7 of the best air purifiers for removing mould, dust and pollution from our homes
The best air purifiers are increasing in popularity at the moment, and there are plenty of reasons why.
We’re all getting a lot more savvy when it comes to our health. Beyond what we’re putting in our bodies, we’re paying more attention to the invisible exposure that we come into contact with on a daily basis. In essence, “we’ve become hyper-clean,” explains Cult Beauty’s co-founder, Alexia Inge. “And as we look for functional items to meet new needs – cleanliness, safety, protection – these once enthusiasm-free categories will attract new attention.”
Hygiene is the new luxury as we seek to filter out toxicity. Now, more than ever, this applies to our homes and in particular, the air inside. “The home has been reinvented for maximum wellness,” says Alexia. “Setting your pad up as a place of static-escape, womb-like nurture and safety is the new ‘wellterior’ trend and a burgeoning Pinterest preoccupation.”
Cue the rise of smart tech – like air purifiers – to give us tangible ways to boost our safety. Before you invest, this is what you need to know about air purification…
Why do we need an air purifier?
When we think of contaminated air, the first thing that usually comes to mind is pollution. The outdoors – particularly busy roads and high traffic areas – has a bad rep for air quality, whereas our homes enable us to shut the door on all that, right? Actually, that’s not the case. A study commissioned by the Clean Air Day campaign in 2019 found that indoor air pollution is over three times worse than outdoor air pollution. Cooking, wood stoves, dust, pet dander and outdoor pollution (which makes its way inside) create a build-up of ultrafine inside our homes which take much longer to disperse since there’s far less ventilation.
What does an air purifier do?
Air purifiers sanitise the air making it healthier to breathe by trapping ultrafine airborne particles like pollutants, allergens and toxins that cause allergies, odours and irritation while letting clean air pass through.
How does an air purifier work?
Air purifiers usually combine a filter with a fan to suck in polluted air, flow it through filters which trap contaminated particles and cleanse it of pollutants and odours before it’s pushed back out into the room. Other air purifiers neutralise particles in the air without using a filter by emitting ions that attract and cancel out the pollution particles.
What’s the difference between an air purifier and a humidifier?
Air filters are the opposite of humidifiers which add particles (e.g. water molecules) to the air. Instead, air purifiers remove particles from the air.
What are air purifiers good for and what are they not good for?
Most air purifiers are good at removing irritating particles like pollution, smoke, dust, pollen and pet dander, but they don’t tend to catch certain gases, like radon and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are emitted from paints and cleaning products. They also can’t remove allergens that land on hard surfaces or soft furnishings like our bedding, carpets and curtains, the allergens must be air-bound.
Can an air purifier help with mould, allergies and coughs?
Yes. Particularly when combined with a filter, they can help to remove the particles that cause issues like asthma, irritation, and mould. Prevention is better than cure after all. That said, they can’t solve all – there are some particles and allergens they can’t remove (mentioned above). Also, there’s limited medical evidence directly proving their health benefits since it’s difficult to isolate the effect of air filters amongst other environmental and genetic factors. But, if you do suffer from allergies and asthma, an air purifier with a HEPA filter can be very helpful.
What is a HEPA filter?
HEPA (or High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are made up of thousands of tiny fibres that weave together to create a net. The different spacing within the net enables them to catch both larger and microscopic particles. This gives HEPA filters the ability to catch close to 100% of the particles in the air.
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What should I look for in an air purifier?
Check what type of air purification system your air purifier uses. If it uses a filter, it’s worth checking whether the filters are reusable. If they’re not reusable, you’ll have to buy replacements which can be pricey. If they are reusable, you might have to wash them regularly to ensure they work properly which can be time consuming.
If they do use a filter, check which type of filter they use. To catch tiny particles make sure you choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
If it’s a neutralising air purifier, that uses ions to cancel out contaminant particles, ensure that the ion system doesn’t produce ozone (this should be listed on the packaging and description) as ozone can aggravate lung conditions and asthma.
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Look out for the CADR rating which measures the clean air delivery rate (how efficiently and quickly particles are removed from the air). The higher the rating, the better it is at removing the particles. A good CADR rating is anything above
Finally, make sure that the air purifier is an appropriate size for your space. A small air purifier won’t cover an entire home or a very large room so you may need more than one, or you may need to rotate where you put it.
Our top pick? Well, if you know us at Glamour, you'll know we love a two-in-one product to begin with, let alone one that's going to make our interiors smell heavenly. Naturally, that means we had to get our hands on The White company's Air-Purifying Scent Diffuser and when we tell you it's good…
Combining their iconic Seychelles, Lime & Bay and any other scent of your choosing, with anti-pollution, smoke and pollen technologies, the diffuser is a godsend for space savers and clean air fanatics alike. Plus, it's portable, so what's not to like, really.
For more from our Deputy Beauty Editor, Elle, follow her at @elleturneruk.
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7 of the best air purifiers to try...
Best air purifier for pollen
Air-Purifying Scent Diffuser, £85, The White Company
A two-in-one device, The White Company have married their iconic essential oil diffuser range with an impressive air cleaner, providing buyers with both a calming aroma and ease of mind that their living room, home office - you name it - isn't filled with nasties (smoke, pollen etc.)
Pros: Reduces cigarette smoke, pollen and pollutants by 99.9% in room air after 60-75 consistent minutes of use in both small and larger rooms, so long as they are closed off.
Cons: No remote control connectivity.
Best budget air purifier
Dimplex DXAPV3N Air Purifier, £55, Argos
If you’re only looking to cover a small space, Dimplex’s air purifier is an accessible price. It’s slimline and doesn’t take up much space, it offers two speed settings and it incorporates a HEPA filter (albeit a fairly small one). It has a lower to CADR than the others mentioned, but it’s also much less expensive and still offers up a fair amount of air purifying action.
Pros: Suitable for rooms up to 91 square feet, the Dimplex air purifier has an ionizer to offset impurities and is a great choice for pet hair.
Cons: Some reviews claim it vibrates on certain surfaces.
Save money on the best indoor air quality purifiers with these Argos discount codes
Best air purifier overall
Blueair Blue Pure 411, £112.49, Amazon
Small but effective, this makes use of a three-part filtration system. The stretchy fabric on the front offers the first layer of protection, catching larger particles like hair and dust that try to make their way through (it’s washable and comes in a range of colours) . The combination Particle + Carbon Filter uses a layer of activated carbon to filter light household odors from pets, cooking, and smoking, while the main particle filter removes airborne particles, like pollen, dust, pet dander, and more. It comes with three different speed settings, it’s well-priced, it’s quiet, and it can cover a room up to 15m².
Pros: Great minimal noise level on lowest setting and small hum on highest setting. And, in terms of room size, it's most effective in spaces around the 15m mark, but will work in spaces up to 36m.
Cons: No indicator light to let you know the specific quality of the air.
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Best air purifier for removing mold
Levoit Air Purifiers for Home Bedroom, £99.99, Amazon
This also works with a three-stage filtration (including a Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter) which traps at least 99.97% of fine particles, including pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, smoke. It’s pretty silent despite the fact its clever vortexair technology creates a stronger airflow.
Pro: Has a sleep mode/night mode which is quiet as a mouse.
Cons: No night light.
Get the best buy on your air purifier with these Amazon discount codes.
Best multi-purpose air purifier
Dyson Hot + Cool Purifying Fan, £550, Argos
This is pricey, but when you consider it’s a heater, fan and air purifier in one, it’s a sensible investment. Not only do Dyson products look sleek, the research and development behind each model is extensively tested. It heats in winter, cools in summer and purifies whole rooms all year round. It’s the only purifying heater designed and tested to automatically sense pollution, capture ultrafine pollutants, and project purified and heated air using air multiplier technology. Plus it comes with a remote, so you can alter the heat and speed settings from your bed or your sofa, and, you can download the Dyson app to monitor your air quality in real time.
Pros: Great for small particles as little as 0.1 microns, the Dyson purifier has plenty of smart features, including an air quality sensor on an LCD display.
Cons: Always out of stock - so grab it while you can!
Save money on smart air purifiers with these Argos discount codes.
Best wi-fi enabled air purifier
Hoover Air Purifier, £124.70, Amazon
Though typically known for vacuum cleaners, Hoover's air purifier is not to be overlooked and, for the lazier of it raises hand it even has an auto mode to keep air in both big and small rooms clean without you even noticing.
Pros: Just like with an Alexa, the Hoover purifier has a phone-paired app that even allows the user to create a unique allergy profile.
Cons: Some users claim it leaves them with a slightly dry throat when used overnight.
Save money on smart home air purifiers with these Amazon discount codes.
Best air purifier for fan speed customisation
Philips Series 800 Air Purifier AC0820/30, £135, Argos
With a sleek design, the Philips air purifier helps with a whole myriad of problems, including eczema, hay fever and even, according to customers, the smell of damp.
Pros: Automatically senses changes in air quality.
Cons: Doesn't work as a dehumidifier, nor is it a portable air purifier (though it does have a long 1.6m cable).
Save money on the best air purifiers with these Argos discount codes.
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