Before you decide on which model or which manufacturer is the best, you will need to take a look at some air purifier comparisons first, lest you face the danger of becoming a victim of some fraud (a common danger in the air purifier market). However, before you start comparing the models, you will have to spend some time thinking about the answer to the following question:



“Why do I need a home air cleaner in the first place?”

The truth is painful and simple: even the best air purifier won't get rid your home of all contaminants. Before you start shopping for an exact model, you have to know what exactly you want to get rid of. Only then you will be able to make a wise choice of what is best for your home or work environment.

HEPA, carbon, UV or ion air purifier?

The number and variety of home air cleaners is breathtaking and sometimes it makes you feel inadequate about choosing between an ion air purifier, HEPA filter and UV light filtration system, even if you do your homework on air purifier technology. The starting place is to ask yourself what worries you most in the air inside your house, then choose the best filters to get rid of that particular problem. That will be much easier, much faster and much more effective than just buying whatever sounds good.

Here is a short list of the most common air problems, along with the best cures.

1. Cigarette smoke: Try activated carbon air purifiers. They do an excellent job with all kind of odors. However, since they need a fan to propel the air through the filter, they need some time before the smell will vanish completely. Also, remember to place them where the air in the room can circulate freely. Stuck away in a corner is not a good spot because unlike an ion air purifier, activated carbon filters need the pollutants to go right through them.

2. Allergens: An ion air purifier will be the best alternative if you suffer from chronic allergies. While HEPA filters also have some effect, as an ion air purifier doesn't rely on the fan, it has a wider effective range. Keep in mind though, that an ionizer doesn't kill germs but simply removes them from the air. Make certain you wear something on your face and hands when you clean the purifier's plates – they are crawling with nasties!

3. Dust: The most common of all air pollutants, dust mites are almost a universal problem. If you're tired of vacuuming your house every day, go for an ion air purifier or a HEPA filter. They are excellent when it comes to getting rid of dust mites. HEPA filters generally have better performance and require much less maintenance, but an ion air purifier is much less noisy and can be placed anywhere without losing too much of its cleaning abilities.

Clearly an air purifier comparison is more like a rifle than a shotgun. That is, you need to know precisely what you wish to accomplish before you have a hope of choosing wisely. Buying what a slick salesman suggests might make you feel better but it won't necessarily clean your air.