wildfire smoke for the relatively short-term exposures (hours to
weeks) typically experienced by the public. Particulate matter
is a generic term for particles suspended in the air, typically as a
mixture of both solid particles and liquid droplets. Particles
from smoke tend to be very small – less than one micrometer in
diameter.”
From the EPA, no less:
https://www3.epa.gov/ttnamti1/files/ambient/smoke/wildgd.pdf
I’m sure you have written about this on your site somewhere, but what are you using to measure PM2.5, PM10, Particles, and AQI?
Thanks. Great information on your website.
We use an electronic air quality measuring device. This one – https://amzn.to/322iE0m
It provides readings on PM2.5, PM10, AQI, and a number of other air quality factors.
What is better for purifying a whole house? 1 unit like the EJ120 or 1 unit per room like some of the smaller units? Or do they work the same? Just trying to figure out air circulation as I live in a multi level home with multiple rooms.
They basically work the same, whether it’s a small unit or big unit. Both pull in dirty air, clean in, then pump it back in the room.
The EJ120 just does it at such extraordinary scale that you’re able to have just a single unit and cover a large area.
I would say if you have lots of smaller rooms that you can close off (bedrooms, office, etc.) then a series of smaller purifiers would probably work fine.
However, if you spend lots of time in larger rooms, open concept rooms, or rooms that are near exterior doors, then you’re probably better off with the EJ120 or something similar. The smaller units are great for smaller enclosed rooms. As room size increases, but especially for really big rooms, they are going to struggle more.
I’m extremely shocked to read this air purifier article comparing too purifiers because I always agree with your robotic vacuum/mop reviews and appreciate your comparison guides and accuracy so much in that space, but your air purifier comparison is a huge miss for me and sadly lowers the credibility of your reviews. Why? How can you possibly recommend or even begin to do an air purifier comparison without including IQ Air? They are by far superior to anything on the market today and honestly, your list doesn’t have the capability to even touch their purification ratings. Not only that, but iq air basically created the air purification industry and has been the best since! Additionally, iq air actually does so much for our air quality on a global perspective and doesn’t just sell air purifiers. They have started and continue to expand the air quality monitoring movement. They have air quality monitors that are also far superior than the one used to test output and it’s actually affordable… I have never been anything but an avid researching consumer of this space in the market and I can assure you by omitting IQ Air (THE INDUSTRY LEADER BY FAR!!) from all and any of your reviews you have greatly missed the mark of your stated purpose and sadly, this review and recommendations then ultimately become a huge disservice to for all of your readers. I do not, and have never, worked for iq air or ever even received something of theirs for a discount let alone free and I have nothing to gain from sharing or informing you of this so I hope you take this information and reassess your air purifier section completely.
Iq air created the Air visual map, which is the highest regarded air quality measuring service available and part of their raising awareness and making air quality a priority across the world.
I own their IQ air purifier, air quality monitor and ordered their ATOM unit last week, which is insanely amazing by the way and has won technology and innovative awards all around the world in the last couple of years- again, just another reason you are missing the mark by not having IQ Air anywhere in this review and comparison buying guide.
For reference, IQ air is the only company with heap technology capable of filtering the most dangerous particles (.003) proven through scientific research and certified over and over again. Most purifiers and ALL You have reviewed only have the ability to purify particles as small as 0.1 at best and most are 0.3! Iq air is 0.003!! That is a huge difference! There is reason hospitals and government/military only use iq air for things like disease and virus purification and the most dangerous and most important purification needs- it’s always iq air!! Why? Because they pioneered the air purifying industry and there is no competitor even close to their level of purification ability.
I own their health pro plus purifier, their air quality monitor, and like I said the Atom I just ordered – that is their personal purifier that is mobile and can also be set up for use in your car- just amazing technology. I hope you do some research soon and update and inform your readers accordingly. I promise you will thank me for catching this and making you aware.
I am pasting a blurb from iq air website below about particle size and filtration to help explain the magnitude in the difference and EXREMELY important difference in air purification filtration metrics and measurements. From iq air website:
“Ultra-fine particles are defined as those particles below 0.1 microns in size. Most air purifiers are only designed to filter large dust particles that are 0.3 microns in size and larger, but numerous scientific studies have identified ultra-fine particles as being the most dangerous to our health. This is because ultra-fine particles are so small that they can penetrate cell walls and enter the blood stream. Studies by the American Heart Association indicate that prolonged exposure to ultra-fine particles is a leading contributor to increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes. IQAir air cleaning systems provide certified filtration for particles down to 0.003 microns (the smallest particles possible).”
They are the best of the best. There is no reason anyone should buy a different brand if they want to get the best purification available, which is the point of buying an air purifier- otherwise just vacuum everyday and multiple times a day- that’s about the equivalent of most air purifiers out on the market. other than affordability, there is no reason to look at anything but iq air- but it is expensive and an investment initially, but some of these others you have on the list are shockingly almost just as expensive- which I find to be ridiculous, but again- this is only my opinion which is based on 2 things- my extensive research in this health issue of air quality & pollution since 2011 as well as my personal experience With IQ airs many products since 2012 when I made the initial purchase/investment for my sons health and future. I hope this helps someone make a more informed buying decision. Kudos to all who are even aware and educated to the point of purchasing and seeing the value and need to purify our indoor air- it’s sooo sooo important!
Thanks again for your comment, Amy.
I’m sorry to hear you did not find our air purifier reviews to be as helpful as our others.
To clarify, we did not include IQ air on this list because we have not yet tested IQ air. It’s as simple as that. Based on what I know about IQ Air I would expect their performance to be par with any of the best purifiers we’ve tested. And it is absolutely on our list to test in the future (hopefully the next few months).
Unfortunately, we have a finite budget when it comes to purchasing products to test. We prioritize that budget based on what our readers are looking for / asking about. Thus far, IQ air just hasn’t been as high up on that list compared to other products.
In any case, I hope this can at least help to explain why we did it this way.
this really works
Have you reviewed Austin Air Purifiers? I’ve heard they’re really good.
Unfortunately, no. Not yet. But they are on our list.
Hello Derek, I recently purchased a condo near the water, first floor about 577 Sqft. No basement just a crawlspace so I need to get under and see what’s going on, but the unit seems to have a musty smell. When I first looked at that unit, it was open and being used and the smell was mainly in the bathroom, but after folks moved out and had been closed up for several weeks the musty smell seems to be in the entire condo. understanding it will get better once we open it up, I am still looking for the best air purifier to reduce this type of odor. Wondering which air purifier would be best to combat this musty smell. I am looking at the rabbit vs the molekuke. I know two different technologies but curious on your thoughts on which will be best at reducing the musty odor. I like the idea of the Wi-Fi connectivity as I will not always be there. I’ve also read that with the carbon filters as good as they are they can release the toxins back into the air, but is this just a matter of making sure the filter is changed? Appreciate any insight or advice.
Hi Edward,
Thanks for the explanation of the situation. Based on your needs I would suggest the Rabbit Air MinusA2. In our tests it performed better than the Molekule. I also have more confidence in the Rabbit Air’s carbon filter at removing odors compared to the Molekule. This isn’t to say Molekule is bad, but I think in your situation the Rabbit Air is likely to yield better performance.
If that musky smell is due to water (which sounds like a possibility) you might also consider a dehumidifier. Something like this – https://amzn.to/2Xn3hwI
Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Thanks!
awesome
Nice product
These sound really good, I’m 8mpressed
The Dyson TP02 filter contains a (thin) carbon filter embedded within.
That is true. Though, it is indeed very thin.
I’m having trouble confirming, but I believe it’s coated with graphite.
While this is definitely better than nothing, I am doubtful that it’s able to achieve significant results (especially compared to thicker carbon filters).
how much does Molekule pay you to review and endorse their product?
No company, including Molekule, pays Modern Castle to review or endorse their products.
Modern Castle is supported when our readers buy products with our referral links. If you use one of our links and buy something we typically earn a commission. We explain these policies in depth here – https://moderncastle.com/about/
Molekule did not send us any free products (we borrowed a Molekule from a friend).
will You be testing any more Levoit purifiers? The new Core 300 looks promising
We don’t have any planned Levoit tests at the moment, but I’ll add the Core 300 to our queue and see if we can get one in the next couple of months.
Thanks for the suggestion!
When will yu be testing Oransi EJ?
Update – Our tests of the EJ120 are now live here – https://moderncastle.com/oransi-ej120-air-purifier-review/
We’ve added it to our list! I’ll see if we can get one soon.
Thanks for the suggestion.
When will you be doing a full review on the Coway machines? These are the top rated ones by Wirecutter and I’m curious to see if you have similar results.
Update – Coway 1512HH review is now available here – https://moderncastle.com/coway-1512hh-air-purifier-review/
Definitely. They are on our list to test within the coming months.
Hi there! Will you be testing Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2S or Electrolux Pure A9?
They are not on our immediate “to test” list, but I have added them now. Thanks for your suggestion!
Have you tested Air Doctor yet?
Not yet, but it’s on our list.
Seems like really great products.
I have heard great reviews on the Air Doctor machines. Have you reviewed those machines yet? I know the Molekule units sound wonderful and get great reviews but they are so expensive! The Air Doctor was suggested as a more affordable yet powerful air purifier.
I would be interested in your comments on this.
Thanks!
Hi Cindy,
We haven’t tested the Air doctor purifier yet, but thank you for the suggestion! We will definitely add that to our “to test” list.