UPPÅTVIND

Not much. Easiest explanation is this. So HEPA filters are tighter. Which ofc means that it catches more particles in one go, but EPA12 filters, because they are looser than HEPA, can pass more air through its filters. So for the same given power output, you are cleaning more air - and in each pass, EPA can also catch almost the same stuff that HEPA catches, but at lesser amounts (but it gets more passes of air for the same power output). There's quite a lot of discussion between HEPA and non-HEPA filters in this sub itself if you are interested in a more thorough reading, but the essense is, unless you are building a hospital style clean room, HEPA is probably overkill anyways. I own multiple units of the Uppatvind that I keep in multiple small rooms. They work great for small rooms, bringing the AQI way down. I also have one Starkvind for my living room since its bigger and it does the job. I don't have the table version though but its essentially the same thing - so if you want an airpurifier but anyways also want like a side table, then its a good idea. So if you are buying an Ikea air purifier, I'd either recommend the small uppatvind or the big starkvind and I'd recommend staying away from their mid size variant fornuftig. That one is in my opinion way too loud at the highest setting for what its worth.

Look up the IKEA UPPÅTVIND air purifier! I love it and it can sit a few different ways and looks so nice too.

If you want it cheap and still good the basic model from IKEA does its job for smaller rooms. UPPÅTVIND costs 30 Euro and the filter for it 5 euro. Much cheaper you can’t gets filters and it’s standard and works fine for PM2,5 for me.

I have nom smart purifiers from IKEA (FÖRNUFTIG and UPPÅTVIND) connected to a smart power outlet. Works pretty well and losing the power doesn't lose the selected speed.

You could get something like IKEA's Förnuftig air purifier + the carbon filter. The carbon filter is separate and relatively inexpensive, which is convenient if you want to replace it more frequently than the particulate filter. The particulate filter is "only" E12 (99.5% at 0.3µm), but that's okay since it continuously cycles through the same air. The smaller Uppåtvind air purifier (also E12) + the 3D-printed carbon cartridge is probably the most budget-friendly option.

My typical travel setup is two Ikea Uppatvinds. I tried Levoit Core Mini, but I think they underperform on CADR. Plus, the Uppatvinds are cheap, filter replacements are wonderfully cheap, the purifiers are way more durable than Levoit for being bashed around in travel, it takes 120 & 240V (which not all purifiers to), and they automatically turn back on after power outage (which levoits don't, and I've had experiences where I come back to a hotel room that had a short power blip and now need to run purifiers for a while to turn over, which is annoying). I use two uppatvinds so that I can position one in the sleeping area and one by the door/bathroom. Two uppatvinds can fit in a carry-on bag with a little space for some clothes to pad it out, which is really all I need for most trips. If I need more space, I will check a bag (or often take a flat-pack duffle to check on the way back if I'm bringing souvenirs). Ideally, I carry one in my backpack in case my carryon gets gate checked and then becomes lost or inaccessible during a missed connection. (I once had an unexpected layover after checking my purifiers, which lead to a frustrating night of needing to stay masked in an unexpected hotel room... so I prefer to avoid that if possible.) I leave the purifiers in the bag all flight and rely on my N95. It's a quantitative fit tested KN100 that I use. For me, it's simplest to just have one layer of protection that I trust. I use the mask for concerts, travel, work, presentations, whatever... best N95 quality and fit I can find, then just use that consistently and effectively. I do open the air vent above me to try to get filtered air towards my head. Alas, sometimes I have to deal with real long legs (e.g., have done LAX-SYD, AMS-TPE, ICN-DTW; routinely doing east coast to europe). I'll try to get a layover long enough to leave the airport to take a meal outside, rehydrate, etc where possible, but it's not always an option. If not, I'll do what I can to sneak under-mask meds, water, or bites when needed using the method. I try to make this lower risk when I can (e.g., if there are any noticeable symptoms around me on the plane, I get up and walk to the galley if I need to take meds; look for the most empty/massive area in the terminal; etc). I tend to just rely on the two air purifiers, but I try to do a quick estimation of how long it would take to change over the air, and then give it 2-4x that time if possible before unmasking. Usually I will check in, set up the purifiers, then head out to meetings or to explore the city to give it a few hours to turn over. When possible, I will also block return air leaving from my room (usually bathroom vent) to avoid sucking in air from the hallway. I'll eat outside on patios, take takeout to a park or bench, etc. I do not treat enclosed patios as patios... I'm looking for good air movement. Ideally, I try to eat on the up-wind side of the patio if possible, to go at quieter hours, etc. I think that hit all your questions, but let me know if I missed any or created more!

The IKEA filters seem to do the job for me. I similarly am allergic to spring. In early spring I now replace my furnace filter with a MERV 13 and setup and turn on the 2 FÖRNUFTIG in my 2 larger rooms and the smaller UPPÅTVIND in 3 bedrooms and my office. They are very reasonably priced and better the filters are cheap.

Ikea Uppatvind would work. It’s not very powerful, but it’s very good for travel. Someone posted here once about how they take two to every hotel room they go to.

My office is pretty small, about 8m² that's why I just use a small unit from IKEA (Uppatvind). It only has a particle filter but with the basic materials I couldn't really measure VOC emissions so I think that's fine. It's probably one of the cheapest filters on the market and it reduces the particle measurements I do to zero or almost zero after about half an hour. So if you have a small room this might be an option. Purifiers for bigger rooms or with VOC filters added usually are pretty pricey I think.

Im on a tight budget and im also canadian (lol) so things are a lil pricey over here. Coway 160 seems to be in my price range just need for my bedroom. Is that a good model? How does it compare to the big boys? Edit: i bought the ikea uptavind and not really happy with the results