Highest Rated Air Purifiers
Apart from these common misconceptions, there are a select number of air purifiers that AllergyBuyersClub.com recommends for removing allergens. Only a select few receive our coveted 5 Star designation from a team of expert reviewers! We have some excellent choices for allergy sufferers and those looking to maintain a healthy home environment. Of the ones they recommend, the IQAir HealthPro Plus air purifier garners the most accolades for the best all around air purifier. The QuietPure Home is the best all around HEPA air purifier at a good value. The Airfree Sterilizer is recommended for virus capture and the Airpura T600 Smoke air purifier is recommended for the removal of smoke and its odors.
Do Air Purifiers Really Reduce Allergens
Yes, air purifiers are designed to remove allergens from the environment.
However, if you have asthma or allergies and need a device that can control chemicals in addition to particles like pollen, then youll also want one with activated carbon filters because theyre capable of removing certain types of contaminants.
How Dog Allergies Are Caused
A dogs dander , urine, and saliva carry proteins that are usually harmless but can trigger the immune system in a person who is sensitive to that kind of allergen. The allergen itself can make collect in the dogs fur and eventually get deposited on sofas, cushions, walls, clothing, carpets, etc.
As dog allergens are airborne, they can remain in the environment for a long time and can enter your lungs or eyes. It can cause itching, swelling, sneezing, coughing, rashes, or more severe symptoms like skin redness or asthma attacks. As different breeds of dogs carry different kinds of dander, some people might be allergic to specific breeds.
To prevent a dog allergy, you would need to get rid of the minute airborne dander particles. This is where air purifiers can help.
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Germicidal Uvgi Pco And Peco Filters
Air purifiers remove large and small air pollutants very well. However, indoor air is also potentially full of bacteria and viruses, and an air purifier seems to be the perfect device to remove them.
HEPA filters can capture them but live bacteria can grow on the HEPA filters and can be again released into our home via the air purifiers airflow. Thats why several air purifier brands started adding germicidal filters to the established 3-stage filtration systems.
These filters have one common way of eradicating airborne bacteria and viruses: the UV-C light.
According to a Wikipedia entryUltraviolet germicidal irradiation is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. UVGI is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air, and water purification.
Brans like GermGuardian use powerful UV-C light filters to try to destroy the bacteria and viruses. UV-C light is proven to destroy them however, the effectiveness of these filters in air purifiers is questionable. This is primarily due to the limited exposure of airborne bacteria and viruses to the germicidal UV-C light.
The exposure lasts for seconds. It is deemed necessary for this exposure to last at least a few minutes for DNA disruption to be great enough to leave the bacteria and viruses inactive.
Air Purifiers Alone Cant Help
Buying an air purifier and expecting it to prevent cat allergies all on its own is quite unrealistic. While it can take care of the dander in the air, you still need to thoroughly vacuum your house and wash your cats to prevent cat hair from spreading around. Also, if youre having guests over, check if they are allergic to cats to prevent unexpected allergy attacks.
Reminder: Remember to clean and replace the filters in the air purifier at regular intervals to ensure proper functioning.
Welcome to AtHomeDivas.com! I am Deb and I am really excited to have you on the site. Take a look around, we hope you like it here! We have compiled some of the best reviews of Air Purifiers available today and hope that you find our articles useful and informative. Our goal is to provide clear and detailed information to help you make better decisions. Thanks again and see you around!
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What Should I Look For In An Air Purifier
- CADR rating. This measures the cleaning speed of the purifier for removing smoke, dust, and and pollen. Look for a CADR of at least 300, above 350 is really great.
- Size guidelines. For proper efficacy, you need a model designed to work in the room size. Choose a model that is designed for an area larger than the one you are outfitting it for if you want to operate it at a lower, quieter setting.
- AHAM Verified mark. AHAMâs standards are design to ensure the safety, efficiency and performance of many home care appliances, including air purifiers. The standards are designed to provide a common understanding between manufacturers and consumers to help make the purchasing process simpler. While voluntary, most reputable air purifiers have undergone this certification program, which often provides a CADR rating and size guidelines.
- True HEPA. True HEPA filters are effective at removing ultra fine particles . The industry standard for such is that the unit must be able to remove at least 99.97% of particulates measuring 0.3 micron diameter in a lab setting. Remember, it is important to note that in real life settings, the actual efficacy of these devices would be far less as new pollutants are constantly emerging. Note that there is no industry standard for the terms “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type,” and are mostly used as marketing ploys to get consumers to purchase the product.
Other Diseases With Studies Showing High Air Quality Is An Advantage
Medical articles, published in the scientific community, provide insight into links between using an air purifier and certain other diseases as well.
According to the 2013 MIT study, total combustion emissions in the U.S. account for about 200,000 premature deaths per year in the U.S. due to changes in PM2.5 concentrations.
HEPA filters commonly used in air purifiers do help to reduce these PM2.5 concentrations .
There also seems to be a link between dementia and cognitive brain disorders, such as Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease, and air pollution.
A recent 2019 Australian systematic review about air pollution and dementia has concluded that:
Evidence is emerging that greater exposure to airborne pollutants is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
A similar link between air pollution and brain diseases was established by a previous 2010 Harvard study. Heres the conclusion of the Harvard study:
Ambient traffic-related air pollution was associated with decreased cognitive function in older men.
There is a saying in the medical community: What the liver can do in a day, the kidney can do in an hour, and the lungs can do in a minute.
With lungs being capable to bring such a quick and refreshing change to our body, its not surprising that we find studies that connect air quality, air purifiers, and certain diseases year after year.
Lets look at what additional benefits air purifiers can bring:
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Air Purifier Size Is Also Important
Just buying an air purifier with a True HEPA filter is not enough.
You need to make sure that the device is sized correctly for the room you want to use it in. If the air purifier is not powerful enough, then it wont be efficient at removing indoor allergens and youll still feel awful at times.
To get the right size air purifier, all you have to do is figure out the square footage of the room youll be placing it in and match it up to a product that will cover that size space. Most manufacturers list this room coverage rating on the device so you can quickly determine if its the right fit.
Below are the basic steps for how to choose the right size air purifier.
Finding Square Footage of a Room
Simply measure the length and width of the room. If it ends up being an odd length, round it to the nearest whole number. Then, multiply these two numbers together to get the total square footage.
For example, if you have a room thats 31.7 feet long by 26.2 feet wide, you would round these numbers up to 32 feet long by 26 feet wide.
Multiplying those two numbers together gives you 832 square feet.
When youre shopping for an allergy air purifier you want the device to be able to handle at least this size or larger. That way youll know it can remove the most amount of allergens from the air.
Best With Washable Filter: Winix 5500
Cleaning the filter of the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier feels like less of a chore thanks to its washable design, which is made from activated carbon granules to ensure the effective removal of household odors. Combined with its HEPA filter and PlasmaWave technology, the 4.7-star rated model keeps your air clean of dust mites, pet dander, pollen, germs, and other airborne pollutants. Set it to auto mode so it can scan the quality of your air on its own with its smart sensors and get to work when needed.
We could not be more pleased with the results, . It is quiet, effective and easy to clean. No more dust or lint covered intakes. The fart test actually works and every time one of the dogs gets near it the red light comes on for a while. The washable charcoal filter and pre-filter makes this unit save a lot of money in filter replacement.
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An Air Purifier And The Right Room
Heres one important fact. An air cleaner cant help with allergies when it is in the room where you spend a lot of time. So, if you want to have the most benefit from your device, put it in this space. One-third of our entire life we spend asleep.
Many people spend more time in the bedroom than in the kitchen, bathroom, on the couch or anywhere else. This way, an air purifier can help with allergies if you put it in the bedroom. Air cleaners tend to be more efficient at pulling things out of the air at table height.
Whats The Best Place To Put An Air Purifier
Lets be real: Air purifiers arent the chicest-looking additions to your décor, so its tempting to tuck them behind a plant or large piece of furniture. Dont. You want to keep them in the room where you spend the most timeideally, the room where the most vulnerable in your family spend the most timeand in a position so that the clean air is close enough so theyll be able to breathe it in, according to the EPA. Beyond that, its also worth consulting the manufacturers instructions for placement.
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Do Air Purifiers Help With Asthma
Allergy UK reports that allergies can trigger an asthma attack in up to 90% of children and 60% of adults. But before investing in an air purifier, it’s worth figuring out what triggers an attack.
Expert allergy nurse, Aneta Ivanova told Live Science, “Correct recognition and reducing exposure, where possible, can help with correct management and improvement of quality of life.”
She added, “Should aeroallergens such as dust mites, pollens, mold or pet dander be the trigger, then using an air purifier may help.”
However, Ivanova points out that although helpful, air purifiers are not a replacement for medical asthma treatment like inhalers. You should always consult your doctor or seek professional medical advice before changing your prescribed medical routine.
Will An Air Purifier Benefit Me
Whether or not you will benefit from an air purifier is a personal decision. Its important to consider your home environment and the health conditions of the people living in your house. Ask yourself the following before buying an air purifier:
- Do you or anyone in your house have allergies or asthma? If so, you can greatly benefit from an air purifier as it will remove allergens.
- Do you live in a big city or close to a busy road? If so, an air purifier will help to reduce dust and car emissions.
- Are you or someone in your house prone to infections? Some air purifiers are designed to capture and reduce bacteria and viruses.
If the above points dont apply to you, an air purifier might not be beneficial. It could be an expensive, unnecessary purchase if theres no need for it.
There are many ways to improve your indoor air quality without raising your energy bills . Try the following:
- Clean regularly.
- Frequently groom pets to reduce shed hair.
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They Help Reduce Dust Accumulation In Your Home
One of the most common ways to ensure that your air purifier system is working is when theres going to be a much lesser build-up of dust in your manor even when you havent dusted for several days.
Its true
People feel relieved after the purchase of an air purification system and think that their life has enriched significantly. Nonetheless, there are some myths associated with the air cleaning system that you must know before you purchase it for your home:
After Installing the Air Purifier for dust mites, You Might Never Have to Dust Your House Again an air purifier only assists in decreasing the number of airborne dust particles.3 It cant lift off dust particles from your furniture or upholstery and go on to provide you with the ease off never dusting again its your job to dust often because if the air purifier system starts fanning off the dirt, a dust storm will begin at your home.
Air Purifier is the Cure for All Your Allergies and Kills All Germs and Allergens an air purifier device can only control your allergies. However, few of the allergens like pollen are heavy, and before the air purification system can catch them, they fall to the floor or on your expensive furniture.
That said, air purifiers are entirely worth buying for anybody and everybody who has an issue with dust particles and allergens. So stop thinking about whether its worth it or not and get yourself one today.
Do Air Purifiers Help Allergies
Allergies can be triggered by many sources including, seasonal pollens, indoor ventilation, and environmental conditions in your home, like the presence of pets and dust. With a wide range of sources, allergy symptoms can appear in varying degrees year-round, and using an air purifier to filter out airborne allergens is one way to help manage your allergen exposure indoors.
Fortunately, air purifiers can help manage exposure to airborne
allergens.
Designed for the specific purpose of improving indoor air quality, air purifiers remove airborne particles, including those that can trigger allergies like pollen, pet dander, dust and mold. Generally, how it works it simple the air purifiers fan pulls in polluted room air, then pushes the air through a filter or layer of filters to capture the particles before releasing clean air back into the room.
Similar to the recommendations from the EPA,¹ we recommend considering a few key factors when selecting an air purifier for allergies filter type, independent performance certifications, and room size.
Selecting an air purifier filter for allergies
Allergens like dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander fall under the particle category of airborne pollutants. Selecting an air purifier with particle filter media, or combination particle and carbon ensures the filter can do its job.
Effective air purifiers with high CADR
All Blueair purifiers remove airborne allergens
like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold.
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Best For Germs: Germguardian 3
One of Amazon’s best-sellers in the “HEPA Filter Air Purifier” category, with more than 9,000 five-star ratings from customers, this tower-shaped air purifier combines a HEPA filter, charcoal filter, and UV-C light to get your home dust-free. Another perk: It also eliminates odors from pets and smoking and kills airborne bacteria in its tracks.
One buyer with a cat went as far as to call it “life changing”: “We have two cats in our 4,000-square foot house. When my sister came from out of state, she asked if our cats ran away. She said our home had zero odor or scents, which is what I was going for.”
Are Air Purifiers Safe For Dogs
Most modern air purifiers are completely safe for dogs. In fact, they can be beneficial for your pet in many ways. An air purifier will eliminate dust, smoke, bacteria, model spores, dander, pollen, and other health hazards. This will not only allow you to breathe better but will also ensure that your pet breathes in fresh, clean air and remains healthy.
Dogs can suffer from environmental allergies and nasal congestion too. An air purifier will make it easier for your pet to breathe, especially for breeds like pit bulls and pugs with flat noses. Of course, you need to keep the device in a place where your dog wont bite on it or knock it down.
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What You Need To Know About Air Purifiers Including Little Evidence Of Health Benefits
Pat yourself on the back if youve sealed your home for energy efficiency. Keeping drafts out is a money-saving move. The hitch? A tightly sealed home may also trap in pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold and other nasties that can trigger respiratory issues.
One possible solution: an air purifier. Based on manufacturers estimates, about 1 in 4 U.S. households own a portable indoor air purifier, including those that come as part of a fan, says Perry Santanachote, home editor at Consumer Reports. Thats not surprising. As indoor air quality becomes a concern for consumers, manufacturers produce remedies for us to buy or, at minimum, buy into. But is an air purifier worth the investment?
Air purifiers can be an important part of allergen avoidance, but they are not a cure-all, says Manav Singla, an allergist and immunologist affiliated with MedStar Health locations in Maryland. I dont tell all of my allergy sufferers to go out and get an air purifier, just like I dont tell them to install hardwood floors.
Because they filter airborne particles such as dander and pollen, air purifiers might work best for people with animal allergies who own a dog or cat or who leave doors and windows open, Singla says. They arent effective for those sensitive to dust mites, because mites live in carpet and bedding.
