8 Best Air Purifiers to Stylishly Safeguard Your Space (2025)

Credit: architecturaldigest.com

The best air purifiers solve a few common problems: They rid your space of dust mites, pesky dander, and other airborne pollutants that can cause allergy flare-ups. Unlike home appliances such as humidifiers, which are helpful for regulating humidity, these powerful cleaners can help ensure the air you breathe is clear of anything harmful like smoke and allergens. Health aside, an air purifier can also make your space smell better by eliminating cooking smells and freshening the air, all while subtly boosting your design scheme.

We’ve selected several that speak to interior styles from farmhouse to minimalist design. Aside from being easy on the eyes, these air purifiers can also make great housewarming gifts. We put these leading air purifiers to the test to find out which ones truly deserve the title of best. During our testing process, we considered the different types of air purifiers and what to keep in mind when shopping for one, from area coverage to filter replacements. Ahead, discover the AD editor–approved air purifiers that came out on top, complete with thorough reviews based on our experiences.

Our Top Picks for the Best Air Purifiers:

Our Favorites

Best Overall Air Purifier

Tester: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor

My experience: I’ve been using this air purifier for the last few months, and its quality is second to none. First off, the setup was simple. Coway’s included printed instructions were easy to follow, and after placing the HEPA filter inside, the hard cover snapped in place seamlessly. The HEPA filter itself has a four-stage filtration design: Pre-filter, Deodorization filter, True HEPA filter, Vital Ion. I’ve appreciated this thorough filtration process since it’s made to capture up to 99.97% of even the smallest of particles, like pollen and allergens that can come in my space during spring blooms.

Like the Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier Mafi tested below, this air purifier turns on quietly. So much so that I can hardly tell it’s on most of the time. While it comes with three speeds to help thoroughly clean the air, I always keep the air purifier on auto mode. This is a favorite feature of mine, as it automatically detects the air quality through three LED light modes: blue (good), purple (moderate), and red (unhealthy). Whenever there’s a change in the air quality, like if I’m cooking, the LED light adjusts to either purple or red and the air purifier picks up its speed to quickly regulate it. Usually in just a matter of minutes, the LED light changes back to blue and the air purifier goes back to a whisper-quiet sound. When the purifier doesn’t detect any air pollution at all for half an hour, it’ll automatically switch into eco mode, which is an amazing tech feature for energy savings.

Lastly, the overall design of this air purifier is a big standout for modern spaces. Since this is a slightly bigger home appliance (larger than a standard space heater but much smaller than an HVAC), I didn’t want it to be an eyesore in my space. I have it in the white colorway, but you can shop it in the black too.

The bottom line: Coming in at less than $250, I highly recommend this air purifier to anyone who is looking for powerful air cleaning qualities, great smart technology, and a more affordable option to shop. It was bigger than I expected, but thankfully it comes with a hidden carry handle that makes it easy to move around my space. Like most air purifiers, this one has a corded design, so just make sure you have an outlet handy wherever you place it in your home.

The Three-in-One

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

My experience: In addition to a small remote control, there’s also the Wifi-enabled Dyson Link app, which you can download to your smart device. I usually detest having to download an app to get the most out of my tech and appliances, though the Link app made setup a breeze; plus, if you own more Dyson home products it’s easy to manage them all in one place.

The purifier itself works like a dream, and I noticed within a week of use that I felt noticeably less congested. The intuitive device uses a 360° filtration system that implements a combination of activated carbon to remove potentially harmful gases and odors from the air and a HEPA H13 filter to capture 99.97% of particles. I appreciated that the Hot+Cold has an auto mode, which continuously monitors room temperature and indoor air quality, while also running the fan or heat to the degree of your choosing.

When you first turn on the purifier, it immediately starts assessing the surrounding air quality, and you can monitor any fluctuations in general air quality, particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10), volatile organic compounds usually from air sprays or aerosol (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as well as temperature and humidity. I was particularly fond of this feature and frequently looked at these charts to see how the levels would rise or decrease over long periods of time.

Visually, the Dyson purifier definitely grabs attention with its sleek, modern design—a big draw to me when incorporating it into my space. Noise was never something that bothered me, though it emits louder sounds when the fan/heater is on a higher level or if it’s working to clean the air in a more polluted space. Besides its impressive air purification skills, the device doubles and triples as an oscillating smart fan and heater with adjustable airflow which I became hugely hooked on during winter (on account of some drafty windows in my room). With the ability to set your desired temperature, the heater can make a closed space feel noticeably warmer in very little time (my room size is average and I would say it took under 10 minutes).

The bottom line: I really love this air purifier because I can feel and see it working (via the app). At $650 a pop, this air purifier is definitely a splurge. Are there other air purifiers out there that work just as well at a lower price point? Probably—but I would say it’s the combination of a high-quality air purifier, fan, and heater that make this one worth its price.

Most Stylish

Tester: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor

My experience: The air purifier came in two boxes upon delivery. Unboxing them revealed a farmhouse-inspired air purifier that far exceeded my expectations design-wise. I opted for the tan bamboo-like design, which was reminiscent of a feature you’d find in a cabin in the woods. I own quite a few home appliances, but I don’t like having bulky items that stick out like a sore thumb in my home. It’s been really nice having this air purifier since it blends in like an extension of rustic decor. While I’m loving this design, there are two others shoppers can add to cart: a moody navy color or a simple white color for the minimalists out there.

Design features aside, this has been a great air purifier straight out the gate. I noticed immediately how quietly it operates, and I can hardly tell that it’s on—even if I’m on the phone or in a meeting. It also has a sleep mode setting that sounds more like white noise, so it can essentially act as a two-in-one sound machine and air purifier if you like soft background noise to catch some z’s. It will also provide visual cues on air quality with four light settings that indicate when you’re veering into an unhealthy zone post-cooking or using cleaning products. I keep the air purifier in auto mode and the fan speeds adjust as needed based on the air quality. I notice that cooking smells are quickly a thing of the past when this is on, as it just takes a matter of minutes to clear the air. It also boasts three-in-one technology that’s designed to take 99.97% of even the smallest pollen particles out of the air.

Fair warning: This air purifier is pretty heavy to lift (about 20 pounds) because of the included hardware and there isn’t an actual handle attached to it, so be mindful of where you unbox this appliance so you don’t strain yourself to move it around the house. Whether you’re tech-savvy or a newer to the home appliance scene, this air purifier is easy to operate. You can even use the Windmill app that allows you to turn it on or off, schedule it, track the air quality in your home, and more.

The bottom line: The Windmill Air Purifier is the best of both worlds: a design-friendly appliance as well as a cleaning machine to keep your air as clear as possible. The price is a little steeper than some of our other favorites in this list, but for the quality, I’d say it’s worth it. You can also find it at a discount during sale events, which tend to pop up frequently throughout the year at retailers like Amazon and Wayfair.

The Reliable Budget Pick

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

My experience: I have found the Vital 200S to be incredibly efficient at clearing cooking smells and smoke from my space, as well as making sure there isn’t too much pet dander lying around. I also appreciated the few times it has detected a source of pollution inside and outside of my apartment building and kicked into higher gear (once, it even noticed when my neighbor burnt their dinner a floor below). I’ve run it when I cooked extra smelly things like fish and haven’t noticed any lingering smells the next morning and I generally feel like my allergies are less aggressive when I’m in the living room.

Bottom line: Overall, I’m a big fan of this air purifier. It’s powerful, it’s quiet (unless it’s on the highest setting, which I’ve never had to use for more than a minute or two) and while it isn’t necessarily beautiful to look at, it doesn’t scream “ugly appliance” either. It is definitely designed for a room bigger than the one I have it in, so I would be careful about measuring before you buy—it’s a little bit bigger than I anticipated. The only points I would deduct are for the filter options. At $60 a pop, I’d want to make sure I was covered when it comes to smoke, toxins, and pet allergens in one go.

Most Customizable

Tester: Steven John, contributor

My experience: My first thought on powering on the A3 is that Rabbit Air isn’t kidding then they say this air purifier is quiet. In fact, when set to a “silent” operating speed, it’s literally quieter than a whisper. And at night, thanks to a built-in light sensor, it reduces its lights (which can change color to represent air quality in real time) fading away into a dim, barely-audible device one could easily forget was even there.

In terms of actually using the device, it’s an easy setup and familiarization process. You can pretty much start using it right out of the box—all you need to do is discard the packing materials and then pop the front panel off the air purifier, exposing the filters inside that need to have protective film removed. On the control panel, you will find air quality indicators, filter status info, and your Wi-Fi connectivity status.

Because this is a fully smart air purifier that you can control remotely in real time via a phone or tablet app, you can also get all the info you’d ever want about your indoor air quality via the Rabbit Air app, available for download at both the Google Play and Apple app stores.

The bottom line: When the Rabbit Air A3 is running, the air in your home will be cleaner—you can count on that based on the intense testing and product comparisons the company runs, not to mention the five-year warranty offered. You can also tell the air is cleaner because it will smell that way, and I don’t just mean a reduction in unwanted odors (though that’s a welcome fact here)—I mean you will literally experience the odor of fresher air, much like going outdoors on a clear, breezy day. (Read Steven’s full review of the Rabbit AIR A3)

More AD-Approved Air Purifiers

Tester: Lizzie Soufleris, visuals editor

My experience: I hate downloading apps onto my phone. And I especially hate appliances that are rendered useless without their accompanying app. Thankfully, the Blue Pure Max 411i works its magic with or without it (the app is an optional addition for some extra functionality).

In the app (I downloaded it for testing purposes), you can create a schedule, set the purifier to automatically switch modes at different times of the day, set a “child lock,” and change the brightness of the LED display (a perfect feature for people with purifiers in the bedroom). Beyond changing settings, the app gives an overview of the level of air pollution in your space and alerts the user when it is time to change filters. While I can’t say I’ve noticed a palpable difference in the quality of the air in my apartment, I’m sure the HEPA filter is removing plenty of imperceptible pollutants. That peace of mind is good enough for me!

What I would change: In a perfect world, I would be able to find a purifier that blends in with my collection of midcentury furniture, rather than one that screams “I AM AN AIR PURIFIER”—but alas. When it comes to aesthetics, the Blueair models are totally fine, and better than most–they’re sleek and minimal, and likely blend in more easily with modern decor.

For a purifier specifically aimed at small spaces, the Blue Max 411i is not exactly miniature. At 19 inches tall, with a 10-inch diameter, it’s a tad bulky, especially when placed in an optimal location for purifying.

The bottom line: Overall, I am very happy to have this purifier in my space! In the age of global pandemics and unpredictable environmental factors, we can all stand to benefit from some cleaner air. Though slightly bulky, the Blue Max 411i is extremely easy to use, relatively affordable, and almost completely inaudible. For me, it’s a fantastic set-it-and-forget-it air quality solution!

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

My experience: It’s rare to find a machine that can purify your air, humidify it, and cool down a space all in one–so I was impressed right off the bat. An update to earlier Dyson models, this machine does all that and aside from getting rid of the usual particles, it also removes formaldehyde (which can cause even more irritation to your eyes and throat) from the air.

The Humidify+Cool has a HEPA filtration system and a separate carbon filter detects formaldehyde. I guess it could be due in part to my obsession with clean air, but, so far, the Dyson has reported good air quality every time I’ve checked in–the only exceptions being after I’ve lit candles or cooked something on the stovetop. But when the air quality has dipped below ideal levels, it doesn’t seem to take much time for the purifier to do the job once I turn up the fan speed (it should be noted that this model also has an auto purify setting that will kick into high gear if the quality dips, but it is a little loud for my taste so I tend to keep it on a lower setting).

While I hate having an app for literally every device in my home, installing the Dyson Link app really did make installation a snap. And I love being able to check in on the air stats (temperature, particle level, humidity level, etc) whenever I want. You can also control the fan speed, oscillation range, and set timers from the app.

As for specific features I appreciate, filling the water tank from the top is a huge plus and it’s large enough that it doesn’t have to be refilled every day. I also appreciate the night mode setting, which makes everything a little quieter and less bright.

What I would change: This may be a misconception about the purpose of a humidifier, but I am used to really intense humidifiers that emit visible plumes of moist steam all night long. This is not that. The humidity that the Dyson model generates in the house is definitely a healthy and reasonable level (most sources recommend 30–50% humidity, and the Dyson, at its max humidity setting, hovers around 60%), but if you are like me and want more targeted humidity in the super dry winter months, this is not the machine for you and you might want to stick to separate devices for purifying, humidifying, and cooling.

The bottom line: Aside from the note above, this is a really expensive device, coming in at more than $800. That said, it might actually save you money in the long run if you don’t want to buy a purifier, a fan, and a humidifier individually and you want a powerful device for each activity. I’d recommend it if you have deep pockets and not a ton of challenging air pollution situations to combat on the regular.

Tester: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor

My experience: Even though we work in an office with an open floor plan, I don’t think you can ever have too much filtration to keep the air clear. Standing at 26 inches in height, this is one of the tallest air purifiers in our list so far. For comparison’s sake, I have the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) True HEPA Purifier in my home, and it is lightweight and comes with a carry handle to easily move it to any nook that could use the air circulation. This one was a bit bigger—and heavier—than I expected coming out of the box, as the aforementioned Coway I have is just 18 inches tall. But because it’s equipped to cover thousands of square feet, I’m not surprised that it might have more internal technology to make sure it functions properly.

I use this air purifier on auto mode most often, and I love to see how seamlessly it can pick up on changes in the air quality. My filter is the included option, the Fresh Starter, which is designed to 99.5% of food smells, 99.99% of dust, 99.9% of mold, 99.9% of virus particles. The biggest use case is during lunch time, but it definitely comes in handy during routine snacking too. Sometimes if I have a snack with a strong scent, like peanut butter crackers, I’ll make sure the air purifier is turned on to keep our nook of the office from smelling like PB&J. Even more recently, a colleague and I had barbecue for lunch and it left a pretty noticeable odor. In both instances, the purifier changed from its blue (good, normal air quality) to green (moderate air quality) color as it recognized the food smells, and the fan speed picked up quickly to regulate the air. It took about a minute to clear the air. And while yellow (unhealthy) and red (very unhealthy) modes didn’t pop up to indicate even worse quality, these colors will change in the event of heavy pollutants like smoke.

Bottom line: I definitely recommend this air purifier for large homes. It fits well under or next to my desk without sticking out like a sore thumb, and since it just takes a matter of minutes to regulate the air, I think it’s a nice fit for those with a lot of foot traffic coming through their house. Plus, it has a polished style, which is a welcome addition to Coway’s collection of futuristic designs, to seamlessly fit in a modern home.

How We Tested