Between allergies, COVID-19, and wildfires, there are plenty of reasons to worry about the quality of the air you breathe. With these issues more prominent than ever, it’s no wonder that demand for air purifiers is rising(Opens in a new window).
A high-quality air purifier can remove bacteria, dust, industrial emissions, mold, odor, pet dander, pollen, viruses, and other contaminants from the air. But not all air purifiers are equally effective. With so many compelling models on the market, it can be tough to narrow down your options. We’ve made it a priority to test a wide range of smart air purifiers to help you select the best one for your needs and budget.
My interest in air purifiers began in pre-COVID times, shortly after I adopted my pitbull, Bradley. I’m allergic to dogs, but his cute face and playful personality easily won me over. It wasn’t long after adopting him that my allergies turned into asthma. Desperate for relief, I bought a refurbished Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 on eBay during a Black Friday sale. My refurbished unit worked like new, and while I can’t say that it cured my asthma and allergies, it has helped lessen my symptoms (along with medicine and daily vacuuming).
My dog, Bradley, surrounded by air purifiers
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Since then, I’ve acquired an army of smart air purifiers from various brands to test and review. I still take allergy medication daily but haven’t had an asthma flare-up or had to use my Albuterol inhaler in more than a year. I tell you this as a testament to the power of air purifiers (as well as robot vacuums and modern medicine).
If you’re looking to improve your indoor air quality, these are the best purifiers we’ve tested, followed by some critical factors to consider when shopping.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
The Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 is our top pick for good reason. In addition to doing a great job of cleaning the air in our tests, it offers numerous air quality measurements, voice control support, and a fully sealed HEPA 13 enclosure. It even integrates a sleek oscillating fan that keeps you cool.
Who It’s For
If you want a top-of-the-line, smart air purifier and fan combo, look no further than the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07. It’s expensive, but its rich feature set and ability to reliably filter out bacteria, mold spores, pollen, and other harmful contaminants make it worth the premium.
PROS
- 360-degree HEPA filter made of recycled material
- Large, oscillating fan
- Entire machine is fully sealed to HEPA H13 standard
- Supports app and voice control, scheduling
- Magnetized remote can be stored on top of the machine
- Small, lightweight design
- Easy to set up and use
Aura Air
Best Space-Saving Design
Why We Picked It
The wall-mounted Aura Air scrubbed the air efficiently in our tests. It has a built-in Wi-Fi radio, supports Alexa and Google voice commands, and pairs with a well-designed mobile app that provides a wealth of air quality readings (including CO, CO2, VOC, PM10, PM2.5, and indoor temperature and humidity levels). It also acts as a carbon monoxide and smoke detector, which adds to its versatility.
Who It’s For
The Aura Air is ideal for areas of your home where floor space is at a premium. It costs quite a bit, but its cleaning abilities and neat features (such as a digital assistant called Heidy that reports on your air quality conditions) help justify the price. It does get a bit loud when the fans are running at top speed, but that’s not uncommon with these devices.
PROS
- Easy to install
- Monitors and cleans indoor air
- Works with Alexa and Google voice assistants
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detection
Coway Airmega 250S Air Purifier
Best Coverage Area
Why We Picked It
Featuring a HEPA carbon-activated filter, the Coway Airmega 250S impressed us with its ability to quickly rid the air of pollutants in our cleaning tests. We like the support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls, as well as the thoughtful companion app that presents the current PM10 and PM2.5 levels alongside colorful charts of daily, weekly, and monthly air quality measurements.
Who It’s For
The Airmega 250S isn’t the most stylish air purifier, but it covers more space than similarly priced models and is still quite easy to move between rooms. If you have a large home, this is a top option.
PROS
- Wide coverage area
- Fast cleaning action
- Supports voice controls
CONS
- Large footprint
- Limited air quality measurement capabilities
- Loud fan
Ikea Starkvind Table With Air Purifier
Best Air Purifier That Doesn’t Look Like One
Why We Picked It
Despite lacking a True HEPA filter component, the Ikea Starkvind Table still managed to perform on par with the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 in our tests. It looks like no other purifier on this list, plus offers Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit compatibility.
Who It’s For
If you need a smart air purifier that blends in with your home’s decor, this is worth a look. It requires a separate gateway device to connect to your phone and take advantage of smart features, but it gets the job done quickly and doesn’t cost too much.
PROS
- Good filtration performance
- Multifunctional design
- Easy assembly
- Hidden cord
- Supports app controls
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
CONS
- Doesn’t use a True HEPA filter
- Gas filter and Tradfri Gateway (required for smart features) are separate purchases
- Some connectivity issues in testing
- App doesn’t show an analysis of air pollutants
Sharp FXJ80UW Air Purifier
Best Combo of HEPA and Ion Technology
Why We Picked It
The Sharp FXJ80UW earned high marks in our review because it uses both HEPA and Plasmacluster Ion filtration technologies to rid the air of microscopic pollutants. It performed well in testing, doesn’t make much noise, and has a colorful LED display that tells you the current air quality at a glance.
Who It’s For
It’s not cheap, but this Sharp purifier offers an extra layer of protection against dangerous airborne pollutants. It’s not loud at all, but if you are the type that doesn’t like distractions, you can set it to operate at specific times of the day when you aren’t home. Germ-conscious consumers should also appreciate Spot Mode, which removes odors and germs from clothes, sofas, and curtains.
PROS
- Quiet
- Energy Star certified
- Connects to Wi-Fi for remote control
- Automatically adjusts speed according to air quality level
- Visual indicator lets you quickly see air quality
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Supports scheduling
CONS
- Fan doesn’t oscillate
- Moderate learning curve
- App doesn’t show air quality history
Smartmi Air Purifier P1
Most Portable Purifier
Why We Picked It
Although the Smartmi P1 is the smallest air purifier we’ve tested, it handled our air cleansing tests with aplomb. It doesn’t provide nearly as many air quality measurements as more expensive models, but you still get support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.
Who It’s For
The Smartmi P1 is ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, and any other small spaces that require air filtration. It’s also quite portable at a height of just 14 inches and a weight of just over 6 pounds. Replacements for its three-layer HEPA filters are affordable, and you can even order a carbon-activated pet filter if you want.
PROS
- Good filtration performance
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
- Portable
CONS
- Loud at high speed
- Lacks IFTTT support
- Limited air quality measurements
Wyze Air Purifier
Best Affordable Model
Why We Picked It
The Wyze Air Purifier kept pace with significantly pricier competitors in testing. It covers more space than similarly priced purifiers, runs quietly, and is easy to manage via the Wyze mobile app.
Who It’s For
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly air purifier, this Wyze machine is worth a look. It uses HEPA filtration technology to do its job quickly and without much noise. It doesn’t offer many extras, but support for voice controls and several filter options to capture wildfire pollutants and formaldehyde add value.
PROS
- 360-degree True HEPA filter
- Wildfire and Formaldehyde filter options
- Easy to set up and use
- Supports app and voice control
- Quiet
CONS
- No oscillating fan
- Limited air quality measurements
- Lacks physical remote control
Airdog X5
Best for Low Maintenance Costs
Why We Picked It
Although we prefer air purifiers with HEPA-based filtration, we love that the Wi-Fi-equipped Airdog X5 uses washable, reusable collection plates to scrub the air. Its unique five-stage filter system features ionic technology that can wipe out 99.87% of influenza virus particles in the air in just one hour.
Who It’s For
The Airdog X5 is quite pricey, but it’s nonetheless a solid option for people who want a device that zaps harmful pollutants out of the air instead of trapping them in a filter. Moreover, not having to replace a filter every six months can save you money in the long run.
PROS
- Connects to Wi-Fi for remote control
- Uses washable, reusable collecting plates
- Automatically adjusts speed according to air quality level
- Indicator light and screen lets you quickly see air quality
CONS
- Expensive
- Air quality ratings don’t take gas pollutants like NO2 and VOC into account
- Requires a complete cleaning every six months to a year
- Gives off an odor
- Bulky
LG PuriCare 360 Air Purifier
Best Reporting Capabilities
Why We Picked It
With its two oversized HEPA filters, the massive PuriCare 360 purifier had no trouble acing our cleaning tests. And, in addition to reporting the level of PM2.5 contaminants in the air, it measures both the much smaller PM1.0 and larger PM10 particles. An oscillating fan, built-in Wi-Fi, app support, and an onboard control panel round out the premium experience.
Who It’s For
If you can make peace with its large footprint and high price, the PuriCare 360 proves to be a highly effective appliance. It’s very easy to control and provides granular reports about all aspects of your air quality, including the odor level.
PROS
- Features two large True HEPA filters
- Supports app and voice control
- Energy Star certified
CONS
- Expensive
- Big and heavy
- Mediocre fan
- Can get loud
Buying Guide: The Best Air Purifiers for 2023
What Makes an Air Purifier Smart?
Most air purifiers (not just smart ones) have sensors that measure the density of various airborne pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2, a toxic gas from car exhausts and power plants), PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size, including industrial emissions and tobacco smoke), PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 microns, including dust, mold, and pollen), and VOC (volatile organic compounds, or potentially harmful gases from things like cleaning products and paint).
LG ThinQ app
(Credit: LG)
Smart air purifiers typically feature Wi-Fi radios that let them connect to a companion app that shows your home’s air quality. Some apps offer graphs of your air quality over time. Dyson breaks it down by pollutant, showing charts for each one.
Dyson Link app
(Credit: Dyson)
Most smart air purifiers feature an auto mode, which automatically adjusts the fan speed based on the level of pollution detected. They also typically let you set up an air purifying schedule, so the machine automatically turns on and off at specific times. Some models feature Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri support, so you can control them with voice commands.
If a smart air purifier is out of your budget, consider the $69.99 Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor, which simply tracks airborne pollution levels around the clock. You can pair it with a traditional air purifier to save a bit of money.
Common Contaminants and Their Health Effects
Some sources of indoor air pollution are obvious, like cigarette smoke, household cleaning products, and pet dander. Others are less so.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says(Opens in a new window) that thousands of products—including air fresheners, dry-cleaned clothing, and office equipment like copiers and printers—emit VOCs that can lead to a long list of health effects ranging from headaches to cancer. Moreover, concentrations of VOCs are typically much higher indoors than outdoors.
Sharp FXJ80UW
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Anything that causes smoke—such as cooking, burning candles or incense, or lighting up a fireplace—can lead to elevated concentrations of particulate matter. The EPA says(Opens in a new window) PM10 and smaller can “get deep into your lungs” and, in some cases, your bloodstream. Inhalable particles, especially PM2.5, which is 30 times smaller than the average human hair, may pose a greater risk to those with heart and lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Most smart air purifiers detect PM10 and PM2.5, but LG’s $1,299 PuriCare 360 is the only model on this list that reports the density of PM1.0 (particulate matter 1 micron or smaller).
LG PuriCare 360
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Humidifiers can help relieve cracked lips and dry skin, but if you’re not careful to use distilled water and clean them often, they can provide a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which is then pumped into your air. Gas stoves, especially when not properly vented, can emit unsafe levels of NO2(Opens in a new window), which can irritate the respiratory system and exacerbate or contribute to the development of asthma.
Another gas pollutant to worry about, especially if you’re renovating or redecorating your home, is formaldehyde, which comes from many household items such as carpets, flooring, furniture, rugs, insulating materials, particleboard, plywood, paint, varnishes, and wallpapers. Long-term exposure to low levels of formaldehyde can cause skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation. Higher levels can cause some types of cancer.
Dyson says that formaldehyde is 500 times smaller than 0.1 microns, making it difficult to capture. Not all air purifiers can detect and break down formaldehyde (Dyson charges $100 more for models that do), so that’s something to consider while you shop. Check out our in-depth reviews to see which contaminants each model detects and captures.
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
In some cases, exposure to airborne pollutants might not cause immediate symptoms, but it can lead to serious health problems down the road. For this reason, the EPA says(Opens in a new window), “it is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.”
Buying an air purifier isn’t the only way to improve your indoor air quality. Other steps(Opens in a new window) you can take include eliminating the sources of your air pollution, opening a window (as long as the outdoor air quality is good), and regularly vacuuming and dusting surfaces.
HEPA vs. Ionic vs. Activated Carbon: Which Filtration Method Is Best?
The machines on this list combat airborne contaminants using High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, activated carbon filters, ionic technology, and/or UV light.
HEPA air purifiers are the most popular(Opens in a new window). To comply with the current baseline standard(Opens in a new window), HEPA filters are tested and certified to remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any other airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. There are different levels of HEPA filters, but in general, you want to make sure the model you buy meets the baseline standard (many that do have a “True HEPA” label) and stay away from those marketed as “HEPA-like,” “HEPA-type,” or “HEPA-style,” which might not be as effective.
Some of our favorite models, including the LG PuriCare 360 and Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, feature 360-degree HEPA filters
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
As Wirecutter(Opens in a new window) reported in 2020, a NASA study found that HEPA filters can actually capture almost 100% of particles as small as 0.01 microns (10 nanometers), well exceeding the baseline standard. To put that in perspective, COVID-19 is about 60 to 140 nanometers(Opens in a new window). H1N1 influenza is about 80 to 120 nanometers(Opens in a new window).
Meanwhile, activated carbon filters are filled with porous carbon, which traps gases such as NO2 and VOCs, as well as foul smells, from the air. Activated carbon filters are often combined with HEPA filters, which do not remove gases.
Our top overall choice, the $549.99 Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, features a 360-degree filter with a HEPA layer that captures allergens, bacteria, mold spores, pollen, and other pollutants, and an activated carbon layer that removes gases and odors. It also doubles as an oscillating fan. The version that destroys formaldehyde, called the Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09, costs $649.99. Dyson says its latest air purifiers, including the TP07 and TP09, not only meet the baseline HEPA filter standard, but are also fully sealed to the HEPA H13 standard(Opens in a new window), meaning they can remove 99.95% of particles down to 0.1 microns.
Activated carbon filter
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
The LG PuriCare 360 is another model that combines HEPA and active carbon. The only downside to HEPA and active carbon models is that the replacement filters can be costly (around $50 to $100) and wasteful.
Other models, like the Sharp FXJ80UW and Aura Air, combine HEPA, active carbon, and ionic technologies. Sharp’s model features an ion-generating unit that creates positively and negatively charged ions using water and oxygen molecules in the air, and disperses them throughout the room. The ions then actively attach to and break down airborne pollutants like bacteria, mold, and viruses before returning to the air as invisible water vapor. Sharp says the technology reduced 94% of E.coli bacteria, up to 87.7% of mold fungus, and 90.3% of MS2 virus in a closed laboratory over four hours. Aura Air’s patented Sterionizer disinfection technique works similarly.
The primary concern about ionic air purifiers is their possible production of ozone gas molecules, a lung irritant that can exacerbate asthma symptoms and cause a host of other health issues(Opens in a new window). The safety of ionic air purifiers came into question in the mid-2000s(Opens in a new window), after it was revealed that the then-popular Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifier produced ozone (an issue that eventually bankrupted the company(Opens in a new window)).
As the California Air Resources Board (CARB) warns, some ozone-producing devices are still marketed as air purifiers. The clean air agency maintains a list of potentially hazardous models(Opens in a new window) to avoid.
All models on our list that use ionic technology are EPA-compliant, CARB-certified, and considered safe to use in your home for extended periods of time.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Best Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Except for Dyson, most smart air purifier makers tell you the maximum room size their machines can effectively clean. A Dyson spokesperson says the company’s latest air purifiers are “engineered to purify all rooms—it’s just a matter of how long it takes (the larger the room, the longer it will take for purified air to reach all corners).” That said, Dyson tests(Opens in a new window) its Pure Cool purifying fans to ensure they can circulate purified air throughout a 290-square-foot space (which is about the size of a large living room).
LG PuriCare 360
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
The LG PuriCare 360, which features two large 360-degree HEPA filters, is suitable for rooms of up to 512 square feet. LG says the PuriCare 360’s fan can push purified air up to 24 feet away. Its lower section blows purified air 19 inches from the ground, which benefits babies and children.
The Sharp FXJ80UW, which works for spaces of up to 502 square feet, is another excellent option for large rooms. At one point while testing it, I accidentally burned toast, and the FXJ80UW sensed the smoke from a different room. Its air quality monitor light went red and the machine automatically increased its fan speed.
Sharp FXJ80UW
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
In my roughly 1,000-square-foot, single-level home, most of the smart air purifiers I’ve tested can detect elevated levels of air pollution from several rooms away. Sometimes, when I’m frying veggies in the kitchen, the Dyson TP07 from the other end of my house even detects cooking smoke I don’t and automatically kicks on.
Can Air Purifiers Really Reduce Allergies?
Whether air purifiers can truly reduce allergies caused by larger particulates such as pollen, dust, mold, and animal dander is a bit controversial, according to the EPA.
“Most of these particles are found where they settle on surfaces in the home, rather than in the air,” the EPA says. “They cannot be removed by an air cleaner unless disturbed and re-suspended in the air.”
Before turning to an air purifier for allergy relief, consider what type of allergies you have. Air purifiers may do a better job of capturing pet dander compared to other types of allergens. According to the American Lung Association(Opens in a new window), pet allergens “remain suspended in the air for a long time, much longer than allergens from cockroaches or dust mites.” Dust mites(Opens in a new window), on the other hand, “cling to particles that are too heavy to remain in the air for long” and settle into things like pillows, bedding, and furniture “within minutes.”
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
In my experience, air purifiers aren’t an infallible cure for pet allergies, but they can certainly help. To combat dander from my dog, I usually keep at least one air purifier running 24/7. I find it particularly helpful to have one blowing clean air in my direction at night when my symptoms often worsen.
Going forward, we’ll continue to update this list as we review new models we deem worthy of inclusion. Check back often and, in the meantime, let us know in the comments if you want us to review any specific smart air purifiers.
Editors’ Note: John Delaney contributed to this article.
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