Investing into a car air purifier helps to improve the quality of the air inside your car by removing particles such as pollen, dust and dirt. Purifiers function by sending streams of negatively charged particles to neutralize the air or by using multiple filtration stages and they are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
If you require a quick answer, the best car air purifier is the Philips GoPure, which uses a three stage filtering process to eliminate up to 99% of harmful air particles. The above photo is taken from my own car where we use this particular model. However, if you are on a tight budget, the FRIEQ AP-C is the best alternative.
In terms of rating the car air purifiers in this article, we based our recommendations upon our own experience of using various models as well as multiple factors. The factors that were considered included their purification method, inclusion of air quality indicators, additional accessories and value for money.
Table of Contents
Car Air Purifier Comparison
| Car Air Purifier | Purification | Air Quality |
|---|---|---|
| PHILIPS GoPure | 3 Stage Filtering | Yes |
| IQAir Atem | 3 Stage Filtering | Yes |
| FRIEQ AP-C | Ionizer | No |
| Pure 3-in-1 | Ionizer | No |
| Autowit Fresh | 3 Stage Filtering | Yes |
| Enoch Ionic | Ionizer | No |
There are three methods of air purification and they come in the form of filters, ionizers and ozone generators. Each have their own benefits and drawbacks but your budget will play a big role in your buying decision.
Even if you’ve used the best car upholstery cleaner inside of your car, bad smells and harmful air particles can still persist. However, investing into a quality car air purifier will help to remove all these allergens, pollutants and other harmful air particles that remain. Considering the amount of time you actually spend inside of your car, it’s worthwhile spending slightly extra to improve the air quality.
Below is a list of the best car air purifiers that effectively remove harmful particles and provide cleaner air inside of your vehicle.
The Best Car Air Purifier
1. Philips GoPure Compact 200 Car Air Purifier
The Phillips GoPure Compact 200 is the best car air purifier for those that want the highest purification power. It uses a three stage filtering process for removing any air particles that may be harmful inside of the car.
A great feature of this particular model is that the brand states that it provides up to 3x better tobacco smoke removal compared to ionizers, which is very impressive.
Other features of the Phillips GoPure Compact 200 include:
- 13 foot 12V power cable
- Healthy air indication via LED light
- Current air quality sensor with three levels
- Uses both HEPA and HESA for 3 stage purification
- Attachment belt, suction cup and anti slide pads included
- Adjust the speed that you want it to purify the air
- Turns on and off automatically
The healthy air indication is a very desirable feature of this purifier that many of the alternatives don’t have. It detects the quality of the air present inside your car and outputs the quality in the form of blue for good air quality, yellow for fair and red for poor quality air.
The Phillips GoPure Compact 200 has been certified by a German Independent Test House and is one of the best car air purifiers on the market. It does come with a premium price tag but if you are serious about the air quality inside of your car, it’s a great investment that you won’t regret.
Check it Out2. IQAir Atem HyperHEPA Car Air Purifier
The most expensive car air purifier within this article is the IQAir Atem, which uses a HyperHEPA filter to remove up to 99% of particles down to 0.003 microns. According to the brand, the efficient filtration system is able to clean the air inside of the car by up to 20 times per hour.
It’s an award winning car air purifier that’s made in Switzerland to the highest of standards and has been thoroughly tested and certified for complete peace of mind.
Other features of the IQAir Atem HyperHEPA include:
- 270 degree centrifugal fan to draw in cabin air
- App enabled for controlling fan speed settings
- 3 stage particle and gaseous filter
- Includes a secure car mount
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Tested and certified
The IQAir Atem is the ultimate car air purifier that removes all harmful particles with its powerful filtration. The fact that it can be controlled from a smartphone application is a clear sign that it’s a superior device when compared to the alternatives. Although expensive, it’s the best car air purifier money can buy.
Check it Out3. FRiEQ Car Ionic Air Purifier
To indicate that the purifier is working, the device outputs a light, which means it’s currently removing bad smells and harmful air particles from inside of your car.
Other features of the FRiEQ Ionic Purifier include:
- LED blue light for indication
- One of the smallest purifiers available
- Neutralizes contaminants such as mold, bacteria and more
- Destroys bad odors instead of covering them up
- Compact and durable design
Overall, it’s the best small car air purifier that remains discrete within the car yet works just as well as the larger models. It’s important to note that you should only use a 12V cigarette lighter with this device because it may blow the fuse if not.
Check it Out4. Pure 3-in-1 Car Air Purifier
The Pure 3-in-1 purifier for cars is a powerful odor eliminator that produces a safe level of ozone, which remove smells and bacteria. Compared to other devices, it has a more aesthetically pleasing and sleek design with a glowing blue LED light. It even comes with dual USB ports to make it even more versatile too.
Other features of the Pure 3-in-1 include:
- Purifies with 5,600,000 negative ions
- Compact size with a 4 inch height
- Certified by CE, FCC and RoHS
- Stainless steel body with a black finish
- Money back guarantee
Overall, the Pure 3-in-1 ionizer is an excellent all-round car air purifier that won’t disappoint. It combines superior odor and bacteria removal without an expensive price tag or bulky design. The integrated quick charge USB ports also make it a great car phone or tablet charger too.
5. Autowit Fresh Mini Car Air Purifier
Another budget HEPA filter car air purifier is the Autowit device, which not only removes harmful air particles but also outputs a pleasant smell. This purifier also has the desirable air quality indicator for constant tracking.
In terms of it’s purification method, it uses a three stage filtration process that removes pollen, smoke, dust, flocci, formaldehyde and other harmful particles.
Other features of the Autowit Mini Air Purifier include:
- Combination of an air filter and ionizer
- Releases 8 million negative ions
- Quiet purification at just 35 dB
- Motor runs at 8,000 RPM
- LED indication with various colors
- Auto detection of air quality
Overall, the Autowit Mini is a great all-rounder with a 3 stage filtration process that removes pollen, smoke, dust and much more. Unlike other car air purifiers of a similar price, the Autowit device runs quietly, which is impressive considering that the motor is running at a 8,000 RPM.
Check it Out6. Enoch Car Air Purifier and Ionizer
The Enoch car air purifier is another popular option that releases up to 5,600,000 negative ions. It has a very similar design to the Pure 3-in-1 mentioned above with dual USB ports and a flashing blue LED light. However, this particular model releases a light ozone scent, which the brand states smells similar to a summer rain shower.
Other features of the Enoch Air Purifier For Cars include:
- Dual 2.1 A USB ports
- Available in two different colors
- Compact and durable design
- Improved electrode construction
- Includes a 1 year warranty
Overall, the Enoch car air purifier is a great option to consider and it promises to remove bad odors and bacteria quickly with its powerful purification performance. The brand also include a money back guarantee as well as a one year warranty for complete peace of mind.
How We Rated The Car Air Purifiers
As well as testing a number of purifiers of filtration and ionizer types, we also based our recommendations upon a number of factors. The factors that we rated the purifiers from included their purification method, inclusion of air quality indicators, additional accessories and value for money. These are all important factors that determine the quality of a purifier and how it will perform when used inside of your car.
Car Air Purifier Buying Guide
An air purifier for cars can come in all shapes and sizes and include different filtration methods that include HEPA filters to Ionizers. Considering the majority of us spend a lot of time in our cars, the importance of clean air is just as important as it is at home. Benefits of car air purifiers include no tobacco smoke smells, no mechanical smells from the car, removal of allergens and bacteria as well as many other benefits.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding car air purifiers.
Sources of Air Pollution Inside The Car
Many people simply don’t see the benefits of using a car air purifier. However, by understanding the pollution that enters the car, you may be able to see their uses.
For example, if you like to drive with the windows down, particles will enter the car, which can come in the form of dust, pollen, fumes and more. Poor smells due to odors can also be eliminated with an air purifier, which can make driving inside your car far more pleasurable.
Ionizer vs Filters
Ionizers trap airborne particles and use electrons that are released from the device to attach to the air molecules. These electrons then form ions that attract harmful particles and bad odors. This process cleans the air within your car and removes any harmful allergens.
A filter type of purifier such as the Phillips GoPure Compact 200 uses multiple filters, where the first filtration stage captures large particles. The second filter, which is normally the HEPA filter removes dust and other harmful particles. Many purifiers also include a third step, which includes a HESA filter that removes bad odors such as smoke from cigarettes. This is usually only found within the premium models such as the Phillips model.
Placement
Due to the sizes and connectors that come with most car air purifiers, you may notice that many are placed in different areas of the car. For example, many connect straight into the 12V cigarette lighter, whereas others are left in cup holders or even mounted with suction cups elsewhere in the car.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The best car air purifier devices can be switched on with a single button or automatically when it senses the air quality is bad. You should avoid any that require long winded setups or require multiple cables for powering up the device.
To ensure the purifier operates to the best of its abilities, you will need to maintain it. This can involve removing debris such as dust, pollen and other particles with a car vacuum cleaner. You may even be able to clean it using plain water but this will be stated by the manufacturer.
Air Quality Indicator
A premium feature found on some of the more expensive purifiers is an air quality indicator. They are able to automatically take samples of the air and then determine the quality of the air inside of the car. The purifier will provide feedback of the air quality using LED indicators on the device and may even automatically switch on or off to resolve the poor air quality.
Conclusion
Investing into a quality car air purifier will ensure that the air you are breathing in whilst driving is clean. Some people suffer from bad air particles more than others and investing that little bit extra for multiple layers of air purification is highly advised.
All of our recommendations cover a range of different types of purifiers that are suitable for all budgets. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend buying from a reputable brand as they are more than likely going to provide better purification results.
