Not all air purifiers are created equal. You’ll notice it immediately when you browse for options in the market. Some are priced higher than you expected and there are cheap air purifiers that could truly get your attention. However, this is where the ultimate question pops out: “Do they really work?”
Spoiler Alert: Most cheap air purifiers don’t work as good as the ones that are competitively priced. There’s a valid reason for the cost of an item—most of the time, quality is the key.
What are We Settling for with a Cheap Air Purifier?
Originally, an air purifier’s role is to monitor and clean the indoor air by capturing the particles passing through the filter. But not all air purifiers can do actually do this. Depending on the type of technology used, it can either improve the quality of air indoors or make it worse.
Take note as well that there are different types of air filtration technologies required for different needs. Each type has its own specific purpose and use. It’s better to get yourself equipped with the knowledge about this before making a decision on which air purifier you will get.
A Bestselling Air Purifier Failed Performance Tests
Because of air pollution, there was a huge demand for air purifiers in Thailand. And one specific brand and model has been the bestseller for years. Commonly known as “OEM”, it promises to be efficient at a price greatly lower than the competition, which is exactly why many consumers resort to this air purifier. More than 100,000 units were sold in Thailand.
OEM air purifier’s claim is 230 m³/hr CADR. To do the air purifier test, they used it in a 50 m³ which means that air should be cleaned after around 10 to 15 minutes. However, the results say that it can’t cover more than 10 square meters within the time given.
After 10 minutes of monitoring, from 240, the AQI dropped to 190. And after 20 minutes more, the AQI decreased to 150, which is based on records is still unhealthy. To cut the story short, OEM needed 54 minutes to make the air quality in the green zone, which is below 50. This is exactly why it is important to check and be knowledgeable when it comes to buying an air purifier, especially that OEMs are also being sold in the Philippines.
Knowing What You Need is Important
If cheap air purifiers don’t play work well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that expensive air purifiers are better ones. In some cases, they are priced higher than others because they have a stronger brand and marketing. Plus, they have great designs, making them look classy and expensive.
When choosing an air purifier, the first thing you’d probably take a look at is its price. However, this should not be the only basis for your buying decision. What makes an air purifier good is its purification processes. The air filtration technologies available and common are the following:
- HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter
- Activated Carbon Filter
- Negative Ions
- UV Lamp
- TiO2 Filter
- Electrostatic Grid or Dust Collector
Apart from these, there are also Ozone and Copper Aluminum filters.
Determining what type of filter you need for your space is important to maximize its benefits and to truly get value for money from the air purifier you purchased. Knowing how different air filtration processes work and getting a better understanding of it also matters a lot.
If you’re eyeing a cheap air purifier however it doesn’t explain well what technologies are used in the equipment and lacks overall information, most often than not, they are only selling a well–designed air purifier, forgetting about the real purpose of the equipment. Air purifiers need to be efficient and not only beautifully designed.
How to Find Reliable Air Purifiers
You can’t quickly determine if an air purifier works well using only your naked eyes. Fortunately, there are techniques to find a reliable air purifier.
- Request for a 3rd Party Test Results – Verify the advertised CADR value of a specific air purifier by taking a closer look at the results of 3rd party tests. If the seller can’t provide you with certifications, better stay cautious.
- Get an External Air Quality Monitor – Monitor the cleaning performance of an air purifier using an external PM2.5 reader. Put it a few meters away from the air purifier.
Quality Air Purifiers in the Market
When you need air purifiers for protection and for the clean air you deserve, there are thousands of options in the market with different price ranges. However, not all of them provide the same quality. There are cheap air purifiers that could truly give value for money and there are those that could even pose health risks. So, the next time you search for the best air purifiers, make sure to check the quality and specifics to ensure you get the benefits you need.
Don’t compromise your health with cheap air purifiers. When it comes to providing better indoor air quality, trust only the experts. Contact us to know more about our products and services for better indoor air quality.
