Best Air Purifier for Bacteria and Viruses
Clean air in your home or office is not only important, it is essential to you and your family’s overall wellbeing. Experts claim that there can be more air pollution inside your home than the outside. This poor quality indoor air can be due to several reasons, most notably the limited ventilation in most buildings, which tends to trap pollutants such as dust and moisture.
Having pets in your home also adds considerably to the concentration of air pollutants in your home, given that they bring with them pet odors, skin dander and urine. These odors and elements can be upsetting for certain occupants, and can cause respiratory distress in people suffering from allergies and other breathing issues.
Air purifiers, just like the name would suggest, aid in the removal of air pollutants by using of one of three technologies – ultraviolet light, silver-infused HEPA Filter, heat sterilization, and are a great addition to both commercial and residential spaces.
Buying the best air purifier for bacteria and viruses may be a tricky task, given the myriad options available. But I’ve narrowed down on four great options that will help you breathe easy around the clock. I’ve also included a handy home air purifier buying guide to help you buy the right one for your needs.
*I hope you’ll love the products I recommend! Just so you know, Plumb and Lined may collect a share of sales or other compensation from some of the links on this page.
BEST HOME AIR QUALITY MONITOR - COMPARISON TABLE
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#1. Best Overall Pick
SilverOnyx Air Purifier
The SilverOnyx tops this list of best air purifiers for bacteria and viruses, most notably for its ability to capture an impressive 99.97 percent dust and allergens, and particles as small as 0.3 microns.
It can be ordered in a choice of three great colors – black, silver and white, and is equipped with an industry leading HEPA H13 charcoal filter, which captures pollen, pet dander, mild spores, dust mites, household dust, odors and other airborne pollutants.
Adding to this, the SilverOnyx air purifier features five advanced levels of purification to choose from, so you can rest assured of the cleanest air quality. It comes with a unique filter cartridge that includes a HEPA H13 activated carbon filter, mesh filter, and a UV-C light and ion generator, which collectively work to enhance the quality of the air.
The SilverOnyx air purifier is embedded with a PM2.5 particulate matter sensor, which is designed to automatically adjust the air flow for the highest quality of air. It is suited for spaces as large as 500 sq. feet, and can be placed on a counter or table-top.
It features an easy to use push button display located at the top, which provides access to the built-in ionizer, five-speed fan, sleep mode, auto mode, UV-C light, on/off timer and much more. The SilverOnyx air purifier comes with a filter life timer that reminds you when it’s time to change the filter.
Pros
- Removes 99.97 percent dust and allergens
- Comes with HEPA H13 charcoal filter
- Available in three colors
- 5 particulate matter sensor
- Sleep mode, auto mode and UV-C light
Cons
- Can be loud at certain speeds
#2. Best Value
Pure Enrichment PureZone
The Pure Enrichment PureZone slots in at the #2 position on this list of best bacteria and virus air purifiers, owing to its rich set of features without the expensive price tag. Just like the SilverOnyx Air Purifier, the PureZone air purifier comes factory equipped with a true HEPA filter, which as mentioned earlier captures more that 99 percent of pet dander, pollen, dust, household odors and smoke.
Further, it is fitted with a UV-C light which inactivates airborne pollutants such as mold, bacteria and viruses. The PureZone air purifier features a sleek design, weighs 6 lbs and measures 10.8 x 7 x 12.5 inches, making it a perfect fit for table and countertops.
Adding to this, it comes with an intuitive control panel that lets you toggle between the myriad functions such as selecting between three speed settings – low, medium, and high, setting the timer to automatically shut off the appliance in 2, 4 and 8 hour increments, activating the UV-C light mode, and resetting the filter indicator.
One of the key differences between the SilverOnyx and PureZone air purifier is that the latter is designed to clean air from spaces up to 200 sq. feet, making it an ideal choice for small to medium size spaces. The PureZone air purifier does nothing more than whisper at 30 dB, so you can get a peaceful night’s sleep while the air is purified in the backdrop.
It is ready to use right out of the box, and comes with a user manual, 3-in-1 HEPA filter, and the air purifier. To top things off, the Pure Enrichment PureZone bacteria and virus air purifier is backed by a 5-year warranty against any manufacturer defects, and around the clock customer support.
Pros
- 3-in-1 HEPA filter and UV-C light
- Light weight and portable
- 3 speed settings and auto shutoff
- Filter reset indicator
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Limited to 1 color option
#3. Best HEPA Filter
Alen BreatheSmart T500
The Alen BreatheSmart T500 is a great choice for homes that suffer from a high level of germs, mold spores, dust, allergens, dander, fur, pollen, household odors, and bacteria. It comes with a HEPA Silver filter, which is a unique air filter that uses silver-ion technology for top notch antimicrobial protection.
The filter combines three layers of technology to freshen and purify the air in your space, while protecting against bacteria and microbes. The Alen BreatheSmart T500 air purifier can be ordered in a choice of three great colors – black, white, silver/white, and is designed to clean air form areas that measure up to 500 sq. ft.
It showcases an ultraportable tower design, making it 25 percent smaller than other tower air purifiers, and scores high in terms of performance in real home tests. The BreatheSmart T500 bacteria and virus air purifier stands 22 inches tall, and can be placed in any space you see fit including bedrooms, living rooms, offices, dorms, nurseries, bathrooms, kitchens.
It is designed to clean the air two times per hour, and offers low noise operation between 42-56 decibels depending on the fan speed. Speaking of fans, the Alen BreatheSmart T500 air purifier offers a choice of three fan speeds, and a 12-hour timer, which shuts of the appliance automatically after a period of use.
The BreatheSmart T500 bacteria and virus air purifier comes with an easy to use operating panel up top, which includes a light up power display, allowing you to control any of its many functions even during the night. It is lightweight at just 9 lbs, sits on a sturdy base, connects with a 120V power supply outlet, and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- HEPA Silver filter
- Cleans air two times per hour
- Available in three colors
- Coverage up to 500 sq. ft.
- Low noise operation between 42 – 56 decibels
- 3 fan speeds, 12-hour timer, illuminated power display
- Energy Star certified
Cons
- Does not come with wheeled base
#4. Best Heat Sterilization
Airfree P1000 Filterless Air Purifier
The Airfree P1000 is designed to purify air in spaces that measure up to 450 square feet, and unlike other models mentioned on this list, it uses “filterless” technology to get the job done. It applies the patented Thermodynamic TSS Technology, which uses the same concept as boiling water to destroy pollutants for a 100 percent efficiency rate.
Adding to this, it is also cost efficient to run, given that you don’t have to deal with replacement air filters for the entire service life of the appliance. The Airfree P1000 bacteria and virus air purifier is not only “filterless” but does not make even the slightest noise when cleaning the air in your home or office.
It uses natural air convection to silently draw airborne impurities into the appliance, and then eliminates them by exposing them to temperatures close to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The purified air is then cooled before being dissipated throughout your space. The Airfree P1000 is completely safe to use, and does not emit any ozone, ion or UV light, but in fact reduces ozone by 26 percent.
It features an awarded design, and does not consume much energy due to the lack of filters or fans. Furthermore, it comes with a fancy nightlight, and is ready for use right out of the box. The Airfree P1000 bacteria and virus filterless air purifier stands 10.4 inches tall, measures 8.4 inches in diameter, and is backed by a two-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros
- Does not require filters
- Coverage up to up to 450 ft²
- Makes no noise
- Does not emit any ozone
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Nightlight may be a bit too bright for some users
BEST BACTERIA and VIRUS AIR PURIFIER BUYING GUIDE:
Air purifiers are one of the best ways to keep pollutants and viruses at bay as long as you buy the right one. Sometimes dubbed air sanitizers or air cleaners, air purifiers are becoming increasingly popular in homes and offices across the U.S., hence there are plenty of models to choose from. With that said, here are a few important factors to consider when on the shopping trail for the best bacteria and virus air purifier.
Size of your space
Air purifiers are not designed to remove airborne pollutants from the entire house, but only from individual rooms. So, the first thing you need to consider is the square footage of each room, and then ensure that the appliance you’ve narrowed down on can cater to the entire area be it a bedroom, bathroom or dining room. Most of the appliances mentioned on this can cover up to 500 sq. ft., which equates to a large size space.
Placing the air purifier
Air purifiers are basically compact appliances that can be placed anywhere in your home, either freestanding on the floor or on a counter. Place the appliance in an open area in the room that you use the most or you can simply buy more than one and place them in all the rooms, especially if you have pets.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of air purifiers can vary across models, where some do not require a filter, whereas other top models come with a HEPA that removes up to 99.97% of particles.
Noise
Most air purifiers are equipped with a fan, which circulates the new air into the room. The fan can be noisy at times especially when run at high speeds, so look for an air purifier that allows you to choose from different fan speeds such as low, medium and high.
Maintenance
The filter of air purifiers should be changed every six months or so depending on the type of filter used. They also tend to get dirty on the outside just like any other appliance, so wipe the exterior with a damp cloth after you unplug the appliance from the electric outlet.
Warranty
An air purifier can be a big-ticket purchase, hence a warranty against manufacturer defects allows you to buy with the confidence knowing that it will last you a while.
AIR PURIFIER FAQ’s:
What are the different type of air purifier filters?
Air purifiers commonly come with three types of filters namely HEPA filters, pre-filters and carbon filters. HEPA filters are the most preferred choice as they are able to remove up to 99.97 percent of particles from the air.
How do you gauge indoor air quality issue?
If you’ve recently performed a pesticide application or have remodeled your home, and are experiencing shortness or breath or other health issues, you may be exposed to poor quality air. In the event this happens, it is important to consult your physician first, and then buy a bacteria and virus air purifier as a precautionary measure. Consider purchasing an air quality monitor to identify sources of pollutants in your home. Click here to check out by review of the best air quality monitors.
Should you change the air filters?
Air filters are designed to trap the impurities from the air, so they do need to be either replaced or cleaned regularly. Since each model varies, it is important that you follow the directions in your owner’s manual on when to change the air filter in the air purifier.
Final Thoughts
The quality of indoor air can contain more pollutants than the air outside. And since you spend more time indoors, buying the best bacteria and virus air purifier certainly helps! The four air purifiers mentioned on this list are hard to beat in this segment, and come with all the essential features to provide you with clean air 24/7/.
