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10 Best Air Purifiers With Washable Filter in 2022

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Updated April 29, 2022

To find the best air purifiers with washable filter you’ll need to examine a list of criteria to determine what is most important. We recommend the best air purifiers with washable filter with a 3-stage filtration or greater process that uses a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. A fourth layer, UV-C, provides an added layer of defense against bacteria and germs likely to bypass larger filters. Consider large square foot coverage (300+ square feet), high CADR ratings for pollen/dust/smoke, and real-time air quality monitoring paired with a dedicated smartphone app for monitoring and scheduling. Any air purifier with all these features will definitely make to our list of the best air purifiers.

After analyzing hundreds of reviews, we’ve determined that the Winix PlasmaWave 5500 Air Purifier with Washable Filter is the best air purifier with washable filter you can buy. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more and choose the best air purifier to suit your needs.

Top 10 Best Air Purifiers With Washable Filter

 #1  Blueair Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes with a 3-part filtration system and 360° of airflow, making it an excellent choice for people who also need a light-powered fan to feel refreshed.

Pros
  • Low sound levels (71-46 dB)
  • 2 included pre-filter colors
  • 360 square feet CADR rating
Cons
  • Small area coverage (161 square feet)

We like this washable HEPA filter’s composition, which uses two fabric pre-filters and a collapsible carbon filter for odor, smoke, and mold protection. It uses electrostatic filtration, good enough to remove 99.97% of airborne particles on five air changes an hour in a 161 square foot room. Sound levels are a respectable 17 – 46dB, perfect for bedrooms and other sleeping areas. Take a look at the best air purifier for smoke if you are looking for a purifier that can eliminate smoke odors.

Arguably this unit’s biggest draw is its 360 airflow, which disperses air across all corners, instead of a bottom to top or dual side concept – resulting in better air distribution. Its controls are also very intuitive, consisting of a simple button to turn the unit on and change settings. If you are a minimalist at heart, this machine is an excellent choice.

 #2  Hamilton Beach 04386A Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST QUALITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes in a neat compact design and covers up to 160 square feet, an excellent choice for tabletops and nightstands.

Pros
  • Can sit vertically or horizontally
  • 3-speed settings for output control
  • Powerful 99% HEPA-grade filter
Cons
  • Does not include handheld remote control
  • 46dB noise level on the highest setting
  • No digital display panel; simple knob operation

This air purifier with a washable filter is very impressive across the board, starting with a true HEPA filter to kill close to 100% of airborne contaminants. We also love its Whisper-Clean mode, which operates at less than 30dB for undisturbed sleep.

Arguably this particle filter’s biggest draw is its slim and compact design, with the ability to be aligned vertically or horizontally without losing its suction and airflow power. Three-speed settings allow for output control and a Quick Clean mode does an effective job when you need to clear out bad air in a hurry. Plus, this unit is very easy to maintain, only needing a quick vacuum of the HEPA filter without a filter replacement. Compare this with the best air purifier for your baby that has a filter lifetime indicator that lets users know when it’s time to replace the filter.

 #3  Hamilton Beach TrueAir Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes with two zeolite filters and a permanent pre-filter to combat pet hair and odors, an excellent choice for people with household pets that frequently shed.

Pros
  • Design makes it easy to clean
  • Slim profile (10.84 x 8.08 x 16.43 inches) ; good for table tops
  • 99.97% true HEPA cleaning power
Cons
  • Small coverage area (up to 140 square feet)
  • No digital display, Sleep Mode, or Auto Mode

This air purifier with a washable filter is impressive in almost all aspects. A true HEPA filter works to catch 99.97% of airborne contaminants and several layered filters work aggressively to combat pet odors and hair (activated carbon zeolite filters). Our only knock is that it only covers rooms up to 160 square feet, not much by any stretch, so it’s ideal for litter rooms and main pet living areas.

One of our favorite features with this unit is how easy cleaning the filters is. Simply vacuum the filter without the need to replace a filter. On the digital side, it’s rather limited, coming with only three speed settings but none of the additional frills such as real-time air quality monitoring, built-in Bluetooth/WiFi, or Sleep Mode. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for minimalists looking for a simple, compact solution. If you’re looking for something smarter, check out the best smart air purifier that features sensors that tread dark rooms to activate sleep mode and active mode for well-lit rooms, among many other smart features.

 #4  Envion Therapure TPP240 Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST FOR BEDROOMS 

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter clears rooms up to 343 square feet and powerful UV lighting for an added layer of defense against bacteria and germs, excellent for small bedrooms.

Pros
  • Three room changes per hour
  • Excellent 343 square foot capacity
  • Solid CADR ratings for pollen, dust, and smoke
Cons
  • Ion generation may affect nearby electronics
  • Does not include handheld remote control

This air purifier with washable filter offers a little bit of everything, serving medium to large rooms with EPA- type technology for effective neutralizing of airborne pollutants such as pollen, mold spores, dust, bacteria, and germs. It also includes a photocatalyst filter for smoke, odor, and gas reduction. Clean air delivery rates (CADR) are A -grade (155 pollen; 32 dust, and 137 for smoke)

On the digital front, this air purifier with a washable filter is solid. A digital display shows a 24-hour automatic timer, ionizer selection, and a filter indicator light that lets you know when it’s time to do maintenance. Consider this a well-rounded machine for most bedrooms. Another very well-rounded machine is the best air purifier and humidifier that has a high square footage rating, high CADR (clean air delivery rate) scores, and a minimum 3-stage filtration.

 #5  Envion Therapure Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST PORTABLE DESIGN

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter covers rooms up to 350 square feet with 3-stage filtration and a top handle, a great choice for people who need portability to carry it between different rooms with ease.

Pros
  • Can be carried for easy transport
  • Excellent CADR ratings (152 for smoke, 132 for dust, and 155 for pollen)
  • 3-speed fan settings
Cons
  • Does not have a dedicated smartphone app for monitoring
  • No real-time air quality monitoring

This air purifier with washable pre-filter is a dependable workhorse, clearing rooms up to 350 square feet with a 3-stage filtration system that uses a HEPA filter, UV germicidal light, and a photocatalyst filter for large and ultrafine particles. CADR ratings are rock solid, clocking in at 152 for smoke, 132 for dust, and 155 for pollen. Kudos for being Energy Star certified for cost-saving on your electric bill.

We love the fact this air purifier with a washable filter has a 3-speed fan setting, which helps users adjust cleaning levels based on air quality. Our only critique is that it is missing several display features we love, such as Sleep Mode, Auto Mode, and real-time air quality monitoring for a more involved approach. This is why you will prefer the best ionic air purifier which has filters that carry sleep modes for whisper-quiet operation, multiple fan speeds, and real-time air quality indicators.

 #6  Honeywell Air Genius 5 Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST EASE-OF-USE

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter covers up to 250 square feet of space using 5 air cleaning levels and smart touch screen controls, an excellent choice for people wanting an easy to use unit.

Pros
  • 5 cleaning levels for effectiveness
  • Healthy number of digital controls
  • Solid CADR ratings; good for up to five air changes per hour
Cons
  • Pre-filter needs replacement every 3 months
  • No handheld remote control
  • No real-time air quality monitoring

This Airgenius 5 air purifier with HEPA filter leads with proprietary QuietClean ifD® technology that works to eliminate close to 100% of airborne contaminants using two optional pre-filters, including a permanent washable filter. CADR ratings are solid across the board (161 smoke; 169 dust; 170 pollen), good for complete air changes up to five times an hour depending on the fan speed setting.

By far, this unit’s biggest draw is its smart touch screen, with several options to control output. It has five clean settings (Sleep, Germ, General, Allergen, and Max) – along with a two to 12-hour automatic shut-off timer. If you are looking for a well-rounded air purifier with a washable filter, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. Compare that with the best personal air purifier that even has a filter life and maintenance information button.

 #7  Honeywell HFD 120 Q Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST FOR ALLERGIES

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter features a permanent pre-filter and a HEPAClean filter for effective filtration of up to 99.99% of contaminants, an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dependable, everyday performer for allergies.

Pros
  • Energy Star-certified for savings
  • Three fan speed settings
  • Effective washable and permanent pre-filter for allergies
Cons
  • Not the widest coverage (186 square feet of space)
  • No real-time air quality monitoring

Covering up to 186 square feet of space, this air purifier with a washable filter does its work with a two-stage filtration system plus a built-in ionizer to neutralize and ground airborne contaminants. These are good at removing up to 99.97% of airborne pollutants including pollen, dust, mold spores, smoke, and cooking odors.

In terms of digital features, this air purifier with a washable filter is very serviceable. It includes an electronic filter check indicator for replacement monitoring, as well as LED touch-button controls to adjust fan speeds, including its whisper-quiet lowest setting that competes with the quietest air purifier. If you are looking for a no-frills machine without all the bells and whistles of real-time air quality monitoring or a dedicated smartphone app for smaller bedrooms, this is a solid choice. Another excellent choice is any one of the best UV air purifiers with a minimum 3-stage filtration system, that consists of a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and UV-C light.

 #8  BlueAir 211 Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST FOR KIDS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes in a sleek, minimalist design and machine washable fabric pre-filters that come in different colors, a neat choice for children who want to customize their look.

Pros
  • Eliminates 99% of airborne contaminants
  • Excellent sound levels (31-56dB)
  • Colorful machine washable fabric pre-filters for style
Cons
  • Pre-filters gather dust around the unit very easily; not hidden inside
  • Airflow out on top; no 360 distribution for more evenness
  • Slight learning curve putting on and removing outer filter sleeve

This best air purifier with low maintenance is a pretty nifty contraption, featuring HEPASilent technology and a pre-filter for large and ultrafine particle protection. A third activated carbon layer also works to dispel, smoke, odors, and gases. Coverage is good for up to 540 square feet, making it work exceptionally well in studios, lofts, and smaller open-plan apartments.

On the digital side, it’s super-simplified, featuring no jobs and a single button to adjust settings. A built-in warning system also activates, letting users know when it’s time to change the filter. Consider this more of a style piece for smaller areas with quirky machine washable fabric pre-filters names such as ‘Diva Blue’ and ‘Dark Shadow’. But don’t forget digital controls, such as real-time air quality reminders and away mode settings that also come with the best whole house air purifiers.

 #9  Oion Technologies Air Purifier with Washable Filter

Award: BEST FOR SMOKE

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes with an electrostatically charged metal filter for thirdhand smoke, an excellent choice for people living with heavy smokers.

Pros
  • Electrostatic purification for added power
  • UVGI technology of germs and bacteria protection
  • Includes night-light; great for bedrooms
Cons
  • A slight smell of ozone may be detected
  • Not the most durable unit

This air purifier with washable filter offers powerful filtration, starting with carbon filtration and electrostatic ionizer, which disperses millions of negative ions into the air to ground airborne contaminants, An added UV-C light also provides additional fighting power against bacteria and germs that easily bypass larger filters.

We like the fact this air purifier with washable filter is geared for sleep, with a built-in night light and whisper-quiet operation that does not exceed 40 decibels. Plus, an ultra-slim profile (5.5 x 6.5 x 17 inches) makes it easy to sneak beside a nightstand or entertainment center without being too obtrusive. But in case you need a unit that has a pre-filter for large particles, a true HEPA filter for ultrafine particles, and a combination of the activated carbon layer and ionizer for smoke and odors, your best bet is the best large room air purifier.

 #10  Winix PlasmaWave 5500 Air Purifier with Washable Filter

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: This air purifier with washable filter comes with 4-stage filtration and is CADR rated for 360 square feet, an excellent choice for small to mid-sized living rooms.

Pros
  • Dual Smart Sensors optimize filtration
  • PlasmaWave for added layer of defense against bacteria and germs
  • 360 square feet CADR rating
Cons
  • Heavy unit (roughly 15 pounds) and bulky
  • No dedicated smartphone app for monitoring and scheduling

A 4-stage filtration system provides multiple lines of defense against airborne contaminants, starting with a pre-filter for larger particles, a true HEPA filter for ultrafine particles, and an activated carbon filter for odors. Winix 5500-2’s proprietary PlasmaWave air cleaning technology depends on hydroxyl production for an added layer of defense against bacteria and illness-causing germs, making it welcome in children’s nurseries where nasties abound.

This Plasma Wave 5500-2 true HEPA air purifier with a washable carbon filter’s digital features is very impressive. An air quality indicator offers real-time status updates and built-in sensors also help to optimize fan speed based on air quality. When air quality dips, it cranks up and vice versa. We also love this unit’s Sleep Mode, which automatically hunkers down and becomes more energy-efficient. The best air purifier for cigarette smoke also has a sleep mode, which keeps it at its lowest noise setting, ideal for sleeping and children’s nurseries.

How We Decided

In determining the best air purifier with a washable filter to buy, we explored efficiency, versatility, and digital controls.

In our view, efficiency refers to a combination of square footage rating and CADR (clean air delivery rate), which translates to the rate of contaminant reduction. The higher the number, the faster the machine. We are big fans of 3-stage filtration systems that use a pre-filter for large particles, true HEPA filters for smaller particles (down to 0.3 microns), and an activated carbon filter for odor resistance.

In terms of versatility, go for the best air purifiers with washable filters with 360° distribution instead of bottom to top concept for improved air distribution, along with a slim profile to make it mountable on a tabletop or beside an entertainment stand without sticking out like a sore thumb. Other signs of versatility include one-button operations for simplicity’s sake and dedicated smartphone apps that assist with real-time air quality monitoring and scheduling. Another excellent gadget for car owners is the best car air purifier that can purify your car during long road trips.

Lastly, digital controls should be in focus. We are big fans of a dedicated app or color-coded LED indicators for real-time air quality monitoring, along with multiple fan speeds, Sleep Mode, and Auto Mode, which optimizes fan speeds based on air quality for energy savings.

Best Air Purifiers with Washable Filter Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Efficiency
    Focus on efficiency in terms of expansive square footage. We recommend seeking an air purifier with a washable filter that offers a larger square footage rating than the room or rooms you intend to place it in for the best results. Efficiency also refers to a minimum 3-stage filtration system with a pre-filter for large particles, true HEPA filters for smaller particles (down to 0.3 microns), and an activated carbon filter for odor resistance. . Altogether, this is capable of neutralizing close to 100% of airborne contaminants from pet dander, mold spores, pollen, dust, bacteria, and more.
  2. Versatility
    Focus on air purifiers with washable filters that have an even air-friendly airflow concept (e.g. 360° distribution instead of bottom to the top concept) for better distribution. Some air purifiers even double as humidifiers and fans, offering you more bang for your buck. DoAdditin’t forget different mounting positions, with very little purifiers able to be mounted on a wall or sit horizontally/vertically to adhere to space exactly as you’d like
  3. Digital Controls
    A healthy number of digital controls make air purifiers with washable filters much easier to use. Look for the best air purifier with a washable filter that carries real-time air quality monitoring with color-coded LED indicators that grade air quality levels, as well as Sleep Mode and Auto Mode for optimization of fan speed based on air quality. Don’t forget dedicated smartphone apps for ease of monitoring and scheduling.

Air Purifiers with Washable Filter FAQs

Are washable air filters good?

Yes, washable air filters are very effective at clearing out large and ultrafine particles as small as 0.3 microns with a combination of true HEPA filtering, activated carbon layers, and UV-C for extra microbial protection. They are also much easier to maintain, as they can be vacuumed or wiped off without having to replace them. If maintained, washable filters can easily last up to several years with heavy use. Cleaning a washable air filter is very straightforward. Simply remove the front panel or casing, rest the washable air filter on a flat surface, and apply a light vacuum or quick wipe down or brushing using a gentle brush and mild detergent. For best results, be sure to drain your washable air filter completely before setting it back into the purifier.

How often should you clean a reusable air filter?

Our recommendation is to check for excess particle accumulation every two weeks. Note, any washing with a quick brushing and use of mild detergent should be followed by a thorough drying before placing it back into the purifier.

How do I know if my air filter is washable?

First, confirm to see if the air purifier permanent filter vs replaceable filter. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for a complete rundown on whether or not your air filter offers washable and permanent filters.

Are washable air filters better than disposable?

Washable filters generally carry a longer lifespan than disposable filters, albeit at the expense of added cost. However, disposable filters generally do a better job of strapping smaller particles.