If you live in India, you already know how the air feels these days. Some evenings smell smoky for no reason, some mornings look like winter but it’s not winter at all, and many homes get dusty even if you clean twice a day. I started noticing this a few years back, when my throat felt dry almost every night. At first I thought maybe it’s just the fan blowing on my face, but later I realised indoor air is sometimes as messy as outdoor air, especially in cities like Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Mumbai, even smaller towns.
That’s when people around me began buying air purifiers. And honestly, once I tried one for a few months, I understood why so many folks here are going for them. Air purifiers don’t magically change your whole lifestyle, but they do make the air inside cleaner, softer and more breathable. I’m saying this from personal experience, not some fancy technical guide.
This article is meant for anyone who’s trying to pick the right purifier but gets confused because every brand looks “best”. I’ll break down the things that actually matter, share what people usually miss, and then talk about the popular models in India. And yes, I’ll add pros and cons tables so you can compare easily. Some sentences might feel a little odd or slightly imperfect, I write like that sometimes while thinking.
Let me start from the basics.
Why People in India Are Buying Air Purifiers
In our country, pollution is not a new thing. But in the past few years, the situation has become worse in many places. Even if you live in a clean area, indoor air still gets affected by dust, pet hair, mould, fumes from cooking, incense sticks, paint smell, mosquito sprays and so on. Many people don’t realise that indoor pollution can even be higher than outdoors during winter months.
A good purifier reduces these tiny particles that float around. You might not see them, but you surely feel the difference when they’re reduced. It helps people with asthma, allergies, sinus issues, young kids, elderly or even regular adults who just want cleaner air.
But, to be honest, many buyers get confused because there are too many models and too many features. So here’s the simple way to think about air purifiers.
What Actually Matters When Buying an Air Purifier in India
People here usually look at price first, but price alone will not help. There are 5 important things to notice before you buy.
1. Filter Type
Always go for a purifier that has a True HEPA filter. Not HEPA-like, not HEPA-type. True HEPA captures extremely fine particles like PM2.5, dust, pollen and smoke. Also check if it has an activated carbon filter, because that helps with smells from cooking, paint or traffic.
Some purifiers also have pre-filters that catch bigger dust, which is useful because our homes collect dust fast.
2. Room Size
One small purifier cannot clean a large living room. I’ve seen many friends buy a tiny model for a hall and then complain it doesn’t work. So match purifier capacity with room size. If your bedroom is around 150 sq ft, get a purifier meant for 150 to 200 sq ft. If it’s your living area, you’ll need a bigger one.
3. Noise Level
At night, noise matters. If the purifier is too loud, it’ll disturb your sleep. Many brands mention the noise level in decibels. Look for something that has a “sleep mode” or “night mode” to keep the sound low.
4. Filter Replacement Cost
This is one thing most Indians forget. The purifier itself may cost 8k or 10k, but the filter might cost 3k or sometimes more. And you need to replace it every 6 to 12 months depending on usage and pollution level. So always check the replacement price before buying.
5. Service and Availability
If filters are hard to find in your city, the purifier becomes useless. That’s why brands like Philips, Eureka Forbes, Dyson, Havells and Xiaomi do well. Their parts are usually available.
Best Air Purifiers in India
Now let’s look at some of the strong performers in the Indian market. Prices may change from store to store but the performance part usually remains same.
I’ll break them down one by one.
Philips 1000i Series Air Purifier
Philips is one of the most trusted brands in India for air purifiers. Their 1000i series is perfect for medium sized bedrooms or study rooms.
Key Features
• True HEPA filter
• Removes PM2.5 effectively
• Auto mode adjusts air cleaning speed
• Sleep mode with low noise
• Good build quality
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable and long lasting | Filter cost slightly high |
| Good performance for bedrooms | Design looks basic to some people |
| Sleep mode is very quiet | Coverage not ideal for very large rooms |
| Air quality indicator is helpful | Sometimes sensor is slow to react |
Eureka Forbes Air Purifier 150
This one is a very budget friendly purifier. Many people in India buy it as their first purifier to test if they actually feel any difference.
Key Features
• True HEPA filter
• Compact and lightweight
• Good for small rooms like 120 to 150 sq ft
• Price friendly
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | Not suitable for big rooms |
| Easy to use | Build quality feels average |
| Filters are cheaper than premium brands | Noise slightly higher at full speed |
| Good for bachelors or rented houses | Fewer smart features |
Eureka Forbes Air Purifier 355
This is a step up from the 150 model and covers more area. Works better for master bedrooms or small living rooms.
Key Features
• True HEPA filtration
• Larger coverage area
• Multiple fan modes
• Indicator for filter change
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great cleaning performance | Bulkier compared to smaller models |
| Works well for families | Replacement filter cost is mid-range |
| Covers medium to large rooms | Auto mode could be more accurate |
| Reliable brand support | A bit noisy on high fan settings |
Eureka Forbes Smart 500 Surround 360
This one has a surrounding 360-degree airflow which helps clean air faster in bigger rooms.
Key Features
• 360-degree air intake
• True HEPA filter
• Advanced digital display
• Suitable for large rooms
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent coverage | Price higher than basic models |
| Fast purification | Might be big for small rooms |
| Stylish design | Not ideal for tight spaces |
| Smart control options | Replacement filters cost more |
Havells Meditate AP 400
Havells is quite popular in Indian households. Their Meditate AP 400 is a premium model with smart features.
Key Features
• Three-stage filtration
• Smart display
• High air delivery rate
• Good for medium to large rooms
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern design | One of the costlier models in this list |
| Very effective in polluted areas | Filters not cheap |
| Good for family homes | Limited colour options |
| Runs quietly in sleep mode | App may lag sometimes |
Dyson Pure Cool Link TP03
Dyson is like the Apple of air purifiers. Expensive, stylish and powerful. People who buy Dyson mostly want something modern and premium.
Key Features
• True HEPA filter
• Unique bladeless fan design
• Strong sensors
• Smart connectivity
• Works as a fan + purifier
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent filtration | Very expensive |
| Doubles as a cooling fan | Filters are costly |
| Premium build and looks | Some people find app complex |
| Extremely quiet | Not everyone needs such a premium model |
My Personal Experience with Air Purifiers
I’ve been using air purifiers for around three years now. First I bought a small Xiaomi purifier and later upgraded to a Philips one. The biggest difference I felt was during the winter when Delhi’s pollution hits crazy levels. Without purifier, my nose felt blocked and my eyes got itchy sometimes. After keeping the purifier on for a few hours, the room air felt lighter.
One thing I realised is that placement matters a lot. If you keep the purifier behind a sofa or in a corner where nothing moves, it won’t clean properly. It needs open space so it can pull and push air freely.
Another thing is noise. Some cheaper purifiers make too much sound at high speed, so I keep them on auto mode at night. It works better that way. Small grammar issue might be expecting here because I write fast sometimes, but the point is that using auto mode saves effort.
I also suggest cleaning the pre-filter every few weeks. In India, dust collects very fast and it blocks airflow.
How to Choose the Right Purifier for Your Home
To be honest, it depends on your home size and lifestyle. Here’s a simple rough guide.
• For small bedrooms
Go for Eureka Forbes 150 or Philips 1000i.
• For medium bedrooms or small halls
Choose Eureka Forbes 355 or Havells AP 400.
• For large rooms and modern homes
Dyson TP03 or Eureka Forbes Smart 500 works great.
• For tight budget
Eureka Forbes 150 is more than enough for basic use.
• For homes with pets
Pick something with a strong HEPA + carbon filter combination.
FAQs
1. Do air purifiers remove smell from cooking or smoke?
Yes, if the purifier has a carbon filter, it helps reduce smoke smell, cooking fumes and other odours.
2. How long should I keep the purifier on?
During winters or polluted days, many folks keep it on for 12 to 14 hours, especially in bedrooms. You can also use auto mode.
3. Do air purifiers increase electricity bill a lot?
Not really. Most purifiers consume similar power as a small fan. At max, maybe a few hundred rupees extra per month if used heavily.
4. How do I know the filter needs changing?
Most purifiers have a filter indicator. If not, check it visually for dust or reduced airflow.
5. Can I use one purifier for entire house?
You can move it between rooms, but for best results keep one device dedicated to a room you use the most.
6. Do purifiers help with asthma?
They help reduce triggers like dust and pollen. Many people with asthma feel relief, but it is not a medical treatment.
7. Does sleeping with a purifier on cause any issue?
Not at all. In fact, most people sleep better because cleaner air feels softer.
