Wondering Which Air Purifier Is Best for Dust? 5 Must-Have Models

A quality air purifier can filter your home’s air and remove dust permanently. But which air purifier is best for dust? I’ll compare several of the best and show some great choices for your money below.

I’d love to help you better understand the source of the problem as well as buy the best for your money.

Additionally, I’ll explain what dust is and how an air purifier helps with dust problems.

What’s in dust and where does it come from?

Dust describes fine particles of matter that become airborne and settle on surfaces everywhere. It may sound harmless but it can cause a great number of problems to humans and animals.

Dust can also include a great deal of organic matter anywhere that where humans and animals live. Additionally we bring some particles in from the outdoors unintentionally.

Image of a finger with dust on it

Dust can contain a wide range of nasty things! It can easily become not just a nuisance to the cleanliness of your home but an air quality issue, too. I’ve personally experienced severe coughing triggered by dust from unknown sources. Some particles are large enough to touch and see while some are microscopic in size.

Your household or office has a great number of sources of dust. Here’s a list of some of the most common:

  • Pollution, soil, and other particles from outdoors
  • Plant pollen
  • Human and animal dead skin cells & hair
  • Debris from textile, paper, and construction materials
  • Dust mite feces & body parts
  • Bacteria and microbes
  • Chemical residues or molecules
  • Cigarette smoke particles

A great example are the particles distributed inside your home by central heating and air systems. Those systems aren’t designed to prevent dust from reaching you (despite having a type of filter on them).

Dust is a problem for several reasons

Dust particles of nearly every type range from large visible pieces to those which are microscopic in size (especially pet dander and dust mite materials). The amount of time that dust takes to settle on surfaces can range from a handful of minutes to a few hours.

This is what gives the dust plenty of time to cause allergies and cause other respiratory problems. When these particles are suspended in the air around you they’re easily inhaled and can contact your skin, too.

Image of household dust under a microscope

Image of household dust under a microscope – note the incredibly small particles. Just think about how much of this you’re breathing in every day!

To help illustrate, common dust mite allergens can range in size from roughly 5-10 microns in size (a micron is 1/1,000,000 of a meter in size) which is incredibly small! That is much smaller than the human eye can see.

The solution

The source of the problem is that unless it is eliminated dust will continue to build up. There’s no remedy aside from actually removing it.

Dusting surfaces like your furniture is only temporary, as the dust remains indoors and once it settles it may become disturbed by movement or gusts of air causing it to circulate again.

The only true solution is to purify the air by removing dust particles.

Do air purifiers help with dust?

Heating & cooling systems in homes or workplaces normally have a filter in place to trap unwanted elements. Unfortunately, they are typically extremely ineffective. Average filters are not worth much, to be honest.

The filter material is often made up of course fibers with large gaps in between which allow the majority of dust to pass through. I’ve seen this myself, having seen large amounts of dust coming from the air vent after using the air conditioning for long periods of time. And this is with brand new filters, too!

The fact is that microscopic elements in the air must be removed by a far more effective filtering process – and this is why a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is so important.

How air purifiers help

Diagram showing how a GermGuardian AC4900CA air purifier works

Illustration of how an air purifier works to remove dust and other contaminants from the air. Air is drawn in using suction from fans and dust and particles are permanently trapped in the filter. The remaining fresh, clean air is blown out from the exhaust side.

HEPA filters are based on a standard that began in the United States in the 1950s. Providing a reliable and consist way assurance of performance, it guarantees an air purifier must meet these two criteria:

  1. The filter will remove 99.97% of particles flowing through it
  2. It can remove elements in size down to 0.3 microns (less than 1/1,000,000 of a meter)

This means that for every 10,000 contaminants flowing into a true HEPA air purifier, only about 3 will escape! This is an amazing amount of air cleaning ability and it can remove almost all dust in the air it processes.

A good quality filter-based air purifier will circulate the air in a room and permanently remove the dust present in the air. After a number of hours, airborne dust will have been trapped permanently!

Of course, it’s not a one-time treatment. In your home you’ll need to use the air purifier from time to time. It can even be left on low speed, for example, for continuous protection. This is especially true if you have constant sources of dust like I did from the heating system.

Air purifier filter sections explained

Illustration of HEPA air purifier for dust sectionsA true HEPA filter is extremely effective in removing dust, allergens, and microbes from the air. The HEPA filter section is a secondary stage that effectively removes microscopic dust particles. The pre-filter is a thinner, less dense section (often containing active carbon) to first remove larger dust particles. 3-in-1 filters are very effective at removing dust from your home. An active carbon filter removes chemical substances and odors, too.

The name “true HEPA” refers to those that meet the filtering standard, as some sold may be described as “HEPA type.” A HEPA-type comes close to but doesn’t quite meet the same filtering ability. It’s important to know this difference when shopping for an air purifier to avoid being misled.

The same well-designed air purifier that can remove dust forever can remove a lot of other nasty elements in your home’s air as well like dust mite allergens.

★ 5 great air purifiers for dust ★

Our top picks at a glance

Image Product Details
sample-table__image★ OUR #1 CHOICE ★Levoit PUR131
  • Great value! 322 sq. ft coverage, 3-stage HEPA, advanced features under $200
  • Auto-sensing and auto-off advanced features
  • Digital display and touch controls
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sample-table__imageSmart phone controlGermGuardian CDAP4500
  • Control from anywhere with your phone!
  • 3 stage filter system. Germ killing UV-C feature
  • Filter reminder + easy to use
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sample-table__imageGermGuardian AC5000
  • 193 sq. ft. coverage for about $150
  • Germ killing feature, 3-stage filter
  • Easy to operate. Filter reminder feature
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sample-table__imageBest seller!GermGuardian AC4825
  • Best seller and overall an excellent value! 155 sq. ft cover. Quiet operation
  • 155 sq ft coverage, 100+ CADR lab tested rating
  • True HEPA, carbon filter for odors, UV-C germ killer
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sample-table__imageGermGuardian AC4100
  • Great for dorms and small rooms
  • Same HEPA filter + carbon filter quality as larger models
  • Includes germ-killing feature
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Product reviews and details

1. Levoit LV-PUR131 – A fantastic large room 3-stage purifier! Auto-sensing operation and more.

Levoit LV-PUR131 side front image

The LV-PUR131 is another excellent model with great performance and attractive styling found in its smaller sibling, the Levoit LV-H132. It’s a great compromise between cost, features, and room size coverage ability.

In other words, it’s a great value. I’m recommending it for several great reasons.

For the money, you get great features, very good room size coverage, and excellent build quality. The performance is very good and it’s an air purifier you’ll be happy to own.

It’s no coincidence the LV-PUR131 is rated one of the best and is a top seller.

Levoit LV-PUR131 control panel features

The electronic control panel looks a bit complicated at first glance but it’s easy to use. Touch controls easily rotate through their various on/off settings such as the fan speed or mode. A digital display shows the remaining operation time when the auto-off timer in use as well as the current air quality detected.

The straightforward and clear control panel features simple icons on the touch buttons and offers many wonderful features:

  • Power on/off
  • Display button
  • Sleep mode
  • Auto mode
  • Fan speed control
  • Timer button

A 7-segment LCD numeric display shows you the auto-off timer count. The auto-off timer is very flexible and can be adjusted to anywhere from 1 to 12 hours of operation before automatic shut off.

A sleep mode keeps the unit in a very low noise so you can rest without being disturbed. A color-coded air quality indicator light uses 4 colors to show how contaminated the nearby air is as detected by its sensors. Very nice!

Levoit LV-PUR131 purifier HEP filter sections diagram

The LV-PUR131 continues the tradition of Levoit’s great air purification filter design. The true HEPA filter traps finer, more difficult dust particles while the preliminary filter quickly and permanently removes airborne dust particles of normal size.

The LV-PUR131 uses a 3-stage design similar to others: a fine preliminary filter, an activated carbon filter, and a true HEPA filter which captures and removes dust very effectively.

Almost everyone who has tried the Levoit has wonderful things to say about it along with reporting excellent dust, dust mite, and other allergy and contaminant removal.

The average filter life is about 6 months and the convenient filter reminder will let you know when it’s time to replace it. New filters cost around $35 or so. A great 2-year warranty is provided too.

PROS:
  • Great design and features in its price range
  • Sleep mode offers very quiet operation at night
  • Flexible auto-off mode (1-12 hour settings) with digital LCD readout
  • Air quality indicator
  • Large room coverage (322 square feet)
  • Excellent filtration using a true HEPA filter for dust removal
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • 2-year warranty
CONS:
  • No washable pre-filter section for reuse like some others
  • No remote control operation ( No products found.)
  • 11.2 lb weight means it may not be suitable for some shelves and smaller areas like smaller purifiers
  • Electronic controls and LCD display may not be suitable for elderly and others who prefer simple switch controls

It’s one of the best-selling, too! Definitely worth a look. You can click here to find out more and see the many other happy buyers.

2. GermGuardian CDAP4500WCA WiFi Smart 4-in-1 – WiFi and smartphone control that’s surprisingly affordable!

GermGuardian CDAP4500WCA air purifier front viewI didn’t think it was possible to get this level of convenience and great air purification for less than $175. But GermGuardian has made it possible!

Built on the same best-selling fundamental air quality design of the popular AC4825 & AC4900, the CDAP4500WCA (white) and CDAP4500BCA (black) are purifiers that offer next-level air purification you can control while away using your smartphone.

They also can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa too.

Not only that, but they also offer a Smart Air Quality Monitor (SmartAQM) feature to detect the amount of particulate matter in the air around you and can even adjust its speed automatically.

GermGuardian CDAP4500WCA air purifier top view image

The CDAP4500WCA/BCA models feature a nice backlit digital display with fan speed readout, current air conditions, and auto-off timer status indicators. An auto-off timer allows you to shut it off after a preferred amount of time, too!

It’s an amazing feature. The current detected air quality is displayed with an easy-to-see colored ring on the front of the unit. 3 colors (green, yellow, and red) are used to indicate the current air quality status.

Unlike other models & other products, you get 5 (not 3!) levels of fan speeds. From a super-quiet low setting to fast-cleaning high speed, the CDAP4500WCA/BCA has you covered.

Additionally, it features the famous GermGuardian built-in UV-C germ-killing option for the safe removal of sickness-causing airborne microbes.

GermGuardian air purifier smart phone app example

The smartphone app provides an easy-to-use way to get current air quality info while you’re away. You can also control the purifier while you’re not at home as well! It’s extremely convenient and the interface is pretty simple. I like it. It’s especially nice to be able to use the auto-off timer too.

Just download the free GermGuardian app (provided for both iPhones and Android) and you’re ready to control it remotely at your leisure. No more getting out of bed at night to adjust it!

With Amazon’s Alexa voice support you can command the purifier from different places within your home. Say “Alexa, open Gi Gi” and then find out the air quality by asking “Alexa, ask Gi Gi the air quality of the bedroom.

Features:

  • 124 sq. ft coverage (small to medium sized rooms)
  • App for remote control over WiFi or Bluetooth
  • Alexa compatibility
  • Available in both black and white colors
  • 3-in-1 filter design plus UV-C germ-killing feature
  • Great for dust problems
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • Great buyer reviews
  • Quiet low-speed operation
  • Auto-off timer (1-8 hours adjustable)
  • Auto-sensing feature adjust fan speed with air quality
  • Reports air quality and current status via the optional app
  • Uses standard FLT4825 replacement (or compatible generic) filters

Overall, it’s a well-designed air purifier that works just as well as the more basic GermGuardian models I’ve come to love as an owner.

It takes air purification to the next level by making it incredibly convenient, and I love the smartphone control features!

PROS:
  • Auto mode changes fan speed based on air quality
  • Low maintenance cost – replacement filters are inexpensive (generics available)
  • 5-speed fan control (vs 3 speeds of others)
  • Great filter ability & air flow despite its small size
  • Alexa control
  • Doesn’t require WiFi for remote use
  • Excellent build quality
  • Advanced WiFi app control (iPhone & Android)
  • UV-C microbe killing feature
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • True HEPA filter + carbon stage, with pre-filter
  • 3-year warranty
CONS:
  • Room size coverage is lower than others
  • Tower-style design may not fit in as many areas
  • No reusable filter sections
  • Some may not like the front panel glow ring at night
  • Time is set in increments of hours, not minutes
  • Limited to 8 hours maximum for the timer

It’s excellent and surprisingly affordable compared to the competition considering the great features.

Don’t pass it up – have a look! Head over now to see the great reviews and current sale price for the white CDAP4500WCA at Amazon.

GermGuardian CDAP4500BCA air purifier front imagePrefer the black version? You can have a look at the great looking CDAP4500BCA model here.

3. GermGuardian AC5000E 3-In-1 with True HEPA Filter and UV-C Sanitizer. Excellent for medium to large rooms.

Featuring simple controls, great dust cleaning ability, and excellent reviews, the AC5000E is a really worthwhile investment and serves as the “big brother” to its smaller sibling the AC4825.

It’s a great buy for the money and works well for medium to large sized rooms near 193 square feet in size.

This is another excellent product from Guardian Technologies. Feature the great-performing 3-in-1 filter design shared with other air purifiers they produce, it’s great at trapping not just dust but also allergy-causing particles like pollen but also pet & human hair as well.

GermGuardian AC4825 vs ac5000 controls image

Right: The AC5000 is a larger, more powerful version of the popular AC4825 model (left). Both have the same control design and features. Operation is simple by using the 3-speed rotary fan control and the UV push button for operating the germ killing feature.

The active carbon filter will trap odors like chemical vapors and a variety of unpleasant substances.

It features simple, easy-to-use controls that I really like and are suitable for nearly anyone in your family. The UV-C feature safely kills germs as they pass through the purifier and doesn’t expose you to any unhealthy ultraviolet rays while in use.

GermGuardian AC4825 vs ac5000 UV-C feature turned on

The AC5000, just like its smaller sibling the AC4825, features a cool trim ring that glows when the UV-C feature is in operation. It’s a nice detail I enjoy as an owner. Note that while it does glow, I’ve found it shouldn’t be too bright for most people at night time.

I do have one complaint: after switching the UV-C feature on, if I turn off the air purifier it doesn’t remember that I had the UV-C on last time. So I have to turn it on again manually. However, that’s an extremely minor gripe that’s barely even worth mentioning.

Overall, if you’re looking for dust removal in a room that’s close to around 193 square feet in size. It works well for medium to large sized rooms. At 28″ in height it’s a bit large so bear that in mind before buying.

PROS:
  • Good value for the money!
  • Simple 3-speed fan switch is really easy to use
  • Excellent for reducing dust
  • Germ & microbe-killing UV-C feature not found in many others
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • Filter is very easy to replace
  • Nice glowing light indicator when on
  • Vertical size is great for corner or areas with more vertical space
  • Good room size coverage (193 square feet)
  • 5-year limited warranty
CONS:
  • No auto-sensing modes
  • No electronic controls
  • No auto-off feature (note: the similiar AC5250PT offers this)
  • Cannot wash & reuse filter
  • Large 28″ size is not the most compact

This one is one of the best-selling air purifiers today! Take a look at the amazing number of reviews from people who found it helpful for dust (and much more!) over at Amazon.

4. GermGuardian AC4825 3-In-1 with True HEPA Filter and UV-C Sanitizer. A super-popular winner!

Featuring simple controls, great dust cleaning ability, and excellent reviews, the AC4825 is a top seller in its price range and has received the Amazon’s Choice award.

The GermGuardian features an additional benefit the others don’t – an ultraviolet (UV) light feature which works with titanium dioxide to kill airborne bacteria, viruses, germs, and mold spores.

At 22 inches tall the purifier fits well into room corners and other areas where vertical space is available. It uses a 4-stage filter process also to eliminate dust along with many other particles in your breathing space. These are a pre-filter for larger particles, an active carbon filter, a true HEPA filter, and finally the UV-C light.

GermGuardian AC4825 top view of controls

The AC4825 features one of the easiest-to-use control setups you’ll find. It’s incredibly easy to use! Set the rotary control to one of the 3 fan speed settings. Use the UV push button to switch the germ killing feature on or off. A power-on indicator LED lights when the purifier is working.

Although it is simpler in operation and in a lower price bracket than more sophisticated models it also features ultra-quiet operation and a filter replacement reminder.

GermGuardian AC4825 side view UV-C feature glowing

The lovely blue trim ring lights up when the UV-C feature’s in use. Don’t worry though – it’s perfectly safe, as the ultraviolet light is trapped inside. It’s a great-looking way to see when the feature is on. I like it!

Replacement filters typically have a 6 month life span and cost around $30+ or so, although lower-cost 3rd party filters are available.

A relatively small number of buyers report problems with the AC4825, but based on such a huge amount of owners (well over 6,000) overall the reviews are excellent and nearly all owners are very happy with it for their money.

The AC4825 I owned and have tested has been trouble-free and well made. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yours just as much as I have mine.

PROS:
  • Simple 3-speed fan switch is great for nearly everyone
  • Great filtering performance
  • Germ & microbe-killing UV-C feature not found in many others
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • Nice glowing light indicator when on
  • Vertical size is great for corner or areas with more vertical space
  • Good room size coverage (155 square feet)
  • 3-year limited warranty
CONS:
  • No auto-sensing modes
  • No electronic controls
  • No auto-off feature
  • Cannot wash & reuse filter
  • Design is less stylish and attractive than other competitors in its price range (ex. Levoit LV-H132)
  • Warranty requires paying for return shipment for service

This one is one of the best-selling air purifiers today and it’s simply one of the best values for fighting dust.

Take a look at at the amazing number of positive reviews and happy buyers it helped at Amazon. NEW GermGuardian AC4825W white modelUPDATE: Great news! There’s now a great-looking white version available too. Note: for identical performance but with different styling, check out the AC4900CA. You can even save a few dollars versus the other model.

5. GermGuardian AC4100 – Affordable, compact quality for small rooms.

GermGuardian AC4100 angle viewWith its compact size and lower price you may be thinking the AC4100 is too small to handle your dust problem.

However, it’s a well-rated and well designed purifier featuring a true HEPA filter and even a UV-C sanitizer like its bigger siblings.

Great for small rooms, the AC4100 also has a simple-to-use 3-speed control and is perfect for fitting into small spaces (it’s about 7.5 x 6.5 x 11 inches in size).

A filter reminder (installation month wheel) is also provided so you won’t have to rely on memory when checking the filter.

GermGuardian AC4100 filter replacement how to image

Filter replacement on the AC4100 is easy! Just open the rear cover, pull out the old filter, and insert the new one. You can also use a vacuum to remove larger particles like dust. As you can see my AC4100 caught more and more dust as I used it!

Filter life is about 6 months and you can clean the pre-filter section with a vacuum cleaner.

The UV-C section kills airborne bacteria, viruses, and more while the HEPA filter is great for removing dust and other unwanted air contaminants including allergens. The 3-stage filter also features a standard carbon filter to remove odors.

Image of a GermGuardian AC4100 showing HEPA and activated carbon filtersIt has quiet operation and is a great value-priced model. Buyers report a high amount of air processing power/fan speed for more airflow allowing it to purify your room quickly.

It’s great looking and reminds me very much of a stereo shelf speaker. Because of this it blends in well in modern rooms.

Filter replacement is more economical for this model than competitors at around $15 each.

PROS:
  • Low maintenance cost – replacement filters are inexpensive
  • Modern styling
  • Great filter ability & air flow despite its small size
  • Size allows it to fit in small spaces
  • Simple 3-speed fan control switch
  • UV-C microbe killing feature
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • True HEPA filter + carbon stage, with pre-filter
CONS:
  • Louder noise produced while running (especially on fast setting) than competitors
  • No low-noise sleep mode
  • No auto-sensing or auto-off timer features
  • No reusable filter sections
  • Not designed for horizontal placement like the Holmes HAP242-NUC
  • Only 1-year warranty

The AC4100 is a great choice for smaller rooms and smaller budgets. Head over here to see the fantastic reviews and happy buyers who say the same.

Summary – My top pick under $100

The GermGuardian AC4825 is my top recommended air purifier for dust as it’s one of the best values around and works well. You’ll get more coverage for your dollar than competing models in its price class.

Based on features, price, maintenance cost, and its performance the GermGuardian AC4825 is a solid all around performer and my recommendation for most people looking for dust relief.

It’s a good overall value for many applications not just because of features but because the room size (155 sq. ft) is one of the best in its price range (under $100).

Grant Williams

About the author

Grant is a professional engineer by trade and has experience with both maintenance and do-it-yourself home projects. He enjoys sharing his expertise & ideas with others to help them improve their comfort and quality of life. Read more »

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