Desktop air purifiers come in various types. They use about the same processes as those you’d find in whole house (or central) air purifier systems. The most popular desktop air purifiers use:

• Traditional carbon filters
• HEPA filters
• HEPA combined with UV light
• Carbon and HEPA combined with UV light

High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation (HEPA) may sound like something out of science fiction. And it isn’t far from the truth as they were first created to rid the air of radioactive particles.

Aside from being found on desktops around the world today, HEPA air cleaners also have various scientific, industrial, and military uses.

HEPA filters are crafted from glass particles that form a fine weave. It reaches efficiency levels approaching 100%, hence its name.

Prices of desktop air purifiers range from $150 to over $280. Filter replacement varies and SHOULD BE A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION, especially in units with multiple filters. Although largely depending on use, filters in the more popular brands last from:

• HEPA – 2 to 5 years
• Carbon – 4 months to 2 years
• UV – around 250 days or less

Replacement filter prices can cost anywhere from a few dollars (carbon filters) to over $100 (HEPA filters).

The main drawback of HEPA desktop air purifiers could be the high power consumption they generate. The fine weave makes a HEPA filter so very dense that only a really strong blower (needing more electricity) can push the air through.

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