How to choose the best air purifier (HEPA, mold, allergies + more)

Many people filter their water, eat quality food, and pay attention to what cleaning and laundry products they use. But one thing that’s often forgotten in the equation is...air quality.

I used to rely on a basic, run-of-the-mill air purifier—until I realized it just wasn’t cutting it. The average person spends 90% of their time indoors, and studies show indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air! Agh!

The good news? Unlike outdoor air pollution, indoor air is something we can control. One of the best ways is by using an air purifier. These are now essential for keeping your home’s air clean, from allergens and mold to VOCs, smoke, and other toxins. But with so many options, finding the best air purifier for your needs can be overwhelming.

So, I’ve researched for you! Below, I’ll share my top recommendations, the benefits of using an air purifier, what to look for, and more.

At a glance, my top picks for air purifiers are:

• Overall top pick: Austin Air Bedroom Machine
• Best mid-budget air purifier: AirDoctor 3000
• Best budget air purifier: Levoit Vital 200S or Levoit Core 300

So, are air purifiers worth it?

Short answer: yes. High-quality air purifiers improve air quality by removing pollutants, dust, and other particles, helping create a healthier, more non-toxic environment.

Airborne particles and toxins are linked to everything from worsening allergies to serious long-term health risks like lung disease and cancer. Babies, children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or allergies are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of indoor pollutants and toxins. While no air purifier can eliminate every particle, the right one can dramatically improve indoor air.

Indoor pollutants come from sources like:

• New furniture that hasn’t off-gassed
• Construction dust and materials
• Paints
• Cooking (especially gas stovetops and fireplaces)
• Dust
• Mold spores
• Pet and environmental allergens
• Bacteria, germs, and VOCs from shoes
• Cleaning and beauty products
• Pesticides
• Fragranced air fresheners and candles
• Laundry products (especially scented ones)

Getting the right portable air purifier can make a big difference for your health.

What should air purifiers remove?

There’s a lot of “clean-washing” in the air purifier market. A product might sound great, but without real evidence or certifications, it might not work well at all.

Look for purifiers that remove:

• VOCs (Volatile organic compounds): Harmful chemicals from paints, cleaning supplies, and furniture (like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene).
• SVOCs (Semi-volatile organic compounds): From pesticides, flame retardants, cleaning agents, and building materials.
• PM2.5 (Particulate matter): Tiny particles from cooking, candles, and smoke that can worsen respiratory conditions.
• Biological contaminants: Bacteria, viruses, mold, dander, dust mites, pollen.
• Radon: A gas from soil or building materials that’s the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
• Asbestos and lead: Often in older homes, linked to serious respiratory problems and cancer.

Not all purifiers remove all of these, and that’s okay. You just need to choose based on your specific situation. For example, you might not need asbestos filtration in a newer home. And no purifier is a cure-all for allergies or mold, but they can meaningfully reduce pollutants and support a healthier, lower-toxin home.

What to look for in a high-quality air purifier

Considering the amount of indoor pollutants we are exposed to on a daily basis, you may feel it’s time to invest in an air purifier. But not every purifier is created equal!

So, what should you look for in a high-quality air filter?

Key features to prioritize:

• Filter: Look for a medical-grade HEPA filter (H13) and activated carbon filter.
• Materials: Avoid plastic components, formaldehyde, antimicrobial coatings, and toxic adhesives.
• Ozone emission: Avoid purifiers that emit ozone, a known lung irritant.
  • Avoid terms like electrostatic, photocatalytic oxidizers, or corona discharge.
• CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate): Higher CADR = faster cleaning. Aim for at least 2/3 of your room’s square footage.
• Room size coverage: Should provide 4–5 air changes per hour.
• Noise levels: Under 30 dB on low and under 55 dB on high.
• Filter replacement:
  • HEPA: every 6–12 months
  • Carbon: every 3–12 months
• Independent certifications: AHAM Verified, CARB Certified, ENERGY STAR, UL/ETL Listed
• Smart purifiers: Be mindful of potential EMF emissions if you’re sensitive.

Whew, that’s a lot! But don’t worry—in the next section, I’ll share the air purifiers I actually recommend so you can skip the stress and breathe easier.

Best air purifiers: My top picks

Austin Air Bedroom Machine – Best overall choice

Price range: $1,000+

Austin Air is as top-tier as it gets. It is made of an all-metal construction, which is a nice quality touch, and contains a true medical-grade HEPA filter. It's an especially good option for those who want maximum chemical and odor absorption, and is built to cover larger room sizes up to 1,500 sq. ft. Their filter system contains a four-stage filter cartridge including 15 pounds of activated carbon and zeolite, and potassium iodide for chemical removal. These units have been used in clinical trials at Johns Hopkins for removing dangerous pollutants. They’re ideal for severe allergies, chemical sensitivities, and general toxin removal. Big plus: filters only need replacing every five years.

IQAir HealthPro Plus+

Price range: $1,199+

This Swiss-made purifier is seriously top-of-the-line, and many consider it to be the gold standard for purifying the home. It uses advanced "HyperHEPA" filtration to remove 99.995% of particles down to 0.003 microns and tackles harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. It doesn't contain an ionizer or UV; instead, it achieves its performance purely through very high-quality filters and a powerful fan. It does not produce ozone as a byproduct, which is great and won't off-gas. Many hospitals use IQAir units (which is a signal of quality!). It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

AirDoctor 3500i

Price range: $600+

This is a solid pick. It is a high-performance purifier that uses three-stage filtration, including a thick activated carbon VOC filter and an "UltraHEPA" filter that captures particles 100x smaller than the standard. The connected app gives real-time air quality alerts including pollen, ozone, and more. It also includes an ionizer, which can be turned off as you like. It's designed for larger rooms, and it's CARB compliant. This model is great for large rooms and can completely filter a 150 sq. ft smoke-filled room in under 14 minutes.

Better air purifiers

EnvironKlenz Air Purifier Plus

Price range: $600+

These machines are powerful. They provide 3–5 air exchanges per hour and use HEPA plus FAST-ACT earth mineral tech—used by the U.S. Department of Defense—to eliminate VOCs, chemicals, viruses, and odors. No ozone or byproduct emissions, and they’re great for formaldehyde removal.

Aireox Model 45B

Price range: $300+

This purifier uses a 100% coconut carbon filter and removes a wide range of pollutants—mold spores, VOCs, dust, smoke, odors, and more. It’s more affordable than Austin Air or IQAir, but still high quality. Aireox is a great pick for anyone with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), and they avoid ozone, toxic adhesives, and the company claims their purifiers don't off-gas.

Levoit Vital 200S – Best budget HEPA air purifier

Price range: $150+

This is a great mid-range budget option that uses mechanical filtration (no ionizer), is ozone-free, Energy Star, and CARB certified. Levoit offers many models, and the 200S hits a nice balance of performance and price.

Levoit 300 Core

Price range: ~$100

This air purifier is a very popular budget option that delivers HEPA filtration in one compact unit. It is consistently rated highly, especially for small to medium rooms. Energy Star and CARB compliant, this purifier comes at an affordable cost and effectively captures allergens, dust, smoke, and more with a 3-stage filtration (washable pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter).

Additional purifier options

Winix 5500-2

Price range: $180+

Offers a 3-stage filtration system, a washable carbon filter, and True HEPA. Its PlasmaWave tech breaks down VOCs and odors without ozone. Good for spaces up to 360 sq. ft.

Honeywell HPA300

Price range: $200+

The Honeywell is often reported as a workhorse and is well-equipped for large rooms. It contains three HEPA filters and a large activated carbon pre-filter to tackle high volumes of air. It's largely regarded as a great option for allergy sufferers as it's recommended by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. It's also Energy Star certified.

Coway Airmega

Price range: $200+

This purifier is small but mighty! It contains a four-stage purifier that covers rooms up to 361 sq. ft., including real-time air monitoring, a true-HEPA filter, and also offers an eco mode to save energy.

Blueair Blue Pure 211+

Price range: $250+

Designed for open spaces up to 635 sq. ft., this purifier uses HEPASilent™ tech to remove 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns. It’s known to be pretty quiet (as low as 23 dB). Blueair combines HEPA-grade filtration with electrostatic charging inside the unit to achieve high airflow without producing ozone (and it's CARB certified).

Additional option: Make your own!

Simply buy a 20x20 box fan and a 20x20 Filtrete Air Filter. Turn the fan on, drop the filter on the back, and it’ll stay in place without tape. It won’t filter everything, but it’s surprisingly effective on a budget.

Do air purifiers help with mold and allergies?

Yes! While air purifiers can’t remove mold growing in your home, they can significantly reduce airborne mold spores and allergens. A purifier with a HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of spores ≥0.3 microns. And if it also has a carbon filter, it can help absorb mold-related smells and improve overall air freshness. For allergies, HEPA filters trap common triggers like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.

Let’s get your air squeaky clean

To recap, the air you breathe is just as important as the food you eat and the products around you every day. If you're trying to reduce toxins and allergens and want cleaner air and a lower-toxin home, investing in an air purifier is a great next step. Look for a unit that combines HEPA filtration, activated carbon, and a solid CADR rating. Also, choose low-ozone, independently tested options for safe, clean air in every room.

Whether you're targeting allergens, mold, smoke, VOCs, or just want to be more mindful of what you're breathing, I hope this guide helps you find the right purifier for your needs.