Do you catch yourself sneezing nonstop at a time, aggravated by a runny nose and watering eyes? The allergens and suspended dust in the atmosphere are to blame. Whatever is coming in through your air ducts – pollen, pet dander, mould or bacteria – a quality air purifier can capture the pollutants with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.
While all air purifiers share the basics - a fan and filter - some stand out from the crowd with their thoughtful design and innovative engineering. They’re powerful enough to purify the air of a large living room, or are quiet and dark enough to place right by your bed, come night time. Others are efficient and inexpensive, so you can purchase a few to place around the whole house. With all of these devices, you can expect a reduction in airborne allergens, like pollen and mould spores, and the ability to capture bacteria and viruses.
What should I look for, when buying an air purifier?
For Fazal Imam, founder of Dubai Repairs, the most important feature when buying an air purifier is its filter. He said: "Always go [for devices] with HEPA filters as they can capture 99.7 per cent of all airborne particles 0.3 microns or smaller. They are good for asthma patients, pet owners, and newborn babies. Choose economical purifiers that emit less noise and belong to well-known brands, as their parts are easily available in the UAE market."
Once you've bought an air purifier, you might be tempted to place it in an inconspicuous corner of a room so that it's out of the way. Imam advises reconsidering this option and shares the best way to position the device in your home: "Air purifiers work efficiently in the corner of the room but should be distant from the window. The key is not to block the air circulation. Most air purifiers have noticeable air intakes and outlets, so when they are blocked by any object or are positioned too close to the wall, air can’t properly circulate."
If, after a few months of use, your air purifier stops working suddenly, here's what you can do. Imam said: "Check the air filter first, because sometimes, air filters get blocked or clogged. Always replace or clean air filters once a month. If your air purifier uses replaceable filters, don’t neglect to replace them at recommended intervals. Running your air purifier with a clogged or damaged filter not only fails to effectively clean the air, but also puts unnecessary strain on your unit. If you can't fix it at home, contact any service provider, like Dubai Repairs, or the product's manufacturing company if it's under warranty."
So, wave goodbye to allergy symptoms and breathe easy this year, because we're bringing you our picks of the best air purifiers listed on Amazon, based on user reviews and ratings. Snag these items during the ongoing sale. Also, subscribe to Prime for one-day free delivery.
1. Best Overall: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Pros
- Compact device
- Noticeable results
- Features a pollution sensor
- Four-stage filtration system
- Accommodates room sizes up to 361 square feet
Cons
- Some reviewers caution it needs a 220V-110V converter to work in UAE
- Expensive
The Coway Airmega Mighty is aptly named - in international tests, it’s been shown to reduce heavy smoke pollution by as much as 99.6 per cent. The air filter uses a four-stage filtration system - a pre-filter, deodorisation filter, true HEPA filter, and vital ion filter - to capture and reduce particulate pollution, along with airborne allergens. It even reduces odour. Although it’s pricey, the device is energy-efficient, and its filter needs a replacement just once in a year, so it keeps its running costs lower than its competitors. The Airmega Mighty is compact, and quiet, and reviewers say it’s best suited to bedrooms, since you can switch off its display lights if you want the room to be completely dark.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh101 for 12 months with select banks.
2. Best Value: Levoit Core 400S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
Pros
- Fan speed automatically adjusts according to air quality
- Three-stage filtration system
- Voice control compatible with Alexa and Google
- Operates quietly at 24 decibels
- Effective in getting rid of pet dander, allergies and cooking odours
Cons
- Bulky unit
Levoit’s air purifier employs a three-stage filtration system: the air passes through a pre-filter, HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. In other words, you’re tackling pet fur, dust and cooking smells around you, all in one. The appliance is a large powerful tool suitable for spacious rooms like the kitchen or the living room. Every hour, the purifier uses its VortexAir Technology 3.0 to refresh the air over five times in a 403 square feet space, operating at low decibels of 24db – this is quieter than the sound of pouring water. Whenever it is time for a filter replacement, the smart VeSync app will let you know. With nearly 10,000 4.5-star ratings, reviewers of this product state that they have felt a noticeable difference in air quality, within 30 minutes of use.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh75 for 12 months with select banks.
3. Best Dual Purpose: Dyson Cool Air Purifier
Pros
- Includes HEPA and activated carbon filtration
- Multifunctional purifier and fan
- Excellent smart features
- Syncs with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa
Cons
- Expensive
An intelligent device, Dyson’s Cool Air Purifier combines the functionalities of both an air purifier and a bladeless fan. With adjustable, 350 ̊ oscillation, the device automatically senses and captures pollutants for cleaner air. It features an activated carbon filter that removes gases and odours, along with a HEPA filter, so it cools the room, while purifying the air simultaneously. And since the fan is bladeless, it’s ideal to have around little children and pets. Reviewers rave about the convenience of connecting to the device via Wi-Fi - it allows them to create schedules for the air purifier, and see real-time reports.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh170.33 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty on the product for Dh125 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh178.
4. Best for Small Rooms: Philips Series 800 Compact Air Purifier
Pros
- Cleaner ambient air in less than 16 minutes
- Visual feedback on air quality
- Eliminates dust and pet fluff
- Sleep mode runs at 19 decibels only
Cons
- Doesn't target odours
Equipped with a HEPA filter, Philips Series 800 air purifier is smaller than most but operates just as well. It has all the basics down with a quiet running sound of minimum 19 decibels and different speed levels for your convenience. Within 16 minutes, it promises cleaner air around you, free of dust particles. The only drawback is the absence of an activated charcoal filter, which is essential for removing odours. But most reviews commend its ability to target pet dander and note how they've had to dust the house less ever since their purchase. This is recommended for rooms up to 49 square metres.
5. Best for Car: Panasonic NanoeTMX Air Purifier
Pros
- Portable, space-saving unit
- Targets the smell of smoke best
- Three-stage filtration system
Cons
- Might not be effective in rooms
Consider getting a palm-sized air purifier for your car that easily fits into the cup holder. Our portable pick is Panasonic's mini air purifying device, which claims to inhibit 99.9% viruses (H1N1 and H5N1) in two hours and 99.9% bacteria in one hour. Powered by a USB cable, the small unit uses nanoeX technology to release radicals in water molecules, which in turn, effectively remove viruses, bacteria, odours and allergens while you're driving. Some reviewers say the device successfully eliminates the lingering smell of cigarette smoke and other odours within 15 minutes of use.
6. Best for Pet Parents: Levoit Core P350 Air Purifier
Pros
- Highly effective carbon filter for smells
- Helps pet parents with pet allergies
- Pet lock to lock in settings
- Captures pet fur and dander well
Cons
- No remote control via app
Every fur parent needs a dedicated purifier for the cleanliness of their home and the health of their family. When the litter box is inside the house, the smell is quite hard to air out - so Levoit's air purifier for pets comes with more carbon, increasing the filter's deodorising ability by 60 per cent. Besides capturing fur and dander effectively, as reported by buyers (some of whom are also allergic to pets), the unit has a special pet lock feature. This disables all touch controls for times when you're away while your curious pet is at home, safely breathing clean air.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh81.62 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty on the product for Dh57 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh81.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
