More than 25 million Americans are Asthma sufferers and as an Asthma sufferer, we are more likely to suffer from allergy in one form or another. I’m not saying all allergy sufferers have Asthma, but I think the majority will be.
No one seeks to buy an air purifier for no reason. Two likely reasons why you are now hunting for a good air purifier. First, you are recommended by your physicians. Second, you were told by fellow allergy and / or asthma sufferers that placing an air purifier in the room can positively impact the state of your health.
Whatever it may be, the goal of purchasing an air purifier is to clean the air around the vicinity where you are spending the bulk of your time. It could be in the living room or it could be in the bedroom.
“Which air purifier is the best for allergy and asthma patients?” That is the the very question that this review is attempting to answer.
If there is one thing that I’ve picked up in life, it is that best is not absolute. Best is always determined by a set of criteria. The set of criteria that I’m using might not be the same as what you’re using. For example, my pick for the undisputed air purifier champion went to the IQAir HealthPro but its price proves to be too steep for most people.
In this review, I’m going to make 3 picks with a narrowed down set of criteria. Instead of being the ultimate models, the following models will be what I (and many others) consider as the best air purifier for allergies and asthma.
Let us start.
#1 Air Purifier for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
First off the list comes from one of the air purifier specialist, BlueAir. The particular model that I’m talking about is the BlueAir 203W HEPASilent.
Let’s see where the BlueAir 203 shines and where it fell short.
It Works in Silence
First of all, it boasts the company’s HEPASilent filtration technology. You must wonder what superiority the technology holds. In laymen terms, the technology allows BlueAir’s HEPASilent air cleaners to use less dense filter while still achieving the same level of efficiency of true HEPA filters.
The result? Clean air but with lower noise level. This is possible because since the filter used is less dense, it takes less power for the fan to push out the same amount of air.
A quick check on the numbers revealed that when operating at its full speed, the noise level is specified as 56dB. But if you intend to put it in your bedroom and let it run through the night, you’ll be glad that it generates only 32dB of noise when running at its lowest setting. (35dB is considered as the noise-induced awakening level)
So, if you are a light sleeper who is easily disturbed by the slightest of noise, you will appreciate the genius who invented the HEPASilent technology.
One of the Lowest Energy Consumption
The BlueAir 203W has one of the lowest energy consumption. When operating at the lowest setting, it draws a mere 20 watt, quite close to what your energy saving bulbs consume.
The only drawback about the BlueAir 20W is its small room coverage of 240 sqft. If you are an asthma sufferer and have a large bedroom, the only option is to get two of these. Given its low power consumption, this is close to what I am expecting though.
Lastly, I think the BlueAir 203W air purifier is one of the better design when it comes to look and appearance.
#2 Air Purifier for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
The next best air purifier for allergy and asthma is the Alen BreatheSmart.
I know of a fellow allergy sufferer (she happens to be my close neighbor) who has been using the Alen BreatheSmart air purifier for close to a year now. I can see how much she pride herself for having this particular air purifier model.
She told me that she has been using her air purifier 7 days a week whenever she is home and it has so far still not showing any sign of exhaustion.
When I ask her what is the one thing about the Alen BreatheSmart that she loves most, she told me it is the SmartSensor feature.
“If you are a pet owner and always have your dog running around the house, you’ll get to see the sensor at work more often and you’ll appreciate the convenience of not having to adjust it manually every time”, she added.
Aside from pollen, pet dander is one of the major cause of allergy. Having an air purifier that is intelligent enough to detect when it needs to ramp itself up is definitely a feature that pet owners with allergy would rave about.
But she cautioned about the customer service quality and she believed that there is definitely room for improvement in this regard.
#3 Air Purifier for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers
The next best air purifier that every allergy and asthma sufferer should consider is the Whirlpool Whispure AP51030K air purifier.
I have came across the Whirlpool brand before, but it is never the first thing that came to my mind when I was searching for an air purifier. The hundreds of reviews and high average rating that the AP51030K has earned from customers who have purchased it really attracted my curiosity.
So I decided to take the plunge and bought one for myself.
One impressive thing about the AP51030K is its sheer suction power and effectiveness in cleaning the air. I remember that when I first brought this unit home, I was amazed at how much better my wife (an allergy sufferer herself) and I felt just 2-3 hours after running it in our living room.
If cleaning the air (of pollens, dust, mold and dander) is all you need, this is one air purifier with great horsepower. However, be warned that this beast generates considerable amount of heat. If you leave it running for long, you will notice the 1-2 degree temperature rise in your room temperature.
I did a quick search and found that this is one common feedback among many who have bought the same model. Unless you are going to put this next to your bedside each night, I personally see no issue with this top-rated air cleaner from Whirlpool.
And by the way, the Whirlpool AP51030K comes with carbon filter that is supposed to remove smoke and odor. Based on my personal experience, I suggest that you do not set too high of a expectation on this particular feature. If you want an air purifier that really excels in removing smoke and odor, a decent one will need you to fork out a little more.
Conclusions
You have now seen my take on 3 of the top air purifiers for allergy and asthma sufferers.
If requested for a recommendation, I would gladly recommend the Blueair 203 for the performance and quietness. If you have a small room of not more than 24sqft and a single unit is powerful enough, it might just be the best value for money.
But if you have a larger room to cover, Alen Breathesmart might be the wiser option especially if every penny matters to you. Otherwise, you have to get 2 units of the Blueair which will cost you more.
Ultimately, the best air purifier for your case needs to be answered by you, and not me. You have your considerations such as budget, room size, personal noise tolerance and etc. Make a pick and I wish you good health!
