When looking for an air purifier, find one that fits your space. If the space you plan to put it in has a larger square footage area than the air purifier covers, it won’t work as effectively. It would also help if you included your ceiling height in your calculations. For example, if your ceiling height is 50 percent taller than the average nine-foot height in homes, be sure to choose an air purifier that can effectively clean that square coverage. In addition, your air purifier should be able to clean the air multiple times per hour. While recent research suggests six air exchanges per hour, AirPurifiers.com recommends a unit that can circulate the air two to three times per hour. As a result, you can run your unit at a slower and tranquil fan speed. If your living room is exceptionally large, consider running two air purifiers to effectively purify your air.

Moreover, make sure the one you choose has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 240 or better. The CADR indicates how often the air in your home is being purified. Most air purifiers with a high CADR clean the air more often than others with a lower rate. And be sure it has the ability to pull germs, bacteria, and viruses out of the air. You’ll be able to find that information out on the package and air purifier description.

It’s also important to choose an air purifier that has a HEPA 13 filter. While HEPA filters eliminate up to 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns, a HEPA 13 filter is even better. How so? These filters were designed to capture 99.99 percent of airborne contaminants as small as 0.1 micron. This means that a HEPA 13 filter captures and eliminates even the smallest harmful airborne particles that a HEPA or True HEPA filter cannot.

Air Purifiers and COVID-19

If someone in your home has contracted the virus, the purifier will work best in the room with the infected person. Keep the door closed, the purifier no more than three feet from them, and let it run continuously. Please don’t put the machine behind anything that can obstruct it, like curtains or furniture, and safely clean it regularly. 

Unless you stay home all the time and never have anyone visit, there is no way to 100% prevent yourself or your family from being exposed to COVID-19 and Delta Variant. But there are ways to reduce your risk and slow down the spread. Air Purifiers help clear the air in homes, office spaces, and even schools by pulling the virus particles out of the air. HEPA filters used in purifiers pull in the droplets, kill them and keep them from spreading. The more often an air purifier cleans the air, the more effective it is. Our recommendations are great picks that fit any size space, and budget.

Key Features to Look for in Living Room Air Purifiers

When choosing an air purifier for your living room, consider the following features to ensure maximum effectiveness in combating COVID-19 and improving air quality:

Coverage Area:

The size of your living room is crucial when selecting an air purifier. Make sure the purifier can cover the square footage of your space. If your room is large, choose a purifier with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of at least 240, which indicates how frequently the air is purified. A CADR of 240 or higher ensures the purifier can clean the air in your living room multiple times per hour.

HEPA 13 Filters:

For maximum protection, select an air purifier with a HEPA 13 filter. These filters capture 99.99% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, including viruses like COVID-19. Make sure the air purifier you choose specifically lists HEPA 13 filtration as one of its features.

Air Exchange Rate:

The effectiveness of an air purifier is also measured by how often it exchanges the air in your room. Recent research suggests a minimum of two to three air exchanges per hour for optimal purification. Air purifiers that can circulate the air multiple times in an hour will work more efficiently in reducing airborne pathogens.

Noise Levels:

Since the air purifier will likely be used in a living room, consider a model with a low noise level to avoid disruption. Many air purifiers have sleep modes or settings that allow them to operate quietly without sacrificing performance.

Additional Features:

Some air purifiers come with extra features such as UV-C light or ionizers for additional sanitization. However, be cautious with these features, as they can sometimes produce ozone, which may irritate respiratory systems. Look for models that are ozone-free if you opt for these additional features.

Top 5 Living Room Air Purifiers for COVID-19 Prevention

Based on the above considerations, here are the five best air purifiers for your living room that can help protect against COVID-19 and improve overall air quality:

Each of these air purifiers offers unique features and benefits, ensuring that you can find the right model to fit your living room size, budget, and specific air purification needs for COVID-19 prevention.

Other Ways of Preventing COVID-19 in Your Living Room

While air purifiers are a powerful tool in reducing airborne transmission of COVID-19, there are several other precautions you can take to further protect yourself and your loved ones in your living room:

1. Ventilation: Keep your living room well-ventilated by opening windows or using exhaust fans to allow fresh air to circulate. Proper ventilation helps disperse virus particles that may be lingering in the air, reducing the risk of transmission.
2. Social Distancing: If possible, maintain physical distance from others in your household, especially if someone is exhibiting symptoms of illness or has been exposed to COVID-19. Limiting close contact helps reduce the likelihood of airborne transmission.
3. Regular Cleaning and Disinfection: Frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and any shared furniture in the living room. Use EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19 to reduce the presence of the virus on surfaces.
4. Wearing Masks: If you have visitors or family members with a higher risk of exposure, wearing masks indoors—especially in shared spaces like the living room—can provide an extra layer of protection, particularly in situations where social distancing isn’t possible.
5. Hand Hygiene: Encourage everyone in the household to practice regular hand washing, especially after touching shared surfaces or coming from outside. Hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can also be used when soap and water are unavailable.
6. Quarantining and Testing: If someone in your household is exposed to COVID-19 or shows symptoms, consider having them isolate in a separate room with an air purifier, and follow up with regular testing to ensure early detection and prevent further spread.

By combining air purification with these additional strategies, you can create a safer and healthier environment in your living room, reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission for everyone in your home.

Conclusion

Air purifiers are an essential part of reducing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring cleaner air in your home. By investing in an air purifier with a HEPA 13 filter and a CADR of at least 240, you can significantly reduce the presence of harmful airborne particles in your living room. While air purifiers can’t completely eliminate the risk of virus transmission, they can help mitigate the threat, especially when combined with other preventive measures like wearing masks and social distancing.

Remember to follow CDC guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice if you or someone in your household is at higher risk for COVID-19. With the right air purifier, you can help keep your living room a safe, healthy space for your family.