Banish air quality blues with these elegant air purifiers
Take the sting out of urban smog with the coolest air purifiers in town
Rising temperatures, the return of heavy traffic and inescapable seasonal allergies have seen urban air quality take a significant dive this summer. Add in dust mites, pet dander, pollen and other particles, it’s clear that clean air is at a premium. Here’s our suggestion of the best available low-key, high-style air purifiers designed to enhance your personal atmosphere.
Air Origins Shield
2021’s pollen season ushers in an unexpected Anglo-French battle for air purity. In the left corner is Dyson’s latest model from its Purifier range, but in the right, a new challenger from French manufacturer JVD. Their Air Origins range is introduced by the Shield, built in France and designed by Ramy Fischler of Paris-based RF Studio. With a touch panel interface, and a faceted hexagonal design, the Shield is small enough to be tucked away sight but elegant enough to sit in plain sight. The soft, neo-industrial colours – including malachite green, bronze and sapphire blue – also give this device an edge over the competition.
DYSON Purifier Hot + Cool
Dyson introduced its ‘bladeless’ series of Air Multiplier fans back in 2009 and has honed the tech ever since. For 2021, the iconic loop form of the pillar-shaped purifiers has been further enhanced by the introduction of formaldehyde filters, The most powerful model in the company’s range promises to blast not only dust, allergens and bacteria, but provide a filtration system against the formaldehyde gas emitted by resins used on new furniture, materials and paints. As the name suggests, it also heats and cools, making it an all-in-one solution for the home.
Livsdal Highline
Awarded a Wallpaper* Design Award back in 2018 for its elegant Livsdal One model, the Swedish firm treats its purifiers as if they are pieces of furniture or cabinetry, rather than standalone sculptural objects. Their new Livsdal Highline model was designed in collaboration with Karl-Johan Hjerling of design studio MP12 and is available in lacquered finish or in rich walnut. Pitched at larger spaces, the new model is also ideal for use in offices and studios.
Muji Air Purifier
Muji’s Air Purifier is a modern classic, a perforated white cylinder that perfectly expresses the company’s minimalist ethos. There’s no complex control panel or app connectivity; just plug in and turn on for straightforward siphoning of odours.
AEG AX9
The company that practically invented industrial design has an impressive new device in the form of the AX9, a pentagonal tower with cloth trim and leather detailing. A five-stage purification process is operable via an app which allows you to track air quality over time. The device’s LED light ring also gives you instant visual feedback. Set it remotely to improve air quality when you’re out and about, or simply marvel at the low noise operation when you’re in the room.
Venta AH902
German manufacturer Venta has launched its acclaimed product range in the UK, blending industrial-level quality with hard-wearing, functional design. The AH902 model shown here combines air purification with a humidifier setting, a UVC lamp that kills a claimed 99.9% of bacteria and a straightforward design that makes maintenance and upgrading easy. App control is also an option, in addition to the large folding screen.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Philips Expert Series 3000i
Another app-connected device, Philips’ Expert Series features touchscreen operation, sophisticated filtration, a special low power, low noise mode, and the aforementioned smartphone connectivity. The Quietmark certified sleep mode is designed to run near-silently overnight, while the device can be paired with Alexa for voice-controlled operation.
Blueair Blue 3410
Scandinavian design underpins Blueair's new Blue range of cylindrical air purifiers. The larger model, shown here, comes in five different colour ways and can automatically monitor local air quality and adjust its filtering system to suit conditions. Quiet and compact, the powerful 3410 model can cycle through a room's worth of air in just 12 minutes. The minimalism extends to the control surfaces, with a single button to operate the device.
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
The Home of Sustainable Things is a trove of circular design for domestic life
The Home of Sustainable Things (HOST), is a homeware shop in London, focused on circular design to encourage mindful living and more conscious consumption
By Tianna Williams Published
-
First look: Vyrao’s latest neuroscientific fragrance bottles the grounding effect of a digital detox
Vyrao’s earthy new fragrance ‘Mamajuju’ provides sensory respite from screen time. Lara Johnson-Wheeler speaks with brand founder Yasmin Sewell for a Wallpaper* preview
By Lara Johnson-Wheeler Published
-
Kengo Kuma’s new Kyoto hotel is ‘a sanctuary of ethereal beauty’
A former ryokan inn, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto offers onsen rooms equipped with natural hot spring water, and a contemporary take on a Noh theatre
By Danielle Demetriou Published