Breathing. It is perhaps the thing we humans do the most in our lifetime. While the air in Singapore is usually in the good to moderate range, there are times when we suffer from poor air quality or high Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). There are times during the hot season where haze can cover the entire Singapore for weeks or even months due to forest fires in our neighbouring countries.
At times like this, an air purifier can be a lifesaver. It can help us to keep the air in our homes or offices, clean and fresh. Here are the best air purifiers that you can get in Singapore today!
1. Philips AC2887/30 Air Purifier
Best For Your Home
- Cleans air super efficiently
- NanoProtect filters for extra purification
- As quiet as a church mouse
- 2-year warranty
Everyone wants the best for their family. With the Philips Air Purifier, your family will be able to breathe the freshest and cleanest air ever. It’s equipped with AeraSense technology that detects even the smallest bad irritants and particles. It is powered by the VitaShield IPS that is natural and does not contain any of the bad stuff like ozone and plasma. (unlike some others)
There are 3 different modes (General, Allergen, Bacteria & Virus) that you can choose depending on what you need. If someone is sick at home, the bacteria and virus mode would be perfect in making sure the others at home don’t get infected as well. Otherwise, the general mode will work great for daily use.
Your family deserves the best, get them this amazing Philips Air Purifier!
2. Cosmo Prime® Air Purifier
Best Quality Air Purifier
- True HEPA – filters 99.97% of all particles
- Real-time PM2.5 counter
- Silent – as low as 20 dB
- German-design with a 5-year warranty
The Cosmo Prime® Air Purifier is the best overall purifier for most users. It has many unique features that give it a superior value-for-money. Cosmo Prime® uses a True HEPA filter which stops 99.97% of all particles such as haze, dust & germs and even absorbs bad odour with its activated carbon layer. It also has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 400m3 and an applicable space of 50m2 – making it perfect for most rooms. In fact, it’s powerful enough to be used in hospital operating rooms, which have some of the strictest hygiene standards in the world. If your goal is for you and your family to breathe clean air, then this is your best bet.
Cosmo Prime® is also one of the few purifiers that has a modern cylindrical design, which allows it to absorb particles from all angles efficiently. As a bonus, it is beautifully made, which means you don’t have to sacrifice your home’s aesthetic for good health.
Unfortunately, most purifiers in the market do not have air quality sensors. But Cosmo Prime® does. It counts the number of PM2.5 particles in the air real-time and changes its light depending on the air quality (blue for “good”, yellow for “fair” and red for “poor”). This means you will actually know that the filter is working, giving you the satisfaction of seeing the pollution counter go down. Additionally, this air purifier produces negative ions which have benefits such as relieving stress, alleviating depression, boosting energy, improving cognitive performance and killing germs. Lastly, Cosmo Prime® is deadly silent, going as low as 20dB, which means that even light sleepers will be able to fall into a deep sleep.
It’s not surprising that Cosmo Prime® is one of the best-reviewed air purifiers in Singapore. Hundreds of customers can’t be wrong – so if you want to make a purchase, you will most likely love then this is your best bet. Overall, this German-designed product will give you the best value-for-money in the form of an outstanding purifier that will likely last you many, many years.
3. Philips Series 800 Air Purifier AC0820/30
- Compact and lightweight to place anywhere
- Purifies air efficiently and quickly
- Reacts automatically to changes in air for clean air always
The Philips Series 800 Air Purifier AC0820/30 comes in a compact and lightweight design. You can easily place this just about anywhere, even right beside you on your work desk. Even at home, you can move this to your bedside table or in your living room wherever you are. Using a 3D air circulation, it can purify the air efficiently and quickly. For a bedroom of about 20 square metres, it cleans the air within 16 minutes and can remove up to 99.5% particles. This gives you air that is free of bacteria, H1N1 virus and harmful micro air particles.
The plus point about this is it has an auto sensor that can pick up changes in the air quality and react automatically. When there is haze or a spike in harmful pollutants in the atmosphere, you’d be in safe hands as this will work quickly to remove them for you. Stay in tip-top health with the Philips Series 800 Air Purifier AC0820/30.
4. Philips Air Purifier AC2882/30
- Customisable booster settings for various airborne pollutants
- Silent mode for undisturbed night and day
- Creates good airflow and circulation to clean air
The Philips Air Purifier AC2882/30 is a standing air purifier that is suitable for the whole family at home. It can clean the air up to an area of 79 square metres and this will more than cover the entire living room and kitchen area. The effectiveness of this air purifier is impressive. It removes up to 9997% of common allergens and 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. It also eliminates ultra-fine harmful particles. 3 smart pre-set modes work like boosters to remove pollutants, allergen and bacteria in the atmosphere. Simply activate them so that you get a targeted purification in addition to the normal purifying regime. You also get feedback on the quality of your air indoors based on the four-colour indicator. Breathe easily with the Philips Air Purifier AC2882/30.
5. Novita PuriClean™ Air Purifier NAP606
- Good filtration system to remove air pollutants
- Releases negative ions for improved wellbeing
- Energy-efficient for costs savings
The Novita PuriClean™ Air Purifier NAP606 comes with a good filtration system to ensure that you get an absolutely clean room with clean air. Air goes through a 5-step purification process, first through 4 layers of filter, including an external washable mesh filter, a cool catalyst filter, a carbon activated filter and a HEPA filter, and then lastly to come into contact with the built-in ioniser. The result is up to a 99.99% clean air with a booster of ions for improved overall well-being. It is also energy efficient and does not excessively consume power so that you get some cost savings in the long run. You can also turn it on around the clock this way. Get the Novita PuriClean™ Air Purifier NAP606 today.
6. Xiaomi Air Purifier
Best Value-for-Money Air Purifier
- Great for small to medium-sized spaces
- High-quality filter
- Can be controlled by a smartphone
- Compact size that fits anywhere
- 1-year warranty
Within just 12 minutes, your room could have clean and fresh air. That’s right, the Xiaomi Air Purifier is that efficient in cleaning up the air. With a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 48 square meters, it is a perfect air purifier for most rooms and small office spaces. It also has a triple-filter protection that can clear up 99.7% of PM 2.5 particles. It comes with a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. Even in the event of haze, you will have a space of fresh and clean air for you and your loved ones.
The Xiaomi Gen 2 has improved greatly from the Gen 1 version. It is small in size and has a modern look that would fit nicely in the corner of any room. It has a precise sensor that will detect air quality and adjust its settings accordingly so you will always be breathing in clean air. You also have the added convenience of controlling it on your smartphone. With its night mode, you will continue to have a peaceful night of sleep as it will only emit a low 30dB sound while in operation.
The Xiaomi Air Purifier is an all-round solid performer that is available at an affordable price that provides so much more in value with the clean air it emits.
7. Dyson Pure Cool Tower Purifier Fan
Best Air Purifier Fan Combo
- High-quality HEPA filter
- Cleans and cools air at the same time
- Controllable through WiFi
- Very easy to maintain
- 2-year warranty
Dyson Pure Cool Purifier Fan is a device that kills two birds with one stone. With the hot weather all year round in Singapore, you definitely need a fan to cool you down. Now, how about a fan that also purifies the air at the same time? That’s exactly what the Dyson Pure Cool does!
It has a HEPA filter that removes 99.95% of even the tiniest particles from the air. It has an inbuilt intelligent purification system that automatically senses the air quality and adjusts its settings to provide the best quality air for you and your loved ones. The air that is blown out is cool and fresh. With the bladeless fan, the Dyson DP03 helps to circulate the purified air around the room and makes you feel cool.
With its futuristic and modern design, it certainly stands out from other bulky and heavy air purifiers. What more, you will only need just the Dyson DP03 instead of both an air purifier and a fan. This is a great design innovation that is beneficial as homes are getting smaller.
The Dyson Pure Cool Purifier Fan has received rave reviews since its introduction. Join the thousands of satisfied owners and get yours today!
8. Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier FP-J30E
Best for Haze
- Great at removing dust particles from the air
- Small and lightweight
- Simple to operate
- 1-year warranty
Does it look hazy outside? Not to worry if you have the Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier. It has the Haze mode that is specially designed to combat the pollution brought by hazy conditions. It will be a lifesaver for months with bad air quality.
Beyond that, it also does well for daily use. Its Plasmacluster ions can help to remove dust, mould, viruses, static electricity and bad odours. Also, it comes with a sleep mode that will make it seem like it is not even there because you won’t be able to hear it while it works quietly.
Sharp’s FP-F30E-A is a solid performer. Whether you want an air purifier for day to day use or for days with bad air quality, it will be a great choice.
9. Dyson Pure Cool Me™ Personal Air Purifier
- Removes pollen, allergens and mould from the atmosphere
- Auto reminders to change the filter
- Dyson Core Flow technology for cool filtered air
The Dyson Pure Cool Me™ Personal Air Purifier is made with advance technology and precise engineering to effectively filter your indoor air to give you the cleanest atmosphere. The sealed filter comes with a layer of activated carbon and HEPA glass. This ensures that all air pollutants, no matter how minute and ultrafine, can get trapped and removed from the air. The Dyson Core Flow technology also harnesses the filtered air and projects it back to the environment. This gives you a cool breeze that is both healthy and clean. You can also control the orientation by tipping it upwards or downwards. It can also oscillate with a 70 degrees range to distribute clean air around the room.
It is easy to use and maintain to ensure that it always operates at its maximum efficacy. Once the filter needs changing, the reminder comes up and you can then easily and quickly replace the filter. There is also a small LCD screen at the bottom that displays your set airflow speed, the chosen mode and your status of the filter. You know you’re in good hands with the Dyson Pure Cool Me™ Personal Air Purifier.
10. Sharp Car Air Purifier
- Cleans the air, odours and smoke
- Removes allergens, dust mites and viruses
- Very quiet operation
The Sharp Car Air Purifier is another top choice if you’re looking for a car air purifier. It can clean the air very fast when you activate its turbo mode. It can remove harmful particles like allergens, dust mites and viruses in your car.
Additionally, it can also remove odours such as smoke and even durian smells. (after you buy a bunch of Mao Shan Wang durians) Another plus point is how quiet is it – so soft that you won’t even notice that it is turned on.
11. Novita PuriClean™ NAP101i Air Purifier
Best for Ionizing
- Effective 4 steps air purification
- Ionizes and eliminates contaminants
- 1-year warranty
Few air purifiers come with ionizers. The benefits of ionization are plentiful. It can remove contaminants, allergens, and bad odours at the same time. Novita Puriclean NAP101i combines both purification through its HEPA type filter and ionization to doubly ensure that the air you breathe is of the best quality.
With 3 simple speed settings and an on-and-off switch, you will find that it is very straightforward to operate. Simple to use, but so very effective. That’s a great design in my book.
You must consider the minimalist-styled Novita PuriClean when buying an air purifier!
12. Xiaomi Mijia Car Air Purifier
Best car air purifier
- Cleans up the air in 3 to 5 minutes
- Compact size to fit at back headrest
- App control and monitoring
While you are on the road, you’re exposed to many dust particles even if you turn on the air conditioner. That is why every air needs a good air purifier – the Xiaomi Mijia Car Air Purifier. If you are on the road often or have young children, keeping the air fresh in the car is vital for good health.
With its compact size, you can install this Xiaomi purifier at the headrest of your seat so it won’t clutter up your dashboard. Once you turn it on, it will clean up the air entirely in just a few minutes. You can even download the app and use it to monitor and control the air purifier. Want clean air for your car? Then you should definitely get this Xiaomi air purifier.
13. Water Air Purifier 606A
The Super Cheap Option
- Great smelling aromas
- Very affordable
The Water Air Purifier 606A definitely isn’t the best air purifier but it is definitely the cheapest. Don’t want to splash out hundreds for an air purifier? This could be the option for you. It is a simple purifier that does not have a HEPA filter. However, it can provide great smelling air if you add some aromatherapy essences into the water compartment.
If your priority is just nice smelling air, the 606A Water Air Purifier would be a decent option.
14. Honeywell HAP18450 Air Purifier
Best for Long-Term Use
- Great choice for larger spaces
- Cleans and eliminate odours from the air
- Designed to be quiet
- Extremely long 5-year warranty
Say goodbye to dust. With a True HEPA filter, the Honeywell HAP18450 is highly effective in cleansing the air of any dust, viruses, and bacteria. Beyond that, it also eliminates bad smelling air such as tobacco smoke and leaves the room smelling fresh. With its trademarked SurroundSeal technology, it ensures particles do not escape from the air purifier.
If you are looking for an air purifier for a larger space, this Honeywell model would be perfect. It has an effectiveness that would be sufficient for spaces between 500 to 700 square feet. You may think such a powerful machine would be noisy. Not at all. Its Quietcare technology reduces the sounds emitted and ensures a clean and also a quiet room.
Honeywell HAP18450 is not a cheap product. It prides itself on its high quality and stands by it with its super long 5-year warranty that will put your mind at ease. When you divide its cost over 5 years, you will find that it is very cost effective.
Looking for a reliable and top quality air purifier? Look no further than the Honeywell HAP18450.
15. Clean Air AP-777
- Super efficient with True HEPA
- Quiet operation
- 6 months warranty
Clean Air AP-777 is a simple air purifier that does its job very well. It is equipped with a True HEPA filter which is used in medical facilities. Also, it has an Ultra Violet (UV) light that helps to eliminate bacteria, virus, and fungi. With these qualities, your room will be the cleanest and sterile it has ever been!
With a pre-filter that is washable, this means that you would not have to change the True HEPA filter as frequently. This will help save a significant amount of running costs, making the Clean Air AP-777 one of the most economically-friendly air purifier around!
You may also be interested in these articles:
- Best Air Coolers to Keep You as Cool as a Cucumber in Singapore
- The Ultimate Buying Guide for Fans That Cool You Down in Singapore
- The Best Dehumidifiers For Singapore’s Humid Weather
- The 13 Best Ceiling Fans to Beat Singapore’s Hot Weather
- The Best Portable Aircons For Singapore’s Hot Weather
- The Best Aircon Brands in Singapore For a Cool Home Day and Night
- The Best Humidifiers To Combat The Dryness of Aircons in Singapore
Who Needs an Air Purifier?
Almost everyone can benefit from having an air purifier. After all, who would complain about breathing in fresher and cleaner air? However, there are certain groups of people who would greatly benefit from an air purifier.
Allergies can be very irritating to deal with, especially when it affects you on a daily basis. Sneezing, wheezing, having a running nose, simply sucks. Having to reach for a tissue constantly can be very disruptive to our home and work lives. If you or a family member suffer from allergies, an air purifier could be the answer you are looking for. Higher grade air purifiers can help to lessen the number of allergens and pollutants in the air. This will likely lessen the instances of your allergies occurring.
Air purifiers are also recommended for people who are suffering from medical conditions. In these instances, you would require an air purifier that is medical-grade (True HEPA). These purifiers can also capture germs in the air and lower the chances of these germs spreading around the room. With so many potential health benefits, an air purifier is definitely a must-have in your home or office!
Things to Consider Before Buying an Air Purifier
True HEPA Filter
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is one of the main keywords that are used in the marketing dictionary for air purifiers. Why is this so? That is because the type of HEPA filter is the most important component to the effectiveness of any air purifier.
A True HEPA filter model is what you would want to get if you want to enjoy the true full benefits of an air purifier. To qualify as True HEPA, the filter has to effectively filter 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns, using the Dioctyl Phthalate Mil-STD-282 test. This technology was developed by the United States military in order to remove radioactive particles in the air. Currently, it is the highest type of air filtration technology available. True HEPA filters are utilized in places like hospitals’ operating rooms and Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Their job is to capture germs in the air, dry and kill them within the air purifier. This creates a sterile and clean environment.
There are some cons associated with an air purifier with a True HEPA filter. It will likely be noisier than a normal filter. This is because the engine within needs to work harder in order to push the air through the strong filter. Also, some models require you to change the filters when it is full so as to maintain optimal operations. However, the pros of a True HEPA clearly outweigh the cons. The air you breathe in will be the cleanest and freshest you and your family have ever had.
HEPA or HEPA Type Air Purifiers
Simply put, these type of filters are not as good as True HEPA. If a product is advertised as “HEPA”, “HEPA-like”, “HEPA Type”, “99% HEPA”, it is usually not using a True HEPA filter. Essentially, these filters utilize the same materials but do not fulfil the stringent requirements needed to be classified as True HEPA. These filters fail to pass the 99.97% D.O.P test. Typically, the effectiveness of such filters is between 25% to 95% compared to a True HEPA filter.
If you are going for an air purifier to enjoy fresh air, why not get the best and go for a True HEPA one? It won’t cost much more but will provide you with the best air that you can breathe.
Size of Your Office, Room or Home
Think of an air purifier like an air conditioner. If you turn on an air conditioner in one room, you won’t expect it to cool down the entire house. That is why we usually have an aircon unit for every individual room. Similarly, one air purifier is also effective in only one typical sized room if you want to enjoy its full benefits.
So, how do you calculate the effectiveness of an air purifier? WIthin the specifications of the air purifier, there should be one called the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This number reflects the amount of air that the purifier can filter in one minute. As a rule of thumb, you should get a purifier that has a CADR of ⅔ or more of the area that you want to place it in. However, there is usually no need to be so precise. Any competent air purifier will work effectively in the typical room sizes for Singapore.
Another tip is to place the air purifier close to the areas where you usually are. For example, in the bedroom, you will usually be on the bed. While if you’re at the office, you will be working at your desk. Therefore place it close to the bed and desk.
Ozone Purifiers, Yes or No?
No. We would strongly recommend that you not consider purifiers that emit ozone in order to clean the air. Instead of helping you breathe easier, ozone may be an irritant instead. It can lead to coughing, loss of breath and even pains in the chest. This is supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that states ozone does little to eliminate indoor air irritants but can instead be harmful and damage lung tissue.
Today, few air purifiers use ozone because of its negative effects. However, air ionizers or negative ion generators do provide a small amount of ozone from their purification processes. While the levels of ozone produced are usually within the recommended levels, we would still advise you to go for a HEPA air purifier.
Silence is Golden – Noise from the Air Purifier
We want to breathe fresh air. At the same time, we also want a quiet room for a night of peaceful sleep. We wouldn’t want a constant churning mechanical sound to interrupt our day or night. Unfortunately, there is some noise by-product from the air purifier. Most purifiers use mechanical filtration to push air against its filter to clear unwanted air particles which generates some amount of sound. In terms of measurement, we would recommend purchasing an air purifier that makes less than 40dB of sound while in operation.
What we found was that larger and more expensive air purifier produced lesser noise. This is because it does not need to run at maximum capacity in order to clean the room’s air. Instead, smaller units have to run at their neck-breaking speeds in order to achieve such effects which leads to their motors running loud. Most importantly, do look out for an air purifier with a low decibel rating so that you can enjoy your fresh air with a side of peace.
Costs of Operating an Air Purifier
Beyond the price of an air purifier, there are some variable costs that will be incurred in its operation. Firstly, an air purifier needs to be connected to an external power source. But do not worry, it costs a fraction compared to the operation of an air conditioner. We would estimate that it would cost between $50 to $300 per year if you use it for 24 hours a day, depending on the model. To reduce the electricity costs, look for models that carry the Energy Star qualification. They are more energy efficient and would reduce your electric bill by a decent amount.
Secondly, there are costs involved in replacing the HEPA filters in an air purifier. These need to be replaced about once a year or even more frequently if the air quality is bad. However, we have noticed that some models do come with a washable HEPA filter. You may want to consider these models if you want to reduce the annual running cost of the air purifier.
In total, it should cost an average of $100 to $200 per year. Definitely, a reasonable price to pay for clean air and good health!
Brands and Warranty
Go for the more established brands like Xiaomi, Dyson, Sharp, Novita, and Honeywell that are recommended in our buying guide. It is easier to find for spare parts and filter replacements instead of buying an entirely new air purifier if things fall apart.
A long warranty is also important. The best warranty period we have seen so far is 3 years which is considerably long for a consumer product. If possible, choose a model and brand that has at least a 2 year warranty period. Do not go for cheaper models with lower warranty periods as it may actually be more expensive in the long run if it breaks down.
Some of the product links that we have included are affiliate links. This means that we may receive a small commission from platforms like Amazon if you make a purchase. This commission comes at no added cost to you. This helps to support us so that we can create more buyer guides for you.