Air purifiers can be effective at targeting the many irritants you’ll find inside, which the EPA estimates are two to five times higher than average concentrations found outside. That covers allergy triggers such as dust, pet hair, and dander to stale, musty air from cigarette smoke and unpleasant odors. Of course, not any air purifier will accomplish what you need for your particular space. It’s important to think about the amount of coverage you’ll need and your biggest air freshening priorities. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are said to block out nearly 99 percent of small particles such as pollen and mold. But they’re not the only option for targeting your air-purifying concerns. There are also air purifiers that use carbon, UV light, or ionizing technology—or a combination of a few of these—to target allergens and odors and whatever ails your indoor air quality. On top of these key filtering traits, there are options for the way you interact with your air purifier. If you want to focus on a particular room or a larger area of your home, features like wireless range, app access, voice assistant integration, and noise are all big factors to weigh. Our top pick, the Dyson HP04 addresses all of these concerns by offering a stylish and extra-quiet design, multi-season use with accompanying heating and cooling functions, and remote and app access whether you’re at home or on your way there. There’s a lot to consider when shopping for the best air purifier, but this list of the top options from Dyson, Levoite, Molekule, and Coway, among others, are some of the very best models to consider for your connected home. Three sensors are always working to detect any unwanted particles and gases in the air, report, and capture them. You can see and control all of this by using the remote to automatically maintain a certain temperature or through the Dyson Link companion app that lets you set a schedule, monitor temperature, humidity levels, and general air quality. You can also use Alexa to keep the routine going for you when you’re not around. Another exceptional aspect of this product is how quiet it is. You shouldn’t hesitate placing this in a bedroom. It has a Quiet Mark award to back up its hushed operation at 40dB in night-time mode, which is almost as quiet as a whisper. It is one of the more expensive single-room air purifiers, but there’s a lot of innovation under the hood. The SPA-780N comes with a detailed five-filter, six-state purifying system, which includes a washable pre-filter for larger allergens, medium filter for pet dander, and a BioGs HEPA filter that reduces most allergens 0.3 microns in size at a 99.97 percent efficiency rating. The fourth layer is a customized filter that you can choose based on your priority, such as allergies or odor removal. The fifth filter, the charcoal-activated carbon filter, is designed to combat household odors. And the sixth element in the system is the release of negative ions to make air fresher and more breathable. All of this can be done from the comfort of your couch using the included remote or over Wi-Fi via the RabbitAir App. You can use the app to change the fan speed, mode (between low to high sensitivity), and monitor air quality—or ask Alexa to do this for you. The Atem is equipped with IQAir’s proprietary HyperHEPA filters, which the company says will filter even the finest particles (down to 0.003 microns or 10x smaller than the size of a virus). It perches easily on a desk or similar flat surface and runs very quiet, though the visual design is…striking. Regardless of whether you appreciate the vaguely European-chic aesthetic or find it a bit clunky, the Atem is undeniably a conversation piece. One thing to be aware of, however, is that the Atem requires a replacement filter after several months of use. After our tester’s expired, he discovered that the only place to buy a new one was through IQAir’s site and they were out of stock, and apparently had been for several months. It does all of this while looking quite stylish in a sleek silver tower build with a leather handle for easy movement throughout your home. Since it’s equipped to handle larger rooms that are up to 600 square feet, this could be great for an open-concept living room and kitchen or a larger bedroom. The touchscreen on the top of the unit is also visually appealing and practical by offering insights on air quality, scheduling, filtering modes, and filter status. You can also keep up with all of this from the convenience of the smartphone app. The Molekule Air Purifier also operates quietly at just 41dB at its lowest speed and 65dB at its highest speed. Most notably, the HP02 doesn’t feature the same advanced HEPA filtration system of the HP04, but the second-generation Dyson glass HEPA filter is still poised to reduce 99.97 percent of allergens. And while you won’t get 350-degree rotation, the HP02 does offer manual tilting and 180-degree oscillation similar to most fans. It’s also backed by approval from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation for its allergy-fighting filter, Parent Tested Parent Approved for its blade-free design, and Quiet Mark-approved for its low-volume operation, especially in night mode. Like the Dyson HP04, you’ll be able to schedule a purifying schedule from the provided remote control or through the app, check area quality stats near your home to make setting adjustments, and get an update on your indoor air quality. And if you’d rather not use the remote or misplace it, its curved and magnetic design makes it easy to rest right on top of the purifier so it’s always there when you need it. Of course, you can handle any scheduling details through the mobile app, including enabling the allergen auto-set feature that adjusts the speed according to pollen and mold allergy reports in your area. When you’re at home, you can also operate the machine directly from the menu on the top of the device. Other useful modes include the Germ option to tackle cold- and flu-causing microbes and the most powerful (and loudest) Turbo mode for rapid filtration. All in all, this isn’t the costliest air purifier, but do anticipate a modest filter replacement schedule to cover two true HEPA filters once a year to successfully capture 99.97 percent of microscopic allergens and the odor-absorbing pre-filter, which needs to be replaced quarterly. Another feature that’s friendly to everyone in the family is the multi-layer HEPA air filtration system. Like most filters, the pre-filter serves as the trap for larger particles such as pet hair and dander, the true HEPA filter then kicks in to eliminate 99.97 percent of microscopic pollutants ranging from dust to dander and pollen, and an activated carbon layer absorbs smoke and odors. The Zigma Smart Air Purifier also offers negative ion release for an air freshening boost and a UV light to kill bacteria. While the manufacturer says that the complete operating capacity is 1580 square feet, this is questionable considering the small size of the unit and lack of ultra-advanced filtration. It will be effective for a bedroom, office space, or living room, though. To maximize efficiency, the CDAP5500 employs SmartAQM, an air quality monitoring system that can automatically adjust fan speed based on air conditions—when you select the automatic speed mode. When you’re physically nearby, you can see the air quality indicator ring on the front of the unit, but that is also a drawback if you’ll be sleeping in the same room with this air purifier. The display lights can’t be turned off and operation can’t be scheduled beyond setting a timer for shut-off between 1 to 8 hours. Those slight downsides aside, you’ll get flexibility with shorter range Bluetooth or remote Wi-Fi connectivity and Alexa or Google Assistant voice control to check on air quality, make timer adjustments, or check on HEPA filter and UV light replacements. There are onboard controls on the device, but the mobile app unlocks the same and extra features that come in handy for daily use. The air quality level is cleverly indicated by rings on the front of the unit. It’s a nice design touch and practical too. So are the discrete handles on either side for easy transport. When you’re not at home, you can check the air quality via the app. It’s also the way to check on outdoor air quality to make changes, monitor air filter lifespan, and control the five fan speeds and three smart modes. The Eco mode is especially helpful if you want to get the most out of this energy-efficient device. When you activate it, the purifier will turn off the fans if the air quality has improved to “Good” for at least 10 minutes. The CleanLight Air Pro uses a Sharp PM2.5 pollutant sensor to continuously monitor air quality and make adjustments as necessary. The UV-C and anion sterilization eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria and pollutants. The LED lights and display alert you to the air quality and battery charge, which comes in at 4 hours of consistent use. While this portable purifier offers convenient cord-free use, you can also plug it in using the USB-A to USB-C charging cable to recharge the battery and operate it in your vehicle or at your desk.
What to Look for in Smart Air Purifiers
Size and range
Whether you want to target a single room or a specific corner of an open-concept living area, you’ll need a model that physically fits your layout and offers the full range you’re looking for. Larger or more advanced models often need a bit more space to accommodate. Some smaller models are capable of handling well beyond their build, but most tend to have shorter ranges. In either case, if you’re looking for portability, consider weight, handles, and wheels that offer movement flexibility to purify certain rooms over others during certain times of the year (weather changes, allergy season, etc).
Connectivity
Filtering technology
If you have specific concerns such as seasonal allergy prevention or reducing pet hair and dander, consider models that are targeted to meet those needs with specialized filters or multi-stage true HEPA filtration. UV light technology and carbon-activated components provide added filtering, odor absorption, and germ-eliminating power, and newer technologies from brands including Dyson and Molekule offer their own unique cleaning appeal. Whether you choose a more traditional filter/purifying system or a more innovative approach, you’ll also want to consider the cost of maintenance with replacement filters and other accessories.
