Cleaning Up Before Christmas: A Guide From Professional Cleaners UK
25 Dec 2024 10:12
Best Air Purifier
Get in touchWelcome to our handy guide to help you find the best air purifier on the market today.
Air Purifiers have long been seen as an 'American thing,’ but an increase in demand for these devices has led to the market expanding in the UK. Long lauded by health professionals and focus groups for helping respiratory conditions, asthma and allergies, an Air Purifier can finally be considered mainstream, and you’re more likely than ever to see them in other people’s homes.
While the market for Air Purifiers is growing all the time, the following eight models are those that Professional Cleaners UK has worked with and recommends as reliable and efficient devices.
For more information, follow the links or read more in our detailed top Air Purifier Guide below:
Best Air Purifiers 2025 UK - Results
Below are the overall Air Purifier winners:
Best Overall Air Purifier
Dyson Pure Hot and Cool Advanced Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Phillips Serie 1000i Smart Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Best Cheap Air Purifier
Meaco Clean Portable Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Homedics Total Clean Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Good All-Round Air Purifier
Dyson Pure Cool Me Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Phillips Series 800 Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Vax Portable Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
Most Stylish Air Purifier
Phillips Series 300i Air Purifier - for more info or to purchase click here
At Professional Cleaners UK, we test and review products, awarding and selecting the very best based on several key factors. We are independently owned, and the views expressed are our own. We are a national professional cleaning company that may receive a small commission from the companies we review; this helps us keep our product review pages free of subscriptions for you. All prices are accurate as of the time of review.
Check out our top picks to clean the air in your home.
1. Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Advanced Air Purifier - £549.00
You’ve likely seen the Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier featured in the pages of interior design magazines and on the feeds of lifestyle bloggers, and this is truly the Rolls-Royce of such appliances.
Working with a dual HEPA and carbon filter, this is a 3-in-1 device that purifies, heats, and cools at will. It's as techy as it looks, and links with your smartphone to send you air quality reports through the Dyson Link app, as well as offering monitoring and control from anywhere. It’s safe to use anywhere in the home, and its numerous programmes include something for everyone, every room, and every time of day.
BEST AIR PURIFIER SUMMARY: The best model in the guide, stylish, modern, smartphone-controlled and brilliant results. Truly the best of the best.
For more information and to buy this model, click here.
2. Meaco MeacoClean CA-HEPA Portable Air Purifier - £139.99
Meaco isn’t a household name, but they are specialists in this field: they produce only purifying, heating and cooling products, so they know a thing or two about what makes a good one!
The MeacoClean CA-HEPA offers multi-stage purification, charging ions in the air to neutralise pollutants and clump them together, rendering them easy to pick up as they pass through its filters. It boasts a success rate of up to 99.985% on even the smallest airborne particles and features an additional charcoal filter to eliminate unpleasant odours. The MeacoClean CA-HEPA can cleanse a room of up to 78m² in area and has an 8-hour timer. The filters are replaceable, and the easy-to-use controls give you access to different settings and programmes, as well as notifying you as soon as a filter needs changing.
BEST AIR PURIFIER SUMMARY: Outstanding results from the Meaco, not the most stylish of models, but if you are looking for a great priced model which more than does the job, this is the air purifier for you.
For more information or to buy this model, click here.
3. HOMEDICS Total Clean AP-25A-GB Air Purifier - £119.99
A teeny tiny Air Purifier ideal for smaller spaces, the HOMEDICS Total Clean has a 12-hour timer, replaceable filter and can clean a room up to 17.1m² in area.
The HEPA filter effectively removes up to 99.97% of allergens, pollutants, and dust, and can also eliminate pet dander, odours, smoke, and mould spores. There are three different speed settings and a night mode for uninterrupted sleep. Auto-off turns off the device when its programme comes to an end, helping to cut unnecessary energy usage - a powerful air purifier.
BEST AIR PURIFIER SUMMARY: A small and cheaper model ,which again delivered super results, was great in small homes and office spaces and could be discreetly tucked away.
For more information and to buy this model click here.
4. Dyson Pure Cool Me Air Purifier - £299.00
The Pure Cool Me Air Purifier is so compact that it can be truly classified as portable, unlike some of its competitors. This model is particularly popular in offices, and in some companies, it’s not uncommon to spot them on desks.
The Pure Cool Me delivers a stream of cool filtered air powered by Dyson’s Core Flow technology, so no matter how hot and humid it is around you, you can bask in the fresh air. It features a HEPA filter with a 99.95% efficiency rating for particle removal and a quick-change filter for easy replacement. The in-built timer can be set up to 8 hours in advance, and the airflow can be easily adjusted by moving the dome to direct the flow where you want it, or set on rotation from side to side. A great portable air purifier that removes airborne allergens and improves indoor air quality.
SUMMARY: A small HEPA air purifier model is popular in offices and studies. As with everything from Dyson, it looked stylish, and the fact that it is so easily portable means it could be moved between rooms.
For more information and to purchase this top air purifier, click here.
5. VAX ACAMV101 Portable Air Purifier - £249.00
It’s true – VAX don’t just make vacuum cleaners! The ACAMV101 is capable of removing harmful particles from the air as small as 0.3 microns, making it a significant player in the air purification market.
It's a 360 filter that traps dust, smoke, pollen and mould, and its built-in ioniser tackles airborne bacteria and neutralises viruses. This Air Purifier is approved and recommended by both Asthma UK and the British Allergy Foundation, so many people suffering from allergies use it.
The ACAMV101 can cover an impressive 120m² area and features five-speed settings, all of which are selectable via easy-to-use controls. Straightforward indication lights monitor and report on air quality at all times, and the timer function allows for delayed programming. There’s also a night programme with dimmed lighting and quieter operation. Achieved high results in our air purifier testing.
BEST AIR PURIFIER SUMMARY: An outstanding model which delivered brilliant results, as well as being approved by health professionals. Great value for money, as well as being stylish and discreet. Highly recommended.
For more information and to buy this top model, click here.
6. PHILIPS Series 800 AC0820/30 Air Purifier - £149.99
A small but perfectly formed Air Purifier, the PHILIPS Series 800 is particularly popular with parents and is often marketed as a nursery addition.
Its in-built sensor continually monitors air quality and automatically adjusts its programming to suit. An easy coloured display presents quality (blue for clean, red for dirty) and its night time mode slows the fan speed and turns off display lights to an almost undetectable sound level. The PHILIPS Series 800 has a HEPA filter and can cleanse a room of up to 49m² in area.
BEST AIR PURIFIER UK 2022 SUMMARY: Popular with homes and in nurseries, this cheap version did the job. A decent price and results, it was difficult to fault.
For more information or to purchase this mode,l click here.
7. PHILIPS Series 1000i AC1214/60 Smart Air Purifier - £349.99
Three auto modes, a 1-12 air quality index and a 99.97% success rate of particle removal make the PHILIPS Series 1000i a popular choice.
It's linkable with a smartphone through the Air Matters app and can be controlled and monitored remotely – ideal if you’d like around-the-clock monitoring without incurring a premium price tag. An extra-sensitive allergy mode is a great addition to clear the air of allergens that can move around the home.
SUMMARY: A great model from Phillips and one of the best around. Stylish and smartphone-controlled, this makes it a popular addition to any home or office.
For more information or to purchase this great air purifier, click here.
8. PHILIPS Series 3000i AC3259/60 Air Purifier - £479
The PHILIPS Series 3000i looks space-age, and the technology behind this white-fronted device doesn’t disappoint!
Able to tackle the air in rooms up to 95m², it boasts a 99.9% bacteria removal rate and can handle dust, pet hair and pollen amongst its contaminants.
Popular with those suffering from allergies, its unique anti-allergen mode detects and reacts to allergens in the air, automatically increasing airflow to reduce particle volumes for enhanced comfort. The Series 3000i links to your smartphone or device via the Air Matters app and is remotely adjustable, allowing you to monitor it wherever you are. It features three auto modes and a dedicated nighttime program with slow, quiet fan movement and no lights, ensuring a great night's sleep.
BEST AIR PURIFIER SUMMARY: A top model from Phillips. It was stylish and could control air purity at a huge 95m². A smartphone feature and other features meant it was perfect for any home or office. An excellent air cleaning device.
For more information and to purchase this mode,l click here.
Frequently Asked Questions of Air Purifiers
Here are the most popular questions we get asked when people are looking to buy an air purifier or air cleaner:
What is an Air Purifier?
An air purifier (air cleaner or air filter system, as it’s sometimes known in simplified terms) is a device that removes contaminants from the air to improve indoor air quality.
They can be used either commercially or in a household setting, such as small rooms and small spaces (such as a living room) to help allergy sufferers or to clean and improve air quality.
In a home, you will most often find small standalone units that remove fine particles. Most air purifiers can effectively clean the air with a good clean air delivery rate.
Larger devices, such as those implemented in air conditioning systems or air handler units (AHUs), are more common in commercial settings, large spaces, and large rooms to remove air pollution that is often denser and more heavily polluted.
How do Air Purifiers work?
Air purifiers work with one of two technologies: active or passive.
Active air purifiers release negatively charged ions into the air. These ions cause airborne pollutants, such as VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), to adhere to surfaces when they come into contact with them.
Passive air purifiers use filters to remove pollutants and air pollution as they pass through the device.
The latter is more common and more efficient, as it permanently removes the toxic particles from the air, rather than just redistributing them. Passive air purifiers are now the most widely available type.
The most sought-after type of passive air purifier is one with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance or High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.
HEPA filters (and true HEPA filter devices or HEPA air purifiers) remove at least 99.97% of particles from the air and are considered the most efficient available on the market.
Other methods of air purification include UVGI purification, which forces air through UV lights; activated carbon that absorbs chemicals; and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), which oxidises chemicals and contaminants.
Do Air Purifiers help protect against coronavirus?
One piece of advice in the fight against coronavirus is to keep a window open for an hour or so a day to let in fresh air and help improve the air quality in the home.
Air circulating through the home is always beneficial, particularly in cases where potential allergens or contaminants are present in the air.
COVID-19 is airborne, and Air Purifiers can help negate the prevalence of it in your home by circulating air and improving air quality; however, it is not a guaranteed protection against coronavirus, COVID-19 or any other airborne contaminant.
What are the benefits of Air Purifiers?
Air purifiers have numerous benefits for those living in homes with them running. These include, but are by no means limited to:
Improved air quality with carbon filters removing dirt from the air constantly (air changes per hour are one of the factors we took in consideration in our reviews).
Relieving symptoms of asthma and other respiratory conditions
Elimination of airborne contaminants, chemicals and allergens (sometimes known as VOC - Volatile Organic Compounds)
Reducing the chance of airborne disease
Neutralisation of odours - including cooking, cleaning products and pets
Improved sleep quality for those in cleaner air environments.
There is also scientific evidence to suggest that the use of an air purifier can reduce levels of asbestos and radon in the air – a real concern for those living in older buildings.
How long does it take for an Air Purifier to clean a room?
Despite this being one of the most frequently asked questions about an air purifier, unfortunately, there is no definitive answer about how long it will take to clean the air in a particular room, especially when removing activated carbon.
It depends on the square footage of the room size and also the size and power of the device itself. Larger rooms will naturally take longer than smaller ones.
In general, most household air purifiers will claim to clean a room’s air within anything from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
What To Look for in an Air Purifier?
Factors to consider when looking to buy an air purifier include:
True HEPA filter - the most popular type of filter. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers are all the rage and are great at cleaning air quickly and efficiently.
Clean air delivery rate - how quickly can the device clean the air? This is sometimes measured in air changes per hour.
Innovative air purifier options - is the model wi-fi enabled? This is very important to some, particularly those who are tech-savvy.
Square feet and room size - what is the size of the space in square feet? Also, what is suitable for a living room may not be for a large office. Most appliances measure the area they can effectively cover in square feet. Check this information in more detail on the Currys sales pages.
Fan speeds - the rate at which the fans rotate; these speeds help purify the air. Various speeds are great for cleaning the air in a room, ridding it of pollen and dust, and many can achieve this even on the lowest setting and speed.
Pre-filter and pre-filters - as well as standard filters, some have pre-filters that can help with cleaning. Again, check the product description.
Filter replacement - The filter will remove fine particles from the air, but it is advisable to change the filter periodically so that the machine operates at its optimum.
Noise level can be impacted by fan speed.
Portable air purifier so you can transfer between rooms, including larger rooms and smaller room areas.
Indoor air - what is the quality of the air in the first place How many pollutants are in the air, is there a smoker and therefore smoke particles etc
Range and models of purifiers on the market - some have a brand preference to achieve "pure air" in their home. There is a huge range of models out there, from Dyson to BlueAir Blue Pure 411 or even the Blueair Classic.
Air quality monitor with activated carbon filters, even removing airborne viruses. Air quality levels greatly improved.
Remote control feature - essential if the device is mounted on a wall. A smartphone app controls many, a simple control panel or easy remote control, not all air purifiers have this feature.
From this, we offer awards such as the best air purifier for bedrooms in the UK and more.
You can rest assured that all models in our guide have HEPA filters, are easy to use and clean the air efficiently and cheaply, reducing indoor pollution and a room's air quality. Also, check out our previous guide - best air purifier UK 2021 for more tips and ideas.
Should I sleep with an Air Purifier on?
An air purifier can run all night, and there’s nothing to suggest that you’d experience any adverse effects from being and sleeping in the same room as one turned on – if anything, it’s likely to help you achieve better sleep quality, provided it’s not too loud to disturb you.
However, many would require a filter change when running for more than several hours and so once the filter is full, if you don’t wake and change it (obviously, disrupting your sleep cycle), the air quality will begin to deteriorate toward the end of the night and/or early morning.
You can enjoy purified air 24 hours a day.
Are there other models not reviewed in your guide that are worth checking out?
Yes, other top models we haven't looked at in detail but are still recommended include the Austin Air Healthmate, Blueair Blue Pure, Coway Airmega 400, and Dyson Pure.
All of those models can clean air in a room and are great models - all are HEPA certified to remove air pollutants. Remember that using an air purifier, of any model, is simple and easy to do once set up.
Do Air Purifiers help you breathe better?
Yes! If used correctly, an air purifier will remove allergens and contaminants from the air within your home (within a specified square foot area), meaning the air you’ll be breathing is of better quality.
Whilst anecdotal and subject to individuals’ medical conditions and experiences, there are plenty of people out there, particularly those with asthma and other respiratory conditions, who report that having an air purifier in their home helps them breathe more easily.
In research, it has been suggested that 99.97% of harmful particles can be removed by an air purifier. This was covered in our 2021 guide to the best air purifiers.
Do Air Purifiers use a lot of electricity?
If you don’t already have an air purifier in your home, introducing one will increase your electricity usage, as introducing any electrical appliance would. General air purifier reviews in the UK 2021, with a focus on this topic, particularly in light of COVID-19 as an issue.
However, air purifiers available on the mainstream home market are subject to the same energy efficiency ratings as any other white goods and so each should have its rating clearly listed on any sale information webpages or supplied directly to you by a salesperson.
Generally speaking, more energy-efficient models tend to be more expensive, but this initial investment is later offset by lower energy bills.
What’s the best Air Purifier on the market right now? Best air purifier 2025 UK Overview
The best air purifiers on the market are Vax, Dyson and Philips, read more about them in our guide. There are numerous good air purifier options available.
As you begin to browse for an Air Purifier for your home, you’ll undoubtedly come across some household names of appliances you recognise, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the bigger name, the better! We test air purifiers to find you the best ones.
The best Air Purifier for you and your home is dependent on your budget, wants and needs. Therefore, each model should be judged on its merits and relevancy for your home.
What is the history of Air purifiers?
The concept of purifying air has been around for centuries, with various methods and devices developed over time. The history of air purifiers can be traced back to ancient civilisations that recognised the importance of clean air for health and well-being.
One of the earliest recorded instances of air purification dates back to ancient Rome, where the Emperor Nero ordered the construction of a ventilated room with woven cloth windows to filter out smoke and other airborne pollutants. This was an early precursor to modern air purifiers.
Fast forward to the 18th century, and we find another notable development in the history of air purification. In 1733, a Dutch inventor named John-Theophilus Desaguliers introduced the "fireplace stove," which incorporated a crude form of air filtration. It utilised metal plates and a water spray to remove dust particles and odours from the air. This invention marked a significant step forward in air purification technology.
The 19th century saw further advancements in air purification methods. In the 1830s, a British scientist named John Stenhouse developed activated charcoal, a highly porous material capable of absorbing various gases and odours. Activated charcoal became a popular medium for air purification and was used in early air purifiers.
The early 20th century brought further progress in air purification technology. In 1901, a doctor named Carl F. Schmidt invented the "Schmidt Air Cleaning Apparatus," which used water to trap dust and particles. This device was later improved upon by companies like the Passaic Air Filter Company, which introduced the first commercialised air purifiers in the 1930s.
The post-World War II era witnessed significant advancements in air purifier technology, driven by concerns about air pollution and the need for clean indoor environments. In the 1940s, mechanical air filters gained popularity, utilising a system of fans and filters to capture and remove airborne particles. These filters were commonly used in hospitals, research laboratories, and industrial settings.
As the understanding of air pollution and its health effects grew, so did the demand for more effective air purifiers. In the 1970s, the introduction of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters revolutionised the industry. HEPA filters, capable of capturing over 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, became the gold standard for air purification. They are still widely used in modern air purifiers today.
In recent years, technological advancements have further enhanced the capabilities of air purifiers. Many modern units incorporate additional features, such as activated carbon filters to remove odours, ultraviolet (UV) light to kill bacteria and viruses, and ionisers to charge particles and enhance filtration efficiency.
Moreover, smart technology has made its way into air purifiers, enabling remote control, real-time air quality monitoring, and automatic adjustment of fan speeds based on pollution levels.
As concerns about air quality and environmental health continue to rise, the air purifier industry is expected to see further innovation and growth. Researchers and engineers continually explore new filtration techniques and materials to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of air purification systems.
In conclusion, the history of air purifiers spans centuries of human ingenuity and technological progress. From the early attempts to filter smoke and dust to the advanced purification systems of today, air purifiers have evolved significantly in improving indoor air quality and promoting healthier living environments.
Will you be doing the best air purifying guide for 2026?
Yes we will be. We will examine factors such as air quality monitor updates, particulate matter removal, dust particle removal, remote control options, and more.
Summary of the Best Air Purifier 2025
As you can see, there are numerous air purifiers on the market, all of which help improve indoor air quality by removing dust, pollen, and airborne pollutants, thereby cleaning the air. As pointed out, there are numerous health benefits to improving air quality, including relief from asthma and hay fever.
In our guide, we have explored different models and price points. We have considered square footage cleaning ability, fan speeds, air purification effectiveness, ease of use, appearance, and price point. You will, therefore, hopefully, find something suitable for your needs.
Whichever air purifier you choose to clean the air in your home, take a moment to breathe and pore over your choice. The most appropriate purchase for you could be life-changing… or air-changing, at least!
If you enjoyed this free product review, make sure you check out our best tumble dryer, best dishwashers, best washing machines, best washer dryers, best steam cleaners, best fridge freezers, best vacuum cleaners and best pressure washer reviews as well.
Rights reserved.