We carry two brands — Austin Air and Airpura — because we believe they are the two best air purifier manufacturers in the world. Both use True HEPA filtration, substantial activated carbon, all-steel construction, and zero ionizers or ozone.
So how do you choose between them?
The Short Answer
Choose Austin Air if you want a proven, straightforward purifier with a long track record, clinical research backing, and a single filter that handles everything for 5 years.
Choose Airpura if you have specific contamination needs, chemical sensitivity, or want to select from a wide range of specialized filter configurations.
Austin Air: The Clinical Standard
Austin Air has been manufacturing air purifiers in Buffalo, New York since 1990. Their purifiers have been deployed by FEMA during disaster response, used in VA hospitals, studied in clinical research at Johns Hopkins University, and trusted by allergy and asthma specialists for over three decades.
Every Austin Air purifier uses the same core approach: a 360-degree intake that draws air through a pre-filter, then through a bed of activated carbon and zeolite, and finally through a True HEPA filter. The entire system is sealed in a welded steel housing.
What sets Austin Air apart:
- 15 pounds of activated carbon and zeolite per unit
- 5-year filter life rated at 8 hours per day of use
- 360-degree air intake for whole-room filtration
- Studied in peer-reviewed clinical research
- Simple, single-filter system — no complicated maintenance
Austin Air lineup at a glance:
HealthMate — the original. True HEPA plus activated carbon for particles, gases, and odors. Best all-around choice for most homes.
HealthMate Plus — adds zeolite to the carbon blend, specifically targeting ammonia and VOCs. Best choice for wildfire smoke, chemical exposure, and off-gassing.
Bedroom Machine — formulated for nighttime air quality with a carbon blend targeting benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde. Quieter and sized for single rooms.
Allergy Machine — optimized for allergen removal with a medical-grade HEPA and carbon combination.
Pet Machine — includes an additional layer targeting pet dander and odors.
Airpura: Built for Chemical Sensitivity
Airpura has been manufacturing air purifiers in Montreal, Quebec since 2004. Their focus has always been on the most demanding air quality needs — specifically people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), healthcare facilities, and laboratories where contamination tolerances are extremely low.
Every Airpura purifier is built with a powder-coated steel body, off-gas-free internal components, and a sealed system designed to prevent any secondary chemical exposure from the purifier itself.
What sets Airpura apart:
- 26+ filter configurations for targeted contamination control
- Powder-coated steel body — no plastic off-gassing
- Off-gas-free internals — safe even for the most chemically sensitive
- Covers up to 2,000 square feet in larger models
- Entire 400, 600, 700, and 900 series available
Airpura series at a glance:
R Series — heavy activated carbon for gases, VOCs, and wildfire smoke. The R600 is one of the most popular purifiers for wildfire protection.
C Series — maximum carbon configuration for chemical sensitivity and VOC-heavy environments.
F Series — formaldehyde-specific filtration for new construction, renovations, and furniture off-gassing.
P Series — designed for healthcare environments, targeting airborne pathogens.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Austin Air | Airpura | |
|---|---|---|
| Made in | Buffalo, NY, USA | Montreal, QC, Canada |
| Founded | 1990 | 2004 |
| Carbon weight | Up to 15 lbs | Up to 18 lbs |
| Filter configurations | Model-specific | 26+ options |
| Best for | General use, clinical trust, simplicity | MCS, specialized needs, chemical sensitivity |
| Filter life | 5 years | 2–5 years depending on model |
| Coverage | Up to 1,500 sq ft | Up to 2,000 sq ft |
| Body material | Welded steel | Powder-coated steel |
Our Recommendation
If you are buying your first serious air purifier and want a proven all-around performer, start with the Austin Air HealthMate or HealthMate Plus. It is simple, effective, and backed by more clinical research than any other purifier on the market.
If you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, live in an area with heavy chemical exposure, or need a specialized filter configuration for a specific contaminant, Airpura is the right choice.
Both brands carry our full authorized dealer warranty and ship to all 50 states.
