True HEPA filters usually range from H10 to H12. And the highest grade of HEPA filter is H13-H14, which is considered medical grade. A normal HEPA filter (H10-H1) removes 99 or 97% of particles of 0.3 microns or larger, while a medical HEPA filter removes 99 or 97% of particles of 0.1 microns or larger. HEPA H13-H14 filters are within the highest level of HEPA air filtration and are considered suitable for medical use. Medical air purifiers can remove more particles than standard HEPA H11 or H12 filters, which are frequently used in residential environments.
While H11 captures 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns in a single pass, and H12 captures 99.5%, H13, often described as a medical-grade filter, offers improved particle removal rates, even the smallest particles. These filters can capture 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 microns or larger, and H14 goes one step further, removing 99.995% of particles to provide comprehensive protection against allergies, bacteria and viruses. All of the following air purifiers use medical-grade H13 filters and scored highly in our particle removal test. We also made sure that each option had reasonable long-term costs and acceptable sound levels, even at maximum fan speed.
For most situations, we recommend H13 filters rather than H14 filters, as these filters are so dense that they can restrict airflow and cause a risk of leaking when air tries to surround the filter. Following a complaint filed by Dyson to the BBB, Levoit has removed all references to HEPA in its advertising. Therefore, we wanted to offer an update only with devices that use H13 filters and we have removed all Levoit units from our list. The IQAir Healthpro Plus also comes with a large activated carbon and zeolite filter, meaning that it can also remove gases and volatile organic compounds that are impossible to remove only with HEPA.
If you want to go a step further, IQAir created a clean, supercharged version of its Healthpro Plus called Cleanroom H13, specially designed for use in a hospital with less noise and greater fan power. It can't be purchased online, but you can buy it at IQAir dealers. As standard, the Blast Mini doesn't come with activated carbon. Even so, you can buy it as an option if necessary, but Smart Air is clear that using activated carbon will reduce airflow by 11%, which will slightly reduce the unit's ability to remove particles.
The Mila Smart Air Purifier comes with seven different types of filters, but for medical use, you'll want to go with Big Sneeze or The Critter Cuddler, as both come with HEPA H13. Mila also offers filters with H14, which will reduce airflow and reduce the chance of air leaks, so we limited ourselves to H13 options. Unlike the other medical air purifiers on this list, the Mila comes with a ton of smart features you won't find in the IQAir HealthPro Plus or the Smart Air Blast Mini. The Dyson TP07 is an attractive air purifier and offers a fan function reasonably powerful. In our tests, the fan was much more powerful than the Blueair Fan Auto when we tested it with the Testo 4101 wireless anemometer at 3 feet.
Air purifiers for medical use H13 grade HEPA, which can trap 99.97% of particles equal to or greater than 0.3 microns in size. While this type of medical filter can capture tiny particles, such as viruses, you'll need to make sure you can provide enough airflow to clean the air in your room. Having a small H13 HEPA filter with a small fan means that you can only clean a very small amount of air, and most of the air will still contain particles contaminants that could cause harm. The use of the term HEPA H13 is not regulated, making it easy for air purifier manufacturers to use this terminology even when they haven't tested their filters through an independent body.
For a 350-square-foot room, you would need an air purifier with at least a CADR of 224 to provide 4.8 ACH (what the EPA recommends for portable air purifiers). There are now many generic filters available for different air purifier models that cost much less, but if you're concerned about HEPA H13, make sure to use original filters that have been independently tested. According to the Commercial Air Filtration team, HEPA H13 is better, since it doesn't restrict airflow as much, has a better filtration to airflow ratio, and is less likely to leak air. For people with medical conditions, it's worth investing in an air purifier that uses HEPA H13 filters.
However, you should still ensure that the air purifier has enough cleaning power to allow for regular air changes in the space it is in. HEPA filters are among the most effective filters used in air quality control devices. While there are a few different types of HEPA filters, medical-grade HEPA filters are the most effective. They can remove up to 99.995% of particles of 0.1 microns in diameter or larger.
In addition to the medical-grade True HEPA-13 filter, with the Sterra Moon air purifier, you can use the UV or negative ion function to receive optimal protection against harmful elements in the air. The simplest and most effective way to create high-quality air around you is to eliminate allergens and dust with an air purifier with a True Medical HEPA-13 filter. Sterra is one of the few air purifiers in Singapore that features authentic medical-grade HEPA-13 filters with the latest negative ion and UV technology, making it one of the most requested brands. However, it's important to remember that, although HEPA H13 is considered to be 99.95% effective at removing 0.2 micron particles from the air, this is the worst possible efficiency.
A medical air purifier can be a great help for people who suffer from asthma, COPD, the immunosuppressed or any medical problem that requires clean air free of viruses, bacteria or small harmful particles. Therefore, it is important for anyone considering adopting air filtration systems to take due account of the differences between H13 and H14 filtration, and to understand the long-term effectiveness in capturing the contamination by ultrafine particles.
