6 Best Car Air Purifiers of 2023: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs

by Joshua Thomas

Car air purifiers are helpful devices that improve the air inside a car's quality by using different methods. An air purifier provides cleaner and safer air inside the car, and this can mean a lot.

This prevents allergens and other disease-causing germs from circulating inside the vehicle and additionally keeps the car smelling fresh and clean.

If you're considering to buy a car air purifier, then you've made the right choice, and this car air purifiers review will give you a buying guide and a list of the top offers in the market.

Summary of 6 Best Car Air Purifiers

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES
FRiEQ AP-C

1. FRiEQ AP-C (Ionic Air Purifier with Blue Light)

  • High-intensity ionizer with up to 4.8 million ions per cm³
  • The lovely design makes your car look better
  • Features a decorative blue light
NWK Deodorizer

2. NWK Deodorizer (Stylish Ozone-based Design)

  • Powerful odor remover for cars and confined spaces
  • Easy to use and needs little maintenance
  • Works in as little as 90 minutes
Wynd PURWHTV01

3. Wynd PURWHTV01 (Smart & Portable Package)

  • A high-quality air filtering device
  • Includes a detachable air quality tracker
  • Comes with a smartphone app
Philips GPC20GPX1 GoPure

4. Philips GPC20GPX1 (Compact 3-Stage Filtering Air Purifier)

  • Medical grade air purifier for cars
  • Features a 3-stage filtration system
  • Simple 2-speed operation and stylish design
Earth-Air EA-224

5. Earth-Air EA-224 (Affordable & Fast-acting Ionic Air Purifier)

  • Easy to use cigarette lighter port ionizer
  • Just plug it in and it works
  • Offered at an attractive price
IDobbi Ionizer

6. iDobbi Ionizer (Portable Air Purifier & Odor Remover)

  • Simple ionizer for cars
  • Just plug it in and it starts working
  • Removes smoke odors in just seconds

Top 6 Best Car Air Purifiers

Editors' Picks: Top Car Air Purifiers of 2023
Editors' Picks: Top Car Air Purifiers of 2023

1. FRiEQ AP-C - Ionic Car Air Purifier with Blue Light

FRiEQ AP-C
FRiEQ AP-C

This FRiEQ AP-C ionizer is one of the best automobile air purifiers in the market because it's easy to use, it needs no maintenance whatsoever, and it also helps make your car look good with its blue light.

It releases up to 4.8 million anions per cm³ that help kill bacteria, destroys bad odor, dust, mold, and viruses. This improves the environment inside your car.

Featuring a compact design, this purifier gets powered from the car's 12V cigarette lighter port, but keep in mind that it won't work with 24V systems as you find in trucks.

It's also not the most effective car air purifier out there but FRiEQ backs it with a 1-year warranty and it's offered at a low and attractive price.

Pros

  • Car interior ionizer releases 4.8 million anions per cm³
  • Lovely design with light makes your car look better
  • Comes in a compact cigarette lighter design
  • FRiEQ offers it a very affordable price
  • Backed by a 1-year warranty from FRiEQ

Cons

  • It doesn't work on 24V cigarette lighter sockets
  • There are more effective purifiers

2. NWK Deodorizer - Stylish Ozone-based Car Air Purifier

NWK Deodorizer
NWK Deodorizer

This purifier is an ozone generator, which means that while it provides powerful odor removal, it's also dangerous for humans because it can damage the lungs or cause respiratory problems.

You can still use it when you are away from your car. Simply park your vehicle, switch on the NWK Deodorizer, and go about your daily routine for at least 90 minutes.

The important thing is that you ventilate your car when you get back and want to drive off. This ventilation is what prevents you from getting sick while giving you a fresh-smelling car.

Another feature that makes it one of the best car air purifiers is its stylish and compact design, which means you can use it in other confined space. It comes with rechargeable batteries, a wall charger, and a cigarette socket charger.

Pros

  • Powerful odor remover for car interiors
  • Easy to use and nothing to change
  • Compact design works in all confined spaces
  • Works in as little as 90 minutes

Cons

  • You can get cheaper car air purifiers
  • Ozone is harmful to the lungs

3. Wynd PURWHTV01 - Smart & Portable Air Purifier Package

Wynd PURWHTV01
Wynd PURWHTV01

If you're looking for the best portable air purifier for cars and personal spaces, and the price isn't a problem, then you need to take a look at this offer.

Started on Kickstarter, this air purifier is in a league of its own, producing over 9 liters of clean air per second and including a detachable air quality indicator.

Then there's the included smartphone app, which lets you keep an eye on your air quality, control the fan speed, check battery level, and filter usage.

The downside here is price and the occasional filter change, but if you want the best car air purifier, then it's probably worth it.

Pros

  • High-quality and high-capacity compact air filtering device
  • Filters pollen, smog, bacteria, smoke, dust, and lots more
  • Includes a detachable air quality tracker
  • Comes with a smartphone app and ebook

Cons

  • It's way costlier than most other car air purifiers
  • You'll need to change the filter from time to time

4. Philips GPC20GPX1 GoPure - Compact 3-Stage Filtering Car Air Purifier

Philips GPC20GPX1 GoPure
Philips GPC20GPX1 GoPure

Philips GoPure air purifier is one of the best quality devices that you'll find. It offers medical-grade air purification, removing up to 99% of harmful gases, bacteria, smoke, and lots more.

The system features a stylish and modern design that fits into most vehicle interiors, although you can also choose to use anywhere else that you choose.

There a 13-ft long 12V power cable in the package, plus it also comes with an attachment-belt and suction cup for simple and easy installation wherever you want.

As with the Wynd system, this Philips purifier is also relatively costly but worth it. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Pros

  • Medical grade air purifier for vehicles and personal spaces
  • Works with a 3-stage filtration system
  • Simple and easy to use 2-speed operation
  • Backed by a 1-year warranty

Cons

  • Filters need changing from time to time
  • It's costlier than ionic purifiers

5. Earth-Air EA-224 - Affordable & Fast-acting Ionic Car Air Purifier

Earth-Air EA-224
Earth-Air EA-224

How about another low-priced car air purifier? This one comes from Earth-Air and is very easy to use. Just plug it into your car's cigarette lighter socket and it gets to work.

It will cut most odors such as cigarette smoke in just seconds and it's also one of the best car air purifier ionizers for those on a budget because of its low price.

The problem with it, however, is that ionizers aren't the most effective car air purifiers, but they are pretty good for the price.

Pros

  • Easy to use cigarette lighter port ionizer
  • Just plug it in and it starts working
  • Available in Black or Gold
  • Offered at a low and attractive price

Cons

  • There are more effective car air purifiers
  • It only works in cars because of the cigarette lighter port

6. iDobbi Ionizer - Portable Car Air Purifier & Odor Remover

IDobbi Ionizer
IDobbi Ionizer

The iDobbi ionizer is like most other cigarette-lighter port ionizers. Simply plug it in and it starts to release negatively charged ions into the air to purify it.

It features a stylish and modern design with a LED light that brightens your car offers it a touch of style. The iDobbi releases 4.8 million ions per cm³ each second, making it a high-intensity ionizer.

Still, ionizers aren't as effective as filtered air purifiers, so this one also can't offer you a 99% purification rate. In its defense, however, it's offered at a very low and fun price.

Pros

  • Simple and easy-to-use ionizer for cars
  • Just plug it in and it starts cleaning the air
  • It removes smoke odors in mere seconds
  • Automatically switches off when you kill the engine

Cons

  • It can't work on 24V systems
  • There are cheaper ionizers in the market

How to Buy the Best Car Air Purifiers

How To Buy The Best Car Air Purifiers
How To Buy The Best Car Air Purifiers

There are different methods of purifying the air inside a car and so, different manufacturers take different approaches in making their products. This often leads to confusion for those buying a car air purifier for the first time.

To get a better understanding of these devices and be able to make an informed and better decision, the following buying guide list all the major features to look out for.

1. Types of Car Air Purifiers

The first thing you'll need to understand about car air purifiers is that they use different technologies, which has given rise to three major types.

They are ionizers, ozone generators, and HEPA filters. Following is a closer look at each type.

Ionizers. As their name suggests, ionizers work with tiny ions, charged particles that the eyes can't see, but which are effective in making changes at a molecular level.

Here, the devices release anions into the air. Anions are negatively charged ions and will naturally try to interact with any and everything that has a positive charge. In this way, many particles get neutralized.

The downside of ionizers is that they only neutralize about 30% of airborne particles, so they are not 100% effective. On the plus side, they need little maintenance and no filter changes.

Ozone Generators. This type of air purifiers is highly effective in eliminating odors and killing off bacteria and other microorganisms without needing a filter.

It works by releasing three oxygen molecules into the air as ionizers do. This three-molecule oxygen is a very effective air purifier but it's also a heavy lung irritant, making it unsafe for residential use.

HEPA Filters. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filtration and it's considered the gold standard when it comes to filtering air. As the name suggests, HEPA devices use highly-dense filters to remove 99% of particles.

It relies on sucking air and passing it through the filter and you'll also need to change the filter from time to time. Asides from that anyway, it's the best type of air filter that you can get for your car.

Read More: 10 Best Cabin Air Filters

You'll also find some devices that combine ionizers and HEPA filters and this makes them more effective. You can go for them if you want to but just keep away from any ozone-emitting device.

2. Placement

This is a decision that you'll have to reach by yourself because only you know the space you've got available in your car and the type and size of an air purifier that might fit in.

3. Noise & Settings

Air purifiers aren't normally loud, but some are quieter than others. So, if you care about noise and want as little of it as possible, you'll need to keep an eye out for an air purifier's noise levels.

This is important if you like listening to the radio while driving for instance, or for other reasons, where silence is of major importance.

4. Extras & Attachments

Some car air purifiers come with extra features that might be valuable to you, so you need to check every potential purifier that you want to buy.

This might include purifying systems combinations for improved efficiency or smartphone app additions for monitoring or control of the device.

5. Air Quality Indication

This is one of the most important extra features that a car air purifier can come with, but it's not available in every device, so it's left for you to check for it if you need it.

An air quality indicator is a sensor that checks the air's quality inside your vehicle's cabin and informs you of it. Most devices use simple LED lights with for instance Green for good, Red for bad, and Blue or Yellow for okay.

6. Maintenance, Cost & Ease of Use

You'll also need to decide what's best for you by choosing between a filtering system that costs more, needs more work, but also filters more and an ionizer system that costs less and needs almost zero maintenance, but is also less effective.


Buy on Walmart

IQAir Atem Car Portable HEPA Air Purifier, Filters for Pollution, Odors, Gases, Car - Walmart Link

Wynd Plus Smart Personal Air Purifier with Air Quality Sensor - App Integrated, Night - Walmart Link

Car Air Purifier Premium Air Ionizer & Car Charger Accessory w/ Dual USB Ports - Quick - Walmart Link

Philips Automotive Lighting GPC20GPX1 GoPure Compact 200 Car Air Purifier, 1 Pack - Walmart Link

NWK Portable Cordless Ozone Generator Car Air Freshener Odor Eliminator Cigarette Smoke - Walmart Link

Airthereal ADH80 True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Car, Desktop and Home with Smart Auto - Walmart Link

autowit Fresh Mini Car Air Purifier, Car Ionizer Air Cleaner, Captures PM2.5, Smoke, Pet - Walmart Link

FRiEQ Car Air Purifier, Car Air Freshener and Ionic Air Purifier | Remove Dust, Pollen, - Walmart Link

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier - True HEPA Filter Cleans Air, Helps - Walmart Link

Westinghouse 1804 Patented NCCO Technology Portable Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter - Walmart Link

LG PuriCare Mini - Small Lightweight Ultra Quiet Portable Air Purifier for flitering - Walmart Link

Type C Car Charger, Nekteck USB Car Charger with 45W Power Delivery and 12W USB A Port - Walmart Link

Pure Enrichment Genuine 2-in-1 True HEPA Replacement Filter for The PureZone Mini - Walmart Link

Westinghouse Air Purifier True HEPA Filter Replacement Compatible with 1804 Model (Set of - Walmart Link

LG AAFTMH01 Air Filter, White - Walmart Link

Wynd Replacement Filter for Purifier - Walmart Link

Wynd Essential Smart Personal Air Purifier - App Integrated, Dual Mode Air Cleaner - - Walmart Link

Yawkica Portable Air Purifier, H13 True HEPA Mini Air Purifier with 3 Stage Filter & - Walmart Link

THE THREE MUSKETEERS III M True HEPA Filter Replacement, Air Purifier HEPA Replacement - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

IQAir Atem Car Portable HEPA Air Purifier, Filters for Pollution, Odors, Gases, Car - eBay Link

Wynd Plus Smart Personal Air Purifier with Air Quality Sensor - App Integrated, Night - eBay Link

Car Air Purifier Premium Air Ionizer & Car Charger Accessory w/ Dual USB Ports - Quick - eBay Link

Philips Automotive Lighting GPC20GPX1 GoPure Compact 200 Car Air Purifier, 1 Pack - eBay Link

NWK Portable Cordless Ozone Generator Car Air Freshener Odor Eliminator Cigarette Smoke - eBay Link

Airthereal ADH80 True HEPA Filter Air Purifier for Car, Desktop and Home with Smart Auto - eBay Link

autowit Fresh Mini Car Air Purifier, Car Ionizer Air Cleaner, Captures PM2.5, Smoke, Pet - eBay Link

FRiEQ Car Air Purifier, Car Air Freshener and Ionic Air Purifier | Remove Dust, Pollen, - eBay Link

Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier - True HEPA Filter Cleans Air, Helps - eBay Link

Westinghouse 1804 Patented NCCO Technology Portable Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter - eBay Link

LG PuriCare Mini - Small Lightweight Ultra Quiet Portable Air Purifier for flitering - eBay Link

Type C Car Charger, Nekteck USB Car Charger with 45W Power Delivery and 12W USB A Port - eBay Link

Pure Enrichment Genuine 2-in-1 True HEPA Replacement Filter for The PureZone Mini - eBay Link

Westinghouse Air Purifier True HEPA Filter Replacement Compatible with 1804 Model (Set of - eBay Link

LG AAFTMH01 Air Filter, White - eBay Link

Wynd Replacement Filter for Purifier - eBay Link

Wynd Essential Smart Personal Air Purifier - App Integrated, Dual Mode Air Cleaner - - eBay Link

Yawkica Portable Air Purifier, H13 True HEPA Mini Air Purifier with 3 Stage Filter & - eBay Link

THE THREE MUSKETEERS III M True HEPA Filter Replacement, Air Purifier HEPA Replacement - eBay Link

Conclusion for Car Air Purifier Buyers

We've come to the end of this car air purifiers review and you've seen all the different offers out there, from the very affordable cigarette-lighter port ionizers to the more pristine air filters.

It's left for you now to make your choice because it's only you that knows what will best fit into your ride, as well as your budget for it.

About Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.

He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.

His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.

Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.

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