Which Is Better An Air Purifier or an Air Scrubber?

Working principle of air purifiers

The motor and fan of the air purifier circulate indoor air quality and allow the air to pass through a filter to remove or adsorb various pollutants. Some purifiers have a negative ion generator at the air inlet to continuously ionize the air, producing a large amount of negative ions. The purified dry air is discharged from the exhaust port to achieve the purpose of purifying.

The purification technologies of air purifiers currently include physical filtration (HEPA), activated carbon adsorption, electrostatic dust collection, plasma, negative ions, molecular complexation, photocatalyst, etc. Among them, HEPA, activated carbon adsorption, and electrostatic dust collection are the three most widely used technologies.

 

Function of air purifiers

1. Air purifiers can remove particulate matter from the air. For example, smoke, pollen, dust, pet hair, coal dust.

2. It can eliminate odors and harmful gases. At present, many air purifiers on the market have the function of removing odors and deodorizing, such as smoke, oil fume, second-hand smoke.

3. It can remove microorganisms and pollutants from the air. For example, bacteria, viruses, bacteria, pollen.

4. It can neutralize chemical gases. For example, harmful gases in paint, formaldehyde, insecticides, and other gases.

In addition, there is experimental evidence that air purifiers can indeed improve indoor air quality by detecting and filtering PM2.5 in the air.

 

Usage scenarios of air purifiers

1. Second hand smoke area

In daily life, second-hand smoke is ubiquitous and poses a threat to people's health. Therefore, in spaces filled with second-hand smoke, air purifiers have become an ideal solution. It can effectively filter out odors and harmful substances in second-hand smoke, providing a fresh air environment for entertainment venues and office spaces.

2. Closed indoor environment

Indoor enclosures can lead to a decrease in air quality, accumulation of dust, and odors. For entertainment venues with poor ventilation, such as cinemas and chess rooms, air purifiers can effectively remove pollutants such as dust and particles, improve indoor comfort, and attract more customers.

3. Office

For employees working in office buildings, air quality is equally important. Air purifiers not only save space but also effectively improve the office environment, increase work efficiency, and reduce health problems caused by poor air quality for employees.

4. Families of allergy sufferers

People who are prone to allergies are particularly sensitive to allergens such as hair, dust, mites, pollen, etc. ,in the air. Air purifiers can quickly filter out these allergens, providing a safe indoor environment for allergy sufferers.

5. Special families

Children, the elderly, and pregnant women have relatively lower immunity and are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Air purifiers can effectively purify indoor pollutants, ensure the respiratory health of family members, prevent the occurrence of diseases, and make families warmer and healthier.

 

Working principle and purpose of air scrubbers

An air scrubber is a device specifically designed to improve the air quality inside homes or commercial buildings. It is directly connected to the existing HVAC system and seamlessly integrates with the heating and cooling units to remove various air pollutants. This technology can effectively target pollutants such as dust, dandruff, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses in indoor air.

The operation of an air scrubber involves inhaling air from the living space, filtering it through a series of mechanisms to capture impurities, and recycling cleaner air back into the environment. These devices are particularly beneficial for patients with allergies or respiratory diseases, as they can greatly reduce the presence of irritants that typically cause symptoms.

Different air scrubbers (dry, wet, and thermal oxidizers) can meet different needs and settings. Whether using physical filters, chemical reactions, or ultraviolet radiation, the common goal of these systems is to provide cleaner and healthier indoor air quality. Their applications have expanded from residential to commercial and industrial applications. Preair is a reliable restoration equipment manufacturer that has efficient air scrubber for sale. Welcome to your consultation!

 

Key differences between air purifiers and air scrubbers

Feature	Air Purifier	Air Scrubber
Primary Use	Improves indoor air quality in homes/offices	Cleans and restores air in contaminated environments
Filtration	HEPA + optional carbon filter	HEPA + activated carbon + UV/ionization (in some units)
Particles Removed	Dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke	Mold spores, bacteria, VOCs, fumes, and even surface germs
Portable Use	Compact, quiet, residential units	Heavy-duty, larger, noisier – made for job sites or crises
Odor Removal	Moderate (with carbon filter)	Stronger (removes smoke/fire/musty/mold odors fast)
Cost	Lower ($100–$600)	Higher ($500–$2,500+)
Typical Use Case	Every day home use	Water/fire damage restoration, construction, and mold cleanup