In Auto (similar to medium; the Air does not contain a particle counter to adjust to air conditions, but instead asks you to enter the approximate size of your room, after which the machine chooses a fan speed that Molekule deems appropriate), the air performed worse, reducing particles by 0.3 microns at only 18.0% (ambient) and 26.4% (clean). In Silent, it performed even worse, reducing 0.3 micron particles by 6.5% (ambient) and 7.2% (clean). And in Dark plus Auto, with its primary PECO purification system turned off and its fan at the equivalent of a medium setting, it reduced them by 21.3% (ambient) and 18.0% (clean). Interestingly, those numbers closely reflect our results in automatic configuration with the PECO system activated, suggesting the possibility that the Molekule Air depends mainly on its physical prefilter, not its patented PECO mechanism, to remove particles.
The CADR reflects, in cubic feet per minute, the volume of clean air produced by an air cleaner at its highest speed setting. For example, a purifier with a CADR of 250 for dust particles reduces dust particle levels to the same concentration that would be achieved by adding 250 cubic feet of clean air every minute. The higher the CADR, the faster and more efficient the air cleaner will be. Room air purifiers with HEPA filters typically achieve the highest CADR. In our tests, a CADR greater than 240 is rated Excellent; 240 to 180, Very Good; 179 to 120, Good; 119 to 60, Fair; and anyone under 60 scores Poor.
By Katie Mortram Published 8 July 22, The best air purifiers will help you breathe a little easier at home. Air purifiers are designed to filter essentially any unwanted particles in the air, such as dust, pollen and smoke. Some models even claim that they help protect against the coronavirus COVID-19 by filtering airborne particles that carry the virus, according to Consumer Reports, this is the reason these devices skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic. By filtering the air, air purifiers promote a healthier breathing environment, reducing allergy and asthma symptoms.
With charcoal filters, these appliances are also natural deodorants, making them ideal in the kitchen. However, most tend to store them in the bedroom, to help them sleep better at night. Our extensive research compared more than 30 brands and, after evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each, we found the best air purifiers for every home. We recommend the Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty as the best overall air purifier. It has great performance considering its price and offers a large number of filters including a HEPA filter, a pre-filter, an ionizer and an odor filter.
It's also quiet to use, which is especially important if you want to use it at night. If you want style and substance, then Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is worth considering. It's available in a range of colors including pink, blue and yellow, so it really makes a statement. This air purifier is powerful, but it's true that it's loud, so it might not be one for the bedroom at night.
It also doesn't have a HEPA filter, but BlueAir claims that its filters are just as effective. Consumer Reports also noted that this model was one of the best for catching droplets of COVID-19 in the air. If you buy on a budget, then the Levoit LV-H132 or Blueair Blue Pure 411 are your best options. Both are affordable, but they will make a difference in your air quality. IKEA's new Förnuftig air purifier is also worth a look.
However, you may need to buy more than one to see results similar to our winner. The Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty consistently ranks among the best air purifiers on the market and with good reason. It's also one of the fastest selling out in online and physical stores. Finally, the Coway AP-1512 HH Mighty is easy on the eyes. It comes in sleek black or white and is relatively compact compared to many other purifiers of similar performance, so it just fades into a corner. The Coway Mighty is one of the only purifiers that we consider to have an ionizing function.
The effectiveness and safety of ion filters is questionable (due to possible ozone production), but you can turn off this feature. We also noticed that the noise rating is quite high at the higher settings, up to 53.8dB, which is something to keep in mind. The Blue Pure 411 is like the much smaller sister of the 211+. It uses similar technology and filtering features and comes in a variety of colors.
The only thing to keep in mind is that if you plan to move your purifier from one room to another, the Blue Pure 411 won't be very effective in larger spaces. Also, this doesn't capture pet dander or lint, so it's not ideal for pet owners. The Blue 211+ Auto pre-filter comes in five different colors, from bold yellow to discreet gray, so you can customize the look of your space. The machine also has a filter indicator light so you know when it's time to replace the main filter. Potential disadvantages of the Blue Pure 211+ Auto include more noise at lower speeds compared to similar machines and relatively high purchase and maintenance costs.
For example, it consumes more power than the Coway at similar speeds (although it moves more air) and is slightly higher and more expensive (both upfront and over time). Coway's Airmega 400 is a high-performance air purifier at a hefty price, but reviewers generally agree that the compensation is worth it. The Airmega 400 has a true carbon+dual HEPA filter which allows it to clean large spaces quickly and effectively compared with other machines. Coway says this model can handle rooms up to 1 560 square feet but it may perform better in spaces half that size or less. If you place your purifier within this recommended maximum...
