I have one qualm with air purifiers, and it’s that maintenance can be really annoying.
Having to change the filters not only takes a lot of time and effort but also costs you money.
And if you already spent a fair amount on a decent air purifier, this could be a huge hassle.
That’s why I always recommend buying air purifiers with washable filters.
These appliances won’t require you to replace the filters every couple of months.
Instead, all you have to do is wash the filter, dry it, and then place it back in the air purifier.
This is much easier and more affordable. And the thing is, there are many air purifiers on the market with washable filters.
But if you want to get the most out of your appliance, we recommend getting a good one.
That’s why I’ve made this list of the best air purifiers with washable filters.
I checked many websites, asked for recommendations from forums and messageboards, and read tons of reviews to determine which models were worth your time.
On top of that, I’ve also written a quick guide with everything you need to know when buying an air purifier with a washable filter.
That way, it will be much easier when you finally decide to buy one for yourself.
Let’s dive straight into it.
Winix 5500-2 – The Best Overall Option
After researching, I determined that this was the best option.
This model is affordable and has premium features like other more expensive purifiers.
In fact, this air purifier impressed me so much that this was the one I ended up getting for my home.
With this model, you get a washable carbon filter. In my opinion, a washable carbon filter is a great feature to have.
This is because carbon filters tend to wear out the fastest, and constantly replacing them can cost you a lot over time.
But if you can wash the filters and dry them before placing them back into the purifier, you can save time and money.
On top of that carbon filter, though, this model comes with a true HEPA filter.
This allows the machine to capture very fine particles that can cause you a lot of trouble.
If you have allergies, this would be an excellent investment, especially if you want to stop sneezing in the comforts of your own home.
Another fantastic addition to this model is that it comes with PlasmaWave technology.
This is a permanent filter that will constantly absorb harmful pollutants.
This allows the air purifier to last much longer, offering more value for the money.
There is some speculation that the PlasmaWave filter produces ozone.
However, this is heavily debated.
But if you want to stay on the safe side, you might want to avoid using the PlasmaWave feature.
But aside from that, I didn’t have that many complaints with this model.
So, if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck on the market today, this Winix model definitely does the job.
Pros:
- Great value for the money
- It comes with a HEPA filter
- Washable carbon filter
- Suitable for medium and large rooms
- Sleek and modern design
Cons:
- There’s some controversy around the PlasmaWave feature.
Levoit Vital 100 – The Best Budget Option
Levoit is a mainstay on many “best air purifier” lists.
This is because the brand is known for offering air purifiers with tons of great features that won’t force you to bust the bank.
And after looking all over the internet, I figured this would be the best option if you’re shopping on a tight budget.
First, this air purifier is completely ozone-free.
For many people, ozone is a big reason to avoid air purifiers.
And this is definitely a concern since inhaling high ozone levels can be dangerous.
So, it’s a great relief that this air purifier doesn’t produce any ozone.
Instead, it relied on an advanced filtration system to clean the air.
Like most of the excellent air purifiers on the market, this model uses a HEPA filter to capture small particles and an activated carbon filter to capture odors and harmful gasses.
On top of that, it has a washable pre-filter designed to capture the larger particles floating around the air.
That said, it would have been nice if this air purifier had a washable carbon filter.
Since it doesn’t, you will have to replace the carbon filter every now and then.
But in this price range, having a washable pre-filter is a big enough plus that it’s definitely one of the best air purifiers on a budget available today.
Pros:
- An excellent option for people on a budget
- Advanced filtration system
- Clean design
- Ozone-free operation
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a washable carbon filter.
Blueair 211+ – The Best Premium Pick
The last option was my favorite pick on a budget.
But if you have extra money to spend on an air purifier, then the Blueair211+ is the best for you.
While expensive, it has many premium features that make it worth the money.
To start, this is a smart air purifier. So, you won’t have to go to the air purifier to constantly adjust the settings.
It has one button, so all you have to do is turn it on and leave it like that.
It will automatically adjust for you, and you can manually change it through your phone.
Of course, you can expect a sound filtration system as a top-tier air purifier.
In fact, the HEPA filter on this machine is one of the quietest on the market.
So, you won’t have to worry about keeping yourself up at night if you constantly keep the air purifier on.
That said, the only washable filter is the pre-filter.
Like the previous model, it would have been nice to have a washable carbon filter, too, especially considering the price.
But even with that minor flaw, it’s still worth the money if you want to get your hands on one of the best air purifiers on the market.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Great filtration system
- Smart features
- Modern design
- Silent operation
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Only the pre-filter is washable
Which Air Purifier Filters are Washable?
The thing with air purifiers with washable filters is that not all have the same filter.
For example, there are some air purifiers with permanent HEPA filters that you can wash whenever it gets clogged.
This is great since HEPA filters can be pretty expensive.
If there are a lot of pollutants in the air, you will have to replace the filter regularly if it’s not washable.
That said, some air purifiers use replaceable HEPA filters but have washable activated carbon filters.
This is also good since carbon filters are responsible for absorbing the room’s VOCs and other gaseous pollutants.
These can get worn out fast, but if you can wash the filter, it will save you a lot of time.
Most air purifiers have a washable pre-filter.
The pre-filter is the simplest filter in the system and is usually made out of a washable material.
Some air purifiers will only have one washable filter, while others have multiple ones.
So, knowing which filters are washable on your air purifier is essential so you don’t end up washing the wrong filter.
But regardless of which filter is washable with your air purifier, I suggest drying the filter properly before putting it back in the air purifier.
This is because a wet filter can collect mold and bacteria, and it could even damage the machine.
So, after washing the filter, dry it before reassembling the appliance.
The Best Air Purifier With Washable Filters Buying Guide
Even with the best air purifiers laid out for you on the market, choosing the right one can still be hard.
This is because everyone has different needs and reasons for buying the air purifier in the first place.
So, the perfect air purifier for one person may not be the best fit for you and vice versa.
This is why I included a lot of variety in the list above.
But to make it even easier to find a suitable model, here are some things to remember when checking out the different models.
If you have these in your mind when you hit the market, you’ll find it much easier to find the suitable model for your needs.
Choose the Right Size
The first thing to consider is the size of the air purifier. To figure out what size air purifier you need, it’s best to measure the room where you want to place the air purifier.
Ideally, you want to get the exact square foot measurements of the room.
This is because most air purifiers on the market designate the ideal room for the machine on the packaging.
You can quickly determine if the air purifier can handle your space.
Having the wrong size air purifier for a room can be really annoying.
Since the air purifier isn’t strong enough, it won’t be able to circulate and cleanse the air properly.
Leaving you with many pollutants floating around, defeating the purpose of buying an air purifier.
Get Good Filters
After determining the right size for your air purifier, the next thing to consider is the filtration system.
Ideally, you want to get an air purifier with washable filters.
This will make it easier and more affordable to maintain the purifier and keep it running for a long time.
On top of that, you want an air purifier with a multi-stage filtration system. There are tons of particles and pollutants in the air that can cause us harm.
If you have allergies, then dust and pollen could aggravate your symptoms. There are also VOCs in our home that can be dangerous when inhaling too much.
And the thing is, you need different filters for the variety of particles floating around the air.
The best combination for most people is a pre-filter for large particles like pet hair, a carbon filter for gaseous particles, and a HEPA filter to capture the fine solid particles.
Some people recommend getting an air purifier with an ionizer as well.
However, I advise against this because ionizers produce ozone when they react with the particles in the air.
This can be dangerous in small enclosed spaces, so avoiding these air purifiers is best.
Learn What Features You Need
The next thing to consider is the extra features.
This is where you can be more creative and stick to your gut.
Many additional features are available with modern air purifiers, but investing in the ones you need is essential.
You don’t want to buy an air purifier only to find out you paid a premium price for a bunch of features you need.
If there’s one extra feature I’d recommend for everyone, it would be automatic mode.
This mode allows you to leave the air purifier on 24/7, which is how you can get the most out of the appliance.
With automatic mode, the air purifier detects the number of particles in the air at any given time and adjusts the air purifier accordingly.
That way, you don’t have to worry about harmful particles escaping the air purifier because it was in the wrong setting.
Best Air Purifiers With Washable Filters: Conclusion
Air purifiers are great investments. That said, you can get much more value for the money if you get one with a washable filter.
Any models I mentioned above would be excellent choices, but it’s crucial to choose the best one for your needs.
That way, you can rest assured that the air in your room is up to your standards and as clean as possible!