Yes, air purifiers can help reduce the risk of catching a cold or other airborne illnesses by filtering out virus-carrying particles from the air, but they are not a standalone solution. They work best when combined with other preventative measures like handwashing and good ventilation.
If you already have a cold or flu, an air purifier will not eliminate the illness, but it could ease some of the symptoms by improving the air quality.
When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.
Air purifiers stand as a protective barrier, ensuring the air babies breathe in is as clean as possible. Cleaner air can mean: Reduced Exposure to Allergens: By filtering out common allergens, air purifiers can help mitigate the risk of developing allergies and asthma in children.
Signs you need an air purifier include frequent allergies, asthma flare-ups, persistent odors, visible dust, mold, or symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and congestion that improve when you leave your home. Other indicators are pet dander, living near busy roads, or waking up with morning stuffiness, all suggesting airborne irritants are affecting your indoor air quality.
Air purifier disadvantages include ongoing costs (filters, energy), potential noise, limited effectiveness against gases/odors (unless specialized filters are used), and the risk of ozone production from ionizers, which can harm respiratory health. They also require regular maintenance, can be bulky, and might not purify an entire home effectively, needing multiple units.
An air purifier removes pollutants (dust, allergens, smoke) by filtering the air, ideal for allergies and asthma, while a humidifier adds moisture to dry air, relieving dry skin, throats, and congestion, especially in winter, but can grow mold if dirty; they serve different purposes but can be used together if placed apart to complement each other for overall better indoor air quality.
While breathing cleaner air can be helpful for your overall health and wellbeing, the benefits of an air purifier in the bedroom extend to better sleep for many.
By removing allergens from the air, it helps reduce exposure to triggers that can cause allergy symptoms. This can lead to fewer sneezing fits, reduced nasal congestion, and relief from itchy, watery eyes. Air purifiers are particularly beneficial for individuals with asthma or allergies to airborne particles.
Transmission of COVID-19 from inhalation of virus in the air can occur at distances greater than six feet. Particles from an infected person can move throughout an entire room or indoor space. The particles can also linger in the air after a person has left the room – they can remain airborne for hours in some cases.
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Air purifiers are one tool used to clean indoor air. They can create a safer home and even help reduce symptoms of certain respiratory issues, including COPD, asthma, and allergies. Understanding air purifiers and how they clean the air could be your key to dealing with respiratory issues.
Though an air purifier cannot help an existing cold, it might ease your symptoms by removing other respiratory irritants from the air. According to the NIH, a humidifier may help relieve a stuffy nose and the discomfort of colds or flu. The right level of humidity may also provide a protective benefit from viruses.
Some germs spread in the air between people. This happens more easily in indoor, crowded spaces with poor airflow. To reduce the risk of exposure, it helps to improve air quality by increasing airflow, cleaning the air with air purifiers, or opting to gather outdoors.
While they don't actually change room temperature, air purifiers can create other effects that indirectly make it feel cooler: Eliminating stuffiness: By removing airborne particles and improving air circulation, a room can feel less stuffy and more pleasant.
A humidifier is typically better for relieving a stuffy nose caused by dry air, though an air purifier may help if the congestion is due to allergens or dust.
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Dangers related to your air purifier's technology
Air purifiers should be at least 6 inches away from walls, doors, or furniture. Running the device in tight spaces or with other items nearby reduces the amount of airflow the device can generate with its intake fan.
Most high-efficiency air purifiers begin showing improvements within 30 minutes to an hour, especially for common pollutants like dust and smoke. Different pollutants take different times to remove. Particulate matter like dust and pet dander can be filtered out fairly quickly.
Bottom Line: Should you leave the air purifier on all night? I recommend leaving your purifier on while you sleep. In our bedroom tests, after just 80 minutes, the air was just as dirty as it was before the air purifier was turned on.
Persistent allergy symptoms, odors, visible dust, or mold are clear indications that you need an air purifier. Investing in air purification improves indoor air quality, protects respiratory health, and creates a cleaner home environment.
Can I use an air purifier and humidifier together at the same time? Air purifiers and humidifiers have very different functions, so you can use them simultaneously in the same room to add moisture and reduce unwanted particles.
Air Purifiers Don't Dry The Air, But They Can Make it Feel Different.