Baby Air Purifiers: Product Guide & Review of Styles, Features, & Safety 

Filter Models • These trap dust, pollen, and smoke without emitting ozone, an irritant. Effectiveness varies considerably among models, and they typically cost more per year for both electricity and replacement filters. Portable models tend to be noisy at high speeds.

Electrostatic • An electrical charge is applied to the particles drawn into the device, and then the particles are captured onto flat plates or filters. These generally have lower operating costs, and many do a fine job of removing dust, pollen, and smoke, but all of them create some ozone, which can aggravate asthma and decrease lung function.

Filter Indicator
In most models this lets you know when to change or clean the filter.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters
Note that these must be replaced annually.

Pre-Filters
These are designed to remove larger particles and are generally changed quarterly. However, washable pre-filters can be cleaned monthly.

Collector-Plate Assembly
These are found in electronic precipitators and must be removed and washed every month or so; you can do it in the sink or put it in a dishwasher.

Portability
Most room models have a handle, while some heavier models have wheels.

Fan Speeds
The speed options are usually low, medium, and high. Some models use a dust sensor and an air-quality monitor designed to raise or lower the fan speed automatically.

UV
Some air purifiers use ultra-violet lights to help fight germs.

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Lung Association (ALA) advise against using electrostatic air purifiers since there are many ozone-free HEPA models on the market. While there are no government guidelines for ozone levels in the home, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does have an ozone regulation for medical devices – a limit of 50 parts per billion (ppb) when measured at two inches away from the unit.

Many newer models, such as the Friedrich C-90B, fall well below the 50 ppb limit.

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• EPA
• ALA

Electrostatic Precipitators • Since both the Environmental Protection Agency and American Lung Association advise against using electrostatic air purifiers, we do not list any electrostatic options.