Do HEPA filters remove viruses?

A true HEPA filter can capture a portion of virus-sized particles, since true HEPA is rated to remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns, the hardest particle size to capture. No air purifier can completely protect against airborne viruses on its own.

What is the benefit of a carbon filter for allergies?

HEPA filters trap particles like dust, pollen, and dander, but they do not remove gases or odors. A substantial activated carbon bed, like the 15 to 18 pounds used in Austin Air and Airpura units, adsorbs gaseous chemicals, smoke, and odors that HEPA cannot catch.

Which air purifier is best for a bedroom?

For light sleepers who want silent, filterless operation, the Airfree series is a strong option, since it uses filterless thermodynamic technology with no fan noise. It does not remove dust, pollen, or pet dander the way a HEPA filter does, so for general bedroom allergy control across a full range of particles, a true HEPA unit like the Austin Air HealthMate run on a low, quiet fan speed is the more complete choice.

Air Purification

$994.99

Healthmate Junior Plus Austin Air Cleaner- Blue

$659.99

$1,144.99

$1,499.98

$1,049.98

The Science of Clean Air: True HEPA Filtration

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is no longer a luxury, it is an essential environmental health consideration, especially with most people spending the large majority of their time indoors. Choosing a properly rated air purifier is a meaningful step for allergy and asthma control.

What "true HEPA" actually means: To be called true HEPA, a filter must remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size, the hardest particle size to capture. This is a defined, testable engineering standard, not a marketing term. The U.S. EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home recommends properly sized true HEPA units, run continuously, as part of an allergy and asthma control plan.

Key Benefits

Allergen Capture: True HEPA traps pollen, dander, mold spores, and dust mite allergen.
VOC & Odor Removal: A substantial activated carbon bed, measured in pounds, absorbs smoke and chemicals; HEPA alone does not.
Asthma Support: Reduces airborne triggers as part of a broader environmental control plan.

Buying Considerations

Filter Class: Confirm true HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 microns), not "HEPA-type."
Coverage: Size the unit to your room, ideally rated above your actual square footage for quiet, continuous operation.
Maintenance: Compare long-term filter replacement costs against filterless technology.

Brand Comparison

Feature	Austin Air HealthMate	Airpura UV600	Airfree Lotus
Best For	General allergy/asthma control, large rooms up to 1,500 sq ft	Mold spores and pathogens alongside general allergens, up to 2,000 sq ft	Small, quiet rooms where filterless operation matters most
Technology	True HEPA + 15 lb activated carbon/zeolite	True HEPA + in-chamber UV-C + 18 lb activated carbon	Filterless thermodynamic (heat-based, not HEPA)
Maintenance	5-Year filter life	HEPA up to 5 years, carbon up to 2 years	No filters to replace

Read our full air purifier buying guide for help matching a unit to your room size and symptoms.