You will probably need multiple air purifiers across this 1,000 sq. ft. space. Because you have 9 ft. ceilings, your "adjusted" coverage rating is 1,125 sq. ft. 1,125 sq. ft. needs *minimum* Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs) of 750 CFM. Higher CADRs are probably necessary for high pollen counts, dog dander, or elevated particulate matter in general.
Austin Air actually doesn't have high "delivered" air flows (and they do not measure particulate CADRs). They have high amounts of sorbent media like activated carbon for gases/vapors/odors/VOCs.
Medify Air does have very high performing models in the [MA-112](https://medifyair.com/products/ma-112?variant=31240021180483) and [MA-112 PRO](https://medifyair.com/products/ma-112-pro-air-purifier-white?variant=42313765486659). But unfortunately they tend to be rather loud.
IQAir is well built with deep filters in the HealthPro series and [Cleanroom H13](https://www.iqair.com/us/products/air-purifiers/cleanroom-h13) purifiers, but they tend to be loud and you'd be spending a lot of money for the coverage needed.
Coway is a high quality brand. The [Coway Aimega ProX in White](https://cowaymega.com/products/airmega-prox?variant=45657065718014) is on deep discount right now. You'd need two of them. It's very quiet given the CADRs and has locking wheels. Warranty is 5 years.
Otherwise, the budget-friendly solution would be multiple large Corsi-Rosenthal boxes with [MERV](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating) 13/14 furnace filters and PC fans. A guide: [https://itsairborne.com/pc-fan-corsi-rosenthal-guide-a611dabf7e0c](https://itsairborne.com/pc-fan-corsi-rosenthal-guide-a611dabf7e0c)
There's also the [AirFanta 3Pro](https://air-fanta.com/products/airfanta-3pro), which uses Efficient Particulate Air (EPA) E11 filters. Top composite CADR is 413 CFM. NB: there have been some issues with the power supply/voltage regulator, which are being replaced under warranty AFAIK by AirFanta's owner, Adam Wong.
Keep in mind the CADRs listed for purifiers apply to the highest airflow speed/settings only. Lower settings have lower CADRs which reduces cleaning effectiveness.
The best air purifier I’ve owned and researched was an IQAir. It was enormous. Bulky. An eye sore. But it performed amazingly.
My allergist in Los Angeles - had a Rabbit Air in his office. I bought one of those also. They’re both beasts of purifiers. Nothing else on the market can compare to them that I’m aware of.
The Rabbit Air is much sleeker / smaller / can be hung on the wall like art. But the IQAir outperforms it by quite a bit. Your trade off is the bulk eye sore for the sleek on wall…and the filters for the IQAir will set you back 200+ where the Rabbit Air is 100 for the set.
If you want the best, get the IQAir. Most purifiers sold in stores are junk - this is what I was told by my allergist. I’m sure there are other units that are as good, I’m just not aware of them.
There's a lot of misinformation out there about air purifiers, what they can/can't do, when you should use them, which ones actually work for certain particulates or VOCs, etc. It depends on what you need it for. If you care about filtering VOCs mainly then there are very few purifiers on the market that will actually do that effectively (you need massive carbon blocks which most don't have - most have carbon filters but not enough to filter VOCs effectively). If you're concerned with the smallest particulates you need multistage stage filtration typically. Many factors go into it. I find myself most frequently recommending Coway and IQAir (as you mentioned) but general use in the home and Austin Air when it comes to VOC removal/reduction.
I run 3 filters, Austin and IQAIR, in each of 2 spaces - one 300 square feet the other 600 square feet. If the air is poor outside my Purple Air sensors will still show green.
However there are so many chemicals in wildfire smoke, particularly if structures have burned, that they don't get everything. I am sensitive to terpenes and right now they don't help with the Camphor tree flowers.
So they can greatly improve air quality but don't expect all VOCs to be removed from the air.
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.
The 4 vendors with the best VOC filters are Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir.
Absorbent media composition and weight vary by manufacturer. IQAir has models that go up to 32 pounds of media, at least according to google search.
Note that no VOC filter will remove all VOCs. They do well with some chemicals, partially control some, and totally ignore others.
I use IQAirs and Austin Immunity Machines, multiple units per room unless you want to put up with the noise running the fans on high speed.
Had a room repainted and requested a low VOC paint. Was pleasantly surprised that I had no problems with the paint even though I am extremely chemically sensitive. It is possible that the renovations don't cause a VOC problem at all, or maybe just for a few days.
My Austin, IQAir, Honeywell and Whirlpool filters all work with smart plugs.
When you purchase make sure you can return if it doesn't work as features change over time.
Those units have very small carbon filters. They either will be ineffective or won't last that long.
A good VOC filter has 10 or more pounds of absorbent media and run in the $1K range. Checkout Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir.
Just be aware that the VOCs will only be reduced in the bubble of clear air around the filter. If you have a very large room multiple filters may be required.
Austins are in the same price range as all of the good VOC filters with 10 or more pounds of activated absorbent media. All are in the $1K range.
Filters with less media, such as a Winix, will either be less effective or require more frequent filter changes.
Being chemically sensitive I use multiple Austin and IQAir units.
Iqair bar none. Simply the best money can buy. Anything less is honestly wasting your money because your filter will be clogged up in a few weeks and you will have nothing being purified. Seriously, I've tested these things extensively with a laser particle scanner. The cost in filter replacements (contrary to mfg saying replace every xx) drives your total cost of ownership through the roof. The mfg suggest on every major brand allows for a 85% reduction on average in performance because it is still "making a difference". I've tested my iqair machines and after 5 years with no replacements (just cleaning out the pre-filter with my air compressor every few years) is still operating at over 90%. They under promise and over deliver. /end my rant I live with severe allergies that can cause pneumonia so it's a big deal for me. I haven't had it in 10 years because of IQAir. Prior to that it was 2-3 times a year.
IQAir is really the best air purifier, it's about the filter quality and how long the efficacy lasts. Most air filters on the market to very well for about 2 months and then drop to 3-15% efficacy (from 100%). The IQAir is the only one on the market that I've seen stay consistently over 90% for YEARS.
sissasassafrastic
