Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

We spend a lot of time thinking about the ingredients in our cleaning and personal care products, but what about the air we're breathing every day?

Indoor air can contain dust, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and ultrafine particles from cooking, candles, fragrances, and household products.

During cold and flu season, especially with holiday gatherings and more people spending time indoors, air quality becomes even more important. A good quality air purifier can help reduce airborne pollutants, including particles that carry respiratory viruses.

But not all air purifiers offer the same level of filtration.

Particle size matters. Mold spores are generally larger, while viruses and ultrafine particles can be much smaller. HEPA filters are commonly tested at 0.3 microns, but they can also capture smaller particles.

Here's how the air purifiers I recommend compare:

• AirDoctor: UltraHEPA filtration advertised to capture particles as small as 0.003 microns, including airborne mold spores and virus-carrying particles.

• IQAir: HyperHEPA filtration advertised to capture particles as small as 0.003 microns, including airborne mold spores and virus-carrying particles.

• Air Oasis: Another great option, with filtration down to 0.05 microns. It can also capture airborne mold spores and virus-carrying particles.

All three are worth considering, but their filtration capabilities differ. I also look for activated carbon filtration to help reduce certain VOCs, gases, and odors.

Explore my recommendations below to find an air purifier that works for your home.