September 19, 2021

We all know the importance of clean air, especially if you live in a large city. One gadget every household should invest in is an air cleaner. Our top choice is the Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier. It will absorb most dust, smoke, unpleasant smells, pollen and mould spores. There are three filter stages and three different speeds you can choose from. Its size makes it ideal for all the rooms in your home or your office, and this small yet powerful gadget will serve you for many years to come.

Almost 50% of the population, especially in developed countries, either already have asthma or allergies or are likely to get them at some point in their lives – yours truly included. The air in your home might also smell and feel funny, which is certainly not pleasant in a place you are supposed to spend more than half of your day in.

If you or someone in your life has asthma or allergies and you have done some research, then you have undoubtedly heard of air purifiers. You have also probably wondered if they could actually help or if they were worth those seemingly vast amounts of money, starting from around £77and going all the way up to  £775. Worry not, we are here today to help you decide if you actually need this device and which one would be the best choice for you. Keep in mind that air purifiers cannot replace regular cleaning, vacuuming and ventilating your living spaces.

⭐️ Top Air Purifiers

Best Ionic Air Purifier: PureMate 4W Silent

PureMate 4W Silent Ionic Air Purifier and Ioniser

Best HEPA Filter Air Purifier: Levoit LV-H132

Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier

Best Carbon Air Purifier: Levoit LV-PUR131

Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier

Best UV Air Purifier: Puremate Refurbished PM 520 Multiple Technologies True

Puremate Refurbished PM 520 Multiple Technologies True HEPA Air Purifier

Types of Air Purifiers

There are a lot of things that can cause allergies or breathing problems, or pollute the air and make it hard to breathe – the most common ones are bacteria, moulds, allergens (most commonly germs or pollen), pet dander and dust.

The air purifier’s job is to remove these or at least keep them as low as possible. Depending on the way they clean the air, purifiers can be classified into four big groups – ionisers, those with HEPA filters, carbon filtration and UV filtration.

Ionisers

Remember how crisp and clean the air is after a thunderstorm? That’s because of negative ions. The controversy following the 1990s scandal involving a company selling ozone generators as air ionisers is still giving these devices a bad name since people are generally confused over which is bad for your health: ozone or negative ions. The correct answer is ozone, although some people are sensitive to more significant amounts of negative ions in the air. However, they are right to doubt the safety of ionisers, as many of them still do release some ozone into the air. Prolonged exposure and the inhalation of ozone can cause severe damage to health, such as throat and chest pain, lung function impairment, asthma or breathing problems.

Even if your ioniser does release ozone, the damage can be easily avoided just by setting it up to work for a couple of hours while there are no people or animals in the room, as the ozone does not linger for too long and quickly dissolves into diatomic oxygen. Nowadays, however, most of them only have the ionising function, but make sure you check the labels for warnings of possible ozonising before you buy anything. As stated above, ionisers release negative ions, which trap airborne toxins and make them drop down from the air. Some of them also come with an electrostatic collecting plate which collects these, but more often than not it is ineffective, so the best solution is to vacuum and clean the floors thoroughly.

PureMate 4W Silent Ionic Air Purifier and Ioniser

Best Ionic Air Purifier: PureMate 4W Silent

This purifier will protect you against allergens, germs and pollutants from the air, making your home a clean and fresh environment. It will get rid of all the airborne toxins that can be harmful and unpleasant (such as pollen, dust, mould and cigarette smoke), and neutralise food and pet smells.

The PureMate 4W Silent Ionic Air Purifier and Ioniser is a very quiet purifier, and you can easily have it in your bedroom without worrying that it will keep you awake. It’s not only one of the most affordable to buy but will also save in long-term costs since it has low power consumption. Being an ioniser means that it will be more efficient at getting rid of more particles and it is also good at destroying viruses and bacteria.

Features

Its dimensions (12.5 x 7 x 20.5cm) and weight (only 748 grams) make it perfect for small areas, especially cars and offices, and being small and silent means it won’t be as noticeable as similar devices. A 12V adapter is supplied with the purifier so you can plug it into the cigarette lighter adapter in your car.

Not only is it very quiet but it is also one of the simplest purifiers to use. There’s no filter replacement which is another feature that will help you save some pennies. The only thing you need is a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to quickly clean the collector plate and electric needles inside the device.

Advantages

  • Silent - Since it has no motor, fan or other moving parts, this purifier and ioniser will be so quiet that you will forget it’s in the room. The only thing that will remind you of its existence will be the freshness of the air and your family’s improved health.
  • Low power consumption - Besides its already affordable price, this device is also inexpensive to use. It only uses 3.4 watts and will not run up the electricity bill.
  • No filter - A dirty filter on purifiers can be equally bad for your health as the airborne pollutants you’re trying to neutralise. With regular cleaning using only a cotton swab and a drop of alcohol, your living or working environment will be clean and healthy. This will save money in the long run.

ConClusion

If you’re looking for a purifier and ioniser that is unobtrusive yet efficient, the PureMate 4W Silent Ionic Air Purifier and Ioniser should be your first choice. Improve your lifestyle and the health of your family with this little device that will make sure your home stays fresh and clean, and free from allergens, dust or pollution. Its compact and elegant design will fit perfectly everywhere.

HEPA Filter Air Purifier

HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particular air”. These filters are 100% safe, even for babies and newborns, and if they come with true HEPA filters, they absorb over 99.95% of microparticles.

This type of purifier consists of very dense paper filters and is considered the top air-purifying method. There are devices out there whose names bear “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type”, which, although they do have relatively thick paper filters, are still about 600% less efficient than the real deal.

Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier

Best HEPA Filter Air Purifier: Levoit LV-H132

This is the perfect device if you don’t like air purifiers that produce ozone which can be harmful to your health. It has ozone-free, true HEPA technology that will get rid of pollution and allergens while remaining safe for your family and pets.

It’s considered a more affordable device since the true HEPA filter is usually only found in more expensive purifiers. Even though it’s compact and can fit into small spaces, it is powerful enough to clean the air in a larger room every 30 minutes. It comes with a warranty that lasts for two years and gives you lifetime support.

Features

This purifier has three levels of filtration. The first filter will absorb airborne bacteria, mould and pet scurf. The second (true HEPA filter) catches pollen, foreign substances and dust mites. The third filter neutralises many odours in your house (food smells, pet odours and cigarette smoke). Five buttons on top of the purifier will allow you to control the device:

1. power button; 

2. nightlight button (this function has two brightness settings);

3. filter reset button (LED indicator will light up and you will know when the filter should be replaced);

4. fan speed button;

5. low, medium, high (1,2,3).

It’s available in two colours – black and white – and its unique and elegant design will look good in any room. It is very quiet even if you choose the fastest fan speed and its dimensions.

Advantages

  • True HEPA filter - This special technology will get rid of 99.97% of any mould, dust, irritants, odours and pollution. It’s a great choice for pet owners because it will neutralise smell and pet dander.
  • User-friendly - The control buttons on the device are very simple and easy to use.
  • Design - The Levoit LV-H132 has a unique cylindrical shape and the air flows from bottom to top which is very popular. It is perfect if you’re looking for something that you can take with you when you are travelling.
  • Filter cost - The filter on the Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier is one of the most affordable on the market. Don’t forget to replace it after six months of use for better performance and to avoid the possible danger of a dirty filter.

ConClusion

The Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier with true HEPA and active carbon filters may not have a timer or some of the other features of the high-end purifiers, but with this device, you will definitely improve the quality of the air in your house and therefore your health. Since it’s mostly made for a bedroom, the purifier’s nightlight will automatically modify the velocity of the fan, and it will also create a dusky light, which is a great environment for sleeping.

Carbon Air Purifier

This type of purifier uses a form of activated carbon which creates a large surface area with its tiny absorbent pores. However, they are only really good at making the room smell fresh and clean by absorbing smoke, fumes and unpleasant odours; they don’t do much more than that.

Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier

Best Carbon Air Purifier: Levoit LV-PUR131

If you’re looking for a bigger air purifier that is powerful enough to purify the air in a larger room in only 10 minutes, this elegant device should be your first choice. One of the biggest advantages of this purifier is that it doesn’t produce ozone that could be harmful to you, your family or pets.

Its filtration system has three levels and will make sure your home is a clean, fresh and safe environment by improving the quality of the air and getting rid of anything that is bad for your health, such as allergens, dust and other irritants.

Features

This purifier is bigger than some other devices on the market but that means it is able to purify a bigger space. You won’t have to worry about your family inhaling harmful particles, cigarette smoke or anything else that could potentially be bad for their health. If someone in your family has problems with allergies, this purifier will definitely make their life easier.

Thanks to the options on the top of the device, you will be able to adjust the purifier according to your needs. As well as power, display, sleep, auto mode and fan speed buttons, a nice touch is the timer button that is useful if you want to limit the purification of the air from 1 to 12 hours. The sleep mode will set the device to its lowest setting and make the atmosphere fresh and quiet which is ideal for rest and relaxation.

Advantages

  • Elegant design - Even though it’s one of the bigger purifiers, this one looks stylish, and it will go well with the rest of your home decor.
  • Three stages of filtration - The three filters on this device (one of which is a true HEPA filter) will make the purifying of the air more thorough, leaving you with 99.97% less dust, pollen, odours, allergens and other irritants.
  • LCD display - The LCD display will allow you to control the fan speed and the timer without any problems. This makes the purifier easier and quicker to use.
  • Price - Keeping in mind the size of the room it can purify (up to 30m²), its price is very reasonable and affordable. The price reflects this purifier’s excellent results.

ConClusion

Everyone wants their family to be happy and healthy, and while some things can’t be controlled, the air quality inside your home is one of the things that you can improve. The Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier will make that easier. All you need to do is remember to replace the filter every six months – this elegant and powerful device will take care of the rest.

UV Purifiers

Ultraviolet purifiers can’t be classified as a separate type, because they can’t be bought as stand-alone devices; they are always attached to one of the other three types, typically to the HEPA ones. UV purifiers emit invisible light that destroys bacteria and viruses’ molecular structures and leaves the air sterilised and clean.

Although they don’t do much more than that, they do act as a bonus to another type of purifier. For those concerned about safety, they are 100% safe for humans, which makes them a good choice for families with newborns or for someone with health concerns.

Puremate Refurbished PM 520 Multiple Technologies True HEPA Air Purifier

Best UV Air Purifier: Puremate Refurbished PM 520 Multiple Technologies True

This PureMate purifier is one of those purifiers that really stands out thanks to its sleek and impressive design. Its unique shape and colour combined with blue LED lights will look stunning next to any piece of furniture.

Not only is it elegant but it is also one of the most efficient purifiers on the market with five levels of filtration and the possibility to choose if you want to use the ioniser or the UV lamp. Not everyone will like these two components, and that’s why you have the option to decide for yourself.

Features

One of the best features of this purifier is that it is very quiet even if you choose the medium fan speed. Even though it’s quiet, it has the power to purify up to 69m² five times per hour! This device has five fan speeds and the useful feature of lights to indicate the right time to replace the HEPA filter.

The five-in-one system means that it has five levels of filtration and purification. As well as the true HEPA filter and charcoal layer that eliminate allergens, dust, smells and other particles, the UV lamp kills viruses and bacteria. Finally, the ioniser makes the air smell fresh.

Advantages

  • Option to choose - If you don’t feel comfortable with ionisers and UV lamps in your house, you have the option not to choose these features. You can rely on the HEPA and active carbon filters to take care of the majority of irritants and odours, without creating more harm.
  • LED light indicator - If you don’t want the pressure of remembering the last time you replaced the filter, let the device think about that for you. Perfect for the busy person with many other things to worry about.
  • Design - As already said, this device is beautifully designed. Not only is it stylish but it is also efficient since the air flow is not bottom-to-top but on the sides, which allows it to purify the air even better.

ConClusion

This purifier is one of the most beautifully designed purifiers on the market and it offers so many options for you to explore. You could give the ioniser and UV lamp settings a go even if they aren’t your cup of tea, and you can even leave it turned on while you’re not in the house, ensuring that the air is fresh when you return.

What to Look for in a Good Air Purifier

As with every other device you are planning to buy, there are features you need to look out for that will help you decide which model will suit your needs best or whether to buy it at all. These eight characteristics are what you should pay attention to:

  • Smart or Classic - All of these types come as either so-called classic or smart versions. Classic versions do their job without telling you exactly what they are removing from the air or warning you in case they need maintenance such as filter replacement (although some of them do come with digital screens). Smart versions usually come with mobile phone apps that inform you of the exact amount cleaned, the type of particles cleaned and so on. However, even though the smart version sounds like an obvious choice, of course, this luxury does come with an additional cost, as they are between  £38 and  £77 more expensive than their more traditional counterparts.
  • ACH and CADR - ACH is short for “air changes per hour”, while CADR stands for “clean air delivery rate”. The former indicates how many times per hour the device can turn dirty into fresh air – or recycle it if you will – which is a clear indicator of the purifier’s capabilities. The values are often 4-6x, which means it can recycle the air four to six times in an hour. On the other hand, CADR indicates how effective the purifier is going to be in a room of a certain size. CADR also identifies three different types of polluters – dust, tobacco and pollen – and it is usually written in as x/y/z, where every value stands for one of those three. The numbers go from 10 to around 500; the higher the number, the more effective the purifier is going to be. However, not all devices come with CADR labels on them, and unfortunately, those values are not always 100% accurate, and it depends on the manufacturer, which brings us to the next item.
  • Manufacturer Reputation - Again, this is not an advertisement, but it is something you should consider any time you are buying a device. Some companies, such as Blueair, Honeywell or GermGuardian, have a reasonably good reputation with their customers, as they provide services under warranty, which usually last from one to two years. This does not mean other manufacturers are not trustworthy, but it would do no harm to do some research on them, look up some reviews and check the length of the warranty period.
  • Additional Features - Many types of purifiers come with a plethora of additional features, such as the pre-filter, which captures larger particles like hair and helps keep the inner filter cleaner for longer, effectively saving money. The filters are usually washable, too. An adjustable fan speed is another feature, as you might want to reduce it while you are working or sleeping since they can make a fair amount of noise. Other features are mainly those that come with smart versions, such as various indicators, nightlights, programmable timers, remote controls and carrying handles for the smaller ones and/or wheels for the bigger ones. There are also a couple of high-tech add-ons that can cost a fortune, such as antibacterial coatings for filters and plasma-wave technology, which uses water vapour instead of ionising or ozonising, etc.
  • Size - This largely depends on the size of the room you want to purify. Each purifier comes with a square foot rating, which essentially shows you how big a place it can handle. If the score is equal to or bigger than the square footage of your room, you are good to go; otherwise, you will probably be effectively wasting your money.I guess this depends on where it was made but note that all other measurements in the article are metric.
  • Maintenance and Energy Cost - This mainly goes for HEPA filter purifiers. The cons to this seemingly perfect device are few but can still present problems. Since they use fans to suck in air, they are far noisier than any other type, and they are also the most expensive out of the four to maintain since they need regular filter replacements (about once a year, but often significantly more, sometimes every two to three months). This also goes for the carbon filter ones. Recently, some HEPA-filtered purifiers have started coming with washable and reusable filters, which is indeed something to look forward to. As for energy costs, you will want to look out for the purifiers with Energy Star labels. This essentially means they use less energy, making them less expensive to run, since air purifiers will have to run almost 24/7 to be fully effective.
  • Noise Level - The general rule of thumb, in this case, is that it’s better to use a bigger device and turn it to a lower setting than to get a small device and run it full blast. The extra noise that it makes can be a problem during quiet hours or working time.
  • Do You Actually Need It - Even though there is little to no medical evidence that air purifiers do anything to improve health, they have proven to be most effective for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. People with none of these health problems have reported noticing little to no difference when using these devices. However, if you notice your room has a distinct mouldy or musty smell, if you have a pet, or even if you just want to clear a bit of cigarette smoke, you should consider getting one.
About the Author Anton

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