However, if someone is wise enough to do a bit of homework before buying the purifier, he could actually have avoided a whole lot of problems. Following are five easy steps that will help you to take a considered decision.

I) HEPA purifiers are the safest bet:

Although there are different air purifiers also available in the market like the electronic, electrostatic, UV, ozonisers, etc. none is as effective as HEPA. The best thing about HEPA is that it is effective against almost all sorts of pollutants in the air. The others have limited capabilities like the UV ones which are only functional against microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

II) Go for more capacity than you require

If you have a room of 180 sq. ft. then you can actually settle for a 300 sq. ft. capacity purifier. This will not only ensure better cleansing of the room, but will also mean that the sound from the motor of the HEPA purifier will be less as you would be able to use it at medium or low speed.

III) Think of it as a one time investment

Let us get things clear. We are not buying a new air purifier every year. So it would make sense that we buy something that remains in proper condition for at least a few years. Buying any purifier would mean a significant investment. So we shouldn't be settling for something inferior just to save a few hundred dollars.

Also air purifiers require replacing the filters. This should be done promptly to get the best out of your purifier.

IV) Don't forget your needs

If you can do with a basic HEPA purifier you need not invest on more sophisticated versions. But if someone in your family has a serious respiratory ailment you may consider buying those purifiers which come with in-built gas absorbers and also UV light to tackle the threat posed by bacteria and viruses.

V) Consider the special features:

If you get a purifier with filter replacement indicator, then go for it. Such add-ons always help.

The kind of use the room is put in to dictates what kind of filter you would be needing. If someone smokes in your family then you would be needing one of those air purifiers with activated carbon filter which will be able to absorb the cigarette smoke. Similarly if you have a pet then the pet dander will be tackled better by a HEPA filter than an ionizer.