Delhi-NCR faces another winter of hazardous air quality, with AQI levels surging beyond 999 as PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants make breathing difficult both indoors and outdoors. For residents effectively living inside a “gas bubble,” air purifiers have transitioned from luxury items to essential survival tools.
Air purifiers filter harmful outdoor pollutants while addressing indoor pollution, often considered even more damaging. Quality purifiers improve filtration against PM2.5, allergens, and toxic gases, providing relief for families, office workers, and anyone spending extended periods indoors.
Navigating the Crowded Market
With dozens of models flooding the market, selecting the appropriate air purifier can overwhelm buyers. Beyond flashy marketing claims, purchasers must focus on features genuinely impacting air quality, considering room size, filtration technology, and long-term maintenance costs.
7 Practical Selection Tips
1. Assess Room Size: Check coverage area requirements before purchasing. Bedrooms or study rooms (150-200 sq. ft.) need Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of at least 250 cubic metres per hour, while larger spaces require 400 or more.
2. Demand True HEPA Filtration: Non-negotiable at current pollution levels, True HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, smoke, and pollen. Experts recommend multi-layer setups combining HEPA with activated carbon layers for trapping nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds. Avoid “HEPA-like” marketing tricks.
3. Check Air Changes per Hour (ACH): This rating indicates how many times purifiers completely clean room air hourly. Standard households need 4-5 ACH, while homes with seniors, children, or respiratory patients should target 6-8 ACH during severe pollution days.
4. Calculate Maintenance Costs: Delhi’s conditions often clog filters within 3-6 months. Verify replacement filter costs, availability, and after-sales support before purchasing. Affordable initial prices can become expensive with costly, hard-to-source filters.
5. Prioritize Performance Over Smart Features: App controls, voice support, and real-time AQI displays offer convenience but remain secondary. Coverage area, filtration efficiency, and maintenance ease matter more than digital extras.
6. Consider Noise Levels: Purifiers running hours require quiet operation, preferably below 30 decibels in sleep mode for bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices.
7. Match Budget to Needs: Higher prices don’t guarantee better purification. Mid-range models with genuine HEPA and activated carbon filters perform excellently for small-to-medium rooms. Prioritize efficiency over premium branding.
