An air purifier can remove tiny particles that come from pollutants like dust, pollen, and smoke. It can also tackle viruses and volatile organic compounds when used with an activated carbon filter. But our current ratings of more than 150 models confirm that some models are better than others. The best of them can remove particles at any speed setting, says Misha Kollontai, who oversees air-purifier testing at Consumer Reports. And the worst, he says, will struggle, even when running at the highest speed, and produce a fair amount of noise when doing so.

A high-quality air purifier can come in handy if you spend a lot of time cheffin’ it up in the kitchen, if you have pets that shed, if you use cleaning products throughout the house, or even if your surfaces seem to collect a considerable amount of dust. This is particularly true if you don’t or can’t open the windows to let fresh air circulate, or if the air outside isn’t the freshest to begin with, as may be the case during allergy or wildfire seasons.

Here’s a closer look at the top five air purifiers, listed in alphabetical order, from our ratings. For more options, explore our comprehensive air purifier ratings, where you can read more about the 150-plus models we currently rate and filter them according to your needs (including by price, brand, room size, and weight). To learn more about how air purifiers work, check out our air-purifier buying guide.

How We Pick the Best Air Purifiers Our engineers find that many of the models we run in our labs can ace our tests at high speed with no problem. It’s often how much debris these machines can capture when not on full blast that’s a challenge. The best air purifiers in our ratings are capable of clearing the air even on low settings—and they do it without making a racket. What’s more, they feature an intuitive design, so you don’t need a PhD in particle physics to operate them. And it’s a breeze to move them from room to room, maneuver the controls, and change filters. In March 2023 we also began folding a brand’s owner satisfaction and reliability ratings into a model’s Overall Score. These ratings are based on Consumer Reports’ 2022 Summer Survey, in which members reported on 8,377 air purifiers purchased between 2012 and 2022.

How We Test Air Purifiers To test air purifiers, we inject smoke and dust particles into a sealed chamber to assess how well each model removes particles between 0.1 and 1 micron. (Human hair has a diameter of roughly 100 microns.) Using a particle counter, we measure the change in particle concentration as the air purifier runs for 15 minutes at the highest speed and then at a lower speed. And because these machines are designed to run day and night, we measure noise levels, in decibels, at every speed, and calculate annual operating costs for filter replacements and energy use to run the machine 24 hours a day.

We recently tested 13 new models (including those from Air Doctor, Blueair, and Levoit) in our in-house lab. Five of the models scored so well on our tests that they landed on the CR Recommended list. But none of them did well enough to shake up our “Best of the Year” list, although two came very close.

We also recently tested a popular social media hack—a DIY air purifier—in the lab. (There are a few things you should know before trying it at home.)

Tanya A. Christian

Tanya Christian joined Consumer Reports as a multimedia content creator in 2021, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in the home and lifestyle space. As a content manager for small kitchen appliances, home remodeling products, and the sleep category, she’s happy to provide readers with recommendations on great design, helpful cooking tools, and smart ways to achieve better sleep. Follow her on Twitter @tanyaachristian.

What is the best air purifier for asthma? Why home air purifiers? Many of our customers have friends, family, and loved ones who suffer from asthma, or they may experience it themselves. This respiratory condition inflames airways and obstructs airflow and it can make breathing difficult and painful. The right home air purifiers trap the irritants that can trigger terrifying asthma attacks.

In a pursuit to unearth the top-notch air purifiers for asthma, an extensive investigation has been conducted. This exploration led to the scrutiny of myriad air purifiers, culminating in the identification of the top 5 that stand unmatched in performance, reliability, and efficiency. This article delves into an in-depth analysis of each, providing a panoramic view of their features, specifications, and user feedback. The air purifiers under the spotlight in this assessment are the Alen BreatheSmart 75i, Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD, Austin Air HealthMate HM400, Honeywell HPA300, and the Rabbit Air MinusA2. Journey through the article for a detailed inspection and comparison, arming you with the comprehensive information needed to make an informed, health-enhancing choice.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i

Alen BreatheSmart 75i

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i stands as a paragon of modern air purification technology. It excels in filtering out microscopic particles, ensuring an allergen-free environment conducive for individuals with asthma. With a remarkable Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), it quickly purifies air in spaces up to 1,300 square feet, making it ideal for large rooms and open-plan living areas. Additionally, its advanced WhisperMax technology ensures quiet operation, eliminating noise-related concerns.

Beyond basic filtration, the Alen 75i offers additional features, enhancing its utility further. Its built-in sensor continuously assesses the air quality, adjusting the fan speed automatically to ensure optimal air purification at all times. The optional ionizer provides an extra layer of air cleaning without emitting ozone, an added benefit for asthma sufferers.

Performance & Efficiency

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i demonstrates a compelling performance with a high CADR, ensuring fast and efficient air purification. This feature is vital for asthma sufferers as it indicates the air purifier’s ability to swiftly eliminate particles that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Its energy-efficient operation, compliant with ENERGY STAR ratings, confirms its minimal environmental impact, aligning with sustainable living goals.

In different seasons, especially during spring and fall when pollen counts soar, the Alen 75i continues to provide consistent, effective air purification, offering relief to asthma patients amidst heightened allergen levels.

Features

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i is endowed with an array of features optimal for asthma relief. One significant aspect is its HEPA filter, known for capturing even the minutest particles. The automatic air quality sensor and adjustable fan speed ensure that the air purifier operates at optimal levels, adapting to the air quality in real-time, and providing seamless, effective air purification.

Maintenance and Filter Replacement

Routine maintenance for the Alen BreatheSmart 75i is notably straightforward. The HEPA filters need replacement approximately every 12-15 months, ensuring the unit’s effectiveness in trapping allergens and pollutants. Alen offers an easy filter subscription service, guaranteeing timely replacements and continuous optimal operation.

Lifespan and Warranty

Designed for durability, the Alen 75i is projected to have a long lifespan, and its lifetime warranty underscores this. This extensive warranty coverage demonstrates Alen’s commitment to customer satisfaction and product reliability.

Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD

Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD

Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD is specifically engineered to provide superior air purification, targeting particles and gases that trigger asthma symptoms. Its deep-bed activated carbon filter adeptly removes chemicals and odors, while the Super HEPA filter captures 99.99% of airborne particles. The CADR of Allerair AirMedic ensures efficient air cleaning, reinforcing its position as a reliable choice for asthma patients.

In addition to its exceptional filtration, the Allerair model boasts of easy maintenance and long filter life, reducing the hassles of frequent replacements and ensuring uninterrupted operation for prolonged periods.

Performance & Efficiency

The Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD comes with a robust CADR, reflecting its capability to enhance air quality promptly, a crucial factor for individuals battling asthma. Its design is focused on low energy consumption, ensuring it doesn’t add a hefty load to your electricity bill while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint.

Regarding seasonal performance, the Allerair AirMedic maintains consistent efficiency. Its superior filter technology ensures optimal air purification irrespective of the season, safeguarding asthma patients against seasonal allergen spikes.

Features

The Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD stands out with its unique, deep-bed activated carbon filter, which effectively removes odors and gases, complementing its Super HEPA filter’s particle elimination. This combination ensures comprehensive air purification, crucial for individuals with asthma.

Additionally, its straightforward maintenance and durable design signify less frequent disruptions and consistent, long-term air purification, reflecting a thoughtful balance of performance and convenience.

Maintenance and Filter Replacement

Maintenance of the Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD is hassle-free. The unit’s carbon and HEPA filters should be replaced approximately every 24 months. This ease of maintenance ensures the persistent effectiveness of the air purifier in alleviating asthma symptoms.

Lifespan and Warranty

Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD is built to last, promising a substantial lifespan. The 5-year warranty supports this claim, offering customers peace of mind and assurance of a worthy investment in their health and well-being.

Austin Air HealthMate HM400

Austin Air HealthMate HM400

Austin Air’s HealthMate HM400 is renowned for its robust performance in air purification. Its 360-degree intake system effectively removes particles, allergens, and chemicals from the air, enhancing indoor air quality substantially. The HM400’s impressive CADR rating stands testament to its effective air-cleaning capacity, making it a suitable contender for asthma relief.

Among its additional features is the 4-stage filtration system, ensuring comprehensive air cleaning. The large particle pre-filter, medium particle pre-filter, activated carbon and zeolite filter, and the HEPA filter work synergistically to provide clean, asthma-friendly air.

Performance & Efficiency

Austin Air HealthMate HM400 boasts a commendable CADR, indicative of its prowess in rapidly purifying indoor air and mitigating asthma symptoms. Its energy-efficient operation further reinforces its position as an environmentally friendly air purifier.

Seasonal changes, which often bring a surge in allergens, don’t deter the performance of the HM400. It stands resilient, delivering consistent air purification across varying seasons, and offering year-round relief to individuals with asthma.

Features

Key features of the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 include a 360-degree intake system and a 4-stage filtration process. This comprehensive system assures the removal of a wide array of particles, allergens, and chemicals, contributing to significant asthma relief.

The HM400 also offers ease of maintenance, with long-lasting filters reducing the frequency of replacements and ensuring uninterrupted, efficient air purification, aligning with the needs and preferences of asthma patients seeking hassle-free operation.

Maintenance and Filter Replacement

The Austin Air HealthMate HM400 requires minimal maintenance. The primary filter replacement is only needed every 5 years, offering a significant advantage in terms of both cost and convenience. This low maintenance need ensures the HM400’s consistent operation in purifying indoor air.

Lifespan and Warranty

The HM400 is engineered for longevity, and the accompanying 5-year warranty is a testament to the brand’s confidence in the product’s durable construction and effective performance.

Honeywell HPA300

Honeywell HPA300

Honeywell HPA300 is a trusted name in the realm of air purifiers, known for its consistent performance and reliability. It is equipped with a potent HEPA filter that captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke, all of which can aggravate asthma symptoms. Its commendable CADR reinforces its capacity to enhance indoor air quality swiftly and efficiently.

Further enhancing its appeal are the easy touch control panel and the automatic shut-off timer, ensuring convenience and effortless operation. The availability of filter change reminders also ensures you never miss out on timely maintenance, ensuring the air purifier’s optimal performance.

Performance & Efficiency

Honeywell HPA300’s high CADR ensures swift and effective air purification, a critical aspect for ensuring relief from asthma symptoms. Its energy efficiency is evident in its operational design, minimizing energy consumption and ensuring eco-friendly functionality.

The HPA300’s performance remains unswayed by seasonal changes. Its robust filtration system guarantees consistent elimination of allergens throughout the year, ensuring uninterrupted relief for asthma sufferers.

Features

The Honeywell HPA300’s notable features include a robust HEPA filter, capable of capturing up to 99.97% of airborne particles. This high-efficiency filtration is pivotal for ensuring substantial relief for asthma sufferers.

Moreover, the touch control panel and automatic shut-off timer not only add to operational convenience but also enhance the overall user experience, manifesting Honeywell’s commitment to delivering both performance and ease of use.

Maintenance and Filter Replacement

Honeywell HPA300’s filter replacements are required bi-annually for optimal operation, a standard period for high-performance air purifiers. The availability of filters and easy replacement process makes the maintenance of HPA300 convenient.

Lifespan and Warranty

With a robust build, the Honeywell HPA300 is expected to have a considerable lifespan. The 5-year warranty further assures customers of its reliability and the brand’s commitment to providing durable and effective air purifiers.

Rabbit Air MinusA2

Rabbit Air MinusA2

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 stands out with its sleek design and advanced air purification technology. It efficiently eliminates particles and allergens from the air, bolstering its reputation as an effective air purifier for asthma patients. The high CADR rating is indicative of its superior air cleaning capacity, ensuring fresh, clean air consistently.

Among the MinusA2’s additional features is the customized filter option, allowing users to choose a filter that best aligns with their needs, whether it’s germ defense, pet allergy, toxin absorber, or odor remover. The ultra-quiet operation and the smart light sensor, which transitions the air purifier to sleep mode in a dim environment, add to the convenience, making it a desirable choice for asthma sufferers seeking a blend of performance and additional functionalities.

Performance & Efficiency

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 shines with its excellent CADR, ensuring optimal air purification at a rapid pace, a feature indispensable for asthma patients. The air purifier is designed for energy-efficient operation, resonating with an eco-conscious lifestyle while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

The MinusA2’s performance is steadfast across different seasons. Its advanced filtration technology effectively tackles increased allergen levels, especially during spring and fall, providing reliable air purification and consequent relief for individuals with asthma.

Features

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 stands apart with its customizable filter options, allowing users to tailor the air purification process to their specific needs. This flexibility is critical for effectively addressing diverse asthma triggers, ensuring comprehensive air cleaning.

The ultra-quiet operation and smart light sensor further elevate the MinusA2’s appeal, offering not just efficient air purification but also a seamless, user-friendly experience, reinforcing its position as a suitable choice for individuals seeking asthma relief through advanced air purification technology.

Maintenance and Filter Replacement

Rabbit Air MinusA2 necessitates annual filter replacements for maintaining peak performance. The brand facilitates easy ordering of filters, ensuring your air purifier is always equipped to provide maximum relief from asthma triggers.

Lifespan and Warranty

The MinusA2 is designed for enduring performance. Its 5-year warranty confirms the brand’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring you can depend on the air purifier for extended relief and enhanced air quality.

Comparative Pricing, Warranty, and Availability Analysis

Alen BreatheSmart 75i

Priced at around $749, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i stands as a high-end choice for customers. This investment provides assurance in terms of air quality enhancement and substantial asthma relief. The brand offers a lifetime warranty, reflecting its confidence in product longevity and performance. Replacement filters and other parts are readily available directly from the Alen website, ensuring seamless maintenance and uninterrupted operation.

Allerair AirMedic Pro 5

With a cost of approximately $699, the Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD emerges as a more affordable yet equally efficient alternative. The product is backed by a 5-year warranty, attesting to its durability and consistent performance. Just like Alen, Allerair assures the availability of replacement filters and parts, which can be easily procured from the brand’s official website or authorized dealers, ensuring your air purifier always operates at peak efficiency.

Austin Air HealthMate HM400

The Austin Air HealthMate HM400 is priced at about $539, making it an economical option for those seeking reliable air purification without stretching their budget. The brand provides a solid 5-year warranty on the product, further bolstering customer confidence. Availability of filters and parts is not a concern, with Austin Air providing straightforward, hassle-free ordering and delivery services.

Honeywell HPA300

Priced competitively at around $249, the Honeywell HPA300 offers significant value for a moderate investment. The 5-year warranty is a testament to its quality and dependable performance. Honeywell ensures that replacement filters and parts are easily accessible, with numerous online and offline outlets offering the necessary components for maintaining your HPA300.

Rabbit Air MinusA2

The Rabbit Air MinusA2, with a price tag of $599, balances cost and performance, making it a worthwhile choice for many customers. It is backed by a 5-year warranty, ensuring long-term, hassle-free use. Rabbit Air assures customers of the easy availability of filters and parts, with the brand’s website offering simple, swift ordering and delivery, keeping your MinusA2 in top working condition without any inconvenience.

What Triggers Your Asthma?

The main triggers of an asthma attack include particles such as pollen and dust, as well as chemicals like paint fumes and tobacco smoke – the best air purifiers will trap these irritants before they hit your lungs. Since most indoor air contaminants can cause an asthma sufferer to experience an attack, clean and fresh indoor air is very important in the homes of those who suffer from asthma.

Removing Asthma Triggers Reduces Asthma Attacks with Air Purifiers

Ideally, the first step to managing asthma symptoms is to remove any sources of indoor pollutants from your home. Once you’ve removed sources of irritants (such as mold growth, household cleaners, chemicals & odors) then, an air purifier can be used to help get your home’s air significantly cleaner. (If you use an air purifier for asthma, without addressing the source of the concerns, you will be fighting an uphill battle.)

An Air Purifier Can Help Reduce The Frequency of Asthma Attacks

Even mild asthma sufferers also need air purifiers present in their everyday environments in order to reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. The better you can remove the particulate matter and chemicals that act as asthma triggers, the less frequently you will have asthma attacks. In our opinion, this makes a high-performance air purifier a necessity for households with family members who suffer from asthma.

An Air Purifier Is Not A Substitute for Other Asthma Treatments

Asthma attacks can be triggered by a wide range of causes – and having air purifiers for asthma is only part of your defenses. Airborne irritants are only one of these causes. Therefore, anyone that suffers from Asthma should always have a rescue inhaler available. Severe asthma attacks can require hospital treatment, and at worst, be fatal. Once you are having an asthma attack, an air purifier has limited ability to make a difference. Its benefit is in the prevention, and elimination of airborne irritants.

The Best Air Purifiers for Asthma

For Occasional/Infrequent/Light Asthma – BreatheSmart and BreatheSmart FIT50 Air Purifier

Many children have bouts of asthma & wheezing, though rarely have an asthma attack that parents would regard as life-threatening. For families in these situations, the BreatheSmart air purifiers are recommended to help with their asthma. This is because these home air purifiers provide the best combination of allergen, dust, & chemical removal, and performance/lifetime guarantees. Alen is the first and only brand in the air purifier industry that stands behind their products unconditionally with a Forever Guarantee. These air purifiers for smoke, dust, and pollen can include a HEPA-Silver-Carbon filter which also captures particles, kills microbes, and removes chemicals.

For serious asthma sufferers – AllerAir 5000 Exec & Austin Air Healthmate Air Purifier

For asthma sufferers with serious attacks and attacks that are caused by chemical triggers, it is critical to keep his or her home free of particles and fumes with the right air purifier. The AllerAir 5000 Exec and the Austin Air Healthmate Plus are two air purifiers ideal for asthma or severe allergy sufferers with high chemical reactivity. The AllerAir Exec series air purifier not only contains a powerful HEPA filter to remove particulate matter from the air, but also employs up to 18 lbs of activated carbon to remove any odors, gases, or chemicals that may be present.

The Austin Air Healthmate Plus air purifier is a great system for controlling asthma symptoms as well, equipped with a HEPA filtering system and 15 lbs of activated carbon. The combination of technologies and media in these HEPA air purifiers can help to eliminate all contaminants from the air, whether they are particles or chemicals.

Final Thought

In summarization, the exploration into the top air purifiers for asthma relief – Alen BreatheSmart 75i, Allerair AirMedic Pro 5 HD, Austin Air HealthMate HM400, Honeywell HPA300, and Rabbit Air MinusA2 – provides a comprehensive overview of the variety available in the market. All five air purifiers stand out for their distinct features, maintenance ease, and promising warranties, yet each has unique characteristics that may cater to individual preferences and needs.

The maintenance and lifespan of these devices range from the easy-to-maintain Alen BreatheSmart 75i with a lifetime warranty to the economical and durable Austin Air HealthMate HM400, which requires filter replacement only every five years. The other products, Allerair, Honeywell, and Rabbit Air, also offer commendable performance and reliability, each backed by a solid warranty and easy availability of replacement parts, ensuring long-lasting, efficient operation.

Selecting the right air purifier is a crucial decision for individuals suffering from asthma. It’s essential to consider various factors including CADR, energy efficiency, additional features, pricing, and maintenance needs to ensure that the chosen air purifier effectively alleviates asthma symptoms and enhances overall air quality. This article aims to assist in making an informed choice, contributing to improved health and well-being by ensuring a cleaner, more breathable environment.

What is the best air purifier for someone with asthma?

Asthma Air Purifiers.

Advanced HEPA+ Air Purifier. ... .

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool™ HP01 purifying heater + fan (Iron/Silver) ... .

Dyson Purifier Cool™ purifying fan TP07 (White/Silver) ... .

Austin Air HealthMate Plus HEPA Air Purifier - HM450. ... .

GermGuardian AC5000E 4-in-1 HEPA Air Cleaning System. ... .

FilterQueen Defender Air Purifier..

Can I use an air purifier for asthma?

The answer is yes, air purifiers do work for asthma relief. In addition to taking care of asthma triggers around your home, air pollution and asthma are strongly linked. Fortunately, a healthy environment for asthma sufferers can be maintained by the use of an air purifier.

Which is better for asthma humidifier or air purifier?

Both devices can be beneficial to use in your office, depending on your needs. If you want to remove pollutants and allergens from the air, an air purifier is the best choice. These devices can be particularly beneficial for people with allergies or asthma, as they can help to reduce the symptoms of these conditions.

What is the

1 air purifier?

Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier With its overall efficiency, quiet operation, feature-packed design, and smart home compatibility, the Levoit Core 400S remains our top pick out of all the air purifiers we've tested.