Can an air purifier be too big for a room? That’s a tricky question.
We already know that air purifiers can be too small — but too big? Hmm.
But don’t worry – I’ll answer it in full detail today and also touch on how you can find the best-sized air purifier for your room.
Buying an air purifier nowadays can be challenging.
I vividly remember feeling overwhelmed with all the options and things to consider when I bought my first air purifier.
And while I knew to make sure that I bought the right-sized air purifier, I wondered if there was anything wrong with buying an air purifier advertised for a room larger than mine.
So I researched and learned that the answer is quite complicated.
Read on to learn more.
Can an Air Purifier Be Too Big for a Room?
Most online guides tell you to avoid buying air purifiers that are too small for a room.
However, there aren’t enough articles that explain that you shouldn’t buy an air purifier that’s too big for a room, either.
Air purifiers can be too big for a room.
If you buy an air purifier that’s too big for your room, rest assured that it will still purify the air effectively and efficiently.
However, large air purifiers are more expensive than small ones, so if you buy an air purifier too big for your room, you’ll pay more for features you don’t need.
On top of that, you will likely have to change the filters more often, which is expensive.
There’s nothing wrong with investing in the best air purifier for your needs.
Avoid large air purifiers, as you’ll be paying more money and not reaping any of the benefits of a large air purifier if you have a small room.
When buying an air purifier, finding the right balance between size and functionality is essential.
So, it’s best to stick to air purifiers designed for your general room size.
Can an Air Purifier Be Too Small for a Room?
As I said earlier, you shouldn’t buy an air purifier that’s too small for the room.
When you have a small air purifier for a large room, it will still be able to cleanse the air.
However, it will take much longer for the air purifier to do so, and it probably won’t do the job as efficiently, either.
Room size is arguably the most crucial consideration when buying an air purifier.
An air purifier that’s too small for a room will leave you with poor air quality, even if the air purifier is on.
Terms to Remember When Choosing an Air Purifier
When you look for an air purifier nowadays, the product description has a lot of information.
All these bits of information are significant in choosing an air purifier.
But if you don’t know what they mean, the information is useless.
When choosing the best-sized air purifier for a room, there are two primary considerations that you need to think about.
These are the Air Changes per Hour (ACH) and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).
These measurements might initially seem complicated, but they’re pretty simple.
And below, I’ll explain exactly what these metrics mean.
CADR
An air purifier’s CADR is how much clean air comes from your air purifier in a certain period.
Typically, CADR is presented in cubic feet of clean air per minute.
For example, an air purifier with a CADR rating of 200 cubic feet per hour delivers 200 cubic feet of clean air hourly.
To find the best-sized air purifier for your room, calculate the room’s air volume by multiplying the room’s area by its height.
From there, you can compare the CADR to your room’s size.
For example, if the room’s air volume is 1,200 cubic feet, an air purifier with a CADR rating of 200 cubic feet per hour will not be sufficient for your space.
ACH
You calculate an air purifier’s ACH by getting its CADR and comparing it to your room size.
ACH refers to how often an air purifier can change and clean all the air in your room.
Ideally, you want an air purifier that can clean all the air in the room four times an hour or once every 15 minutes.
If the air purifier you want to buy doesn’t show its ACH rating, get your room’s air volume and divide it by the CADR.
For example, if you have a room with 1,200 cubic feet of air volume, you need an air purifier with a CADR of 4,800 feet per hour or 80 cubic feet per minute.
This might seem complicated, but it’s important to remember when buying an air purifier.
And in the next section, I’ll quickly explain the best way to determine the right-sized air purifier for your room.
Finding the Right Size Air Purifier for Your Room
Finding the right-sized air purifier for your space is easier than some people make it out to be.
So, here’s a quick step-by-step explanation of how to find the best-sized air purifier for your needs.
Choose Where to Place the Air Purifier
Firstly, you need to figure out which room your air purifier is going.
Air purifiers are designed for single rooms, and air purifiers are designed for multiple rooms.
So, the first step in finding the right-sized air purifier for your needs is choosing where you will place it.
Measure the Room
The next step is measuring the room or space where you want to place the air purifier.
Depending on where you live, you may have to measure the area of your room in square feet or in square meters.
Finding the area of a room is pretty easy, as you only have to measure the length of two perpendicular walls.
Once you have the measurements, multiply the measurements by each other, and you’ll get the area of the room.
For example, if your room is 10 ft by 15 ft, the area is 150 square feet.
You should calculate the room’s total air volume because it will be a huge help when buying an air purifier.
To do this, multiply the area of the room by the total height.
Using the example earlier, if you have a room measuring 150 square feet and the ceiling is 8 feet high, the total air volume is 1,200 cubic feet.
Match Your Measurements to Your Air Purifier
Once you have the room’s area and air volume measurements, you can compare them with your air purifier’s CADR or ACH rating.
Most of the time, air purifiers have these ratings listed in the product description or packaging.
But if you can’t find these measurements on your air purifier, you might have to go online for more information.
FAQs on Can an Air Purifier be Too Big for a Room
Does Air Purifier Size Matter?
Yes, the air purifier’s size is one of the most important considerations when buying an air purifier for your home.
Is It Better to Have One Large Air Purifier or Multiple Small Ones?
One large air purifier is the best option for square and standard rooms. But you might need multiple small ones if your room has unique dimensions and shapes or the circulation could be better.
How Big Should an Air Purifier Be?
Your air purifier should always be big enough to handle the room. So, make sure to measure your room’s area and air volume before finding the right air purifier.
Can an Air Purifier be Too Big for a Room – Conclusion
Buying an air purifier can be complicated, but knowing what to look for becomes much easier.
Buying an air purifier that’s the right size for your room is imperative.
Too small, and the air purifier won’t clean the air effectively; too large, you might pay way more for features you don’t need.
But trust me – once you find the right air purifier for your room, you’ll have difficulty returning to your old space without an air purifier!