How To Get The Best Air Purifier for Allergies – Buying Guide

Your eyes are itchy all the time. Your nose is either runny or congested. You often feel like you cannot breathe. All of these are the symptoms of different allergies, which can significantly affect your well-being.

However, there is a solution, and you don’t even have to take any medicine!

Air purifiers for allergies can ease your symptoms by eliminating allergens from the air in your home or workplace.

Keep reading, and we will teach you how to choose the perfect one for yourself and present you the best models on the market.

Different Types of Air Purifiers for Allergies

Before you learn how to choose the best air purifier for allergies, you need to learn more about the different types of these devices. You have to decide, whether you are choosing an air purifier for your home, office or clinic.

Take a look at these four types, and you will be one step closer to finding a perfect one for yourself, no matter where you want to place it:

HEPA Air Purifiers

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters work by trapping microscopic contaminants, which leads to the elimination of 99.97% of all particles that are larger than 0.3 microns. If you find a HyperHEPA filter, you can count on it to remove particles as small as 0.003 microns.

The HEPA filters are great for people who are dealing with severe allergies. The air, carrying various contaminants, passes through the filter. All particles that are larger than one micron get caught in the HEPA fibers, as the air flows through. On the other hand, smaller particles keep circulating a little longer, before getting stuck on fiber.

The HEPA’s accordion-style pleats are fantastic, as they create many obstacles, ensuring that even the smallest particles stick to the fibers.

Asthma and Allergy Air Purifiers

If your allergies are not average but unbearable and they are related to something that can hardly be controlled, such as dust, this type of air purifiers is the way to go. They often combine HEPA filters with activated charcoal filtration, catching various allergens like dust and airborne pollen.

The activated charcoal filter works a bit differently than HEPA. It creates chemical adsorption. When carbon comes in contact with oxygen, it becomes activated. This reaction opens up millions of tiny pores in the carbon atoms. This creates a sort of sponge for absorbing microscopic contaminants.

Unfortunately, even this type of air purifiers can’t cure your allergies or asthma. Still, they do filter airborne allergens making your life much more relaxed and offering significant relief.

Smoke and Odor Air Purifiers

If you want your air purifier for allergies to also work for different odors and cigarette smoke, that can be really harmful to both active and passive smokers; charcoal filters are the ones you should look for.

They can eliminate the toughest smoke and odors within minutes. If you are living with the smoker or working with one, that doesn't have to mean that you have to breathe in the smoke too.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, secondhand or passive smoking causes approximately 33,950 deaths from heart disease and 7,330 deaths from lung cancer each year.

Chemical and Medical Gas Air Purifiers

If you are working in a hospital or a nursing home, air purifier for allergies is often not enough.
That is why there are medical-grade purifiers which eliminate gas and chemical pollution.

Patients with compromised immune systems, elderly and chronically ill people are especially vulnerable to airborne pollutants. Medical-grade purifiers eliminate chemicals and emissions, but they are not something you would typically purchase for your home.

How to Choose the Best Air Purifier for Allergies?

Now that you know which types of different air purifiers you can find on the market, it is time to discuss what you should pay attention to, before making a purchase.

These are the three most important factors for finding the best air purifier for allergies for yourself:

Overall Costs

When you buy an air purifier for allergies, your costs regarding that device don’t end the moment you pay. Usually, portable models create annual operating costs of $150-200.

Filter replacements and electricity are the two things you'll have to keep buying for your new air purifier to continue operating smoothly and stay efficient. You can find filters for $10, but there are models which go up to $100.

So, look for an energy-efficient air purifier that relies on a pre-filter to capture larger airborne particles before they reach HEPA fibers. This will extend the life of your HEPA filters, therefore cutting on your annual costs.

You’ll typically have to replace the carbon filters every three months. The primary filter can last for a year. If the main filter is washable, you will spend less money.

Cleaning

Air purifiers get clogged and dusty, which causes their efficiency to drop. If the filter is full, your device might stop working entirely. So, make sure to look for the models that offer you easy removing of the filter and easy cleaning.

Quietness Matters

The noise level different air purifiers for allergies make can vary. Whether they are working 24h a day or not, noise can bother you, while you work and sleep.

Larger units are often quieter as they don’t vibrate and rattle around. At the same time, they are as efficient on low speed as smaller units are on a high setting.

So, look for as silent as possible air purifiers.

Top 5 Air Purifiers for Allergies on the Market – 2018 Reviews

Honeywell 50255B True Hepa Allergen Remover Air Purifier

If you are looking for an air purifier that will help you with your allergies and cover large rooms, this model from Honeywell is definitely the one you should consider. It offers maximum efficiency and 360⁰ degree air intake. It comes with true HEPA carbon pre-filters, and you can choose between three different air cleaning levels.

Honeywell 50255B is an air purifier for allergies you can rely on. It works quickly, covers a large surface area and it is easy to maintain. You can simply vacuum the prefilter or purchase a new one, and your machine will be as good as new. Filter replacements are inexpensive, and this unit doesn't use too much electricity, so you don't have to worry about the electric bill. It captures particles as small as 0.3 microns, and you will notice your nose feels less congested.

However, if you use the “high” setting, this air purifier can be pretty loud. Also, the blue LED light is quite bright which might bother you in the nighttime. It will be a bit complicated finding the perfect spot to place this unit, considering how large it is.

Pros

• It purifies the air in large rooms quickly.
• It’s easy to maintain.
• The prefilter is inexpensive, and you can just vacuum it.
• The air is noticeably cleaner.
• Low power usage.

Cons

• It is loud when you set it on "high."
• The blue “LED” light might be too bright.
• It might be bigger than you expect.
• It HEPA infiltrates but doesn't ionize.

Hamilton Beach 04386A Air Purifier, Allergen-Reducing Air Cleaner with Permanent HEPA Filter

Hamilton Beach 04386A air purifier can cover large-size rooms up to 160 square feet. At the same time, its tower design makes it less cumbersome than the previous model. It features permanent HEPA-grade filter, three ultra-quiet speed settings and a simple control knob that lets you adjust the air cleaning according to your needs.

If you don’t tolerate loud appliances, this model will serve you right. On the highest setting, this unit won’t be louder than a fan, and when you set it on low, it will be completely silent. Additionally, it doesn’t vibrate or rattle. Its design allows you to place it anywhere. You can count on it to reduce particles and odors by half.

However, this air purifier doesn't create that pleasant breeze we all love, and can't adjust the direction of the air flow. Also, there is no power-off button, and if you keep buying carbon filter, which needs to be replaced every three months, you will spend a lot of money.

Pros

• It is quiet, no louder than a fan.
• It doesn’t vibrate when you put it on higher settings.
• It is small so that you can place it anywhere.
• It reduces particles and odors by half.
• Filters can be replaced with cheaper options.

Cons

• You can’t adjust the direction of the air flow.
• There is no breeze.
• If you stick with carbon filters, you will spend a lot of money.
• There is no power-off button.

LEVOIT LV-H132 Air Purifier with True Hepa Filter, Odor Allergies Eliminator

Are you looking for an air purifier that offers tons of different features? With LV-H132, you’ve found the one. Levoit’s model has a three-stage filtration system (pre-filter, true HEPA, and activated carbon filter), three speed and two brightness settings. It removes 99.079% of dust, odor, mold spores, pet dander, pollen, and smoke. Additionally, this unit is 100% ozone free, does not use harmful UV or ions.

If you are looking for an air purifier that will fit your office or smaller room and that you can move around, Levoit has your back. Their model is quiet, sleek and affordable. All you have to do is replace the filters every six months, and that's it. They provide you with a 2-year warranty as well.

However, it will cover only one room, so if you have a large apartment, you’ll need to purchase multiple units. Also, pressing a button makes annoying, high pitched noise that you can’t mute. At last, you have to keep this air purifier clear on all sides.

Pros

• You’ll have to replace the filters only once or twice a year.
• It is easy to set up.
• It is very sleek, small and quiet.
• It has sensitive buttons, three settings, and two additional night light settings.
• It is affordable.

Cons

• Pressing a button makes a high-pitched noise that you can't mute.
• It filters only one room.
• Sometimes the buttons tend to freeze and stay unresponsive.
• You have to keep it clear on all sides.

Holmes Small Room 3-Speed HEPA-Type Air Purifier with Optional Ionizer

Holmes’ small room HEPA-type air purifier is recommended for rooms up to 109 square feet, and you can place it anywhere, vertically or horizontally. It filters particles as small as 2 microns and uses Holmes Aer1 Series Filters, including Allergen Remover, Odor Eliminator, Smoke Grabber and Total Air. This unit features an optional ionizer as well and comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

The great thing about this unit is the fact that it is so small and lightweight, you can quickly move it wherever you want and place it on your table. Also, it is super affordable, and you can set it to cool the air a little too. Additionally, it comes with a useful indicator that will notify you once the filter needs to be changed.

Unfortunately, this is not a true HEPA device, only HEPA-type. It doesn't help eliminate the cigarette smoke odor completely. Also, it might be a bit loud for you, especially on higher settings. The fan switch is a bit difficult to slide back and forth, and the instruction manual is a little unclear.

Pros

• You can easily move it from one room to another.
• It is super affordable.
• There’s a useful filter change indicator.
• You’ll stop feeling congested.
• It cools the air a little bit, too!

Cons

• It might be too loud for you.
• It doesn’t help with cigarette smoke odor.
• The instructions are unclear.
• The fan switch is a little difficult to slide back and forth.

Honeywell HFD-120-Q QuietClean Tower Air Purifier with Permanent Washable Filters

Honeywell rotating air purifier circulates air and captures airborne particles up to 5 times an hour. The filter is washable, and the unit is energy efficient, so you could say this is a truly affordable option. It comes with an indicator that tells you when’s the time to wash the permanent filters. You can also add an odor reducing pre-filter.

A great thing about this model is that it blows out fresh air and you can feel it. Its oscillation tower can be enabled or disabled, if you don't like it, by the top panel switch. Also, the filters are washable, and you can remove them for cleaning easily. At last, the unit is surprisingly quiet in all three settings.

In this case, too, you’ll be dealing with a HEPA-type filter which is not as effective as the true HEPA one. Also, this model can be a bit pricey, and it will take up a lot of space in your home because you have to keep it four feet away from any walls on all sides.

Pros

• The filters are washable.
• It collects large amounts of dust and blows clean fresh air out.
• The oscillating tower can be enabled or disabled by the top panel switch.
• It is surprisingly quiet.
• All filters are easy to remove for cleaning.

Cons

• The filter is not as effective as HEPA one.
• The power cord is short.
• You have to keep it four feet away from all walls.
• It’s a bit pricey.

Conclusion

At this point, you can differentiate the four main types of air purifiers, and you know that they should be energy efficient, have washable pre-filter, be quiet and easy to clean.

When we take all of these factors into account, it is clear that our recommendation for the best air purifier for allergies is Honeywell 50255B True Hepa Allergen Remover Air Purifier.

Let us know if you agree with our choice and if you have any other questions or opinions you'd like to share!

 

 

 

Source: https://thingsnurseslike.com/best-air-purifier-for-allergies/