The 10 Best Smart Air Purifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

 

• How We Tested the Air Purifiers

We’ve now conducted multiple rounds of air purifier testing—and we’re still testing the latest models on the market. With a total of 66 air purifiers tested to date, we’ve learned a lot about how air purifiers operate and what makes a model best for different rooms and scenarios. In our initial test, we tested 38 air purifiers in The Lab over the course of two days. This round included eight models in total with either an app or smart home connectivity. We evaluated each purifier on five main attributes: setup, design, noise level, features, effectiveness, and overall value.

We unboxed each model and used a stopwatch to record how long the assembly and setup process took for each air purifier, and noted how straightforward the instructions were to follow. Following setup, we rated the air purifiers on design merits. We noted how aspects such as size and shape, in addition to features such as displays, buttons, and lighting inform the usability of the device. We also rated the air purifiers based on noteworthy features, including app and voice assistant support, air quality monitoring, and filter change reminders.  

To evaluate the effectiveness, we placed air purifiers in zip-up indoor greenhouses and used an air quality monitor to record the baseline PM 2.5 (particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller) and volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, if applicable. We lit incense matches and released pet hair into the chamber, noted the air quality level, and then recorded the difference on low mode after allowing the air purifier to run for 10 minutes. We then noted each model’s PM 2.5 findings at five and 10-minute intervals, and repeated this process on high mode. For models with VOC monitoring, we placed a 4-ounce package of mothballs into a bowl and recorded the VOC reading after 15 minutes. Similarly, after allowing the air purifiers to run for 10 minutes, we recorded any changes in levels after five and 10-minute intervals. We also used a decibel meter to record the noise level on high and low modes. Based on these results, we rated each model’s overall value, based on our experience and the price.

In addition to this first round of testing in The Lab, we used 15 of the top-performing air purifier models with and without smart features in our own homes for long-term testing. The goal was to learn more about the day-to-day effectiveness and impact of each model. We considered these real-world insights when making updated recommendations for this list and have updated our findings based on each smart air purifier’s real-world performance.

Our latest three rounds of testing included just as rigorous monitoring for PM 2.5 and VOC levels. However, we also monitored each air purifier’s energy consumption (to assess the cost of maintenance over time) and conducted a longer testing period, with each air purifier running for a total of 30 minutes on its low and then highest setting.

All of these insights are continuously boiled down and taken into consideration so we can provide this list of the best smart air purifiers, and our list of the best air purifiers in general.

What to Look for in a Smart Air Purifier

Coverage Area and CADR

Air purifiers, whether they’re smart or not, come with various coverage specs to support different room sizes. You can usually find square footage recommendations on the manufacturer’s website. Some models, like our best for large rooms pick, the Winix 9800, even list third-party coverage area verification. While larger machines tend to deliver more space, the form factor doesn’t always indicate how much coverage a device offers. Our best overall, runner-up pick, the Coway Airmega 400S, is a medium-sized device that covers up to 1,560 square feet, while the Winix 9800, which isn’t much larger, reports a verified cleaning power of 500 square feet and the potential to clean rooms up to 2,420 square feet. 

The coverage area can also be closely linked to a device’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This figure describes how fast an air purifier can filter the air to remove smoke, pollen, and dust. According to the independent testing party, Air Verifide, an air purifier’s CADR should reach at least two-thirds of the room’s square footage.2 Generally speaking, the higher an air purifier’s CADR, the faster it will work to clean the air. While smart air purifiers don’t necessarily have higher CADR than regular air purifiers, they do have the ability to automatically adjust the speed at which they move air through their filters, which regular purifiers cannot do. “Let’s say there’s a really big pollution event, that CADR [of a regular air purifier] on low speed may never be able to keep up with that pollution event,” says Vinny Lobdell, the founder and former president of the Healthway family of brands and Intellipure, Inc. “However, if you have a smart air purifier and it senses that pollution, it’s going to kick that smart purifier to a higher CADR level, or a higher speed, which is then going to reduce the pollution in that space much quicker than a standard air purifier running on low.” 

It’s worth noting that the maximum CADR listed reflects the model’s highest setting, which you may not end up running all that often or for very long.

Noise Level

The highest setting on an air purifier tends to be noisiest. The Mila Air Purifier (our best app pick), which has a coverage area of 1,000 square feet and CADR of 447, registered at 86 decibels on high mode during our lab testing. By comparison, the Levoit Core 400S Air Purifier (our best value pick), which has a 403-square-foot capacity and a CADR of 260 came in at 72 decibels on its highest mode, which is still noticeably louder than its near-silent low mode, but quieter than the Mila and other higher-coverage models. 

Lobdell warns that an air purifier that’s completely silent may not be pushing air through fast enough to eliminate any potential pollution events—such as strongly scented cleaning products—and, therefore, does not have the power to effectively and efficiently clean a space’s air. “The benefit with a smart air purifier is if the smart air purifier is giving you the intelligence to state that there’s really no air pollution impacting the environment (there’s no real air pollution problem), then it may not have to operate at a high speed—it may be able to operate on a lower speed,” says Lobdell. In turn, this means the machine can operate more quietly.

Notably, some air purifiers come with a night or sleep mode, which also adjust the noise level and ensures it is not too obtrusive. Our best for bedrooms pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max, features a night mode, but it also doesn’t operate too loudly on its normal settings. It could easily act as a white noise machine in your bedroom.

Filters and Maintenance Costs

All of the models we recommend come with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, also known as a HEPA filter. True HEPA filters eliminate up to 99.97 percent of airborne substances, including dust and mold that are 0.3 microns or less3. Many of our recommendations, including our best splurge option, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH04, combine this filter technology with an activated carbon filter to capture VOCs. Others feature several layers for multi-stage purification, starting with a pre-filter that filters out larger particles like hair and pet dander. 

Our best quiet pick, the Rabbit Air A3 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier, takes multi-stage filtration to the next level with five layers of protection, including a custom filter based on concerns such as allergies. An important factor to consider with filter effectiveness is the sensor system(s) at work in an air purifier. “Make sure you’re buying something that’s high quality and is not just telling you it’s sensing,” says Lobdell. “And really look at the type of sensor that’s in it. People are spending lots of money on these machines, so I caution people—you pay for what you get—and buying something with smart sensing that actually has good quality sensors in it will pay off long term.” 

As for filter replacements, manufacturers usually provide a general recommendation about the timeline for maximum effectiveness. The best interval for your home could be different, depending on your preferences and the air quality conditions. All of our picks, except the Mila Air Purifier, provide filter monitoring within the companion app or on the device itself, which can be another handy way to monitor filter efficiency. Many brands also offer filter subscription services within the app or online for convenient maintenance. 

While filter replacement comes with an additional cost for all the models we recommend, you may find your dollar stretches more with certain models. The ultra-quiet Rabbit Air Minus A3, for example, comes with four filters to replace. However, the company offers a $95 replacement bundle that includes all necessary filters and covers running the device 24 hours a day for a full year. Conversely, the splurge-worthy Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH04’s $80 filter requires replacing every 12 months, assuming you run it only 12 hours a day. 

Control Methods

The flexibility of remote app control is a primary advantage of smart air purifiers over standard models. While all of our top selections feature touch controls or buttons on the physical machine, they also offer the freedom to avoid a manual operation altogether. Some models, including the Rabbit Air MinusA2 and the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool PHO4, come with a remote control, in addition to a mobile app for an added layer of convenience. 

While you may be able to use any of our recommended smart air purifiers without setting up the app, you will miss out on the full functionality. For example, models that offer voice assistant support require app integration. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are the most common voice assistants you can work with, though some models, including the SmartMi Air Purifier P1, our best compatibility pick, also work with an Apple-connected smart home, which is rarer in smart air purifiers. It’s also important to note that you may not be able to remotely control every aspect of your air purifier with the help of a voice assistant, which will mean dependence on the app for some features. Manufacturers usually list the kinds of commands you can issue, which typically include powering the device, changing fan and mode settings, and checking on the air quality.

Models with advanced control options also need the companion app for more streamlined and detailed monitoring of historical air quality trends, allergen alerts, scheduling, and mode selection. The Mila Air Purifier is a prime example of the necessity and benefit of using the companion mobile app. During our testing, we found the app essential to getting the most out of the device—from controlling fan and mode settings, to getting a broad picture of how the air quality changed over the course of several months. If you prefer a more set-it-and-forget-it approach, air purifiers with automatic or smart modes can provide that level of convenience and peace of mind, by adapting to air quality changes automatically without your input.