I tested the best air purifiers against dust, cooking smells and smoke – these are the models I’d choose for a healthier home this spring

While spring's sunny days and blooming flowers are a welcome reprieve from winter, spring can open up a whole can of worms for those who struggle with hay fever, dust, and other airborne allergies. Thankfully, the best air purifiers can combat the root causes of sniffles and itchy eyes and create a happy, healthy home environment for you and your family.

But with so many air purifiers and purification features on the market, choosing the right model can be hard. That's where I come in. As Ideal Home's resident air quality expert, I've used our dedicated air purifier testing process to review models from Blueair, Dyson, Shark, Levoit, and more, with the help of my qualified testing team.

We've assessed everything from reaction times to recommended room size, filter performance, ease of use, noise levels, and overall running costs to find which models will suit which household (and whether the best dehumidifiers might suit you better). I've then translated all of that jargon to choose my top 6 models and compile an easy-to-follow guide on the best air purifiers below!

The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best air purifiers. You'll find more information on each air purifier just a scroll away.

Best air purifiers 2025

Best air purifier overall

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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

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We've now tested multiple Blueair air purifiers and all have scored highly in our review process. The Blue Pure 511i is the brand's updated and more modern version of the Blueair Pure 511, which we also awarded a 4-star review. It's also perfect for those on a budget, thanks to its sub-£130 price tag.

The Blue Pure 511i looks very similar to our top-rated Blueair air purifier, the Blue Max 3250i, but is better suited to smaller spaces up to 22m². It can still remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns, however, which makes it still very powerful for such an affordable air purifier.

It's also a significant improvement on the 511, as this updated model now comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in air quality sensor, which allowed our tester to assess and manage her air quality from her phone or the onboard controls. She also found the Auto mode to be both responsive and quiet, reacting to everyday changes in air quality as well as the changes brought on by our controlled air purifier tests.

Our tester did find that the Blueair 511i was slightly slower to respond to dust and cooking odours, and it was a little larger than she would have liked, but she agrees that it's an affordable all-rounder that most would be happy with.

Read our Blueair Blue 511i Max Smart WiFi Air Purifier review for more details.

Best air purifier for small spaces

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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

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If you have a larger home (or an open-plan layout) and want to enjoy the cleanest air possible, the Dyson HushJet Compact is our top choice. It's big in power, cleaning capacity, and high-quality features - but unlike other air purifiers for larger spaces, it isn't big in physical size.

I tested this model in my own home and found the reaction time seriously impressive, and it proved a capable workhorse when restoring air quality back to normal levels after a big dip. During the smoke test, it even detected a drop in air quality more quickly than our top-rated model, the Blueair 320i.

The MyDyson app is incredibly user-friendly, allowing users to create a schedule, turn Auto mode on/off, adjust the 10 fan speeds manually, and assess current air quality levels via numbered values and visual graphs. And while I found it louder than the advertised noise levels, the 31dB noise level at the lowest fan speed was inaudible when I played my music or watched television.

However, it's worth noting that this isn't the only air purifier we've tested for larger spaces - and if you want to purify spaces over 100m², the Levoit Core 600S will suit you better, as it's suitable for rooms up to 294m². Just be warned that it's twice as heavy and almost twice as high.

Read our full Dyson HushJet Compact review for more details.

Best air purifier and dehumidifier

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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, fan and heater

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If you want to consolidate your many products into one all-in-one appliance, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 offers just that. As well as serving as an impressive and effective air purifier, it can also compete with the best electric heaters during the winter months and the best fans in summer.

It's very effective, too, and while it's not as responsive or as powerful as other brands such as Blueair and Levoit - after all, it only captures 99.95% of pollutants - it offers easy air purification without making a fuss. You can simply pop this appliance in the corner and let it work its magic while also keeping you - and your home - the perfect temperature.

During testing, the Dyson air purifier worked hard to keep pollutants to a minimum and my air quality level, especially on Auto mode. It's also incredibly easy to track and control your air quality reading both on the appliance itself and through the easy-to-use app.

And while the sleek bladeless design is very Dyson and the 3-in-1 functionality is ideal for year-round use, it's worth noting that this is a big appliance. So, if you only need an air purifier, it might not be the option for you.

Read the full Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool HP1 Purifying Fan Heater review for more details.

We've also tested

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.

Blueair table - coway airmega -

COWAY Airmega 50 Air Purifier(★★★★)

If you're looking for an affordable air purifier without too many bells and whistles, this is a worthy option. It doesn't require an app, but it still responded to air quality changes quickly during testing.

Read our full COWAY Airmega 50 review

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Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier (★★★★½ )

Another Levoit offering is the 300S, which will suit those with smaller rooms. The 3-stage Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter and Activated Carbon Filter allow for impressive air cleaning, and it's both compact and lightweight.

Read our full Levoit Core 300S review

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Meaco MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5 (★★★★½ )

Although it's an older model, this Meaco air purifier still impressed us. It has smart functionalities that mean you can control everything by an app, and it's easy to set up. It's not the most stylish air purifier, but it works a treat.

Read our full MeacoClean CA-HEPA review

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Air purifier comparison at a glance

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).

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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.

Meet our testers

Lauren Bradbury

Lauren is the Content Editor for House Manual, focusing on floorcare, aircare and cleaning as a whole. She compiled this guide based on her own review process and air quality expertise.

In this guide, Lauren tested the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier, Dyson HP1 Hot + Cool and the Dyson HushJet in her home.

Amy Lockwood

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 the top-rated air purifier on this list in her home, analysing everything from its CADR rating to its size and even its WiFi connectivity.

Jullia Joson

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. For this guide, she tested the Meaco Arete Two.

Katie Sims

Katie has been reviewing products for Ideal Home for many years now. She has tested countless air purifiers, including the Blueair Blue 511i in this guide.

When she's not testing air purifiers, she's also reviewing vacuums, coffee machines, and carpet cleaners.

How to choose the best air purifier

It would be nice to think that we could all rely on good indoor air quality as a standard. However, as pollution levels rise 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 look for when shopping 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 (short for high-efficiency particulate air) is the 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 involves pushing 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

• 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.