Air Purifier Buying Guide – Know Everything Before Buying

Written by: Shreyal Shingala

Last Updated: May 25, 2023 References

an air purifier kept in a room for fresh air
An air purifier installed in room for inhaling fresh air while sleeping.

Some of us might only think that an air purifier works for better indoor air quality or for air purification in car.

But that’s not it.

It works more than that.

Here’s the perfect Air Purifier Buying Guide that will help you know the health benefits of air purifier.

You might think: What do we get from all this stuff? Here are 15 Health Benefits of Having an Air Purifier.

Additionally, you can binge-buy best plants to purify air.

So, let’s begin with the guide to why air purifiers are necessary and how to buy the perfect one.

1 Things to Consider before purchasing Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are not toys with cheaper rates, so here are some points that you should consider before purchasing them.

Air purifiers with different filters are available in the market. You can select the one that fits your needs.

Types of filters in air purifiers

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Types of-air-purifiers

True HEPA filter

A true HEPA filter is the abbreviation of High-Efficiency Particulate Air. It’s one of the best filters you can have.

HEPA filter Air purifiers are costly but are also the most effective ones. They are capable of removing 99.9% of all particles that are smaller like 0.3 microns or more.

Pre-Filters

Purifiers with a pre-filter layer that is made up of foam or non-woven polyester are also useful. This pre-filter layer catches larger particles like pet hair before sending them to the filter.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated Carbon filters or charcoal filters are attached to other filters. These filters absorb tobacco smoke, odor, smoke and keep the room fresh and odor-free.

Photocatalytic Oxidation

Photocatalytic Oxidation uses metal plate titanium dioxide with UV light to oxidize & break the chemicals during filtration.

ACH Air Change per Hour rate

The ACH Rate is the number of times an air requires purification in a certain measuring room and a certain period.

For instance, a classroom of room size 30 x 30 feet requires a single air purifier and air purification every 15-20 minutes.

So, consult a professional before buying an air purification unit for the room and know the perfect size of your room.

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)

This is the rate of clean air delivery to the room where purification is carried out. More the CADR, the more the efficiency of any air purifier to clean indoor air.

The ideal Clean Air Delivery Rates of any unit that you are purchasing should be 200 cfm. Check the CADR before you buy an air purifier. It’s also known as particle removal efficiency.

Along with CADR, also look at the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) is also necessary to check.

Look for Proper Display Feature

Most Air purifiers generally carry a digital LED display along with air quality indicators. It helps you to know the indoor air quality and upgrade it accordingly.

Child Lock

Having a child lock feature works like the cherry on a cake. It’s an important extra feature to consider while buying an air purifier.

Room Size

Make sure you know you purchase the best air purifier based on the room size.

If the size is bigger, you might need more than one air purifier in a single room.

If you want fresh air all around your house, you can either get a portable one. Or get different units for each room, hall, etc.

2 How does an Air Purifier works?

HEPA filters

This type of air purifier can remove allergens like pollen, animal dander, pet hair, mold, spores, dust, etc.

It’s called the most effective for pumping out fresh air because it can catch 99.9% of particles. Also, the ultra-fine particles >= 0.3 microns are captured.

Due to these air filters, dust particles and allergens are reduced from the air at a high amount.[1]

But, it requires filter replacement. The steps for replacement filters are already inside the user manual. Some are also reusable filters.

Activated Carbon Filter

Air Ionizers produce negative ions and capture the particles with opposite charges.

But, it may produce OZONE by reacting with Oxygen in the indoor air.

UV filters

UV Filters use ultraviolet light rays while the filtration process. It captures and breaks the dust particles and other impurities and captures them.

Yet, they too can produce ozone.

Pre-Filters

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Conditions In Which An Air Purifier Becomes Essential For You

Removes the large particles similar to pet hair, before the main filters process. The pre-filter replacements should be done periodically.

In some models, these filters can be cleaned and reused. Large particles stick there and end up clogging it.

3 What are Air Purifiers filtering out?

Here comes the main use of an air purifier for your home. Almost everyone purchases it because they want to get rid of allergens in the air indoors.

So, here’s what this unit filters out from the air inside your house, office, or room:

Air Purifier clean: dust, smoke, gaseous pollutants (VOCs) that arise from paints, adhesive, etc.

Mainly, you will see that these machines are eligible for removing allergy-causing particles and comforts asthmatic patients as well.

4 Which Air Purifier to buy? HEPA Filter Air Purifiers

If you are finally spending bucks to buy an air purifier, why not purchase the best?

Ultimately this is an air cleaner. And to date, they are called the best effective air purifiers.

True HEPA filters are said to be cleaning indoor air pollution more effectively. The unique mechanism of these purifiers is also said to capture the COVID-19 virus.

But the thing that affects the sales of true HEPA filters is: It’s the high cost!

But we suggest you should not look for cost when the matter is your health.

Moreover, there are portable air purifiers that have HEPA filters attached. So, you can carry this air cleaner anywhere.

5 Which Air Purifiers should I avoid purchasing?

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Formation of ozone

The simplest answer to this question:

The air purifiers with filters that are ozone generators should not be bought.

Generally, filters using UV light or ionizers are the one that generates ozone. But there are specific air ionizers that do not produce ozone.

Make sure you check the content and specs of the air purifier and drop out the ozone generators.

Why?

Because ozone is a lung irritant and harmful if you get exposed to it for a longer time.

If the air indoors gathers higher amounts of ozone, it will ultimately add pollution inside than outdoor air.

6 Do HEPA Air Purifiers produce Ozone

No, HEPA air purifiers filters do not produce ozone.

In all matters, HEPA filter air purifiers are preferred as they have almost no side effects.

The fan speed mechanism soaks the air in and the purified air is thrown out. Hence, we suggest you should get one soon.

7 Additional Expense after buying an Air Purifier

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Air purifier cost

If you think getting an air purifier is where expenditure ends, we can prove it wrong.

There are after expenses of an air purifier that you will have to pay after purchasing it. Here’s the list of them, have a look at them:

Maintenance Cost

Air purifiers require maintenance.

You might be like: ‘Are you kidding me? What kind of maintenance does my air purifier require?’

It is obvious that everything in this world, when maintained with care, lasts long and remains esthetic.

With an approximate cost of more than ₹5000 every year, your air purifier can be maintained well.

Filter Replacement

Generally, filter replacement cost is already counted in the maintenance cost, unless you need to replace filters twice or thrice a year.

It depends on the air quality and pollution of the area where you dwell. Mostly, HEPA stays for 2000 hrs. So, it needs replacement around 6-7 months.

With the filter change indication, you can easily replace the filters.

Power Consumption

Power consumption is the main headache when any new electronic device is added to our home.

If you need an air purifier to run the whole day, it will use approximately 50-200 watts depending on the work and size.

From this consumption, you can calculate the addition in electricity bill that you will have to pay every month.

8 What is a portable Air Purifier?

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Portable air purifier

Large and heavy air purifiers are not advised to move from one location to another. Because, it might hurt anyone, or even break your floor if more pressure is applied.

If you want to utilize the same unit everywhere, get a portable air purifier. It rolls around the surface easily. Hence, it’s easy to carry it everywhere.

But make sure you should purchase it as per the size of the room.

However, a portable air purifier is good for small nurseries but won’t work for rooms 3-4 times larger.

But you can go for the one-step heavier unit which is even portable. It can be placed in that room.

Moreover, whole-house air purifiers are trending nowadays. Get that huge monster to gulp pollutants from your entire house.

9 Which one to choose: Portable Purifier Vs. Whole House Air Purifier?

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Whole house air purifier diagram

There are 2 types of air purifiers: Whole House and Portable.

Whole House units are in trend nowadays. Moreover, if you are confused between Portable and Whole House purification machines.

I can help you with these comparison points:

Whole House Air Purification Units

Cost-Effective air purification alternative.

Less space-consuming than portable units.

Easy to manage.

Filter the whole house’s air simultaneously.

One unit is enough for the whole house.

A good option for a huge house with more members.

Portable House Air Purification

Easy to carry anywhere.

You might require more units in one house.

Comparatively costly than the Whole House unit. As you will require multiple units.

Good for a small house or room with 2-4 members.

10 How much noise does an Air Purifier make?

Most of the air purification machines have internal fans that have fans to soak air and throw fresh air out.

Some of the models with fans are comparatively silent on low modes. But when kept on high mode, they too produce a humming sound.

So, while choosing an air purifier, make sure to check the noise it might produce.

If it is to be placed in the living room, the humming sound can be tolerated. But no one can tolerate that sound in the bedroom. It might disturb your sleep.

Hence, when you want to place an air purifier in your bedroom or your child’s room, choose one that is quiet even in high modes.

Some models produce 17 dB sounds like that of rustling leaves. Shoot that model for your bedroom.

11 Where to put my Air Purifier?

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Where to put my air purifier

If you count my suggestions, you should place the air purification unit in your bedroom. And, if possible, get a portable one. So, you can easily shift it from one room to another.

The bedroom is the most time-spending place. Also, if the air is clean, you can sleep peacefully without any irritations.

Along with that, some air purifiers also produce soothing sounds that enhance sleep.

Also, if you are choosing a portable air purifier, make sure it has a handle to carry also wheels to transfer it anywhere.

12 Pros & Cons of an Air Purifier

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Pros and cons of air purifier
Pros
  • The best help for the people suffering from certain allergies.
  • Helps patients suffering from asthma.
  • True HEPA kills 99.9% of allergens and is said to even soak coronavirus.
  • Portable air purifiers can be carried anywhere.
  • Air purifiers with wheels are easily portable.
  • Different models are available that fit almost all budgets.
  • Can fit anywhere in any corner of your house.
  • Soaks smoke, so if anyone in your house smokes, one air purification unit becomes a compulsion.
  • However, doctors suggest purchasing an air-purifying unit if you have an allergic or asthmatic patient at your home. Else, you can have proper ventilation and it will be fine.
Cons
  • Lower the price of this machine, it might prove to be less effective if you have not kept an eye on its specs before purchasing.
  • Some air purifiers produce ozone. That’s not good for you.
  • True HEPA, the most effective ones, are the costliest.
  • Ozone emitting is less expensive than HEPA, but it harms us.
  • The things that manufacturers claim that purifiers remove allergens up to a great level is based on the tests in a controlled lab.
  • So, the effectiveness of this appliance completely depends on the place where you are living.

13 Summary

If you are located in a seriously polluted city of India, please get the required number of air cleaners in your home, office, and also for your car.

Or else, get ready for the health complications that you might face in the form of problems in different organs, especially respiratory organs.

With the increase in pollutants, the time is near when masks will become compulsory to wear. Not because of COVID but because of pollution.

So, if you want to save yourself from wearing a mask inside your home, make sure the air inside your home is pure.

Air purification units are the ones that will help you with this. Stay with us for more articles and happy reading.

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Faqs about air purifier

FAQs about Air Purifiers

Which is the most effective Air Purifier?

True HEPA can be the most effective air purifier, but the results completely depend on the amount of pollution in your area.

We suggest that you should know your requirements prior to getting an air purifier.

However, most people prefer HEPA.

There are some trusted resources saying that HEPA can capture micro-fine particles >= 0.01 microns. And covid virus measures 0.1.

So yes, it can capture viruses but does not guarantee that you will not get infected. Because you might have already caught the infection before filtering the virus.

You can go for Coway, Xiaomi, Phillips, Honeywell, etc. These are the top rating brands of Air Purifiers.

Of course, yes. Air Purifiers help in purifying the air of the room and also keeps allergens away from you.

This helps you get smooth and undisturbed. Moreover, there are air purifiers that push soothing sound waves to enhance your sleep.

It depends on the size of your house. If required, you can purchase different air purifiers for different rooms.
Or, you can get a portable one that can be kept and transported anywhere.

Community Q&A

1 comment
  1. Hanna Ricesays:

    I appreciate your creativity and the effort you put into every post. Keep up the great work!

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About This Article

Shreyal Shingala
Written by: Shreyal Shingala author

Shreyal Shingala is a Content Writer and also a Product tester at BestCheck. Overseeing the content and products, she edits our preceding articles too. Along with that, she loves to spend time with her family when she got her leisure time. Previously, she worked as a content writer and researcher for a digital marketing agency and has written in different niches like blogs, comparison guides, entertainment, and many more.

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Updated: May 25, 2023
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