On average, an American spends about 47 minutes daily behind the wheels, a report published by the American Time Use Survey of 2019/2020 indicates. That puts the driver at risk of inhaling car fumes and other air pollutants.
It thus seems a wise idea to invest in a good car air purifier. The air purifier can then clean out the microscopic dust, pet dander, offensive odor, and other allergens.
For that reason, here are ten such car air purifiers that have earned good feedback from previous users. Besides they have been certified by reputable bodies.
Top 10 Car Air Purifiers
Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Car Air Purifier
Key Features:
- 12 hours battery time
- Consumes 8 watts
- Serves 54sq inches area
- 3 fan speeds
The pure enrichment purifier features 2 stage filtration. A blend of activated carbon and the True HEPA filter help remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles.
It uses a rechargeable battery that can deliver 12 hours from a single recharge cycle. Moreover, the air purifier features three fan speeds for convenience.
Its portable size and weight of 0.6lbs allow it to fit different places in the car. Besides, you can place it standing or sideways without compromising stability. Also, the removable handle aids its transportation and also boosts its balance on a horizontal plane.
Although it consumes only 8watts, its effectiveness stretches over an area of 54 square feet. The package provides for a generous USB cable length of 39 inches.
What We Like About It:
- Five years warranty
- Lightweight and portable
- Low power consumption
- Powerful and efficient 2 stage filtration with a true HEPA filter
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- The highest setting produces a noticeable noise
Medify MA-CAR Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filter
Key Features:
- CADR of 20m3/h
- Serves an area of 80sq feet
- Plugs to car dc socket
- Consumes 4.8watts
- 3 fan speeds
For a sleek car air purifier that gives quick results, the Medify is hard to beat. It employs the advanced H13 True HEPA filter. Therefore, it promises to remove 99.9 percent of the allergens in the air. That includes smoke, pet dander, and mold.
Besides using the three-level filtration, it delivers a CADR of 20m3/h. Within 15 minutes of running, it offers a substantial difference in 40sq feet surrounding air.
However, its full effect stretches over a maximum space of 80sq feet. Thus it fits a car with a capacity of 7 seats.
Its 4 feet long cable reaches out to the cigarette lighter socket without strain. Also, it has Velcro straps that make it easy to hang behind the car seat.
Through the touch controls, you can switch it on and off at will. The portable car air purifier consumes only 4.8watts of power. It is thus energy friendly.
What We Like About It:
- Promises better filtration using the H13 HEPA filter technology
- Easy to hang behind the car seat
- High clean air delivery rate
- Energy star rated
- Three fan speed
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- It requires manual pressing of a switch every time power goes off
QUEENTY HEPA Car Air Purifier
Key Features:
- CADR of 51 to 90m3/h
- Consumes 5 watts
- Maximum noise level of 55db
- Traps particles down to 0.3 microns in size
- Connects to car dc socket
Some air purifiers require manual switching whenever the power goes off and on. However, the Queenty automatically switches on when power resumes.
It connects to the car dc socket and consumes about 5 watts. Its anti-slip rubber base gives it extra stability even when the car brakes suddenly.
While operating, it emits a maximum noise level of 55db and is thus tolerable. The triple-stage air purifier promises to eliminate 99.97 percent of allergens in the air.
So, it even traps particles as tiny as 0.3 microns (PM 2.5). Thanks to the combination of pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter combination. And when you need to replace the filter, it’s easy to reach.
At night, its glowing LED light looks appealing to the eyes. Once you switch it on, the Queenty air purifier has a clean air delivery rate, CADR of 51 to 90m3/h. The exact CADR depends on the selected setting.
What We Like About It:
- Easy to reach and replace filters
- Three-stage filtration for more efficiency
- It stands stable and doesn’t fall off even on sudden braking
- High CADR rate
- 30 days money-back guarantee
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has no provision for switching off the glowing led lights
Philips Automotive Lighting GPC20GPX1 GoPure Compact 200 Car Air Purifier
Key Features:
- Noise level 40 to 50db
- CADR of 10m3/h
- Connects to the 12v dc socket
- Consumes 3 watts
- Switches on and off automatically
The Philips air purifiers display a warning when the filters require replacement. And you only need to swap new filters after about 8 to 12 months (about 350 hours).
Like other leading filters, it features a pre-filter stage. That eliminates big particles like human or pet air. The HEPA filter forms the second stage and removes pollen, dust, or harmful bacteria. Then finally, the activated carbon helps to trap offensive odor from your car interior.
Its noise level is tolerable. At low setting, it runs at 40db while at high setting 50db. However, it promises to eliminate 99 percent of harmful smoke allergens and bacteria. It’s three times efficient in filtering smoke residue than ionic purifiers.
Besides, it has three different lights that alert you on the air quality state. From the 12v dc socket, it consumes 3watts. And, it gives out clean air at the rate of 10m3/h per hour.
But since it switches on and off automatically, it requires no constant attention whenever you start the car engine. Its quality meets the threshold of the German independent test house TUV.
What We Like About It:
- It has indicators showing how clean the air is
- Gives a warning when filters require a change
- Consumes less power of about 3 watts only
- Automatic on and off needs no constant switching on manually
- 13 feet long power cable
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- High price tag
IQAir Atem Car Portable HEPA Air Purifier
Key Features:
- Traps particles up to 0.003 microns in size
- Serves up to 115sq meters inches area
- Noise level of 35 to 55db
- Consumes 18 watts
- Connects to the 12 dc socket
Talk of an air purifier that has a long life, and the IQAir looks promising. At 10 hours a day, it can last one year. Besides, it uses the HEPA filter and traps small particles in the order of 0.003microns at 99.5 percent efficiency. Thanks to the three-stage filter system.
You can use it to filter a maximum area of 115sq meters. It’s easy to attach to the headrests, car seat, or in-cabin areas. Further, it has a centrifugal fan and a three-stage filter system that delivers high filtering ability.
Besides you can use it on the desktop or whenever you travel. At the heart of the engine is the HyperHEPA plus filter. Thus it promises superior filtering ability of gas and other irritating fumes.
For convenience, the air purifier blends with the Atem app for easy control. It offers three different fan speeds of 7, 12, and 18 CFM.
You can power the unit from the 12 dc socket or power bank. It draws approximately18watts. At the lowest setting, it produces a sound level of 35db and 55db at the highest fan setting. Also, it supports CADR of 12m3/h to 30m3/h at the highest speed.
What We Like About It:
- It traps even ultra-fine particles of 0.003 microns
- Long-lasting life of 12 months
- Easy to install
- portable
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- It has no rechargeable battery
RIGOGLIOSO Air Purifier for Home with True HEPA Filters
Key Features:
- Noise level 30db
- Consumes 0.2 watts
- CADR of 10 to 30 cubic centimeters
- Traps particles up to the size of 0.3 microns
The air purifier offers 360 degrees air purification. Surprisingly it produces a very low noise of about 30db.
Its compact size and weight of 1.54lbs allow it to fit even tight places in the car. When you power it via USB cable, it consumes about 0.2watts only.
However, it boasts a clean air delivery rate of 10 to 30cm3/h. Also, it automatically switches off after 8 hours.
The RIGOGLIOSO boasts a 3 stage air filtration. That consists of the pre-filter, HEPA filter, and the activated carbon filtration stage.
Accordingly, it promises to remove 99.97 percent of allergens. That includes particles even as tiny as 0.3 microns. You only have to change its filters once every six months.
Besides being CE RoHS Certified, its package provides a 1-year warranty. Hence it’s promising in quality. It also has a soft glowing dimmable LED light.
What We Like About It:
- Triple filtration stages, including HEPA filter
- Quiet operation
- Backed up by a 1-year warranty
- CE RoHS Certified
- It has dual fan speeds
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- It has no battery thus needs to be powered through the USB all the time.
Mini Portable Car Air Purifier – True HEPA Filter Cleans Air with 4-Stage Filtration
Key Features:
- CADR of 10m3/h
- Traps particles as small as 0.3microns
- Maximum noise level of 50db
- Three filtering modes
- Doubles as a USB charger
For ultra-portability, it makes a viable choice among the air purifiers using the HEPA filters. Yet, it delivers the CADR of 10m3/hour.
The ITSHINNY traps about 99.7 percent of airborne particles to a size of 0.3microns. Therefore it eliminates car pollutants, indoor odors, and total volatile organic compounds.
Its filter stage consists of the pre-filter, activated carbon, H13 true filter, and an antibacterial filter stage. The portable unit connects to the car charger. However, it has an extra USB port where you can charge your device.
It avails you of three purification modes. That includes the intelligent, low, and high modes. When the filter requires replacement, the unit gives a red alert. While running, it produces a maximum noise level of 50db.
What We Like About It:
- Portable design and fits into car cup
- Backed up by 1-year warranty
- Moderately low noise
- Gesture control ability
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- Can’t start automatically
CALODY Portable Car Air Purifier with H13 True HEPA Filter
Key Features:
- Powers through USB
- Traps particles as small as 0.3 microns
- Serves 10m2 area
- Noise level 30db
The Calody is a portable USB-powered car air filter ideal for 10 square meters of space. It employs a triple filtration system. That comprises a HEPA filter that traps tiny particles of 0.3microns in size.
You may only need to replace its filter after six months of use. Besides purifying the air, it uses the UV system to kill unwanted bacteria. And it boasts an efficiency of 99.99 percent. Further, it’s certified by various bodies such as EPA, CARB, FCC, and UL. Therefore its quality looks promising.
What We Like About It:
- Portable
- It runs quietly at 30db
- Certified quality by multiple bodies
- Has multiple settings
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- The glowing LED light distracts in the dark.
Wynd Plus Smart Personal Air Purifier with Air Quality Sensor – App Integrated
Key Features:
- Rechargeable and delivers 8 hours of use
- App compatible
- Filters 8 liters of air every second
- Powers through USB cable
- Provides real-time data on air quality
- Automatic adjustment
The Wynd plus air purifier traps pet dander, pollen, and dust into the medical-grade filter. It’s portable and fits in the car cup holder. It can filter 99.99 percent of the pollutants around the cabin in 15 minutes.
Though tiny, it filters about 8 liters of air every second. The Wynd air purifier uses a medical-grade filter and is therefore reliable. Once you charge it via the USB cable, it delivers 8 hours of battery life under ordinary use.
It has an App that gives you easy control and monitoring. The combination of a built-in lab-grade air quality sensor and App delivers data on the real-time air quality.
Besides, the equipment self-adjusts from slow to fast filtering speed. And therefore it promises optimum performance.
What We Like About It:
- Wireless, tiny and portable
- Easy to control through the App
- Automatically adjusts the speed
- Provides real-time data
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- It has a high price tag
Car Air Purifier Ionizer
Key Features:
- Low ozone concentration of 0.005pm
- Plugs to the cigarette lighter and doubles as a USB charger
- Takes about 5 to 7 days to remove the offensive odor
- Promises 5.6million negative ions/cm3
It employs ionizing purification technology and boasts a compact design. The ionic air purifier produces a low ozone concentration of about 0.005pm
So it promises the removal of 99 percent of the airborne impurities and bad smell. However, to eliminate the offensive odor, it takes about 5 to 7 days of daily use. It also promises relief from molds, spores, and other harmful bacteria.
What We Like About It:
- Small and occupies less space
- Doubles as a USB charger
- 30 days money-back guarantee period
- Works on a variety of allergens and smell
What We Didn’t Like About It:
- It requires time to filter out bad smell
How to Choose Good Car Air Purifier
Size and Mounting Option
Choose a size that fits your car. Its design should make it easy and stable to install. Besides, pay attention to the mounting style. Also, compare the car interior space and the maximum area the air purifier can clean.
Filtration Technique
Several studies published by the CDC and NCBI suggest that HEPA filters are effective in air purification. So an air purifier that at least has a HEPA filter stage seems like a better choice.
For better odor removal, the activated carbon filtration stage is also necessary. Thus a three-stage air purifier looks promising.
Noise Level
The equipment that runs quietly is ideal. So check on the noise level and ensure you can tolerate it. Moreover, a system with multiple fan speed makes a better choice.
Power
For ease of use, the air purifier should be compatible with the cigarette lighter or an adapter. Besides, it’s convenient if it has a USB power outlet port. That way, you can keep the device running and charge your smartphone at the same time.
FAQ
Do I Need a Car Air Purifier?
Most if not all cars have cabin air filters. However, they’re less effective on ultra-fine particles and dust mites (for example, 0.3 microns size).
Besides, as you open the door and windows frequently, the non-filtered air rushes in. A portable car purifier thus helps to remove undesired odor, smoke, dust particles, and other allergens.
How Often Should I Replace the Air Filter?
It depends from brand to brand. But when the effectiveness of the device has dropped considerably, consider changing the filters.
Some air purifiers require filter replacement after 4, 6, or 12 months. So consult your manual. Also, some brands display warning when it’s time to change the filter.
Conclusion
The average car interior may have lots of unseen harmful particles and allergens. Even the surrounding environment isn’t free from cigarette smoke, dust, and dangerous fumes.
And we spend a significant amount of time in the car daily. That’s why we offer you the top 10 car air purifiers to try out. Your car interior deserves to be clean and allergen-free.
