11 Best Air Purifiers of 2024 for Smoke, Dust & Allergies
Whether you're in the car or at home, get rid of dust, pollen and bad smells with the air purifiers shoppers recommend.
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Air purifiers are an easy way to breathe a little easier, designed to remove pollutants and allergens as well as improve the overall air quality at home. They can even help ease symptoms for those with allergies or asthma by reducing the amount of dust and pet dander (although anyone with serious health concerns should still seek professional treatment from a general practitioner).
To get a better insight on the benefits of using an air purifier, we had a chat with well-known doctor and author Dr Ginni Mansberg.
Depending on the type of air purifier, she says you can find models that contain extra features such as activated charcoal to remove gases like smoke particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There are also products with ultraviolet filters that can get rid of mould, bacteria and other microbes.
“Most air purifiers filter out relatively large molecules measuring five microns or more, such as dust mites and pollen. Some air purifiers have filters with several layers of denser fibres to remove molecules as small as 2.5 microns,” Dr Ginni explained to news.com.au.
“If your concerns are dust and pollen to help with allergies, and cost is a major concern, a reasonably cheap purifier may well do the trick.
“Just make sure that you are using an air purifier large enough for your room size. It should say this on the product information. If you need more out of your air purifier you might need to spend a little more for those filters with added features.”
Our Shopping Writer Harriet brought the Dreamegg True 8150 HEPA Air Purifier home and immediately fell in love. She says the "indoor air quality instantly felt fresher and cleaner", quickly getting rid of dust, pet fur and other pollutants lurking in the room. Harriet was also a fan of the simple functions and easy-to-clean design, pointing the gadget also has dimmable lights and quiet operation so it's perfect for the bedroom.
Looking for a deal? The Philips Series 3000i Air Purifier is on sale for $469 (down from $699). One shopper says it "eliminated cooking odours from the kitchen within 15 minutes" and was also "surprised at the difference it made to removing pollen".
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST AIR PURIFIER FOR PETS
Dreamegg True 8150 HEPA Air Purifier (TR-8150), $249.99 at Amazon Australia
Dreamegg True 8150 HEPA Air Purifier
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
Air purifiers were something I never thought I'd need - however, with two dogs and insane allergies I finally bit the bullet and snapped up the True 8150 Air Purifier by Dreamegg. And boy am I SO glad I did.
This Dreamegg Air Purifier not only looks way more aesthetically pleasing than most air purifiers out on the market but it's very easy to use and navigate. It has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 340m³/h and can purify a 380ft² room in a matter of a few minutes - making it ideal for a medium to large room size – plus, it's said that this air purifier performs air purification twice as efficiently as other models in the current Australian Market. Impressive, right?
It boasts a high performance three-in-one HEPA filtration system that consists of a premium activated carbon filter which effectively absorbs odours, fumes and VOCS (volatile organic compounds); true HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air) which removes at least 99.97 per cent of airborne particles as small 0.3-microns like smoke, pollen and mites; and pre-filters which capture larger particles like hair and airborne pollutants like animal dander, dust and lint.
If none of the above made any sense to you, don't worry. TLDR: It will do a great job of eradicating any harmful pollutants and any ultrafine particles in your home thanks to its meticulous filtration system.
My favourite key features that the Dreamegg Air Purifier offers include an LED screen with air quality display, sleep mode with a night light, pet mode, child-lock, three fan speeds and turbo mode. Not to mention, it also has an auto mode where the fan speed will automatically adjust accordingly to help improve the current air quality.
The first day I received the air purifier, I broke it out of the box with excitement and while it did turn out to be a little bigger than I expected, I inserted the True HEPA filter and turned it on. When I say I was blown away, I mean it – figuratively and literally.
I popped it on pet mode first and the air flow was just so strong that it got rid of lingering pet odours and smells quickly which was amazing. While I was initially unaware of the air pollutants lurking in my room, I could tell the air purifier worked well from the get-go as the indoor air quality instantly felt fresher and cleaner.
Before you say anything, it wasn’t just in my imagination though, because the change in air quality readings was reflected on the display.
The Dreamegg air purifier produces a nice cool breeze and makes very minimal noise and sleep mode offers a quiet operation. However, both the air flow and noise will get stronger and louder when running at top speed (but it’s not so distracting to the point where you can’t sleep – think of it as white noise), and the night light can be dimmed or completely turned off which is perfect.
It’s been a little over a month since using this air purifier and I was so surprised at how much dust and fur has been collected; if the image above doesn’t show you how powerful and impressive this air purifier performance is, I don’t know what will. It's been a real game-changer in improving the air quality and it gives me peace of mind knowing my dogs and I are breathing in clean air. Since then I’ve been waking up with no sneeze attacks or watery eyes, and there’s little to no dust or pet fur on my side table and around my room now, which is a huge difference.
In order to maintain the filter, I typically vacuum the outer layer to get rid of all the dust, pet hair and fur it's collected - et voila, it's good as new. The process of fully replacing filters is also incredibly easy as the air purifier has a filter replacement reminder that will light up. All the Dreamegg filters are recyclable and it's suggested to replace them every six to eight months (depending on how often you use it). The replacement filters are conveniently listed under the same Amazon listing as the air purifier so it's very easy to find.
So if you’ve got furry friends and are looking into an air purifier that looks good, is powerful and pet-friendly, I HIGHLY recommend this one – it’s definitely worth the investment and great for any room size from small to large.
BEST AIR PURIFIERS FOR ODOURS
Philips Series 3000i Air Purifier (AC3033/73), $469 (down from $699) at Amazon Australia
Philips Series 3000i Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
Expose yourself to cleaner air with the Philips 3000i Air Purifier. It offers useful key features like three modes – auto, sleep, and turbo – to efficiently clear the air, and you can easily control it from anywhere using the Philips Air+ app, which lets you adjust the settings and keep track of the air quality straight from your smartphone. You can also use voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Home to control the air purifier - how convenient!
It utilises AreaSense technology to provide real-time air quality readings via a numerical display and colour signal, and high-quality three-layer HEPA filtration consisting of a pre-filter that catches dust and hair, activated carbon charcoal filter that removes harmful air pollutants and the NanoProtect HEPA filter that captures ultra-fine airborne particles. Plus, it claims to remove up to 99.97 per cent of harmful pollutants as small as 0.3 microns like aerosol, pollen, dust, mould spores and pet dander.
The Philips 3000i Air Purifier offers an air purification rate of 400m³/h and effectively cleans rooms up to 104 square metres – so this machine is perfect for those with medium to large rooms.
“The Phillips 3000i is very effective at removing smells from the room. We found it eliminated cooking odours from the kitchen within 15 minutes. We also tried it in the bedroom at night and were surprised at the difference it made to removing pollen etc from the air,” a shopper praised.
“The Wi-Fi connectivity is a bit clunky, but persevere and it eventually connects.”
BEST AIR PURIFIERS FOR ALLERGIES, ASTHMA & HAYFEVER
Samsung AX90 Air Purifier (AX90T7080), $689 (down from $999) at Amazon Australia
Samsung Ultimate Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
Samsung has topped the Canstar Blue "Best-Rated Air Purifiers" and this option from Samsung has been recommended as the “best performer” compared to other models by consumer advocate group Choice. It's even the same model used in different public schools across Victoria (thanks to a State initiative roll-out).
Fitted with gas and laser sensors to automatically monitor and adjust settings in real-time, this Samsung air purifier has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 701m³/h and claims to remove 99.97 per cent of ultrafine dust particles to help prevent the spread of certain bacteria.
The brand also promises the unit is as effective when placed in the middle of the room compared to when the unit is placed against a wall, thanks to the dual power fan and three-way air flow design.
It boasts a multi-layered air purification system that removes gases, pollen, dust, pet dander, mould, bacteria, smoke and any other harmful irritants known to cause irritation to ensure you are breathing clean air. Plus, it provides great app support – you can monitor and control your Samsung Air Purifier via the SmartThings app wherever you are or by using Voice Control.
"This product was one of my best buys, I used to be skeptical about air purifiers in general but I decided to get one because my allergies were starting to get really bad, and boy, the results are great," a reviewer posted, giving it a thumbs up.
"I use it while sleeping and it helps to unblock my nose so I can breathe easy but it's also stylish, the display gives you readouts about how much pollution is in the air with a gas monitor, three-way air system, two side vents and one big top vent means you're getting airflow, like seriously this thing is industrial.
"I also just use the air purifier as a fan in some cases because I don't always like direct airflow on my body but it circulates air in the room. It has auto mode for automatic airflow adjustments and three fan tiers, also did I mention it connects to the Samsung Smart Things app? I can have my smart home control it. I could not recommend this product more."
Another commented, “(I) have noticed a HUGE difference since getting this Samsung air purifier! Definitely works well. The auto setting makes it really easy to use."
BEST AMAZON AIR PURIFIERS
RENPHO Air Purifier, $149.99 at Amazon Australia
RENPHO Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
If you're after a lightweight and portable air purifier, this highly rated RENPHO HEPA air purifier is perfect.
Suitable for small to medium-sized rooms, this device is compact yet powerful and effectively refreshes the air five times per hour in 103ft² rooms. A key features includes four fan speeds – high, medium, low and sleep – which will help keep the air fresh five times per hour. It also has a night light, three-in-one HEPA filtration system that is made up of a fine pre-filter, a true HEPA filter and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter, and a filter change light indicator.
This model is also available in white.
With a 4.5 rating and over 5100 reviews, many shoppers are raving about the unit being “powerful”, but some say it's "a bit loud".
“This machine has four modes (high, medium, low, and night mode) and night time mode is so quiet that I actually turned it up to low so I could hear the white noise,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
"For the cost this is great. It's probably better for smaller areas but has worked a charm. Great to use when there are damp odours and in dusty areas to clear it up," another five-star reviewer wrote.
BEST BUDGET AIR PURIFIERS
Arovec H13 True HEPA Air Purifier, $136.89 (down from $189.89) at Amazon Australia
Arovec H13 True HEPA Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
Compact and attractive, Arovec’s H13 True HEPA Air Purifier is a great model for everyday that's also energy efficient. The activated carbon filter helps to remove household odours, including cigarette smoke, cooking smells and paint fumes, while a high-grade HEPA Filter traps fine particles including dust, pollen, pet dander and mould spores.
You can choose from three fan speed settings, with the lowest operating at just 28dB so it won’t disturb you as you sleep. There are also two soft light settings to pick from, allowing you to pop it into your child’s room and have it double as a night light.
Not to mention, this Arovec Air Purifier is claimed to be 100 per cent ozone free, so it won't generate ozone molecules. harmful irritants or secondary pollution – giving you peace of mind knowing that you're breathing in clean air.
“Works well for the size of the unit. I positioned it in my bedroom for one hour, and even on the highest fan setting, it isn’t too loud as I could comfortably watch TV without it annoying me. Another bonus is how easy it is to access and change the filter if needed; no special tools are required, just a locking mechanism that opens when you twist the base a certain way. Recommend it for those looking for a small but powerful air purifier,” one shopper said.
"I love this little purifier. It works perfectly in my bedroom. You really notice a better quality in the air," another posted.
"I have been using this air purifier in my bedroom for almost three weeks and found (it's) a great sucker...," a third commented.
BEST AIR PURIFIER FOR SMALL ROOMS
Winix Compact 4 Stage Air Purifier (AUS-0850AAPU), $249 (down from $299), Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This Winix air purifier weighs just 3.1kg, has a clean air delivery rate of 250m³/h and can purify rooms up to 59m².
Boasting three fan speeds, this portable unit contains a 360-degree all-in-one Australian consisting of four purification stages: fine mesh pre-filter, activated carbon filter that captures VOCs and odours from cooking, pets and smoke, a hospital grade true HEPA filter that can capture up to 99.97 per cent of airborne pollutants and PlasmaWave Technology to effectively neutralise airborne pollutants including odours, bacteria, viruses, chemical vapours and harmful gases.
It offers a smart sensor, smart air quality display and is said to be six times more energy efficient than a typical 60-watt light bulb.
“Night time mode is super quiet, you wouldn’t even know it was on. Easy to set up, easy to use. Definitely recommend,” a reviewer wrote.
"I was sick of constant dust in my house and pet fur. I bought a big Winix for the larger rooms of the house and was so impressed that I bought this smaller one for the bedroom, but it's also portable so I can move it around when I like. It's quiet too. They really help with the dust and cut down my cleaning time... I love it," another wrote.
BEST AIR PURIFIER FOR LARGE ROOMS
Winix Zero+ Pro 5 Stage Air Purifier (AUS-1250AZPU), $399 (down from $499) at Amazon Australia
Winix Zero+ Pro 5 Stage Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a truly powerful air purifier, the award-winning Winix’s Zero+ Pro 5 air purifier comes highly recommended and pet-owner approved. It boasts a five-stage filtration system consisting of a dedicated pet filter, washable pre-filter, deodorisation activated carbon corrugate filter, hospital grade true HEPA filter and Winix's unique PlasmaWave technology; all of which effectively remove a range of odours, allergens and airborne pollutants like dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mould, bacteria, viruses and VOCs.
The unit is made to clean air in larger spaces such as bedrooms, open-plan rooms and even offices, and offers key features including four adjustable fan speeds, along with a sleep mode and a ‘set and forget’ mode which allows the purifier to adapt to the room’s purification requirements as needed, which is a handy addition. Plus, it's a great choice for pet owners compared to most air purifiers.
The Zero+ Pro 5 is also energy efficient and equipped with a built-in timer, making it an all-round great buy.
“Incredibly easy to use, love the colour coding lights! It does exactly what it says it does. Filters are easy to replace, love the dedicated pet filter as a pet owner and that there are 12 in a pack. Value for money," raved a happy customer.
"Five stars from me! Within a week of running the machine day and night I can already tell an immediate difference in the air quality. With a very fluffy cat in a small two bedroom apartment, this air purifier has been excellent at removing smells in the air," agreed another.
"The pet filter makes a big difference! As a pet owner I highly recommend this unit, especially if you suffer from allergies. Usually around this time of year I get very sniffly from the weather changing but it seems to be helping with that too!"
BEST PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER
Panasonic Nanoe X Generator (GPT01M), $316 at Amazon Australia
Panasonic Nanoe X Generator
What You Need To Know
Weighing in at less than 0.4kg, Panasonic’s Nanoe X Generator is a truly portable unit that is made to purify rooms and smaller spaces. The coffee cup-like design can even fit into the cup holder of your car, so you can purify the air and rid your car of the smell of cigarette smoke or the takeaway you brought home the night before.
But due to its small size, this air purifier does have a very limited range but depending on your needs, it could still be worth a look.
It is also expensive for its size compared to other models, but its compact nature and decent air purification system make it great for use at your office desk, in your car or in the kitchen.
“(I) bought this for my baby’s room that can be very stinky near the nappy bin. After around 24 hours the odour was gone and the air is much more pleasant in there,” posted a shopper, rating the air purifier five stars.
BEST PREMIUM AIR PURIFIERS
Coway Airmega 250 Air Purifier, $599 at Amazon Australia
COWAY AIRMEGA 250 Air Purifier
What You Need To Know
Coway’s flagship air purifier is designed to offer big coverage with minimal energy consumption. It has a clean air delivery rate of 575m³/h and effectively cleans areas of up to 149m² - making it ideal for larger rooms like open spaces and living rooms measuring 60m².
This air purifier includes five airflow levels such as Smart and Sleep modes, as well as dual-suction purification for cleaner air. Its filtration system is made up of a washable pre-filter and the brand’s Max2 Green Filter (which consists of an activated carbon filter and a green HEPA filter).
For more coverage, you can alternatively opt for the Coway Airmega 400 which is designed for spaces up to 70m².
One reviewer rated the air purifier five stars, hailing it a "great investment".
"This air purifier has greatly improved the air quality and smell in our home. I purchased it during the midst of an insane wildfire season, and it really helped clear up the smell of smoke in our home," the impressed shopper wrote.
"I love the smart features, and how it operates on different fan modes depending on the air quality. It also operates very quietly. It looks modern and isn't too huge in our home. I was really happy when we came home from a week vacation and our house didn't have the usual musty, stale smell from being closed up for a week."
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde Fan Heater HP09, $1149 at Dyson
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde Fan Heater HP09
What You Need To Know
Similar to the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde is a three-in-one unit that heats, cools and purifies air. However, this model also targets formaldehyde (a gas pollutant which can be released by furniture, paint, cleaning products, bushfire smoke and more) and is more efficient, powerful and quieter than its predecessor.
Featuring a range of adjustable settings, the Formaldehyde Purifier heats, cools and purifies the entire room, while capturing 99.95 per cent of particles as small as 0.1 microns thanks to it's HEPA H13 filter and activated carbon filter layer.
It also has an LCD screen that allows you to keep an eye on surrounding air quality in real time, great app support with the MyDyson app and a nifty magnetic remote control can be stuck to the top of the machine to prevent you from misplacing it.
While it does come at a rather hefty price, we’ve tried it ourselves and think it’s worth the spend (compared to most air purifiers out there) for its versatility and quality, and it's a great size for large spaces.
"We absolutely love our Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde! My daughter gets quite severe dust allergies and asthma, so having clean air in our home is so important," raved a reviewer.
"Since using the air purifier there has been a noticeable change in her dust allergies and it's so great to be able to monitor the air quality in the home through the screen and app, and control via remote control. It's responsive even when people are cooking in the kitchen, or if an aerosol can is sprayed. It's also great to heat the home in winter - one of the best investments for our home!"
"I'm amazed at what it recognises is in the air. I had the unit going in the bedroom and it spiked to red when it recognised the cooking fumes/odours from my dinner that was cooking in the oven 5m+ down the hallway with the door closed! Loving it!" another praised.
BEST AIR PURIFIER FAN
Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan TP07, $949 at Myer
Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan
What You Need To Know
Dyson’s Pure Cool Tower Fan serves a dual purpose – providing cooling in the summer months and air purification all year-round. With an adjustable oscillation angle from 45 to 350-degrees, you can also easily set the fan to purify or cool an entire room.
Designed with a bunch of key features, the air purifier can be navigated via a remote control and can additionally detect and report on air quality levels in real time, which you can view both on the LCD screen and through the accompanying app. Meanwhile, its fully-sealed HEPA filters and activated carbon filtration system traps harmful pollutants, airborne particles and removes gases and offensive allergens.
“The air purifier and cooler is a must in our house. At the peak of the Brisbane heat, we still put on the overhead fan to help distribute the air around and we found with the purifier/cooler made a difference," a reviewer posted.
"Brilliant and definitely worth the cost. I had previously purchased other fans that just seems to circulate the hot air. For once, after doing night shift, I can sleep in comfort due to this magnificent appliance," another wrote.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN AIR PURIFIER
When it comes to buying an air purifier, it really depends on personal preference in terms of what you're after - especially when it comes to your air purifiers effectivity. However, below are some key features to consider when starting your search for the best air purifier:
Size
Air purifiers come in a variety of sizes according to the square footage of area they can cover. While large rooms will need an air purifier that is powerful enough to cover such large square footage, small rooms may need a simple and compact air purifier - it's truly all up to preference. It is recommended that you opt for an air purifier that exceeds your room size as it will effectively clean the air and improve the indoor air quality. You could also consider a portable air purifier that you easily move from room to room or one that doubles as a heater or fan to help with the indoor temperature too.
Type of Filter
While there are a tonne of different types of filters used in air purifiers, the type of air purifier your choose depends on the filter and what exactly you're concerned about. There are many cases where an air purifier offers a three or five stage filtration system - when more than one type of filter is used in a single appliance, they usually have different benefits and uses. Here are the most common types of filters:
- Pre-filters: Pre-filters will almost always be present in any air purifier you see on the market - they're the first stage of the filtration process and capture large particles like pet fur. Not all air purifiers have pre-filters that are washable so do check the specs of every air purifier model you're interested in.
- HEPA Filters: The most common and highly-recommended of the bunch, HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) are known to capture 99.95 per cent of airborne particles like smoke, mould spores, dust, pet dander and other harmful irritants. Said particles can be as small as 0.3 microns, so while not visible to the naked eye, they're constantly lingering and affecting your quality of life. HEPA filters are often used in vacuums and a variety of air purifiers - sometimes combined with activated carbon filters which is especially seen in new models. Also, HEPA filters along with activated carbon filters tend to last about six months or longer depending on usage before filter replacement in needed. You'll want to look our for air purifiers that clearly say "True HEPA filter" as there are many models that loosely claim they use "HEPA-like filters" which aren't "True HEPA filters".
- Carbon Filters (or Charcoal Filters): Activated carbon filters are popular when in combination with a HEPA filter. Many of our air purifier recommendations above offer this filtration combo; activated carbon filters may not be as effective as a HEPA filter at removing airborne bacteria or allergens, however, they are effective in absorbing pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke particles, chemical vapours, harmful gases and odours found in the air to improve indoor air quality. So you get the best of both worlds with this filtration system.
- Ozone Filters: While ozone filters are good at removing odours from the air, they're not so good at removing airborne chemicals and allergens. Ozone filters are known to generate ozone gas which is harmful to humans and animals - especially in areas where there is lack of ventilation. If you're looking into an air purifier with an ozone filter, it is recommended you do your research and decide accordingly.
- Ionic Filters (of Ionisation Filters): Ionic filters are great for removing fine airborne particles like smoke and dust, but may not be a great choice - similar to ozone filters. Ionic filters utilise a small electrical field and produce negatively charged ions (or positively charged ions) to remove said airborne particles from the air to help reduce odours and result in 'cleaner air'. However, some ionic air purifiers are said to produce ozone as a byproduct which, as we stated above, is not good for humans and animals to be breathing in. If you're looking into ionic air purifiers, it is recommended you do your research and decide accordingly.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
The CADR metric is essentially a measurement of how effectively an air purifier can clean the air and how fast it can do it at maximum fan speed. It's important to consider this when looking into air purifiers as it can help you gauge the amount of time the air purifier takes to do its job. Ideally, you'd want to choose air purifiers with a high CADR and adjustable fan speeds for versatility and effectivity.
Noise Rating
If you're typically sensitive to noise, looking into an air purifiers noise level is a must. Some air purifiers tend to offer a quiet operation while others offer a loud operation - especially when there are adjustable fan speeds available. You should make sure that the noise level is less than 50 decibels so that it doesn't disturb you while you sleep. You can even consider air purifiers that offer a night time mode or sleep mode as they typically run quietly.
Air Quality Indicator
Many air purifiers feature an air quality indicator light to let you monitor the room's air quality in real time. Any smart air purifier can be affected a variety of factors, such as outdoor air pollution or smells from cooking. And if you test air purifiers in different zones of the house, you may find different air quality scores.
The display is usually colour coded or number coded, and typically scored out of three (good, moderate and bad). Many models will also provide extra specific air quality measurements, but it's worth noting the air quality sensor might not always be accurate (particularly in cheaper products).
Additional Key Features
Not all air purifiers are built or designed the same - there are some models that offer fancier features than others. If you're looking for some cool key features, you can opt for air purifiers that are Wi-Fi enabled and offer voice control (Amazon Alexa), app support so you can control your phone through your phone, an LED display to showcase the indoor air quality in real time, night time mode, pet mode to get rid of any lingering odours and smells, voice control (Amazon Alexa), filter change notification, PlasmaWave Technology, remote control and more.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With plenty of air purifier options now available in the market, our shopping team created this buying guide to help you find the best air purifier so that you and your furry friend are breathing in fresh air. We looked at sifted through hundreds of customer reviews from consumers who tested air purifiers, looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to help you narrow down your option to one that will suit your needs and budget. We also spoke to Dr Ginni Mansberg for her expert knowledge and advice on air purifiers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE AIR PURIFIERS WORTH IT?
Air purifiers are definitely worth investing in – especially if you have allergies or struggling with the air quality, according to Dr Ginni. The appliance can be a great way to clean the air inside your home, such as when there are limited ways to ventilate the space (e.g. due to bushfire smoke or harsh weather).
They can remove different types of allergens, irritants and gases, including:
- Allergens (such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites)
- Mold
- Smoke (including from tobacco and fires)
- Indoor toxins (e.g. from cleaning products or personal care products like spray deodorant)
- Odours
- Pollution
DO AIR PURIFIERS REALLY WORK?
Air purifiers can be great at helping improve the air quality at home. Although, according to the National Asthma Council Australia, the effectiveness of an air purifier will depends on these key features:
- Size of the room
- Amount of air processed
- Rate of air exchange
- Age, size and quality of filters
- How well the machine is maintained
The two main filters to look out for include a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. If you have asthma or allergies, opt for a model with the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly.
But keep in mind that air purifiers can’t get rid of all harmful particles and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for cleaning. Instead, it should be used in addition to proper home cleaning practices and decent home filtration.
HOW DOES AN AIR PURIFIER WORK?
Air purifiers filter and recirculate your air after removing allergens like dust mites and pet dander, and capture pollutants including aerosols, pollen, dust, bacteria and even odours and gases. They aim to improve air quality and reduce the symptoms of associated health concerns including asthma and allergies.
Many air purifiers use High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filters, which can capture lots of very small pollutant particles like dust, pet dander, and other irritants. True HEPA filters are those proven to trap at least 99.97 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO PUT AN AIR PURIFIER?
An air purifier can go anywhere in the house, but Dr Ginni says you must ensure the appliance is a metre away from any furniture or walls.
Aside from that, the best place to put your air purifier largely depends on the size of your machine and your personal purifying needs. If there is one household member in particular who suffers from asthma or allergies, it could be best to place it in their bedroom – otherwise, consider placing it in the most-used areas of the house where dust and other pollutants would be frequently unsettled. You can also choose to buy a smaller, cheaper model and move it around the house as needed.
CAN ONE AIR PURIFIER CLEAN AN ENTIRE HOUSE?
Technically yes, but you will need to look for an air purifier designed for large spaces. Whether you get a portable air purifier and a full-size home air purifier will also make a difference. The effectiveness of portable filters is generally limited to much smaller spaces, and these may not be as great with larger and heavier particles like pet hair and dust mites.
And like with any cleaning appliance, keep in mind air purifiers won't be able to get rid of all pollutants.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME
From opening windows to cleaning mould, Dr Ginni gave us her top tips on how to improve indoor air quality.
Open the windows
Letting in fresh air is a quick and easy way to improve the quality of the air at home. “Doing so in the morning and before bed at night, or when cleaning with toxic cleaning products, or using any pesticides is essential to maintain good airflow throughout your home,” she said.
Get a high-quality air purifier
Not all air purifiers are equal and each model filters out different things.
“Some air purifiers remove ultrafine dust particles, pollutants, bacteria, allergens and bad odours from indoor rooms, ensuring cleaner air and overall air health and wellbeing,” Dr Ginni said.
“Read the fine print. Some air purifiers need very frequent filter changes, and they can be pricey.”
Be conscious of mould
Removing mould “as soon as possible” should also be on top of your priority list to help improve your home's air quality.
“(Mould) spores are carried in the air and can cause health problems in vulnerable people, such as asthma, irritation of the eyes, wheezing or a blocked nose, if inhaled. Long term effects of bad air quality, including some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer. If you have mould, get it removed,” she explained.
Invest in a strong pet vacuum
For those who have pets, regularly cleaning the home with a good vacuum cleaner is a good way to make the most out of your air purifier.
“Loose pet dander can be hidden all around the house and trigger allergies in vulnerable people such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Using a strong, pet-friendly vacuum is a great way to uphold air quality and wellbeing in the home,” she said.
Weekly family cleaning
Regularly dusting cabinetry and different surfaces around the home, especially in bedrooms, is another “proactive way to minimise unwanted dust particles”.
“Ensuring working surfaces like your kitchen benchtops clean and sanitary is guaranteed reduce airborne pollutants by eliminating accumulated grime, foodborne bacteria and dirt. Wiping down countertops daily is just as important as weekly dusting and vacuuming,” she said.
Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP and author
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Dr Ginni Mansberg is a Sydney-based GP who has lent her expertise shows including Sunrise, Morning Show, Embarrassing Bodies Down Under and Things You Can’t Talk About on TV.
She’s also the co-founder and Medical Director of a cosmeceutical company, ESK Evidence Skincare, and the best-selling author behind The M Word: How to Thrive in Menopause and Save Your Brain.
Looking for great deals on air purifiers. Our news.com.au Coupons hub offers plenty of discounts from a wide selection of retailers and brands, such as Amazon Australia, Myer and The Good Guys.
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