May 2022
Air Purifiers: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Air Purifier rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2022.
At a glance - May 2022 Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Air Purifier |
Wirecutter
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Tom's Guide
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Popular Mechanics
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Audacy
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The Spruce Pets
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This Old House
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WIRED
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CNET
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Business Insider
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NBC News
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1
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- | $192 |
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1
|
1
|
1
|
-
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-
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-
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-
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3
|
-
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-
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2
|
+1 | $300 |
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7
|
2
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2
|
-
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-
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-
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-
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1
|
-
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2
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3
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-1 | $80 |
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-
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3
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3
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4
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-
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-
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5
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4
|
-
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-
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4
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+1 | $212 |
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-
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6
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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2
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1
|
3
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5
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-1 | $495 |
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-
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4
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4
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-
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7
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-
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7
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5
|
-
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-
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6
|
- | $290 |
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-
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-
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-
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3
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1
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-
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3
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-
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-
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-
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7
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- | $100 |
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-
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-
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-
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6
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-
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2
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-
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-
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-
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7
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8
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- | $899 |
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-
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9
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-
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-
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-
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3
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12
|
-
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-
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-
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9
|
- | $90 |
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-
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7
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-
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-
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6
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-
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-
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-
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-
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8
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10
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+1 | $240 |
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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1
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-
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-
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-
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11
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+1 | $217 |
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6
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11
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6
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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12
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+1 | $554 |
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-
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2
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-
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9
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13
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+1 | $320 |
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-
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3
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4
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-
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-
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-
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-
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14
|
+1 | Check price |
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3
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-
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10
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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15
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+1 | $713 |
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7
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5
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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16
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New * | $340 |
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-
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-
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4
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-
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-
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6
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17
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-7 | $715 |
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5
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5
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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18
|
- | Check price |
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4
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-
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8
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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19
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New * | $100 |
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8
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-
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-
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-
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-
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5
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-
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20
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New * | $760 |
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4
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4
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We ranked Coway AP-1512HH #1 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Coway AP-1512HH as #1.

Tom's Guide
The best air purifier overall
Pros
High CADR rating considering its size
Compact and low-profile design
Useful eco setting
3 year warranty
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Cons
Gets noisy when you use the higher speeds
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Popular Mechanics
Best Overall
Pros
Affordable
Well reviewed
Display lights turn off
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Cons
Needs some upkeep
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We ranked Blueair Pure 211+ #2 in May 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Blueair Pure 211+ as #1.

Tom's Guide
The most attractive best air purifier
Pros
Exceptional performance on highest speed
Fun color options
Will suit larger-sized rooms
Energy Star certified
|
Cons
Loud on low speed
More expensive upfront and over time than competing models
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Popular Mechanics
Great for Larger Rooms
Pros
Ideal for big bedrooms or small offices
Very quiet
Performs well
|
Cons
Pricey
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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Air Purifiers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Air Purifiers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2022 ranking










We ranked Blueair Pure 411 #3 in May 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best air purifier for small spaces
Pros
Uses less energy than the average LED lightbulb
Affordable at just $120
Great for compact spaces
Very quiet, producing just 46 dB on the highest setting
|
Cons
Small design with limited reach
Not ideal for pet owners
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Popular Mechanics
Sleek and Cheap
Pros
Ideal for kids bedrooms
Very affordable
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Cons
Louder than comparable purifiers
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We ranked Honeywell HPA300 #4 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Honeywell HPA300 as #1.

Tom's Guide
A good value pick among air purifiers
Pros
Portable and easy to use
Quiet on low speeds; relatively quiet on high setting
Durable and well-built
Effective for allergens
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Cons
More expensive than some similar units
Significant maintenance requirements
Replacement filters are expensive
Very large so not ideal for small spaces
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Business Insider
Best air purifier overall
Pros
Operates quietly, widely available filters, performed the best in our air purifying tests, low upfront cost, Energy Star-certified, easy to set up and maintain
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Cons
High energy consumption, no auto mode
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We ranked Coway Airmega 400 #5 in May 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best air purifiers for large spaces
Pros
High-performing dual filters
Aesthetically pleasing
Great for larger rooms
Handy pollution sensor
Super quiet
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Cons
Expensive
Not ideal for small spaces
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Popular Mechanics
For Really Big Spaces
Pros
Fit for large rooms and whole apartments
Strong design
Smart features and sleep settings
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Cons
Pricey
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The Spruce Pets
Best for Large Rooms
Pros
Suitable for spaces larger than 1,000 square feet
Dual air intake design for faster filtration
Sleep mode automatically reduces fan speed when lights dim
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Cons
Doesn't offer app control
Replacement filters are pricey
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We ranked Honeywell Insight HPA5300B #6 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Honeywell Insight HPA5300B as #1.

The Spruce Pets
Best Overall
Pros
Pet-specific filters available
See air quality info at a glance
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Cons
Only available in black
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We ranked GermGuardian AC4825 #7 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

This Old House
Best Value
Pros
This affordable unit requires minimal maintenance, clears air, and reduces odors. It’s a great pick for pet owners, as it’s designed to remove pet dander, odors, and hair.
Reduces pollutants in rooms up to 390 square feet
Charcoal filter removes odors
Optional UV-C light with Titanium Dioxide to reduce airborne bacteria, viruses, and germs
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Cons
Deodorizing filters need to be replaced weekly
Can be a bit loud on its highest setting
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We ranked IQAir HealthPro Plus #8 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best air purifier for allergy sufferers
Pros
Individually tested units
Top-notch warranty
Medical-grade filters
Ideal for allergy sufferers
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Cons
Expensive to buy and maintain
Loud on higher speeds
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This Old House
Premium Pick
Pros
Hospital- and FDA-approved
Quiet relative to other products reviewed
Device can be easily moved from room to room
Timer that conserves energy and prolongs filter life
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Cons
New units may give off a chemical smell at first
Machine and filters are expensive
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We ranked Levoit LV-H132 #9 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best air purifier for very tight budgets
Pros
Decent performance for the price
Small and portable
Great for compact spaces
Easy use
Handy night light
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Cons
Loud
Minimal features
Filters need replacing often
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The Spruce Pets
Best for Small Rooms
Pros
Compact size
Offers true HEPA filtration
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Cons
No timer or eco-mode function
Lacks air quality monitoring
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We ranked Levoit Core 400S #11 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
A sleek, smart air purifier with few downsides
Pros
Sleek and modern design
Rich feature offering
Easy to set up and transport
Smart-enabled so you can monitor and control it remotely
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Cons
Struggles to remove strong odors
The bottom of this purifier can come loose as you move it around
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Popular Mechanics
For Hands-Free Control
Pros
Hands-free control
Ideal for mid-sized rooms
Very quiet
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Cons
Pricier than competing models
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We ranked Alen BreatheSmart Classic #13 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

The Spruce Pets
Best Splurge
Pros
Features a color-coded air quality sensor light
Available in various finishes and colors
Filters up to 1,100 sq. ft. in 30 minutes
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Cons
Large machine
Produces more noise than expected at higher speeds
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This Old House
Pros
SmartSensor technology automatically adjusts airflow to remove impurities and reduce odors
Covers large rooms, cleaning 1,100 sq. feet every 30 minutes
WhisperMax technology produces a pink noise to promote better sleep
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Cons
Requires replacement filters
New units may give off a plastic smell
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We ranked Dyson Pure Hot+Cool HP04 #15 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Popular Mechanics
Three-In-One Functionality
Pros
Combo purifier + fan + space heater
Wi-Fi connectivity
Attractive design
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Cons
Expensive
Rather tall
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We ranked Austin Air HealthMate #17 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The longest-lasting filters
Pros
Long filter life span
Effective for odor and chemical sensitivities
Ideal for pet owners
Great for allergy sufferers
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Cons
Expensive
Loud
Replacement filters are expensive
Very large for small spaces
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Popular Mechanics
Heavy-Duty Performance
Pros
Medical-grade filter
Four-stage filtration
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Cons
Ugly design
Pricey
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We ranked Levoit Core 300 #19 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Business Insider
Best small room air purifier
Pros
Excellent at removing VOCs, good at removing particulate matter, low energy consumption, app control and air quality monitoring, operates quietly on low speed, affordable and widely available filters
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Cons
Average noisiness on high speed, not suitable for larger rooms
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We ranked Blueair Protect 7470i #20 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Air Purifiers” rankings.

Business Insider
Best quiet air purifier
Pros
Among the best at reducing VOCs and particulate matter from the air
affordable and widely available filters
quiet operation
easy to clean
powerful enough or medium-size rooms
useful and data-rich app
voice control
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Cons
Heavy
lacks handles
app didn't connect easily and sometimes lags
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