With all the marketing hype that gets pushed into the nether, it can be difficult to make an informed decision about the best air purifier for allergies and dust. There’s a lot of ins and outs when it comes to air purification, but we’ve got you covered. To find the best air purifier for eliminating airborne particles, allergens, pet dander, mold spores, and dust from the air, we first researched units online with features like HEPA filters, UV lights, and quiet operation, as well as high customer sentiment from people who have used the purifiers.
After finding the best models available, we purchased the top 10 air purifiers to test them out in our own living spaces and offices. As soon as we plugged the purifiers in, we tested ease of use, clean air delivery, and overall design quality. As the air purifiers did their job, we also measured how loud they were and how effectively they cleaned the air around us. With these things in mind, it was easy to choose the Germ Guardian AC4825 to become our top pick. This is an AHAM verified product with a UV-C sanitizer and True HEPA filter that cleaned even the toughest molecules out of the air. Keep reading to learn more about the Germ Guardian and our other top picks for the best air purifier for your home or office.
Top 5 Best Air Purifier for Allergens and Dust Compared
#1 Germ Guardian AC4825 Air Purifier
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Germ Guardian AC4825 is a super affordable True HEPA air purifier that offers plenty of premium features and a high level of performance. It also includes a UV-C sanitizer for maximum air purification, making it the perfect air purifier for dust. That’s why it is the top pick with the best UV feature.
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- AHAM verified
- UV-C sanitizer included
- Long 3-year warranty
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- Doesn’t include any smart functionality
- No auto mode
- Highest speed is loud
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When it comes to purifying your air of allergens and dust, it’s best to be as comprehensive as possible. The Germ Guardian AC4825 takes a 3-in-1 approach to air purification through an activated charcoal filter, a True HEPA filter, and a UV-C light for maximum effectiveness. This approach provides a super-comprehensive purification process that eliminates hardy airborne allergens and dust. But, compare a furnace filter vs an air purifier to see which one works the best for you.
Unfortunately, you don’t get any kind of smart functionality with the Germ Guardian, but these features are still pretty uncommon on most air purifiers today. You also won’t get any automatic timers, but the simplicity in the controls of this air purifier makes it easy to overlook these little downsides. The Germ Guardian also includes a solid 3-year warranty, which is one of the longest on our list. If you want to take the extra step in purification with an included UV-C light, you have to check out the Germ Guardian AC4825. For mold issues, check out the best air purifier for mold.
#2 LEVOIT LV-H132
WHY WE LIKE IT: Sometimes the best products come in small packages, and the Levoit LV-H132 air purifier fits that idea. It’s the smallest purifier on our list, but it can easily tackle poor air quality. This is why it is our honorable mention pick and could have easily been #1. It is also the best portable air purifier.
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- Super portable design
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Comprehensive 3-stage filtration
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- Only works in small spaces
- No automatic shut off timers
- Doesn’t notify you when filters need to be replaced
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The Levoit LV-H132 is one of the most eye-catching air purifiers on our list and the overall quality of the unit matches that same attention to detail. We were super impressed with how high-end and sturdy the Levoit felt during our testing. It’s also super compact so you can take it to any room in the house, which is similar to the leading Honeywell air purifiers of the same size. However, you should be aware that the purifier’s small size can only effectively clean the air in rooms up to 86 square feet but it will clean the air once every 30 minutes.
The Levoit doesn’t just offer a pretty package, though. It also excels when it comes to performance, even despite its extra-small size. One of the most impressive features is its three-stage filtration system. First, your air passes through a fine preliminary filter before going through a True HEPA filter and finally through an activated carbon filter. This comprehensive approach to filtration cuts away smoke, dust, allergens, and other contaminants with ease. If you’re looking for an ultra-portable air purifier that doesn’t skimp on purification power, then the Levoit LV-H132 should be a top contender. If smoke is the issue, read the best air purifier for smoke.
#3 Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for an air purifier that can eliminate the allergens and dust from large rooms, you absolutely cannot miss the Blue Air 211+. This one is best for large rooms. It’s fantastically built and performs with ease in large rooms cleaning the air up to five times per hour. But, if you need an air purifier for the whole house vs a room, you might need something more.
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- Highest setting is no louder than soft rainfall
- AHAM verified
- Covers large rooms
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- Doesn’t include a True HEPA filter
- Doesn’t feature any timers
- No air sensors
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Not many people think much about design aesthetics when purchasing a new air purifier, but this might change when you see the Swedish-made Blue Pure 211+. It nails the design aesthetic to the point that you could easily include it as a visible piece of any room in which you place it. The fabric pre-filter even comes in different colors so you can personalize the purifier even further. And the Blue Pure isn’t just built to look pretty. It features a solid and durable design that will last a long time in your living space. Although, compare an air purifier vs a vacuum purifier to see which one works best for you.
One of the best things the Blue Pure 211+ offers is the sheer amount of power it can output. Able to purify the air in rooms up to 540 square feet, this is by far the most powerful purifier on our list. Fortunately, that large size doesn’t equal a ton of noise, either. On the highest setting, the Blue Pure emits noise only as loud as a soft rainfall. Color us impressed. There are some key features that the Blue Pure 211+ is missing, most notably the lack of air sensors and automatic timers, but this ends up being more of an inconvenience than anything else. If you need powerful air purification in the large spaces in your home, the Blue Pure 211+ is the air purifier for you. You may also want to read about the best air purifier for asthma or the top-rated air purifier for your baby.
#4 MOOKA Air Purifier
WHY WE LIKE IT: The MOOKA air purifier works great for small, personal spaces because of its unique 360-degree intake design and compact design. If you’re looking for an air purifier to take with you to work at your desk, the MOOKA is an excellent choice. It is our best budget and best for office pick.
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- 360-degree air intake
- Lowest price on the list
- Easy and quiet operation
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- Display lights are bright
- Replacement filters are expensive
- Not good for cigarette smoke
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Where most air filters only feature a single-direction air intake, the MOOKA offers a unique 360-degree air intake. This means that it’s constantly sucking air in from all around the unit, providing a much more effective clean than what many other purifiers can provide. This, along with the unit’s compact size, also make it the perfect choice for people who want to purify the air around their desk in the office.
It’s also great for office use because of its quiet and easy operation. The MOOKA air purifier features a single button on top of the unit that you press to change modes or power on/off. When powered on, the MOOKA is quiet to not disturb the people around you. If you’re going to use the MOOKA for home applications, you’d do well to take into factor the fact that the LED lights on the purifier are super bright and cannot be turned off. This can disturb your sleep. We also found that the replacement filters for the MOOKA were extra expensive. As such, we don’t recommend running it 24/7 since you’ll need to more frequently swap out filters. Also, check out the best HEPA air purifier.
#5 Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04386A Air Purifier
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04386A air purifier is perfect for people who don’t want to constantly monitor their appliances. With an ultra-simple design and permanent air filter, the TrueAir can be turned on and left running without any worries. If you are looking for the best value and best easy maintenance model, this is it.
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- Low maintenance costs
- Super affordable
- Very easy to use
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- No on-board display
- Not great for pets
- Loud operation
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The Hamilton Beach TrueAir doesn’t give you the most cutting-edge feature set for air purifiers, but it can still keep up with even the most advanced of air purifiers. The simple, yet sturdy design still provides some powerful air purification with its permanent HEPA air filter. But, compare Plasma air purifiers vs HEPA filters before you decide on this purifier. Since the unit doesn’t have any other filters, you won’t have to constantly buy new replacement filters. This lowers maintenance costs and keeps things extra simple for you. If you have pets, read the best air purifier for pets.
The TrueAir’s simple filtration simple is perfect for filtering out dust and other allergens from your living spaces, but the lack of extra filters means that it won’t do great for pet hair or smoke. However, when it comes to the simple stuff, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better. Hamilton Beach has a long history of building high-quality appliances and the TrueAir remains true to that legacy. With a simple control dial and minimal maintenance, this air purifier is perfect for anyone who wants to set it and forget it.
How We Choose an Air Purifier for Allergies and Dust
HEPA filtration had to first meet the minimum government performance standard, which requires filters to remove at least 99.97% of airborne particulate larger than 0.3 microns in diameter from the air – but that’s standard for air cleaning units. Following that basic requirement, we set our sights on machines that went above and beyond the bare minimum and looked for filters that successfully removed extra fine particles with an efficiency of 99.99%, or higher (the efficiency scale stages filters from 99.97, 99.99, 99.999, 99.9995, and finally to 99.99999%).
An air purifier’s filter is only one part of the machine, though. For a filter’s efficiency to be utilized, the airflow driven by the machine and through the filter must be acceptable. Think about it – I can buy a HEPA filter and tape it to the pedestal fan in my bedroom, but that doesn’t make the set up a high-efficiency air purifier. Airflow driven through the machine, and the mechanical filtration process designed by the manufacturer is what truly differentiates an air mover from an air purifier.
Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is relative to the filtering process and the environment your air purifier is treating. Our top three picks our weighted against each other in terms of airflow and filtration processes, and since we’ve given the gold standard to all three concerning filtration technologies, airflow is pretty straightforward – the higher the better (just don’t go putting an air purifier in a 2,000 sq ft space if it’s designed for 500).
Why You Should Buy an Air Purifier for Allergies and Dust
Consistent behavior is what makes a difference in the quality of our lives. For example, if you go for a run every day your cardiovascular health is likely better than the guy that sits on the couch instead. Similarly, if you own an air purifier that cleans your air every day, you’re likely healthier than someone that doesn’t use one. Allergy sufferers across the globe can attest to the health benefits that come from the normal use of an air cleaner.
Indoor air pollutants are one of the top health risks in the United States and abroad, and the use of a machine that does its job well can make a significant difference in the quality of your life. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from a wide array of products including paints, varnishes, solvents, and many household cleaning products. If you’re an allergy sufferer, constantly struggle with congestion, are irritated by mild asthma symptoms, or just want a little reassurance that the air in your home is being cleaned, take a look at our top picks and make sure you check out their specs – they’re some of the best air purifiers for allergies and dust on the market.
Key Factors
- HEPA Grade & Surface Area: HEPA H12/H13 is the most common among the group we reviewed – we believe that this should be an absolute minimum for most in-home applications. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and a HEPA filter works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, tobacco smoke, and more. The greater the surface area available, the more pollutants the filter can adsorb, and the longer the life expectancy of the filter. All HEPA filters in our list are expected to last a minimum of three years, with some promising up to five.
HEPA filter classes based on efficiency - Activated Carbon: Carbon helps to adsorb toxic gasses, VOCs, and smoke. Multi-staged filtration processes that are used by industrial machines not only perform better, but also demonstrate that the manufacturer understands a thing or two about air purification. Trust us, it’s not uncommon to find air cleaners that move air more than they purify it. If you’re looking for the best air purifier for allergies and pets, look for a good combination of HEPA and activated carbon filtration.
Features
- Mechanical Process: We like things simple, but it isn’t because we’re opposed to technology. We prefer to eliminate pollutant sources, not introduce them, so our top picks in this list are all purely mechanical – air comes in, passes through physical filters, and gets pushed back out.
- Simple Design: Focusing on products that are developed with one main goal in mind: purifying the air. While we’re not opposed to smart features and connectivity options, for this article we focused on simple mechanics and electronics. These days even the best cheap air purifier has good features.
Mistakes to Avoid
Vague statements and a lack of technical data on the manufacturer’s website are abundant in this industry. Far too many list HEPA filtration without filter specifications, activated carbon without details, and Clean Air Distribution Rate (CADR) without clearly defining the limitations of the CADR value. Look for manufacturers that list too much data, are eager to discuss specifics, and truly care about your well-being while using their machine.
Many air purifier users sleep with their machines so it’s important to consider the sound levels generated by the machine you buy. That said, moving air the right way versus just pushing air around can (and does) create noise. Consider our review and others, and the quality of the machine you purchase. If it’s a little noisier than most, but performs above expectations, that’s okay. The average maximum decibel level for most air purifiers in this category is around 70 dB. To put that into perspective, the noise from traffic while sitting in a car is around 85 dB.
What Else You Should Think About
Having the Best Air Purifier for Allergies and Dust is only the first step in leading a healthier, less polluted life. Is your cleaner the best air purifier for cat allergies, or dogs? Will it work well for cigarette smoke? What toxins should you be concerned about? For more information on indoor air pollutants check out our article on VOCs. If you would like step-by-step instructions on how to clean your air purifier, check out the previously linked article as a follow-up.
Our top pick as Best Air Purifier for Allergies and Dust, the Germ Guardian AC4825, is a wonderful addition to your home that will improve indoor air quality and overall health!
