If you opened this article, then you probably no longer have the question Why do you need an air purifier? But how to choose an air purifier that will last for many years, will clean the air in the room, solving all the problems associated with air pollution, and will not break down and make a lot of noise is not an easy task. There is so much climate control equipment on the Russian market today that even a professional will not always immediately understand which air purifier is better, and it’s quite easy for an ordinary person who has not previously been interested in air purifiers to get confused. We don’t want to leave you alone with the problem of choosing an air purifier, and we will honestly tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of different devices. Here are our tips:
Decide what problems you are going to solve with the help of an air purifier.
Its price will depend on this. There are many air purification technologies, each of which solves some problems better than others. The cost of the air purifier will depend on how many cleaning technologies the selected air purifier model uses.
- Large amount of dust.
- Air purifiers with electrostatic (plasma) filters : these filters attract dust using an electric charge, are easy to wash, and you do not have to constantly order replacement filters. But if there is really a lot of dust, then the device will not be able to cope with it. Also remember that electrostatic cleaners can remove no more than 90% of dust. If higher quality cleaning is required (there are children, allergy sufferers, asthmatics in the house), then it is better to choose the next option.
- Air purifiers with HEPA filters : the filter is easy to maintain: vacuumed once a month and changed every six months to a year, depending on the degree of air pollution. A HEPA filter is the most effective means of removing dust, because... form a continuous barrier in the path of moving air, and even a microscopic speck of dust or bacteria will not be able to fly past, lingering in the pores of the filter. When a high degree of dust removal is required, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is the best choice.
- Air purifiers - ionizers deposit dust flying in the air onto horizontal surfaces, thereby purifying the air. They do not collect dust inside the air cleaner housing; you do not have to wash or change the filter. Therefore, such air purifiers are suitable for those who want to avoid additional costs for maintaining an air purifier, but are willing to more often collect dust from surfaces with a vacuum cleaner or rag.
- Allergy to dust. The main problem here is the smallest dust invisible to the eye; it is this that causes sneezing attacks, redness of the eyes and allergic runny nose in allergy sufferers. Your choice
- Air purifiers with HEPA filters remove the smallest particles of dust from the air, cleaning efficiency is up to 99.9%. The best way to prevent allergies has not yet been invented.
Air purifiers with electrostatic filters are less effective than those with HEPA filters, because... dust is attracted to the plates only due to an electric charge, and the plates are located at a certain distance from each other, i.e. Some of the dust flies past. Cleaning efficiency 81-90%.
- Air washers – purify the air by passing it through a sprayed suspension of water. Water washes away the smallest particles of pollutants, leaving no chance for them to return to the air in the room. Air washes with pre-ionization are the most effective, because... charged dust is better attracted to the drum plates. Cleaning efficiency – 80-95%.
- Air purifiers-humidifiers - humidify using an evaporation filter located in the water or water sprayed inside the device itself. Cleaning is also carried out using a water suspension. Cleaning quality 80-90%.
- Air purifiers - ionizers with remote ionization, which produce a large number of ions around the air purifier, are able to remove a maximum of allergens from the air, depositing them on the surface.
It is important to remember that allergies are caused not only by the dust itself, but also by the dust mites, mold, and fungus contained in it, and by destroying them, you will eliminate the very cause of the allergy. Photocatalytic air purifiers and air purifiers - ozonizers will help to cope with dust mites and mold, but photocatalysis and ozonation in the selected air purifier must be supplemented by one of the previous cleaning options - a filter that removes the dust itself.
- Photocatalytic air purifiers purify and disinfect the air through the interaction of UV light and a catalyst, decompose toxic chemical compounds, and destroy microorganisms.
- Air purifiers - ozonizers - ozone also decomposes toxic substances, kills microorganisms and germs due to its powerful oxidizing properties. Ozonizers can be used when there are no people in the room.
- Photocatalytic air purifiers - ionizers , it is better if they have an electrostatic filter, because it is easier to wash it from precipitated nicotine resins. If you choose a HEPA filter, you will have to change it quite often. Photocatalysis breaks down the toxic elements of tobacco smoke, ionization disperses the smoke, and the electrostatic precipitator precipitates tar and purifies using microdoses of ozone.
Air purifiers - ozonizers decompose smoke into harmless carbon dioxide and water.
- Photocatalytic air purifiers - decompose any odors in the presence of people.
- Photocatalytic air purifiers are disinfectants that disinfect air using ultraviolet light and photocatalysis reactions, in which most microbes, bacteria and viruses die.
Air purifiers - ozonizers are the best choice, because... Ozone is 2-3 times more effective than ultraviolet radiation, i.e. It will take much less time to process. In standard mode, such devices are capable of disinfecting air using ionization.
- Air purifiers-humidifiers - humidify and purify the air through filtration.
- Ionizer – ionization improves the general condition of the body, strengthens the immune system, and improves mood.
3. Decide whether you are ready to incur additional costs for maintaining the selected air purifier or whether you want to buy it now and in the future spend a minimum of money on maintaining clean air.
If spending doesn’t bother you, you can safely choose air purifiers with filters; they have the highest degree of air purification, because... Several stages of air purification are better in any case. If additional costs are burdensome for you, then choose filterless air purifiers: air purifiers - ionizers, ozonizers, photocatalytic, electrostatic (plasma), air washers.
Rating of the best devices
This rating presents four models that differ from each other in functionality and cost. From these examples you can clearly see that devices are rarely equipped with any one type of purification. Usually this is a complex of different systems. Pay special attention to this model.
- Tefal Intense Pure Air PU4025F0
A device that combines several filters: preliminary, HEPA, carbon, and an ionizer. This makes it possible to free the atmosphere from 99.97% of harmful impurities, neutralize formaldehyde and saturate the environment with air ions. Capable of treating a space of up to 35 square meters. m, the productivity is 150 m³/h. The sensor analyzes the air condition and signals the situation using indicators. There are many options: night mode, turbo mode, timer, auto shutdown.
You will have to pay 16,000 rubles for it.
5 more popular models:
- Vitek VT-8554 for 5,990 rubles.
- Tefal Pure Air NanoCaptur PT3040F0 for RUB 12,990.
- Vitek VT-8552 for 2,990 rubles.
- Vitek VT-8551 for 995 rubles.
- Tefal Intense Pure Air PU4025F0 for RUB 13,990.
5. Answer yourself honestly how often and how much time you can devote to your air purifier.
It cleans the air for you, but you, in turn, must clean it, otherwise it simply will not be able to work and will break.
- If you are ready to use it every day, choose an air washer or an air purifier-humidifier - you will have to change the water in them every three days and add water when it runs out.
- If it is not burdensome for you to take care of your air purifier once a week, your choice is an electrostatic (plasma) air purifier. About once a week you need to wash the electrostatic plates (filter) in it.
- If you want to spend a minimum of effort and remember to clean the device only once a month, then you should choose an air purifier - ionizer, photocatalytic purifier, air purifier - ozonizer or a purifier with replaceable filters (usually HEPA filters), which only need to be vacuumed once a month.
Consider how often you plan to use the air purifier.
It is optimal that it always works, and that the air in the room is always clean and has high quality indicators necessary for your health.
- If you plan to operate the air purifier around the clock, and savings are important to you, choose an air purifier with low energy consumption (see the parameter - power consumption).
- If periodic use of an air purifier is optimal for you, then air washers or air purifiers-humidifiers, which cannot be left idle for a long time with water filled with water, are unlikely to suit you. it may turn sour. If you are ready to drain the water every time, disassemble the air purifier and dry the parts, then the choice of air washers or air purifiers-humidifiers should not scare you.
TOP 3 best air purifiers with demineralizing cartridge
Air purifiers equipped with a demineralizing cartridge remove not only pollen, viruses and fungal spores from the air, but also dangerous inorganic compounds that can be harmful to health. In 2021, three models were recognized as the best devices in this category.
Venta LW25 Comfort Plus
This purifier model belongs to an improved series of devices .
Compared to previous versions, this device has higher performance and more efficient air purification. At the same time, the manufacturer has maintained maximum ease of control, and even beginners can understand the settings.
You can set the operating parameters of the device using the touch control panel, and all indicators of the microclimate in the room will be displayed on a small display.
To control the humidity indicator, the device body is equipped with a built-in hygrometer.
The device also has an automatic operating mode.
It will give the user the opportunity to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room, because the device will independently record the hygrostat indicators and adjust the operation of the device.
The purifier can be left on even overnight, because there is a special mode for this. It reduces the noise level and brightness of the backlight, so a working device will not interfere with your rest.
Specifications:
- weight 3.8 kg;
- noise level 44 dB;
- service area 45 m2;
- power consumption 8 W.
pros
The device is very easy to disassemble for cleaning;
intuitive touch control panel;
It uses water sparingly and efficiently humidifies the air in the room;
compact dimensions make it easy to place the device in the room;
There is a silent night mode.
Minuses
there is no scale for the remaining water in the tank;
Over time, extraneous sounds appear.
ATMOS Maxi-550
This purifier model belongs to the professional class, so the device copes very quickly even with heavily polluted indoor air .
The purifier is equipped with an inverter fan, thanks to which dirty air enters the housing, passes through several levels of filters, is cleaned, humidified and discharged outside.
Additionally, the device is equipped with a UV lamp and ionizer.
Due to this, the device not only cleans, but also disinfects the air and saturates it with negatively charged ions to create a healthy atmosphere in the room.
At the top of the case there is an intuitive control panel.
It provides not only buttons for setting the necessary parameters, but also a display on which indicators of the microclimate in the room are displayed.
In addition, there are indicators next to the control panel that light up when the filter becomes dirty. This way, the user will always know when it is time to replace the filters.
Specifications:
- weight 10.6 kg;
- noise level 55 dB;
- water tank volume 1.7 l;
- power consumption 95 W.
pros
perfectly cleans the air from dust and other contaminants;
wide selection of cleaning modes;
there is a night mode with reduced noise level;
convenient and intuitive control panel with indicators;
very high build quality.
Minuses
most users called the purifier too large;
overpriced.
Stadler Form R-001R
This model cannot be called an ordinary purifier, because the device is a whole climate complex that quickly and with minimal effort on the part of the user improves the microclimate in the room .
The device evaporates up to 13 liters of liquid per day, so it can be safely used in large rooms up to 80 square meters.
The unique filtration system installed in the device allows you to remove not only dust and large particles of contaminants, but also microscopic viruses, fungal spores and other allergens.
Another feature of the device is that its filters do not require replacement, so even with long-term use the device will fully perform its functions.
There is also a separate compartment for aromatic oils in the case.
To quickly set parameters, the device is equipped with a touch control panel, and indicators for turning on and low water level will help you add liquid to the tank in time.
Specifications:
- weight 8.2 kg;
- power consumption 30 W;
- 6.3 l water tank;
- processing area 80 m2.
pros
attractive appearance;
simple and intuitive controls;
spacious water tank;
quickly increases the humidity in the room and keeps it at a stable level;
There is a night mode with reduced noise level.
Minuses
overpriced, according to many users;
In certain modes it makes a lot of noise.
Decide what features you need and who in your family will control the air purifier settings.
Do you need several fan speeds to choose more intensive or background air purification and reduce noise at night? Or do you want your air purifier to have maximum capabilities - a timer for automatic cleaning in certain modes, air pollution sensors, a hygrometer (for measuring humidity), night lighting, a function for air disinfection in the absence of people? As you understand, all the additional “bells and whistles” cost extra money, so decide right away whether you want to have them, or you won’t use them and will only get confused in a large number of buttons and modes. It all depends on what exactly you want to get: for some, it’s important to have all kinds of functions, but for others, they simply don’t want to understand them. So decide right away so you don’t regret it later.
