Best-Rated Air Purifiers

Fact Checked

How we rate air purifiers

Our review compares air purifiers on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which air purifier they think is best!

Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

1. Samsung

Ratings result

Samsung blew away the competition this year achieving five stars for performance, features & functionality and overall satisfaction, as well as four stars for value for money, design, ease of use and quietness.

Editor’s notes

Samsung has multiple air purifiers, including the highly chic Bespoke range, which was released as part of the brand’s home customisation series. The whole Samsung purifier range promises to eliminate up to 99.97% of ultra-fine and bacteria-ridden particles from the air with a HEPA filter, as well as toxic gases with the use of Microbe Shields. There is also a four-light indicator for air purity readings, ‘whisper-quiet’ modes, and a Sensitive Choice approval amongst most of the Samsung range. The purifiers can operate in rooms that are 264m2 all the way up to 701m2, making Samsung a brand that can accommodate a variety of homes and budgets.

2. Dyson

Ratings result

Dyson received five stars for performance, ease of use and quietness, four stars for design, features & functionality and overall satisfaction and three stars for value for money.

Editor’s notes

Dyson offers two types of air purifiers: the Hot + Cool Technology fan and purifier and the Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet. The Big + Quiet air purifiers are designed to distribute large quantities of air over large spaces to purify rooms and capture allergens for purer air quality in your home. Using the MyDyson app you can control them from anywhere in the home and these models even destroy formaldehyde that may be present in the air. The Hot + Cold models offer both cooling and heating as well as an air purifier function. Their basic function is a fan for summer and as a heater for winter, with a real-time air quality display so you can see how it’s performing and purifying your home.

3. Kogan

Ratings result

Kogan received five stars for value for money, four stars for overall satisfaction, performance and ease of use as well as three star ratings for design and features & functionality and quietness.

Editor’s notes

Kogan offers a number of air purifiers ranging in size and price to suit different needs in your home. Some features to expect include an H13 HEPA filter for better filtration and remote connectivity via an app to check air quality and control multiple speed settings with compatibility with Google and Alexa. Some models of air purifier from Kogan can detect and eliminate up to 99.97% of potential airborne threats which can help keep your home’s air quality fresher.

4. Philips

Ratings result

Philips received five star ratings for design, ease of use and quietness and four star ratings for all other categories including overall satisfaction, performance, value for money and features & functionality.

Editor’s notes

In what is the biggest air purifier offering in our ratings, Philips has 11 air purifiers to choose from, shared between the 800, 1000i, 2000, 3000, and 5000 Series. With most of the appliances featuring multiple fan speeds and using a HEPA and Active Carbon filter, the range can purify small rooms, all the way through to extra-large rooms of up to 520m2, although most of the range caters to small to medium-sized spaces. You also have the option to control the purifier settings with the Air+ app.

5. Anko (Kmart)

Ratings result

Kmart’s brand Anko received four star ratings for overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of use, with three star ratings for all other categories which included performance, design, features & functionality and quietness.

Editor’s notes

Kmart air purifiers are a good choice for those who want something simple and cheaper for a small space. There are two options to choose from: the Anko Small Tower Air Purifier, suitable for rooms up to 6m2, and the Anko Large Family Air Purifier, designed for rooms up to 38m2. The Small Tower Air Purifier features three fan speeds, an eight-hour timer, and a HEPA filter. The Large Family Air Purifier features four fan speeds, sleep and automatic modes, an eight-hour timer, a colour-coded air quality indicator, a filter change reminder, a child lock, a HEPA filter, and remote control.

6. Breville

Ratings result

Breville achieved three star ratings across all categories which include overall satisfaction, performance, value for money, design, features & functionality, ease of use and quietness.

Editor’s notes

Breville is stacked with air purifiers ready to cleanse the air and, reportedly from the brand, boost your immune health. Breville boasts eight purifiers across the range and they share some impressive features. These include the ability to detect particles and adjust purifier performance accordingly, a four-stage filtration system claiming to remove up to 99.97% of particles from the air (including dust, smoke, odours, bacteria, and viruses), a shortwave Microbe Shield to target bacteria and viruses, live feedback of particle detection and a 360° airflow, so no corners are missed.

Air purifier buying guide

What does an air purifier do?

An air purifier circulates air through HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters to remove up to 99.97% of common airborne pollutants like dust, mould, pollen, odours, smoke, etc. This cleans the air and improves the quality of the air you breathe. While common filters only remove large airborne particles, purifiers can eliminate smaller ones, too. It’s important to note that air purifiers do nothing to reduce humidity in the air.

Types of air purifiers

Air purifiers are classified based on the filters they use to clean the air. There are basically four main types.

• Standard HEPA air purifiers use a mechanical air filter to trap microscopic contaminants (larger than 0.3 microns), while blowing back clean oxygen into the room. This is the cheapest and most popular option of all.
• Ionic air purifiers use an electric field to emit negatively charged ions which attract airborne particles, including allergens, dust, and bacteria, which then get trapped on a charged collector plate inside the unit. Just beware that negatively charged ions can generate ozone, so this option isn’t ideal, especially for those who suffer from severe asthma.
• Activated carbon air purifiers use carbon that has been treated with oxygen, which effectively absorbs harmful organic molecules and fumes in the air. This is typically the preferred option for pet owners as it helps to dispel odours.
• Ultraviolet (UV) air purifiers use a short-wave UV light to ‘blast’ certain micro-organisms and eliminate the potential harm of airborne bacteria and viruses.

How much do air purifiers cost?

In Australia, most air purifiers cost between $50 and $1,000. Although there can be a huge difference in the size of spaces that air purifiers can accommodate, this does not consistently translate to a specific price margin. Instead, increasing prices tend to be related to the sophistication of the technology the air purifiers use, such as air quality readings. While most air purifiers max out at the $800 mark, models from premium brands like Dyson are the ones likely to cost upwards of $1,000.

Benefits of an air purifier

Air purifiers are hugely beneficial to everyone – not just those who may suffer from respiratory issues or allergies. Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air purifier:

• Improve breathing, and reduce allergy and asthma symptoms
• Reduce pet dander or odours in your home
• Reduce toxic cigarette smoke, lingering cigarette odours, and ash
• Help eliminate dust, bacteria, and common allergens – especially beneficial in homes with carpet
• Help eliminate dangerous particles such as those found in older homes, like asbestos.

Features to consider when buying an air purifier

When you’re looking to purchase an air purifier, these key features can make a difference in giving you the most out of one:

• Change filter indicator: Check that your unit has an indicator light to signal when your filters need changing, to keep your unit functioning at optimal levels.
• Air quality indicator: Most air purifiers (even those sitting on the cheaper end of the scale) will have an indicator to show you how well the purifier is working at removing pollutants. It can be reassuring to have an accurate read and know that your appliance is operating as it should.
• Replaceable filter: Being able to replace a filter increases the longevity of your appliance and can save you money.
• Multiple uses: Some air purifiers also double as dehumidifiers and humidifiers, which is incredibly useful if you’re using your appliance to tackle big jobs like renovations, post-flooding, or indoor house painting.
• Smart control: Most air purifiers feature some type of remote control, but some newer models now come with smart connectivity, which allows you to control your device wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet.
• Eco mode: This is a function that can turn off or keep your unit on standby when no indoor pollution is detected for 30 minutes.
• Great energy saver.
• Quiet operation: Having a powerful unit is ideal, but not if it’s going to keep you up at night. Silence is priceless in the world of appliances!

About our consumer experts

Kate King: Home & Lifestyle Content Producer

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Producer Kate King. Kate holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries from QUT majoring in Journalism and Media and Communications, and has written for a number of publications over the past five years.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team