Top 5 Best Charcoal Air Purifiers in 2020

Are you sure your home smells as good as you think it does? Unpleasant odors can rear their ugly heads when you least expect them, but you may not notice them due to a common nose-related issue called olfactory fatigue. When you are exposed to a smell for prolonged periods, your nose becomes desensitized to that smell.

While a HEPA filter in an air purifier can trap airborne allergens like dust and pollen, it is unable to obliterate the gases that cause odors or volatile organic compounds. For these contaminants, you need an air purifier with an activated carbon filter.

Rabbit Air	InvisiClean	LEVOIT
SPA-625A	IC-5018	LV-PUR131
16.8 pounds	10.95 pounds	11.24 pounds
16.6 x 9.8 x 22.2 in	12.3 x 6.2 x 17.8 in	14.5 x 7.2 x 18.5 in

The Top Five Charcoal Air Purifiers

Foul odors do not make for a pleasant home environment, and they can cause embarrassment when company comes. Then, there are VOCs, which pose major risks to your health. Here are the top five charcoal air purifiers you can buy today that will help safeguard the health of you and your family.

5. Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Air Purifier (SPA-625A)

In addition to its odor-fighting charcoal filter, this air purifier from Rabbit Air contains a BioGS HEPA filter that minimizes on-filter bacteria and allergen buildup as well as a pre-filter and an ionizer. The BioGS 2.0’s five-speed motor is powerful enough to cover a 625-square-foot room and quiet enough to produce a maximum of 50.4 decibels.

Rabbit Air saves you money with its 29-watt Energy Star rating and 3-year HEPA and carbon filter lifespan. The air purifier is equipped with a sensor that detects contaminants and odors, and you can run it in auto mode for hassle-free operation. You also get the convenience of an integrated holder for the remote and a timer function.

4. InvisiClean Aura Air Purifier (IC-5018 Model)

This lightweight air purifier only weighs 8.9 pounds, yet it has an impressive clean air delivery rate of 170 cubic feet per minute. Thanks to its DC motor, the InvisiClean Aura boasts a low electricity draw that ranges from 3 to 47 watts. Inside of the purifier, there is a true-HEPA filter, an activated carbon pre-filter, a germicidal UV-C light and an ionizer.

Both filters last up to 12 months and provide coverage for a 300-square-foot space. From the labeled soft-touch buttons, you can select from four fan speeds, set the 8-hour timer and activated the lights-out sleep mode. With a sound output of 55 decibels, the background noise it makes is always peaceful.

3. Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier

A combo HEPA/pre-filter and an activated carbon filter along with a CADR rating of 135 promises solid performance. Made for rooms that measure 322 square feet, this Levoit LV-PUR131 air purifier is an energy-saver, using 40 watts of electricity on its highest of three fan speeds.

Each filter lasts 6 to 8 months, and the air purifier offers several convenience features such as sleep mode, which sets the purifier to the lowest fan speed. You also have the option of turning off the LED display and setting the 12-hour timer. If you prefer the purifier choose the fan speed, select auto mode, and it will adjust the speed according to the results of the air quality sensor.

2. GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Purifier

This tower-style air purifier uses a charcoal pre-filter to control odors and VOCs as well as a true-HEPA to trap allergens. GermGuardian also added a UV-C light with a titanium dioxide catalyst to sharpen the purifier’s germ-killing ability. The HEPA filter lasts 9 months while the charcoal filter lasts 6 months; an indicator lets you know when it’s time to change them.

Simple controls make it easy to change settings. Toggle the UV-C light with the push button and select one of three fan speeds with the dial. This 7.5-pound air purifier has an average CADR of 117 cubic feet per minute and an Energy Star rating of 53 watts, and it’s ideal for 155 square feet of living space.

1. GermGuardian AC4300 PET 3n1 Air Purifier

The GermGuardian AC4300 PET 3n1 purifies the air in three ways. It captures allergens with its true-HEPA filter, which is coated with a Pet Pure antimicrobial agent, and it eliminates odors with its charcoal filter. There is also a titanium dioxide UV-C light that obliterates bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. The filters have an 8-month lifespan, and there is a handy filter change indicator on the control panel.

GermGuardian’s sleek, modern tower is designed for use in a 124-square-foot room. Two discreet push buttons let you turn on the UV-C light and choose from among three fan speeds. There are even fan-speed indicator lights that confirm your selection. On its highest speed, the Elite draws 52 watts of electricity and achieves a 170 CADR rating.

A Quick Guide to Shopping for a Charcoal Air Purifier

From basic to feature-laden, air purifiers come in various setups. For odor and chemical removal as well as overall excellent performance, we compiled a list of must-have features. If you want a few conveniences, we threw in a list of extras too.

Must-Haves

You cannot get rid of unpleasant smells or dangerous VOCs without an activated charcoal filter. However, your air purifier should also have a HEPA filter for comprehensive purification. You also want the filters to last for a long time to avoid the cost of monthly replacements, and make sure the air purifier you choose is suited for the size of the room.

A particle sensor helps you select the correct fan setting on multi-speed models, and a low decibel output ensures the purifier won’t be a nuisance. Since several variables determine a carbon filter’s lifespan, a filter change indicator is extremely helpful.

Extras

Manufacturers integrate an ionizer or a UV-C light into some air purifiers. While an ionizer enhances the purifier’s particle-collection rate and an ultraviolet-C light kills germs on contact, neither is necessary if the air purifier has a HEPA and a charcoal filter.

Functions such as auto mode and sleep mode can save you a few minutes, but they don’t do anything that you can’t do yourself. A timer is another extra, but to get the maximum benefit from your air purifier, you should run it around the clock. Even though a remote lets you control the air purifier from across the room, the same functions are accessible via the on-board panel.

Charcoal Air Purifier FAQ

Rabbit Air	InvisiClean	LEVOIT
SPA-625A	IC-5018	LV-PUR131
16.8 pounds	10.95 pounds	11.24 pounds
16.6 x 9.8 x 22.2 in	12.3 x 6.2 x 17.8 in	14.5 x 7.2 x 18.5 in