Did you know that indoor air may be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air?   According to studies by the Environmental Protection Agency , these levels are of particular concern because most people spend about 90 percent of their time inside. A way to combat this is by using one of the best air purifiers developed to keep your home free from harmful pollutants.

There may be a problem, however: A recent survey  shows that 46 percent of adults have no idea that air pollution is a health hazard in their homes. Another 62 percent believe air pollution is only an outdoor problem. And only 35 percent were concerned about how indoor air pollution will affect their well-being. 

What causes air pollution inside? Smoking indoors, wood-burning stoves, cleaning products, cooking and pet dander can all contribute to indoor air pollution.

And there’s potentially more pollution in your home than you might realize. Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder found in a 2019 study that the average house is prone to “indoor air quality levels on par with a polluted major city.” Everyday activities like cooking and cleaning may be to blame. The authors believe that chemicals found in common household substances are even seeping outdoors, creating more air pollution than cars and trucks do. Preliminary results from the study show that air quality levels were so poor at the end of the study, the researchers had to recalibrate their sensitive instruments almost immediately.

The shocking finding led the researchers to suggest American homes need to be better ventilated, particularly when residents are cooking and cleaning. Boiling water on a gas stove, for example, led to higher levels of harmful particulates and gaseous pollutants. A similar study in 2022 by scientists from Texas A&M University also finds air quality inside domestic homes may actually be worse than within office buildings. Specifically, typical indoor air pollutants include mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from carpets, furniture, and paints, as well as fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Studies show extended exposure to these pollutants can cause a wide array of health conditions, ranging from relatively mild symptoms like a headache or dry eyes to much more serious life-threatening afflictions like cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.

While you’re not likely to stop cooking, cleaning or loving your pet, there is a simple solution to improve the air quality in your home: an air purifier. They’re so effective, they can even improve asthma. A bedroom air filter that catches fine dust particles and other pollutants 2.5 micrometers or smaller can make all the difference when it comes to relieving childhood asthma, according to another  study .

So, breathe easy by investing in a high quality air purifier. If you’re looking for the best air purifier on the market, we did the research for you by scanning 12 expert reviews.  Clear the air with the five most-recommended choices across their reviews. If you have your own suggestions, please leave them in the comments below! 

The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH tops our list of best air purifiers, and reviewers point to multiple reasons why it’s so darned good. The New York Times says, “Perfect for bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms, the AP-1512HH is one of the best performing, most durable, and most economical purifiers we’ve tested.”  

U.S. News also ranks it No.1, writing, “The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH is the top-rated air purifier in our rating. This affordable air purifier can purify rooms of up to 361 square feet. It features a washable pre-filter to snag large particles like dust and pet hair, a True HEPA filter to capture pollutants, and an activated carbon filter that can eliminate odors.” 

If you have a smaller room, this is ideal, according to CNET : “ Coway’s AP-1512HH is among the only air purifiers on the market that utilize both a HEPA filter and ionic technology to remove different kinds of particles in different ways. When testing the Coway Airmega, our favorite feature of the compact model is its energy-efficient eco mode. When the air quality in the room remains purified for more than 30 minutes in eco mode, the fan turns off to conserve energy, turning back on when particles are again detected.”

Tom’s Guide put this machine to the test: “Throughout our testing, one cube-shaped air purifier stood out above the rest. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto dominated the competition. It has the ability to clean the air in a large-sized room while using minimal power and creating very little noise.” 

Good Housekeeping recommends this as an overall great choice: “If your home has multiple contaminants — pet dander, cooking fumes, airborne allergens, etc. — you want an air purifier with multi-level protection, like the Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier. The device uses a three-part filtration system: a fabric one for dust and other large particles, a true HEPA one for smaller particles like mold and bacteria and a carbon-activated one for odors caused by smoke, pets and the like. That’s enough to clear up to 99.97% of common airborne pollutants across 540 square feet, which is the ideal size for a family room, master bedroom or large office.” 

If you want a quiet purifier, this one fits the bill. According to Wired , “ At its lowest setting, it’s remarkably quiet, but it also has an onboard sensor that automatically turns up the fan speed when it detects particles. Even if I left it on the lowest fan setting at night, it usually ratcheted up to the top fan speed by morning.”

For medium-to-large rooms, this is Insider ’s choice: “If you need a powerful air purifier for a medium-to-large room, the Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier is your best option.”

“Not only is this Honeywell air purifier small and quiet, but it also has a low price point considering all of its efficient features. For starters, it can clean up to 2,250 square feet in less than an hour, meaning it’s great for large rooms. It also has three air-cleaning levels which trap microscopic airborne allergens and particles including dust, pollen, pet hair, dust mite debris, smoke, and more,” Esquire says. 

According to Live Science , both experts and consumers approve of this purifier: “The Levoit 400S performed best to remove airborne particles in our at-home testing, capturing at least 99.5% and up to 100% or particles during testing. Its sleek and stylish cylinder shape with a neutral colorway makes it an easy addition to any room, while a color-coded display gives users a great visual on air quality at any given moment. The Levoit 400S scores an impressive 5 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with 85% of reviews giving it the full 5 stars.” 

Safewise says it’s perfect for your bedroom: “The Levoit 400S is one of the quietest air purifiers on the market, making it perfect for a bedroom or nursery. It cleans up to 400 square feet five times per hour. The Levoit 400S has a much smaller footprint than other air purifiers, allowing you to put it on a dresser if you’re short on space. Plus, its LED display can be turned off entirely for restful blackout conditions.”

For a machine that pulls double or triple duty, The Spruce says this one is worth the splurge: “If you’re looking for a device that wears many hats, this Dyson model can purify, cool, and humidify your air. You don’t have to worry about its multitasking detracting from its effectiveness as a purifier since we saw an improvement in air quality just five minutes into using this device. It uses an H13 HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter, and it has 10 different power levels.”

“It’s rare to find a machine that can purify your air, humidify it, and cool down a space all in one – so I was impressed right off the bat. The Dyson has reported good air quality every time I’ve checked in – the only exceptions being after I’ve lit candles or cooked something on the stovetop. But when the air quality has dipped below ideal levels, it doesn’t seem to take much time for the purifier to do the job once I turn up the fan speed (it should be noted that this model also has an auto purify setting that will kick into high gear if the quality dips),” Architectural Digest  writes.

Do you use an air purifier? Let us know if it’s made a difference in your home in the comments.

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. Study Finds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. 

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