What is CFM?

CFM measures the volume of air the device can move through its filter in one minute. This directly impacts the purifier’s ability to clean the air in a given space. When assessing CFM, it’s important that you match the CFM to the size of your room to ensure that the air is effectively circulated and filtered, as smaller rooms require lower CFM and larger spaces need a higher CFM to maintain good air quality. For example, a small room of 100-150 square feet might need 100-150 CFM, while a large room of 400-500 square feet could require 300-400 CFM.

As mentioned, understanding CFM is akin to understanding horsepower in cars—it’s a measure of the purifier’s performance, indicating how quickly it can circulate air and remove pollutants. Just as higher horsepower means a car can accelerate faster, a higher CFM means the air purifier can clean the air in a room more efficiently. Alongside CFM, Air Changes per Hour (ACH) is another key metric, representing how often the air in a room is completely refreshed in one hour. A higher CFM results in a higher ACH, leading to more frequent air purification, which is particularly beneficial for those with allergies or respiratory issues.

So, by understanding this metric, you can ensure that your air purifier not only has the power to clean the air in your space but also does so with efficiency.

7 Air Purifiers Brands With the Best CFM

Now that you have an understanding of what CFM is, it’s time to take a look at some popular air purifier brands. We’ll go through several companies, the CFM and ACH capacity of their air purifiers, costs, and some of their specialized features, then compare them to their competitors to give you the best understanding of their devices and how to match the best one to your home and needs.

1. Alen Air Purifiers

Alen is a top tier company that produces a range of air purifiers and devices with a number of advanced features from Smart Sensor Technology, WhisperMax Technology, customizability, and more. Recall that the CFM rating of an air purifier will determine its efficacy at removing airborne particles, ranging from dust and pollen to smoke and pet dander. Alen air purifiers typically have a CFM rating of up to 350, which is on the higher end for a home air purifier.

Regarding ACH, Alen air purifiers have different air exchange rates depending on the model and fan speed setting. Generally, Alen air purifiers have a range of air exchange rates from 2 to 6 times per hour. This means that, depending on the air purifier’s settings and the size of the room, the air purifier is exchanging the entire volume of the room’s air 2 to 6 times every hour.

Looking at specific products for example, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i boasts a CFM of up to 347, making it ideal for large spaces up to 1,300 square feet, where it can achieve an ACH of 2-3, ensuring the air is thoroughly refreshed multiple times per hour. On the other hand, their smaller models, like the Alen T500, are perfect for bedrooms or offices, with a CFM around 130 that targets air purification in more compact spaces.

When it comes to the price range for Alen’s products, you’ll typically find them falling between $200-$600 depending on the model type and size options available. This makes them fairly affordable compared to competitors’ offerings in this category.

2. IQAir Purifier

IQAir air purifiers are another popular brand and like many other brands, they boast their HEPA filtration technology which is incredibly effective at capturing 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. In general, IQAir purifiers have a top CFM that ranges from 300-330 cubic feet per minute.

IQAir purifiers have a standard air exchange rate of 2 times per hour, but you are able to set certain devices to do more air exchanges per hour depending on the unit and the size of the room. The IQAir HealthPro Plus, for example, is designed to clean the air in a room up to 1,125 square feet, and it can perform up to 6 air exchanges per hour on its highest fan speed setting. Recall that the actual air exchange rate may vary depending on factors such as the size of the room and the level of air pollution.

One of the biggest pros when it comes to using an IQAir purifier is its ability to capture ultrafine particles like bacteria and viruses without producing any ozone or other harmful gasses into your living environment. This makes them ideal for those who suffer from allergies or asthma since they won’t be exposed to potentially dangerous irritants while using this product.

However, one downside is their price tag—these units tend to cost more than comparable models due to their high-performance capabilities. You can expect prices ranging anywhere between $200 and $1000, depending on the model you choose as well as additional features such as remote control operation or Wi-Fi connectivity options.

3. Shark Air Purifier

When it comes to Shark air purifiers, they typically don’t rise to as high of a standard as its competitors. The Shark air purifier has a CFM rating of 275-300. While they still effectively filter out airborne particles and pollutants from your home or maybe even an office environment, note that these numbers are lower than either Alen or IQAir.

Regarding ACH, Shark air purifiers typically offer an ACH range from 4 to 6, depending on the model and the room size they are designed to cover. For instance, in a smaller room, Shark air purifiers can achieve up to 6 ACH, meaning the air in the room is completely refreshed every 10 minutes. In larger rooms, the ACH might be closer to 4, with the air being refreshed every 15 minutes

One advantage of their models is that it runs quietly; many people don’t even realize when it’s on. Furthermore, its HEPA filtration system captures 99% of all airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size—making sure only clean air enters your living space or workspace.

Shark air purifiers range in price from $230 to $450, making them a relatively more affordable option than others.

4. Dyson Air Purifier

Dyson is another company that boasts a range of air purifiers with various features, including auto-off capability, adjustable fan speeds, sleep mode settings, and more—all to make life simpler while keeping your air clean and healthy. It is also certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) for superior performance in removing allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.

However, ​​Dyson does not always provide CFM ratings for its air purifiers.Instead, Dyson typically focuses on other metrics such as the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), air purification technology, and room size coverage. Per Dyson’s website, “At Dyson, we don’t believe this [standard CADR testing] is a representative space for measuring the performance of a purifier in modern homes…Current test standards do not represent real living conditions.”
When CFM ratings are provided, they tend to be lower than some industrial-style purifiers, in the ballpark of 150-200, depending on the model and its intended room size. This range is suitable for medium-sized rooms without generating excessive noise.

Regarding ACH, Dyson air purifiers are able to reach ACH rates of up to 5, which is in line with industry averages. However, most Dyson air purifiers also act as fans, which makes it a little less clear how much of the air being exchanged is actually being filtered. The price range for most Dyson air purifiers typically falls between $400 and $750, depending on the model and features.

5. Coway Air Purifier

Next, Coway Air Purifiers come with a range of impressive features, such as multi-stage filtration systems that capture and remove a wide variety of pollutants, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and even bacteria and viruses. Many also have smart sensors that monitor the air quality in real-time, adjusting the fan speed and filtration level accordingly.

One of the standout features of Coway air purifiers is their energy efficiency. They use less power than other air purifiers on the market due to their Eco Mode, making them a great choice for those looking to save on energy costs. Additionally, the purifiers are advertised to be easy to use and maintain, with intuitive controls and replaceable filters that are straightforward to swap out. They also come with a range of additional features, such as air quality indicators and programmable timers, that make them a versatile and convenient option for improving the air quality in any room of the house.

Typically, these purifiers offer a CFM range of 150 to 300, efficient yet slightly less powerful than some of their competitors. The ACH for Coway models generally ranges from 2 to 5, meaning they can refresh the air in a room every 12 to 30 minutes, again depending on the room size. In terms of pricing, Coway air purifiers are competitively priced between $150 and $400, lower than other companies we’ve looked at.

6. BlueAir Air Purifier

BlueAir air purifiers are known to come equipped with a range of advanced technical specifications that enable them to effectively remove airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, smoke, and even bacteria and viruses. One of the key technical features of BlueAir air purifiers is their HEPASilent filtration technology, which combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration to capture particles as small as 0.1 microns. This technology also ensures that the purifiers operate quietly, making them ideal for use in bedrooms and other quiet spaces.

BlueAir air purifiers range from 105-400 CFM, varying greatly between units. The higher-end, pricier units—those designed for larger rooms—have some of the highest CFM ratings on the market. They are also capable of an ACH of up to 5, ranging from 2 depending on the unit and size. Price wise, Blueair air purifiers typically fall between $120 and $900, depending on the model and features.

Finally, BlueAir air purifiers are also designed with energy efficiency in mind. Like Coway, they try to use less energy than many other air purifiers on the market, making them an eco-friendly choice that can also save you money on your energy bills. They also have long-lasting filters that only need to be replaced every six months or so, which further reduces their environmental impact.

7. Austin Air Purifier

Lastly, Austin Air is a company that specializes in both home air purifiers and high-end units for commercial spaces, such as dentists’ offices. Their air purifiers are known for their superior filtration capabilities, as well as their durability and efficiency. The company offers several models, including the HealthMate, HealthMate Plus, Austin Air Allergy Machine, and Austin Air Bedroom Machine, each of which is designed to address specific air quality concerns.

The CFM range for Austin Air purifiers typically falls between 200 and 400, depending on the model and the fan speed setting. All standard-size Austin Air units are 250 CFM on high and 125 CFM on medium. The junior size units are 125 CFM on high and 62.5 CFM on medium. Because these are designed to be medical-grade machines, they focus on having a high ACH. Units range from 3-7 ACH, which is higher than many options on the market.

However, these benefits come at a cost: Austin air purifiers are fairly expensive, ranging from $715 to nearly $1000, but depends on the size and setting you desire to use the product in.

FAQs

What Does CFM Stand For?

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It is a measurement of the volume of air that an air purifier, fan, or HVAC system can move in one minute. CFM is a key indicator of the airflow capacity of the device, helping to determine how effectively it can circulate and purify the air in a given space. Higher CFM values generally mean that the system can process more air in a shorter amount of time, which is important for maintaining good air quality in larger rooms.

How to Calculate CFM

To calculate the CFM for an air purifier, start by determining the room’s size by measuring its length, width, and height, then multiply to find the room’s volume in cubic feet. Next, decide on the desired number of ACH, typically 4 or 5. Once you have the room volume and desired ACH, use the formula CFM = (Room Volume × ACH) / 60. For example, in a room that is 20 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 8 feet high, with a desired ACH of 5, you would need an air purifier with a CFM of at least 200 to effectively clean the air.

How does CFM impact indoor air quality?

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) directly affects how quickly and effectively an air purifier or HVAC system can circulate and clean the air in a room. A higher CFM means more air is moved through the system per minute, leading to faster removal of pollutants and improved indoor air quality.

What is a good CFM rating for a home air purifier?

A good CFM rating depends on the size of the room. For small rooms (up to 150 square feet), a CFM of 100-150 is adequate. Medium-sized rooms (200-300 square feet) might need 150-250 CFM, while larger rooms (400-500 square feet) may require 300-400 CFM to maintain good air quality.

What is the difference between CFM and CADR in air purifiers?

CFM measures the volume of air moved by the air purifier per minute, while CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) measures how effectively the air purifier reduces specific pollutants (dust, pollen, smoke). CADR considers both the CFM and the filter efficiency.

Final Thought

Ultimately, air purifiers can be a fantastic tool to upgrade the quality of your house. By understanding how much air movement your air purifier produces in CFM, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right one for your needs. Alen Air Purifier provides up to 350 CFM, IQAir has the capacity for 300-330 CFM, and Shark offers a top CFM of 275-300 depending on model type. Dyson also produces several models with different levels of airflow, although these numbers are not generally verified through standard testing. Coway air purifiers have a top CFM of around 300, with Austin and BlueAir ranging to a whopping top CFM of 400 on their premium units. So, by considering all these factors you can find the best option that will give you clean and fresh air at home.