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8 best air purifiers for reducing pollutants in your home

We looked for quiet and easy-to-use models, with bonus points for smart features (iStock/The Independent)
We looked for quiet and easy-to-use models, with bonus points for smart features (iStock/The Independent)

We’re all aware the air quality on busy city streets is not the best for our health. But few of us pay as much attention to the air we breathe inside our homes, despite one study finding that indoor air pollution can be more than three times worse than outdoors. This can be created by fresh paint, cleaning products and even that beloved scented candle, while airborne allergens such as dust and pet fur can cause severe problems for some people.

Regular cleaning won’t do the trick either – while thorough dusting is always advisable, it won’t eliminate microscopic particles or prevent the continual release of gases, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from some paints, varnishes or furniture made from MDF and plywood. Alongside daily ventilation, the best air purifiers help clean the air and remove impurities, but they won’t eliminate particles that have already settled on surfaces (so you can’t throw away your duster just yet).

Instead, they trap airborne pollutants in a filter, which needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly. The CADR (clean air delivery rate) indicates how quickly the purifier will remove contaminants from the air. But be aware that some manufacturers, most notably Dyson, believe this rating can be misleading, and testing for it does not represent real living conditions.

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Equally, not all purifiers come with comparable information to help choose the right one for your home. If you suffer from allergies, look at the number of cleans per hour, the recommended room size and the type of filter included.

“Three air cleans an hour is fine for general cleaning of the air; five is better for someone whose life is disrupted by allergies,” advises Chris Michael, managing director and founder of manufacturer Meaco. “All too often, people buy too small or too large and get it wrong. Make sure your air purifier actually cleans what you are allergic to from the air as well. If you are a hay fever sufferer, don’t worry about a charcoal filter, but if you want to remove smells, then charcoal is better than Hepa [high-efficiency particulate absorbing].”

How we tested

We plugged in a range of air purifiers, then sat back and let them do the hard work. For each, we tested how easy it was to operate, how noisy it was, and any smart features offered, including air monitoring. We also considered whether we would be happy leaving the purifier out on display and if we noticed any discernible improvement in the air. Where manufacturers have only provided recommended room size in square metres, we have calculated the approximate size in cubic metres, for a more accurate comparison, using 2.5m as the average height of a room.

The best air purifiers for 2022 are:

  • Best overall – Dyson purifier cool autoreact: £499.99, Dyson.co.uk

  • Best for use overnight – MeacoClean CA-Hepa 76x5 air purifier with wifi: £194.99, Robertdyas.co.uk

  • Best for modern homes – AEG AX91-404GY: £399.99, Aeg.co.uk

  • Best for the car – Gastroback AG+ portable air purifier: £149.90, Gastroback.co.uk

  • Best for zero maintenance – Bionaire BAP600 air purifier with permanent Hepa filter: £36.75, Onbuy.com

  • Best for home offices – Beldray desktop air purifier: £25.99, Currys.co.uk

  • Best for the kitchen – Shark 4 HE400UK: £279.99, Sharkclean.co.uk

  • Best for large rooms – Philips 3000i series AC3033/30: £484.99, Philips.co.uk

Dyson purifier cool autoreact

If you’re going to keep an air purifier permanently in the corner of a room, you might as well choose one that looks the part. In modern glossy white and silver, this was by far the most stylish model we tested, and we loved that it functioned as a fan as well, to really earn its floor space.

The machine has an advanced filtration system that captures gases and 99.95 per cent of particles as small as 0.1 microns, including VOCs. The layer of activated carbon also removes odours, so it’s perfect for leaving in the kitchen to zap cooking smells, while an integrated sensor means it will turn on automatically whenever air quality is reduced.

It comes with a glass-fibre Hepa H13 filter, but this purifier goes one better – the entire machine meets the same standard, so it seals away everything it sucks inside while the activated carbon absorbs gases and VOCs. Air multiplier technology then projects purified air throughout the room, and we could feel the difference after using it in a freshly painted bedroom.

We also loved the real-time LCD report on our air quality. Displaying on the front of the machine, this report enabled us to keep tabs on exactly how clean the air was – surprisingly, this meant we didn’t miss having the app connectivity some other models offer. You won’t even need to worry about losing the remote when not in use, as it sticks magnetically to the top of the fan. Now that really is a smart machine.

Read the full Dyson purifier hot + cool formaldehyde review

Buy now £499.99, Dyson.co.uk

MeacoClean CA-Hepa 76x5 air purifier with wifi

If you don’t want a huge machine in your house but still need an appliance with considerable purifying muscle, this MeacoClean machine is an excellent option. The curved white model sits unobtrusively in the corner and is so quiet when in use it could easily be used in a child’s room while they’re sleeping. The night mode even switches off all lighting on the machine, and there’s an ingenious child lock, so you’ll have no worries leaving it to do its thing.

Air cleaning capabilities are top-notch too. It has a handy display that indicates the air quality from afar, using different coloured lights, an automatic setting for easy operation and an H11 Hepa filter to remove more than 95 per cent of damaging particles from the air. There’s also the option of upgrading to an H13 Hepa filter, to increase cleaning to a whopping 99.97 per cent of particles, if preferred. If you want a little more control, the accompanying app is straightforward and oddly fascinating, enabling you to check the air quality, set timers and even see the pollen level in your home compared with outside. A great buy.

Buy now £194.99, Robertdyas.co.uk

AEG AX91-404GY air purifier

Call us fickle, but we were immediately smitten by this air purifier’s contemporary grey good looks, which made us less inclined to tuck it out of sight compared with some of the other air purifiers. We also liked the two fabric handles, which meant we could easily carry it to different rooms, rather than installing one purifier in the kitchen and a second in the bedroom (though this is recommended for maximum efficiency).

It’s extremely easy to set up and operate too. PureSense responsive technology continually measures air quality and adjusts the air purification, so you don’t need to do a thing. There’s also an auto-sleep feature, a light and odour sensor and a filter indicator that means you can see at a glance if it needs changing. Cleverly, the filter can also be configured to suit your personal and seasonal needs – for instance, if pollen levels are high in spring. Each filter’s smart tag will then keep track of its usage for hands-on control over exactly how the air purifier works. It’s easy to adjust preferences and check air quality on the excellent app too. A thumbs up all-around, if you have the cash.

Buy now £399.99, Aeg.co.uk

Gastroback AG+ portable air purifier

This small, sleek purifier is so whisper-quiet on its lowest setting that we had to check it was definitely switched on. Suitable for rooms up to 7m³, it has a USB connection rather than a plug, so it would be handy next to a computer or even in a car. It’s extremely simple to set up and enters automatic mode as soon as it’s plugged in, adjusting fan speed automatically to suit the air quality. This can also be adjusted manually.

The filtering process includes four-stage air disinfection with a silver ion coating to destroy micro-organisms and activated carbon to tackle smells and gases. Depending on usage, it’s recommended the filter is changed about every three to six months. We loved how portable and light it was, at just 400g, though we remain sceptical of its claim the filter “inactivates 99 per cent of Covid-19 viruses”. But if you want to improve the air even when you’re driving, it’s a good bet.

Buy now £149.90, Gastroback.co.uk

Bionaire BAP600 air purifier with permanent Hepa filter

An air purifier has one major downside. It can be seriously pricey to replace the filters, and there’s no way of avoiding the ongoing cost to keep your purifier working at its best. This compact, egg-shaped machine has an astonishing advantage over the rest – the Hepa-style filter is permanent and never needs replacing, just removing and vacuuming every once in a while. There’s even a light to alert you when it’s time for a clean.

There are three fan speeds, an independent ioniser function and even an optional night light, which could come in handy if used overnight in a child’s room. It claims to remove up to 99 per cent of pollen, pet dander, dust and mould spores, and we definitely felt the air was a little clearer in the bedroom we used it in. Sadly, though, it’s too small to use in large rooms, so measure carefully before buying. Our only grumble is there’s no remote control, so, if used in a bedroom, it should be kept within reach to adjust without getting out of bed.

Buy now £36.75, Onbuy.com

Beldray desktop air purifier

If you’re stuck at a desk all day, this is a great way to stop that stale office air. Small enough to sit right next to your computer, it has a USB cable, temperature and humidity display and a touch panel control with two speed settings. The Hepa and activated carbon filter provide up to 99.97 per cent purification, and our tester with severe hay fever felt she really noticed an improvement when using this. There’s also a filter replacement alert light, so you won’t need to keep track of when it’s time to switch.

A handy sleep mode means the purifier can continue to operate quietly without disturbing anyone, and there’s an optional night light if preferred, so it’s a good choice for smaller bedrooms once the workday is over. Or you could save time and just work under the duvet in the first place…

Buy now £25.99, Currys.co.uk

Shark 4 HE400UK air purifier

This glossy white machine looks more like a mini radiator than an air purifier, so it fits in well in most kitchens. It was also one of the most effective models we tested for zapping odours, and left our kitchen smelling surprisingly fresh even after cooking a curry and a fish dish.

It removes allergens, mould and bacteria, cleaning the air and circulating it through the room after multi-stage filtration, including a carbon layer, together capturing 99.97 per cent of pollutants and allergens at 0.3 microns. Auto mode adjusts the fan speed automatically to suit the air quality, while built-in sensors track changes in the air in real-time. The digital display reports the percentage of clean air, the time left to clean and the particle amount, so you can be confident the air is as clean as it can be. The screen also shows the time remaining until the filter needs replacing, and this will typically last between six and 12 months, with no washing required in between.

There’s no app with this machine, but it can be controlled by a remote, although we would’ve loved somewhere to store this, to prevent us losing it. Bear in mind if you have a larger room, you’ll need the Shark air purifier 6 HE600UK (£199.99, Sharkclean.co.uk) instead.

Buy now £279.99, Sharkclean.co.uk

Philips 3000i series AC3033/30 air purifier

Speedy, smart and stylish, this air purifier is an excellent addition to any home, especially if you suffer from allergies. It has both a Hepa and active carbon filter to zap everything from dust to pet dander, and captures 99.97 per cent of ultra-fine particles as small as 0.003 microns. It’s fast too, cleaning 20m² in just six minutes and even has a special allergy sleep mode that kicks in at night to zap allergenic dust while still keeping the sound level low. All this and it’s extremely energy efficient, running at a maximum of 55W power, the equivalent of one standard light bulb.

Both the machine’s screen and the app make it easy to keep track of exactly how the purifier is improving air quality. We particularly liked the colour ring that shows real-time air quality at a glance from the other side of the room and that we could use the app to turn on the machine even outside the house. There are four manual speed modes and an automatic setting, although we found the turbo mode a little too noisy when watching TV in the same room. Most impressively, Philips says the filter only needs changing once every three years – a huge improvement on comparable machines – which would represent a sizeable saving in the long term. We’re seriously impressed.

Read the full Philips expert series 3000i review

Buy now £484.99, Philips.co.uk

Air purifiers FAQs

What does an air purifier do?

These machines take air carrying various particles and pollutants and filter them out. The contaminants could be anything from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated from doing work around the house (if, for example, you have freshly painted walls) to car fumes coming in through your windows when you air your home or the fumes that result from frying food.

How do air purifiers work?

Most work by drawing the air into the machine and running that air through a single or several filters to grab small particles of pollen, pollution, dust and – depending on the type of filter – viruses and smaller particles. It then sends the clean air out into the room again. Some also use something called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to ‘kill’ any viruses caught.

Indoor air quality is very much a field of innovation. Professor David Fairen-Jimenez, head of the absorption and advanced materials lab at the University of Cambridge said: “We spend so much time indoors that the quality of the air will impact the quality of health and life. At Cambridge, we’re developing new synthetic materials that are capable of removing the more challenging toxic compounds.”

It’s worth noting it isn’t only catching small particles that’s tricky, but also PM 2.5, or fine particulate air pollution, which is another area researchers are continually looking into.

Do air purifiers remove dust?

In a word: yes. The thing to know about air purifiers is that their efficacy depends largely on the filtration system and the size of the particles they can capture. The gold standard in filters is the high-efficiency particulate air filter (aka the Hepa filter), which captures at least 99.97 per cent of 0.3-micron and larger particles. The naked eye can’t see particles smaller than 10 microns in size, so, yes, most air purifiers will remove dust from the air.

Do air purifiers help with allergies?

If your allergies are triggered by pollution or other fine particles in the air, a good purifier is likely to help.

Studies carried out by Lung India show that asthma patients who were sensitised to dog and cat fur, dust mites, and birch and tree pollen, found symptoms improved after 10 weeks of sleeping with a purifier containing a Hepa filter in their room.

That said, even the best one has limitations – you will still be breathing in allergens when you leave your home and open windows. But, on the whole, if you notice your house being clean and ventilating it well reduces allergies, it’s safe to assume an air purifier will also have a positive effect.

The verdict: Air purifiers

You tend to get what you pay for with air purifiers, especially if you’re buying to help with allergies. The Dyson purifier cool autoreact has it all: spectacularly effective filtration, good looks and visible real-time reporting on air quality. Most of all, we loved that it could also be used as a fan, so we could get our money’s worth. If you’re keeping a closer eye on cost, the Bionaire BAP600 air purifier is unbeatable for its permanent filter, so you can enjoy cleaner air without the hassle of forking out for new filters.

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