If you suffer from serious allergies or just want something that can help minimize the amount of allergens in your home, like pet dander or pollen from the outdoors, an air purifier is a worthy investment. They come in various shapes, sizes, and prices, but if there's one metric you'll want to look out for, it's strong particle filtration performance.
We've tested over 25 air purifiers, and below are our recommendations for the best air purifiers for allergies that you can buy. If you prioritize low operating noise and a small footprint above all else, you can also check out our recommendations for the best air purifiers for bedrooms. Or, you can see our picks for the best air purifiers for dust and the best air purifiers for pets.
Alternatively, if you're looking for a vacuum with HEPA-level filtration, you can check out our recommendations for the best HEPA vacuums and the best vacuums for allergies.
We've independently tested over 25 air purifiers, purchasing each one ourselves like the average consumer would: no cherry-picked samples or talking points from manufacturers. Each unit goes through the same standardized test bench, and the results are validated by multiple teams before being published on our website, so you can accurately compare them side by side.
Check out our How We Test Air Purifiers article to learn more about our purchasing, testing, and writing procedures.
-
Best Air Purifier For Allergies
Bedroom8.2Pets8.5Particle Filtration Rate8.6Filtration Layers5 StageSee all our test resultsActivated CarbonPelletsThe best air purifier for allergies we've tested is the NuWave OxyPure. It offers excellent overall air filtration performance, with a high enough clean air delivery rate for effective operation as a single unit in apartments or large, open-concept living areas. As expected for a high-end unit like this, it's jam-packed with features, including Wi-Fi and built-in particle sensors, so it can automatically adjust its fan speed while you're away from home. Its multi-stage filtration system comprises a stainless steel mesh pre-filter for larger debris like pollen and dust, two 'Bio-Guard' filters (for mold, viruses, and bacteria), an ozone filter, and a HEPA/pellet-type activated carbon filter. Aside from the HEPA/activated carbon filter, the other filters have an advertised lifespan of 20 years.
Operating noise is impressively low for the most part. It's barely audible at its lowest fan speed, making it a stellar option for overnight use in bedrooms. Do note, however, that it is rather loud at its highest fan speed, which can be distracting if you have it set up to run in a large area and need it to run at full speed as a result.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Room Air Purifier For Allergies
Bedroom7.6Pets7.8Particle Filtration Rate7.9Filtration Layers1 StageSee all our test resultsActivated CarbonNoneThe Mila Air 3 is a great option if you want an air purifier with a more customizable filtration system. This unit is available for purchase with a number of different filters optimized for different types of airborne particles: our test unit was fitted with 'The Big Sneeze' filter, an H13 HEPA filter meant for locking in pollen. If odors are a concern, filters with a relatively high quantity of activated carbon are also available, though they won't necessarily be as optimized for trapping allergens. In terms of performance, it lags behind the pricier NuWave OxyPure, with a max CADR that's really suitable for medium-sized spaces like living or dining rooms, not large open concept living spaces.
It's far more compact than the larger NuWave, making it easier to set up in smaller rooms like bedrooms or offices. It offers a similar suite of features to the NuWave too, like Wi-Fi connectivity and live air quality monitoring, so you can keep an eye on your room's air quality while you're out and about.
-
Best Mid-Range Air Purifier For Allergies
Bedroom7.7Pets7.9Particle Filtration Rate8.0Filtration Layers3 StageSee all our test resultsActivated CarbonSheetIf you don't mind giving up the Mila Air 3's selectable filter system and optional smartphone connectivity, the Coway Airmega 200M is worth a look. Its three-stage filtration system ultimately works quite well at trapping larger airborne particulate matter, such as dust or pollen, and it offers a comparable clean air delivery rate, making it suitable for use in medium-sized rooms like living rooms, bigger bedrooms, and kitchens.
It's worth noting that this unit is also equipped with a particle ionizer. Particle ionizers are intended to further reduce airborne pollutants, as they cause smaller airborne particles to clump together and fall to the ground, where you can clean them up later. However, these systems produce ozone as a byproduct, which can irritate your lungs with prolonged exposure. Thankfully, you can turn this system off.
-
Best Budget Air Purifier For Allergies
Bedroom7.2Pets6.4Particle Filtration Rate6.0Filtration Layers3 StageSee all our test resultsActivated CarbonPelletsIf you want an air purifier for dealing with allergies in smaller rooms, the Levoit Core 200S is another great option. Compared to the Coway Airmega 200M, its CADR is considerably lower, so it'll struggle to clear the air of airborne particles like pollen or dust in larger spaces efficiently. That said, it's also the most compact option listed here, and its performance is generally suitable for smaller studies and bedrooms. While this unit doesn't have a built-in particle sensor, unsurprising for a model in this price range, it is compatible with Levoit's VeSync app, which allows you to remotely change its fan speed and set operating schedules.
Operating noise at low fan speeds is a plus point, perhaps unsurprisingly due to this unit's relatively small and low-powered motor. You can set this unit up on a nightstand or a bookshelf without it presenting much of a massive disturbance. That said, it can be a bit of an annoyance if you run it constantly at its higher fan speed, which may be required for use in larger environments.
-
A DIY Alternative
Bedroom4.3Pets7.7Particle Filtration Rate9.5Filtration Layers1 StageSee all our test resultsActivated CarbonNoneIf you're sensitive to allergies but don't mind getting your hands dirty, consider building your own Corsi-Rosenthal Box. We built our own by following this guide, which combines a quartet of MERV 13 3M Filtrete air filters with a Lasko 20-inch box fan. It's a crude device when compared to high-end household units like the NuWave OxyPure; it has a large footprint, and its single large box fan generates a significant amount of noise while running. Some users have swapped out the single fan for multiple PC cooling fans to reduce noise, though we haven't tried it and can't verify its effectiveness.
You'll need to replace the filters once they've been fully used, which means purchasing a new set of filters and effectively rebuilding the entire unit. With all that said, this unit delivers exceptional particle filtration, trapping various airborne allergens while providing a clean air delivery rate high enough for large spaces, such as workshops or garages.
Notable Mentions
-
Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP04:
The Dyson HEPA Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP04 is a high-end air purifier and a good alternative to the NuWave OxyPure if you want something quieter and don't mind spending much more.
See our review -
Levoit Core 600S:
The Levoit Core 600S is a good alternative to the Mila Air 3 if you want something that provides even higher CADR and don't mind the lack of user-selectable filters.
See our review -
Levoit Vital 200S:
The Levoit Vital 200S lags behind the Coway Airmega 200M in terms of CADR, but offers more in the way of connectivity features. Its wide air inlet also prevents hair from clogging its intake.
See our review
Recent Updates
Feb 27, 2026:
We've made several changes to our recommendations due to current product availability and new performance data from version 1.1 of our air purifier test bench. We replaced the Honeywell HPA300 with the NuWave OxyPure as the top pick. We added the Mila Air 3 as the new 'Best Upper Mid-Range' pick. We replaced the Levoit Vital 200S with the Coway Airmega 200M as the 'Best Mid-Range' pick. We replaced the Levoit Core 300 with the Levoit Core 200S as the 'Best Budget'. We added the Levoit Vital 200S and the Levoit Core 600S to the Notable Mentions.
Nov 13, 2025:
We've checked that our picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
Mar 08, 2025:
We verified all recommendations for relevance and availability. We changed the Corsi-Rosenthal Box link to point directly to the guide. We also added the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX as a Notable Mention.
Jan 29, 2025:
No change in recommendations, as all picks are still valid and available. Small text changes for conciseness and clarity.
Nov 19, 2024:
We've verified that our picks are available and represent the best choices. We've also made small edits for clarity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above include some of the best air purifiers for allergy sufferers. We factor in price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, there is no single best air purifier for homes that will suit everybody; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of your living space, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our air purifier reviews.