If you’ve already started using an air purifier at home, you know the positive impacts the improved air quality have had when you’re home, but what about when you’re back to the 9-5? As offices have started to open back up for hybrid or full in-person work, the average American can be back spending about one third of their days at work again, and why shouldn’t we be optimizing that space for our lives as well? We’ve done the hard work to find you the top office air purifier picks on the market.
Whether in a large or small space, this list the perfect place to find the air purifier that will reduce the amount of dust, allergens, bacteria, or viruses that may be floating around.
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Top Air Pollution Sources in Office Buildings
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are five sources for air pollution in office buildings:
- Furnishings
- Occupant activities
- Housekeeping practices
- Pesticide applications
- Microbial contamination
The EPA also states that a building’s ventilation system design, operation, and maintenance further contribute to the levels of indoor contaminants found in the workplace.
Unfortunately, most people don’t have any control over the indoor environment at work, unless they work in a home office. As a result, employees report a large number of health problems that are found to be associated with the air quality inside office buildings.
While not all illnesses are a result of poor air quality inside buildings, the World Health Organization experts have stated that up to 30% of new or remodeled buildings around the world may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality.
The most common reason, of course, is the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs as we mentioned previously in this air purifier guide.
And the common name for this condition is “Sick Building Syndrome.” The EPA gives a detailed list of the potential root causes of Sick Building Syndrome and the ill effects it has on workers.
As you can see, an air purifier is a great device to have at your workplace because it can eliminate a large number of airborne contaminants that may be making you feel sick or affect your mood and performance. Air purifiers also help with allergies, which is a top concern for some people, in addition to improving overall health.
Another thing you can consider is buying an air quality monitor. These units will detect and measure the various pollutants in the air and report the level of each substance. You can see our page on the best home air quality monitor available to learn more about these devices as well as get the top recommendations for a good unit for every budget.
What To Look For in an Air Purifier for Office Spaces
In a high traffic office full of people are equipment, there are so many different pollutants and contaminants that can be present. To keep the as fresh and clean as possible, you’ll want an air purifier that has at least these two filters:
- True HEPA Filter
- Activated Carbon Filter
True HEPA Filter
The True HEPA Filter is crucial in the best office air purifier because it’s the only type of air filter that can trap 99.97% of microscopic particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This includes common office pollutants like dust, allergens, mold spores, bacteria, PM2.5 (from automobile and factory exhaust smoke), etc. Therefore, the best air cleaner for allergies on the market will always have a True HEPA filter.
A True HEPA filter is the only kind that has been certified to capture the ultrafine pollutants that do the most harm to your health and are what many experts consider as the baseline when considering are air purifiers effective or not. Air purifiers that use words like “HEPA”, “HEPA-type”, or “HEPA-like” are less efficient than a True HEPA filter.
Activated Carbon Filter
The Activated Carbon Filter is another must-have feature in the best air purifier for office buildings because it grabs the particles that a True HEPA filter misses. In an office, there are lots of contributing factors to what are called “Volatile Organic Compounds” or “VOCs”.
VOCs are invisible gases and chemical vapors that are emitted by cleaning agents, office equipment, like printers and fax machines, and the building materials that make up the workplace, such as carpeting, paint, drywall, etc. VOCs can “off-gas” from these products for years.
An Activated Carbon filter can trap VOCs that even True HEPA filters can’t by design. Not only does this help with the odors associated with these sources, but capturing VOCs will prevent both the short term negative side effects, which can include ear, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea, and the risks associated with long-term exposure like liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.
How to Find the Right Size Office Air Purifier
The simple way to figure out how big of an air purifier do I need a workspace is to just follow this rule of thumb:
- Try to meet or exceed the square footage of your office area. Square footage (sq. ft.) is equal to the length x width of the room.
For example, a 40′ x 38′ office space would = 1,520 sq. ft.
And a 10′ x 10′ cubicle would = 100 sq. ft.
Our Top Office Air Purifier Picks
1.VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series (Top Air Purifier for Personal Offices)
Covers 325 sq. ft.
Perfect for the home office or personal office, this delivers powerful HEPA filtration in a sleek, compact design. This air purifier features a premium HEPA filter and an activated carbon pre-filter to remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Three different settings allow you to lower the purifier’s fan down to a quieter level – which makes it perfect, discreet companion and won’t disturb your meetings.
It includes a 2-stage air purification system that has:
- Activated Carbon Pre-Filter: To capture the largest particles, odors, gases and chemicals and extend the life of the other filters.
- True HEPA Filter: For trapping 99.97% of office pollutants down to 0.3 microns in size.
This model doesn’t produce any ozone and is also ETL Certified with an automatic shut-off safety feature that turns the unit off when the front panel is removed.
Between having a filter that can last up to a year before needing to be changed and the extremely affordable price point, it’s no wonder the VEVA 8000 remains the internet’s favorite air purifier.
2. IQAir HealthPro Plus (Best Office Air Purifier for Large Work Areas)
Covers 1,125 sq. ft.
The best air purifier you can buy for larger coworking areas is this highly popular model right here.
The HyperHEPA filter that this unit includes can capture 99.95% of ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns.
That’s 100X smaller than the average HEPA air purifying machine.
A separate V5-Cell Gas and Odor Filter is included that extracts airborne chemical pollutants that come from office equipment and indoor building materials.
The filter is made with 5 lbs. of granulated activated carbon and impregnated alumina.
Another major benefit of this machine is that it’s a very cost-effective solution.
The HyperHEPA filter lasts up to 4 years and the V5-Cell Gas and Odor Filter lasts up to 2 years.
3. Rabbit Air MinusA2 (Best Air Purifier for Average Size Offices)
Covers up to 815 sq. ft.
If you’re looking for a high quality air purifier for an average size shared space, this product will meet all of your needs and more.
What makes this the top air purifier for office community areas is that it includes a 6-stage air purification process that creates the cleanest, freshest air possible:
- Pre-filter: Captures the largest particles and prolongs the life of the other internal filters.
- Medium Filter: Removes large allergens and dust particles from the air.
- BioGS HEPA Filter: This is an extra-long life version of a True HEPA Filter that strips 99.97% of allergens, dust, pollen, and mold particles down to 0.3 microns. It also lasts up to 3 years.
- Activated Carbon Filter: For reducing office odors and chemical vapors that come from equipment and building materials.
- Customized Filter: This is really where this air purifier shines. It allows you to customize the product to suit your specific office needs. Choose between an Enhanced Germ Defense, Toxin Absorption, Pet Allergies, or Odor Elimination filter.
- Ion Generator: This technology creates an ionic field to further neutralize airborne contaminants without producing any harmful side effects.
Another benefit that makes this air purifier an excellent choice for any workspace is that it can be wall mounted and has a Wi-Fi- option.
Plus, it offers a variety of front panel colors and designs to match your current office style.
4. AIRMEGA 400S Air Purifier (Best for Extra-Large Office Spaces)
Covers 1,560 sq. ft.
If you’re looking for the largest and best air purifier for office spaces, this is going to be your top choice.
Not only does it offer the widest coverage available on our list, but it also has two features that make it excellent for office environments:
- Wi-Fi Smart App Control
- Max2 Combination Air Filter
With the Wi-Fi smart app, you can control every aspect of this air purifier from a mobile device.
You can also track the indoor air quality levels and get real-time alerts to your phone.
The Max2 air filter combines a True HEPA filter with an Activated Carbon filter into one single cartridge.
This makes filter replacement quick and easy to do, which is crucial in a fast-paced workplace. There are no difficult instructions to follow or multiple filters to hunt down and buy.
Finally, this air purifier captures 99.97% of office contaminants as small as 0.3 microns as well as 99% of volatile organic compounds and gaseous fumes such as NH3 and CH3CHO.
For an extra-large office space, this air purifier is hard to beat for both air filtration and convenience.
5. Molekule Air (Only Office Air Purifier with Particle-Destroying Power)
Covers 600 square feet
Molekule has a strong reputation for being one of the only air purifiers that can destroy particles at the molecular level.
Instead of just trapping pollutants in a filter as other air purifiers do, this unit actually destroys organic matter so it doesn’t exist anymore.
So if you want an air purifier for the office that can eliminate all traces of contaminants that pass through the system, then you’ll want to invest in this unit.
It’s unlike any other air purifier reviewed on this list because it uses advanced PECO filtration technology that is patented by the brand for only Molekule’s use to:
- Destroy allergens, mold, bacteria, and viruses so you have the cleanest, healthiest air to breathe.
- Eliminate pollutants that are 1,000 times smaller than standard HEPA filters.
This air purifier also offers the convenience of Wi-Fi control by syncing up with your iPhone or Android device.
A touch screen display on the top of the unit is also available if you want to make adjustments to the fan speeds and automatic modes of the air purifier when you’re standing right next to it.
- A smaller Molekule Air Mini is also available to cover up to 250 sq. ft. if you don’t need as powerful of a unit.
6. SilverOnyx Air Purifier (Top Office Air Purifier with Germ-Killing Technology)
Covers 500 sq. ft.
Do you have your own office?
And want an affordable office air purifier that works well for your own personal area?
If so, this model may be the perfect match for you.
What makes it so great is that it creates the healthiest air possible by not only removing harmful airborne contaminants but also destroying microorganisms that can make you sick with a 5-stage air filtration system.
- The True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns.
- The Activated Carbon filter cuts down on office odors and chemical gases.
- The Ultraviolet light is where this unit really shines. The UV-C technology in this air purifier sterilizes every bit of air that passes through the system. All pathogens and bacteria that flow through the unit are zapped and rendered harmless to your health.
- The Ionizer helps to boost the air cleaning power even more by electrically charging particles so they’re easier to catch inside the filters.
Another bonus about this air purifier is that the filter set comes in a cylindrical design that allows the unit to draw air in from 360-degrees.
This design improves air cleaning efficiency by 60% compared to flat filters.
Overall, this unit can make the around you in your office is healthier to breathe and less polluted with microorganisms that can make you sick.
View Online7. Medify MA-40 (Quietest Air Purifier for Conference Rooms)
Covers 840 sq. ft.
This newer brand of air purifiers has become very popular around the office.
And for good reasons too.
It uses a 4-stage air filtration system with one of the highest-grade HEPA filters available.
So it can remove airborne pollutants of all types to make your workplace a much healthier environment.
The 4-stage Air Filtration system includes:
-
Pre-filter: For trapping the largest particles.
-
Medical Grade H13 HEPA Filter: A higher grade filter than a standard True HEPA filter. It captures 99.95% of microscopic allergens, dust, bacteria, and mold spores down to 0.1 microns in size.
-
Activated Carbon Filter: Reduces odors and airborne chemicals that are commonly found in office spaces.
-
Ionizer: Produces negative ions to improve the efficiency of the internal air filters and revitalizes the air.
This air purifier is excellent for large areas and can keep your workplace air fresh and clean to breathe.
Two additional features that are worth pointing out are the 8-hour Timer and Safety Lock.
The timer lets you set the air purifier to automatically turn off after 0-8 hours if you don’t want it running after the workday is over. And the safety lock disables the control panel buttons so that the settings can’t be changed.
It’s also one of the only air purifiers with a Tempered Glass Panel so you never have to worry about it getting scratched like other plastic models.
8. GermGuradian AC4825 Air Purifier (Best Air Purifier for Office Cubicles)
Covers 167 sq. ft.
Our final recommendation for a workplace air purifier is one that meets the needs of people who work in a cubicle or a small home office.
There are literally hundreds of air purifiers that can meet the size requirements for those locations, but not all of them have the advanced capabilities of this machine right here.
This air purifier is a great choice because it contains all of the top features we’ve pointed out on this page:
- True HEPA Filter
- Activated Carbon Filter
- Ultraviolet Light
As the name suggests, this air purifier is a pure “germ guardian”.
It has everything you need to protect yourself from indoor germs and pollutants that invade office spaces.
And it’s quite cheap too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get an air purifier for my office?
You should get an air purifier for your office. Cleaning the air in your workspace is good for your health and research shows that it can even boost your productivity. To get the most from an air purifier in your office, it should include a HEPA filter, Activated Carbon filter, and UV light.
How many air purifiers do I need for an office?
The number of air purifiers you need depends on how many rooms your office has. That said, the general rule of thumb is to have one air purifier per room. That’s because air purifiers can’t work through walls.
If your office has a very large open area with lots of cubicles or desks, then you can quite possibly get away with buying just one air purifier. As long as the air purifier you choose can cover the square footage size of the space, then it should be fine for that location.
However, if your office is divided up into individual rooms that have their own doors, then it’s best to put a separate air purifier in each of those areas. Doing this will allow each person in your work environment to have their own personal bubble of clean, fresh air to breathe.
Where should an air purifier be placed in an office?
The best placement for an air purifier in an office is to get as close to the central point of the room as possible. This will allow the air purifier to draw air in equally from the full volume of space.
You also want to give your air purifier enough clearance around the machine to function well. The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 inches of clearance on all sides and the top of the machine.
Do air purifiers remove dust?
Yes, air purifiers do remove office dust if they contain a True HEPA filter. Air purifiers also get rid of dust mites and their waste which can help with with indoor allergies while you’re at work.
Will an an air purifier remove odors?
Yes, an air purifier will reduce odors if it has an Activated Carbon filter. An Activated Carbon filter is the only type of air filter that can reduce airborne odors.
Do air purifiers work in cubicles?
Yes, air purifiers work in cubicles. The key is to keep the air purifier as close as possible to you and on the tabletop level of your cubicle. Don’t put it under your desk or on the outside wall of your cubicle.
Are air purifiers good for allergies?
Yes, air purifiers are good for allergies as long as they use a high-quality True HEPA filter. This special filter can extract 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns in size.
Do air purifiers harm office plants?
No, air purifiers do not harm office plants. In fact, air purifiers and plants can work well together to create the healthiest air possible in your workplace.
Bottom Line
Our goal with this guide is to provide you with reviews on the best air purifier for office spaces and the truth is that the top machine is one that suits your individual needs. Fortunately, you now have the knowledge on the most important features to compare that will help you pick the best air purifier for a office spaces.
