The Best Quiet Air Purifiers

Are you worried about the quality of the air you are breathing? Are you constantly thinking of the various harmful effects of the polluted air around us?

Air purifiers to the rescue!

I used to have an air purifier in my living room. I was happy with its cleaning quality but disappointed with the sound it produced. It was creating a disturbance in my daily routine.

To fix this problem, I started looking for silent air purifier options. To my surprise, I found numerous great options. I no longer have disturbance when I sleep and I inhale fresh air all the time.

If you face the same problem, I promise you will find a quieter air purifier on this list—no matter what your room size or requirement is.

Ready to get started?

Note: If you’re serious about eliminating noise from your home, you might also want to consider replacing your existing appliances like your washing machine with a quiet washer and dryer. It features some great budget-friendly models that don’t sound like a roaring jet.

1. RabbitAir MinusA2

If you are looking for an air purifier for a larger room up to 815 sq.ft, you might want to check out the RabbitAir MinusA2.

This air purifier has a noise level of around 20.8-45.6 dB.

Combining a pre-filter, a medium filter, BioGS HEPA, charcoal, an optional ionizer, and a customizable filter, it’s obvious that Rabbit Air wanted to give consumers lots of personalization options. You can choose and customize the air filters according to your choice.

It has a special pet allergy customized filter that traps and reduces pet dander and pet odors. It comes with a CADR of 171 for Pollen, 173 for Dust, and 166 for Smoke.

Despite giving you 5 fan speed options, this model has a low power consumption of 47 watts at the highest setting and is remote controlled. It also has a 5-year warranty. Users have appreciated and inclined towards buying this product due to its Energy Star rating.

It doesn’t hog any space on the floor—it can be mounted on a wall too.

All these features and functions come at a price though. You will find this air purifier to be a little bit on the higher end. Strangely enough, it doesn’t have a timer feature.

Pros:

• Equipped to handle all pollutants
• Smart sensors for detecting light, air quality, and odors
• Very quiet
• Remote controlled
• Wide coverage
• Can be mounted on a wall

Cons:

• Expensive
• No timer feature

2. Blue Pure 211 Air Purifier

If you are looking for an air purifier that covers large room sizes up to 540 sq.ft but is also budget-friendly, Blue Pure 211 Air Purifier might be the way to go.

Its sound output is around 31 decibels at its lowest and up to 56 decibels at the highest. The lowest noise level rating is equivalent to that of light rainfall.

Having an advanced Swedish filter technology, it captures 99% of airborne pollutants like viruses, pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, bacteria, and has a 350 cubic ft/min Clean Air Delivery Rate.

It has an activated carbon filter which reduces gases, VOCs, and annoying odors from pets, smoking, cooking, and wildfires.

Its performance is certified by AHAM. It is rated by ENERGY STAR for low energy consumption which is 30 to 60 watts on its highest speed setting.

It has a replaceable filter that you should expect to swap out every six months. This washable pre-filter is great at capturing large particles and its controls are easy to operate. The filter replacement cost can be high compared to most other products though.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Captures all types of pollutants
• Lightweight
• certified by AHAM and rated by Energy Star
• Low noise-producing
• Multiple colors

Cons:

• Have to replace the filter every 6 months
• Cost of filter replacements can be high

3. Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier

If you are looking for the best quiet air purifier for allergies, sinuses, and asthma, Winix 5300-2 might just be what you’re looking for.

It covers an area up to 360 sq.ft. On the lowest setting, it has a noise output of 27.8 decibels, which is pretty low, although it’s not the quietest air purifier on this list.

It uses PlasmaWave technology to fight odors and chemical vapors in rooms. This air purifier has a 1-year warranty.

This device has a three-stage cleaning process with five settings for speed. These include sleep, low, medium, high, and turbo. It comes with a carbon filter and a True HEPA filter that gets rid of airborne particles and VOCs and odor. It is in fact, the quietest pet odor air purifier.

The carbon filter has to be replaced every three months. Fortunately, the package comes with three additional carbon filters, making a total of four carbon filters which should last you a whole year.

It has additional features that determine the air quality and also gives reminders to change the filter. It also has a sleep mode and an auto mode.

You don’t have to worry about toxic emissions because this air purifier is cUL-listed and certified by AHAM, CARB, and Energy Star.

The only gripe with it is the lack of remote-controlled operation. This is hardly a deal-breaker, but still worth noting.

Pros:

• 3 stage filtration system
• Auto mode and sleep mode
• Low noise
• Plasma Technology fights off germs and odors
• Smart sensors
• AHAM, CARB and ENERGY STAR certifications

Cons:

• Little noisy on the high setting
• No remote for operation

4. Honeywell Quiet Clean

If you are looking for budget-friendly options for a low noise air purifier covering small to medium rooms up to 170 sq.ft, Honeywell Quiet Clean might be worth settling for.

Covering an area of up to 170 sq.ft., it has an oscillating air feature that circulates the air and also captures major pollutants such as pollen, smoke, and pet dander. It circulates the air 5 times in an hour.

With three speed options, it has a maximum decibel rating of 56 dB—highest maximum operational noise level so far on this list—but it’s still safely within the quiet air purifier territory.

This air purifier weighs only 15 pounds and has a sleek design. It’s also Energy Star certified which means it can help you lower your energy bills.

It comes with a CADR of 132 for Pollen, 100 for Dust, and 110 for Smoke.

I have noticed that at times people are hesitant to buy some air purifiers due to an extra cost of air filters.

Fortunately, both its pre-filter and iFD filters are washable so you won’t have to regularly purchase replacement filters, therefore lowering long-term costs. That being said, you would still have to regularly clean said filters, though.

Moreover, it has a filter check indicator that tells you when cleaning is required which is really appreciated by the customers.

One downside is that this air purifier may not cover big spaces- it is ideal for small and medium-sized rooms.

Just like the RabbitAir MinusA2, this air purifier also doesn’t come with a timer.

Pros:

• Washable filters
• Adjustable airspeed
• Oscillation control
• Affordable
• Long warranty
• Energy-efficient

Cons:

• Filters need regular cleaning
• No timer

5. Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier

If you are looking for a great air purifier to cover a smaller space up to 167 sq.ft, this model from Germ Guardian might catch your interest.

Covering up to 167 sq. ft., this has the best true HEPA filter. It weighs only 7 pounds. With a noise level of around 55 decibels—it’s not the quietest on my list—but is certainly within acceptable noise levels.

The Germ Guardian Air Purifier offers a lot of solid features, especially the combination of both True HEPA filter and UV-C light air filter, to help remove even the tiniest pollutant particles. Its Pre-filter traps dust, pet hair, and other large particles while extending the life of the HEPA filter. It comes with a CADR of 125 for Pollen, 118 for Dust, and 108 for Smoke.

It has an additional UV C light filter that helps to kill airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, rhinovirus, and works with Titanium Dioxide to reduce volatile organic compounds, and thus kills germs.

This air purifier is AHAM & ENERGY STAR certified and was rated for its ability to filter tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen from rooms. It also has a 3-year warranty.

You have to replace the filter every 6 to 8 months and the UV C bulb every 10 to12 months, though. Also, there are no smart features that most other products on this list have.

Pros:

• UV-C light and True HEPA filter give good performance
• 3-year warranty
• AHAM and ENERGY STAR certified
• Lightweight

Cons:

• A little noisy at the highest setting
• Have to replace filter and UV C bulb
• Lacks Smart features

6. Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier

No products found.

If you’re looking for an air purifier for a small room size up to 160 sq.ft without burning a hole in your Walker, the Hamilton Beach TruAir might be a solid choice,

The Hamilton Beach Air Purifier is an air filter that is quiet, filters pollutants and odor, and has a simple design. It also offers optimum functionality while being budget-friendly. The noise output is around 60 decibels.

Weighing just 6.3 pounds, it is easy to move between rooms or offices to provide whisper-quiet cleaning. It features three different settings and can be used either horizontally or vertically.

It has a permanent pre-filter, 2 replaceable carbon zeolite filters, and a permanent HEPA-grade filter. Moreover, you won’t need to replace the filter every time it gets clogged up. You can just brush it off or vacuum it and it will be as good as new.

It has a 1-year warranty and 3 fan speed settings. It has very low maintenance and is very affordable. Its portability gives it another positive edge.

One downside is that this air purifier may not cover big spaces—it is ideal for small and medium-sized rooms. Unlike the Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier, this air purifier does not have a true HEPA filter.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Whisper noise
• Permanent HEPA filter
• Simple controls
• 3-speed settings

Cons:

• No true HEPA filter
• Doesn’t cover large areas

Buying Guide: What Factors You Should Consider Before Buying

1. The Size of the Room

The first factor that you might have to look at is the size of the room where you wish to use the purifier. For maximum efficiency, use air purifiers according to the size of the area they comfortably cover. Each air purifier has a specific area that it is effective in. For example, for bigger spaces, you should go for RabbitAir MinusA2.

If you use an air purifier in a room bigger than it’s made for, it can lead to the creation of noise and inefficiency in the purification of air.

Thus, before buying the product you should check if it is suitable for your space.

2. Noise Level

You definitely do not want an air purifier that causes a disturbance or keeps you up at night. The noise level is another important thing while looking for a quiet air purifier.

The noise that the air purifier generates comes from its fans. The higher the setting, the more is the noise output. That is the reason why you should compare the decibel rating of the air purifiers before making a purchase decision.

What Is the Ideal Noise Range?

The ideal decibel range depends on how sensitive you are to noise. Generally, noise ratings between 0 to 30 decibels are considered almost-silent, meaning they can go virtually-unnoticed in living spaces.

Noise ratings between 30 to 60 decibels are considered reasonably-quiet, and an air purifier with such noise output is tolerable in the usual home setting. Anything higher than 60 decibels isn’t suitable for bedrooms.

CADR Level

CADR is the short form of Clean Air Delivery Rate which is expressed in cubic feet per minute. This is a way for you to compare the amount of clean air from air purifiers. There are 3 sizes of particles measured: smoke, dust, and pollen.

There are two factors that influence the CADR rating scale. They are the filter efficiency and the airflow through the filters.

Taken together they give an indication for how filtered air you will get from the air purification system.

3. Types of Filters

Here are the different types of filters:

• Pre-filter
• True HEPA Filter
• Activated Carbon (or Charcoal) Filter
• Ionic Filter (or Ionizer)
• UV-C Light 
• HyperHEPA Filter
• HEPA-type Filter

4. Performance

If you are going all the way to improve the air quality around you, your air purifier must offer optimum and efficient performance. Its air thrust power and power settings must suit your needs.

5. Other Things to Look for

Portability

Do you travel a lot and are continuously worried about exposing yourself to allergens, dirt, and pollutants?

If yes, a portable air purifier should be your best choice. A great choice for a portable purifier is Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier.

Maintenance

An air purifier should not be like an infant to take care of. It should not cost you time or money for keeping it efficient. In addition to that, it should be easy to install and readily available.

Certification

There are some industry standards that measure the efficiency and performance of these air purifiers. AHAM, CARB, and ENERGY STAR are certifiers of these standards.

Winix 5300-2 is one of the quietest room air purifiers you can trust because it is cUL-listed and certified by AHAM, CARB, and Energy Star.

Speed and Operation Modes

Many models offer different speed settings to choose from. Mor speed settings and different modes- like auto and sleep- provide customization as per requirements. For example, Winix 5300-2 dims the LED light and reduces the fan speed for a quiet operation when in sleep mode, a mode also available in Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-700A.

Warranty

Usually, air purifiers come with a warranty period of 1 to 5 years. Ask the seller about all specifications and all the situations to avoid the warranty to be void.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Are Some Air Purifiers Noisy?

Here are some reasons why your air purifier could be noisy:

• Air purifiers usually rely on fans to suck in air from the outside so that they can pass through internal filters. These fans are the main culprit behind the noise generated by air purifiers.
• Some air purifiers can be noisy because there might be something covering the air inlets or outlets. Accumulation of dust can cause air purifiers to make a weird noise.

Here are some things you can do to quieten your noisy air purifier:

• Make sure that you have removed the plastic cover from the filter (not applicable to all models and filters).
• Make sure that nothing blocks the air inlet and outlet.
• Make sure that no object or dust is clogged around the filter. If there is, remove the filter and clean the purifier with a vacuum cleaner.

2. What Are the Benefits of a Quiet Air Purifier?

Here are some of the advantages of a quiet air purifier:

• Removes triggers for asthma attacks
• Eliminate allergens, such as dust and pet odor
• Prevents lung diseases and respiratory illnesses
• Remove pollutants in urban environments

3. Does Using a Quiet Air Purifier Mean That I Won’t Hear Anything?

This will depend on your noise tolerance and what decibel range you personally perceive as completely-silent. Quiet air purifiers usually have the capacity to operate within the 30-decibels-and-below range, which generally enables them to go virtually unnoticed.

4. Why Don’t Some Air Purifiers Come with Noise Ratings?

Air purifier manufacturers aren’t required to disclose a model’s decibel rating. Since it is not a compulsion, manufacturers usually don’t reveal this data.

Some manufacturers just really go the extra mile to have it measured and reported for the satisfaction of their customers. If noise levels are extremely important to you, it would be best to stick to models with said information disclosed.

5. How Long Does It Take for an Air Purifier to Clear a Room?

On average most air purifiers would take 30 minutes to 2 hours to completely cover an entire room. Highly dependent on the fan speed, room size and the air purifier’s purifying coverage, the air purifier first must have the capacity to fulfill the room size.

6. Will Using an Air Purifier in a Room That’s Bigger than Its Advertised Coverage Affect Its Noise Level?

Yes, if you are using an air purifier in a room bigger than it was designed for, you will make the air purifier work harder. This will lead to the excessive whirring of its fan which will, in turn, create noise.

7. How Often Do the Filters Need to Be Replaced?

As a general rule, you’ll want to replace pleated air filters and furnace filters in your home every 3 months.

There is no compulsion but the longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust, and allergens are trapped clogging the filter and decreasing their efficiency. Using the same filter for a longer period will just lead to noise and inefficiency of the purifier.

8. Are Quiet Air-purifiers Safe to Use in Home?

Using an air purifier with a True HEPA filter and Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter will filter and trap airborne particles and chemicals that can easily be inhaled by babies too. If your family is sensitive to allergens, it is very important to have an air purifier in your home. This will serve as an added protection against respiratory diseases.

Air purifiers that generate ozone as a by-product can pose a danger to your family’s health. Do your research to find out if an air purifier releases ozone.

9. Why Should You Invest in an Air Purifier?

Nowadays, there is immense pollution everywhere. Toxic pollutants are a constant presence, whether it is the pollen in the garden, the toxic emissions in traffic, the cigarette smoke behind our office, and even the skin and fur of our beloved pets. The quality of air that we breathe is deteriorating every day.

An air purifier improves your air quality by eliminating these contaminants and other harmful particles which cause allergies, asthma, sinuses, and other respiratory infections. You can even set it in auto mode which automatically cleans the air whenever there is pollution for continuous protection.

9. More Tips to Maintain Air Purifier

• Keep the room doors and windows closed while using an air purifier
• Clean or replace filters whenever required
• Keep the purifier in an open space where it has more airflow
• Keep the place clean so it reduces the filters work
• Use eco-friendly mode to save power

The Bottom Line

Breathing good quality air has become a necessity. Using air filters at home or in workspaces will lead you to breathe a better quality of air. Choosing a quiet air purifier- which doesn’t interfere with your mundane- can be a difficult choice.

Choose the best option for you keeping in mind the area you want to cover. For large spaces, I recommend Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-700A. It is a great all-around option. It is super quiet and covers a massive area.

Another great choice is Honeywell Washable Filters for smaller areas. This is also a budget-friendly option. It provides an oscillating air feature that rotates the air 5 times in an hour.