Last Updated: February 27, 2024
The world is getting hotter and dirtier, and the air we breathe is becoming dangerously polluted. As per research, nine out ten people breathe polluted air, killing 7 million people every year. Nearly one-third of worldwide deaths from stroke, lung cancer, and heart disease are attributed to pollution, similar to the effect of smoking. It is challenging to escape air pollution, no matter where we live. Air pollutants slip past our body’s defenses, penetrating our respiratory and circulatory systems and impacting our vital organs.
The health burden of pollution is now so high that people are looking for cleaner and better spaces. While we cannot reverse climate changes at the macro level, we can take preventive steps to protect ourselves and our families from these harmful effects. At the moment, we are spending a lot of time indoors, where levels of certain pollutants up to 5 times higher than outdoor air, exposure to poor air indoors puts us at risk for several ailments. As indoor air quality is deteriorating, it is critical to arm yourself with an air purifier to protect against common air pollutants. These appliances sanitize the air from contaminants, allergens, and toxins and provide cleaner, healthier air in our home or office. Air purifiers are designed to make the air in our home clean, getting rid of all the impurities, including odors, smoke, dust, and other contaminants.
See also:
- Best Humidifier and Air Purifier Combo
- Best Dehumidifier and Air Purifier Combo
- 5 Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms
Sound and Air purifiers
While air purifiers do an excellent job of providing clean, breathable air, most of these appliances have one demerit- the noise. While everyone has different tolerance levels for noise, if you are a light sleeper or have children in the home, an air purifier that produces too much noise can affect your ability to rest and enjoy the full benefits of breathing clean air.
The noise generated from air purifiers is typically considered ambient noise. However, depending on the air purifier model and operating speed, the volume of noise varies. An air purifier’s noise level is calculated in decibels dB (A), and each product comes labeled with its dB (A), decibels, measurement. Since the decibel dB (A) is measured on a logarithmic scale that goes up in powers of ten, an air purifier marked as 70dB (A) would be 20 times louder than a 50dB (A) counterpart.
Air purifiers that use filters as the primary cleaning air method tend to be louder, especially if they are designed to cover a large space. HEPA air purifier is essentially a large fan but pulls through a filter. It takes a large motor to pull the air from a large room through a filter. Air purifiers that use ionic technologies will be quiet because they generate ions or illuminate a germicidal bulb. Though they may have a small fan, the fan is generally the size of a fan in a laptop and is considered whisper quiet.
Air purifiers’ noise is impacted by other factors, such as high-speed operation, where they are required to work harder, resulting in louder sound generation. The location of the air purifier also affects the noise level.
You should also measure the amount of clean air you are getting at a particular sound level. You can measure the performance using the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) metric. When you look at the decibel rating for an air purifier, you want to determine how much clean air it delivers at that setting. Look for products with a high CADR and low decibel rating.
When selecting an air purifier, look for the noise decibel label mentioned on the label, although manufacturers are not required to release air purifiers’ sound emissions. Always check for dB (A) values. There are also noise apps and decibel meters for smartphones that you can download to compare products easily.
Best Quiet Air Purifiers – Product Reviews
1. Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto Small Room Air Purifier with HEPASilent Technology and Washable Pre-Filter
The Blue Pure 411 Auto air purifier features a 360° air intake and thoroughly filters room air at the rate of 5x an hour or about every 12 minutes in a 388 ft² room. The air purifier is independently verified, and third-party tested for performance as part of the AHAM Verified program for room air cleaners and delivers a CADR of 132 for fine smoke particles, 96 for pollen, and 107 for dust particles. The Blue Pure Auto is recommended for small rooms like nurseries, master bedrooms, and home offices.
The Blue Pure 411 Auto air purifier’s 3-step combination particle + carbon filter combines with HEPASilent filtration technology to effectively remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns, an additional layer of activated coconut carbon traps light household odors. The air purifier is quieter than a soft whisper on low speed (18 dB) and less noise than a normal conversation on high speed (53 dB). Additionally, the Blue Pure Auto is Energy Star rated to consume less energy than an LED lightbulb (2-10 W). ENERGY STAR certified room air cleaners are 40% more energy-efficient than standard models.
The Blue Pure 411 Auto air purifier features an integrated particle sensor, auto mode setting, and LED air quality display. The air purifier intuitively adjusts to real-time conditions reported by the particle sensor to maintain a comfortable home environment. The LED display changes color to indicate good, moderate, or poor air quality. The air purifier comes with a washable fabric pre-filter in Arctic Trail (gray); the pre-filter’s fabric material catches larger particles and extends the primary filter’s life. Plus, a hidden compartment in the fabric pre-filter keeps the power cord hidden out of sight. Additional pre-filter colors inspired by Scandinavian nature are sold separately. Vacuum the fabric or toss it in the washing machine whenever it needs cleaning.
Pros
- Auto filter with a color indicator
- Easy to move from one location to another
- Low Power consumption
- Whisper Quiet operation
Cons
- High Blue light intensity
2. RENPHO Quiet Air Purifier for Home Allergies and Pets Hair
The RENPHO air purifier RP-AP088B features advanced 4-stage filtration that provides 360° purification and can effectively capture 99.97% of particulates as low as 0.3 microns. The air cleaner improves your indoor air quality and protects from allergens, pet odor, hair, dander, smoke, cooking fumes, mold, germs, bacteria, and large dust particles to help your family breathe better.
With a CADR rate of 100 CFM (170 m³/h), the RENPHO RP-AP088B can circulate an entire room’s air three times per hour for areas up to 240 sq. ft., making it suitable for small or medium-sized rooms. The RENPHO air purifier comes with three fan speeds to choose from low, medium or high fan speeds based on the surrounding air quality. The air purifier turns on medium fan speed.
The RENPHO RP-AP088B features sleep mode with whisper-quiet operation at 26dB during sleep mode, so your air is purified while you sleep undisturbed. 3 Timer Options With Night Light: This odor eliminator provides a timer option that allows you to set an auto-off for 2 hours, 4 hours, or 8 hours, helping you save money and energy. There are two light modes: night light and colorful gradient. The light is gentle and dim.
The RENPHO RP-AP088B activates the key lock mode to avoid errors operation caused by children or pets with a press of a button. The air purifier’s filter replacement indicator flashes when you need to change to a new filter. The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter every 6-8 months.
Pros
- Clear directions and easy to setup
- Whisper quiet operation and sleep mode
- Cool night light feature for kids
- Slick and intuitive panel
Cons
- No ionic filter
3. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier for Home, 5-in-1 Large Room Air Cleaner
Protect your lungs from harmful air pollutants with the Hathaspace 5-in-1 true HEPA air purifier that can filter 99.97% of contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. Its five purification system stages protect you and your family from a range of the most common and invisible household pollutants like dust particles, mold, toxic chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
The air purifier features a unique honeycomb activated-carbon filter that absorbs odors, smoke, and VOC’s. Designed for every pet household, a preliminary cold catalyst filter captures pet hair and dander so you and your pets can breathe easier. To neutralize the most stubborn odors, a CARB-approved ionizer can be turned on and separately controlled. A smart air quality sensor detects pollutants in your air in AUTO mode, making real-time adjustments to the fan speed.
5-in-1 Purification System includes a cold catalyst filter that removes toxic household chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene. The Hathaspace air purifiers also include remote operation that allows you to control the air purifier by your bedside or couch without getting up. The air purifier comes with a sleep mode where it will work at its most quiet level (20 dB). The lights turn off entirely, providing a restful sleep to users. The Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier is UL-certified and fully complies with the electrical safety and ozone requirements specified by CARB (California Air Resources Board).
Pros
- Filters 99.97% of allergens and pollutants down to 0.3 microns
- Whisper-Quiet Sleep Mode
- Remote Control Operable
- Eliminates Smoke
- Capture Pet Hair & Dander
- Easier to clean
Cons
- Mains lead is only 1.4 meters
- No instruction on how to engage and disengage the auto function
4. RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier
The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A air purifier can filter the air in an 815 sq. ft. room twice an hour on the highest setting with a CADR of 200 Pollen, 193 Dust, 180 Smoke. With 7 inches in depth, the ultra-quiet air purifier is designed either to stand alone or be mounted on a wall. It is virtually silent in sleep mode to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep and maximum efficiency and will be an attractive addition to your home or office.
The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A features BioGS HEPA technology that can trap allergen and particles 0.3 microns in size at 99.97% efficiency and over 99% efficiency for particles less than 0.1 microns. The BioGS HEPA technology reduces common allergens’ buildup, including dust mites, mold, pollen, and pet dander, and prolongs optimal filter efficiency. The air purifier’s cutting-edge BLDC Motor operates at five speeds with noise levels ranging from 25.6 to 51.3 dBA.
The RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-780A is equipped with a six-stage air filtration system. It comes with a selection of four customized filters (Pet Allergy, Germ Defense, Toxin Absorber, and Odor Remover) that can handle a large range of allergies and sensitivities. The ultra-quiet air purifier features a light sensor that automatically transitions the unit to sleep mode when it is in a dark room and resumes a more active mode when light levels increase. It also features an energy-efficient design that makes it easy to maintain. The manufacturer recommends vacuuming the pre-filter’s surface once a month and change the filters every one to two years. The air purifier is equipped with a five-year warranty.
Pros
- Large coverage area
- 5-Year Warranty
- 6-Stage filtration
- Wall mount option
Cons
- Expensive
5. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies and Pets Hair
The Levoit Core P350 comes with a cylindrically shaped body and a sleek design. The air purifier comes with a 360-degree air intake that absorbs air through the filtration system to capture the numerous contaminants. The core P350 features Vortexair technology that delivers an increased CADR of 141 CFM / 240 m³/h, effectively covering rooms as large as 219 ft2 (20㎡) and refreshing the air five times per hour. The air purifier is perfect for the bedroom, living room, dining room, or pet room and can be placed by your bedside.
The Levoit Core P350 features an H13-Grade True HEPA filter with a larger expansion area, longer length combined with ultra-fine pre-filter and activated carbon filter, trapping 99. 97% of fine particles and allergens as small as 0. 3 microns and large pollutants such as dust, pet dander, smoke, mold, pollen. Its new fine non-woven fabric pre-filter is more effective than other common pre-filters at capturing floating hair, pet fur, pet dander, dust, fibers, lint, etc.
The Levoit Core P350 provides nearly voiceless operation at sleep mode with a sound level of 24db. The air purifier’s QuietKEAP Technology ensures that you can sleep in a restful and soothing indoor environment. The P350’s
AC capacitor motor uses durable high-precision bearing, and excellent internal structure increases abrasion resistance, which extends the machine’s life. The device also comes with a timer for 2, 4, 8, or 12 hours. You can also turn off the display light to enjoy a perfect and undisturbed night of sleep. The air purifier features a pet lock button that prevents your pets from tampering with any other controls or settings.
The Levoit Core P350 does not use UV/Ion light, an air cleaning method that research has shown can produce harmful ozone and secondary pollution. The air purifier is Energy star verified and complies with the California air resources board (CARB) for indoor cleaning devices. It is also FCC certified, ETL listed, CA PROP 65 certified. . Along with the 3-in-1 customized pet filter and user manual, every Core P350 Air Purifier comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee, 1-year warranty, and a lifetime of customer support. You can also extend your warranty by an additional year when you register your product online.
Pros
- High-quality air filter customization
- Hushed operation
- High fan power
- Compact design
- Portable
- Pet lock button
- Complies with California Air Resources Board requirements
Cons
- No Smart Sensor
- Does not have remote or app connectivity
Comparison of the best quiet air purifiers
| Product | Noise level | Filtration | Circulation/hour | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueair Blue Pure 411 | 18 to 53 dB | 0.1 microns | 5x for 388 sq. ft. | Check price |
| RENPHO | 26dB | 0.3 microns | 3x for 240 sq. ft. | Check price |
| Hathaspace | 20dB | 0.3 microns | 1x for 700 sq. ft. | Check price |
| RabbitAir MinusA2 | 25.6 to 51.3 dBA | 0.3 microns | 2x for 815 sq. ft. | Check price |
| LEVOIT | 24dB | 0.3 microns | 5x for 219 sq. ft. | Check price |