How to recognize the best air purifiers to reduce the risk of allergies

They must be equipped with HEPA filters, capable of removing up to 99 percent of dust, pollen, and mites. But how and where they are installed also matters a lot.

di |
air purifier
Air purifiers can be very helpful in reducing the risk of allergies (such as pollen, dust, pet hair, and other suspended particles), with options for different spaces and budgets. But they can be a waste of money if they lack some essential features. The first concerns the provision of HEPA filters (high efficiency particulate air) which are able to remove up to 99 percent of dust, mites and microparticles (up to 0,3 microns) which cause a good part of the seasonal allergies, preventing their circulation in the air and therefore the possibility of being inhaled.
A second element that offers good guarantees of effectiveness of air purifiers is the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) , a value that indicates how fast and how much clean air the purifier can provide in a given time. The higher the CADR, the faster the device can clean the air in a roomIf the CADR is too low in relation to the size of the room, the purifier will be ineffective.
The most technologically advanced models include sensors that measure air quality in real time (e.g. PM2,5, PM10, VOC) and automatically adjust the filtration speed: this means less manual adjustments and smoother operation more efficient and continuous.
But, aside from the structural elements that make the difference in having a good air purifier, there are other determining factors. A purifier can be of excellent quality, but if it is undersized compared to the room, will not be able to purify the air efficiently. Therefore, you should always check the surface area or recommended air volume for the use of the appliance you are going to purchase. An air purifier is only effective if the filters are cleaned and replaced at the right timeSome models have filter replacement indicators which help keep them efficient over time.
Finally, it is essential that the air purifier is placed in the right position, following these indications.

An air purifier, in theory, works by sucking in dirty air and releasing clean air. But it can't do this if:

  • it's too close to a wall
  • it's tucked into a narrow corner of the room
  • it's hidden behind a piece of furniture

The advice is to leave  almeno 20–50 cm of free space around the installed air purifier.

As for the position (in the center of the room or near the potential source of pollution), it depends on the type of lens:

  • If the purifier is to reduce the risk of pollen allergy, it is best to place it near windows or balconies (pollen entry points) or in areas where more air circulates.
  • If pet hair is the enemy, the air purifier should be placed in the room where the pet spends most of its time. However, not directly next to the doghouse, but a few meters away.
  • If you use the air purifier at night, it can be installed near the bed, but not too close to the head. And in any case, it should be kept away from curtains or fabrics that block air intake.

As for the distance from the ground, Many particles (dust, hair) remain suspended at various heights. The largest and most powerful purifiers are often designed to be placed on the floor: from here they can effectively capture heavier particles (for example, animal hair, dust and allergens that tend to settle) before they rise back into the air.

The small and compact air purifier can fit on a piece of furniture, but not too high (unless the manufacturer indicates this in the installation instructions sheet). When placing the purifier, you must also pay attention to whether it is intended for thick carpets or next to furniture and walls: in these cases it can block the air intake, reducing its efficiency.

Read also

Want to see a selection of our news?

Don't Waste