Best air purifiers for 2024, tried and tested by Mumsnetters
Are you keen to counteract the effects of allergies, pet hair and bacteria in your home? Here are the best air purifiers to suit every room and budget, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Apr 5, 2024
While you can do your best to keep your house clean and hygienic, a hectic family life with children and pets can easily leave hidden allergens behind, even if you're using the best washing machine money can buy and a high-quality dehumidifier. Poor quality air in your surroundings can negatively affect your health and well-being. If you’re experiencing unwelcome symptoms such as sneezing and coughing, itchy eyes, skin conditions, headaches or lethargy - this could result from poor air quality.
Air purifiers are a useful tool to combat air pollution inside your home. Using high-quality HEPA and carbon filters, they remove allergens such as dust, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, smoke and even cooking fumes from their surroundings better than even the best mould removers and moisture absorbers. With features such as varying fan speeds, whisper-quiet sleep modes and real-time air quality measurements, the best air purifiers can even remove unpleasant odours, improve your sleep and ease symptoms of conditions such as eczema and asthma.
Air purifiers can be quite a big investment, so to help you buy with confidence, we’ve done our research on the best air purifiers you can buy today. We know there’s nothing quite like a genuine recommendation, so we’ve tapped into trusted Mumsnet users’ tried and tested experiences, gathering feedback on the air purifiers they have used and would happily recommend to others. We then scrutinised wider consumer feedback and the views of industry experts and consumer champion Which? to bring you our pick of the best air purifiers to suit every room and budget.
These are the best air purifiers to buy.
Best air purifiers - editor's pick
Good value for money
Large coverage (up to 83m2)
360-degree coverage
Claims to filter 40% more air per hour than other purifiers
Clear visual display which shows the level of allergens in your room
Intelligent auto mode which adjusts to the surroundings
Sleep mode with low running volumes
Filters can be costly to replace
Price on writing: £150 | Max room size: 83m2 | Weight: 8.18kg | Filters: Nylon pre filter, H13 True HEPA Filter and High efficiency carbon activated filter | Sound level: 25dB- 54dB | Wattage: 33 Watts
Levoit air purifiers come well regarded amongst Mumsnet users, consumers and industry experts and this affordable LVH-133 model is no exception. Covering room sizes up to 83m2, it’s a great all-rounder, suitable for use in all rooms across your home, including kitchens and bedrooms.
With a three-stage HEPA filtration system, the Levoit LVH-133 effectively removes airborne particles such as dust, smoke and allergens such as pollen and pet hair from your home, with the brand claiming it filters 40% more air per hour when compared to its competitors.
Easy to use, we love the Auto mode that automatically assesses the air quality and adjusts between three fan speeds depending on the level of air pollution. You can also set a timer between one and 12 hours to suit your schedule.
If you’re using the Levoit LVH-133 in your bedroom, the sleep mode is also a great addition - turning off the LED screen and lowering the running volume to just 25dB so it won’t disturb your peace.
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Budget-friendly price tag
24dB sleep mode
Display off mode
Choice of four replacement filters to suit your surroundings
Costly replacement filters
Price on writing: £100 | Max room size: 80m2 | Weight: 3.39kg | Filters: Pre-filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, High-efficiency carbon activated filter | Sound level: 24dB (sleep mode) - 50dB | Wattage: 45 Watts
The price of some air purifiers can be offputting, but this Levoit model offers excellent value for money - with positive reviews and many of the features found in more costly air purifier models.
Suitable for rooms up to 80m2, the Levoit Core 300 can be set on a timer to run between two and eight hours (or programmed for a set duration) with a choice of three-speed settings to tackle allergens such as pollen, smoke and dust in your home. We love the sleep mode with an optional display, reducing operating volumes to just 24 dB.
The HEPA filter on this model requires replacement every six to eight months, however, there are four types of filters to choose from, including filters specifically tailored for pet allergies, toxins, mould and bacteria.
Related: The best budget washing machines under £500
Award-winning air purifier brand
Auto mode that tailors the programme to its surroundings
Incredibly low night mode volumes
Up to 83% faster cleaning and 50% less noise than previous Blue models
360-degree air intake
LED air quality indicator
Smartphone and voice control features
Less suited to larger rooms
No timer
Price on writing: £150 | Max room size: 48m2 | Weight: 3.39kg | Filters: HEPA | Sound level: 18dB - 46dB | Wattage: 2.5 - 20 watts
The Blueair Blue Max 3250i has a stylish design that won’t look out of place or clinical even in a modern home. It’s best suited to rooms up to 48m2 and makes a great addition for those suffering from allergies and hay fever.
We love the clear LED light indicator which changes to one of five colours to reflect the air quality of your room - with blue meaning excellent and red representing ‘very polluted’. You can pick between three powerful fan speeds or simply opt for the Auto mode, which automatically adjusts fan speed based on its surroundings.
The controls are accessed from the top of the device, but you may find it easier to control via the app or use voice commands via your Alexa or Google Assistant.
There’s no timer or auto shut-off on this model, however, we love the discreet night mode, which dims the lights and runs at just 18dB to ensure a good night’s sleep.
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Super quiet sleep mode
Intelligent Auto mode
Four fan speeds
Low energy consumption
Philips Air+ app
Substantial coverage suitable for larger rooms
Costly initial investment
Price on writing: £346 | Max room size: 135m2 | Weight: 6.8kg | Filters Pre filter, HEPA and active carbon | Sound level: 15dB (sleep mode) | Wattage: 55 watts
Whilst it comes with a rather eye-watering price tag, the Philips Series 3000i Connected Air Purifier offers impressive performance even in large open plan spaces, cleaning a 20m2 room in just six minutes. Intelligent sensors continuously scan the room and report the air quality in real time, while the three-layer HEPA filtration system can remove 99.7% of invisible particles from the air.
We love the control and ease of monitoring your surroundings using the Philips Air+ app, while the ultra-quiet operating volumes and lack of light disturbance make it ideal for use in your bedroom overnight.
Best of all, this won’t hike up your energy bills, with low energy consumption equivalent to just one light bulb.
Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool™ Formaldehyde Purifying Fan
Cooling fan and air purifier in one
Removes 99.95% of particles
Four sensors continuously monitor the air
Advanced HEPA filtration
Controlled via app, voice or remote control
Costly
Noisy with no sleep mode
Price on writing: £550 | Max room size: Up to 81m2 | Weight: 4.85kg | Filters: HEPA and carbon activated | Sound level: 59dB | Wattage: 40 watts
While the Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool™ Formaldehyde Purifying Fan is an extravagant choice, this 2-in-1 product also includes a cooling fan, making a great addition to smaller rooms or workspaces such as a home office or study.
Four inbuilt sensors continuously monitor the room, while the advanced HEPA filtration can remove up to 99.95% of particles in the air to keep the room cool and fresh in all weathers and reduce the impacts of pollen, dust or airborne bacteria.
Whilst it's easy to use via the remote, app or voice controls, there’s no sleep mode on this model and it’s a little noisier than some, so you might not want to run it overnight. That said, the cooling feature is a welcome addition during a summer heatwave - especially if you’re prone to hay fever.
How do air purifiers work?
Air purifiers use HEPA or activated carbon filters to remove pollutant particles from the air, improving the overall air quality and reducing the health risks associated with poor air quality.
HEPA filters (otherwise known as High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, while carbon filters can neutralise odours and absorb gases such as smoke or food smells.
Can air purifiers help protect against viruses?
Air purifiers are useful for indoor spaces, especially shared spaces where multiple people gather together. By continuously cleansing and circulating the air, air purifiers can absorb airborne virus particles, including respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu that can be spread by coughing and sneezing. That said, they aren’t the perfect solution, so it's still crucial to practise good hand hygiene and ventilate the room wherever possible.
Related: The best tower fans for practical cooling
How to choose the best air purifier for your home
Here are some things you may want to consider when choosing the right air purifier for your home.
Room size - Air purifiers vary in terms of their maximum coverage, so check the specifications carefully to ensure they are suitable for the room you wish to use them in - especially if it's a large open-plan space.
Design and dimensions - Some air purifiers are large and clinical looking, so check the full dimensions to make sure they won’t be too overbearing or take up too much space in your room. Some air purifiers such as the Blue Air or Dyson have a more modern and aesthetically pleasing design, which may be more appealing or ‘insta worthy’ in a modern home.
Type of filter (and cost of replacement) - The cost of filters can soon add up, so you may want to consider the type of filters your air purifier uses, how often they need replacing and the cost of each replacement - before factoring this into the overall price.
Noise levels (sleep modes) - Not all air purifiers have sleep modes, so it's important to check the noise levels - especially if you’re planning on using it in your bedroom at night. The quietest air purifiers run as low as 15dB, while other factors such as light dimming can be useful to keep the peace while you’re sleeping.
Auto mode - Does the air purifier have an auto mode, or do the settings need to be selected manually? Auto modes are the easiest to use, as they automatically adjust the fan speeds based on their surroundings.
Timer - Does the air purifier have a timer and auto shut off when the time is complete? This can be useful if you want a short air treatment before bed.
Cost - Last but not least, how much are you willing to spend? If you have allergies, skin conditions or other medical symptoms that can be affected by air pollution, you may want to invest in a more costly model that provides greater coverage or enhanced features.
Read next: Our guide to the best quiet fans for keeping your bedroom cool
What’s the best air purifier to buy?
The Levoit LVH-133 is our pick of the best air purifiers you can buy today. Offering excellent value for money, it has an efficient three-stage HEPA filter, convenient auto mode, a range of timer settings and a quiet sleep mode, making it a great all-rounder for most homes and budgets.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Many Mumsnetters suffer the effects of poor air pollution, experience the effects of allergies and skin conditions, or simply struggle to keep their home clear of pet dander, pollen or food smells.
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on the air purifiers they rate, recommend and have used in their own homes.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, overpriced or simply struggled to provide any noticeable benefits.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by consumer champions such as Which?.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best air purifiers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Lucy has recently invested in an air purifier for her daughter, who struggles with congestion and coughing during the night. As such, she has tried and tested experience of using functions such as timers, sleep modes and auto sensors.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.