Welp MagazineStuck at home during the coronavirus crisis? An air purifier might help keep your home’s environment clean and could even get droplets harboring the COVID-19 virus out of the air.
There are dozens of indoor air purifiers to choose from, but many manufacturers offer only vague explanations for how their products work, or make outlandish health claims. Half the battle is figuring out which type of purifier fits your home and family’s needs and whether the model you choose will actually make your life any better.
AZEUS 7-in-1 Air Purifier
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
Germ Guardian HEPA Filter Air Purifier
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home
Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Trying to figure out which is the best office air purifier has become a bit of a minefield, and you can easily spend a lot of time and money without actually getting the best product for the job. Here, however, is a guide to choosing a portable air purifier that you can use every day anywhere that needs a little help breathing.
Step 1: Admit that you have a problem
Simple breathing is a problem? Then really consider a purifier.
It’s not about you breathing the same air as everyone else, or even everyone breathing the same air that you breathe. It’s about your home losing purity. Big air purifiers are great for that.
Step 2: Do a little research
You need to be patient when selecting your purifier, but every time you check your email, press “buy” or sit in your car for 20 minutes or so you’re exposing yourself to large amounts of airborne pollutants. If you’re exposed to lead at your desk, your body can become lead poisoned. Some people are more allergic to molds and others to dust. If you’re already breathing in fumes from solvents, fuels or cleaning products, you’ll need a purifier with stronger filters.
What does $75.00 buy you?
Time to invest in an air purifier. Get something that’s a little bit bigger, and that will actually purify a decent size space. You can no longer afford to be “luke warm” in your home.
Step 3: Figure out what you need
There are many models available in the world of air purifiers. It should be pretty clear in recent years that you need a big one to be effective. I would also recommend a small(er) clip on model for the bathroom, which has a much smaller amount of air to purify, and that you can stick in your budget. If you’ll be living in a giant beehive, you’ll probably need something with a higher flow rate.
Portable air purifiers have been designed for almost every air purifier need.
If you find yourself needing a lower quality air purifier, but only for one room, maybe leave the large model at home. Nothing really wrong with that! There’s nothing wrong buying one that’s more efficient at filtering smaller air spaces. A great way to be sure the unit you buy is cordless.
Step 4: FABULOUS? Or FAIL?
Find a manufacturer that makes a portable air purifier with a HEPA (or another) filter. It makes a very big difference. Some purifiers will only claim “pre filtration” and if you intend to use them in your bedroom, your quality of life will ****. Also watch out for some warning labels. Some purifiers like the Honeywell make claims to put out butane, or to be able to cure any virus. Of course, ridiculous claims like this will be either never fulfilled or never met.
Step 5: Where’s the stuff coming from?
A very logical question. It’s not necessarily the stuff that is killing you, but the invisible stuff that is making everyone around you sick and that is getting into the air. It is very easy to forget your commute. Just like decavirus, it won’t happen while you’re in traffic.
Step 6: Look for air filters
Would it make sense to get a device with a built in filter? Of course. They’re easier to clean, and can be swapped out. Just remember to clean it out every once in a while.
Step 7: A timer
Being able to run the unit for more than an hour at a time is a good idea. Sometimes I may not be around for 60 minutes or more. Most purifiers have this capability. But keep in mind, if you’re controlling the air flow of a room through a vent system that could be a safety hazard.
Step 8: A washable filter
I’ve seen purifiers that use cotton or mesh filters, sometimes with nylon. They can be washed out. The important thing is that the filter is washable. Nothing good about that crap coming in.
Step 9: A portable power supply
The bigger the better. Actually, a ton of the purifiers on the market can do this. It’s unnecessary, but it sure is nice to be able to plug in and charge your unit without having to wire it into your wall.
Step 10: A fan
It may help.
Step 11: Something you can take with you
A corded model might be fine for a desk at a computer. But if you want something that can fit in your car or bedroom, or take into the shower with you, you’ll have to look no further.
Step 12: A warranty
In addition to a good selection of units in different price ranges, you should be able to get a warranty. Many of these units are made overseas, and many of the manufacturers don’t warranty their products.
One caveat to all of this “choose this, not that” is that the “what you choose” will differ for you. If you get a unit designed to work in your study, you may need a different type or length of cord. If you have pets it would be best to find one with a larger fan. You really need to take your family size into consideration
Step 13: Safety
In addition to a clean and friendly home, you want your unit to be safe. Read the instructions. Make sure you’re told what you can charge the unit with. Make sure that you have a device that will not cause the room to be flooded. Some units say not to charge with a computer, which could be a big contributor to fires in laptops. Charge it on a timer. Your new unit should be safe.
Advantages of having a good office air purifier?
It reduces allergic reactions;
It helps you keep the air clean by removing odors and airborne particles from the air;
It keeps the air dust free;
It can protect your health by controlling a variety of airborne disease agents, heavy metals, asbestos, mold, fumes, and harmful chemicals in the air.
How to choose a good air purifier?
Wise? Objective?
‘There is no absolute right or wrong in air purifiers or the quality and the choice of products that people decide to purchase. As with anything these days, the consumer is always going to have more choice than they realize or understand the features of’.
Nowadays, more and more consumers are getting overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right product and make sure they choose the right one! ‘Air Purifier Buying Guide’ helps readers to get an overview of the features that are very important for buying an air purifier, such as range of operating speeds, fan speed, noise level, refrigeration capability, filtration system and so on. Another benefit is that once you choose an air purifier, you can buy second-hand for a fraction of the cost you originally paid, giving money to you towards your everyday expenses. Now let’s have a look at some of the most common types of air purifier:
HEPA air purifiers
HEPA is an acronym that stands for ‘high efficiency particulate air’ and is the common air filter used in most air purifiers depending on its size. The majority of purifiers that you will find on the market use a HEPA filter, however the next step up in performance is the premium air filters. Many of these are made by Panasonic and filter-x, which are much healthier for you and the environment.
High-end air purifiers
These air purifiers are the premium products that offer excellent air filters, but come with a high price tag. Prices start at $800 but when you add in the cost of the filter, the unit will cost around $700-$1000. These units are designed to remove dust and airborne toxins through a low air flow that circulates air. If you could survive on the healthy air of these purifiers, you would never need to go downstairs and buy one. You could even use your purifier when traveling. The units offer superior filtration and clean air, if only you could afford it.
Premium air purifiers
These units are better than the high-end purifiers thanks to their style of operation, along with their excellent filtration. They are almost as good as high-end units as they are powered by the same type of technology. However, there is no filter to be found within the purifier and instead, more money is put into the volume of air, thus, the price of these units are not as expensive as premium units.
Portable Air Purifiers
A portable air purifier attaches to objects in your home or in your car, along with controlling the amount of air given to the items or spaces. This type of machine can run for long periods of time, up to 12 hours or more. The problem with these units is that they do not have a large range of airflow, because of this, they are generally only found in the small areas that work best for them. They typically offer HEPA filters and will remove all the bad air from the rooms that they are placed in.
Air Filter Upholstery
These air purifiers are not specific to any type of room, but are places in your house that are especially important to you, such as your bedroom or living room. These little machines fit into the grooves that are present on furniture, and cover the spaces with HEPA filters.
You can purchase an air purifier unit for about $200 and up; six units for $600 and up.
How to choose ?
There are three major criteria to consider when buying an air purifier.
Airflow: Â How much air does it provide? Â No unit can remove all airborne toxins from the air, so having an adequate amount of air flow is important. Â The higher the air flow rating, the greater the air purifier will be able to remove toxins and allergens. Â One of the most important aspects is to bring in any units for a test drive first. Â With enough air flow, you can draw out 200 square feet of air, and if it needs the air then the unit will need to put out that much air flow. You will need to figure out how large the room or rooms are. Â For example, if you are trying to use the unit in your bedroom, then you will need to measure about your size of bed and there should be about 1/4 the width of the mattress of your bed. Â If you want to use the unit in a small room, then you can always just draw out a sample of the air and see how it feels, and if it feels great, then you know this is the unit you want to buy. Â One of the best things you can do is try the unit on before you buy it and find out how the unit feels.
The noise of the unit: Â You can find noise ceilings that range from ultra low to not so quiet, but it depends on the unit you are buying. Â Try to get a unit with a quietest noise rating as possible. Â One of the best things is to hear the unit at a store to see if you like it. Â You can look at the noise ratings and look at an inverter model, which will not have an output which will run the fan through the air and will provide better filtration.
These are the three most common categories of air purifiers, some of this type of purifiers are very quiet and are very the high-end and very expensive. Â If you are in a business environment with people making loud noises every day, then this would be the type of unit you need to buy.
There are many models for the different categories and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, this is where the experience and research of the buyer can save the buyer some money as they can save money buying a less expensive unit and can find a cost savings within the unit. Another thing to remember is that you should watch the cost break down with the unit. Magazine advertisements can be deceiving on the cost break down with the unit. Â You have to find out how much is the labor and how much is the filters.
This thing is really easy, unless you want to spend a thousand dollars on a unit, or wish to spend an additional $200 on a filter. Â Be sure to carefully figure out how much you will use the expense sooner than later or you may not be able to afford it. Â Look for some kind of warranty on the air purifier.
