Have you ever wondered why, when we say, “Let’s take a breath of fresh air,” we always refer to outdoor environments? At home and in enclosed spaces, such as offices, substances that are harmful to our bodies can lurk, contributing to the development of respiratory tract diseases, including asthma and other allergies. But who lives in our house besides us? Bacteria, germs, mites, fungi, viruses, pollens, but also many bad smells.
One way to remedy this situation is certainly to clean the house thoroughly, but sometimes a simple vacuum cleaner is not enough to eliminate all these unwanted guests. A practical method to clean the air and make it healthier is the use of an air purifier, a small appliance with new designs that filters the air, eliminating both unpleasant odors and all harmful substances.
But does the purifier work? We see its effectiveness and the models to buy.
What is an air purifier, and how does it work?
Externally, an air purifier bears a strong resemblance to a portable air conditioner, typically placed in a home environment. Unlike the air conditioner, which cools the air through an efficient filtering system, the air purifier cleans the air in the house, making it more breathable and, consequently, reducing respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies.
Usually, before purchasing a purifier, several important factors must be taken into account: first, the size of the object itself, which in any domestic environment will need to be considered for its optimal location. Even if it is not a matter of large appliances, it is better to find a suitable place to put it, choosing, depending on the available space, between column air purifiers and those in the shape of a parallelepiped.
The second aspect to consider, and certainly more important than the dimension, is the quality and technology of the filters —the true beating heart of the purifiers, as it is precisely through them that the air is purified. It is always advisable to ensure that the filters are made of high-quality materials and are durable over time. Such as? Relying on known brands is already a good start.
Finally, here is a small reminder on the basic points to check and not to forget for the choice of a purifier:
- The level of consumption.
- The amount of air purified in a given period is calculated using the Cadr unit (Clean Air Delivery Rate).
- The size of the environment that can be purified.
- Noise, especially in the case of night use.
- Intelligent functions and sensors.
- The amount of air passing through the filter.
- The additional components that enhance the use of the purifier.
Filters: HEPA and activated carbon
The purifiers, to better combat domestic pollution, combine several filters of different types :
- Dust filter: The first line of defense against harmful particles for health, blocking bacteria in the air, germs brought by pets, molds, and fungi. The dust filter also helps the HEPA filter operate on the finest particles.
- HEPA filter: To eliminate all those particles, such as dust mites, pollen, and other agents that cause respiratory difficulties in allergic individuals, it is strictly necessary to check that the purifier is equipped with a HEPA filter. It manages to block particles of size 0.3 microns in diameter, which are most responsible for many respiratory discomforts.
- Activated carbon filter: These are natural filters that can block even bad smells such as cigarette smoke, animal odors, and kitchen odors.
Once the particles have been filtered, ions and ultraviolet rays can occur, killing and further eliminating all that is considered harmful in the air.
Smart Sensors
When choosing an air purifier, it is essential to consider the number and type of functions it offers. In our opinion, it is advisable to opt for purifiers equipped with intelligent sensors that enable you to control the level of air purification and cleaning.
Through these intelligent sensors, the purifier provides clear feedback on the air quality and the corresponding particle level: the red color indicates that the air is dense with harmful particles, triggering automatic purification. In contrast, if the feedback is green or blue, it means that the air is good and purified. In practice, a simple look at the purifier is enough to check the air quality in your home in real-time.
Useful, for example, for night use. Some sensors even calculate the level of different particles present in the air, allowing the air purifier to “stick” to the excess particles by implementing various filtering and power modalities.
What does it air purify?
Bacteria and Viruses
Bacteria and viruses are the main causes of respiratory diseases and not only, but also of simple fevers and colds. These are particles with a size of 2.5 microns, among the smallest in the air, and are difficult to remove with a simple vacuum cleaner, which typically only picks them up from the ground.
Pollen
The first cause of some forms of allergies and asthma can be sneezing, rhinitis, tearing, and even headaches and other pains. The dust and pollen are particles of approximately 10 microns in size that are blocked by the first filters of the purifier. On pollen, purifiers are very effective!
Pollution
Pollution refers to all airborne particles, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases released by sprays and deodorants, as well as nitrogen dioxide, a harmful gas released by combustion processes such as cigarette smoke and stove gas.
Smoke and Odors
The air purifiers, through the active carbons, also block the fumes and odors, both of the kitchen and of the food, and of the animals that still make the air unpleasant and unbreathable.
Philips Air Purifiers
Philips produces four models of purifiers. We have chosen two, which are the ones we like best, taking into account their functions, filters, and all the basic points we have described so far. Here you can find more information on Philips air purifiers.
The Philips Air Purifier 1000 series is recommended for small and medium-sized environments (up to 60 square meters). Thanks to the Vitashield IPS technology, air purification up to 270 cubic meters per hour is guaranteed. It is equipped with a NanoProtect filter that maintains a longer duration of air quality, as indicated by colored feedback that varies from blue to red, indicating the level of purity. Among the functions, we also mention the Night Sense Mode, which releases clean at night.
The Philips Air Purifier 2000i series is recommended for small and medium-sized environments (up to 60 square meters). Thanks to the Vitashield IPS technology, air purification up to 270 cubic meters per hour is guaranteed. It is equipped with a NanoProtect filter that maintains a longer duration of air quality, as indicated by colored feedback that varies from blue to red, indicating the level of purity. Among the functions, we also mention the Night Sense Mode, which releases clean at night.
Purifiers Dyson Pure Cool
Dyson produces three models of air purifiers, all part of the Pure Cool series, which differ in fan and fan heater modes, allowing for cooling or heating, or a combination of both. Beautiful and expensive, they are indeed the top reference for power and design.
The Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier is equipped with Air Multiplier technology, which makes the air diffuse evenly. It also features night mode with a display that has more attenuated light and noise reduction, as well as the Dyson Link2 app for monitoring air levels at any time and remote control of the purifier. It is also equipped with a remote control.
The Dyson Pure Cool Link Desk Air Purifier model differs from its predecessor only in terms of dimensions. It is not intended to be placed on the floor, but rather on a table or a raised surface. The functions are the same as those of the Dyson Pure Cool column, including remote control via the app, night mode, and Air Multiplier technology.
Economic air purifiers
The presence of numerous purifiers on Amazon, at prices significantly lower than those of the two known brands, stands out. Here you will find our selection of cheap air purifiers.
Intey is an air purifier suitable for small and medium-sized domestic environments. The filter can be removed for easier cleaning. You can adjust the fan speed and limit noise for night use in this way. It is equipped with a light-blue light that does not disturb sleep and a display to manage the various functions.
Aicok is equipped with HEPA filters, like all previous models, and a silent function for night use. The intensity of the light and the fan speed can also be adjusted for more or less thorough cleaning. It is a model recommended for medium-sized rooms that do not exceed 45 square meters.
