As Canadian wildfires turned East Coast skylines orange last week, over 100 million people were under an air quality alert. Not only were N95s back in demand, searches for “sell my house fast” spiked by a whopping 2,147 percent.
The good news: The smoke blanketing these major metro areas doesn’t appear to be headed our way. But North Texans are no strangers to Ozone Alert Days. Just last week, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued an Ozone Action Day for the DFW area on Friday. And according to the American Lung Association, both Dallas and Tarrant counties get an “F” for ground-level ozone.
What’s the problem? Indoors and out, pollutants, allergens, mold spores, dust, and pet hair can adversely affect the air we’re breathing.
Exactly why it’s the perfect time to invest in an air purifier.
These handy devices work by flowing air through microscopic filters, saving you from inhaling bad-for-you particles. Air filters can also help combat allergies, respiratory problems, and infectious diseases as well as eliminate things like smoke, dust, and airborne bacteria.
When buying an air filter, consider these three things:
1. Filter. Experts recommend HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, certified by the U.S. Department of Energy to remove 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
2. Coverage range. “Air purifiers are room-specific,” said Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Limited.
“It’s very important to choose a product designed to clean the room size it will be used in.”
3. Noise level. Check the decibel of the device before purchasing. For context, a whisper is generally around 30 decibels, while the noise of a regular conversation tends to average out closer to 60, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We also did some research on the most highly rated models.
Honeywell HPA300
Esquire awards this model the “best overall” — it’s small, quiet, and cleans up to 2,250 square-feet in under an hour. It also has three air-cleaning levels which trap microscopic airborne allergens and particles including dust, pollen, pet hair, dust mite debris, smoke, and more.
Bonus: An auto-timer turns off the device after two, four, or eight hours, keeping your electricity bill in check.
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Since 2015, this small but mighty air purifier has been named No. 1 by product review website Wirecutter. A combination of a pre-filter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA Filter reduces up to 99.99 percent of particles in the air including pollen, odors, and allergens.
It’s a great value, too. Priced at around $200, the Airmega is energy efficient and requires only once-a-year filter replacement.
Molekule Air Pro
In addition to its good looks, this model is also among the quietest. The sleek, modern cylindrical unit purifies spaces up to 1,000 square feet — the ideal choice for open-concept designs.
Special features explain its $1,000+ price tag: The device senses chemicals, humidity, and CO2, and has Auto Protect modes to react to chemicals. There’s also an app for tracking indoor air quality.
Alen BreatheSmart 45i
Touted as the top choice for allergy sufferers, this unit has the ability to reduce symptoms caused by dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold. An added plus: when harmful particles are detected, the device auto-adjusts to the right setting to efficiently clean the air.
Six chic finishes range from brushed stainless to oak. And a soothing sleep setting comes complete with pink noise features (think steady rain or waves on a beach).
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP01 Purifying Heater + Fan
This multitasker works as an air purifier, heater, and fan to keep spaces free from harmful airborne particles. It also has a 360° filtration system that combines activated carbon to remove odors, gases, and germs. Control it all with a handy remote.
