With little ventilation, air pollution can build up within our homes without us knowing it.

Air Purifiers can be the best way to fight allergies and ensure you are breathing clean air when inside your home.

However, with so many varied options on the market, it’s easy to get confused about which is the best product for your needs.

Below we review some of the best air purifiers in Australia.

After the reviews, we cover everything from HEPA filters to choosing the right size, to help you find the best air purifier for your home.

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1. Breville The Smart Air Plus Purifier – Best for Most People

Our top pick for air purifiers is the impressive and reliable Breville The Smart Air Plus. This is a high-end smart air purifier that removes 99.97% of particles from the air.

The most powerful in Breville’s latest line of purifiers, this unit is recommended for large rooms (up to 80m²). It utilises a 4-stage filtration and purification system.

This incorporates a pre-filter to catch dust and pet dander, a True HEPA H13 Filter for allergens, an activated carbon filter for odours and smoke, and Breville’s trademark Microbe Shield light to target bacteria & viruses.

This comprehensive filtration system of this smart air purifier is the best in the business for reducing allergens, dust, viruses and bacteria.

Customers love the 360 degree airflow and the colour indicator air quality report. Timer and night modes provide users with flexibility and ease-of-use. 

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2. Winix Australia Zero+ PRO 5-Stage Hospital Grade Air Purifier – Upgrade Pick

If you’re willing to spend a little more, this high-end air purifier from Winix is one of your best options. It is very powerful and includes a hospital-grade True HEPA filter along with a range of other useful features.

This appliance also includes an Activated Carbon Filter which targets smoke and odours.

It has a turbo mode that will clean the air in a room quickly, and the normal mode has very low power consumption, so you can leave it on all day. When it’s set to sleep mode, it is quiet enough that you forget it’s even there. 

The Hospital Grade True HEPA filter makes this a perfect unit for asthma and allergy sufferers, it also has a dedicated pet filter ideal for those who also own pets. This is a National Asthma Council Australia Sensitive Choice approved purifier.

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3. AROVEC Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter – Best Value

This unit from Arovec is another great air purifier. It is very quiet on the lowest setting, and it sounds like a desk fan on the higher settings. It does a good job of removing odours and the air in a room is noticeably cleaner after using it for just a short while. 

It’s great for asthma sufferers as it doesn’t produce any ozone, and the removable preliminary filter is easy to vacuum. 

The build quality is quite good; the unit is compact and lightweight, so you can easily move it around the house, and it looks pretty chic too.

Some people were bothered by the button lights while in a dark room, but the unit works very well. 

This is a great air purifier that will suit most homes. 

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4. Philips Series 2000 Air Purifier

The Philips Series 2000 has a nice design; it looks good and the controls are easy to access.

It runs quietly and has three auto-modes for general use, allergens, and airborne bacteria. This is a handy feature for people who get seasonal hay fever or have other allergies. 

The power on this unit is good; on the high setting it clears a dusty room very fast and it covers quite a large area. The display lights can also be dimmed when you want to sleep, which is a great feature. 

The unit is designed to stop working when the filter is due for replacement, which some people find annoying.

Overall, the Philips Series 2000 offers a good balance between price and power. 

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5. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Fan

This air purifier from Conway is one of the most popular on the market and it’s easy to see why.

For this price range, the performance is outstanding. On the highest setting, it will clear a room of the smell of burnt food within a few minutes. 

On the low setting, it runs so quietly that you forget it’s even on. The middle setting is a little louder but you could still sleep in a room with it. The highest setting is too loud for sleeping, but you won’t need to keep this on for long. 

The smart sensor detects odours, and it is quite sensitive; it will crank up the power whenever you are cooking or dusting.

A Filter Replacement Indicator lets you know the current filter life status so you can prepare for washing or replacement (depending on which filter). Replacement filters are quite budget-friendly too. 

One downside is that the display light can be too bright at night; some people found it necessary to cover the light so they could sleep. 

Overall, this is one of the best small air purifiers you can buy. 

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6. Ausclimate Winix Ultimate 5 Stage

If you have a larger space to purify, and you don’t mind spending a bit more, then this 5 stage air purifier from Winix is a good choice.

It has a turbo mode that clears a room fast. You’ll be able to breathe easy in just a few minutes, even in very dusty rooms. 

On auto-mode, the unit is whisper quiet so you can leave it on all the time. It doesn’t produce ozone, so it is great for asthma sufferers, and it is light enough to move around easily. 

This Zero Pro 5 Stage Air Purifier is on the pricey side, so it is more of an investment than some other purifiers, but it is good quality and will last for a long time.  

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The Competition

Couldn’t find what you were after? Here are some other great alternatives to the air purifiers featured on our list:

• Dyson Pure Cool Me Personal Purifying Fan with Remote control (View at The Good Guys)

• Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Purifier 3

• AROVEC Mini Desktop Air Purifier (View at Amazon)

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Air Purifier Buyer’s Guide

Air purifiers clean the air of particles and thus improve the air quality within the home. Common contaminants in the home include dust and allergens, air pollution, bushfire smoke, pet hair and dander or cigarette smoke. 

While we all benefit from living in an environment with cleaner air, if someone in the home suffers from asthma, allergies or hay fever then air quality is even more important. Asthma sufferers should keep an eye out for air purifiers recommended by the National Asthma Council as these will be among the most effective models.

Air purifiers work by sucking air through a fine mesh filter which catches airborne particles. Once the particles are removed, the air is circulated back into the room, thus improving air quality.

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Things to Consider when Choosing an Air Purifier

Air purification is an effective way to remove pet dander, mould spores, viruses and bacteria, pollen, dust, dust mites and so much more from the air. This will help you breathe easier within your home. Consider the following factors when choosing the best air purifier for your home:

Size

One of the first things to consider is the size of air purifier you need.

In order to select the best product for your needs, think about the space you would like it to operate and be effective in. Are you planning on purifying the entire house or just a child’s bedroom while they sleep?

Once you are clear on the space you want to purify, take the measurements to determine your coverage area. You can then compare the room size against the recommended air circulation rating on the appliance.

As a guide, large units should be able to purify spaces of around 80 metres squared (260 square feet), while smaller devices may only be suitable for small rooms of around 12 metres squared (29 square feet).

Try to find a unit that is rated for at least the room size you are intending to operate it in. This will ensure it can handle whatever conditions arise, including one-offs like bushfire smoke.

While it may be tempting to opt for a very large and powerful unit, even for a small space, consider the increased energy costs and noise that come with bigger appliances.

Portability

When considering the size of the air purifier also keep in mind whether you plan to move it from room to room. An air purifier can be quite heavy so look for an option that has wheels and carrying handles to make it easier for you to move around your home as needed.

Ozone

Some purifiers work by producing ozone. This reacts with airborne pollutants and changes their chemical composition. While this can have some success, it also reduces air quality in the room and some people may experience throat and lung irritation. These purifiers are generally not recommended, especially for asthma sufferers. It’s best to choose an air purifier that uses little to no ozone as there are many great alternatives available.

Filters

There are a number of different filters you may find in an air purifier. The filters play a vital role so it is important to choose a model that can handle the pollutant and particle types found in your home. You will often find a couple of different filters working together in one purifier. The most common filter options include:

Pre-Filters – some air purifiers have a pre-filter that is designed to catch larger particles such as hair, carpet fibres and dust balls. A pre-filter isn’t as important as the other filters but it can be helpful. Most brands make sure the main filter is able to handle larger particles without becoming clogged but if you have pets a pre-filter can be a good idea as there will be more fur and larger particles present in the air.

Pet Filter – in Australia, you can also find a smart air purifier with a dedicated pet filter (the Winix Zero Pro 5 Stage Air Purifier has this feature). This is best if you have animals in your home as there will be larger amounts of hair and fur that the purifier will catch. The pet filter helps to make sure the air purifier does not get clogged up and can continue to work efficiently.

Activated Carbon Filter – these filters are commonly used but they are usually combined with other filters in order to purify the air. The activated carbon filter is great for trapping odours and gases. They can neutralise air pollution including smoke, chemicals and fumes making them best for use in homes where people smoke or homes with wood burners. This filter can also help people who suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) as the filter will absorb chemicals often found in the home such as those found in cleaning products.

Ionic Filter – an ionic filter is sometimes used for removing small particles such as smoke or dust. However, ionisation can produce ozone which is best avoided.

UV Sterilising – some air purifiers include Ultra Violet light to help sterilise the air. This is supposed to be good for killing mould spores, viruses and bacteria but it may not be as effective as it sounds as UV takes a few minutes to kill germs. With this in mind, UV sterilising shouldn’t be relied on for home air purification.

HEPA Filters – a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is found in the best air purifiers. This filter is able to remove 99.97% of particles in the air and is able to handle fine particles as small as 0. 3 microns – 0. 1 microns depending on the model chosen.

When choosing an air purifier with a HEPA filter there will be a HEPA grade, this refers to the amount of air that bypasses the filter. A H10 filter allows 15% of the air to pass by without being filtered to 0. 3 microns while a H13 filter only allows 0.05% of the air to pass by without filtration. A H14 filter is 99.995% efficient.

The best air purifiers in Australia offer a combination of the above filters (particularly activated carbon and HEPA filters) to give you maximum results. If you’re worried about bushfire smoke or cigarette smoke, make sure the air purifier you choose includes a carbon filter.

Cost Of Filters

Replacement filters are one of the main costs you should look at for an air purifier. Hepa filters should be replaced every six to twelve months, while activated carbon filters should be replaced every three months. Most purifiers have an indicator to let you know when it’s time to replace (or wash) the filter. Having a filter life indicator helps you keep your air purifier at its best.

The cost of filter replacement varies depending on the brand but you can generally expect to pay between $30-$100+. For asthma and allergy sufferers, it’s better to go with higher quality filters, whereas for general use, you can get away with budget filters. 

When you buy the air purifier consider buying one or two replacement filters at the same time. Some manufacturers may offer a deal on the filters if you do this and you will also be able to save on shipping costs.

Sound / Noise Level

To be effective, an air purifier should remain on all, or nearly all, of the time. This means that if you have a noisy purifier, you will have to listen to it a lot. Many good models make little or no noise on their lowest settings. 

Some air purifiers operate quieter than others so look for those that offer quieter units if you are a light sleeper or are sensitive to sound.

A good option is to choose a purifier that is rated for a larger space than your bedroom or kitchen. That way you can run it on a low setting and it will make less noise while still cleaning the air. 

Air Quality Monitor

Some smart air purifier models have an automatic air quality monitor. This monitors the air and adjusts the settings as needed to improve the indoor air quality. An air purifier with this feature is best if you will be leaving the air purifier to work in unattended spaces.

If the air purifier you choose does not have these sensors, choosing a model with a timer can be a good alternative. You can set the air purifier to work during certain times of day when higher pollution levels are experienced (e.g. rush hour if you live near a busy road). A timer can be a good way to avoid leaving the air purifier on all day when you’re not at home while still having control over the air quality. If the unit has a timer it should be easy to set and use.

Clean Air Delivery Rate

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a commonly referenced measurement when discussing air purifiers. It refers to the cubic feet per minute of air that has had all particles removed, making it an important indicator of air quality.

Generally, you need to measure the CADR for different types of particles (dust, pollen etc) individually to get a fair comparison.

Air Changes Per Hour (ACH)

The ACH refers to how many times the total air volume in the room is cleaned per hour. Most manufacturers will display the air delivery rate in cubic metres per hour and this figure can then be used to calculate the ACH. The ACH will be dependent on the size of the room you are using the purifier in. You can calculate the ACH by dividing the air delivery rate by the volume of the room.

The volume of the room is length x width x ceiling height. You can expect the calculated ACH to be at least 4 meaning the total air volume in the room has been cleaned 4 times an hour. The best air purifiers will offer a higher ACH figure.

Note: while the ACH lets you know how often all of the air within the room is purified it does not give you any indication as to how effective the air purification is. This will depend on the filters used so don’t solely rely on the ACH as an indication of how good a purifier is.

Speed Settings

Adjusting the fan speed changes how rapidly air is being filtered. Choose a model that offers a range of fan speeds so you can set it to suit how quickly you need the air cleaned. A high speed setting will clean a room quickly but will also be loud while a low speed setting will purify the room gently (this is best for use at night).

The fan speeds can help with air circulation too and it should be easy to set the speed and change between settings. If the fan oscillates this can help the unit purify the air in a room more efficiently as it will cover more space.

Remote Control

For convenience and ease of use, the smart air purifier should come with a remote control. The remote should be easy to use with clearly labelled buttons.

Not all indoor air purifiers come with a remote control which means you will have to use the buttons on the unit to change the settings.

The best options either come with a remote control or wi-fi connectivity but this may come at a higher price.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Some of the best air purifiers in Australia now offer wi-fi connectivity so you can control the unit from your smartphone. The smart air purifier can be controlled through an app, this lets you conveniently keep an eye on the settings and make changes from wherever you are.

This can be great if you have forgotten to turn the purifier off when you left the house or you want to turn it on for an hour before you get home. The app may also give you data and information regarding the pollutants removed and efficiency of the purifier (this is a feature seen on the Dyson Pure Hot & Cool and the Dyson Pure Cool).

Warranty

When choosing the best air purifier in Australia always look for one with a warranty. The length and coverage of the included warranty will vary between brands so be sure to look into this before purchasing. The standard warranty length tends to be 5 years for quality air purifiers.

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HEPA Filters – All You Need to Know

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. It is an air filter standard that requires removal of at least 99.95% (this changes slightly depending on the country) of particles from the air passing through it. The particles that are counted in this measurement must have a diameter equal to 0.3 micrometres.

Popular in many household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, HEPA filters are also common in home air purifiers. Because this type of filter is able to remove such fine particles, including pollen and other allergens, they are considered to be the best option for asthma and allergy sufferers. The National Asthma Council advises selecting an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

Common terms you may see in air purifier descriptions include “True HEPA” and “Sealed HEPA”. These refer to a design where the appliance sucks all air through the filter, with none of it passing around the sides or elsewhere.

While HEPA air purifiers are considered the gold standard, they often come at an extra cost. Not only does the filter technology itself push up the price, but because the filter is so fine, it requires more energy to draw air through and therefore a more powerful motor. Be aware of some products that state they use HEPA-like or HEPA-type filters, these are not true HEPA and are often found of lower cost options.

Other Ways to improve the air quality in your home

Here are a few tips for alternative ways to keep the air clean in your home:

• Open the windows. This is the best way to naturally circulate air within the home. Whether this is the best option or not for you will depend on whether your source of pollutants is from inside (e.g. tobacco smoke, dust mites) or from outside (e.g. bushfire smoke).
• Vacuum regularly. This is particularly important if you have pets as they constantly shed fur and dander around the home. For best results use a purpose-built pet vacuum with a HEPA filter.

• Remove your shoes. Much of the dust and dirt around the home is carried in on the soles of our shoes. This isn’t limited just to physical dirt, but also pollutants that have settled on the pavements we walk on. Leaving them at the front door is a sensible step in improving the air quality in the home.
• Central air conditioning. These units are common in homes across Australia and can be a great way to clean your air. While they usually don’t have the same quality of air filter you’ll find on a purifier, they will still remove a portion of particles while also introducing fresh air into the home.
• Indoor plants. Plants have the ability to purify the air thanks to the process of photosynthesis. Plants absorb light and carbon dioxide in order to grow and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Humans breathe air and breathe out carbon dioxide, making plants our perfect living companion. According to NASA’s clean air study, the best home plants for air purification include English ivy, Spider plants, and Peace lilies.
• Beeswax Candles. Pure Beeswax Candles are popular for their ability to neutralize pollutants. They release negative ions as they burn, which binds with toxins within the home and can help remove them from the air.
• Essential oil diffusers. Popular in traditional medicine, essential oils are thought to be able to purify the air in the home, along with other benefits.

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Air Purifier FAQs