Do air purifiers really help with wildfire smoke? We asked the experts
Yes — but only if you choose the right filter and use it correctly. Experts explain what to look for.
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Air purifiers have been around for years, but they really became a hot-ticket item with the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they're selling fast again in the U.S. after wildfire smoke began drifting down from Canada earlier this week — and air quality in the Northeast and Upper Midwest is currently expected to only get worse before it gets better.
Unfortunately, wildfire smoke spreads easily, lowering air quality as it increases its area of effect. But while there is a lot of hype surrounding air purifiers, we all want to know: Are air purifiers worth it? And what do they do , exactly? Pull up a seat, and we'll break it down for you.
We don't know about you, but we're breathing easier just knowing there's a rich variety of purifying units out there to suit any shopper.
In general, air purifiers (a.k.a. portable air cleaners or air sanitizers) are designed to filter the air in a single room or area, per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). From there, the exact capabilities of an air purifier vary by model.
Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network , tells Yahoo that you typically want to look for an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which is considered the gold standard for air purifiers. (HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air [filter].) This is a type of pleated mechanical air filter designed to remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, the EPA explains.
The EPA also says that air purifiers may reduce the health effects from some particles. From there, people tend to use them for a range of issues, including helping to mitigate everything from allergies to wildfire smoke. Some users will even run their air purifier to dissolve pungent odors after cooking — and many models can handle all of that with ease.
Allergies are a big motivator for people to invest in an air purifier, but these cleaners don't capture all allergens. "HEPA does not work well on dust mites, but does work for house dust, which is larger particles," Parikh says. "A HEPA filter is also effective for pet dander and is good for mold."
When it comes to wildfire smoke, it's important to consider that what's outside can seep inside your home, Dr. Fady Youssef, a board-certified pulmonologist, internist and critical care specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif, tells Yahoo Life. "Closing your windows and doors will help, but the air quality indoors will be impacted by air quality outside," he says. "Using portable HEPA filters will help mitigate it."
As for where to use an air purifier, Parikh suggests putting one in "rooms where you spend most time and many hours at once," like your bedroom, living room and/or office.
Interested in adding an air purifier to your home? Consider these top-rated models:
This evocatively-named unit has a huge range — up to 743 square feet — making it a good option for living rooms or other large spaces. It features a HEPA filter, along with UV-C light to help reduce germs in your air. An activated charcoal filter also targets odors in your air. A pre-filter captures larger particles like dust and pet hair to help extend the life of the HEPA filter.
This model has a specialized carbon filter to help target odors created by pets, along with a HEPA filter to tackle pet dander and other allergens. This purifier has a non-woven fabric pre-filter that traps large floating particles like pet fur, hair, dust and lint, to reduce the amount of gunk that lands on your carpet and furniture. It's also quiet, running at levels as low as 24 decibels, or less than the sound of a whisper.
Coway's Airmega is designed to clean up the air in spaces up to 1,748 sq. ft. within just one hour. It's relatively compact, so it won't hog floor space, and uses a four-stage filtration process with a pre-filter, deodorization filter, HEPA filter and Vital Ion filter. It gives you real-time readings on your air quality and can automatically shut itself down if it doesn't detect any issues with your air for 30 minutes.
The Dyson Purifier Cool may not be cheap (though you will score an additional $49 off at checkout), but it's considered one of the best portable units money can buy. This purifier — which can double as a powerful cooling fan — uses a HEPA filter and a base that sucks in allergens and pollutants, keeping them securely sealed away. A special Air Multiplier technology helps draw in particles and blasts purified air into the room. It also reports air quality on its LED screen and in the corresponding app. Control the machine with a handy remote or your phone via the MyDyson app.
This powerhouse purifier is recommended for extra-large rooms, making it ideal for living rooms, basements and other large spaces. It uses three air cleaning intensity levels, including Turbo Clean for when you need to see results fast . Enjoy HEPA filtration on deck as well, which traps up to 99.97% of microscopic airborne allergens & particles.
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