The Trade Secret to Buying an Air Purifier That Actually Works (So You Can Breathe Easier!)

No matter where you are, air quality is a concern. If you live in an urban environment, car pollutants may seep into your home. If you live in a more rural area, you may experience smoke from forest fires or pollutants from developmental construction. At a minimum, pet dander and common household pathogens like the cold virus or the dreaded fecal bloom (close your toilet when you flush!) can leave you scrambling for fresh air.

That’s where an air purifier can come in handy — but do air purifiers work? I asked three air quality experts to weigh in with their advice on when and if you should buy an air purifier and which ones stand up to tough airborne particles. Whether you’re trying to solve an air quality issue or simply want to breathe cleaner air, here’s what they had to say.

First things first, you may be wondering, why does it matter if particles are in the air? That school of thought is valid, especially if you’ve never had breathing issues, but experts (including the Environmental Protection Agency) say it’s important. 

According to Divya Darshini Piskala, the product manager at Bosch Home Comfort, there is a common misconception that air pollution is only present during extreme events, such as when you can see smog or a wildfire nearby. In actuality, she says, “Air pollution is an invisible barrier all around us and can be 2-5 times higher in enclosed spaces.” 

Everything from cooking on the stove to the cleaning products you use can impact interior air quality. “The answer to releasing these pollutants isn’t always as simple as opening a door or window, as your geographical location can also greatly impact the air outside,” Piskala adds.

Tony Abate, an indoor air quality expert at AtmosAir Solutions in Fairfield, Connecticut, says that VOCs (volatile organic compounds, such as particles, dust, pollen, and spores) can trigger allergies. “All these contaminants can cause allergic symptoms, sickness, and irritations, so removing them will produce healthier air,” he says.

Essentially, air purifiers draw in air from the surroundings, pass it through a filtration system, and finally release the purified air back into the environment. “Most purifiers use a fan to pull air through a high-efficiency particulate air HEPA filter, which traps particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander,” says Mike Feldstein, the founder and CEO of Jaspr. 

These filtration systems typically include activated carbon filters to absorb odors and gasses, but more advanced models use UVC light to kill airborne viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms. “The result is cleaner air, free from harmful particles and pollutants, improving overall indoor air quality,” Feldstein adds. 

As with any home appliance purchase, Piskala suggests doing your research. While you should read customer reviews and pay attention to the star rating, there’s another number to factor in: the percentage of air particles a particular model can eliminate. “The best air purifiers on the market are those capable of removing over 99% of particles from short- and long-term pollutants, such as pollen, dust, smoke, viruses, and pet dander,” she says. 

Beyond noting how the percentage of particles a purifier can eliminate, you also need to measure the size of your room. “The effectiveness of your air purifier will depend on sizing it appropriately to the space you want to filter,” Piskala says. For example, if you have an 800-square-foot room, you shouldn’t purchase an air purifier designed to clean a 250-square-foot room, as the unit won’t be able to keep up with the demand.

If you’re considering a particular model, Piskala says to look for features that help take the guesswork out of filtration. “Such features include an air quality indicator, which can alert homeowners of pollutants in the air that may be contributing to negative air quality and the associated consequences,” she says. 

Other product features can include adjustable ventilation levels, which enable you to increase flow during spring’s pollen influx, and smart sensors that allow a unit to sense pollutants and react accordingly. Energy Star certification is also a plus.

According to experts, an air purifier will do the job as long as you purchase a quality purification system designed for the size of your room. You’ll also need to keep up with regular maintenance, such as replacing filters and cleaning airways (refer to your unit’s usage instructions for specifications) to make sure it stays in working order. 

Certain situations, though, may call for stronger equipment. For instance, Feldstein says, “When I would do restoration after wildfires to restore homes from toxic smoke damage, we would use air scrubbers, which are industrial air purifiers,” he says. The passing air went in polluted and came out breathable and clean. 

If you have a nonfunctional unit or are waiting to purchase an air purifier, there are things you can do in the meantime to purify your air. Try to improve ventilation by opening doors and windows, avoid using chemical-heavy products, remove clutter, and try to keep your environment dust-free.