Whether you suffer from allergies, deal with poor air quality, regularly experience wildfire smoke or simply want to remove germs from your home’s air, a good air purifier can help. You don't just have to take our word for it; health experts agree.
"Our bodies are constantly exposed to airborne particles, allergens and toxins that can affect overall health,” says Mark Hyman, MD and chief medical officer of Function Health, a company that offers personalized health testing. But not all air purifiers work the same way, nor are they all designed with the same air pollutants in mind. Some air purifiers are built to target dust, while others are best at clearing out pet dander or mold spores. All of these irritants can trigger allergies, disrupt sleep and contribute to respiratory issues, but you don't have to put up with them anymore.
With so many different air purifiers on the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be daunting. That's why CNET's experts tested dozens of air purifiers to help you find the one that'll work best for you.
What is the best overall air purifier?
CNET's pick for best overall air purifier goes to the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. During lab testing, Blueair outperformed the competition clearing smoke and particles from the air faster and more effectively in our controlled testing chamber. Its versatility, low energy draw and relatively low noise level while running even on the highest setting, combined with its median price, made the Blueair an easy choice for the best overall air purifier.
Best air purifiers of 2025
Best overall air purifier, and best for smoke, allergies and dust
BlueAir 311i Max
Pros
- Automatically adjusts speed based on air quality
- Energy efficient
- Quieter than most models
- App tracking and remote scheduling
Cons
- On the pricey side
In terms of smoke, seasonal allergens and dust, an important consideration in buying an air purifier is whether it has an automatic mode. Certain air particles do not remain consistent throughout the year or even throughout the day. “Auto-mode purifiers can automatically ramp up the speed when the pollution is higher,” says Jie Zhao, head of Delos Labs, a human health tech company.
Air purifiers such as the BlueAir Blue Pure 311i Max with automatic mode respond to the actual air quality, and adjust the speed accordingly.
In addition to its automatic setting, BlueAir’s Blue Pure 311i Max was the top finisher at both low and high fan settings, bringing the particulate count down to pre-smoke levels in 6.6 and 2 minutes, respectively. On top of that, the Blue Pure 311i Max was the second most energy-efficient unit for its capacity and surprisingly quiet too, reaching only 46.1 decibels when running at its highest fan setting -- a full 9 decibels lower than the loudest model among those we tested.
The Blue Pure 311i Max also has voice controls and comes equipped with a five-color air quality indicator and a pollution-detecting particle sensor. Download the BlueAir App and you’ll be able to track air quality in your home in real time, control the air purifier remotely and even track filter usage so that you can order a new one when the time comes. It’s a simple, well-designed air purifier that performs exceptionally well, both in terms of energy usage and particle removal.
Best air purifier for pets
Blueair Blue Pure 511
Pros
- Quiet
- Fast cleaning
- Low energy requirements
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Not good for large spaces
While different kinds of particulate matter are indistinguishable to the air purifier itself, according to the experts we spoke to, an important consideration for particles such as pet dander is energy draw, since that type of pollutant theoretically remains consistent in your home and necessitates constant use of an air purifier.
“It's more on the consumer experience and user interaction, having it running all of the time, versus the fundamental scientific principle,” says Zhao, when it comes to what makes an air purifier most suitable for pets.
The Blueair Blue Pure 511 air purifier is an effective model in its own right. In our particle-removal test, the Pure 511 cleared our smoke-contaminated test chamber air back to non-hazardous conditions in less than 20 minutes at its lowest fan setting. Every other small-size air purifier we tested took at least 35 minutes to clean the air in that same test. The Pure 511 led the way on the high setting too, clearing the room in a category-leading 7.5 minutes. Its low energy draw is the determining factor here, with among the lowest energy requirements of any air purifier, drawing just 0.0135 kilowatts per hour, even on its highest setting.
Your best bet for larger spaces, regardless of pollutant type, is still either the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max or Coway Airmega 400s above, but for a space such as a bedroom where your pets stay with you at night, the Blueair Blue Pure 511 is an ideal choice.
Best air purifier for viruses, bacteria and mold
Germ Guardian AC4300
Pros
- UV-C light kills pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and mold
- Good for small spaces
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Air-cleaning performance was middle of the pack
- Slightly higher energy draw
While a HEPA filter is an industry standard for air purification systems, an additional measure, a UV-C light, is specially equipped to handle pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and mold, and stop them from multiplying. “The best way to destroy pathogens is just to expose them to sunlight,” says Shahir Masri, associate specialist in air pollution exposure, assessment and epidemiology at UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health. “Air purifiers with a little UV light in there will do one extra task for you,” he said.
“If you're specifically concerned about infectious diseases, that's what that's going to be for,” he adds. “It's a biology killer.”
The Germ Guardian AC4300 had medium air-clearing performance among the air purifiers we tested, clearing 612 square feet in about an hour, with a median CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) between 99 and 116 depending on the particulate matter in question. It is suitable primarily for small spaces, with a slightly higher energy draw than those of a similar volume, but a lower running noise level. For those whose primary concern are pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, however, this is an effective model with a relatively small footprint and a modest price tag.
Best air purifier for entire home
Coway Airmega 400s
Pros
- Good for large spaces
- Powerful
- High CADR
- Good value
- Wi-Fi enabled
Cons
- Large and bulky
- Expensive
- High energy requirements
- Noisy on high setting
The Coway Airmega 400s is among the largest and most powerful air purifiers on the market, with a hefty price tag to match, but it is an excellent option to consider for larger, open spaces. Its sophisticated four layers of filtering can handle particulate matter as microscopic as .1 micron in size, has among the highest CADR of any available models, between 325 and 400 depending on the particulate matter, and it can clear a whopping 3,100 square feet of space in about an hour.
Its functionality and features are on par with the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max above, including an automatic mode that aids with particles such as smoke and seasonal allergens without running on high continuously. Its footprint, energy draw and price are all a more serious commitment, but it’s still a good value considering its expansive capabilities. For your money, you’re also getting all the bells and whistles: Wi-Fi capability allowing for voice or app control; smart, sleep, and eco settings; and real-time air quality monitoring.
Best budget choice and quietest air purifier
Levoit Core Mini
Pros
- Super quiet
- Low energy requirement
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the most powerful
- Only good for small spaces
Most air purifiers run within a decibel range of 33 and 55, depending on the model and setting. For comparison, that’s the difference between a light rainfall -- easy to sleep through -- and a normal conversation volume -- less easy to sleep through. Noise might be a determining factor, then, if you’re looking to literally rest and breathe easy by running an air purifier in your bedroom. The quietest of the bunch is the Levoit Core Mini, whose tested volume was only 37.2 decibels, even on its highest setting. (Most other models demonstrated 44 decibels and above.)
As a purifier, the Levoit Core Mini isn’t the most powerful, but is suitable for a small bedroom. It can clear 378 square feet in an hour, but only to a particle size of 0.3 microns. This is the industry requirement for HEPA filters, but many other models offer better outcomes. In addition to its extremely quiet running volume, however, it also has the lowest energy draw, at 0.0061 kilowatts per hour, the smallest footprint, and the smallest price tag, making it a reasonable investment if you’re looking to try out an air purifier in your bedroom or other small space.
Can air purifiers improve your health?
The air quality of your home is a significant determinant of your health. Exposure to indoor pollution can lead to health issues, such as respiratory diseases, stroke, lung cancers and COPD. According to the World Health Organization, there were an estimated 3.2 million deaths worldwide in 2020 stemming from household air pollution.
Think of the sources of pollutants indoors as being divided into three categories: contaminants from human activities like smoking or cooking, pollutants from construction materials like asbestos, and biological sources like allergens and mold.
Air purifiers can minimize the health effects of particles of all three categories by removing them from the air. An EPA research review suggests that air cleaners may also improve cardiovascular health. HEPA filters are the gold standard for reducing the concentration of indoor allergens because they can kill 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns (µm).
Health benefits of air purifiers:
- Air purifiers help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies
- Lower your risk of getting sick with respiratory illnesses and other severe conditions
- Filter smoke from homes
No device will fully filter out every harmful pollutant in your home. Allergic reactions from large particles or molds on surfaces can still happen. Portable air purifiers are also not intended to filter our nicotine or other gaseous pollutants. That’s why it’s best to use air purifiers as an additional way to clean the air in your home rather than the only one.
Who needs an air purifier?
Persistent allergy symptoms, visible smoke or pet hair, and lingering odors can indicate that you may benefit from an air purifier. Air purifiers are helpful even for minor pollutants such as cooking smoke, car exhaust, occasional dust and burning candles.
“Families with young children, older adults, and individuals with chronic inflammation or immune sensitivities can also benefit from cleaner air,” says Hyman.
The cleaner air and increased airflow that air purifiers provide can potentially make a big difference in the quality of life (and breath) for anyone.
People who should invest in an air purifier:
- Folks with existing respiratory issues: An air purifier can ease your symptoms if you have seasonal allergies, asthma or respiratory problems.
- People who have pets: According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 6 out of 10 people are exposed to cat or dog dander. No matter how clean our pet is, the microscopic skin flakes your pet sheds can trigger allergy symptoms, including but not limited to itchy or watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throat, headaches, coughing or respiratory issues. The best air purifiers can help minimize the amount of particles floating around in the air.
- Those who often deal with smoke: Air purifiers can make a huge difference for those who live in areas often impacted by wildfire. The fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is significantly more dangerous than air pollution from things like traffic or factor emissions. It’s essential to have one in this situation. Hyman explains that long-term exposure can lead to wide-ranging health consequences like cardiovascular risks, cognitive decline, and metabolic issues, among others.
Remember that while the best air purifiers can filter out particles in the air, they’re only so effective in eliminating allergens and pollutants from your home. Once the particles have settled on surfaces, they must be reintroduced to their air for the air filter to clean them. Regular sweeping, vacuuming and dusting will ensure nothing that can hurt your health settles in your home.
Originally published in CNet
Text by Gianmarco Chumbe and Pamela Vachon
