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When I was growing up, playing outdoors on a beautiful summer day sometimes came with an unwanted side effect: the sniffles. I was allergic to tree pollen and ragweed. Fortunately, I outgrew those childhood allergies, but one stayed with me: dust. Fighting it is an ongoing battle in my busy household with four children. Besides using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to keep “the enemy” at bay, I run portable air purifiers in almost every room, turning them to the “allergen removal” setting.
I’m always on the hunt for the ideal air purifiers for the remaining rooms of our house. Here are some air purifiers that are worth the investment if you’re trying to create an allergy-free zone in your home.
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link Air Purifier
Functioning as a purifying fan in the summer and a purifying heater in the winter, this remote-control device filters 99.97% of allergens—including pet dander and pollen—from the air. It also provides a real-time air-quality report and is designed to look fairly sleek. Amazon Alexa users can connect their device to it and control it remotely. Filters need to be replaced only once a year.
Using automatic detection technology to sense the air quality, this device cleans the air using a true HEPA filter. It promises to remove 99.995% of airborne allergens, including pollen, ragweed and dust mites—as well as irritants like cigarette smoke. A carbon filter helps to remove larger airborne particles and unpleasant odors. This model has been certified by the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Foundation of America, which independently tests consumer products. Despite all its functionalities and features, this purifier is ultra-quiet and is equipped to serve larger rooms of up to 600 square feet.
The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover
Home Depot
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover
Honeywell sells a variety of air purifiers that are easy to find in most home improvement stores. They’re 20 pounds or less and easy to move from room to room. Some have filters you can wash, reducing the cost of replacing filters during the year. I have used the Honeywell True HEPA Whole Room Air Purifier with Allergen Remover, HPA 300 for our largest room and, for medium-sized rooms, the Honeywell Quiet Clean Tower Air Purifier with Permanent Washable Filters, which seems to be equally effective. Everyone in my family notices the difference when they are running.
Levoit LV-H132 Compact HEPA Air Purifier
Levoit LV-H132 Compact HEPA Air Purifier
Levoit LV-H132 Compact HEPA Air Purifier
If you’re on a tighter budget and want to clean the air in a small room, such as an office, this model offers a lot of bang for the buck. It is designed to remove common allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander using a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. I run it in a small bedroom in my home and have noticed a difference in the air quality. The filters can’t be washed, so you will need to replace them every six months.
The LG Signature Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier
LG
LG Signature Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier
Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the LG SIGNATURE Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier is a high-tech model with a sleek design that offers the promise to remove more than 90% of airborne allergens and technology that can trap almost 100% of particles. It includes a color-coded LED system that shows the current air quality, in case you’re curious. The round console and tower model comes with a washable pre-filter and deodorizes the air. The 360° model has a true HEPA filter. While these deluxe products are pricey, they may be well worth it if you have a family member with serious allergies.
