Our Guide To The Best Air Purifiers In Canada (And Where To Get Them)

List the Best Air Purifiers in Canada

What are some of the best air purifiers in Canada? Here’s a summary for the best across several different categories.

Info corrected as of March 16, 2024.

What’s the Difference Between an Air Purifier and Humidifier?

An air purifiers will clean the air by removing pollutants such as pollen, dust and smoke by trapping it in its filters. It doesn’t add anything additional to the indoor air atmosphere. Humidifiers on the other hand release moisture into the air and don’t do anything towards pollutants and particles. If you face dry air in your home and respiratory discomfort, then a humidifier might help you. But if you face allergies and indoor air discomfort, then an air purifier might benefit in cleaning the air particles in the environment.

What Is the Difference Between Air Purifiers and Dehumidifiers?

Air purifiers and dehumidifiers serve different purposes towards improving indoor air quality. An air purifier is designed to trap contaminants and pollutants in the air through its series of internal filters (HEPA, carbon or prefilter). This process of circulating air through the filters ensure that harmful particles are trapped when they appear in the indoor air environment. Dehumidifiers on the other hand don’t filter particles, instead they remove excess moisture from the air. This also has the added benefit of removing dust mites and mould which grow in these damp environments.  But both of them have a place in your home, granted, not at the same time!

Air Purifier vs. Air Filter: What’s the Difference?

Air purifiers are standalone and use a variety of technologies. The technologies include filters (HEPA, carbon, prefilters), ionizers, UV lights and so much more.

Air filters on the other hand are used within HVAC, furnaces or even air purifiers. Their primary roles are to capture particles such as dust, pet dander and lint.

An air purifier usually works hand in hand with an air filter, with the air purifier circulating air to the filter.

What Does an Air Purifier Do?

An air purifier contributes in several ways for your home. It continuously cycles air through the unit and filters it for contaminants, odours, and allergens. It provides relief to those who have allergy or respiratory problems due to negative airborne particles. And also reduces and lingering odours after cooking, providing an overall healthier home environment. It does this through its several stage filters, from the prefilter, main filter (HEPA) and activated carbon filter.

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

An air purifier involves several principles of physics and chemistry, but to put it simply it all lies within the filtration system. The fan within the air purifier draws in air and passes it through several filters which exist within it. The air is first drawn through the prefilter capturing any large particles such as pet dander. Then the smaller particles, usually up to 0.3 microns pass through the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Those two filters trap 99.97% of the pollutant particles. Many filters also incorporate a carbon filter within the unit to capture any chemicals and odours.

Where Should I Place an Air Purifier?

Ideal locations to place an air purifier are the living room, bedroom, kitchen and office areas. If you have a problem with pet dander or dust then a central location in the living room is ideal. If you face allergies on a daily basis, or when sleeping then an air purifier in the bedroom would be the best place. If you cook and are facing ongoing smell even after using a range hood, then in the kitchen would be the ideal place. Finally, if you spend all day working on the desk and don’t leave that often elsewhere during the day, then a cleaner air environment near your workspace is ideal.

How to Clean an Air Purifier Filter

Prefilters can be cleaned,  while most HEPA and activated carbon filters cannot be washed. All filters will eventually need to be replaced, but if you’d like to clean the prefilter there are several ways.

First power off the air purifier. Now remove the filter and gently tap and remove any loose dust that has accumulated within the filter. You can run the filter over running water and clean using a cloth or a soft bristle like a toothbrush. Some prefilters can be washed in a washing machine under a low-setting but it’s best to to consult with the manufacturer’s care instructions to make sure it’s the correct way of cleaning the specified filter. After washing with water, you can allow the prefilter to air dry completely and then reinstall.

And remember, don’t put the prefilter back too quickly after cleaning as a wet filter can lead to mould growth!

How Often Should I Clean an Air Purifier Filter?

You can clean the prefilter of the air purifier every 30 days. Every filter is is different, but some can be cleaned either by vacuuming or washing on a gentle, low-temperature cycle. It’s best to confirm with the manufacturer’s instructions. This keeps your air purifier in circulation and doesn’t starve the air from circulating within the unit.

What is the Best Air Purifier in Canada?

The Levoit Core Mini is a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient air purifier. It’s our favourite as it operates at a quiet 27 dB volume and covers over 300 square feet. Its HEPA filtration system is able to capture both pollutants and allergens making it a great fit for any home. You’ll also benefit from its extra features, such as the aromatherapy pad and one-button controls.

Air Purifier of Humidifier for Allergies?

If you suffer from allergies, an air purifier will generally be more beneficial than a humidifier. Humidifiers will add moisture to the air, while air purifiers remove allergens from the air. If your allergies are aggravated by dry air you may benefit from a humidifier, but an air purifier is a better choice. Since an air purifier targets the airborne particles than can trigger allergy symptoms, you’ll benefit more from an air purifier.

Where Should I Place an Air Purifier in my Bedroom?

If you plan to place an air purifier in your bedroom avoid high humidity areas such as near a window or a bathroom. Keep it elevated and near a central location to allow more air circulation, like near your bed to reap the benefits of clean air while you sleep.

How Long Do Air Purifier Filters Last?

Air purifier filters can last anywhere between 3 to 6 months. Prefilters can last up to 6 months, activated carbon and HEPA filters can last between 6 to 12 months. This is a generalization and doesn’t take into account the usage of your air purifier and its fan speeds, but these are the average product timespans several manufacturers in Canada follow. 

What Should I Look for in an Air Purifier?

The main features to look for in an air purifier in Canada are, filtration levels, noise level, CADR in cubic feet per minute and controls. The air purifier’s filtration levels allow you to have more control over its capabilities, with a 3-stage unit containing a HEPA filter, prefilter and activated carbon filter. The noise level will allow you to determine where it can be placed within the room and how loud it’ll be during your day-to-day activities. The CADR allows you to understand how effective it will be in the room size you plan to place it in. And finally the controls, such as sleep mode, display lock and even sensors allow you to reap additional benefits from the air purifier.

How Long Should I Run an Air Purifier?

An air purifier should be run 24 hours a day. By running it continuously throughout the day it will be effective at filtering out harmful airborne particles and keep air quality high. A good strategy to implement is after 1-2 hours the air purifier has had a chance to cycle and filter the particles in the room, you can lower the speed of the air purifier so it can conserve power and remain silent.

What Size Air Purifier Do I Need?

To determine the size of air purifier you need to determine the area of the room. Measure the length, width and height of the room you plan to place the air purifier in. Then determine the ACH (air changes per hour), on average let’s use 4. To calculate the CADR in cubic feet per minute (CFM) use this formula.

(Room size in cubic feet x ACH) ÷ 60 = CADR in CFM

Once you’ve determined the CFM you need in an air purifier for your room, then try and find the best one that fits within your budget and features.

Air purifiers vs ionizers: What’s the difference?

Air purifier and ionizer’s are both beneficial for your indoor air quality, but they operate in different ways. While an air purifier typically uses filters, such as a HEPA and prefilter to trap particles up to 0.3 microns in size. An ionizer works by releasing negatively charged ions into the air which attach to airborne particles and make them heavier, which eventually land on surfaces within your room. Now don’t forget, you have to clean these surfaces manually.

Most Canadians we’ve found purchase an air purifier as it’s usually less expensive, more effective at trapping smaller particles and is known to be easier to use. 

Do Air Purifiers Make a Difference?

Air purifiers can make a difference in improving indoor air quality. It can do this by filtering out several harmful indoor particles such as smoke, pet dander and dust. You will especially benefit from this if you have allergies, but it all depends what your use case is for the air purifier. As you might also benefit from the activated carbon filter that traps odour. Try it out in a central room within your home and if you don’t find it makes a difference in the air quality, then return it.

Are Air Purifiers Worth It?

If you want a device that filters harmful VOCs, odours, smoke and pollutants within your home then an air purifier is worth it. Even if you don’t need an air purifier, your life will be made easier with cleaner air quality in your home.

Do Air Purifiers Help With Allergies?

Research has shown air purifiers with a HEPA filter can help reduce the pollutants such as pet dander, dust and other allergens within the air. The air purifier needs to have a HEPA filter to be effective as that removes 99.97% of all particles over 0.3 um.

For those who might have severe allergies you can look into purchasing a medical grade air purifier which traps even smaller particles than what is currently available in a standard HEPA filter. You just have to keep in mind you’ll be paying a much steeper price, for example the IQAir purifier which is medical grade will be over $1,000 Canadian dollars.

Will an Air Purifier Help With Mould?

Yes, an air purifier can help remove particles of indoor mould spores from the air through its HEPA filter. But it won’t be effective against mould infestations growing on surfaces. It would make more sense to purchase a dehumidifier, as that would remove moisture from the air.

Can I Use a Commercial Air Purifier in My Home?

There is no reason not to use a commercial air purifier in your home. They may cost more, but the larger and more efficient operation can keep your air fresher for longer periods. The Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier and the IQAir Health Pro Plus Air Purifier are great examples of larger, commercial-grade purifiers that will work well in your home.

Will an Air Purifier Help With Smoke and Smell?

Yes, an air purifier can help with the removal of odours, smoke and other VOCs in a room. It does this by trapping the pollutants and odours within the activated carbon filter in the air purifier. To ensure it can effectively do this you have to determine the coverage area of the air purifier is adequate and not too large. 

Can Air Purifier Filters Be Reused?

The prefilter, carbon and HEPA  filter cannot be reused in an air purifier. The average lifespan of these filters are 3-6 months, after which they need to be replaced with a new filter. If you don’t replace the filters within an air purifier then the unit will become ineffective at eliminating pollutants and can break releasing everything it has accumulated.

Which Air Purifier Is Best for Households With Kids and Pets?

Households with kids and pets need an effective machine that removes allergens, irritants, and pet dander. The Levoit Vital 100S Air Purifier uses a special intake that removes pet hair from the environment, reducing allergies for those who struggle with pet dander.

Do Air Purifiers Offer Any Other Additional Benefits?

There are a host of features that are unique to air purifiers, including ionizers, special modes, and more. However, there are rare instances when an air purifier offers more. The Dyson Air Purifier Hot+Cool HP07 has heating and fan settings, which add a level of climate control to your air purification.

Do Air Purifiers Cost a Lot To Run?

If you are concerned about the electricity costs associated with running an air purifier, you may want to choose a purifier that includes an automatic mode or an Eco mode. These modes only run the purifier when pollution is detected, which can be as infrequently as a few times per day. One of the best options for an Eco mode is the Coway Airmega AP-15112HH Air Purifier.

How Much Can I Expect To Spend for an Air Purifier in Canada?

Air purifiers are available at most price points, ranging from $100 to $1,000 Canadian dollars and beyond. The price is determined by how effective the purifier is, the quality of the materials, and its size. Budget options include the Levoit Core Mini (which is our favourite air purifier).

Top Air Purifier Companies in Canada

We’ve listed several widely known air purifier brands in Canada along with several retailers you can purchase them from. These air purifier brands are often sold through both in-store and online platforms, but we’ve listed the website for each to make finding both easier for you.