I was surprised to find out that indoor air quality is often worse than the quality of air outside, per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But it makes sense: Indoor spaces can be replete with pent-up dust, accumulated dander, stagnant pollen and dirt — among other creepy-crawly allergens.
For folks who deal with allergies or asthma, this conundrum takes on a different level of urgency, taking a toll on health and well-being — especially because, as the EPA also reports, Americans are indoors about 90% of the time.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to help remove allergens from the air. People with allergies and asthma concur, sharing with HuffPost via email, phone and Facebook the purifiers that really make a difference in their symptoms. Every option features HEPA filtration, and investing in one may even save you money over time: multiple Amazon reviewers write that with the help of their purifiers, their inhalers are now lasting longer, helping cut costs from their budgets.
Read on for their recommendations.
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“I have the BlueAir 411 purifier, which I was inspired to get from bloggers Young House Love,” wrote Lena M. over email. “Within a couple of days, I noticed I wasn’t waking up with the usually stuffy nose or waking up overnight from snoring, etc. In an interesting twist, I got my purifier within weeks of the start of California wildfire season. It was a lifesaver … Any time I sleep away from it, I notice a difference in my breathing and quality of sleep.”
I own this same purifier and love it, both for its unobtrusive, minimalist style and for the huge difference it makes for the air quality in my 15-by-15-foot room. As soon as it’s on, I can feel the difference in the air — it feels crisper and fresher.
I no longer sneeze and itch from dust, pollen, pet dander and who knows what. It’s also blissfully quiet, so it’s not a bother to keep on in the background at night and throughout the day.
It utilizes a dual-filtration HEPA system along with a machine-washable fabric pre-filter, cleaning up to 526 square feet.
Promising Amazon review: “I have two air purifiers for my home. One for my sons room who has severely bad allergies especially with two large dogs and mold/mildew allergens and asthma. One for my living room and dining area and I always receive compliments of how my home doesn’t have a ‘House’ or ‘Lived in’ smell and they immediately notice a difference in the air quality. Within 3 days of using the product I have had to utilize my inhaler less, the pet dandruff and dust has reduced significantly, and my son’s respiratory health was impacted in a positive way which is progress and a miracle. I’m very pleased with this product and cannot recommend them to family and friends enough.” — Jacob Thrasher
Levoit is known for its top-of-the-line HEPA purifiers, which use triple filtration to rid air of microscopic airborne allergens and particles like pollutants, smoke, pet dander and dust.
This Core300-P model is a favorite among users for its effectiveness and lack of noise. “It’s made such a huge difference in the air quality of my living space,” Lex G., a friend who owns it, said. “It’s specifically built for people who have pets and helps to limit dander and hair in the air which both contribute to my allergies. I can tell the difference when I have it turned off.”
You can grab it in two colors or in a WiFi-enabled version so you can control it from your phone or via voice assistant; it can clean spaces up to 1,095 square feet.
Promising review: “I have a cat who strayed into my life, and whom I totally love, despite being terribly allergic to him. My allergy and resultant asthma were really awful this past winter, and I bought this air filter out of desperation. When I received it in the mail, I couldn’t believe how nice a product it was. This is not some cheaply made item, but reminds me of how many products were years ago: simply made well. And the best thing is, my asthma is so much better now after this purchase. I can barely believe it! I have since bought a smaller version (also nice) for my little study, and will probably buy another large one at some point. Want to add that I love the sound of the air filter too. The first two are fairly quiet, with the third louder but (to me) lulling rather than disturbing. I cannot vouch this will work for everyone who has allergy problems, but I would say it’s worth a try!” — m-chan
Lex also relies on this allergen-reducing Honeywell HPA200 purifier for keeping air clean in the rest of their home (it’s made for large rooms up to 310 feet, though it can clean up to 1,500 square feet hourly).
“It recycles all the air,” Lex explained, noting it helps their breathing. “I would repurchase it in a heartbeat.”
Promising review: “I purchased this model because I am an asthma and allergy sufferer and I was looking for something very effective at a good price range. I hooked this thing up in my bedroom (left the door open) and went downstairs for about 30 minutes. When I went back upstairs I could notice a difference in the air. The next day I left it on the allergen setting and when I got home from work and my bedroom smelled like it had never been inhabited. My allergies are lighter in my bedroom than in any other room in the house as my roommate has a dog I am allergic to. In bed my eyes used to burn and I would reach for my inhaler quite frequently. Now my eyes are fine and I barely need my inhaler. Well worth the money as inhalers are over $100 at the pharmacy and the air purifier is $140. It’s actually saving me money as my inhaler is now lasting much longer.” — STEVE-007
You can control this 3M Filtrete purifier from your phone or by voice using Alexa or Google Assistant.
It’s a huge help for Ahmed A., who has asthma and a significant cat allergy despite being a cat lover with two beloved kitties. “It makes the air easier to breathe, [with] less contaminants in the air,” he wrote. “It’s the quietest, most effective air filter I’ve ever had. It actually does make a noticeable difference after a few minutes.” Plus, he added, “[It’s] worked really well for years now.”
It’s best-suited for rooms up to 150 square feet.
Promising review: “I purchased this for my new home since we are doing some remodeling and noticed that my home felt stuffy. This is my first air purifier that I’ve owned and I can definitely say that it made a huge difference! my home feels so much easier to breathe in.” — Mohammad S.
Reviewers call this tried-and-true Winix purifier the “best investment” for helping with airborne pet dander and allergies; one even said they “can literally feel the sinus inflammation going away” thanks to its work.
It’s a sure bet for improving indoor air: “My house feels less stuffy,” Elizabeth C. wrote of the model on Facebook.
It’s designed for spaces up to 360 square feet.
Promising review: “BIRD OWNER HERE. I love that you can turn off the ionization setting so that this product is safe for birds! No harmful ozone buildup!
“I am VERY asthmatic and was suffering greatly due to dust, allergies, and bird dander. Within hours of running this machine, I could tell that it was WORKING. I used to sneeze and wheeze and I was not sleeping well at all. I used to wake up several times a night needing to use my inhaler or do a breathing treatment, but ever since I got this air purifier, I SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. I haven’t even had to use my inhaler at all! This thing has radically changed my life. I no longer wake up with a headache and stuffy. I don’t sneeze anymore. My allergies have almost disappeared. I don’t wheeze, and I wake up feeling rested for the first time in months and months. I could seriously cry from happiness. My bird even seems happier and full of energy!
“I noticed today that even when I cook, the purifier can tell and the auto mode picks up on the air quality and kicks on.
“If you have kids, pets, asthma, lungs, a pulmonary system, or you just enjoy breathing, this thing is for you. I can’t say enough about how awesome this purifier is.” — Meagan B.
This worth-the-splurge Dyson purifier and fan combo circulates filtered air while emitting a cool breeze. It oscillates up to 350 degrees and you can control it by remote — so you can adjust cleaning power and where you want the fan to hit without ever getting up.
“I live close to the airport and can tell a big difference in the indoor air quality when using them,” Pam M. said. “I can breathe and sleep better and have one in each bedroom of my house.”
Promising review: “I have several of these tall ‘cool’ fans for breeze, sound, and air purifying. (I also have several of the hot/cool shorter fans, also 5 stars for me!). These are dependable and start working to clear the air quickly. This particular one I set up in a basement gym to clear the air and within hours the air quality was so clean and fresh. I pretty much keep them on 24/7. Filters do not seem to need changing very frequently. I even take the shorter hot/cool fans/ heaters on car trips for lake houses and hotel rooms. Love these!” — Freebird888
“If I didn’t have my two air purifiers, I do not know what I would do,” Sherrie A. wrote, saying she deals with allergies from smoke and pollen, and regularly visits a pulmonologist and an allergist for support. “The filters are changed regularly and if that stuff was in my lungs!?!? Yes, they make a huge difference[.]”
She relies on the Coway Airmega purifier, pictured (also available in white), as well as a unspecified GE Profile model. The Coway can clean air in spaces up to 361 square feet.
Promising review: “I looked at various review sites and the purifier was at or near the top of every list and the price point to value was highly rated. I kinda though air purifiers were a gimmick, but I put it on my night stand and for the first time in ages, I had no congestion, no post-nasal drip, and no headache upon waking. It’s been the same every night. I keep it on setting #2 and have two big stinky furry dogs and I think it helps a lot with their dander and fur and smells, especially on damp days. As others have notes, the sound is quiet on #1 and #2, but there’s a huge jump in the at #3. If you like white noise, youll love it. For me #3 is a bit loud, but I crank it up during the day or when I feel my allergies bothering me. It’s kind of weird looking, as if I have a mini front load washing machine on my nightstand, but I would buy it again and probably will get a model designed for larger rooms to place in my basement den. So, my takeaway is that this thing works really well, and In breathing better. The air quality sensor is a bright blue but you can turn that light off and in. I love it! Thanks for making it a little bit easier to get up each morning without the usual effects of kicked up dust, pet hair and dander causing me poor sleep and long tired days. I love it!” — Evelyn Amelia