Complete Buying Guide
Which air solution does
your home actually need?
Different air problems need completely different technologies. HEPA for daily filtration. Ozone for odors. Humidifying for dry air. Dehumidifying for moisture. This guide maps your situation to the right answer.
Find Your Solution
Not sure which one you need?
Answer 3 questions.
Tell us about your home and your main concern. We'll point you to the right solution — and why.
What's your main air problem?
Pick the one that bothers you most. You can always address multiple issues, but start with the biggest one.
What type of home are you in?
Room size and layout affect which products will work best.
Do you have pets, smokers, or specific concerns?
This helps us refine the recommendation — especially if you have multiple needs.
Solution 01 — Daily Air Quality
HEPA Air Purifier — the everyday solution
A True HEPA filter physically captures particles — dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, bacteria — by forcing air through a dense mesh. H13 HEPA (medical grade) removes 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns. It runs continuously and quietly in the background, 24/7.
Pro tip: For pet owners with both dander and odor concerns, look for purifiers that include an activated carbon layer alongside the HEPA filter. Carbon traps odor molecules that HEPA cannot.
Recommended Airthereal Models
Solution 02 — Odor Elimination
Ozone Generator — the deep treatment
Ozone (O₃) is a powerful natural oxidant that eliminates odors at the molecular level. Unlike HEPA, which captures particles, ozone chemically breaks down odor-causing compounds — smoke residue, pet odors, mold byproducts — even ones that have soaked into walls and fabrics.
How to use safely: Run the ozone generator in an empty room for 30–60 minutes, then ventilate with windows open for 30–45 minutes before re-entering. The ozone fully dissipates — no residue left behind.
Recommended Airthereal Models
Solution 03 — Dry Air
Humidifying Purifier — purify and add moisture
A 2-in-1 device that runs HEPA filtration and adds moisture to the air simultaneously. When indoor humidity drops below 35% — common in winter heating season and dry climates — it causes dry skin, irritated sinuses, nosebleeds, and worsened allergy symptoms. This solves both at once.
Recommended Airthereal Models
Solution 04 — Damp Air
Dehumidifying Purifier — purify and remove moisture
A 2-in-1 device for the opposite problem: too much moisture. When indoor humidity exceeds 60%, it creates ideal conditions for mold growth, dust mite proliferation, and musty odors. This removes airborne particles while pulling excess moisture from the air — particularly important for basements and humid climates.
How to choose between HEPA and Dehumidifying: If your main complaint is stuffy air or musty smell AND the humidity in the room is consistently above 60%, start with dehumidifying. If you have allergies or pets AND the air isn't damp, start with HEPA. If you have both, consider one of each — or check if a combination unit fits your space.
Coming soon: Airthereal dehumidifying purifier models. In the meantime, contact our support team at 1-725-333-0437 — we'll help you find the right setup for your space.
Side-by-Side Comparison
All four solutions — at a glance.
Use this table to quickly see how each technology addresses your specific concern.
| Concern / Need | 🌿 HEPA Purifier | 💨 Ozone Generator | 💧 Humidifying | 🏠 Dehumidifying |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dust & pollen | ✓ Excellent | — Not effective | ✓ Good | ✓ Good |
| Pet dander | ✓ Excellent | — Not effective | ◑ Partial | ◑ Partial |
| Pet odors | ◑ Partial (carbon layer) | ✓ Excellent | — Not effective | — Not effective |
| Smoke particles | ✓ Excellent | ◑ Partial | ◑ Partial | ◑ Partial |
| Smoke odors | ◑ Partial (carbon layer) | ✓ Excellent | — Not effective | — Not effective |
| Dry air / low humidity | — Not effective | — Not effective | ✓ Excellent | — Makes it worse |
| Excess moisture / mold risk | — Not effective | ◑ Partial (odor only) | — Makes it worse | ✓ Excellent |
| Bacteria & viruses | ✓ Excellent (H13 HEPA) | ✓ Excellent | ◑ Partial | ◑ Partial |
| Safe while people are present | ✓ Yes — run 24/7 | ✗ Room must be empty | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Price range | $79–$299 | $59–$199 | $149–$349 | Contact us |
| Ongoing cost | Filter: $25–$45 / 6–8 months | Plates: $25–$35 / 3–6 months | Filter: $25–$45 / 6–8 months | Filter replacement |
Things people ask before they buy.
Standard True HEPA removes 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns. Medical-grade H13 HEPA removes 99.97% of particles at 0.1 microns — three times smaller. H13 is the standard used in hospitals and clean rooms. For allergy sufferers, asthma patients, or anyone with a respiratory condition, H13 is worth the slight premium. Airthereal's AGH550 uses H13 HEPA.
Yes — and many homes benefit from both, but for different purposes. Use your HEPA purifier daily while you're home. Use the ozone generator periodically (monthly, or after an odor event) when the room is empty. The two technologies are complementary: HEPA handles ongoing particle filtration, ozone handles deep odor elimination. Just don't run ozone and HEPA simultaneously — ozone can damage HEPA filter media over time.
Measure the length × width of the room in feet to get square footage. Then match that to the product's coverage rating. For best results, choose a purifier rated for 1.5–2× your actual room size — this ensures it can complete 4–5 air changes per hour, which is the standard for effective air cleaning. Running a larger unit on lower fan speed is quieter and still effective.
Every 6–8 months under normal conditions. Households with pets, smokers, or high dust levels may need replacement every 4–6 months. Your Airthereal purifier will flash the filter indicator light when it's time to replace. The easiest way to stay on schedule is to subscribe — you get 10% off every filter delivery and free shipping, and filters arrive automatically before you run out.
Yes — HEPA air purifiers are designed to run 24/7. For bedrooms, place it 3–5 feet from the bed and run it on the lowest fan speed for near-silent operation. The Airthereal APH260 operates at 22dB on the lowest setting — quieter than a whisper. Never run an ozone generator while sleeping — ozone must be used only in empty rooms.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has strict regulations on ozone-generating devices because ozone at ground level is a respiratory irritant. CARB prohibits the sale of air cleaning devices that produce ozone above a certain threshold — this affects all ozone generators, including Airthereal's. California residents can still purchase HEPA air purifiers (which are CARB-approved) and humidifying/dehumidifying models.
Yes. Wildfire smoke contains both fine particles (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A HEPA purifier with an activated carbon layer handles both: the HEPA captures the fine particles, and the carbon layer adsorbs the VOCs and smoke smell. During a wildfire event, run your purifier on the highest speed, keep windows closed, and replace the filter when the smoke event ends — smoke loads filters quickly.
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