Best air purifier for viruses
2023 Reviews – Rolling Stone
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No matter how many cleaning essentials you stock up on for your home, according to medical experts, one additional item that people should be adding to their arsenal is an air purifier.
The best air purifiers (sometimes known as “air cleaners”) help to eliminate dust, pollen, smoke and other irritants from the air, but a good air purifier could also go a long way towards eliminating dangerous airborne germs and bacteria too. The CDC says air purifiers “can help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in a home or confined space.” The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) adds that air purifiers are helpful “when additional ventilation with outdoor air is not possible” (say, when you can’t crack open a window at home or work).
According to the EPA, indoor air tends to be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, since there is less ventilation and recirculation of air. This is where an air purifier can come in, to ensure that you can breathe easy, despite external stressors.
An air purifier works by drawing air into its chamber and running it through a filter that captures germs, dust, mites, pollen and other potentially harmful particles from the airstream. The air purifier will then return the clean air back into your home.
These days, the best air purifiers can also help to absorb or filter out odors, say, from cooking or smoke. Some air purifiers are also equipped with heating and cooling settings, to function as a standup fan or heater when the temperatures change.
What Is a HEPA Air Purifier?The best air purifiers use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter that better captures unwanted particles from the air.
Standard air purifier filters range from coarse to medium in terms of their design and filtration ability (similar to say, how a coffee filter works).
These are among the most commonly used air filters in homes and workplaces today. But according to Kevin Shim, director of Coway US (a home appliance company known for their air and water purifiers), these standard filters, while certainly effective, are not as efficient as HEPA filters. “If you are looking for a high-performance air filter,” he says, “HEPA filters are among the best in the market today.”
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While they used to be expensive and difficult to find, HEPA filter air purifiers are used everywhere these days, from homes and automobiles, to aircrafts and medical facilities.
Shim says it’s important to distinguish between HEPA and True HEPA air purifiers to ensure that your needs are met. “Essentially,” he explains, “True HEPA air purifiers capture up to 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which include a range of allergens and odors. On the other hand, a purifier with a HEPA-type filter is capable of capturing 99 percent of particles that are 2 microns or larger, such as pet dander and dust.
While these particles are too tiny for the human eye to see,” Shim cautions, “they are large enough to penetrate your lungs and cause problematic reactions.”
Can using an air purifier protect you from getting Covid? The short answer is yes — and no. The CDC says these units can help “reduce the airborne concentration of the virus that causes Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), which can reduce the risk of transmission through the air.” Still, the agency is quick to stress that using an air purifier or portable air cleaner is “not enough to protect yourself and your family from Covid-19.” You should still be washing your hands with soap and water, using hand sanitizer when soap is not available, and wearing a face covering when indoors.
Glory Dolphin Hammes is a Council-certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) who says an air purifier is an important item to have in your home or workspace. “Air purifiers can be helpful during the coronavirus pandemic because they can clean the air and circulate clean air in indoor spaces that may have little to no ventilation,” Dolphin Hammes says.
“Research has shown that ventilation either through open windows or doors, or through air purifiers, is essential to decreasing transmission rates through dilution.”
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Like the CDC though, Dolphin Hammes cautions against seeing air purifiers as an all-in-one solution or quick fix. “I think it is crucial for consumers to understand that not all air purifiers are made the same,” she says, “and not all air purifiers can remove the coronavirus from the air.”
What Does an Air Purifier Do? An air purifier doesn’t just target harmful germs and bacteria, it can also be used to help reduce odors around the house and to filter out smoke. “Air purifiers became top-of-mind to consumers during 2020 especially, as wildfires continue to batter the West Coast, leaving behind significant smoke pollution,” says Shim. That, coupled with the coronavirus’ impact on respiratory health, Shim explains, “has driven consumers to think more holistically about how and what they’re breathing.
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Shim says Coway’s line of air purifiers has seen “record-breaking sales,” as wildfires continue in many parts of the country. The North Carolina-based Oransi, meantime, says their air purifiers have been “backordered” for weeks, after seven local school districts bought out their entire inventory due to increasing Covid infection rates in the state.
Oransi, whose popular Mod air purifier removes mold spores, pet dander and smoke, in addition to bacteria and dust, began after its founder sought to find ways to treat his asthmatic son. The company cites data from the World Health Organization, which finds that air pollution is the world’s top environmental health risk. A good air purifier will go a long way towards purifying the air in your space, helping to eliminate stuffiness, congestion and nasal irritation. As Oransi states on its site, “We believe everyone deserves to breathe clean, fresh air.”
What Are the Best HEPA Air Purifiers? Looking for an easy and effective way to eliminate virus-causing germs and bacteria from your air? Here are some of the best HEPA air purifiers to buy online.
BEST OVERALL
Smartly-designed, Coway’s air purifier keeps track of the air quality in your home so that you don’t have to. The shoebox-sized unit also packs a powerful filtering punch, using a combination of a washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and a Green True HEPA Filter to better reduce and eliminate 99.999% of airborne contaminants up to 0.01-micron.
We were most impressed by the Airmega 250S’s Smart Mode, which automatically adapts to the air in your space and adjusts fan speeds accordingly based on the room’s air quality. That makes the air purifier more energy-efficient without compromising effectiveness. Lights on the unit also let you know when the filter needs replacing, but you can also use the IoCare app to check the filter status, get indoor and outdoor air quality, set timers, and change the speed.
Though it’s small in size, Coway says the Airmega 250 can cover up to 930 square feet of space, making it great for a living rooms, offices or studios.
The air purifier is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can use your voice to say, tell it to switch to Sleep Mode for low-noise operation at bedtime.
We like the natural-looking colorways, too, that easily fit into any decor style. This makes the AirMega 250S air purifier a nice alternative to the more industrial-looking basic black and white units on the market.
Buy Coway Airmega 250S Purifier $365.50
2. IQAir Atem Desk Personal Air PurifierBEST PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER
Amazon Dolphin Hammes recommends the IQAir Atem Desktop Air Purifier, which uses the company’s exclusive HyperHEPA filters to remove ultra-fine particles down to 0.003 microns. Hammes says the filters are effective enough to remove airborne viruses and particles that are ten times smaller than a virus. What you get: 99% purified air to your personal breathing zone. The unique circular design is great for airflow and everything can be easily monitored and adjusted through the MyAtem app.
This portable air purifier is great for your desk or a small room. It can cover up to 150-square-feet of space.
Buy IQAir Atem Desktop Air Purifier $399.00
3. Oransi Max Air Purifier
MOST POWERFUL
AmazonOransi says the Max has been lab tested to remove 99.99% of particles that are Covid-sized (125 nm) to help keep you safe at home (note: there is no official test for the removal of the coronavirus complete, so Oransi tested the performance of its air purifier across a variety of nanometer sizes that encompass virus sizes). Its True HEPA filter also helps to remove allergens, mold, pet dander and smoke.
The Max uses a Japanese high-efficiency motor and unique cylindrical design to cover a 600 square-foot room with use. Monitor your settings via the intuitive swipe-touch glass control system.
The Max is Energy Star-certified for efficiency, and has a super-quiet motor too — the company says the air purifier’s four fan speeds never go above a 53 dB noise level, making it one of the quietest units on the market.
This is the most powerful and effective air purifier we’ve tested, strong enough to help improve air quality in large rooms and even entire apartments.
Buy Oransi Max Air Purifier $249.00
4. PhoneSoap AirSoap
BEST DESIGN
PhoneSoapPhoneSoap is best-known for its UV sanitizing devices, which are great for eliminating bacteria on your phone, keys and small accessories. Now the company is getting into the air purifier game with the introduction of AirSoap, which swaps a traditional filter for a “high-energy ‘Electric Wind’ technology,” that PhoneSoap says is more effective at cleaning the air.
The company says the AirSoap’s advanced purification system — which uses a high-energy plasma field to trap and ionize the air particles that flow through — can trap and kill even the smallest viruses, down to 14.6 nanometers (most disposable HEPA filters can only filter down to 300 nanometers). And while the AirSoap is not marketed as a Covid-killing device, the company says the air purifier is able to capture extremely small viruses like coronaviruses and Influenza, that are usually “too small for traditional filters to capture.
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Buy PhoneSoap AirSoap $299.95
5. Samsung Bespoke CubeBEST SMART PURIFIER
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AmazonFor an effective and gentle clean, you’ll want to pick up the Samsung Bespoke Cube. Backed by Samsung’s years of research in both technology and design, the Cube uses a five-stage filtration process with 360 degree air suction intake to reduce and remove irritants like pollen and smoke, while eliminating up to 99.97% of ultra-fine dust.
Samsung says the device is certified to reduce allergies, and it’s safe enough to use in a child’s room or nursery as well. The Cube is whisper-quiet and doesn’t release any wind. Its air quality sensor, meantime, uses a laser to monitor air particles, with instant feedback on the front digital display. Use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Bixby to control the device with your voice, and monitor your settings on the SmartThings app.
What we like: the Cube is a modular design purifier — a single unit covers rooms up to 350 square feet, but you can also get a second unit to stack, to easily double your coverage.
Buy Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Purifier $699.00
6. EnviroKlenz Mobile UV Model Air Purifier
PROFESSIONAL-GRADE
EnviroklenzThis EnviroKlenz air purifier harnesses the power of HEPA filters and UVC bulbs to provide both germicidal irradiation and removal of harmful bacteria from the air. The company says recent tests have show that the EnviroKlenz Mobile UV Model “is able to capture and filter droplets in the air, which is mainly how the Covid-19 virus is transmitted from person-to-person.” What’s more, the company says results showed a 99.9% reduction rate for viruses as small as 0.025 microns in size (about 1/4 the size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and influenza particles).
Though the FDA has not yet verified these claims, the results suggest that the EnviroKlenz air cartridge could be effective in warding off pathogens similar in size to the coronavirus.
In addition to germs and viruses, this professional-grade air purifier can help to remove toxic and noxious odors and chemicals from the air, while the HEPA filter captures dust, allergens, pet dander, and other microorganisms.
A four-speed blower encourages efficient airflow, while two 9-watt UVC bulbs help provide additional germicidal irradiation and internal cleaning of the system. Handy indicator lights let you know when the UVC lamps need to be replaced.
Buy Enviroklenz Mobile UV Model $799
Top Purifiers for Viruses, Germs – Rolling Stone
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With Covid-19 cases rising due to the super transmissible Omicron variant, you’re most likely doing what you can to stay safe — which means voluntarily staying at home a little more often than usual now. If you’re looking for an easy way to make your work from home office a little more comfortable, or breathe a little easier in your cramped shared home spaces, air purifiers are the way to go. They may also help when it comes to viral circulation in the air indoors.
The best air purifiers can go a long way towards helping clear out and eliminate dangerous airborne germs and bacteria from the air.
The CDC says air purifiers “can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air in your home”. This is particularly important when you can’t crack open a window during the cold winter months to get that air ventilation flowing around the house.
While currently, there haven’t been any air purifiers tested directly against the Covid-19 virus, most top-rated air purifiers will have efficient filters capable of capturing those pesky, tiny airborne particles similar to those that cause coronavirus. This has the added advantage of really giving your household air a good cleaning during general flu and allergy season.
Can an Air Purifier Protect Against Covid?Can running an air purifier protect the people in your home from getting Covid-19? Well, it’s complicated. The CDC says air purifiers can help “reduce the airborne concentration of the virus that causes Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), which can reduce the risk of transmission through the air.” However, the agency says that even regularly using an air purifier or portable air cleaner is “not enough to protect yourself and your family from Covid-19.
” You should still practice regular safety precautions, like washing your hands with soap and water (especially when returning from outside), using hand sanitizer when soap is not available, and wearing a face mask indoors when you have visitors who are at a higher-risk, or unvaccinated.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also cautions that “by itself, air cleaning or filtration is not enough to protect people from exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.” But, they say that regular air filtration can be part of your household’s overall plan to reduce “reduce the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.”
So overall, don’t think of air purifiers as an all-in-one solution or quick fix. No two air purifiers are the same, but one of the most important things to look for in the best air purifiers for viruses is the inclusion of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These filters can capture at least 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.
3 microns, which includes most airborne pathogens. Not to mention, the CDC says these are the most effective on market for “trapping particles that people exhale when breathing, talking, singing, coughing, and sneezing.”
Looking for an easy and effective way to eliminate virus-causing germs and bacteria from your air? These are some of the best air purifiers for viruses to buy online.
1. EnviroKlenz Mobile UV Model
This EnviroKlenz air purifier easily gives the biggest one-two cleaning punch to any home. Unlike other air cleaners, it uses both HEPA filters and UVC bulbs to provide germicidal irradiation while it eliminates bacteria from the air. The company says recent testing also showed a 99.9 percent reduction rate for viruses as small as 0.025 microns in size (about 1/4 the size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and influenza particles, so quite useful for cold and flu season, too).
While the FDA hasn’t verified these claims yet, the results suggest that EnviroKlenz’s air cartridge could, at the very least, be an effective way to capture and filter out pathogens similar in size to the coronavirus, especially with airborne transmission being the main way Covid-19 infections happen.
But the added HEPA filter gives it an extra advantage in addition to warding off germs and viruses, as it can capture dust, allergens, pet dander, and other microorganisms. If you live an area where smoke and forest fires are common, the purifier’s four-speed blower can also help remove noxious odors and chemicals from the air. Two 9-watt UVC bulbs help provide additional internal cleaning of the system, and helpful indicator lights will let you know when the UVC lamps need to be replaced.
Buy Enviroklenz Mobile UV Model $799
2. Coway Airmega IconSRelated Stories
Sleek and stylish, Coway’s newest air purifier that debuted at CES 2022 is truly the future of smart home upgrades, delivering the the same stellar cleaning performance, only a little smarter.
You’ll get the same three-stage filtration process that Airmega line is known for, except the company claims this model’s filter can capture up to 99.
999 percent of nano-sized particles down to 0.001 microns (that’s even smaller than most allergens, bacteria, and viruses). That’s a huge upgrade, but what’s an even bigger upgrade are the added features.
The IconS will be the first air purifier with a wireless charging station — located on top, the platter can charge up your smartphone or other Qi-enabled device. The air purifier will also be compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and an energy-saving air quality monitor adjusts the fan speed to match the air quality in your room.
Coway says the Airmega IconS can cover up to a whopping 700 square feet of space, making it great for a main living room small apartment. We like the gorgeous modern design, which also happens to be water and stain-repellent. The air purifier will hit shelves in April or May 2022.
Buy Coway Airmega IconS Purifier $559
3. Winix 5500-2
The Winix 5500-2 is a filtration powerhouse, and while it may not have the most “smart” bells and whistles, its unique method of breaking down odors, allergens, and other pollutants makes it an excellent choice in our books.
With a four-stage filtration system that uses a HEPA filter (recommended for filtering particles like Covid-19) for eliminating 99.97 percent of airborne allergens as small as 0.3 microns, a pre-filter for large particles, and a carbon filter for odors, the standout, though, is the plasma filter. Winix says its “PlasmaWave” technology safely eliminates pollutants without any harmful ozone.
What you won’t find: voice commands, app control, or any superfluous features, but that’s the way we like it. It does have a handy smart sensor that gauges the air quality and adjusts accordingly, as well as a sleep mode for energy-efficient nighttime operation. Combined with a manual timer and filter status update lights, this minimalist air cleaner is a worthwhile buy for a reason.
Buy Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier $159.99
4. Dyson Purifier Cool TP09
The Dyson Purifier Cool TP09 isn’t just a regular air purifier — it’s a cool air purifier, quite literally doubling as a cooling fan when it’s not working overtime as an expertly-designed bacteria-eliminator.
Frequently sold out, this popular Dyson model recently got a major upgrade in the form of a sensor that detects and eliminates formaldehyde from from your carpets and rugs.
When it comes to everyday filtration, the Purifier Cool TP09’s HEPA h23 filter is also 99.95 effective at removing particles down to 0.1 micron, and 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns. To prevent these pollutants from leaking back into the air, the body is also fully sealed, so what goes inside stays inside.
But what we love is the unique design, which Dyson says projects out powerful circulation so it can capture and draw in air that purifies all the far corners of your room. The same design can cool you down when needed with fan that runs 77 gallons of air through per second.
With additional smart capabilities like hands-free voice control and air quality monitoring on the app, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP09’s versatility is still unmatched.
Buy Dyson Purifier Cool TP09 $649.
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5. Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto
When Blueair isn’t specializing in clearing your space out of pet hair and dander, the exceptionally silent performance combined with an intuitive auto mode of their Blue Pure 311 Auto means you’ll barely notice when its running — but the air quality around your home will let you know its getting the job done right.
Using electrostatic filtration, the Blue Pure 311 Auto works with the particle filter to remove 99.97 percentage of airborne particles down to 0.1 micron, like pollen, dust, and most importantly, viruses. When tested against particles from wildfires (where are larger, often 2.5 microns), the special fabric pre-filter could also remove up to 99 percent of them within 60 minutes.
This combination of filters makes it remarkably quiet, cleaning the air with a sound level equivalent to a soft whisper (23-53 dB). You’ll also get all the power of a top air purifier in one energy-saving package, since it runs up to 40 percent more efficiently than standard models.
While the auto mode can adjust to real-time conditions in any space based on a particle sensor, we recommend this purifier for medium-sized rooms like bedrooms, living rooms, or playrooms. For clean air without any complications, the Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto can’t be beat.
Buy Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto $212.49
6. LG AeroTower Air Purifying Fan
If you’re looking for an air purifier that doubles as a fan, choose the LG AeroTower Air Purifying Fan.
It’s got true HEPA filtration to rid your home of any bacteria as well as LG’s UVNANO LED which the brand says kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria found on the fan’s blades.
It’s also designed to offer 818 square feet of coverage — this should be enough for your home office, bedroom, kid’s room or even your city studio apartment.
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Other features include whisper-quiet operation and an LCD display that provides you with real-time air quality ratings.
