Consumer Reports Backs 2 Air Purifiers Against Wildfire Smoke
Updated
Updated · WRAL News · Jul 17
Consumer Reports Backs 2 Air Purifiers Against Wildfire Smoke
3 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Jul 17
Summary
Wildfire smoke can degrade indoor air quality even hundreds or thousands of miles from a fire, and Consumer Reports says a high-performing air purifier is a key indoor defense.
Dozens of models were tested in smoke-filled chambers for how quickly they removed airborne particles; faster cleanup produced higher scores.
Blueair's Blue Pure 211i Max ranked among the top performers for larger rooms, while Honeywell's InSight HPA5300B offered a lower-priced option but worked best at its highest fan speed.
Consumer Reports says purifiers work best with windows and doors closed, gaps sealed, and use concentrated in rooms with few windows and no outside-air vents.
Running the purifier 24/7 during smoky periods and replacing clogged filters promptly can help, while cutting other indoor pollution sources like candles, fireplaces and road exhaust further improves air quality.