Using a HEPA filter in your home can remove most of the particles in the air that could worsen allergies. But airborne particles aren't the only ones in your home. There's much more to their carpets, bedding, and curtains, and they rest on countertops and tables. That's why it's important to keep these areas clean.
It is also important, whenever possible, to eliminate the source of allergens and irritants. For example, the only effective way to keep tobacco smoke out of your home is to not smoke. Air purifiers work to reduce the amount of pollen in the air, which in turn should ease allergy symptoms. However, results will vary from person to person.
The exact operation of an air purifier will vary depending on the size of the room you're in, the local climate, the purifier model, and your personal health. In fact, Honeywell got into legal trouble for exaggerating the effectiveness of its air purifiers, so be wary of manufacturers' bold claims. For the best overall results, select an air purifier that uses an activated carbon filter in combination with other filters, such as a HEPA filter. Air filters in your home's central heating and air conditioning ducts or portable air purifiers help remove contaminants from the interior.
Studies have shown that air purifiers can help people with common allergies by trapping pollen and other irritants inside their filters, but there is still little consensus on the subject. While a normal HEPA filter can suffer from the buildup of allergens it's supposed to remove, this unique HEPA BioGS filter reduces common contaminants, such as dust mites, mold, pollen and pet dander trapped in the filter, so you won't have to change it as often. To help you filter your options and help you breathe a little easier, we spoke to an expert and compared several different brands to get this list of our picks of the best air purifiers for allergies. Most air purifiers capture particles such as dust and pollen, but the best air purifiers (opens in a new tab), particulate air filters (HEPA) remove particles larger than 0.3 microns, including animal dander, which is a common trigger for allergies.
Anyone can enjoy the benefits of an air purifier, but if you have frequent allergies, you might be looking for one that specifically filters out particles that can cause allergic reactions. However, HEPA units, which in some configurations use fiberglass filters to clean ventilated air, can consume a lot of energy and must be replaced regularly. The second layer is a HEPA filter for medical use that can trap small particles such as pollen, pet dander and smoke. In the case of pet dander, it is possible to remove the particles that cause allergies caused by pets by using an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter.
To make it easier, many air purifiers have indicator lights that indicate it's time to replace the filter. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and any particles in the air with a size of 0.3 microns. We also love the versatility of custom filters, which include options such as germ defense, pet allergy, odor remover or toxin absorber, which will improve air quality and hopefully help alleviate some allergy symptoms. The indicator lights also show the status of the filter, comfortably reminding you when it's time to change it.
However, it is 99.9% effective in helping prevent other viruses, as the high-end HEPA filter captures and traps dust, pollen, mold and other potentially harmful particles in the air. Filters usually need to be changed approximately twice a year or when the filter appears to be completely full.