Buying guide
Shortlists built from the same scores used everywhere on the site.
Air Purifiers
Best overall
4 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments
4.5 (21 owner comments)
$269.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA Mode Bought mine in 2016 for $230, it's still going strong, and I just checked and it's *still* $”
Read review →Levoit Vital 200S
4.2 (3 owner comments)
$169.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I just bought a couple Levoit Vital 200S-P as recommended by HouseFresh YouTube channel.”
Read review →Winix 5500-2
4.1 (15 owner comments)
$219.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“coway 400s or even the winix 5500-2, the winix has a washable carbon screen plus actual pellets and the filters last about a year.”
Read review →
Coway Airmega 250
4.1 (7 owner comments)
$449.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“2 Airmega 250’s and 1 AP-1512 which is a smaller unit.”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
4 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations
4.5 (21 owner comments)
$269.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA Mode Bought mine in 2016 for $230, it's still going strong, and I just checked and it's *still* $”
Read review →
Coway Airmega 250
4.1 (7 owner comments)
$449.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“2 Airmega 250’s and 1 AP-1512 which is a smaller unit.”
Read review →
Coway Airmega 400
3.9 (11 owner comments)
$629.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I might be one of the few people on here who has both an IQAir (compact, no charcoal filter) and a Coway (Airmega 400).”
Read review →Winix 5500-2
4.1 (15 owner comments)
$219.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“coway 400s or even the winix 5500-2, the winix has a washable carbon screen plus actual pellets and the filters last about a year.”
Read review →Best budget (under $270)
4 shown · criteria: priced at or under $270 when checked, best score first
4.5 (21 owner comments)
$269.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA Mode Bought mine in 2016 for $230, it's still going strong, and I just checked and it's *still* $”
Read review →Levoit Vital 200S
4.2 (3 owner comments)
$169.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I just bought a couple Levoit Vital 200S-P as recommended by HouseFresh YouTube channel.”
Read review →Winix 5500-2
4.1 (15 owner comments)
$219.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“coway 400s or even the winix 5500-2, the winix has a washable carbon screen plus actual pellets and the filters last about a year.”
Read review →
Levoit Core 400S
3.9 (5 owner comments)
$189.97 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I’ve been using the Levoit Core 400S for a few months and it actually makes a noticeable difference, my room feels less dusty and my allergies are way”
Read review →Best air purifiers for wildfire smoke →
Best air purifiers for noise →
Best air purifiers for filter cost →
Respirators & Masks
Best overall
4 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments

Moldex 2200 N95
4.2 (8 owner comments)
Price varies
“I also recommend my go to mask, the Moldex M4620, which is one of the most breathable masks on the market and has a soft foam seal around the whole ed”
Read review →3.9 (28 owner comments)
$34.10 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“i don't have an underlying health condition but i do find the wires on 3m aura and vflex too stiff and prone to pointy, angular creases.”
Read review →3.9 (8 owner comments)
$59.12 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I have a GVS Ellipse P100 elastomeric, and it does alleviate symptoms from my mold allergies.”
Read review →3.4 (6 owner comments)
$73.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I really like my MSA Advantage 900 and it’s a little lower key than most industrial elastos due to the colors and low profile P100 filters.”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
4 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations

Moldex 2200 N95
4.2 (8 owner comments)
Price varies
“I also recommend my go to mask, the Moldex M4620, which is one of the most breathable masks on the market and has a soft foam seal around the whole ed”
Read review →3.9 (28 owner comments)
$34.10 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“i don't have an underlying health condition but i do find the wires on 3m aura and vflex too stiff and prone to pointy, angular creases.”
Read review →3.9 (8 owner comments)
$59.12 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I have a GVS Ellipse P100 elastomeric, and it does alleviate symptoms from my mold allergies.”
Read review →3.4 (6 owner comments)
$73.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I really like my MSA Advantage 900 and it’s a little lower key than most industrial elastos due to the colors and low profile P100 filters.”
Read review →Best budget (under $44)
3 shown · criteria: priced at or under $44 when checked, best score first
3.9 (28 owner comments)
$34.10 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“i don't have an underlying health condition but i do find the wires on 3m aura and vflex too stiff and prone to pointy, angular creases.”
Read review →3.8 (1 owner comments)
$24.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“3m 6200 is my go to for public transit.”
Read review →Envo Mask
2.3 (2 owner comments)
$44.00 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“1) [EnvoMask or Envo Pro](https://envomask.com/collections/respirators).”
Read review →Best respirators & masks for fit seal →
Best respirators & masks for comfort →
Best respirators & masks for glasses fog →
Box-Fan Filters & DIY Purifier Parts
Best overall
1 shown · criteria: highest overall owner score among models with 3+ owner comments
Filtrete 16x20x1 Air Filter
3.6 (3 owner comments)
$27.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I do something like this, except I simply taped a 20 x 20 x 1 Filtrete MPR 2800/MERV 14 filter to the back of a each of two of box fans.”
Read review →Most recommended on Reddit
3 shown · criteria: most owner recommendations
Filtrete 16x20x1 Air Filter
3.6 (3 owner comments)
$27.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I do something like this, except I simply taped a 20 x 20 x 1 Filtrete MPR 2800/MERV 14 filter to the back of a each of two of box fans.”
Read review →3.5 (1 owner comments)
$48.35 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I did not find this fan loud like the Lasko to begin with but as the filters got to one year the noise did start getting louder assuming it was having”
Read review →Air King Box Fan
2.8 (1 owner comments)
$68.74 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“That Air King moves a lot of air!”
Read review →Best budget (under $48)
2 shown · criteria: priced at or under $48 when checked, best score first
Filtrete 16x20x1 Air Filter
3.6 (3 owner comments)
$27.99 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I do something like this, except I simply taped a 20 x 20 x 1 Filtrete MPR 2800/MERV 14 filter to the back of a each of two of box fans.”
Read review →3.5 (1 owner comments)
$48.35 (price as of 2026-11-07)
“I did not find this fan loud like the Lasko to begin with but as the filters got to one year the noise did start getting louder assuming it was having”
Read review →CA Fire Supplies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
