5 Best Car Air Purifiers – How Efficient Are They? (2023)

Have you ever wondered how much time you spend in your car during the day, what kind of air you breathe in your vehicle, and how you can influence the air quality while driving?

People who smoke in the car, who drive to work extra early when the air is most polluted, and who are generally exposed to traffic pollution for longer should think about how to clean the air in the car.

Best Air Purifiers For Cars - In-depth Buying Guide
Best air purifiers for cars you can buy right now.

These and many other reasons are why I have written this article in which I analyzed several car air purifiers available on the market, which aim to help neutralize unpleasant odors and improve the air quality in the car.

I think the biggest challenge for a car air purifiers manufacturer is to make a device that is powerful enough, large enough to have as large a filter as possible, but at the same time needs very little energy to work. All these parameters, as well as many others, were taken into account when researching the best air purifiers for cars, so I suggest you read on to find out which five air purifiers made the list of the best car air purifiers.

In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary of the Best Air Purifiers For Car!

  • PureZone Mini – The best air purifier for cars, it is equipped with 2-stage filtration technology and is compact and very reliable. On top of all this, PureZone Mini comes with a 5-year warranty.
  • IQAir Atem – It is the ultimate air purifier. A little more expensive at the start, but very reliable and efficient. It has high airflow; on average, it cleans the air in your car 18.4 times in one hour and uses 1-stage filtration technology.
  • Wynd Plus – It is a small and smart air purifier equipped with advanced features such as an air quality sensor. The most important part of this model is that it runs on batteries, making it a fully portable device.
  • Philips GoPure GP5212 – This small air purifier uses 3-stage filtration technology that, with its high airflow, allows the air in the cabin of the average car to be cleaned every 10 minutes.
  • Westinghouse 1804 – Powerful filtration technology, outstanding performance, and a modern design are the factors that make this air purifier a perfect choice for the car. Add to that a 3-year warranty.

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Top 5 Air Purifiers For Car

After analyzing almost all the air purifiers recommended for use in the car and the filtration technology in the aforementioned air purifiers, I have selected a list of the 5 best ones you can currently buy.

In this list, you will find the highest quality, most reliable, and, indeed the best air purifiers you can buy at the moment. You will notice that there are no ionizers on the list, mainly because, in my opinion, these devices can do more harm than good if you use them in your car or any other small space.

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini - Best Air Purifiers for Cars
Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini air purifier.

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Highlights

  • Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini is a small air purifier ideal for car, travel, and personal use.
  • The PureZone Mini uses 2-stage filtration technology consisting of a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter.
  • This air purifier consumes little energy, is easy to maintain, very affordable, and, most importantly, uses a True HEPA filter.
  • Pure Enrichment gives an outstanding warranty of 5 years for this model.

The PureZone Mini is a very small air purifier designed for personal use in small spaces such as tiny rooms, small offices, and cars. Personally, I would recommend such a small air purifier for use in the car. It is simply amazing that such a small air purifier is equipped with a very reliable 2-in-1 filter, consisting of a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter.

Speaking of design, I have to say that this is a very lovely air purifier, small enough not to take up too much space in the car but efficient enough to do its job well. Somewhat expectedly, this air purifier doesn’t have many advanced options, but I don’t think advanced options are even necessary for such portable air purifiers. Besides its use in the car, the PureZone Mini is an ideal travel companion, mainly because of its size.

All in all, the PureZone Mini is the best air purifier for the car, and I am sure you will be delighted with this little gadget.

Filters True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter
Room Coverage (4.8 ACH) 54 sq. ft.
Power Source Battery Powered
Warranty 5-year

IQAir Atem

IQAir Atem - Best Air Purifiers for Cars
IQAir Atem air purifier.

IQAir Atem Highlights

  • The IQAir Atem is a top-quality air purifier, very powerful, and definitely one of the best choices for your car.
  • This air purifier has various accessories that make it easier to use and install in the car.
  • On average, the Atem cleans the air in an average car 18.4 times in one hour.
  • IQAir provides a 3-year warranty for this model.

The IQAir Atem is a premium air purifier that comes from a well-known brand in the world of air purifiers, IQAir. Slightly more powerful than the aforementioned PureZone Mini, this air purifier uses 1-stage filtration technology, specifically the patented Atem HyperHEPA Plus filtration technology. 

IQAir Atem filters 99% of particles ≥ 0.003 microns and filters out gasses and odors. What I like very much, and what I consider to be one of the most significant advantages of this model, is its ability to purify the air in the car 18.4 times per hour. The IQAir Atem features a unique design, as well as a unique way of fitting it into the vehicle. Using the Atem Car mount accessory, this air purifier can be easily attached to the seat, saving space and making it easier to install the device in the car.

The IQAir is the ultimate air purifier and definitely one of the best choices for your car. Not only does it neutralize allergens, but it also helps neutralize smoke and odors.

Filters Atem HyperHEPA Plus
Room Coverage (4.8 ACH) 150 sq. ft.
Power Consumption 3.4W
Warranty 3-year

Wynd Plus

Wynd Plus - Best Air Purifiers for Cars
Wynd Plus air purifier.

Wynd Plus Highlights

  • Wynd Plus is powerful enough to remove 99.99% of pollutants in the car cabin in less than 15 minutes, purifying up to 8 liters of air per second.
  • It uses a replacement filter that lasts on average 3-6 months.
  • Wynd Plus is a smart air purifier with an air quality sensor that can connect to Amazon Alexa.
  • Wynd provides a 1-year warranty on this model.

The Wynd Plus is a smart portable air purifier that stands out for being equipped with the most advanced features of all the devices on the list. This small air purifier fits perfectly in a car, small office, or similar place. This air purifier uses an electrostatic precipitator that removes 99.9% of particles above 0.3 microns. Interestingly, this filter, although very small, lasts between 3 and 6 months.

What I really like about the Wynd Plus air purifier is that it is completely portable and that it is cordless, which means that this air purifier is battery-powered, which means that it does not need a power source. This makes it much easier to carry with you everywhere, and it also makes it easier to use in the car.

On top of all this, the Wynd Plus is a smart air purifier that can be connected to a smart app, has an air quality sensor that shows you the current air quality at all times, and has the option to connect to Amazon Alexa.

The Wynd Plus is definitely one of the best personal air purifiers on the market. It’s an excellent choice for use in the car, especially for people on the move.

Power Source Battery Powered
Warranty 1-year

Philips GoPure GP5212

Philips GoPure GP5212 - Best Air Purifiers for Cars
Philips GoPure GP5212 air purifier.

Philips GoPure GP5212 Highlights

  • The Philips GoPure GP5212 is a small but powerful air purifier that drastically improves the air quality in your car.
  • Thanks to its 3-stage filtration technology, the Philips GoPure GP5212 will drastically improve the air quality in your car in just 10 minutes.
  • This air purifier has a two-speed engine, which is quite enough for this kind of device.
  • Philips offers a 1-year warranty on this model.

The Philips GoPure GP5212 is another small air purifier for the car that made the list. This air purifier is specific and stands out from the rest for its unique filtration, power, and extreme reliability. 

This Philips uses a 3-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre-filter, HESA, and HEPA filter. HESA stands for High-Efficiency Sorbent Agent, and the purpose of this filter is to capture and remove particles such as toxic gasses and harmful chemicals. As well as being used in a car, this model can also be used in a smaller room, such as a tiny office or a tiny bedroom.

The build quality of Philips is top-notch, and I can say that this is a long-lasting and very well-made device. The Philips GoPure GP5212 is a modern, innovative, reliable air purifier that drastically improves the air quality in your car.

Filters Pre-filter, HESA FIlter, and HEPA Filter
Warranty 1-year

Westinghouse 1804

Westinghouse 1804 - Best Air Purifiers for Cars
Westinghouse 1804 air purifier.

Westinghouse 1804 Highlights

  • The Westinghouse 1804 is a small but powerful air purifier that fits into almost any environment thanks to its modern design.
  • This air purifier uses 4-stage filtration technology, which is very responsible for its fantastic performance.
  • The Westinghouse 1804 is a portable, battery-powered air purifier that runs for up to 8 hours on a single charge.
  • This air purifier comes with a 3-year warranty.

The Westinghouse 1804 is another very interesting car air purifier that made a list. This model features a unique design that is much brighter and more modern than the other models mentioned. This air purifier uses a True HEPA filter and NCCO technology as filter technology, which does its job more than well. I think this is mainly due to the very high-quality True HEPA filter. In fact, this air purifier uses 4-stage filtration technology and not only traps particles but also destroys them.

The first stage of filtration is the pre-filter, the second stage is the oxygen generator, the third stage is the True HEPA filter, and the last stage is the NCCO reactor. It uses a 3-speed engine, has a built-in lithium battery that lasts up to 8 hours, and, above all, is very efficient.

I have to say that what I particularly like about the Westinghouse 1804 air purifier is its design and availability in 4 different colors. In short, this modern, stylish, and innovative air purifier will certainly improve your car’s air quality.

Filters Pre-filter, Oxygen Generator, HEPA Filter, and NCCO Reactor
Power Source Battery Powered
Warranty 3-year
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FAQs on Best Air Purifiers For Car

Is it worth buying a car air purifier?

Suppose you spend a lot of time in your car during the day, especially in traffic jams. In that case, buying a car air purifier is a great choice and is guaranteed to improve the air in your car.

Which is the best air purifier for the car?

Honestly, whichever air purifier you choose from the list, you won’t miss much. Still, my top choice and recommendation is definitely the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini.

Can an air purifier remove smoke odor from a car?

It can. However, as these are tiny devices with small filters, direct exposure to cigarette smoke and similar pollutants will dirty the filter very quickly, and the device will not be able to maintain its performance for long. Therefore, in addition to using an air purifier, I recommend opening the windows and using an air purifier for additional air purification.

Do we really need an air purifier in a car?

Modern cars usually have cabin filters that will filter the air coming from outside through the vents. However, if you drive in highly polluted areas with open windows, there is no way to filter the air that enters your car cabin without an air purifier.

So, I would say yes, in certain circumstances, you really need an air purifier.

Can I put a HEPA filter in a car?

Yes, you can put a HEPA filter as a replacement for a cabin filter. You just need to find a filter of the same dimensions.

However, keep in mind that it will clean only the air that enters through the air vents, not the air that enters through the windows or in any other way.

Final Conclusion

The fact that you are considering buying an air purifier for your car is a sign that you are aware of the air quality in your vehicle. I think your decision is perfect and potentially beneficial for your health, especially if you spend 30 minutes or more in your car during the day.

Using an air purifier in your car will improve the air quality by getting rid of allergens, dust, and similar particles. In addition, the air purifier helps neutralize smoke, odors, and other unpleasant smells.

Suppose you are in a dilemma about which air purifier to buy. In that case, my first recommendation is the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini. It is a small, cute but reliable, and very effective air purifier. In addition, I would definitely recommend buying the IQAir Atem, which is my second-best choice. It is slightly more expensive but definitely worth considering and possibly buying.

All in all, whichever air purifier you choose from the list of the 5 best air purifiers for the car, you won’t miss much. Still, I have selected these two as my favorites to make your choice easier.

If you have any questions on this topic, I invite you to leave a comment in the comments box below.

1 response to “5 Best Car Air Purifiers – How Efficient Are They? (2023)”

  1. Sharon Gaston

    I would love to order several of your air cleaners for our cars, but Amazon won’t ship them to California. Is there anywhere that I could buy them near Fresno, California??

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