Best air purifier 2023

The best air purifier can help with allergies, pollution, and general sleep quality. There's a few things you need to consider when buying one though.

First off, you'll want to make sure its filtration performance is up there with the best. The clean air delivery rate (or CADR) can give you an idea of this, as it measures how quickly particles in the air are reduced in size and filtered.

You'll also want to look at air purifiers that have a sensor that detects when the air quality isn't great and ideally switches itself on too. It also doesn't go amiss if the air purifier lets you know when it needs its filter changing.

Finally, ideally, the best air purifier should be fairly quiet when running. This isn't essential but can help if you want it on while you sleep.

Air purifiers can sometimes be a little expensive, especially when they come with added features. So if you're shopping on a budget, why not check out the best cheap air purifiers instead.

We've listed what we think are some of the best air purifiers based on specs, general reviews, and features they offer that we think make them stand out from the crowd, plus answered some of your most frequently asked questions too.

Best air purifiers

1. LEVOIT Air Purifier
2. Blueair Protect 7470i
3. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
4. Blueair Pure Fan
5. Germ Guardian

1. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde

Credit: Levoit

1. Levoit Air Purifier

Best air purifier overall

The LEVOIT Air Purifier looks to tick a fair few boxes for rooms as large as 20m², boasting a powerful VortexAir Technology and 360-degree intake.

Its H13 True HEPA Filter, amongst others, claims to be able to capture 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size. What that means is that things like dust, pollen, or smoke can be grabbed and whisked out of the air with ease.

It also offers more than one type of filter, depending on what you're using it for - which range from filters designed for 'toxins', such as smoke, to more pet-orientated solutions.

When it comes to noise, thanks to its QuietKEAP technology, it claims to be near silent too, which is a big plus for anyone working from home or trying to get some shut-eye.

Add that to built-in timer functionality and what we think is a pretty sleek design, and you've got a bit of a winner.

• Read More: Are air purifiers worth it?

Credit: Blueair

2. Blueair Protect 7470i

Best premium air purifier

A more premium option that packs a few more smart features comes in the form of the Blueair Protect 7470i.

Some of the standout features here include its low energy consumption and very low noise levels, even at high settings - which come in at only 45 dB.

The SmartFilters actually have a chip that monitors usage and then gauges when you need to swap it out, which makes it super easy to keep your lungs fresh, and your purifier efficient.

It also automatically adjusts to different air conditions and is monitorable and controllable via the Blueair app that can be downloaded on any phone out there (whether you're using a flagship, one of the best mid-range phones, or one of the best cheap phones) as well as via smart-home devices.

The Blueair app even enables Alexa compatibility for some models, so you'll be able to enjoy clean air with even more convenience.

• Read More: Best USB fans

Credit: Winix

3. Winix 5500-2

Best air purifier for medium to large rooms

The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier could be a good option for medium to large rooms and boasts a number of familiar claims relating to its filtration performance thanks to its HEPA filter and AOC Carbon filter.

Again, you're getting something that's fairly quiet, coming in at just 27.8 dB, and it features smart sensors that indicate the current air quality. According to Yale's dB reference list, this air purifier is only just louder than a whisper.

Another useful feature is its automatic Sleep Mode setting, which detects when the room is dark and switches to a quiet, energy-efficient performance.

• Read More: Best bathroom dehumidifiers

Credit: Blueair

4. Blueair Pure Fan

Best air purifier for design

If you've got the budget and want to go for something that works great from a design perspective, then this Blueair Pure Fan from Blueair could be the way to go.

Its Scandinavian-inspired design certainly makes it the best-looking air purifier we've come across, and the added handle and its relatively lightweight design make it convenient when moving around the house.

On a performance front, it boasts removal of over 99%² of airborne allergens, including dust and pollen, plus auto-adjust functionality and a simple LED indicator to help you understand the current air quality. It's also low noise and energy consumption, so another win, win there.

• Read More: Best portable electric heaters

Credit: GermGuardian

5. Germ Guardian

Best midrange air purifier with UV-C

The Germ Guardian appears to be another popular choice, likely because it offers multiple layers of air purification, including UV-C light.

While not every air purifier has this feature, some may think it's worth going for, as UV-C light is said to be able to reduce airborne bacteria. UV-C achieves this by damaging or destroying the DNA of bacteria because of the sheer energy inside its tiny wavelength.

It also features a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of dust and allergens, and much like the other purifiers on the list claims to be whisper quiet too.

• Read more: Best vacuum cleaner under 100

Credit: Dyson

5. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde

Best air purifier from Dyson

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde looks to be an incredible choice for those wanting an air purifier they can use all year round.

This comes down to the fact it's a multi-functional device, acting as not only a purifier but also a fan and heater, which means it'll work equally well in both the colder and warmer months of the year.

There are loads of sensors present here, ranging from the new formaldehyde sensor to ones for PM2.5 and PM10 dust and NO2. What this means is that the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde should be able to purify the air well and keep it as clean as possible.

Alongside this, this is also a smart air purifier, both in the sense of the fact it connects to assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and in the sense that it looks fantastic with some sleek design and given this is a multifunction device.

• Read More: Best smart fans

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Air purifiers can be relatively complex, so let's take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to making your decision.

Is it worth getting an air purifier?

Yes, it is if you're someone who could benefit from having cleaner air in your living or working space.

People who have sensitivities to particular pollutants or allergies could benefit for example, so investing in one could be worthwhile depending on your own circumstances.

For reference, a 2018 study that followed 46 people with nasal and ocular allergy symptoms found that with an air purifier, their symptoms decreased significantly over a four-week period.

From a price perspective, some of the smaller, less feature-rich purifiers are quite affordable for most people too, allowing you to test the waters first, before committing to a larger, more premium solution.

Is a humidifier the same as an air purifier?

No. The main difference is that humidifiers control the moisture in the air, while purifiers catch dust, mould, and control odours too. If you want more information, we have an article explaining the difference between air purifiers and dehumidifiers.

There are some cases where you can get a three-in-one product, which both dehumidifies, purifies and acts as a fan. Dyson has one worth checking out if you're in the market for one, which we've listed above.

Can I run a humidifier and air purifier at the same time?

In short, yes. As the devices utilise different functions, then there's no harm in using humidifiers and air purifiers in the same room.

Air purifiers catch dust and mould that may be flying around, whilst humidifiers control the moisture in the air.

Is an ionizer better than an air purifier?

Fundamentally, the two devices are different from each other, and it's really your decision as to which one suits your needs better.

Ionizers make air particles heavier so they fall to the ground, and will still need to be cleaned up, whilst air purifiers catch dust and mould that may be flying around and filter air so it's cleaner.

How much should you spend on an air purifier?

It depends on your personal budget, but around $200 should get you something that will tick off most of the boxes.

If you go lower you may miss out on some of the smarter features, such as smart-sensors and filter 'lifespan' tracking, but they should still do a good job.

On a more premium (plus $500) you're likely getting something more powerful, better for larger spaces, and packed with different sensors and settings.

Are HEPA filters worth it?

We'd say that HEPA filters are with it, given they're more efficient than standard ones, and can do a great job in helping to remove any larger particles from the air by acting as an extra barrier.

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air [filter], and signifies a device that has up to 99.97% capture rate for particulate as small as 0.3 microns, with the capture rate getting even higher for larger particulate.

What is the difference between HEPA and true HEPA?

Tue HEPA filters are said to be able to capture much smaller particles, as small as 0.3 microns, and feature a 99.97% efficiency rate.

By comparison, standard HEPA-type filters feature a 99% efficiency rate and can capture particles as small as 2 microns.

Can air purifiers remove dust?

In short, yes. Air purifiers should be able to catch dust particles in the air and filter it out to provide you with much cleaner air in various rooms.

Where is the best place to put an air purifier?

This is all down to personal preference, but generally speaking, the best place to put an air purifier is where there's a high concentration of airflow, so near doors or windows - this is simply because then there's air for it to purify!

You don't want to place it on a corner for instance given there's low airflow there, or actually on the floor, given it limits the amount of air that can be purified.