The Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True-HEPA Air Purifier is our best HEPA air purifier and it runs very quietly in its operation. It can eliminate odors, pathogens, allergens and microbes that reside in the air using the true HEPA filter to help you breathe better. It has total area coverage of 200 square feet so it is ideal for medium to large sized rooms and it has also been verified and certified by AHAM due to its compact size and great air purifying power. The air purifier also has 3 speeds to choose from and it stands at a height of 16 inches so it is very low profile in its design. Any airborne pollutants that you can breathe will be sucked out using the true HEPA filter that it has in its technology. The HEPA filter is permanent and it can also be vacuumed easily due to its air purifying capabilities and ease of maintenance. Anything that has a size of 0.3 microns in the air can be eliminated. The HEPA filter can last from 1 to 3 years while the pre-filter can last up to 3 months.
Our step-up pick is the Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Allergen Remover and it can circulate air in a great rate of up to 5 times per hour. It cleans up to 99.97 percent of airborne and microscopic particles and allergens in the air and can help eliminate airborne germs, bacteria, viruses and dust in the air. It has a clean air delivery rate of 300 CADR and has been certified and verified by AHAM or the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and can cover up any space that has a total size of 465 square feet so it is very ideal for large rooms with a typical size of 21 by 22 feet. There is no need for guesswork as the electronic filter replacement reminders tells you when it is time to replace your filter. It has a total of three air cleaning levels to guarantee you with the best and most uninterrupted air purifying experience and there is also a turbo clean setting so you can worry less about excessive pollution in your household.
The budget pick is the Holmes HEPA Type Desktop Air Purifier and at a rate of 44 percent, it can significantly remove unpleasant odors in the air. The desktop design of this HEPA air purifier will definitely make it unobtrusive and attractive onto any home space or room due to the compact design. The ionizer feature is optional so that it will not give a lot of ozone impact to the environment yet it will be a great option for those who are really suffering from allergens in the air. You can also order a package with extra filters so you do not have to buy any additional filters after using this wonderful air purifier. Having a clean air delivery rate of 70 for smoke, there is also a slim dual positioning design feature which allows you to make the HEPA filter stand horizontally or fit it vertically onto any space or area. A filter change indicator reduces guesswork in its way as you help to maintain the air purifier’s durability and functionality and the motor is very durable and easy to operate.
A Little Background
High efficiency particulate arresting filters or HEPA filters are a modern innovation that is the centerpiece technology of most common household and commercial air purifiers today. HEPA filters are known for combating air irritants, pollutants and allergens such as dust, pollen from plants, smoke from tobacco and cigarettes, dust mites, pet dander and various household odors.
In general, a HEPA filter usually lasts about one year or 12 months on regular usage but can last for more or less months if your consumption varies from the average standard. HEPA filters usually go hand in hand with a carbon filter that eliminates odors, foul smells and the like in its way. Together, the HEPA filter and the carbon filter may help clean the air and maintain its freshness while keeping it away from airborne microbes and such from getting in the way of your family’s overall health.
The best HEPA air purifier out there may be distinguished with its powerful build and eco friendly features. This is because of the fact that a HEPA filter usually goes along with an ionizer feature to effectively clean the air if the bacteria and virus content in the air is very strong.
How We Picked
In choosing the best HEPA air purifier, we considered the following:
Coverage area – make sure that the HEPA filter of the air purifier can encompass a known size, such as small rooms, medium sized rooms or larger rooms.
Quiet operation – a HEPA air purifier that works quietly in the background is something to look forward to as a feature.
Ease of use – a HEPA air purifier with automatic controls is a truly hassle-free and eco-friendly and energy saving air purifier to look forward to.
Our Pick
Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True-HEPA Air Purifier
Our best HEPA air purifier is the Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True-HEPA Air Purifier which has total area coverage of 200 square feet so it is ideal for medium to large sized rooms. It can eliminate odors, pathogens, allergens and microbes that reside in the air using the true HEPA filter to help you breathe better. It runs very quietly in its operation and the HEPA filter is permanent and it can also be vacuumed easily due to its air purifying capabilities and ease of maintenance.
Any airborne pollutants that you can breathe will be sucked out using the true HEPA filter that it has in its technology. It stands at a height of 16 inches so it is very low profile in its design and it is a great air purifier for allergens and asthma in the long run. It has also been verified and certified by AHAM due to its compact size and great air purifying power and there are also indicator lights to help you distinguish the speeds and the functionality of the air purifier.
The electronic controls are also relatively easy to use and maintain and the air purifier also has 3 speeds to choose from. Super lightweight at only 11 pounds, it can help eliminate the worst air pollutants at a rate of 99.97 percent using the true HEPA filter. It is rated for use in 120-volt outlet systems. It can also fit any space that measures 12 by 14 feet in size and anything that has a size of 0.3 microns in the air can be eliminated. The HEPA filter can last from 1 to 3 years while the pre-filter can last up to 3 months. It is backed by a limited warranty of 5 years.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
Among the few flaws that the Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True-HEPA Air Purifier have but are not compromising its overall quality include the fact that some people complain that it is not as quiet as other products but for its air purifying power, it is very tolerable in general.
Step-up Pick
Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Allergen Remover
Our step-up pick, the Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Allergen Remover, can circulate air in a great rate of up to 5 times per hour. It can cover up any space that has a total size of 465 square feet so it is very ideal for large rooms with a typical size of 21 by 22 feet and it has a clean air delivery rate of 300 CADR and has been certified and verified by AHAM or the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
It can help eliminate airborne germs, bacteria, viruses and dust in the air. The timer has the option of 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours in its operation. There is also a turbo clean setting so you can worry less about excessive pollution in your household. It cleans up to 99.97 percent of airborne and microscopic particles and allergens in the air and has a total of three air cleaning levels to guarantee you with the best and most uninterrupted air purifying experience. There is no need for guesswork as the electronic filter replacement reminders tells you when it is time to replace your filter.
The electronic controls can be easily tapped without many problems at all to control the unit. it eliminates anything that is 0.3 microns in size or larger and takes out smoke, pet dander, fireplace debris, pollen, dust pet odor, tobacco odor, mold spores and much more. It also helps remove VOCs in the air as well as airborne germs that can cause sickness. This air purifier is also equipped with an LED dimmer so you can save more energy in its operation. A reference guide comes with this unit in a pull out paper mechanism.
Budget Pick
Holmes HEPA Type Desktop Air Purifier
Our budget pick, the Holmes HEPA Type Desktop Air Purifier, has a total of three speeds to choose from. The ionizer feature is optional so that it will not give a lot of ozone impact to the environment yet it will be a great option for those who are really suffering from allergens in the air and the desktop design of this HEPA air purifier will definitely make it unobtrusive and attractive onto any home space or room due to the compact design.
The air purifier is known to target 99 percent of dust and air irritants that have a size of 2 microns so your air stays fresh and clean using the HEPA type filter. There is also a slim dual positioning design feature which allows you to make the HEPA filter stand horizontally or fit it vertically onto any space or area. It has a clean air delivery rate of 70 for smoke and can be used on rooms that measure more or less 11 by 10 feet or up to 109 square feet in size.
You can also order a package with extra filters so you do not have to buy any additional filters after using this wonderful air purifier. A filter change indicator reduces guesswork in its way as you help to maintain the air purifier’s durability and functionality and at a rate of 44 percent, it can significantly remove unpleasant odors in the air.
Also, the high efficiency filter works its way to remove allergens and airborne particles in any room and the motor is very durable and easy to operate. The filter can be changed from 3 to 4 months and the slim design is very unobtrusive as an air purifier.
Energy Star Certified HEPA Air Purifier
Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner Model
With the Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner Model, you get something that is highly approved by the standards and certifications of Energy Star in its build. It can definitely reduce indoor pollutants, odors and the like using the three-stage cleaning mechanism of this air purifier and it can also significantly remove dust, dirt, microbes and the like in the air. It does not emit ozone and chemicals that may be harmful to the environment so it is a truly eco friendly HEPA air purifier.
There is no need for a remote control because it senses the air quality automatically using a sensor that has been built-in the machine to detect the air quality to adjust the fan accordingly to reduce your energy billings significantly as it only uses the recommended amount of speed based on your air quality.
And because it can cover up to 350 square feet of area, it is definitely a must-have for larger rooms, areas and spaces. It greatly controls odor greatly using its carbon pre-filter and the HEPA filter has an approximate life of 1 year and the carbon filters last about 3 months of regular use. It has a clean air delivery rating of 350 square feet all in all and stands at a height of 21 inches. It can clean up to 99.97 percent of harmful airborne irritants with its patented PlasmaWave technology.
What’s more, it also combats most common harmful odors from pollutants, household materials and the like and it has been certified by UL and qualified by the standards of AHAM. It runs very quietly to help you sleep soundly and the filter paper is very friendly towards the environment. The pre filter and the carbon filters are also very friendly and the true HEPA filter is highly efficient in its ability filter out dust in the air. A limited warranty of 1 year comes with this product by Winix.
Best Round Design HEPA Air Purifier
Honeywell 50150-N Pure-HEPA Round Air Purifier
The air intake of this air purifier, the Honeywell 50150-N Pure-HEPA Round Air Purifier, is a patented technology that discharges at 360 degrees for the maximum capability of keeping the air purified as much as possible. It can reduce any germs, bacteria and viruses that reside in the air at a rate of 99.4 percent. Using the true HEPA filter, any airborne particles that pass through the air purifier can be reduced at a rate of 99.97, including pollutants like dust, germs, bacteria, viruses, mold spores and pollen from plants.
The true HEPA filter can be used with a vacuum cleaner for an easier maintenance routine. It does not make the use of a remote control because of the fact that it automatically senses the air quality to clean it up thoroughly and accordingly and any room that has a similar size to 225 square feet can be easily cleaned by this air purifier from Honeywell.
The HEPA filter can last for a long time due to its great lifespan of 3 to 5 years as long as you vacuum it properly. It also comes with a carbon pre-filter for taking out smoke and odors and it is approved by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for CADR or clean air delivery rates of 150 for smoke, 150 for dust and 150 for pollen. Moreover, it also does not give out ozone so it is safe for the environment and a limited warranty of 5 years comes with this air purifier.
Ideal HEPA Air Purifier that is Eco Friendly and Energy Saving
Surround Air XJ-3100A Intelli-Pro3 Air Purifier
Standing at a height of 19 inches, the Surround Air XJ-3100A Intelli-Pro3 Air Purifier has a very slim yet ingenious design. It can cover any area with a size of 600 square feet more or less so it is ideal for medium to large sized rooms for purifying the air. Also, the air you breathe will also be fully purified from germs, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, dust, pollen and the like. The fan is very powerful at a rate of 180 cubic feet per minute of blowing while still maintaining the quietest operation compared to most air purifiers. Being very super lightweight unit at only 12 pounds, the power consumption is very low at only 55 watts even on its highest air purifying setting, making it truly an eco friendly product.
It does not give you a lot of additional costs on replacement of filters and the like and it comes with five air cleaning stages: HEPA filter, UV lamp, carbon filter, photo catalyst oxidation filter and negative ion generator or ionizer. The HEPA filter is for protection against airborne allergens and dust to prevent allergies and asthmatic conditions and the HEPA filter can also be cleaned effortlessly. Also, the UV lamp kills germs, mold, toxins, viruses, fungi, bacteria and much more in its way.
Moreover, with the Surround Air Intelli-Pro3 Air Purifier, the activated carbon filter is for eliminating odors, smoke from cigarette, tobacco smoke, chemicals, VOCs, gases and much more. In addition to that, the oxidation photo catalyst filter is for most bacteria, chemicals, odors and pet residue in your household and the ionizer can help airborne filters to be cleared out of the way. Moreover, the fan can cover a lot of area in its way and the DC motor has a brushless design so you can ensure a very quiet operation. Also, the air purifier by Surround Air has a sensor technology to measure the air quality and set the performance of the fan depending on its quality to become a truly eco friendly and environment friendly energy saving HEPA air purifier.
Easily replace filters without guesswork due to its filter life sensor as it also has sensors to detect whether there is enough pollution in the air. There are 16 mini-LED lamps with UV technology to kill germs in its path. In fact, each UV lamp can last up to 5 years or more on the average use. It runs on any standard outlet at 100 to 120 volts AC at 60 Hz and the HEPA filter removes 0.3-micron particles that can harm you.
Ideal HEPA Air Purifier for Allergies
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
With the IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier, anything with a size of 0.003 microns can be filtered out by this amazing air purifier using the Ultrafine technology to eliminate even the finest air irritants possible. A great air purifier choice for allergy sufferers as well as asthma sufferers, compared to regular HEPA filters and HEPA air purifiers, this one is proven to be 100 times better and more effective using its patented and well-renowned HyperHEPA filtration system.
The filter has a total of 4 stages to go through and to effectively cycle the air and purify it at the same time. Moreover, it is also very efficient when it comes to its energy consumption. Compared to a regular light bulb, it consumes very little power to purify the air. The LED display is very reliable and it also has a long and reliable filter life and the unit can clear up to 99.5 percent of airborne particles using its HyperHEPA filtration capability. Moreover, it has been thoroughly tested even for 10 percent of the particles in the air. Greatly approved by the American Lung Association as a very accommodating air purifier, it also comes with 3 filters and an instructional video for installation.
HEPA Air Purifier with Ionizer Feature
Coway AP-1512HH True-HEPA Mighty Air Purifier
Available in both black and white models, the Coway AP-1512HH True-HEPA Mighty Air Purifier is our best ionizer purifier in which the true HEPA filter helps take out air irritants and bad smells as well as dust and pollen. The eco mode ensures that you save more energy in the long run and the filter change indicator eliminates guesswork in operating this air purifier.
It also identifies the air quality so it automatically adjusts your purifying power. At a rate of 99.97 percent, it can eliminate germs in the air as well as other pollutants, odors and dust. It is a great air purifier that detects when pollution is present for 30 minutes and will also automatically shut itself down when no air pollution has been detected to make it a truly energy saving air purifier.
It can be timed for 1 hour, 4 hours or 8 hours straight and it also has an air quality indicator to let you know when pollution is at its way. It can cover any typical area with a size of 361 square feet more or less and is certified by Energy Star and AHAM with a clean air delivery rate of 240 for pollen, 246 for dust and 233 for smoke. It has a filter replacement indicator for eliminating guesswork on maintenance.
HEPA Air Purifier with Humidifier Function
Sharp KC-850U Plasmacluster Humidifying Air Purifier
Certified by the AHAM and complies with the standards of Energy Star with its air purifying functionalities, the Sharp KC-850U Plasmacluster Humidifying Air Purifier has a unique humidifying function that effectively cleans the air. It runs very quietly in its purifying action so it will not disturb your sleep and is recommended for use in rooms that are in medium to large size with a size of 254 square feet.
It has a clean air delivery rating of 174 for pollen, 164 for smoke and also 164 for dust and the humidifying function helps to refresh the air and keep the ions in the air balanced using the unique Plasmacluster technology of Sharp. It can also improve the quality of air even in the coldest seasons and weather possible and is a great addition to places with low humidity. It uses a 3-stage filtering system as an air purifier and can help eliminate pollen, smoke, pet dander, germs, bacteria, mold spores and many more. The true HEPA filter can also take care of odors, fungus, mold and many more to reduce allergens in the air. In fact, there are a total of 3 fan speeds to choose from.
You can also have the option to turn on the auto mode to detect the air quality as the unit can capture any 0.3-micron particle at a rate of 99.97 percent. The true HEPA filter can last up to 5 years of regular use. Ideal for use on bedrooms, the active carbon filter can last up to 5 years and can be washed when needed. It has sensors for the water supply as well as humidity and the humidifying wick has a lifespan of about 2 years of regular use. It also has a quick clean mode and a pollen mode and it runs very quiet at 19 dBA on low at the clean function and 23 dBA on the clean and humidifying function. You can also turn off the ionize to help reduce on ozone threats.
Ideal HEPA Air Purifier for Large Rooms
AIRMEGA 300 The Smarter Air Purifier
The AIRMEGA 300 The Smarter Air Purifier has a filter life indicator to reduce the guesswork that you have to do in operating this air purifier and can cover really large areas up to 1,256 square feet so it is ideal for larger applications. It also has an eco mode to reduce on energy consumptions as well as an auto speed mode to help you save up on the fan speed. It can be set to run on 1 hour, 4 hours or 8 hours straight using its built-in timer and a monitoring system is set in real time for sensing the air quality so it allows you to let the sensor adjust the quality of air purifying action when needed.
It has a dual filtration system which takes out air particles that are harmful to your health at a rate of 99.97 percent and can reduce 99 percent of odors, VOCs and the like using the activated carbon filter. It also has a light sensor to detect when it is dark so it can operate in a quieter way for you to sleep better and it has four levels of pollution indicator. Its pre-filter is also easily washable when needed.
The Competition
Other HEPA air purifiers were not as much as effective as the ones we have picked here. It is important for any HEPA air purifier to have the superb capability of purifying the air from dust and allergens without taking its toll on your energy bill and also from your footprint and environmental impact.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of using HEPA filters?
A: According to Web MD , HEPA filters work well for allergies as they can eliminate pet dander, plant pollen, dust, allergens, smoke and many others in the air. They are especially helpful for allergy sufferers and some HEPA filters can also be vacuumed so they do not have to be replaced often.
Q: What are some of the other uses of HEPA filters?
A: According to Wikipedia , HEPA filters can also be used for people with tuberculosis and similar respiratory ailments, other than people with asthma and allergies. Since most HEPA filters nowadays can be vacuumed to clean them, they can also be reused without having to buy another one to replace them.
Wrapping It Up
As a whole, the Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True-HEPA Air Purifier is our best HEPA air purifier that will ease the mind of allergy sufferers and asthma patients alike.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.