Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid While Buying an Air Purifier in India – Perfect Pollucon
🌱 Last updated: October 30, 2025
Written by Perfect Pollucon Services – Experts in Environmental Monitoring for 25+ Years
Indoor air in Indian homes is more polluted than we think. From traffic fumes sneaking in through windows to the fine dust kicked up during daily jhadoo-pocha, the air we breathe inside our homes is often worse than what’s outside.
So, buying an air purifier sounds like a smart move – and it is. But here’s the catch:
Most people buy the wrong air purifier for their needs. Over the past 25+ years at Perfect Pollucon Services, we’ve seen it all – from confused families regretting expensive purchases to frustrated users who gave up on their purifier because “it didn’t work.”
So, before you spend ₹8,000 or ₹18,000 (or more), let’s help you avoid the 5 biggest mistakes people make while buying an air purifier in India.
❌ Mistake #1: Not Checking the Filter Type (HEPA Is Non-Negotiable)
One of our clients in Mumbai bought a fancy-looking purifier during Diwali season because it was on “Amazon’s Deal of the Day.” Six months later, his daughter still had a chronic cough. He called us to test indoor air – the AQI was still above 200.
Why? The purifier didn’t have a true HEPA filter.
What You Should Know:
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the gold standard for capturing PM2.5 particles – the invisible dust that enters your lungs.
Some cheap purifiers use “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type” filters – these are marketing traps. They don’t offer real protection.
✅ Best Practice:
Always look for True HEPA or H13 HEPA written in the specs. If it’s missing – skip that model.
❌ Mistake #2: Buying a Purifier That’s Too Small for Your Room
This is the most common issue we’ve seen in urban homes. A 21-year-old college student in Pune reached out saying his purifier wasn’t making a difference. His room was 250 sq ft, but the purifier’s coverage area was only 150 sq ft.
What You Should Know:
Every air purifier has a coverage area (sq. ft.) and a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) value. If your room is bigger than the purifier’s capacity, it simply can’t clean the air fast enough.
It’s like expecting a ceiling fan to cool an entire hall – it just won’t.
✅ Best Practice:
Measure your room size in square feet (length × width).
Choose a purifier that supports at least 20% more than your room size.
For large halls or living rooms, go for high-CADR models only.
❌ Mistake #3: Ignoring Filter Replacement Cost
Many people buy air purifiers thinking it’s a one-time investment. One of our clients from Thane bought a ₹7,000 purifier – but a year later, the replacement filter was ₹3,000. Worse, it wasn’t available in India easily.
She told us: “A purifier without a filter is just a showpiece.”
What You Should Know:
Filters need to be changed every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage and pollution levels. If replacements are too expensive or unavailable, the purifier becomes useless.
✅ Best Practice:
Check the price and availability of filters before buying.
Prefer brands that offer filters on Amazon, Flipkart, or official sites.
Don’t fall for “washable filters” – they don’t perform as well as HEPA.
Make sure your construction site is fully CPCB audit-readywith this checklist.
❌ Mistake #4: Placing the Purifier in the Wrong Spot
We visited a home in Delhi where the purifier was proudly placed in the corner – right next to the curtain and under a shelf. Guess what? It wasn’t cleaning the air properly.
What You Should Know:
Purifiers need clear airflow from all sides. If the air can’t circulate properly, even the best model won’t work.
✅ Best Practice:
Keep at least 1-2 feet of clearance around the purifier.
Avoid placing it under furniture, behind sofas, or near windows with outdoor dust.
Place it near your breathing zone – like beside your bed or study desk.
❌ Mistake #5: Expecting It to Remove All Odours, Viruses, or Humidity
We had a client in Bengaluru who expected his air purifier to remove the smell of paint, eliminate COVID-19 viruses, and reduce room humidity. He was disappointed on all three counts.
What You Should Know:
Air purifiers can reduce some odours with activated carbon filters, but they can’t remove heavy smells instantly.
Most purifiers don’t remove viruses or bacteria unless they have UV-C or ionizer tech (which comes with its own pros/cons).
They also can’t control humidity – that’s the job of a dehumidifier or humidifier.
Most people buy gadgets without knowing their real purpose – find out when to use a dehumidifier vs. an air purifier vs. a humidifier in our expert comparison. 👉 Read before you buy.
✅ Best Practice:
Understand your needs clearly. If you have a specific requirement like paint smell or high humidity, you may need a combination of devices – not just a purifier.
Yes, especially in polluted cities. Most purifiers consume low power.
Does it make noise while sleeping?
Good models have a “sleep mode” or run under 30 dB — almost silent.
Can I use the same purifier in different rooms?
Not recommended. Air quality resets when you move — it’s better to buy for each room.
Final Thoughts from Our 25+ Years of Experience
We’ve worked with homes, offices, and factories across India for over two decades. While most clients focus on outdoor pollution, we’ve learned that indoor air is equally dangerous, especially during winter, construction, or festivals like Diwali.
If you’re investing in an air purifier – treat it like buying a fridge or water filter. Understand your needs, research properly, and don’t fall for ads with pretty packaging and fake HEPA claims.
Because at the end of the day, you’re not just buying a machine – you’re protecting your lungs and your family’s health.
📌 Need help testing your home’s air quality? Perfect Pollucon Services offers indoor air monitoringacross India. Contact us for a detailed report and purifier recommendations based on real data – not guesswork.
✅ Reviewed by Our Expert Leadership Team
This service offering is created and reviewed by our senior team of environmental professionals with 10–40 years of experience in pollution control, regulatory compliance, and monitoring services.
Tanaji S. Gajare
Founder & Chairman 40+ years in Air, Noise & Water monitoring, sustainability leadership
Anil Shelke
Executive Director 30+ years in compliance, audits, and ETP/STP operations
Kunal Gajare
Chief Sustainability Officer 10+ years in stack monitoring, MPCB/MoEF clearances, EIA
