Air scrubbers and air purifiers are descriptions often used interchangeably. Both are air cleaning devices that focus on removing harmful particulates in the air such as dust, pollen, and other floating debris. Some are more technologically advanced or commercially focused; some are integrated into HVAC systems, while others are designed to be portable. Let’s look at how they function and which is best for your needs.

What is an Air Scrubber?

Air scrubbers are air filtration devices that work to improve indoor air quality by removing particulate matter and other airborne pollutants.

Types of Air Scrubbers

There are three main types of air scrubbers:

• Dry scrubber
• Wet scrubber
• Integrated scrubber

Dry scrubbers pull air through a series of filters and push out “clean” air. The best dry air scrubbers use multiple filters. This allows each filter to focus on a different type of particulate matter. The filter stack includes a HEPA filter, which is fine enough to remove bacteria and most viral particles from the air. The dry air scrubber is often also referred to as an air purifier since they share many features.

Wet air scrubbers are air treatment systems typically used in manufacturing buildings and plants. Most use a mist that adheres to dust and other airborne particles, some also collect toxic gases. Advanced systems contain multiple components including fans, mist eliminators, pumps, a collection vessel, and ductwork.

Integrated air scrubbers are not portable devices; they are designed to be a part of an existing HVAC system. These can be sized anywhere from huge commercial buildings to the most modest of residential homes. Their goal is to provide an extra level of high performance air filtration both as air first enters a building and as it circulates through the ductwork.

What Does an Air Scrubber Do?

Air scrubbers (depending on their capabilities) work to remove chemicals, gases, fungal spores, dust particles, pet dander, pollen, smoke, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne pollutants. Depending on their capabilities and capacity, they can have different purposes. Industrial strength air scrubbers are often used to remove airborne emissions such as smoke, chemicals, and gases in commercial or industrial spaces. Portable air scrubbers can be found with a wide range of capabilities. They are usually designed for residential or small office use; some have been designed to travel with you on public transport or to sit on your office desk.

How Does an Air Scrubber Work?

Air scrubbers have multiple filters that serve various purposes targeting different sizes and types of pollutants. At minimum, most of these will consist of a pre-filter and a HEPA filter. It is notable that the Purashield 500 air scrubber uses an advanced four stage filtering system:

Pre-filter – this filter’s purpose is to trap pollen, dust, and larger particulate matter.

Molecular filtration – this patented molecular filtration media captures and removes air particles that carry viruses. After safely oxidizing molecules and removing harmful gases, air moves on to the next stage.

PuraWard filter – this filter uses copper and silver ions to protect us from bacteria, mold, and virus particles.

HEPA final filter – Finally, a HEPA filter captures PM 0.3, PM 2.5, and any other fine particulates, allergens virtually all microbial life - living or dead.

A HEPA-rated filter removes smoke particles but not gases or odors. To remove gasses and odors, the scrubber must contain activated carbon, alumina, and potassium/sodium permanganate.

Air Scrubber vs Air Purifier

Let’s examine some of the differences between an air scrubber vs purifier.

Air quantity capabilities - An air scrubber is often larger, designed for commercial spaces, and has the capability of cleaning enclosures of thousands of square feet, whereas air purifiers generally only cover hundreds, meaning that you’d need to purchase multiple purifiers to cover your entire home. Usually, each room should get its own air purifier.

Ozone - Air scrubbers shouldn’t release ozone emissions but ionizing air purifiers can create ozone as a purposeful method to purify air. The EPA has stated that ozone is ineffective at air purification, and although it can break down certain chemicals, such as tobacco smoke, it does not remove dust, dander, or allergens. Studies have found that there are negative effects from short-term ozone exposure and that ozone is harmful to breathe.

Methods - Some experts say that the major difference between an air scrubber vs purifier is that an air purifier is single filter-based while an air scrubber uses multiple filter levels and/or UV light to attack germs and particulate matter.

(We might be biased, but it sounds like air scrubbers are better 😉)

Air Scrubber FAQs

For best effect, air scrubbers should run constantly. They take some time to fully filter the air in a room, so if you’re entering an area with a small air scrubber, it may take a couple hours before the room’s air has been completely “cleaned”. Air scrubber filters will need to be replaced according to manufacturer guidelines, but most last 6 months and replacements are relatively inexpensive.

Is an air scrubber worth it?

If major indoor air quality improvements are your goal, an air scrubber is certainly worth the investment. The EPA states that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outdoor environment. Since Americans typically spend 90% of their time indoors where pollutants are higher, the air we’re breathing can definitely have negative effects on our health. Air scrubbers are also a good investment for anyone working on home renovations since the dust, mold, and VOCs being released can have lasting detrimental effects.

Do I need an air scrubber?

Whether or not you need an air scrubber depends on your goals and current air quality. Investing in indoor air quality testing can help you decide whether you need to consider upgrading your home air filtration to higher MERV filters or more complete devices like an air scrubber.

Does an air scrubber attach to your HVAC?

There are integrated air scrubbers that attach to your HVAC system as well as portable air scrubber appliances. An integrated scrubber will be beneficial in helping clean your entire home and is one of the main benefits of choosing an air scrubber over a smaller, portable air purifier.

Will an air scrubber help allergies and asthma?

An air scrubber will definitely remove particulate matter like pollen and dust that can worsen symptoms of allergy or asthma sufferers. Improving indoor air quality by removing the majority of toxins like these can help ease discomfort indoors, and portable air purifiers can help keep symptoms at bay when you’re traveling.

Get more tips on air filtration in our guides to improve your indoor air today.