I'm allergic to dust mites as well as ragweed. I had mine off yesterday and noticed I was sneezing quite a bit while I was cleaning. I also developed sensitivities to other things since COVID-19. For wildfire smoke and dust, I would say it's best to have a large air purifier where you spend most of your time. I think what I use is a HPA5250BC, it's not the most expensive one you could get, but it works great for me. If you're not concerned about the sound (I actually enjoy the sound of air purifiers), leaving it on max all the time is probably the best thing for you. You may need a few around your dwelling. We have a few of their smaller models around the house and MERV11 filters in the HVAC systems, but I always could tell that I feel best in my room since the other stuff isn't always on.
They're not the quietest* of all available options nor the cheapest but every one of my Honeywell devices has worked very well with daily use for 5+ years. I bought them on sale, watch for filter sales online (I buy the Honeywell brand as I haven't found good testing data for knock offs) and I have no regrets. Models I use: Honeywell Insight in Medium-Large (x2) and Large-Extra Large (x1).
* They do run quietly on lower settings but I generally use the higher two settings.
Mine is a Honeywell. Because I know I'll be able to continue to get filters (even if I do buy off brand ones, bc theirs are SO expensive). Standard filters is the way. The A+ prefilter is better than the standard softer A style, but both are good at catching cat hair (I vacuum it off regularly)
Honeywell makes standard styles/sizes (mine uses two R filters) and other companies use the same system so it's easy. You can also search by model number (ex hpa 200)
These are what I bought last time: https://ebay.io/m/JRqZjg
Honeywell. Their HEPA air purifiers routinely test out as the most effective and they make units made for spaces that large (I have one, it's such a relief during wildfire season). They aren't the quietist or the prettiest, but they don't need to be because they work.
If you'll allow me on my soap box just a sec, please don't spend your money on popular "technologies" like ozone, static electricity, magnetized, etc. They don't work. What works is certified HEPA filters, H13 or H14.
For reasonable VOC removal there are only 4 players I know in the market which offer products which have the minimum 10 pounds of sorbent media: Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir.
Wildfires product a huge mix of chemicals - from the vegetation, contents of burned buildings, etc. There is no consumer solution that removes all VOCs. Each type of media is better at some chemicals, not so good or not effective at all with others. For the same reason there is no sensor that I know that will give you the level of all VOCs.
These machines and filters tend to be expensive. I just upgraded my Austin units with Immunity Machine filters which cost \~$700 each. We were spared wildfire smoke this season but with AQI numbers breaking 100 I was able to keep my indoor values close to 0.
I use Austin and IQAir VOC machines along with Honeywell and Whirlpool HEPA units, 3 filters per room.
Top Air Purifiers on Reddit
1
Coway
Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
87% positive of 128 users
Durable, effective for allergens/odors, but loud on high.
Throwaway1276876327
