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Finding the right spot in your home for a new air purifier doesn’t have to be complicated. Skip the trial and error with help from Canopy and enjoy fresher air and a more comfortable home.
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With the ability to provide fresher, more breathable air inside your living space, air purifiers are ideal for use in any indoor environment where the air quality could be improved. And while that could apply to nearly any interior area, there are some general guidelines to follow when choosing a spot to put your device. Here, we’re sharing tips on the best placement for air purifiers so you can enjoy fresher air at home.
Do:
Place it near problem areas.
From chemicals in your garage to cooking odors in the kitchen, people turn to air purifiers to alleviate many everyday smells and airborne particles. Determining where to place your air purifier is therefore a matter of tackling the issue as close to the source as possible.
For instance, you might keep it near a window or door to capture pollutants if you live in a busy city, or to prevent pollen from circulating in your home. Or if you’re among the 10 to 20% of people who are sensitive to pet dander, placing your purifier near where your pet sleeps can help capture dander closer to the source1.
Consider where you spend the most time.
Another top consideration when deciding where to put an air purifier is where you spend most of your time. For many people, that would be the bedroom. This is an excellent placement option, and it’s part of why we designed our Bedside Air Purifier: Breathing in the benefits of cleaner air while you sleep for hours each night just makes sense. But if you also spend ample time elsewhere at home, it might be worthwhile to have separate air purifiers in these frequented areas.
Ensure sufficient airflow.
For the most powerful air purifying, you’ll want to situate your device in a location that’s central enough to encourage optimal airflow. If it’s tucked away in a corner or blocked by large furniture, its air cleaning capabilities will be limited. Aim for 3 to 5 feet of clearance around your air purifier: Similar to breathing freely versus through a straw, having sufficient space lets the device’s fan take in plenty of air2.
Be mindful of your space and unit size.
Having an air purifier that’s sized properly for your space opens up placement options immensely. But if you’re using a purifier that is too small for a large, open space, it may be ineffective. A home gym in a basement or converted garage will naturally have more air to purify than a baby’s nursery or your bedroom, for example.
To ensure the proper fit, consider the square footage of the room you’ll be using it in, as well as the device’s clean air delivery rate (CADR). If the CADR is provided in cubic feet per minute, multiply that number by 60 to determine the cubic feet per hour. Then, divide this amount by the size of your room to determine the air changes per hour (ACH). If you want more frequent air turnover in a room, look for a higher air changes per hour (ACH) rating and match the device to your square footage.
Don’t:
Place it too close to electronics.
If you’re deciding where to put an air purifier in a home office, living room, or other space that houses electronics, there’s an important rule to follow: Be sure to keep the device at least 6 feet from televisions, computers, and wireless routers3. If devices run on similar electrical wavelengths, they can create interference.
Put it in a humid environment.
Rooms that are especially humid, such as bathrooms, have denser air, which can put excess strain on air purifiers as they work to remove pollutants. In some cases, this strain could prevent the device from working to its fullest potential.
Beyond bathrooms, common humid areas in homes can include basements, crawl spaces, and kitchens with minimal airflow. To help your device run its best over time, consider placing it just outside especially humid rooms. If you’re concerned about odors or contaminants originating from these spaces, situating the device just outside the area could be a good alternative.
Avoid the humidifier.
While an environment that’s overly humid isn’t ideal for air purifiers, pairing a purifier with a humidifier is an easy way to keep dry spaces feeling comfortable. When humidity levels dip too low, irritants like dust mites can affect your air quality, so running a humidifier in dry spaces or seasons alongside your air purifier is an easy way to keep your home feeling fresh.
While you could place an air purifier in the same room as any humidifier, the All-In-One Humidifier & Purifier includes a compact air purifier and humidifier for convenient, two-in-one air enhancing power.
Place it on the floor.
While an air purifier can technically operate at any height, certain locations on the floor may not give the device sufficient airflow. A table, bookshelf, or nightstand that allows 3 to 5 feet of clearance from the ground is ideal2. If floor placement is the best available option for your home, avoid tight corners or areas too close to furniture so you don't impede airflow.
Flexible Solutions for Better Indoor Air Quality
With best-in-class filtration that captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns* plus an activated carbon layer to reduce odors, Canopy Air Purifiers offer a simple solution for air care that’s sleeker, smarter, and more powerful. No-touch filter replacements make maintenance seamless, along with options for bundles and subscriptions so you always have a spare on hand.
* - Tested to ISO 29463 standards
FAQ
Where is the best place to put an air purifier?
The best spot for an air purifier is wherever you spend significant time and want to experience cleaner, more breathable air. For many people, the bedroom is ideal for placement, because it allows you to enjoy fresher air during rest. Other popular locations include living rooms, home offices, garages, and home gyms.
Where should I put an air purifier in my bedroom?
A table, shelf, or nightstand within your bedroom is the perfect location for an air purifier. Aim to have 3 to 5 feet of clearance around the device for optimal airflow and keep your electronics at least 6 feet away to avoid interference.
Should an air purifier be on the floor or a table?
The floor isn’t an ideal location for air purifiers. Situating an air purifier on a shelf or table 3 to 5 feet from the ground is best, because it will then expel air at the same height that you’re breathing it in.
Sources:
- Grayson, M. (September 2024). Allergic to Your Pet? Learn About Dog and Cat Allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Retrieved August 12, 2026, from https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pet-dog-cat-allergies/
- Dillard, D., MD, FACS. (22 May 2026). Best Allergy-Friendly Air Purifier Placement Tips for Cleaner Air. Sinus and Sleep Centers of Georgia. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://sleepandsinuscenters.com/blog/best-allergy-friendly-air-purifier-placement-tips-for-cleaner-air
- Lewis, T. (10 December 2022). Air Purifier Placement Guide — Where Should You Put Your Air Purifier? HVAC Training Shop. Retrieved August 12, 2026, from https://hvactrainingshop.com/air-purifier-placement-guide/
