Checklist for Choosing an Air Purifier
The top 5 features to consider
With so many room air purifiers on the market and a multitude of features to choose from, it can be confusing to know which is the best for your home or business. This “Top 5” list can help you make a more informed decision, so you can feel more confident in your purchase.
A HEPA filter
When it comes to trapping airborne particles and allergens—like dust, pollen, pet hair and dander—you’ll want the filtration power of a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. While external pre-filters may be effective at capturing larger particles, the finer mesh of HEPA filters are constructed to catch smaller particles that may be inside your living space. It’s good to keep in mind that not all HEPA filters are created equal. The tinier a particle is, the easier it is to inhale, so be sure to check out the filtration capacity of the room air purifier you’re considering. For example, you can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns with the HEPA filter used in Daikin room air purifiers. (According to our testing results in a room size of 1,007 ft³.) Just how small is that? See the chart below for a comparison.
Particle Size Comparisons1
| Particle |
|---|
| Human hair |
| Fine beach sand |
| Grain of salt |
| Grain of pollen |
| Dust particles |
| Respiratory droplet |
| Bacterium |
| Bacteriophage |
| Size |
|---|
| 180-50 microns |
| 90 microns |
| 60 microns |
| 15 microns |
| 10-2.5 microns |
| 10-5 microns |
| 1-3 microns |
| 0.225 microns |
Micron=one-millionth of a meter. 1 micron=.00003937 inches.
1 Visual Capitalists, Zooming In: Visualizing the Relative Size of Particles, October 2020.
A UVC LED light
Why just catch something in the air when you can remove it? That’s where the power of a UVC LED light can come in. That’s a lot of acronyms, but you’ve probably seen ultraviolet (UV) light at work on your favorite crime shows, revealing biological evidence on the scene. There are three levels of UV light, but the one you’ll see as you search for your air purifier is UVC, because of its ability to inactivate specific bacteria and viruses, so they’re not recirculated into the air.
Size
Check the details
Most air purifiers undergo a battery of tests in a lab to determine their filtration and purification rate. This isn’t just about learning what was filtered from the air during testing, it’s about:
- The size of the testing room to help you compare it to the room size you need to purify in your home
- How long it takes for the purification process to occur
- The percentage of the element or pollutant removed as a result
Portability
If you want to transport your air purifier from one space to another, consider a movable unit. For example: Use a room air purifier in your office to remove allergens in the air during the day. Then, move it into the kitchen to remove odors after your Friday night fish fry.
Ventilation
You shouldn’t have to rearrange furniture to find a place for your new air purifier. However, freshening indoor air depends on good ventilation – sucking polluted or particle-laden air into the purifier and releasing clean air back into the atmosphere. For added flexibility, it’s a good idea to choose a room air purifier that has vents on multiple sides. This lets you place the system where it makes sense for your space. Always look for unobstructed space around the unit, so the air flow is not affected.
Noise levels
With all the technical features to consider, the level of sound emitted by a room air purifier may not be top of mind. You might not think of it until you plug it in and hear it. So, make sure you check out the noise levels of the systems as you compare them, measured in decibels (dBA). See the article, How to Lower Noise Pollution in your Home, to learn more about how to get the benefits of a room air purifier, while keeping a cap on noise levels.
Warranty coverage
Warranty offerings vary widely between companies. Again, this might not be something that is top of mind as you research your room air purifier, but it will come to mind if problems occur with the system you choose. So, it’s a good idea to investigate whether the room air purifier you’re considering comes with a warranty and if that covers a replacement, should you have problems with it. You might also want to ask if there is a support line available for homeowners who may have a question. These will not only give you peace of mind about your purchase, it will ensure you have some problem-solving support when you need it.
