How We Selected Air Purifiers For Allergies
Quality air purifiers clean and deodorize the air in your living and work spaces to help keep you healthy. This can be accomplished with different types of filters and odor-eliminating features. We selected the top air purifiers for allergies for our list by looking for trusted brands with top-rated products. We researched product details, read customer reviews, and checked with an allergist about what to look for.
We chose air purifiers based on the type of filtration they offer and what particles they filter, the square footage they cover, and special features such as automatic mode settings, remote control operation, and automatic air quality detection.
Does An Air Purifier Help With Asthma Symptoms
An air purifier is a device that uses a filter and a fan to trap small particles from the air and recirculate the room with clean air. It can remove many pollutants that trigger allergy symptoms, such as:
There are many different types of air purifiers. High-efficiency particulate air filters are able to capture 99.7% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller. HEPA filters can be sold on their own or used in other systems, such as your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or vacuum cleaner.
Other types of air purifiers include:
- Electrostatic filters, which use a small static charge to attract and trap particles
- Ultraviolet light filters, which kill bacteria and viruses with UV light
- Ionizers/ion generators, which magnetize small particles
When Should I Get A New Purifier
If youre finding that your air isnt as clean as youd like it to be or youve noticed an increase in allergic reactions, you might be thinking about buying a new air purifier. If this is the case, consider checking the filter first and make sure it doesnt need to be replaced.
In most air purifiers, the filter does all the work, so if its not working at its usual capacity, the filter is probably to blame and not the purifier itself. However, if the mechanical hardware like the fan, control panel, or air quality sensors breaks down, youll want to get a new purifier.
In addition, if the air purifier cant keep up in new and larger spaces, consider getting a larger purifier.
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Work From The Outside In
Stop outdoor air particles from becoming indoor air nuisances by:
- Replacing old and energy-inefficient windows
- Caulking window frames to keep moisture, mold, pollen, and insects out
- Insulating your home
- Sealing foundation cracks
- Installing smooth flooring surfaces that can be easily dusted or damp-mopped
What We Learned About Allergy Air Purifiers
For allergy relief you obviously want to remove the airborne particles from the air. Again, this is the dust, pollen, mold spores, etc.
So far we have tested 15 popular air purifiers. To do this we use a particle counter to see how well the air cleaners produce clean air.
The chart below shows the particle size of several items. The equipment we use tests airborne particles in the green area and the blue area to the right. So, we can see how well each air purification system removes particles at different sizes.
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Why Trust Verywell Health
Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.
Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner
As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.
Best independently tested and certified air purifiers. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-air-purifiers-ncna1294453
Best Home Air Purifiers For Asthma Relief
5 min read
What is the best air purifier for asthma? Why home air purifiers? Many of our customers have friends, family, and loved ones that suffer from asthma, or they may experience it themselves. This respiratory condition inflames airways and obstructs airflow and it can make breathing difficult and painful. The right home air purifiers trap the irritants that can trigger terrifying asthma attacks.
Asthma is one of the most common concerns that people have when searching for an air purifier. This is because home air purifiers for asthma are an excellent and non-invasive, complementary option. Since we deal with thousands of asthma sufferers, weve become familiar with what makes a top air purifier to help with this concern. These best asthma air purifiers capture harmful airborne particles and chemicals that can trigger asthma symptoms, thereby creating a cleaner and safer environment. We believe making an investment in clean indoor air is making an investment in your health so consider air purifiers for smoke, dust, chemicals, allergens and other airborne irritants that can trigger an asthma attack.
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What To Consider When Shopping For An Air Purifier
When youre looking for the ideal air purifier for your home, there are several factors to weigh. We recommend you check out product labels to better understand the devices specifications and read air purifier reviews to find out how the unit rated with testers. Heres an overview of what to look for:
SIZE: Make sure the air purifier youre interested in works for your room size. The devices should give you an indication of whether or not it can handle your space. CADR measures the cubic feet per minute of clean air delivered and the higher the value, the cleaner the air. If youre trying to improve air quality in large rooms, look for a higher CADR.
NOISE: Top quality air purifiers have a series of filters that capture particles and return clean air back into the room which inevitably creates some level of noise. Depending on the model and setting of your unit, sounds can range from a quiet hum to a loud whoosh. If noise is an issue for you, try getting a larger unit itll be effective, efficient and quieter at a lower speed.
FILTER: When youre thinking about , ask these questions:
- What type of filter is it?
- How easy is it to change the filter?
- How often do you have to change it?
- How much do the filters cost?
If possible, get someone to demonstrate replacing the filter so you can see if its difficult. Pro tip look for YouTube videos! Also, do a quick online search to see how much replacement filters cost for that device.
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Places Where You Can And Should Place Your Air Purifier Unit
Air purifiers play a key role in keeping people healthy who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as allergies and asthma. In addition to this, it keeps the indoor air of your house clean and fresh, which is not only beneficial for kids and the elderly but pets as well.
While some air purifiers are built into a houses existing heating and air conditioning system, there are free-standing air purifiers which call for careful placement to derive the maximum benefit. While placing an air purifier in a babys room would be the best choice as kids are more prone to allergies and discomfort from indoor pollutants, there are several other areas in your house where you can place an air purifier unit to get fresh, mountain-like air.
For The Entire House
Some of the top lake air purifiers are big enough to purify the air in the whole house. What you can do is place the air purifier close to the intake for the air conditioning unit, to maintain a steady flow of air this way the filtered air will get spread through the entire house. Make sure you keep the AC unit and filters clean to continue enjoying purified air.
In the Corner of a Room
Behind The Smokers
Close To the Door
You can keep bacteria and other microorganisms from making their way into a room by simply placing a UV air purifier close to the door. The air purifier will work as a shield, keeping people with asthma and allergies free of these contaminants.
Place One in the Kitchen
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How Big Is The Area Youd Like To Filter
The amount of space in your room should also guide your selection. Check how many square feet a unit can handle when evaluating it.
You can look for the clean air delivery rate to determine how many particles and square feet an air purifier can reach. For example, HEPA filters can clean the smallest particles like tobacco smoke and medium and large particles like dust and pollen out of the air and may have a high CADR.
How To Choose An Allergy Air Purifier For Asthma
There are many factors to consider when you’re reviewing or buying an asthma air purifier. Depending on your needs, every model has its own pros and cons that may not share the same health benefits. To ease your purchasing journey, here are the air cleaning features and terminology that you should know before ordering one.
Also Check: What Does Asthma Affect In The Body
Is An Air Purifier Helpful For Covid
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, an air purifier by itself isnt enough to protect you from contracting COVID-19. However, the EPA website notes, a quality unit can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. In other words, running an air purifier can a good protective measure but it shouldnt be your only one.
Considerations Before Buying A Purifier
In order to buy the air purifier that is the best for your application, you may have to look at more than whether a particular model seems to be a good solution for allergy and asthma sufferers. The technology used is only one part of the equation.
Lets take a few minutes to look at the other factors that will make your buying decision the best that it can be. Remember that, even though we have reviewed several models and have an overall recommendation for what we think is the best, the truly best model is the one that meets your specific needs and usage.
Coverage Area
One of the most common specifications youll see when looking for the best air purifiers for allergies and asthma is the coverage area. Thats simply a measure of how big of a room can effectively be purified given the capacity and capability of a particular air purifier model.
Knowing the size of the space you want to purify is pretty important as the amount of coverage area is certainly different from model to model.
So how can you figure out how much coverage area you need to have?
It can be calculated using the simple math formula for an area:
L x W = A
Now, dont freak out and think you have to go back to algebra class. Trust me it wasnt my favorite either! Its actually pretty easy to do!
For a typical rectangular room, take a tape measure and find out the length of the room is. Then measure the width. Multiply the length times the width and youll get the area.
Filtration Type
Filtration Life
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Vacuum At Least Once Per Week
All sorts of particles can be tracked indoors on your clothing and shoes. Therefore, its a good idea to vacuum regularly in order to remove these contaminants from the indoor space. Like with air purifiers, you can also get a vacuum cleaner that includes a True HEPA filter. That way it will collect the finest particles possible so they dont end up in the air you breathe.
Asthma And Allergies Improvements
Fortunately, both asthma and allergies are conditions that can be controlled and even lessened by taking certain steps. One of these steps is to create a hospitable environment that is free of associated triggers and allergens. Cleaning is an important part of this step, and that includes cleaning the air. Purchasing an air purifier is an effective way to do that. When shopping for an air purifier, youll want to find the best air purifier for asthma and/or allergy sufferers. Youll find exactly what you need here at Air Oasis.
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An Air Purifier Vs An Air Filter
An air purifier is different than an air filter, which traps pollutants by forcing the air through a filter. While both devices trap and filter out pollutants, only an air purifier sanitizes the air.
An air filter may be part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system or be portable.
Several types of filters may be used in both devices, including:
- pollen from outside
An air purifier can take these triggers out of your home by trapping them in the filter. It works by bringing in air and trapping these small particles, then releasing the clean air. An air purifier also sanitizes the air around it.
However, studies have found mixed or inconclusive results as to whether or not air purifiers help asthma symptoms.
According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers , air purifiers may be less effective than regular air filters, as they often dont trap particles as well as air filters. If the allergens arent trapped effectively, they may be redistributed on surfaces closer to the purifier.
Other studies have a different opinion. For instance, a 2018 study found that air purifiers are effective for helping to relieve asthma symptoms, especially for children.
According to a 2016 study, air purifiers may be better at getting rid of some allergens, like smoke, but less effective at reducing other allergens, like animal dander.
Overall, how well an air purifier can help with asthma symptoms depends on the:
Types Of Air Purifier For Asthma And Allergies
There are many types of filtration to consider when you’re comparing an air purifier for asthma. The best type will trap the finest asthma-inducing triggers inside the filter and prevent them from recirculating back into the room. HEPA air purifiers are the best option for those with asthma. You can even get models that come with extra filtration as below.
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Dont Store Paint Or Chemicals Indoors
Although you may have your paints, cleaning chemicals, and pesticides stored inside containers, they can still release volatile organic compounds into the air which can irritate your respiratory system. Therefore, its best to keep these products stored outside or in a garage or basement area thats far away from your breathing area. For areas where this is not possible, consider getting one of the best chemical air purifier units to clean the air of these toxins.
Indoor Air Quality Affects Asthma And Allergies
In most homes, the indoor air quality is greatly affected by the type and amount of allergens that are present. Often, the IAQ is as much as five times worse than the air quality outdoors. As a result, inhaling these allergens may trigger asthma attacks in people who suffer from asthma. For allergy sufferers, the release of histamines can result in allergy symptoms that include wheezing, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, post-nasal drip, coughing or sneezing. To combat and eliminate these symptoms, an air purifier for allergy sufferers is extremely useful. The best air purifier for allergies is one that quickly and efficiently removes a significant amount of allergens from the air.
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How To Use An Air Purifier For Asthma
Some guidelines for using an air purifier may help you control your asthma symptoms:
- Perform regular maintenance: Washable air filters are often cheaper, but they have to be cleaned regularly. If you dont clean or switch out your air purifier on a regular basis, it can grow mold or reintroduce allergens into the air. This could make your asthma symptoms worse. Aim to replace your filter at least every three months.
- Use a fan:When possible, run your central air system with the fan on. This helps ensure that the air is constantly replaced and your space is well-ventilated.
- Vacuum regularly: You should vacuum with a HEPA vacuum cleaner once or twice a week to reduce your exposure to allergens.
- Monitor your symptoms:To see if your air purifier is helping you manage your asthma, monitor your symptoms with a daily diary. If you take peak flow measurements with a hand-held device, record and monitor these as well. Peak flow measures how air flows from the lungs.
Air Purifiers For Allergies
If you have an allergy, for example a pet or a dust mite allergy, you’re usually allergic to the skin flakes and allergens left behind by dogs, cats, and dust mites. An air purifier helps remove these particles from the air. Air purifiers that relieve allergy complaints have a HEPA filter and clean all the air in a room 3.5 times per hour. As such, an air purifier doesn’t relieve all symptoms, but improves the air quality to reduce the symptoms.
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Clean Air Delivery Rate
You also should have good air flow through the air purifier. Most of all you want a great filter and strong air flow.
Air flow through an air filtration system is known as the CADR. The CADR rating stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. In other words, how much clean air is coming out of the air cleaner.
A higher Clean Air Delivery Rate means more clean air for a given square footage. You will want to get at least 2 to 4 air changes per hour depending upon the severity of your asthma or allergies. You can learn more about the CADR ratings scale.