Portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers, remove indoor air pollutants. It’s important to keep indoor air healthy because pollutants can cause health effects like:
- Burning eyes, runny nose, headache, and coughing.
- Aggravation of existing heart and lung diseases, including asthma.
- Mental health concerns and psychological stress.
View the List of Portable Air Cleaners Meeting DOH Recommendations (PDF)
How Air Cleaners Work
Portable air cleaners that meet DOH recommendations use filters to remove pollutants. All recommended portable air cleaners have a main high efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter that removes dust, pollen, and smoke. Some air cleaners also have a pre-filter that removes large dust or a carbon filter that removes some gases. Pre-filters and carbon filters are optional, but all portable air cleaners that meet DOH recommendations have a HEPA filter.
Choosing a Portable Air Cleaner
There are a lot of choices when purchasing an air cleaner. Before purchasing, do some research and make sure it has:
- Filters only – avoid ionizer, ozone, or ultraviolet (UV) technologies
- A high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
- An effective clean air delivery rate (CADR) for your room size
- Low noise
These criteria can help you find a portable air cleaner that effectively cleans indoor air and doesn’t produce or release harmful byproducts.
Learn more about Choosing a Portable Air Cleaner.
List of Portable Air Cleaners Meeting DOH Recommendations
We have developed a list of portable air cleaners to help people and organizations choose the best portable air cleaner option. The portable air cleaners on this list have been reviewed by air quality experts and meet DOH health recommendations.
Be sure to consider an air cleaner with the appropriate CADR for your room size. The list also includes details like how loud an air cleaner is and how much replacement filters cost.
View the List of Portable Air Cleaners Meeting DOH Recommendations (PDF)
Note: The portable air cleaners included in the list are not endorsed or guaranteed by DOH. The list does not include every portable air cleaner meeting Washington DOH recommendations. This is a working document, last updated December 2025. Please check the manufacturer’s website for the most current information. DOH is not responsible for the performance, safety, or availability of any products listed.
Using a Portable Air Cleaner
After choosing a portable air cleaner, learn how to place, operate, and maintain it to effectively remove indoor air pollutants.
Learn more about Using a Portable Air Cleaner.
Other Ways to Improve Indoor Air
A portable air cleaner won’t remove all indoor air pollutants, so it’s important to remove sources of pollutants and open windows when the air quality outside is good.
- Avoid smoking or vaping indoors.
- Avoid or reduce the use of fragranced products, candles, or incense.
- Consider frying and broiling less often.
- Reduce the use of sprays, solvents, pesticides, and other volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting products.
- Clean regularly with damp microfiber cloths and a HEPA-filtering vacuum cleaner.
- Avoid harsh and fragranced cleaners.
- Use built-in ventilation like bathroom exhaust fans and whole-building ventilation. If you have a stove hood, always use it when cooking.
- Open windows and doors a few times a day. However, keep them closed if outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are at the “Moderate” Air Quality Index (AQI) category or higher.
- You can find current air quality information at AirNow.gov or during wildfire smoke events at the Washington Smoke Information webpage.
- Update your heating, ventilation, and cooling system (HVAC) filters to use the highest rated filter your system allows. Use at least MERV 13—a minimum efficiency reporting value of 13—to remove small particles.
- Fix water leaks, wipe up condensation, and manage indoor humidity to prevent mold.
- Install and check carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
- Test your home for radon.
Learn more about indoor air quality and healthy homes.