Between allergies, COVID-19, and wildfires, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the quality of the air you breathe. With these issues more prominent than ever, it’s no wonder that demand for air purifiers is on the rise.
A high-quality air purifier can remove bacteria, dust, industrial emissions, mold, odor, pet dander, pollen, viruses, and other contaminants from the air. But not all air purifiers are created equal, and with so many compelling models on the market, it can be tough to narrow down your options. Over the past year, we here at PCMag have made it a priority to test a wide range of smart air purifiers to help you select the best one for your needs and budget. (We’ve even tested the Razer Zephyr, a “wearable air purifier” that’s really just a high-tech face mask.)
On a personal note, my interest in air purifiers began in pre-COVID times, shortly after I adopted my pitbull Bradley in the fall of 2019. I’m allergic to dogs, but his cute face and playful personality easily won me over. It wasn’t long after adopting him that my allergies turned into asthma. Desperate for relief, I bought a refurbished Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 on eBay during a Black Friday sale. My refurbished unit worked like new, and while I can’t say that it alone cured my asthma and allergies, it has helped lessen my symptoms (along with medicine and daily vacuuming).
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My dog, Bradley, surrounded by air purifiers I’m reviewing
(Photo: Angela Moscaritolo)
Since then, I’ve acquired an army of smart air purifiers from various brands to test and review. I still take Xyzal allergy medication daily, but haven’t had an asthma flare-up or had to use my Albuterol inhaler in more than a year. I tell you this as a testament to the power air purifiers (as well as robot vacuums and modern medicine).
If you’re looking to improve your indoor air quality, a good purifier is a must. But before investing in one, read on for some important factors to consider.
What Makes an Air Purifier Smart?
Most air purifiers (not just smart ones) typically have sensors that measure the density of various airborne pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2, a toxic gas primarily produced by car exhausts and power plants), PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size, including industrial emissions and tobacco smoke), PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 microns, including dust, mold, and pollen), and VOC (volatile organic compounds, or potentially harmful gases from things like cleaning products and paint).
LG ThinQ app
Smart air purifiers typically feature Wi-Fi for phone and/or voice control, and to collect information on the pollutants above, sending it to a companion app where you can monitor your home’s air quality. Some apps offer graphs of your air quality over time. Dyson breaks it down by pollutant, showing graphs for each one.
Dyson Link app
Most smart air purifiers feature an auto mode, which will automatically adjust the machine’s fan speed based on the level of pollution detected. They also typically let you set up an air purifying schedule, so the machine automatically turns on and off at your specified times. …….
Source: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-air-purifiers