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Working out in a home gym can be a great way to save time and money, but it’s important to make sure the air is clean before hitting the gym.
In over seven months of testing and trying out 9 of the most popular air purifiers on the market, we found that the Blue Air 211+ Air Purifier performs best for home gyms.
We recorded air quality levels, HEPA filter efficiency, levels of air pollutants post-purification, need for replacement filters, odor elimination, etc., as well as a number of other indicators.
While the 211+ Air Purifier emerged as the best overall purifier for home gyms, many other models exhibited impressive results in specific areas.
To learn which one is right for your home gym, read on.
Why Do You Need an Air Purifier in Your Home Gym?
Air purifiers offer multiple benefits in home gyms, ranging from hygiene and sanitation to improved air quality and freshness.
The primary advantages include the following:
- Maintaining indoor air quality to healthy levels and generating clean air over contaminated air.
- Eliminating unhealthy particles floating around and removing dust to produce fresher air.
- Prevent allergy irritations by negating harmful germs, pet dander, dust mites, and other airborne bacteria.
- Cleanse the air of sweat and grim, which can eliminate odor, add more fresh air, and decrease volatile organic compounds.
Types of Air Filters for Home Gyms
Choosing the appropriate air purifier or cleaner for your home gym requires a fundamental understanding of today’s different purifier types.
HEPA Filtration
Short for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, these are special filters built to remove over 99.97% of unwanted particles and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from the air.
The filtration occurs through a fine net or layer of super-thin strands normally made of composite fiber.
Carbon or Charcoal Air Filters
Carbon filters make up a large portion of the preferred filtration method for affordable air purifiers.
Carbon in the form of a charcoal filter was common in the past. Today, a more advanced medium called activated carbon filter enjoys more popularity among manufacturers owing to superior filtration capabilities.
Ionic Air Purifier/Ionizer
An ion air purifier works by emitting negative ions (vital ion) into your home gym air. Particles in the air experience an electrical charge and stick to surfaces instead of being suspended in the air.
Manufacturers claim that ionizers may help reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like viruses and bacteria.
Ultraviolet (UV)
Another filter that focuses on destroying small bacteria or organisms in the air is the ultraviolet filter.
Although these light filters can destroy microbes and improve air quality, clean air comes at a cost. Excessive dispersal of UV rays may risk creating harmful ozone particles in the air.
So, using an air purifier with unchecked UV filters is a toss between airborne viruses and harmful ozone layers.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Filter
The MCS filter is essentially an allergy control for your home gym. It targets airborne particles and other allergens that cause sneezing or irritation in people.
Get an MCS filter specially designed for airborne pollutants and dust that causes allergies or asthma symptoms.
Some claim that MCS filters may even remove particles contributing to conditions like lung cancer. However, claims like these remain speculative and are not backed by medical research.
The 9 Best Air Purifiers for your Home Gym in 2022
The Blue Air 211+ Air Purifier
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This air purifier remains a top choice for improving and maintaining home gym air quality.
With a purifying capacity of almost 2,600 sq. ft. within the first hour, this purifier can remove everything from smoke allergens and bad smells to large particles and other pollutants that can cause you a runny nose.
The 211+ sports a HEPA filter that emits less than 30dB and is incredibly energy efficient, consuming 30W or less.
Pros:
- Ideal for larger areas over 2500 sq. ft.
- HEPA silent filter as low as a whisper.
- Excellent at removing pollutants like pet dander, dust, smoke, and similar particles.
Cons:
- Filter noise can increase moderately with wear and tear.
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Air Purifier
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Running close behind the Blue Air 211+ is the True HEPA Filter Purifier by Honeywell.
Designed especially for smaller spaces, the HPA300 comes with an Energy Star rating, Turbo Clean, and effectively removes over 99.97% of those pesky airborne particles.
The ability to efficiently clean 465 sq. ft. of gym space four times within an hour makes it ideal for a personal home gym with considerable space.
Pros:
- Removes pollen and dust effectively at any speed.
- Simple and easy to operate with increased portability.
- Programmable timer and filter indicator for added convenience.
Cons:
- Higher yearly costs in maintenance and repairs.
- Low speeds yield louder sounds.
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
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The 5500-2 Air Purifier by Winix comes with innovative features and a cutting-edge design built for the modern gym.
Besides the low noise levels of 27dB and compact build, it has a Plasma Wave feature, serving as a permanent filter for odor elimination and fighting allergens.
The washable pre-filter comes in the form of an activated carbon filter that removes polluting particles falling from gym equipment or organic dust from you and your gym mates.
Pros:
- An auto mode that senses air contamination level and sets fan speeds accordingly.
- Activated carbon granules that work against sweat and odor.
- True HEPA filter in addition to the regular carbon filter.
Cons:
- Not very effective for home gym sizes beyond 500 sq. ft.
Coway 1512-HH Mighty Air Purifier
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The compact 1512-HH by Coway is the ideal purifier for your home gym, offering space-saving features and high-tech capabilities. The air filter has an indicator and timer for extra convenient operation.
Its True HEPA filter is excellent at capturing airborne particles that can induce stale air and unpleasant smells.
The automatic mode ensures minimal action from your side, and an ECO mode conserves and saves energy wherever necessary.
Pros:
- An effective ECO mode that saves power when adequate air purification has happened.
- Versatile enough for home gym sizes between 360 sq. ft. to 870 sq. ft.
- Effective HEPA filter captures airborne particles larger than 0.01 microns with 99.99% efficiency.
Cons:
- Fan speeds generate noise that’s louder than similarly sized models.
Rabbit Air Minus A2 Ultra Quite HEPA Air Purifier
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The Minus A2 HEPA Filter Purifier delivers super quiet operation at any fan speed based on the success of the Rabbit Air Biogs models.
This HEPA air purifier sports a deodorization filter that offers six different stages of filtration, making it the perfect air purifier for users who want comprehensive purification with ultra-low noise levels.
Pros:
- Slim space-saving design that’s also wall-mountable.
- Germ defense filter that works well against bacteria and mold spores.
- Ultra Quiet Hepa filters and fan mechanism.
Cons:
- Not the best air purifier for large home gyms over.
Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
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The Germ Guardian Air Purifier stands out as a great alternative for at-home gym air purification.
It has three phases of filtration, starting with a charcoal filter, a true HEPA filter in between, and a UV-C light that reduces bacteria, germs, and allergens.
This unit comes with an Energy Star rating and can remove particles ranging from dust and pollen, and still counts as one of the more effective smoke eaters in the market.
Pros:
- Three-in-one filtration for clean air and a healthy lifestyle.
- Ultra Quiet mode to avoid distractions during a hard workout session.
- Charcoal pre-filter for added purification.
Cons:
- Replacement of filters is comparatively more expensive.
Alen Breathesmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier
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If you’re looking for a home gym air purifier that removes particles like mold spores and other allergens that can escape an ordinary air filter, the Alen Breathesmart Air Purifier may be your best bet.
With an effective removal rate of 99.99%, this model remains a top choice for home gym owners who strive for superior air quality in their gyms.
Pros:
- Superior medical-grade filtration technology.
- Enhanced ability to remove tiny airborne particles.
- A color-coded indicator that reflects your gym’s air quality.
Cons:
- Relatively louder fan noise compared to other quiet models.
Blue Air Classic 605 Air Purifier
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The 605 Classic Air Purifier is the only model on this list that offers independent testing through the AHAM program for cleaning devices. It can efficiently purify an air space of over 600 sq. ft. in less than 15 minutes.
The coconut-carbon filter offers dual protection for odor-causing particles and allergens alike. Low noise levels (33dB) make it quiet enough to focus on your workout even as your gym air gets purified.
Pros:
- HEPAsilent technology offers an efficiency of up to 99.97%.
- Wifi-enabled controls allow remote and convenient operation.
- Third-party tested for quality and performance.
Cons:
- More expensive compared to preceding models like the Classic 480i, which costs almost half.
Medify MA-40 Air Purifier
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The MA-40 delivers quality purifying capabilities without burning a deep hole in your pockets. It effectively removes allergens, dust particles, odor, pollen, and even wildfire smoke.
As a home gym air purifier, the MA-40 can cover over 1,600 sq. ft. in an hour and smaller spaces of 400 sq. ft. in less than 15 minutes. It utilizes H3 HEPA filtration and proves to be power efficient, with a measly 110v as standard consumption.
Pros:
- Convenient touch-screen interface for quick controls.
- Added features like filter indicator, sleep mode, and child lock.
- Incredibly affordable given its features.
Cons:
- Maximum fan speed creates noise levels of 66dB.
What to consider when picking up an air purifier for your home gym
What size room does the air purifier need to filter?
Carry out a rough measurement of your home gym to determine the area your air purifiers need to filter.
For bigger home gyms, models like the Blue Air 211+ can effectively cover over 2,600 sq. ft., while models like Honeywell TrueHEPA are better for home gyms smaller than 500 sq. ft.
Does it require a lot of replacement filters?
Air purifiers that require more frequent filter replacements will cost you more money.
Try to go for HEPA filters that can last over six months on normal use. Carbon filters often require replacement within three months if used frequently.
Does it have HEPA filters?
HEPA filters remain the most reliable and trusted technology for air purifiers today. Ensure that your model sports a HEPA filter for best results.
What is the ambient noise level?
Check the ambient noise levels mentioned by the manufacturer to see how loud the device is. Go for models that emit 40dB or less when running on low fan speeds.
Does it use a lot of electricity?
Before buying your air purifier, power consumption is a crucial feature. Look for models bearing the Energy Star label, which ensures proper use and conservation of energy.
Does the air purifier have ionizers?
Ionizers are becoming innovative additions to air purifiers, especially for controlling VOCs in your gym’s air. Try to choose a purifier with an ionizer and HEPA filters.
FAQs
Where should I place my air purifier?
The most effective place to position your air purifier is in multiple locations by moving the device around. If it has to stay put, place it in an area with ample exchange of airflow and no obstructive devices in front of it.
Are air purifiers bad for you?
No. Air purifiers should not cause any harmful effects if you choose reliable brands and trusted models.
Are air purifiers good for allergies?
Yes. Strategic placement of your purifier can reduce or remove allergy-causing particles like dander, dust, bacteria, etc.
Should you run an air purifier all day?
Modern air purifiers often have indicators and detection mechanisms for air quality. If your device shows good air quality, you can switch off or put your purifier into sleep mode to conserve energy.
Do air purifiers use a lot of electricity?
Purifiers with Energy Star ratings should use only moderate levels of electricity through self-regulation, detection of air quality, and ECO modes.
Can air purifiers help to fight cold, flu, and airborne viruses?
Your air purifier can be a supplementary device for conditions like cold and flu. However, they cannot replace sound medical treatment and healthy lifestyle practices.
Does Air Purifiers make a lot of noise?
Purifiers with Ultra Quiet or low-noise technology can stay below levels of 40dB, which is almost as quiet as a human whisper.
Conclusion
Choosing air purifiers can get confusing when you have to consider everything from power consumption and pre-filter to noise levels and the size of your home gym.
However, by keeping the factors mentioned in this guide in mind, you can easily zero in on a purifier best suited for your home gym. Don’t forget to also check out our top pick, the Blue Air 211+ Air Purifier.
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