As air purifiers have become more and more a standard for controlling indoor environments, shopping for one has become slightly more challenging. The following information will give you a good start to the buying process.

Types of Air Purifiers

There are in essence three technologies that purify air: HEPA filters that capture the most miniscule of air particles; Ionization which cleans the air by giving off a certain percentage of ozone, and electrostatic air purification which employs charged plates that have both positive and negative polarity. Air purifiers also use a combination of HEPA filters, with a pre-filter that starts detaining particles even before they get to the HEPA filer. Ionic purifiers have been discouraged by some sources because the ozone emissions may affect people with allergies and asthma, something an air purifier is supposed to avoid.

Within these three types of purifiers, there are little differences among models and different sizes and features. Air purifiers can be relatively small, designed to sit on a desk in an office, or be relatively large stand-up models for purifying air in a large room or rooms.

Air purifiers differ in the quantity of allergens and other air impurities that are removed from the air. Many boast that they annihilate from 98% to 100% of impurities, while others annihilate around 80% to 85%. Some air purifiers are filterless, while others work with filters that capture the pollutants inside the filter. Some air purifiers run with a decent amount of noise, while others feature a muted system of purification. Some air purifiers annihilate a host of pollutants including allergens, viruses, bacteria and odors, but don't annihilate chemical pollutants. Others cover all varieties of pollutants.

Price

High quality air purifiers may be relatively expensive, depending on size and features. Air filters start at around $60 for a basic, relatively small table top air purifier, and get up to $700 for large floor models. The price will also differ based on the technology used to purify the air, and the percentage and type of particulates that are ultimately detained by the technology.

Designs

The varying designs of air purifiers is something to look at as well. They come in portable and stand up models made of varying materials and colors. If the air purifier you are considering is large, try to find one that will blend in to your home decor.

Ratings

It is very important to check ratings and reviews of air purifiers because every single model has a different technology for removing pollutants, and some air purifiers are more efficient at extinguishing more pollutants. People who have used the products previously tend to have the best

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications will differ greatly among air purifiers. Technical specifications for a mid-priced ($200) standing air purifier may include little to no maintenance - with no filters, no fan speeds, and no controls. It will cover a room size of 450-650 square feet. A $400 model may have an internal ionizer, HEPA carbon filter that will most likely last 6 months; a low noise level; four fan speeds; manual control knobs, and clean a room up to 365 square feet.

Where to Shop

It may not be easy to get a hold of a large assortment of air filters in stores. Some specialized stores may have a assortment, along with large department stores. It is best to shop online to see the full line of air filters available, and understand the different features. You can also comparison shop online to get the best buy.