Best Air Purifiers (2026): Tested Picks for Every Room

• Best Air Purifier for Smoke

  

  Courtesy of Rabbit Air

  Rabbit Air

  BioGS 2.0

  The Rabbit Air is a sleek, disappears-in-a-room air purifier that punches above its weight thanks to its low price and five-year warranty. It has both a HEPA filter to trap common allergens like dust and pollen, plus that dangerous invisible PM 2.5, which can occur in wildfire smoke. It's also got an activated charcoal carbon filter to capture VOCs and odors and a negative ion generator that basically gives air molecules a static charge, making them easier to capture.

  The BioGS 2.0 is able to clean 550 square feet at two air exchanges per hour and 275 square feet at four air exchanges per hour. I could clean my entire 1,000-square-foot apartment with two Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0s, and as the air purifiers are under $400 each, they're some of the more affordable options on the market. The Rabbit's built-in sensors adjust fan speeds, and the unit’s control panel illuminates in low-light settings. It also has a remote. I was disappointed that the BioGS 2.0 isn’t compatible with the Rabbit Air app, nor can it work with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant like other Rabbit Air models. Still, because of its cost, quiet operation, ability, and style, this is one of my favorite air purifiers. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

  Smart app	No
  Remote	Yes
  Ideal room size for recommended four air exchanges per hour	275 square feet
  Weight	16.8 pounds
  Noise on high	60 decibels
  Filter	BioGS HEPA and charcoal-based activated carbon filters
  Warranty	5 years

  WIRED/TIRED

  WIRED

  • Sleek looks
  • Five-year warranty
  • Has a remote
  • Charcoal filter removes odors and VOCs

  TIRED

  • Doesn't work with the Rabbit Air app
  • Doesn't work with smart-home platforms

• Best Personal Desk Air Purifier

  • Photograph: Molly Higgins

  • Video: Molly Higgins

  IQAir

  Atem Desk Air Purifier

  Designed as a compact option for a desk or nightstand, this model is meant to deliver direct air filtration right where you sit rather than treating a whole room. With coverage capped at 150 square feet, it isn’t able to reach the recommended four to five air changes per hour for an entire enclosed space, but it provides a steady stream of clean air to help reduce allergen and virus exposure in your immediate breathing area.

  It's super simple: Setup just requires mounting on the metal stand, and you can cycle through the low, medium, and high speed levels by pressing the side panel (the blue light will shine from low to full to signify the level). You can also download the IQAir app to customize fan speeds, lights, monitor filter life levels, and enable the machine to automatically turn on or off based on your proximity. (Note: Even though it wasn't designed for it, I tested it in my smoke tent anyway, and it took 48 minutes to visually clear the smoke and six hours to reach healthy levels, so definitely don't count on it to clean anything beyond your immediate area. )

  I have cycled between putting this on the desk I sit at while I work from home to combat sickness as cold and flu season ramps up, and on top of the cabinet that I keep my litter box in—it works fantastically at keeping poopy smells at bay.

  Smart app	Yes
  Remote	No
  Ideal room size for recommended four air exchanges per hour	N/A
  Weight	6 pounds
  Noise on high	60 decibels
  Filter	HyperHEPA
  Warranty	1 year without registering, 3 years when registered

  WIRED/TIRED

  WIRED

  • Connected app
  • Great for personal use at a desk
  • Small and portable

  TIRED

  • Limited settings
  • Doesn't purify a large space

Compare Our Picks

	Smart App	Remote	Ideal Room Size	Weight	Noise on high	Filter	Warranty
Coway Airmega Mighty2	No	No	360 square feet	15.2 pounds	70 decibels	Washable prefilter, Max2 filter of activated carbon, and HEPA	1 year for air purifier; 3 years for motor and electrical parts
IQAir Atem X	Yes	Yes	800 square feet	28.7 pounds	Not specified	HyperHEPA filter	1 year, or 10 years with registration and filter subscription
Coway Airmega 450	No	No	350 square feet	24.9 pounds	57.7 decibels	Three-in-one filter with vacuumable prefilter, True Green HEPA, and activated carbon	1 year for air purifier; 3 years for motor and electrical parts
Levoit Vital 200S-P Air Purifier	Yes	No	380 square feet	13.2 pounds	75 decibels	Three-stage filtration: washable prefilter, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA-grade filter	2 years limited
Coway Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH	No	No	368 square feet	12 pounds	53 decibels	HEPA, a deodorizing filter, and prefilter	1 year for air purifier, 3 years for motor and electrical parts
IQAir HealthPro Plus XE Air Purifier	Yes	No	500 square feet	35 pounds	65 dB	Pre-filter, HyperHEPA filter, activated carbon filter	10 years (with registration, 1 without)
Dreame Air Purifier FP10	Yes	No	300 square feet	19.4 pounds	72 decibels	Four layers, including HEPA and activated carbon	2 years
Molekule PECOAir+	Yes	No	219 square feet	17.5 pounds	66 decibels	HEPA filter with PECO technology and activated carbon	2 years
Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0	No	Yes	275 square feet	16.8 pounds	60 decibels	BioGS HEPA and charcoal-based activated carbon filters	5 years
IQAir Atem Desk Air Purifier	Yes	No	N/A	6 pounds	60 decibels	HyperHEPA	1 year without registering, 3 years when registered

Others Tested

Photograph: Molly Higgins

Video: Molly Higgins

Shark BreatheClear Max for $450: Launched in April (we've previously tested the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier and Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max), this purifier offers intelligent purification that automatically adjusts fan speed in response to the air around it, scanning the air 3,600 times per hour. The filter lasts up to a whopping six years, and it can clean up to 1,650 square feet in an hour. This model has an updated LCD screen that has tons of information about the air around you, including metrics with graphics about air insights; historical graphs on air quality, temperature, and humidity; and pollutant information, including measurements for PM 2.5 and 10, and VOCs. To be honest, though, this air purifier slightly annoyed me. The bottom never seemed to screw in right and often fell out, and the fan auto-detected seemingly any and every potential pollutant on auto mode—something as innocuous as my cat walking by would launch it into its highest level, at about 75 decibels. When I conducted a test with smoke pellets in a sealed tent, the purifier didn’t auto-adjust to the pollutants; I had to manually enter and hit the button to engage it. Then the air quality was at zero percent on the screen for 15 minutes; the smoke didn’t visually clear, and it seemed as if it wasn’t actually purifying. When I went to check on what was happening, I accidentally restarted the purifier, and it took almost five hours for the monitor to read that it was at a healthy level again.

Coway Airmega Halo for $230: This is the newest release in Coway's Airmega line: an affordable, lightweight air purifier that aims to deliver whole-room air purification at an accessible price point. It's a lightweight 9.7 pounds and doesn't have Wi-Fi capabilities, an app, or a remote. Inside, there's a cylindrical IEST-certified HEPA three-stage filter and a MegaScan Particle Sensor, which continuously monitors the air in real time to detect smoke, fine dust, and allergens down to PM 2.5. As I do with all WIRED-tested air purifiers, I measured the Airmega Halo's efficacy by using a sealed tent and smoke pellets to see how quickly each air purifier clears the pellet smoke and returns the air to healthy quality when on auto mode. After one minute and 45 seconds, the air was no longer clouded, and the light shone blue for a healthy level. However, in independent testing with an air quality monitor, I found that it took nearly six minutes for the air to truly return to normal levels again—an alarming, almost four-minute discrepancy. Still, if you're looking for a purifier for a baby's room or are an especially light sleeper, this purifier offers a Night Sensor feature that could be helpful.

IQAir GC MultiGas XE

Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

IQAir GC MultiGas XE for $1,600: This Swiss-made unit is a heavy tower model (55 pounds), but it has wheels for easier rolling, and at its highest setting, it can clean 275 cubic feet per minute (CFM). I appreciate that the air sensor’s indicator light is in accordance with US AQI colors. And the built-in sensor and IQAir app make it easy to use—in fact, the app provides one of the most intuitive user experiences of all I’ve tested. It can also capture toxic gases and vapors, and on auto mode, the fan speeds auto-adjust. It can clean the air of a large space with multiple air exchanges in an hour. I’ve been using it in the main room of an A-frame cabin with double-height ceilings (around 3,000 cubic feet) for the past two months, and it has kept my indoor air quality healthy. But with great power comes great noise. At its highest setting, the GC MultiGas XE runs at a loud 68 decibels—that's just 2 decibels shy of the sound of a consumer vacuum cleaner, though it’s quiet at its lower settings. At $1,600, this workhorse isn’t cheap, but it’s an investment that’s built to last. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Airthings Renew

Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

Airthings Renew for $300: I wasn’t expecting to like the unassuming minimalist Renew from Airthings as much as I did. Its gray box design is so understated, quiet, and powerful that it was easy to plug it in and forget about it. The Renew is also the first purifier I’ve tested that gives the user multiple placement options: It can stand up with the air output facing up and sideways, and the entire box can lie on the floor. The Airthings app not only shows data graph-style, but it also functions as a remote that can adjust the purifier settings, including setting the panel lock, which is handy for cat owners. The control panel and the indicator light are barely there, and it’s not easy to see the tiny light letting me know my indoor air quality. At first, I thought the main drawback was size. The Renew is made for a bedroom, home office, or nursery. If you place it in a larger room, it’s going to have to run at its highest setting. The main drawback that I noticed after several months of use was the exterior prefilter. It did its job capturing pollutants, but I wasn't able to clean it, even with my vacuum. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Coway Airmega ProX for $911: The Coway Airmega ProX is a monolith any high-ceilinged home needs. Specifically, if you’re living in an A-frame, double-height ceiling loft, or any home with a ceiling higher than 8 feet, this model is for you. It gives off the vibe of a TARS robot from Interstellar crossed with a giant stereo speaker. It has a nice blend-into-the-room-mocha beige aesthetic and can clean the air four times per hour in a 1,000-square-foot space when running at its highest setting. And even at its highest and therefore loudest setting, it hovers around 50 decibels, slightly louder than the sound of falling rain, making it one of the quieter large tower air purifiers I’ve tested. It also has a control panel lock that is a plus for parents and cat owners alike. However, even though the 50-pound ProX has hidden handles and built-in lockable wheels, it really is just too heavy for the home consumer. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Coway Airmega 400S

Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

Coway Airmega 400S for $680: Coway's Airmega 400S is another banger from the air purifier innovators. The 400S checks all the boxes when it comes to features. It has a reliable auto mode that adjusts the fan speed according to the air quality using its built-in air quality sensor. It also has a timer to schedule one, four, or eight hours of running time. And while it has a serviceable app, its built-in air sensor and auto-adjust fan keep me from having to micromanage settings. The question is, can this air purifier do the job without me pushing buttons or checking the indoor air quality, and do it quietly? With the Airmega 400S, the answer is yes. I just wish its 15 x 23 x 15-inch dimensions didn't make it so hard to place in a room. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

AirDoctor AD4000 Air Purifier for $399: AirDoctor makes sturdy and reliable purifiers, but as I went to pair the AD4000, I realized it had no Wi-Fi button on the control panel. At this price point, the AD4000 should be Wi-Fi compatible, especially since it has an internal air quality sensor. Users should have the option to view indoor air quality on the AirDoctor app dashboard. And while the AD4000 is made for larger spaces, if one wanted to achieve the four air exchanges per hour that the AD4000 supposedly can do, then it would have its fan at the highest setting. My consumer sound level meter registered 100 decibels at full blast. It sounded to me like a hair dryer on a low setting. For context, the CDC’s recommendation for noise levels for workers is that they are not exposed to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes. It’s for that reason that all air purifiers need to be in a space where they can run the fan at the lowest (or reasonably quiet) setting. The AD4000 would do well in a 200- to 300-square-foot room, where it could run on a lower setting. Also, be careful when unboxing: When I was setting up the AD4000, the sticker with instructions to take the filters out of their plastic bags pulled off the control panel when I went to remove it. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Airdog X5 for $649: The Airdog X5 is the first washable-filter air purifier I’ve tested. And while it doesn’t use a HEPA, it is California Air Resources Board–certified. CARB lists it as electronic filtration instead of a HEPA filter; that would be listed as mechanical. As I’ve written before, if an air purifier isn’t CARB-certified, it's likely not worth buying. I tested the Airdog in a large room, and it even came with a limited-edition pet plate. That is exactly what it sounds like—a plate that fits over the Airdog meant for a cat to perch on. Neither of my cats took to it. The Airdog has a responsive built-in sensor that was in sync with my other air quality monitors. And its electronic air filters, by way of their patented TPA technology, charge particles and then capture them. The best way I can describe it is to imagine that the PM 2.5 are mosquitoes and the Airdog is like an old-time mosquito zapper. It works a little like that, and if the filter gets dirty enough, it will make zap sounds. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Windmill Air Purifier for $249: I like the Scandinavian look of this bamboo purifier, and it’s more furniture-esque than other models. Still, with the blue model, the nicks in the veneer show up as white. It’s possible the bamboo finish might wear better. I really like this brand and reviewed its desk fan and air conditioner, the latter of which pairs with the Windmill Air app, and I'm equally happy using the app with its air purifier. The Windmill has an internal sensor and indicator light: green for good, yellow for moderate, pink for bad, and red for unhealthy. And while the “boost” setting is the loudest, it is still relatively quiet at its lower setting. I prefer to run it on the auto-adjusting eco mode. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Coway Airmega 50 for $72: A mini version of the brand's Airmega 100, the Airmega 50 (see the full review) has many of the features of Coway’s larger and more expensive models and is notably affordable. The Airmega 50 was surprisingly effective for an air purifier the size of a roll of paper towels. The built-in sensor triggers both auto mode and the air quality indicator light, which gives the user instant information with nightlight vibes. One issue I have with all Coway air purifiers is the fact that the custom color air quality indicator lights are different from the US AQI's six color-coded categories. Instead of green signaling good air, Coway’s green means air quality is moderate. See how it’s confusing? Blue, which is not on the US AQI color scale, means good.

Puroair 240

Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

Puroair 240 HEPA Air Purifier for $160: At less than 9 inches tall, the Puroair 240 is tiny. And like so many of the smaller tabletop models, it’s also loud. It might be effective in a small space, say a room about 100 to 150 square feet. It's also CARB-certified. I found its filter size too small to effectively clean an average-sized room. And while I still review smaller air purifiers, there are larger and quieter models on the market for relatively the same cost that have greater air exchanges in a larger-sized room. The Puroair’s indicator light is adjusted by the 240’s internal sensor and is green for acceptable, yellow for moderate, and red for poor air quality. At times, I found the thin sliver of the indicator light difficult to see. The 240 has auto or manual mode, a timer, child lock, and filter replacement light. It also has a three-stage filter, including the tightly woven HEPA 14, activated carbon, and prefilter. Lastly, the 240’s black plastic attracted a noticeable amount of fingerprints. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Coway Airmega 250 for $380: The Airmega 250 has a decently large footprint, but it’s rated to clean a 930-square-foot room twice an hour. That’s why I put it smack-dab in the middle of the first floor of my home to clean the air in my kitchen and living room. Every time I cook, the smart air purifier mode automatically detects unhealthy particles in the air and ratchets up the fan’s power. It also recently did this when I had someone patch some drywall in my mudroom. (This mode works with the help of a PM 10 and PM 2.5 particle sensor.) The fan at its highest setting isn’t that loud—I measured it at 60 decibels standing right in front of it. There’s a sleep mode if you want it silent. You get the usual controls, like timer functionality and replacement indicators for the filter. Speaking of, the Airmega 250 uses a true HEPA filter that needs to be replaced once every six to 12 months. This, combined with the washable prefilter that you should be keeping clean every two weeks and the activated carbon filter, allows the air purifier to remove 99.999 percent of ultrafine particles down to 0.01 microns, or so Coway says. It’s super easy to remove these filters to clean and swap them out. The whole system is roughly 21 pounds, so you can move it around fairly easily. Coway offers a three-year warranty. The Coway Airmega 250S is the same model but with Wi-Fi functionality, so you can control it via an app and see more details. The last thing I need is another app, but maybe you don’t mind. —Julian Chokkattu

Oransi AirMend

Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

Oransi AirMend True Carbon for $300: While other AirMend models are made for HEPA filters, the True Carbon doesn’t have a HEPA. Instead, it has a 3-pound activated carbon filter. There's a remote but no internal sensor, so raising the fan speed is a manual operation. It took a few tries using the remote, as there is a small lag time as the fan adjusts to different speeds. I appreciated the magnetic remote holder on the top of the purifier. It’s quiet on most settings and has an easy-to-miss minimalist design, blending into most spaces. The True Carbon is for those who need serious odor removal. I placed the True Carbon next to my two cats’ heavily used litter box, and within half an hour the purifier eliminated the smell. I knew it was working when my son couldn’t detect an odor. I could see the True Carbon being an essential appliance for smoker households, kitchens that retain smells, or cat owners. It’s surprisingly effective, but this is for VOCs and odors. The True Carbon is HEPA-less—it cannot capture fine particulates from the air. What you gain with a supersized activated carbon filter, you lose in standard air-purifying ability, such as removing PM 2.5. That might be fine for your needs. Oransi also makes a wall mount and handy travel bag sold separately. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

PurOxygen P500i for $170: This machine cleans the air of a smaller-than-average-sized room, and its easy-to-read display, app compatibility, side handles, and unique all-in-one filter make it easy to like. I usually stay away from small-room air purifiers due to their loud noise and less-than-ideal air-cleaning power. And while at its highest setting, the P500i reaches up to 50 decibels, it operates quietly at lower speeds and can effectively clean the air in a home office or a room smaller than 200 square feet. The PurOxygen uses a combined filter that has a prefilter that can be un-Velcroed and hand-washed, an activated carbon, a HEPA 13, and a cold catalyst filter. A cold catalyst, also known as low-temperature catalyst filtration, can cause a chemical reaction that can break down gases, like VOCs, and convert them to less harmful substances. And while the P500i is CARB-certified as a mechanical air purifier, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend catalysts due to their limited effectiveness. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

How to Shop for an Air Purifier

How does a busy shopper find the right size purifier for a room they want to clean? The CDC recommends that one should aim for five air exchanges per hour, in a metric known as the ACH. When looking at an air purifier, look at the cubic feet per minute in airflow at the lowest setting. When measuring the cubic footage of your room, you need the area of the room times the height. Imagine a one-foot cube of styrofoam: How many cubes could you fit into a room?

Anyone shopping for an air purifier also needs to look for two acronyms and terms. First, look for CARB certification, which means that the unit passed the rigorous standards of the California Air Resources Board. Next, check the filter type (broken down below). Also, don’t forget to unwrap your filter! There’s a special kind of horror that comes with realizing you’ve been running your air purifier with a plastic-wrapped HEPA filter.

HEPA Filters: This is a high-efficiency particulate air filter that can remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It's a great option for those who suffer from allergies or respiratory issues, since it can help to clear out airborne particles that can trigger symptoms—like sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, coughing, and more. It's worth noting, however, that HEPA filters don't remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air the way activated carbon filters do. But these are typically paired with carbon filters.

Activated Carbon: Activated carbon filters (also known as activated charcoal) are highly effective because they are very porous and have a large surface area—allowing the filters to absorb gas pollutants, odors, and VOCs. They’re best for removing fumes, smoke, and chemicals from the air. But these filters have to be replaced more often depending on the environment. For example, if there’s a wildfire in your area and the air purifier is working more intensely than usual, it’s important to replace a saturated filter to avoid toxic gases from being released back into the air.

Washable Air Filters: A few of the options I've listed in this guide come with washable prefilters in addition to a HEPA and/or activated carbon filter—which is what you'll typically find. These are the most cost-effective since you don't have to buy new ones each time you need to replace a filter. Simply remove it, scrub it with soap and water, and let it dry.

UV-C Sanitizer Filters: Ultraviolet filters use UV light to kill viruses, parasites, mold spores, and bacteria. They can't remove airborne particles, VOCs, or gas pollutants, so they're only fully effective when combined with a HEPA filter. According to the EPA, UV lights without proper lamp coatings have the potential to emit ozone. I recommend checking this list from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for models that have been shown to emit little to no ozone. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

How to Check Your Air Quality

Many large states and cities are required to report the local outdoor air quality index (AQI), which was established by the EPA and measures the concentrations of major air pollutants, like ground ozone and carbon monoxide, that are regulated by the Clean Air Act. We like AirCare (iOS, Android), but your state or county may have even more localized apps.

To check if your indoor air quality stacks up, consumer monitors like the Airthings View Plus ($330) also measure carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity, in addition to pollutants and particulate matter (PM) of various sizes, including the notably health-compromising PM 2.5. Need more information? Check out our complete guide to checking your air quality. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

How Does WIRED Select Air Purifiers to Review?

We look at popular models from all brands—both new and long established—and at all price points, taking into consideration features, size, effectiveness, and consumer popularity. Companies themselves often provide samples with the understanding that editorial coverage is not guaranteed. WIRED does earn affiliate revenue from purchases, but this does not factor into our editorial decisions.

What Do I Do With Air Purifiers After Testing?

A handful of top picks are kept around for longer-term testing, evaluation against new picks, and for use in testing auxiliary products like food dehydrators and the Plantaform indoor smart garden, but all others are donated locally, including to organizations like NYC public schools.

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