With air quality being a key pain point for many households worldwide, it’s only normal that whispers about air purifiers get louder and more confusing.
From “they only work for allergies” to “they can eliminate germs,” myths about devices are as plentiful as the dust they clean. Or claim to clean?
Well, let’s clean the air and “mythbust” some of the claims about air purifiers so you can safely pick the device for your own needs.
Myth 1: Air Purifiers are a Substitute For Proper Ventilation
If you think you don’t have to ventilate your home if you have an air purifier… think again.
Air purifiers are designed to filter the air within a space, but they do not replace the need for good ventilation.
Proper airflow, such as opening windows or using exhaust fans, is important to reduce indoor pollutants, control humidity, and promote overall health.
Air purifiers can complement ventilation by improving air quality, but they should not be seen as a replacement for fresh air exchange.
Of course, if the outdoor air quality is low, it’s better to keep your windows shut and rely on an air purifier until the situation clears up—both literally and figuratively.
Myth 2: HEPA Filters Are the Best For All Situations
Yes, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are great for most situations. But not all.
HEPA filters are excellent for capturing small particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander, but they don’t remove gasses, odors, or chemicals.
If you have concerns about VOCs, smoke, or fumes, you’ll need an air purifier with an additional activated carbon filter or a purifier with other specialized filtration technologies.
Myth 3: Air Purifiers Work Instantly
Many believe that air purifiers will quickly improve your air quality the moment they’re turned on.
However, air purifiers often take time to significantly reduce particle concentrations in the air—especially if you consider the room size, purifier type, and level of pollutants.
And while some purifiers can clean smaller uncontaminated rooms instantly, you shouldn’t expect a magic wand in a larger, polluted space.
Myth 4: One Air Purifier Is Enough For a Home
Air purifiers are designed for specific room sizes, and most are only effective in the area they're placed in.
To clean the air in multiple rooms, you'd need multiple units or a system designed for larger areas, like a whole-house air purifier.
Air purifiers are most effective in smaller, contained spaces like bedrooms or living rooms. College dorm rooms can have poor air quality and are often just the right size for a typical air purifier.
Myth 5: All Air Purifiers Eliminate All Types Of Air Pollution
While all air purifiers are excellent at removing particulate matter—like dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke particles—they may not be effective against gasses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or certain chemicals.
That is, unless they specifically have a carbon filter or other specialized technology.
Also, not all models are effective at capturing microorganisms like bacteria or mold unless they have high-efficiency HEPA filters and are used properly.
Before you decide to get an air purifier, make sure you do a thorough background check to see whether your air purifier is equipped with features to get rid of all these contaminants.
Myth 6: Air Purifiers are Noisy and Expensive to Maintain
Are air purifiers noisy? They can be. Especially if they’re older, or lower quality.
However, many modern models—such as Rabbit Air’s Minus A2 purifier—are designed to be quiet. Especially if they contain energy-efficient motors and adjustable multi-speed settings.
Also, it’s a common myth that it’s expensive to maintain a purifier. Yes, filter replacements do incur a cost, but they are generally not as expensive as many people think—and the frequency of replacement can vary based on factors such as model or usage.
Overall, we recommend getting a Filter Replacement Kit once every year, which is the highest maintenance cost. Still, it’s pretty affordable for most households and it will keep you safe from odor, germs, dust mites, pet danders, allergens, and more.
Myth 7: All HEPA Filters Are the Same
Not all HEPA filters are the same—nor do all companies that sell “HEPA” filters meet the required standards.
There is a misconception that all products labeled as HEPA filters perform equally. In fact, true HEPA filters must meet specific efficiency standards (99.95% for particles 0.3 microns and larger).
However, you might see many products that label themselves as “HEPA” but use “HEPA-like” filters that don’t quite meet these standards.
Therefore, it’s best to do your due diligence before investing in one.
Myth 8: Air Purifiers Dry Out the Air
One common myth is that air purifiers lower humidity or dry out the air.
This makes sense considering that air conditioners—commonly mixed with air purifiers—used to do this for decades in households.
However, air purifiers are designed differently. They only filter pollutants and do not affect moisture levels in the environment. So they do not dry out the air or make it more humid.
If you’re concerned about dry air, adding some indoor plants to your home can help. Plus, indoor plants can be great for air quality as well.
Purifier Mythbusting
Yes, air purifiers are powerful tools for improving indoor air quality. But it's important to separate fact from fiction.
By understanding their capabilities and limitations, you can choose the right purifier for your needs—ensuring cleaner, healthier air without falling for common myths.
And as always, we at Rabbit Air are here to help!
