We tried over a dozen air purifiers — these are the best 2026

Small Home AppliancesTested: The best air purifiers of 2026The right air purifier can help clear your air of contaminants like smoke, dust and pollen.Updated April 20, 2026, 4:33 PM EDTHarry RabinowitzTech ReporterSkip to table of contentsWe tried air purifiers in our homes to get a real-world sense of size, functionality and effectiveness.Windmill; Coway; LevoitAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home may be more polluted than the air outdoors. One way to improve your air quality indoors is by using an air purifier — they can filter air contaminants like dust, pollen and smoke.The NBC Select team has used air purifiers to filter pollen, odors, pet hair and even wildfire smoke from our homes for years. My colleagues and I have tested over a dozen options, and spoke with experts to find the best air purifiers for your space.Selected.Our top picksBest for small roomsLevoit Core 300 $84.94$99.99AmazonLearn moreBest for medium roomsCoway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty$undefined$229.99AmazonLearn moreBest for large roomsBlueair Pure 211i Max$244.99$349.99AmazonLearn moreRelatedselectselectCan eating local honey really help with seasonal allergies? We asked expertsWant more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best air purifiers in 2026Most of the below recommendations are staff favorites from large filtration brands like Coway, Levoit and Blueair. Below each recommendation I share specifications I think you should know like recommended room size (based on the CDC’s and AHAM’s ACH guidelines), filter lifespan and more. In January 2026. I updated our list to include the Mila Air 3.Best for small roomsLevoit Core 300 $84.94$99.99AmazonNow 15% off$84.99$99.99TargetNow 15% off$99.99LevoitWhat to knowRecommended Room Size (for 4.8 ACH): 222 sq. ft. | Filter lifespan: ~6 to 8 months | CADR (CFM): smoke: 143, dust: 153, pollen: 167 | AHAM verified: yes | Speeds: 3 | Smart connectivity: no | Decibels: 24 - 5...