Air Purifiers Buyer's Guide

From pollen to pet hair, smoke to mold, the air we breathe in is oftentimes filled with unhealthy and potentially dangerous contaminants that can frequently go unnoticed as we go about our daily lives. Unfortunately, even though you may not see these minuscule particles entering your body as you inhale, they still have the ability to have a big impact on your health, and if you’ve noticed you suffer from allergies, asthma, headaches, or other respiratory symptoms then you already have personal experience with the harm these contaminants can cause. But just because these pollutants exist all around you doesn’t mean you have to continuously suffer because of them, and if you’re tired of coughing, sneezing, and endlessly itching your eyes then it may be time to consider investing in a portable air purifier for your home.

Who Needs an Air Purifier?

Designed to cleanse the air inside your living space in order to create a healthier and cleaner environment, air purifiers are an essential appliance for a wide range of conditions and situations. Whether you’re a seasonal allergy suffer who is hoping to eliminate that pesky pollen, or a concerned parent looking to protect your child’s health, the right air purifier inside your home can go a long way in ensuring you aren’t constantly breathing in toxins and contaminants such as mold spores, pet hair, dander, pollen, dust, smoke, and more. Utilizing an impressive filtration system, and by monitoring air quality in real time, air purifiers can be an indispensable asset for numerous people, including those who are:

Allergy Sufferers

If you find yourself frequently coughing and sneezing throughout the day, or you wake up each morning with red, itchy eyes, then you may be reacting to potential allergens that exist within your home environment. Dust, mold spores, dander, and pollen could all be the culprits behind these unpleasant symptoms, and the right air purifier will be able to eliminate them with ease, and have you feeling back to your normal self in no time at all.

Parents & Families

Parents with young children frequently find that an air purifier is a must-have necessity in their home, as tiny, developing bodies can be greatly impacted by toxins and contaminants that exist inside your house. By effectively removing potential pollutants that your children would otherwise be breathing in, an air purifier can help reduce the risk of childhood asthma, allergies, and other health issues, leaving you with a cleaner environment for them to grow-up inside.

Pet Owners

Your pet brings a lot of joy and happiness into your life, but they also bring a lot of dander, hair, and dirt into your home. All potential contaminants, your cat or dog can have a major impact on the air you’re breathing in and if you want to have a cleaner, healthier home while still enjoying your furry friend, then an air purifier is a must-have purchase.

Smokers

If you or someone in your home is a smoker then there is no doubt that an air purifier is needed, as this habit can quickly contaminate your environment with smoke, toxins, and other pollutants. Thankfully, with the correct type of filter an air purifier will be able to eliminate these harmful smoking byproducts, and they can also help tackle any lingering smells inside your living space.

Urban Dwellers

Living in the city means you have to deal with pollutants and toxins every time you leave your house, but those same contaminants can also creep into your home, leaving you to breathe in smog, smoke, and fumes even when your doors and windows are shut. While you may not be able to avoid poor air quality when you go outside you can rectify it inside your space and a powerful air purifier can make quick work of harmful particles so you can minimize potential health risks.

Understanding Filters

In order to effectively remove such a wide range of tiny particles from the air in your environment, an air purifier relies on a sophisticated system of filters that have been specially designed to capture microscopic contaminants that you’re unable to even see. Depending on the model you select, you may find that there is only 1 type of filter that is housed inside the appliance, whereas other options may utilize a multi-step filtration system in order to not only tackle particles, but neutralize odors and destroy microorganisms as well. Which type of filtration system is best for your home will depend on what it is you’re trying to accomplish, and each option is worth researching so you can make an informed decision that will provide the biggest benefits for your health.

For most air purifiers currently available, the types of filters you’re most likely to encounter are:

Pre-Filters

Always seen in conjunction with a secondary type of filter, pre-filters are intended to help capture and remove large-sized particles from the air before they make it inside to your air purifier. Preventing dog hair, clumps of dust, and lint from clogging the more delicate filters further down the line, a pre-filter can increase the longevity of your appliance and they are often fully washable so you don’t need to worry about replacing them on a regular basis.

HEPA Filters

Renowned for their ability to capture and remove minuscule particles as small as 0.1 microns, HEPA filters are the gold-standard when it comes to air purifiers and is the option that is most highly sought after by buyers who want to tackle everything from dust and dander to mold spores and smoke. With an efficiency as high as 99.99%, a HEPA filter can leave your air almost completely contaminant free, however, the major downside is that they can be expensive to replace and this is something you will need to do every 6 to 12 months.