When the recent pandemic made its mark on businesses, it was no surprise that air purifiers became a hot topic. One company leading this charge is GermGuardian by Guardian Technologies with their range of models to fit nearly any need – you might feel lost and overwhelmed.
This listicle is all about finding the right GermGuardian air purifier for your home. We’ll cover what they are, how to choose one that’s PERFECT for you, and then break down each feature, so it makes more sense!
Let’s go!
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If you’re in a hurry, check out our best picks:
Table could not be displayed.Why (or not) GermGuardian?
GermGuardian air purifiers have a variety of different functions and features that make them useful in the process. Some include:
- Almost all GermGuardian air purifiers have an effective UV-C bulb system to kill microbes.
- Only use True HEPA-grade filters.
- Every GermGuardian air purifier is AHAM-verified, so the CADR rating is guaranteed to be accurate.
- All of the models are also CARB-approved so that they can be bought in all 50 states.
- Affordable price range.
Also, they have some downsides:
- Not effective at odor control, mostly use flimsy carbon filters.
- Build quality is not top-notch.
List of The 7 Best GermGuardian Air Purifiers:
Related reviews:
1. GermGuardian AC4100: Best in Compact
Our pick for the best tabletop unit, the AC4100, is a surprisingly helpful little air purifier that just about anyone can afford to pick up. The super-compact 7.5 by 6.5 inches footprint can fit anywhere, from dorm rooms to office desks.
While it will work excellently to remove airborne contaminants like smoke, dust, and pollen, it only covers approximately 75 square feet five times per hour. This reinforces its role as a great air purifier for smaller areas, as any space much larger would overwhelm the little unit.
The base version, the AC4100, is grey, but also it is available in the white version AC4175W. There is even a kids version available, with the entire AC4150 series available in cool blue or pink coloring for the kids. The kid’s version also features a night projector with three different slides to accompany the white noise.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 50 cfm
Room Coverage: 75 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $15 for Pre & HEPA, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $10 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 2 watts
Pros & Cons:
2. GermGuardian AC4825E: Best-selling GermGuardian
Those looking for a solid air purifier in the budget category don’t get much better than the AC4825E. While many air purifiers generate a fair amount of white noise, just from operation and fan noise, the AC4825E is incredibly quiet. The low noise can make this an excellent option for light sleepers or anyone else looking for a less audible air sanitation solution.
The HEPA filter takes out contaminants as small as 0.3 microns, while the charcoal filter and UV-C light help reduce odors and sterilize the microbes in the air. Designed to be used on the floor, this 8.5-pound air purifier is portable and for medium-sized rooms. It can cover an area of up to 150 square feet (5x per hour).
While it isn’t the sleekest, coolest looking model, it will do its job easily and quietly. However, due to demand, there was a revamp of the design for this model. If you want a more stylish design, the upgraded model (GermGuardian AC4300BPTCA) has the same cleaning power. It is noticeably louder, however.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 99 cfm
Room Coverage: 150 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $25 for Pre & HEPA, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $18 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 5 watts
Pros & Cons:
3. GermGuardian AC5250PT: Powerful 8W UV-C Bulb
Our pick for the best GermGuardian UV-C light purifier is the AC5250PT, which stands at an impressive but not unwieldy 28 inches tall, and features the most powerful 17.5-inch UV light among the GermGuardians arsenal. This gives it out-of-the-box sanitation capability and even makes it ideal for mold control.
The AC5250PT can purify the air for up to 180 square feet and reduce microbial agents by 99.97%. The HEPA filter also features an antimicrobial agent to prevent any mold or bacterial growth in the filter.
In addition to the HEPA and UV-C, the GermGuardian AC5250PT features a composite activated carbon pre-filter which helps reduce common odors from pets, cooking, and smoking, plus traps larger pollutants such as lints, dust, and pet fur.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 122 cfm
Room Coverage: 180 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $29 for Pre & HEPA, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $21 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 8 watts
Pros & Cons:
4. GermGuardian AC5900WCA: High Area Coverage
GermGuardian AC5900WCA is one of the most powerful air purifiers in the GermGuardian air purifier lineup. The Tobacco Smoke CADR is 218 cfm, and can cover a 330 square feet room five times an hour. If you need a faster removal of allergens and other airborne contaminants, this one is for you.
The AC5900WCA only stands 21 inches tall and less than 10 inches deep, so it can live comfortably in a wide variety of spaces without getting in the way. The three-speed fan offers versatility, with the low setting being nearly silent. The super-quiet operation won’t disturb you, and the UV-C & HEPA filter will keep the air clean.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 218 cfm
Room Coverage: 330 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $54 for Pre & HEPA, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $18 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 5 watts
Pros & Cons:
5. GermGuardian AP5800W: Modern design & feature-rich
With the ability to cover nearly 290 sq. ft., the AP5800W is our pick for the best GermGuardian model with an air quality sensor. It features an easy-to-read LED display that shows the air quality rating. While operating in auto mode, the GermGuardian AP5800W will monitor the air in real-time and will adjust its performance as needed.
If you need an air purifier that can fit in smaller spaces, this would be a great option. The AP5800W can tackle cleaning the air without taking up too much of your space, from small apartments to offices. It stands at just 19 inches tall.
The AP5800W features a 360-degree HEPA filter with an activated carbon pre-filter that eliminates 99.97% of all dust, allergens, and other contaminants down to 0.3 microns. It is also able to reduce light odors from smoke or cooking.
It also has a built-in sleep mode, which darkens the bright display illumination to prevent sleep disruption.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 192 cfm
Room Coverage: 2900 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $79 for the 2-in-1 charcoal pre-filter & HEPA filter, 6-8 months usage (check current filter price on BestBuy).
Pros & Cons:
6. GermGuardian AC9200W: Superior in Filtrations
If you’re looking for a GermGuardian air purifier to combat odors and VOCs effectively, check out the AC9200W model. It has the best activated carbon filter around, trapping and neutralizing odors and smells from just about anything. Additionally, the powerful UV light sanitizes the air and kills airborne germs and mold.
Thanks to the HEPA filter and large honeycomb carbon filter with granular carbon pellets, 99.97% of allergens and dust as small as 0.3 microns are eliminated from the air. These filters even remove odors from the air, including pet, cooking, and smoking smells.
This tiny but mighty air purifier is just 27 inches tall but has the power to clean the air in rooms up to 325 square feet efficiently.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 216 cfm
Room Coverage: 325 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $50 for the HEPA and Carbon filter combo pack, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $29 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 4 watts
Pros & Cons:
7. GermGuardian CDAP5500: Smart Control
The CDAP5500 is the best Wi-Fi-enabled and smart GermGuardian air purifier model you can find. Connect it to your home or work’s Wi-Fi network, and you can control the purifier with voice commands via Alexa. You can also manage your air purifier’s settings via the Guardian Technologies App.
There are 5-speed settings that you can control on the unit itself, via the app, or using voice commands through your Google Assistant or Alexa. Having the ability to control your filter from any location at the push of a button or simply by speaking makes the GermGuardian CDAP5500 Air Purifier an elegant choice.
With these accessibility options, this purifier is highly user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for older people or anyone who isn’t the most tech-savvy.
With the double filtration and UV-C light purification, the GermGuardian CDAP5500 captures 99.7% of the dust, pet dander, microscopic allergens, and mold spores down to just 0.3 microns. It also has a beautiful air quality indicator light that indicates the particles count in the air.
The GermGuardian CDAP5500 Air Purifier looks simple and stylish in any home.
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 110 cfm
Room Coverage: 165 square feet 5 times per hour
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $26 for the carbon pre-filter and HEPA filter, 6-8 months usage (check current price), ~ $18 for UV-C Bulb, up to 12 months usage (check current price).
UV-C Light Wattage: 5 watts
Pros & Cons:
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of unit you’re looking for and what you need from it, there’s an option in our list for you. From starter units like the AC4100 that are so easy on the budget that college students can afford them, to larger units like the AC9200W that can tame the microbes from a much larger and more active environment and neutralize odors at the same time.
Even for situations that need much heavier airflow, units like the AC5900WCA can be that solution. Locations that struggle with high humidity results would find incredible value in the mold-neutralizing abilities of the AC5250PT. Those who love to maintain a connected home can leverage the CDAP5500 for hassle-free operation.
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