November 2, 2022
Tell me how I’m s’posed to breathe with no air.
Singapore’s air quality may be one of the best in the world, but dust, allergens and haze from forest fires in the region are still pretty much inevitable. These can be a real pain, particularly if you have allergies/respiratory-related issues.
Throw in other factors such as ongoing construction nearby, pet dander, or a family member down with the flu, and staying at home can suddenly become a sniffle-fest!
Vovo Imunsen Compact (left) and Futur Living x Trident PLUS (right)
Regardless of whether you relate to any of the above, the fact remains that clean, fresh-smelling air is a basic factor in your quality of life – and having an air purifier can most certainly help with that.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of what we reckon are the best air purifiers in Singapore.
It’s widely accepted that high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are the gold standard for air purifiers of today. In theory, HEPA filters remove 99.97% of any particles 0.3 microns or larger (a human hair is approx. 50-70 microns in diameter), which means they’ll help to weed out most common pollutants from dust to mould, pet dander to bacteria.
While not 100% necessary, it’s definitely recommended that you get an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
Aside from filtration efficacy, the volume of air a purifier can clean in a given period varies from product to product. Needless to say, the larger a space, the greater the volume of air that needs to be filtered.
For the most part, an appliance’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) score is used to calculate its coverage; but this is more commonly used in the US, and not all air purifiers sold locally will indicate a CADR score. Plus, it does involve quite a bit of math to calculate coverage based on the CADR score and actual floor area. As such, it’s best to let the salesperson know your room size so that he/she can advise on the best model to get.
View this project by Albedo Design
Don’t be too easily swayed by large discounts of cheap appliances! Because (most) filters need to be replaced/maintained every once in a while, a cheap air purifier may come at the longer-term cost of having to replace filters all too frequently.
In addition to the initial cost, do factor in how frequently a brand says their filters need changing, and how much each instance would cost you.
Other features/factors to look out for:
Designed and made in Korea, the Wells Interior Air Purifier comes with an exclusive HEPA H14* Zero Clear filter (hospital grade!) which can eliminate up to 99.997% of 0.3 micron ultra-fine dust particles.
*As at time of writing, H-14 is the highest tier of HEPA filtration systems there is
In terms of looks, its compact 17cm-thin design comes with fabric textures that make it look like a work of art, and it’s really no wonder that it has since won an Idea Design Award and Good Design Award.
Should you need to focus (a report due the next day, perhaps?), it even has a study mode with a low noise level of just 28 dB – that is, even quieter than a typical library with white noise at approximately 40dB!
Note: it is recommended that filters be changed once a year.
Dyson’s latest air purifiers are fully sealed to HEPA H13; image source: Instagram
With pioneering technology and an iconic design, Dyson has undoubtedly become a household name where air purifiers are concerned. But its air purifiers are more than just good looks – they’re also backed by rigorous lab testing that go above and beyond industry standards.
Of note is Dyson’s latest Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09, which is fully sealed to HEPA H13, that effectively captures up to 99.9% of airborne viruses and other tiny particles. More than that, it detects and converts formaldehyde (a toxic chemical byproduct found in many furnishings from plywood flooring to sofas) into harmless water vapour and carbon dioxide, keeping you and your loved ones safe from unsuspecting culprits of air pollution.
Illustration of the Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 projecting a powerful stream of purified air throughout a room
And as the saying goes, seeing is believing. All of Dyson’s latest air purifiers come integrated with sensors that precisely monitor, display and react to your air quality, all in real time. Plus, with the MyDyson app, you can now monitor and control your home’s air quality at the tip of your fingers.
Real-time diagrammatic analysis of air quality on Dyson’s latest air purifiers
For a full product demo, visit a Dyson demo store near you.
Vovo Imunsen Air Purifier Grand in Black, for larger spaces and communal areas
Made in Korea, Vovo air purifiers are likewise equipped with a medical-grade HEPA H13 filter. What sets them apart is that the purified air is then released through a 100% cypress wood filter that charges the air with phytoncides, which are naturally occurring compounds with antimicrobial properties.
Vovo Imunsen Compact in White, perfect for smaller rooms/placement on bedside tables
Noteworthy features include real-time display of PM2.5 air quality and a Cyclone mode (only available in the Grand models) that rapidly cleans air in large spaces. The cherry on top? All Vovo air purifiers come fitted with a built-in diffuser where you have the option of popping in an aromatherapy capsule of 100% pure distilled cypress oil, known to help reduce stress and improve immunity.
Note that filters need to be changed every 12 months.
Qanvast-exclusive promo: enjoy $30 off any air purifier with code ‘Qanvast30’ upon checkout at their online store, valid for the first 50 redemptions only.
Graphical illustration of the Futur Living x Trident PLUS
But of course, locally designed products are the most tailored to the needs of Singaporeans. Introducing the Futur Living x Trident series, which utilises cold plasma technology developed by A*STAR, and a built-in UVC module for a 99.99% disinfection rate. But that’s not all. The purified air that comes out contains bi-polarised ions, said to sanitise surfaces it comes into contact with.
Most impressively, the Futur Living x Trident PLUS has a coverage area of a whopping 138sqm (the starting size of an executive apartment), which means you’d essentially only need one appliance for the entire house if your doors are kept open.
Note: its Carbon Filter requires replacement every 5 years. The other two filters can be removed and washed with mild detergent and water as needed.
Futur Living also has a range of other air purifiers to suit different spaces at different budget. For smaller spaces, check out the Dawn UV Air Purifier, which is a practical and aesthetic housewarming gift for friends and family.
Airfree’s air purifiers come in different models optimised for different room sizes; image source: Instagram
While all other products listed in this utilise air filters, Airfree’s air purifiers are completely filterless. Instead, they use heat to destroy microorganisms like mould, dust mites, pollen and germs – similar to how you would boil water.
Diagrammatic representation of how Airfree’s filterless air purifiers work
Because these compact appliances are filterless, no filter replacement nor maintenance is needed, saving you money in the long run. On a day to day basis, they’re also perfect for babies and light sleepers because they’re completely silent!
Some models of Airfree’s air purifiers even come with adjustable night light projection to create an ultra-conducive sleeping environment for your young ones
Available at select retailers and for online purchase via the link below.
Likewise meeting the gold standard of air purification, the Ruhens Classic Air Purifier comprises a 4-stage filtration system, including a carbon filter to eliminate odours and formaldehyde, as well as a medical-grade HEPA H13 filter.
Made and designed in Korea, it offers a sizeable 80 sqm coverage (just enough for a 3- or 4-room BTO flat), and has an inconspicuous neutral-toned design that blends in seamlessly with your interior, rather than sticking out like a sore thumb.
The colour of the LED indicator on the Ruhens Classic Air Purifier intuitively indicates the quality of air in a given space
It comes with an intuitive colour-coded air quality feedback and 2.5PM indicator to display concentration of fine dust, giving you the peace of mind to know when the air at your home is clean.
Lastly, there’s also a filter replacement indicator that will prompt you to change the filter when needed (typically every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage), so you’ll never forget to!
(This article is brought to you in collaboration with approved advertisers.)