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Look at How Much Gunk My Air Purifier Sucked Out of My Home Over the Last 5 Months

This is why everyone needs an air purifier — yes, even you

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Published on March 12, 2025 07:30AM EDT

Person holding a dirty air purifier filter — Photo:
People

TL;DR, everyone needs an air purifier. Yes, even you! And the above photo is proof.

Last week, I noticed that my air purifier’s “change filter” light was on, so I went to my Amazon history and reordered the same filter I always buy. It took me less time to make that purchase than it took my dinner to reheat in the microwave, and with my Prime membership, it arrived the next day. I immediately unboxed it and flipped my air purifier over to switch out the old filter — and I was absolutely disgusted by what I saw.

A person showing a before and after of LEVOIT Genuine Core 300-P Air Purifier Replacement Filters — My gunked-up air purifier filter versus the clean new one.
People

I’m not sure my Levoit air purifier has ever sucked this much gunk out of my home since I bought it in late 2020, back when we were all more wary about our indoor air. Dirt, dust, dander, my beagle mix’s fur, and so much other stuff I don’t even want to know about was caught up in there.

Levoit Air Purifier (Editor’s Pick)

$99 $74 at Amazon

What to know about this air purifier

Covers up to 1,100 square feet (that’s larger than my one-bedroom apartment)
Its low, pleasant hum is quiet enough for me
Running it constantly adds about $5 to my monthly energy bill
Easy-to-use special features, like shut-off timers and night mode
I wipe a dust cloth over the base and top every week or so for optimal functionality

And can I just say that I’m a pretty clean person? I own two cordless vacuums and use them regularly, I swear! But still, I practically could have made another dog out of what was on that filter, which was holding nearly five months’ worth of detritus.

At first, I wasn’t even convinced that an air purifier was a worthwhile buy. Even when running it 24/7, I didn’t notice a significant reduction of odors while I cooked, or of dust gathering on shelves, or of sneezes once spring came around.

But every time I change out the air purifier filter, I remember why it’s worth it: It’s always cleaning, even when I’m not. And this is why I recommend that everyone should have at least one air purifier in their home.

Levoit Replacement Air Purifier Filter

LEVOIT Genuine Core 300-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter — Amazon

$30 at Amazon

If you want to try one out for yourself, you can buy my exact Levoit air purifier, which is Amazon’s best-selling air purifier. Or go for one of the models featured below, which are some of the best air purifiers we’ve tested in our labs and at home over the last three years.