Should you buy or not buy a battery operated air purifier?
This depends on your needs. In another article, we looked at battery powered humidifiers. We saw their advantages and disadvantages.
In yet another article, we looked at the best battery operated dehumidifiers. We saw that at times, you do not need a plugged in unit, especially if you are just looking for a desktop kind of appliance.
Small, portable air purifiers can help you a lot when traveling. You can set it in your hotel room, switch it on and it will purify the air around you, in the room.
And some are actually wearable since they come in the necklace style. You can also attach them to the lapel of your jacket, clip them to your belt or shirt pocket.
As usual, choosing the best cordless air purifier among many can be challenging to first-time buyers.
To make it easier for you, here is a buyer’s guide, with the factors that you should consider before buying one.
Also read: Why is my dehumidifier blowing cold air?
Our recommendation: Westinghouse 1804
If you are in a hurry and you cannot read this post to the end right now, our recommendation for a cordless air purifier is the Westinghouse 1804. Check its price on amazon.com.
It is costly, but it comes with patented NCCO Technology. It removes almost all pollutants from the air. The unit also kills viruses, mold spores and bacteria instead of keeping them on the HEPA filters.
This nice unit also has a NCCO reactor where it destroys all odor, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other pollutants.
You can use the unit in a hotel room, in the plane, boat, in the car or as a battery operated desktop air purifier. The battery has a fairly long running time of up to 8 hours.
Read: Pure Enrichment Humidifier Review
Best Battery Operated Air Purifier: Buyer’s Guide
Because of their small size, many people are skeptical of the abilities of these mini air purifiers. However, if you use them for small spaces, they are effective. This is something that applies to the big air purifiers too. Space rating is very important.
Consider the factors below before buying one:
1. Purification method/technology
This is the main consideration when you are buying a small air purification appliance. They come with one of the three air cleaning technologies. They are as follows:
Ozone generating units
Some of the cordless air purifiers use ozone to destroy the air pollutants.
The purifier comes with an ozone generator, which uses the oxygen in the air to make ozone. Once it releases the ozone, it bonds with pollutant particles, chemicals and other molecules and destroys them.
Read: Do air purifiers affect humidity
Ion generating units
Some of the small battery air purifiers come with an ion generator. It releases negative ions into your indoor air.
These ions bond with dust, odor molecules, smoke and even chemicals, making them heavy so that they fall to the ground.
Ion generator air purifiers work really fast. Within minutes of turning it on, you will start enjoying clean air in your small space.
Filter units
It is possible to find mini air purifiers that come with a suction fan and a HEPA filter setup. They work in the same way that traditional air purifiers work. They suck in the air using the fans, pass it over the filters and remove the pollutants.
The clean air is then released back into the room. Just use the unit in the space it is rated for to maintain the ACH – air changes per hour.
2. Space rating
This one applies to air purifiers of all sizes. If the manufacturer says to use it in a space of 100 square feet, please do not exceed that.
Usually, these small air purifiers work in small spaces that do not exceed 20 square feet. Bigger air purifying units use the filter method.
Wearable units usually purify air within 2 or 3 feet radius.
3. The battery
Since a battery powers this small unit, it must have one that can enable it to run for hours. A lithium-ion battery works very well and it stores charge for a long time.
You can check the running time of the battery according to the manufacturer. Ensure you get a unit with a rechargeable battery that can run for about 10 hours on one charge.
If the battery runs out, can you use a power bank to charge it? Most of them allow this.
4. Ease of use
You want a unit that is so easy to use and control. Some small units require you to switch them on or off from where it is located.
Some also come with a remote controller so you can control their operation from a distance. You can also find out whether you can get a unit that you can control with a smartphone app.
Also read: Humidity and temperature relationship chart
5. Intended use
Where are you going to use the portable battery powered air purifier? If you intend to use it on the desktop, make it small enough so that it doesn’t occupy too much space.
For a small, wearable necklace purifier unit, it needs to be light in weight. You do not want extra weight on your body.
Best Battery Operated Air Purifier FAQ
If you are still doubtful that a battery operated HEPA purifier can help you, this section on the frequently asked questions might shed more light for you. It will also help if this is the first time you are hearing about these devices.
Do air purifiers run on batteries?
The battery powered air purifiers run on batteries. Some come with HEPA filters and some use negative ionization and Ozone generation to clean the air. On one charge, a good mini air purifier should run for at least 10 hours.
Are portable air purifiers good?
These are perfect for a person who travels a lot and has to sleep in hotel rooms. The small purifying units are also good for small spaces such as small office rooms, bathroom, attic, and kitchen. Just use the portable units for the space they are rated.
Are portable air purifiers a waste of money?
If you want to purify the air at home, avoid the small, portable air purifiers and go for bigger, plugged in units.
You can also contact a company to install a whole house unit for you. Small, rechargeable air purifiers are only good for very small spaces so they don’t help unless you are traveling and need one in your hotel room.
Are portable air purifiers worth it?
These units can help you a lot if you are traveling with allergies. You do not know the quality of the air at your destination.
Perhaps it is laden with dust mites, pollen or other pollutants that can cause an inflammation of your airways. In return, this can trigger asthmatic attacks. To avoid unnecessary anxiety, just pack one.
Best Battery Powered Air Purifier Reviews
Now that you have seen the factors to consider when buying these small units, you might not know where to get them. Here, we shall look at a few of them, say about three and the links so that you can order one easily.
1. AirTamer A302: portable battery powered air purifier
Are you looking for a portable air purifier unit that you can wear around your neck? Your search is over with the AirTamer A302.
It comes with a strap to wear around your neck. If you like, you can also clip it to your shirt pocket so that you can enjoy fresh, pure air on the go.
This is an ion generator small air purifier. Thus, you do not have to deal with changing or cleaning HEPA filters.
This small, lightweight unit generates ions and releases them into the air. They interact with the air pollutants, which get heavy and fall to the ground.
This is a very small unit, which is only able to cleanse the air around it, within a radius of 3 feet in any direction. Thus, you can only use it in a very small space or place it as close as 2.5 feet.
The purifier is sold with a nice travel case, so it stays protected all the time. Besides, it is so light at 0.11 pounds/50 grams. Thus, you can even pop it into your coat pocket and you will not feel the weight. The longest side measures 3 inches only!
Most people worry about battery power. In this case, the AirTamer A302 comes with two lithium coin cell batteries. They can give you a running time of 140 hours.
Finally, this unit also comes with what the manufacturer called the Power Boost Technology. They say that this offers 9 times more purifying power than most other purifiers within this price range.
2. InvinsiClean necklace air purifier
Hard on the heels of the AirTamer A302 comes the InvinsiClean necklace air purifier. You can wear it on your neck so that it purifies the air around you.
This purifier uses negative ions to bond with the pollutants in the air and then they become heavy and fall to the ground. However, this unit will not remove the odors from the air.
It can purify air within a radius of 2 feet in all directions. Thus, to enjoy the benefits of clean air, wear this on your neck. It comes with a strap designed for just that.
This unit comes with a rechargeable battery that can last up to 240 hours on a single charge. When the voltage is finished, you can recharge the battery with a USB cable. In fact, it comes with one.
Regarding the dimensions, the InvinsiClean unit measures 1.8 by 0.95 by 2.7 inches. It weighs 40 grams only. You will not feel the weight on your neck. You can also clip it on your belt, shirt or lapel, depending on your needs.
If you are wondering about the types of pollutants this purifier removes from the air, it removes mold spores, dust, pollen, smoke, and viruses.
Since there are no fans or moving parts in this small device, you can wear it onto your shirt pocket and it will not distract you during work.
CLICK TO CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
3. JEEMOO Car Air Purifier
Because of the small space in the car, you can use the JEEMOO car air purifier effectively and inhale clean air on transit to work, school or when taking a road trip. However, do remember to roll up the windows to keep the polluted air outside.
When you get to work, take your JEEMOO unit to your office and continue cleansing the air around your work desk.
Measuring 7.3 by 7.2 by 3.5 inches, this is not too bulky, but you definitely cannot carry it on your person. Thus, it qualifies to be a desktop or car air-purifying unit. You can always pack it into your bag when traveling. It weighs 230 grams, so it is not too heavy.
This unit can remove 99.97% of the pollutants from the air. These include pollen, smoke, pet dander, odors, and dust.
This filter-design unit comes with filters and a suction fan. However, the noise level is low enough so it won’t be distracting you as it is within the 20 to 30dB range.
The downside of this unit is that you have to clean the filters at least once weekly. You can check the user manual to see how to change the filters.
To charge this unit, it comes with a Type C cable for fast charging. You can plug it into your computer, power bank or in the car for charging.
On a full charge, the unit will run for up to 13 hours, which is quite good. You can use it during the day and charge it at night for the following day.
Depending on how polluted the air is, you can choose from the three purification modes. At high speed, the battery will last 4 hours, but the purification effect is incredible. At medium speed, the battery will last 7 hours and at low fan speed, it lasts 13 hours.
CLICK TO CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
4. Westinghouse 1804 Patented NCCO Technology Portable Air Purifier
This portable air-purifying unit is going to cost you a good amount of money. However, looking at the features, you will get good value for money. Keep reading to see some of these features.
First, this is a medical grade unit. It uses NCCO technology, since it comes with an NCCO reactor where it destroys VOCs including formaldehyde gas, odor and smoke.
It breaks down the pollutants using oxygen and then it converts them to water, carbon dioxide and molecules – all harmless.
For its efficiency, this unit has a 3-stage purification process. First, there is the Oxygen Generator for the step of pollutant removal.
It then passes through the True HEPA filter and finally, it goes through the NCCO reactor. This is how this portable battery powered air purifying unit removes 100 percent of the pollutants.
With 2 fan speeds, you can choose the rate at which it cleanses the air, depending on how polluted the air is.
Secondly, the dimensions of this battery-powered unit are very friendly. It measures 6.3 by 6.3 by 3.46 inches. It weighs 2 pounds/908 grams. This is a bit heavy, but it comes with a nicely stitched travel case with a zip and a strap.
Since the HEPA filters can also trap mold spores, viruses and bacteria, the unit kills them. Remember, most other purifiers trap these pollutants and keep them on the filters.
On a single charge, this unit can purify your air for 8 hours non-stop. It comes with its charging cable and if you forget to disconnect it after it is fully charged, it turns off the charging automatically.
CLICK TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON
Conclusion for Best Cordless Air Purifier
That is it for the best battery powered air purifiers available in the market today. These are only four of them, but there are many more on amazon.com.
It is best to define your needs properly before buying one. Do you need a wearable unit? If yes, find the lightest one in the market.
Do you need one that you can use on your desk, hotel room, aircraft or boat cabin? Get a bigger unit, with a long lasting battery.
