Key takeaways:
- Well being specialists suggest utilizing air purifiers for sickness prevention throughout chilly and flu season as a result of viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are carried in respiratory aerosols within the air.
- Well being specialists advise working your air air purifier at a steady, low velocity to attenuate the danger of sickness. If somebody is actively sick, prioritize excessive fan velocity to quickly take away aerosols.
- Our unique lab knowledge reveals that the Shark HP232 carried out finest at particle elimination on a low fan setting, whereas the Coway Airmega 400S carried out finest at particle elimination on a excessive fan setting.
- Different essential elements for sickness prevention are an air air purifier with a real HEPA filter and strategic placement of the unit in your house.
It is that point of 12 months when the beginning of a cough, a runny nostril or feeling exhausted can have you ever reaching for vitamin C dietary supplements or heat drinks. Whereas these are basic defenses to have in your cold and flu season arsenal, are there any well being tech gadgets we must also be turning on to forestall sickness?
As somebody who has been writing about well being and wellness for over a decade, I’ve all the time questioned if air purifiers are a viable preventative measure for the illness season. Now, with CNET’s unique knowledge, I’ve my reply: Sure, an air air purifier ought to be in your trendy medication cupboard. Well being specialists agree.
Pediatric allergist and scientific immunologist Dr. Zachary Rubin tells CNET that viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, a member of the coronavirus household, are carried in respiratory aerosols, that are particles that get exhaled when you’re respiration, coughing, speaking or sneezing. These are often beneath 5 μm (microns) in measurement, however many will be smaller than 1 μm, and your air air purifier ought to be capable of take away them.
Major care and pressing care doctor Dr. Steven Goldberg, the chief medical officer at molecular testing laboratory HealthTrackRX, notes that an air air purifier able to eradicating 0.3 μm particles is an important benchmark for viral aerosol elimination, particularly since producers typically charge air purifier filters by their effectivity in eradicating particles of this measurement.
To place this to the check, CNET Labs positioned 12 common air purifiers in a smoke chamber to measure their capability to filter 5 completely different particle sizes, each superb and coarse, from the air. Two fashions emerged as high performers for his or her speedy outcomes, making them must-have gadgets for chilly and flu season.
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Our checks reveal the most effective air air purifier for stopping sickness
We examined all 12 air purifiers at each high and low fan speeds to judge their effectiveness in eradicating superb particles. These are the fashions that emerged as the highest performers.
At low fan velocity
On a low fan setting, the Shark HP232 carried out the most effective at eradicating superb particles, averaging 1 minute and 15 seconds. It additionally carried out the most effective at this identical velocity for all particles with a mean time of 1 minute and 20 seconds. This makes it our “Greatest at Particle Removing on Low Setting” winner.
Determine 1: The y-axis shows the 12 air purifiers we examined, and the x-axis shows T90, or the time it took for 90% of particles to be eliminated, within the following format: [minutes].[seconds]. That is for low fan velocity. The black bars signify superb particles measuring 2.5 μm and beneath, whereas the crimson bars signify coarse particles measuring 10.0 μm and beneath.
Designed for areas as much as 1200 sq. toes, the HP232 makes use of Shark’s Anti-Allergen Nanoseal filter with true HEPA, which the corporate says captures 99.98% of enormous, small and micro-sized particles ranging between 0.1 and 0.2 microns. HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air” and is a kind of air filter utilized in air purifiers.
The Shark HP232 is $330 at full value, making it the seventh least expensive mannequin we examined. Essentially the most reasonably priced choice examined is the Morento Indoor air purifier, priced at $79, nevertheless it didn’t fare as nicely in our particle checks.
Second place for eradicating superb particles at low velocity goes to the Coway Airmega 400S, which is the fourth most costly unit at $565. The BlueAir 311i got here in third place, whereas the Oransi Mod Plus got here in fourth place. The BlueAir mannequin is the fourth least costly unit at $160, whereas the Oransi is the third most costly mannequin at $640.
At excessive fan velocity
At excessive fan velocity, the Coway Airmega 400S was the most effective at eradicating 90% of superb particles in a mean of 34 seconds. It additionally reigned supreme in eradicating all particles on common at a excessive velocity in 35 seconds. It has gained our award for “Greatest at Particle Removing on Excessive Setting.”
Determine 2: The y-axis shows the 12 air purifiers we examined, and the x-axis shows T90, or the time it took for 90% of particles to be eliminated, within the following format: [minutes].[seconds]. That is for prime fan velocity. The black bars signify superb particles measuring 2.5 μm and beneath, whereas the crimson bars signify coarse particles measuring 10.0 μm and beneath.
Apparently, the Shark HP232, our low-fan particle elimination winner, ranked seventh for superb particles at excessive fan velocity with a mean time of 1 minute and 15 seconds. Ranked greater in second place is the Oransi Mod Plus with 47 seconds. In third place, the BlueAir 311i and Levoit Core 400 S tied at a mean of 49 seconds for superb particles and 48 seconds for all particles. The $181 Levoit mannequin, nonetheless, is $21 costlier than the BlueAir 311i.
Excessive or low: Which air air purifier velocity is finest for flu season?
Primarily based on our knowledge, chances are you’ll be questioning: For cold and flu season, ought to I go for an air air purifier that works finest at eradicating finer particles at low or excessive velocity? Based on Rubin, steady low-speed operation is best for preventing illness as a result of “it retains background aerosol concentrations low always.”
Goldberg echoes this, including that many producers’ operation guides suggest a steady, low-speed mode for optimum efficiency.
“Excessive-speed bursts are solely helpful along with steady use — for instance, instantly after somebody coughs, sneezes or leaves the room — however they need to not change baseline filtration,” says Rubin.
If somebody is sick, you may need to prioritize cleansing velocity at a medium or excessive setting. If these fan speeds are too loud for sleep, you may swap to a low fan velocity at night time, permitting it to nonetheless filter particles within the background. Nonetheless, in case you can tolerate it, Goldberg emphasizes {that a} greater fan velocity will present a better airflow charge, which is more practical for quickly eradicating aerosols when somebody in your house is sick.
“In bedrooms, quieter settings are acceptable so long as the unit can nonetheless clear superb particles inside about 5 minutes,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis, who’s quadruple-board licensed in pulmonary, sleep, inside and significant care medication.
In different phrases, an air air purifier that performs successfully at a low velocity is finest for the chilly and flu season. Our checks reveal that this may be the Shark HP232. Nonetheless, if somebody is actively unwell, you may need your gadget to purify successfully at excessive velocity, which the Coway Airmega 400S was finest at in our checks.
The Shark HP232, “Greatest at Particle Removing – Low Setting” lab award winner
“If somebody is sick, combining a air purifier on medium or excessive and opening a window for even 5 to 10 minutes dramatically improves air high quality,” Rubin says.
Based on our checks, air purifiers that carried out finest at eradicating superb particles on each high and low fan speeds are the Coway Airmega 400S, priced on the excessive finish at $565, and the Oransi Mod Plus, which is costlier at $640. A extra reasonably priced mannequin that also ranks within the high 4 for each fan speeds is the BlueAir 311i, priced at $330.
Coway AirMega 400S, “Greatest at Particle Removing – Excessive Setting” lab award winner
How lengthy ought to it take an air air purifier to take away superb particles?
Whereas there isn’t a universally accepted elimination time for superb particles, Goldberg states that fast elimination inside a couple of minutes is simplest in stopping sickness.
“A air purifier ought to ideally take away 90% of superb particles inside one to three minutes,” says Dasgupta. “As much as 5 minutes remains to be useful for decreasing publicity.”
For an air air purifier to be thought-about efficient at eradicating superb particles when somebody is unwell, Rubin supplied the next benchmarks:
- Underneath 3 minutes on excessive: wonderful
- 3 to five minutes: acceptable for many conditions
- Over 8–10 minutes: too sluggish to meaningfully cut back threat throughout lively sickness or gatherings
“If a unit takes about 10 minutes or extra to take away 90% of superb particles, it seemingly will not sustain with the continual manufacturing of aerosols when somebody within the house is sick,” Rubin states.
Our testing revealed two air purifiers that took 10 minutes or longer to take away 90% of 0.3 µm particles at a low fan velocity: the $519 Airdog Green Technology Air Purifier X5 and the $750 Dyson Formaldehyde TP09, the second most costly unit examined at simply $10 lower than the $760 RabbitAir A3.
On low velocity, the Dyson additionally struggled with all different particle sizes, lagging behind the 11 different fashions examined. On common, it took the Dyson 8 minutes and 26 seconds on low velocity to take away 90% of superb particles. For all particles, the common time was 7 minutes.
The Dyson Formaldehyde TP09 is particularly designed to detect and destroy formaldehyde with a catalytic filter. The gadget makes use of a HEPA H13 filter with a 99.95% elimination effectivity for particles right down to 0.1 microns per liter of air, in addition to activated carbon filters that seize 99.97% of particles right down to 0.3 microns in measurement, together with allergens, bacteria, viruses, pollen and mold spores. Dyson purifiers additionally function Air Multiplier expertise, which helps purify a complete room.
The Dyson Formaldehyde TP09 demonstrating its Air Multiplier expertise.
At excessive velocity, the Airdog additionally took no less than 10 minutes to take away 90% of 0.3 µm particles, however had no situation with different particle sizes. This air air purifier makes use of TPA (Two-Pole Motion) Know-how, which claims to “seize and destroy pollution 20 occasions smaller than standard air purifiers — all with out utilizing non-recyclable, environmentally-damaging HEPA filters.” It states that it might probably take away pollution which might be no less than 0.0146 microns.
For why Dyson particularly wasn’t as efficient as the opposite purifiers, CNET Senior Lab Engineer Gianmarco Chumbe has an evidence: “Our smoke chamber is designed as a torture check that pushes purifiers to take away a really dense focus of particles in a confined house as shortly as doable. Dyson’s purifiers use an Air Multiplier and projection-style airflow system that is optimized for circulating air throughout a bigger quantity.”
As a consequence of Dyson’s particular system, it will not work as meant in a smaller chamber just like the one used for our testing. Chumbe emphasizes that this does not point out a malfunction. “It merely displays how this particular fan expertise behaves beneath our high-intensity, small-volume check circumstances.”
Added ‘germ’ options are one thing to sneeze at
Air air purifier manufacturers promote varied further options, similar to particular “germ” filters or germicidal UV-C gentle bulbs, claiming they will reduce germs within the air. Nonetheless, our testing reveals that what’s most essential for stopping sickness is efficiency.
“Crucial elements are airflow and a high-quality HEPA filter,” says Rubin. “‘Germ’ filters not often present measurable profit. Constructed-in UV-C typically makes use of weak bulbs with too-short publicity time to reliably inactivate viruses, so it should not drive a buying resolution.”
For HEPA filters, you may need a true HEPA, which captures 99.97% of 0.3 μm particles. Activated carbon will help cut back odors, nevertheless it would not remove viruses. You may need to keep away from filters labeled HEPA-type, HEPA-like or these claiming ionic- or ozone-producing applied sciences.
A HEPA filter being positioned contained in the Shark HP232 air air purifier.
As Airdog factors out in its product description, HEPA filters are usually not reusable.
“Customary HEPA filters (H13/H14) are outlined by their capability to take away no less than 99.97% of particles larger than or equal to 0.3 µm and are probably the most established and broadly really useful expertise for eradicating airborne viruses and superb particles,” says Goldberg.
Why your air air purifier ought to admire the finer particles in life
In our CNET Labs testing, 5 completely different particle sizes had been accounted for: 0.3 µm, 0.5 µm, 1.0 µm, 2.5 µm, 5.0 µm and 10.0 µm. The time it took for 12 completely different air air purifier fashions to take away 90% of those particles (represented as T90) launched by a smoke bomb made of fifty% potassium nitrate, 40% sugar and 10% baking soda in a 96-cubic-foot chamber was measured with a particle counter at each excessive and low fan speeds for every particle measurement.
Explaining why T90 was the benchmark, Chumbe, “T90 is extra helpful than T100 [100% of particles] as a result of the previous couple of p.c of particle elimination is sluggish, noisy and infrequently dominated by measurement limits, making T90 a extra dependable and sensible metric for evaluating air air purifier particle filtration efficiency.”
A median time was additionally calculated for all particles, superb particles measuring 2.5 μm and beneath and coarse particles measuring 10 μm and beneath.
When requested which measurement is most helpful for chilly and flu season, Rubin factors to the T90 for superb particles (2.5 μm and under). He provides that the 0.3 μm and 0.5 μm efficiency is very related as a result of these two sizes signify probably the most penetrating particle sizes (MPPS) for HEPA filtration.
Different air air purifier elements that do not deserve a chilly shoulder
Along with efficiency, there are further air air purifier options to think about.
Measurement
On each excessive and low fan settings, the highest performers had been large- and medium-sized air purifiers. Based on Rubin, that is supported as a result of bigger fashions usually have bigger HEPA filters with a larger floor space for capturing particles. In addition they have stronger followers and better clear air supply charges (also referred to as CADR).
“Even on low, [larger units] can transfer sufficient air to maintain particle ranges low, which is what your testing displays,” Rubin states.
Placement
After you have your air air purifier, guarantee it is in the precise location for optimum efficiency. This ought to be in a room the place your family spends probably the most time, just like the bed room or front room. Or, if somebody is sick, place it the place that individual spends most of their time.
“In a bed room, place it close to the mattress however not blowing instantly in your face,” Rubin recommends.
For optimum airflow, place the air air purifier 3 to six toes away from partitions, avoiding corners and areas behind furnishings. Goldberg advises in opposition to inserting the air air purifier close to open home windows or doorways, as this will trigger it to short-circuit and cut back its effectiveness.
Air high quality indicators
Air high quality indicator lights or computerized modes will be helpful for individuals who do not need to manually alter their air air purifier’s settings, however Rubin explains they don’t seem to be efficient for stopping sickness.
The air high quality indicator lights and percentages on the Shark HP232 air air purifier.
“These sensors are excellent at detecting bigger particles like mud, cooking smoke or candle soot, so the air purifier can mechanically ramp up when the indoor air turns into visibly or measurably dirtier,” Rubin explains. “Nonetheless, these sensors usually can’t detect the smallest respiratory aerosols that carry viruses, so the air purifier might keep on a low setting even when somebody within the room is respiration out infectious particles.”
When somebody within the house is sick, it is extra essential to run the air air purifier at medium or excessive velocity, no matter what the gadget’s indicator might present. Dasgupta provides that in chilly and flu season, steady operation supplies extra dependable safety than counting on air high quality sensors.
Our last suggestions
Primarily based on our testing and well being specialists’ evaluation, we suggest the Shark HP232 for successfully eradicating superb particles repeatedly at low velocity to forestall sickness in the course of the chilly and flu season. For reaching related outcomes at excessive velocity, significantly once you’re sick, we suggest the Coway Airmega 400S.
“Do not underestimate steady use,” concludes Rubin. “Even a mean air purifier will be very efficient if it runs 24/7.”
The following time you are making an attempt to stave off illness, do not simply inventory your medication cupboard — make sure that your air air purifier is working to decontaminate the air you breathe. That method, we are able to all take a deep, cleaning breath.
