Holmes air purifier review

Do air purifiers work?

The EPA acknowledges that air purifiers cannot remove all the air pollutants in a person’s home, but they can improve air quality. Most air purifiers can remove particles from the air, and some can remove both particles and gases.

Using air purifiers with an activated carbon filter, a longer running time, and that are the right size for the room where they will operate will yield the best results.

Removing sources of indoor air pollution, such as tobacco, and ventilating the area with fresh air will also improve air quality.

Benefits of using air purifiers for dust

People can improve their indoor air quality by reducing sources of contamination, such as smoking.

However, it is impossible to remove all harmful particles from the air. A 2020 article states that walking around and sitting on furniture can lead to 25% of indoor particulate matter concentrations.

Using air purifiers to remove dust can reduce concentrations of small particles by 30–80%, which offers some of the following health benefits:

• fewer nighttime symptoms, especially in people with asthma
• reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
• improving sleep quality
• removing hazardous asbestos particles

Risks of using an air filter

Some air purifiers produce ozone, which irritates the lungs. The EPA recommends avoiding these products.

Some air purifiers that rely on bipolar ionization technology may produce ozone, but not all of them. If using a device based on bipolar ionization technology, people should look for ones that meet UL 2998 standard certification because these will not produce ozone.

To be as effective and safe as possible, all air purifiers need cleaning and new filters (as appropriate) on a regular basis.

How to choose

There are some features to consider when choosing an air purifier for dust:

• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): Refers to the volume of particles the unit can filter in a set time, and it should match the size of the room where a person will use it.
• Target use: Some air purifiers work on removing particles, while others focus on gases. People looking for air purifiers for dust control should look for filters that target dust removal specifically.
• Filters: Some devices feature more than one filter, so a person should check when they should replace them.
• Fan speed: There are devices featuring fans that adjust their speeds according to the pollutant levels. Their speed also lowers during the night, so the unit does not disturb sleeping people.

How we chose

Medical News Today’s methodology

Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:

• Price: MNT chooses products available for a range of budgets.
• Size: MNT selects items to suit a range of room sizes.
• Extra features: MNT chooses products that have additional features, such as carbon filters, auto-shut-off timers, and filter replacement alerts.

Comparison

The table below compares each of the air purifiers in this article for price, filter type, and more.

Price DimensionsFilter typeFilter replacement cost Size of roomBlueAir$319.9913 X 13 X 20 inpolypropylene filter, activated carbon$66.99540 sq ftHoneywell$429.9520.8 X 10.83 X 22.38 inpre-filter, True HEPA$89.95 for a pack of 3465 sq ftCoway$229.9918.3 X 9.6 X 16.8 inpre-filter, deodorization filter, True HEPA, vital ionizer$57.49361–874 sq ftLEVOIT$89.997.9 X 7.9 X 12.6 inpre-filter, True HEPA, activated carbon$22.99516 sq ftWinix$249.998.2 X 15 X 23.6 inpre-filter, washable carbon filter, True HEPA$79.99360 sq ftDREO$239.9911.22 X 11.22 X 20.86 inpre-filter, H13 HEPA, activated carbon$49.99220-423 sq ftALEN$64910 X 17.75 X 26.75 in True HEPA 13$79 1,100 sq ftDyson$6894.72 X 8.7 X 41HEPA, carbon filtration, catalytic converter$79.992,860 sq ftGerm Guardian$59.997.75 X 6.5 X 11 inHEPA, carbon, UV-C$17.0978 sq ft

Frequently asked questions about air purifiers for dust

The following are common questions and answers about air purifiers for dust.

What do air purifiers do?

According to the EPA, air purifiers draw in air through one or more filters to capture particles that may come from dust, tobacco smoke, or pet dander.

Do air purifiers work for dust?

The EPA states that many air purifiers for dust can remove particles from the rooms where people place them. The devices need to be compatible with the size of the room for them to be effective.

Do air purifiers help with allergies?

A 2018 guide shows that HEPA air cleaners can be effective in reducing allergy or asthma symptoms.

However, these improvements may not benefit all respiratory symptoms.

Is an air purifier worth the price?

According to Consumer Reports, air purifiers are expensive, with recommended models generally costing $200-900.

A person should also consider filter replacements, which can cost around $90–175 per year. Additionally, the annual energy cost of running an air purifier may range from around $30 to almost $90.

In addition, some units can be noisy and cause sleep disruptions.

Do air purifiers protect against COVID-19?

According to the EPA, some air purifiers can protect against COVID-19. Look for units that:

• clean air quickly enough for the size of the room where they will work
• can clean smoke, pollen, or dust
• remove airborne particles as small as 0.1-1um
• use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters

How do I get rid of dust in the air in my house?

Frequent dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming can help reduce levels of dust in the air. People can also change and wash bedding regularly.

Air purifiers can also help remove dust from the air. The EPA writes that air purifiers with HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of airborne particles.

Summary

Air purifiers can be effective in removing dust indoors and improving asthma and allergy symptoms.

They come with different filters, but studies show that HEPA filters can remove most airborne particles, including pollen, mold, and bacteria.

A person should also choose a device compatible with their room size.

Sources

• Air cleaners, HVAC filters, and coronavirus (COVID-19). (2022). https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19
• Air purifier buying guide. (2022). https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/air-purifiers/buying-guide/
• Air quality. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/air/default.htm
• Guide to air cleaners in the home [Fact sheet]. (2018). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/documents/guide_to_air_cleaners_in_the_home_2nd_edition.pdf
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) frequently asked questions. (n.d.). https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-iaq-frequently-asked-questions
• Kelly, F. J., et al. (2018). Improving indoor air quality, health and performance in environments where people live, travel, learn and work [Abstract]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231018308410
• Mendoza, D. L., et al. (2021). Long-term analysis of the relationships between indoor and outdoor fine particulate pollution: A case study using research-grade sensors. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721008457
• Santanachote, P. (2019). Air purifiers and the cost of clean air. https://www.consumerreports.org/air-purifiers/air-purifiers-and-the-cost-of-clean-air-a6152505326/
• Tran, V. V., et al. (2020). Indoor air pollution, related human diseases, and recent trends in the control and improvement of indoor air quality. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7215772/
• What are dust mites? (2022). https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/dust-mites