First released on 30 May 2022
Last updated on 27 Nov 2023
This is a list of portable air cleaners (Table 1) suitable for use in household and/or commercial settings for reducing airborne particulates including particles associated with coronaviruses, based on data provided by suppliers. This list should be read in conjunction with NEA’s Technical Advisory on Use of Air-Cleaning Technologies to Mitigate COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission Risk for guidance on the use of air cleaners amid the COVID-19 situation.
Portable air cleaners are generally equipped with two types of technologies for air cleaning:
- Mechanical: Use of air filters to trap bioaerosols and clean the air. Filters of at least MERV 14, F8 or ISO ePM1 70-80% have been demonstrated to be effective in removing bioaerosols associated with SARS-CoV-2, and do not generate ozone or ions. This list consists of portable air cleaners that use mechanical air filters (at least MERV 14, F8 or ISO ePM1 70-80%) as the ONLY or MAIN mechanism for air cleaning. Portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or above (e.g. ULPA filters) are recommended for use in environments with higher risk of COVID-19 aerosol transmission, while products with non-HEPA filters may be used in lower-risk environments.
- Electronic: Use of ionizers, photocatalytic oxidizers, electrostatic precipitators, hydroxyl generators, UV light, or other electronic air-cleaning technologies. These are emerging technologies with inadequate data1 to support their effectiveness in removing or inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in the air, and which may also generate harmful levels of ozone or ions. While such technologies may be present in the products listed here, reports provided by the suppliers show that these technologies play a minor role in the products, and do not generate ozone beyond the acceptable limit (0.05 ppm, 8 hr) stipulated by Singapore Standard SS554: Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality for Air-Conditioned Buildings. However, the presence of these technologies may affect your decision on the sizing of the products (please see below: Sizing of portable air cleaners).
1While ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been demonstrated to be efficacious against SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols, effectiveness is highly dependent on individual product design.
The products listed are assessed on:
i) clean air delivery rate (CADR) for removal of cigarette smoke (diameter 0.1 – 1.0 µm);
ii) ozone emission (for electronic portable air cleaners);
iii) photobiological safety (for portable air cleaners containing UV light);
iv) electrical safety (in accordance with IEC 60335-2-65 standard or equivalent).
Please note that other than ozone emission level, the safety of other emissions from ion-generating electronic portable air cleaners has not been assessed. Consumers are advised to exercise caution and request relevant safety data from suppliers to ensure the safe use of these devices.
Sizing of portable air cleaners
When choosing a portable air cleaner, select a unit that is appropriately sized for the space. The minimum smoke CADR (in m3/h or cmh) effected by air filters that a unit should provide for a particular room size can be estimated as follows:
Smoke CADR (cmh) effected by air filters ≥ room size (m3) × 5
In spaces where ventilation cannot be easily improved (e.g. no operable windows), and/or in spaces with high-risk activities2, and/or if portable air cleaners contain electronic air-cleaning technologies3, the sizing of portable air cleaners is recommended as follows:
Overall smoke CADR (cmh) ≥ room size (m3) × 7
2Such spaces include those where bioaerosol-generating procedures are performed on people (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab taking and dental procedures), where COVID-19 patients may be present, or where masks must be removed.
3Where smoke CADR is tested based on both air filters and electronic air-cleaning technologies such as ionisers. As the effectiveness of the electronic air-cleaning technologies against SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols is unknown, additional sizing is recommended.
| Disclaimer: Listing does not constitute or imply any affiliation, relationship or sponsorship by NEA of the listed devices. Every device needs to be used in the right way and according to specification. NEA will not be responsible for any loss or damage arising from or incidental to any use of devices/services in the listing. |
Table 1. List of portable air cleaners effective against COVID-19 virus aerosols
The table will be updated as new data emerge and data from more products are gathered.
| S/N | Brand and Model | Category | Filter Grade | Smoke CADR in CMH (Filtration Alone) | Smoke CADR in CMH (Overall) |
| 1 | AiRazor AR-100 | Mechanical | MERV-14 | 302 | 302 |
| 2 | Airify AP1402 | Mechanical
| HEPA | 176 | 176 |
| 3 | Atmosphere MINI 124746M
| Mechanical
| HEPA | 220 | 220 |
| 4 | Atmosphere SKY 120539M | Mechanical | HEPA | 510 | 510 |
| 5 | Cleanroom 250 | Mechanical | HEPA | 460 | 460 |
| 6 | Cleanroom H13 | Mechanical | HEPA | 461 | 461 |
| 7 | Defender Air Cleaner (AM4000UK/AM4000G) | Mechanical | HEPA | 212 | 212 |
| 8 | Euromate VisionAir Blue Line 1 (Vision Air double) | Mechanical | HEPA | 835 | 835 |
| 9 | Euromate VisionAir Blue Line 1 (Vision Air single) | Mechanical | HEPA | 414 | 414 |
| 10 | HealthPro 100 | Mechanical | HEPA | 500 | 500 |
| 11 | HealthPro 250 | Mechanical | HEPA | 468 | 468 |
| 12 | Healthy Air Technology HA500 | Mechanical and Electronic | HEPA
| N.A. | 516 |
| 13 | Healthy Air Technology HA800
| Mechanical and Electronic | HEPA | N.A. | 776 |
| 14 | IQAir Cleanroom H13 | Mechanical | HEPA | 530 | 530 |
| 15 | Novita Air Purifier A8i | Mechanical and Electronic
| HEPA
| N.A. | 847 |
| 16 | Novita Air Purifier A11
| Mechanical and Electronic
| HEPA
| N.A. | 318 |
| 17 | Novita Air Purifier A18
| Mechanical and Electronic | HEPA | N.A. | 488 |
| 18 | Philips Air Purifier AC0820/30 | Mechanical | HEPA | 190 | 190 |
| 19 | Philips Air Purifier AC2887/30
| Mechanical | HEPA | 333 | 333 |
| 20 | Philips Air Purifier AC2936/33 | Mechanical | HEPA | 380 | 380 |
| 21 | Philips Air Purifier AC3033/30 | Mechanical | HEPA | 520 | 520 |
| 22 | Tefal Pure Air PT3030 | Mechanical | HEPA | 268 | 268 |
N.A.: not available
This list is based on the data submitted by the suppliers.
The devices listed in the Table are also effective against smoke haze. The overall smoke CADR (i.e. including the effect of all components) may reflect the effectiveness against smoke haze.
Any company marketing air cleaners that are effective against coronavirus aerosols can submit enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.