Best Germguardian Air Purifiers
Selecting an air purifier requires lots of research. There are hundreds of air purifiers on the market, each one different from the next, so finding the right model is tricky. While you conduct your search, we recommend a closer look at Guardian Technologies, a company that specializes in manufacturing cutting-edge home environment products.
Founded in 2002, Guardian Technologies is relatively new to the air purifier market but have rapidly gained in popularity. This growth is thanks in part to their GermGuardian line of air purifiers that feature their signature UV-C light treatment to tackle bacteria and viruses. The GermGuardian air purifiers are not only powerful, reliable, and efficient; they also cost less than some other air purifier brands.
We look at the 5 best GermGuardian air purifiers to highlight the critical features to help streamline your research for your new air purifier purchase.
- 3-Stage Purification System
- Ultra-Quiet Operation
- UV-C Technology
- 3 Fan Speeds
- 3-Year Warranty
- 4-Stage Purification System
- 5 Fan Speeds
- Filter Change Indicator
- PurePet Treatment
- 5-Year Warranty
- 3-Stage Purification System
- 3 Fan Speeds
- Filter Change Indicator
- Ultra-Quiet Operation
- 5-Year Warranty
- 3-Stage Purification System
- Filter Indicator
- 3 Fan Speeds
- Optional UV light
- 1-Year Warranty
- 5-Stage Purification System
- Programmable Timer
- Filter Change Indicator
- 3 Fan Speeds
- 3-Year Warranty
The GermGuardian AC4825 is the most popular air purifier in the range, with more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon.
The AC4825 has a solid reputation in the air purifier community.
The styling is similar to others in the range, although the AC4825 is compact and weighs only 7 pounds, for easier mobility. It also has a 3-stage air purification system made up of a carbon pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and UV light treatment, and like the AC5000E, it has 3 fan speeds.
The AC4825 is popular because it’s inexpensive. Couple that with its Energy Star rating and you have an efficient unit. It’s ultra-quiet too, which is great for longer periods of purification.
This model has a maximum room coverage of 155 sq. ft, admittedly less than other GermGuardian purifiers, and it also lacks a filter change indicator.
Replacement filters for the AC4825 are also expensive. Overall, however, the popularity of the AC4825 proves how effective it is as a small room air purifier.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Energy efficient
- Whisper quiet
- Good for odors, bacteria, and pollen
Cons
- Small room coverage
- Filters are expensive to replace
- No filter change indicator
The GermGuardian AC5250PT is one of Guardian Technologies’ best-selling and best-performing air purifiers. Externally, it features the same sleek GermGuardian design of other models in the range; however, on the inside, it’s another story. The AC5250PT has a unique 4-stage air purification system which consists of a carbon pre-filter, True HEPA filter with PetPure Treatment (making it a great air purifier for households with pets) as well as a UV light. The PetPure Treatment is excellent for preventing the growth and accumulation of bacteria on the filters for a longer life.
Guardian Technologies products are affordable, with most retailing at less than $100. They’re also Energy Star rated, so you know that it isn’t going to make a dent in your electricity bill! This AC5250PT model gives you 5 fan speeds to choose from, a programmable timer, and a filter change indicator.
One of the tradeoffs for such an affordable air purifier is that it only covers 193 sq. ft. of space. Also, the replacement filters can get expensive over time, especially considering how often you have to change them. The cumulative costs can be as much as a brand new unit.
Overall, the AC5250PT is an excellent, budget-friendly air purifier that is effective at tackling pollutants.
Pros
- Affordable (upfront)
- Sleek design
- Energy efficient
- Antimicrobial PetPure treatment
- True HEPA filter
Cons
- Small room coverage
- Filters are expensive to replace
The GermGuardian AC5000E is almost identical to the AC5250PT concerning the design. However, there are still many differences overall.
The AC5000E has a 3-stage air purification system that uses a carbon pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and UV light. The True HEPA filter used does not have PetPure Treatment, but the AC5000E has a noticeably better CADR rating than the AC5250PT, which means it’s able to combat pollutants at a faster rate. Also, the AC5000E has only 3 fan speeds to choose from and does not have a programmable timer.
The AC5000E also has a filter change indicator to make maintaining it easier, and it’s Energy Star rated for the minimum electricity consumption. It’s also very quiet on the lower fan settings only, which is common in a lot of air purifiers.
With an affordable air purifier, you can’t expect a lot of coverage. The AC5000E can only cover an area of 193 sq. ft. It’s also pretty expensive long-term because of the costly filters which have to be replaced twice a year.
In the grand scheme, though, the AC5000E can be an affordable choice as your first line of defense against allergy and asthma triggers.
Pros
- Affordable (upfront)
- Sleek design
- Energy efficient
- Lightweight
- CADR rated 125+
Cons
- Small room coverage
- Filters are expensive to replace
The GermGuardian AC4100 is another high-selling compact air purifiers. Weighing less than 5 pounds, this purifier is ideal for placing on desktops, bedside tables, or shelves. The cube design comes in a neutral gray color which blends in easily with most decors.
This unit has a 3-stage filtration system which targets all types of household pollutants ranging from allergens and odors to bacteria. The AC4100 is also Energy Star rated and features an optional UV light to kill germs, as well as a filter change indicator for easy maintenance. And the price makes this a bargain!
However, this model doesn’t use a True HEPA filter, employing a HEPA-type filter instead, that’s capable of filtering out 99% of particles 0.7 microns in size or larger.
So it’s less efficient than others in the range.
Also, the AC4100 only has a coverage of 60 sq. ft, so small rooms only then. The replacement filters for this one are expensive too, and the 1-year limited warranty isn’t that impressive either.
As far as compact air purifiers go, the AC4100 remains one of the most reliable models and provides you with great value for your money.
Pros
- Affordable (upfront)
- Good for odors, and bacteria removal
- Energy efficient
- Lightweight and portable
- Whisper quiet
Cons
- Small room coverage
- Filters are expensive to replace
- No filter change indicator
The GermGuardian AC9200WCA is one of only two console-type air purifiers manufactured by Guardian Technologies. The sleek, white design looks great in any setting.
It has a 5-stage air purification system consisting of a pre-filter, True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, optional UV light, and optional ionizer, making it effective against all types of pollutants, even hard-to-get VOCs.
The AC9200WCA’s has a dedicated activated carbon filter that improves filtering capabilities, meaning it has impressive CADR ratings.
The AC9200WCA also has a filter change indicator and a 6-hour programmable timer. There are 3 fan speeds, and the UV and ionizer options can be turned on or off depending on your needs. However, the ionizer produces trace amounts of ozone within limits set by government authorities.
This unit is expensive; costing $300 to $400 depending on where you purchase it. The replacement filters are also costly in the long run.
It’s also bulky and less maneuverable.
And for such an expensive purifier the lack of additional features is surprising.
Regardless, the AC9200WCA is still one of Guardian Technologies’ best-selling air purifiers and one of the most powerful at removing air pollutants at home.
Pros
- High CADR ratings
- Great design
- Energy efficient
- Whisper quiet
- Fights allergens and bacteria
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Expensive to buy
- Ionizer produces ozone
- Not many features considering the price
Comparison Chart
| FEATURES | GermGuardian AC5250PT | GermGuardian AC5000E | GermGuardian AC4825 | GermGuardian AC4100 | GermGuardian AC9200WCA |
| Type | Tower, plug-in | Tower, plug-in | Tower, plug-in | Compact, plug-in | Console, plug-in |
| Size | 6.1 x 9.5 x 27.2 | 10.2 x 7 x 28 | 7 x 10.2 x 21.5 | 7.5 x 6.38 x 10.38 | 9.8 x 17 x 27 |
| Weight | 10.55 lbs | 9.55 lbs | 7 lbs | 4.85 lbs | 20.3 lbs |
| Filters/ Technology | Carbon Pre + Pet Pure HEPA + UV | Carbon Pre + HEPA + UV | Carbon Pre + HEPA + UV | Carbon Pre + HEPA-type + UV | Pre + HEPA + Carbon + UV + Ionizer |
| Room Coverage | 193 sq. ft. | 193 sq. ft. | 155 sq. ft. | 60 sq. ft. | 378 sq. ft. |
| ACH | 5 | 5 | 5 | N/A | 3 |
| CADR Ratings | Dust: 125 Pollen: 125 Smoke: 125 | Dust: 139 Pollen: 149 Smoke: 125 | Dust: 131 Pollen: 123 Smoke: 112 | Dust: Pollen: 64 Smoke: 58 | Dust: 310 Pollen: 346 Smoke: 244 |
Buyer’s Guide:
Germguardian Air Purifiers
Whether you live in a city or the countryside bacteria and allergens fill our homes. More and more people are realizing the benefits of clean, purified air. It helps us to breathe more easily, especially at night, and an air purifier can strip 99.97 percent of all pollutants from the atmosphere. If you have a condition that is worsened by the quality of the air you breathe, like hay fever or sinusitis, an air purifier can help.
An ionizer uses electricity to emit negatively charged ions into the atmosphere. Positively charged particles like dust then attach themselves to these ions, and because they are no longer light enough, they fall to the ground to be swept up later. Some ionizers produce small amounts of ozone, so be careful that you’re not filling your home with polluted air. Always check before buying.
Without sounding too vague, pretty much everyone should buy an air purifier. There are those that benefit more; the elderly, small children, hay fever sufferers, those with a poor sleep pattern, the list is long. Breathing is the most natural thing we do, so why wouldn’t you want the air in our lungs to be the best quality that it can be?
Air purifiers can remove 99.97 percent of pollutants from the atmosphere in our homes. Imagine removing almost all pollen, pet dander, smoke, fumes, bacteria, dust mites, and odors from the air. Imagine getting a great night’s sleep and waking to feel refreshed in the morning. All of these things are possible if you invest in an air purifier.
Pros:
- Breathe better air. The best thing about purified air is the benefit it will have on your body. Purer air equals a purer body, and that has to be good.
- Protection for your family. What better start could you give your child than the gift of clean air? Babies, more than anyone else, should have purified air to breathe to help them sleep better and to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
- Energy efficiency. Running an air purifier is relatively cheap. Many models on the market are what they call “Energy Star Graded’ which means they are inexpensive to run. This is useful, especially if you want to run the unit continuously.
Cons:
- Replacement filter costs. Buying an air purifier can be a cheap option initially, but then you have to consider the ongoing costs. Filters aren’t that cheap, and the cost of them should be factored in when working out your budget.
- Landfill. And once you’ve worked out that you’ll need to replace the filter every three to six months, where are you going to put all those old filters? In the landfill? If you care about what you throw in the trash, this could be a significant disadvantage to owning an air purifier.
- Ozone. If your air purifier comes with an ionizer, and it probably does, be careful that you don’t replace all that clean ionized air with ozone. Not all ionizers emit ozone, but some do in small quantities, so do your research and go for the no ozone variety.
Pros
- Cleaner, healthier air
- Protect your loved ones
- Energy efficient
- Quiet
Cons
- Running costs
- Waste going to landfill
- Ozone
Final Thoughts
Air purifiers aren’t the preserve of an elite few. They are mainstream, popular, and most of all, beneficial wherever you live. If you wake in the morning from a restless sleep, if you sneeze at the slightest bit of dust, if you hate the summer months and the onslaught of hayfever, if you can feel your eyes stinging from allergies brought on by pet hairs, then an air purifier could be the answer to your problems.
