WIRED has published its updated 2026 buying guide to the best air purifiers, drawing on hands-on testing across a range of budgets, room sizes and pollutant types. The reviewer, who has lived through severe wildfire smoke in California and now contends with pet dander, gas-stove fumes and urban pollution in New York, frames air purifiers as a long-term household investment worth researching carefully rather than a disposable appliance.

Top recommendations include the premium IQAir Atem X (£1,400/$1,400) as the overall best performer, praised for its quiet operation, app control and optional 10-year warranty, though it lacks a carbon filter for gases. Budget-conscious buyers are pointed to the Coway Airmega Mighty2 ($270), while the Coway Airmega 450 ($499) is singled out for tackling odours and the Levoit Vital 200S-P ($190) for homes with pets. For wildfire smoke specifically, the guide recommends the Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 ($375). The July 2026 update added the Shark BreatheClear Max and IQAir Healthpro Plus, alongside refreshed testing details and pricing.