AllerAir - AirMedic Pro 6 Ultra Air Purifier

Thank you for this. I have been very impressed with allerair as well. They took my spec sheet from my recent window installs and figured out what we were dealing with. Super impressed. Will likely go this route. Thanks for sharing!!

[Iqair](https://www.iqair.com/us/products/air-purifiers/gc-multigas) (ships from California) or [allerair](https://allerair.com/products/airmedic-pro-6-ultra?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=7f8d24bda&pr_rec_pid=8225197699&pr_ref_pid=8225328195&pr_seq=uniform&variant=42969115470) (ships from Canada). They have hepa filters and pounds of activated carbon to filter out VOC’s. However, the iqair purifer is much quieter. I recommend getting a [Temtop](https://a.co/d/e6atbsG) air quality monitor to measure particulate matter and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC’s), to ensure the purifier actually works and when to take extra precautions of the air inside/ outside is really bad. I tried both due to the LA wildfires when the smoke was really bad and even now as I live near the fire zone and there are concerns of bad air quality as the cleanup is expected to last 1-2 years. My favorite is the iqair one since it’s quieter and looks nicer, but it has less activated carbon. However, the Temtop monitor doesn’t show any issue filtering out VOC’s. I do live in an 1bedroom apartment however. The allerair is good too, it’s just too loud and the customer service is not as good. For your house , you have to get 1-3 of either of them.

The first recommendation for new builds is **exhaust ventilation**. This is way cheaper than multiple sorbent media purifiers. You can do this by opening windows, building DIY Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), or installing ERVs or Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) as part of your HVAC system. ERVs or HRVs trade indoor air for "fresh" (oxygenated) outdoor air. This can reduce VOC and CO₂ levels. But the *non-DIY* versions may not be enough to counteract high levels of VOCs. Another problem is the exact mix of VOCs. The issue is that plain/untreated sorbent media do *not* have high removal efficiencies for all gaseous "species". You would need to modify something like plain activated carbon increase removal of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetylene, ethylene, for example. See [American Hakko Products, Inc.'s Activated Carbon Capacity Index](https://kb.hakkousa.com/Uploads/Attachments/584400cf-c9f4-4201-99bf-33c4.pdf). If you wanted a more exact answer, you could hire an environmental consulting group to do gas testing. A cheaper option is a home test kit you send away for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. If you only use plain/untreated sorbent media in purifiers, you may still have high levels of other VOCs. There's also the issue of competitive adsorption as the sorbent media begins to saturate. Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) is an impregnating compound for activated carbon and activated alumina. It's a strong oxidizer that breaks down gases and often used to increase formaldehyde removal. But in highly complex air chemistries, it can produce new compounds. And KMnO₄ itself can off gas as it saturates or becomes spent. As far as actual purifiers are concerned, I would tend to suggest **AllerAir** over Austin Air and the IQAir HealthPro Plus. **Airpura** is another worthy alternative, although their units tend to be more expensive. Austin Air has about 15 lbs. of sorbent media for several models, but also particulates filtration. The [HealthPro Plus](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0065/4780/0182/files/Tech-Specs_HPP-NE_120V_120924.pdf) only uses 5 lbs. of activated carbon pellets and KMnO₄ impregnated activated alumina spheres. This could saturate very quickly in a high VOCs environment. Certain [IQAir GC](https://cms.iqair.com/sites/default/files/documents/Tech-Specs_GC-NE_120V_130723.pdf) or GCX models have more sorbent media (especially the [GCX series](https://cms.iqair.com/sites/default/files/documents/Tech-Specs_GCX-NE_120V_130723_0.pdf)). AllerAir does offer some lower weight models. The [AllerAir AirMedic Pro 5 Plus (VOCARB option for VOCs)](https://allerair.com/products/airmedic-pro-5-plus-exec?variant=42969221454) has about 18 lbs. of carbon for $637.98. The model with the most carbon is the [AllerAir AirMedic Pro 6 Ultra Air Purifier (VOCARB for VOCs)](https://allerair.com/products/airmedic-pro-6-ultra?variant=42969115470) with 32-34 lbs. carbon at $1,019.98. **Important:** Exec and VOCARB blends are *plain/untreated carbon*. AllerAir does offer over 40 blends of carbon. You must contact them first to do this. But obviously you'd need to know the VOCs in your airspace first.

Most common air purifier brands do not have enough nor the right type of sorbent media for gases, vapors, or odors. Sorbent media in air purification = activated carbon, activated alumina, or synthetic zeolites. Heavyweight sorbent media purifiers are very expensive, very loud, and clean the air more slowly than particulates-focused units. This is due to the need for ["dwell time"/"residence time"](https://www.airscience.com/carbon-filters) and the thick media beds. The two major heavyweight brands in the USA & Canada are **Airpura** or **AllerAir**. You want to look for models with 15 lbs.+ carbon canisters. Most standard options for these purifiers are plain/chemically untreated sorbents, which do *not* have high removal capacities for all gaseous "species". This sometimes presents problems where an odor emanates from the sorbent bed (possibly the not-well-adsorbed acetaldehyde) or there's a spike on tVOC monitors despite a reduction in odors. Assuming you don't live near a refinery or have really bad air chemistry otherwise (e.g., from fires), you may want to look into potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) impregnated activated carbon from Airpura or AllerAir. You'd have to contact the respective company first to specify this. KMnO₄ works in part via redox (reduction oxidation) reactions by breaking down certain gases. This can be problematic in unknown and/or highly complex air chemistries where resulting gases may be problematic. It can also off gas as it saturates or loses efficacy.

The [AllerAir AirMed Pro 6 Ultra](https://allerair.com/products/airmedic-pro-6-ultra) has even more (either the Exec Carbon 31-33 lbs. filter or VOCARB Carbon 32-34 lbs. filter). However, I believe both carbon choices above are plain/untreated activated carbons. Some gaseous species are not well-adsorbed by plain or untreated sorbent media in general. This can lead to some VOCs/gases being adsorbed while others are not. Sometimes this creates a "sweet" odor (possibly acetaldehyde) alongside a spike in tVOC levels. There may be issues with competitive adsorption as well. AllerAir does offer over 40 customized blends of carbon, but that's contingent on knowing the air chemistry. Might be worth talking to them about chemicals in air fresheners and fragrances. And lastly... because of the large carbon canisters, the particulates filtration capacity is greatly reduced.

First and foremost, I'm so sorry about your rabbit. That's really awful... I'm not sure I'd keep using the Molekule purifiers. The [brand was subject to a class action suit](https://www.classaction.org/media/sobel-v-molekule-inc.pdf) and ended up settling. There was a [separate suit brought by California Air Resources Board (CARB)](https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/molekule_incorporated_sa.pdf), as Molekule sold its Home One indoor air cleaner before being certified for low ozone emissions. Their purifiers perform poorly for particulates. And depending on the exact catalyst used in PECO, you *could* be creating unintended byproducts. For gases or fumes, you would need sorbent media. I have no idea how well plain/untreated sorbent media (e.g., activated carbon, activated alumina, or synthetic zeolites) adsorb sulfuryl fluoride or chloropicrin. I would strongly recommend seeking out an environmental consultant that performs gas testing and possibly a chemist versed in sorbent materials. Failing that, you may want to post on r/AskChemistry. The issue with plain sorbent media is that some gases aren't adsorbed well, which can cause odors to emanate from the purifier. You may also have issues with competitive adsorption, where weakly adsorbed gaseous molecules may be displaced by more strongly adsorbed ones. This tends to happen as a sorbent medium becomes saturated. There are modified sorbent media like potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) impregnated carbon or alumina to help increase removal efficiencies of certain gases. But KMnO₄ is a strong oxidizer, breaking down certain compounds via redox reactions. In addition to other gases in your airspace, I don't know if breaking down Vikane could result in problematic or toxic compounds being formed. **We would generally recommend ventilation (fresh air and/or exhaust) first, as this is cheapest and easiest solution.** But the best choice of air purifier is likely **AllerAir**, as they offer over 40 customized blends of carbon / sorbent media. I'd stick with the AllerAir [AirMedic Pro 5 series](https://allerair.com/collections/pro-5-series) or [AirMedic Pro 6 series](https://allerair.com/collections/pro-6-series). Different models (HD, Plus, Ultra) have varying amounts of carbon. Be sure to read the specifications for each. Generally you'd need one purifier per walled-off room if possible. Unfortunately most commercially available sorbent media purifiers are loud - very difficult to get around that. **Important**❗: to specify a custom carbon/sorbent media blend, you must contact AllerAir first to place your order. Sorry I can't be more specific on the chemistry side. Good luck!

I would call the Air Purifier Store, they were very knowledgeable and helpful. If you need a large carbon filter for smoke look at alleraire or airpura or Austin. They have models specifically for smoke with large carbon filters, like 25 to 40 pounds of carbon. I have been happy with my 2 alleraires. They will be more than 300 dollars but may be worth it if they work. I’d definitely call and see what they recommend as when I purchased I had decided on a particular model. When I talked to them they explained what was best for my needs, which was cheaper than what I thought I needed.

I have a couple allerair I have been happy with. They have some of the largest carbon filters, work great for smoke and pet odors. I have one in a bedroom with a cat box. If the cat uses it at night the smell is gone in minutes. Allerair, airpura, Austin air are similar units. Metal cabinet, a switch, a fan and a filter. Very little to go wrong.

Check out Allerair they have models with large carbon filters specifically for wild fire smoke. I believe they are also made in Canada. Airpura is another similar one not cheap but I’m happy with the ones I have. I’m in Wisconsin and we have gotten a lot of smoke this year and don’t smell anything inside.

You might try calling The Air Purifier Store, they are very helpful. I bought a couple Alleraire purifiers from them. They make models especially for smoke. Not exactly cheap, they have some of the largest charcoal canisters.

I feel for you, OP. I am an allergic-to-everything person to the point that I've needed to move homes to get away from paint, varnished wood, carpet, etc. The biggest trigger for me, though, and maybe for you is any centralized heating and cooling system. The systems' filters don't matter - the room's unfiltered air is also being blown in your face. I haven't found a purifier that can offset this problem. I don't use ACs and all my heat is water-based or electric. I experimented with Dyson - if it's the model that provides heating or cooling, there is a chemical in the device that can cause reactions. You can also be sensitive to the material in any carbon filter, like coal. The imperfect journey continues, but I ended up getting a custom purifer from Aller Air and I use it in the same room as a Coway HEPA. One for gas and chemicals, one for particulates. It still doesn't save me completely from my dusty old building, but I can now be confident that it's the only issue. Good luck!

Most home-grade pufifiers are geared towards removing particulates. Such purifiers don't remove odors unless they are specialized units with large carbon canisters. The ones you are considering will move the odors around, and this may help dissipate it (just as any fan would), but they do not contain nearly enough carbon to remove odors. While these products claim to remove odors, these claims are, at best, *heavily* inflated. An example of a unit that will remove odors (and volatile organic compounds, in general) is the AllerAir AirMedic 6 with a 40lb carbon canister filter. This is a large, expensive, loud unit, that uses a lot of electricity, as is the case with all purifiers that can effectively remove odors (as they have to move air through a deep carbon bed, which requires a powerful motor to do so).

Mine is out of reach for most people, but im about to have 3u3 in the middle of wildfire season, so i had to invest in what actually works on the smoke. Allerair Airmedic Pro 6. They are *very* expensive. But wildfire smoke requires at minimum 20lbs of carbon. Mine has 34lbs. For a normal, everyday animal hair/allergens model, Oransi Airmend is great.

AllerAir. They come at a variety of sizes and price points but all have the same basic design. Even their smaller model does a good job. They can be pricey and it's an investment. They do not make pretty, electronic units with digital readouts or app connections. This is a metal housing (painted white) with a very large, heavy filter inside, and a motor with a mechanical fully adjustable rotating speed dial. I've had good luck with longevity of the filters and I am still on my original filter after a few years. The large, heavy filters take care of some toxic gases as well as your typical everyday allergens, dust, and pollutants. It's a different breed of filter than you get from Winix and Coway and the others who make units with HEPA filters. Their major competitor is Austin Air. The disadvantage of Austin Air is their motor only has three speeds and the medium and high speeds are loud. I had terrible luck with Austin Air filters not lasting long.

For best VOC removal, such as mycotoxins, you need a lot of absorbent media. Checkout Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir. All are in the $1k range. I'm unsure whether any filter will eliminate mold sensitivities. Did see an improvement when upgraded my Austins with Immunity Machine filters but molds still aren't totally controlled. There are clinics which can treat mycotoxin sensitivities. Can be quite expensive.

Allerair is excellent as well and cheaper than many if not all of the others with as good or equal in build and performance.