Air purifiers help keep the air in your home clean, which is important for the health of humans and pets. Some homes have whole-home air purifiers built into their HVAC system, but for those that do not, portable air purifiers are a great option. But how many air purifiers do you need? Read on to learn how many air purifiers you need and where you should put them in your home.

Do I Need an Air Purifier?

You may need an air purifier if you live in an area with poor outdoor air quality, an old home that is prone to excess dust, a household with pets that shed, or a humid climate that is more likely to grow mold. Air purifiers are especially helpful for people and pets with respiratory issues or allergies. Learn more about what air purifiers are and why you may want to add them to your home with our guide What Are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?.

How Many Air Purifiers Do I Need?

The simple answer to this question is that you should have one air purifier in each room in your home that you spend a significant amount of time in. This might include your kitchen, bedrooms, living room, and maybe a home office. Every home and situation is different, so follow these considerations to help you determine the right number of air purifiers for your home:

1. Consider the Size of Your Space

Different air purifiers can filter different-sized areas, so if you have an open layout home or a very large room, you may need more than one. Check out the chart above and delve into air purifier sizes below to help determine how many you may need to cover your space.

• Small: These air purifiers are designed to cover a 100–300 sq. ft. area. This includes most bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, and small- to medium-sized living rooms. Small air purifiers are generally capable of purifying a single room, especially if it is separate from the rest of the house and has a closable door.

• Medium: This air purifier size can cover a 300–600 sq. ft. area, making it great for large rooms. You might consider sizing up from a small air purifier if you have a large kitchen that you cook in often or a large living room that is frequented by pets.

• Large: These air purifiers can cover anywhere from 600-–1,000 sq. ft.. If you have a few rooms that are conjoined or a large open space, such as a finished basement, a large air purifier should cover it.

• Extra-Large: This size air purifier can basically cover your entire home since they are able to filter air in areas over 1,000 square feet. This works in open-concept floor plans where air is able to flow freely through the house. If you want to filter separate rooms that are closed off by doors as well, you’ll want to place separate smaller air purifiers in each room.

2. Decide Where to Place Air Purifiers Around Your Home

Figuring out which areas of your home can benefit from an air purifier can help you decide how many you need. Here are some common places you can consider putting an air purifier.

• In the Living Room: Place your living room air purifier in a central location where there is plenty of airflow. Avoid placing it behind a sofa or chair where airflow is obstructed. If there’s an area where you frequently burn candles or where pets like to hang out, place your air purifier nearby to neutralize odors and smoke.
• On Your Nightstand: Place a personal tabletop air purifier on your nightstand to ensure you’re breathing clean air as you sleep. This can be helpful if you suffer from allergies and often wake up stuffy or with itchy eyes. Some air purifiers even have a humidifier function that can help during the winter months when the air gets dry.

• In the Bathroom: Some people like to keep a small air purifier in their bathroom to clean bacteria from the air and keep odors at bay. Console purifiers are usually the easiest to fit into corners or against walls, which can be helpful in smaller rooms like bathrooms.

• In the Kitchen: Place a tower or console air purifier in a corner of your kitchen to help banish cooking odors or clear smoke. An air purifier in the kitchen is also a great idea if you want to keep dust out of the air so it doesn’t end up in your food.

• In Your Pet’s Area: Place a small air purifier next to your pet's bed, litterbox, or in areas where they spend a lot of time, like the living room. This will help control dust and dander that can trigger pet-related allergies. Plus, our furry friends need clean air to breathe as well.

• Next to a Wood Stove: If you have a wood stove or fireplace that gives your home a smoky smell, you may want to place an air purifier nearby. This can help filter some of the smoke and soot that doesn’t make it out of the chimney, which will improve breathing conditions for everyone in your household.

Tip!

Once you know how many air purifiers you need check out our picks for The Best Air Purifiers for Your Home.

You May Also Like