The Essential Guide to Air Purifiers (2025): Top Picks from WIRED's Lab Tests

12 hours ago7 min read3 comments

Indoor air quality is a pressing concern, with threats ranging from wildfire smoke and pollen to household VOCs and pet dander. To help you navigate this complex landscape, WIRED has conducted extensive testing on 16 top-rated air purifiers from brands like Coway, AirDoctor, and IQAir.Our findings provide a clear, actionable guide to choosing the right machine for your needs. The cornerstone of most purifiers is the HEPA filter, a technology capable of trapping microscopic particles.Premium models, such as those from IQAir, use hyper-HEPA filtration to capture contaminants as small as 0. 003 microns, including harmful volatile organic compounds.When selecting a unit, the key metric to consider is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which measures how quickly a purifier can clean the air in a given space. A high smoke CADR is vital for those in wildfire-prone areas, while a strong pollen CADR is essential for allergy sufferers.For households with pets or health concerns, a medical-grade filter from a brand like AirDoctor offers superior protection. Meanwhile, the quiet operation of a Coway model ensures effective, around-the-clock purification without disrupting your sleep or daily life. Ultimately, investing in a high-quality air purifier is a direct and effective step toward safeguarding your health and creating a cleaner, safer home environment.

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#air purifiers

#home appliances

#product reviews

#consumer technology

#health and wellness

#indoor air quality

#WIRED testing

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