The Best Electrostatic Air Purifier

Buying Guide

There are pollutants in the air all around you. Whether you’re at home, in your office or spending some time on the lake, you’re breathing allergens throughout the day. If you don’t suffer from allergies or other health conditions, you may not even notice it, but it still affects how you feel. In fact, just breathing polluted air can decrease your lung function and possibly increase your risk of developing health issues.

A good air purifier can help with that. But there are so many different methods of filtration, it can be easy to feel out of your element as you’re shopping. An electrostatic air purifier uses the power of static electricity to attach air particles to the filter. You’ll then be required to clean the filter periodically to keep your purifier’s interior clean.

HEPA air filters, on the other hand, use a disposable filter to capture the particles. Short for high-efficiency particulate air, HEPA filters can capture more particles at a quicker rate than electrostatic purifiers. However, the technology between these two types of filtration systems isn’t quite so straightforward. Both electrostatic and HEPA purifiers have a wide range of filtration methods, some of which are more effective than others.

“The precursor to HEPA filter air purifiers, electrostatics clean the air by charging airborne particles with static electricity as they enter the unit and then attracting those particles to a collector while the cleaned air continues out and back into the room,” says Vicki Liston, writer, producer and narrator of “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement show. “Even though HEPA filters have since entered the scene and boast a 99% removal of all air particulates larger than .03 microns, electrostatic air purifiers arguably still hold their own as an affordable alternative. They are also eco-friendly as you won’t be discarding filters to be sent off to a landfill.”

Purifiers are often seen as useful for helping those with allergies, but they actually can be useful in any indoor space. In addition to helping ensure your air is pure and breathable, they can also keep odors at a minimum, which is especially useful if you have pets or regularly cook meals. If you have an area where cigarette or cigar smoke is an issue, a purifier can help with that, as well.

One area where HEPA typically excels compared to its non-HEPA counterparts is in eliminating the smallest particles from the area. HEPA filters can usually get rid of the most microscopic filters, while other purifiers struggle. Also, look for technology that can convert ozone and smog into oxygen for even better-quality air.

• As you’re weighing HEPA filtration against electrostatic air purification, there are benefits to electrostatic units. One of the biggest is that you don’t have to fuss with disposing of and purchasing new filters. Simply clean the filter as directed in the user manual.
• But, as Liston explains, electrostatic air purifiers do have a downside in that some produce ozone. If you have asthma issues or sensitive lungs, you may find your issue is exacerbated by the very thing you’ve purchased to fix it.

“This ozone — also dressed up as ‘activated oxygen’ in some product descriptions — can react with chemicals commonly found in households, like cleaners, which will also cause lung irritation,” Liston says. “I don’t recommend electrostatic air purifiers at all for anyone with lung sensitivities, allergies, or asthma. Instead, opt for a HEPA air purifier if you fall into this category.”

• Before you buy, consider where you’ll be using your purifier. Some are built to handle large spaces while others can only purify the air in smaller rooms.
• If you’ll be sleeping or working in the room where your air purifier will be set up, make sure you choose one that operates quietly. You may, however, prefer an air purifier that emits white noise, similar to a fan.
• Another benefit of electrostatic air purifier is energy consumption. High-powered HEPA purifiers can run up your utility bill, so if you opt for a HEPA unit, pay close attention to energy ratings.
• Whether your purifier has a filter that needs to be changed or cleaned, an alert can come in handy. Some purifiers also provide alerts related to air quality.
• Some air purifiers have a night light included, which can be useful if you’re keeping them in a bedroom. However, some lights can be extremely bright. A purifier with a light you can dim or turn off will keep you in control of your environment.
• Auto-adjustment is a valuable feature in an air purifier. It ideally will be able to detect the pollutants in its surroundings and provide the level of purification necessary.
• If you do opt for an electrostatic air purifier that emits ozone, avoid confining it to a closed-off small room.
• To qualify as true HEPA, a filter must pass a test that demonstrates it can clean at least 99.97% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. If you suffer from health issues, look for a system that has been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.