The 16 Best Air Purifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall Air Purifier

Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier

$220 at Amazon $290 at Walmart Orig. $290 $220 at Best Buy

This air purifier was one of the most effective we tested for filtering both particulate matter (PM), including smoke and pet hair, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specifically those emitted from mothballs. It even helped to rid a persistent musty smell from an entryway, qualifying it as one of our Very Best Products of 2024. The Levoit Core 400S achieves these results with the help of three different filters: an activated carbon filter for absorbing VOCs and odors, a HEPA filter for allergens and other air pollutants, and a preliminary filter for large debris such as dust, lint, hair, pet fur, and more.

The unit itself comes fully assembled and is designed for use in a space up to 400 square feet, with the help of its 360-degree air intake. It’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room and comes equipped with handles on either side for easy transport. We were particularly impressed with its quiet operation—the decibel level in the room didn’t increase at all on the sleep or quiet mode, nor did it disturb us while we slept.

In addition to its impressive performance, this air purifier boasts a number of advanced features, including Wi-Fi compatibility, so you can control it from an app or smart home device, such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa—all of which we found easy to use with the air purifier. The easy-to-read digital display gives you a real-time reading of your air quality and automatically adjusts your fan speed to match. This model is available in white and black, both with the sleek, cylindrical design that can be placed on the floor or on a table. Our one complaint is the price of the corresponding HEPA replacement filters—the brand recommends replacing them every six to 12 months. But considering their performance in our testing, it may be worth the splurge for cleaner indoor air.

Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.8 x 20.5 in | Weight: 14.1 pounds | Room Size: 403 square feet | CADR: 260 CFM | Certifications: Energy Star, ETL Listed

Best Budget Air Purifier

Clorox Large Room Air Purifier

Orig. $150 $120 at Amazon Orig. $136 $120 at Wayfair Orig. $146 $120 at Target

Based on our test results, being low-priced did not compromise the Clorox True HEPA Air Purifier in the least. It performed well in all categories we tested it in, and in many cases performed even better than the higher-priced models we tested. After running it for 30 minutes on its lowest setting, the purifier decreased PM 2.5 by 72% and VOCs by 62%; on its highest setting, it decreased PM 2.5 by 79% and VOCs by 70%.

The unit features a tall, rounded tower design and a 3-stage HEPA filter, making it well-suited to purify large rooms up to 1,500 square feet from allergens, particles, and bacteria. If you have a smaller space, you can also purchase this purifier in a medium-room (up to 1,000 square feet) and small-room size (up to 200 square feet).

In our tests, the purifier worked best on its highest setting. Not only did it remove contaminants from the air, but it also effectively removed odors within the testing time, leaving our area smelling fresher than before. On its highest setting, the noise is tolerable, and you can easily talk over it—although it might be too distracting to watch TV with it on. But, if you want to run it at night there is a whisper setting where it quietly cleans the air at a 30dB level, so it won’t disturb you while you sleep.

While the manufacturer states that the filter traps pet hair, we did not find this to be true, as there was no pet hair in our filter after testing. If you don’t have pets though, this purifier is a fantastic option. Just note that you’ll have to change the filter every 6-12 months.

Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches | Weight: 12.72 pounds | Room Size: 1500 square feet | CADR: 206 CFM for smoke, 219 CFM for dust, 232 CFM for pollen | Certifications: Energy Star

Best Air Purifier for Allergies

Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier

$750 at Amazon View on Rabbitair.com

When allergy season arrives, the Rabbit Air A3 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier can help reduce symptoms in spades. This air purifier comes with a robust five-layer filter, including an activated carbon filter and a BioGS HEPA filter, to eliminate dust, dander, pollen, odors, and VOCs. You can even customize the filter you choose based on what your biggest concern is (Germ Defense, Pet Allergy, Toxin Absorber, or Odor Remover). This is a good option for living rooms, bedrooms, and office spaces up to 1,070 square feet. 

This purifier comes with lots of features, including an auto-mode that adjusts the fan speed based on the level of contaminants in the air. We also like that you have the option to use it with Wi-Fi to change settings and monitor it right from your phone. Plus, it features a mood light function, which turns the lights up or down depending on how much light is in the room. 

To determine its true effectiveness, we sprayed the room with incense and room deodorizer to see how well it would clean. In both situations, we saw that the air purifier quickly cleared the air, and it didn't take long to see a noticeable difference in air quality. At its lowest setting, it removed 88% of PM 2.5 and 81% of VOCs. However, our tests also revealed that it wasn't the greatest at sucking up larger particles, like hair.

We also experimented with noise settings and found that the manufacturer’s claims on how quietly it ran were surprisingly accurate. This was especially apparent in the first three levels, where we could hardly tell if the fan was on or not. While we would give this model an A+ for features, the high cost of both the purifier and filter replacement (which should be purchased once per year) might be a turn-off for some. 

Dimensions: 18.9 x 8.4 x 19.7 inches | Weight: 20.3 pounds | Room Size: 1070 square feet | CADR: 315 CFM for pollen, 262 CFM for dust, 257 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star

Best Air Purifier for Pet Hair

Winix 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier

Orig. $250 $133 at Amazon $146 at Wayfair $160 at Target

Many of the air purifiers we tested struggled to take in pet hair, yet the Winix 5500-2 appeared to actively suck in hair as we scattered it in our testing space. But the real proof was on the fine mesh pre-filter: We inspected it after running the air purifier for 30 minutes and found it full of hair, making this a great choice for those with shedding pets. It also reduced the PM 2.5 by 80-82% and VOCs by 86-88% in 30 minutes on its highest setting.

This air purifier takes air through four stages of filtration: The washable fine mesh pre-filter is the first line of defense against large airborne particles, followed by the washable carbon filter for VOCs and odors, and then the true HEPA filter for airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns. Lastly, the Plasmawave technology disperses ions into the air, which attach to air pollutants and break them down.

The 5500-2 is Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Verifide at 360 square feet, though the manufacturer claims that it can clean rooms up to 1,740 square feet in one hour. Thus, it’s a great pick for those with open floor plans.

This unit also comes with a number of advanced features, including a remote control, an LED air quality indicator that reports air quality in real time, and an auto mode that adjusts the fan speed based on the air quality reading. It’s also a great option for light sleepers, as it has a very quiet operation that you can easily hold a conversation over, as well as a sleep mode that turns on once the room has darkened and runs continuously at a quiet, energy-efficient level before switching back to auto mode in the presence of light. 

It also comes with a filter indicator light, though the manufacturer recommends changing the carbon and HEPA filters at least once every year. Our one complaint is that the unit's design is somewhat clunky and thus hard to keep discreet in a room of any size.

Dimensions: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches | Weight: 14.8 pounds | Room Size: 360 square feet | CADR: 246 CFM for pollen, 243 CFM for dust, 232 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star, AHAM Verifide, UL listed

Best Air Purifier for Smoke

Dyson Purifier Cool Purifying Fan

Orig. $650 $445 at Amazon $650 at Target Orig. $650 $499 at Walmart

You can count on Dyson to design an effective product with a sleek design and small footprint. This air purifier stands almost four feet tall, but is otherwise small and could be easily tucked out of sight (just avoid putting it in too tight of a space, because doing so can block air intake). We were wowed with the ability of this purifier to clear the air of smoke in little time using HEPA and activated carbon filters. In fact, after testing this air purifier against all sorts of pollutants, the air in our testing chamber was even cleaner than that of our office space outside.

This air purifier stands out for its unique two-in-one design, as it’s both an air purifier and a cooling fan in one: Choose between the fan mode for direct cooling and purification, or the backward airflow mode to purify without cooling. It also features Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control it remotely. The accompanying app shows the room temperature and moisture levels in the air, tracks air quality over time, and lets you create a weekly schedule so that the machine automatically turns on and off at certain times. A remote control is also included. We found the air quality reader to be so sensitive to VOCs that when set to auto mode, the fan increased in speed when we were painting our nails.

The Dyson Purifier Cool offers 10 airflow speeds, including an auto mode that will assess the air quality and adjust as needed. We found the noise level to be indiscernible on level 1, and similar to that of a fan set to low on level 10. At bedtime, you can enable the night mode, which dims the display lights and utilizes the quietest settings, making this a great pick for light sleepers, too. And this is the only device on our list that comes with both Energy Star and Asthma & Allergy Friendly certifications. Keep in mind that the HEPA/carbon filter needs replacing yearly.

Dimensions: 4.7 x 8 x 41 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Room Size: 800 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Certifications: Energy Star, Asthma & Allergy Friendly

Best Air Purifier for Dust

Aroeve Air Purifier

Orig. $120 $110 at Amazon View on Aroeve.com

One of the best uses for an air purifier is dust removal, and the Aroeve MK04 is our favorite for this purpose. It comes with a 360-degree air outlet that speeds up air circulation, and comes in a compact size that’s especially ideal for bedrooms. This air purifier measures your PM levels in real time, and we found the sensor’s readings to match those of our air quality monitor. For those who suffer from allergies, the true HEPA filter will help improve air quality by capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes pollen, pet dander, and more. 

The MK04 comes with a programmable timer with 8-, 12-, and 24-hour settings, as well as a sleep mode that turns off the display mode and runs on a lower speed that’s very quiet. In addition to allergens, we found it to filter out odors as well, leaving our home smelling fresh after cooking or after a weekend spent away. But where it really stood out was in its dust collecting abilities—after three months of constant use, our filter had collected an impressive amount of dust. Our one complaint is that this air purifier doesn't come with a filter change indicator, though the brand recommends you replace the HEPA filter every three to six months. 

Dimensions: 7.5 x 13.5 x 17.3 inches | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Room Size: 1,095 square feet | CADR: 300+ CFM | Certifications: N/A

Best Air Purifier for Odors

Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Air Purifier

$370 at Amazon $370 at Home Depot View on Sylvane.com

We love this air purifier for eliminating odors, especially after it left a damp, musty basement smelling fresh for the first time in a while. Leave it running on auto mode, and the particle and odor sensors will detect the pollutants in your air and adjust the fan speed accordingly. The RabbitAir BioGs 2.0 comes with four levels of filtration: a pre-filter that traps large particles; an activated carbon filter that effectively reduces smoke, odors, and VOCs; a BioGS HEPA filter that traps fine particles and prevents them from growing over time; and a negative ion generator that latches onto airborne particles where they can either be trapped in the filters or settle on the floor to be vacuumed.

It also comes with a simple user interface that gives real-time air quality updates and automatically alerts you when it is time to clean or replace your filters. You’ll also find controls for setting the fan speed, auto mode, sleep timer (up to 12 hours), and the negative ion generator. We were particularly impressed with the ultra-quiet operation of this air purifier—it’s easy to forget that it’s even running. Note that this is not a smart air purifier, nor does it come with a remote control, so you’ll have to use the controls directly on the unit.

Dimensions: 16.6 x 9.8 x 22.2 inches | Weight: 16.8 pounds | Room Size: 550 square feet | CADR: 162 CFM for pollen, 149 CFM for dust, 136 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star

Best Air Purifier for Bedrooms

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max Air Purifier

Orig. $170 $120 at Amazon $138 at Wayfair Orig. $170 $120 at Target

After running this air purifier for 30 minutes, we went from fighting off sneezes in the testing room to having no allergy symptoms whatsoever. It significantly reduced odor from the deodorizing room spray and incense smoke, while reducing PM 2.5 by 94-96% and VOCs by 80-81% on its highest setting. 

This air purifier comes with a touch-sensitive display that includes an on/off button, four fan speeds (night and 1-3), auto mode, a filter indicator light, a child lock, and three brightness settings. It has an impressively quiet operation which, along with the dimmable display, makes this a great option for light sleepers. You can connect to the Blueair app to monitor filter usage and air quality, as well as change the settings. 

Although it comes with a filter indicator light, Blueair does recommend changing the Particle + Carbon filter once every six months (a filter subscription is available). It also comes with a washable fabric pre-filter for large debris that’s available in multiple colors, but we didn’t find it very effective at capturing pet hair. 

Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.6 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Room Size: 219-526 square feet | CADR: 141 CFM | Certifications: Energy Star, AHAM

Best Air Purifier for Large Spaces

Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier

Orig. $399 $279 at Amazon $400 at Target View on Cowaymega.com

For large kitchens, bedrooms, and dens up to 930 square feet, an air purifier like the Coway Airmega 250 makes perfect sense. Not only does this air purifier remove pollutants from the air, but it also features a sensor that’s able to self-adjust air purification levels throughout the day, so it doesn’t expend more energy than what’s necessary.

During our tests, we found the sensor helpful to keep track of air quality when we had our windows open during exercise and while we were painting walls. It consists of multiple filters, including a pre-filter and activated carbon filter for removing dust, particles, sulfur dioxide, pet smells, and food odors. The unit also comes with a Green True HEPA filter that can reduce airborne contaminants that are as small as 0.01 microns by 99.99%.

We can confirm that this unit had a major effect on our air quality, to the point that after six months our allergy symptoms diminished, and smelly odors did not linger as long. We also appreciate that the child safety lock allows you to safely place the purifier anywhere, including kids' bedrooms or nurseries. It’s recommended that you change the filter every 6-12 months.

It has a very fair price for such a large purifier, and it doesn’t stick out too much. It has a bit of a retro appearance that isn’t exactly sleek, but still blends in better than other units (it kind of looks like a large speaker unit). We think it's definitely worth the money if you have a large space.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 8.3 x 19.7 inches | Weight: 20.5 pounds | Room Size: 930 square feet | CADR: 249 CFM for smoke, 261 CFM for dust, 230 CFM for pollen | Certifications: Energy Star

Best Air Purifier and Humidifier

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde

$999 at Amazon $1,000 at Walmart $1,000 at Best Buy

Like air pollutants, dry air can contribute to asthma and allergies, which is why humidifiers are commonly used by those who suffer from these conditions. Thus, an air purifier-humidifier combo tackles allergies from all angles. The Dyson Purifier Humidifier+Cool Formaldehyde works by taking in air, moving it through multiple filters, and distributing cool, humidified air back into the room. In fact, this multifunctional device actually helped to lessen symptoms for chronic allergy sufferers, including those of us with pet allergies. 

This air purifier moves air through a HEPA filter to capture fine particles, including pollen, dust, and dander, plus an additional filter for absorbing odors and gasses, including VOCs. Furthermore, the catalytic filter traps and breaks down formaldehyde released by household items such as wood flooring and fabric. You can choose between two airflow modes: a breeze mode that's intended to mimic a cool, natural breeze and a backward airflow mode that diverts the airflow through the back of the machine to purify and humidify without cooling you. 

We never found the noise produced by this air purifier to be disruptive, even while watching TV. It features a 90-degree oscillation that helps to cool off entire rooms more quickly and efficiently. Just keep in mind that this air purifier is most efficient in a sealed space, as opposed to an open-concept space. Additional features include a nighttime mode, a remote control, a filter change reminder, an air quality indicator, and an auto mode that adjusts to reach the right humidity level and reacts to air pollutants. 

While humidifiers are notoriously tricky to clean, Dyson makes it easier with a hassle-free deep clean cycle, which is intended to run monthly. This device can also be controlled and monitored using the MyDyson app or voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. This is the most expensive air purifier on our list, but given that it replaces three appliances in one (an air purifier, a humidifier, and a fan) it’s a worthy investment. 

Dimensions: 12.3 x 11 x 36.3 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Room Size: 400 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Certifications: National Psoriasis Foundation

Best Stylish Air Purifier

Coway Airmega 160 Air Purifier

$180 at Target Orig. $189 $155 at Walmart $190 at Cowaymega.com

Air purifiers are not typically intended to make a design statement, but it’s always nice to have one that's not a complete eyesore. The Airmega 160 comes with a sleek, geometric design and is available in two different colors, so you don’t have to sacrifice the look of your space in return for clean air. More importantly, it made a significant difference in our allergy symptoms and was able to reduce the PM 2.5 by 87-89% in 30 minutes. It was slightly less effective at filtering VOCs, however, reducing them by 67-78% in our testing. 

It comes with a washable pre-filter, which did actually accumulate pet hair, as well as a carbon deodorization filter and a true HEPA filter. The filter replacement set comes with enough to last you the year (two carbon filters and one HEPA filter).

Keeping in line with the sleek design, this air purifier has a minimal control panel with a touch display that allows you to toggle between fan speed, power, light on/off, and filter reset. It also displays the air quality in real time as well as filter quality alerts, and comes with an auto mode that will adjust the fan speed based on its air quality reading. The noise output is barely noticeable on the two lower speeds, and the highest speed is never disruptive either.

Dimensions: 13.4 x 6.5 x 18.5 inches | Weight: 12.1 pounds | Room Size: 214 square feet | CADR: 219 CFM for pollen, 161 CFM for dust, 138 CFM for smoke | Certifications: Energy Star

Easiest to Use Air Purifier

Honeywell InSight HEPA Air Purifier

Orig. $310 $170 at Amazon Orig. $255 $193 at Walmart $255 at Home Depot

With its sleek and boxy design, plus an easy-to-understand light display on its panel, the Honeywell HPA5300 is a hit in our eyes. Not only is it easy to control, but the filters are really easy to replace. There are colorful lights on the control panel that change colors to indicate cleaning levels and when it’s time to change the filter, making the process as seamless as possible. Even better: The filters can be purchased in a pack of four.

The unit is fairly large and bulky, and it’s best for medium-sized rooms around 500 square feet. It features a four-level filtration system that removes allergens, microscopic particles, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and dust mite debris from the air. You can also purchase specialty filters if you want to target a specific contaminant, like kitchen, pet, or smoke odors and home renovation VOCs, but we found that the standard filter removed 93% of PM 2.5 and 79% of VOCs on its own.

To make things even easier, you don’t have to worry about figuring out what settings you should use, as there is an auto mode that will assess the air quality in the room and then automatically adjust the mode. However, you can also control it manually if you want to do it yourself. The noise level on this unit is also low—it’s mostly white noise, which for the most part won’t bother you if you keep it on all day.

Dimensions: 10.8 x 19.1 x 22.3 inches | Weight: 20.5 pounds | Room Size: 500 square feet | CADR: 323 CFM for smoke, 335 CFM for dust, 335 CFM for pollen | Certifications: Energy Star, AHAM

Best Quiet Air Purifier

Kenmore 1500e Air Purifier

Orig. $170 $150 at Amazon $170 at Walmart

When you want an air purifier to run for hours, then noise level is important to consider. With the Kenmore 1500e Air Purifier, you can be at peace while you lounge, eat dinner, watch a movie, or even sleep. The fan has five speeds, and at its lowest it measures just 24dB—which is about the same volume as a whisper. We found that even at its highest speed, this unit wasn’t loud enough to disrupt TV watching or conversations.

Noise level aside, this purifier has three-stage filtration (including a HEPA filter), plus a digital interface that provides temperature and humidity updates in real-time. In addition, if you want it to run for a set time, you can time it to run for 1-12 hours before it shuts off automatically. Though this model is used to clean the air in rooms up to 1,500 square feet, there are other models that are designed for rooms that are 800, 1,200, and even 2,300 feet. 

Take note that in addition to wiping it down, you’ll have to use a vacuum if you want to thoroughly clean the filter. We weren't convinced that this was a good method, as it could reintroduce contaminants to the environment. Also, this purifier was not effective at capturing pet hair. It was able to reduce contaminants though: On its highest setting, it removed 58% of PM 2.5 and 85% of VOCs. 

Dimensions: 11 x 21 x 11 inches | Weight: 17.16 pounds | Room Size: 1500 feet | CADR: Not listed | Certifications: Energy Star

Longest-Lasting Filter

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX

Orig. $330 $300 at Amazon $330 at Wayfair View on Sharkclean.com

The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier has the longest-lasting filter on our list—it only needs to be replaced once every five years, saving you money in the long run. We found the setup to be straightforward, mainly because stickers were pasted on its body detailing exactly how to put the filters and odor-neutralizer cartridge in place. It covers up to 1,400 square feet, suitable for open-concept kitchen and dining rooms, and effectively removes funky smells.

In our tests, it eliminated dog urine odors from our carpets and left behind a light, floral scent that made our rooms smell great. The four power settings automatically adjust based on the air quality, though you can change them manually by tapping on the touchscreen panel if you want. The screen shows the air quality in the room so you know which setting is best. 

Although it was quite loud running at higher speeds, it generally didn’t bother us or our dog who would sleep near it if it was on. Given that it is a high-end model, it’s surprising that a remote isn’t included, but you can buy one separately should you wish to control it from afar.

Dimensions: 13.2 by 13.2 by 22.5 inches | Weight: 12.27 pounds | Room Size: 1,400 square feet | CADR: Not listed | Certifications: Energy Star

Best for Extra-Large Rooms

Orsani Mod+ Hepa Air Filter

$380 at Amazon View on Oransi.com

Not only does the LG air purifier’s tall, sleek design blend in nicely with our decor, but it’s also roughly the same size and shape as a tower fan and doesn’t take up a lot of space. This air purifier features 10 setting speeds, plus an extra turbo boost button. We thought it was going to be quite noisy, but surprisingly none of the settings were loud, including the turbo setting, which was the same volume as a low setting on a fan. We also found that running it caused our room to smell fresh, and it was effective at removing all types of odors, such as lingering cooking smells and musty pet odors in our bedroom.

This air purifier can be used with the LG ThinQ app, which allows you to see the air quality and control the unit directly from your phone. You can also monitor the air purifier via a screen at the bottom of the unit. Note that the screen is lit by default, but you can adjust the brightness levels or turn it off entirely if you have it on in your bedroom at night (it even has a sleep timer). While this model offers great value, it is one of the more expensive options on our list.  

Dimensions: 10.4 by 10.4 by 44.1 inches | Weight: 27.6 pounds | Room Size: 818 square feet| CADR: 90 cubic feet per minute | Certifications: AAFA Certified

Best Tower

LG PuriCare AeroTower Air Purifying Fan

$550 at Amazon $549 at Lg.com $549 at Home Depot

To purify an extra-large space, you need power, and the Orsani Mod+ Hepa Filter cleans up to 2,722 square feet in an hour. We found this air purifier to be user-friendly—it came with clear instructions and a touchscreen interface that felt intuitive and easy to navigate. However, the touchscreen felt slightly laggy, so you’ll have to take your time pressing the buttons.

The air purifier has 12 fan speed settings, ranging from low to high. At its highest setting, the fan didn’t disturb us but could be annoying to people who don’t like white noise. It did disturb our cat, though, who stayed away until he got used to the sound. It effectively minimized unpleasant odors emanating from the litter box and smog from outside our city apartment. 

The air purifier’s HEPA filter is long lasting and designed to function for a year before it needs to be replaced. While we think it offers great value, it doesn’t come with any smart features or a remote control, though it does have a hidden handle that makes it easy to lift and move around the room.

Dimensions: 14 by 25 by 14 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Room Size: 2,722 square feet | CADR: 363 for smoke, 375 for dust, 373 for pollen, 369 for PM2.5 | Certifications: Energy Star, AHAM, CARB