Most of our picks have token adsorbent filters that amount to a few ounces; in contrast, the HM400 has 15 pounds of adsorbent. In our past testing, it reduced a heavy load of ethanol vapors to 13% of the starting point within 20 minutes; the nearest competitor we tested did only half as well, and the rest were marginally or simply not effective in this regard. Its exceptional performance in this area is a big part of why FEMA and the Red Cross chose Austin Air units for deployment at Ground Zero and the surrounding areas in the aftermath of 9/11.
We’ve been testing air purifiers since 2013, and we have always judged them not just by how well they perform but also by how easily you might be able to live with them running constantly in your bedroom, living room, or office. We measure factors such as how much noise they make when running, as well as their long-term costs for energy consumption and replacement filters. And we consider subjective factors like the ease of operation and maintenance, the presence or absence of distracting lights (which can disrupt
sleep), the user interface, and the physical size and aesthetics. “We also like the built-in precision laser sensor, which accurately monitors particles in the room and auto-adjusts fan speeds as needed,” says Nikolas Greenwald, Lab Assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute. The purifier is incredibly quiet, operating at just 24db, which you’ll appreciate if it’s stationed in your bedroom. Chances are you’ll need more than one air purifier to manage air quality throughout multiple rooms in the house.
It rivals our top-ranking BlueAir for performance, though fell short of the winner’s circle because of its less-than-average coverage area (361 square feet versus the 540 square feet of the Blue Pure). The Airmega’s four-stage filtration system includes an activated-carbon layer that’s designed to capture odors, including those from a beloved — yet stinky — pet. Our testers also like the easy-to-clean pre-filter, which captures
hair, fur and other large particulates before they reach the inner HEPA filters. Indicator lights give the heads up when filters need to be cleaned or replaced. In recent years, air purifiers have evolved from a mostly niche product to a must-have wellness device in many homes, thanks to the steady rise in indoor air pollutants—everything from wildfire smoke to a pandemic-fueled uptick in households that own a pet.
As with any consumer product, the surge in demand has brought more brands into the market, along with significant innovations. “Improved filtration helps today’s air purifiers capture more contaminants from the air in your home,” says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. But some purifiers are better than other, according to our latest round of testing, which took the total number of reviewed models to 45. Testing happens in our Labs as well as at the homes of consumer testers, which allows us to evaluate the devices in real-world conditions. But when combined with IAQ best practices — like regular vacuuming and controlling indoor humidity levels throughout the year — the following top-rated air purifiers can help make your home a healthier place. Because most air purifiers have several speed settings, we test for dust and smoke removal both on the highest speed and at a lower speed that runs at a noise level no louder than 50 decibels.
Many users say the purifier worked so well to improve indoor air quality that they bought a second one for another room. There are lots of things to like about the Levoit H132, from its affordability to its compact size. It’s easy to use and operate straight out of the box, and its neutral colorway and small size mean that it can blend into the background, unlike larger air purifiers.
You can set the machine to an automatic mode in which it monitors the air and adjusts itself, or you can control it via the Mila smartphone app, which is available for both iOS and Android. The air-quality readings it takes are stored and viewable in the app, so you can get a long-term picture of your home’s air quality. And the app sends alerts when something needs your attention, such as a sudden spike in
particulate pollution. If you live in an environment with consistently high levels of both particulate pollution and volatile organic compounds (such as near a farm where biocides are sprayed, a chemical or power plant, or a refinery), we recommend the Austin Air HealthMate HM400. Like our other picks, it uses a true-HEPA filter that efficiently captures particulate pollutants such as pollen and smoke.