Top Rated Plug-In Air Purifiers for Pet, Smoke and Other Odors
Here are the best plug in air purifiers you can find out there. They are inexpensive, portable and saves energy. You will find this review very helpful if you are looking for a cheaper air purifier that is not as bulky as the traditional ones.
Air purifiers are a lifesaver for any home. Whether you have a pet or are dealing with foul odors even after a thorough cleaning, air purifiers provide a convenient way to freshen up the air.
But the air purifiers we are used to are bulky, sometimes noisy, and sometimes hard to set up.
That’s where the plug-in air purifiers come in. They are small, and just like the name suggests, you plug them in a power source, and they start working.
While they may not be as effective as the larger air purifiers, the plug in versions are suitable for people who only need a small affordable air purifier.
There are several of these devices today, making it challenging to find the best one.
Worry not, for I have reviewed the best plug-in air purifiers based on my experiences, expert opinions, and actual user reviews.
The Best Plug In Air Purifiers for Removing Foul Odors
#1. GermGuardian GG1100W
GermGuardian GG1100W Elite Pluggable UV-C Sanitizer and Deodorizer
GermGuardian manufactures some of the best air quality products, including air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and cooling systems.
The GG100W is perfect for anyone looking for a small air purifier that’s affordable, easy to maintain, and efficient. So, how does it achieve all of these?
For starters, it’s only 7 inches height and can fit in most standard electric socket. It can even fit in your bag when traveling.
Unlike regular air purifiers that use several filters that you have to replace, this model uses UV-C tech to “sanitize” the air.
It uses a UV bulb that’s replaceable after every 8 months. The plug-in air purifier itself costs roughly $35, and the bulb costs $10.
That means that you can purchase several of them. Better yet, they are energy efficient, consuming roughly $5 of power in a year.
The UV-C is not only affordable, but it’s also effective at eliminating foul odors, dander, smoke, and germs.
User Impressions
Most users agreed that this plug-in air purifier is as good as the manufacturer claims it is. It eliminated pet odors (hamsters and cats), it eliminated bathroom odors, and most found that it wasn’t expensive to run.
However, some users found it too loud for quiet rooms such as bedrooms, and others found it quite distracting.
To get the most out of it, they placed it in the kitchen to get rid of odors from the bin, bathrooms, and other areas where a little noise from an extra device wouldn’t be so distracting.
Pros
- It’s compact and portable
- It’s inexpensive
- UV-C tech is effective in eliminating most types of odors
- 1-Year warranty
Cons
- It’s quite loud
- The bulb can also be too bright for some rooms
Click Here to Buy the GG1100W on Amazon
#2. Clarifion Negative Ion Generator
Clarifion – Negative Ion Generator (1 Pack) Filterless Mobile Ionizer Plug In Air Purifier
Clarifion is another reputable manufacturer dedicated to making the air we breathe in our homes cleaner and safer.
Unlike the GermGuardian model that uses UV-C light to neutralize impurities, this Clarifion model utilizes ion technology.
So, how does this work?
The Ion generator releases negatively charged ions into the air. On the other hand, dust, germs, pollen, and other air impurities are positive ions.
It’s just basic physics, the negative ions attach to the positive ions making them heavy and causing them to fall to the ground.
This ionizer produces up to 10 Million negatively charged ion particles per cm3. That means that for every minute it’s running, millions of harmful particles are put down (literally).
But considering how small it is, it only covers 150 sq. ft. For larger rooms, you may need to get several of them.
The only downside about ion generators is that they produce Ozone which can be quite harmful, especially for people with asthma. But the manufacturer states that the level of Ozone produced by this device is too small to cause any harm.
Design
Weighing just 135 grams, this air purifier is portable and can fit in any standard socket.
That being said, the manufacturer states that it should be installed in sockets at least 5 feet from the ground, and not all houses may have such a setup.
Being an ion generator, you don’t have to replace any filters.
It also features an LED blue light that lights up to show the device is working. The only problem is that this light can be quite distracting in some areas, such as the bedroom. But you can use tape to cover it.
User Impressions
With more than 2000 positive ratings on Amazon, most users agreed that the ionizing tech was effective in cleaning up the air. They also acknowledged that due to the small coverage, they had to buy several of them.
Some used them as standalone air purifiers, while others used them alongside the larger HEPA filter air purifiers.
While you don’t have to replace any bulbs or filters, this device can accumulate dust. One user suggested cleaning it regularly with compressed air.
The only consistent complaints were that it only lasts two years, which I think is understandable considering how inexpensive it is and all the work it does.
Pros
- Effective ionizing technology
- It’s affordable and inexpensive to maintain
- Easy to clean
- It’s quiet and versatile – it can be placed in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, etc.
Cons
- The LED blue light can be quite distracting
- Ionizers release Ozone
Click Here to Buy the Clarifion Negative Ion Generator on Amazon
#3. HomeZens Portable Plug-in Air Purifier
HomeZens Portable Plug in Air Purifier with UV-C Light – Eliminates Odors and Sanitizes
Being the size of a coffee tumbler, this HomeZens model is one of the best plug-in air purifiers for traveling or for people with smaller rooms.
If the ozone emission in the Clarifion model I reviewed scared you (I didn’t mean to, it doesn’t amount to harmful levels), this model uses UV-C light, which is safer.
It features a fan that draws in the air from the room, and when the air gets to the upper compartment, the UV-C light acts on the germs, killing up to 99.9% of them.
Besides the UV action, this device also eliminates odors in the room using photocatalyst decomposition.
The 110 sq. ft. coverage isn’t that much but is enough for most small rooms.
Design
The design is quite convenient. It’s only 7 inches in height and can fit in most electric outlets. Better yet, you can rotate it within 180 degrees if you need to connect multiple devices to the same outlet.
The UV bulb should be replaced after every eight months, and it’s not too hard to replace.
The bulb isn’t as bright as that of the GermGuardian model. However, the air purifier sometimes has a buzzing sound, which is mostly tolerable.
User Impressions
Most users agreed that this air purifier made the air better, and they also loved how the design complimented all the areas where they were plugged in.
Users also loved the rotating mechanism that allowed them to make the most out of the electric outlets.
However, the buzzing sound seemed to bother some users. If you find it too loud, you can place it in the bathroom or kitchen where the sound won’t be a nuisance.
Pros
- Convenient rotating mechanism
- Easy to use
- Elegant design
- Very effective at eliminating germs and odors
Cons
- It has limited coverage
- It’s sometimes too loud
Click Here to Buy the HomeZens on Amazon
#4. CORNMI Ozone Negative Ion Dual Function
Air Purifiers Plug In for Home, Mini Odor Eliminator丨Ozone Negative Ion Dual Function
I know. I know. I mentioned Ozone could be harmful. But what I didn’t say is that it disintegrates quickly and effectively eliminates bad odors.
This CORNMI plug-in air purifier combines both Ozone and ionizing technologies to improve its efficiency. The Ozone (O3) is effective at removing pet odor, kitchen odors, and bathroom odors.
On the other hand, the Ionizing tech works by emitting anions (negatively charged ions), which then eliminate harmful particles in the air.
The good thing about this device is that it allows you to choose between the two or alternate them.
You can switch the ionizer ON or OFF. For the Ozone, you can use the “Timing” mode, where it runs for about 20 minutes, and then switches back to the ionizer.
Or you can opt for the “Cycle” mode where both Ozone and the ionizer alternate, working for 10 minutes each. That way, the room will not concentrate too much Ozone that will be harmful to your health.
Below are the light indicators and the modes they represent:
- Green – Ionizer
- Blue – Timing mode
- Red – Cycle mode
Emitting up to 8 million anions per cubic centimeter, this device has coverage of up to 323 sq. ft. That’s considerably large compared to the other devices I’ve reviewed here.
It also draws 5W of power, making it very cost-efficient since there aren’t filters or bulbs to be replaced.
Design
This device is only 5.3 inches in height, roughly the size of a smartphone, with one large button and the three modes indicators at the top.
The plugs fold when not in use, and since it only weighs 8 ounces, you can easily carry it in your pocket. It also comes in grey and white colors and a gorgeous design that will look great in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or living room.
User Impressions
While this device has not been in the market for long, it has garnered many positive reviews from users acknowledging the effectiveness of both the Ozone emitter and ion generator.
Some of the specific odors it eliminated include cat litter box odors, cigarette smoke, and bathroom odors.
Pros
- It eliminates odors and harmful particles
- Very portable
- Easy to install and maintain
- It’s relatively quiet
Cons
- Some users complained about an unpleasant smell from the device
Click Here to Buy the CONMI Air Purifier on Amazon
#5. WEAL Car Plug-in Air Purifier
WEAL-Car-Air-Purifier-Ionizer, Car Air Freshener, Plug in
Air pollution is everywhere, not only inside our houses but also in our cars, from pet odors, spilled food to other car fumes.
Luckily, there are plug-in air purifiers that can make the air in your vehicle clean and safe to breathe in, and this WEAL model is one of them.
It emits up to 5.8 million negatively charged ions, eliminating pet dander, cigarette smoke, pollen, car fumes, formaldehyde, and other impurities in your car.
Better yet, there’s no setup required. It goes in the usual car electric output and gets to work in minutes.
It also has two 2.1A USB output ports that allow you to charge your phone or tablet as the device runs.
With a 20 dB noise level, you won’t even realize this device is in your car, except for the blue LED light.
User Impressions
Many users were people who smoked in their cars, brought pets into their vehicles, or let their kids bring food into the car. And guess what?
Most of them acknowledged that there was a tremendous improvement in the car’s smell once they plugged in this air purifier.
The USB charging ports were also very convenient when they needed to charge their mobile devices.
There were a few complaints about some air purifiers with defective parts, but the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- It’s effective at purifying the air inside cars
- It’s multifunctional – an air purifier and a charger
- Easy to use – just plug-in
- It’s affordable
Cons
- It’s not suitable for vans or larger cars
Click Here to Buy the WEAL model on Amazon
#6. Hamilton Beach TrueAir 04530GM (With a Carbon Filter)
Hamilton Beach TrueAir Plug-Mount Odor Eliminator with Carbon Filter
All the plug-in air purifiers I’ve reviewed so far utilize ionization or UV light to maintain a minimalistic design compared to the larger air purifiers.
But Hamilton Beach somehow managed to fit a carbon filter in a small design, and it works great.
The Hamilton Beach 04530GM has a fan that draws air into the device using a turbine cycle.
Once the air is in there, it’s run through the carbon filters, eliminating any harmful particles and foul odors and dispensing clean air back into the room.
It also comes with a Green Mountain scent cartridge that replaces bad odors with a sweet-smelling scent.
The carbon filter is replaceable after 2 to 3 months, and this device will always alert you when the filter needs to be replaced. Filters can be quite hard to come by, especially when you’re not in the US, so order lots of them once you find them.
The scent cartridge is also replaceable. But these are optional since not everyone loves the smell. So, if you don’t like it, the filter is enough to get the job done.
User Impressions
Many users approve of this air purifier.
Smoke smells and pet smells seem to be most people’s nightmares. But this device helped alleviate these odors, including odors from dirty laundry, molds, and dampness.
The only major complaint was the unavailability of the filters.
Pros
- Carbon filters are safe and environmentally friendly
- 1-year warranty
- Highly effective at eliminating smoke and pet smells
Cons
- Replacing the filters adds to the cost of maintenance
- Replacement filters aren’t easy to find
Click Here to Buy the Hamilton Beach 04530GM on Amazon
Benefits of Plug-in Air Purifiers
Now let’s see some of the reasons you may need a plug-in air purifier.
They are Easy to Use
If you’ve used the larger air purifiers, most of them have filters that need replacing after a few months. Besides replacing them, you also need to clean the filters often.
While these may seem like simple tasks, not everyone has time for them. Except for the Hamilton Beach air purifier with carbon filters (which aren’t expensive, by the way), the ionizers and UV air purifiers need minimal maintenance.
Great for Traveling
Traditional air purifiers are bulky and not fit for people who travel often or people who only need a small device for a small room.
A model like the Honeywell HPA300 is 22 inches in height and weighs up to 22 pounds.
But plug-in air purifiers can be as small as your smartphone and weigh a few ounces, but they still do a good job.
These small devices can come in handy when you are staying in a hotel or even at your place of work.
They Save Energy
If you only need an air purifier for the bathroom, kitchen, or any other small room, you don’t need the larger models that consume a lot of power. Plug-in air purifiers have limited coverage, and they only draw enough power for the area they cover. You can run them 24/7 for just a couple of dollars a year in electricity bills.
They are Inexpensive
This is one of the reasons I love plug-in air purifiers. No expensive filter replacements, no exorbitant initial costs, and minimized running costs.
I mentioned that plug-in air purifiers might not be as effective as the other air purifiers.
However, I have covered four types of technologies – UV, ionizers, Ozone, and carbon filters. So, you can choose one or two mechanisms that work for you.
Conclusion
Eliminating bad odors and harmful particles in your home doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. Plug-in air purifiers help to make that possible. There are several brands and models out there, but these 6 models are my top picks. The GermGuardian GG1100W is the best plug-in air purifier that uses UV light. The Clarifion Negative Ion generator is the best air ionizer, and the WEAL plug-in air purifier is the best for cars.
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