Air purifiers are most commonly known for being used at home to eliminate allergens, bacteria, germs and odors. By purifying the air around them, they improve the air’s quality as well as its smell. Although we spend a lot of time at home, we also spend a lot of time in our cars. Whether it’s commuting to work, driving to school or making that weekly grocery run, we all spend more time than we realize behind the wheel. So why not install one of the best car air purifiers in your car?
There are many different models of car air purifiers to choose from, but all of them have the same primary purpose of purifying the air in your car. When choosing yours, consider which is the best suited to your requirements and power source using the information below.
Ozone Generator – Car air purifiers with an ozone generator are particularly effective when it comes to eliminating odors. They work by utilizing electrical currents sourced from a pre-charged battery or the cigarette lighter to sterilize germs. By doing this, these purifiers can remove odors rather than simply mask the unwanted smell as a spray usually would.
Plasma Generator – By emitting ions, a plasma generator traps unwanted particles and breaks them down. The ions will be either negatively or positively charged, depending on the product, and each will be set to target the impure air as it circulates into the purifier.
Charcoal – For an eco-friendly approach to purifying the air in your car, look for a car air purifier that utilizes naturally sourced charcoal. You’ll often find the charcoal is derived from bamboo and is 100% organic. This type of purifier can last for up to two years as long as you remember to recharge the charcoal in the sunlight for an hour each month. After two years, you can simply refresh the car air freshener by replenishing the charcoal inside the bag.
Related Stories
Car air purifiers work in the same way as the purifiers you keep in your living room and bedroom. They absorb or filter out the bad particles in a confined space, leaving you with better air to breathe. Not only will an air purifier make your car smell fresher, but it can also keep you healthier.
Car air purifiers come in several different shapes and sizes, from charcoal fresheners to cup-holder-sized devices with HEPA filters. However, they will all make a difference to the air quality in your car. Order yourself one of the 15 best car air purifiers listed below and start enjoying a healthier commute.
1. PURGGO Car Air Freshener
BEST OVERALL
Enjoy a whole year of purified car air with the PURGGO Car Air Freshener. It utilizes bamboo charcoal to provide an all-natural cleansing process. Charcoal works to absorb odorous particles as air moves through it, leaving your car smelling better. This bag slips over the headrest on any of the seats in your car and silently eliminates any bad odors. You’ll never even notice it’s there.
2. FRiEQ Car Air Purifier
BEST VALUE
With over 4,600 customer reviews and a price tag under $20, the FRiEQ Car Air Purifier is a very popular, modestly priced product. By releasing 4.8 million negative ions per square centimeter, this device works particularly well for removing the smell of smoke and other odors. Simply plug the purifier into your cigarette lighter, and it will kick into action. Plus, it requires no filter changing or maintenance.
3. NuvoMed Car Air Purifier
BEST DASHBOARD DEVICE
The NuvoMed Car Air Purifier sits neatly on your dashboard to ensure full coverage and to avoid taking up other useful space, such as the cup holder. Utilizing a HEPA filter, this compact machine removes up to 99% of impurities from the air, including dust, smoke smell and pet dander. Once this purifier is up and running, you’ll hardly hear it at work thanks to its low operating noise.
4. Wyewye Air Purifying Bags
BEST MULTI-PACK
The Wyewye Air Purifying Bags include 15 individual purifying bags with each order, making them ideal for improving the air quality of your car and home, too. They’re made from 100% natural bamboo and are reusable for up to two years, at which point you should replace the charcoal. Additionally, each 6.5 x 3-inch bag features a useful rope loop for hanging and display purposes.
5. 4WDKING Car Air Purifier Ionizer
BEST FOR SMOKERS
A tiny ionizer and USB charger in one, the 4WDKING Car Air Purifier Ionizer is the multifunctional answer to eliminating harmful particles in the air. Simply plug it into the cigarette lighter in your car, and the ionizer will eliminate bad odors. It also works to neutralize mold spores, bacteria and viruses, making your car a healthier place. As an added bonus, this purifier also features dual USB ports, so you don’t have to worry about losing your charging space.
Related: Best HEPA Air Purifiers
6. MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag
BEST CHARCOAL BAG
The MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag contains 200 grams of 100% activated bamboo charcoal. This means that it has plenty of power to remove the odors from your car for up to two years. In addition, this pack comes with three individual bags, giving you six years of fresh air in your car or the ability to create fresh air in all the cars in your household. Alternatively, place the extras in your household closets to keep your clothes from smelling of mildew.
7. PRODUCTS4FUTURE Air Purifying Bags
ORGANIC PICK
Four pyramid-shaped PRODUCTS4FUTURE Air Purifying Bags are included with each order, making them ideal for purifying the air in your car as well as multiple places around the home. They contain 200 grams of naturally activated bamboo charcoal and are totally organic and chemical-free. The multi-pack includes one green, one grey, one blue and one red bag, all of which function for up to two years before requiring a refill.
8. TWINKLE BIRDS Car Air Purifier Ionizer
MOST COMPACT
Small in size and mighty in purifying power, the TWINKLE BIRDS Car Air Purifier Ionizer is a compact gadget ready to improve the air quality of your car. It works to remove allergens, pollen dust, PM2.5 and mold spores. Available in four colors, you can select yours to match your car’s interior. And, as an added bonus, the clever design includes two USB charging ports, making this device super convenient to charge in your car.
9. Pure Car Air Purifier
MOST VERSATILE
The Pure Car Air Purifier features a HEPA air filter. This three-in-one purifier eliminates allergens, mold and bacteria. It can also kill germs, viruses and pollen. By doing so, the purifier works to get rid of odors from smoke, pets, food and more. In addition, this purifier features two USB 3.0 ports with quick charging technology, meaning you will never be without an air purifier in your car as long as you have a USB port.
10. ITSHINY Air Purifier for Car
BEST FOR CUP HOLDERS
The ITSHINY Air Purifier for Car is a powerful answer to car pollutants. It helps get rid of smoke, dust, pollen, mold, pet dander and pollutants by utilizing a four-stage filtration system. The device itself has three-speed levels and is very quiet, working at a noise level of fewer than 50 decibels. This purifier fits in the cup holders of your car and plugs into the cigarette lighter to start up automatically when you turn your car on.
11. Ivation Ozone Plasma Car Air Purifier
MOST DURABLE
Featuring non-slip feet both on the vertical base and the back, the Ivation Ozone Plasma Car Air Purifier is a sturdy choice wherever you decide to mount it. Both a car charger and a wall charger come included, so you can move the purifier from your car to your home as and when you like. This compact machine utilizes two-in-one technology, offering both an ozone generator and a plasma generator, too.
12. Pure Enrichment Mini Portable Air Purifier
BEST REVIEWED
Utilizing two-stage air purification, the Pure Enrichment Portable Air Purifier is able to clean the air in your car by eliminating 99.7% of dust, pollen and odors. The first stage is the activated carbon pre-filter, which is then followed by the true HEPA filter to ensure premium purification. Designed for portability and to be easily placed into a car cup holder, you can take this purifier with you everywhere.
13. FIGNOLEE Cari Air Purifier
STYLISH PICK
Existing customers have reviewed the FIGNOLEE Cari Air Purifier with five out of five stars. By releasing 12 million negative ions per square centimeter to remove smoke, odor and pollutants, this car-friendly piece of equipment provides 99.9% purification. No filter replacement is required, so there’s no limit to its lifespan. Furthermore, the stylish aluminum case ensures it will be a welcome addition to your car.
14. Medify MA-CAR Air Purifier
BEST HEADREST ATTACHMENT
You can attach the Medify MA-CAR Air Purifier to any headrest in your car by using the integrated velcro strap. Controlled by the central, one-touch button, this air purifying gadget is very user-friendly. It features an H13 HEPA filter, which is an upgrade from a normal HEPA filter and enables 99.9% of unwanted particles to be removed from your car. While some may find it unsightly, this is one of the most powerful air purifiers on our list.
15. IQAir Atem Car Portable Air Purifier
BEST SPLURGE
If you spend a lot of time commuting from A to B, or work from your car, then the IQAir Atem Car Portable Air Purifier is a wise investment. Using a HyperHEPA Plus filter, it’s able to remove up to 99% of unwanted particles all the way down to 0.003 microns. The central fan draws in the air from 270 degrees before thoroughly filtering it through three stages. For taking proper care of this purifier, you can also upgrade your purchase to include a carrying case for an additional $60.