What Does an Air Purifier Actually Do? The 2-Minute Guide to Cleaner Air

This blog will take two minutes to read, but the benefits last all day. In those two minutes, you'll take about 40 breaths. Here's how to make sure each one is cleaner.

The World Health Organization reports that 99% of us breathe air exceeding safe limits, with indoor air up to 5x more polluted than outdoor air.

New research is revealing just how this happens. 

When Purdue University scientists studied common household products—air fresheners, wax melts, cleaning supplies—they discovered these items rapidly fill indoor air with microscopic particles that penetrate deep into your lungs. Meanwhile, University of Birmingham researchers found pollution levels inside homes were consistently higher and more variable than outdoor levels.

With people spending 90% of their time indoors, understanding what an air purifier actually does has never been more important.

 

How Air Purifiers Clean Your Air

Today's top air purifiers work like a sophisticated vacuum for your air. They continuously draw in room air, pass it through multiple filtration stages, then release cleaned air back into your space.

For Airmega air purifiers, the process goes something like this:

• Air enters through intake vents, carrying everything from dust to microscopic particles
• Pre-filters catch the big stuff—pet hair, visible dust, lint
• Advanced filtration technology captures particles in your air
• Clean air circulates back into your room

This cycle repeats several times per hour, progressively removing more pollutants with each pass.

 

 

Are There Proven Results from Air Purifiers?

Recent studies confirm real-world effectiveness of air purifiers:

• 76.5% removal of harmful PAHs (the same carcinogens found in cigarette smoke)
• 63.1% reduction in heavy metals (including lead and mercury particles)
• 66.2% decrease in ions (reducing static and improving air freshness)

A 2024 Indoor Air journal analysis found air purifiers significantly ease respiratory symptoms from allergies.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Airmega Air Purifiers (@cowaymega)

 

 

Quick Guide to Choosing Your Airmega

Now that you understand how air purifiers work to clean your indoor air, the next step is finding the right one for your space. The best air purifier for you depends on room size, specific air quality concerns, and your lifestyle needs.

Choose By Room Size:

• Nurseries: Airmega 50 (up to 500 sq ft)
• Bedrooms: Airmega 100 (up to 810 sq ft)
• Living Areas: Airmega 250 (up to 1,860 sq ft)
• Open Concepts: Airmega 400 (up to 3,120 sq ft)
• Whole Home: ProX (up to 4,253 sq ft)

Add Our Custom Filter Options:

• Pet Filter: Enhanced dander capture + specialized odor control for pet households 
• Allergen Filter: Ultra-fine particle capture targeting pollen, dust mites, and seasonal irritants
• Intense Smoke+: Advanced filtration for wildfire smoke and heavy odors (350 & 450 models)

 

 

Our Latest Innovations: Meet the Airmega 350 & 450

Introducing our newest air purifiers with revolutionary HyperVortex™ filtration:

What Makes Them Different:

• Eagle Vane Design inspired by nature for optimal airflow
• Choose your perfect filter: Fresh Starter+ (general use), Allergen+ (seasonal relief), or Intense Smoke+ (wildfire protection)
• Smart monitoring tracks particles as small as PM 1.0
• Operates at whisper-quiet 20 dB—quieter than a library!
• Sleek cylindrical design that earned prestigious design awards
• Coverage: 350 handles up to 2,640 sq ft and 450 covers up to 3,285 sq ft.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Airmega Air Purifiers (@cowaymega)

 

 

Take Control of Your Indoor Air

With over 1 billion people exposed to unhealthy wildfire smoke indoors annually, air purifiers have become essential home appliances. The right model depends on your space, specific air quality challenges, and lifestyle needs.

 

 

Explore Coway's complete range to find your perfect air purification solution.