Best Air Purifier for Baby Room in 2023
Who is this for?
Everyone would benefit from a clean air environment but more so for newborns, infants, and babies. Their developing immune system and organs would surely need to be protected from airborne pollutants. The same goes for toddlers and children during their continuous growing stage.2023 Best Air Purifier Baby
| BEST BUDGET | BEST OVERALL | BEST PERFORM-ANCEPERFORMANCE |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier | Coway Airmega 300 Air Purifier | Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier |
| Recommended Room Size | ||
| 200 sq. ft. (19 m2) | 1,256 sq. ft. (117 m2) | 360 sq. ft. (33 m2) |
| CADR | ||
| Dust 80 cfm (136 m3/h) Pollen 80 cfm (136 m3/h) Smoke 80 cfm (136 m3/h) | Dust 260 cfm (442 m3/h) Pollen 260 cfm (442 m3/h) Smoke 260 cfm (442 m3/h) | Dust 243 cfm (413 m3/h) Pollen 246 cfm (418 m3/h) Smoke 232 cfm (394 m3/h) |
| Filtration | ||
| 4-stage | 3-stage | 4-stage |
| Ratings | ||
| 4 ⭐ out of 5 | 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 | 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 |
| Amazon Price | ||
| $$ | $$$$$$ | $$$ |
CHECK LATEST PRICE | CHECK LATEST PRICE | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
How Do We Measure?
Mold CADR There is no substitute for good filtration. We are only looking at a True HEPA filter that can trap contaminants as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. This includes dust mites, mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses that can be very bad for the baby when inhaled. The bigger and more efficient the filter is, the higher priority will be given to the list.
Carbon filter There is nothing scarier than a toxic gas that is odorless and colorless. Yet most indoor air pollutants are exactly that and you would not know the toxic existence until it is too late. So a carbon filter is a must to absorb all indoor smoke, odor, and chemical fumes. A good carbon filter will ensure all types of smoke particles will be captured before your baby has a chance to breathe in.
Noise level This is a no brainer. We want a silent air purifier that would not cause any disturbance to the baby's sleep. That means the noise produced must be at a white or pink noise level at an optimum fan speed. Bonus points will be given if the air purifier can even produce low fan noise at a higher speed.
What devices can you get for less than 100 dollars? How about an air purifier with True HEPA filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and UV-C light? Yes, PureZone 3-in-1 will give you all that without costing an arm and a leg. The True HEPA filter will trap all microscopic particles including bacteria and viruses. The activated carbon filter will remove toxic smoke from cooking and cigarette within its proximity. Finally, you have the Ultraviolet light that is very effective in eliminating airborne germs.
While PureZone 3-in-1 might seem like the ultimate air purifier for baby room, it does have its flaw. The relatively weak airflow and CADR is a start, so is the 6 months short filter lifespan. The coverage is decent but not outstanding. You can always place it close to the baby since the noise level is silent.
What's cool:
- Affordable 3-stage filtration + UV-light.
- 99.97% filtration efficiency True HEPA filter.
- Activated carbon filter that will trap harmful smoke particles away from the baby.
- Silent operation.
- UV-C light that will kill airborne bacteria and viruses.
What's not:
- Lacks autonomus purifying that can be useful for some.
- All three CADR is below 100 cfm.
- Only 6 months filter lifespan.
OUT OF 5
±139.99 $$/ 7
(annual filter cost ±40)
This is by far our best air purifier baby in the list. Airmega 300 has very wide purifying coverage, 260 cfm CADR, and the famous Max2 filters. Inside the bundled Max2 filter, you will find a highly reliable Green True HEPA filter and dedicated activated carbon filter. The True HEPA filter is huge thus can trap all kinds of airborne contaminants at one go. Same story with the carbon filter. From your chemical fumes, tobacco smoke, and smelly diaper odor, nothing will bypass the carbon filter.
What else would you get from this expensive air purifier? All the bells and whistles you could get. From Auto/ Sleep mode, timer, air quality indicator, and sensors. Everything is right here where it should be.
What's cool:
- Max2 Green True HEPA and activated carbon filter set.
- Super wide 1256 sq. ft. coverage.
- Above 200 cfm CADR for dust, pollen, and smoke.
- All the techs you may or may not need for a baby air purifier.
What's not:
- Expensive price tag that is triple of other air purifier cost.
- Lacks ionizer and UV-light filtration despite the price.
OUT OF 5
±649.00 $$$$$$/ 7
(annual filter cost ±100)
Winix 5500-2 air purifier is good for many places including a baby room. This is because it has great airflow performance and purifying coverage. Supporting that is the True HEPA filter, carbon filter, and Winix PlasmaWave technology. No dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, smoke, and germs are too difficult for its filtration.
The main highlight of Winix 5500-2 is actually its affordable price tag. That price itself also comes with an auto mode, sleep mode, and air quality indicator. Last but not least, remote control is also bundled in the package. Talk about value!
What's cool:
- Cost less than 150 dollars for a good baby air cleaner.
- Strong airflow output will decent coverage.
- True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and PlasmaWave Technology.
- Auto/ sleep mode, timer, remote control, and AQ indicator.
What's not:
- High annual filter replacement cost.
OUT OF 5
As the name suggested, Austin Air Baby’s Breath is truly an air purifier for baby. It's all mechanical filtration will shield newborn and child from indoor airborne pollutants. The extra layer of protection is critical as their immune system is still developing. The filtration set consists of a medium filter, 30 sq. ft. True Medical Grade HEPA Filter, and Activated Military Carbon Cloth. Outstanding filtration that is essential in providing absolute clean air in a room.
So what're the differences between Austin Air Baby’s Breath and other junior models? Baby’s Breath comes with bright pink and blue color options. That's it. So if you don't fancy the 2 color options next to your baby crib, you can always opt for any of Austin Air models.
What's cool:
- Wide 700 square feet purifying coverage.
- Oustanding 30 sq.ft. HEPA filter that is very effective against allergens.
- Activated military carbon HEGA filter that will trap chemical fumes with ease.
- Quality powder-coated steel housing
What's not:
- Noise level is not the most ideal but acceptable at low speed.
- Expensive to own despite the low filter replacement cost.
- Lacks auto mode, air quality indicator, timer.
±395 $$$$$/ 7
(annual filter cost ±37)
Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA allergen remover is another popular air purifier for newborn and baby. It is reasonably priced and comes with a wide 465 sq. ft. of purifying coverage and 300+ CADR. The 3 inner True HEPA filter is what will be driving the airborne contaminants away. From mold, pollen, spore, mildew to germs, nothing is too small for the trio filter. There is also a dual function carbon pre-filter in the list that can capture surrounding dust, smoke, and smelly diaper.
Honeywell HPA300 air purifier is powerful, versatile, but not blessed with features. There is no auto mode, sleep mode or even an air quality indicator in the list. If you are looking for practicality over performance, look elsewhere.
What's cool:
- Tested and certified 300+ cfm CADR.
- Wide 465 square feet coverage.
- Outstanding trio True-HEPA filter.
What's not:
- No auto mode, sleep mode and AQ indicator.
- The bundled HEPA filter is expensive to replace.
±249.99 $$$$/ 7
(annual filter cost ±108)
Coway Mighty AP-1512HH is once the most common air purifier for nursery home. It is reasonably low-priced, comes with an extensive 326 sq. ft. coverage, and 200+ cfm CADR for dust, pollen, and smoke. Inside the air purifier, you will find a pre-filter, True HEPA filter, carbon filter, and ionizer. The 4-stage filtration will ensure your newborn and baby are free from inhaling to harmful particles in the air. Doing so will shield the baby from preventable illness and long-term diseases.
Coway Mighty might not be the latest model, it still comes with all the features that you would need. From Auto mode, eco mode, timer, and smart air quality indicator, everything you need would be here. Frankly, if we are toss between this and HPA300, this would be our pick.
What's cool:
- Less than 150 dollars for a proven 4-stage air purifier.
- Dedicated True HEPA filter, carbon filter, and ionizer.
- Very low annual filter replacement cost.
- Support different baby room size.
- Auto mode and Eco saving mode comes standard.
What's not:
- Not the most sensitive particle sensors.
- Short carbon filter lifespan.
±229.99 $$$$/ 7
(annual filter cost ±47)
Not all models are created equal with the same cleaning capacity. Below are the other types of air cleaners that vary in performance.
- HEPA air purifier - The most popular air purifier option for baby use. It uses the trio pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter that is safe for use even for a newborn.
- Air ionizer - Generates millions of safe negative ions to bring down airborne particles. Safe for baby use, but note that there is an insignificant level of ozone emitted.
- Electrostatic precipitator - An air ionizer with a collector plate to help capture charged particles in the air. Not a popular choice as it is only available as a standalone unit.
- UV/ PCO air cleaner - Relies on ultraviolet light to destroy germs, bacteria, and viruses at a molecular level. Works best as part of a multi-stage filtration.
- Ozone generator - Never, ever get this one, particularly for baby use. An ozone generator is a dangerous device that emits ozone (O3) that can damage your baby's lungs and immune system. It is not certified by AHAM, CARB, EPA, and FDA.
Are Air Purifiers Safe For Babies?
A HEPA air purifier is safe for newborns and babies as we have reiterated many times here. An air cleaner is a technology that is approved by government agencies with the basic function of providing clean air. Most air purifiers use mechanical filters like HEPA filter, and carbon filter to trap harmful airborne particles. Some air purifiers come bundled with ionizer technology or UV-C light to target stubborn airborne particles. You will find HEPA filtration or air purifier in hospitals, laboratories, nurseries, and childcare centers.
The only fake "air purifier" that is dangerous to a baby is an ozone generator. An Ozonator will produce millions of ozone gas that suppose to disinfect microorganisms. Instead, the ozone gas is very harmful and notorious for destroying tissue cells. It is extremely devastating for babies as their lungs are still underdeveloped and could hinder their growth. So when you are looking for an air purifier for a baby room, double-check if is an ozone generator masked as an air purifier.
Baby Air Purifier VS Humidifier? Which One Should I Go For?
If a baby is suffering from nasal congestion or dripping, a humidifier would come in handy. If the room air quality is below par or you can sense some strong pungent smell, get an air purifier. If the baby is cranky often and not crying for milk, try getting both a humidifier and air purifier. Both devices can work concurrently at the same time.
In summary, an air purifier help removes airborne pollutants, chemicals, and odors. A humidifier adds moisture back to the air so the air is much more breathable. Learn more about the differences between an air purifier and a humidifier here.
What is Normal Breathing for Newborn?
Babies have a faster breathing pattern than an adult. Typically, a newborn will breathes between 30-60 times per minute. It will slow down to 20 times per minute during their sleep. 6 months old babies will breathe between 25 to 40 times per minute. A full-grown adult will take between 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Newborns often have irregular breathing patterns where they can breathe fast or take long pauses between breaths. If your newborn's breathing is making unusual noises, it could be due to:
- Small breathing pathways that are easily obstructed
- They breathe more through their nostrils
- Chest wall is more pliable because it’s mostly cartilage
- Respiration hasn't fully developed
- They have yet to master to use of their lungs and breathing muscles
- There are still amniotic fluid and meconium in their airways
Normally, a newborn breathing pattern should not be any concern but parents should still keep a close eye.
Air Pollution Effects On Infants
Infants and poor air quality do not go well together. There are many reasons why infants, babies, and toddlers face a greater health risk in poor indoor air quality households. First, the baby tends to breathe more rapidly than adults so they will take in more air at one go. that means more pollutants like dust, mold, and germs will go inside the baby's lungs. Worse still, infants and babies often breathe through their mouths thus bypassing any filtering on the nose. Second, Babies and children all have developing immune systems and immature organs. This will lead to more irritation or inflammation when exposed to airborne pollutants. The narrower airways mean babies are more sensitive to respiratory diseases including asthma. Long exposure to airborne pollutants will affect baby development in the respiratory, neurological, endocrine, and immune systems. It could also increase the risk of cancer in later-stage of life.
What Are The Benefits of Air Purifier for Baby?
The main benefit of having an air purifier for babies is it can remove all harmful pollutants in the air. Our indoor home is filled with biological contaminants, germs, and toxic gases that are often hidden from our sight. These allergens are often hidden in the rugs, ceiling, or wall that will become airborne when disturbed. A good baby air purifier will capture all of those, including:
- Dust, Hair
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Mold spores
- Bacteria, Viruses
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Cigarette smoke
- Odor and fumes
- Chemical (VOCs, CO, CO2, NO2, Radon, Lead, Asbestos, Formaldehyde)
When your newborn and baby only breathe in healthy air, they will cry less because there is no discomfort. They will also experience fewer allergy symptoms like sneezing or breathing difficulty. More importantly, it will ensure healthy body development growth. The babies would be at lesser risk of developing respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma. They will be at even lower risk of experiencing nervous system damage, organ failure, eczema, and cancer.
Babies have a faster breathing pattern than an adult. This is because they have much smaller breathing pathways. Baby's lungs are still underdeveloped, and their chest wall is more pliable. They are still not used to breathing with lungs and the associated breathing muscles.
A newborn will breathe 30-60 times a minute or slow down to 20 times per minute during sleep. A 6 months baby will breathe about 25 to 40 times per minute. For comparison, an adult will take about 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
If you notice your baby has breathing irregularities after 6 months, this could be due to allergies like a common cold. An air purifier would be able to alleviate the symptoms.
Avoid Ozone Generator!
Remember the name: Ozone generator and Ozonator. They are the so-called "air purifier" that is bad for the baby. In fact, some models might not even use the ozone name due to the bad press. Instead, they often mask it as an ionizer or air cleaner so beware of that.
The reason why ozone generator is harmful to babies us because the device will emit millions of ozone gas. In theory, the ozone gas is supposed to disinfect microorganisms, but in reality, it will destroy your tissue cells. Babies and newborns will suffer the most due to developing organs, especially lungs. Ozone will also take a couple of hours to dissipate in a home and it can spread from room to room. All Ozone generator is unregulated. Check with the manufacturer if you are unsure if a particular air purifier is an Ozonator.
A HEPA air purifier that uses a mechanical filter is safe for babies. HEPA has existed since 1940 and has been used in hospitals, nursery homes, and childcare centers. Its sole function is to pull all the airborne contaminants into its filtration and release only clean air.
Not all air purifiers are created equal. Some models have an inferior filtration but a cheaper price tag, while others do the complete opposite. There are also fake air purifiers that we will talk more about later. To get the best out of HEPA baby air purifier, we will be looking into the 3 following features.
- True HEPA filter
- Carbon filter
- Noise level
Let's start with the main filtration. A True HEPA filter can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. Very important as mold, pet dander, dust mites, bacteria, and viruses are microscopic particles that can only be dealt with a HEPA filter. You do not want the babies or newborns inhaling those germs. As for a carbon filter, their absorption materials will take in all smoke and odor particles. This includes chemicals like VOCs, Asbestos, CO2, CO, and even radon on older homes. Lastly, the noise level also plays a big role here as some air purifiers can be unusually loud. We will pick an air purifier that is silent enough to run all night without disturbing the baby's sleep.
In short, if the air purifier checks all three requirements, it will be a good baby air purifier. A happy baby equals a happy family.
Everybody, especially the baby, is vulnerable to poor air quality. Not only will it impact their health, but continuous breathing of harmful particles can also halt their development growth. Even today, around 93% of the world’s children under the age of 15 years (1.8 billion) are exposed to polluted air. A staggering 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under 5 are due to indoor air pollution. More than 1 in every 4 deaths of children under 5 years is directly or indirectly related to environmental risks. Another alarming stats parents should be aware of. In 2016, 543,000 deaths in children under 5 years are due to respiratory tract infections from Household air pollution (HAP).
Is It OK To Leave An Air Purifier For Baby On All Night?
Yes, it is OK to leave a baby air purifier with a HEPA filter on all night during sleep. In fact, it is safe to run an air purifier continuously without any harmful ozone byproduct emissions to worry about. The air purifier will protect your little one during sleep from allergies and prevent airborne contaminants from building up overnight. Be sure to check on the filters from time to time with the additional usage hours.
How Much Energy Does A Baby Air Purifier Use?
An air purifier for a baby will use 10-45 watts of energy. The more powerful the unit, the more energy it will drain. You should expect a $2-6 increase in the monthly electrical bill, based on $0.15 per kilowatt-hour.
How To Use A Baby Air Purifier Effectively?
Like all home appliances, air purifiers require scheduled maintenance for optimal performance. Below are a few simple but effective ways to get the best out of an air purifier for baby use.
- Pick a spot - An air purifier should be placed close to the baby's crib for the best result. Leave 2 to 4 feet of space between the crib and wall to avoid airflow disruption. While you are at it, make sure there's no object blocking the air inlet and outlet.
- Do not turn off the air purifier - Leave it on all the time, even if the baby is not present. Doing so will ensure the air stays clean and free from allergens in the room. You can disable the indicator light and run the air purifier at a low speed if you have concerns about the noise distraction.
- Close all windows and doors - It will stop purified air from escaping and dirty, unfiltered air from replacing them. Doing so will also prevent an air purifier from overload and shorten its lifespan.
- Replace the filters - HEPA and carbon filters require replacing from time to time. Check the manual when the filters need to change or when the filter indicator light is on. It will ensure the air purifier runs smoothly without fail.
How Long Do Baby Air Purifiers Last?
It highly depends on the brand and model. In general, baby air purifiers will last 5-10 years before the need for change. The air filters used e.g. carbon pre-filter, HEPA, and carbon filter will last between 3 to 12 months, depending on the indoor air quality or operational hours.
Compare Best Air Purifier Baby
| No | Image | Air Purifier | Online Price (Amazon) | Score | Filtration | Coverage | Fan Speed | Dimension | Weight | Dust CADR | Pollen CADR | Smoke CADR | Pre-filter | HEPA filter | Carbon filter | Ionizer | UV light | Other filter | All-in-one filter | Noise level | Power output | Timer/ Scheduler | Sensors | Warranty | Auto mode | Remote control | Child lock | ENERGY STAR | Wi-Fi/ BTBluetooth | AQI | Filter indicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier | $$ CHECK PRICE | 4 | 4-stage | 200 sq. ft. (19 m2) | 3 | 6.9 x 12.1 x 10.8 in (17.5 x 30.7 x 27.4 cm) | 8.4 lb (3.8 kg) | 80 cfm (136 m3/h) | 80 cfm (136 m3/h) | 80 cfm (136 m3/h) | Pre-filter 6 months | HEPA filter 6 months | Activated Carbon Filter 6 months | UV-C Light 20,000 hours | - | Air Purifier Replacement Filter 6 months +- 19.99 | 30 - 50 dB | 60 W | 2, 4, 8 hours | 5 years | |||||||||
| 2 | | Coway Airmega 300 Air Purifier | $$$$$$ CHECK PRICE | 4.5 | 3-stage | 1,256 sq. ft. (117 m2) | 3 | 13.6 x 21.2 x 13.6 in (34.5 x 53.8 x 34.5 cm) | 21.4 lb (9.7 kg) | 260 cfm (442 m3/h) | 260 cfm (442 m3/h) | 260 cfm (442 m3/h) | Pre-filter (2 pack) Permanent +- 25 | Max2 (Green True HEPA filter) 1 year | Max2 (Activated carbon filter) 1 year | - | - | Max2 Filter 1 year +- 99.99 | 22-52 dB | 6 -57 W | 1, 4, 8 hours | Pollution sensor | 5 years | ||||||||
| 3 | | Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | $$$ CHECK PRICE | 4.5 | 4-stage | 360 sq. ft. (33 m2) | 4 | 15 x 23.6 x 8.2 in (38.1 x 59.9 x 20.8 cm) | 15.4 lb (7 kg) | 243 cfm (413 m3/h) | 246 cfm (418 m3/h) | 232 cfm (394 m3/h) | Pre-filter Permanent | True HEPA filter 1 year | AOC Advanced Granular Carbon Filter 1 year | PlasmaWave Technology | - | - | Filter H 116130 1 year +- 79.99 | 26.6-60+ dB | 5-90 W | 1, 4, 8 hours | VOC sensors (Air quality) | 2 years | |||||||
| 4 |  | Austin Air Babys Breath Air Purifier | $$$$$ CHECK PRICE | 4 | 4-stage | 700 sq. ft. (65 m2) | 3 | 14.5 x 23 x 14.5 in (36.8 x 58.4 x 36.8 cm) | 14 lb (6.4 kg) | Large Particle Pre-filter 5 years | 30 sq.ft. True Medical Grade HEPA Filter 5 years | Activated Military Carbon Cloth 5 years | - | Medium Particle Pre-filter 5 years | Austin Air Baby's Breath Filter 5 years +- 185 | 40 - 65 dB | 80 W | 5 years | |||||||||||||
| 5 |  | Honeywell HPA300 Air Purifier | $$$$ CHECK PRICE | 4.2 | 3-stage | 465 sq. ft. (43 m2) | 4 | 20.8 x 22.4 x 10.8 in (52.8 x 56.9 x 27.4 cm) | 17 lb (7.7 kg) | 320 cfm (544 m3/h) | 300 cfm (510 m3/h) | 300 cfm (510 m3/h) | HRF-AP1 Filter A Universal Carbon Pre-filter (1 pack) 3 months +- 11.95 | HRF-R3 Honeywell Filter R True HEPA (3 pack) 1 year +- 59.95 | - | - | - | - | max 63 dB | 2, 4, 8 hours | 5 years | ||||||||||
| 6 |  | Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier | $$$$ CHECK PRICE | 4.3 | 4-stage | 326 sq. ft. (30 m2) | 3 | 16.8 x 18.3 x 9.6 in (42.7 x 46.5 x 24.4 cm) | 12.3 lb (5.6 kg) | 246 cfm (418 m3/h) | 240 cfm (408 m3/h) | 233 cfm (396 m3/h) | Pre-filter Permanent | True HEPA filter 1 year | Deodorization filter 6 month | Vital Ionizer | - | - | 3304899 Replacement Filter 1 year +- 47.17 | 24.4 - 53.8 dBA | 4.9 - 77.8 W | 1, 4, 8 hours | Particle sensors | 3 years |
