Check live air quality first
Before buying filtration or masks, check whether outdoor AQI is actually elevated in your area. Open the live dashboard or browse city pages.
Buying guide
Best Air Purifiers for PM2.5
PM2.5 is the pollutant behind most unhealthy AQI days worldwide. The right purifier removes particles; the wrong one just circulates air. Use live PM2.5 reading
PM2.5 is the pollutant behind most unhealthy AQI days worldwide. The right purifier removes particles; the wrong one just circulates air. Use live PM2.5 readings on Aether to decide when indoor filtration matters.
Sizing matters more than brand
An undersized purifier cannot clean a large living room during a pollution spike. Match CADR to room volume and run it on high when AQI is orange or worse outside.
Two smaller units in separate rooms you actually occupy (bedroom and living room) are usually more effective for daily PM2.5 reduction than one large unit in a hallway or unused space.
- Bedroom: compact HEPA with night mode
- Open-plan living: higher CADR, multiple units if needed
- Check filter life in high-PM cities — replacements add up
Filter maintenance and true cost
The purchase price is only part of the cost. HEPA filters typically need replacing every 6–12 months depending on local PM2.5 levels, and pre-filters may need vacuuming or washing monthly in dusty or high-traffic cities.
Before buying, check the price and local availability of replacement filters — an inexpensive unit with hard-to-find or costly filters can end up more expensive over two years than a pricier unit with widely stocked filters.
Buying guides are for informational purposes. Aether may display ads on this page. Always verify product specs and local availability before purchasing.