Cleanroom H13

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.

Running both IQAir and Austin Immunity Machines in my major rooms particulates run from 0 to under 10.

I have had my Austin, IQAir, Honeywell and Whirlpool machines for as much as \~20 years and have had no problems with filter replacements.

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.

Alen is excellent. So is IQair

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 if you can afford it… I’m sure there are even better in an industrial setting but for home iqair is goat.

I use mine mostly during wildfire season. Works better than any other units I tried in the past. Got mine directly from IQAir.