Comments
lou_parr t1_j0tnlc4 wrote
We went through these with the bad bushfires a few years ago. My main suggestion is pick one where the filters are readily available. Ideally you'll buy a lot more filters than purifiers...
We shopped on ebay, and bought several smaller ones from one of the more recognisable Chinese brands (seems to be a newer model but same filters) that takes a filter that seemed to have more than one manufacturer. I bought extra filters with them, then a year later when we had an idea of how many we used/how long they lasted did a bulk order (10!) and three years later they got us through the worst of the pandemic and I still have a couple left.
(if you want VOC etc removed you need to get activated charcoal filters, plain HEPA ones are not enough - HEPA is a particulate standard)
tosernameschescksout t1_j0tpcxq wrote
I've done a lot of research on this. Used to live in China where the air is fucked.
http://www.smartairfilters.com/
This company has the best bang for your buck ratio.
ahorsewithnoId t1_j0tqoko wrote
Honeywell. I use them myself. I'd also highly recommend a dehumidifier, the meaco ones a pricy but excellent.
CaseOfInsanity t1_j0tsyon wrote
Air purifier is basically a fan attached to air filter.
Choosing one isn't very hard if you think about how large you want your fan and how many fans you would want so that the air flow can be adequate
Alternative_Arm_2583 t1_j0u8i7o wrote
I have had super good luck with Wnix refurbished if cost is an issue!! I have 4 sharp plasmaclusters that are ancient and still working, but I think that winix is as fine and a quarter of the cost -- less if you get a refurb. Nice company. You can google to get the refurb page.
187hp t1_j0uf4cn wrote
All air purifiers use HEPA filters, so they'll do a great job in filtering. You can even get a household fan and slap on a HEPA filter since it's all about pushing air through a filter. It's all about design, costs of new filters (and how long they last which is typically just based on size/surface area, and specs such as CADR which measures how much clean air it can purify.
Coway Airmega (the one that usually always wins in reviews), Levoit (small size for rooms with decent CADR), Honeywell (often used in offices), Blueair and SmartAir all do very well so choose based on specs, price and design. I always loved Coway Airmega and Levoit 300 personally but seeing tosernameschescksout's suggestion of smartairtfilters looks very impressive - both in design and in CADR performance, and price.
comeoneileen20 t1_j0uheqc wrote
Levoit is what I have and it works well but I wouldn’t say they’re BIFL. Anything running constantly is eventually going to wear out.
When you’re buying, check how expensive the replacement filters are and factor that in. There isn’t any way I know of to make a HEPA filter reusable. The replacement filters for mine are $60 apiece every 6 months or so (ouch).
Ellusive1 t1_j0unatn wrote
Lots of things to consider though, filters, features, life span of unit.
LuminarySolutions t1_j0uphpg wrote
IQAir is definitely the BIFL option, they aren't pretty but they definitely do the job.
Diti_13 t1_j0uwhny wrote
I used this site to help educate myself and also pick one.
https://www.consumeranalysis.com/guides/air-purifiers/best-air-purifier/
dblevs22 t1_j0uybjp wrote
I second this. My refurbished winix (c545 maybe?) was a fraction of the price and was literally brand new. I’ve had it 3 years
dgxcook t1_j0uyy1f wrote
Not BIFL but we have a Shark air purifier max and it is awesome. My wife has pet allergies and we have 4 cats and a large furry dog. We have the max in the living room and the smaller one in the bedroom. If the power goes out in the middle of the night and they aren’t on, we can tell a difference in the morning. With our super “dirty” air we still only change the filter once every 7/8 months.
naylas_office t1_j0uzp0c wrote
I'm severely asthmatic and I purchased a Levoit air purifier and humidfier last year. It has literally changed my life. Highly recommend Levoit.
bonaroo t1_j0v18q4 wrote
I use a Honeywell HPA300 in my fairly large bedroom. You can buy fairly inexpensive filter replacement kits on amazon. They make smaller ones, but the fan pitch is a bit higher and I don't like that. The 300 is good. I use this 24/7 and a Eufy robovac everyday, and it does wonders for me.
*Editing - I read that ozone can make asthma symptoms worse, so you may want to avoid any air filters that use that.
imaluckyduckie t1_j0v2car wrote
Wirecutter consistently has the Coway Air Mega's at the top of their list
pan567 t1_j0v8p5d wrote
Do you want a BIFL model?
Most units are not built with a housing or motor or even a cord that will last a lifetime. A few exist that are built in the US and Canada, but these units are generally at the upper pricing spectrum. Most of these units, unlike the imported models, are also designed to impact volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they have higher operational costs as a consequence of this.
If you are looking for a good purifier for a smaller bedroom, the Winix 5500-2 and Coway 1512 are both hard to beat, as they are around $150 on sale, have a decent amount of airflow, have reasonable filter replacement costs, and are reasonable with respect to energy usage and noise. If the room is over 400 square feet, you would want either a larger unit than the 5500-2 or 1512 or to consider two units if the bedroom is exceptionally large (or a much larger single unit). These are not BIFL products, however, even though they are reasonably well made. They will work against particulate matter (PM) - they will not have much impact on VOCs.
LetsBeginwithFritos t1_j0va14p wrote
That’s a great point, not just cost of filters but availability of filters
Alternative_Arm_2583 t1_j0vaax8 wrote
My sharp plasmaclusters are about 20 years old, I disassemble them alot over the years to clean them and replace filters, I noticed that the actual way they are made is pretty identical to the winix i got for $69 (vs $300ish 15 years ago for one with the same air cleaning specs) !! And to get a new plasma dohicky b/c mine are dead of old age on the plasmaclusters made it a no brainer. I noted that the air quality sensors on the winix is better than the original sharps. very happy. I think I also got the 545 (has wifi i do not use). replacement filters are cheap. even the carbon front filters are cheap. it came with 4!
froodydude t1_j0vfbuo wrote
I would suggest the Honeywell HPA series. I have a Honeywell HPA 300 and it is an absolute beast. It got me through living in an apartment with a mold infestation so bad there were 73,000 spores per cubic meter in the HVAC return air box. For context, the level of spores per cubic meter outside at my location measured at 11,000 spores per cubic meter. That place was a nightmare, but the Honeywell got me through until I could break the lease. It is also very very quiet on the lowest setting, almost silent. You probably don't need one as big as the HPA 300, but the 200 is a really nice size. My sister uses it for her asthma and dust allergy management.
mckulty t1_j0vmlhx wrote
Is it against the rules to argue against BIFL? I can't find one of these for less than $250, BIFL units are $1000.
We get great performance from a 20x20 MERV 13 filter, fashioned to fit over a 20-inch box fan from Walmart. Decorative duct tape can hold it on and you're good for a year or two. I DIY-ed plastic clips out of thermoplastic, screwed to the fan body. It's lasted 4 seasons now. MERV-13 filters are $15, fans are $20, I can buy 10 complete homebrew units out of my local discount store for $350.
Middle_Name-Danger t1_j0vsfrx wrote
Austin Air Bedroom Machine if you want top of the line. Winix if you want best value.
PenFifteen1 t1_j0vuetn wrote
You beat me to it, but want to boost for visibility. Several of the ones they tested actually didn't filter particulates out of the air at all. I have a coway and it helps the wife's seasonal allergies.
Hi_there4567 t1_j0w3fl2 wrote
Ask him to try & cut back on dairy products. Apparently dairy is bad for asthma.
I_LickSweatyKneePits t1_j0w4qfx wrote
Switzerland has good mountain air.
CaseOfInsanity t1_j0w975h wrote
I bought one with fancy features like sensors and mobile app to control it.
It didn't really mean all that much to me really.
And lifespan of the unit? Sure some fans will last a bit longer than others.
But it's such a basic component though
Obi-1_yaknowme t1_j0wczcr wrote
I have a “Holmes” that I’ve used for 15+ years.
I got it at Walmart; they don’t sell the filters anymore, but Amazon does.
It has the separate charcoal filters, which is nice for pets.
I use it around my wood stove, it’s great.
If you’re looking for something in a bedroom, you’re main concern will be noise. They can be loud, especially when the filters need to be changed.
regnarbensin_ t1_j0x61kn wrote
I don’t know why people are downvoting you. I’ve had a Dyson hot/cold purifier for ages, no issues. It connects to wifi and you can control it with your phone or with its remote. I use it while I sleep and the filters last about a year at least.
Dizzy_Ad_7622 t1_j0xlfon wrote
There are these little like cans of mostly pure oxygen that I find nice. They are usually flavored and really help to calm one down and lift their spirit. Just a thought <3
scarlet_neko t1_j0xu0wf wrote
I’ve heard that dairy makes throat mucus more viscous in regards to singing activities (it’s not good for singing), so I guess that’s possible in that sense?…
ggwplolkek t1_j0yusvn wrote
I would recommend buying a really high quality air filter and attaching it to a box fan. Similar to this:
Competitive_Union_22 t1_j0zklzz wrote
I have a "GermGuardian" model and it's last me for 3 years now. I run it constantly. Seems like it will go for many more years. Only down side is the filters are pricey, but they last a long time. One $90 filter lasts 6 months. Would recommend.
Due_Pudding_6305 t1_j0tmzkt wrote
Dyson makes some very good options but they are pricey. My former coworker and friend from Best Buy (he’s been an appliance guy for 30 yrs) recommends them as long you are not price concerned. Almost forgot but make sure you plug it into a surge protector anything over $200 or something you don’t want to replace occasionally should be.