To find the best UV air purifier, you’ll need to examine a list of criteria to determine what is most important. We recommend the best UV air purifier with a minimum 3-stage filtration system, consisting of a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and UV-C light. Some might argue that an air cleaner is better than an air purifier. Nevertheless, all work to battle airborne contaminants as small as 0.3 microns with some medical-grade filters (e.g. Hyper HEPA) capable of neutralizing particles as small as 0.003 microns. Other areas of consideration include square footage rating, CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rating), and a full set of digital controls including multiple fan speeds, Sleep Mode, and a real-time air quality monitor. these are some of the features that make your purifier a top-rated air purifier.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews, we’ve determined that the Pure Enrichment PureZone Elite 4-in-1 UV Air Purifier is the best UV air purifier you can buy. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about choosing the best air purifier for your needs.
Top 10 Best UV Air Purifiers
#1 Pure Enrichment PureZone Elite 4-in-1 UV Air Purifier
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier comes with powerful 4-stage filtration and built-in UV-C light, an excellent choice for a living room or dining room, with a color-coded air quality monitor for easy readings.
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- Effective 4-stage purification system
- Color code air quality monitor for easy readings
- Generous >120 CFM airflow rating
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- Slight whine sound from internal fans
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This best UV air purifier for viruses is excellent across the board, starting with 4-stage filtration that consists of an active carbon pre-filter, true HEPA filter, ionizer, and a UV-C filter. It uses a bottom-to-top airflow concept with a separate inner to disperse thousands of negative ions into the air to latch onto airborne particles for pasture.
We love this UV air purifier’s suite of digital features for indoor air, starting with an automatic timer with preset run times (2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours) and the choice of three fan speeds. A filter reset indicator even lets users know when it’s time to replace the filter. However, nothing tops its air quality monitoring with a color-coded LED lighting system for Good (blue), Fair (yellow), and Poor (red), which is easy to understand. The best personal air purifier also features an LCD screen that shows real-time air quality reports.
#2 SilverOnyx UV Air Purifier
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier covers up to 500 square feet of space using 5 filtration levels and a PM2.5 (particulate matter) sensor for automatic airflow adjustment, an excellent choice for anyone looking for a well-rounded machine.
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- Full 360 degrees operation
- Large H13 filter for extra coverage
- Generous >120 CFM airflow rating
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- Not as good with collecting dust as some other models
- High pitched whine on higher settings
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This UV air sanitizer offers a little bit of everything, starting with 5-stage filtration consisting of a pre-filter mesh, H13 activated carbon fiber, and UV/ion generator combination for added defense against bacteria and germs.
One of our favorite features of this unit is its extra-large True HEPA H13 filter, which is 50%+ larger than comparatively priced units. Digital controls are also pretty diversified, including a 5-speed fan, filter change indicator, and airflow controls. All in all, we were very impressed with how well-rounded this machine is. In terms of digital features, another very well-rounded machine for your vehicle is the best car air purifier.
#3 Germ Guardian AC5350B UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST FOR KITCHENS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier features a true HEPA filter to eliminate up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants and provides coverage in rooms up to 167 square feet, an excellent choice for smaller kitchens and bedrooms.
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- Slim profile ( 9.06″ x 6.69″ x 27.56″ )
- Excellent CADR ratings ( 108 smoke; 114 dust; 127 pollen) for quick air changes
- Whisper-quiet sleep mode for undisturbed sleep
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- Cord length could be longer
- 180 square foot coverage could be broader
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This 4-in-1 air purifier is well-rounded across the board. A 4-stage filtration system uses a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter to neutralize up to 99.97% of contaminants all solid CADR numbers for quick room air changes (e.g. 114 CADR for dust and 127 CADR for pollen). Its activated carbon filter is very effective at eliminating smoke, odors, and gasses. Compare this unit to its cousin, the GermGuardian GG1000 UV-C air sanitizer to see how good it is.
Another bonus with this UV air purifier is its digital display panel, with an automatic timer (up to eight hours),. UV C light, and filter change indicator. In terms of maintenance, this 4-in-1 air purifier is very easy to care for, with a 6 to 8-month replacement schedule depending on filter usage. Five fan speeds include a whisper-quiet lowest setting, great for undisturbed sleep to automatically adjust. Our only knock is that this air purifier is rather limited in terms of room coverage (167 square feet) but offsets that with 4-stage filtration and excellent CADR ratings. And you should also compare this with the best air purifier and humidifier that has a high square footage rating, and high CADR scores.
#4 Airthereal APH260 UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST FOR MONITORING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier includes smart controls for real-time air quality monitoring and covers rooms up to 355 square feet, an excellent choice for people who want to gauge air quality in real-time.
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- Ion function for electro charging
- Compatible with medical grade H13 HEPA filters
- PM2.5 sensor for accurate quality readings
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[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Not the longest filter life
- Very audible even on the lowest setting; resembling a whistling sound
- Random beeps when changing modes
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We really like this UV air purifier’s overall effectiveness, starting with a 3-stage filtration setup consisting of a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and activated carbon fiber to hit airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns – good enough for rooms up to 355 square feet. A PM2.5 sensor and air quality indicator also provide real-time updates on air quality with a separate auto mode to optimize fan speeds based on output.
This UV air purifier for home or office is also CADR rated at 152+ CFM which provides multiple air changes per hour in rooms up to 355 square feet. This is unlike the Airdog X3, which only covers 215 square feet. A 0 to 12-hour automated timer also allows users to schedule and a filter change LED light reminds users when it is time to replace. All in all, this UV air purifier’s combination of 3-stage filtration, digital display, auto mode, and a smart sensor for real-time air quality updates make it one of the more well-rounded ones we’ve researched. Feel free to compare this with the best smart air purifiers that feature dedicated smartphone apps for monitoring and scheduling, with real-time air quality updates.
#5 Germ Guardian AC4825E UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST FOR SMALL BEDROOMS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier comes in a slim profile and filters rooms up to 167 square feet, an excellent choice for smaller spaces such as bedrooms.
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- Powerful multi-stage filtration
- Activated charcoal filter for absorbing bad smells
- Solid smoke, pollen, and dust CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) numbers
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- Not Bluetooth/Wi-FI compatible
- Very loud at the highest setting
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This UV air purifier is a solid performer, featuring 4-in-1 air purification to combat all types of air pollution, including mold spores, dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. An activated carbon filter is also included for smoke, odors, and gasses. Plus, at only 9 x 5.5 x 22 inches, it offers a super slim profile that fits well beside couches, media centers, and nightstands without looking too out of place.
In terms of airflow, this UV air purifier works well with solid CADR ratings for smoke (108), pollen (125), and dust (118). Each number stands for cubic feet per minute. Standing for ‘Clean Air Delivery Rate’, this rating is a measurement of how fast air purifiers can clean the air. For smokers, faster purifiers with high CADR scores are needed such as the best air purifier for cigarette smoke.
#6 Germ Guardian AC5250PT UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 5-in-1 UV air purifier comes with a pure pet filter, a specialized filter with an antimicrobial surface, excellent for pet owners who suffer from shedding every day.
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- Programmable timer up to 8hrs
- Slim profile ( 12 x 9 x 29.25 inches)
- Powerful UV-C light and true HEPA filter combo
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- Not the quietest unit
- Modest area coverage (193 square feet)
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This UV air purifier is a well-diversified machine, with 5 stages of filtration that traps allergens, cuts down on odors, and incorporates a UV-C light for additional microbial fighting power. CADR numbers are solid (116 smoke; 123 dust; 128 pollen) for multiple air changes per hour, cutting down on 99.97% of airborne contaminants as small as 0.3 microns.
Room coverage with this UV air purifier is modest, covering up to 193 square feet. This limited coverage area is offset by a slew of digital features to combat volatile organic compounds, including five fan settings, an 8-hour timer, and a filter change indicator. In terms of size, this unit is a winner as well, weighing only 10 pounds and measuring 12 x 9 x 29.25 inches for a nice and slim profile. Other options that include wall mounting or horizontal/vertical placement to maximize small spaces are the best plug-in air purifiers.
#7 InvisiClean Claro Air Purifier Air Purifier
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier comes with multi-stage filtration and four air changes per hour in rooms up to 375 square feet, an excellent choice for smaller bedrooms and living rooms.
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- Generous CADR rating (200 CFM (340m³/h)
- PM 2.5 sensor for real-time air quality updates
- Choice of four fan speeds
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- Ionizer could be a better performer
- Not as good at collecting dust
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This best UV air purifier for a large room is an absolute workhorse, starting with four-stage filtration that uses a pre-filter for larger particles, a true HEPA filter for ultrafine particles (bacteria mold), and an activated carbon filter plus UV-C light for smoke, odor, bacteria, and germ-killing. This could be one of the leading germicidal air purifiers. Four fan speeds allow for optimizing output and a real-time air quality indicator gives a good gauge of progress.
One very useful feature of this UV air purifier is an automated timer with preset times of 1,2,4, and 8 hours, great for people on the go. Other display features include PM2.5 sensor readings, temperature, and humidity. All in all, its four-stage filtration, fan speed, and a suite of digital controls make this UV air purifier very well-rounded for the average apartment. Another very well-rounded unit you should compare this with is the best large room air purifier.
#8 Homedics TotalClean UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST DEODORIZER
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UVtower air purifier includes HEPA filtration to remove 99.99% of contaminants and includes essential oil pads, a great choice for people seeking a deodorizer and not just a purifier.
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- Includes oil diffusion refreshing scent
- 360-degree True HEPA filtration
- UV-C light sanitizing for bacteria and germ
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- Lots of noise on higher settings
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This best UV air purifier for the HVAC system performs well in most aspects, starting with a pre-filter true HEPA filtration, built-in carbon filter, and UV-C light for an added layer of defense against bacteria and germs. Adjustable settings also make it easy to configure to your liking with three fan speeds and automatic shut off using preset times of 2,4,8 and 12 hours.
To kill bacteria and to kill germs, plusses with this unit include a slim profile (10 by 25 inches) and 360-degree airflow intake, which allows for even air distribution a lot better than bottom-to-top airflow concepts. Ti spruce up bedrooms, an adjustable night light, and essential oil pads are included for an instant refresher. Our only knock is that this unit’s coverage area is small (up to 185 square feet) Units. If you need one that comes with a larger coverage area then be sure to check out the best whole house air purifiers.
#9 Trusens UV Air Purifier
Award: BEST POWER
WHY WE LIKE IT: This UV air purifier comes with a remote SensorPod and PureDirect’s proprietary dual airflow technology for bi-directional airflow, an excellent choice for people who want to optimize airflow in fewer opportunity locations, such as corners.
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- PureDirect technology allows for dual streams
- Illuminated disc for air quality readings
- 70/30 split air separator, for optimal distribution
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- UV light bulb needs frequent replacing
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This best UV air purifier for Covid-19 is a solid machine, featuring four levels of purification with a 360 filter, washable pre-filter, carbon, and UV-C light. This unit’s biggest draw is air distribution, combining dual airflow for two air streams and a 70/30 split air separator, which works in better-distributing air throughout the room. An axial centrifugal fan even sucks in the air more effectively than the average unit.
One big advantage this best air purifier has over others is its carry handle, making it super easy to carry from place to place. Several digital options also make it intuitive, such as a preset timer mode with 2,4,8, and 12-hour settings along with five fan speeds (most UV air purifiers have 3) and a night mode for automatic light dimming. Plus, its sleek white casing and bottom aluminum make it pop well with most home decor. Although the design is not a strict criterion, it’s welcome. On that note, you will love the modular design of the best air purifier for babies, which allows users to apply their specialized filters.
#10 Vava Air UV Air Purifier
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST FOR APARTMENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best UV air purifier comes with three-stage filtration and cleans a monstrous 1,350 square feet of space in an hour, a great choice for main rooms or entire small apartments.
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- Three timer settings (2/4/8 hours)
- Memory function for personal preference saving
- Intuitive control panel with digital display
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- Too bulky for tabletops (12.99 x 6.73 x 16.34 inches)
- Little airflow at too lowest speed settings
- Not the widest coverage area ( up to 270 ft²)
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This whole house UV air purifier is a jack of all trades. A 3-stage filtration system cuts through 99.97% of pollutants with a separate UV-C light to kill microscopic organisms like bacteria and viruses that easily bypass large particle filters. This smart air purifier also contains a 4-speed fan with Low Medium and High settings, as well as preset timer options, and a change filter reminder.
In terms of air changes per hour, this UV air purifier is good for one full sweep of a 1,350 square foot room and is CADR-rated at 120+ CFM. Maintenance is on the minimal side, with filter replacement required every three to six months, which is about average for these types of purifiers. For a unit that only needs a quick vacuum of the HEPA filter without a filter replacement, check out the best air purifier with a washable filter.
How We Decided
In determining the best UV air purifier to buy, we explored efficiency, versatility, and digital controls.
Our preference is for the best air purifier with UV light to carry a 3-stage filtration system that uses a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and activated carbon er. All work to neutralize airborne pollutants such as pollen, mold spores, dust, bacteria, and viruses. We are also big fans of UV-C lights for an additional layer of protection battling microorganisms that can get past a filter. Additionally, the best UV air purifiers should carry a minimum square footage rating of 350 square feet with excellent CADR numbers (smoke, pollen, dust), indicative of how fast air refreshes throughout the room. The higher the CADR number, the more air changes per hour.
Versatility and digital controls with UV air purifiers are very important. Look for UV air purifiers with a full set of digital controls that make it easier to adjust fan speeds based on put. A minimum of three fan speeds is a great place to start. Additionally, look for Sleep Mode, which allows dimming of lights and noise levels at the lowest setting – great for nurseries and bedrooms. Real-time air quality monitoring with color-coded LEDs or Bluetooth/WiFi app compatibility is a plus, but not offered by most of the picks on our list.
Best UV Air Purifier Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Efficiency
Look for UV air purifiers that carry a generous square footage rating and solid CADR scores for pollen, dust, and smoke. The higher the CADR scores, the faster air is refreshed in a room, and the more air changes per hour for a truly refreshing clean. Efficiency also means a minimum 3-stage filtration system that uses a pre-filter, for larger particles (e.g. pet dander), a true HEPA filter for ultrafine particles as small as 0.3 microns, and an activated carbon filter that works its magic on smoke, odors, and gasses. UV-C lights are the cherry on top, killing microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses much smaller than 0.3 microns. - Versatility
We’re big fans of UV air purifiers blending in well with the environment, preferably with slim profiles to fit beside nightstands or entertainment centers or compact sizes to sit on a tabletop. Airflow should also be 360° distributed instead of a bottom-to-top concept for more even distribution of intake and release in a room, especially in open areas. - Digital Controls
Our preference is for the best UV air purifiers to carry a full set of digital controls. Multiple fan speeds should be included at a minimum, followed by Sleep Mode, Auto Mode (auto adjustment of fan settings based on output), and real-time air quality monitoring that uses color-coded LEDs to indicate good, fair, or poor levels.
