What do I need to consider when purchasing an air purifier?

[Anonymous]

I think we need an air purifier. Our house stinks. I blame the cat, mainly, but there are other pets and children, etc. etc. so I'm sure there are multiple causes. In any case, in addition to staying on top of cleaning, I think maybe an air purifier is worth a try, especially when the hot weather makes airing out with open windows less than appealing.

I've never had an air purifier, I know nothing about them. Any suggestions of quality brands, important features, what to spend (hopefully under $300)? Square footage wise, our house is small, but it is three levels, if it matters. Anyway, air purifier wisdom welcome/appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with the recommendations on Wirecutter. I'd also determine whether you can put a HEPA filter on your HVAC unit. I would definitely try to get standalone HEPA filters for the main living level and the main bedroom level.

Have you had the rugs or carpet cleaned lately? Do you vacuum frequently? I have a Roomba for each level because between three kids, two cats, and a dog the shed hair can be crazy.

Is the laundry being done regularly and are you washing sheets, towels, shower curtains etc. frequently? (No judgement implied at all -- I'm just brainstorming for potential sources of stink).

[Anonymous]

Some people are very concerned about purifiers that produce ozone as part of their air-cleaning process. Others talk about concerns about radiation.

FWIW, we have the Austin Air Healthmate Jr. (which we've used successfully for many years). There are larger sizes available, but this has been fine for our small two-story house. (We sometimes move it between levels or into different rooms.)

For use in a dorm room, we bought a Levoit air purifier (with HEPA fitration).

[Anonymous]

Rabbitair. Changed my life. I was waking up with sore throats every morning when I was living in NYC, got the rabbitair and totally gone.

[Anonymous]

We have two and I do think they help keep things fresh but one is better than the other in my opinion. We have the Dyson tower air purifier/fan which I thought would be great because I love their cordless vacuum but it is underwhelming. It doesn't produce a nice blast of air using the fan function and the filter is pretty expensive to replace. Our cheaper Honeywell Air Purifier does a much better job with less expensive filters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are very concerned about purifiers that produce ozone as part of their air-cleaning process. Others talk about concerns about radiation.

FWIW, we have the Austin Air Healthmate Jr. (which we've used successfully for many years). There are larger sizes available, but this has been fine for our small two-story house. (We sometimes move it between levels or into different rooms.)

For use in a dorm room, we bought a Levoit air purifier (with HEPA fitration).

Did not know that.

[Anonymous]

Air purifiers are nice if you have allergies and to cut down on dust, but they will not get rid of smells. You need a really serious charcoal filter or just to eliminate the smells at the source somehow. With fall weather around the corner, you can open the windows, which will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we need an air purifier. Our house stinks. I blame the cat, mainly, but there are other pets and children, etc. etc. so I'm sure there are multiple causes. In any case, in addition to staying on top of cleaning, I think maybe an air purifier is worth a try, especially when the hot weather makes airing out with open windows less than appealing.

I've never had an air purifier, I know nothing about them. Any suggestions of quality brands, important features, what to spend (hopefully under $300)? Square footage wise, our house is small, but it is three levels, if it matters. Anyway, air purifier wisdom welcome/appreciated.

Air purifier or dehumidifier? Or both?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Air purifiers are nice if you have allergies and to cut down on dust, but they will not get rid of smells. You need a really serious charcoal filter or just to eliminate the smells at the source somehow. With fall weather around the corner, you can open the windows, which will help.

Yeah, I'm not sure it's going to work, but hopefully it will help at least a bit. No one in the house has allergies, but I wouldn't complain about reducing the dust! Ultimately, I think the basement carpet needs to be replaced, but there's no sense in doing that until the cat is out of the picture. We do shampoo the carpet as often as possible. Oh, and we definitely open all the windows any chance we get (weather wise) but I feel like our temperate fall/spring days are so fleeting.

Anyway, thanks to the pp who pointed me to the Wirecutter recs, I just ordered the top recommendation on that. We shall see... -OP

[Anonymous]

An air purifier definitely won’t help with pet smell. What will help is laundering/washing everything made of fabric. Carpets, rugs, upholstery, curtains, pillows. Then wash down all the other surfaces - mop floors but also wipe down doors and door frames and walls, especially corners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Air purifiers are nice if you have allergies and to cut down on dust, but they will not get rid of smells. You need a really serious charcoal filter or just to eliminate the smells at the source somehow. With fall weather around the corner, you can open the windows, which will help.

Yeah, I'm not sure it's going to work, but hopefully it will help at least a bit. No one in the house has allergies, but I wouldn't complain about reducing the dust! Ultimately, I think the basement carpet needs to be replaced, but there's no sense in doing that until the cat is out of the picture. We do shampoo the carpet as often as possible. Oh, and we definitely open all the windows any chance we get (weather wise) but I feel like our temperate fall/spring days are so fleeting.

Anyway, thanks to the pp who pointed me to the Wirecutter recs, I just ordered the top recommendation on that. We shall see... -OP

If you’re implying that the cat is peeing on the basement carpet, don’t waste any time or money on air purifiers.

[Anonymous]

OP I’m you. 2 dogs 2 cats and gross teenage boy

You’ll also need a dehumidifier, starting in the basement. Game changer!! Get a big one and set it for 45 percent humidity

When I couldn’t take the smell anymore I bought 4 air purifiers and two big dehumidifiers on various floors. The dehumidifiers make a bigger difference honestly.

[Anonymous]

You need to rectify the source of the smells. No cat owner should have cat a cat urine smell in their house. That's on you. Cat's will always use a litter box unless you don't keep it clean. I never had a problem with my cats. They are incredibly clean animals. Dogs are a different story the first year but again, you need to train them. No air "purifier" is going to help. They are mostly just a big scam. Your household air should not need cleaning or filtering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we need an air purifier. Our house stinks. I blame the cat, mainly, but there are other pets and children, etc. etc. so I'm sure there are multiple causes. In any case, in addition to staying on top of cleaning, I think maybe an air purifier is worth a try, especially when the hot weather makes airing out with open windows less than appealing.

I've never had an air purifier, I know nothing about them. Any suggestions of quality brands, important features, what to spend (hopefully under $300)? Square footage wise, our house is small, but it is three levels, if it matters. Anyway, air purifier wisdom welcome/appreciated.

Are the children potty trained? Why does your house stink from children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to rectify the source of the smells. No cat owner should have cat a cat urine smell in their house. That's on you. Cat's will always use a litter box unless you don't keep it clean. I never had a problem with my cats. They are incredibly clean animals. Dogs are a different story the first year but again, you need to train them. No air "purifier" is going to help. They are mostly just a big scam. Your household air should not need cleaning or filtering.

Lol, no. You just have nice, compliant cats. Consider yourself lucky.