For people with allergies or asthma, maintaining good air quality is a must. What’s surprising is that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air because of poor ventilation and the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and chemicals. A portable air purifier can filter out contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, and smoke, releasing cleaner air back into the room. This makes breathing easier for allergy-sensitive people and reduces the likelihood of asthma attacks, lung conditions, and respiratory issues.

Dr. Paula Olsiewski, an air-quality specialist, says that the best air purifiers for allergies are those equipped with True HEPA filters, which trap 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns and can purify a room in 15 minutes. Moreover, find activated carbon filters to remove odors and chemicals; a high clean air delivery rate for quick cleansing; quiet operation; and low maintenance costs.

We tested over 70 air purifiers from top-rated brands, including Blueair, Dyson, Shark, and more. Each air purifier was put through its paces in our Health Lab and our homes, where we rated it on how well it reduced allergens after weeks and months of use. An allergist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

What to Look for in Air Purifiers for Allergies

Understanding these key features and terms with regards to air purifiers can help assist you to select the best fit for your allergy needs.

• True HEPA Filters – The gold standard for allergy relief. These filters can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns and eliminate common allergens like dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. Every air purifier we tested is HEPA compliant.

• MFS or Multi-Stage Filtration Systems : Several air purifiers for allergy treatment employ filters like a combination of pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon to capture greater levels of pollutant and thus both particulate and gaseous allergens.

• Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) – Filters that filter PM2.5 or smaller are significant for allergen control. These are fine particles, such as vehicle emissions, smoke, and bacteria, so small that they can penetrate into the respiratory tract and trigger allergy symptoms or even exacerbate the existing ones.
• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) – Measures how quickly a purifier can remove smoke, pollen, and dust from the air of a specific room size. A higher CADR rating means more efficient air cleaning. When choosing an air purifier, look for high CADRratings for your allergen concerns and a CADR that matches your room size for the best performance.

• Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) – Chemicals off-gas from household products, such as paint, furniture, cleaning agents, and even dry-cleaned clothing, that can exacerbate allergies, asthma, or chemical sensitivities.

• Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters or specialized VOC filters can minimize the concentration of TVOCs in the air.

Why We Like It

The Levoit Core 400S is the perfect choice for anyone looking to invest in their first air purifier or upgrade to a more powerful model. Designed to target common allergens such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, this purifier combines advanced filtration with convenient smart features, making it the top choice for allergy relief.

Its 3-stage filtration system includes a pre-filter for larger particles, an H13 True HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander, and an activated carbon filter to neutralize odors and VOCs. It can purify rooms up to 403 square feet, perfect for medium to large spaces. The purifier features AirSight™ Plus Technology-a smart laser dust sensor that detects airborne particles, giving real-time air quality updates and automatically adjusts the fan speed with particle levels.

It supports an easy-to-use VeSync app for monitoring air quality, scheduling operation times, and receiving filter replacement notices on your smartphone. The Levoit 400S supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, ensuring you enjoy voice control to manage your daily allergies effectively.