I used to think my morning routine had to include a tissue box and a ritualistic throat-clearing session. Every spring, every time I dusted, and definitely every time I brought the dog inside, I accepted that itchy eyes and a scratchy throat were just “my normal.” I simply resigned myself to having mediocre indoor air quality.

Then I visited my sister. Her apartment is just as old as mine, she has two cats, and she lives right next to a busy, dusty road—yet, stepping inside felt like walking into a crisp, mountain meadow. I literally stopped and asked, “How is the air in here so… clean?”

The answer was sitting quietly in the corner: a sleek, unassuming air purifier.

It wasn’t magic; it was technology. It turns out that accepting poor air quality is something we simply don’t have to do. If you, like the old me, are tired of making peace with lingering pet dander, pollen-induced allergies, or just that stale smell of a closed-up room, then you’re in the right place.

We’ve spent weeks testing the best machines that promise to deliver that “mountain meadow” feeling. Ready to ditch the daily allergy ritual and find the perfect air purifier for your home?

Here are our rankings for the 5 Best Air Purifiers for a Healthier Home.