An air purifier sanitizes the air by removing pollutants, allergens and toxins. There are many options to choose from when purchasing an air purifier, each of them with their own benefits and drawbacks. To help you determine which type of system is best for your home, here residential and commercial AC maintenance specialists at Air Products & Services share a handy rundown of the pros and cons of portable air purifiers and whole-home units.

Portable Air Purifiers: Benefits & Drawbacks
A portable air purifier is a standalone unit that plugs into an electrical outlet for operation. The advantages of this type of air purifier are:
- It’s generally cheaper than a whole-house air purification system.
- It’s convenient: all you have to do is plug it in to start cleaning your indoor air.
- It allows you to sanitize the air in specific rooms.
Portable air purifiers have the following disadvantages:
- They’re less effective at cleaning the air.
- They can only be used in one room at a time.
- They’re fairly audible due to the fan.
- They require frequent cleaning.
Some units are heavy, occupy substantial space and are inconvenient to move around.
Whole-Home Air Purifiers: Benefits & Drawbacks
On the other hand, a whole-home air purification system is installed into the existing ductwork of a residential AC and heating system. Its benefits are:
- It’s discreetly installed into the duct system, meaning it doesn’t occupy space in the living area.
- It doesn’t make any noise.
- It requires little maintenance once it’s installed.
- Every room in the house will have less pollutants.
Whole-home units do come with a few disadvantages:
- They’re more expensive than portable air purifiers.
- They typically require installation by a professional.
Air Products & Services is a premier source of high-quality HVAC services, including air purification, air conditioning installation and furnace repair. Call our skilled team at (818) 875-7231 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve clients in and around Tarzana, CA.