Best CARB & AHAM HEPA Air Purifiers for Home, Dorm & Office

HEPA Air Purifiers For Sale Today

HEPA Air Purifier Overview

People may love air conditioners, but they also often overlook the importance of having fresh, clean air that is regularly circulating in and out of their homes. Air purifiers are an essential home appliance for people looking to clean up the air indoors for a more comfy atmosphere, particularly to eliminate unseen things that affect your air quality such as household odors from things like diaper changes.

What are HEPA air purifiers?

In short, air purifiers are devices that remove contaminants from the air in your room such as dust mites and pollen in order to improve air quality. They’re great for people who have allergies, asthma, stuffy sinuses, dry throats, or coughing. They maintain quality air in your home by removing contaminants, dust particles, fumes from smoking tobacco, and more.

The air purifiers on this list use a 3-stage filtration system: Pre-Filter, which filters out large particles such as hair, fur, and lint; True HEPA Filter, which manages finer particles including dust mites, bacteria, and pollen in the air; and Activated Carbon Filter which goes even deeper by eliminating the odors lingering from pets and cooking.

HEPA Air Purifier Guide

An important metric to keep in mind when shopping for the right air purifier for you is the Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, is a measure of how many cubic feet per minute of air that has had all of its air particles removed. The CADR is measured in units of cubic feet per minute, or CFM. A higher CADR such as 130 CFM results in a purifier’s ability to clean a room and cycle in clean air at a faster rate.

Some air purifiers are ozone-free, which is important to look for in an air purifier. Ozone is known to irritate lungs and pose potential health risks. Ozone is especially harmful to those with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and tamper with the body’s ability to combat respiratory infections. Air purifiers that use ozone are actually known to attract more pollutants and lacks the ability to properly cycle air pollutants from a room. Rather, the pollutants get sucked towards the air purifier but become too dense to remain airborne, fall to the floor or wall, and eventually lighten up enough to become airborne again.

On the topic of harmful substances being used in air purifiers, another potentially hazardous medium to avoid is UV-C light. While UV-C light are incredibly efficient and can kill virtually all known microorganisms, they can be dangerous when exposed to. UV-C light can break through organisms and scramble their DNA. Depending on the length of exposure, UV-C light can cause painful burns to the skin and temporarily damage cornea.

With all of this in mind, we have compiled a list of the five best remote-controlled air purifiers. These purifiers span a variety of purposes, including use in residential homes, waiting rooms, offices, restaurants, stores, and hotels. We have researched through the hundreds of different air purifiers on the market in order to find the best ones based on CADR, performance, energy efficiency, certifications, and unique features. Along with the meticulous research of each product, we have also studied their knock-backs and created comprehensive, brief pros and cons lists based on this research along with detailed descriptions of what each purifier has to offer.

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Original Retail 179.99
UPC 00817915020432
Model LV-PUR131
Brand LEVOIT
SKU LV-PUR131

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2. Best Value: Germ Guardian AC4825W True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Home

Germ Guardian AC4825W Review

Designed by Guardian Technologies, a provider of small appliance-based solutions for ease of use and comfort at home, the Germ Guardian purifier was created with smaller rooms in mind. The recommended room size to use the Germ Guardian in is 167 square feet per (officially verified by AHAM). Optional UV-C light can be used to enhance performance. While this is usually could be considered a negative feature of any air purifier due to the potentially harmful effects of UV-C light, the usage of UV-C is completely optional and thus, will only be used if the user desires. The additional usage of UV-C serves to eliminate airborne viruses such as influenza.

The Germ Guardian’s AHAM verification certifies that the unit has been tested for its air purification capabilities, and recommends a room size of 167 square feet based on meticulous calculations that have been approved by AHAM. At this room size, the Germ Guardian will perform optimally.

The Germ Guardian is Energy Star certified, making it an officially licensed energy efficient and high-performing product that sets it apart from other non-certified air purifiers. It is also CARB compliant, meaning it meets the California Air Resource Board’s goals of maintaining healthy air quality, protecting users from exposure to toxic air contaminants, and providing innovative approaches for complying to air pollution regulations.

A critique we had for the Germ Guardian is its LED display’s inability to be turned off at night, unlike the other air purifiers on this list. This might result in less peaceful sleep if you plan to run this unit in your bedroom and prefer to have no night lights on while you are sleeping.

Specs

CADR: Dust – 118 CFM, Pollen – 125 CFM, Smoke – 108 CFM

Dimensions: 6.8” x 21.5” x 10.2”

Pros

• Quiet operational noise
• 3 different speed settings
• Optional UV-C light to aid in removing airborne viruses from the air
• Ozone-free
• AHAM Verified for a room measuring approximately 167 square feet
• Energy Star Certified and CARB Compliant
• 3-Year Warranty

Cons

• LED display cannot be turned off, which can keep users awake at night if they are bothered by light displays that stay on overnight

Original Retail 86.15
UPC 00817624012308
Model AC4825W
Brand Germ Guardian
SKU AC4825W

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3. Best for Allergies: LEVOIT Vital 100 Air Purifier for Home with True HEPA Filter

LEVOIT Vital 100 Review

Delivers Greatly on Environmental Safety: The Vital 100 shares the same ozone-free status as the LV-PUR131 and also does not use any UV-C light. A unique feature offered with the Vital 100 is its LED display that can be turned off to avoid having lights in your room that may keep you awake at night. Another perk of the Vital 100 is its super quiet operational noise rated at 23 decibels equating to the sound of a faint whisper in the distance.

As a side note, the prefilters that are included with the Vital 100 are washable and are expected to last approximately 6-8 months before needing to be replaced. All of this is packed into a unit with almost the same Clean Air Delivery Rate as the LV-PUR131, which is a testament to the Vital 100’s powerful performance.

The Vital 100 has several certifications. First, it is CARB certified, meaning it passes emission standards after examination. Second, it is FCC certified, meaning the electrical interference produced are approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Thirdly, the Vital 100 is ETL Listed, meaning it has been tested and deemed compliant with national safety standards that allow it to be sold and distributed. These certifications help to establish the Vital 100 as a safe and efficient product to consider buying without any concerns about factors such as harmful emissions.

Our only complaint with the Vital 100 is that despite Levoit’s emphasis on this being a compact unit, we didn’t find it to be all that compact as its dimensions differ from your average air purifier by a matter of a couple inches.

Specs

CADR: 130 CFM

Dimensions: 12.8” x 6.4” x 16.1”

Pros

• Like the LV-PUR131, the Vital 100 is ozone-free and doesn’t use UV-C light.
• LED display that can be turned off for peaceful sleep
• Quiet operating noise at 23 dB, which is even quieter than the whisper-quiet noise produced by the LV-PUR131
• CARB Certified, FCC Certified, and ETL Listed
• Includes washable pre-filter sets

Cons

• Not as compact as we’d like. Its dimensions do not differ all that much from other air purifiers

Original Retail 119.99
UPC 00817915027462
Model Vital 100
Brand LEVOIT
SKU Vital 100

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4. Most Portable: Blue Pure 411 411PACF101435 Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters

Blue Pure 411 411PACF101435 Review

Quiet as a Peep for Deep Sleep: Designed for small and medium rooms ranging between 100-175 square feet, the Blue Pure 411 is intended more for smaller bedrooms, individual offices, college dorm rooms, and nurseries.

Sporting an Energy Star certification, the Blue Pure 411 has incredible energy efficiency balanced with excellent performance that is further complimented by its incredibly low operational noise at 17-46 dBA, which is barely audible. The Blue Pure 411 is also very lightweight at 3.35 lbs, it is very easy to move around and is nearly four times lighter than other air purifiers we have covered here.

The Blue Pure 411 features full 360° airflow coverage, ensuring fresh air blowing in all directions regardless of where you choose to place it. On the topic of air flow, your preferred settings can be set up in a cinch with the comprehensive one-button control that makes cycling through settings simple without the use of an entire control panel. The Blue Pure 411 can be personalized with the included blue and dark gray prefilters. Replacement filters can also be purchased from an array of different colors available for further customization.

Unfortunately, the Blue Pure 411 is not nearly as small or compact as you might expect. The size of the Blue Pure 411 isn’t all that much better than the Vital 100. The Vital 100 is admittedly longer by about six inches, but the width and height of the two purifiers only differ by a couple inches

Specs

CADR: 120 CFM

Dimensions: 8” x 8” x 16.7”

Pros

• Affordable option for a smaller unit with mild power
• Sound level varies, but can go as low as 17 dBA, which is barely audible
• Energy Star Certified
• Recyclable, washable filters that last around 6 months
• Customizable prefilters come in blue and dark gray. Additional colors can be purchased when replacing prefilters as well
• Energy Star Certified
• Very lightweight, allowing for easy movement of the unit
• Full 360° coverage, ensuring air flow in all directions
• Comprehensive one-button control

Cons

• Not nearly as small as you might expect or hope for

Original Retail 119.99
UPC 00695642176895
Model 411PACF101435
Brand Blueair
SKU 411PACF101435

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5. Best for Large Rooms: Enther AP1C Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter

Enther AP1C Review

The Enther air purifier delivers a small and affordable unit with some unique and useful features. The built-in air quality monitor with colorful LED indicator lights to communicate the current air quality level to the user.

The Enther air purifier has a couple of unique modes: Turbo Mode acts as a speed function that circulates air into your room at a much faster rate than normal, and Auto Mode automatically adjusts the unit’s fan speed according to the air quality reading taken from the air quality monitor. This autonomous setting is great for adjusting the fan speed so users don’t have to. Also included is a timer function that can be set to turn the Enther air purifier off in the next 1, 4, or 8 hours.

The Enther air purifier is ETL Listed, meaning it is proven to comply to North American industry safety standards and other official codes across the US and Canada. The ETL Listing is a fast-growing safety certification that demonstrates safety in product like the Enther air purifier. To add to the Enther air purifer’s safety, the CARB certification approves of this air purifier’s air emissions and deems them safe to use based on the guidelines of the California Air Resource Board.

One criticism that we have for this purifier is its limited amount of hours that you can set the timer to. The timer can only set 1, 4, or 8 hours, but we would like to see the Enther air purifier have a more diverse range of time frames to select from, for instance, a range of 1-12 hours,

Specs

CADR: 70 CFM

Dimensions: 8.5” x 8.5” x 12.5”

Pros

• Turbo Mode flows pure air into your room as quick as possible.
• Air quality monitor gauges air quality and indicates it using an LED system
• Auto Mode automatically adjusts
• 3 different adjustable fan speeds
• Timer can be set between 1, 4, and 8 hour presets
• ETL Certified (Edison Testing Laboratories)
• Contains an aroma box that circulates a fragrant scent into your room along with fresh, clean air
• CARB Certified
• 2-Year Warranty

Cons

• Not much diversity in the timer with only 3 fixed time settings instead of letting you select more hours

Original Retail 99.99
UPC 00602401622104
Model AP1C
Brand Enther
SKU AP1C

HEPA Air Purifier Buying Guide – A Better and Healthier Life

It’s spring cleaning time, and you need to break out all the necessary tools. Rags to wipe things down, a vacuum to clean the floors and mop for the tile. You know the drill. Except, what about all those nasty pollutants floating about in the air? Certainly, this is not a job for your vacuum.

You need a HEPA Air Purifier. After all, having clean air to breathe is just as, if not more, important than a clean floor to walk on. The best part, your HEPA Air Purifier does all the heavy lifting. But, an air purifier isn’t as simple as buying a broom or a mop. Our simple guide will make it easy for you to pick the right air purifier to add to your arsenal of clean living.

Why Do I Need a HEPA Air Purifier?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in your home contains between 2 and 5 times more pollutants than the air outdoors. Considering the average person spends about 90 percent of their time indoors, this information comes as quite a shock. Luckily, a HEPA air purifier can provide just the solution you need to live a cleaner and happier life.

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. An air purifier without a HEPA standard will never be as efficient as one that does. HEPA Air Purifiers will remove pollen, dust, dander, foul odor, and any other multitude of unwanted air pollutants. Using the right tool for the job can vastly improve your quality of life. But, how might you know which HEPA Air Purifier is right for you? Well, it helps first to know how they work.

How Does a HEPA Air Purifier Work?

A HEPA Air Purifier might come with a multitude of features and gadgets. Some might have Ionizers and others UV Light. Sometimes, you’ll be able to find some with both. With or without those extra features, you need something to clear the air you and your loved ones breathe in.

Your HEPA Air Purifier sucks in air like a fan and pushes that air through a filter. These filters come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Your HEPA air purifier will excel at capturing and pollen, dust, and even smoke. These filters are replaceable, and you’re recommended to replace them to maintain the efficiency of your air purifier. If you’re looking to invest in more than the average amount of pollutant cleaning, you might be interested in VOC.

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs might be fossil fuels, paint fumes, or benzene. VOCs you might be familiar with if you work in labor. For your average household, this is most likely not an issue for you. Yet, VOC HEPA Air Purifiers use a special filtration system and are available.

How To Find The Perfect Air Purifier

CADR (Clean-air Delivery Rate)

Despite the countless acronyms, CADR might be one of the most important for you to consider. The CADR determines the speed at which your HEPA Air Purifier can clean pollutants from the air. An ideal CADR rating is from 300 to 350 CADR. This type of rating will ensure a constant rate of clean air in your home

True HEPA

A True HEPA air purifier should be able to remove pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. That’s 99.97% of the pollutants in the air in your home right now. This includes dust, dander, mold, and pollen. Anything short of true HEPA is cutting corners. Do not settle for HEPA-like or HEPA-type. These air purifiers aren’t using all the standards set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Consider Room Size

Your air purifier is going to perform much differently in a warehouse then it would in your living room. You need  to consider the size of the room where your HEPA air purifier is going to be placed. You’re looking to maximize your CADR while making sure the placement of the air purifier is sure to catch as many pollutants as possible while circulating clean air back into the room.

HEPA Air Purifier Tips

Vacuuming

If you vacuum regularly, your air purifier will have much less to filter out of the air. Your HEPA air purifier will still be doing much of the heavy lifting, but you’ll be saving plenty of money by lending a hand.

Regular Filter Maintenance

This is something that cannot be stressed enough. Your HEPA air purifier is working hard, and most likely, working 24/7. Checking the filter regularly and changing it will make sure you’re always running at 100 percent efficiency. Running a dirty filter much longer than needed increases the chances of all those mold particles you cleaned from the air making a home in your filter.

Open Your Windows

This might seem obvious, but not everyone does it. Keeping your windows closed locks in all of the things your HEPA air purifier is working to clean. Open a window or two can help to release all those trapped irritants and keep the air in your home as fresh and clean as you need it to me.

We hope our buying guide has helped in understanding what a air purifiers are and what the best HEPA air purifier is for you.

See more of our product reviews here.