Top 4 Best Air Purifiers With Water Tanks of 2023

In my search for a HEPA air purifier alternative, I found that air purifiers with water tanks could be an excellent option for homes.

While not as robust, they still offer adequate protection if you don’t have a HEPA air purifier.

As we know, air purifiers are essential appliances for the modern home.

We live in very polluted environments, and protecting ourselves against pollutants and other particles with HEPA air purifiers is important.

HEPA air purifiers are bulky, expensive, and impractical for most consumers.

And in this article, I’m looking at the best air purifiers with water tanks or water air purifiers on the market.

On top of that, I’ll discuss what these air purifiers are, when you should get one, and how they stack up against other purifiers.

So, read on to learn more!

Air Purifiers With Water Tanks – What are They?

Typical air purifiers use fans, HEPA, and carbon filters to clean the air.

However, air purifiers with water tanks or water air purifiers cleanse the air with water.

A water air purifier, on the other hand, pushes air through water to capture large particles like dust and specific allergens.

Water air purifiers capture particles using water instead of various filters, which is why they are more affordable and practical for many people.

Another benefit of these air purifiers is that you can infuse the water with essential oils like Lavender, Frankincense, Peppermint, and whatever scent you want.

That way, you don’t just clean the air, but you also release a pleasant odor throughout your home.

There are even some water air purifiers available today that serve as night lights and lamps, serving many purposes.

And compared to other air purifiers, these are very quiet, so you won’t have to worry about loud sounds keeping you up at night.

For many, water air purifiers are the best alternative to HEPA air purifiers.

These air purifiers are relatively affordable. 

While they are less functional than HEPA air purifiers, they still do a great job cleaning the air.

On top of that, these are the much better option than breathing in unpurified and polluted air, which can lead to various health problems.

It’s no secret that these air purifiers aren’t as effective at capturing small particles as HEPA air purifiers.

However, we found that water air purifiers are more affordable and easier to use, which is why they remain the preferred option for many people.

Top 4 Best Air Purifiers With Water Tanks

1. EcoGecko Earth Globe Glowing Water Air Washer and Revitalizer

This EcoGecko model was on my list because of its design, efficiency, and functions.

It has a nice light you can turn on and off, even without activating the air purifier.

So, if you don’t want the air purifier on, you can still use the light, which is a great feature.

On top of that, the fan creates a small whirlpool of water that is very calming when paired with the soft purple light.

And while it excels as a water air purifier, it truly shines as a diffuser.

When you use this purifier and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, it will neutralize any foul or strong smells in minutes.

So, aside from removing large airborne particles, it works great if you want to improve the overall scent of a room.

This air purifier may look small but can diffuse scents within an 800-square-foot area.

When you turn this air purifier on, you can expect most of your house to start smelling great, which is another reason I featured this model.

For the best experience, you can even use EcoGecko-brand essential oils, specifically formulated to work with their air purifier.

Another way to fully utilize this air purifier is adding a few drops of vinegar.

Small amounts of vinegar won’t really smell bad, and it improves the air purifier’s ability to capture dust.

In my research, this was the best water air purifier available. It has many functions and is equipped to handle a large area.

On top of that, you can keep this air purifier on the whole day and never worry about a foul smell again.

That said, my one complaint with this model is that the oils from EcoGecko are expensive, which is why many people resort to using other brands.

2. Sirena Twister Air Purifier

This is a great air purifier if you’re on a tight budget.

However, the downside to this air purifier is that it could be better for larger spaces.

But if all you need is an air purifier for a small bedroom, this is a great pick.

This air purifier filters smoke, dust, and other large airborne particles.

While it can’t handle the same particles as a HEPA air purifier, it still works excellently for large particles.

On top of that, Sirena offers a wide range of oils that don’t just provide a unique scent but also has calming effects.

Some available scents include Ocean Breeze, which smells great while invigorating your senses, giving you a slight energy boost.

On the flip side, they also offer calming oils when it’s time to go to bed.

And like all great water air purifiers, this option has a soft but distinct night light to improve your lighting setup.

One thing I noticed about the cap’s design is that it can be hard to clean.

Don’t get me wrong – the leaf pattern looks great, but getting dust and debris out of the cap can be tricky.

To get the full Sirena air purifier experience, get a sample pack of their different oils and find your favorites.

There are better options for large spaces, but if you’re on a tight budget, you would love this air purifier.

3. Bluonics Fresh Aire Water-Based Air Revitalizer

You don’t have to get the most expensive air purifier. Still, higher prices usually mean they come with more features and benefits.

With this Bluonics air purifier, you have to pay a bit more. Still, you also get premium features unavailable on budget-friendly options.

One of these features is the changing LED lights.

While other options come with a lamp, this is one of the only models that allow you to change the color of the lights.

So, you can have a blueish light for when you’re working, a warm light for relaxing, and a soft light for ambiance.

On top of that, it has a cool design that allows the air purifier to diffuse air much faster.

I like this air purifier as it works for a large area and provides great-smelling and purified air.

This is also one of the most silent air purifiers on the market.

That’s why many customers can keep this on even when relaxing at the end of the day.

Granted, you can still hear the air purifier, but it provides a soft white noise that can actually calm you down.

Many Bluonics scents are available, so you can easily find an option suited to your tastes.

One of my complaints about this air purifier is that it doesn’t come with scents.

This is a small problem, but considering how much more expensive it is than other options, having a sampler or something similar would have been nice.

4. ap airpleasure Water-Based Purifier Air

I featured this option on the list because of its design.

It works similarly to most of the other options on this list.

However, the major difference is that it has a nice dome-shaped cap.

Many of the water air purifiers available right now have simple designs that aren’t really special.

The sphere shape of this air purifier is a nice breath of fresh air and the main reason I featured this water air purifier on the list.

That said, just like the previous option, this model has a 6-tone LED light that you can change according to your preferences.

This is usually reserved for the more expensive models, so it’s nice that this ap airpleasure model has changing lights.

On top of that, this is a reasonably affordable option.

So, if you’re looking for a good bang for your buck, I highly recommend this air purifier.

Air Purifiers With Water Tanks vs. HEPA Air Purifiers – Which Is Better?

Choosing between a water air purifier and a HEPA filter can be tough.

So, let’s compare these two appliances to see which suits your needs the best.

Let’s start with HEPA air purifiers, which are considered the standard nowadays.

A HEPA air purifier relies on a High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filter to capture particles.

These are sophisticated filters made of a very fine mesh that can capture particles smaller than PM2.5, the main particle people want to capture with their air purifier.

A HEPA air purifier uses a fan to push unpurified air through the filter, which traps the particles in the HEPA filter and prevents them from reaching the lungs.

On top of that, most HEPA air purifiers also have a carbon filter built-in, which allows the device to absorb foul and strong odors, creating a fresher and better-smelling atmosphere.

Now, let’s look at water and air purifiers.

These air purifiers rely on water as the primary filter, a great way to capture large particles that can also end up in your lungs.

These air purifiers work similarly to HEPA air purifiers, wherein a fan pushes air through the water to capture various particles.

Water is not as good at filtering small particles and absorbing odors as HEPA and carbon filters.

This means that a water air purifier will not be as effective as a HEPA air purifier, which is something you need to know before buying one for yourself.

Conversely, water air purifiers are much more affordable, compact, and easier to clean than HEPA air purifiers.

On top of that, you can also use water air purifiers to release relaxing scents like lavender and peppermint by infusing the water with essential oils.

So, water air purifiers have their definite drawbacks. However, there’s no doubt they are still effective at cleaning the air and serving other purposes.

This is why they are a great alternative if you’re looking for an affordable and simple way to clean the air while introducing fresh smells at home.

Pros and Cons of Air Purifiers With Water Tanks

Water air purifiers are great options if you can’t buy a HEPA air purifier.

However, there’s no denying that there are some cons and drawbacks to using a water air purifier.

And before buying one for yourself, you must understand the pros and cons to fully understand what the water air purifier can and can’t do for you.

So, let’s dive into a water air purifier’s main pros and cons!

Pros

There are several pros to buying a water air purifier. Still, the first one is that it’s more affordable and accessible than a HEPA air purifier.

Typical HEPA air purifiers are expensive, especially if you choose the best models.

This is why many people can’t afford or access a HEPA air purifier, which causes them to inhale harmful airborne particles.

So, water air purifiers offer a more accessible and affordable alternative, so I highly recommend them if you can’t get a HEPA air purifier.

Another reason water air purifiers are a great idea is that they serve multiple purposes.

Aside from cleaning the air through water, air purifiers also serve as scent diffusers.

As mentioned earlier, you only need to place a few drops of essential oil into the water; then, the air purifier releases a scent.

So, you can load the water air purifier with lavender, vanilla, or any other essential oil you want.

Additionally, water air purifiers are much easier to clean and maintain.

That way, you will be able to maintain your air purifier easily.

Cons

Let’s get into the cons.

Firstly, water air purifiers aren’t as effective at cleaning the air as HEPA air purifiers.

HEPA air purifiers have advanced filters that capture the smallest airborne particles floating around.

This is why HEPA filter air purifiers are the most recommended option for anyone looking to breathe in the cleanest air possible.

Another downside to water air purifiers is that they don’t last as long as HEPA air purifiers.

Water air purifiers are flimsier and don’t have the same build quality as HEPA air purifiers, so you have to take proper care of your water air purifier.

When Should You Get Air Purifiers With Water Tanks?

If you can, I always recommend getting HEPA air purifiers.

These are the best options for purifying the air and removing as many airborne particles as possible.

If you can’t get a HEPA air purifier, a water-based air purifier is the next best option.

These air purifiers are more affordable and easier to use.

And while they aren’t as effective at cleaning the air as HEPA air purifiers, they are better than breathing in all the harmful airborne particles.

What Makes a Good Air Purifiers With Water Tanks?

Many water air purifiers are on the market, and not all are good.

And since these air purifiers are less effective than HEPA air purifiers, knowing what features to look for is essential.

So, in this section, I’ll talk about some of the primary considerations and features to check out when buying a water air purifier to ensure that you get your hands on the best model for your needs.

Tank Capacity

The first thing I suggest looking at is the tank capacity.

If you want your water air purifier to work well, you must ensure the tank and the water inside it are always clean.

When air purifiers have a small tank capacity, the water gets dirtier faster, meaning you must clean them more often.

So, to reduce the required maintenance for your air purifier, it’s best to get ones with larger tanks.

Additionally, larger tanks mean more water to filter and capture different particles, so the options I featured in this list have larger tanks than usual.

Fan Speed

You only have a few options when it comes to fan speeds with your water air purifier.

These machines don’t have the same strong fans as HEPA air purifiers, which is another reason they aren’t as effective.

However, some water air purifiers allow you to adjust the fan speed depending on your needs.

This is very important as you can tweak the fan speed and settings depending on the air quality.

On top of that, you can boost the fan speed if you want the air purifier to work faster and quickly diffuse scents into the room.

Other Functions

The last consideration is the other functions that your air purifier offers.

As mentioned earlier, water air purifiers’ key benefits are that they work as lamps and scent diffusers.

While you don’t need your water air purifier to work as a light and to diffuse scents, it does add to the machine’s functionality.

So, when shopping, pay closer attention to the models that offer functions on top of air purification.

How to Clean Air Purifiers With Water Tanks

For your air purifier to work to the best of its abilities, it must be clean and well-maintained.

Luckily, cleaning a water-based air purifier is easy.

Here are the steps to cleaning a water air purifier:

● Make sure the device is unplugged before cleaning for safety purposes

● Remove the cap and fan according to the manufacturer’s instructions

● Clean the fan with a light detergent or soap and water

● Toss the water in the tank and wash it with soapy water

● Rinse the tank and wipe it down

● Clean the exterior with damp towels or wipes

● Deep clean the stem with a long cotton bud or brush

● Wait for everything to dry, refill the tank, plug it back in, and start using it

FAQs on Air Purifiers With Water Tanks

Do Water-Based Air Purifiers Work?

Water-based air purifiers are less effective than HEPA air purifiers. 

However, they are more affordable and are reasonably good at capturing larger particles. 

So, if you don’t have a HEPA air purifier, water-based air purifiers are an excellent alternative.

Can I Have an Air Purifier and Humidifier at the Same Time?

Yes, you can have an air purifier and humidifier on simultaneously. 

However, suppose your air purifier has an air quality monitor. 

In that case, this may result in your air purifier telling you that the air quality is poor.

Can I Leave My Air Purifier On All Day?

Yes, we recommend leaving your air purifier on all day. 

This is because it allows the air purifier to constantly clean the air, keeping your lungs safe from pollutants whenever you’re indoors.

Best Air Purifiers With Water Tanks – Conclusion

A water-based air purifier is a good alternative if you want to clean the air in your home but want to avoid investing in a HEPA air purifier.

While these air purifiers don’t work as well as filter-based purifiers, they do a decent job. They are great for neutralizing scents and capturing large particles.

That said, be careful when shopping to ensure you buy an air purifier that meets your needs.

Any options on this list are great water-based air purifiers, so it’s all a matter of choosing the best fit for you!

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