Which type of air filter is best for individuals suffering from allergies?

HEPA filters, or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, are recognized for their exceptional ability to capture and remove airborne particles, including allergens that contribute to allergic reactions. These filters are designed to trap a minimum of 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size, which encompasses common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores.

Individuals suffering from allergies benefit significantly from HEPA filters because they significantly improve indoor air quality by filtering out the particles that can trigger allergic responses. Unlike activated carbon filters, which primarily focus on removing odors and gases rather than particulate matter, or electrostatic filters, which may not capture very small particles as effectively, HEPA filters are specifically engineered for high filtration efficiency. While fiberglass filters are inexpensive and can capture larger particles, they do not effectively eliminate the smaller allergens that HEPA filters can capture, thus making them less suitable for allergy sufferers.