Many people use air purifiers to help improve their indoor air quality.

The question is, where's the best place to put your air purifier?

There are a few different options that work well for many people, but there are also some things to consider when deciding on the best location for your device.

But where to start?

Let’s look at some things to consider getting the best placement for your air purifier...

Which Area of Your Home Has the Dirtiest Air?

The first thing you should do is figure out which area in your home has the dirtiest air.

This will give you a better idea of where to put the air purifier because certain areas may need more work than others, and have higher concentrations of particles that are harmful.

If this doesn't seem like something you want to tackle on your own, there are tools for measuring indoor air quality that can help make locating these high-traffic or stagnant zones easier.

In my experience...

They usually provide information about how many particulates (e.g., dust, pollen) are found in different rooms throughout the house, as well as advice on what might cause them.

This provides insight into remedies, such as vacuuming or installing an HVAC¹ cleaning service from an expert company.

How Much Airflow Is There?

Another point to consider is the airflow in different parts of your house.

If you have a lot of open space with no objects, then it might be easier for an air purifier to clean up more particles than if they were placed near furniture or walls, which restricts how far they can disperse.

The size and shape of your home also come into play here because what may work well in one area could impede on other areas without enough circulation–though this is typically determined by preference.

To make a point

There should always be some sort of gap between the appliance and whatever surface it’s touching.

This is so that items such as dust don’t build up inside the device over time from lack of movement (which will make cleaning required less often).

Read more: Air Purifier Reviews

How High off the Ground Will It Be?

Since air purifiers work using a fan, the higher off the ground they are, the more particles they'll pick up.

If you have high ceilings or walls that reach above eight feet in height, this is an advantage to keep in mind because it usually means less of a chance for dust and allergens from outside to build up inside your home.

It’s also important to consider how much sunlight there is–as some devices may not operate at their maximum capacity if exposed too long.

Will It Be Near Open Doors or Windows?

Another common mistake that people make is putting the air purifier near an open window.

The purifier will need to work overtime to clean all the air as it comes into the house.

Instead, you’ll get the best results by closing the window, which will allow the purifier to work through all the air in the room, removing impurities.

If your air purifier will be near an open door or window, you’ll want to make sure that the appliance can be protected from outside elements such as powerful gusts.

In other words...

This can happen if a powerful wind blows in through these openings and damages the fan blade on the inside, which could lead to it not working properly ever again–this would require purchasing a whole new one.

On sunny days when people open their windows more often, those with UV-blocking screens should re-evaluate where any indoor appliances such as an HVAC filter might be located so that these items don’t become damaged.

What Electronics Are Nearby?

Some of the newer models have smart technology that can be controlled from your computer or phone.

It might seem tempting to place these near electronics such as televisions, computers, etc., but this isn't advised for anyone who has sensitivities, including those with allergies or asthma.

Honestly

This is because some of these machines emit electromagnetic fields² which could affect sensitive people in different ways depending on their condition (i.e., certain individuals may experience an increased heart rate while others will experience an increase in brain activity).

Meaning that if you’re one of those folks who want to use the machine close by where there are plenty of other items like gaming consoles, then check how much energy will be emitted before purchasing one.

Avoid Areas That Have a Lot of Moisture

You might also want to consider the room’s amount of moisture or humidity³.

Sometimes, you might have a humidifier in the room to stop your skin from drying out.

While you won’t need to turn it off, put the air purifier on the other side of the room.

This is especially important if you have a purifier that relies on filters.

Trapping in the moisture can often reduce the lifespan of the filters, so you’ll need to change them more frequently.

Can this really be true?

Sometimes, this might also affect the electronics on the device, reducing the overall lifespan.

It can cause particles such as smoke and dust from outside sources to stick more easily.

This makes it harder for your machine to clean up.

To avoid this problem altogether, ensure ample airflow by placing the appliance on an elevated surface where it won’t be near anything else (like furniture) so that these items don’t get stuck together over time inside its vents.

Avoid Putting Your Air Purifier in a Corner

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is putting their air purifiers into a corner.

These units are often designed to have some space around the side of them.

This gives them the area they need to suck in the air and clean it properly.

Don’t forget

In most cases, you’ll need to leave at least 30 inches on all sides of the device.

You also want to avoid placing the purifier in an area where the top of the device will be boxed in, because this can also impede airflow, making it harder for the device to function properly. 

To get better airflow, you’ll need to raise the device off the ground.

As a result, it’s often best to place the air purifier on a table or bench.

When you do this, you’ll need to make sure that the face of the air purifier is facing toward the center of the room.

Consider the Coverage

One of the most important aspects to look at when deciding where to put the air purifier is the amount of coverage that you’ll be able to get.

In most cases, you’ll be able to find this information in the product specifications.

The coverage area should be roughly equal to the size of the room where you want to place the purifier in.

Here’s the secret                  

It’s usually OK if the room is a little bigger than the coverage area listed in the product specifications.

Because of this, you’ll often need to have multiple air purifiers, one for each room of the house.

If this is too expensive, you can get one and take it with you from room to room.

Alternatively, you can get a larger system that’ll purify the entire house.

The Type of Air Purifier

Another aspect to consider is the type of air purifier you have.

How the device operates can often influence the best place to put it.

To help you with this aspect, let’s inspect some of the most popular types of purifiers on the market and how they work:

Ionizers & Ozone

These machines produce molecules, which they release into the room.

These substances will attract allergens and pollutants.

As they do, the molecule will sink to the floor, removing the pollutant from the atmosphere.

Filtered Air Purifiers

There are many types of these in the market.

For example, get one that relies on a HEPA filter⁴, or a model that uses a carbon filter.

These devices work by sucking air into the device, and any pollutants will then get trapped in the purifier.

UV Air Purifier

These also suck air into the device.

However, instead of trapping them in a filter, the machine will zap them with a UV light.

This will kill any bacteria that might have been growing in the air.

Sometimes, they might also have a filter to catch any dirt and dead bacteria.

Here's the truth...

The right type of filter for you will depend on what you want to use it for.

For example, some people might not like ozone purifiers, because they can make it harder to breathe, particularly if you have a condition like asthma.

Some people might not enjoy having to change the filters frequently.

If you’re struggling to narrow down your options, use this home purifier for the smoke-buying guide.

Think About Where You’ll Be

Another important consideration is where you’ll be.

Ideally, you want to put the purifier close to you as this will ensure that the air you’ll be breathing will be clean.

For example, in the bedroom, you want to put the purifier near the bed.

Alternatively, if you have a home office, you can put the device next to your desk.

Do You Have to Keep Your Air Purifier in One Place?

It’s important to keep in mind that air purifiers should be placed where they’re easiest for you to access.

Not only will this make the device easier to clean over time, but it can also ensure that it remains free from any dust or debris which might have accumulated inside while not being used.

This means always evaluating what makes sense for your needs, like a high shelf above appliances so as not to block their intake and prevent areas with lots of activity (such as small children) from potentially knocking down an appliance onto themselves if left on the floor unattended.

Turn It off When Not in Use

Finally, make sure that you’re turning the device off when it’s not in use.

This can be a great way to reduce how often you’ll need to replace the filter, and it'll also reduce the amount that you’ll be paying on your power bill.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

You may wonder if there's a best place to put your air purifier.

The answer will depend on what you’re looking for and the layout of your home, but typically it should go into an area with high traffic or where people spend most of their time indoors, like bedrooms or living rooms.

If you have over one floor, then putting it near the top of a staircase can also help circulate clean air throughout all levels of your home.

Getting an air purifier can be a great way to protect your health, removing bacteria and allergens from your home.

To make sure that your device is as effective as possible, you’ll need to make sure it’s positioned properly.

So, use these tips to find the perfect place for your air purifier in your home.

Keen to learn more? Give our air purifier guides a read.