A healthy bedroom environment requires clean air, particularly to sleep well and relieve allergies. The most effective air purifiers to use in the bedroom are those that are quiet, have high efficiency HEPA filters and are energy efficient to eliminate dust, pollen, pet dander and odors without disrupting your sleep.
We have listed our best recommendations on Amazon below, all of which are quiet, efficient, and actually clean the air using HEPA filters.
Then we have reviewed each of the air purifiers in detail and have a detailed buying guide to help you find the best bedroom air purifier.
| Air Purifier | Filtration | Room Coverage | Noise Level (dB) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coway AP-1512HH Mighty | 4-stage (Pre-filter + True HEPA + Carbon + Ionizer) | Up to 361 sq ft (CADR ~240) | 24 – 53 dB | Auto mode, Eco mode, air quality indicator, Energy Star |
| Levoit Core 400S | 3-stage (Pre-filter + H13 True HEPA + Carbon) | Up to 403 sq ft (CADR ~230) | 24 – 52 dB | Smart Wi-Fi, Auto mode, Sleep mode, voice control |
| Winix 5500-2 | 3-stage (Pre-filter + True HEPA + Washable Carbon) + Ionizer | Up to 360 sq ft (CADR ~240) | 27 – 58 dB | Auto mode, air quality sensor, remote control, Sleep mode |
| Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto | Dual (Particle + Carbon) with HEPASilent™ tech | Up to 388 sq ft (CADR ~250) | 23 – 53 dB | Auto mode, LED air quality display, Energy efficient, washable pre-filter |
| RabbitAir MinusA2 | 6-stage (Pre + Medium + True HEPA + Custom + Carbon + Ionizer) | Up to 350 sq ft (at 4 ACH) | 20.8 – 45.6 dB | Ultra quiet, wall-mountable, custom filters, air quality sensor, remote |
#1 Coway AP-1512HH Mighty
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty has been a long-time favorite of bedrooms because of its high-quality filtration and near-silent performance. It has a 4-stage filtration system, such as a washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and optional ionizer, to filter 99.97 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
The Coway Mighty offers several air changes per hour in a bedroom of up to ~360 sq ft, which is supported by high CADR ratings (~240) in terms of effective dust, pollen, and smoke removal.
Among its outstanding features is the energy-saving Eco mode that switches off the fan when air quality is good to save energy, and this makes it perfect to run at night in silence. Auto mode uses an in-built air quality sensor to automatically adjust the fan speed to the current purity of the air in real-time, and an LED indicator (blue/purple/red) tells you at a glance whether your bedroom air is clean.
The noise level is also very low, 24 dB on the lowest fan speed (almost silent) and 52-53 dB on maximum, so it is quiet enough to sleep lightly on low or sleep mode.
The Coway is also praised by users because of its user-friendly controls and a small size. It is convenient: it has a timer (1, 4, 8 hours) and a filter replacement indicator. It is approximately 18 inches high, so it can be put in one corner of the bedroom.
The front intake and top exhaust are simple and circulate the air. In general, the Coway Mighty provides an outstanding filtration performance and is reliable, which makes it one of the most well-rounded air purifiers to use in a bedroom and one of the quietest in its category on low or eco modes.
#2 Levoit Core 400S
Levoit Core 400S is a new smart air purifier that is ideal to use in bedrooms and has a strong filtration system and quiet, intelligent operation. This is a cylindrical purifier that has a 3-stage filter (fine pre-filter, H13 True HEPA, and high-efficiency activated carbon) to trap allergens, dust, pet dander, and odors.
It has a Clean Air Delivery Rate of approximately 230 CFM, which means that it can clean mid-sized rooms of up to ~400 sq ft, which is excellent even when dealing with a large bedroom or a studio. The Core 400S is very quiet at low speeds, even though it has a high air cleaning capacity, it is whisper-quiet, at low speeds, it is only ~24 dB in Sleep Mode, which guarantees a peaceful night of sleep.
Smart functionality is one of the main advantages of Core 400S. It has an in-built Wi-Fi and can be used with the VeSync app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant to control it using voice and remotely. In the app, you can track the real-time air quality, schedule, and adjust the settings without getting out of bed.
The unit also features Auto mode where the fan speed is automatically controlled by a laser dust sensor (Levoit AirSight) to automatically adjust the fan speed according to the air quality, which is a set-and-forget feature of a bedroom purifier. There is also a special Sleep Mode that you can activate at night and the display lights are dimmed and the fan is set to the lowest possible level (it is almost silent, like a whisper).
In terms of design, the Levoit Core 400S is small (approximately 20.5 inches tall) and has a smooth white finish that can fit in the bedroom decor. It has a user-friendly touch control panel on top, a display lock to avoid accidental change and a filter life indicator.
The Core 400S is Energy Star certified, as well, and only consumes 38W at full load, so you can leave it on 24/7 without making a huge dent in your electric bill. The Levoit Core 400S is a good choice of quiet, efficient, and smart air purifier that is ideal to use at home and in bedrooms.
#3 Winix 5500-2
Winix 5500-2 is a favorite in bedrooms because of its powerful filtration capabilities and added features at a reasonable price, and it is relatively quiet on lower speeds. It has a 3-stage filtration system, which includes a washable pre-filter to trap large dust and lint, granular activated carbon filter to trap odors and a True HEPA filter to trap fine particles.
It also has the optional ionizer (PlasmaWave technology by Winix) that helps neutralize pollutants on a molecular level. The Winix has a room rating of up to 360 sq ft and CADR of 232-246, so it can easily circulate the air in a medium-large bedroom, eliminating smoke, pet dander, and pollen.
The Winix 5500-2 has a special Sleep mode to use at night, and it is perfect in bedrooms: when the room is dark, the device can turn off its indicator lights and operate the fan on the lowest possible setting. At the lowest fan speed, the sound is approximately in the middle of 30 dB (almost inaudible ambient noise).
The medium speeds are even quiet enough to most sleepers, and only reach higher noise (upper 50s dB) on Turbo mode, which is not normally required to be used continuously in a bedroom. The auto mode function is powered by in-built air quality sensors that increase or decrease the fan speed accordingly, and hence the purifier tends to run on low and quiet when the air is clean.
The users like the fact that the Winix 5500-2 has a remote control and it is possible to adjust it in bed. It also has an LED air quality monitor and a filter change reminder on its HEPA and carbon filters (which have a life of approximately 12 months of normal use).
The unit is quite slim at around 15 inches wide and 23 inches tall and can be placed against a wall. It is energy star rated. The only thing to mention is that the PlasmaWave ionizer can be disabled at will (in case of those who are sensitive even to trace amounts of ozone, though it is ozone-safe according to CARB standards). All in all, the Winix 5500-2 provides great air cleaning at this price, and is a best value choice in bedrooms, providing clean, filtered air very quietly and very efficiently.
#4 Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto
Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto is a perfect bedroom air purifier that values simplicity, style, and silent work. The distinguishing feature of this unit is the HEPASilent technology developed by Blueair: the electrostatic charging of particles is combined with mechanical filtration, which makes the filter less dense and at the same time enables it to capture 99.97 percent of air pollutants.
The outcome is quicker, silent air purification than most conventional HEPA systems. The Blue Pure 311 Auto is rated to fully filter a 388 sq ft room five times an hour (CADR ~250 smoke/dust), with no problem in most bedrooms, and even living rooms. However, the noise at low fan speed is approximately 23 dB which is literally whisper-soft.
This purifier has a fabric pre-filter sleeve which goes around the outside of the unit and comes in various colors (to suit your decor) and is washable to re-use. Below that is the primary combination filter that has a particle filter and a layer of activated carbon to absorb light household odors (such as smoke or musty odors).
It does not have a distinct True HEPA label, but practically Blueair system performs at the HEPA level of particle removal with less air resistance. At its lowest or Auto mode, the Blue Pure 311 is almost silent and even at higher levels, the sound is a smooth fan noise that reaches a maximum of 50-53 dB. It is commonly referred to as one of the silent air purifiers in its category, which is ideal to noise-sensitive sleepers.
As the name suggests, the Auto model has an particle sensor and Auto mode. It will constantly check the quality of air and change the fan with a single touch. The front has a colored LED that shows the air quality (blue = good, orange = moderate, red = polluted), thus you are assured of the air quality in your bedroom.
The controls are simple and few, one button switches between speeds and auto. The Blue Pure 311 Auto lacks app connectivity, but it is all about the basics: quiet, effective air cleaning. It is also highly energy efficient consuming 3 to 35 watts. It is easy to maintain, and the filters should be changed approximately every 6-12 months, and no tools are needed.
In the case of a bedroom, the Blueair 311 Auto is a fantastic deal of low noise, stylish design, and efficient filtration to get cleaner air and sleep better.
#5 RabbitAir MinusA2
In case you are seeking a high-end purifier that performs best in a bedroom environment, the RabbitAir MinusA2 is a premium choice that has an ultra-quiet performance and a versatile design. The filtration process in this air purifier is a 6-stage process: a pre-filter and medium filter to trap large particles, a True HEPA filter to trap fine allergens (99.97% efficiency), a customizable filter (you can choose one of its specializations, such as Germ Defense, Pet Allergy, Toxin Absorber, or Odor Remover), an activated carbon charcoal filter to remove odors and VOCs, and an optional negative ion generator.
This comprehensive system renders the MinusA2 very effective against the most prevalent bedroom air quality issues: dust and pollen, pet odors and chemical sensitivities. It is rated to cover as much as ~700 sq ft (at 2 ACH), which is equivalent to ~350 sq ft with four air changes per hour, so it can accommodate small to large bedrooms without any problems.
The RabbitAir MinusA2 is characterized by the fact that it is almost silent when it is on low speed. With the help of a brushless direct current motor and sophisticated airflow design, it works at only ~20 dBA on the lowest setting, which is practically silent, ideal for light sleepers.
The faster fan speeds are quite quiet as well (maxing out at the mid-40 dB range on high, which is quieter than a normal conversation). The unit has an Auto mode that has sensors that sense particles and odor and automatically adjust the fan speed. It also features a Sleep mode which fades the indicator lights and operates quietly in the dark room.
A large number of users leave the MinusA2 running in their bedrooms all the time and claim that much less dust settles down over time and that they are relieved of allergies because of its strong HEPA filtration.
The MinusA2 is design-wise unique, as it is slim and can be mounted on the wall, and it is only 7 inches deep, which saves floor space in a bedroom. It also has the capability to stand on the floor in its sleek panel design (and you can even have artist series front panels to make it a piece of art).
It is simple to change settings with the controls and the remote included. Although the RabbitAir MinusA2 is a high-end model and the filters are an investment (they are usually changed once a year), the quality of its build and performance makes it worth the price to many people. It is ozone-safe (CARB certified) and Energy Star rated efficient.
To conclude, the MinusA2 by RabbitAir is an outstanding air purifier that can be used in a bedroom, as it is whisper-quiet, the best of the best, and can be customized to meet the needs of the user, as well as fit perfectly into the house.
Air Purifier Buying Guide for Bedrooms
Selecting the most suitable air purifier in your bedroom requires some knowledge about several things. The following is a breakdown of how you can determine the features and specifications that are most important to a quiet, efficient, and actually effective bedroom air purifier.
Filter Types (True HEPA vs Others)
The gold standard of fine particle capture is true HEPA filters. A True HEPA is rated to capture at least 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns in size – this includes common allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, smoke and some bacteria.
In the case of a bedroom purifier, a True HEPA (or similar high-efficiency filter) is strongly advised so that you can be sleeping in the cleanest air possible. Avoid such terms as HEPA-type or HEPA-like, which are not as good as True HEPA. Each of the above best choices has authentic HEPA or similar filters to purify to the maximum.
Besides HEPA, the majority of the good purifiers have an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters are necessary to remove odors and chemical vapors (VOCs) that a HEPA filter cannot remove. In case you care about smoke, traffic pollution, or odors (pets, cooking, etc.) in your house, seek models with a large activated carbon filter.
To illustrate, the Winix and RabbitAir models have special carbon filters to trap odors and the filter in the Levoit is also made of high-efficiency carbon formula. Carbon filtration can be used in bedrooms to ensure that the air is fresh (particularly when the room is used as a living room or when you have pets).
The other types of filters that you may come across are the pre-filters and specialized filters. A pre-filter (usually washable) traps large particles such as lint and hair, prolonging the life of the HEPA filter – this is very handy in bedrooms to trap dust and fibers of bedding.
Other purifiers, such as the RabbitAir MinusA2, provide customizable filters (e.g. Germ Defense or Pet Allergy) that address particular issues. Although they can add an additional degree of customized filtration, the essential feature of any bedroom unit remains a decent combination of True HEPA and carbon filters. Some models have UV-C lights or ionizer functions to act as germicidal or to improve particle removal, but these are optional. In case you use, make sure the purifier is CARB certified ozone-safe and that you can disable these options when not necessary.
CADR Rating and Airflow
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is a value that shows how fast an air purifier can remove certain pollutants in the air. It is stated in CFM (cubic feet per minute) in three groups smoke, dust and pollen. The higher the CADR, the more air the purifier is capable of filtering in a minute, and this is usually associated with the quicker cleaning of the room.
Comparing bedroom air purifiers, look at the CADR ratings, you will usually see ratings such as Smoke CADR: 200 etc. The CADR of smoke (the most difficult particle to filter) is multiplied by 1.5 (approximately) and that is the approximate square footage that the unit can effectively cover at 5 air exchanges per hour. As an example, a CADR of 150 would indicate an approximate 225 sq ft coverage to achieve good results and a CADR of 250 (such as the Blueair 311 Auto) would cover ~375 sq ft well.
When you are using the purifier in the bedroom you want something that can move all the air in the room 4-5 times an hour in order to keep the air clean at all times. In case you have a 200 sq ft bedroom, then you should find CADR values of 130-160 or more.
Each of the best selections in our list has a CADR that renders them suitable in medium to large bedrooms, which guarantees fast elimination of allergens and pollutants. Also, take a look at the airflow design of the purifier, the one with 360-degree air intake (such as the Levoit Core 400S) or intake/output grilles in the right position may distribute air more evenly. The right airflow implies that the purifier will draw the contaminated air in every corner of the room and blow out the clean air without dead zones.
Practically, to achieve the best outcome, it is recommended to position the purifier several inches off the walls and not under furniture or curtains that can obstruct the air intake.
Room Size and ACH (Air Changes per Hour)
It is important to match the size of your bedroom with an air purifier. Manufacturers typically provide a recommended room size or coverage area – typically calculated to provide about 4 to 5 air changes per hour (ACH). ACH is the number of times an hour the total amount of air in the room is filtered.
In the case of a bedroom, particularly when you have allergies or asthma, you want 4+ ACH, or the purifier can clean all the air in about 15 minutes or so. This will make sure that there is constant removal of allergens or irritants and not just hanging in the air.
To determine what you require, determine the square footage of your room (length x width). The coverage of all the reviewed models is clearly stated: the Coway Mighty is suggested to cover up to 361 sq ft at ~4.8 ACH, and the RabbitAir MinusA2 can cover approximately 350 sq ft at 4 ACH.
Even a small purifier such as a Levoit Core 300 would be enough in case your bedroom is small (say 120 sq ft). However, in the case of bigger master bedrooms (300+ sq ft), you should go with a unit that has a greater capacity such as those found in our best picks. You are usually safer to oversize the purifier capacity, and you can operate a high capacity purifier on a lower (quieter) speed in a smaller room, and this usually leads to very quiet operation and a longer filter life.
Ceiling height is another factor to take into consideration as well, the higher the ceilings the more air there is. The majority of the ratings are based on ~8-ft ceilings.
In case they are much higher, consider your room as a bigger area in regard to the capacity of the purifier. It is important to note that closing of doors will ensure that the purifier concentrates on the air in one room. When doors are open, square footage is effectively larger (air moves into other spaces), so you may require more ACH or a second unit to give optimal performance.
To sum it up, select an air purifier that is large enough to cover your bedroom (or larger) to guarantee you the recommended air changes per hour to have clean air.
Energy Consumption
Since a bedroom air purifier is frequently used 24/7 (or at least during the night), one should pay attention to energy consumption. The positive thing is that the majority of the contemporary purifiers are quite effective. Most of them are Energy Star certified, which implies that they are very efficient.
As an example, the Blueair 311 Auto draws only 3 watts on low, and about 30 watts on high. That is very little effect on your electricity bill in over 8 hours of night use (a typical light bulb may be 60W). Even bigger units such as the Coway or Winix consume less than 80W on high power, and far less on low speeds.
In the specs, observe the wattage range. When you are going to operate the unit 24/7 (which is usually advised to maintain the air quality), the energy consumption accumulates throughout the month.
A 50W purifier that runs all the time will consume approximately 1.2 kWh daily that is approximately 15 cents a day or 4-5 dollars a month (based on power rates). Most purifiers also have eco modes or auto-off functions that save even more energy, e.g. Coway Eco mode switches the fan off when no pollution is detected, and consumes almost no power until it must start cleaning again. Auto mode can also help in energy consumption: the fan will only increase its speed when necessary and otherwise run at low power.
To be as efficient as possible, clean or replace filters according to the recommendations. A fan can work harder (consuming more power) when the filters are clogged. It is also more energy efficient to run a purifier with a larger capacity at a lower speed than to run a small purifier at turbo continuously.
Each of our suggested bedroom purifiers is energy efficient, which means that you can use it every night without paying much attention to the amount of energy you spend. An easy method of finding models that are cost effective to operate in the long run is to check the Energy Star label.
Smart Controls and Convenience Features
Most of the air purifiers available today are smart and can improve your experience of using them, particularly when you are in a bedroom setting. An Auto mode with air quality sensors is one of the handy features of this purifier, which enables the device to automatically change its fan speed according to the number of particles or odors in the air.
In a bedroom, this would imply that the unit may operate in silent mode most of the night, but can go up a notch when it detects, say, an increase in dust (perhaps when you make the bed in the morning). Without you having to change settings manually.
There is also an increasing prevalence of smartphone applications and Wi-Fi connectivity. The Levoit Core 400S, to take one example, allows you to control the purifier using your phone, see the history of indoor air quality, and even use voice commands, through Alexa or Google Assistant.
Although not all people require a Wi-Fi air purifier, it is convenient to use it in your smart home or just to change the settings remotely. As an example, you may switch the unit to high a half an hour before bedtime to turbo-clean the air all through your phone.
Without app integration, you should at least find some basic convenience features such as a remote control (the Winix and RabbitAir have one) or at least a timer to set on/off times. A remote will enable you to change the fan speed or switch off the unit when you are in bed, which is excellent when you wake up at night and need to change the settings.
Timers may be helpful in case you do not want the unit to run longer than a specific period. Other purifiers even include a child lock (useful to keep nosy children out of settings) and filter replacement lights to remind you when it is time to replace filters.
A display off or night mode is one of the most important features to be used in bedroom. The indicator lights are irritating in a dark room. Most models, such as the Levoit and Winix, will automatically dim their lights during sleep mode, or have a manual lights-off button. This assists in maintaining your sleeping conditions dark.
To conclude, even though the main task of an air purifier is to purify the air, the additional functions may significantly contribute to the convenience and non-obtrusiveness of it in your everyday life. Select a model that suits your lifestyle, be it basic one button control or smart controls.
Noise Level and Bedroom Quietness
This is a bedroom and noise level is a serious factor. Air purifiers have fans that suck air through filters and that cannot be silent. The aim is to identify a purifier that can clean the air and at the same time not be too loud to distract at night.
The manufacturers tend to give a decibel (dB) range of their units. As a point of reference: 20-30 dB is very quiet (whisper or rustling leaves), 40 dB is a library-like silence or soft white noise, and 50-60 dB is more pronounced (moderate rainfall or normal conversation at 60 dB).
Light sleepers or any person who is sensitive to noise should seek an air purifier that has a sleep mode or low fan speed of less than 30 dB. Our best choices all have a very quiet sleep mode: the RabbitAir MinusA2 can go down to ~20 dB, and the Blueair 311 and Coway Mighty are in the low 20s on their quietest settings.
These levels are normally very low and can hardly be heard. Actually, others consider a low fan sound to be a good thing as a form of white noise that can be used to cover other annoyances (such as traffic noise or a snoring spouse!). In case you like a soft hum, you may leave the purifier at a notch higher. In case you require quietness, select a model that is exceptionally quiet on low.
Remember that noise tends to be associated with speed and airflow of fans. A purifier with a higher capacity will allow you to use it on a lower setting to get the same cleaning and this will produce less noise. Also, perceived noise can be influenced by placement in the room, where possible, place the purifier a few feet away from your bed and not directly against a hard surface that can reflect sound.
Other purifiers such as the Winix have an auto sleep mode which senses darkness and will automatically go down to silent mode. Others allow you to choose a special sleep mode manually (Levoit does it, which turns off lights and reduces fan). Read reviews to get real-life impressions; the dB figures do not always give the whole picture of the nature of the sound (smooth vs. buzzy). All our choices are checked as bedroom-friendly in sound.
In a nutshell, a decent bedroom air purifier must be almost silent in terms of noise when you are attempting to get some sleep, allowing you to breathe and sleep soundly.
With the above-discussed filter type, CADR, room size suitability, energy efficiency, smart features, and noise levels, you can now be sure of choosing the best air purifier in your bedroom. Be it ultra-quiet operation, automatic ease of use, or strong allergen elimination, the proper purifier will make your bedroom air clean and fresh, which will help you sleep better and wake up healthier.
