Air Purifiers are the norm in most homes in Korea due to the wildly fluctuating air quality. Many Americans are following suit.
As New York City and the entire Northeast US experienced the worst air pollution in recent memory this week due to Canadian wildfires, air purifiers have become as essential as they are in Seoul. But many may be purchasing air purifiers for the first time and feel overwhelmed with the information available online.
Air quality has been top of mind for Koreans ever since Korea’s air quality started to suffer from a high concentration of fine dust and smog in the air in the 1990s and air purifiers have been perfected by Korean companies over time. I have had one in my home for years, and in fact, many Koreans consider air purifiers a necessary part of life. Here, we will introduce you to the top Korean air purifiers.
The air pollution from the smoke of wildfires is not new to Americans since the West Coast hosts a wildfire season every summer. However, this week has been extremely frightening for many East Coasters, who have never seen anything like the red haze that covered the whole NYC skyline. The NYC air quality index hit a shocking 484 this week, deep into the ‘Hazardous’ zone, which made the Big Apple the most polluted place on the planet.
But smoke from wildfires is not the only thing that pollutes the air. When this orange fog subsides, pollutants will still remain, albeit in a less dramatic form, as solid and liquid particles and certain gases from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, and mold spores! You may not see these more mundane irritants but you’ve probably felt their presence and a good air purifier will be a great tool for maintaining healthy air since air pollution is all around us twenty-four seven.
My mother only trusts the Korean air purifiers and has had the Coway Airmega 400 for years, relying on it to keep the air in her home fresh no matter how bad the air is outside her home in Las Vegas.
Here are our recommendations for the top Korean air purifiers: Quick Comparison
Our pick for the best Korean air purifier is Coway Airmega 400 True HEPA Air Purifier because it efficiently covers a huge amount of air space with very little noise. The price is also reasonable in light of all its great features.
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| Coway Airmega AP-1512HH | Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier | Coway Airmega 400 True HEPA Air Purifier | LG PuriCare Mini | LG AeroTower Air Purifying Fan | LG PuriCare 360-Degree Air Purifier | CUCKOO CAC-I0510FW Bundle | Cuckoo CAC-J1510FW 3-in-1 Air Purifier | Cuckoo CAC-D2020FW True | |
| Price | $193 | $339 | $508 | $153 | $550 | $1296 | $100 | $193 | $800 |
| Room Coverage |
361 ft² in 12.5 min or 874 ft² in 30 min | 930 ft² in 30 mins, 1,860 ft² in 60 mins | 1,560 ft² in 30 mins, 3,120 ft² in 60 mins | – | 818 ft² | 512 ft² | 726 ft² | 1,138 ft² | 2,844 ft² |
| Portable | NA | NA | NA | ✓ | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| True HEPA Filter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Quality Indicator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filter Alerts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filter Life Expectancy | 6 months | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 6 months | 6 months | Filter bundle last 1 yr | Filter bundle last 1 yr | Filter bundle last 1 yr |
| Noise Level | 24~53 dB | 22~52 dB | 22~52 dB | 30~48 dB | 23~53 dB | 25 dB | – | – | – |
| WiFi/App | NA | NA | NA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | NA | NA | NA |
1. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, $193
- [Coverage] Designed to clean spaces up to 361 sq. ft. in 12.5 minutes or up to 874 sq. ft. in 30 minutes. Timer: 1, 4, 8 hours
- [HyperCaptive Filtration System] A combination of a pre-filter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA Filter reduces 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles, including pollen and other allergens. It also reduces 99% of volatile organic compounds and odor.
- [Auto Mode] Constantly monitoring the air quality, the fan automatically adjusts to most effectively purify your space as needed providing a new level of cleaning in real-time.
- [Eco Mode] When the air quality in the room remains purified for 30 minutes or more in Eco Mode, the fan will turn off to conserve energy, kicking on again when pollution is detected.
- [3-Stage Manual Fan Speed] Control the fan with low, medium, and high settings.
- [Air Quality Indicator] Pollution sensor communicates indoor air quality in real-time. Brightly colored LED lights let you know how clean or dirty your indoor air is every minute of the day. You can turn off the light for sleeping.
- [Filter Alerts] The air filter indicator tells you when the filters need to be replaced, and the pre-filter needs to be cleaned for maximum efficiency, based on how much air they have processed.
- [Ultra Quiet] Ultra quiet operation with noise levels ranging from 24 dB to 53 dB.
- [Timer] Schedule the unit to purify 1, 4, or 8 hours of use and conserve energy.
- [Warranty] 3-year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
2. Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier, $339
- [Coverage] Designed to clean spaces up to 930 sq. ft. in 30 minutes.
- [HyperCaptive Filtration System] A combination of a pre-filter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA Filter reduces 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles, including pollen and other allergens. It also reduces 99% of volatile organic compounds and odor.
- [Air Quality Indicator] 24/7 pollution monitor air quality throughout the day, adjusting purification to the necessary level and saving energy when it’s not needed.
- [Rapid Mode] When air quality is in need of a boost, Rapid Mode is activated to circulate at maximum power until your air is clean.
- [Smart Mode] With its Smart Mode feature, the Airmega automatically adapts to its surroundings by adjusting fan speeds based on the room’s air quality. That means your unit is energy efficient without compromising effectiveness.
- [3-stage Manual Fan Speed] Control the fan with low, medium, and high settings.
- [Filter Alerts] The air filter indicator tells you when the filters need to be replaced and the prefilters need to be cleaned for maximum efficiency, based on how much air they have processed.
- [Timer] Schedule the unit to purify for 1, 4, or 8 hours of use and conserve energy.
- [Warranty] 3-year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
3. Coway Airmega 400 True HEPA Air Purifier with Smart Technology, $508
- [Coverage] Designed to clean spaces up to 1,560 sq. ft. in 30 minutes.
- [HyperCaptive Filtration System] Dynamic combination of a washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and Green True HEPA Filter effectively reduces 99.999% of 0.01-micron particles in the air, including pollen, pollutants, and other allergens; It also reduces 99% of volatile organic compounds and odor.
- [Smart Mode] With its Smart Mode feature, the Airmega automatically adapts to its surroundings by adjusting fan speeds based on the room’s air quality; That means your air purifier is energy efficient without compromising effectiveness.
- [Eco Mdoe] When the air quality in the room remains purified for 30 minutes or more in Eco Mode, the fan will turn off to conserve energy, kicking on again when pollution is detected.
- [Sleep Mode] When the Airmega’s built-in light and pollution sensors detect that the room has been dark and the air is clean for 3 minutes, Sleep Mode reduces the purifier’s noise and power consumption.
- [Filter Alerts] The air filter indicator tells you when the filters need to be replaced and the prefilters need to be cleaned for maximum efficiency, based on how much air they have processed.
- [Air Quality Indicator] A 24/7 pollution monitor detects air quality throughout the day, adjusting purification to the necessary level and saving energy when it’s not needed.
- [Timer] Schedule the unit to purify for 1, 4, or 8 hours of use and conserve energy.
- [Warranty] 5-year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
4. LG PuriCare Mini, $153
- Lightweight and Portable – At just 1.2 lbs including the battery, it’s as light as a water bottle (500ml) and easy to take along when you travel.
- Low Noise (30 dB in low mode) – Take it to the office, library, or any other quiet area without disturbing anyone around you.
- Battery for Up To 8 hours – Easily charge with a USB cable and use it freely anywhere, anytime.
- Cleaner Air – Certified by Intertek to filter 99% of 0.3-micron ultra-fine dust particles.
- BAF Certified – Offers performance backed by BAF (British Allergy Foundation) certification.
- Dual Inverter Motor – Creates faster, more powerful airflow and purification.
- Twin Tornado Dual Fan – Provides outstanding air flow that can fill a space with clean air farther, wider, and faster.
- PM 1.0 Sensor and Smart Indicator – Provides real-time detection of ultra-fine dust and displays the air condition using four colors.
- Easy Control – Easily operated with only two buttons on the top.
- Convenient Smart Control with the Bluetooth LG PuriCare Mini app.
5. LG AeroTower Air Purifying Fan, $550
- TRUE HEPA – The advanced True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of fine dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns. A deodorization filter that further reduces odor, harmful organic compounds, and main components of smog work as a pair with the HEPA filter to deliver cleaner air than any single-filter solution.
- LARGE COVERAGE AREA – Up to 818 sq. ft. coverage provides clean purified air circulation to a small or large room, office, or bedroom in your home.
- MULTI-DIRECTIONAL PURIFIED AIR FLOW – Choose from 10 fan speeds and 3 airflow options to customize your comfort: Direct airflow can be stationary or oscillating, diffused for indirect air circulation from the top of the unit, or wide to distribute the air in larger spaces.
- QUIET AS A WHISPER – The LG PuriCare AeroTower operates at whisper-quiet sound levels as low as 23db.
- PM 1.0 SMART SENSOR & SMART LCD INDICATOR DISPLAY – The PM 1.0 Sensor continuously monitors and detects contaminants one micron or smaller in diameter (≤ PM1.0). Air quality rating is displayed on the LCD display.
- AAFA CERTIFIED – LG is proud to offer asthma-allergy-friendly Certified PuriCare air purifiers that remove over 90% of airborne allergens.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOME COMFORT – Fan projects purified air to help cool you. Choose from 10 fan speeds, plus oscillation settings to bump up the air movement.
6. LG PuriCare 360-Degree Air Purifier with SmartThinQ Wi-Fi and Voice Control, $1296
- TRUE HEPA – The advanced True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of fine dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns. A deodorization filter that further reduces odor, harmful organic compounds, and main components of smog works as a pair with the HEPA filter to deliver cleaner air than any single-filter solution.
- Air purifier for improved indoor air quality and a fresher atmosphere
- A unique purification method promotes 360 degrees of clean air delivery, including areas low to the ground where infants and toddlers can reap the rewards.
- Effectively cleans the air of a large space in your home or office up to 512 sq. ft.
- The intelligent LED indicator system changes color as the room’s air quality improves.
- Captures 99.97%% of the microscopic particles that pass through the filters.
- AAFA CERTIFIED – offers asthma-allergy-friendly Certified PuriCare air purifiers that remove over 90% of airborne allergens.
7. CUCKOO CAC-I0510FW Bundle | 3-in-1 Air Purifier with Extra H13 True HEPA Filter, $100
- 3-IN-1 TRUE HEPA FILTER: Enjoy clean air as the pre-filter, H13 true HEPA air filter, and activated carbon filter remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles including pet dander, smoke, odor, dust, harmful gases and more.
- OPTIMAL CIRCULATION REACH: Reaching up to 227 sq. ft. and designed with small to mid-sized rooms in mind, it will work ideally in home offices, and small bedrooms.
- ADJUSTABLE FAN CONTROL: Along with the manual fan speeds, auto mode will detect the surrounding air quality and adjust the fan speed accordingly.
- SLEEP MODE: Enjoy a good night’s rest as sleep mode is designed to slow down the fan speed and dim the lights for a calm, quiet ambiance.
- SMART REPLACEMENTS: The filter change indicator will alert you exactly when your air purifier is in need of a filter replacement (about every 3-6 months with regular use).
8. Cuckoo CAC-J1510FW 3-in-1 Air Purifier with H13 True Hepa Filter, $193
- POWERFUL 3-1 TRUE HEPA FILTER AIR PURIFIER: Enjoy clean air as the pre-filter, H13 true HEPA air filter and activated carbon filter can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles including pet hair, smoke, odor, mold, dust, and harmful gases.
- UV LIGHT: Enhance the cleaning experience as the UV-C light helps with germs, bacteria, odors and more.
- GREAT CIRCULATION REACH: Reaching up to 726 sq. ft., this medium to large room air purifier serves as a great air cleaner for your living room, bedroom, home office, garage, and other similar-sized spaces.
- ADJUSTABLE FAN CONTROL: Along with the manual fan speeds, auto mode will adjust the fan speed according to air quality as sleep mode will slow it down and dim the lights for a calm and quiet air purifier.
- FILTER REPLACEMENT ALERT: The filter change indicator will alert you when your air purifier needs a filter replacement.
9. Cuckoo CAC-D2020FW True HEPA+ Filter (H14) Air Purifier with 360° AIR ABSORPTION, $800
- TRUE HEPA H14 FILTERS: Enjoy clean air as the pre-filter, H14 true HEPA air filter and activated carbon filter remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles including pet dander, smoke, odor, dust, and other harmful gases.
- LARGE COVERAGE: Built with large-sized rooms in mind, and up to 2,844 sq. ft. (1ACH) of coverage, this purifier will fit ideally in large bedrooms, living rooms, and garages.
- PORTABLE: With the provided removable wheels, you’ll be able to move the purifier from room to room with ease.
- AIR QUALITY SENSOR: Automatically monitors the surrounding air quality and indicates the quality through 6 different colors and an LED screen.
- 10 DIFFERENT MODES: From the intelligent and intuitive auto mode to the quiet sleep mode, the purification process can be customized to your own unique desires and needs.
- VOICE NAVIGATION: Available in English, Spanish, and Korean, it couldn’t be easier to make your and your family’s life cleaner and healthier.
