Discover the Top Air Purifiers with Washable Filters for Cleaner Air

Why Choose Air Purifiers with Washable Filters?

Air purifiers with washable filters are a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for maintaining clean indoor air. These devices trap pollutants like dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke while allowing users to clean and reuse filters, reducing long-term maintenance costs. Unlike traditional air purifiers that require frequent filter replacements, washable filters can be vacuumed, rinsed, or washed, making them ideal for households seeking sustainable options. They also maintain high filtration efficiency, often incorporating HEPA or activated carbon layers to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Benefits of Washable Filters

• Cost Savings: Washable filters eliminate the need to purchase replacements every 6-12 months, which can cost $50-$200 per filter.
• Environmental Impact: Reusable filters reduce waste compared to disposable ones, aligning with eco-conscious lifestyles.
• Ease of Maintenance: Most washable filters can be cleaned in minutes with a vacuum or water, requiring minimal effort.
• Consistent Performance: When properly maintained, washable filters maintain their efficiency, ensuring clean air over time.

Top Air Purifiers with Washable Filters in 2025

Below, we highlight the best air purifiers with washable filters based on performance, features, and user feedback. Each model has been tested for particle removal, noise levels, and energy efficiency, ensuring they meet diverse needs.

1. NuWave OxyPure

The best air purifier for homes is the NuWave OxyPure. This premium model’s main selling point is its multi-stage filtration system, which uses washable and reusable filters to cut down on recurring costs. This system comprises a stainless steel mesh pre-filter for larger debris, two ‘Bio-Guard’ filters (for mold, viruses, and bacteria), an ozone filter, and a HEPA/pellet-type activated carbon filter. Except for the HEPA/activated carbon filter, which needs yearly replacement, all parts have a 20-year lifespan, only requiring a wash every couple of months. In terms of actual air purification performance, the NuWave is very good overall, with strong particle filtration across the board and an impressively high clean air delivery rate. It has built-in particle sensors, so it can monitor and change fan speed according to ambient air quality. This air purifier has Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to operate it remotely using the NuWave Connect companion app while you’re away from home.

• Pros: Long-lasting washable filters, high CADR, Wi-Fi connectivity, effective for large rooms up to 1,200 sq. ft.
• Cons: Higher upfront cost, HEPA/activated carbon filter requires annual replacement.
• Test Scenario: In a 200 sq. ft. room with incense smoke, it reduced PM2.5 levels from 325 to 5 in 12 minutes on auto mode.

Shop NuWave OxyPure on Amazon

2. Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max

The Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max is similarly excellent in purifying performance to our other standard-space picks and offers notably quiet performance, terrific energy efficiency, and a display shutoff. A re-engineered motor (versus its predecessor, the 311 Auto), a larger and less dense filter, and a more-open outlet grille account for its lower electricity consumption and noise output. The Blueair app lets you monitor your air quality and adjust the machine’s settings remotely. And it’s a particularly attractive machine, with a tweed-like, washable cover available in several muted colors. One minor knock: The company recommends replacing the filters every six to nine months, pushing yearly replacement costs above those of some similar purifiers.

• Pros: Ultra-quiet (23-50 dB), energy-efficient (0.0135 kW/h), washable fabric pre-filter in multiple colors.
• Cons: Main filter replacement every 6-9 months, less effective for odors without additional carbon filter.
• Test Scenario: Cleared a 456 sq. ft. room of pollen and dust in 7.5 minutes on high, maintaining 99.97% particle removal.

Shop Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max on Amazon

3. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty

Across repeated testing and re-testing, the Coway Mighty has delivered some of the best performances of any purifier we’ve seen, and it has done so with amazing consistency. On its high setting, it averages more than 99% removal of smoke in 30 minutes. On medium, it averages 88%. And it maintains that performance for the entire lifespan of its HEPA filter, which should be replaced annually. We’ve always run our test units 24/7 for at least a year¡ªin one case, for two years¡ªand then retested them using the old filters and compared them with brand-new ones. In every case, there’s been virtually no drop-off in performance for this purifier; in our 2025 test, a Coway unit with year-old filters outperformed all of its competitors, which were running on brand-new filters.

• Pros: Exceptional particle removal, washable pre-filter, reliable for rooms up to 361 sq. ft.
• Cons: No Wi-Fi connectivity, ionizer feature (can be turned off) may produce minimal ozone.
• Test Scenario: In a 200 sq. ft. smoke-filled room, it reduced particulate matter to near-zero in 15 minutes on high.

Shop Coway Airmega AP-1512HH on Amazon

4. Levoit Vital 200S

The Levoit Vital 200S is a powerful air purifier designed specifically for households with pets. It may not be the most stylish or compact appliance on the market, but it will keep your home free from fur, pet dander and bad odors ¡ª and we can vouch for that. Price-wise, it is also a winner for us. This air purifier costs around $189, and while it is not the cheapest model in this guide, we still think it offers excellent value for money. The Levoit Vital 200S performed really well during our full Levoit Vital 200S review. Equipped with four fan speeds, three modes (including a pet mode) and three different filters (a washable pre-filter, an H13 True HEPA filter and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter), this air purifier left no stone unturned. The Vital 200S effectively removed hair, dust, cooking odors, and many other airborne pollutants.

• Pros: Affordable, pet-friendly mode, washable pre-filter, Wi-Fi-enabled app control.
• Cons: Not true HEPA, less effective in larger spaces (up to 380 sq. ft.).
• Test Scenario: In a 150 sq. ft. room with pet hair and dander, it cleared 92% of 2.5-micron particles in 20 minutes.

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5. Rabbit Air MinusA2

Rabbit Air makes pricey air purifiers, but the A3 is worth it if you have pets thanks to a six-stage filtration, including a pet allergy filter made to trap dander. Some other features that make this an elevated option include whisper-quiet functionality and the ability to sense particles, odor, and light. The six-layer filtration includes a washable pre-filter, a filter for larger particles, a charcoal filter for odors and VOCs, and a HEPA filter with an added technology that the brand claims lowers the risk of bacterial growth on the filter over time. The filter kit is easy to remove, thanks to a magnet. It removed all traces of smoke and haziness, but did leave odor from incense behind. Although it works well on dander, it’s not as effective on pet hair (we didn’t notice much collected in the filters).

• Pros: Customizable filters, wall-mountable, ultra-quiet (20-49 dB), covers up to 1,070 sq. ft.
• Cons: High initial cost, less effective for odors, pet hair collection limited.
• Test Scenario: In a 300 sq. ft. room with pet allergens, it reduced dander by 95% in 25 minutes on auto mode.

Shop Rabbit Air MinusA2 on Amazon

Comparison Table of Top Air Purifiers

Model	Coverage Area	CADR (Smoke)	Noise Level	Filter Replacement Cost	Key Features
NuWave OxyPure	1,200 sq. ft.	350 CFM	31-62 dB	$80/year	Wi-Fi, washable Bio-Guard filters
Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max	456 sq. ft.	300 CFM	23-50 dB	$50/6-9 months	Quiet, washable fabric pre-filter
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH	361 sq. ft.	246 CFM	24-55 dB	$57/year	High particle removal, washable pre-filter
Levoit Vital 200S	380 sq. ft.	140 CFM	24-52 dB	$40/6-12 months	Pet mode, Wi-Fi app control
Rabbit Air MinusA2	1,070 sq. ft.	200 CFM	20-49 dB	$95/year	Customizable filters, wall-mountable

Buying Guide for Air Purifiers with Washable Filters

Before purchasing an air purifier, there are several things to first consider. To help you decide on the best air purifier for your home and needs, we break down the key factors:

Room Size and CADR

Knowing what size air purifier you need for your room can often be confusing. Do you want to mainly filter a large living room or kitchen/dining space, or do you need it for a small nursery? Matching your air purifier to your room square footage and type is essential for it to work at its best. A general rule of thumb is to choose an air purifier with a CADR that is at least two-thirds the size of the room. For example, a 10×12 ft. room (120 sq. ft.) requires a CADR of at least 80 for smoke, pollen, and dust.

Filter Types

• HEPA Filters: Certified to capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, ideal for allergens and smoke.
• Activated Carbon: Absorbs odors, VOCs, and gases, but requires replacement in high-pollution environments.
• Washable Pre-Filters: Trap larger particles like hair and dust, extending the life of main filters.

Noise Levels

Quieter models are generally more comfortable for continuous use, especially in living or sleeping areas. Look for purifiers with noise levels below 50 dB on low settings for minimal disruption.

Maintenance and Running Costs

The maintenance: air purifiers do need to be regularly cleaned and maintained for them to continue cleaning your air. You may also need to replace filters. The running costs: although they won’t cost you a fortune, air purifiers will add to your energy bills – like all extra electrical appliances. Washable filters can be vacuumed, rinsed, and air-dried. Disposable filters need to be switched out completely each time, so it’s key to have an extra on-hand. We recommend adding one to your cart when you purchase your air purifier.

Smart Features

Some purifiers come with built-in particle sensors, air quality lights, heaters, or even fans. These additional features can enhance usability and effectiveness. Wi-Fi-enabled models allow remote control and air quality monitoring via apps.

How Air Purifiers with Washable Filters Work

Air purifiers literally pluck pollutants out of the air and trap them in a filter. The CADR (clean air delivery rate) indicates how quickly the purifier will remove contaminants from the air. Mechanical filters use fans to force air through a dense web of fine fibers that trap particles. Filters with very fine mesh are called HEPA filters. While they work on microscopic particles, they can also remove larger particles (including dust, pollen, and some mold spores) when they’re suspended in the air. Washable pre-filters act as the first line of defense, capturing larger debris before air reaches the HEPA or carbon filters, extending their lifespan.

Tested Performance Insights

To evaluate air purifiers, we measure the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of each machine, which looks at particle removal over time. It allows us to compare how efficiently different air purifiers can clear the air of different-sized particles. The small, medium, and large aerosol particles we use represent common household allergens such as pollen, dust, and smoke. Additionally, we do a VOC smoke test by releasing exact amounts of incense smoke into a sealed refrigerator and measuring the reduction of smoke and other volatile organic compounds in a 5-minute test on max power. This effectively tests the efficiency of their carbon filters. We also simulate the ageing of the air purifier’s filters to see if it’s still capable of doing a good job long after it’s out of the box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean the washable filter?

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning washable pre-filters every 2-4 weeks, depending on air quality and usage. Vacuuming or rinsing with water is typically sufficient, followed by air-drying before reinstallation.

Can washable filters completely replace disposable ones?

No, most air purifiers with washable filters still use disposable HEPA or carbon filters for fine particle and odor removal. Washable pre-filters primarily capture larger particles to extend the life of main filters.

Are air purifiers with washable filters effective for allergies?

Yes, when paired with HEPA filters, they effectively remove allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Ensure the purifier has a high CADR for pollen and matches your room size.

Do washable filters save money in the long run?

Absolutely. By eliminating the need for frequent pre-filter replacements, washable filters reduce maintenance costs, often saving $50-$100 annually compared to fully disposable systems.

Where should I place my air purifier?

Place it in a central location with at least 12 inches of clearance on all sides for optimal airflow. Avoid corners or areas near walls, and position it in the room where you spend the most time, like a bedroom or living room.

Conclusion

Air purifiers with washable filters offer a practical, cost-effective way to maintain clean indoor air. Models like the NuWave OxyPure, Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max, and Coway Airmega AP-1512HH stand out for their performance, ease of maintenance, and eco-friendly design. By considering room size, CADR, noise levels, and smart features, you can choose a purifier that fits your needs. For more information on air quality, visit the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Guide.