If you're looking to improve the air quality inside your car, you may have considered investing in a car air purifier.
But do they actually work? The answer is yes and no - it depends on what type of air purifier you buy.
Let's take a look at the different types of car air purifiers, how they work, and whether or not they're worth investing in.
HEPA Filters
The most common type of car air purifier is one that uses an HEPA filter.
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and these filters are designed to capture particles like dust, pollen, lint, pet dander and mold spores from the air.
They work by sucking in polluted air and forcing it through the filter so that only clean air comes out.
As a result, these types of filters can reduce the amount of pollutants in your car's cabin by up to 99%.
Ionizers
Another type of car air purifier is an ionizer.
These devices release negative ions into the cabin which attach themselves to airborne particles like dust and pollen and cause them to fall to the ground where they can be vacuumed up or wiped away with a cloth.
Ionizers don't actually remove pollutants from the air - they just make them less visible.
UV Light Purifiers
UV light purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in your vehicle's cabin.
They work by emitting UV light which causes DNA damage in microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, effectively killing them off before they can spread any further.
However, these types of purifiers are best used as a supplement to an HEPA filter since UV light doesn't have much effect on larger airborne particles like dust or pollen.
Conclusion
Whether or not you should invest in a car air purifier depends mostly on what type of pollutant you're trying to combat - larger particles such as dust or pollen will need an HEPA filter while smaller ones such as bacteria or viruses will benefit from a UV light purifier (or both).
All three types of purifiers offer some benefits but it's important to understand how each works so that you can choose one that best fits your needs.
With this knowledge in hand, you'll be able to make an informed decision about which type of car air purifier is right for you!
