FAQ
CADR, rankings & independence
Quick answers from World of Air Purifiers / Best Air Purifier Ranked methodology and the cited product catalog. For model-specific CADR and sources, open each product page.
How are portable air purifiers ranked on this site?+
Lexicographically: (1) CADR effectiveness for stated room size — we prefer AHAM Verifide smoke/dust/pollen CADR and score CADR tiers from smoke CADR / AHAM-style room size; (2) filter quality (True HEPA / carbon score); (3) ENERGY STAR, then AHAM Verifide listing, then higher smoke CADR. Marketing “covers 1,500 sq ft” claims at 1–2 ACH are never used. Full rule: Methodology and src/data/ranking-rule.md.
Does affiliate status or Amazon commissions change rank?+
No. Affiliate status never changes rank. Zero paid placements. Amazon Associate tags are placeholders until replaced; ASINs stay null until verified. Rank order comes only from cited CADR, filter, and certification fields.
What is CADR and why does smoke CADR matter?+
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is the volume of filtered air delivered for tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen (typically CFM). Higher CADR means faster cleaning for that particle class. We prioritize smoke CADR because AHAM’s consumer 2/3 sizing rule is based on tobacco-smoke CADR versus room area.
What is AHAM’s 2/3 rule for room sizing?+
Choose a unit whose tobacco-smoke CADR is at least two-thirds of the room’s area in square feet. Example: a 10′ × 12′ room (120 sq ft) needs smoke CADR ≥ 80. Prefer AHAM-style room size (~4.8 ACH with an 8 ft ceiling), not 1 ACH marketing coverage. Taller ceilings need a larger rating.
Where do CADR and room-size numbers come from?+
Source priority: (a) AHAM Verifide directory, (b) ENERGY STAR Room Air Cleaners V3.0 (AHAM AC-1), (c) manufacturer page or manual. When sources disagree we keep the higher-priority figure and log the conflict in product notes. Unknown values stay null — we never invent lab numbers.
What counts as True HEPA versus HEPA-type here?+
Filter score 3: True HEPA / H13 (manufacturer or AHAM “HEPA”) plus activated carbon in the standard filter. Score 2: True HEPA with carbon only as an optional SKU, or non-True-HEPA systems with carbon (e.g. HEPASilent). Score 1: HEPA-type only / claim not verified. ENERGY STAR’s “HEPA-Type” label is recorded in hepaClaim but does not automatically equal True HEPA.
Do you rank portable air conditioners or whole-home HVAC?+
No. Scope is portable HOME room air cleaners only — not portable air conditioners, mini-splits, or whole-home HVAC.
Why are some models unranked (for example IQAir or Dyson)?+
No published AHAM Verifide / ENERGY STAR smoke–dust–pollen CADR in the cited dataset → rank is null. Those rows appear in a separate Unranked section so we do not invent CADR just to place them.
How do noise and ENERGY STAR affect the list?+
ENERGY STAR certification is a tie-break after CADR tier and filter score (null is treated as not certified). Noise bands are shown when a source publishes dB(A); they inform copy and practicality notes but do not invent missing CADR.
What about ionizers such as PlasmaWave or bipolar stages?+
Ionizer / PlasmaWave / bipolar stages are flagged in product notes and caveats. They are not a ranking bonus. Prefer filtration-only operation when a unit lets you switch them off.
As an Amazon Associate, how do you disclose earnings?+
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That disclosure appears site-wide. Commissions never change lexicographic rank or product scores, and we sell zero paid placements inside the rankings.
How often is data reviewed?+
The imported catalog carries a lastDataReview date (see the homepage and product sourceChecked fields). Re-checks should go back to AHAM Verifide, ENERGY STAR, and manufacturer pages before changing CADR or certification flags.
How do I send a correction?+
Email corrections@best-air-purifier-ranked.com with the product link, the field that looks wrong, and a source URL (AHAM, ENERGY STAR, or manufacturer). We prefer citations over screenshots alone.
Still have a question? corrections@best-air-purifier-ranked.com or read the methodology.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate status never changes rank. Zero paid placements.