An air purifier with a washable filter will improve your health while also saving you money. There’s no more need to toss the old filters in the landfill and replace them every few months. You won’t spend as much money ordering new filters for it either. Read below to find the best air purifier for your situation.
Best Air Purifier With Washable Filter
Below are air purifiers that are ideal for different circumstances. Click the links on the one you like to get more information on it. If you want to know more information about what to avoid when shopping for an air purifier, then keep reading below. You will also learn about the filtration and how it benefits you.
Washable filters
Rooms up to 170 Sq Ft
Odor reducing filter available
Energy Star rating
Reusable HEPA grade filter
Compact size
Quite sound great for nightime in bedroom
Tower air filter
Rooms up to 150 sq ft
Energy efficient
60 dB noise level
There are a few air purifiers with washable filters that never need to be replaced. But the reality is most of the air filters will only have one or two filters that can be cleaned and reused. The other types of filters will need to be replaced. This is because there are different stages, each with a unique ability to clean the air even more. Let’s look at what each stage does.
Air Purifier Stages of Filtration
The average air filter has three main stages of filtration. These options are a prefilter, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter. Some air purifiers have an ultraviolet (UV) sterilizer, but this stage isn’t as common as the other three.
The prefilter is the first filter to make contact with air passing through the device. This is a type of mesh that’s designed to capture the bulk of the large particles in the air. It helps keep the next two filters clean for a longer period of time. These filters can be washed by simply rinsing them under running water and letting them air dry. You can also use a soapy sponge on it.
The HEPA filter which is short for “high efficiency particulate air filter” is designed to remove smaller particles out of the air. It’s capable of collecting pollen, mold, bacteria, and other airborne pathogens down to about 0.3 microns in size. A HEPA filter is not typically washable. New filters will need to be purchased on a regular basis.This one is commonly used at places like hospitals.
The carbon filter is designed to remove smells and other impurities from the air. A good carbon filter will clean foul odors as well as smoke from the air, giving the air exiting the device another level of cleanliness.
The ultraviolet sterilizer shines an ultraviolet light on the air moving past it. This is an effective method of killing airborne pathogens like viruses and smaller bacteria. It is effective at literally steralizing the air, but with a bit of a catch. The negative aspect to UV sterilization is it produces the byproduct of ozone (O3). When left to build up to high levels for too long, ozone can be detrimental to your health. But a simple solution to this is to open the windows and air out the rooms on a regular basis.
When picking the right air purifier for you it’s good to understand some of the negative aspects about them. Here we will talk about some of the most important negatives to know about air purifiers.
What to Avoid When Buying an Air Purifier
Inadequate Filtration
An air purifier without adequate filtration isn’t worth much. You will want the model you chose to have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or the equivalent. This will make sure you are filtering the air to the level that is truly beneficial.
Undefined Performance Claims
It’s good to have a strong understanding on how your air purifier performs. To do this you can look for the clean air delivery rate (CADR) on your model. A good CADR rate for an air purifier is two-thirds the area of the room. For example, if you are putting the purifier in a room that is 10 ft by 12 ft, the area is 120 sq ft. Therefore the CADR of the filter should be two-thirds that which is 80.
Lack of Noise Information
The air purifier is going to be in the same room you are in, making it a possible distraction or even an annoyance. Some noise is normal, but you don’t want it to be so loud it becomes a nuisance. If the air purifier you are looking for doesn’t have a rated sound volume, you may want to look at other options.
Inadequate Maintenance Information
Any air purifier will have some maintenance needs, especially one with a washable filter. You will want to know the procedure for washing the filter, as well as any other basic maintenance.
Limited Fan Speed
There are moments in life that ask for different fan speeds. That’s why you would appreciate the option to switch between several different speeds. It’s good to know if your air purifier has different speed options.
Ozone Emissions
Ozone emissions are a byproduct of UV sterilization. This added level of filtration comes with some potential hazards. Ozone can be harmful, but a way to prevent its buildup is to open the windows from time to time.
No Air Quality Sensor
An air quality sensor is a huge perk. It can tell you what level of cleanliness your air is at. But a lack of one is not necessarily a deal breaker. It comes at a cost as it will increase the price of the unit that has one.
Limited Warranty
The air purifier is an investment for you and your family. The warranty is a level of insurance for your investment. You want the warranty to be clear and effective. If on the off chance that something happens to it, you will want to know exactly what the company will do to fix the situation.
Large Room Air Purifier with Washable Filter
The LEVOIT Vital 200S is a smart air filter designed for large rooms. It is capable of cleaning 1900 sq ft in one hour. This model has a three stage filter with a washable pre filter. By keeping the prefilter clean you will be improving the lifespan of the disposable carbon and hepa filters. To use the voice control option you will connect the air purifier to your Amazon Alexa device.
- Purify a 1900 sq ft room every hour.
- Wifi enabled; works with your smart phone.
- Automatic fan adjustments, even when you sleep.
- Fitlers pet hair, smoke, allergens, and more.
- Can be put on a schedule.
Medium Room Air Purifier With Washable Filter
It’s good for a medium size room air purifier to be compact, allowing it to not be in the way. It is also good to have it be relatively quiet, allowing you to sleep with it on. It is ideal to have multiple speed options for to use it in different times of the day.
Hamilton Beach makes the TrueAir purifier that has all these features. This tabletop model has a washable HEPA grade filter that is perfect for filtering pollen, dander, and dust out of the air. To clean this filter you will use your vacuum, ideally with a brush attachment on it. It is rated to filter a room that is up to 160 sq ft.
- Washable HEPA grade filter captures up to 3 microns particles.
- Filters up to a 160 sq ft room per hour.
- Position vertically or horizontally for the best use of your space.
- Includes multiple speeds, including a whisper speed.
- Three filtration stages.
Small Room Air Purifier With Washable Filter
The Honeywell Compact Air Genius 4 is ideal for rooms up to 150 sq ft. It has a washable permanent filter, and a washable pre filter that can be upgraded to an odor reducing pre filter which should be replaced every three months. There is a built-in timer that is programmed to shut off in four predetermined time options.
- Filters up to a 150 sq ft room per hour.
- Washable filter and prefilter.
- Tower design.
- Timer allows for automatic shutoff.
- Energy star appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can air purifier filters be washed?
Air purifiers come with several different filter options. There are some filters that are washable, and others that are not. The filters that are washable can capture larger dust particles, allowing the finer size particles to pass through the filter. Those filters that are able to capture the finer particles like bacteria and pollen are not washable and will need to be replaced on a regular basis.
Are washable filters good for air purifiers?
Washable filters are both good and bad in their own ways. The good side for a washable filter in an air purifier is, well, they can be washed. They are not going to be tossed out and need a new one purchased the way a disposable filter would. The downside to a washable filter is they are not capable of removing the really fine air particles. They will get the larger pieces of dust and fuzz out of the air, but the finer pollen and bacteria particles will pass right through.
What types of particles do washable filters typically capture?
Washable filters in air purifiers are generally designed to capture a variety of airborne particles. Some of them are dust and dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold, bacteria/viruses to name a few. It’s important to note that the effectiveness of washable filters in capturing specific particles may vary depending on the design and specifications of the filter. Regular cleaning of washable filters is essential to maintain their effectiveness over time.
Are washable filters as effective as replaceable ones?
The effectiveness of washable filters compared to replaceable filters depends on various factors, including the specific design of the filters, the type of particles they are designed to capture, and the maintenance habits of the user.
Some of the top benefits to washable filters are they are more cost effective in the long run, they reduce environmental impact, and they are more convenient than needing to remember to buy replacement filters.
There are also a few drawbacks to consider. Their efficiency may not be as effective as replaceable filters. There is also more maintenance required when washing the filters. And the initial cost of an air purifier with washable filters may be a bit more expensive.
Do washable filters remove viruses and bacteria from the air?
Washable filters in air purifiers are generally effective at capturing larger particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and some airborne bacteria. However, their effectiveness in removing viruses can vary, and they may not be as efficient at capturing very small particles, including some viruses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when shopping for an air purifier with washable filters you want to consider all options. While some units have only washable filters, others have maybe one or two that are washable. The other filters in these units still need replacement.
Any air purifier with at least one washable filter will save you money in the long run. You don’t need to spend as much on purchasing replacement filters for it. Some of the washable filters are capable of filtering particles that are as small as conventional air purifier filters.
I hope this information helped you in making a decision on what air purifier you want to get.
Happy remodeling,
Kevin
