CityMom’s top picks: Air purifiers for babies
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Ugh. I remember being a new parent and hearing my son wake up in the middle of the night, struggling to breathe because of respiratory problems that would later be diagnosed as asthma. We all want the best for our babies, and that includes a clean and healthy environment.
We're breaking down all of the dirty deets and sharing the air purifiers we rec to clean up things like pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other airborne contaminants.
Here are theCityMoms top picks for air purifiers for babies:
CityMom Fave: Blueair Blue Pure 211 series Air Purifier
CityMom Tiffany pinged our community for recs and the Blue Pure 211 series was an uncontested favorite! She's had it running for months and swears by it:
“I love the sleep mode that keeps it whisper quiet and on its highest setting, is like white noise for my daughter. The washable pre-filter covers and replacement filters are so easy! I’m also a dog mom and it has helped trap pet hair, which was an unexpected perk.”
With features like a three-stage filtration system that captures 99% of common airborne pollutants and an activated carbon filter that effectively reduces odors and eliminates VOCs, it's no wonder Blue is at the top of our list of the best air purifiers.
The 211 series is best for larger rooms like the living room or hallway between the bedrooms (if you leave your doors open!). Blueair air purifiers also have a child lock, good news for parents of toddlers and curious kiddos who like to tap the buttons.
Want more CityMom recs?
More of our top picks for the best air purifiers for babies:
1. Frida Baby 3-in-1 Air Purifier
The Frida Baby 3-in-1 Air Purifier is a versatile device with a focus on air quality, and promoting a better sleeping environment for a smaller room, especially if you have respiratory system concerns (this worked like a dream in my asthmatic daughter's room!). Why we love it: Its small size combines an air purifier, sound machine, and night light in one to support baby's sleep.
2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is another excellent choice for a baby nursery or child's room. It features a true HEPA air filter that captures 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust mites, and pollen. Why we love it: This device also includes what it calls "advanced PlasmaWave technology," said to provide an extra layer of protection by neutralizing bacteria and viruses. Whether or not that's true, it sure sounds good.
3. HoMedics TotalClean 4-in-1 Air Purifier with 2 Fan Speeds, Ionizer, and Night Light
This powerful air cleaner by HoMedics helps remove many of the common indoor air pollutants like allergens, pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, and other irritants. It has four stages of purification including a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, a carbon filter, and an ionizer which releases negative ions into the air to help remove pollutants. With two fan speed settings and a night-light feature, this air purifier offers maximum flexibility in terms of adjusting airflow and brightness. Why we love it: The smart features of the HoMedics TotalClean allow it to monitor the air quality in real-time and adjust its operation accordingly, making it an efficient and truly smart addition to any nursery.
4. Pure Enrichment PureBaby Kids' Bear Air True HEPA Air Purifier
With its adorable bear-shaped exterior, it appeals to kids while providing cleaner and fresher air. The True HEPA filter traps 99.97% of airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. The smart design includes an intuitive control panel that allows for easy operation, and the auto mode feature automatically adjusts the fan speed based on the air quality detected by the built-in air quality sensor.
5. Honeywell Insight HEPA Air Purifier
The Honeywell Insight is a powerhouse when it comes to air purification. It features a true HEPA air filter that effectively captures airborne allergens like pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. This purifier also utilizes an activated carbon pre-filter to reduce unpleasant odors and trap VOCs. With its medium to large coverage area, it can efficiently clean the air in your baby's nursery, providing them with a healthier breathing environment.
6. Levoit Compact True HEPA Air Purifier
Don't let the compact design of the Levoit fool you. This air purifier is packed with features that make it a great choice for your baby's room and baby's health. Equipped with a true HEPA filter, it effectively removes 99.97% of small particles, including pet dander and dust. Its activated carbon filter absorbs unwanted odors and volatile organic compounds, creating a clean and fresh atmosphere for your baby. Plus, its ultra-quiet operation ensures that your little one can sleep soundly.
Do I really need a baby air purifier?
Yes! Here are some key benefits supported by experts:
Improved Indoor Air Quality: Air purifiers help to remove allergens and pollutants from the air, creating a cleaner and healthier environment. This is particularly important for babies as they spend a significant amount of time indoors, where indoor air pollution can be even higher than outdoor air pollution.
Reduced Allergens: Air purifiers with HEPA filters are especially effective at capturing and trapping allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. By reducing the levels of these allergens in the air, air purifiers can help alleviate symptoms of allergies and respiratory conditions in babies.
Elimination of VOCs: Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can effectively remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. VOCs are commonly found in household products, carpets, and furniture, and exposure to them can cause respiratory irritation and other health issues. By eliminating VOCs, air purifiers create a safer and cleaner breathing environment for babies.
Reduction of Odors: Air purifiers with activated carbon filters also help to remove unpleasant odors from the air, such as those from diaper pails, food, or pets. This can contribute to a fresher and more pleasant-smelling nursery, promoting a comfortable atmosphere for both babies and parents.
Protection from Harmful Particles: Air purifiers with advanced filtration systems, like true HEPA filters, can capture even the smallest particles, including bacteria and viruses. This can be especially beneficial for newborns and infants with developing immune systems, as it helps to reduce their exposure to airborne pathogens.
What size air purifier do I need for the new baby room?
This is so important! You need to measure the square footage of the room where you plan to use it because the recommended size for small spaces will vary from large rooms.
Here's a step-by-step guide to measuring for an air humidifier:
Measure the Room Size: Use a tape measure to measure the width and length of the room in feet. Multiply these two numbers together to calculate the total square footage of the room. For example, a room that is 10 feet wide and 15 feet long would have a total square footage of 150 square feet.
Consider Air Changes Per Hour (ACH): ACH refers to the number of times an air purifier can effectively clean the entire room's air in an hour. The recommended ACH for general use is around 4 to 6. For example, if you have a 150-square-foot room, you should aim for an air purifier that can deliver at least 600 to 900 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) of clean air (150 sq. ft. x 4-6 ACH).
Assess Specific Needs: Depending on your specific needs or air quality concerns, you may need a higher ACH rate. For example, if you have allergies or asthma, you may want to target a higher ACH rate (around 6 ACH or higher).
It's also important to note that the square footage recommendations provided by the manufacturer are typically based on optimal conditions. If your room has unique factors like high pollution levels or more occupants, you may need to consider a larger air purifier (like that Blueair 211 our members rec'd!) to compensate for the increased demand.
