Every summer, like clockwork, my seasonal allergies flare up. The sinus pressure, the pounding headaches—it’s miserable. My go-to fix? Daily allergy meds. But relying on pills 24/7 isn’t exactly ideal.
This year, a co-worker mentioned that her air purifier had made a big difference in her allergy symptoms. I was skeptical, but also desperate. My allergies were hitting harder than ever.
So, I decided to take a chance on the Sans Air Purifier. It promises to eliminate dust, alleviate allergies and run quietly—all while covering up to 1,560 square feet (basically, my entire first floor).
Here’s what happened when I put it to the test.

I Tried It
Sans Air Purifier
An ultra-quiet, easy-to-use air purifier with a HEPA 13 filter
What is the Sans Air Purifier?
The Sans Air Purifier is a plug-in device designed to clean the air in your home within mere minutes. It uses a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter and activated carbon to tackle odors, chemicals, pet hair, dander, dust, allergens, VOCs and even gases floating around in the air. According to Sans, it captures over 99.9% of particles as small as 0.1 microns.
Plus, it’s super quiet. You can run it while working from home, watching TV or sleeping, and it won’t be a nuisance. It’s quiet enough to take Zoom calls from just a few feet away or run it in the same room with a toddler who’s napping.
It’s also lightweight and has a handle that makes it easy to move from room to room. It even has a built-in UV-C light that’s CARB-certified to be completely ozone-free, which adds an extra layer of protection against airborne germs.
The SmartPure technology is an added feature that monitors your air quality and displays the status in real time. One of my favorite features is the child lock, so curious kids can’t mess with the settings.
The device stands 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide and weighs just 11 pounds.
How we tested it
I’ve been testing the Sans Air Purifier in my home for over a month, and so far, it’s been a worthwhile addition, especially with allergy season in full swing.
“Air purifiers are particularly helpful for allergy sufferers. “Maintaining high indoor air quality is crucial, especially for those with allergies or respiratory conditions,” says Tony Abate, a certified indoor environmentalist. “Poor air quality can affect your upper airways.”
Since using the Sans Air Purifier, I’ve noticed a reduction in the severity of my allergy symptoms. I don’t wake up with splitting headaches from sinus pressure as frequently, and my sinuses are less irritated in general.
Setup
Unboxing and setting up the Sans Air Purifier wasn’t intimidating at all. All I had to do was remove the device from the box, take the plastic off the internal filter and plug it in. Within minutes, the air purifier was up and running and cleaning the air in my entryway and beyond.
Control panel and modes
I’m a big fan of the simplified, easy-to-use control panel on top of the device. It displays air quality by number and color. Blue means the air is good, yellow is moderate and red means poor air quality. When the red light appears, it’s time to turn up the purifier. It’s like getting a little real-time air-quality report card.
The numeric display lets you cycle through different air quality indexes, including PM2.5 (fine particles like smoke, ash and bacteria), PM10 (larger particles like dust, pollen and mold) and VOCs (chemicals and gases such as formaldehyde and benzene).
There are four fan speed modes: auto (which adjusts based on air quality), low (whisper-quiet), medium and high (ideal when the air feels particularly stale or stuffy).
I’ve noticed the auto mode kicks into high gear when odors are present—whether it’s gasoline fumes from the lawn mower or lingering kitchen smells, the Sans Air Purifier quickly clears the air.
Quiet operation
I love how quiet this purifier is. On the low setting, it’s nearly silent, and even at higher speeds, it produces a gentle white noise that easily fades into the background.
The Sans Air Purifier also includes a smart child lock feature, which I’ve been grateful for. The moment I plugged it in, my toddler made a beeline for the control panel, tapping away. Thankfully, I had already activated the child lock right after setting it to auto mode. She also tried to poke her fingers into the vent, but the slats are narrow enough to prevent that from happening.
Other thoughtful features include a timer and the option to turn off the display light at night, which is great if you plan on using the device in a bedroom. And yes, the air in my home not only smells fresher, but there’s noticeably less dust floating around.
Filter replacement
Now, let’s talk filters. The Sans Air Purifier requires a new filter every three months, which is more frequent than some models that use washable or “forever” filters, but those usually require regular cleaning and maintenance.
I’ve owned a large air purifier with washable filters before, and honestly, the maintenance was overwhelming. The device had multiple filters, some to clean and others to replace, and I struggled to keep up.
With the Sans Air Purifier, you can wipe down the filter with a soft cloth to remove dust and hair, but you’ll still need to replace it every few months. A red indicator light lets you know when it’s time. Fortunately, swapping it out is quick and hassle-free— just remove the back panel and pop in the new filter.
The downside is the price. The Sans costs around $400, while some other models, like a Levoit purifier, cost less than $200. Plus, you’ll need to factor in the cost of replacement filters every few months. Still, for me, the cleaner air and noticeable drop in my allergy symptoms have been worth it. While I still take allergy medicine some days, I no longer wake up desperate for relief first thing every morning.
Pros
- Quick setup and simple operation
- Lightweight and portable
- HEPA 13 medical-grade filtration
- Activated carbon filter reduces odors
- Filter is easy to remove, wipe down and replace
- Intuitive control panel with clear, real-time air quality indicators
- Incredibly quiet, even at higher fan speeds
Cons
- No Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or app connectivity
- Expensive
- Filter has to be replaced every 3 months
Product comparison: Sans vs. Levoit vs. Dyson Air Purifier
While searching for the best air purifiers for pet dander, our shopping editors tested the Sans Air Purifier, Levoit Vital 200S Smart Air Purifier and Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool.
The Levoit Vital 200S is the most affordable option of the three. It covers up to 1,800 square feet once per hour and features a U-shaped air inlet to reduce clogs from pet hair and debris. Its three-stage system includes a washable pre-filter, a true HEPA filter and a carbon filter for odor removal. Our tester noted significantly fresher air and appreciated the smart app features and budget-friendly price.
The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool is the priciest but offers multi-functionality—it purifies, heats and cools in one sleek, blade-less device. It’s ideal for smaller spaces where versatility matters. While high-tech with lots of impressive features, our tester found all the controls a bit overwhelming.
The Sans Air Purifier is in the middle price-wise. It lacks app connectivity but offers a minimalist design and easy operation, so it’s great for those who prefer simplicity. Like the Dyson model, it uses a HEPA 13 filter, which is slightly more efficient than a standard HEPA filter.
Final verdict
If you have allergies, pets or a busy household and want to improve your air quality, the Sans Air Purifier is a great pick. It’s easy to use, looks nice, ultra-quiet, and honestly, it just seems to get the job done.
It is pricier than some other models, and replacement filters are a tad on the expensive side, but I appreciate the machine’s effectiveness. I personally like that there’s no app or other smart technology to deal with. Simply plug in the device and you’re on your way to cleaner air.
Where to buy

I Tried It
Sans Air Purifier
A lightweight, portable air purifier with quiet operation and night mode
You can buy the Sans Air Purifier directly from the Sans site or from Amazon. The large, whole home model (reviewed here) retails between $390 and $490, while the mini retails for around $200. A fresher-smelling home and allergy relief are on the way!
About the expert
- Tony Abate is vice president and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions in Fairfield, Connecticut, an indoor air purification and monitoring technology company. He is also a certified indoor environmentalist as designated by the Indoor Air Quality Association and the American Air Quality Council. He is an expert on the spread of airborne contaminants.
FAQ
Is a Sans Air Purifier worth it?
An air purifier can be a valuable investment if you suffer from allergies or asthma, or if you live in an area or household with high levels of air pollutants.
Ultimately, the best air purifier for you depends on your space, budget and tech preferences. That said, the Sans Air Purifier is a solid pick if you’re looking for a simple, portable and quiet device with a powerful HEPA 13 filter.
Do Sans Air Purifiers work?
I think so! I’ve noticed a decrease in household odors, dust and allergy symptoms.
Former Shopping Editor Caroline Lubinsky also tested the Sans Air Purifier. After just five days of running it, Lubinsky noticed less dust around her home. When she checked the pre-filter, she saw all the dust, dirt and dog hair that had been caught.
Where is the Sans Air Purifier made?
Like many air purifiers, Sans Air Purifiers are made in China. While typically designed in California, they’re manufactured in China.
How do you reset the filter light on the Sans Air Purifier?
After replacing the filter, press and hold the UV light button for seven seconds to reset the internal filter timer and stop the blinking red light.
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, our editors and product testers regularly review the latest products to see how they perform in real life. We sent the Sans Air Purifier to Shopping Editor Mary Henn, who tested it in the home she shares with her partner and toddler. Throughout the testing period, Mary evaluated the purifier’s overall performance, noting any improvements in air quality, such as changes in how the air smelled and felt and the impact on her allergy symptoms. She also considered how easy the air purifier was to set up and use, its noise level and whether it’s worth the investment overall.
The post I Tested the Sans Air Purifier, and It Helped My Allergies appeared first on Reader's Digest.
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