Monday, December 2nd
2024 Air Purifier Reviews
IQ Air
- 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 is a Swiss company that makes air purifiers. They are known for their HyperHEPA technology, which can filter out very tiny particles, including viruses and bacteria. The company sells its products mainly in Asia and North America, and takes pride in the quality and performance of their air purifiers. Their air purifiers are all quite expensive compared to the others in our review, and some product lines seem to be intended for businesses rather than individuals.
Portable air purification
The Atem series offers you smart, HyperHEPA air purifiers for different spaces in your life. You'll find options for large rooms up to 1,540 square feet (Atem X), personal space (Atem Desk), and even your car (Atem Car). The Atem X has sensor-based operation and app control. Prices range from $399 for the Atem Desk and Car models to $1,399 for the Atem X.
Medical-grade air purification
The HealthPro Series offers air purifiers for medical-grade air cleaning in rooms up to 1,240 square feet. These air purifiers were chosen by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority for use during outbreaks of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Like other IQAir products, they use their patented HyperHEPA technology, which filters out tiny particles as small as 0.003 microns. This includes things like bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. The prices range from $849 for the HealthPro and HealthPro Compact models to $949 for the HealthPro Plus. You can pay monthly if you prefer, starting at $48 or $53 per month.
Air purification that works with your HVAC system
The PerfectPro series is IQAir's whole-house air purifier system. It fits into your existing HVAC system, cleaning all the air in your home up to 125 times a day. Like other IQAir products, it filters tiny particles down to 0.003 microns, including viruses. What sets it apart is that it's silent and energy-efficient, using no extra electricity compared to other air purifiers. The PerfectPro comes in five models to fit different house sizes, with prices ranging from $1,795 to $3,395 - surprisingly affordable, and not too far off what you'd pay to have an air purifier in each room.
Air purification for dental offices
The Dental Series is a line of air purifiers designed specifically for dental offices, with features like extraoral suction to capture aerosols right at the source. These purifiers are excellent at removing harmful particles, viruses, bacteria, and even mercury vapor from the air, using HyperHEPA filtration to remove tiny particles as small as 0.003 microns. They're also super quiet and energy-efficient. The Dental Series includes models such as the Dental Pro, priced at $1,449.00, and the Dental Hg FlexVac priced at $2,799. While these are more expensive than home models due to their specialized features, if you work in a dental office, these purifiers could help create a safer environment for you and your patients.
Chemical and gas filtration
The GC and GCX series are powerful air purifiers that offer full-spectrum protection from particles, chemicals, and gases. They're priced between $1,369 and $2,399, which is of course on the higher end. What makes these unique is their focus on gas-phase filtration. They use high-quality activated carbon and special materials to remove a host of gases, odors, and chemicals from the air. The GCX models add some cool features like WiFi connectivity and real-time air quality measurement. If you're dealing with strong odors or chemical concerns in your space, this series might be a good fit for you.
Return policy isn't great
IQAir's return policy for air purifiers isn't exactly customer-friendly. You have 30 days to return unused and unopened products, but if you've opened the product, you'll face a 15% restocking fee, which seems a bit harsh. The real kicker is that some of their fancier models, like the CleanZone Series, Perfect 16, GCX Series, Cleanroom Series, and Dental Series aren't eligible for return at all. You'll need to jump through some hoops too - you must get a Return Authorization number and package the product exactly as you received it, or risk additional charges.
Warranty up to 10 years
You'll want to pay close attention to IQAir's warranty policy for their air purifiers. On the surface, it seems pretty standard with a 1-year warranty, but if you do a few extra steps, you can extend that warranty significantly. By registering your product within 90 days and signing up for their filter subscription program (or proving you're buying genuine filters regularly), you can (in theory) bump that warranty up to a whopping 10 years for most residential models. (The PerfectPro Series carries a Lifetime warranty no matter what. Other models can be extended only to 3 years.) It feels a bit like they're strong-arming you into buying their filters, but if you're planning to use their filters anyway, it's a sweet deal that could benefit you down the road.
Only 5% discount with filter subscription service
With IQAir's filter subscription service, you'll get free on-time delivery of new filters, which is nice - but the 5% discount on filters? That's pretty stingy compared to the 10% most companies offer for subscriptions. The subscription applies to HealthPro, GC, and Atem Series filters, and you can choose between standard and high usage plans. It's easy to sign up and manage your subscription online. Depending on the model of air purifier you buy, your filter replacements could cost between $99 and $399. (Ouch!) However, they last significantly longer than competitors' filters: supposedly up to 4 years before needing to be replaced.
If you don't hear back, complain to the BBB
IQAir's customer complaints on Trustpilot are pretty alarming, and they paint a picture of a company that doesn't seem to care much about its customers after they've made a purchase. People are ticked off about the company's lousy warranty service, with one previously loyal customer feeling ripped off and alienated when IQAir refused to honor their 10-year warranty on a $900 machine. The tech support is apparently a nightmare too, with customers getting the silent treatment even when they try to reach out to the CEO as a last resort. That said, IQAir has a "D+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is (unfortunately) better than many of the companies in this review. They seem to follow up with customer complaints on their BBB page, so if you're having trouble getting help, leaving a complaint there might be your best bet.
Lots of positive reviews on website, but we're skeptical
If you take a look at IQAir's website, you'll find plenty of positive reviews for their products, especially for their best-seller, the HealthPro Plus. We found 944 reviews, most of them 5 stars. One happy customer praised how easy it was to change the filters and know when they needed to be replaced. They also experienced improved sleep after their air purifier purchase. However, we think there might be some review manipulation happening here. We only found one 1-star review (out of nearly 1,000), posted just 10 days prior, which makes it look like IQAir is removing them. This review mentioned issues with high levels of dust in the room where the air purifier was and no noticeable improvement in air quality or health.
Best for those with a large budget
With IQAir's impressive patented HyperHEPA filters, you'll get the best air filtration that can remove even the tiniest particles (including viruses and bacteria) - but with a hefty price tag. These products are probably best for people who prioritize air quality above all else and have the budget to match. If you're dealing with severe allergies, live in a heavily polluted area, or have specific health concerns related to air quality, an IQAir purifier might be worth the investment. Otherwise, you should consider more affordable options with better customer service reputations.
More Air Purifier Reviews
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.
Air Purifier FAQ
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.
Compare Air Purifiers
Select any 2 Air Purifiers to compare them head to head
Trending Air Purifier News
Related Air Purifier Reviews
Since you're interested in Air Purifiers, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
