In recent years, the best air purifiers have become a must-have necessity for those who value a healthy home and want to improve their air quality. After all, these appliances can help with hay fever, reduce dust levels and pet dander, and remove smoke, formaldehyde and even Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from your house. But with so many air purifiers on the market, it can be hard to choose the right one.
That's where I come in. As Ideal Home's resident air quality expert, it's my job to try out the best air purifiers and dissect the specs to figure out which air purifier will suit which kind of household or family - or perhaps whether one of the best dehumidifiers would be better. To do this, an expert team of reviewers and I have followed our dedicated air purifier testing process to ensure we don't miss a thing.
Then, to compile this list of the best air purifiers on the market today, I've compared factors like the recommended room size, the filter performance, ease of use, noise levels, and overall running costs to find out which models are truly worth your investment. So, whether you have allergies or are just conscious about the air quality in your home, we have no doubts that one of these best-in-class air purifiers will fit the bill.
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best air filters. You'll find more information on each air purifier and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.
Best overall
As long as you don't have a space over 48m² to filter, we think this is the best air purifier you can buy. Our top recommendation combines first-class performance that filters out 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns in size (most air purifiers only promise to filter down to 0.3 microns), a relatively affordable price tag, and stylish user-friendly design.
Best budget
Under £100, this is a decent budget buy. It is only suitable for spaces up to 38m² thanks to its 191m³/h CADR, it lacks built-in air quality sensors – so there's no automatic mode available – and there's no Wi-Fi connectivity. It's basic, and if your budget can stretch a little further we'd recommend the Blue Max 3250i instead, but if you're happy to sacrifice functionality for affordability, it does the job.
Best for small spaces
If you want a long-lasting model for smaller homes, Shark's NeverChange5 Air Purifier comes with the guarantee that you won't need to change the filter for five years - saving you a fortune on replacements. With the brand's innovative CleanSenseIQ technology, it's also incredibly responsive to drops in air quality and even includes an Anti-Odour cartridge to banish odours while it cleans your home.
Best for larger spaces
The Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde may be an investment, but the fact that it can clean the air in spaces up to 100m² makes it perfect for whole-home purification. It's also incredibly quiet, even on the highest fan setting, and all of your settings can be customised within the Dyson app. Of course, the three-stage filtration power is second to none.
Best air purifier and dehumidifier
Combining air purifying power with one of the best dehumidifiers, this 2-in-1 appliance is the ultimate space-saver. While it's primarily a dehumidifier, the built-in HEPA filter means that it'll ensure a moisture-free, healthy home. It also comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, a timer, and an auto mode for convenience.
Best air purifier fan
Dyson fans are legendary, and this fan also doubles up as an extremely effective air purifier. It uses advanced HEPA H13 and activated carbon filters to remove 99.95% of pollutants in the home, and its dedicated Sleep mode is super silent to avoid any late-night distractions. It's also super sleek and can be controlled via the remote control or the Dyson app.
Best air purifiers 2025
Best air purifier overall
The Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier offers a great combination of responsive performance combined with stylish design and a relatively affordable price point, making it our top recommendation for the best air purifier overall.
It's designed to filter the air in spaces up to 48m² and offers a decent CADR (clean air delivery rate) of 239 m³/h. The 3-Stage HEPASilent Filter also can remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns in size, whereas many air purifiers at this price point only promise the removal of particulates down to 0.3 microns in size.
In practice, our tests found that the filter made a difference to how the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier performed, with this air purifier being one of the fastest to detect dips in air quality and the quickest to improve air quality levels in a small to medium-sized space. It also performed the best at odour removal, clearing the test kitchen of bacon fumes quicker than any other air purifier we tested.
All importantly, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier also offers a built-in air quality sensor that makes managing indoor air quality super simple. Simply turn on the Auto mode and the purifier does all the hard work for you, switching into standby mode when the air quality is good, and automatically kicking into gear should air quality drop.
The coloured air quality indicator light on the front of the air purifier is a nice user-friendly touch, and, although in testing we thought the on-board controls could be a little slicker, the option to connect to Wi-Fi and operate the air purifier via the Smart App, or to connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to use voice-activated commands, will be a great plus point for many users.
Read our Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier review for more details.
Best budget air purifier
We've now tested multiple Blueair air purifiers and all have scored highly in our review process. The Blue Pure 511 is the brand's entry-level model, specifically designed to make investing in an air purifier more affordable thanks to its budget-friendly sub-£100 price tag.
The Blue Pure 511 feels a lot more basic in terms of style and functionality than our top-rated Blueair air purifier, the Blue Max 3250i, and it's less powerful, with a 191m³/h CADR that can improve air quality in a space up to 38m² compared to the Blue Max 3250i's 239m³/h CADR that can manage air quality in a space of up to 48m2. But that CADR is still impressive for an air purifier at this price point. In comparison, the cheapest air purifier we've tested (which isn't that much cheaper), the Beko ATP5100I Air Purifier, can only manage air quality in a 13m² space.
A downside for some will be the Blue Pure 511's lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. This means no remote or voice-activated controls and very limited air quality data. However, the biggest downside, in our opinion, is the fact the Blue Pure 511 doesn't offer a built-in air quality sensor. This means the Pure 511 is either on or off, with no Automatic mode whereby it will manage its own performance according to the air quality it detects. You can toggle the Pure 511 through three fan speeds for low, medium, or high filtration, but without Automatic mode, that still makes for very limited functionality. And unlike models with built-in air quality sensors, that means there's no air quality data available with the Pure 511. Personally, if possible, we would spend more and opt for the Blue Max 3250i instead.
However, if price is paramount, this air purifier still does a decent job in a small space. And although it lacks that energy-efficient Automatic mode, the Blue Pure 511 does deliver relatively low energy usage, using just 2-16W of electricity.
Read our Blueair Blue Pure 511 Air Purifier review for more details.
Best air purifier for small spaces
Famous primarily for its place within the realm of floor care, Shark isn't known for being a big player in the air care game - but it seems they want to change that. In fact, we were genuinely surprised (and incredibly impressed) by the technology and innovations offered by the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier. During testing, it made its mark as a responsive, odour-busting model that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
This is largely due to the brand's claims that you won't need to change the air purifier's filter for five years - supposedly saving you up to £200 on filter replacements. This is certainly a stand-out feature in the long run, but this model proved extremely easy to use and understand during testing. One particular feature our tester loved was the CleanSenseIQ technology, which monitors and reacts to changes in your environment to keep your air quality levels as high as possible.
Plus, with the ability to purify areas up to 60sqm with one air change per hour or rooms of up to 12sqm with 4.8 air changes per hour, it’s perfect for smaller homes. This is also thanks to its four layers of powerful filtration - including a NanoSeal HEPA filter for dust and smoke, DebrisDefence pre-filter, Activated Carbon filter, and Pet Particle Barrier.
The only downsides? The modern, angular, and slightly alien-like design is sure to divide opinions, and there's no Wi-FI connectivity. However, if you're looking for an everyday air purifier that will keep your air quality high and your home smelling divine, the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier is a solid choice.
Read our Shark NeverChange5 review for more details.
Best air purifier for larger spaces
If you have a larger home and want to ensure a healthy home environment, the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde is my top choice. Of course, it is on the larger side - but it offers whole-home purification for spaces up to 100m2, which means it'll probably be the only air purifier you need in your house.
With the ability to capture all kinds of nasties through its impressive three-stage filtration system, this particular air purifier also captures the urban pollutant NO² and uses cone aerodynamics to circulate the air - which means it also doubles up as a fan. I found it incredibly easy to use, and the 'Auto' mode was my go-to for everyday air quality monitoring.
Although this air purifier does come with a remote control, everything is easily controlled via the Dyson app - from the direction of the air flow to the fan speed and timer settings. The real-time data means that you can also understand where your air quality is struggling and which pollutants are plaguing your home at any given time.
While the reaction times were a little slower than other air purifiers on this list, the fact that it can purify such large spaces without being too loud is a major plus point that's hard to ignore. Plus, it offers that classic Dyson-esque design that can't be scoffed at.
Read our full Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review for more details.
Best air purifier and dehumidifier
If your home is prone to excess moisture and damp issues like mould and mildew, then, although many air purifiers can help to remove fungal spores from the air, a dehumidifier is going to be the best option for sucking excess moisture from the air in a poorly ventilated indoor space and preventing moisture-related problems from forming in the first place.
Thankfully you don't have to buy two separate products, with the MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier and Air Purifier offering the best of both worlds. This multifunctional unit gets our vote for the best dehumidifier money can buy thanks to its high moisture extraction rate, generous water tank, quiet operation, easy-to-use design, and energy-efficient performance. Its Smart Laundry Mode also makes quick work of drying wet washing. Plus, this newest iteration in the Arete series also solves some of the biggest issues we had with its previous generation, now offering Wi-Fi connectivity, a timer, and an auto mode for even more convenience.
You can choose from four size options, that extract 10, 12, 20 or 25 litres of moisture from the air per day respectively, and all offer H13 HEPA filters to improve indoor air quality in more ways than one. That said, because the Arete Two is a dehumidifier first and foremost, you won't get the nuanced air purification you can expect from a standalone air purifier. However, if you're looking to solve damp and air quality issues in one fell swoop, the Arete Two offers great versatility and a lot of bang for your buck.
Read our MeacoDry Arete Two Dehumidifier & Air Purifier review for more details.
Best air purifier and fan
Dyson has long combined the power of the best fans with the best air purifiers, and the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is the brand's newest release. It's functional but sleek and stylish, and is ideal for those summer months when you want to cool down without succumbing to your seasonal allergies.
It's highly effective, too. The powerful HEPA H13 and activated carbon filtration system has been designed to remove up to 99.95% of pollutants in the home, and comes with a fully-sealed system to ensure that they stay within the appliance instead of leaking out.
Our tester, Jenny, found it to be super easy to use, too. Everything can be controlled via the remote control or through the Dyson app, with all of the controls and information you could need at your fingertips. Jenny also loved the dedicated Sleep mode, which didn't interrupt her or her kids during the night.
Of course, the elephant in the room is that it's a little pricey, but as it's a 2-in-1 appliance, it's well worth the investment. But if you want a 3-in-1 Dyson that will also serve as one of the best electric heaters during the winter months, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool might suit you better.
Read the full Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 fan review for more details.
Best of the rest
I've reduced my shortlist of the best air purifiers to my six top options, but there are a few other alternatives that I think are well worth a mention if the above options don't suit your home or air quality needs.
Air purifier comparison at a glance
Air Purifier | Price | Ideal Home Rating | Brand Trustpilot Score | Recommended Room Size | Noise Levels | Filter Type |
£149 | 5 stars | 1.9 Stars | 48m² | 18-46dB | 3-Stage Pre-Filter, HEPASilent Filter | |
£99 | 4 stars | 1.9 stars | 38m² | 24-49dB | 3-Stage Pre-Filter, HEPASilent Filter | |
£249.99 | 4.5 stars | 4.6 stars | 60m2 | 38-66dB | NanoSeal HEPA layer, Activated Carbon layer, Pet Particle Barrier, DebrisDefence pre-filter | |
From £879 | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | up to 100m² | 37dB-57dB | HEPA H13-grade, Activated carbon and Selective Catalytic Oxidisation filters | |
From £199 | 5 stars | 4.2 stars | 42m² - 90m² | 35dB - 42dB | H13 HEPA Filter | |
£599 | 5 stars | 2.8 stars | N/A | up to 61.4 dB | HEPA H13 filter, activated carbon filter, fully sealed system |
How we test air purifiers
You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our how we test page, and we also have a detailed explainer of how we test air purifiers that goes into the specifics of our testing process.
Our team of reviewers tested a host of the best air purifiers on the market to compile this guide, reviewing them for at least two weeks (or longer if possible). We compared each air purifier's assembly and set-up process, its design, ease of use, CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), HEPA air filter performance, energy consumption, and noise levels to compile our top recommendations.
Each air purifier was put through its paces in a real-life home environment to test how well it filtered out cooking fumes when frying bacon, how quickly it removed smoke and VOCs from the air, and how well it combatted dust.
After the testing process, we then assign each air purifier a dedicated Ideal Home star rating. We take these star ratings extremely seriously, and they are as follows:
5 stars - an excellent air purifier that does exactly what it says on the tin and cannot be faulted in any way. It will also receive an Ideal Home-approved badge.
4.5 stars - a high-quality air purifier that will suit most people but leaves us wanting a bit more, so it loses that last half-mark. However, it will still receive an Ideal Home-approved badge.
4 stars - an impressive air purifier worth your money but may need some fine-tuning before it suits everyone's needs and requirements.
3 stars - a good air purifier that works well but doesn't wow us with its specs or affordability, so loses a couple of points.
2 stars - an affordable air purifier that will suit those looking for a simple air purifier on a budget, but is under-specced and lacks impressive features.
1 star - we would not recommend this air purifier, as it is underwhelming and doesn't offer the customer value for money.
Amy is currently Ideal Home's Certified Expert for Sleep, but was previously our E-Commerce Editor for all manner of small home appliances - including air purifiers.
She tested many of the air purifiers on this list in her home, analysing everything from their CADR rating to their size and even their WiFi connectivity.
Jullia has tested countless household appliances for Ideal Home, including vacuums, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers.
She has hands-on experience with some of the biggest air purifier brands out there, and followed our strict testing criteria to review these products.
Jenny is Ideal Home's Senior Digital Editor, and regularly uses her skills and expertise to review new and exciting product releases.
In this instance, she tested the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 in her beautiful Belfast home.
Lauren is the Content Editor for House Manual, focusing on both floor care and air care.
In this guide, Lauren tested the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier - and it's since become her go-to appliance for a clean home. She also tested the Dyson Big+Quiet Air Purifier.
How to choose the best air purifier
It would be nice to think that we could all rely on good air quality as a standard, however, with increasing levels of pollution both inside and out, many of us are turning to air purifiers to help counteract potentially harmful particulates in the air.
But what should you be looking for when you shop for the best air purifier? We've broken down the essentials to help you invest in the right air purifier for you. You can also read a more detailed explainer in our guide on which type of air purifier you should buy.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
The CADR measures the volume of air the air purifier can filter, or clean, in a given timeframe. That measurement is usually given per hour, in which case it's measured as m3/h.
That means that the higher the CADR rating of an air purifier, the faster it will be able to clean the air, and the larger space it will be able to purify - but these are typically more expensive. An air purifier with a low CADR rating may not be as effective in removing pollutants from the air, but will typically be cheaper.
Recommended room size
Almost all air purifiers come with a manufacturer's recommendation for the maximum room size they are suitable for, usually measured in m2. It's essential to buy an air purifier that matches the size of the space you want to filter; otherwise, it will struggle to purify the air adequately.
If your home is on two levels, and you don't want to carry the air purifier up and down stairs continually, that may mean investing in more than one air purifier. Our guide to 'how many air purifiers do I need' has more advice for choosing the right number of appliances to manage your indoor climate effectively.
Filter type
Knowing which type of air purifier is best for you typically depends on the filter type. These include:
HEPA Filter: A HEPA filter (shorthand for high-efficiency particulate air filter) is the common standard in air purifiers. It will remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm) from the air. This is the filter that can help the most if you suffer from things like pet allergies or hay fever.
Active Carbon Filter: An active carbon filter is generally thought to filter microscopic particles from the air, like traffic fumes, cigarette smoke, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that carry unpleasant smells. They can even remove viruses from the air.
Ionisation: Some air purifiers also use ionisation, which is where they push negatively charged ions into a room to combat other allergens. This isn't as common, and should be bought with caution, as they can release harmful ozone.
Of course, it's also worth noting that you need to regularly clean an air purifier and its filter to maintain its efficiency.
FAQs
Do air purifiers really work?
If you live in an area with poor outdoor air quality, high road traffic pollution, or are sensitive to pollen, air purifiers are definitely worth it.
An air purifier works by using a fan to draw air into the air purifying unit whereby it passes through a series of filters that remove particulate matter. The cleaned air is then discharged back into the room. As such, a decent air purifier can be a good way to improve indoor air quality and is worth the investment for those with allergies or sensitivity to airborne pollutants.
Do air purifiers remove smells?
Yes, a good air purifier can remove smells and odours from your home. The best air purifiers for removing smells are those with Activated Carbon Filters alongside the usual HEPA filter. The Activated Carbon can help to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and their accompanying smells – such as the particulates from a scented candle, cleaning products or aerosol deodorants – as well as things like fumes and odours from cooking fumes and pets.
The Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier is our top recommendation for the best air purifier for removing smells, making short work of removing fried plant-bacon fumes from our test kitchen.
Is there a downside to air purifiers?
If you want to improve the air quality in your home, there are very few downsides to air purifiers. Generally, the positives outweigh the negatives by a mile, but there are some features of an air purifier that may be considered downsides. These include:
- The price: higher-quality air purifiers tend to be more expensive than the lesser-quality options on the market.
- The noise: it's hard to find an air purifier that doesn't make a noise, which can be distracting if you want to run it while you're sleeping.
- The maintenance: air purifiers do need to be regularly cleaned and maintained for them to continue cleaning your air. You may also need to replace filters.
- The running costs: although they won't cost you a fortune, air purifiers will add to your energy bills - like all extra electrical appliances.