About CleanAirHomeLab
We review air purifiers and air quality monitors using CADR data, real filter costs, and honest pros and cons. No manufacturer sponsors. No paid placements. Here is how the site works and how we make money.
What We Do
CleanAirHomeLab.com is an independent air quality review site. We focus on three things:
- CADR-based purifier reviews. We size every air purifier by its Clean Air Delivery Rate — not manufacturer room size claims. CADR is the only standardized, third-party-tested number that matters.
- True cost of ownership. Every review includes annual filter replacement costs. A $200 purifier with $100/year filters costs more over 3 years than a $400 purifier with $50/year filters. We do that math for you.
- Air quality monitor comparisons. We explain what PM2.5, CO2, VOCs, and radon readings mean, which monitors are accurate, and how to use the data to make smart buying decisions.
We do not accept free products in exchange for reviews. We do not run sponsored content. Our rankings are based on publicly available specs, AHAM-certified CADR data, community feedback, and filter cost analysis.
Affiliate Disclosure
CleanAirHomeLab.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep the site running without charging for content or running display ads.
Affiliate commissions do not influence our rankings or recommendations. We recommend what the data supports, not what pays the highest commission.
Here are the affiliate programs we participate in:
Amazon Associates
Most product links on this site go to Amazon.com through the Amazon Associates program. We earn a small percentage (typically 1-4%) when you buy through these links. Amazon does not pay us more to recommend certain products. The commission is the same regardless of which product you buy.
Airthings (Direct Partnership)
We have a direct affiliate partnership with Airthings. Links to Airthings.com earn a 25% commission with a 30-day cookie. This is a higher commission than Amazon, but it does not change our reviews. When we note drawbacks in Airthings products (like the estimated CO2 sensor), we mean it.
AirGradient (Direct Partnership)
We have a direct affiliate partnership with AirGradient. Links to AirGradient.com earn 6-8% with a 90-day cookie. We recommend AirGradient because their open-source monitor has genuinely accurate sensors — not because of the commission.
How We Pick Products
Every product on this site goes through the same evaluation:
- CADR verification. If a purifier has an AHAM-certified CADR rating, we use it. If not (like IQAir or Austin Air), we note it clearly and explain their alternative testing.
- Filter cost calculation. We calculate the 5-year total cost: purchase price plus filter replacements. This is the real cost of owning the unit, not just the sticker price.
- Noise check. We look at manufacturer-stated noise levels and cross-reference with community reports. A purifier that is too loud to use is useless regardless of its CADR.
- Honest pros and cons. Every product gets at least 5 pros and 5 cons. If we recommend a product, we still list what is wrong with it. No product is perfect.
- Community feedback. We read hundreds of user reviews on Amazon, Reddit, and air quality forums to identify real-world issues that do not show up in specs.
What We Do Not Do
- No sponsored content. Nobody pays to be listed on this site. If a product is here, it earned its spot through specs and data.
- No free product reviews. We do not accept free purifiers or monitors in exchange for coverage. This keeps our evaluations independent.
- No display ads. We earn revenue through affiliate links only. No pop-ups, no banner ads, no autoplay video ads.
- No commission-driven rankings. Amazon pays 1-4% on all products equally. Airthings pays 25%. If we ranked by commission, Airthings would be #1 on every page. It is not, because we rank by data.
FTC Compliance
In accordance with FTC guidelines, we disclose our affiliate relationships throughout the site. You will find affiliate disclosure notices:
- At the bottom of every review page
- In the site footer
- On this page in full detail
When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, the retailer pays us a commission. The price you pay is the same whether you use our link or go directly to the retailer. Affiliate links do not increase the product price.
Contact
Questions about our reviews, methodology, or affiliate relationships? We read every message.
Email: hello@cleanairhomelab.com