Air purifiers can keep your home’s air clear of these irritants and help you and your family breathe easier. This is essential for more than just allergy relief, as indoor air pollution has been linked to respiratory diseases1, cardiovascular risks2, and even cancer3 in extreme cases. Here, allergy and functional medicine experts share how air purifiers work and how to vet all the options on the market. We used their intel to pinpoint the six absolute best air purifiers for allergies of the year to keep sniffles at bay. Staying on top of your cleaning routine and taking your shoes off at the door can be the first level of defense against these irritants. If you keep a clean home and still suffer from allergy symptoms, investing in an air purifier will provide another layer of protection. “Put simply, air purifiers filter out harmful particles thus reducing the levels of environmental allergens and pollutants within an indoor area,” Kara Fitzgerald, N.D., functional medicine expert and author of Younger You, tells mindbodygreen. Lamya Kamel, LAc, DAOM, the director of acupuncture at Aligned Modern Health, says that these purifiers work primarily through filters that catch very small particles and keep them from recirculating in the air. Some also contain another layer of activated charcoal to further clean the air and remove odors. Both Fitzgerald and Kamel note that not all air purifiers are created equal. You’ll want to make sure to look for one that is independently verified to reduce the irritants you’re concerned about, is the right size for your space, and remains easy to care for over time. What really sets it apart is its sleek design and reasonable price. At 12 pounds, it’s significantly lighter and more portable than similar purifiers on the market, and it costs less than $200 to boot. One thing to note is that reviewers who live outside the U.S. report having trouble finding affordable replacement filters, so that’s something you’ll want to look into before purchasing. The machine also comes with an ionizer, but it can be turned off if you’re concerned about ozone. This model houses a powerful filter that is suitable for larger rooms up to 700 to 800 square feet, though at 43 pounds, it’s heavy and a bit of an eyesore. Like all BLUEAIR purifiers, it’s Energy Star certified and ozone safe. Bonus: It’s on a major summer sale right now. To keep it running strong, though, you’ll need to replace its HEPA filter pretty frequently (every three months), though you can buy these in a multipack to save some money and headache. Many people note this is a great option for households with pets, and it can keep the air feeling fresh for years when properly maintained. “With regular maintenance and filter changes, these air purifiers still do an excellent job of filtering the air in my home,” writes one content customer. It offers four fan speeds, though some reviewers note that even the lowest speed was too loud for them. One downside is that the on/off switch design could use some work, and you need to manually power on the device every time you want to use it. However, it turns off on its own after 15 to 30 minutes of idling to save power, which is a nice touch. Reviewers have found a noticeable difference in their car air’s smell and feel after using this nifty little device. And their filtering is going to a good cause: IQAir collects air-quality data to share with public health and environmental organizations like UN-Habitat and Greenpeace. Be sure to check out the square footage it covers, and how quickly it cleans that entire space (around four times an hour is a good baseline). “If the area exceeds the capability of the air purifier, then allergens and pollutants will not be filtered out efficiently,” notes Fitzgerald. In addition to purifying their air, Kamel notes that allergy sufferers will also want to look within and treat their bodies with care for long-term allergy relief. Eating well, staying active, and getting enough rest can all go a long way in easing symptoms.
