The Best Air Purifiers for Your Dusty, Musty Home

Right now, tiny particles like chemicals, smoke, and bacteria are floating all around you—hell, it’s probably why you’re Googling the best air purifiers in the first place. The uptick in wildfires has pushed the issue of clean air to the forefront, highlighting its importance—not just outdoors, but inside your home, too. And with the EPA reporting that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than what’s outside, an air purifier has gone from a nice-to-have to an essential home upgrade.

No surprise, then, that the air purifier market is booming, projected to hit $5 billion in the US in just a few years. With options at every price point, it’s easier than ever to find one that fits your needs—but harder than ever to decide which to buy. That’s where we come in: Whether you’re battling pet dander, seasonal allergies, or just want something that won’t ruin your living room aesthetic, we’ve narrowed the field to the best air purifiers for every purpose and space.

The Best Air Purifiers at a Glance

• Best Air Purifier for the Home: Coway Airmega 150, $152
• Best Air Purifier for Pets: Mila, $358 $300
• Best Dyson Air Purifier: Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet, $1,000
• Best Air Purifier for Allergies: Rabbit Air A3 SPA-1000N Air Purifier, $750
• Best Air Purifier for Mold: Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max, $350
• Best HEPA Air Purifier: IQ Air Atem X Smart Air Purifier, $1,399
• Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms: Molekule Air Pro, $650
• Best Air Purifier for Small Rooms: Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Purifier, $495
• Best Affordable Air Purifier: Levoit Core 300, $100
• Best-Looking Air Purifier: Oval Air 1000C Purifier, $177

For the uninitiated, air purifiers work by pulling air through a series of filters—typically a HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns (think: pollen, dust, and pet hair). Some models go further with carbon filters to neutralize odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or UV lights and ionizers to zap bacteria and viruses. When choosing one, consider the room size it’s designed for, noise levels, and ongoing filter replacement costs. Effective models for small spaces start around $100, while high-performance options for larger areas can climb north of $1,000.

Here’s your cheat sheet to breathing easier—literally.

Best Air Purifier for the Home: Coway Airmega 150

The stylish and compact air purifier fits perfectly into cozy spaces like bedrooms or small living rooms. Its triple-layer filtration system, including a Green True HEPA filter, effectively captures allergens and pollutants. (HEPA, or High-Efficiency Particulate Air, is a gold standard in air filtration, designed to trap at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as pollen, dust, and smoke.) Customers love how easy it is to set up and use, with one reviewer noting its performance in improving air quality in under 10 minutes. Many users also appreciate its quiet operation and straightforward filter maintenance process. I personally loved how easy it was to start using straight out of the box—just remove the plastic around the filter layers and plug it in. I also appreciate that its auto feature allowed me to set it and forget it. The purifier increases or decreases its filtration intensity based on the air quality in my apartment, so when I’m cooking, for example, it kicks into high gear without me needing to make any adjustments. Big fan of how easily it blends into the background, and I barely hear it even at full blast.

Best Air Purifier for Pets and Small Children: Mila

The Mila Air Purifier is incredibly easy to use—and what’s better is that it’s hyper-customizable. The brand sells its HEPA air purifier, which is able to handle rooms large and small. My favorite bit of purchasing the Mila, however, is that it comes with customized filters for folks with allergies, small kids, or those who just want to focus on inhaling some fresh, no-nasties air. The pet filter has an H13 HEPA filter, a carbon filter, and a Mila sock that goes around the filter. This allows it to trap bigger particles like dust and fur. Every time I replace the filters, I notice that it does a really good job of trapping pet hair; but despite being targeted for that, in a pinch I used it one night when my kid’s room was filled with the smell of vomit thanks to a daycare bug. This thing took that smell from “stinging the back of your throat” to “barely there” in roughly 45 minutes. To me, having something that keeps my surfaces clean and my rooms fresh is a real win.

Best Dyson Air Purifier: Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet

I have a delicate smoke alarm that likes to applaud me every time I decide to cook at home. That’s to say: My smoke alarm goes off a lot. Ever since I got Dyson’s Purifier Big + Quiet, a Star Wars-like droid of an air purifier, I’ve had fewer instances of having to stand on a step-stool and wave a flattened pizza boy at the alarm to prevent the fire department from showing up at my door. This thing is as exactly as advertised: It’s big, and it’s quiet. I also have a different Dyson air purifier, but I use that mainly for its fan because it can get quite loud—a problem I don’t have with this R2-D2-looking thing. It’s been pretty good at getting rid of cooking smells, too.

Best Air Purifier for Allergies: Rabbit Air A3 Ultra Quiet

For allergy sufferers, the Rabbit Air A3 is a game-changer. With its six-layer filtration system and whisper-quiet operation, it tackles airborne irritants in spaces as large as 1,070 square feet. Reviewers are particularly impressed with its allergy-focused features, like the ability to customize the filters for specific needs. One user with severe allergies shared that the purifier significantly reduced their symptoms, making it easier to breathe indoors. A potential downside is that the wall-mount feature may require careful installation, but users say it’s worth the effort if you don’t want to give up precious floor space in your place. Allergens aside, I feel like one of the best features of this purifier is its powerful odor control capabilities. I decided to test my unit in my bathroom where I also keep my litter box, and you wouldn’t even know I had a cat. I also find the Rabbit is super sensitive to shifts in air quality and will automatically kick into a higher gear fast, sometimes after particularly steamy showers.

Best Air Purifier for Mold: BlueAir 311 Auto

For mold concerns, the BlueAir 311 Auto is a reliable solution. Mold spores in the air can aggravate allergies or asthma, especially in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, or kitchens. This purifier uses HEPASilent technology to effectively trap mold spores and other allergens. While it won’t remove existing mold growing on surfaces, it helps reduce airborne particles that can spread mold or irritate respiratory systems. Its ability to automatically adjust based on air quality levels is a favorite feature among users, who also praise its low noise levels—a good choice for mid-sized rooms prone to humidity.

Best HEPA Air Purifier: IQAir Atem X Smart Air Purifier

For top-notch air purification, the IQAir Atem X delivers with its HyperHEPA filters, capable of catching ultra-fine particles. Users love its performance in high-pollution areas, with one reviewer stating that it handled persistent smoke particles “better than any other purifier” they had tried. It’s designed to be fast-acting and capable of cleaning a 1,650-square-foot space in 30 minutes.

Its smart features are praised for being intuitive once set up, but some noted the setup process could be more streamlined. If you don’t want to deal with another app on your phone and don’t care about receiving data, you can use this unit without the smart app functions, which is what I chose to do. I’ve had mine on autopilot for the past two months and prefer it that way. I was initially surprised by its size and weight (almost 30 pounds) when I unboxed it, but installation took seconds and once I placed it on its wheeled base, it was easy to maneuver around my space. The recent wildfires in Brooklyn where I live really put this purifier to the test. The air in my apartment remained clean and clear even though my building smelled like a bonfire when I stepped out into the hallway.

Best Air Purifier for Small Rooms: Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Purifier

Samsung’s Bespoke Cube stands out with its customizable, modular design that fits into smaller spaces. Unlike most purifiers, which only filter from one side, this cube offers 360-purification and five-way suction capabilities, making it discrete and ideal to install in a central part of your living space as opposed to against a wall. Users praise its near-silent operation and how it seamlessly integrates with modern decor. One reviewer shared that it dramatically improved air quality in a nursery without being distracting or noisy during sleep. However, it’s worth noting that users find it to be more effective in personal spaces than in larger rooms.

Best Affordable Air Purifier: Levoit Core 300-P

Compact and efficient, the Levoit Core 300-P is a standout for its performance in smaller spaces. Users rave about how quickly it clears up pet-related allergens and everyday dust. One user shared that the purifier noticeably reduced sneezing and congestion within days of use. Some noted that its low and medium fan settings are impressively quiet for overnight use. I’ve been testing this unit in my bedroom all fall and can’t even hear it—several times I’ve gotten up to look at the top to make sure it’s still turned on. While it doesn’t make a peep, it does improve the quality of my sleep. I’ve noticed I konk out harder and wake up feeling more rested since I started using it.

Best-Looking Air Purifier: Oval Air 1000C Purifier

The Oval Air 1000C is so sleek it could double as decor. You can choose from multiple cover treatments including wood finishes to customize it to any interior design. Its powerful HEPA and carbon filters are a hit with users who want both style and substance. Reviewers highlight how it blends effortlessly into minimalist interiors while effectively reducing odors and dust. One user appreciated that it added to their living space aesthetically while improving air quality subtly but consistently.

What to Look For in an Air Purifier

When shopping for an air purifier, your decision will likely come down to size, style, and extra features. Do you want to be able to schedule when the device will run, all from an app? How about filter alerts, so you never forget to replace a dirty one? Some of these models are on the larger side, so find a spot for your device that’ll ensure maximum usage. It won’t do much good sitting unplugged in your closet, after all.