Welcome to our review of the Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde. I think we all learned recently how important it is to keep the air in our homes clean and eliminate as many pollutants as possible. Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that evaporate into the air at room temperature and come from paints, cleaning products, furniture, and even building materials. The most common indoor VOCs are: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene.
# | PREVIEW | PRODUCT | RATING | VIEW |
1 | IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier  |
| ||
2 | Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier  |
| ||
3 |  |
| ||
4 | GermGuardian Air Purifier with HEPA 13 Filter  |
| ||
5 | AROEVE Air Purifier HEPA 13 Filter  |
|
Just a heads up: ZenQuestLife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. That means that you should assume all links to products or services for sale are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, you won’t pay one penny more but I may earn a commission.
- More Details On Our Top Picks The Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde
- Top 5 Reasons You Need a VOC Air Purifier
- How To Reduce VOC’s In Your Home?
- What Features To Look For In Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde
- FAQ
- The Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde Review – The Bottom Line
- BEST OVERALL PICK: IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier Walmart and Amazon
- TOP PICK FOR LARGE ROOMS: Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier on Walmart and Amazon
- BEST BUDGET PICK: Mila Air Purifier for Large Room on Amazon
- TOP PICK HEPA / UVC: GermGuardian Air Purifier with HEPA 13 Filter on Walmart and Amazon
- SECOND TO LAST TOP PICK: AROEVE Air Purifiers for Large Room Up to 1095 on Amazon
More Details On Our Top Picks The Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde
There are health issues associated with both long term exposure and short term exposure to VOC’s. Short term exposure to VOCs can cause eye and skin irritation as well as a cough. Long term exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause additional health problems like respiratory issues, headaches, dizziness, and even cancer.
Young kids, the elderly or anyone who already has respiratory health issues, such as asthma, can be at an even higher risk when exposed to VOCs.
Since most of the time your doors and windows are closed in your home, Indoor levels of VOCs can be as much as 10 time higher than outside levels. A quality air purifier, like the ones we reviewed below, can definately make a huge improvement in the air quality of your home.
Our Top Overall Pick
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
Our top overall pick for the Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde is the IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier. This air purifier is a top rated choice for everywhere from homes to offices and schools. It has great airflow with its 320 degree EvenFlow diffuser. This allows for efficient air filtrations, even in large rooms, several times every hour of the day.
It has a medical grade H13 HyperHEPA filter which is proven (as well as been certified by a 3rd party lab) to remove up to 99.97% of all air borne particles from as small as 0.003 microns in diameter. That means it will get rid of formaldehyde, VOCS, dust, bacteria, mold, pollen, pet dander, odors and even smoke from wildfires.
According to Money magazine, The IQAir Health Prof Plus is the “Best Air Purifier for your money, according to doctors” for 2023.
It has 3 different long lasting filters. Each filter cleans in a different way: The pre-filter (lasts from 16 to 18 months) takes care of bigger, coarse particles. Next we have the activated carbon adsorption filter and the pelletized chemisorption to remove odors and gasses (lasts up to 2 years) and lastly the HyperHEPA filter remove ultrafine particles (lasts from 3 years and 9 months to 4 years and 2 months).
Four speed, very quiet air purifier so you can use it in your bedroom at night without issue. The design of the fan in the center between sound reducing filters and the double wall housing helps mute the sound. The unit has rubber pads to reduce motor vibration and the EvenFlow diffuser bounces the sound back to the unit. The fan, though powerful, only uses the same amount of energy as a lightbulb so it’s economical to run.
Made in Switzerland each unit is tested for efficiency and must meet air cleaning levels of 99.97% or it won’t be shipped off. The IQAir has a 10 year limited warranty.
SPECS
- Product Dimensions: 15″D x 16″W x 28″H
- Floor Area: 1125 Square Feet
- Specification Met: CARB Certified
Pros
- Each unit tested before it gets shipped
- Good for large sized rooms
- Well built, quiet design
Cons
- Fairly big unit, will need a lot of space
- Filter are fairly pricey to replace
Our Top Pick For Large Rooms
Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier
Next we have the Austin Air HealthMate Standard Air Purifier. This model comes with 15 pounds of activated charcoal which is almost 3 times more than other air purifiers on the market. It’s 4 stage filtration system ensures clean indoor air quality removing particles and VOCs.
The stages are: Stage 1 for large particles. This pre-filter removes dust, pet dander, etc. basically those things you can see. Stage 2 is for medium sized particles like molds, pollen, etc. Stage 3 is the activated charcoal filter which has 780 cubic inches of activated carbon and Zeolite. This filter removes chemicals, gases and odors. And lastly, Stage 4 the Medical Grade HEPA filter which removes 99.97% of particles.
Made in the U.S. in Buffalo NY, this air purifier is recommended by the CDC, EPA and many doctors. True medical grade HEPA filter and large activated carbon filter for incredibly efficient air purification.
Long lasting filters up to 5 years and very quiet operation makes this a great choice for your home.
SPECS
- Specification Met: CSA Certified
- Noise Level: 62 dB
- Controller Type: Button Control
Pros
- Efficient air purification, easy operation
- Biggest activated carbon filter in this price range
- Long lasting filters and warranty
Cons
- Basic design, no remote control features
Top Budget Friendly Pick
Mila Air Purifier for Large Room
Next up we have the budget friendly Mila Air Purifier for Large Rooms. While the Austin air purifier above didn’t have any advanced features, this model is loaded with them. This air purifier gives you an actual readout of what your air quality level is. And, if your air quality isn’t up to standard, you’ll be able to see how long it will take it to get there. That means if you have a family member who is extremely sensitive to air quality levels, you can actually take them out of the house until the air quality level improves.
Mila can fully circulate the air in a room up to 1,000 sq. ft. every 30 minutes. The 45 sq. ft. H12 HEPA filter has a 99.6% efficiency rating.
An included app allows you to stay connected and monitor the air quality in your home. It offers a Turndown Service which will refresh the air in your bedroom at the time you set. That way you’ll have fresh air to help you sleep better.
It’s really quiet and it can automatically turn down the fan to decrease noise levels (down to 24dB) in any room you’re in. Then when you leave the room, it will turn the fan back up. It even comes with a white noise mode and includes a potentially live saving CO sensor.
SPECS
- Product Dimensions: 12″D x 12″W x 15″H
- Coverage Area: 1000 Square Feet
- Noise Level: 24 dB
Pros
- Attractive design, up to 1,000 sq. ft. coverage area
- Excellent air purifying with notification sensor
- App connection for remote control
Cons
- Filters don’t last as long as the other models tested, usually about 6 months
- Filters are a little pricey
Best Air Purifier / UV-C Light Sanitizer
GermGuardian Air Purifier
Next we have the GermGuardian Air Purifier with HEPA 13 Filter. This air purifier offers something a little different from our other models, it has a UV-C light technology and Titanium Dioxide. This technology will help eliminate airborne viruses like flu, Staphylococcus Albus, Escherichia Coli, Aspergillus Niger, and Phi-X174 as well as airborne bacteria and mold spores. And it targets VOCs too. It has almost 60,000 4.7 star reviews online.
The GermGuardian can circulate the air in a 743 sq. ft. room every hour, in a smaller 153 sq. ft. area the rate is 4.8 times every hour. That makes this unit great for small to medium sized areas. It features a True HEPA filter that can capture as much as 99.97% of dust, pet dander, mold spores down to 0.1 microns in size.
A prefilter will trap larger pollutants like dog or cat hair and dust. That means your HEPA filter will last longer since the larger particles are already eliminated before the air gets to the HEPA filter.
An activated charcoal filter gets rid of nasty odors like cooking smells, pet smells and smoke. It’s quiet operation makes it a great addition to your bedroom or living room since it won’t drown out the t.v..
SPECS
Product Dimensions: 6.75″D x 10.25″W x 22″H
Coverage Area: 740 Square Feet
Specification Met: Energy Star Certified, AHAM Certified, CARB Certified
Corded Electric
Item Weight: 8.6 Pounds
Control Method: Touch
Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Quiet operation, low setting makes a good white noise
- Ultraviolet – C (UV-C) for effective germ killing
- Fast air circulation
Cons
- Some users complained about how bright the light is
- Not as powerful as other models
Best Large Room Bang For Your Buck
AROEVE Air Purifiers for Large Room Up
Our last pick, the AROEVE Air Purifier for Large Room is the least expensive option for a large room. The Aroeve has a highly efficient H13 True HEPA filter and the purifier can eliminate particles down to 0.3 microns. This powerful unit can refresh air in a room up to 1095 sq. ft. once an hour so you enjoy fresh, purified air all day, or night, long.
You get two types of air purification – the HEPA filter which captures small particles and a light treatment technology you can turn off or on, to provide even more purification. A built-in sensor will alert you to any changes in air quality. When the unit senses a change in the air quality, you will be notified by either a yellow or red indicator light. If this happens, the unit will automatically increase fan speed for faster air purification.
Put the unit in sleep mode for ultra quiet operation overnight. Long lasting air filters, up to 6 months, and easy air filter replacement ensures your air is always clean and fresh.
SPECS
- Product Dimensions: 7.5″D x 13.5″W x 17.25″H
- Floor Area: 1095 Square Feet
- Specification Met: ETL Certified
Pros
- Great price for large room purifier
- Dual air treatment options
- Very quiet
- Air quality indicator lights
Cons
- Some users thought instructions were hard to understand
- Users didn’t like the lights
Top 5 Reasons You Need a VOC Air Purifier
1. Offers relief to allergy sufferers
True HEPA filters and activated carbon filters can remove irritants from the air. Cleaner air means fewer allergy symptom’s, and studies have backed that up. Researchers found that adding a quality air filtration system to your home or office can result in fewer symptoms and less medication needed.
2. Less dust and dander
I have 2 Great Danes and 2 cats. And I have a ton of dust and dander in my home. If you do too, an air purifier can take all of this yuckiness, yes technical term, out of your air. That makes it easier to breath and easier to keep your home clean. Even if you don’t have allergies, cleaner air is better for you.
3. Alleviate mold
Mold spores, or seeds, spread through the air all over your home. An air purification system can capture these spores before they can grow into mold. That means you aren’t inhaling the spores and they don’t spread as much so it decreases new mold growth.
4. May help with asthma symptoms
Contaminants in your air can trigger an asthma attack. An air purifier can help get rid of a lot of these airborne particles like dust, pollen, smoke, etc.
5. Air purifiers can reduce VOCs and Formaldehyde in your home
Getting rid of potentially very harmful air borne chemicals is an important reason to get an air purifier for your home.
How To Reduce VOC’s In Your Home?
To reduce VOC’s in your home there are a few fairly simple steps:
- Be careful what types of paints, cleaning supplies and new furniture you add to your home. Many products today, particularly paint are made with a low VOC.
- Open your windows as much as possible to get some fresh air in your home. I live in a cold Midwestern climate but most winters we have a few days in the 50’s or 60’s so on those days I will open the windows to get some fresh air, even just a few minutes seems to help.
- Invest best air purifier for Vocs and formaldehyde. Also, make sure whatever purifier you purchase that you follow the manufacturers recommendations and change or clean the filters as outlined.
What Features To Look For In Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde
We’ve included multiple top rated air purifiers in our review that span a range of features and prices so we (hopefully!) made it easier for you to choose the best model for your home. To help even more, here is a list of some of the common features found in air purifiers. These features will enable you to make sure you buy the air purifier that has the features you really need.
Here’s what to look for in an air purifier:
A lot of activated carbon
Activated carbon means carbon that is oxidized and creates millions of very wide pores to absorb small molecules better. Removing the majority of VOCs is dependent on having activated carbon filters. Not only do they remove VOCs they can also remove smoke, cooking odors, and pet odors. In addition, they can increase the lifespan of the HEPA filter by removing some of the larger particles before they reach the HEPA filter.
Get the right size purifier for your room size
In the long run, you won’t save any money by getting a smaller size air purifier if it’s too small for the room you’re using it in. The unit won’t do the job since it’s too small so you’ll be unhappy with the results. And, the unit will be running at higher fan speeds for longer which will increase your utility costs and you may need to replace the filters more often.
Consider noise levels
If you are going to be using the air purifier overnight in your room, or you just can’t stand a lot of background noise, make sure you take the decibel level of the air purifiers into consideration. The models we reviewed above are all pretty quiet, but running the fan at higher speeds can increase the noise levels.
Smart features?
The ability to adjust the fan speed from your phone is a neat feature. But, will you actually use it? Connectivity is one of those things today that many consider a selling feature but as a consumer you need to ask yourself if it’s really a feature you need. Also, if it impacts the price level, which is usually does, it’s even more important to decide if these smart features are really all that smart!
How often do filters need to be replaced?
With all the air purifiers we reviewed above, periodic filter replacement will be needed. how often you need to replace the filter and how expensive the filters are for each unit may be another thing you consider before buying your air purifier. All the units we reviewed had fairly long lasting filters.
Energy costs
Another cost to consider is the energy cost of operation. For the most part, the bigger the unit and the faster the fan speed, the more energy consumption. If you want to calculate your yearlong energy costs you can use the governments energy calculator, click here.
FAQ
Do air purifiers remove formaldehyde?
Yes, the air purifiers we reviewed above have both HEPA filters and activated carbon filters. It’s the carbon filter that will remove the gases such as formaldehyde.
What is the most important thing about an air purifier?
An air purifier is really just a system to draw air into and through a filter. That’s why the most important thing about an air purifier is it’s filter. Having both an activated carbon filter and a True HEPA filter will eliminate the majority of air borne pollutants.
What is the best selling air purifier?
All of the air purifiers we reviewed are top selling models from reputable companies. No product is perfect, but these purifiers have all received many top reviews online and will make a good option for your home. Just consider the size of each unit in relation to the room you’ll be using it in before you buy.
What does True HEPA filter mean?
A HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter can capture particles of 0.3 microns and is 99.97% effective. A true HEPA filter conforms to the Department of Energy standards while a HEPA filter may not. So you can get a HEPA filter but it may not be as effective as a True HEPA filter which must meet very high standards.
What is the difference between HEPA filters and carbon filters?
Ideally, you’ll want both types of filters in your air purification system since they each operate and capture different pollutants in a different way. HEPA filters can capture dust, pollen, mold and other allergens while carbon filters absorbs odors and gasses from the air. The carbon filter is the part that will alleviate the VOCs and formaldehyde from your air.
The Best Air Purifier for Vocs and Formaldehyde Review – The Bottom Line
I hope you found some helpful information in our review. The models we reviewed above all are top quality with great features and they cover a lot of range when it comes to price. Find the model that fits your room size and your budget and you’ll be good to go! Closely follow the manufacturers instructions in regards to care and maintenance and filter replacement so your air purifier lasts a long time.
With the ability to keep your air clean and fresh, minimal operating expenses and multiple filters that will remove particles, gases and VOCs, you will possibly stay healthier especially during the winter when it’s too cold or rainy so you spend a lot of time inside.