
Getting a decent air purifier for cheap is always tricky and let’s be honest, less than $100 is super cheap in the world of air purifiers which can be up to 1000 dollars for medical units.
Getting a decent air purifier for cheap is always tricky and let’s be honest, less than $100 is super cheap in the world of air purifiers which can be up to 1000 dollars for medical units.
A blazing wildfire can travel at a terrifying speed for miles, and even if it doesn’t get too close to your neighborhood, strong winds can carry the smoke along with its harmful particles into your home. Wildfire smoke can have a drastic effect on the air quality inside, not to mention the smell that lingers around your home and sticks to your clothes, furniture, hair, and even your pets.
Updated October 2020
The first-ever air purifiers similar to those that they sell today happened in 1963 with the release of first commercial unit by the Incen Air Company which was headed up by Manfred and Klaus Hammes in Germany. This company was the precursor to the very respected IQair corporation.
But the idea of a gadget that can clean the air you breath has been put down to paper since 1854.
The following list is all based upon existing patents and also include relevant diagrams.
A chemist by trade, John Stenhouse began experimenting with charcoal filters as an air purifier as early as the 1850’s. The unit he devised called for wire gauze “filters”, which held powdered charcoal as the filtering ingredient. His findings led to the invention of the gas mask, used in London factories as a personal “air purifier” to protect workers from toxic gas.
The carbon filter was invented in 1862 and was originally used to purify water. Its transition into an air purifier occurred in 1872 when Allen and Alvin E. Rice advanced the technology by creating a 2 stage filtration based on activated carbon. In modern-day, air purifiers built around the carbon filter are used to purge the air of vapors, odors, and hydrocarbons… as well as the basis of today’s spacesuit breathing system.
In 1874, Samuel Barton filed for a patent for the canister gas mask… one of the most advanced air purifiers of the time. Air impurities were lifted as the user inhaled through a tri-layer filtering system, which was strapped to the face via head harness and face cover. The invention also included a revolutionary air recycling system, whereby clean air was cycled through a secondary filter to remove carbon dioxide.
4. Air Purifier For Refrigerators – 1899
This was one of the first patents for a commercial air purifier similar to what we see today but this one works for the refrigerator and uses a carbon filter to remove odors.
It probably became less of an issue as refrigerators became more powerful and capable of staying at lower temperatures for a long period – so no rot = no smell.
The patent has now lapsed so maybe there is room for an air purifier for the refridgerator for those of us who just plain forget to throw our food away.
While riding the train, Hubert Cecil Booth began breathing dust laden air through a handkerchief during a moment of inspiration. The moment spurred Booth on to the 1901 invention of “Puffing Billy”, the world’s first vacuum cleaner. The unit ran on an oil engine and is a precursor for more advanced air purifier systems.
Patents #808 and #897 are the soil from which today’s air conditioner bloomed. By using centrifugal force and a complex system of filters and coolants, Carrier (the unit’s inventor) birthed a robust air purifier and cooling system. Not only did his invention purify air and control temperature, but it also curbed humidity and manipulated air circulation.
Dr. Frederick G. Cottrell invented the electrostatic precipitator, a device which created and collected charged particles. Cottrell’s apparatus found use in smelting factories and vineyards, where sulfuric acid and lead oxide fumes which once polluted the air could be collected and eliminated. The technology evolved to become a key component in publically-marketed air purifier units.
Garret Morgan filed for patent in 1914, having invented a device that resembles the mask of an ancient scuba diving suit. A long tube runs from the mask down to the floor, sitting below lighter-than-air gases. The filter in the “air purifier” itself mimics the body’s mucous membrane, cleansing inhaled air by running it through a wet sponge lining. And what does a user do when the gas is heavier than air? Elevate the tube above the gas…
The USA Atomic Energy Commission invented the HEPA filter during the Manhattan Project, seeing a need for a system to clean air contaminated with radioactive particles. After World War 2, the HEPA filter was released to the public and is now used by air purifier companies as a heavy-duty filtration device.
Rufus Stokes invented the “clean air machine”, a device used on smoke stacks to clean the emissions. His invention drastically reduced the amount of ash and gases that made it beyond the stacks, leaving behind virtually transparent releases. The boost in air quality improved the health of people, plants and animals living in the vicinity of commercial furnaces and power plants.
In an invention that sounds like something out of Star Wars, NASA created the Low-Temperature Oxidation Catalyst (LTOC) in 2004. LTOC began as a method for lasers to control carbon monoxide in space. Now, researchers are finding applications for air purification on Earth, using the tech in automobile catalytic converters.
There is still not a total consensus on the issue of COVID-19 virus being airborne at the World Health Organization but they still recommend HEPA filters for healthcare facilities.
As of 24 August 2020, the US CDC added the following guidelines to US schools about using ventilation to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
I would always recommend checking the latest CDC advice as things change quickly as more research data is reviewed: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
But let’s assume that there can be some situations that COVID-19 is airborne then we would want to quickly remove the virus using an air purifier.
Many portable HEPA air cleaners can signif’ lower risks of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in classrooms < 1,000 ft2. Put on stable small table to lower re-suspension from floor. Go CADR > 300 (scfm) for ETS. Avoid devices w/ gimmicky add-ons. Just purchased 12 for my bldg @Portland_State.
— Dr. Richard Corsi (@CorsIAQ) July 15, 2020
As recently as last month, Dr Richard Corsi (Dean of Maseeh College of Engineering) said that all classrooms should look at getting HEPA air purifiers that have a CADR rating of 250-300.
Most of us don’t live in classrooms yet it would be safe to play on the side of caution by getting a similar spec model for home use.
This doesn’t mean that the purchase of an air purifier will replace Coronavirus prevention methods such as social distancing, mask usage, and hand-washing – these have all shown to be very important to beating an epidemic like COVID-19.
After being involved with air purifiers for the past 10 years, I know that the biggest hurdle for many people is the sheer number of choices available.
It doesn’t help that some air purifier manufacturers are actively trying to bamboozle customers with different technologies!
So it can get confusing… But for most people, the best candidate for home use is a powerful HEPA air purifier.
The simplest way to understand the function of an air purifier is to just envision a fan connected to some sort of filter.
Here’s a homemade example of this:
Image was seen on Reddit and the user said they found this device provided significant air cleaning
The truth is that it could be as simple and literal as a box fan with a filter taped on the back but most people prefer to buy a machine designed specifically for the task.
Now, if you fancy keeping this as cheap as possible then you are best having a crack at the DIY option with a large box fan and a HEPA filter that fits your sized fan – and you could be up and running for $70ish!
But it will be really loud and isn’t going to be as efficient around the edges that are duct-taped.
Air purifier technology has come a long way over the last few years, so I would recommend most people to invest in a machine that was specifically designed for one task rather than the DIY approach.
This list of the top recommended air purifiers to catch Coronavirus particles from the air is updated as of August 2020.
I have only included those with a large HEPA CADR score as per Dr. Richard Corsi’s advice to teachers.
I am also making sure to ignore those that have lots of bells and whistles that add to the price but don’t provide a good $ ratio to the amount of air cleaned each minute.
You can tell from the picture that this unit is all about the HEPA, although it also contains a charcoal filter.
It’s a powerful unit with no bells and whistles to add extra to the cost. For most people, this is the air purifier that we would recommend for dealing with COVID-19.
Do you like the power of the HPA 304 but you also fancy something that doesn’t look so clinical?
I really like the look of this unit, it’s a small white cube that doesn’t take a ton of space and looks good on a shelf or in the corner of a room.
If $200 for an air purifier is completely out of budget then the Levoit H13 is the best air purifier you can get for less than $100.
I would still push beyond the $100 mark for something life threatening such as the COVID-19 virus but I get that budget is a major concern right now.
I would still always recommend paying a little more and getting the Honeywell unit but if $100 is your max, then the Levoit Air H13 is the unit we recommend.
If your budget is limited, then go for the Levoit Air H13.
If your space is big, then you’ll be better off with the Honeywell HEPA HPA304.
And if you care about how your air purifier looks, then the Coway AP-1512HH will probably be the best choice for you.
But whichever option you go for, what’s important is to keep the main goal of your purchase in mind. Dr Corsi kept it simple with his advice for buying an air purifier to help keep your house clean from COVID-19 particles:
“No need to purchase gimmicky add-ons that sometimes do little and sometimes emit ozone. HEPA is fine.”
Dr. Richard Corsi
This means that either of those three options would do the job just fine. It’s just about your preference.
If you suffer from red-eyes or just feel itchy when around animals then you may have what scientists call allergic rhinitis.
This is an allergic reaction to proteins found in airborne pet dander that float around homes with animals.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of pet owners in the U.S. suffer from these allergies, and there is a solution that doesn’t involve giving away your beloved family pet.
Air purifiers use a series of special filters (HEPA and activated charcoal) that decrease airborne levels of pet allergen by 90% [1] by removing these small particles from the airstream leaving you with a clear chest, a decent night’s sleep, and a way for your to share your home with a pet allergy-free.
In our search for the best air purifiers for pets, we first found out the basics:
1. Which filters are most effective for pet dander? We decided only recommending units that used pure or H13 HEPA and activated charcoal for those looking for air purifiers for pet odors.
2. Consumer reports analysis – What has been the experience of pet owners with different models of air purifiers?
We based our final recommendations based on analysis using reported CADR data, long term consumer reports with analysis of actual reviews from consumers making sure to avoid those that are just rated highly due to manipulated reviews.
Next, we will dig into the detailed review of our recommended units that we think are best for dealing with pet allergies:
Described as a mid-size portable console, the GemGuardian is ideal for rooms up to 338 sq.ft. With 3 speed high-performance settings to choose from, it can be customized to meet the needs of people who suffer both small and large allergic reactions.
Using carbon and UV technology to kill germs and absorb odors like smoke and cooking smells. The AC5900WCA boasts that its HEPA filter captures dust and allergens as small as.3 microns (which to us non-scientists is pet dander). It’s suggested to change the filters every 6 to 8 months and the UV C bulb every 10 to 12 months depending on usage.
With features that include a timer that can be set for up to 8 hours, it can also be set to a low speed for running through the night. It’s not the quietest at high speeds but its CADR figures are great for a purifier of this size.
What we love:
We don’t like this as much:
This black and white portable unit by Blueair is very comfortable in larger households. It filters the air at a rate of 5x per hour in a 540 sq.ft. room without being intrusive using 3 speeds to remove dust, pollen, and smoke from the air.
The Blue Pure 211+ uses a 3 part carbon/HEPA filter to clean the air. The pre filter catches larger particles extending the life of the primary filter. Part 2 uses a layer of activated carbon to catch odors from pets, cooking and smoking while the main filter takes care of the smaller particles like pollen, dust and most importantly, pet dander.
A great feature of this unit is that the pre filter is washable so you don’t have to replace it like the main HEPA filter. The CADR on the 211+ is the best out of this list but it does compromise on noise and can be relatively loud on all 3 speeds.
UPDATE: This unit is regularly out of stock so only third-party sellers are selling the units at inflated prices. The RRP is $299.99 so beware of paying anymore.
What we love:
We don’t like this as much:
The most expensive in our list, the super stylish MinusA2 by RabbitAir doesn’t disappoint. The unit can either be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall out the way of children and pets. It has 5 different speeds including a turbo mode for when those allergies are really kicking in.
The MinusA2 makes the most out of its BioGS HEPA technology by using a 6 stage filtration system. There’s a pre filter for large particles, medium filter for smaller particles such as molds spores, a HEPA filter for those tiny pet dander particles, an activated carbon filter for odors, a negative ion generator which electrically charge air molecules to attract and trap them and finally, one extra filter specifically designed for pet allergies.
There are many features packed into this unit including light sensors which tell it to go into sleep mode at night, air quality and pollen indicators to tell you what the air is like at all times. This thing also uses the air quality indicator to automatically change its fan speed depending on how the air is that day. It even comes with Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors which are well known for being hush hush.
What we love:
We don’t like this as much:
Winix class the HR900 as ‘the ultimate pet air purifier’ stating that it was specifically designed for pet owners. They have focused their attention to capturing pet hair, dander and odors produced by our four legged friends by using smart sensors and enhanced technologies.
The HR900 uses a 5 stage purification system to back their case. Including a washable pre-filter, AOC (Advanced Odor Control) carbon layer, HEPA and their own PlasmaWave which creates hydroxyls to neutralize bacteria and viruses. They boast that their ‘Ultimate Pet Pre-Filter’ works in tune with the HEPA capturing 99.97% of airborne allergens.
On the front of the unit there’s a smart sensor that measures particles and odor suspended in the air. It then adjusts the fan speed in real time to get the best out of the filters. It also features an LED on the front that changes color to indicate the quality of the air. With a 300 sq.ft. coverage it is no noisier than others of this size but it does feature an ultra quiet sleep mode which switches on automatically at night.
What we love:
We don’t like this as much:
5. Eureka NEA120 [Under $100 Option]
For the budget option, we have the NEA120 from Eureka. At under $100 this unit is definitely not one to look past. The space age looking purifier stands at 26 inches weighs 12.6 pounds and works best at rooms up to 222 sq.ft. Using carbon, HEPA and UV technology and has 3 different speeds to choose from.
The NEA120 uses a three-layered filtration system with an activated carbon filter, HEPA main filter and a long life UV LED which all work to a high standard without the bells and whistles. Its CADR figures are the weakest out of this list but still hold strong for a budget purifier and the HEPA filter will still capture 99.97% of pet dander.
This unit will let you know when the filter needs changing which is typically every 12 months. It may not be the most serene out of the bunch but it does have a quieter sleep mode. If you’re looking for a purifier without breaking the bank, this is the perfect option.
What we love:
We don’t like this as much:
People with pet allergies are rarely allergic to pet hair. It’s the dander, saliva, or urine particles that contain allergy-producing proteins that can get trapped in pet hair that causes a reaction. [5] These air purifiers use HEPA filters which remove those tiny particles from the air minimizing the risks of allergies.
All the purifiers in our list are safe for dogs, they don’t emit any toxins into the air, they just remove them. You will need to replace the filters as regularly as the manufacturer advises so the unit can work to its maximum efficiency. Some other brands of air purifiers can be harmful to your pets. These are ones that use Ozone technology. According to the EPA, [6] these units can give off a toxic gas that is not only harmful to your pets, but to you as well. Avoid at all costs
In short, yes! Air purifiers can remove up to 99.97% of contaminants (including pet dander) that cause allergic reactions. A study of ‘Clinical effects of air cleaners in homes of asthmatic children sensitized to pet allergens’ showed a significant improvement in airway hyperresponsiveness in young asthmatic patients when an air purifier was introduced into their household. [2]
Numerous studies from institutions like the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) show that using an air purifier with a HEPA filter in a multi-faceted approach will reduce pet dander from the air. You will still need to take other precautions like vacuuming regularly and bathing your pets to make sure you’re catching the dander that isn’t yet airborne.
Air purifiers work by forcing air through filters capturing the pet dander in a continuous circulation. [3] The main type of filter we found gets the best results for pets is a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance) filter which tends to use two different mechanisms. The outer filter captures larger particles and the inner for smaller particles. [4] This is the most effective as pets produce some of the smallest dander [5] in a typical household.
The most important feature in air purifiers is the technology they use to clean the air. Some products using ‘Ozone’ tech that can be dangerous to pets. The filter they use will dictate if they can remove the right particles from the air. In each of our picks, we have made sure to choose units that use HEPA, Carbon filters, or both. You should also consider its CADR to make sure you’re getting the right size purifier for the right size room.
We’ve covered a variety of units considering room size, budget, and different features, but which one will suit your needs?
If you’re not looking to break the bank, we suggest the Eureka NEA120. It may not have all the features as the more expensive purifiers, it does its job best in smaller rooms. If you have a few dollars to spend or a large dwelling, you want to go for RabbitAir MinusA2. This futuristic wall-mountable bad boy works in rooms up to 815 sq.ft. For those with long hair pets, we suggest the Winix HR900. With its 5 part filter engineered specifically for pet hair, this is our favorite of the bunch.
No longer will you fear coming home to your pets, knowing your eyes will soon be stinging. Sleepless nights with a scratchy throat and chesty cough will be a thing of the past. With the right air purifier, you can love your animals without suffering from your allergies.
This was a popular unit for removing smoke from areas. It worked well because it utilized ozone. Whilst the amount of ozone was not massive, any amount of ozone has associated risks with Cancer – NewScientist.
For this reason, we currently recommend that you stop using this air purifier and if you are looking for similar power in a modern unit we would recommend a larger unit in general.
If you are interested in the PCO side of the technology being used in this unit, then you can check out the Molekule Science units – they use an upgrade version they call PECO. Be aware that the cheapest unit by Molekule around $400 for room 250sqft which is a fairly large premium compared to competitors like the Levoit H13 that uses HEPA and can be found online at the $100 range for a room-sized 129sqft.
My number 1 Alternative for the Zen Living air purifier is the Blue 211.
Below is the original marketing material for the Zen Living unit that was sold between 2010-2016. It’s no longer on the market and we recommend all existing customers to look for replacements and not use them due to Ozone production.
The Zen Living Professional Air Purifier is a UVC Germicidal digital air purifier with HEPA filter that is best for regulating allergies. For odor eliminating features, it is recommended to use the Carbon Filter Zen Living Model.
When you first turn the unit on, the air purifying function will automatically work. To reduce the number of dust particles, this air purifier will create negative ions that attract particles of dust around the clock. It has a separate control for the activated oxygen. In occupied spaces, the activated oxygen is usually retained at modest levels. To ensure the removal of odors, the air purifier may be set to a high level for a certain time period. If you are away, you can automatically set the timer to deodorize your office or home completely. Ozone that is unused returns back to regular O2 around 1 hour.
This product removes pet dander, tobacco, odors, and smoke. The Zen Living Professional Air Purifier features an air sanitizer that significantly reduces bacteria, mildew, and mold that cause illness from the workplace or home. As the germs flow through the unit, the UV-C germicidal light will exterminate them.
The Zen Living Professional Air Purifier is designed to have a larger airflow. There is four steps process when the air is purified. The first step is the pre-filter that traps big particles like hair and then the air goes to the second stage which contains a washable HEPA filter that traps airborne pollutants, pollen, and dust that cause symptoms of allergy. The third stage is the stage that eradicates all types of microorganisms by using the UVC Germicidal light. The fourth and final stage creates negative ions that attract and attach to the bacteria, germs, and dust. When those harmful particles collected will be heavy enough, they will fall into the ground and can easily be vacuumed by vacuum cleaners. In that way, it will no longer be a threat to the irritating respiratory tract. The unit comes with activated oxygen for removing odors but it is suggested not to use this feature for allergy-fighting, because it may have a negative effect on people suffering from respiratory problems like severe allergies.
The Zen Living Professional Air Purifier weighs 17 pounds and generates 11,300,000,000,000 ions per second or 11.3 Trillion ions per second! What generates the ions is the 12-15 Kilovolts power supply. This unit also operates silently with its 12 volts DC 400 CFM five-speed fan.
Update April 2020:
The Zen air purifier was a good machine back when we originally reviewed it in 2011 but 9 years has been a long time for this type of technology and things have moved along at a rapid pace. The following air purifiers are those that we are happy to recommend to people looking for an air purifier:
Updated 19th April 2020
Here are 16 plants that could clean your air for just the price of a few drops of water each day.
First lets check some of the evidence behind the claim that plants can purify your household air:
A NASA research document came to the conclusion that “house plants can purify and rejuvenate air within our houses and workplaces, safeguarding us all from any side effects connected with prevalent toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia and also benzene.”
Here are the results of the NASA research study:
Common name | Scientific name | Score | |
1 | Areca palm | Chrysalidocarpus lutescens | 8.5 |
2 | Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | 8.5 |
3 | Bamboo palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii | 8.4 |
4 | Rubber plant | Ficus robusta | 8.0 |
5 | Dracaena “Janet Craig” | Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” | 7.8 |
6 | English ivy | Hedera helix | 7.8 |
7 | Dwarf date palm | Phoenix roebelinii | 7.8 |
8 | Ficus Alii | Ficus macleilandii “Alii” | 7.7 |
9 | Boston fern | Nephrolepis exalta “Bostoniensis” | 7.5 |
10 | Peace lily | Spathiphyllum sp. | 7.5 |
In another study made in 1996, a bedroom with no plants had 50% more colonies of airborne microbes than a room which contained houseplants.
During a laboratory experiment in 1985, Dr. Wolverton PHD compared the removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide using a sealed chamber of spider plants.
In another laboratory study by Dr. Wolverton PHD, he compared a number of house plants at removing formaldehyde from a sealed chamber. Formaldehyde is a common household toxin that is released from a variety of household items.
Removal of Formaldehyde from Sealed Chambers for Plants Grown in Potting Soil
CommonName | Botanical Name | Removal Rate*(Micrograms/Hour) |
Boston fern | Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis” | 1863 |
Dwarf date palm | Phoenix roebelenii | 1385 |
Bamboo palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii | 1350 |
Janet Craig | Dracaena deremensis “Janet Craig” | 1328 |
English ivy | Hedera helix | 1120 |
Weeping fig | Ficus benjamina | 940 |
Peace lily | Spathiphyllum “Clevelandii” | 939 |
Areca palm | Chrysalidocarpus lutescens | 938 |
Corn plant | Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana” | 938 |
Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | 876 |
Source.5
With reference to the experiments of Dr Wolverton and the NASA experiments, I have compiled a list of 16 house plants that provide the greatest level of air purification.
The Areca palm tree is the very best air purifying plant according to the ratings from NASA’s research and has the 8th highest removal rate for Formaldehyde according to Dr Wolverton’s data. This house plant was referred to as “the most effective air humidifier” by MetaEfficient.com. The Areca has the ability to maintain your office or home moist throughout dry periods as well as continually removing chemical toxins from your air. In the course of the winter season, it’s so effective at putting moisture back in the air that you could switch off your electric humidifiers!
This house plant – Lady palm (or Rhapis excelsa) achieved exactly the same rating as the Areca Palm tree in NASA’s research. This adaptable house plant, can be stored in dry or moist parts of the world ( between 20-100° Fahrenheit) and is particularly resistant to the majority sorts of plant insects.
The Lady Palm is not the most effective at removing Formaldehyde so if this is a concern then i would suggest you look at another plant.
The bamboo palm was the third most powerful plant at removing formaldehyde from the air. It ranked third in the NASA experiment so is a good all rounder at keeping your room air clean. This house plant will grow best in a moist but not wet soil and in direct sunlight. However this palm will require lots of room to grow, so it might not be the best option if want this plant to sit on your desk.
The Boston fern was the most effective plant at removing Formaldehyde and removed significantly more per hour than the rest of plants examined.
Studies have also shown that the Boston fern will also eliminate heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic from the soil.
This rubber house plant (Ficus robusta) has been mentioned as one of the leading Twenty plants by Doctor. B.C. “Bill” Wolverton’s “50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home Or Office.” This rubber house plant provides moisture, eliminates bio effluents, takes away volatile organic compounds as well as suppresses air based microorganisms as soon as it’s put into a room
As time passes this rubber plant will become much more skilled at eliminating toxic compounds present in the air. Bacteria within the rubber plants leaves break up the toxins and also feast on them. The procedure subsequently emits clean air in to the surrounding environment. Since the plant grows, these microorganisms increase.
This increased number of bacteria assist the rubber house plant in becoming progressively more effective at extracting further toxic compounds from the air.
No products found.
The Dracaena (or Dracaena deremensis) places fifth on NASA’s ranking with a 7.8 score. According to data it can remove Formaldehyde, at a rate of 1,328 micrograms per hour. It also removes Xylene, at a rate of 154 micrograms per hour according to http://www.earthwitchery.com/pollution.html
Recommended Placement in Home: These are especially effective in newly carpeted or newly furnished rooms were formaldehyde levels are at the highest.
Tips to keep this plant healthy:
If your air flow in your geographical area has got stagnant and dried out, English ivy (also known as Hedera helix) may be just the solution! WebMD.com talks about this effervescent house plant as “a solution for allergic reactions” observing that sixty percent of air based mold within the space was removed after just six hrs right after English ivy had been introduced.
People that have allergies, asthma, or even the desire to inhale cleaner, more fresh air might be wise to give this English ivy plant a shot!
Although it does not position at the top of the purifying scale when compared to it’s three palm relatives, make no mistake: this Date palm house plant (also known as Phoenix roebelinii) remains an extremely efficient and stylish looking method to both cheer up the design of an area and reduce the content level of volatile organic compounds floating all over the air.
The Date house plant is very effective at getting rid of formaldehyde thus works great in combination with other purifier plants (has the second highest removal rate after the fern plant.)
This ficus alii (also known as the Ficus macleilandii) isn’t as strong in it’s pollutant-removing effectiveness as, say, a rubber plant, however it remains an excellent addition to any kind of office or home wherever clear air is missing. Although they aren’t terribly difficult to look after, PlantCareGuru.com alerts to us that hand protection ought to be used whilst dealing with the house plant for those who have latex allergic reactions.
The Peace Lily (also known as Spathiphyllum sp.) is a perfect air purifier plant for those who don’t have green fingers. Peace Lilies are often found in malls because they are so easy to grow.
If you scared you might kill your new house plant then I recommend you go for this one.
Aloe vera was proven to be a lot more effective at the elimination of formaldehyde at lesser concentrations when compared with Philodendrons. Aloe vera is likewise famous as being a healing plant acknowledged for its therapeutic qualities, giving it the majority of its nicknames.
The Aloe house plant was also used in the initial photography used for the Andrea plant air purifier – probably due to the plants purification properties.
The spider plant was used by Dr Wolverton in his 1985 study that examined the plant’s removal of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. In a room with many spider plants, the amount of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide dropped to near zero after only 24 hours.
This particularly attractive house plant was shown to be effective at removing the VOC compound – benzene which has been known to cause cancer.
Many tobacco products contain high levels of benzene so it would be helpful to have one of these plants in a smoking household. However no house plant can ever negate the effects of tobacco smoke.
Remember to be careful with Chrysanthemum as it is poisonous when ingested or with prolonged skin exposure.
The N.A.S.A. study showed that the Philodendron house plant was one of the best house plant for elimination formaldehyde from the surrounding air, especially when working with higher concentrations.
Snake house plants — these types of plants tend to be incredible growers and also extremely tough. They’re excellent at eliminating the majority of toxins plus they are quite happy to grow in areas where other plants may decline and perish ( say for example a hot window ledge). Also, they are great bathroom and darker area plants.
There is a large number of air-purifying palms on this list for good reason and the sago palm was a great plant for cleaning the air.
Make sure to Maintain your house plants in a good condition and make sure you have enough of them. The NASA research advised that there should be a six inch plant for every 100 sq feet of interior living space
A Note About Pets:
As noted by a number of readers, many of the plants on this list can also be poisonous to dogs and other pets. Be sure to check for any potential poison or allergies from the plants for your animal and try to put plants in locations that pets can not reach.
If you do have pets, make sure you check out the recently updated list of our recommended purifiers for pets as these in combination with a combination of these 15 plants on this list can allow pet owners to live without the fear of allergic reactions.
Updated 2020
The Alen A350 was an air purifier that was first sold in 2010, if you already have one of these units then congrats on keeping your unit running for 10 years. You will also be happy to know that you can still buy filters for these units:
Sadly the Alen A350 is no longer for sale but there are a number of new Alen units that you might be in interested in that have a similar specification:
With a CADR rating of 230 for pollen, the breathsmart flex would be the A350 for the modern era. This unit comes with the same Alen lifetime guarantee so you can expect this air purifier to keep performing beyond 2030!
This unit is a little cheaper but still has a CADR rating for dust of 159 so less powerful than the A350 but can often be found for less than $250 so significantly cheaper. This is a low priced unit but still comes with the Alen lifetime guarantee.
PRICE = $399 (Amazon.com)
Before we start to dig deep into the pros and cons of this particular purifier. It’s worth having a look at what consumers at the major retailers think of this purifier. Most large internet retailers allow consumers the ability to provide a rating for their purchase. I use this rating as an initial way to quickly gauge the performance of an air purifier.
Review Site | Rating |
Amazon.com | 4 Stars (30 reviews) |
Epinions.com | 5 Stars (8 reviews) |
Wize.com | 4.5 Stars (77 reviews) |
Shopping.com | 4.5 Stars (8 reviews) |
Air Purifiers America | 4.5 out of 119 (10 user reviews) |
The Alen a350 purifier has achieved favourable scores across a wide range of sites. I
Note: Air Purifiers America has business connections to Alen so we need to take their scores less seriously than the other more independent retailers.
The video below will take you through a sample of Amazon.com reviews so you can get an idea of what people like/dislike about it:
The next step we take for this air purifier review is to dig a little deeper into what the experts are saying about this purifier:
Air-Purifier-Power Rating: 82, good
Benefits:
Problems:
Provides some reservations that the A350 should only be used in smaller rooms.
Benefits:
Problems:
CADR Results:
Sadly the A350 has not undergone a CADR test so we can not provide this results for this test. Thankfully Ed at air-purifier-power has worked out that this purifier has a similar ranking to a CADR ranking of 203.
The Alen A350 therefore has an estimated score of: 203 CADR Ranking
Technology Used:
1.HEPA Filter
The Alen A350 uses one combined HEPA, carbon, and pre-filter in one unit. The only issue this raises is the price as the purifier requires this combined filter to be changed every six months. Currently, you can purchase the A350 filters on amazon.com for $49.99 which is not too bad but bear in mind that you will need to replace these twice each year – so it’s $100 per year. If I compare this with other purifiers that use Lifetime HEPA such as the Honeywell 50250-N, the A350 is considerably more costly to run.
2. Ionizer Function
One of the nice benefits of the Alen A350 is that it comes packaged with an inbuilt non-ozone ionizer unit. Normally I would suggest that people steer clear of ionizer only units but when combined with a strong HEPA filter it can help improve cleaning efficiency. The ionizer unit will charge the surrounding particles with a negative charge which will mean that these particles are heavier and thus picked up more easily by the HEPA filter. Negative ions have also been shown to imbue of sense of well being but this still has not been confirmed by scientific studies. If you are not sure about the ionizer then you can easily disable the function using the on-off switch at the top of the unit.
Power Consumption
The A350 has a Energy Star Rating which should reduce it’s electricity to just pennies per day.
Addressing the Sound Problem
Some reviews have mentioned that the A350 has a whining sound when running. In tests we came across no such noise and believe that this whining sound was down to broken air purifiers. On the highest setting the A350 creates a noise level of 65 dB which is relatively loud. In the video below I show the Alen a350 working at each different sound level so you can evaluate if it’s too loud for your home.
Whilst the purifier is loud at the level 5 setting, it’s unlikely that you would need to leave it at this level for much time. I am quite happy with the sound output at the lowest level and so would not find a problem sleeping with it running in my bedroom.
Conclusion
This purifier provides a significant amount of cleaning for the small price of just under $400. It can be used in medium-sized rooms (400 square feet recommended) and has the ability to successfully remove all types of particles. My only issue with this purifier relates to the cost of replacement filters ($100 each year) and the lack of VOC capabilities.
When comparing with other purifiers you should make sure that you take into account the $100 a year cost as some Lifetime HEPA filters will work out far cheaper in the long-run and may outweigh the initial extra cost.
The Alen A350 air purifier is currently the highest-rated purifier in my medium range ($200-$700) purifiers and I give it a 5 star rating.
If you want to move away from Alen for your next air purifier, then check out my latest recommendations:
It might seem like a great idea to pick up a cheap air purifier whilst your doing your grocery shopping but in reality your going to waste your money.
The vast majority of air purifiers that are stocked by Walmart are under $150 and the majority sold are created by Sharper Image. The two best-selling purifiers are the ionic pro combo and ionic pro mini both by Sharper image. Since writing this post, I have saw that you can find decent air purifier and humidifier combos at Walmart which are actually well rated by customers – look for the Boneco W200 and Venta LW25.
Now Sharper Image has had some bad press with their ionic breeze air purifiers after they were found to release ozone which actually reduced air quality. Now the new ionic pro models do not release as many excessive levels of ozone but they are still very inefficient. Read the following articles about why it’s a bad idea to invest in a sharper Image purifier:
The problem with all cheap purifiers is that they can only remove a very small percentage of the particles in the air. Most of the sub $150 priced purifiers can only deal with particles that are bigger 0.3 microns. 0.3 microns is small but in the world of air based particles they only make up about 10% of pollutant particles. This means that these cheap purifiers are only able to clean 10% of the air in your room.
You will see that many of these units promise to clean rooms up to 250 feet but this is assuming that your room air does not circulate. As we all know, air will pass throughout the house and thus an air purifier will be required to clean the vast majority of air throughout the house. Most American houses will require an air purifier that can deal with at least 1000 feet and this is true even if you only want to clean the air in one room. Sealing your rooms is just not an option unless you really want to take one step closer to the grave!
If you are interested in finding the best air purifier in 2020 then be sure to check out my current recommendations:
Updated 2020
Scott Wade creates awesome art from the dust and dirt that most of us spend all our time to remove.
I originally put together this list back in 2010 and so recently had a chance to add more examples of this “dirty art.”
I love the impermanence that comes with this format.
Tomorrows art is quickly dashed away with the swipe of the windscreen wipers.
Scroll down to see all 10:
Leonardo da Vinci, eat your heart out. Scott Wade has recreated Mona Lisa’s ambiguous smile with nothing more than a dirty car and an idle finger.
“Wash Me” is so 1999. Instead, Scott Wade spends his time recreating masterpieces. In this photo, a Mazda 3 gets to host Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. In what can only be seen as poetry, the replica can only exist until the next rainfall.
Venus, the God of love, was born a fully grown and arose from the sea (according to the artist Sandro Botticelli). This recreation captures that moment, a “dirty” duplicate of Birth of Venus.
Grant Wood created American Gothic in 1930. This artist recreated American Gothic on the tail end of what appears to be a Mazda Hatchback. The real centrepiece in the original is the cottage in the background, which is based on the Gothic Revival style. However, the wiper in this dust-based recreation does have a certain charm of its own.
From the dusty back window of this Honda Fit arises the legend of Hylas. He was once an Argonaut and a dear friend of Hercules. During the voyage for the Golden Fleece, the nymphs called out to Hylas as he filled his jug of water. They offered him a kiss… a single sensual kiss. That kiss proved to be his last as they pulled Hylas into the water’s depths.
This is what would happen if Michelangelo drove a dust-covered Mazda. In the original Sistine Chapel fresco (painted in 1511), Adam sits to the left and God reaches out to him from the right. The Pillsbury doughboy between their hands is unique to this dust rendition.
8. Woman Trapped