When it comes to spring, there’s a lot to look forward to. From the warmer weather to the chic, new fashions vying for a coveted spot in your closet, it truly is one of the best times of the year. However, those higher temps and bright sunny forecasts also mean allergy season is upon us—and this year is shaping up to be a rough one. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, and with the season beginning a good two to three weeks earlier than usual across the country (thanks to our warmer than average winter) allergy sufferers are in for a long battle. While stocking up on your go-to allergy medication and soothing eye drops (we’re looking at you Zaditor) is a must, there’s one product that should be at the top of your shopping list: an air purifier.
A Brutal Allergy Season Is Upon Us. Here Are 7 Air Purifiers To Help You Survive
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What Does An Air Purifier Do?
An air purifier is an appliance that uses filters (most commonly a High-Efficiency Particle Arresting, or HEPA, filter) to remove harmful particles and allergens like pollen, mold spores, dust mites, pet dander and smoke from the air within your home. OK, but do you really need to be cleaning the air inside your home? The simple answer is yes. Research from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that indoor air can be "more polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities." Yikes. Add that to the fact most Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors and an air purifier seems more and more like a necessity rather than a luxury.
That’s why we went ahead and rounded up seven of the best air purifiers out there that’ll help you and everyone inside your home (even your pets!) breathe a little easier this allergy season.
1. Best Air Purifier For Dust: Blueair Blue Pure 211+
Alongside pollen, dust is one of the most common allergens around. While keeping up with your spring cleaning will definitely help keep dust at bay, pairing it with an air purifier, like the Blueair Blue Pure 211+, will make a noticeable difference. Using Swedish filter technology, this purifier captures 99 percent of air pollutants, particles and odors thanks to its three-stage filtration system. Best of all, this machine’s Scandi-chic design won't cramp your style. That's what we call a win-win.
2. Best Air Purifier For Mold: Conway Mighty Air Purifier
April showers may bring May flowers, but those rainy spring days can also bring something else: mold. If you find your allergy symptoms flare up when it rains, you may have a mold allergy. Mold grows in moisture so places like damp basements or bathrooms without any air circulation can become some of the most triggering areas of the home. To combat this, we like the Conway Mighty Air Purifier. An Amazon best-seller, this HEPA-equipped air purifier features a four-stage filtration system that tackles up to 99.7 percent of air pollutants so you can breathe easier all season long.
3. Best Air Purifier For Smoke: Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier
If you or someone you live with smokes, you know how hard it can be to get the smell of smoke out of your home. Not only that, the effects of secondhand smoke can be just as harmful to non-smokers as cigarettes are to smokers. While you may not be able to remove every trace of smoke from your home, you can improve the quality of your air with a purifier like this one from Winix. Featuring a three-stage filtration system, this purifier comes with an odor reducing HEPA carbon filter that can remove allergens, pollutants and odors in minutes.
$130 at Amazon
4. Best Air Purifier Under $100: Levoit Lv-h132 Air Purifier
Looking to clean the air in your home without breaking the bank? Pick up the Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier. Coming in at just under $100, this air purifier is made with a three-stage filtration system that uses quiet air technology, so you can keep it running all night without interrupting anyone’s sleep. Quiet, powerful and affordable? You’ll be adding this purifier to your cart in no time.
5. Best Air Purifier For Babies: Airfree Babyair
If there’s one place in your home that should definitely have an air purifier, it’s your child’s room. One of the most common chronic diseases affecting children today is asthma. Because infants and toddlers have smaller airways, even a small amount of pollutants in the air can trigger an asthmatic episode. Thankfully, the Airfree BabyAir is here to help. Using their patented and award-winning Thermodynamic TSS Technology, this purifier destroys irritants like mold, dust mites, bacteria, viruses, pollen and pet dander silently and without the need of a filter. Best of all, it also features a star-patterned night light making this a device that will truly help the whole family get through the night.
6. Best Air Purifier For Pets: Germ Guardian Ac4825 Air Purifier
We love our pets, but it’s no secret that our furry friends can make our lives pretty messy. From pet hair that triggers sneezing fits to “accidents” that leave lingering odors, every pet owner could benefit from a Germ Guardian air purifier. Featuring a charcoal HEPA filter, this device removes even the strongest odors while simultaneously trapping allergens with ease. To top it off, the Germ Guardian also comes with a UV-C light designed to kill airborne germs and bacteria for an extra deep clean.
7. Best Air Purifier For Home: Dyson Pure Cool
While any of the options on this list would make a great addition to your home, the Dyson Pure Cool is the ultimate choice for the style savvy shopper. Featuring Dyson’s sleek, iconic design, this air purifier removes 99.97 percent of allergens and pollutants with thanks to its activated carbon HEPA filter. Designed to serve a chic focal feature in any room, this machine also doubles as a tower fan making it perfect two-in-one device that you’ll keep running even through the summer months.