TechTonic: The indoor shield of air purifiers

You shut the door on the hazy grey sky. You sealed the windows tight. You did everything right to escape the city’s toxic air. But what if the real threat never left? Invisible and odourless, a swirl of fine particles, allergens and chemical vapours might already be hanging in the air around you and quietly turning your living room into a health hazard.

This isn’t paranoia, it is the new reality. The air quality across the Delhi-NCR region has spiralled dangerously, with AQI readings frequently shooting into the “severe” zone. Recent CPCB data shows hotspots like Ghaziabad, Noida and several pockets of Delhi routinely breaching 350+. Across the border, Haryana’s Jind and Rohtak are battling some of the worst numbers, while Punjab’s Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh are also seeing alarming dips in air quality.

As this blanket of smog deepens across the region, the grim truth is hard to ignore. Air pollution is no longer an outside threat you can shut the door on. It has slipped quietly indoors and turned our homes into unexpected health hazards. Even as the authorities scramble for solutions and the Supreme Court issues sharp rebukes to governments over their failure to bring the AQI levels down, the crisis shows no signs of easing. It is clear this isn’t a nuisance that will disappear in a whiff. It will require sustained and coordinated action, not just quick fixes and seasonal outrage.

While we collectively fight for policy changes outdoors, we can take immediate and decisive control over the air inside our homes. The latest generation of air purifiers offers a vital shield against the invisible enemy.

How an air purifier works

Air purifiers are your frontline defence, which work through a combination of filtration technologies.

HEPA filters: The core of any good purifier are the high-efficiency particulate air filters, which trap 99.97 per cent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, effectively capturing PM2.5, dust, pollen and allergens

Activated carbon filters: These work to neutralise gaseous pollutants. These absorb or chemically bond odours, smoke and harmful volatile organic compounds that mechanical filters miss.

Pre-filters: These are the first line of defence, trapping large dust particles and pet hair, thereby extending the life of the HEPA filter.

When looking at a device, pay attention to the CADR (clean air delivery rate), which measures how effectively and quickly a purifier can clean the air in a specific room size. The higher the CADR, the larger the area it can cover.

The various options

While the market is flooded with options, the latest models focus on higher CADR ratings, better app connectivity and lower running costs.

Let’s explore some advanced gadgets that promise to make your indoor air breathable again, complete with models and prices (approximate) to guide your purchase.

Honeywell Air Touch V3 (Rs 9,299): 5-stage filter system | 465 sq ft coverage | Removes 99.99% pollutants & allergens | CADR up to 300 m³/h | Noise level 30 decibels | 65 watts

WINIX 5500-2 (Rs 14,999): Captures 99.97% of airborne pollutants | 360 sq ft coverage | Noise level 27.8-40 decibels (dB) | CADR 300 m³/h | 70 watts

Coway Airmega 150 (Rs 17,999): Long filter life 8,500 hrs (1.5-2 years) | 355 sq ft coverage | Noise level 22-49 dB | CADR 300 m³/h | Patented carbon filter for removing bad odour

Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 (Rs 19,999): Excellent price-to-performance ratio | 516 sq ft coverage | Noise 32.1 dB | CADR 400 m³/h | Triple layer filtration and 360º air intake

Dyson Cool PC (Rs 39,899): Air multiplier tech delivers over 290 litres airflow per second | Monitors air quality and automatically adjusting airflow| Noise level 38-60 dB | 101 sq ft coverage

Dyson Hot+Cool Gen1-HP10 (Rs 56,899): 3-in-1 heater, fan and purifier | Removes 99.95% of allergens and pollutants as small as PM 0.1 | Noise level 40-63 dB | 291 sq ft coverage | High airflow of 290 litres/s

Air purifier sales have spiked over 50 per cent recently. The total market is estimated to touch Rs 578 crore in 2025. When selecting a model, remember to check the filter replacement costs (mostly hidden). Prioritise a high CADR for the room size you intend to cover and look for smart features that allow you to monitor air quality in real time.

Take control of your breath

The statistics about air pollution can certainly feel overwhelming, but investing in a high-quality air purifier is an empowering action. It is an investment not just in a gadget, but in the long-term health of your family.

Don’t wait for the next wave of smog to choose your defence. Take a deep breath, review your options and secure your indoor shield today.