Your air purifier buying guide by Breathing Space

No need to be confused - we can help



For over 30 years, we’ve been the UK’s largest independent supplier of specialist air purification equipment. Our ethos has always been to offer only the highest quality purifiers, paired with good, honest advice. We’ll never recommend an expensive unit if a more affordable one will do the job just as well. This customer-first approach has helped thousands of people choose the right machine the first time avoiding costly mistakes on ineffective or unsuitable products.

Which Air Purifier Will Work Best for Me?

A well-chosen air purifier can filter out allergens, tobacco smoke, viruses, and even VOCs (volatile organic compounds, like those found in glues used in new carpets). However, different units perform better at different tasks. For example, one purifier may be excellent at virus removal but less effective on smoke. Another may be perfect for asthma relief, but poor at odour control.

We answer some of the most common questions below to help you choose the right one. Or just give us a call on 01207 507444 for instant advice.

My partner smokes, but I don’t. What purifier should I choose?

You’ll need a purifier that includes both a HEPA filter and a genuine activated carbon granule filter. Carbon is essential for removing the smell of tobacco smoke. The more carbon in the filter, the better the results.

Look for high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) ratings for quicker odour removal. Visit our Air Purifiers for Smoke and Odour section for more options.

I suffer from asthma. Which unit is best for me?

Over 5.4 million people in the UK suffer from asthma including 1.1 million children. Common triggers can be easily removed with a quality HEPA filter. For enhanced protection, we recommend:

Explore our Air Purifiers for Asthma section to learn more.

I get terrible hay fever. Can an air purifier help?

Yes. Grass pollen causes 90% of UK hay fever cases, followed by tree pollen (e.g., birch, chestnut) and weed pollen (e.g., mugwort, dock). A well-chosen air purifier will easily trap these particles.

Key tip: Make sure the purifier exchanges the air in your room at least 4–5 times per hour and has a strong fan with low noise levels.

  • Budget choice: Blueair 3250i – ideal for smaller rooms.
  • Powerful options: Stadler Form Roger or the Blueair T20i  the latter also cools and heats the air while removing 99.97% of pollen.

Bonus: Try a Wearable Air Purifier

Why buy a purifier for every room when you can wear one? The Respiray Wear A+ is one of the most effective and comfortable wearable purifiers we've ever tested.

Check out our Best Air Purifiers for Hay Fever section for all these options.

I have a newborn baby, what's the best purifier for the nursery?

For totally silent operation, the Airfree Air Purifiers are unbeatable. With no filters to replace and zero noise, they’re a customer favourite for nurseries year after year.

Note: If your nursery faces a busy road, consider alternatives that handle traffic pollution, as Airfree does not remove combustion gases. See our Air Purifiers for Traffic Pollution section for the best solutions.

Still Have Questions?

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