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IQ Air vs Blueair

Thursday, November 7th

2024 Air Purifier Reviews

IQ Air Review 3.5 Star Rating

IQ Air

3.5 Star Rating
  • Pricing: $399 to $10,000+
  • Coverage: 70 square feet to entire building
  • HyperHEPA technology filters viruses and bacteria
  • Options for personal, room, car, and whole-house use
  • Specialized dental office and medical-grade purifiers
  • Chemical and gas filtration models
  • Silent, energy-efficient whole-house system
  • Long-lasting filters (up to 4 years)
  • Extendable warranty (up to 10 years)

IQAir offers you high-end air purifiers with HyperHEPA technology that can filter out even the tiniest particles, including viruses and bacteria. While their products are quite expensive, they provide the best air filtration money can buy, for personal use to whole-house systems. Your warranty can allegedly be extended up to 10 years, but it requires extra steps and ongoing filter purchases, and some customers have not had their warranties honored. Overall, IQAir seems to be best suited for commercial spaces (and commercial budgets).

Blueair Review 2.5 Star Rating

Blueair

2.5 Star Rating
  • Pricing: $59.49 - $829.99
  • Coverage: 90 to 1524 square feet
  • High-performance, low-noise Scandinavian design
  • Smart features: WiFi, auto-adjustment
  • Filter subscription: 15% off, free shipping over $39
  • 60-day return policy
  • Extendable warranty up to 5 years

Blueair is a Swedish company that sells air purifiers for all sizes of rooms (90 to 1,500+ square feet) with prices ranging from $60 to $830. Their products have features like WiFi control and air quality sensors. However, there are concerns about the company. Blueair is owned by Unilever, which has a poor environmental record. The Better Business Bureau revoked Blueair's accreditation in February 2024 due to customer service issues. Customers have reported problems with connecting to WiFi, finding replacement filters due to discontinuation, and getting help from customer service. While Blueair's air purifiers work well when functioning, the company's issues make it risky to buy their products.

Which Air Purifier is the Best?

Imagine coming home after a long day, only to be greeted by a stuffy atmosphere and a musty smell in your living room. You open the windows, but the outdoor air carries in pollen that makes you sneeze. Sound familiar? An air purifier might be just what you need.

These devices can help remove pollutants, allergens, and odors from the air to make your space cleaner and more comfortable. While not a substitute for other preventive measures, air purifiers with HEPA filters may also help reduce the risk of airborne transmission of viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, by removing particles from the air.

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Air Purifier FAQ

Air purifiers are machines that clean the air in a room or in an entire home or office. They remove pollutants like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites from the air you breathe. Given that the EPA says that the level of indoor pollutants can be as much as five times higher than outdoors, it's obvious why so many people use an air purifier to breathe easy!
An air purifier draws in the air from the environment, passes it through a filter that catches pollutants and/or odors (depending on the filtration type you choose), and pushes out clean air into the room. Some purifiers are portable, while others are installed with your HVAC system to clean the air in your whole house.
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air; these filters remove 99.97% of any particles that are 0.3 microns or larger, making them the best choice if you're trying to remove dust mite residue, pollen and pet dander particles from your air. Carbon filters target chemicals and odors, like cigarette smoke, kitchen smells, pet odor, and so on.
They can be - but they don't have to be. You can find small single-room air purifiers for under $60, but most fall in the $200-$700 range. Whole-house air purification systems are going to be the most costly, usually from $1,000 to $5,000+ (which includes professional installation). And, don't forget to factor in the cost of filters, which will need to be replaced periodically depending on the manufacturer's recommendations.
Check the instructions on your machine. Yours may have filters that can be cleaned and reused, or they may have to be replaced every time. Expect your air purifier to have anywhere from 2-6 filters that need to be changed every 6-12 months - but again, be sure to read the specs on your particular air purifier and follow the recommended maintenance schedule.
Most manufacturers recommend running your air purifier continuously. If yours comes with multiple speeds, you can set it to a lower speed while you're away to save energy and then turn it up when you return.
That depends on the machine you choose. If you buy a portable one designed to cover a single room, it will typically cover up to 700 sq.ft. Read the specs carefully to determine if the air purifier you're considering will be effective in the space where you intend to use it. For larger-scale air purification, a whole-house model might be a better investment.
Not necessarily. Most machines will be louder when you first turn them on, to get a good start on cleaning the air in the room you're in. But, once the pollutants have largely been removed, the fan speed usually slows down automatically for quieter operation. They're typically not much louder than a portable fan.
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Continued from above...

Many people can benefit from using an air purifier. If you have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can help reduce symptoms by removing irritants like pollen, dust, and pet dander from the air. If you live in an area with high pollution levels or wildfires, an air purifier can help filter out harmful particles. Even if you don't have specific health concerns, an air purifier can help improve overall air quality and eliminate unpleasant odors.

There are several types of air purifiers available, each using different technologies to clean the air. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the most common. They can remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes dust, pollen, and some bacteria.

Activated carbon filters are great for removing odors and gasses. They work well for getting rid of cooking smells, smoke, and chemical fumes.

UV-C light purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. They're often combined with other types of filters for more thorough air cleaning.

Ionizers release negatively charged ions that attach to airborne particles, making them too heavy to stay in the air. However, ionizers can produce ozone, which can be harmful to your health.

When shopping for an air purifier online, consider the following factors:

  • Room size. Make sure the purifier is rated for the size of the room where you'll use it. Each air purifier is designed to clean a specific amount of air, usually measured in square feet. Choosing one that's too small for your space won't effectively clean the air.
  • Filter replacement cost. Look into how often filters need to be replaced and how much they cost. Some purifiers have filters that need to be replaced every few months, while others can last up to a year. Factor in these ongoing costs when making your decision.
  • Noise level. Consider how loud the purifier is, especially if you'll use it in a bedroom. Air purifiers can range from nearly silent to quite noisy. If you're sensitive to sound, look for models with lower decibel ratings or those with "sleep" or "quiet" modes.
  • Energy efficiency. Check the energy consumption to avoid high electricity bills. Look for Energy Star certified models, which use less energy than standard air purifiers without sacrificing performance.
  • Additional features. Decide if you want extras like air quality sensors, remote controls, or smart capabilities. These features can make your air purifier more convenient to use but may also increase the price. Consider which ones are truly important to you.

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best air purifiers available. We hope this review helps you find the best air purifier for your needs. With the right air purifier, you can breathe easier and enjoy cleaner, fresher air in your home, office, or even car.

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