Buying Guide
How to Buy an Air Purifier
This short guide helps you pick the right air purifier quickly. It covers the practical factors to check, the main types available, key specs to prioritise, where to buy in Canada, common mistakes to avoid, and expert tips to get the best value.
Key factors to consider
Focus first on real performance and ongoing costs.
- Room coverage and CADR: match the purifier to your room size. Examples range from small desktop coverage under 100 ft² to large units claiming 1,000 to 3,600 sq ft coverage. Look for CADR numbers for smoke, dust and pollen to compare speed.
- Filtration type: True HEPA (H13 or equivalent) traps the smallest particles. H11 or HEPA-grade can be fine for light use but check particle removal efficiency for 0.1–0.3 μm if you have allergies.
- Activated carbon: needed for smoke, cooking odours and VOCs. If wildfire smoke or pets are concerns, plan for carbon media.
- Sensors and modes: a PM2.5 or particle sensor with auto mode keeps air quality steady without constant fiddling. Sleep mode and quiet operation matter for bedrooms.
- Maintenance and cost: filter life often falls in the 8 to 12 month range depending on use. Confirm replacement filter availability and approximate annual cost.
- Certifications and safety: look for AHAM verification, Energy Star, CARB, ETL or UL markings for tested performance and safety.
Types and who they suit
- Desktop and craft-table purifiers: compact units with H11 or small True HEPA filters are ideal for resin crafts, small offices and bedrooms. Expect coverage around 80 to 220 ft² and focused intake/outlet designs.
- Large-room purifiers: tower or box-style units for living rooms and open-plan areas. Typical coverage examples range from about 1,000 sq ft to nearly 2,000 sq ft and up. These often include higher CADR ratings and stronger fans.
- Whole-home or very large units: models marketed for several thousand square feet use multi-sided intakes and stronger filtration stacks. These are best if you want to run a single unit for large open spaces.
- Portable units with wheels or handles: useful if you plan to move the purifier between rooms frequently.
Important specs, common mistakes to avoid
Check these specs before you buy and avoid predictable errors.
- Must-check specs: CADR (smoke, dust, pollen), claimed sq ft coverage and the test conditions, HEPA grade (H13 vs H11), presence of activated carbon, real filter life, noise levels for Sleep mode, and sensor type (PM2.5 preferred).
- Common mistakes: assuming marketing area coverage equals real-world performance, buying purely on price and skipping certification checks, neglecting to budget for replacement filters, confusing a washable pre-filter with the HEPA element, and buying models without carbon if you need odour or VOC control.
- Replacement filters: avoid off-brand filter substitutes that may reduce efficiency or damage the unit. Confirm genuine replacement availability before you buy.
Where to buy and expert tips
Decide between online and in-store based on what matters most to you.
- Online benefits: wider selection, full spec sheets, user reviews, price comparisons and often free shipping or bundle deals. Check seller ratings and return policies for Canadian deliveries.
- In-store benefits: you can check size, controls and noise firsthand and get immediate returns or exchanges.
- Expert tips: choose a unit with CADR that can replace the air in your room at least once per hour for continuous use; prefer True HEPA H13 for allergy sufferers; add activated carbon if you expect smoke or strong odours; run the purifier 24/7 on a low setting for best air quality; position it away from walls and not blocked by furniture; consider one larger unit for open-concept spaces or multiple smaller units for closed rooms; budget roughly $120 to $300 for a good unit and additional annual filter costs.
Final Thoughts
Pick a purifier that matches your room size and the pollutants you care about most. Prioritise CADR, True HEPA filtration and activated carbon when needed, confirm filter costs and certifications, and choose the shopping channel that gives you the confidence to return or replace if the unit does not meet expectations. Start by measuring your room and comparing CADR versus the claimed coverage to make a fast, informed purchase.
