Looking for the right wearable air purifier? Dive into our in-depth guide examining their effectiveness and unique features. This article showcases the best wearable air purifiers for 2024 which are Respiray Wear A+, Dyson Zone, Safe Air Innovations, LG Puricare and Atmoblue.
What are wearable air purifiers and how do they work?
Wearable air purifiers protect their users by drawing in surrounding air using a fan and removing harmful particles like pathogens, pollutants and allergens including mold, dust mites, pollen and pet dander with the use of a HEPA filter or other fine filter. The market for these innovative devices is showing strong growth, with a host of companies releasing new products in response to increasing concerns about air pollution and airborne diseases in the wake of recent environmental issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do wearable air purifiers work, really?
With all the hype surrounding them you may still be wondering, do personal air purifiers work? Unlike home air purifiers, personal wearable air purifiers are intended for individual use, meaning they purify the air immediately surrounding the user’s airways rather than filtering all of the air in a room. This makes them lighter and less demanding of energy while also providing targeted protection. They are generally worn on the body, either around the neck using a strap or over the nose and mouth in the form of a face mask.
While the technology is proven to work, it goes without saying that some portable air purifiers are better than others; it’s also advisable to do your own research before making a purchase because some of them have features that may make them more or less suitable for your individual needs.
For instance, some of these devices work as ionizers, generating negatively charged particles to draw some toxic and odorous particles from the air – however, there are no reliable studies showing that personal wearable ionizer necklaces provide effective protection, and it’s commonly held that they are positioned too far away from the wearer’s airways to make any difference. There are also safety concerns as some of these devices create ozone, a respiratory irritant that can prove harmful to human health with long-term exposure. For this reason, we haven’t included any ionizing products in this comparison.
How do portable air purifiers compare to stationary ones?
Air purification technology has been around for quite a while now, and although stationary air purifiers can provide clean air in the home, even the best air purifier won’t help with outdoor pollution, can only be used in one room at a time and needs to be always on to provide constant air purification.
The wearable air purifier is a more recent innovation that solves these problems by delivering clean air directly to the area around the user’s airways, meaning they can breathe free and easy wherever they are and only need to have the device running when it’s required.
What is the best wearable air purifier for 2024?
With wearable air purifiers becoming increasingly popular and new models continually entering the market, we’ve reviewed the five top performers in this category, comparing their key features to help you discover which is the best air purifier for 2024 based on your own needs and preferences.
Respiray Wear A+
Our very own wearable air purifier, Wear A+ combines comfort with certified protection from allergens like pet dander and pollen, as well as air pollution and dangerous pathogens , by creating a zone of clean air around the user’s face. Although the HEPA filter needs replacing after 200 hours of use, the budget-friendly replacement filters make using Wear A+ affordable all year round.
Wear A+ has been clinically tested by various organizations including the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) and SGS, with results showing that the device filters 99.9% of all airborne allergen particles from the air. It is also comfortable, quiet and lightweight, with users reporting that they forgot they were even wearing it after a while!
Key Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filter
- Battery type: 2000 mAh lithium-ion
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- Charging: 3 hours charging time with USB-C cable
- Weight: 0.65 lb / 285 g
- Price: $139
Special features
- Ergonomic wearable design
- Adjustable magnetic neck strap
- Suitable for use in various environments including homes, offices, schools, public transport and other crowded places
- Adjustable airflow settings
- Filter life indicator
- Washable pre-filter
Pros
- A wearable, portable air purifier with clinically certified results
- Low noise level
- Innovative design with convenient collar placement
- Stylish, lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Maximum effectiveness due to proximity to the airways
- Does not cover the face
- Very affordable replacement filters
Cons
- Second speed mode can be noisy for some users
- Not recommended for use in windy conditions
- HEPA filter needs changing after 200 hours of usage
Safe Air Innovations Air Shield
This industrial air purifier offers strong protection and comes with a HEPA filter that, it’s claimed, removes 99.97% of harmful particles and activated charcoal filters for protection from organic compounds and gases. The device has a transparent visor that covers the whole face, features a fresh air delivery rate of 90 liters per minute and comes with a spare battery.
Key Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filter and activated charcoal filters
- Battery type: 2 x rechargeable 9 V lithium batteries
- Battery life: 5 hours
- Charging: 90 minutes charging time with USB cable
- Weight: 1.7 lb / 771 g
- Price: $395
Special features
- Face shield for additional protection from workplace debris
- User-replaceable filter system and face shield
- Activated charcoal filters
Pros
- Wearable, portable air purification
- Relatively low noise level
- HEPA filter only needs changing every 9–12 months with normal usage
Cons
- BulkyThe heaviest device on this list
- Covers the face
- Costly compared to most other devices on this list
- No reliable effectiveness studies
Dyson Zone
Dyson’s wearable air purifier, Dyson Zone, is a bit different from the other featured air purifiers, as the device primarily functions as noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones! With the filters located in the earpieces, the removable air purification component can be attached when required. This Dyson personal air purifier is truly unique and uses state-of-the-art technology – but as you may expect, the company’s reputation for engineering excellence means it does not come cheap.
Key Specs
- Filtration: Electrostatic carbon filters
- Battery type: 2600 mAh lithium-ion
- Battery life: Varies depending on activity mode
- Charging: USB-C cable
- Weight: 1.4 lb / 648 g
- Price: $949
Special features
- Ergonomic design that combines noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones with air purification technology
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use due to face-covering design
- Automatic airflow level based on activity
- Filter life, Bluetooth and battery indicators
Mobile app
Pros
- Wearable, portable air purification
- Comfortable to wear
- Effective air purification
- Protection from both air and noise pollution
Cons
- Bulky and looks strange for some users
- One of the heaviest devices on this list
- Covers the nose and mouth
- Filters need changing regularly
LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier
Now into its second generation, the latest PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier from LG is lighter than its predecessor and offers new features, including voice projection to make sure users can be heard while the device is covering their face and Bluetooth connectivity to track breathing and optimize product usage and maintenance.
Key Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filters
- Battery type: 820 mAh lithium-ion
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- Charging: 2 hours charging time with USB-C connection
- Weight: 0.25 lb / 112 g
- Price: Not yet available in the US
Special features
- Ergonomic wearable design
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use due to face-covering design
- Three-speed dual inverter fans with automatic airflow level
- Mobile app with filter life indicator
- Accessories available including storage case with UV bacteria protection
- Washable face pad
Pros
- A wearable, portable air purifier with clinically certified results
- Low noise level
- Stylish and lightweight
- Effective air purification
- Made with medical-grade materials for safe usage
Cons
- Covers the nose and mouth
- HEPA filters need changing after 1 month, resulting in high replacement costs
- Currently only sold in some parts of Asia
Atmoblue
Atmoblue is among the first wearable air purifiers on the market. The device is lightweight, easy to use and stylish, with adjustable color options. However, some users will find the design that covers the nose and mouth uncomfortable and the HEPA filters need replacing more frequently than most of the other devices on this list.
Key Specs
- Filtration: HEPA filter
- Battery type: Unknown
- Battery life: Up to 5 hours
Charging: 3 hours charging time with USB-C cable - Weight: 0.42 lb / 190 g
- Price: $65
Special features
- Ergonomic wearable design
- Adjustable head strap
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use due to face-covering design
- Adjustable airflow settings
- Battery indicator
- Choice of colors with interchangeable skins
- Easy filter replacement
Pros
- Wearable, portable air purification
- Stylish and lightweight
- Effective air purification
Cons
- Covers the nose and mouth
- Short battery life
- HEPA filter needs changing after 150 hours of usage (or 4–6 weeks)
If you’ve been looking for the right personal wearable air purifier, you will have noticed that there’s a whole world of choice out there, with a variety of features and selling points as well as benefits and drawbacks. Hopefully this article, which reviews our five top picks for 2024, will make it quicker and easier for you to make your decision as you enter into a new era of freedom from airborne allergens, pollution and pathogens!
To delve deeper into the features of our Wear A+ wearable air purifier, all the information you need can be found here:
