Air purifiers have become more and more affordable and popular in recent years;And more and more people are aware of their health benefits, use them to prevent allergies and even kill bacteria and viruses.In this buying guide, we have highlighted some of the most popular models on the market and explain the characteristics such as the HEPA filter, CADR coverage, PM2 particle sensors.5 and others to be careful when buying a new connected air purifier.
Summary
Why choose an intelligent air purifier rather than an ordinary purifier?
Air purifiers are devices that are not required 24 hours a day for most people, and some may even need it only for short periods during certain months of the year.In this case, it may be interesting to buy a connected air purifier.
Equipped with sensors and which can be controlled by a mobile application, connected air purifiers can be set to operate only when the pollutant levels are dangerous or when there are people in the house or room, which allowsto save energy.
One of the essential characteristics of a connected air purifier is a set of sensors to automatically detect the pollutant level and adjust the fan accordingly.Sensor data can also be sent to a companion application, where you can check the air quality.
Air purifiers applications can not only indicate the overall quality of the air, but also display statistics, historical data, forecasts and present the condition of the different types of pollutants:
Another feature of connected air purifiers is their compatibility with connected home ecosystems and voice assistants.Depending on the model, the device can be integrated into defined programs, activate filtering before sleeping when light drops, switching off in the morning when the curtains get up, etc..
One thing to wait in the future is compatibility with the standard (soon to be ratified) of Matter domotic, which promises to simplify the control and integration between the devices.Apple, Amazon, Google, Oppo, Samsung, Ikea, Signoy, Tuya and other heavy goods vehicles are among the supporters of the Matter project.The standard should be launched in 2022.
Another thing than many smart air purifiers offer is an accompaniment application that can be used to control remotely, monitor air quality, adjust fan speed and noise, and also define reminders forThe purchase of new filters.
Your purifier filtering skills
The HEPA filter is a type of air filter capable of eliminating at least 99.95 % of dust particles, bacteria, pollen, mold and other particles suspended in the air of a diameter between0.3 and 10 micrometers (µm).
Sometimes manufacturers indicate an additional figure, called an efficiency index.In general, HEPA filters are classified as H13 or H14 in the European Union, the latter defining the filters capable of retaining more than 99.995 % of the particles in this size beach.
Other companies advertise their products using terms such as "HEPA LIKE/TYPE/STYLE" or "99% HEPA", but it is essentially a classification devoid of meaning for filters that do notdo not meet HEPA requirements or, at best, which have not been properly tested.
In addition to eliminating the air particles that we breathe, some filters also promise to eliminate odors and gases.To do this, you can use an activated carbon filter, capable of eliminating VOCs, odors and gases, such as NO2.
Also called coal filters, they are made using a porous material and operate according to a process called adsorption - in which the pollutant sticks to coal molecules, but is not absorbed.
Ionizing filters work by loading the particles of the room to make them easier to attract and capture by the filter or make them fall to the ground.If it can help eliminate smoke particles, for example, this device releases ozone as a by-product, which, depending on the product level, can cause pulmonary irritation.
Some air purifiers also incorporate UV light to destroy pollutants.Also called ultraviolet germicid irradiation (UVGI), this function tries to destroy biological materials, such as bacteria, mold and viruses, by damaging their cellular structure or their protein envelope, even inactivating certain viruses.
Keep in mind the room (s) in which you intend to use the air purifier and compare the overall volume of the part with the manufacturer's recommendation.Some models indicate the American standard CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), which indicates the number of cubic air feet per minute (CFM) filtered in a 28.5 m³ room (1000 FT³).
According to the region, air purifiers are announced with their filtering rate in cubic meters per hour (m³/h) or CFM.Note that the value indicated is the maximum offered by the device, and that functions such as "silent mode", "night mode" or energy saving options will reduce the filter rate.
An often neglected detail when buying an air purifier is the cost of the filter.Expect to change the filters once or twice a year, many models warning you when it is time to replace the filter.Some even allow you to order a spare filter from the companion application.
The cost of filters is generally proportional to the capacities of the particle filter/HEPA and/or active coal, and some companies even sell the different components separately like IKEA, with the particle and carbon filters sold alone for Starkvind models.
In addition, as for coffee pods, spare filters for major brands are generally easier to find than the components of certain niche companies than we find on Amazon.Some of the most popular models even offer third -party filters, but be aware that their use can cancel the device warranty!
What do you think of this complete guide on connected air purifiers?Do you use one?What are the most important characteristics for you?Do not hesitate to share your opinions in the comments!
