Welcome to the Air Cleaners / Air Purifiers guide - a web site that collects information on various kinds of products designed to remove allergens and pollutants from the air, generally known as an "air cleaner" or an "air purifier." There are several different types, varying in size, in kind of filter, and in their intended use. You might need one if you have a persistent odor problem (from smoking, pets, etc.), are bothered by allergies, or just don't want to breathe in the junk that you'll find exists in the air around you. One look at the stuff you pick up in your filter will convince most people they're a good idea. This site will go through some of the basic brands, give you information on the different filtration systems, and suggest a few you might want to consider purchasing.
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General Types of Air Purifiers:
HEPA Air Cleaner - This is a particular type of filter called HEPA, which basically means ones that are designed to remove the vast majority of extremely small particles out of the air. They're very efficient, but they can be costly to replace.
Ultraviolet Air Cleaners - This is a kind of filter used to kill germs with UV rays. It doesn't actually take anything out of the air (but it's often combined with other filters that do in a single machine).
Ionic Air Cleaners - This is another type that works by charging particles of dirt so that they stick to a metal plate. It's one that is usually best when combined with another kind of filter.
Carbon Air Filters - This kind is designed to eliminate odors and gases (think cigarette smoke).
Electrostatic Precipitators
Car Air Purifiers - These are little portable versions, which you usually plug into the car's cigarette lighter.
Brands of Air Purifier:
The rankings by price below are very general - these companies often sell multiple products and some might be in different categories, but it gives you a rough idea of what to expect from them.
Low End (0-$150 or so on average):
Medium ($150-300):
High End ($300 and up):
Rabbit Air (if you've got the money, this is probably your best bet)
IQAir
Whirlpool
Reader Questions:
Do air purifiers really pick up any dust from the air?
Does an air purifier make a lot of noise?
Can an air cleaner get rid of mold?
Will it help with my allergies?
Do air cleaners help with asthma?
Do air cleaners get rid of cigarette smoke?
Do air cleaners help with pet odors?
How many square feet do they cover?