The phrases “air purifier” and “air scrubber” are being thrown around a lot more these days, thanks to a rise in global awareness about indoor air quality. However, these two sorts of devices aren’t quite as similar as people think.
If you’re unsure whether a product is best for your house (air purifier vs. air scrubber) or wonder, “Does the air scrubber really work?” then this post is for you.
Our goal is to clear up any confusion you may have about these air purifiers by explaining how they work and why you should choose one over the other.We also answer many people’s questions about whether or not the air scrubber works.
In this post, we will share everything you need to know about whether air scrubbers really work.
Note: If you need answers to common questions about air purifiers, please read our air purifier FAQs.
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Which is better: air purifier or air scrubber?
Both air purifiers and air scrubbers clean the air through the chemistry of some air filter types. This implies that both devices will thoroughly clean the air in your home, removing up to 99 percent of airborne pollutants. If you want to improve the quality of the air in your house, either of these options will suffice.
An air purifier’s benefit is that the purifying process occurs entirely within the device. Pure air exits the device, immediately supplying clean, fresh air to your space upon installation. On the downside, an air purifier requires routine maintenance to ensure the high-efficiency MERV filter remains effective. Filters with a higher MERV rating – such as those found in air purifiers – will be more expensive than the more typical air handler filters.
List of the best air purifiers
- 1, Best Air Purifier (Air Purifier Ranking List)
- 2, Best Air Purifiers for Allergies
- 3, Best Air Purifiers for Bedroom
- 4, Best Air Purifiers for Baby
- 5, Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
- 6, Best Air Purifiers for Dust
- 7, Best Air Purifiers for Mold
- 8, Best Large Room Air Purifiers
- 9, Best Air Purifiers for Pets
- 10, Best Air Purifiers for Office
Continuously using an air purifier will help keep your air cleaner and healthier to breathe. They’re particularly effective in removing allergens, dust, pet dander, mold spores, smells, germs, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is wonderful news for anybody concerned about their health.
As previously stated, air scrubbers are common equipment used by mold remediation businesses to address major mold concerns, but a home air purifier can remove a considerable amount of mold spores from your indoor air.
In comparison, the air scrubber has no components that need to be replaced on a regular basis; simply set it and forget it. And, while it may seem unnerving that the cleansing action occurs in your space rather than within the device, the air scrubber has a significant benefit in that the negative ions will also adhere to particles on household surfaces such as worktops, doorknobs, and light switches. An air purifier can only remove airborne pollutants. Therefore, if you want clean air as well as clean surfaces, an air scrubber is the way to go.
A portable air scrubber is most effective as a temporary remedy for cleaning the air in a residence that has a high concentration of dangerous particles. Professional mold removal, extensive restorations, and massive interior painting works are all common uses.
Portable air scrubbers can swiftly clean large rooms and keep them smelling fresh while inside work is being done.
Air Purifier vs Air Scrubber
Comparison Chart
Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll learn about air purifiers and air scrubbers. This comparison table should make it easier for you to see how the two machines stack up against each other.
| Factors | Air Purifier | Air Scrubber |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Uses a HEPA filter or ionization to clean the air | Uses a HEPA filter or ionization to clean the air. Or uses wet or dry scrubbing to clean the air |
| Benefits | Beneficial for domestic use to help with allergies and asthma, or commercial use in public areas | Beneficial for commercial use to improve air quality of a specific area |
| Removes or Reduces | Allergens, Dust, Mold Spores, Smoke… | Chemicals, Gases, Toxic Particles… |
| Intended Use | Domestic (Every day) or Commercial | Commercial (Temporary) |
Does air scrubber really work?
In short, air scrubbers really work. Air scrubber technology is nearly foolproof. Certain models are capable of eradicating up to 99 percent of airborne and surface microbes, including black mold, Staph, and MRSA. Additionally, air scrubbers are effective in removing gases, vapors, VOCs, and disagreeable smells.
Many individuals prefer to utilize an air scrubber in the office or during home renovation projects due to its remarkable capacity to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The difficulty with a HEPA air scrubber is obtaining sufficient air flow through the bank of filters, as high-efficiency filters have a higher resistance to air movement. Additionally, this resistance is referred to as a pressure drop. To move enough air, a specialized fan, such as the one found in a portable air purifier, is required. Alternatively, a booster fan could be installed in the HVAC system.
This is because HVAC systems and forced-air heating systems are not designed to circulate air through a dense cluster of air filters. Often, they are intended to remove just large particles in order to safeguard the HVAC system. They are frequently not intended to manage indoor air pollution.
To avoid mold formation in office buildings, a HEPA air scrubber is occasionally used in conjunction with germicidal UV light. UV-C light can operate as an air sanitizer, preventing mold growth in standing water in air ducts. This is critical for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Legionnaire’s disease is another cause for concern in large structures. Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial pneumonia.
