Air Filters: What Do Consumer Reports Say?

Are you looking for the best air filter for your home? Consumer Reports (CR) has done the research for you and compiled a list of the top air filters on the market. From Amazon Basics to LivePure, there are a variety of options to choose from. Indoor air pollution can be five times higher than outdoor air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Portable air purifiers can help reduce this pollution by trapping dust, pet dander, pollen, and other harmful particles.

CR tests air filters to measure how well they remove dust, pollen, and smoke from the air. They also measure how freely air flows through the filter at any fan speed. Amazon Basics Merv 11 is one of the top-rated air filters according to CR. It is a great option if you are looking for an affordable filter that still does a good job of cleaning the air in your home.

The LivePure portable air purifier is another great choice if you are looking for a unit that can quickly clean the air in a room. However, it has high annual costs due to expensive filters and lacks a filter indicator, so you'll need to keep track of when it's time to change the main filter. The Ace model also has a charcoal filter that should help with pet odors, although CR does not test filters to reduce odor. No matter which model you choose, make sure to check out CR's full list of air filter ratings before making your purchase.