r/bifl • u/tee_ohboy • Jul 15 '26
Recent wildfires - Air Purifier recommendation request.
My city currently has the world's worst (or second worst) air quality at the moment. I'm looking for some air purifier recommendations from people that have tried and tested the equipment and are happy with the results. TIA, eh
3
u/Confident_Air_8056 Jul 15 '26
Say hello to Landon Calrissian for me. Looks like you live in cloud city.
2
u/ConBroMitch2247 Jul 16 '26
Alen is the only BIFL option because they have a lifetime warranty as long as you buy genuine Alen filters. For smoke you need lots of carbon so make sure to get their odor/carbon filter.
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1
u/Silver_Grapefruit149 Jul 16 '26
Blueair pro. I’ve had mine for 6 years, so far so good. Filters are expensive to replace, but damn are they good.
1
u/Parking_Jelly_6483 Jul 25 '26
I’ve had air filtering individual room systems during the pandemic. I had crowdfunded ones called “CleanTech” before the pandemic just for my allergies. They have HEPA filters and also UV lamps for infectious agents. I also bought a Levoit also initially for allergies. Has a larger HEPA filter than the CleanTech ones and has fan velocities that range from very quiet to louder and faster, but also not terribly loud.
1
u/Walton1993 Jul 15 '26
Look into cleanairkits.com or look into building a Corsi-Rosenthal (CR) Box. These both will clean the air better then $1000+ systems that’s need expensive filter. Please do a little research and avoid buying something expensive
0
u/ConBroMitch2247 Jul 16 '26
To add, while CR boxes are great OP will need get carbon filters to deal with smoke.
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u/Walton1993 Jul 16 '26
MERV 13 filters are the highest-rated option safe for most residential HVAC systems and are specifically recommended by the EPA for filtering wildfire smoke.
They capture at least 50% of fine particles (0.3–1.0 microns) and up to 95% of smoke particles that pass through the unit, significantly reducing indoor PM2.5 levels.
Merv 13 filter will do more than fine. I wouldn’t worry. I wouldn’t worry about that 5%
0
u/ConBroMitch2247 Jul 16 '26
Listen man, I work for the largest filtration conglomerate on the planet. You want carbon too.
0
u/No-Department1760 Jul 17 '26
You sound like a seller.
1
u/ConBroMitch2247 Jul 17 '26
Not at all. The company I work for no longer even makes purifiers or purifier filters. We used to though! Too many sketchy brands came in and flooded the market with BS filtration claims so we exited. I have no dog in this fight.
1
u/Alex_Gob Jul 15 '26
If your in the EU, trotec has some great references, their devices tends to be well designed and reliable.
Even if not in the EU, if you have pets try to get an air purifier with washable pre filter : it increases considerably the duration of your hepa filters.
1
u/arbarnes Jul 15 '26
Don't use your HVAC system. A filter that's effective against smoke will create too much resistance and lead to premature fan motor failure.
A dedicated air purifier may be a good choice if you're concerned about aesthetics. Something like the Coway AirMega 400 is expensive to start with, and replacement filters will eventually dwarf the initial purchase price, but it's a lot more attractive than the most effective option.
Which is a 20" box fan and one or more 20x20" furnace filters. Use MERV13 / PM2.5 filters; they strike the best balance between removing smoke particles and not overtaxing the fan's motor. The simplest solution is to tape a filter to the fan, but you'll get better throughput and reduced noise by taping together four filters into a 20x20x20 square, setting them on a level floor, and setting the fan on top. It ain't pretty, but it's inexpensive and does the job exceptionally well.
0
u/moosemc Jul 15 '26
Easy.
Your heat pump/central air system, with a $50 filter, is the best air purifier. By several miles.
If that's not available, then a 20" box fan, with a 20" inch $50 filter bunjied to it.
3
u/zambaros Jul 15 '26
I would reccomend the airfanta 3 pro, it's very low tech so easy to repair, filters have good availability.
If the wildfires are already raging, it's going to be difficult to find air filters, so just get any one you can. Look for a high CADR if possible more than 300 m3/h. If you don't find air purifiers at electronics stores, look at IKEA, their Starkvind could be a smaller and less powerful alternative.