The 12 Best Air Purifiers To Combat Pollen, Dust, Smoke And Mold

The best air purifiers can singlehandedly improve air quality inside your home—a quality unit will be able to trap irritants and dander, as well as effectively reduce airborne allergens such as pollen, dust and mold spores. If you’re searching for a new air purifier, an ideal choice would include a HEPA (short for “high efficiency particulate air”) filter, which removes at least 99.97% of air pollutants down to 0.3 microns.

Our top pick for 2024 is the Levoit’s LV H132 Air Purifier , a compact, affordable and versatile model that’s excellent for general air purifying needs. The best air purifiers trap irritants and dander, as well as effectively reduce airborne allergens ... [+] such as pollen, dust and mold spores.

There are a variety of options out there to suit every type of space and budget. A few models on our list—like the ultra sleek Molekule —utilize technologies other than a HEPA for a similarly clean result. Air purifiers also come in a wide range of sizes—the best one for your space will depend on where exactly you intend to place it.

In general, the more square footage you’re hoping to deodorize and purify, the bigger the unit will need to be. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best air purifiers of 2024, based on expert input and firsthand commentary from our experienced team of editors. Best Air Purifier Overall Amazon HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 12.6 inches | Coverage area: 129 sq.

ft. Small enough to fit on your desk and designed to filter up to about 129 square feet, this compact Levoit model is equipped with a HEPA filter that removes 99.97% of dust, pollen, smoke, odor, mold spores and pet dander. It’s an excellent, inexpensive option that eschews technology like UV and ionization more commonly found in this price range.

Instead it features a three stage filtration system that includes a pre filter, a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. And three fan settings let you control the speed and volume of the purifier. While this air purifier was designed for use in the bedroom (its fan is ultra quiet and it features an optional soft blue night light with two brightness settings), it’s quite portable and can be moved from room to room if needed.

Aesthetically, it wouldn’t be out of place on your nightstand with its white or black case and sleek design. Though its capacity is on the smaller side and it doesn’t have as many features as other air purifiers on this list, it’s hard to beat the price. That said, if you want a little more square footage, the brand’s Core 300 model works in rooms up to 219 square feet, and retails for around $100.

Pros: Cons: Best Value Air Purifier Amazon HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 14 inches | Coverage area: 850 sq. ft. Improving your air quality doesn’t always have to mean emptying your wallet, and that’s where the Kenmore PM1005 comes in. This small air purifier offers an unobtrusive noise level and a noticeable improvement in air quality.

Its capacity is on the smaller side and it doesn’t come with any smart, tech y features, but its interface is incredibly easy to use and its buttons are easy to understand. Those looking for clean air without any of the frills are sure to find this model a keeper. Part of what makes this model so affordable and easy to use is its reusable filter, which unlike other models on this list, does not require replacement.

However, this feature can be both a pro and a con. While it will allow you to save money on replacements, it does require upkeep: You will need to thoroughly clean your filter every six months to assure that the purifier is able to continuely clean your air in a thorough way. Pros: Cons: Best Multi Use Air Purifier Amazon HEPA filter: Yes| Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 8.7 x 25 inches | Coverage area: 999 sq.

ft. While the Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool is admittedly expensive, it replaces three different devices with its purifying, heating and cooling capabilities. True to the Dyson name, it performs with efficiency and cutting edge technology, including sensors that constantly monitor the air. In addition to containing a HEPA filter that eliminates 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, it also has an activated carbon layer that filters odors and VOCs.

You can set the fan to its cooling mode, which offers a gentle airstream as it purifies, or switch to Backward Airflow mode for improving the air without a chill. Feeling a little too cool? Simply switch to the heating mode to warm up. The whole thing is easily operated by remote control. What our staffers say: While Vetted’s updates editor doesn’t have this exact model, she has “an older heater/cooler fan as well as the PH04 , which functions as an air purifier, cooling fan and humidifier,” she says.

“Overall, Dyson’s products are top notch; they run smoothly, look sleek and are multi functional, which is great for saving space. With the PH04, I feel better knowing that the air in my home is being deeply purified using cutting edge technology.” Pros: Cons: Best Air Purifier For Smoke Chewy HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.8 x 20.5 inches | Coverage area: 403 sq.

ft. While all the picks on this list can clear smoke from the air, the technologically smart Levoit VeSync Core 400S lets you monitor air quality inside and outside your home with real time data via the VeSync app. The unit can also be synced with voice assistants and is equipped with an aptly named Auto Mode, which automatically adjusts the fan speed to ensure clean air and energy conservation.

This is especially helpful if air pollution from cigarette smoke or wildfires wafts in and out of your space. In addition to its high tech capabilities, the Core 400S has all the essential features you want in an air purifier—namely, a HEPA filter. It offers a wide cleaning radius too, circulating air in rooms up to 403 square feet five times per hour.

Pros: Cons: Best Air Purifier For Pets Amazon HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches | Coverage area: 219 sq. ft. Another pick from the fan favorite air purifier brand Levoit, the aptly named Pet Core P350 is designed to keep homes with furry friends extra fresh.

It’s equipped with a HEPA three stage pet allergy filter including a non woven pre filter to capture reaction causing irritants like dander, dust and floating wisps of pet hair. For smaller particles, an activated carbon filter prevents stale or stinky odors from lingering in the air. Other pet and people friendly features include a sleep mode that quiets the motor and dims the setting lights plus a pet lock to prevent curious or clumsy paws from changing the controls.

The Pet Core P30 can purify rooms up to 219 square feet, making it ideal for most bedrooms and home offices. Pros: Cons: Best Large Space Air Purifier For Pets Jonathan Baudoin For Forbes HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable and washable | Dimensions: 16.5 x 9 x 27 inches | Coverage area: 1,500 sq.

ft. If you have pets and need to purify a big space, you need the Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier 2.0. This large capacity air purifier—it can replace the air in a 1,500 square foot room up to 24 times per day—features a 5 in 1 filtration system that eliminates more than 99% of allergens and pollutants, like pet dander and the dust from a litter box.

It also has an activated carbon filter that removes smoke, odors and gases and a cold catalyst filter that eliminates VOCs and harmful chemicals found in cleaning products or other household items, like candles or plug ins. It has a washable pre filter that keeps pet hair away from the HEPA filter to improve performance and increase life expectancy.

And, it’s easy to clean—just take it out, wash it down and it’s ready to start purifying again. It also has a filter replacement reminder that pops up to let you know when it’s time to order new filters, a convenient feature that ensures you never go without clean air. Pros: Cons: Best Compact Air Purifier Jonathan Baudoin/Forbes HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable and washable | Dimensions: 17 x 19 x 10 inches | Coverage area: 361 sq.

ft. The Coway Airmega AP 1512HH consistently gets high ratings across the board. This compact air purifier employs a four stage filtration process that combines a pre filter, a deodorization filter, a true HEPA filter and a Vital Ion filter that helps remove up to 99.7% of contaminants, including volatile organic compounds and odor from the air.

While it’s filtering, it communicates your air quality in real time through its brightly colored LED display. And thanks to its auto mode, if it doesn’t sense any pollution for 30 minutes, the fan will automatically stop to conserve energy. Because it’s small in size, this particular Coway model was designed to cover up to 361 square feet of space.

For reference, that’s the size of a typical bedroom. If you’re looking for a whole house air purifier, the Alen BreatheSmart is a better choice, but the Coway Airmega does an excellent job in smaller rooms and, with a decibel rating of 24.4 dB to 53.8 dB, it does it really quietly. Pros: Cons: Best Splurge Air Purifier Jonathan Baudoin For Forbes HEPA filter: Yes, plus proprietary PECO technology | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 10.9 x 23.1 inches | Coverage area: 1,000 sq.

ft. This pick from Molekule is one of the priciest on the list, but for serious allergy sufferers, it may be a worthwhile investment. As of last year, the purifiers are equipped with PECO HEPA Tri Power filters; in other words, HEPA filters plus VOC killing technology. “Air purifiers with traditional filters (like HEPA) are able to capture 99.97% of mold spores, pollen, dust, bacteria and other airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns,” explains the brand’s co founder, president and chief technology officer Dilip Goswami .

“What they’re not able to do is capture VOCs—airborne chemicals that mostly derive from off gassing of building materials or products in our homes or things like everyday cleaning products. Molekule’s proprietary technology, photo electrochemical oxidation (PECO), not only tackles VOCs, but also uses oxidation to destroy indoor air pollutants at molecular levels.” The Molekule Air Pro also tracks your air quality over time, allowing you to understand how pollutants fluctuate from day to day.

It’s worth mentioning that the brand has smaller Air Mini models , which purify up to 250 square feet and are better options for those who don’t need such a powerful machine. Pros: Cons: Best Air Purifier For Allergies Amazon HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 | Coverage area: 219 sq.

ft. If you’re looking for a straightforward option with a medium sized coverage area and an affordable price tag, the Levoit Core 300 is an excellent choice. This compact unit can cleanse spaces up to 219 square feet, making it suitable for most bedrooms and office spaces. It’s equipped with a multi filtered system that includes a HEPA filter that work together to capture 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns (including dust, smoke, pollen and odors).

And it comes with a couple of bonus features, too: The sleep mode reduces noise level and dims the display lights, plus there’s a timer you can set at 2 , 4 , 6 and 8 hour increments. Pros: Cons: Best Small Space Air Purifier For Allergies Amazon HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 7.72 x 10.69 x 15.16 inches | Coverage area: 75 sq.

ft. This Honeywell AllergenPlus might not look like much—it has all the visual appeal of a space heater—but for allergy sufferers looking for a small coverage area, it’s a solid option. This model is designed for rooms about 75 square feet in size and features a true HEPA filter for guaranteed removal of 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns.

Honeywell says that its fan can filter the air in the room five times in one hour. It’s one of the more configurable air purifiers on this list. The control panel on the top of the unit lets you set up to four different cleaning levels (which affect the fan speed and overall noise level) and has an auto off timer option so it doesn’t run continuously.

The panel also indicates when it’s time to change the filter, and it has multiple brightness levels so you can dim it at night or when you don’t need to see it. Pros: Cons: Best Air Purifier For Large Spaces Jonathan Baudoin For Forbes HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 11.5 x 18.5 x 27 inches | Coverage area: 1,300 sq.

ft. Looking to cover a lot of square footage? Not a problem with the Alen BreatheSmart 75i Large Room Air Purifier. This air purifier cleans up to about 1,300 square feet twice an hour without making a lot of noise. In fact, Alen claims the technology in the BreatheSmart is twice as quiet as that of its key competitors, even on Turbo speed.

The Alen BreatheSmart features a HEPA Pure filter that is certified to capture 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns. This works in combination with the device’s Laser Smart Sensor, which also detects airborne particles down to 0.3 microns, to effectively clean your air of dust, pollen, allergens and dander.

Additional models can capture odor and smoke as well, and carry a higher price because of those features. It measures about 27 inches high and 18 inches wide, with a control panel on top that includes an air quality indicator light which always reflects the real time purity of the room’s air with an easy to read display.

And you can choose from among 14 different colors and panels to find one to match your home’s interior. On Amazon, it’s also available three versions: Allergies, Allergies + Odor and Allergies + Odor + Smoke. Pros: Cons: Best Air Purifier For Open Floor Plans Medify HEPA filter: Yes | Filter maintenance: Replaceable | Dimensions: 28.3 x 15.7 x 15.4 inches | Coverage area: 5,000 sq.

ft. Between the advanced H13 HEPA filters and the incredible coverage this offers, the MA 112 Air Purifier is excellent for cleaning the air on a floor or potentially throughout your home. The advanced filters are capable of removing 99.9% of even the smallest particles, and its powerful technology can make your house fresher within an hour.

It also has wheels so you can easily move it when needed. Bonus features include a sleep mode, timer and child lock. In addition to homes, it’s a great option for office spaces, warehouses and the like. One thing to note: Many commenters point out that if you have a lot of separate rooms (as opposed to an open floor plan) it may be more efficient to buy multiple smaller units and place them throughout your home.

Pros: Cons: What To Consider When Buying An Air Purifier Make sure to check how large of a space an air purifier can handle. Many models specify “Air Changes per Hour” for a given size room, and you’ll want to make sure the one you’re eyeing will actually work efficiently in the space where you plan to use it.

HEPA filters are considered the gold standard with air purifiers. “The filter captures both large and small particles that move through it,” explains Catherine Monteleone, M.D., a professor of medicine, allergy and immunology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. “This type is usually best for allergens and best for use in a single room.” An air purifier isn’t exactly something you can hide in a cupboard—it has to be out in the open in order for it to work effectively.

You’ll want to choose one that matches your decor or at least isn’t an eyesore when it’s sitting on a shelf, table or the floor. Some purifiers have smart options like apps that let you control all the action from your phone. Others double as heating or cooling systems or both. But not everyone needs those extra bells and whistles.

Figuring out what you will and won’t require from your purifier in advance is important—you don’t want to spend extra for features you’ll never even use. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted home team editors are aficionados when it comes to maintaining a clean home. Having written dozens of articles on everything from vacuums to dishwashers—including an expert backed story on the best air purifiers for pets —we know that keeping your indoor air fresh is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and your family.

In addition to researching efficacy and key features, we also tapped experts for advice when writing this story. (They include Catherine Monteleone, M.D., a professor of medicine, allergy and immunology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network and David B.

Corry, M.D., vice chair for immunology in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.) We update this story frequently for freshness, and it was last updated in September 2023. How We Chose The Best Air Purifiers To find the best air purifiers, we researched the top devices on the market and combed through reader reviews, ensuring each pick had mostly positive feedback.

Then, we evaluated the best of the best according to efficiency, capacity, appearance and value. There’s a pick on this list for every type of space and lifestyle, and since everyone has a different budget, we included swankier models and economical picks alike. Do Air Purifiers Actually Work? As it relates to most models, the answer is a resounding “yes.” At baseline, these units are designed to remove unwanted particles and irritants from the surrounding air, and they tend to work.

“An air purifier can filter particles down to a specific size,” says Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network . “This is helpful for allergens like mold and animal dander as well as certain viral, bacterial, fungal and other irritants and pollutants.” Air purifiers typically feature a fan that moves air through a filter, weeding out impurities in the process, says David B.

Corry, M.D., vice chair for immunology in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In addition to HEPA filters, which usually have a “woven material of differing weaves that can remove things as small as 0.3 microns,” some air filters are electrostatic, meaning air is passed over an electrically charged series of plates and causes particles to stick to other things.

If your unit has a HEPA filter, you’ll want to change the filter on a regular basis. This, Corry explains, “leads to permanent removal of the particles and volatiles from your local environment.” Can You Sleep With An Air Purifier On? It’s safe to sleep with an air purifier on, and especially if you have allergies or asthma, it can be quite beneficial.

The air purifier makes for a more comfortable sleeping environment and can improve your sleep. Just be sure to set your device in a clear, clutter free space if it’s going to be running while you’re sleeping. How Often Should You Replace Your Air Purifier Filters? That completely depends on the air purifier you own and the area you live in.

But, as a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you replace your filters every six to 12 months. For instance, if you experience a lot indoor air pollution, you may need to change your filter more often to ensure your machine is working at its very best. If you indoor air quality and environmental factors aren’t compromised you could get more use out of your filters.

Which Cheap Air Purifier Is The Best? If you’re looking to spend less than $100 on an air purifier, the Levoit LV H132 is an excellent option. The compact design takes up minimal space and it’s equipped to tackle 99.97% of dust, pollen, smoke, odor, mold spores and pet dander. But keep in mind that it’s best suited for smaller spaces up to 129 square feet only.

If you’re looking for wider coverage without breaking the bank, the Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool is worth considering. It covers up to 1,000 square feet and cost less than $550. While this may seem like an expensive investment upfront, the filter needs to be replaced only every 12 months, which works out to be more economical than machines which need their filters replaced more frequently.

Meet The Experts More Cleaning Stories To Shop.