As for locations within those rooms, you'll want to make sure the purifier's intake and output aren't blocked by walls or furniture. That means out in the open, and ideally in locations where there is consistent airflow to help with cycling -- which probably means near doorways or vents. You may have heard of another air purifier called Molekule, made by a company of the same name, which grabbed headlines for its attractive design and proprietary filtration technology back in -- and is even, strangely enough, sold at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
What about that? The Molekule presents a complicated problem: Its maker claims its proprietary PECO air filter destroys airborne particles much smaller than 0. Molekule was recently forced by the National Advertising Board of Review to retract misleading claims it made in its advertisements.
On the other hand, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, one of the premiere indoor air research centers in the country, last year released a government-funded study showing that the PECO effectively filters out volatile organic compounds -- that is, compounds that can easily become gaseous pollutants in the air, which a HEPA filter does not capture. Reviewers at Consumer Reports and the New York Times' Wirecutter, which called the Molekule's larger model " the worst air purifier we've ever tested " and the Air Mini "the second-worst," didn't appear to test VOC reduction.
We can't recommend the Molekule Air Mini Plus, which I tested, as a result of these problems coupled with a decision by the National Advertising Review Board to force a retraction of many of Molekule's misleading advertising claims. That said, the air purifier does appear to address a problem that most HEPA filtration cleaners simply don't: the presence of gaseous pollutants in the home.
Such pollutants have plenty of sources, whether from paint, furniture, cleaning solutions or even some composite boards. For that reason alone, Molekule's eye-catching brand is worth keeping tabs on -- especially as its latest air cleaner was approved by the FDA as a Class II medical device. Dyson's devices offer a similar but slightly different problem. A Dyson spokesperson told me, "CADR as measured by some current methods is not an accurate representation of a real home," and thus the company has developed its own testing procedures "to replicate a more realistic setting.
The Dyson TP04, perhaps unsurprisingly, performs well according to Dyson's own metrics. In addition, the Dyson TP04 air purifier features a handful of extra goodies, including an oscillating fan to help circulate clean air around larger rooms, an app with home air quality data and a small but nifty display. Our tower fan reviewer really liked these features of the TP But is all that worth the price bump from, say, Coway's purifier?
For most people, the answer is likely no -- especially considering that Dyson's devices haven't stacked up especially well against the competition in third-party testing, such as Wirecutter's , where the TP04's performance was in line with the far more affordable Blueair Given COVID , wildfires and pollution, we may be more aware of air quality today than ever before.
But air purifiers aren't necessarily a panacea for these problems. As mentioned before, in home settings, virus transmission usually occurs through close contact, which means an air purifier probably won't protect you if a roommate or family member in the same house gets sick.
That said, purifiers may help businesses and restaurants trying to improve the air in their indoor spaces. For households with an asthmatic or otherwise immunocompromised child, air purifiers have significant benefits, according to Dr. Matsui has extensively researched the effects of air purifiers on children with asthma and says the devices can make a big difference -- though they're no substitute for well-ventilated and smoke-free homes or proper medical care.
Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that air purifiers diminish the chance of children developing asthma. In short, air purifiers are popular for a reason: They mostly do what they say, cleaning the air inside your home. And depending on your health needs, or if you live in a home with many sources of air pollution, cleaner air and better air flow might really make a big difference for you or your children.
If you think the benefits of an air purifier might help someone in your own home, it's always worth talking to an allergist. If you'd rather just grab an air cleaner and call it a day, you can't go wrong with the recommendations above. Still have more questions about air purifiers and whether you're ready to buy one? Check out our full air purifier FAQ for more info. Bring your home up to speed with the latest on automation, security, utilities, networking and more.
Correction, July 13, : A previous version of this article incorrectly described the Blueair 's features. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
David Priest. Best air purifier for large rooms: Blueair Blue Pure Plus. Jump to details. Best air purifier for small rooms: Blueair Blue Pure But the air inside your home might not be clean. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of some pollutants is often two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. Pollutants—such as smoke from tobacco, burning wood, and cooking; gases from cleaning products and building materials; dust mites; mold; and pet dander—contribute to a poor indoor environment that can have ill effects on the body.
Fine particles 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller, including those found in dust and smoke, are especially a concern because they can make their way deep into the lungs. Breathing them in for just hours or days is enough to aggravate lungs and cause asthma attacks, and has been linked to heart attacks in people with heart disease.
Studies also show that long-term exposure to high particle levels may cause bronchitis, impaired lung function, and premature death. Volatile organic compounds VOCs , including formaldehyde, are released into the air from adhesives, paints, and cleaning products. Exposure to VOCs can cause nose, throat, and eye irritation; headaches; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
Some gases, such as radon, can cause lung cancer and death. The best ways to improve indoor air quality are to remove the pollutant sources and ventilate with clean outdoor air.
Room air purifiers can help when those methods are insufficient or not possible. Room air purifiers are designed to filter the air in a single room, not the entire house. And while room air purifiers help to reduce indoor pollution, there are limits to what they can do. Multiple studies of room air purifiers show that using HEPA filters results in reductions of 50 percent or higher of particulate matter.
In one study of about households, filtration resulted in about a 30 percent reduction of coarse particles, such as dust. But how does that affect your health? Almost a dozen studies—including ones conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia ; Taipei, Taiwan ; and Massachusetts —looked at the cardiovascular effects of air purification and showed improved cardiovascular health among participants.
An EPA review of eight studies PDF found that purified air delivered modest improvements in at least one health area, such as allergy symptoms. And asthmatic participants in a study by the University of California, Davis PDF , reported a 20 percent reduction in clinic visits.
Still, there are caveats. The scientific and medical communities have not definitively linked the use of air purifiers to health benefits, because reported health benefits are inconsistent among participants and there have been very few long-term studies. Plus, some studies had other variables at play, such as the regular use of a vacuum cleaner CR can help you choose one of those , too or pillow covers, and the removal of pets from the bedroom, all of which can affect results.
As for the coronavirus, air purifiers with HEPA filters are capable of capturing the droplets that the virus travels in when people cough, talk, or breathe. There is also limited data on the effect of ionizer air purifiers on health. That brings us to another important consideration: the various kinds of air purifier technology available.
There are several technologies air purifiers employ for reducing indoor pollution. Some work better than others. And some can even be bad for your health. Models with mechanical filters: This is the type that CR tests.
Air purifiers with pleated filters use fans to force air through a dense web of fine fibers that trap particles. Filters with very fine mesh are HEPA filters—those certified to collect And they can be expensive to maintain.
Models with activated carbon filters: Rather than catch particles like mechanical filters, sorbent filters use activated carbon that can capture some odor-causing molecules from the air. Activated carbon gets saturated faster than a pleated filter, though, and requires replacement more frequently—every three months, as opposed to every six to 12 months for pleated filters.
Ozone generators: These machines produce ozone, a molecule that can react with certain pollutants to alter their chemical composition. This can result in dangerous indoor air quality, and CR does not recommend these types of air purifiers. Research also shows that ozone has been linked to decreases in lung function and increased risks of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, and lung tissue inflammation. Ozone exposure might also worsen asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Electronic air purifiers: Electrostatic precipitators and ionizers charge particles in the air so that they stick to plates on the machine or to nearby surfaces by a magnetic-like attraction.
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation UVGI : Some manufacturers claim their air purifiers kill airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungal spores with UV lamps. But some bacteria and mold spores are resistant to UV radiation. To work, the UV light must be powerful enough and the exposure must last long enough—minutes to hours rather than the few seconds typical of most UVGI air purifiers—to be effective.
CR does not test UVGI technology, though some mechanical air purifiers we test may have the function. It's on our recommended list because, not only is it meant to help filter out dust mites and the like, but it also has a built-in sound machine and nightlight.
While we have yet to review company testing data on the air purity claims, we found the sound machine and nightly aspects easy to use and the filter easy to replace. In order to clean the air, these appliances use filters and fans to remove particles and circulate the purified air back into the room. They can improve air quality and help you breathe easier. P eople suffering from allergies or asthma might find air purifiers with High Efficiency Particulate Air HEPA filters particularly helpful, because they remove fine particles Not all air purifiers meet that high bar.
Even air purifiers that excel at removing particles like dust, smoke and pollen are limited in their ability to capture smaller toxins, such as those from cleaning products and paint. Since we first published our findings, concerns around indoor air quality have grown significantly — as have some manufacturer claims. First and foremost, the pandemic has more consumers looking for ways to safeguard their homes, offices and other indoor spaces against airborne viruses. Some other FAQs:. Microscopic particles in smoke can trigger a range of health issues, from burning eyes to chronic lung disease, according to the U.
Environmental Protection Agency , but "generally, outside pollution or smoke or temporary bad air isn't a constant concern for bystanders," says Ryan Roten, D. If you're still concerned, Dr. Air purifiers are not a cure-all for every possible air quality issue. Yes, they can be part of your overall strategy. But they become a disadvantage if they give you a false sense of security that keeps you from combating indoor pollution in other ways — for example, vacuuming regularly and running the kitchen range hood while cooking or at least cracking a window to allow fumes to dissipate.
Another possible concern is with air purifiers that use ionizers to help attract particles like static. In some cases, these purifiers can end up producing ozone in the process. While some manufacturers claim that the gas helps break down pollutants, it can also be a lung irritant and further aggravate asthma conditions. If you're interested in buying an air cleaner that uses ionizers, make sure it meets the California Air Resources Board CARB limit of 50 per parts per billion; the CARB website includes a list of approved air purifiers, and the information is usually listed in marketing material as well.
For certified units with ionization, we still recommend that you operate the device with this function turned off until more research is done on the effectiveness and safety of these types of machines. However, the filters that do the dirty work inside an air purifier require regular attention. Some filters are reusable, but they require meticulous maintenance, so you don't usually find them on the most effective air purifiers. An exception is models with a washable pre-filter , designed to capture large particles before they reach the primary filter; this feature can cut operating costs by extending the life of the main inner filter.
Our picks are all UL-certified for safety, though as with any electrical device, be mindful of fire hazards, for example frayed wires. Product Reviews. Home Ideas. United States. Type keyword s to search.
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