The best air purifiers promise cleaner air and fewer allergens in homes that can often feel stuffy, dusty or full of pet hair. In the UK, where indoor pollution is more common than many of us realise, they’ve quietly become one of those appliances you don’t think much about until you actually need one.
Indoor allergies can have a bigger impact than you might expect. “For many people living with an indoor allergy, their home is not a sanctuary. Instead, it can be a hazard to their health,” says Simone Miles, chief executive at Allergy UK. Air purifiers can help reduce airborne allergens such as dust mites, mould spores and pet dander, so can make a noticeable difference. “Having access to cleaner air can make a world of difference,” she adds.
What are the different types of air purifier filters?
“If I was buying an air purifier, I would only stick to a filter-based air purifier,” Henry Burridge, associate professor in environmental fluid mechanics at Imperial College London, says. “I would also look for the clean air delivery rate (CADR) through the filter system.” The different types of filter include:
- HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air): Trap approximately 99.97 per cent of airborne particles.
- Activated carbon: Help remove odours and gases.
- UV-C and photocatalytic: Can help to eliminate bacteria and viruses.
Over the past few months, I’ve tested a range of air purifiers in my own (very real-world) pet-filled period home, from compact devices that can sit on a shelf to desktop to models that are big enough to double as side tables. I’ve tracked how they respond to everyday irritants like dust and smoke, and paid close attention to how quickly they improve air quality. You can read more about how I tested below.
These days, air purifiers come with plenty of added extras, from app control and real-time air-quality feedback to quiet sleep modes designed for bedrooms. But not all deliver on their promises, and performance can vary widely between models.
That’s why I’ve put a range of air purifiers through thorough, like-for-like testing to find the ones that actually make a difference. My top pick is the Dyson HushJet compact purifier (£324, Amazon.co.uk), but there are plenty of other strong options depending on your space, budget and priorities.
Read more: Best dehumidifiers for tackling damp at home
The best air purifiers for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Dyson hushjet compact purifier: £324, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Coway airmega 50: £79.99. Amazon.co.uk
- Best for large rooms – Coway airmega 350: £299.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for small rooms – Blueair blue mini max air purifier: £79, Amazon.co.uk
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Read more: Best humidifiers for dry skin and congestion, tried and tested
Dyson hushjet compact purifier
Best: air purifier overall
CADR: 222 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 100 sq m
Control: App, touch button, voice control
Dimensions: 47cm x 23cm x 23cm
Weight: 3.15kg
Energy consumption: 19W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 24–60dB
Filter type: Electrostatic, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Extremely fast particle removal in testing
- Very low energy consumption
- Excellent app with detailed air-quality insights
Take note
- Marketed as compact, but not that small
- Highest fan speed can be noisy
Dyson’s hushjet compact purifier is the best air purifier I’ve tested and in my particle tests, it proved extremely capable. During my candle-smoke test, it reacted almost immediately, automatically ramping up airflow. Within 15 minutes, it had reduced both PM0.3 and PM2.5 particles by around 75 per cent. After 30 minutes, levels were close to undetectable, making the HushJet one of the fastest purifiers I tested for clearing fine pollutants.
Controls are simple on the unit itself, with three buttons for power, fan speed and information, but the real experience comes via the MyDyson app. Here you can adjust any of the 10 fan speeds, activate auto or night mode, set timers from 15 minutes to nine hours, and dive into detailed air-quality insights. The app tracks PM2.5 and PM10 particles, updates every 30 seconds, and even pulls in outdoor air quality data for your area, making it one of the most informative air purifier apps I’ve tested.
It’s billed as the brand’s smallest air purifier, and while it’s certainly more compact than Dyson’s towering fan-purifier hybrids, it’s still more of a floor-standing unit than a desk gadget. That said, it’s light enough to move easily between rooms, and the engineering-led design is unmistakably Dyson. The star-shaped nozzle at the top, inspired by jet engines, gives it a slightly futuristic look, too.
The hushjet’s running costs are also impressively low. At just 19W, it costs roughly 13p to run over 24 hours, which is significantly cheaper than most purifiers I’ve tested. Maintenance is refreshingly straightforward too: the electrostatic filter lasts up to five years, while the activated carbon filter needs replacing annually and costs around £35.
Noise levels are generally well controlled thanks to Dyson’s acoustic engineering, although at the highest fan speed, it can reach around 60dB, which is noticeable if you’re sitting nearby. Thankfully, it rarely stays at that level for long, as the auto mode quickly reduces the fan once the air clears.
Read our full review of the Dyson hushjet compact air purifier
Buy now £324, Amazon.co.uk
Coway airmega 50 air purifier
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Best: Budget air purifier
CADR: 120 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 31 sq m
Control: Auto, touch, smart air sensor
Dimensions: 17cm x 17cm x 32cm
Weight: 1.6kg
Energy consumption: Up to 14W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 18-44dB
Filter type: Pre-filter, filter and deodorisation filter
Why we love it
- Air quality indicator
- Features night light
- Filters last for eight months
Take note
- No wifi or app control
- Not as effective on lower modes
If you're looking for a quiet, compact air purifier on a budget, the Coway airmega 50 air purifier is hard to beat. Designed with smaller spaces in mind, this unit is light enough to move from room to room, yet powerful enough to clean up to 31 square metres, making it just about right for every room in the average British home.
What I liked most during testing was the real-time air quality indicator, which uses a coloured light to show how clean the air is (blue indicates good, green for moderate, amber for bad and pink for very bad). It’s a small touch, but one that gives instant reassurance.
It’s also a great option for kids’ bedrooms thanks to the built-in nightlight, which gives off a gentle glow that’s ideal for relaxing bedtime routines or little ones scared of the dark.
The Coway airmega 50 air purifier has a smart sensor that automatically adjusts the fan speed depending on the air quality. It’s also incredibly quiet on its lowest setting, so it’s great for overnight use.
While it doesn’t come with app connectivity or wifi features, the filter lasts eight months, and the unit uses very little power, making it energy-efficient enough to leave running for extended periods. Just bear in mind it’s most effective on its higher settings – so if you live in a high-traffic area, you might want to run it at full speed before bedtime.
Overall, this is a brilliant choice for those on tighter budgets. There are still cheaper options – the Daewoo purifier below, for instance – but those models only work on fairly small rooms. For most homes, this is the best budget air purifier.
Buy now £55.99, Amazon.co.uk
Sans mini air purifier
Best: basic air purifier
CADR: 420 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 45.5 sq m
Control: Touch panel only
Dimensions: 35.6cm x 20.3cm x 22.9cm
Weight: 3.2kg
Warranty: 3 years
Noise level: 30-55dB
Filter type: Pre-filter, HEPA H13, activated carbon, UV-C
Why we love it
- Displays a wide range of data
- Straightforward touch-panel controls
- Strong multi-stage filtration, including UV-C
Take note
- No app or smart connectivity
- Larger than the “mini” name suggests
The Sans mini is described as small but mighty. It’s certainly mighty, with a CADR of 420 cubic metres per hour, but in reality, it’s not quite as tiny as the name suggests. It’s closer in size to the Dyson hushjet compact purifier, than something you’d comfortably sit on a desk or shelf.
This purifier takes a fairly no-nonsense approach to air cleaning. There’s no app connectivity or smart-home integration, which may appeal if you just want a straightforward machine that does the job without extra set up. Everything is controlled from the touch panel on top, where you can adjust the fan speed, activate auto mode or set a timer from two to eight hours.
I particularly liked the data displayed on the screen. As well as particles, the Sans mini also tracks VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can be emitted by cleaning products and building materials – this isn’t something every purifier in this price range offers. The display also uses colour-coded lighting to give a quick visual indicator of overall air quality.
In day-to-day use, the Sans mini is very quiet on its lower settings, particularly when running on auto mode. However, the higher fan speeds are noticeably louder – the third setting in particular sounds a bit like it’s about to take off. But if you’re looking for a purifier that focuses on simple controls and solid filtration rather than smart features, the Sans mini is a good option.
Buy now £199.99, Livesans.co.uk
Coway airmega 350
Best: air purifier for large rooms
CADR: 598 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 185 sq m
Controls: Touch panel
Dimensions: 30.5cm x 30.5cm x 59.1cm
Weight: 7.8kg
Energy consumption: 62W
Warranty: Need
Noise level: 21–54dB
Filter type: HEPA, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Very large room coverage
- Responds quickly to smoke and airborne particles
- Simple controls and energy-saving eco mode
Take note
- No app connectivity
- Particle removal speed is good, but not class-leading
The Coway Airmega 350 is the best air purifier for large homes, and in testing, it certainly felt like a serious bit of kit. Despite its chunky tower design, it’s surprisingly light for its size, and the slim footprint means it can sit neatly in a corner without dominating the room. I particularly liked the grooved exterior, which cleverly disguises the lower air intake vents.
Performance was solid rather than spectacular in my particle tests. It reduced 0.3-micron particles by almost half in five minutes and by two-thirds in 30 minutes, meaning it tackled fine pollutants pretty quickly, even if some competitors cleared them faster. It was much more impressive during real-world smoke testing: after I blew out a match or candle, the purifier detected the smoke within seconds and automatically ramped up to its highest fan speed.
The simple top display is sleek and easy to navigate, with auto, sleep, turbo and eco modes, along with a colour-changing air quality indicator. The chunky manual tells you more about clever functionality you can access by holding down buttons for a few seconds or pressing two at once.
Eco mode is particularly useful for saving energy by automatically stopping airflow if the air remains clean for 10 minutes. But if you’re looking for a particle counter or detailed app feedback on the health of your indoor air, you’ll be disappointed - the Coway airmega 350 provides just an air quality indicator light for this info. Enough for most, but not for all.
Buy now £299.99, Amazon.co.uk
Levoit sprout air purifier
Best: air purifier for kids' bedrooms
CADR: 145 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 30 sq m
Control: App, touch button, voice control
Dimensions: 22cm x 22cm x 35.5cm
Weight: 2.9kg
Energy consumption: 18W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 19 to 47 dB
Filter type: HEPA, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Stylish design
- Excellent VeSync app
- Useful sleep features
Take note
- Some features only accessible via app
- May be too small for some homes
I’ve tested easily a dozen Levoit air purifiers over the past few years, and while they’ve always been impressively reliable workhorses, design has never really been their strong point. The Levoit sprout changes that. It’s easily the most stylish Levoit purifier I’ve tried, with soft curves, a minimalist touch panel, subtle lighting and a design that feels far more bedroom-friendly than most air purifiers. It’s also cheaper to run, at around 12p per 24 hours.
It’s the best air purifier for kids’ bedrooms, as it includes a few thoughtful bedtime features. There’s a white noise function with rainfall sounds, a night light with adjustable brightness, and even a baby sleep mode that combines soft lighting with gentle rainfall audio, while the purifier quietly cleans the air in the background. It’s compact enough to sit comfortably on a desk or shelf, though it also works well as a small standalone purifier
In my match and candle smoke tests, the Sprout proved very responsive, quickly ramping up to its highest fan speed when it detected particles in the air. If you’re not running auto mode, the app will even send a notification warning you that air quality has dropped, so you can increase the fan speed or switch to auto.
The companion VeSync app unlocks a lot of extra functionality. You can check real-time particle levels, view historical air-quality data, adjust modes remotely, create schedules and monitor filter life. There are also additional modes in the app, including quiet auto and efficient auto, which aren’t available directly from the touch panel.
Buy now £188, Amazon.co.uk
Philips air performer 8000 series 3-in-1 air purifier, fan and heater AMF870/35
Best: multi-functional air purifier
CADR: 270 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 70 sq m
Control: App, remote, voice control
Dimensions: 106.4cm x 32.5cm x 32.5cm
Weight: 8.5kg
Energy consumption: 40W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 19–46dB
Filter type: HEPA, active carbon, pre-filter
Why we love it
- Purifies, heats and cools in one
- Strong smart features and voice control
- Real-time feedback on particles, gases and allergens
Take note
- Expensive compared with single-purpose purifiers
- Larger and heavier than simpler compact models
If you’re after a do-it-all appliance, the Philips air performer 8000 series is the best multi-functional air purifier I tested. It combines air purification with fan and heating functions, so it’s designed to work year-round rather than just tackling air quality. Philips claims it can handle spaces up to 70sq m, with a CADR of 270m³/h, while the fan has 10 speed settings.
In terms of filtration, it’s a solid setup, with a HEPA filter, active carbon and a pre-filter. It’s also packed with sensors, tracking everything from PM2.5 and allergens to temperature and humidity. I particularly liked the hyper-local air pollution data in the app, which gives you a clearer picture of what’s going on beyond your living room.
Design-wise, the charcoal finish looks genuinely stylish, but it’s noticeably bulkier than most models in this guide, so you’ll need the space for it. The 350-degree oscillation is excellent for wide coverage (and more generous than many rivals), although I did find it a little on the slow side when sweeping across the room.
Smart features are strong, with app control, scheduling and voice assistant compatibility, making it feel like a serious contender against Dyson’s premium air purifiers.
Buy now £459.99, Philips.co.uk
SwitchBot air purifier table
Best: air purifier table
CADR: 400 cubic metres per hour
Room size: 33.45 sq m
Control: App (SwitchBot), voice control (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri)
Dimensions: 29cm x 42cm x 49.75cm
Weight: 4.8kg
Energy consumption: 40W
Warranty: 1 year
Noise level: 20-50dB
Filter type: HEPA, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Wireless phone charging built in
- Easy-to-understand air quality light
- Smart home compatible
Take note
- Wireless charging not the fastest
- Smaller coverage area than larger purifiers
SwitchBot’s air purifier table is easily one of the more unusual air purifiers I tested - and I mean that in a good way. The air purifier doubles as a compact side table that includes wireless phone charging, which is genuinely handy. It works particularly well beside a sofa or bed, where the tabletop actually becomes useful rather than just decorative.
One of the nicest touches is the ambient light ring underneath the table, which changes colour depending on the air quality. During testing, when I lit a match to generate some airborne particles, you could actually watch the purifier react in real time. The light quickly shifted colour, and the fan sped up as the purifier detected the smoke and started clearing the air, which is a satisfying way to see it working, if that’s your thing.
Inside, the purifier uses a three-stage filtration system with a washable pre-filter, HEPA filter and activated carbon layer to tackle dust, allergens and odours. A built-in PM2.5 sensor tracks fine particles and sends the data to the SwitchBot app, where you can check air quality, tweak settings or connect it to smart home systems like Alexa or Google Home.
Buy now £299, Switch-bot.com
Blueair blue signature air purifier
Best: air purifier for stylish design
CADR: 773 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 314 sq m
Controls: App, touch panel, voice control
Dimensions: 44cm x 40cm x 40cm
Weight: 6kg
Energy consumption: 38–43W
Warranty: 1 year
Noise level: 23 - 55dB
Filter type: HEPA, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Stylish design that blends into the room
- Excellent app with detailed air-quality insights
- Customisable covers and base options
Take note
- More expensive to run than rivals
- Wooden legs or stand sold separately
- May be too big for some homes
Much like the SwitchBot table, the Blueair blue signature air purifier has been designed to blend into your home rather than stand out as a piece of tech. At first glance, it actually looks more like a footstool or compact side table, and although you shouldn’t sit on it or place anything heavier than about 5kg on top, it works nicely as somewhere to rest a small ornament or lamp. You can purchase wooden legs (£54, Blueair.co.uk) or a chrome stand (£74, Blueair.co.uk) separately to make it even more of a statement piece, though at this price, it’s a shame this kind of extra isn’t included.
During my testing, the air purifier reacted super quickly to clean the air, and it was particularly good at dealing with smells and particles with its OdourFence technology, which effectively cleared lingering smoke and match odours. It also has an AirSense feature that proactively refreshes the air, twice a day for 10–25 minutes, which is a clever way of maintaining good air quality without constantly running at full power.
The accompanying app is excellent and gives you loads of information about your air quality. You can track PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particles, check filter life, set schedules and adjust fan speeds or modes, including night and eco. I also liked that the app explains what the different particle sizes mean, giving you a better insight into what causes poor air quality. With an impressive CADR of 773 cubic metres, this air purifier is designed for big spaces.
Noise levels are very low on standard or auto settings (I could barely hear it while pottering around my living room), though they reach around 48dB at maximum speed, which is a little more intrusive. It’s also a little more energy-hungry than some rivals, running at around 38–43W, which is around 25p per 24 hours.
Buy now £299, Blueair.co.uk
Levoit core 600S smart air purifier
Best: Smart air purifier
CADR: 400 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 83 sq m
Control: Touch panel, app, Alexa/Google voice
Dimensions: 27.4cm x 27.4cm x 51.9cm
Weight: 5kg
Energy consumption: 24W
Warranty: 1 year
Noise level: 24-48dB
Filter type: 3-stage true HEPA H13 and carbon
Why we love it
- Impressive air cleaning for the price
- App shows real-time PM2.5 levels
- Sleep mode and auto mode for hands-free use
Take note
- A little bulky for smaller rooms
- Filters aren’t cheap
The Levoit Core 400S punches so far above its price point that it could well be a contender for the crown of best air purifier, if only it didn’t feature such a run-of-the-mill design.
Offering excellent filtration and smart features you’d usually only see on more expensive models and a three-stage HEPA H13 filter, it captures 99.97 per cent of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns, including smoke, pollen and pet dander. A carbon layer also tackles odours and VOCs, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers, pet owners or city dwellers.
Real-time air quality is shown through a coloured light ring on top of the purifier, while the app gives you scheduling, timers and remote control. There’s also support for Alexa and Google Assistant if you prefer voice control.
In my at-home tests, the core 600S cleared up to 99.9 per cent of PM2.5 particles within half an hour – even after match and smoke tests – with barely a whisper on its lower settings. The sleep mode is practically silent, while auto mode adjusts the fan speed to one of four, depending on air quality.
One downside is the app, which I had to reinstall twice when it froze during use. Plus, it only works on a 2.4Ghz network, so you might need to use your phone as a hotspot. But if you can forgive the odd hiccup and aren’t bothered about setting complex schedules (you can still set timers of up to 12 hours using the touchpad), the 400S is one of the best-value smart air purifiers around. Be warned, the filters aren’t cheap at £66.99 (Levoit.co.uk), although you may find them cheaper elsewhere.
Buy now £299.99, Amazon.co.uk
Coway airmega 100 air purifier
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Best: Value air purifier
CADR: 240 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 63 sq m
Control: Auto, touch, smart air sensor
Dimensions: 22cm x 22cm x 39.5cm
Weight: 3kg
Energy consumption: Up to 35W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 20-52dB
Filter type: Pre-filter and filter and deodorisation filter
Why we love it
- Auto mode with real-time air quality sensor
- Features mood light
- Filters last 12 months
Take note
- No wifi or app control
- Higher price than similar-sized models
Coway is known for its premium air purifiers, and the airmega 100 lives up to the hype. Designed to sit discreetly in bedrooms, living rooms or even home offices, it includes a smart air quality sensor that constantly monitors your indoor air and adjusts the fan speed accordingly.
The LED ring on the front glows blue, orange or red depending on the current air quality, which is a handy way to get a visual on your data without fiddling with buttons or apps. I also liked that it powered up straight away when I burned some matches or sprayed deodorant during testing, returning my home’s air quality to ‘good’ in less than 20 seconds.
There’s no app or voice control, which feels like a missed opportunity in a premium device. But it does what it sets out to do — it cleans the air quietly and effectively. Plus, the filters last 12 months, which is twice as long as many other big brands, and they’re around half the price too, so it’s more cost-effective in the long term.
Buy now £89.99, Coway.com
Blueair blue mini max air purifier
Best: air purifier for small rooms
CADR: 100 cubic metres per hour
Room size: Up to 8.3 sq m
Control: One-touch button
Dimensions: 17.2cm x 17.2cm x 28.9cm
Weight: 1.4kg
Energy consumption: 2-10W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 26-46 dB
Filter type: HEPA silent, carbon
Why we love it
- Whisper quiet
- Energy efficient
- Washable fabric pre-filter in different colours
Take note
- No smart features
- No auto mode
The popular Blueair blue mini max air purifier is simplicity done right. With a stripped-back one-button control and customisable fabric pre-filters in colours like grey and brown, it resembles a Scandi-style music speaker more than an air purifier.
Small enough to fit on a shelf or move from room to room, its compact footprint is ideal for smaller rooms and flats, where bulky purifiers can take up valuable space.
Despite its diminutive size, I was impressed by the mini max’s power. With 100 CADR and Blueair’s patented HEPA silent technology to capture particles and reduce noise, it reduced 0.3-micron particles by more than 50 per cent in half an hour in my kitchen after cooking, noticeably reducing the smell of fried onions and garlic.
This is a very popular air purifier, but it didn’t reach the top of my list because no app or smart home compatibility. There’s also no auto mode to cope with sudden decreases in air quality, which other cheaper models include as standard.
However, this could be a winner if you’re after something that’s plug-and-go. It’s also quiet enough for bedtime use, making it a good option for light sleepers or nursery rooms.
Buy now £74.99, Amazon.co.uk
Shark neverchange 5 air purifier
Best: air purifier for bad odours
CADR: 60 cubic metres per hour
Room size: 60 sq m
Control: Extra cost
Dimensions: 38.5cm x 23.7cm x 26.6cm
Weight: 3.32kg
Energy consumption: 26W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise level: 35dB
Filter type: HEPA, medium particle, activated carbon
Why we love it
- Filter only needs changing once every five years
- Has add-on anti-odour cartridges
Take note
- No app support
- Looks a bit weird
While it’s not the best-looking machine, Shark’s neverchange 5 air purifier worked wonders in my kitchen. It was one of the most effective models for zapping odours, and it left my kitchen smelling surprisingly fresh, even after cooking a chicken curry and chopping onions. It works so well because it features some sweet-smelling anti-odour cartridges. You can choose between different strength settings, and the cartridges last a couple of months. It’s a great touch, and it’s not particularly overpowering.
As for the purifier itself, it removes allergens, mould and bacteria, cleaning the air and circulating it through the room after multi-stage HEPA filtration, including a carbon layer, together capturing 99.97 per cent of pollutants and allergens down to 0.1 microns. The display even shows the size of each particle it removes.
The auto mode adjusts the fan speed to suit the air quality and turns off when the air quality is perfect, and the built-in sensors track changes in the air in real time. The digital display reports the percentage of clean air, the time left to clean and the particle amount, so you can be confident the air is as clean as it can be.
The biggest perk of the model is its filter. Shark says the filter will last a whopping five years before it needs replacing. That’s fantastic and blows the competition out of the water. Accurate? I’ll have to take Shark’s word for now. The only real downside is that it doesn’t have an app – everything has to be controlled using the buttons at the top of the machine.
Buy now £150, Amazon.co.uk
Dyson purifier cool PC1 air purifier
Best: air purifier and fan
CADR: Unspecified (Dyson doesn’t use this metric)
Room size: Up to 81 sq m
Control: App, voice and remote control
Dimensions: 105cm x 20.4cm x 12cm
Weight: 4.73kg
Energy consumption: 40W
Warranty: 2 years
Noise levels: 61dB
Filter type: HEPA, carbon air purifier
Why we love it
- Sleek, modern design that fits any room
- Quiet but powerful airflow
- Effective filtration for allergens and pollutants
Take note
- Premium price tag
If you want a stylish, quiet purifier that doubles as a fan and keeps your air fresh year-round, Dyson’s purifier cool PC1 is a solid pick. A clever all-in-one appliance that cools you down while purifying the air around you, Dyson’s device is perfect if you want a fresher, healthier home environment without sacrificing style. It automatically senses, captures, and traps pollutants, including microscopic allergens as small as 0.1 microns.
The built-in sensors constantly monitor your air quality and adjust airflow as needed, so it’s energy efficient, plus you can control and check your home’s air quality from anywhere using the MyDyson app. Voice control compatibility is a nice touch if you want hands-free operation, and the 350-degree oscillation means you can stay cool wherever you are in a large room.
It’s not cheap, but the build quality and performance feel premium. The magnetised remote is handy, and the bladeless design means it looks good and stays safe around kids and pets.
Buy now £449.99, Dyson.co.uk
Russell Hobbs fresh air two-in-one dehumidifier and air purifier
Best: Air purifier and dehumidifier
CADR: Unspecified
Room size: 20 sq m
Control: No
Dimensions: 21.8cm x 20cm x 31.5cm
Weight: 2.8 kg
Energy consumption: 40W
Warranty: 1 year
Noise level: 35dB
Filter type: Three-layer filter
Why we love it
- Sleek design
- Night mode
- Include dehumidfier
Take note
- Small dehumidifier tank capacity
This is a compact two-in-one dehumidifier and air purifier designed for small to medium-sized rooms.
It looks more like a next-gen games console than a dehumidifier or air purifier, making it a good choice for a teen’s bedroom. In terms of air purification, though, it boasts a filter capable of trapping up to 99.95 per cent of microscopic particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and other airborne allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
This makes it a solid choice if you struggle with hay fever, asthma, or other respiratory sensitivities. The night mode is handy for light sleepers, too. At just 35db, it runs at a gentle hum – ideal for uninterrupted sleep or study sessions. You can increase the fan speed during the day to tackle stuffy air, then tone it down at night for peace and quiet.
Buy now £75, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions on air purifiers answered
What is the best air purifier?
The Dyson hushjet compact purifier is the best air purifier I’ve tried. After testing most of Dyson’s air purifiers over the past five years – including some of its much larger fan models – this is easily the most impressive small-format option I’ve tried. It combines fast, effective purification with genuinely useful smart features, low running costs and a distinctive, design-led finish that feels a cut above many compact rivals.
If you’re looking to spend less, the Coway airmega 50 is tidy and inexpensive but effective in most rooms. If you’re working with a larger, open-plan area, Coway’s airmega 350 is also well worth considering. It doesn’t have the same level of app control or detailed data as Dyson, but it’s powerful, responsive and covers a lot of ground with minimal fuss.
How I tested air purifiers
During my at-home trials, I monitored air quality at regular intervals and created a few deliberately messy real-world scenarios to see how each machine coped with what you might encounter in everyday life. That meant throwing puffs of flour and wood ash into the air, burning matches like a pyromaniac, and lighting candles to create smoke.
Yes, there was a spreadsheet involved, along with a few carefully crafted formulas to work out which purifiers were actually doing the best job according to the following key metrics.
What does an air purifier do?
Professor David Fairen-Jimenez, head of the absorption and advanced materials lab at the University of Cambridge, says: “We spend so much time indoors that the quality of the air will impact the quality of health and life.” Air purifiers filter out various particles and pollutants to improve air quality.
The contaminants could be anything from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated from doing work around the house (if, for example, you have freshly painted walls) to car fumes coming in through your windows when you air your home, or the fumes that result from frying food.
How do air purifiers work?
Most work by drawing the air into the machine and running that air through a filter (sometimes several filters) to grab small particles of pollen, pollution, dust and – depending on the type of filter – viruses and smaller particles. It then sends the clean air out into the room again. Some also use something called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to ‘kill’ any viruses caught in the air.
It’s worth noting it isn’t only catching small particles that’s tricky, but also PM 2.5, or fine particulate air pollution, which is another area researchers are continually looking into.
Do air purifiers remove dust?
In a word: yes. The thing to know about air purifiers is that their efficacy depends largely on the filtration system and the size of the particles they can capture. The gold standard in filters is the high-efficiency particulate air filter (aka the HEPA filter), which captures at least 99.97 per cent of 0.3-micron and larger particles. The naked eye can’t see particles smaller than 10 microns in size, so, yes, most air purifiers will remove dust from the air.
Do air purifiers help with allergies?
If your allergies are triggered by pollution or other fine particles in the air, a good purifier is likely to help.
Studies carried out by Lung India show that asthma patients who were sensitised to dog and cat fur, dust mites, and birch and tree pollen found symptoms improved after 10 weeks of sleeping in a room where there was a purifier containing a HEPA filter.
That said, even the best one has limitations – you will still be breathing in allergens when you leave your home and open windows – but, on the whole, if you notice your house being clean and ventilating well reduces allergies, it’s safe to assume an air purifier will also have a positive effect.
Can air purifiers help remove smells?
A good air purifier can help reduce or even eliminate unpleasant smells entirely, while making the air you breathe healthier and fresher.
Do air purifiers help with mould?
While air purifiers won’t help treat active mould in your home, they can help capture spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home, so these gadgets are a great way to control the spread of airborne mould particles.
Read more: Air purifiers vs dehumidifiers – which one your home needs, according to experts
What is the clean air delivery rate?
The CADR (clean air delivery rate) indicates how quickly the purifier removes contaminants from the air, but it shouldn’t be the sole factor in deciding which one to choose. It’s advised to aim for a CADR that is at least two-thirds of your room size in square metres. For example, if your room is 20 sq m, opt for an air purifier with a CADR of at least 240 cubic metres per hour.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
I’ve been testing air purifiers since 2021 for a range of consumer and lifestyle publications. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a reliable testing process designed to cut through marketing claims and measure what actually matters: how well each purifier cleans the air and how quickly it does it.
Our expert tester, Joanne Lewsley, has been testing air purifiers and other air quality appliances for more than a decade, so she knows exactly what makes for a good air purifier. She has consulted experts on what to look out for, and all of her reviews are based on independent opinion and real-life testing.
The wider IndyBest team also reviewed individual air purifier models, such as Dyson’s purifier. Additionally, our experts have given in-depth insight on other air-quality-related items, such as dehumidifiers, air fresheners and humidifiers. These gadgets can also be used for other chores, such as drying clothes in a more energy- and cost-effective way.
Meet the experts
Henry Burridge: Associate professor in environmental fluid mechanics, Imperial College London.
Professor David Fairen-Jimenez, head of the absorption and advanced materials lab at the University of Cambridge.
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