Let’s be honest — air purifiers aren’t exactly the most exciting purchase, but with allergens, wildfire smoke, and everything else floating around in the air, they’re becoming essential.
So, we spent weeks testing three of the most popular air purifiers of 2025: the Dyson Air Purifier Hot + Cool, the AirDoctor AD2000, and the Alen FLEX.
Each one had its own strengths, but one purifier clearly rose to the top (spoiler: it’s not the Dyson).
If you’re shopping for cleaner air, this guide breaks it all down for you — no fluff, just real talk.
3rd Place: The Dyson Air Purifier Hot + Cool, “The Fancy All-in-One” (4.5/5.0)
The Dyson Hot + Cool is like the Swiss Army knife of air purifiers — it purifies, heats, and cools. Right out of the box, it’s sleek, bladeless, and feels like something you’d find in a high-tech showroom. It’s a real conversation piece, especially if you want your air purifier to double as modern art.
The filtration? Solid. It removes 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, so it handles dust, pollen, and some odors without breaking a sweat. Plus, the app and voice control features make it super easy to use. Kevin Chao, our technology reviewer, really loved that.
But here’s the thing: it’s more than $600. That’s a lot of cash for an air purifier, especially when the heating and cooling features aren’t groundbreaking compared to standalone devices. And while it looks amazing and does a little bit of everything, it’s not the best at any one thing — especially air purification.
Who It’s For: If you want a multi-functional gadget that looks sleek and stylish while offering solid (but not spectacular) air purification, the Dyson is a good pick. Just be ready to pay a premium for the extra bells and whistles.
Kevin’s Review of the Dyson Air Purifier Hot + Cool
The Best Price on the Dyson Air Purifier Hot + Cool
2nd Place: AirDoctor AD2000, “Best for Smoke and Serious Air Quality Issues” (4.7/5.0)
The AirDoctor AD2000 is all about one thing: clean air. This medical-grade purifier is built for serious air quality challenges, and it doesn’t mess around. Its UltraHEPA filter captures particles as small as 0.003 microns — yes, you read that right — which is 100 times smaller than what a standard HEPA filter handles. If you’ve got allergies, asthma, or you’re dealing with wildfire smoke, this is the purifier you want on your side.
When Drew tested it, he was spending a few weeks in Southern California which means that he put it through the ringer with the smoke from the Los Angeles wildfires. The AD2000 handled everything from cooking smoke to pet dander like a champ. The air quality sensor is super responsive, automatically adjusting the fan speed when things get a little smoky or dusty.
And while it’s not whisper-quiet, even on high, the sound is more of a soft hum than an annoying whine. Plus, at $389, it’s nearly $300 cheaper than the Dyson.
Who It’s For: If you live in wildfire-prone areas, have medical sensitivities, or just want the best air purifier for smoke, the AirDoctor AD2000 is worth every penny.
Drew Maloney’s Review of the AirDoctor AD2000
The Best Price on the AirDoctor AD2000
1st Place: Alen FLEX, “Best Value” and Our Top Pick (4.8/5.0)
The Alen FLEX isn’t flashy, but it’s everything you need in an air purifier and nothing you don’t. It’s straightforward, effective, and affordable (at least compared to the other two). Checking in at under $300, it’s not just the best value, and it holds its own in terms of performance.
The FLEX uses a True HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is more than enough for most households. During testing, it cleared the air in a 400-square-foot room in under 30 minutes, handling everything from pollen to pet dander with ease. And for my family, which is full of allergy-sufferers, that’s no small task.
It’s also super quiet — on the lowest setting, you can barely hear it running, which is great if you’re using it in a bedroom or home office.
What really stands out is the simplicity. No overcomplicated controls, no unnecessary features — just a solid air purifier that works. And with coverage up to 700 square feet, it’s perfect for larger spaces, too.
It doesn’t have app control or fancy extras like the Dyson, and the filter doesn’t go as far as the AirDoctor’s UltraHEPA. But for most people, that’s a blessing. Don’t we have enough smart devices?
This is one that we’re going to keep around — and buy more of for our home.
Who It’s For: If you want the best bang for your buck without sacrificing performance, the Alen FLEX is the clear winner. It’s reliable, efficient, and perfect for everyday use.
The Best Price on the ALEN Flex Air Purifier, our Top Choice
