Shopping for an Air Purifier for a large room?
Let us help you find the most suitable one.
Every house has at least one large room. Usually, it is the living room where you spend most of your time. But a large room also means a higher amount of contaminants.
With area coverage issues, most people resort to installing two or more small air purifiers. However, if you choose a good air purifier with larger area coverage, a single unit alone can resolve most of your indoor air pollution problems.
There are many other advantages of large room air purifiers too. For instance, they have better filtration systems, high CADR ratings, higher efficiency,and, of course, an improved and enhanced airflow. Yet, choosing the right one for your large room is not easy.
To help you narrow down your options, we have rounded up the best air purifiers for large rooms.
What’s In This Buying Guide
Contents of This Guide
Any room measuring upwards of 500 square feet needs proper airflow to clear out all contaminants from the air. An air purifier has to be powerful enough to inhale and exhale such a large amount of air. Fortunately, when it comes to large room air purifiers, every air purifier brand brings its A-game.
In this buying guide, we cover the best air purifiers for large rooms.
First, there is a comparison table listing our top picks and their distinctive features.
Next, we review each recommendation in detail, explaining its pros, cons, and specifications.
Then, in our detailed shopping guide, we identify some important features of large room air purifiers.
Lastly, in the FAQ section, we address some common queries people have about air purifiers for large spaces.
But if you want something smaller, check out the Aeramax 300.
Best Large Room Air Purifiers
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
- 1Best Budget : LEVOIT LV-H134
- 2Best Smart : CowayAirmega 400
- 3Best Wall Mounting: Rabbit Air MinusA2
- 4Best Noiseless : Alen BreatheSmart Classic
LEVOIT LV-H134
- Best Budget
Dimensions
28.5 x 12.8 x 12.8 inchesWeight
25.9 poundsCoverage Area
710 – 1,170 Square feetFiltration Stages
3Wi-Fi Connectivity
NoFan Speeds
3Warranty
1 year
CowayAirmega 400
- Best Smart
Dimensions
14.8 x 22.91 x 14.8 inchesWeight
24.7 PoundsCoverage Area
Up to 1,560 square feetFiltration Stages
2Wi-Fi Connectivity
NoFan Speeds
5Warranty
5 years for the motor and electronic parts and 1 year for internal malfunctions
Rabbit Air MinusA2
- Best Wall Mounting
Dimensions
7 x 21.4 x 20.25 inchesWeight
19.4 PoundsCoverage Area
Up to 815 square feetFiltration Stages
6Wi-Fi Connectivity
YesFan Speeds
5Warranty
5 years
Alen BreatheSmart Classic
- Best Noiseless
Dimensions
10 x 17.75 x 26.75 inchesWeight
21 PoundsCoverage Area
Up to 1,100 square feetFiltration Stages
2Wi-Fi Connectivity
NoFan Speeds
4Warranty
Exclusive Lifetime Warranty
1. Best Budget: LEVOIT LV-H134
The Levoit LV-H134 is an affordable large room air purifier that features an elegant tower-shaped design with a 360-degree air intake. A single air outlet vent is situated on the top of the unit with an LED touch-sensitive control panel in between.
WITH ITS COMPREHENSIVE TRIPLE-STAGE FILTRATION, the LV-H134 quickly addresses air quality issues in areas as big as 1170 square feet in just 30 minutes.Pros
- Elegant and modern design
- Noiseless
- Lots of smart features
- High CADR rating
- Filter change inductor
Cons
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
- A bit heavy to move around
Our Review
The Levoit LV-H134 is an elegant and stylish option. It is a tower-style unit about 28.5 inches tall and boasts a 360-degree air intake. The air it sucks in passes over the triple-stage air purification system for complete filtration.
The first layer in this Levoit unit is a nylon pre-filter designed to trap visible air contaminants like fur and hair. It is reusable, so you can easily wash it to use again and again.
The next stage in the LV-H134 air purifier is an H13 True HEPA filter. This filtration stage traps smaller particulate matter not visible to the human eye. It removes up to 99.97% of particles measuring up to 0.3 microns.
Lastly, the clean air passes through an activated carbon filter that captures gaseous odor molecules and other chemical particles that the HEPA filter could not remove.
The Levoit LV-H134 also has many smart features, including a laser duct sensor that gives you a real-time air quality rating and a smart air quality indicator light that changes color as the air quality improves or declines.
The device does not support Wi-Fi connectivity but has different operating modes to choose from. You can set your Levoit device on auto mode to automatically regulate fan speed according to the air quality reading.
And for night time usage, there is a sleep mode, where the LV-H134 runs very quietly, so it doesn’t disturb you in your sleep.
Specs
Dimensions: 28.5 x 12.8 x 12.8 inches
Weight: 25.9 pounds
Energy Star: Yes
Air Quality Sensor: Yes
Noise Level: as low as 23 decibels
2. Best Smart: CowayAirmega 400
The CowayAirmega 400S is an outstanding air purifier intended for rooms measuring up to 1560 square feet. It is a mighty machine with immense power and brilliant air cleaning performance.
The 400S has a two-way air intake with filters on both sides to trap air contaminants. Its filtration system consists of two stages: a pre-filter and a Coway Max2 filter.
Pros
- A 2-way air purification system
- 5 fan speeds
- Quiet
- Washable pre-filter
- Air quality indicator ring
Cons
- High upfront cost
- Replacement filters are expensive
Our Review
The CowayAirmega 400 is a smart air purifier with lots of useful features, a dual-suction design, and a dual filtration system. There is a single clean air outlet on top surrounded by buttons for power, fan speed, timer, and filter indicator lights.
Towards the front is a circular LED ring. This is the air quality indicator that changes color to represent different levels of air contaminants. It glows pink when the air quality is poor, orange when unhealthy, green when moderate, and blue when good.
We like this device for its dual-suction design and double filtration. Airmega 400 pulls in air from both sides and has filters on both sides to purify it.
The filtration system in the Airmega400 also consists of two layers. The first is a washable pre-filter that traps visible particles, while the second layer is a Max2 filter.
This unique filter combines a green True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter into one. Together, these filters can remove up to 99.99% of particles up to 0.01 microns and 99% of odor and VOC molecules.
The CowayAirmega 400 can run on 5 fan modes (Smart, Sleep, Low, Medium, and High). Now, most air purifiers become quite noisy at the highest speed, but this Coway device makes only 43.2 decibels of noise at the highest speed.
The Airmega 400 also boasts 3 operating modes. These include an auto mode for automatic fan speed regulation, an Eco mode for efficient power consumption, and a sleep mode for quiet night-time operation.
Specs
Dimensions: 14.8 x 22.91 x 14.8 inches
Weight: 24.7 pounds
Energy Star: Yes
Air Quality Sensor: Yes
Noise Level: Up to 43.2 decibels
3. Best Wall-Mounted: Rabbit Air MinusA2
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is an elegant, stylish, and versatile option. You can use the device both as a standalone unit or as a wall-mounted unit.
The MinusA2 features a sleek and narrow design that looks great on any wall and has all the features of a smart air purifier. Its 6-stage mechanical filtration removes airborne pollutants, while the optional ionizer helps freshen your indoor environment.
Pros
- Sleek and stylish
- Auto-activated sleep mode
- Variety of front panel designs available
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- The flat design saves space, making it highly space-efficient
- capacity dehumidifier (removes up to 101 pints/day).
Cons
- Very expensive
- Risks falling over as a stand-alone unit
Our Review
The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is a technologically advanced air purifier. It features a flat design that is great for wall mounting, but you can also use it as a standalone unit.
The A2 boasts some of the industry’s best features. For example, its 6-stage air filtration is one of the best air filtration systems the market currently offers.
The first stage of this Rabbit Air device is the permanent pre-filter that captures visible air pollutants like fibers and lint.
The second stage is the medium filter that traps medium-sized particles ranging up to 1 micron.
Then comes the BioGS HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of smaller air particles while reducing common allergen build-up to prolong its life. It also prevents bacterial and viral growth inside the purifier to avoid contamination.
Rabbit Air allows you to customize the fourth stage yourself. You can choose from various customized filters, including Toxin Absorber, Odor Remover, Pet Allergy, or Germ Defense.
All of these are designed to address specific air quality problems. You can address the air contaminant that bothers you the most and have a filtration stage to remove it.
The last stage is the charcoal-based activated carbon filter manufactured using high-grade granular activated carbon, which is more effective than the flimsy carbon filters in other models. It effectively reduces common household odors and chemicals around your home.
The sixth stage is the optional ionizer to address lower particulate matter concentration, making it easier on the internal filtration stages.
Specs
Dimensions: 7 x 21.4 x 20.25 inches
Weight: 19.4 pounds
Energy Star: Yes
Air Quality Sensor: Yes
Noise Level: 25.6-51.3 decibels
4. Best Noiseless: Alen BreatheSmart Classic
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic is a sleep-friendly option because of its quiet operation. It can easily cover areas as big as 1,100 square feet and provide clean and crisp air for you to breathe in.
This Alen air purifier model can easily catch up to 99.97% of air pollutants that pose a risk to your wellbeing. It is lightweight with a simple, stylish design. Plus, it comes with lifetime warranty coverage.
Pros
- Low noise output
- Available in lots of color variations
- User-friendly sleep mode for undisturbed sleep
- Stylish yet user-friendly control panel
- 4 filter options to choose from
Cons
- A bit bulky
- It puts off a slight smell during initial uses
Our Review
It might come as a surprise, but the Alen BreatheSmart is actually a child of NASA airflow engineers. This means you can really trust it to keep your indoor atmosphere clean.
The device boasts a large coverage area and addresses the air quality issues with 2 filtration stages.
The first stage is the pre-filter that catches larger particles like pet fur and hair. Once they are removed, the air passes through the main filter.
In Alen BreatheSmart Classic, you get to choose between 4 main filter options. These include HEPA-Pure, HEPA-Silver, HEPA OdorCell, and HEPA-FreshPlus. Each of these contains a medical-grade true HEPA filter along with some add-ons that make them unique.
A good thing about this Alen device is its versatility. It comes in many color variations, so you can choose one that suits your decor better.
The unit itself is pretty neat and modern, with a user-friendly control panel at the top. It pulls in air from the sides and blows it out from the top.
Alen BreatheSmart Classic also boasts SmartSensor technology that scans the air quality. Then an LED ring on the control panel glows a different color with the slightest change in air quality.
If the indoor air quality is poor, the light turns red. When this happens, you should let the unit run on turbo mode for a while. Soon the light will change to yellow and then blue as the air quality improves.
Specs
Dimensions: 10 x 17.75 x 26.75 inches
Weight: 21 Pounds
Energy Star: No
Air Quality Sensor: Yes
Noise Level: Up to 43 decibels
Buying Guide
How to Choose the Right Air Purifier for Your Large Room
No two air purifiers for large rooms are built the same. Every manufacturer produces its air purifier differently to address different issues.
Similarly, every buyer expects something different from their new large room air purifier. For example, you might be buying one to keep your living room air clean, but your friend might be looking to purchase a large room air purifier to address mold and damp odors in their basement.
So when comparing different air purifiers, you should evaluate them against the following factors to find the best fit for your unique needs:
Modes of Operation
Most air purifiers for large rooms can operate in different modes. These include an auto mode that allows the air purifier to scan the air quality and automatically regulate the fan speed for better air purification.
When the level of air contaminants is high, the air purifier runs at maximum speed, and once the air quality is good, it automatically switches to lower speed.
Similarly, the sleep mode is suitable for night time operation. The air purifier turns off all its display lights and runs at a lower speed for noiseless operation on this mode.
Some units also have an eco or energy-efficient mode. In this mode, the unit draws a minimum amount of energy to keep your energy bills in check.
When choosing between different air purifiers, make sure to pick one that offers most of these operating modes. Doing so will enable you to make the most out of your new large air purifier.
Noise Level
The amount of noise any air purifier for a large room emits takes the front stage when you want to use it in a busy place, like in the living room or a large smoking room.
A noisy air purifier will not only cause distraction, but it might also disrupt activities like conversing, reading, and watching TV.
Human ears are sensitive to noises up to 120 decibels. Regular conversations happen at 40 to 60 decibels. Anything beyond 90 decibels can cause hearing damage.
When choosing between different air purifiers, you should prefer a model with the lowest noise level.
Always check the amount of sound it emits at the highest speed and ensure it falls within your comfort range. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a noisy model that disrupts all your activities and mood.
It is best to go for a model with noise level ratings between 30 and 50 decibels. That way, even if you want to run the unit at its highest speed, it won’t cause much distraction.
Energy Efficiency & Operating Cost
Energy-efficient air purifiers save on electricity bills and operational costs without compromising on performance. They draw less energy so that circuits inside your home don’t trip.
You can learn about the energy efficiency of any electronic device by checking it for Energy Star certification. If it has one, you can rest assured that the unit will consume up to 60% less energy than standard models.
The Energy Star certification proves that the unit is independently tested and proven to save energy. Such a unit helps you save up to 500 kWh/year and $60 annually on utility bills.
This certification is a must-have in air purifiers for large rooms because they need to change a large amount of air.
Running a regular unit for a longer time period will jack up your electricity bills. So, an Energy Star certified unit will get the job done while consuming a minimal amount of energy, keeping operating costs and energy bills within your range.
Build Quality & Aesthetics
Manufacturers put their best technology and design elements into the model to make it the absolute top-of-the-range air purifier for large spaces.
So, when it comes to build quality and aesthetics, you can expect the highest quality. However, that does not mean you should just buy any unit. You should make sure that the device you use goes well with your decor.
Since it will be sitting in plain sight, you should look for a device that is easy to use and aesthetically appealing and not something that becomes an eyesore in your otherwise well-decorated room.
Price
Of course, large room air purifiers are costlier than their smaller counterparts. This is because they are more powerful and have a better filtration system. They contain multiple filtration stages, and the filters also last longer.
That being said, you can always find high-quality products within your budget if you search hard enough. Our budget pick is an excellent example of an affordable large room air purifier.
When shopping for a good large room air purifier, set a reasonable budget and try sticking to it as much as possible.
Any unit with a higher upfront cost will most probably entail higher operational and maintenance costs too.
Keep all of these in mind and settle for an air cleaner that checks all these boxes while staying within your budget.
True HEPA Filter
A true High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter collects the broadest range of airborne particles. While many large room air purifiers contain HEPA filters or HEPA-like filters, they are not as effective as a true HEPA filter.
Only a true HEPA filter can trap 99.97% of air pollutants down to 0.3 microns. Any HEPA filter without the word ‘true’ is an inferior product and does not deliver the same performance.
Such filters might only be able to trap air particles measuring around 2-5 microns, which greatly reduces the air purifier’s efficiency. They are not effective in capturing microscopic particles like mold spores, pollen, dust, pet dander, visible smoke, and other allergens.
These smaller particles can create significant problems for anyone with respiratory issues, so it is crucial that your air purifier filters them out.
That’s why you should make an air purifier with a True HEPA filter a priority. Only such an air purifier can filter out smaller particles from the air. It is especially a must-have if you are getting an air purifier for your basement, which is where most microscopic contaminants thrive.
Activated Carbon Filter
While True HEPA filters are great at reducing particulate matter, they have little to no effect on chemicals, gases, or odors floating in the air. For their effective removal, you need an activated carbon filter.
This particular type of filter is designed to extract things that even a true HEPA filter misses out. For example, HEPA filters can trap visible smoke particles, but you need an activated carbon filter to remove the odor associated with it.
Similarly, HEPA filters can trap mold spores, but they cannot eliminate their musty, damp smell. Only an activated carbon filter can remove that.
Likewise, activated carbon filters are more effective in dealing with VOCs released by things like furniture, paints, carpeting, cleaning products, office equipment, building materials, etc. They take years to off-gas, which causes long-term air pollution.
When choosing the best air purifier for your large room, be sure to pick a unit with appropriate carbon content to effectively remove different odors and chemicals floating freely in your space.
Ionizer
Despite the debate surrounding ionic air purifiers, we believe an ionizer is a must-have in a large room air purifier. This advanced feature helps boost the purifier’s air cleaning power.
It releases negatively charged particles to knock different contaminants out of the air. So, the actual filtration stages don’t have to deal with them, which prolongs their life. Plus, they also bring about a good change in your mood with their positive effect.
Some large air purifiers offer ionizers as an optional feature. Choosing one of these models allows you to add an extra layer of protection because large rooms have large volumes of air to be filtered.
The ionizer helps lower the burden by removing a substantial amount of air pollutants so that the air purifier does not have to exert itself excessively.
Wi-Fi Connectivity & Control
Wi-Fi connectivity is quickly becoming a standard in large room air purifiers. While most do come with remote control for a user-friendly experience, the Wi-Fi connectivity feature allows you to control your device with your smartphone, too.
It is a nice feature to have because it lets you regulate your device from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection, and you can turn your air purifier on from your workplace to come back to a cleaner and healthy indoor atmosphere.
Another noteworthy feature of a smart air purifier is real-time air quality monitoring. Many proprietary apps send alerts and notifications to inform you about indoor air quality. This way, you get minute-by-minute updates, allowing you to take suitable actions.
Choosing an air purifier with Wi-Fi capabilities allows you to make the most out of your device. It is both a convenient and useful feature that lets you regulate your indoor air quality in a better way.
Coverage Area
Since you are looking to buy an air purifier for a large room, you should check out the models that offer greater-than-average area coverage. Each manufacturer lists how much area their unit can cover. You can easily check this rating and pick a suitable unit for your room size.
If you end up buying a smaller capacity unit, it will end up struggling with little to no effect on the overall air quality of the room.
For example, using a model designed for 500 square feet in a 1,000 square feet room won’t work out very well. Not only will the device struggle to clean the large volume of air, but its number of air changes will also halve. So it won’t deliver the desired results.
Meanwhile, using a 1,000 square feet air purifier will deliver maximum air changes and efficiently clean the air without struggling.
It's best that you measure the size of your room beforehand, so you know what coverage area you are looking for.
Warranty
The last but equally important consideration in a large room air purifier is its warranty coverage. Manufacturers back their unit with a warranty period that they believe the unit will last without malfunctioning. It shows their confidence in the air purifier’s performance.
You should always look for a unit with substantial warranty coverage. Doing so gives you sufficient time to test the device. And if it develops any issues, you can have it looked at without incurring additional costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Small Air Purifier work in a Large Room?
No, small air purifiers are designed to handle air quality issues in small areas only. They do not have the power or capacity to clean the air in a large room.
The only time a small air purifier will make any difference in the air quality of a large room is when you install multiple units around the room, and they all work together.
Final Verdict: Which Large Room Air Purifier Is Best to Buy?
If you want a budget-friendly model, go for the LEVOIT LV-H134. It features a sleek and stylish design with multiple operating modes and smart features.
But if you want something more advanced, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 should be your choice. It is an advanced air purifier designed to capture the smallest particle without any difficulty.
And, if you want something more powerful, we would suggest you go for the CowayAirmega 400 Smart Air Purifier. It is easy to set up and operate.
Lastly, if you want a good ionizing air purifier for your home, check out our review of the SilverOnyx Air Purifier.
