The best air purifiers are designed to filter out all sorts of airborne contaminants, including smoke, dust, pollen, and pet dander, making it easy to manage your indoor air quality at just the press of a button.
Some air purifiers can also tackle invisible airborne particulates such as formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – chemicals that can be released into our homes by MDF and laminated wood, fire retardants used on upholstery fabrics, paints, and cleaning products amongst other culprits. Plus, they can reduce indoor pollution caused by vehicle emissions entering the home – something of particular relevance if you live in an area where clean air isn't guaranteed when you open the window.
Therefore, it's no wonder that, alongside the best dehumidifiers, air purifiers are quickly becoming the go-to appliance for those looking to easily improve their home's air quality. However, with so many options on the market, it can be a difficult feat to figure out which is the most suitable to meet your specific needs.
So, to help you decide on the best air purifier for your home, the Ideal Home team has tried, tested, and reviewed some of the best air purifiers on the market to bring you our top recommendations. We've put air purifiers from the most reputable leading brands to compare CADR (clean air delivery rate), HEPA filtration performance, ease of use, cost to run, and price, to find which models are worth the investment.
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 affordable
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 stylish
The Dupray Bloom excels in performance with quick response times and innovative features, standing as impressively stylish as it is effective in improving indoor air quality. Sporting a multi-functional design as a planter and a side table, it is the standout choice if you want a model to integrate into carefully curated home interiors.
Best for large spaces
If you have a larger space or an open-plan home to purify then the AX91-604GY offers the powerful air filtration you'll need. It's a premium product with a premium price tag to match, but it can filter the air in a 129m² space, has one of the highest clean air delivery rates we've come across at 620m3/h, and delivers spiralling air flow that reaches all four corners of a room.
Best for small spaces
If you have small rooms and floor space is at a premium, then the Levoit Core 300S is compact enough to sit on a kitchen worktop, desk, or sideboard. It didn't quite measure up to the slightly larger but otherwise similarly specced, Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier in our tests, but its performance is decent and its user-friendly design a joy to use. It also offers the Wi-Fi connectivity and voice-activated control the Blue Pure 511 lacks.
Best portable
Weighing just a mere 1.25kg, the Vitesy Eteria was designed with portability at the forefront; incentivising users to take the device with them from room to room, creating a 'bubble of clean air' around them wherever they are in the home. It's extremely energy-efficient, has no filters to change (yes, really), and offers in-depth air quality data at your fingertips.
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Best air quality data
A powerful air purifier that can manage air quality in large spaces up to 135m², the Philips Series 3000i can't quite match the AEG AX91-604GY's clean air delivery rate, but it is fast, effective, offers excellent in-depth air quality reporting on its onboard display, and is often more affordable.
Best air purifier and fan
Yes, its price tag is eye-watering, but the Dyson offers 3-in-1 climate control, combining an air purifier, fan and electric fan heater in one multifunctional design. Similar to the Blue Max 3250i the Dyson promises to capture 99.95% of particles down to 0.1 microns, but it's also one of the few air purifiers equipped to remove formaldehyde from the air.
Best air purifier and dehumidifier
If getting rid of damp and simultaneously wanting to improve the quality of the air inside your home is your main concern, then opting for a model that offers dual functionality will be your best route to take, giving you the best of both worlds. Not only that, but the Meaco Arete One is our top pick in our dehumidifier guide, so you can rest assured in your investment.
Best air purifier and humidifier
Alternatively, if you've got the opposite problems and are looking to instead add moisture to dry indoor air whilst also tackling air quality issues, then opting for a 2-in-1 air purifier and humidifier is the smart choice allowing you to face both head-on in one fell swoop.
Best air purifiers 2024
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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.
Our Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best affordable 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.
Our Blueair Blue Pure 511 Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best stylish air purifier
This is the first we've tested from Dupray's air purifier offerings, and we must say, we were extremely impressed. During testing, its performance was nothing less than excellent with super quick response times and its smart AutoDetect mode reacting in real-time to air quality changes inside your home, being the perfect addition for those with busy lifestyles wanting something to set and forget.
However, its standout feature for us was just how awe-strikingly stylish it is. Designed as a planter, the air purifier blends seamlessly into the background of your home, being a non-disruptive addition to your interiors that looks like it's supposed to be there rather than an afterthought (and there are even multiple pre-filter cover colours to choose from to match your aesthetic). Considering how often we try to hide appliances out of sight, being able to have the Bloom proudly on display is a game-changer.
The air purifier is equipped with a medical-grade HEPA-13 filtration system, removing 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns in size, helping to tackle allergens and pet dander, and even neutralise unpleasant odours. Better yet, it covers a generous 141m² which is ideal for a large space such as an open family living room. Naturally, because of its larger build, those with smaller ground to cover should be mindful of its size profile before bringing it into the home, as it's more of a staple device to keep in one room rather than one to take with you as you go between different rooms.
One thing to note is that the Bloom Air Purifier doesn't support Wi-Fi or smart app connectivity, which can be either positive or negative depending on the kind of person you are. Our reviewer, Jenny, found this a plus as it streamlined the process of getting the air purifier set up and allowed for that true 'plug and play' experience, only adding to its ease of use.
Our Dupray Bloom Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best air purifier for large spaces
If you want to manage the indoor air quality within a large room or open-plan home then the AEG AX91-604GY Connected Air Purifier is our top recommendation, with a high CADR of 620m3/h and a cleverly-designed 'AirSurround system' that can spiral the air to all four corners of a 129m² space by way of its powerful fan motor.
All in all, that's nearly three times the CADR of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier, and a similar three-times increase in the size of space that the AX91-604GY can filter. However, the downside is that the AEG AX91-604GY Connected Air Purifier is also nearly three times the price of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i at full RRP, and double the compact 3250i's size and weight.
However, what both of our top recommended air purifiers have in common is stylish design, great functionality and plenty of Smart features that make using them a dream. The AX91-604GY's digital display is especially impressive, winning the accolade for most intuitive and user-friendly design thanks to its six-colour air quality indicator lights and touch-sensitive swipe settings.
The AX91-604GY is also equipped with a hassle-free and energy-efficient automatic mode that uses information gleaned from the built-in air quality sensor to manage your home's air quality. Plus, it's Wi-Fi compatible and can be paired with AEG's Wellbeing App for extra air quality data and functionality, or connected to Google Home.
It may be an investment – and have the most expensive replacement filters of all the air purifiers we've tested at £100 a pop – but the AEG AX91-604GY Connected Air Purifier does match premium-feel build quality to that premium price tag, and, if you have a large space to filter, then this is an air purifier that's up to the challenge.
Our AEG AX91-604GY Connected Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best air purifier for small spaces
If you have small rooms, and you're looking for an air purifier that won't take up too much space, then the Levoit Core 300S air purifier is a good choice.
Its H36 x W22 x D22cm build isn't that much smaller than the H48 x W27 x D27cm Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier at the top of our list, but its shorter stature does make a difference, allowing the Core 300S to fit much more easily onto a sideboard or work surface if you don't have the floor space to accommodate a larger design.
It also offers a great user experience, with an easy-to-read display panel that instantly communicates your room air quality levels via coloured indicator lights and super easy-to-use onboard controls. This air purifier is also Wi-Fi compatible so you can pair it with the VeSync Smart App to operate it remotely and view more detailed real-time data on your home's air quality, or connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant if you prefer to operate your appliances via voice commands.
In our tests, it also did a good job of air filtration thanks to its 3-stage pre-filter, H13 HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter.
Like the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier, the Levoit Core 300S includes that all-important built-in air quality sensor and automatic mode so you can leave it on standby to manage your air quality automatically. However, it wasn't quite as quick at responding to dips in air quality as the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier, perhaps because the Levoit Core 300S air purifier promises to capture 99.97% of 0.3-micron air pollutants, whereas the Blue Max 3250i filters out microns down to 0.1 in size. As such it didn't do quite as good a job at odour removal as the Blue Max 3250i.
That said, if you're looking for a small air purifier – that you can perhaps pop on a kitchen work surface or bedside table – this compact design fits the bill and offers a super user-friendly design.
Our Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best portable air purifier
We're currently in the process of writing up a full review of the Vitesy Eteria Portable Air Purifier; however, we've already got a lot of positives to highlight about this small but powerful device that have dubbed it worthy for inclusion in our buying guide.
What makes the Eteria stand out from other models currently on the market is the fact that rather than going down the route of using a HEPA filter, as many air purifiers typically do, Vitesy have instead opted to use a photocatalytic, ceramic filter which requires no changing or replacing at all. Yes, really. In order to stay on top of maintenance, all you've got to do is rinse the ceramic filter under water. Not only is this sustainable, but it'll also save you a lot of money in the long run as you can skip out on buying replacement filters completely.
On top of that, it's also incredibly lightweight and easy to move around, making it perfect to bring to whichever room you need it next; whether it be in the kitchen to help tackle cooking fumes or in the bedroom for sleep aid. This is why although the 'recommended room size' of 15m² might initially ring alarm bells, it's because the device is intended to move around and be close to the user at all times to create what Vitesy describe as a 'bubble of clean air around you' despite your activities.
But, this perk might also be what turns people away. If you prefer having a larger capacity air purifier to just plug in and keep in a dedicated spot in your home, the Vitesy Eteria may not be your cup of tea; but if you A) don't mind bringing it around with you, or B) only intend to keep it in a really small room like a home office, it could be a winner.
Our Vitesy Eteria Portable Air Purifier review is currently in the works and coming soon.
Best for air quality data
A powerful air purifier that's designed to manage air quality in larger spaces, the Philips 3000i Series offers a 520m3/hr CADR that promises to remove impurities in areas up to 135m².
In all of our air quality tests, the 3000i Series responded fast and effectively, identifying and filtering out a variety of airborne particulates in record time. Its performance was on par with our two top-rated air purifiers, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i (which remains the more affordable choice for small to mid-sized rooms) and AEG AX91-604GY Connected air purifier (which just pips the 3000i Series to the post for larger spaces by offering a higher 620m3/h CADR).
Our reviewer found the 3000i Series LCD control panel extremely user-friendly, and a built-in air quality sensor means you can switch this air purifier into Automatic mode for hassle-free operation.
That sensor also means the 3000i Series offers some of the best air quality data of any air purifier we've tested. Unlike most premium air purifiers, the 3000i Series doesn't just use coloured lights to communicate basic air quality levels, you can also access in-depth real-time readings of your home's Indoor Allergen Index, PM2.5 levels and gas levels (which measures VOC and odours) on the air purifier's on-board display, as well as utilising the 3000i Series' Wi-Fi connectivity for more information via the Philips Clean Home+ App. Only the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 Fan Heater is on par in terms of the level of air quality data at your fingertips, but it's a less powerful air purifier, and much more expensive.
Overall, if you want to manage the air quality in a large space we think you'll be very happy with either the Philips 3000i Series or the AEG AX91-604GY, so which to opt for largely comes down to which is available for the better price when you come to shop.
Our Philips 3000i Series AC3033/30 Connected Air Purifier review has the full details.
Best air purifier and fan
If you're looking to control your indoor climate in more ways than one, then Dyson's Hot+Cool Formaldehyde offers a 3-in-1 design that will keep you cool in the summer by way of its powerful oscillating fan, warm you up by expelling hot air in the winter, and purify your home's air to boot.
The Hot+Cool features a HEPA H13 filter that – similarly to the Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier – claims to capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns. However, as the name may suggest, the Hot+Cool also promises to tackle formaldehyde – a potentially harmful chemical that can be found in building materials and household products that Dyson states has molecules 500 times smaller than 0.1 microns – a claim few other air purifiers make. It also features automatic air quality control, and Smart App connectivity that's compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
It's a lot of functionality wrapped up in an uber-stylish design, but the downside is that – although this isn't Dyson's most expensive air purifier – it comes with a price tag that certainly makes our eyes water. Plus, despite that high price tag, the Hot+Cool can only filter the air in a space up to 27m² – that's a lot smaller in area than most of the air purifiers in our round-up. And, although Dyson doesn't provide a CADR rating for its air purifiers, in our tests we found the Hot+Cool slower to clean the air than the air purifiers we've placed higher in our round-up – sometimes considerably slower.
However, this is one of the few air purifiers to offer such a wide scope of multifunctional climate control, and, if you take your air quality seriously, the Hot+Cool Formaldehyde gives you access to the most in-depth air quality data we've come across from an air purifier – both accessible via the on-board controls and the Smart App.
Our Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 Fan Heater review has the full details.
Best air purifier and dehumidifier
