Many people in the U.S. are considering purchasing an air purifier due to the poor air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Google searches for “where to purchase air purifiers”, “air purifier pickup today” and other related terms increased by over 5,000% in some cases during June. There were also reports that some retailers had already sold out of their supply during the hazy weather in New York earlier this month. MarketWatch reached out Best Buy, Walmart, and Target to ask about the stocking issue, but did not receive a reply.
This week it was the Midwest U.S. that felt the impact of record wildfires in Canada.
What kind of air purifiers should people be looking for?
There are thousands of models available. Consumer Reports conducted a survey last year that examined 8,377 models purchased between 2012-2022. You have a lot of choices.
How can you narrow down your choices? We gathered advice from a variety of publications and experts, and distilled it down to five important buying tips.
The HEPA filter is all you need to know
Many purifiers are available, but experts recommend that you look for ones with a HEPA filter (high-energy particulate air). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines it as a filter “that can theoretically remove at a minimum 99.97% dust, pollens, molds, bacteria and any airborne particle with a diameter of 0.3 microns.”
It’s about the CADR
It is important to choose a purifier that has enough power to perform its task. The CADR (clear-air delivery rate) is a factor to consider. According to the website of Bob Vila , the CADR rating is how fast an air purifier can remove contaminants from the air, like dust, pollen, and smoke. The CADR rating of an air purifier will determine how quickly it can clean the air.
Take into consideration the space where the purifier is to be used
Experts advise that while a high CADR is good in theory you shouldn’t buy a purifier with more power than the room it will be installed in. MarketWatch quoted Dr. Alison Lee as saying, “You don’t have to choose the biggest.” According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, you should adhere to the “2/3 rule,” meaning that the “CADR of an air cleaner should equal at least two thirds of the area of the room.”
Don’t forget about the noise factor
As with any appliance, air purifiers can be noisy. It’s important to check the decibel rating. According to most review sites, anything with a decibel rating of 50 or less should be considered quiet. The Gadget Review website says that this would be comparable to a quiet office, a normal conversation or the sound from an air conditioner.
Be prepared to pay
According to review sites like Wirecutter you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a quality air purifier, but some models cost up to $1,000. You’ll need to replace your HEPA filters every 6 to 12 months, according to Gadget Reviews.
You may also need to buy more than one air purifier. For example, one for your living room and one for every bedroom. Lee, a pulmonology expert, says this is particularly true if a member of your family has respiratory problems. She says, “My son suffers from asthma so I have one in his room.”
Related Content from MarketWatch Archives:
Why is wildfire smoke as dangerous to the lungs as unfiltered cigarettes?
The Air-Quality Index: How does your city rate?
Air quality concerns? Protect yourself from wildfire smoke with these 7 EPA tips
Right? Air conditioners can help reduce wildfire smoke. Not necessarily. Here’s why.
Air purifying masks for $900: Another side effect of pollution and wildfire smoke
In Asia, I was exposed to hazardous smoke caused by forest fires. What I learned.
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