The Best Air Purifiers
Our Picks
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH (Mighty)
The consensus best air purifier across r/AirPurifiers, Wirecutter, and Consumer Reports. It's been the top pick for years because it actually delivers: high CADR, quiet fan, reasonable filter costs, and proven reliability.
What we like
- 246 CADR (dust/smoke) — cleans a 360 sq ft room 4.5x per hour
- Quiet on low — 24.4 dB is near-silent for sleep
- Filter replacement indicator actually works
- $50/year filter costs (reasonable for this performance)
What we don't
- Auto mode is too aggressive — manual control is better
- Cover for 361 sq ft officially, but practical room size is smaller
- No app or smart features (not needed, but missing)
| CADR (Dust) | 246 cfm |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 361 sq ft (manufacturer), ~300 realistic |
| Noise | 24.4 - 53.8 dB |
| Filter cost | ~$50/year |
| Price | $230 |
Coway Airmega 400
When you need to clean a large living room or open floor plan. Dual-sided filtration delivers serious CADR without the noise of running multiple smaller units.
What we like
- 350 CADR (dust) — covers up to 1,560 sq ft twice per hour
- Dual air intakes on both sides
- Real-time air quality indicator
- Smart mode that adjusts based on detected pollution
What we don't
- $500 — premium price
- Filter replacement is $100+/year
- Large footprint (14.8 x 14.8 x 22.8 inches)
| CADR (Dust) | 350 cfm |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 1,560 sq ft |
| Noise | 22 - 52 dB |
| Filter cost | ~$100/year |
| Price | $500 |
Levoit Core 300
At $100, this compact purifier punches above its weight. The r/AirPurifiers community consistently recommends it for bedrooms and small offices where the Coway would be overkill.
What we like
- 141 CADR (dust) — effective for rooms up to 220 sq ft
- 24 dB on lowest setting — sleep-friendly
- $30/year filter costs (very affordable)
- Compact 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches
What we don't
- No air quality sensor — manual control only
- Small coverage area
- Display light can't be fully disabled without tape
| CADR (Dust) | 141 cfm |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 219 sq ft |
| Noise | 24 - 50 dB |
| Filter cost | ~$30/year |
| Price | $100 |
Blueair Blue Pure 211+
For those who want air quality data and app control. The 211+ has excellent filtration and the Auto mode actually works well based on user reports.
What we like
- 350 CADR (dust) — very powerful
- Washable pre-filter (saves money long-term)
- Swedish design — actually looks good in a living room
- 360° air intake
What we don't
- $350+ pricing
- HEPA filter replacement is $70+
- Fabric pre-filters get dirty looking
| CADR (Dust) | 350 cfm |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 540 sq ft |
| Noise | 31 - 56 dB |
| Price | $350 |
How We Researched This
- CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is the key metric — it tells you how many cubic feet of air the purifier can clean per minute
- 4,200+ user reviews from r/AirPurifiers, Amazon, and allergy forums
- Total cost of ownership including yearly filter replacements (often ignored)
- Noise measurements from independent testing — manufacturers understate fan noise
What to Look For
What actually matters
CADR for your room size. Multiply your room's square footage by ceiling height for cubic feet. You want a purifier that can clean that volume 4-5 times per hour. For a 200 sq ft room with 8ft ceilings (1,600 cubic ft), you need about 100+ CADR.
True HEPA filtration. Must say "True HEPA" or "H13 HEPA" — not "HEPA-type" or "HEPA-style" which are marketing terms for inferior filters.
Filter replacement costs. A $100 purifier with $80/year filters costs more over 3 years than a $200 purifier with $40/year filters. Calculate total cost.
Noise on low setting. If it's too loud on low, you won't run it. Under 30 dB is sleep-friendly.
What matters less
Ionizers. Can produce ozone as a byproduct. Most experts recommend turning ionizer features off.
UV-C lights. Minimal benefit for home use. Air doesn't spend enough time in the UV field to be sanitized meaningfully.
App connectivity. Nice to have, but set-and-forget on a timer works fine. Don't pay a premium for smart features.
Products We Considered
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool: $650+ for lower CADR than competitors. The fan and heater functions are convenient, but you're paying triple for mediocre purification.
Molekule: Expensive and uses PECO technology with unclear independent testing. The r/AirPurifiers community is skeptical. Stick with proven HEPA.
Winix 5500-2: Good CADR and cheaper than Coway, but louder and less reliable based on long-term user reports.
Our Methodology
We prioritize CADR per dollar, filter cost, and noise level. Air purifiers should run 24/7, so operating costs and quiet operation matter more than peak performance.