As the cooler weather arrives and we begin switching our homes from air sanctuaries to cosy caves, one thing we don't tend to think about is the air quality in our environment. The best air purifiers are an easy fix, gaining in popularity due to their promise of eliminating odours, pollutants, and bacteria from the air.
Of course, the last few years have also been a time of thinking more about our health, as well as the health of those around us. For example, air purifiers are designed to eliminate nasty irritants, from smoke and pollution to dust and pet hair.
Some can also serve multiple purposes, which will comfort anyone reluctant to incorporate yet another bulky gadget into their living area. Instead, save space with something like the Blueair Blue Pure Fan, which acts as a cooling fan, or something compact, like the Levoit Core 300.
Scroll down to see how we ranked the best air purifiers on the market right now or if you want cooling power without the purification element, check out our guide to the best fans.
The best air purifiers: tried and tested by us
A truly excellent example of a brand focusing on design as much as performance, the Mila Air Purifier is a cleaning machine with a Scandi look and, frankly, unprecedented amounts of AQI data. The appliance wraps its science in an attractive and friendly package, with an app that makes monitoring your home's pollution levels almost fun.
The Mila is a perfect fit for larger spaces, and those who find themselves a little confused by the number of customizations, modes, and data reports can simply set theirs to Automagic mode and let it work away in the background. Over a year since first trying it, it's still the best air purifier for allergies we've found.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars | read our full review of the Mila Air Purifier
Almost hitting the top spot for the best air purifier, the Dyson HP04 is a one-stop shop for your air quality needs, working as a heater, fan, and air purifier. It integrates with your smart home in addition to Dyson's app, or you can use the remote control and LCD screen to navigate the various options.
The device isn't perfect, with our tests revealing that the fan function isn't quite as impressive as the heating or air purification. Still, if you want a multi-functional device that looks stylish and comes from a trusted brand known for its innovation, the Dyson HP04 Hot + Cool is a great choice.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars | read our full review of the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP04
A lovely-looking update from Blueair, the 3210 prioritizes style along with functionality. For example, many air purifiers claim to be 'whisper quiet', but this one means it. While testing, we barely noticed the device, even when it was working hard to clear the air after cooking or a spray of air freshener around the room (if you ever want to make sure your air purifier is doing something, that's the way!).
This offering from Blueair is one of the most straightforward air filters we've tested, and it's the best for the lack of bells and whistles. Quiet and low on additional features, it might not suit those who like to look at data or connect their devices to their smart home, but it's a winner for everyone else.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Designed as a fan first and foremost, the Blueair Blue Pure Fan also serves as an effective air purifier, with low noise levels and the same Scandi design that the brand has applied to the Blue Pure 3210 and other models. The downside (there has to be one) is that the Blueair fan doesn't have its app or any compatibility with your smart home.
Of course, a lack of connectivity could be a plus for some, and there's a lot to be said about the fan's simplicity. The Auto model allows you to choose between three speeds or set it to auto for optimal purification without direct input. It's the ideal solution for summertime allergies, keeping you cool and ensuring your air is squeaky clean.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | read our full review of the Blueair Blue Pure Fan
An air purifier that promises not just to tackle odors and dust in the air but also bacteria and viruses that may be lurking in your home. The Blueair HealthProtect 7470i was unveiled in 2021 to appeal to a more health-conscious world, and though it's hard to prove that the purifier prevents you from getting ill, it does function well as a higher-end appliance for those who like a squeaky-clean environment.
The HealthProtect has a truly excellent CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), removing smoke, dust, and pollen with amazing efficiency. It's pricey - and you'll need a home large enough to house it - but there's no doubting its effectiveness.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Levoit Core 300 True HEPA air purifier might be free of fancy features like smart home compatibility, but it still rates highly as a solid, reliable, basic model for those curious about how an air purifier can improve their indoor air quality. In addition, customisable filters are a unique selling point of the Levoit Core 300, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Overall, while the budget air purifier from Leviot doesn't cover as much ground as some other products on this list, it impressed us with its stripped-back functionality compared to pricier models.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars | read our full review of the Levoit Core 300
Unlike the rest of the devices on this list, the Molekule Air Pro uses PECO - or Photo Electrochemical Oxidation - to clean the air around it. This form of filtration is more efficient than HEPA, but it comes at a price. Not only is the Air Pro the most expensive in this guide, but its replacement filters are also very pricey.
That said, our tester had an overall great experience with the air purifier, rating it highly on its sleek design, intuitive app, and quiet operation. We will note that the manufacturer puts the noise at 33dB on its lowest settings, which is above average when compared to competitors. Still, if you want a high-end air purifier to cover large spaces, this offering from Molekule is a smart one.
How we test the best air purifiers
At Real Homes, we are dedicated to testing every product we feature in our buying guides, putting them through the everyday challenges they would face in our reader's homes. This means you can trust that our recommendations are based on real-world testing. However, we cannot test everything, but this will be made clear in the guide.
When testing an air purifier, we look at its affordability, ease of set-up and use, noise levels, size, and design. We also examine the promises made by brands and trial whether these bear out in reality.
How to choose the best air purifier for your home
What is the right size air purifier?
It's a question on many buyers' minds since we all only have so much real estate to dedicate to another device. The thing to pay attention to here is the capability of the air purifier rather than its physical bulk. So the best thing to do is measure the space where you wish to place your cleaner (in sqft) and use that as a guide. Naturally, the price moves up simultaneously, but you can find bargains.
Are ozone air purifiers safe?
While you'll find plenty of ozone air purifier devotees, we do not recommend this type of air purifier. It can create dangerous levels of ozone, a gas component in the home's smog. Over-exposure to ozone can have adverse effects on the lungs and respiratory system.
Do air purifiers remove smells?
While the best air purifiers do an excellent job of removing a whole host of unwanted things from the air around us, many people are keen to know how effective they are against smells. Whether that's cooking smells or the odors that come from our pets, if this is a problem in your home, then you should look for a charcoal or carbon filter - both known to trap and eliminate common odors in the house.
