City dust catcher

Author's Rating:

Pros: Relatively quiet, efficient, tangible results

Cons: need to buy replacement filters, size may be a problem for small spaces, not inexpensive

The Bottom Line: 
A must if air quality is important to you but compromised in your area.

Author's Review
As a city dweller by subway tracks and a major highway exit, this air purifier made a visible (less black soot) and not so visible difference (less allergies for all in our house). We chose this model because of its high ratings in a consumer report. Especially on the lowest setting they are quiet and are relatively unobtrusive. However, they are not small and they need two filters, one of which is the more expensive HEPA. On the other hand, when you change the filter, you see what you have not been breathing in which is of course, why you purchase an air purifier in the first place.

We have had our two purifiers for 9 months and they have performed well. My husband has allergies and has noticed a difference - he can now sleep through the night and not wake up with nasal congestion. I notice less soot in the house. We're quite happy with them and consider the cost well worth it.

We are not smokers and cannot comment on how effective they would be in removing smoke; however, the product has good ratings in that regard.