With everything going on, it is important to be mindful of indoor air quality. You have to be more mindful of your workspace, home, and the place that gets us everywhere, our vehicles. As environmentally conscious as some of us are, the air is not getting much cleaner, and it is up to us to take care of our own air quality.
It is the perfect time to check out some of the best car air purifiers to make your fresh ride even fresh. We went ahead and tested some of the best air purifiers for cars to help you make an informed decision. It is time you get an air purifier for your car.
What to Look for in an Air Purifier for Cars
We have long evolved from filters and fan combos. Ever since 2020, there have been great advancements in air purification technology. We are going to be covering a wide array of the best car air purifiers that you can order right now!
Some important factors to consider when choosing an air purifier for your car are how much maintenance you are willing to dedicate to keeping your air purifier functioning, what type of purifiers you want running in your car, and what they are rated for.
If you have a newer car, no pets, and don’t spend much time in your car, you probably do not need anything heavy duty while those who go road-tripping with their furry friends definitely need something to clear up all the particles and odors in the air.
Size
Do you prefer something that fits in your cup holder, or do you want your car air purifier to be mounted on your dashboard? While all the purifiers on our list are compact it is important to consider how much space you have in your car.
Filter Type
The primary methods of air purification covered in this article are HEPA filters, ionic air purifiers, UV-C Light, and a combination of the three. Some of the best air purifiers for cars use a mix of these, and while they deliver the best air quality, they usually cost a bit more and have higher power demands.
When looking for HEPA filters, High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, you will often see that some are advertised as TRUE HEPA filters. That isn’t just a marketing term, not all HEPA filters are made equal, and a true HEPA filter has to be able to remove 99.97% of airborne particles that enter it down to 0.3 microns in size.
A device that emits negative ions can sound scary, but all it really is doing is killing particles in the air. Now, this doesn’t do much against dust but does a great job eliminating odors as well as harmful bacteria and germs in the air. It would be dishonest for me to not mention that it also kills neutral and non-harmful germs in the air.
UV-C Lights work in a similar way, but instead of emitting negative ions in the air, it zaps incoming air that neutralizes any odors or germs. It will not do much against dust, which is why it is usually paired with a HEPA filter. UV-C Light can be harmful when directly shined on the skin, but the ones in our list are designed to keep the light contained and safe for use in your car.
Portability
Will you be using this air purifier in just your car, or will you be taking it out? We cover a variety of air purifiers that can be used both in the car and indoors.
TwinkleBirds Car Air Purifier Ionizer
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Optional USB ports | ❌ No Filters for Dust |
| ✔️ Does not take up space | |
| ✔️ No Maintenance | |
| ✔️ Low Power Draw |
Specifications:
- Size: Size of a Car Cigarette Lighter
- Power Source: Car Charger
- Air Purification Method: Emits Ozone/ Ions
This simple mini car air purifier does a great job at eliminating odors and harmful germs in your car. It doesn’t have any filters to tackle dust issues, but in just 20 minutes, this small device will completely clean the air in your car. It isn’t the quickest or most powerful, but for its cheap price and small size, it is a great solution for most people who don’t need anything heavy-duty. It is quiet, so unless you mind the small LED inside it to indicate it is on, you will not even notice it!
Lapurifier Car Air Purifier Ionizer
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Optional USB port | ❌ No Filters for Dust |
| ✔️ Has Built-in Fan to Disperse Air | ❌ Fan isn’t super quiet |
| ✔️ No Maintenance | |
| ✔️ Color Options |
Specifications:
- Size: Size of a Cup Holder
- Power Source: USB Charger
- Air Purification Method: Emits Ozone/ Ions with Fan
If you want a sleek design with ambient lighting and a nice humming sound of a fan, look no further than the Lapurifer Car Air Purifier Ionizer. This is a mid-level air purifier that emits negative ions to wipe out any odors and kill germs in the air. It has a working fan to help disperse the ions, which means you get sanitized air quicker. If you play music in the car at a reasonable volume you probably will not even notice the humming of the fan. It plugs into your car’s USB and even has its own built-in USB port, so you don’t use a USB spot in your car, which is super convenient. If you don’t have a problem with dust, this is one of the best car air purifier ionizers.
Lanbeibei Portable Ozone Ionic Air Purifier
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ No Wiring Needed | ❌ No Filters for Dust |
| ✔️ Can be used outside of the car too | ❌ Needs to be recharged daily |
| ✔️ No Maintenance | |
| ✔️ 3 modes |
Specifications:
- Size: 4” Diameter
- Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- Air Purification Method: Emits Ozone/ Ions
If you need an air purifier you can take with you anywhere, the Lanbeiebi portable ozone ionic air purifier is a great choice. It is round and short with rubber bumps on the bottom to keep it from sliding, making it perfect for placing virtually anywhere. What makes this one of the best air purifiers for cigarette smoke removal for your car is the three modes. If there is no real strong odor, the ionic mode slowly emits ions that clear the air. Then if you need to kick it up a notch, the ozone mode cycles through 5 minutes of emitting ozone every 3 hours to freshen up the air. If you are smoking or need the smell of smoke to be gone, press the button again for the Ozone Strong Deodorization Mode to boost ozone emissions for 10 minutes with 5-minute breaks for 3 cycles. That should clear up any smell!
Luftrum Car Air Purifier with H13 True HEPA Filter
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cleans Dust out of Air | ❌ No Extra USB Port |
| ✔️ 6 Minutes to Clear Air | ❌ Pricier |
| ✔️ Replaceable Filter | |
| ✔️ 3 modes | |
| ✔️ Looks Great in Car |
Specifications:
- Size: 11” x 7.5”
- Power Source: USB
- Air Purification Method: HEPA Filter with Fan
If you really want clean air and are ready to spend a prettier penny on it, check out the Luftrum Cair Air Purifier with a True HEPA Filter set. It has a cloth cover which is much nicer than matte plastic, and an indicator to let you know how good the air quality is in the car already. The 4 sets of filters and the fan make for a great way to clean the air; all you have to do is be ready to change the filters every 60,000 hours of use – that is years of use! If you want something ozone free for your car, this is the best car air purifier.
Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cleans Dust out of Air | ❌ No Extra USB Port |
| ✔️ 12 hours of Run Time | ❌ A bit Noisy |
| ✔️ Replaceable Filter | |
| ✔️ 3 modes |
Specifications:
- Size: Fits in a Cup Holder
- Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- Air Purification Method: Active Carbon & HEPA Filter with Fan
This Pure Air Purifier for small rooms and cars is a great portable HEPA filter with a fan that has over 12 hours of run time. It uses a 3-speed fan that, unfortunately, can get quite loud, but you can always tell that the louder it is, the harder it is working. This is the best air purifier for taking with you from home to your car, to your office, and back. It is compact and looks just like a portable speaker. It also comes with a 2-year guarantee and easy-to-replace filters, so you can use this for a long time.
Westinghouse Battery Powered Air Purifier
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cleans Dust out of Air | ❌ No Extra USB Port |
| ✔️ 8 hours of Run Time | ❌ A bit Noisy |
| ✔️ Generates Oxygen |
Specifications:
- Size: 7” by 7”
- Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- Air Purification Method: NCCO & HEPA Filter with Fan
If you are worried about allergens and feel like you can’t breathe properly in your car, look no further than the Westinghouse Air Purifier. It is a heavier-duty air filter that uses both HEPA and NCCO reactors to filter even the smallest particulates in the air. It runs a bit loud on the active mode, but for the freshness, it is definitely worth it.
HoMedics TotalClean 4-in-1 Portable Air Purifier
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cleans Everything out of Air | ❌ No Extra USB Port |
| ✔️ Super Inexpensive | ❌ A bit Noisy |
| ❌ Need to replace filters monthly |
Specifications:
- Size: Fits in Cup Holder
- Power Source: Rechargeable Battery
- Air Purification Method: Prefilter, HEPA-like, Activated Carbon, UV-C
This best-seller does it all. It has a pre-filter to capture larger particles, then uses an active carbon filter combined with a UV-C light to kill off any pathogens then the air goes through a HEPA-like filter that catches finer particles. The benefit of having a UV-C light in the air purifier is that it keeps your filters clean by constantly sanitizing them.
Germ Guardian Portable Allergen Air Purifier
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Great for killing Germs | ❌ No Fan |
| ✔️ Includes Aroma Pad | ❌ Not made for dust |
Specifications:
- Size: Fits in Cup Holder
- Power Source: Rechargeable Battery
- Air Purification Method: Allergen Filter and UV-C
If dust isn’t an issue for you, the Germ Guardian is one of the best air purifiers for cars, the office, and on flights. It doesn’t make noise because it doesn’t have a fan, which means peace and quiet but it also isn’t moving as much air. It can turn off all of its lights during the night mode to not disturb you and also has a spot to put an aroma therapy paper so you can enjoy some fresh smells while your air is being cleaned. This offers a great combo for those who don’t want something too intrusive and want their car to smell much better.
FAQs
Is there a downside to air purifiers?
Other than using power, most air purifiers for cars do not have any negative side effects. There is no significant research pointing to any harmful issues caused by different types of air purifiers. The ones listed in our article are completely safe and pass international standards for safety. Sanitizing the air also means killing off good germs and bacteria in the air, so while you are removing pollen for your allergies, you may also be denying some indoor plants of helpful bacteria. But for the most part, this isn’t going to kill your plants or cause any major issues.
Should you run an air purifier all day?
Your best bet is to follow the instructions and guidelines that come with the product. More often than not, it will advise you to only use it for set hours at a time. You also have to consider how the air purifier for cars will clean the air. Some filters can withstand constant use while some need to be shut off to cool down or stay within warranty. Also, keep in mind how often you open your windows to let new “fresh” air in.
Do air purifiers work when windows are open?
Yes! They still purify the air, no matter how fast it moves in and out of the room. The question you should be asking is whether it is effective to run an air purifier when windows are open, and the answer is usually no. If you are trying to get rid of a particular odor in your car, then it will help, but if you like driving with the windows down, then running an air purifier in your car may not be the best idea.
Do air purifiers increase electric bills?
Most Air purifiers do not use any more electricity than standard appliances. The Ozone and ion-emitting air purifiers do use much more electricity than HEPA filters that just use a fan. You will not see a noticeable spike in your electricity use, especially if you just use it in the car.
Do air purifiers remove dust?
Air Purifiers with a filter to remove dust from the air. This is no replacement for dusting, unfortunately, but with a good filter, you should be able to minimize the amount of dust in the air. As long as you keep good control of dust being produced inside the room, that would be you, and outside air, if you live somewhere that is dusty.
What does HEPA mean?
High-Efficiency Particulate filters are able to remove 99.97% of airborne particles that enter it down to 0.3 microns in size. Some filters claim to be HEPA but do not meet industry standards, so it is important to see how much air particulate they are actually able to filter.
Please keep in mind that even the best air purifiers only get rid of odors. They don’t bring any new smells to your vehicles unless you bring in aroma therapy-scented products. Chances are you will not immediately notice changes as you are usually nose blind to familiar scents like your own car, but your passengers will greatly notice. So if you don’t know if you should get a car air purifier for yourself, get one for your passengers. They will thank you!
