Why This High-Performance Air Purifier is My Best Summer Buy

Introduction

Even though I’m a travel editor, I too have an apartment. It’s not all airplanes all the time, and for me, it’s really important to have a relaxing home base to recharge my batteries in between trips. Moreover, when I do, I need my space to feel just as clean and HEPA-filtered as my favorite five-star hotels. I realized this summer after the Canadian wildfires kept raging (and wafting down to my home in New England) that to accomplish that, I’d need a good air purifier.

Selecting an Air Purifier

And wow, did all my friends and co-workers have thoughts on the subject. After a lot of recommendations, some hefty research on my part, and a great Amazon sale, I finally decided on the Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier — and long story short, I am never going back.

Features and Benefits

This air purifier utilizes a powerful fan to efficiently filter out allergens, micropollutants, smoke, and more from the air and offers four purifying speeds depending on the air quality. It resembles R2D2 but looks sleeker, and the display shows the air’s cleanliness percentage. It features Clean Sense IQ technology, allowing it to automatically adjust its settings based on air quality—switching from red to yellow to blue to indicate when the air is clean. It effectively covers rooms up to 500 square feet, which is perfect for my bedroom, and I am contemplating purchasing another for the living room.

When I was researching this air purifier, I was genuinely impressed to learn that it slightly exceeds HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) standards. According to the EPA, HEPA filters can “remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.” The Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier, with its Nanoseal, captures just over that, claiming to trap “99.98 percent of large, small, and micro-sized particles.”

While statistics are informative, my firsthand experience with the Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier during smoke events has truly validated its efficacy. During the recent surge of wildfire smoke that engulfed Boston, the device indicated poor air quality by turning red but subsequently improved the situation, eventually reaching at least 70 percent air quality after an hour and a half of operation. Despite feeling unwell outside, I noted how much better I felt indoors.

Besides dealing with wildfire smoke, this air purifier also proves helpful when cooking, particularly when using an air fryer, which can produce a lot of smoke. In these instances, it quickly restores the air quality within an hour. As a pet owner, I appreciate its ability to remove pet dander and fur, which is a significant advantage since my dog sheds considerably.

I also value the Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier for its quiet operation, making it much quieter than my air conditioning unit. The noise level between its highest and lowest fan settings is barely noticeable, allowing me to enjoy my TV shows without raising the volume.

Installing this purifier was incredibly simple, and it provides me with much-needed peace of mind. Consequently, I regret not purchasing one sooner—particularly given the pandemic has underscored the importance of air quality.

Conclusion

To be honest, the glowing reviews truly influenced my decision to buy this air purifier. On Amazon, the Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier boasts a nearly perfect 4.7-star rating, with countless shoppers expressing their satisfaction. One enthusiastic reviewer reported it “crushed the Canadian wildfire smoke” and cleaned their space “within the hour.” Others agree that it is the “perfect size and zero noise level” while being “easy to set up.”

Filter replacements can last between six to twelve months. Although I haven’t replaced mine yet, reviews indicate that it is “easy to change.” Furthermore, customers suffering from allergies have described it as a “game-changer.”

Whether you’re a world traveler who finds themselves at home only occasionally or someone who needs a reliable device to improve indoor air quality, investing in a high-quality air purifier is essential. I wholeheartedly endorse the Shark HP102 Clean Sense Air Purifier for enhancing air quality and ensuring you feel safe and comfortable at home.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $150.