GermGuardian Countertop Purifiers for Small Spaces

High score Our score: 9.6/10

Germ Guardian

Germ Guardian GG1100B 7” Pluggable Small Air Purifier, Small Room Wall Air Sanitizer, Freshens Air, UV-C Light Kills Germs, Reduces Odors from Pets, Cooking, Mold, GermGuardian, 1-Yr Wty (Black)

9.6/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Germ Guardian GG1100B 7” Pluggable Small

Best for: Pet corners and bathrooms needing odor help

Pros

• Plugs straight into a wall outlet
• UV-C light for odors and germs
• No setup or assembly
• Zero ozone verified

Cons

• No HEPA filter
• Not a particle-capturing purifier

The Germ Guardian GG1100B 7” Pluggable Small Air Purifier is the smallest unit here, and it is important to understand what it is. It plugs directly into a wall socket, measures about 2.36 by 3.5 by 7.09 inches and weighs 12 ounces, so it takes no counter space at all. The description calls it a UV-C sanitizer and deodorizer: it uses UV-C light to help reduce airborne contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs, the gases behind many household odors).

The listing does not mention a HEPA filter, and the description says it is designed to pair with an existing HEPA air purifier. It needs no setup or assembly, is ZERO-OZONE verified, and is aimed at odors from pets, smoke and cooking. The title mentions a 1-year warranty.

The germguardian gg1100b plug-in suits a litter box corner, laundry room or bathroom where odor is the main problem. If you want to capture dust or pollen, choose the AC4100 desktop model instead.

The GermGuardian Air Purifier for Home (model AC4100) is the true germguardian tabletop air purifier in this lineup. It stands 11 inches tall, measures 7.5 by 6.5 inches at the base and weighs 5.15 pounds, which fits comfortably on a kitchen counter, office desk or nightstand.

It combines a HEPA filter that captures 99.97 percent of dust and allergens down to 0.1 microns, a carbon layer to reduce odors from cooking, pets and smoking, and a UV-C light to help reduce airborne bacteria, viruses and mold spores. GermGuardian says it circulates the air once per hour in a 375-square-foot room and 4.8 times per hour in a 78-square-foot room. The listing we compared does not state fan speeds or noise level.

This is the one we would suggest for a germguardian hepa air purifier small room setup: a home office, dorm room or small bedroom. In a larger living room it will struggle to keep up, and the 22-inch towers become the better choice. For an overview of the whole range, see our GermGuardian air purifier guide.

The GermGuardian Air Purifier for Homes with Pets (model AC4300WPT, in white) is a 22-inch floor tower built around an H13 Pet Pure HEPA filter. “H13” is a HEPA grade, and “Pet Pure” is GermGuardian’s anti-microbial filter treatment aimed at pet odors. It captures up to 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.1 micron.

It also has a pre-filter for large particles like pet hair, an activated charcoal filter for odors, and optional UV-C light. It covers 743 square feet at one air change per hour, or 153 square feet at 4.8 changes. The listing names 3 speeds, touch controls, 55 watts of power and a 40 dB noise level, with the lowest speed usable as gentle white noise at night. You replace one filter (FLT4850PT) every 6 to 8 months, and the UV-C bulb is LB4000.

This germguardian pet air purifier suits bedrooms and living rooms in homes with cats or dogs. It is too tall for a counter, so pick the AC4100 if you need a desktop unit.

High score Our score: 9.2/10

Germ Guardian

GermGuardian HEPA Air Purifier Tower – 22" – Gray – AC4825E

9.2/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

See it on Amazon

Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

GermGuardian HEPA Air Purifier Tower

Best for: Families wanting a simple floor tower

Pros

• True HEPA with carbon pre-filter
• Optional UV-C light
• Three fan speeds
• Covers up to 743 sq ft

Cons

• 22-inch floor unit
• Short listing with few details

The GermGuardian HEPA Air Purifier Tower (model AC4825E, in gray) is another 22-inch floor unit, measuring 10.25 by 6.75 inches at the base and weighing 8.55 pounds. The description suggests it for living rooms, kitchens, basements or nurseries.

It uses a True HEPA filter capturing 99.97 percent of dust, pollen and pet dander down to 0.1 microns, an activated carbon pre-filter, and optional UV-C light, with three fan speeds. GermGuardian says it circulates the air in a 153-square-foot room every 12.5 minutes, or once per hour in rooms up to 743 square feet. The listing does not specify noise level or wattage.

The germguardian ac4825e tower is a straightforward choice for a family room or nursery. Pet owners may prefer the AC4300 models, whose filters are specifically designed for pet dander and odors.

Best for: Large open living areas with pets

Pros

• Covers up to 915 sq ft
• HEPA Pet Pure antimicrobial filter
• UV-C light

Cons

• Largest here at 28 inches
• Heaviest at 11.25 pounds

Best for: Pet homes wanting certified filtration

Pros

• HEPA Pet Pure filter
• CARB and ETL certified
• Covers up to 743 sq ft
• Activated carbon filter

Cons

• Listed at 60 dB
• Floor-standing, not countertop

The GermGuardian 5-In-1 HEPA Air Purifier (model AC4300BPTCA, in black) is the black 22-inch pet tower. Like the AC4300WPT, it uses a HEPA Pet Pure filter, an activated carbon filter and UV-C light, covers 743 square feet at one air change per hour, and has 3 speeds with touch controls.

This listing adds that the unit is CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified, ETL certified and Zero Ozone verified, and lists 58 watts. It also lists a 60 dB noise level, noticeably higher than the 40 dB on the white AC4300WPT listing, even though the descriptions are nearly identical. The figures may be measured at different speeds, but the listings do not say, so treat noise as uncertain.

The germguardian ac4300bptca suits pet owners in California or anyone who wants the certifications spelled out. Otherwise it is very close to the white AC4300WPT.

The GermGuardian 5-In-1 HEPA Air Purifier (model AC5250PT, in gray) is the largest here, listed as a 28-inch tower with dimensions of 11 by 6.75 by 27.25 inches and a weight of 11.25 pounds. It covers rooms up to 915 square feet at one air change per hour, or 189 square feet at 4.8 changes.

It uses a HEPA Pet Pure filter capturing 99.97 percent of allergens including pet dander, dust mites and pollen, with an antimicrobial agent that inhibits mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria on the filter surface. UV-C light helps reduce airborne germs and VOCs. The listing does not specify fan speeds, noise or wattage.

This model suits big open-plan living areas. For a single bedroom or office it is more than you need. When it is time to swap filters on any purifier, our replacement air purifier filter guide explains what to look for.