Good health is the key to success, especially during the college years. You need to be in good mental and physical health to perform well in your studies. In this regard, a fresh and healthy atmosphere in your dorm is the key ingredient. Scientifically, a fresh dorm room can help you focus on your studies and absorb more knowledge. Therefore, in this article, I will discuss the best air purifier options for dorms in 2021.
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Why do you need an air purifier in your dorm?
Dorm rooms are considered one of the best breeding grounds for mold and debris. Most dormitories have little to no ventilation and a shared bathroom. Moreover, you constantly have visitors like friends, mutual friends, and friends of friends. These visitors bring some microscopic friends as well which can cause severe health issues.
Similarly, dorms provide the perfect environment for germs, bacteria, and allergens due to the lack of proper ventilation. The enclosed space usually contains a higher moisture content than outdoor, especially in rooms with an attached washroom. You don’t have the time and energy to clean your dorm regularly. As a result, resident students require a machine that can clean the air in their room without disturbing their schedule. Therefore, an air purifier is the best investment that you can make to improve your living space and keep it clean.
Air quality in dorm rooms:
According to EPA, the air quality in college dorms and other enclosed spaces is as polluted as Petri bacterial dishes. Most dorms don’t have a regular cleanliness system, and the scheduled weekly cleaning is not thorough as well. Therefore, students are required to ensure cleanliness in their rooms themselves.
Most dorms are renovated every session, so students are exposed to paint fumes, VOCs, and CO. As time passes, the rooms become breeding grounds for molds, mycotoxins, dust mites, and other pollutants. The busy schedule, lack of sleep, and proper nutrition weaken the immune system of college students. In short, college students are more susceptible to airborne diseases than other people.
A little about us [How I and my team shortlisted these air purifiers]
These are the factors that are considered before shortlisting air purifiers for dorm room
Filtration media:
Their the ability to kill off 99.97 percent of bacteria and viruses and they must pass a 0.3-microns particle test, meaning particles smaller than 0.3 microns cannot pass through.
Efficiency:
we consider air purifiers based on their air-cleaning abilities by simulating three different rooms with various air pollutant levels.
Size:
Air purifiers under 18 by 18 inches, and most models we tested easily fit into a cabinet, desk drawer, or shelf. These dimensions are given by the seller on amazon.
Ease of use:
We look for models with a programmable timer, filters that can be cleaned or replaced, and washable pre-filters.
Testing facility:
we only shortlist air purifiers that are tested in a facility [By the manufacturer ]with controlled temperature and humidity similar to your home that’s how I and my team come up with a perfect list of air purifiers for you.
Which air purifier is best for small dorm rooms?
The market is full of different air purifier models. Every type of air purifier is suitable for a different environments. For instance, high-end large air purifiers are suitable for offices and commercial spaces. Similarly, the medium-ranged air purifier is suitable for home users with 3-5 people in the house. Usually, dorm rooms have a small area, and each room accommodates 2-3 students in one room. As students don’t have a hefty budget for such luxurious appliances, only standard or battery air purifiers are suitable for them.
The first thing you need to consider in an air purifier is why you need them. For example, dorms are full of dirt, dust mites, mold, and viruses. Therefore, you just need an air purifier that comes with a standard H-13 HEPA filter and an optional air sanitization ultraviolet bulb. Secondly, the coverage area plays an important role in your selection as well. College dorms are between 180 sq. ft to 300 sq. ft. So, any air purifier that provides such coverage is more than enough, i.e., you don’t need a high-end device with an expensive price tag.
Last but not least, the build quality of your air purifier determines whether it will last the whole four years or not. College dorms are busy places with constant visitors and indoor sports. Therefore, you need either a sturdy air purifier or a small air purifier that hides from plain sight. As a result, the device will resist the impact damage or won’t be visible for a direct hit.
Quick Picks
I have shortlisted the top 3 air purifiers for college hostels to help you out. Each of my selections is based on thorough research and some personal tests.
- Germ Guardian 4-in-1 Air purifier: Best powerful air purifier for small rooms.
- Airfree T800 Filterless Air Purifier: Dorm air purifier with zero maintenance cost
- LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home: Best budget air purifier for dorm rooms
Top 7 best air purifiers for dorm rooms
All the air purifiers in this list fulfill basic college dorm room requirements. So, feel free to choose any product without any second thoughts.
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Top Pick
|
Germ Guardian 4-in-1 Air purifier
|
Coverage: 167- 405 Sq. ft 4-in-1 device UV Light Sanitizer |
Check On Amazon |
 |
Mooka True HEPA Air Purifier
|
Coverage: 323 Sq. ft Odor Eliminator Touch panel |
Check On Amazon |
 |
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto
|
Coverage: 190 Sq. ft Combination filter HEPA-silent technology |
Check On Amazon |
 |
Airfree T800 Filterless Air Purifier
|
Filter-less technology Coverage: 180 Sq. ft Reduces indoor ozone |
Check On Amazon |
 |
Oransi Finn HEPA UV Air Purifier
|
Coverage: 400 Sq. ft Medical-grade HEPA Tower design |
Check On Amazon |
 |
LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home
|
Ozone-free Coverage: 130 Sq. ft Affordable price |
Check On Amazon |
 |
IQAir [Atem Desk Personal Air Purifier
|
Coverage: 150 Sq. ft Global innovation award winner (2015). Hyper-HEPA |
Check On Amazon |
1- Germ Guardian 4-in-1 Air purifier
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area: 167- 405 Sq. ft | Noise Level <40 dB | Weight: 10.1lbs | Dimensions: 8.74″ x 14.88″ x 21.46″
CADR
- Dust 114
- Pollen 127
- Smoke 108
The biggest concern of most students when buying an air purifier is the noise level. Usually, air purifiers are too noisy and get in the way of sleep, study, and leisure time. However, the GermGuardian 4-in-1 air purifier doesn’t go beyond 40 decibels even at the highest settings. Moreover, it is an easy-to-buy device that most students can afford from their pocket money.
This air purifier is designed to clear small to medium rooms without any problems. If you live in a shared dorm with two rooms, you can also share the air purifier. The large coverage area allows you to clear up to two small dorm bedrooms when placed in the lounge. Moreover, a single air filter replacement lasts for 6 to 8 months. So, the low maintenance cost is easy to manage, especially for students.
The air purifier combines the features that you can find in most high-end air purifiers with the price tag of an entry-level air purifier. For instance, it comes with a combined air filter that includes both an activated carbon filter and the HEPA filter in a single package. In short, the purifier is designed with the students in mind. The manufacturer understands you don’t have the time, energy, nor money to afford those expensive maintenance costs.
Filter replacement:
A single filter replacement lasts between 6 to 8 months, depending on the air quality and daily usage. However, the specified time period is only valid if you use the genuine GermGuardian Replacement filters from here.
2- Mooka True HEPA Air Purifier
Specifications overview:
Coverage area: 160-540 sq. ft | Noise Level: <28dB | Dimensions: 13.8×7.1×18.3 inches | Weight: 4.78lbs
Power Rating
- Sleep mode: 19W
- 36W-60W (Low-High)
CADR
- 177CFM
Budget air purifiers seem like a good option till you start to consider their design, features, and performance with high-end devices. So, what if you want an air purifier that benefits you without draining your pockets? You choose the Mooka True HEPA Air Purifier. Trust me, investing in this innovative device will be the best investment you ever made.
Starting off with the advanced filtration system of the Mooka air purifier. Premium air purifiers are effective because they combine mechanical filtration with electrical sanitization. The mechanical filters remove dust, debris, and other tiny solids from the air. At the same time, the electrical UV bulb produces anti-pollution anions that kill any remaining microorganisms from the air. Meeka air purifier has all these features along with many other improvements.
The smart air purifier adjusts according to the air quality and the coverage area of your room. For instance, if you live in a personal dorm room, the device will efficiently clear the air while saving you a lot of electricity bills. Similarly, if a homeowner buys this purifier, it will increase the filtration power to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all the members.
Filter replacement
The genuine Mooka replacement filters won’t bother you that often. You can change the air filter every 4 to 6 months unless a smoker lives in the house. The replacement filter for the Mooka air purifier can be purchased from here.
3- Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area: 190 Square Feet | Noise Level: 18-48 dB | Power: 2-10W | Dimensions 5 x 10 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 6.29 pounds
CADR
- 123CFM
BlueAir Pure 411 Auto air purifier is optimized for typical college dorm rooms and students. What do you want from a smart air purifier? Obviously, that it understands your routine and the environment to adjust its settings. Well, 411 auto air purifier is one of the most intelligent, self-efficient air purifiers in the market.
The auto mode is the crown jewel feature of the BlueAir Pure 411 auto air purifier. It comes with several useful sensors that make this device so efficient. For instance, the smart particle sensor can detect the room’s current air quality and compare it with the integrated table. Similarly, the automatic motor fully understands the messages sent by the particle sensor and acts accordingly. For instance, if the sensor detects high air pollution, the motor starts the fans at high speed to speed up the filtration process. Similarly, when the air conditions become normal in the room, the air purifier adjusts the fan’s speed and filtration to conserve energy.
This air purifier will certainly improve your living environment as well as the aesthetics of your dorm. The elegant design of this air purifier, along with the smart touch panel, will make you look smart and cool in front of your friends. You can even brag about how expensive this purifier was because surely this device is underpriced for such amazing features.
Filter replacement
Don’t worry about the hefty filter replacement costs because this device is as affordable in the long run as it is in the purchase cost. According to BlueAir, each filter replacement lasts for up to 6 months on 24 hours of daily usage. It means you can even extend the filter’s life by turning it off. In any case, the Genuine replacement filter for Pure 411 auto is available here.
4- Airfree T800 Filterless Air Purifier
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area 180 sq. ft. | Noise Level : Silent (0-20dB) | Weight 7lbs | Power: 42W | Dimensions 6 x 6 x 14 inches | Filtration Type : Thermodynamic TSS
No cadr available
Parents are the most concerned about their child’s health when he/she leaves for college. So, if you are a parent looking for the best air protection that you can buy, the AifFree T800 is certainly the best of its kind. It is a completely silent air purifier, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing the roommates or even the kid’s studies. Moreover, it uses no mechanical components, so the chances of wear and tear are minimum.
Most air purifiers use electronegatively charged ions to kill germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms from the air. This sounds fun till you start to look at the bigger picture. The anions are generated by converting oxygen into ozone which adds to global warming and isn’t safe for human health. Thermodynamics is the best option you have to keep the air fresh while protecting the environment.
It is based on the advanced TSS technology that heats the air up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. No harmful bacteria can survive this immense temperature. Moreover, don’t worry about the hot air as it is cooled before being released back to the room. You can also adjust the temperature of the output air according to the weather. It means you are buying a heater + air sanitizer for the child.
5- Oransi Finn HEPA UV Air Purifier
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area 400 sq. ft. | Noise Level 40-60 dB | Weight 10 Pounds | Dimensions 75 x 8.75 x 24 inches |Power: 60W
CADR
- 140CFM
Are you looking for the best home-like air purifier for your dorm? Look no further! The Oransi Finn air purifier has all the features that make you feel at home. This air purifier has all the features that you expect from a premium air purifier, and the price is well-justified. This air purifier is preferably suitable for a bachelor house with several students living in it. In short, if you and your 4-5 friends decide to get the best air protection in town, the Oransi Finn air purifier should be your best choice.
Being a college student myself, I understand the level of craziness that takes place in the house. Constant guests, parties, and weekend nights require a high level of air filtration without taking up much of your space. Therefore, the compact size and the tower shape of this air purifier are suitable for you. You can place it in any corner of the living room to cover every room with equality. Moreover, the device doesn’t produce any more noise than a human whisper that you can barely detect in all the fun at your house.
The filtration system of the Finn air purifier is based on advanced 3-stage filtration as used by the most robust air purifiers. The filtration starts with larger solid particles and pet hair being removed by the washable pre-filter. Next, the advanced H-13 HEPA filter removes dander, allergens, and tiny solid particles from the air. Then, the activated-carbon filter removes all kinds of odors and fumes from the air. FYI it also removes the smoke from the air for those chaotic situations when a family member pays you a visit. They won’t even detect a slightly inconvenient Smokey smell unless you are not good at hiding the good stuff.
Filter replacement
Each Orinasi Finn replacement filter lasts for a whole year on 8 hours daily usage. Moreover, you don’t have to keep track of time as the built-in filter replacement indicator will let you know when it is time. You can get the Genuine replacement filters for Orinasi Finn air purifiers from here.
6- LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area 130 sq. ft. | Noise Level 25-46 dB | Power: 37W | Dimensions 9 x 7.9 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 6.6
CADR
- Smoke 110
- Dust 110
- Pollen 110
No best air purifier review is complete without at least one Levoit product in it. The popularity and effectiveness of the brand can be judged from this fact. If you don’t want to experiment and just want a reliable air purifier, Levoit air purifiers have got your back. The device offers incomparable air protection with smart features and at an affordable price. A single Levoit air purifier doesn’t cost more than your weekly food expense and sometimes even less.
The product looks cute at first glance, but the power can only be understood after using it for a week. This air purifier has a powerful air filtration system, as accepted by several experts. In fact, doctors recommend using the air purifier for allergic infants because it doesn’t cause any harm to either the child or the environment. If you live with a dormmate, this air purifier is perfect for up to two people in a single room.
The average coverage area of 133 Sq. Ft in under 30 minutes is more than enough for any average dorm room. Moreover, you can use it as a portable air purifier when staying at a friend’s house to carry your air protection on the go. The advanced medicated HEPA filters used in this device remove 0.3-micron solids as well as 99.97% airborne viruses without producing ozone in the room.
Filter replacement:
You can use one replacement filter for up to 8 months with 12 hours of daily usage. Moreover, the replacement isn’t expensive as other air purifiers and offers double the protection and lifetime. You can get the genuine Levoit HEPA replacement filter from here.
7- IQAir [Atem Desk Personal Air Purifier for dorm room]
Specifications overview:
Coverage Area: 150 Sq. ft | Noise: 20-44 dB | Power: 1.5-3.4W | Dimensions 77 x 5.51 x 12.44 inches | Weight 26lbs
CADR:
- 39CFM
Do you want a personal air purifier for your dorm? IQAir Atem air purifier might just be the best choice for you. This compact but effective device is far more effective than other products of its category. This air purifier is powerful enough to fulfill all your personal air protection needs without costing a lot on your budget.
A wise man once said, “ Never judge a book by its cover.” Similarly, never judge an air purifier by its small size. This compact desk air purifier can do wonders that most other products only dream of. For instance, the advanced HEPA filter used in this device is far superior to ordinary HEPA. According to experts, a HEPA filter can catch 0.3-micron particles. IQAir takes it to the next level by catching up to 0.1 or 0.003-micron particles without using any extra filter.
Just so you know, the smallest airborne microorganism is 0.1 microns. So, no harm can reach you as long as you have this air purifier on your desk. Moreover, it also comes with WIFI compatibility, which means that you can control the various features of this air purifier using the smartphone application. It is available in three elegant colours to match your dorm’s colour scheme.
Filter replacement:
The replacement filter lasts well over one year with 12 hours of daily usage. Moreover, the smartphone app notifies you when it is time for a replacement filter. The Genuine HEPA replacement for the IQAir Atem series can be purchased from here.
Conclusion
The sanitary conditions of dorm rooms are not as clean as normal homes. Moreover, the budget of college students is far less than a family. Therefore, you need a powerful air purifier at an affordable price to ensure a fresh and breathable atmosphere in your dorm room. I hope you found the perfect air purifier for your dorm room on our list and good luck with the college. You can also check our detailed guide on choosing an air purifier.
FAQs
How much area coverage do I need for dorm room air purifiers?
An average dorm room has an area of 100-180 sq. ft. Any affordable air purifier that offers such coverage or more is suitable for you. Most air purifiers’ area coverage is above 250 sq. ft and that is not a bad thing if you get those. It will clean your dorm room faster than other air purifiers with lower area coverage
How often do I need to replace the filters of these air purifiers?
The replacement filters for the air purifiers for dorm rooms usually last for 6 to 8 months at 12 hours daily usage. Moreover, some air purifiers have filter replacement indicators (Light blinks ) that let you know as soon as it is time for a replacement. Many air purifiers come with permanent filters you can also go for those but they have some drawbacks.
How much does an air purifier for a dorm room cost?
The average price for air purifiers for a dorm room on our list is between 100-150 BUCKS. However, some products offer the same performance at an even lower price. You should check our list and explore the market before buying one.
Are air purifiers a waste of money?
No, not at all they do work there are many studies that point out that it is good to have an air purifier in your home and especially your office. You can read more about it by clicking HERE.
