Choosing an air purifier for large, multi-function spaces

Large rooms play a big role in our daily lives, serving as versatile spaces for socializing, relaxing, and working. Due to their many functions, and likelihood to accommodate guests as well as pets, the large spaces in our homes can be susceptible to indoor air quality issues and the unpleasantries that come along with them.

When left untreated, dust, pollen, odors, and gasses emitted from some solids or liquids, known as Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs) can build up to a point where it affects our enjoyment and well-being while spending time in a large room. 

This is where an air purifier becomes an indispensable ally in the pursuit of clean air. In this article, we’ll help you select the perfect air purifier for a large space in your home, helping you to transform it into a healthy and inspiring space for spending quality time alone, or with pets and loved ones.

When choosing an air purifier for a large room, a few important factors need consideration to ensure that the device is suited to clean the air as best as possible, beginning with room size.

Matching an air purifier to the size of the room it will be treating can be determined by its coverage. Look for models that offer sufficient coverage based on the square footage of the space it’s going into so you can be assured that its air will be properly purified.

The next thing to consider is how often the air will be cleaned and refreshed. This is determined with a specification called Air Changes per Hour, also known as ACH. This tells you how many times the purifier can treat all the air in a room within the time frame of one hour.

Another important specification to review when looking to add an air purifier to a large room is its Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR. Doing so allows you to assess an air purifier for its ability to address specific air challenges your large room is facing. CADR is communicated in Cubic Feet per Minute, or CFM. Air purifiers should have three separate ratings for CADR: one for smoke, one for pollen, and another for dust. Often, an air purifier will have the same number for all three of these common annoyances, but some models are optimized for specific pollutants.

The Blueair Classic 605, is a perfect example in this regard. It has an elevated CADR for pollen at an amazing 640 cubic feet a minute! It’s no slouch in the smoke and dust department either, with its ability to treat those two pollutants at the rate of 500 cubic feet of air every minute.

When it comes to air purifier features best suited for large rooms, powerful filtration technology is among the most important. Blueair has been a pioneer in its development of filtration technology since its founding in 1996. 

All Blueair air purifiers come with HEPAsilent™ filtration that removes 99.97% of airborne particles¹, down to 0.1 microns². They’re also among the quietest³, least intrusive air purifiers you can buy which is important when looking to place one in a large area where you might be watching television or having an important conversation.

Modes that allow you to quickly and easily adjust an air purifier’s settings to specific needs or times of day, such as quiet, unobtrusive operation at night are also essential. It’s even better if an air purifier can adapt to your needs on its own. This is where air quality sensors and auto-mode come into play, allowing an air purifier to assess the air in your large room and change its settings accordingly based on the data it’s collecting.

Intuitive functions that enable your air purifier to adjust its settings according to your daily schedule and routines are also beneficial. Since you’ll always want to know what’s going on with the air quality in your home, keep an eye out for connectivity features that allow for remote control and monitoring, so you’re never left guessing about the air in your large room.

For quiet cleaning in rooms up to 1116 square feet look no further than the Blue Pure 311i+ Max, which can do the job in about 30 minutes, or almost 5 times every hour in rooms up to 465 square feet, with 4.8 Air Changes per Hour (ACH). 

It’s also favored by Dr. Priya Bansal, MD*, a triple-board-certified allergy, asthma, and immunology specialist at the Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center for its ability to capture airborne particles that commonly exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms⁴.

For treating pollutants in large rooms in the area of 400 square feet, the Protect 7470i is a great choice. It combines our HEPAsilent™ filtration with advanced Germshield™ technology, working together to deliver 24/7 protection against viruses and bacteria⁵.

With advanced air sensors that work in conjunction with its premium LCD display, or the Blueair app, you’re always aware of your room’s air quality and how the Protect 7470i is adapting to it. When using the Blueair app, it can even prepare the room’s air for your arrival when you’re getting close to home, along with the ability to schedule settings for when you’re sleeping, waking up, going to bed, and more.

Energy efficiency becomes more of a consideration because of the high volumes of air that will need to be treated in extra large rooms. This is where the Blue Pure 211i Max really shines bright. In fact, it’s been rated as an Energy Star Most Efficient model despite servicing rooms upwards of 1500 square feet. 

You can also fine-tune the Blue Pure 211i Max’s filtration capabilities to suit your preferences with the addition of an AllergenBlock or SmokeBlock filter for extra protection against airborne allergens or wildfire smoke. And intuitive scheduling capabilities allow it to further adapt to your needs and daily routine.

The Blue Pure 121 is also ideal for extra large rooms, and it too is Energy Star rated for best-in-class efficiency. It has a sleek minimal design that allows you to use just one button for all its modes and settings.

A purifier's design should seamlessly blend with the space it’s treating. The Blue Pure 211i Max and the Blue Pure 311i+ Max are among our quietest6 air purifiers certified by QuietMark. They’re also part of the only lines of air purifiers that allow for their fabric pre-filters to be customized with 4 different Scandinavian-inspired colors. This allows you to personalize your air purifier to the aesthetics of your large room. A Stockholm Fog pre-filter color is included.

Both these air purifiers have an Auto mode that uses its built-in sensor data to set an appropriate fan speed based on the air quality of your room in real time. As the pollution level creeps up, Auto mode will increase the fan speed, then reduce it when the air is clean again. No wonder they’re so energy efficient.

Whichever air purifier you choose for the large room in your home, you’ll want to be sure you’re getting the best performance possible from it.

Many manufacturers have strict rules about where an air purifier can be placed, but you’ll be happy to know that this is less of a concern with Blueair purifiers. All Blue Pure devices feature a 360º air intake that ensures thorough filtration and effective removal of pollutants from any location. You can place your Blueair air purifier to compliment your room without worrying you’re compromising on air quality.

Make sure that you adhere to regular maintenance and filter replacement guidelines, so that the air in your room is guaranteed to be fresh. Our filter subscription program makes this hassle-free, and sends fresh filters to your door right when you need them.

Choosing the right air purifier is essential for maintaining good air quality in large, multi-function spaces. By considering factors like coverage, air filtration capabilities, and other features that make them ideal for your home, you can create a healthier, more comfortable environment for everyone who uses these important rooms.

We’re so glad you’re looking into improving the air in your home. If you have a specific type of room that needs an air upgrade, check out our articles that discuss air purifiers for large basements, bedrooms, or any other room small or large.

Disclaimer:

¹ Comparing CADR performance of Blueair models vs same models with only H13 HEPA. At similar CADRs, Blueair models achieved less noise than same models with only H13 HEPA. Noise refers to the dB(A) difference in acoustic power. Tested on Blue Pure 211+ Auto, DustMagnet 5400i, Protect 7400 series. Performance may vary.

² Tested on PM2.5 (0.1 - 2.5 μm) up to 90min.

³ When similar CADR was measured, Blueair models with mechanical and electrostatic filtration achieved less noise with less energy than same models with only H13 HEPA mechanical filtration. Noise refers to the dB(A) difference in acoustic power.

* Dr. Bansal is a Blueair sponsored partner

⁴ Dr. Bansal's review pertains to Blue Pure 411i Max and Blue Pure 311i+ Max models

⁵ 24/7 protection refers to the key function of GermShield technology, activated when the unit is in standby mode. Tested on Staphylococcus Albus, MS2 bacteriophage (deactivation) and E. coli (growth prevention).

⁶ Quietest refers to eligibility for Quiet Mark certification, limited to 10-20% of quietest products. See https://www.quietmark.com/ for further information