Allergy relief through air filtration -
Learn more. Air purifiers remove harmful and unwanted particles like allergens, viruses, bacteria, smoke, and other irritants from the air, says Purvi Parikh, MD, a New York City-based allergist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York University.
When equipped with high efficiency particulate air HEPA filters, air purifiers can also help remove pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, and pollen. According to expert advice, firsthand testing, and research, a HEPA filter is a must for maximum efficiency.
After researching dozens of models from trusted brands, we tested the top air purifiers for six months, both in The Verywell Testing Lab and in our own homes , and evaluated them based on ease of setup, design, noise level, features, effectiveness, and value. We also had an emergency medicine physician from our Medical Expert Board review the contents of this article for accuracy surrounding how airborne irritants affect the body and how these devices reduce those particles indoors.
It also has a pre-filter and activated carbon filter. While all of our choices improved the cleanliness of the air, this one was most effective at removing particulate matter and volatile organic compounds VOCs.
Key Specs: Coverage Area: sq ft Size: A good air purifier helps the air quality in ways that might even be too subtle to detect—you might just find yourself sneezing less, for instance, as it removes tiny particles from the air. However, there is one way in which an air purifier can make a very noticeable difference: the scent of a given room.
The Blueair Blue Pure i Max was a standout in this way. During our test, we filled the space with incense and room deodorizing spray, and after the purifier operated for 30 minutes of operation, the room was noticeably less smelly.
Our at-home test found that this purifier worked similarly well on smells like bacon. This purifier is suitable for a medium-sized space, as it works in rooms up to square feet in 30 minutes.
The design is sleek, so it's nice to look at. We liked that the purifier can connect to an app that will tell you how clean your air is, and will also let you know when to replace the filter—but if you want a lower-tech solution, there is also a filter replacement light right on the machine.
It was very quiet on night setting, but the turbo mode was quite loud, to the level where it might be hard to watch TV with it in the same room.
However, we like how it has four different settings, which makes it easy to toggle to the one you need. Many air purifiers have lots of extras, but the Bionaire True HEPA ° UV Air Purifier has the one you really need: a true HEPA filter, which is particularly effective at eliminating particles from the air.
This air purifier also has a UV light feature, which helps kill bacteria and viruses. This machine would be great for a bedroom, as it works well in a medium-size room up to square feet in just over 12 minutes or square feet in an hour. While the noise level is about the level of an ambient room on lower levels, it provides a white noise at higher levels that may get a little noisy during the day at 59 dB.
It's frill-free without many special features, but it does have a night light. It did a good job of picking up pet hair, good for those with pet allergies. Most professionals recommend placing multiple air purifiers throughout your home since a single air purifier can only cover a certain amount of space.
While most air purifiers are suitable for rooms in the to square foot range, the Aroeve Air Purifier has an impressive coverage area of up to 1, square feet. This is thanks to the degree air out that circulates air quickly and efficiently. The touch display lets you toggle sleep mode, dim the UV light at night, and set a timer.
We found these features convenient, as well as the real-time air quality indicator lights, which specify whether the current air quality is good, moderate, or poor. The collection of dust, hair, and other pollutants present in the filter demonstrated that it definitely improved air quality.
Key Specs: Coverage Area: 1, sq ft Size: 7. One of the main reasons to invest in an air purifier is to rid the air of dust mites. If you have allergies or asthma, dust mites can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, per the American Lung Association, which recommends HEPA filters for trapping dust.
Fortunately, the Coway Airmega S Air Purifier is equipped with multiple dust-trapping filters, including a pre-filter for large dust particles and HEPA filter for smaller dust particles. It also has a carbon filter to absorb odors from food, pets, and cigarettes.
When put to the test, this unit performed quite well at improving air quality on both high and low settings. The air purifier comes with some standard features, including sleep mode, smartphone app, real-time air quality indicators, and filter indicators.
A couple of features that set it apart include eco mode, which conserves energy by shutting off when the air is clean and turning back on when it detects pollutants. It also has a large coverage area and works quickly—in 30 minutes it cleans the air in up to 1, square feet of space.
Key Specs: Coverage Area: 1, sq ft Size: Extra features like deep clean, sleep mode, scheduling, and energy saving mode make it intuitive and effective. The app also gives you detailed insights into the current air quality of your home.
Almost everything is done through the app. It has a basic touch interface on the unit itself, which may be a downside for some who prefer to adjust the settings with the click of a button.
It reached 86 decibels on the highest setting, one of the highest we found in our testing. On the bright side, the higher settings also meant better cleaning in less time. This model triples as a humidifier and fan, though we only tested its air cleaning potential, which checked out.
It was especially effective at combating pet dander. It has an attractive modern design and plenty of smart features. It uses a HEPA filter to trap particles, but also has a carbon filter for odor control.
While having a humidifier is a nice touch, allergy experts say to use it sparingly. Dust mites and mold thrive in moist environments, which can worsen allergy symptoms, according to the AAAAI. A quiet air purifier is hard to come by, but this one by Rabbit Air is up for the job. Even on its highest setting, this model had a noise level of On its lowest setting, it was virtually silent.
For those with pets, it has the added bonus of collecting pet dander and deodorizing smells. After one day, we noticed a significant decrease in the common musty basement smell. Still, we were pleased with how it performed in a real home setting, especially given how quiet it runs.
Key Specs: Coverage Area: sq ft Size: 9. And this one does just that. During our lab testing, this unit effectively cleaned the air, bringing it to good levels in 10 minutes.
Like some of the pricier models, it has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter to remove indoor pollutants and smells. It could work in small offices or nurseries that are square feet or less. Key Specs: Coverage Area: sq ft Size: 6.
Wildfire and cigarette smoke are a significant source of VOCs, which can negatively impact your health. If you live in an area with frequent wildfires or secondhand smoke, investing in an air purifier that effectively removes VOCs may be a good idea.
Not all purifiers remove VOCs, but this one from Bissell does. During our lab test, it effectively lowered both PM and VOC levels. It has some other features going for it, too.
After six months, we also noticed a slightly more clunky sound coming from the industrial grade fan. Finally, the air quality light on the front of the unit dims during nighttime but never fully shuts off, so if you like to sleep in a pitch-black bedroom, this will give off some light. The Toppin Air Purifier fits on a desk and has a sleek, small footprint.
During our lab testing, this small but mighty model effectively cleaned the air within minutes, making it on par with some of the larger and more expensive options on our list.
It has a HEPA filter to remove allergens and a carbon filter to trap smoke and odors, which is probably why we found it particularly effective at combating cat allergies. However, the Toppin does have some standard features, such as filter change indicator, quiet mode, and timer.
Got pets? Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter is an effective way to safeguard against pet dander circulating throughout your home, and this one from Alen is equipped with a HEPA filter specifically designed for homes with pets.
One cool and uncommon feature of this air purifier is that the LED lights indicate real-time changes in air quality. We found the lights to be insanely accurate.
They picked up speed immediately when we started to cook or use hair products. One downside is that the filter replacements are expensive. Key Specs: Coverage Area: 1, sq ft Size: 27 x We recommend them without reservation.
To find the best air purifiers, we put them to the test. We chose air purifiers from trusted, top-rated brands and ensured they have HEPA filters—the gold standard for trapping indoor allergens.
Then, we evaluated them in the lab based on their ease of assembly, design, noise level, special features, and effectiveness. Air filters in central heating and air-conditioning ducts in your home or in portable room air cleaners help remove indoor pollutants.
Did you know that the air inside can be more polluted than the air outside? Pollen, animal allergens and mold spores can affect the quality of the air inside your home.
The U. Environmental Protection Agency describes indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental health risks. For people with allergies, scientific studies have shown that air filtration reduces these airborne allergens and may provide some relief.
I hadn't noticed I had breathing problems around dust, but I'm taking precautions just to make sure. Some air cleaners can actually irritate your allergies, not help them. Ionic electrostatic room cleaners release ions, which force particles to attach to walls or surfaces.
Inexpensive fiberglass furnace filters have also been shown to be ineffective. Not changing the filter regularly can also do more harm than good. Many air purifiers designed for home use claim to control allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no scientific data that air purifiers with, for example, ionizers using UV light that supposedly kill bacteria, are effective for allergies.
The Environmental Protection Agency EPA has said that HEPA filters can remove up to That means they could help eliminate pet dander found in the air. Air Filters Air filters in central heating and air-conditioning ducts in your home or in portable room air cleaners help remove indoor pollutants.
On this page. Complicating the situation, two individuals with the same allergy may have vastly different reactions to the same amount of allergens present in the air.
Some people may experience mild symptoms, while others may have more severe or persistent issues, Nakedar said. Moreover, air purifiers are not created equal. They come in many shapes and sizes, and with many different technological solutions. Therefore, some air purifier models may be better at easing allergic reactions than the others.
For example, machines equipped with HEPA filters may be more effective at reducing airborne allergens than air purifiers which use different filters. According to the EPA , High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, commonly known as HEPA, have been shown to reduce at least At the same time, some HEPA filters are more complex than the others, and it is likely that such differences in the design have an impact on their overall effectiveness.
Air purifiers help clean the air by trapping and removing fine airborne particles, including allergens like pollen, dust mites and pet dander. By reducing exposure to substances that cause allergic reactions, air purifiers may ease hay fever symptoms.
Humidifiers, on the other hand, do not remove allergens or pollutants from the air, so they are not directly addressing the source of the allergies.
However, they can still offer benefits for people with certain allergies, Abbas Kanani, a superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click , an online pharmacy, told Live Science. By increasing humidity levels, they can help alleviate dryness, soothe irritated airways, and provide relief for nasal congestion and dry coughs.
However, humidifiers may not be suitable for people with dust mite and mold allergies, according to the AAAAI. Mold spores tend to grow rapidly in places with excessive moisture, such as bathrooms, roofs or windows. Dust mites - microscopic, insect-like pests that feed off dead human skin cells - also thrive in humid environments.
According to the EPA , humidity levels above 60 percent may vastly increase the number of these allergens in the environment, while levels between 30 and 50 appear to keep dust mites and mold spores at bay.
Unfortunately, many humidifiers do not come with humidity meters and extensive moisture control settings, which makes it more difficult to adjust their output. In addition, humidifiers themselves may add to the mold problem, AAAAI said.
If the filters are not cleaned or changed on a regular basis, it can create a perfect environment for mold spores to grow within the unit. This in turn can lead to humidifiers blowing a vapor containing a high number of allergens.
To prevent that from happening, the AAAAI recommends using distilled or demineralized water. Minerals found in tap water may increase the growth of pathogens and spores, as well as create white dust that can irritate the sinuses and contribute to allergy symptoms.
While all air purifiers are designed to remove harmful particles from the air, not all models can be helpful with easing hay fever symptoms. Seemingly similar models may use different filters and offer vastly different technological solutions.
This can make some air purifiers way more effective at removing specific airborne allergens than the others. When choosing a model, look out for certain features. If your aim is to reduce allergens in your home, your best call is to pick an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter, Nakedar told Live Science.
HEPA filters, short for "High Efficiency Particulate Air [Filter]", are mechanical air filters composed of a mesh of randomly placed fibers. Environmental Protection Agency EPA , HEPA filters have been shown to remove at least It needs to be stressed, however, that most studies into HEPA filters were conducted in highly-regulated laboratory conditions, and there are only a handful of studies that investigated the effectiveness of HEPA filters at reducing allergy symptoms in human subjects.
Nevertheless, the results are promising. For example, a clinical trial published in the Yonsei Medical Journal found that patients with dust mite allergy may need fewer allergy medications following six weeks of exposure to air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters.
The CADR value measures how fast a certain number of airborne particles can be trapped by an air purifier. When picking your model, make sure its CADR matches the size of the room where you intend to use it, ACAAI recommends. Moreover, certain air purifier models may actually exacerbate your allergy symptoms, rather than alleviate them, ACAAI said.
For example, ionic electrostatic air purifiers work by releasing ions - molecules with an electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons - which then force harmful airborne particles to stick to walls and other household surfaces.
Although this helps to clean the air from allergens, it does not remove them permanently. Moreover, ionic air purifiers are known to produce ozone, a gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, ACAAI warned. And according to the American Lung Association ALA , ozone can irritate the airways and nasal passages, increasing the risk of respiratory problems and potentially aggravating hay fever symptoms.
In addition, some ionic air purifiers come with additional UV light, which aims to kill bacteria and other harmful pathogens. However, there is no scientific evidence that this feature can be effective for alleviating allergic reactions, ACAAI said.
Lastly, choose an air purifier that comes with affordable replacement filters, Kanani told Live Science. Filters need regular changing to maintain the device's efficiency, which is particularly important during heavy pollen season, he said.
Molly Cleary is an ecommerce editor at Livingetc and Homes and Gardens, and was previously a writer at Top Ten Reviews.
For Live Science, she covers a range of subjects including fitness, health and homes. Molly graduated from the University of Exeter in the UK. with a degree in English Literature, and previously undertook internships at The Economist.
Open menu Close menu Live Science Live Science. Trending Iceland volcano eruption Massive hydrogen reservoir Heartbreaking polar bear photo Neanderthal art April 8 total solar eclipse.
Jump to: Best overall Best on a budget Lowest energy consumption Best aesthetics Best for large spaces Best for air quality tracking Best for dry rooms Best for pets Best for commercial spaces Our experts How we test FAQs.
Best overall 2. Best on a budget 3. Lowest energy consumption 4. Best aesthetics 5. Best for large spaces 6. Best for air quality tracking 7. Best for dry rooms 8. Best for pets 9. Best for commercial spaces Our experts Levoit S air purifier.
Our expert review:. Specifications Height: Diameter: Weight: 11 lb. HEPA filter: Yes. Energy star certified: Yes. Reasons to avoid - App can cut out. GermGuardian ACE. Diameter: 6. Weight: 8. Reasons to avoid - Only coverage to feet.
Specifications Height: 21 in. Diameter: 13 in. Weight: 5. Reasons to avoid - Not smart-enabled. Dyson Purifier Cool. Specifications Height: 41 in. Diameter: 8.
Weight: 11 lbs. Reasons to avoid - Expensive outlay. Rabbit AirMinus A2 SpaN.
We include Throughh we think are useful for our Body toning workouts. Oats nutrition facts you buy Alletgy links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Air purifiers can benefit those with allergies. Here are our top picks based on the most effective types of filters for dust, dander, and pollen.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-get-allergies-relief-5207480-DD-Final-0427f68b62374791904ff3d03f648b23.jpg "Allergy relief through air filtration")
0 thoughts on “Allergy relief through air filtration”