Wildfire Smoke Isn't Going Away Anytime Soon—Shop Our Best Filtration Air Purifier for Under $100

2 min readWith recent wildfire smoke hitting the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions, now is a good time to start thinking about your home’s air quality. According to our Reviews Editor Amber Joglar, your first line of defense should be an air purifier. These appliances cycle air through filters to remove allergens, harmful particles, and even bacteria.Smoke is made up of tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into a person’s lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Pollution from the wildfires affects everyone—not just those with existing health conditions like asthma—and having an air purifier turned on year-round is a proactive way to safeguard your health.Right now, our editors’ air purifier pick with the best filtration is on sale for under $100. You can take 23 percent off the GermGuardian AC4880 on Amazon.While the GermGuardian doesn’t have a flashy design with robust features, it does have the “gold standard” of filtration.“Over time, I’ve learned what makes a difference in day-to-day use rather than what just looks good on a spec sheet. For me, it mostly comes down to filtration,” Joglar writes in her review of the GermGuardian.She says to look for units that have a HEPA filter as its primary line of defense. The GermGuardian AC4880 checks those boxes, pairing a HEPA filter with activated carbon and a germ-killing UVC light.The unit also has an air quality index (AQI) sensor (the AQI scale goes from 0 to 500; the higher the number, the unhealthier the air is) to measure the particulate count for things like dust, smoke, and allergens. Air quality levels are shown on the display, and there’s a light indicator that changes from red to orange to green as the air quality improves.Trevor RaabDuring testing, Joglar put the GermGuardian up against incense smoke, saying it went to work quickly and cleared her living room of any lingering haze and odor.One thing to note: the GermGuardian is rather loud compared to other models we’ve tested. At its top fan speed it reaches about 55 decibels, so if you don’t like white noise that’s something to keep in mind before purchasing.For under $100 and Amazon Prime delivery that will get the purifier to your doorstep in less than a week, the GermGuardian is a great option for those worried about the wildfire smoke. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more frequent and widespread wildfires, which can affect the air quality even if you’re far from the source. If you don’t own one already, air purifiers are an essential household appliance to invest in.Shop the GermGuardian Air Purifier On AmazonMore Air Purifiers We RecommendCoway Airmega Mighty2 Air PurifierClorox Air PurifiersNow 17% OffBlueair Blue Signature Air PurifierNow 25% OffSans HEPA 13 Air PurifierSidney Lee is the Editor, Deals and Trends, for Best Products, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Biography, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily. She loves keeping up on the latest social media trends and viral pop culture moments to recommend only the best products to readers. Previously, Sidney was the Assistant Home Editor at HGTV Magazine as well as contributing editor at Food Network and The Pioneer Woman Magazines, covering home, food, style, and more. She is based in Manhattan, and outside of work you can find her trying all the latest restaurants the city has to offer.Amber is a Reviews Editor with bylines on Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products sites. Specializing in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, lifestyle, and consumer tech, she brings hands-on testing and a detail-oriented approach to every review. In her free time you can likely find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, searching for hidden gems at thrift stores, or cuddling with her two cats.