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To help determine our air purifier picks, we gathered 12 of the newest and most popular models at the CNET Labs product testing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, where we subjected them to a rigorous battery of tests.
When evaluating our scores for air purifiers, we took into account particle removal ability, energy efficiency, loudness, price, and features. Each module is given a score out of 10 for each criterion, and then receives a final weighted score out of 10.
After we test air purifiers, we also evaluate the best performers Editors’ Choice Award As a best buy for most consumers. The evaluation is based on quantitative and qualitative factors, such as particle removal, energy efficiency, noise level, price, and unique features. We also evaluate the results of purely quantitative tests with our rigorous methodology to determine the laboratory award winner. In this case, we have two laboratory award winners for particle removal at different fan speeds.
How we rate air purifiers:
- Particle removal (30%): The average time it takes an air purifier to remove 90% of particles from a test room.
- Energy Efficiency (20%): Average power measured in kilowatt-hours used by the air purifier; We also calculate it over the course of the month.
- Overall loudness (20%): Average noise level across low, medium and high fan settings.
- Price (20%): We think about how expensive or affordable an air purifier is. Most of our recommendations range from $300 to $800, depending on size.
- Features (10%): We think about features like app control, remote controls, and design elements that help it fit into the room.
Particle removal test
The air we breathe is not just air. In fact, it is a mixture of human-produced and naturally occurring particles. The former consists mostly of urban, industrial, and automobile emissions of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and combustion byproducts, and the latter mostly represents smoke from forest fires, sulfates, soot, and materials from volcanic activity worldwide.
according to Environmental Protection AgencySome of these microscopic solids and liquid droplets, which can be composed of hundreds of different chemicals, are so small that they are almost inevitable inhalation.
Fine versus coarse particles
Regarding smoke, seasonal allergens, and dust, an important consideration when purchasing an air purifier is whether it has an auto mode. Some air molecules do not remain constant all year or even all day. “Purifiers with automatic mode can automatically increase the speed when pollution is higher,” says Ji Zhao, head of research. Delos Laboratoriesa human health technology company.
While the different types of particles are indistinguishable from the air purifier itself, according to the experts we spoke to, an important consideration for particles like pet dander is energy draw, because this type of pollutant theoretically remains persistent in your home and necessitates constant use of the air purifier.
“It’s more about the consumer experience and user interaction, and having it on all the time, versus the basic scientific principle,” says Chow, when determining what makes an air purifier more pet-friendly.
We test our air purifiers against fine and coarse particles. Coarse particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, which are particles less than 10 and 2.5 micrometers in diameter, respectively, pose the greatest risk to human health, as once inhaled, they seep deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, impairing the proper functioning of the lungs and heart. At the PM2.5 level, these particles include combustion particles, organic compounds, and metals.
“This is the volume that can get into our bodies, into our lungs, into our bloodstream,” Zhao said. “This is the number one environmental risk factor globally. It kills about 6 million to 7 million people annually,” he said, due to cardiovascular or respiratory problems caused by particulate pollutants.
PM10 includes dust, pollen, and mold. Large coarse particles greater than PM10 include fine beach sand (PM90), which is less of a concern because it does not normally enter the lungs. However, they can still irritate your eyes, nose, and throat.
Microparticles are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. These include ultrafine particles and nanoparticles, which are less than 0.1 micrometer in diameter.
All of our air purifiers are smoke chamber tested to see how quickly they can remove fine and coarse particles.
Smoke chamber test
Our custom air purifier testing chamber uses a clear-view front panel made of plexiglass and is accessible by hand, allowing us to handle air purifiers safely. It also includes a particle counter holder for our control device, two fans that ensure proper mixing of air and smoke within the chamber, vent ports that maintain a small amount of fresh air at all times, an ignition port for lighting smoke grenades from outside the rig, and an exhaust port that safely removes residual smoke from the chamber and building after each test.
The chamber is not tightly sealed, but it is tight enough to ensure that no dangerous amount of smoke escapes into the surroundings. Our task was to create an environment in which we would expose each air purifying unit to particle-saturated air at approximately the same concentration to evaluate how quickly and efficiently we could return the air to breathable conditions.
We have custom made smoke bombs, made with 50% potassium nitrate (KNO3), 40% sucrose (sugar), 10% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and include a safety fuse for remote ignition. The sugar acts as a fuel source, while the potassium nitrate acts as an oxidizing agent and the baking soda ensures that the dry mixture maintains a slow, even burn.
Using a GreyWolf PC3500 particle counter, we were able to verify that 0.5 grams of smoke bomb dry mixture produces approximately 590 million to 610 million particles per cubic meter. The device is capable of counting particles of different sizes, including PM2.5 and PM10, and records this data once every 15 seconds. Although we are able to count particles of different sizes individually, the total number of particles we are interested in is the sum of all particles of different sizes.
The GreyWolf PC3500 Particle Counter is the new particle counter we use in our smoke chamber
We prepare a 0.5 gram smoke bomb, which is ignited through the ignition port after installing the air purifier and ensuring proper sealing. As soon as the air in the room becomes saturated with particles (more than 580 million particles/m3), we turn on the respective air purifier. Data extracted from the GreyWolf PC2500 particle counter allows us to accurately track the air purifier’s impact on particle counts in real time.
Noise level
Our new independent sound level meter we use to measure the noise level in air purifiers.
Using the decibel meter, we measured how loud the air purifiers were at low, medium, and high fan settings. This is especially important if you plan to run the air purifier in your bedroom throughout the night and don’t want it to disrupt your sleep. We perform this test in our sound-controlled studio to ensure that the decibel meter only records sound from the air purifiers, excluding other potential sources.
To give you a frame of referencewhisper quiet is about 25 dB. A normal conversation can range from 60 to 70 decibels. The power of the vacuum cleaner ranges from 65 to 80 decibels. The sound of a subway train 200 feet away reaches 95 decibels. Since most of our air purifiers are no louder than 65 dB, even at maximum fan setting, you’re usually looking at a noise level on par with normal conversation.
Energy consumption
To answer this question we used a device called… Kill Watt And measure how much energy each air purifier consumes at different fan settings. Knowing the power consumption of your air purifier can make a difference in your energy bill.