Air Conditioner With Air Purifier – A Complete Buying Guide

Air Purifier Vs. Air Conditioner: What's The Difference?

Criteria	Air Purifier	Air Conditioner
Application	Cleans the air within a confined space by getting rid of airborne smoke, odors, germs, allergens, contaminants.	Reduces humidity and cools the indoor temperature.
Benefits	Increases the air quality all-around, leading to better health for everybody. Especially handy for people with asthma or allergies.	Makes the indoor environment more comfortable. Has some form of air purification. Especially useful for people suffering from respiratory issues that are not good against humid weather.
Removes or Reduces	Allergens, Dust, Smoke, Pet Dander, Mold Spores, Bacteria, and some Viruses	Humidity and Temperatures

As you can clearly see from the table, the main difference between air conditioners and air purifiers is the reason for usage. While air cons are used for comfort reasons, most air purifiers are used for health reasons.

Air cons can make your room feel fresh, but it’s still the same air inside at the end of the day. Even most air conditioners with filter techs can only trap bigger types of pollutants. If you don’t clean the filters regularly, though, these ACs can worsen the room’s air quality.

Another difference between the two is working time, as air purifiers are designed for 24/24 operation. 

Of course, air purifiers are not capable of conditioning the room’s temperature. That is why they can only bring through the ultimate comfort when they work together.

BTU – AC Unit Strength

British thermal units, or BTUs, present the cooling capacity of an AC.

An average requirement for a typical air conditioner is 20 BTUs for 1 square foot. This number ensures that the space will be as cool as possible without wasting any energy. 

If your air conditioner is undersized, there is a high chance that it will fail to satisfy your cooling demands. This chance is especially high on hot summer days. This phenomenon also increases the energy bill, as the air conditioner must work overtime to make up.

On the other hand, more BTUs are also not necessarily better, as the AC can draw too much energy. The air conditioner will also reach the needed temp too quickly, leading to issues like short circuits or even premature breakdown.

Aside from the area of your room, you must also pay attention to some other aspects like climate or the room’s condition. More BTUs are required for rooms with more windows or places like Arizona, Florida, etc.

Energy Efficiency

The most major reason preventing people from getting an AC, much less an air conditioner with air purifier, is the energy bill. To combat this issue, you need ACs that have an Energy Star rating. They are certified independently as energy-saving and good for the environment.

For a window AC unit with an air purifier, there is a standard rating called CEER, short for Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio. The basis for this rating is how much energy is used while the AC runs and also when it's on standby mode.

In general, the better the efficiency is, the higher its CEER will be and the less you’ll pay for the electricity. 

Read more: Top 7 Best Air Purifier For Nail Salon Detailed Reviews

Types Of Air Purifiers

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filtration

It is not at all an overstatement to call this filtering process AC air purifier's golden standard. In short, it makes use of a dense paper filter, trapping as many airborne contaminants as possible.

There actually are many kinds of filters using the HEPA acronym. However, you can only trust one type, those carrying the True HEPA Filter label. Every single True HEPA filter AC air purifier combo must be able to get rid of 99.97% microscopic particles.

The only disadvantage that True HEPA filters have is the fact that you must routinely replace the paper filter. As such, it is among the most costly to maintain top efficiency.

Ionic Filtration

This AC purifier tech will emit ion-charged clouds into the air. The ions then latch firmly onto all the airborne contaminants. As a result, the impurities are forced to fall down, resting on the floor or nearby surfaces.

The air conditioner purifier using this tech can eliminate even ultra-fine particles. By ultra-fine, we mean particles as small as 0.01 microns.

You practically do not need to maintain air purifier AC units having this tech. Nonetheless, you must sweep the floor regularly to get rid of all the fallen particles. Even the ones with electrostatic collection plates require you to clean them frequently.

Carbon Filtration

This filter method utilizes activated carbon of a special form, consisting of millions upon millions of absorbent pores. These tiny pores make up a huge area, trapping in odors, gases, and fumes.

This type of filtration is specialized in combating smell-inducting particles, not health-risking ones. In other words, an air-purifying air conditioner with a carbon filter can make your room smell incredibly fresh, but it won't take care of fungi or mold like the two above. 

UV (Ultra Violet) Light Filtration

This air conditioner and purifier tech do not rely on a physical filter to attack pollutants. Instead, it uses an invisible UV-C band light of the ultraviolet spectrum. This light does not cause any negative effects for humans.

Nevertheless, it is incredibly efficient at killing viruses and bacteria in your room. It destroys their DNA structure on a molecular level, so there is simply no way for them to survive.

In other words, it is the most efficient method if you are worried about your health.

ACH And CADR

ACH (Air Changes Per Hour)

ACH can tell you exactly just how efficient an air conditioner with a built-in air purifier is.

More precisely, it shows the number of times an air conditioning unit with air purifier can exchange the room's air with fresh and clean air in 1 hour. You can generally see ACH ratings such as 4x, 5x, etc.

CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)

This rating is a product of AHAM or the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. It tells the consumers how efficient a purifier is at cleaning the air in a room of a particular size. Nevertheless, not all devices have the CADR rating visible on their specs list.

This rating is especially helpful if you want to know how efficient a purifier is at cleaning specific air pollutants. To be more specific, it measures the efficiency of a purifier against dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen. 

Where Is the Best Place to Put an Air Conditioner and Air Purifier Combo?

If your personal AC for room is a window unit, the choices are limited, as it's all about selecting the correct window. Then, your main job is to ensure that the HEPA window air conditioner does not worsen the window's appearance.

Things are different if we are talking about the best AC for the bedroom. You don't need to pay much attention to the placement. However, you do need to make sure that the AC is at a minimum of 6 feet away from your head.

Doing so provides sufficient space for the AC and lessens the risk of you getting sick. After all, not many people can stay healthy against the direct cool air.

The biggest thing to keep in mind while placing a portable AC air purifier in the living room is to ensure that there is no obstacle. If the AC is too close to things like sofas, it cannot spread all the air out of its vents.

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#1 Dyson HP01 HEPA Air Purifier Pure Hot + Cool Air Conditioner – Best All-Around

Specifications:

• Brand: Dyson
• Color: White/Silver
• Item Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.06 x 24.88 inches
• Weight: 8.6 Pounds
• Area of effect: 999 square feet
• Airflow: 425 cubic feet/minute
• Energy star: No

While each of the options below has its own unique strengths, none can be compared with this portable AC with HEPA filter. The Dyson HP01 HEPA Air Purifier Pure Hot + Cool Air Conditioner has the best purifier, the best air projection, and the quickest cooling speed.

We are most impressed with this portable air conditioner HEPA filter (only 8.7 x 6.06 x 24.88 inches and 8.6 pounds). It is a “true HEPA filter”, meaning it is capable of capturing 99.97% of pollutants. The captured pollutants can be as small as 0.3 microns, so things like dust and pollen cannot escape.

It also has the unarguably biggest area of effect out of all the options present on this list. When working at maximum capacity, this portable air conditioner with air filter can cool off 999 square feet. The secret for this huge number lies in the AC’s air multiplier tech, delivering 77 gallons/sec.

It is not only capable of cooling off your room, but also heating it up. As a result, it is usable throughout the year, unlike other types of air conditioners. You can rest assured that the whole room is heated evenly and there is no corner being too cold.

You, however, will need to spend time maintaining this portable air conditioner with built in air purifier regularly. After all, while true HEPA filters are among the best at purifying, they are also the quickest to get dirty. 

What we like

• True HEPA filter
• Huge area of effect
• Having remote control
• Nighttime mode with a dimmed display
• Quiet operation

What we don't like

• Requiring regular maintenance

#2 Whynter ARC-14S Carbon Filter Portable Air Conditioner – Best For Smell Purification

Specifications:

• Brand: Whynter
• Color: Platinum and Black
• Item Dimensions: 16 x 19 x 35.5 inches
• Weight: 80 Pounds
• Area of effect: 500 square feet
• Airflow: 253 cubic feet/minute
• Energy Star: 5

The Whynter ARC-14S Carbon Filter Portable Air Conditioner is, quite possibly, the only option better than the Dyson HP01 at smell purifying. While the Dyson HP01 uses a true HEPA filter, this unit uses a carbon filter.

This portable personal AC unit‘s carbon filter is not as good as the true HEPA filter at terminating dust or pollen. However, its specialized carbon pores will capture all smell-inducing particles. It’s not at all an overestimation to say that this AC is unbeatable at combating smell.

The auto drain function is also impressive, as it exhausts all the condensation particles out completely the moment they reach a particular threshold. You can save lots of time and effort from having to clean them up regularly.

We also want to mention that this personal portable AC is the only option on this list to have an Energy Star rating of 5. In other words, it is certified as the most energy-efficient. This, coupled with its relatively big area of effect, means you can save quite a bit on the energy bill.

As we have mentioned, the carbon filter, while incredibly strong at purifying smelly particles, cannot take care of pollen or dust. That is why you may need to buy a separate air purifier alongside this model.

What we like

• Incredibly competent at purifying smell
• Highly efficient with energy
• Dual hose operation
• 3 operation modes
• Eco-friendly

What we don't like

• Requiring a separate air purifier for dust and pollens

#3 SereneLife 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner – Best Portability

Specifications:

• Brand: SereneLife
• Color: White
• Item Dimensions: 17.4 x 13.4 x 32.1 inches
• Weight: 62 Pounds
• Area of effect: 450 square feet
• Airflow: 170 cubic feet/minute
• Energy star: No

The focus of the SereneLife 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is to be as portable as possible. That is why it has a handy, lightweight, and sleek body design. 

With the size of 17.4 x 13.4 x 32.1 inches and the 62-pound weight, it is not the lightest or the most compact on this list. Yet, the rolling wheels ensure that you can move it between your garage, living room, and bedroom with no effort at all.

While this portable air conditioner with filter does have a respectable 12,000 BTU cooling capacity, it does not make any noise. In fact, it is unarguably the quietest of this size, having only 56 dB as its operating noise level.

Another great aspect of this top rated personal air conditioner is its built-in dehumidifier. This feature is literally a deal maker if you live in places with high humidity. With it, the chance of mold and bacteria thriving in your room is significantly reduced.

The biggest issue we have regarding this personal AC system is the fact that there is no rubber seal. This seal is especially vital for the piece going through the window. Without it, there will be a lot of air escaping, and the efficiency is further reduced.

What we like

• Incredibly competent at purifying smell
• Highly efficient with energy
• Dual hose operation
• 3 operation modes
• Eco-friendly

What we don't like

• No rubber seal

#4 Honeywell HL10CESWK 10000 BTU Dual Filter Air Conditioner – Best Consistent Cooling

Specifications:

• Brand: Honeywell
• Color: Black/White
• Item Dimensions: 18.9 x 15.7 x 31.3 inches
• Weight: 64 Pounds
• Area of effect: 450 square feet
• Airflow: 241 cubic feet/minute
• Energy star: No

One of the biggest weaknesses many personal AC units face is a lack of consistent cooling capability. This is not an issue if you have the Honeywell HL10CESWK 10000 BTU Dual Filter Air Conditioner. Thanks to the automatic vertical wind distribution style, its cooling is incredibly steady and reliable.

Its auto evaporation feature is also quite impressive, as you now no longer need to routinely empty the dehumidifier’s bucket. This feature and the digital control remote mean that you can set it up and just forget about it. Even the maintenance process is bi-annual, thanks to the dual filter design.

All the accessories and attachments are already installed when the AC arrives at your doorstep. As a result, all you need to do is roll it to the space you have already picked, set the window kit up, and press the power button. There is absolutely nothing challenging throughout this process.

What we do want to warn about, though, is the noise it makes while working. The noises can be as high as 62 dB if the AC works at full power. As such, we do not recommend using this particular model as the best AC for bedroom.

What we like

• Consistent cooling capability
• Requiring almost no maintenance effort
• Dual-layer filters
• Stress-free automatic evaporation
• Stylish design

#5 BLACK+DECKER BPP05WTB Air Conditioner With Purifier – Best Value

Specifications:

• Brand: BLACK+DECKER
• Color: White
• Item Dimensions: 13.2 x 17.3 x 27.2 inches
• Weight: 51.1 Pounds
• Area of effect: 150 square feet
• Airflow: 182 cubic feet/minute
• Energy star: No

The BLACK+DECKER BPP05WTB Air Conditioner With Purifier is simply a godsend for those on a budget. After all, no other option can be as affordable as it.

Do not underestimate this personal air con based on its price range, though. It combines 3 features, all energy efficient, to satisfy all of your ventilation and cooling needs. This personal air conditioning system also has all the most modern techs like dehumidifier and self-evaporation.

This seemingly compact air conditioner packs a surprisingly powerful motor. With its power, the AC can cool the whole area to be as low as 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are not a fan of humidity, you will love the dehumidifier accompanying this option. When it runs at full power, you can expect at least 50 pints to be taken care of every 24 hours. Your room’s humid level will never be too much.

The only complaint that we have against this personal space air conditioner is its small area of effect. Unless your room is incredibly small, 150 square feet of area of effect means the AC will need to work overtime to make up.

What we like

• Incredibly affordable
• Easy to use and clean
• Simple to install
• Quiet operation

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Do Air Conditioners Have Air Purifier?

Most types of air conditioners do not have a purifier attachment, as it is simply not required. The main job of an AC is, after all, to regulate a room’s temperature. The capability to remove pollutants is more of an added benefit, so only some models have capable purifiers attached.

Is Air Cooler Better Than AC?

If you happen to live in a place with less humidity, then an air cooler is much better than an air conditioner. The air cooler’s working principle is to pull fresh air outside into the room while the air-conditioner circulates the room’s internal air.

That is why the quality of air will be better with an air cooler. Nevertheless, it will also draw in the outside world’s humidity.

Why Air Cooler Is Not Good For Health?

As we mentioned above, air coolers draw in the humidity of the outside world. This increased humidity makes your room a perfect place for viruses, mold, and bacteria to thrive. People with asthma should be especially careful while using air coolers.

Does Air Cooler Work Like AC?

The short answer is no. While the air conditioner only circulates a room’s internal air over and over again, the air cooler pulls in the fresh air and cools it down. 

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With this air conditioner with air purifier buying guide, we have introduced you to the 5 best options. The safest bet is to go for the all-around Dyson HP01 HEPA Air Purifier Pure Hot + Cool Air Conditioner.

We also provided you with a concise and thorough buying guide. Hopefully, you can make use of this guide and select the option most suitable for your situation.

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