Back-To-School Shopping: Air Purifiers And More

From air purifiers to humidifiers, these air quality products should belong on every parent's back-to-school shopping list.

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If you’re a parent preparing for the new school year, school supplies and dorm essentials may dominate your shopping lists. However, one critical – but frequently overlooked – aspect of student wellness is indoor air quality. Beyond spring allergies, students and teachers alike will face other respiratory challenges, from mold and poor ventilation systems to secondhand smoke and flu outbreaks.

In the U.S., over 4.9 million children suffer from asthma, a common chronic condition, and the CDC preliminary estimates for the 2024-2025 flu season is that there have been at least 47 million flu-related illnesses. So investing in air quality products isn't just about comfort. These environmental factors can significantly impact class performance, sleep quality and overall health.

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In honor of the upcoming school year (or fall semester for our college attendees), this guide highlights a few essential air quality products that should belong on every parent's back-to-school shopping list.

Best Air Purifiers For Bedrooms And Dorm Rooms

Indoor air quality is a key factor for breathing, sleep and health quality. Besides being a trigger for seasonal allergies (such as dust and pollen), wildfire and secondhand smoke, pet dander and bad odors can all be airborne contaminants. To filter particulates like dust or pollen, it’s recommended you use HEPA filters, and to remove gases and odors, you’ll want to grab an air purifier that also uses activated carbon filters.

You can learn more about how air purifiers work in our Beginner’s Guide to Air Purifiers.

1. Air Purifier For Small Rooms: Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier

Price: $49.99 at Target

Features:

3-in-1 Filtration: nylon pre-filter, main filter, and activated carbon filter
Room size: 100-300 sq. ft according to company
Allergens: mold, bacteria, pollen, dander, smoke
3 fan speeds
Check filter indicator
Optional aroma pad for essential oils
2 year limited warranty

I purchased the Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier for my mom, and she uses it daily in her kitchen. Between the old dog, cooking smells and trash can, this small-but-mighty air purifier can remove smells and pollutants with ease. When I asked for her review, she told me honestly that she never really thought about purchasing one, but since having it, it’s proven to be a valuable and efficient air cleaning machine.

It’s small enough to be stashed on a bedside table or desk, it operates quietly (especially on the lowest settings), and while missing some of the bells and whistles of the larger models, it’s perfect for small bedrooms and dorms.

2. Nursery Air Purifiers: Frida Baby 3-in-1 Air Purifier

Price: $59.99 at Target

Features:

Nightlight, sound machine and air purifier
HEPA filter
Room size: up to 150 sq. ft according to company
Allergens: mold, dust, smoke
3 span feeds, auto-off timer
4 nightlight color options and 2 sleep sound options

Why buy three different products when this Frida Baby 3-in-1 Air Purifier can function as an air cleaner, sound machine and nightlight for your little one? With an air filter that lasts for approximately 90 days, four nightlight colors and even sleep sound options, this air purifier is pulling triple duty in the baby’s room.

Reviewers note it was compact and easy to use. The white noise and nightlight were described as “not overwhelming” when in use, and ideal for a small nursery. Some noted a desire for it to come with more filters, while others questioned the overall longevity of the unit.

Best Dehumidifiers For Bedrooms And Dorm Rooms

For those living in warm, humid environments, old dorms can be the breeding ground for mold, mildew and dust – air pollutants that can be highly aggravating to those with asthma and allergies. To keep your room at a comfortable humidity (and reduce the chance of growing mold), we highly recommend checking out these dehumidifier options.

For more information on how dehumidifiers work, including some best selling options for your home, check out our Dehumidifier Guide: How They Work And Our Top Picks.

3. Dehumidifier For Small Rooms: Pure Enrichment Mini Dehumidifier

Price: $69.99 at Target

Features:

Takes up to 10 ounces of water from room per day
Removable transparent water tank
Auto shut-off when tank is full
Ideal for: bathrooms, closets, kitchens and small spaces (up to 100 sq. ft.)
5-year warranty according to manufacturer

It doesn’t need to be large to be in charge, and this Pure Enrichment Mini Dehumidifier is ideal for your small spaces. Reviewers say it’s easy to use, and seem pleased with its efficiency at reducing unwanted humidity. A few commenters noted it did not seem to hold up over time, though customer service on the Target website were quick to reach out to assist.

Best Humidifiers For Bedrooms And Dorm Rooms

Humidifiers are best used in fall and winter when dry skin and chapped lips are no match for your best moisturizer. Once the heat turns on, you may find your loved one struggling with a nagging cough or asthma flare up, and humidifiers may be able to help control some of these symptoms. There are a few types of humidifiers to pick from:

Evaporative humidifiers: Most popular option using fans to blow air through a moist wick filter
Steam humidifiers: Releases warm, wet air
Cool misting humidifiers: Water dispersed through vibration or rotating disks

For more information on how humidifiers work, including the pros and cons of each type of humidifier, be sure to check out our complete guide to humidifiers.

4. Humidifier For Small Rooms: Canopy 4-in-1 Dishwasher Safe and Mold Inhibiting Humidifier

Price: $99.99 at Target; $159 at Canopy.co

Features:

Evaporative humidifier
Dishwasher safe components for easy cleaning
Anti-microbial filter to capture particles in water before it’s evaporated
Optional night light
Run time: up to 36 hours

The Canopy 4-in-1 Humidifier was one of our top picks for a bedroom humidifier. It’s certainly not going to be the cheapest option, but it’s a workhorse according to many reviewers. With no mist (therefore no water particles or white dust left behind), it’s going to leave your air feeling clean and ‘moisturized’ without the unnecessary clean up.

With the filter you could technically use tap water, though most humidifiers recommend using distilled water instead for health reasons.

As for the main complaints, the relatively short shelf-life of the filter and the noise level were noted by some reviewers.

5. Baby Humidifier: Pure Enrichment PureBaby 3-in-1 Whisper-Quiet Humidifier - Whisper Green

Price: $39.99 at Target

Features:

2L tank operates up to 40 hours
2 cool mist settings and 360 degree mist nozzle
Nightlight
Can be used with essential oils, but not recommended for children under 6 months. Consult with your pediatrician before using essential oils.
5 year limited warranty

The Pure Enrichment PureBaby Humidifier is a cool mist humidifier designed to add humidity and moisture to a room, especially for children suffering from dry skin, congestion, coughs and difficulty sleeping. The built-in LED adds soft lighting to the nursery, and while it can be used for aromatherapy, we suggest not using the essential oil features for very young children.

Note: You should use distilled or spring water in this humidifier, not tap water.

Reviewers say it’s quiet and has the perfect tank size and nightlight options, but it can be heavy and difficult to fill. Some also mentioned it’s also a little more difficult to clean, and the manufacturers suggest using a bendable brush or cloth.

More Reviews From Atmosphere

We’ll be covering more back-to-school essentials this month, so be sure to check back frequently for more product reviews and deals. In the meantime, be sure to check out some of our in-depth review guides for more information on air quality and humidity, and how it can affect your health.

Prices accurate and items in stock at time of publish.