People cleaning or vacuuming at home
If cleaning stirs up dust, start by ventilating the room. ADEME recommends airing rooms after cleaning and vacuuming; an air purifier, if you choose to use one, should be an additional measure.
Who is this option for?
Occasional DIYers
For occasional jobs that create dust or odours, first reduce emissions and ventilate the room. The French ministry responsible for the environment recommends, in particular, opening windows while doing DIY.
Anyone comparing filter-based air purifiers
If you’re buying one to meet a regular need in a particular room, check the clean air delivery rate, coverage conditions and filter. The HEPA classification set out in standard NF EN 1822-1 applies to the filter alone, not the complete appliance.
What should you look for?
ADEME recommends reducing sources of pollution and renewing the air before treating indoor air. If an appliance is still right for your room, compare the function you need — removing particles or certain gases and odours — and check the stated measurement conditions.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Whether you need an appliance | Consider whether the incident is occasional and whether you can reduce the source; check the room’s ventilation and existing ventilation system. | If dust mainly appears while I’m cleaning, I want to know whether my usual steps already meet my needs. The need for an appliance would be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Particle filtration | Compare the clean air delivery rate in m³/h and the measurement and coverage conditions for the room in question; don’t rely on the HEPA label alone. | In a room where DIY regularly stirs up dust, I’m looking for a filtration capacity I can compare. Around 29% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Odours and filters | Check whether it has a filter medium designed for gases or odours, and find the replacement filter reference that’s compatible with the appliance. | After using products with strong odours, I want to understand the difference between what a particle filter does and what another filter medium might do. Managing odours and filters would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Active technologies | For ionisation, ozonation, plasma or photocatalysis, ask for relevant tests on the complete appliance, including any potential by-products. | When a product promises to destroy pollutants, I want to understand the limitations of the feature before using it at home. Checking these technologies would come ahead of other criteria for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying an appliance so you don’t have to ventilate
An air purifier doesn’t renew the air in your home or fix a faulty ventilation system. ADEME recommends ventilating after cleaning and vacuuming.
Reduce emissions where possible and ventilate. Only then consider whether additional filtration would be useful in a particular room.
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Assuming the HEPA label measures the whole appliance
Standard NF EN 1822-1 classifies high-efficiency filters. The air delivery rate, how the filter is fitted and the conditions of use also matter when assessing an air purifier.
Ask for the filter class or test method, then check the measured clean air delivery rate and the conditions linked to the stated room coverage.
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Choosing an active feature based on its claims alone
For the technologies examined, including ionisation and ozonation, Anses reported in 2017 that the available data did not demonstrate their effectiveness or safety in real-world conditions.
Ask for relevant independent tests on the complete appliance under the intended conditions of use. If there isn’t enough evidence, don’t make this feature the reason for buying.
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Forgetting about replacement filters
The filter reference and replacement interval depend on the model. Dyson and Rowenta publish recommendations for some of their filters; these don’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Check the compatible filter reference, its availability and the care instructions for the model you’re considering.
You’ll also need to plan for sourcing replacement filters and maintaining the appliance.
Brands to know when comparing ranges
Philips
Philips offers filter-based air purifiers, as well as models that combine air purification with comfort features.
- For the AC3036/10R1, Philips states a clean air delivery rate of 520 m³/h and a HEPA filter with activated carbon.
- If a model also offers ventilation or heating, check its filtration capacity separately, along with the conditions used for the room in question.
Rowenta
The range mentioned includes the Pure Air Mini, which Rowenta presents as suitable for smaller rooms.
- Rowenta states that this model can be used in rooms of up to 22 m² and has a HEPA Allergy+ filter with activated carbon.
- Check the coverage conditions, clean air delivery rate and filter reference for the specific model you choose.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi offers connected air purifiers; the Smart Air Purifier 4 also features advertised ionisation.
- For the Smart Air Purifier 4, Xiaomi states a clean air delivery rate of 400 m³/h for particles and a coverage area of 28 to 48 m².
- Check the conditions behind these figures and whether ionisation can be switched off. Anses advises caution with active technologies whose effects in real-world conditions have not been sufficiently demonstrated.
Filter-based air purifiers on Joybuy
These appliances are options for adding filtration in a room where a need has been identified, after reducing sources of pollution and ventilating. The coverage areas, air delivery rates and features below are product-specific details. Check the measurement conditions before comparing models.
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Jafända, H13 HEPA filter and activated carbon
Worth considering if you’re looking for particle filtration and an activated carbon medium for a particular room. The product title states coverage of up to 1190 ft², as well as WiFi and Alexa control; check the coverage conditions and compatible filter.
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TRULIVA H13 HEPA, stated CADR of 450 m³/h
Worth comparing for a room where particle filtration is the main priority. The title states an H13 HEPA filter, 360° air circulation and a clean air delivery rate of 450 m³/h; check the test protocol, the setting used for this measurement and the replacement filter.
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ELECCI Dual-HEPA, up to 48 m²
Worth considering if you want to compare a room’s stated size with the air delivery rate. The title mentions up to 48 m², 120 m³ and a clean air delivery rate of 550 m³/h, but doesn’t specify how these figures relate to one another; check the conditions before choosing. A claim about viruses is not a health guarantee.
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Shark NeverChange Max HP300EU
Worth considering if you’re looking for an air purifier for a large room, but don’t assume it can replace ventilation. The title states a HEPA filter, an automatic mode and coverage of up to 130 m²; check the conditions for this coverage and the filter replacement instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air purifier replace ventilation or a mechanical ventilation system after cleaning?
No. ADEME prioritises reducing sources of pollution and renewing the air, and recommends ventilating after cleaning or vacuuming. A filter-based air purifier may be considered as an additional measure for a specific need; it won’t fix a faulty ventilation system.
How do you compare two air purifiers for the same room?
Check the clean air delivery rate, its unit, the setting and measurement protocol, then the conditions linked to the stated coverage area. Standard NF EN 1822-1 classifies HEPA filters, but the filter class alone doesn’t measure the air delivery rate of the complete appliance.
Should you choose ionisation or ozonation after DIY?
Don’t choose these features based on their name alone or a promise to destroy pollutants. For the devices it examined, Anses reported in 2017 that the available data did not demonstrate their effectiveness or safety in real-world conditions. Ask for relevant tests on the complete appliance, the pollutants it targets and any potential by-products.
Does the CE marking prove how well an air purifier works?
No. According to the European Union’s Your Europe portal, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product meets the applicable European requirements. It doesn’t replace measurements that let you compare air purification in the room in question.
What should you check when it comes to filter maintenance?
Identify the compatible filter reference, check its availability and read the replacement instructions for the model you choose. Dyson and Rowenta provide replacement intervals for some of their filters, but these manufacturers’ recommendations aren’t a universal lifespan for all air purifiers.