Should I sleep next to an air purifier?

We already know air purifiers improve our sleep by releasing fresh air and trapping airborne allergens that cause congestion and disturb our sleep. Also, it is ok to sleep with an air purifier on throughout the night. If you are concerned about your or your family’s health, sleeping near an air purifier may be a smart choice. But you may still wonder, “Should I sleep next to an air purifier?” or “Can I place an air purifier next to my bed?” or “Where should I place air purifier(s) in my bedroom?” Read along for more answers.

Note: If you need answers to common questions about air purifiers, please read our air purifier FAQs.

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What are the most common pollutants in your bedroom?

A number of airborne contaminants, including particulate matter and hazardous gases, may be found in bedrooms. Bedrooms usually have the highest amount of fabric in the house, including mattresses, bedding, curtains, carpets, and upholstered furniture. When disturbed by airflow or human activity, they may quickly gather contaminants and reintroduce them into the air.

Dust and dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, cockroaches, and pollen are some of the most popular forms of particle pollution in the bedroom, followed by gaseous pollution such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can be found in off-gassing furniture and carpets, air fresheners, and personal cosmetics.

Benefits of sleeping with air purifiers

Because air pollution does not stop when we sleep, you can run your air purifier 24/7 if you want to get the full benefits of it. Here are the main reasons why it’s good to have an air purifier in your bedroom:

• Air purifiers work by removing pollutants and other toxins from the air in your home. They can also reduce the number of allergens and other irritants in the home.
• Some people believe that sleeping near an air purifier can improve their overall sleep quality. This is because an air purifier will help to remove any pollutants or allergens that might be causing you trouble while you sleep.
• If you are concerned about your child’s health, it may be a good idea to have them sleep near an air purifier. Children are especially prone to breathing in environmental toxins and pollutants, which can have serious consequences later in life.
• Finally, if you are experiencing symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, or nausea, it might be a good idea to sleep near an air purifier. These symptoms could be due to exposure to pollutants or allergens in the environment, and an air purifier can help remove these toxins from your home.

Should I sleep next to an air purifier?

You shouldn’t sleep next to most air purifiers. While it is recommended to sleep with an air purifier in the bedroom, people who tried placing their air purifier directly next to the bed reported the opposite results they expected from an air purifier. They tossed and turned all night, awoke with a sinus headache, and felt stuffy and clogged from allergies.

An air purifier placed next to your bed will act as a microbe magnet. No matter how your bedroom is structured or what kind of air purifiers you have, whenever there is a natural flow of air coming from your windows and hallways, or if an air conditioner or fan is moving the air towards or away from your bed, an air purifier is intended to attract the air towards it. Hence, placing the air purifier next to your bed will direct the air to you. No matter if the air is good or bad, you’ll be receiving the unfiltered, virus-laden, pollen-infested, foul-smelling air straight in your face.

List of the best air purifiers

In addition, while some individuals enjoy the white noise produced by an air purifier, others may find it difficult to fall and remain asleep. If putting your air purifier on your nightstand keeps you from sleeping, you might want to move it farther away instead of turning down the speed.

What to avoid when placing an air purifier in your bedroom?

Finding the ideal location for your bedroom air purifier requires striking a balance between noise level and efficiency. Here are more tips to increase the effectiveness of your air purifier:

• Place your air purifier away from a corner or against a wall. Doing the opposite can clog the air inlet and slow the unit’s ability to take in and clean the air in the room. Make sure you clear the space around your air purifier, including any upholstery, furniture, electronics, or other items that might obstruct airflow. If feasible, leave at least three feet of space around the unit on all sides.

• Remember to replace your filters frequently. While it is crucial to place your air purifier in a suitable place in your room, it is not the only factor that might affect its efficiency. Running your air purifier with old, blocked filters might slow down the flow of air through the machine. To ensure maximum airflow, change the filters on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Where should you place an air purifier in your bedroom?

Positioning is determined by the available space.

Though your first reaction may be to position your air purifier on the floor, in a corner, or somewhere concealed—eespecially if your unit does not match the rest of your home design—doing so may impede it from adequately purifying the air. There are many recommended air purifiers that are proven in air filtering quality but also eye-pleasing, so you don’t have to sacrifice your personal style. Check out our best air purifiers for bedrooms.

When determining where to put an air purifier, two factors must be considered: the airflow in the room and the areas where you spend the most time. Your bed is most likely the spot in the bedroom where you spend the most time. While air should not be blown directly into your face as this may disturb your sleep, placing an air purifier too far from your bed will not be efficient since it will not be able to suck in all of the air. Airflow may be caused by HVAC vents and fans, and temperature changes can create vertical air movement.

Placing your air purifier roughly three feet from the ground might help it collect both vertical and horizontal airflow. However, any nearby walls, furniture, or other items might obstruct this airflow, slowing the pace at which it takes in and cleans the air. This can limit the amount of cleansed air reaching your breathing zone during the night.

The best placement is where the majority of the air enters the room, but not too far from your bed. Ideally, in the bedroom, an air purifier should be placed 6 to 10 feet away from the head of the bed. It is preferable if the air intake is oriented toward the bed so that the air surrounding the bed is filtered first.

It might be different in the summer or winter with your home’s and possibly your bedroom’s windows open. The summer air is incredible, loaded with the aroma of flowers and trees, as well as all the pollen that flowers and trees produce. If outside air is entering the room, position the air purifier immediately in front of the flow. It won’t catch everything unless there is a tiny entrance in the room via which air may be directed into the air purifier as it enters.

Summary

A good night’s sleep is essential for your mental and physical health. Insomnia or disturbed sleep can lead to brain fog, exhaustion, and an increased risk of injury, including higher chances of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems.

Placing an air purifier in your bedroom, especially on a nightstand near your headboard, can considerably reduce the presence of airborne contaminants that may interfere with your sleep and improve your overall quality of life.