5 Best HEPA Air Scrubbers in 2023: Reviews & Comparison

Last updated on January 17th, 2023

An air scrubber (sometimes called a negative air machine) is a machine that filters out dust, smoke, mold and other air pollution from a space (room, office and so on). It is mostly used in the ductwork of a HVAC system, but today there are also portable units available for purchase.

Compared to the more popular air purifiers, air scrubbers have a substantially higher airflow that allows them to clean the air faster and in larger apartments (for small apartments a portable air purifier is enough). They also consume more power and produce more noise, thus rarely making them available to run continuously while people are around. An air scrubber is the best air cleaning device when used in grow rooms, garages, basements and other similar places.

Portable air scrubbers are usually used during construction, renovation of the whole house, cleaning from a mold and mildew, sewage remediation, fire damage restoration and other similar projects that produce a lot of air particulates.

There are many air scrubbers on the US market today, and I’m going to review the best of them. The ones listed on this page use HEPA filters removing 99.97 – 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 micron and are also equipped with an additional means of air filtration. This combination makes them the best air scrubbers when it comes to the removal of dust, odor, VOCs and other particulate matter in large, medium or small areas.

KwiKool Bioair+ KBP1800 UV-C HEPA Air Scrubber: Simply The Best

KwiKool Bioair+ KBP1800 is a powerful USA-made air scrubber that uses a 3-stage air filtration system. The system includes the washable pre-filter, HEPA filter and UVC light. With an airflow of 1800 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) it can easily remove all kinds of air pollution. The manufacturer recommends using the machine in 1,500 sq. ft. spaces.

KwiKool’s washable pre-filter removes larger particles and increases the lifespan of the HEPA filter. Compared to other pre-filters it doesn’t require a monthly replacement and can be used for a long time before it needs one.

The HEPA filter is made from glass microfibers and removes particulate matter (construction dust and dust mites, smoke, mold spores, chemicals, fumes and odors) at 99.99% efficiency. It needs a replacement twice a year.

The UVC-lights inactivate viruses and kill bacteria. Both lamps are set to work for at least 1 year before they have to be replaced.

In addition, the 12-inch diameter ceiling kit can be bought to duct the KwiKool Bioair+ KBP1800 if there is there is such a necessity.

To sum up, this is the best air scrubber when a house, commercial or industrial place needs air sanitizing, virus, bacteria, dust, smoke or odor removal to increase the overall air quality indoors.

Amaircare AirWash Multi-Pro BOSS HEPA Air Scrubber

Amaircare AirWash Multi-Pro BOSS is another powerful air scrubber that uses dual 3-filter chambers and a media pad pre-filter, totaling 7-stages of air filtration. In a combination with high airflow, this air scrubber easily removes particles down to 0.3 micron in 2000 sq. ft. and larger spaces; it achieves 4 air changes per hour in 3,375 sq. ft. and the manufacturer recommended coverage equals a whopping 6,750 sq. ft.!

So what is this multi-stage air filtration system includes? Apart from the media pad that captures large particles and has to be replaced every 3 months, one chamber includes:

• MERV 8 pleated pre-filter
• HEPA filter
• Carbon filter

It can be customized to include a VOC Canister or foam filter.

This air scrubber is one of the most powerful machines available today. The Amaircare AirWash Multi-Pro BOSS costs almost $2000, but it’s worth the price – what other unit can achieve such efficiency in removing chemicals, smells, allergens, help people with asthma or other breathing conditions?

XPOWER X-2580 Commercial 4-Stage HEPA Mini Air Scrubber

XPOWER X-2580 is a small commercial portable air scrubber that is available at a way lower cost compared to the previously reviewed negative air machines. People like it for three reasons: dust removal, smell removal and portability.

The 4-stage air filtration system includes an NFR9 nylon mesh pre-filter, NFS13 washable pre-filter, true HEPA filter and Activated carbon filter. The combination of 4 filters allows for the effective removal of construction dust, dust mites, atmospheric dust and other types of this airborne pollutants. The charcoal filter effectively removes all kinds of odors, including heavy smoke.

The XPOWER X-2580 supports ducting (size 6″ x 11.9″) if the outer nylon mesh filter is removed.

BlueDri Air Shield 550: Best Budget HEPA Air Scrubber

BlueDri Air Shield 550 (BD-AS-550) is the best budget portable air scrubber you can get while not deteriorating the overall air quality. It is available in three colors (blue, gray and red) and is used to remove smoke, saw dust, pollen, pet dander and other debris.

The air scrubber features one. If you want, a honeycomb-styled Carbon filter (not included, ) and a pre-filter (check price) can also be installed inside the machine.

Overall, this is a durable, efficient and affordable air scrubber for remodel, construction zones and overall improvement of the air quality.

ALORAIR 550 with 3 Installed Filters

ALORAIR 550 has similar specs compared to the previously reviewed BlueDri Air Shield, but it comes with all three filters installed (MERV-10 pre-filter, HEPA, Carbon) so you can save up some money. The company also provides a 10-year warranty on the unit.

This portable machine can be used in a home to keep the air clean from any pollution – at the lowest speed the noise is bearable, therefore in some instances it can be used at home 24/7 if there is a need to constantly keep odors at bay (in a kitchen for example). Optional 16-inch duck compatibility is a nice addition to this affordable portable air scrubber.