Air purifier: Is it really an IQ tax or a life savior?
Recently, the weather is shrouded in smog, and the whole city is wrapped in gray fog with extremely low visibility; and then there is raging sandstorms, and the wind is carrying yellow sand, and everywhere is dim. Such weather is simply a nightmare for people with allergies. Every time I go out, I either sneeze constantly or my nose itches uncomfortably when I come back, and my eyes become red and swollen, and my respiratory tract is dry and painful as if it were rubbed by sandpaper.

Since you have decided to buy an air purifier, you have to study how to choose it next. There are many tricks in this, but don't worry, grasp a few key indicators and you will be sure to choose the right one.
The first is the CADR value, which is a key indicator to measure the purification efficiency of an air purifier. Simply put, it is how much air it can purify indoors per hour. The higher the CADR value, the stronger the purification ability and the faster the purification speed. For example, in a small room with a small area, if you use an air purifier with a high CADR value, the purification effect will be very obvious. After a while, the pollutants in the air will be quickly removed. But if you put it in an extra-large living room, it may be a bit "a small horse pulling a big cart" and unable to do it. So when choosing, you have to choose a purifier with a suitable CADR value according to the size of the space you use. Generally speaking, there is a simple calculation formula: the use area ≈ CADR value x (0.07~0.12). You can use this formula to roughly estimate the CADR value you need.
Let's talk about the CCM value. It represents the cumulative purification amount of the air purifier, that is, the total weight of pollutants that the filter can purify from the beginning of use to scrapping. The higher this value means that the longer the service life of the filter is, the greater the total amount of air that can be purified. It's like a large bucket and a small bucket. The more water the large bucket can hold, it is equivalent to a filter with a high CCM value, which can purify more pollutants, and there is no need to replace the filter frequently, which can save a lot of trouble and money. The CCM value is divided into the CCM value of solid pollutants (for particulate matter, such as dust, pollen, etc.) and the CCM value of gaseous pollutants (for harmful gases such as formaldehyde and TVOC). The highest level of solid CCM value is P4, and the highest level of gaseous CCM value is F4. When purchasing, try to choose a high CCM value, that is, P4 and F4 levels, so as to ensure long-term and stable purification effect.
Another indicator that cannot be ignored is noise. No one wants to endure the buzzing sound of the machine while enjoying fresh air, especially if it is used in the bedroom, the noise will seriously affect the quality of sleep. Generally speaking, according to the requirements of the new national standard, when the air purifier is running at the highest level, the noise value cannot exceed 70 decibels, and in sleep mode, the minimum noise value is best controlled below 40 decibels, so that it will basically not disturb our rest. Imagine that when you sleep at night, the air purifier runs quietly, like a silent little guard, silently purifying the air for us, allowing us to fall asleep in a quiet and comfortable environment, how comfortable it is.

Different life scenarios and personal needs have very different requirements for air purifiers. Here are some tips for several common situations.
Friends who have just renovated their new houses must be most worried about the excessive harmful gases such as formaldehyde.
At this time, we must focus on the formaldehyde removal ability of the air purifier, and give priority to products with high formaldehyde CADR and CCM values. For example, the formaldehyde CADR value should be above 400m³/h, and the CCM value should reach F4 level. At the same time, it is best to choose a filter with formaldehyde removal, such as activated carbon filter, photocatalyst filter, etc. These filters can more effectively absorb and decompose formaldehyde.
People who are prone to allergies can't avoid allergens in the air. Pollen, dust mites, pet hair, etc. may make them sneeze constantly. Therefore, an air purifier with high efficiency filtration is very important for them.
Choose a model equipped with a high-efficiency HEPA filter. H13 and H14 filters can filter out more than 99.95% of 0.3 micron particles, which is very effective in filtering allergens. At the same time, the CADR value should be higher so that allergens in the air can be filtered out quickly, allowing people with allergies to breathe freely.
For pet-raising families, pet hair, odor, and possible bacteria are all headaches. When choosing an air purifier, a strong purification capacity is essential. A
CADR value of large particles above 1000m³/h is more appropriate, so that pet hair and dust can be quickly captured. The filter should be multi-layered. The primary filter intercepts large particles of hair, the high-efficiency filter filters tiny particles and bacteria, and the activated carbon filter absorbs odors and harmful gases. In addition, it is best to choose a filter with special deodorization technology, such as photocatalytic decomposition, chemical decomposition, etc., which can effectively remove pet odors.

If there are smokers at home, the harm of secondhand smoke should not be underestimated. For the health of your family, you have to choose an air purifier that can effectively remove secondhand smoke. Find a brand that focuses on the field of secondhand smoke purification, which has a better understanding of the characteristics and purification technology of secondhand smoke. The purification function should be comprehensive, and it can comprehensively use isolation, adsorption, decomposition and other technologies to remove nicotine, tar and other harmful substances in secondhand smoke. At the same time, it is best to choose a high-precision sensor that can quickly sense changes in indoor pollutants and start the purification function in time.
In addition to the key indicators and purchase points for different groups mentioned above, there are some details that are easy to overlook, which will also affect our user experience and wallet.
Let's talk about the filter replacement cycle first.
This cannot be underestimated.
The filter is like the "heart" of the air purifier. As the use time increases, the filter will absorb more and more pollutants. Once saturated, it can no longer be effectively filtered. Not only will the purification effect be greatly reduced, but it may also cause secondary pollution. The filter replacement cycle of air purifiers of different brands and models is also different. Generally speaking, it ranges from 3 to 12 months. Some high-end products are equipped with intelligent monitoring systems that can monitor the use of the filter in real time and remind you to replace it in time, which is very considerate. Like some air purifiers with APP intelligent control, you can check the filter status at any time on your mobile phone, which is convenient and worry-free. However, if there is no such function, you have to be more careful and check the filter regularly. Once you find that the color becomes darker, there is a peculiar smell, or the purification effect is significantly reduced, you have to replace it quickly.
Let's talk about the smart control function.
Now is the era of intelligence, and air purifiers naturally keep up with the trend. With smart control, we can remotely control the air purifier through the mobile phone APP. Whether it is on the way home from get off work, turn on the purifier in advance to make the house spotless; or in the office, you can adjust the wind speed and mode of the purifier at home, which can be easily achieved. Some can also be linked with the smart home system to automatically adjust the operating status of the purifier according to environmental factors such as indoor air quality, temperature, humidity, etc., which is truly smart and worry-free. For example, when the indoor air quality deteriorates, it can automatically increase the wind speed and quickly purify the air; when the air quality improves, it can automatically reduce the wind speed, which is energy-saving and quiet.
There are also product prices and filter costs. The price of air purifiers ranges greatly, from a few hundred yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. The price is different, and the performance and functions are also very different. When choosing, you should base it on your budget and actual needs. The more expensive the better, but don't be greedy for cheapness and buy products that are not of good quality. In addition to the purchase price, the filter cost is also an expense that cannot be ignored during long-term use. Some brands of filters are more expensive and require more frequent replacements, which can be a considerable expense in the long run. Therefore, before purchasing, you should understand the price and replacement cycle of the filter and calculate the long-term use cost, so that you can choose a product with high cost performance.
Finally, you must pay attention to product certification.
Regular air purifiers will pass various certifications, such as China Environmental Labeling Product Certification, EU CE Certification, US Energy Star Certification, etc. These certifications are a guarantee of product quality and performance. Certified products meet relevant standards in terms of safety, purification efficiency, and environmental protection. When purchasing, check whether the product has these certification marks to avoid buying inferior products. If you buy a "three-no product" without certification, not only will the purification effect not be guaranteed, but there may also be safety hazards that endanger the health of your family, which will not be worth the loss.
Refuse to follow the trend and make rational choices
I believe everyone already has the answer in their hearts whether the air purifier is an IQ tax. As long as you choose the right one, it will be a little guard to protect the health of your family. When purchasing, don't be dazzled by the various advertisements and propaganda, and be sure to keep these key indicators and details in mind. From CADR value, CCM value to noise control, from filter replacement cycle to intelligent control function, every point is related to our use experience and health.
Don't blindly follow the trend to buy those popular products. What others use well may not be suitable for you. Choose the most suitable air purifier for yourself according to your actual needs and life scenarios, such as a newly renovated house, a family with allergic people, or a pet-raising family.
I hope everyone can choose the air purifier they like, so that the home is always full of fresh air, and say goodbye to haze, dust, formaldehyde, allergens, etc.!