Best Filterless Air Purifiers in 2022

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Updated March 8, 2022

What makes for the best filterless air purifier? The best feature of a filterless air purifier is the fact that you don’t have to change the filter. This leaves you with a low maintenance way to keep the air in your home clean. They’re also very cost effective and energy efficient.

However, while it’ll save you from the expense and hassle of replacing filters, it’s important to note that a filterless air purifier won’t be as efficient as a filtered model. This means that may not be an ideal solution for allergy sufferers, those with pets, and people who live in highly polluted areas.

Air purifiers can keep the air inside your home healthy, so keep reading our buying guide to learn more on choosing the best filterless air purifier to suit your needs.

Top Filterless Air Purifiers

 #1  Therapure TPP240 Air Purifier

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: This high-capacity option is suitable for most rooms in your home. It uses ultraviolet light to clean your air. You’ll enjoy that it’s able to target household allergens with ease, making breathing easier.

Pros
  • Uses ultraviolet light
  • High capacity option
  • Removes household allergens
Cons
  • Doesn’t lower VOCs

This model works best for medium-to-large rooms. You can clean up to 500 square feet with it. It does best in rooms around 343 square feet, where it can sanitize and purify the air supply up to 3 times in a single hour. However, there has been testing that shows this model is not as efficient at lowering VOC levels in homes. This might be a dealbreaker for those looking to tackle VOCs specifically.

You’ll be able to choose between the 3 different cleaning modes this model offers. This 3-speed fan gives you precision control over your environment. You’ll be able to breathe cleaner air thanks to the cleansing properties of ultraviolet light through a patented Germicidal technology unique to this model. It will help reduce the number of airborne particles, like dust, mold, viruses, and even bacteria. There is a 24-hour automatic timer to make setting it and forgetting it possible.

 #2  Clarifion Air Purifier

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: We like that this highly compact model is made to travel with you wherever you go. There are six included in your order, and they’re all essentially silent to keep household distractions minimal.

Pros
  • Multiple units included
  • Essentially silent option
  • Highly compact model
Cons
  • Entire system rather than single unit

If you have multiple rooms that require purification, this is an excellent option. There are six total units included so you can ensure you’re breathing easy everywhere in your home. Use them on the staircase, in bathrooms, in your living room, and anywhere else. However, some folks may not like the fact that this is a system of air purifiers instead of just one unit. If you prefer to have one unit doing all the work, this isn’t the right option.

A sterilization function is offered to ensure that you’re breathing the cleanest air possible. You’ll also enjoy the low noise this model emits. It’s a low-power option, as well, making it more eco-friendly than some competitor options. The Smart design features an LED indicator light, so you know that it’s always on and working. You won’t have to worry about pet dander, mold, mildew, or any other allergens making your symptoms worse.

 #3  Airfree T800 Air Purifier

Award: BEST FOR HEALTH-CONSCIOUS DESIGN

WHY WE LIKE IT: You can rely on this air purifier to avoid emitting anything potentially harmful, like ions or ultraviolet light. It uses a unique Thermodynamic TSS technology to keep airborne particulate from your breathing supply.

Pros
  • Doesn’t emit anything harmful
  • Thermodynamic TSS technology
  • Completely silent option
Cons
  • Doesn’t use a traditional filter

You’ll enjoy that this option doesn’t emit anything potentially harmful. You’re free of ions and ultraviolet light. Instead, it works using Thermodynamic TSS technology. This means that it uses heat to destroy airborne particles like mold, pet dander, other spores, toxins, and more. The lack of a traditional filter can spell disaster for some populations. Those with allergies or asthma are better off choosing a unit with a HEPA filter.

This air purification unit also reduces ozone levels, making your home a healthier place. It’s completely silent so that you can even use it in the bedroom without worrying about sleep disturbances. It’s an ideal option for the kitchen, bathroom, living spaces, garage, and more. It uses filter-free technologies, so it’s far better for energy conservation. You won’t have to worry about changing or washing any filters, either.

 #4  IonPacific ionbox Air Purifier

Award: BEST FOR CLEANING WITH IONIZATION

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need to travel with your air purifier constantly, this highly portable option will be a great choice. Instead, it doesn’t require a power outlet and can plug right into a universal serial bus slot.

Pros
  • Highly portable model
  • Doesn’t require a power outlet
  • Extremely efficient option
Cons
  • Might be a little noisy

The output of ions in this model is simply astounding. It has an output of up to 20 million negative ions per second, so it’s constantly working to keep your air clean. It can clean larger rooms than you might expect, as well, with the ability to be used for up to 500 square feet. Compared to competing models, this air purifier does get a bit noisy. If you need pure silence in your home, this option might produce too much white noise for you.

There is a built-in dual voltage power supply, as well. This allows you to skip the hassle of finding an adapter or converter for your unit. On top of this, it also is capable of being used with a USB port. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are traveling or just need a totally portable model. It can run on a power supply as low as 1.5-watts.

 #5  ZOCALOK Plug In Air Purifier

Award: BEST FOR PORTABILITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a highly compact option that comes in handy when you’re on the go. It can easily plug into any power outlet and be forgotten about since it’s such a quiet model. It uses the power of ionization to clean the air.

Pros
  • Highly compact option
  • Extremely quiet model
  • Uses ionization to clean
Cons
  • Might be too small

This plug-in option can match up with any standard outlet, so you have a full range of movement throughout your home. This makes it a wonderfully portable choice that you can even travel with if you need to. This little air purification unit has a modest coverage of 40 – 60 square feet. This model is just too small for some consumers to get the job done. It’s better suited to those traveling who need a compact option.

It uses filterless ionization to clean the air. This proven method will save you the hassle of replacing or washing any included filters. It comes with 2 fiber brush heads, as well. You’ll enjoy the intelligent design that allows for an output of up to 32 million negative ions in a second. It has a super purification function available when you need the job done quickly. You’ll also enjoy that it’s low-energy and low noise. It only reaches levels of around 20 decibels.

 #6  FeelionGood Negative Ion Air Purifier

Award: BEST FOR DEODORIZING ROOMS

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need an air purifier specifically for your bathroom or kitchen, this option is fantastic. Its number one priority is deodorizing rooms and ensuring bad smells are gone. You’ll enjoy the easy touch controls, as well.

Pros
  • Perfect kitchen or bathroom option
  • Uses easy touch controls
  • Offers low power consumption
Cons
  • Not powerful enough for some

The economical design means that low power consumption is a priority for this model. It’s a low-maintenance option that doesn’t require the usage of a filter to get the job done. This saves you both money and time on filter replacements. However, some consumers report that this model’s power is lacking. If you have huge rooms to filter the air in, you might want to go with a more powerful air purification system.

Because of its compact size, you can use this model in the bathroom, kitchen, gym, garage, hallways, bedroom, or anywhere else. It will fight foul odors like cat litter, smoke, dirty laundry, trash, cooking food, and more. The design makes it highly quiet even while it’s working at total capacity. You can clean rooms of up to 400 square feet since it releases 28 million ions per second.

Beginner’s Guide to the Best Filterless Air Purifier

What are Filterless Air Purifiers

Filterless air purifiers are air purifiers without filters. They use other types of technology like ionization, UV light, or electrostatic precipitation to remove harmful substances from the air. Because they don’t have filters that need cleaning or replacing, they don’t require a lot of maintenance.

Filterless Air Purifiers vs Standard Air Purifiers

The primary and most important difference between a filterless air purifier and a standard air purifier is that it doesn’t have a filter. It still sanitizes the air, but it eliminates the need for you to replace the air filters every 3-6 months, saving you time and money.

You’ll save time in cleaning and maintenance as well, because unlike standard air purifiers, filterless air purifiers eliminate the need to clean washable filters or replace them with new disposable ones. Because they don’t use a fan like standard models, you also won’t have to clean the fan blades. This also makes them quieter to run, which means they’re perfect for music rooms, nurseries, or bedrooms.

You’ll also reap the benefits of a lower energy bill because they consume less energy than a standard air purifier. That said, they’re simply not as efficient as a model that uses a HEPA filter or activated carbon filter because they don’t contain fans that circulate the air quickly or at different speeds.

Filterless air purifiers are ideal for people who don’t have respiratory concerns, live in less polluted areas, or don’t have pets. However, some models that use ozone generators can produce ozone in large enough quantities, causing lung irritation.

How Filterless Air Purifiers Work

Filterless air purifiers are appliances that clean the air in your home without the use of filters. Since you don’t have to buy replacement filters for them, they’re much more cost efficient in the long run. They tend to be very quiet and are very energy efficient. Plus, you’ll enjoy the same cleaner indoor air quality as you would with filter purifiers because they still work at a molecular level.

They work by drawing polluted air through an intake, cleaning it, and then dispensing clean air back out into the room. They cleanse the air of harmful particulates and allergens and keep the air in your home cleaner.

Filterless air purifiers clean the air using several different methods of purifier technology. Rather than a filter, these types of purifiers use air ionizers, electrostatic precipitators, ultraviolet light, photocatalytic oxidation, thermodynamic sterilization, or ozone generators to clean the air.

An air ionizer uses electrically-charged plates to clean the air. One plate charges the molecules in the air using ionization while the other collects toxic substances and dirty molecules. The second plate traps these harmful substances so they can’t escape back into the clean air.

Electrostatic precipitators also use a set of plates to catch harmful molecules in the air. However, they use a high-voltage electrostatic field to charge the molecules and release ions to sanitize the air, rather than simply collecting and trapping the dirty particles.

Ultraviolet purifiers can kill germs, viruses, mold spores, and bacteria using UV-C light. This type of UV light is ten times more powerful than any other. These are some of the most effective and cost efficient filterless air purifiers on the market.

Photocatalytic oxidation also uses UV light, but it combines this light with titanium dioxide to eliminate bacteria and viruses. This technology was developed by NASA and is very effective.

Thermodynamic sterilization is a patented technology that can remove up to 99% of the viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms in your air. It rids your air of these contaminants using very high temperatures of over 400℉.

Filterless air purifiers that use an ozone generator are typically regarded as unsafe if they have dangerous emissions over the amount recommended by the EPA. They split oxygen molecules into single atoms in order to eliminate contaminants. When these single atoms merge with oxygen, it creates ozone, which can damage lung tissue and aggravate respiratory illnesses.

Why should you buy a new filterless air purifier?

If you don’t have an air purifier at all, your home could definitely benefit from the filterless variety as long as you don’t have any respiratory concerns. If you already have an older filtered air purifier and want to see what newer filterless technology can do, an upgrade is a great idea.

Will a filterless model, you’ll enjoy years of nearly maintenance-free use. You won’t have to change any filters, meaning you’ll save time on cleaning a reusable filter and save money on replacements. The quiet operation is also a huge added benefit over a traditional air purifier.

Is a Filterless Air Purifier Worth Buying?

  • They’re nearly maintenance-free: Filterless air purifiers don’t have a filter, so there’s nothing to replace. You simply clean the collection blades every few months and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
  • They’re quiet: Because filterless air purifiers don’t use fans, there’s virtually no noise during operation. They won’t disrupt your daily routine and they’re perfect for bedrooms and other environments where you need a low noise level.
  • They’re cost-effective: Though the purchase price is the same as filtered models, choosing a filterless design means you won’t have to spend money on costly filters. In the long run, the cost of maintenance and operation is much cheaper than a traditional model, and they are much more energy efficient.
  • They cover a lot of space: If you have a large room, a filterless air purifier can purify the air and clear out airborne pollutants in spaces up to 3,500 square feet.
  • They’re sleek and stylish: It’s more common to see compact filterless air purifiers than traditional air purifiers. They have a more sleek design and fit into a wider variety of home decor schemes. You can even find desktop air purifiers.

Why a Filterless Air Purifier May Not Be For You

  • You have a respiratory illness: There are two ways in which a filterless air purifier isn’t quite as effective at removing harmful particles as a traditional purifier. Some filterless varieties use a mode of operation that cleans molecules and then releases those same molecules back into the air rather than trapping them inside. This could prove potentially harmful for an allergy sufferer and those with other respiratory diseases. If this is a concern, you may be more interested in the best germicidal air purifier.
  • They don’t tackle odors effectively: If you struggle with tobacco smoke in your home, you live in a highly polluted area, or you have pet odors, a filterless air purifier may not rid your air of the odor. While they can cleanse the air of harmful pollutants, they’re less effective at eliminating smells, including simple cooking odors.
  • You live in a polluted area: Because filterless air purifiers simply aren’t as effective, it can be difficult to clean your air of airborne contaminants properly if you live in a more polluted city or you live with cigarette smokers.

How Long Will a Filterless Air Purifier Last?

Filterless air purifiers are typically rated to last up to 10,000 hours. That’s a total of 5 years if you run it all day, every day. However, if you clean and maintain it properly, it could last a lot longer than that. It will also depend on how hard it has to work to clean your air. If you live in a particularly polluted area or you expect it to clean air filled with pet dander and cigarette smoke, that could significantly shorten its lifespan.

How to Choose a Filterless Air Purifier

If it sounds like a filterless air purifier is for you, there are some key considerations you should know about before making a purchasing decision. One of the most important things to think about is the type of filtration technology you want, followed by size and noise level.

Quiet Blender Key Factors

1. What kind of filtration technology do you want?

We’ve already reviewed the types of filtration technology above, but it’s important to consider this first. Every type of air purifier works differently. It’s easy to see that the types of technology that trap the airborne particles inside are the best options for those with breathing issues. While other types of technology are effective at killing most bacteria, they still release those previously dirty molecules back into circulation.

2. How much space do you need to cover?

Filterless air purifiers come in many different sizes, and some have up to 3500 square feet of cleaning capacity. That’s bigger than some homes! Consider where you’re going to put the purifier and how much square footage you effectively need to cover. This will help you make a better decision about whether the specific unit you want will work for you.

3. How quiet do you need it to be?

Most filterless air purifiers are very quiet, but they’re not all completely silent. You may hear a slight buzzing as it draws in the air and works through the purification process. Think about the environment in the room where it will be working, look at noise ratings, and determine the appropriate noise level for rooms like bedrooms.

4. What convenient features do you want?

If you want your filterless air purifier to be multifunctional or easier to use, look for options that come with features like nightlights, remote controls, or portability. Those with nightlights typically have a blue night light that’s less distracting, while portable varieties are more compact and easy to take on vacation.

Filterless Air Purifier FAQs

What is a CADR rating? Do these filterless air purifiers have CADR ratings?

Filterless air purifiers don't have Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ratings. This value helps you understand more about how effectively the purifier can remove pollutants from the air. Because they don't have filters, this measurement is nearly impossible to achieve. This is one reason why some people prefer air purifiers with filters. It's easier to obtain a concrete value on how they perform.

Are Filterless Air Purifiers Safe To Use Around Children And Pets?

While some filterless air purifiers are ozone generators, most aren't. As long as you verify that your unit is not an ozone generator, you can use it around children and pets. Even models that use heat (thermodynamic sterilization) aren't hot to the touch, so they won't burn you. Most of these air purifiers are compact, so it's hard to knock them over, making them even safer.

Do Ionic Air Purifiers Really Work?

Pollutants in the air are made of atoms with positive and negative charges. Ionizers affect the balance of an atom or molecule, which causes it to fall out of the air. This rids the air of things like bacteria, smoke, and mold. These types of air purifiers work very well.

Filtered vs Filterless Air Purifier – How Do They Compare?

Both types of air purifiers work to remove pollutants from the air. You can use either to neutralize odor or clean the air in your home, which keeps you healthier and can reduce the occurrences of respiratory conditions. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so only you can decide which is best for you.