We’ve thoroughly reviewed the best car air purifiers available in 2023 to help you choose the perfect one for your needs. Our criteria includes true HEPA and activated carbon filtration to eliminate ultrafine particles and odors, as well as built-in ionizers with at least 4.8 million negative ions per cm³ for optimal coverage. We also looked for various mounting options (vertical, horizontal, dashboard, rear seat headrest), cigarette lighter, adapter, and USB connectivity for extended charge. These features are found in our top-rated air purifiers.
- 1 Top 5 Benefits Of Having An Air Purifier Onboard Your Vehicle
- 2 Which is the best car air purifier?
- 3 Are air purifiers really worth it?
- 4 Are air purifiers a waste of money?
- 5 Do you need a car air purifier?
- 6 How long should I leave my air purifier running?
- 7 How long do car air purifiers last?
- 8 Can HEPA filters be reused?
- 9 Do air purifiers need water?
- 10 Is an air purifier effective in the car?
- 11 Do air purifiers prevent Covid?
- 12 Our car air filters HEPA?
- 13 Do air purifiers generate ozone?
- 14 Are air purifiers a waste of money?
- 15 Do electric cars have air filters?
- 16 Does the venue have an air purifier?
While your car’s air system may filter out most pollutants, adding an air purifier can provide additional peace of mind, especially if you drive for a rideshare company or have many passengers. Car air purifiers, like home air purifiers, are convenient tools to combat harmful pollutants caused by heavy traffic, urban living, or passengers.We’ve sifted through thousands of reviews to bring you the best car air purifiers available.
The best car air purifiers in 2023：Our choice
1.IQAir Atem Car Portable HEPA Air Purifier
Key Features
- HyperHEPA Plus filter
- 270-degree fan design
- Syncs with Atem Mobile App
- Made in Germany with Swiss engineering
When it comes to choosing the best car air purifier, our team of reviewers highly recommends the IQAir Atem. Its sleek design and easy-to-use interface caught our attention right away. But what really sets it apart is its advanced filtration system, which is capable of capturing more harmful airborne particles and gases than any of the other filters we tested.
It’s worth noting that the Atem purifier has received a Global Innovations Award from the International Homes and Housewares Show, a prestigious event that showcases the latest and greatest advancements in home technologies. This purifier is not only effective at removing unpleasant odors, but also capable of eliminating a wide range of contaminants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, soot, pollen, and bacteria from the air inside your car.
2.NWK Portable Cordless Ozone Generator Car Air Freshener
Looking for a car air purifier that’s both lightweight and cordless? Look no further than the NWK portable cordless ozone generator, which weighs in at under half a pound and is small enough to fit snugly in your cupholder. Unlike other car air purifiers, this ozone generator is designed to be used when you and your loved ones aren’t in the car, as it quickly and effectively cleans the air of any unpleasant odors or harmful pollutants in just 15 minutes.
This makes it an ideal solution for busy folks who need a quick fix between errands or after letting a friend borrow the car. And with its low price point compared to other air purifiers on the market, it’s an affordable option that many users love for its convenience and fast charging capabilities.
It’s worth noting that while the NWK car air purifier is great for personal use, it’s not intended to replace a professional car detailing. So while it may not get your car feeling completely brand new, it’s still a great option for anyone looking to breathe cleaner, fresher air while on the go.
Looking for a reliable car air purifier to keep your vehicle’s air clean and fresh? The VR-Robot corded-electric car air purifier might be just what you need. This purifier is lightweight, tipping the scales at just 0.7 pounds, and features both a HEPA filter and ionizer that work together to quickly eliminate airborne contaminants.
To use the purifier, simply plug it into your cigarette lighter and turn it on using the power button. You can choose from low, medium, or high fan speeds, depending on your needs. One of the best things about this car air purifier is that it automatically powers down when you turn off your engine, so you won’t have to worry about draining your car’s battery.
It’s worth noting that this car air purifier is designed to work with 10/12-volt charging ports only, and will not function with a 14-volt plug. When you purchase this product, you’ll receive a HEPA filter, charging connection cable, bottom adhesive, product manual, and perfume.
While the VR-Robot car air purifier is a great option for many drivers, it’s important to note that it’s relatively large in size and may not fit comfortably in all vehicles. So if space is a concern for you, you may want to consider a smaller model.
4.Philips GoPure GP5611 Cup Holder Car Air Purifier
Looking for a compact and portable car air purifier that you can take on the go? The Philips GoPure 5611 might be the perfect solution for you. About the same size as your favorite Yeti cup and complete with a carrying strap, this purifier is easy to transport and use anywhere.
The GoPure 5611 uses powerful UV filtration to neutralize gases and unpleasant odors in your vehicle. It’s safe for use around families and pets, and includes a UVC LED light that effectively deactivates 99% of respiratory viruses. Plus, with the convenient auto on/off feature, you can use the purifier without worrying about draining your car’s battery.
Inside the 5611, you’ll find a SaniFilter Plus that captures particles as small as 0.004 microns, a UVC LED light, and a HESAMax cartridge that captures harmful chemicals. And unlike some other car air purifiers, the GoPure 5611 doesn’t emit any ozone, so you can breathe easy while you drive. With its sleek and unassuming design, this car air purifier is a great choice for anyone looking to improve the air quality in their vehicle.
5.Wynd Plus Smart Personal Air Purifier
Looking for a car air purifier that can handle even the smallest particles? The Wynd Plus might be just what you need. This purifier uses a proprietary electrostatic filter that can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke, mold, smog, and diesel soot. And with anti-microbial silver that can obliterate bacteria and viruses, you can breathe easy knowing that the air in your car is clean and safe.
Despite its powerful capabilities, the Wynd Plus is small enough to fit in a cup holder, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to improve the air quality in their vehicle. With coverage of up to 100 square feet, this unit can also be used in travel campers, RVs, and other tight spaces.
One of the standout features of the Wynd Plus is its dedicated smartphone app. The app communicates with your purifier’s sensor to provide real-time updates on air quality, as well as auto adjustment of fan speeds based on air quality. You can even view colorful graphs depicting the purifier’s performance, as well as map overlays that compare your region’s average air quality with other regions. If you’re a naturally curious person or a data hound, you’ll love the insights provided by this app.
6.Car Air Purifier Premium Air Ionizer
This car air purifier utilizes a negative ion generator that binds onto airborne pollutants to neutralize them, working alongside an anti-microbial deodorizer for extra germ-fighting power. While it’s great for tackling odors, cigarette smoke, pollen, and dust, if you’re looking for a way to hide the smell of weed in your car, you might want to consider a specialized air purifier designed for that purpose.
One standout feature of this car air purifier is its unique construction, which includes two built-in USB ports—one with 2.1 amps and one with 3.0 amps for fast charging. The Quick Charge USB 3.0 option can charge devices up to four times faster than traditional charging methods. With its 3-in-1 functionality of USB charging, ionizer, and deodorizer, the Pure car air purifier is certainly an intriguing option.
For the ultimate in air purification, the best ionic air purifiers use a 4-stage filtration process that begins with a carbon filter for larger particles, followed by a true HEPA filter with antimicrobial treatment for ultrafine particles as small as 0.3 microns, and finishes with PlasmaTRUE technology.
According to Euromonitor International Limited, SHARP Plasmacluster air purifiers have been recognized as the “World’s Leading Air Purifier Brand.” The FPK50UW model can effectively clean the air in a suggested room size of 259 sq. ft. at 4.8 air changes per hour and up to 1,253 sq. ft. with one air change per hour. It comes with an Activated Carbon Deodorizing Filter and a True HEPA Filter, which can last up to two years based on environmental conditions. The product also includes a washable microscreen panel that is permanent. With Max, Med, and Sleep fan speeds, as well as Express Clean, this air purifier is versatile and customizable. The Library Quiet Sleep setting, which can be as low as 22dBA, is perfect for use in a bedroom.
8.IQAir Atem Car Portable HEPA Air Purifier
If you’re looking for an air purifier that’s perfect for travel, the Atem Car by IQAir might be just what you need. This air cleaner is designed to provide you with pure, clean air in your car. It uses HyperHEPA air filtration to remove contaminants down to 0.003 microns, and it’s completely ozone-free.
One of the great things about the Atem Car is that it has Bluetooth capabilities, so you can easily control it from your phone. It’s also incredibly effective at removing all sorts of pollutants, including odors, gases, pollution, mold, pollen, dust, smoke, NO2, SO2, allergens, pet dander, asthma triggers, and even ultra-fine biocontaminants.
IQAir’s HyperHEPA air filter technology is exclusive to their products, and it’s incredibly effective at removing contaminants from the air. It can remove up to 99% of contaminants and filter particles up to 100 times smaller than traditional air filtration systems. So if you want the best possible air quality in your car, the Atem Car by IQAir is definitely worth considering.
Car Air Purifier Buyers Guide
Before making a purchase, learn more about the different types of air purifiers and how they can improve your vehicle’s air quality.
Types Of Air Purifiers
In-cabin air filters are one of the best ways to prevent irritants and pollutants from building up in your car. Unlike most filters, these are built directly into a vehicle to pick up dirty air as it passes through the HVAC system. Although reliable, the downside to these filters is that they must be replaced every few months.
Ionic air purifiers target odors and other pollutants at a molecular level. These purifiers emit positively or negatively charged ions that trap and break down unwanted particles that spoil the air. While these are ideal for eliminating foul smells, they take longer than other types of filters to show results.
Charcoal air filters are environmentally friendly, as they’re made with naturally sourced materials. Charcoal filters absorb irritants and odor-causing chemicals directly. Once full, these bags can be placed in direct sunlight to be refreshed and used again. The typical charcoal filter lasts about two years and leaves behind no fragrance.
Car Air Purifier Key Features
Size and portability: Car air purifiers are compactly designed to fit in your vehicle without taking up more space than they need to. Most purifiers can fit in cup holders or on dashboards, while others can be hung from the rearview mirror. Some purifiers are made to fit around the back of headrests.
Power source: Most car air purifiers are battery-powered to conserve energy. Some are even rechargeable, using the outlets in your car as a charging source. Others can install into the cigarette lighter of your vehicle to run.
HEPA-rated filter: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are certified to grab more pollutants from the air than non-certified ones. Make sure your device is using one of these filters to have the most effective air cleaner possible.
Our Review Standards
The five car air purifiers that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing. A team member tested each product on a car, taking note of how well each air purifier fit in our testing vehicle, how long it took to achieve noticeably cleaner air, the amount of noise it produced, and its portability. Each air purifier was given a rating out of 5 stars based on this criteria.
The Most Important Features to Consider
Efficiency
Our preference is for car air purifiers to carry triple-level filtration to capture 99.97% of allergens and a favorable square footage rating that exceeds the total vehicle space for best results. A 3-stage filtration system should incorporate at least a HEPA filter and activated charcoal filter with an optional ionizer to work extra in binding and ground contaminants for easy removal.
Versatility
Go for car air purifiers that are cigarette lighter or adapter compatible, working with USBs. This will enable it to run indefinitely in your vehicle without worrying about recharging times. Additionally, focus on digital extras such as real-time air quality monitoring using color-coded LEDs or Bluetooth/WiFi app compatibility. This gives users a true sense of air quality on the fly.
Mounting Options
We love car air purifiers that can be mounted horizontally, vertically, on dashboards, and behind seat headrests. Just as important is its airflow setup, with a nod to the cylindrical 360-degree air intake for more even distribution of intake and airflow to reach the entire vehicle interior.
Top 5 Benefits Of Having An Air Purifier Onboard Your Vehicle
Air pollution is one of the primary causes of upper respiratory and other health issues around the globe. Since air knows no bounds, even our vehicles are very well affected by the phenomenon. In fact, amidst a global pandemic like Corona, air pollution as well airborne virus pose a great threat to our health and safety. And since public transport poses a greater risk of being infected, our vehicles are our only way out to travel when necessary. Thus, installing an air purifier can be the best precaution you can take. More than just cleaning the air, an air purifier offers much more benefits.
1.Gets Rid of Allergens
Anything from dust mites, pollens, particulate matter etc. can trigger an allergic reaction. Things get worse if you happen to be travelling with children and old age individuals often. But with an air purifier installed, you can be assured of cleaner and allergen-free air inside the cabin. Most modern-day air purifiers come with advanced HEPA filters that can get rid of about 99% of all particulate matter and PM 2.5 particles as well.
2.Removes Unwanted Odour
The smell of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from stored fuels and automotive components can intensify the level of pollution inside your vehicle. Moreover, if you or your fellow passengers happen to be a smoker, the air quality inside your cabin can further deteriorate. With an air purifier switched on, you can get rid of not only the passive smoking odour but also the chemical and other unwanted odour which may have settled deep inside your cabin. With a breeze of fresh air, an air purifier can give you a cleaner and better experience of driving your vehicle.
3.Gets Rid of Pet Dander
If you happen to have pets at home, it’s evident that you travel along with them every now and then. And while it may be a wonderful experience for your furry friends, it isn’t as exciting for your in-cabin air. Each time your pets walk in, they tend to shed dead skin, fur and hair which add to your in-cabin pollutants. With an air purifier, flecks of your pet’s dead skin and minute particles of fur can be easily done away with, giving you a less polluted cabin.
4.Cuts out excess Carbon Dioxide
We all know that we exhale carbon dioxide when we breathe. Thus, when we travel with our windows closed for longer durations, our cabin gets concentrated with excess carbon dioxide that we breathe out. Being in such an environment for long can lead to headache, breathlessness nausea etc. But with a good quality air purifier’s advanced HEPA filter, cleaner air is circulated within the cabin that balances out the carbon dioxide saturation, letting you breathe easy.
5.Expels a majority of air pollutants
Pollutants can be solid, liquid and gaseous. While some are man-made, some exist in nature itself. Every time we roll down our car’s windows, these pollutants find their way inside the cabin. Once inside, they cause havoc ranging from allergies to breathing issues. With an air purifier, these pollutants are trapped within the HEPA filter, while the carbon filter eliminates the carcinogens.
Which is the best car air purifier?
In our opinion, the best car air purifier offers triple-level filtration to capture 99.97% of allergens, along with several mounting options that make it equally look good on a dashboard or back seat top. The ionizer-based car air purifier should deliver a minimum of 4.8 million negative ions per cm³. Don’t forget a cigarette lighter or adapter compatible units that can be charged and run indefinitely in a vehicle instead of waiting for a dreaded recharge.
Are air purifiers really worth it?
Yes, we feel air purifiers are definitely worth it. Ion technology and ionizers do an exceptional job of neutralizing and grounding airborne pollutants, making the air much easier to breathe.
Are air purifiers a waste of money?
The only air purifiers we feel are a waste of money are ones that do not include strong ionizer output and 3-stage filtration. Thin mesh designs are a no-no. Not all air purifiers are created equal.
Do you need a car air purifier?
Although in-car air systems do a decent job of preventing airborne contaminants from reaching your interior, a car air purifier is a must when frequently opening or closing windows. Large spiraling urban areas with high traffic congestion and exhaust gases can cut into overall health over the long run, so a functional car air purifier does not hurt in keeping the air you breathe fresh and contaminant-free.
How long should I leave my air purifier running?
When you first install or place one in your vehicle, you should run it all day and leave it running. There are no downsides to having it clean your car’s air, especially if it has a rechargeable battery. Purifiers that install directly into your car will automatically activate when your car is turned on. If you are using charcoal bags, simply install and leave them in your vehicle.
How long do car air purifiers last?
This depends on the type of purifier and the rate at which it cleans your air. A good rule of thumb is to replace the removable HEPA filter in your air purifier every six to twelve months, depending on the air quality of your vehicle and environmental factors. Carbon filters and charcoal bags require a quicker turnover rate of every three to six months.
Can HEPA filters be reused?
HEPA filters marked as “permanent” can be cleaned and reused. They can be cleaned using warm water and a vacuum cleaner to remove built-up dirt and debris. HEPA filters that aren’t marked “permanent” should not be used more than once.
Do air purifiers need water?
Unlike humidifiers, air purifiers do not add any water to the air. Humidifiers do not actually clean the air, either, as they only add moisture.
Is an air purifier effective in the car?
Several cars use HEPA filters that are effective only against PM2. 5 and the SPM inside the car cabin, but they won’t be effective against airborne communicable viruses. So if you want to protect your family while traveling, you should use an AMT-based car cabin air purifier.
Do air purifiers prevent Covid?
When used correctly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants in a building or small space, including viruses. Air cleaning or filtration is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.
Our car air filters HEPA?
And that’s where your car’s cabin filtration system is similar to the mask. Some car filtering systems consist of a HEPA filter designed to purify or filter the air coming into your vehicle’s cabin. HEPA Filters in automobiles are a type of pleated air filter.
Do air purifiers generate ozone?
There’s no ozone emission from air purifiers that use only high-efficiency particulate filters (HEPA filters) to cleanse the air. Ionizing air purifiers, because of their electric charge, do create ozone. Consumer Reports has warned that they may give off potentially harmful ozone levels.
Are air purifiers a waste of money?
So, it’s only typical that you may be wondering are air purifiers a waste of money. According to the EPA, they’re worth it as they’re an excellent way to enhance your Kearney residence’s indoor air quality.
Do electric cars have air filters?
Electric cars have motors, not engines, and don’t need to shift gears, so they don’t need engine oil, spark plugs, air filters, coolant, or transmission fluid.
Does the venue have an air purifier?
The Venue was one of the first SUVs and cars, in general, to have an air purifier fitted. We recommend the Venue, and the air purifier has a HEPA filter that filters out dust particles. It is also one of the most affordable cars to have an air purifier standard in some of its top-end trims.