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How to choose the best type of air purifier for you

We’re all a lot more concerned about all the invisible stuff we inhale since the advent of COVID-19, but even in controlled environments like our homes, there are particles floating in the air that affect our wellness.

Dust, pet dander, germs, and other air pollutants can silently make your home life miserable. An air filter can help remove the dust and allergens that are making your nose stuffy, your eyes puffy, and your sleep less restful. If you are thinking it might be time to clean up your atmosphere act, check out these tips on how to choose the best air purifier for your needs.

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A woman waking up with an air purifier in her room.

What it does

If you have rescued a fur baby, possibly improved the condition of your windows, or are spending a lot more time in your home (aren’t we all), then an air purifier can alleviate and reduce the amount of dirt and pollutants in the air.

If you have allergies or asthma, you know dust, dander, and dirt are your triggers. Reducing these in the air will have a healthy impact on your day-to-day health.

What it can’t do

While it can and will improve your air quality, it’s not going to solve all of your problems. It won’t remove dirt and dander from your floor or carpeting. It can only capture the free-floating particles in the air. If you want to maximize your allergen removal, consider a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove particulates from surfaces.

An air purifier with a woman and her cat in the background.

UV Air Purifier

UV air purifiers remove particles and bacteria using Ultra Violet light. They are compact in size, making them a great choice if space is an issue. They work by converting bad particles into carbon and water.

In addition to Ultra Violet light, these filters also contain HEPA filters which remove up to 99.7% of particles in the air.

The Germ Guardian Air Purifier with HEPA Filter and UVC is a good, budget-friendly, well-reviewed air purifier that should take care of just about any room in the hour or even a college dorm room. It only weighs 7 pounds so it’s extremely portable, offers several speeds and will give you just the right amount of white noise to soothe you and not disrupt you.

Ionic air purifier

If you prefer an air cleaner that is as quiet as a mouse, or quieter even, then try an ionic air purifier. There’s no noisy motor and remove up to 99.9% of irritating germs, dust, dander, smoke, fumes, viruses, and bacteria.

Ionic air purifiers work by weighing down pollutants, making them too heavy to float in the air. Once they fall to the floor, you can sweep or vacuum them up. Most don’t have a filter you have to worry about cleaning out. All you have to do is keep the front blades clean.

The Envion Ionic Pro Turbo Ionic Air Purifier will almost silently rid the air of mold spores, flu and other cold viruses, strep bacteria, and allergens. The compact design will fit it in any room, and cleaning the blades only takes minutes.

A woman enjoying the fresh air from her air purifier.

Carbon filter

Air purifiers that use activated carbon filters can absorb a larger amount of air pollutants. If you have a lingering odor issue due to pets or smoke, a machine that uses carbon may be the best choice for you. Air purifiers with carbon filters usually also use a HEPA filter as well. Not only will they take care of mold, dust, and spores, but also odors and other pollutants.

The Bissel air320 Smart Air Purifier is such a sleek gadget if you don’t mind spending the money. The retro look is super stylish, but it also is a top-of-the-line unit. It comes with a HEPA and carbon filter to make sure pollen, smoke, dust, dander, and odors don’t stand a chance in your home.

Central air cleaners

If you own your home and want to help your A/C last for as long as possible, you want to look into a central air cleaner, which will run through your home’s ductwork system. If your home has central heat and cooling, this system will remove pollen, dust, allergens, and viruses from your home around the clock. The downsides are the cost of professional installation and operation, but the advantages are numerous, including extending the life of your air conditioning and heating system.

Which is the best portable air purifier for your home? You need to know what’s in your air that you don’t want there.

  • Pet dander
  • Dust
  • Smoke

Know what you want to take care of and you can find the best air purifier for your home. Whether you are renting or purchasing a place will also inform your decision. No matter which one you do buy, having a fresher and healthier quality of air is what’s important for you and your family.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

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