Best Air Scrubbers for Home | Are Home Air Scrubbers Worth It?

If you desire to improve the air quality and eliminate all pollutants from your indoor air, purchasing an efficient and reliable air scrubber is paramount.

Indoor air pollution affects your health and causes respiratory diseases, including sinuses, asthma, breathing difficulty, allergies, and other health complications. It is crucial to improve the quality of air in your home.

Indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air due to contaminants, such as dust, foul odors, and pathogens. These contaminants dwell in the air or on surfaces, doors, and countertops.

Air scrubbers are machines used for improving indoor air quality. It serves as an air purifier and removes contaminants from the air. This negative air machine draws in polluted air and traps the airborne particles while releasing fresh and clean air.

HVAC air scrubbers are an innovative technology different from filters and air purifiers. An Air scrubber is an HVAC unit that effectively scrubs away airborne pollutants such as dust, foul smells, pollen, mold, bacteria, mites, and pathogens from indoor environments. You may refer to them as air purifiers on steroids.

They are also effective in removing mold spores that are harmful to your health.

A traditional air filter will only trap the contaminants, preventing them from circulating in your home. An air purifier will go a long way to neutralize most of these pollutants only from the air.

But using an air scrubber will effectively eliminate all contaminants from the air and all surfaces in your home. It does this by drawing air from the environment and pushing it through a series of filters before releasing the purified air into your home.  

These filters can:

• Tackle hair and pet dander, smoke particles, and dust
• Eliminate odors and deodorize the room
• Kill pathogens using ultraviolet light
• Release ionized oxidizers to attract charged pollutants from all surfaces and pass them through the scrubber.

Top 5 Air Scrubbers for Home

Are Home Air Scrubbers Worth it?

Yes, purchasing an air scrubber for your home is a good investment. An air scrubber is a negative air machine that treats the air around you by capturing airborne pollutants and improving air quality in the environment.

Using an air scrubber in your home will enhance the quality of living and reduce the cost of remediation.

Home Air Scrubber Benefits Include:

1. Cleans and freshens the air

Air scrubbers trap the largest-sized airborne pollutants, such as dirt and dust, and circulate air cleaning agents to terminate mold, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), odors, and other pollutants in the air and surfaces.

This machine is very effective in scrubbing, deodorizing, and purifying the air in your home.

2. Clears pathogens and allergens

Dirty air causes several uncomfortable symptoms such as sore throat, sinus, stuffy nose, and headaches. Air scrubbers for home use are beneficial for people suffering from respiratory diseases, such as asthma because they remove airborne particles.

3. Protects furniture and other surfaces

Air scrubbers are effective on particles in the air and various types of surfaces with the cleaning particles they send to the environment. They clean everything in your home, including doorknobs, walls, furniture, and countertops.

Top 5 Best Air Scrubbers for Home

1. BlueDri BD-AS-550-BL Air Scrubber

Best Filtration System

The BlueDri BD-AS-550-BL air scrubber is very effective in cleaning the air and removing harmful contaminants from your house. It eliminates pet dander, sawdust, pollen, smoke, dust, mold spores, asbestos, and other airborne pollutants from the air.

It is stackable and referred to as a whole-home purifier with a pre-filter to protect the HEPA filter. The pre-filter eliminates the larger particles, while the HEPA filter removes up to 99.97% of air pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in your home.

It purifies the air of harmful particles that may cause allergies, thereby beneficial for people suffering from allergic reactions. It is suitable for remodeling projects, construction, and restoration works.   

The carbon filters get rid of odors from paints, salon tools, and cleaning products. It is the best air scrubber that will fill your house with a breath of fresh air. With these vital features, the BlueDri BD-AS-550-BL is very effective in scrubbing the air in your home.

Specification

• Airflow Rating: 250 – 500 CFM
• Filtration system: 3-stages
• Power cord length: 25 ft
• Filter change indicator: Yes
• Coverage: 1500 sq ft
• Power rating: 2.5 Amps, 115V, 60 Hz
• Weight: 45lbs

Benefits

• Durable and heavy-duty machine
• 3-stages of filtration with HEPA filters for smaller air particles
• Stackable and easy to move
• Optimal operation
• Moves a large air volume
• Retains a large amount of dust
• Optional carbon filter for odor elimination
• Traps small and large particles

Drawbacks

• It has a loud operation
• The replacement filters are expensive.

2. OdorStop OS500 Heavy Duty HEPA Air Scrubber

Value for Money

The OdorStop OS500 is a heavy-duty air scrubber that offers clean and fresh indoor air. It is portable and comes with a carrying handle for easy transportation. This negative air machine is lightweight with a stackable design.

It eliminates all kinds of airborne pollutants in your home, including pet dander, drywall, pollen, dust, mold, and many more.

It comes with two stages of filtration system and an optional carbon filter. The filters include a pre-filter for larger particles and a HEPA filter for smaller particles. With its rotomolded housing, it can scrub for several years without breakdown.   

If you want to clean the air in larger rooms, you may daisy chain up to six units to this machine, thanks to its GFCI outlet. Also, it comes with a filter light indicator to inform you when the filter needs replacement.

Specification

• Airflow Rating: 250 – 500 CFM
• Filtration system: 3-stages
• Power cord length: 25 ft
• Filter change indicator: Yes
• Coverage: 1000 sq ft
• Power rating: 3A, 115V, 60Hz
• Weight: 40lbs

Benefits

• Efficient and lightweight
• Long-lasting rotomolded casing
• Filter replacement indicator
• Can daisy chain up to 6-units
• Effectively eliminates mold, pollen, dust, drywall, and asbestos
• Removes odor from the air completely
• The electric motor is protected to avoid damage due to overheating
• It traps up to 99.97% of air particles with its HEPA filter.

Drawbacks

• You can buy the carbon filter separately
• No timer options
• Low-quality HEPA filter
• Loud operation

3. AlorAir PureAiro HEPA Pro-770

Best Airflow Rating

The AlorAir PureAiro is a compact negative air machine with several features. It eliminates dust and odor from the air in your home.

It uses a 3-stage filtration system to eliminate 99.97% of tiny particles of air down to 0.3 microns. Its filters are a pre-filter, carbon filter, and MERV 17 HEPA filter. The filter change indicator reminds you that the HEPA filter needs a replacement.

It has an airflow rating of 550 CFM, which effectively removes odors, and airborne contaminants in your home to give fresh, clean air. You can also adjust the airflow with its multiple-speed settings.

This negative air machine is compact and lightweight, and it is stackable for easy transportation. It is durable with a plastic exterior, so you are sure of using it for a long time.

The AlorAir PureAiro HEPA Pro-770 is the only air scrubber with the highest airflow rating on this list. With this, you are sure of inhaling purified air in your home. It is suitable for home use.

Specification

• Airflow rating: 550 CFM
• Filtration system: 3-stages
• Power cord length: 20 ft
• Filter change indicator: Yes
• Coverage: 1000 sq ft
• Power rating: 3Amps, 115V, 60Hz
• Weight: 41.9lbs

Benefits

• Eliminates particles up to 0.3 microns
• It comes with carbon filters to remove odors
• Compact, lightweight, and stackable
• It is durable
• It has a change filter indicator.

Drawbacks

• It is a bit noisy.

4. B-Air AP-450 Max Air Scrubber

Best for Durability

The B-Air AP-450 Max Professional Grade Air Purifier Scrubber is safe and easy to operate. It features 3-stages of filtration and is one of the best air scrubbers with a professional touch.

It traps up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants of 0.3 microns in size. Such pollutants include pet dander, dust, bacteria, virus, allergens, pollens, and more.

At the first stage of filtration, the pre-filter captures and removes large particles to extend the life of the HEPA filter. The second filtration stage has a carbon filter that eliminates odor from mildew and smoke. Then, the HEPA filter at the third filtration stage eliminates airborne pathogens and smaller particles such as mold spores.

This negative air machine has anti-skid rubber feet and a durable rotomolded design. It also features thermal protection to prolong the life of the scrubber. With its adjustable speed settings, you can control the operation of this unit.

It also comes with a filter change indicator to remind you when the HEPA filter needs replacement. This air scrubber works at a good pace but has a loud operation, which may affect people in the household as it is mainly for home use.

It is the most durable on this list. You may use it in different places, including the kitchen, bedroom, or living room.

Specification

• Airflow rating: 500 CFM
• Filtration system: 3-stages
• Power cord length: 25 ft
• Filter change indicator: Yes
• Coverage: 1000 sq ft
• Power rating: 2.5 Amps, 115V, 60Hz
• Weight: 36lbs

Benefits

• It is easy to use
• Portable and lightweight
• It has a stackable design
• It cleans the air fast
• Has 3-stages of filtration
• The rotomolded body maintains its durability

Drawbacks

• It has a plastic smell when in operation
• It has a loud operation.

5. COLZER 500 Air Scrubber HEPA Filter

Best Price

The COLZER 500 air scrubber is stackable and portable with a rotomolded housing to withstand harsh conditions. It has an air quality indicator to measure and monitor the air quality in a particular place and communicate how to adjust the speed.

With this indicator, you can regulate the air quality in your home regardless of what is taking place there.

It has a large CADR of 1,500 CFM and operates as a whole-house air scrubber. It comes with a 3-stage filtration system, including a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and a carbon filter.

The washable pre-filter effectively captures particles such as pet dander, dust, and pollen in the air, to prolong the life of the H13 HEPA filter.

The HEPA filter removes up to 99.97% of smaller particles of sizes 0.3 microns to guarantee clean, fresh, and purified air in your room. The carbon filter eliminates odor from the air.

The COLZER 500 is made with high-quality materials and designed for harsh environments. It comes with a knob for controlling the fan speed and noise level, a timer for setting the running time, an indicator light to inform you when the filter needs replacement or the airflow reduces.

This air purifier can be operated safely and will trip at 12-amps to avoid damage due to overloading and overheating.  

It is suitable for home or business premises, sewage remediation, construction, and renovation sites.

Specification

• Airflow Rating: 250 – 500 CFM
• Filtration system: 3-stages
• Power cord length: 30 ft
• Filter change indicator: Yes
• Coverage: 1000 sq ft
• Power rating: 2.5Amps, 115V, 60Hz
• Weight: 40lbs.

Benefits

• It is a portable, lightweight, and stackable unit
• Durable body
• It has 3-stages of filtration system
• Embedded with a timer and air quality status indicator

Drawbacks

• It is loud at maximum speed.

Buyer’s Guide to Select the Best Air Scrubber for Home

When selecting the best air scrubber for home use, there are critical factors you must consider. An ideal air scrubber must be of good quality and performs efficiently. It must also fulfill the purpose of its purchase.

This guide will help you choose the best air scrubber for your home.

1. Filtration System

The filtration system of an air scrubber is essential because it traps and removes all particles from the air that passes through it and releases only fresh and clean air.

When selecting a filter, it is best to go for the one with longevity and high-particle holding ability. Also, choose the one with a low airflow loss.

Air scrubbers for home use come with different filtration systems, such as two-stage and three-stage filters. The two-stage filtration filters large particles, while the three-stage filtration system filters odor and smaller particles.

2. Type of Blowers

Blowers are for various purposes. A high-quality air scrubber comes with a powerful blower that prevents debris from accumulating on the filters. When too much dirt build-up on the filters, it will cause resistance to airflow, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the machine.

Airfoil blower is the best blower for air scrubbers because it overcomes the pressure drop due to dirty filters. This blower type enhances the airflow and contributes to durability as dirt accumulates on the filters.

3. Portability

Portability is one of the most significant features of a negative air machine. Depending on your purpose for getting an air scrubber, you may have to go for a very portable one.

If you are scrubbing more than one area in your home, choose a lightweight, portable, and stackable type that does not need assistance in moving it from one place to another.

4. Efficiency

Some air scrubbers are very effective in cleaning the air faster, even after a few minutes of operation. Pay attention to the space the unit is to work on because some of these machines can only purify smaller, contained areas and tight corners, while others are for larger rooms.

Always consider the airflow rating of the scrubber, as it will let you know how much of an area it can handle. A higher airflow means that it can work on large spaces effectively.

5. Airflow

Selecting the airflow for a scrubber depends on the type and size of the area. If you are purchasing an air scrubber for your home, then a 500 CFM airflow is enough to do the job.

If it is an industrial or commercial area, a much higher airflow rate is adequate. Have it in mind that the higher the airflow rating, the larger the size of the machine.

The most important thing is purchasing a model with an airflow rating equivalent to the size of the area that needs scrubbing.

6. Safety

Air scrubbers should operate continuously to maintain clean air for breathing, and at the same time, be reliable for the project. Always ensure they are certified by trusted organizations to prove that they are reliable, effective, and safe for use in homes. Such certifications include ETL or UL Certificates.

Also, look for a machine with a durable exterior that will last for a long time without damage after years of service.

7. Price

Before purchasing a negative air machine, you must consider the purpose you intend to use it for and the unnecessary features.

Are you tackling dust? Or do you want to eliminate odors, bacteria, mites, and pet dander? Your answer will determine the amount you should spend on this machine. If you are getting an air scrubber for your home, you shouldn’t spend more than a few hundred dollars.

A machine with 500 CFM and some good filters is good enough to maintain clean and fresh air.

Comparison of Top 5 Air Scrubbers for Home

If you are not able to decide yet, we brought you the comparison summary of all 5 top air scrubbers suitable for home. Check below details and select the air scrubber that suits best for your home.

Air Scrubber	Airflow Rating	Filtration System	Coverage	Power Rating	Weight
BlueDri BD-AS-550-BL	250 – 500 CFM	3-stages	1500 sq ft	288W (2.5 Amps)	45lbs
OdorStop OS500	250 – 500 CFM	3-stages	1000 sq ft	345W (3 Amps)	40lbs
AlorAir PureAiro HEPA Pro-770	550 CFM	3-stages	1000 sq ft	345W (3 Amps)	41.9lbs
B-Air AP-450 Max	500 CFM	3-stages	1000 sq ft	288W (2.5 Amps)	36lbs
COLZER 500	250 – 500 CFM	3-stages	1000 sq ft	288W (2.5 Amps)	40lbs

Final Words:

With the air scrubbers listed in this review, you can stay safe in your home and enjoy quality air at all times.

There is no better investment than investing in your health and quality of life. Air scrubbers can filter out contaminated indoor air, neutralize harmful pathogens, and replace it with fresh purified air.