Is it necessary to buy a car air purifier?

[WilliamFitz]

It is necessary to buy a car air purifier for the following reasons: 1. Most of the internal components and interior materials of cars are made of plastic and rubber, and the assembly process mostly uses adhesives. These materials and adhesives contain a large amount of pollutants such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, which can have certain adverse effects on human health; 2. On the road, the concentration of pollutants such as carbon dioxide in car exhaust is very high. Inhaling excessive carbon dioxide can damage the human respiratory system. The function of a car air purifier is to remove harmful pollutants in the car, such as mold, viruses, odors, second-hand smoke, formaldehyde, etc., allowing people to breathe fresh air while driving.

[Eugene]

Whether to buy a car air purifier depends on your usual driving environment. Like me, living in a big city with heavy traffic exhaust and winter smog, the air in the car is always poor. Once, a friend had a purifier in their car, and I clearly felt much smoother breathing. Especially for long trips or when traveling with the elderly or children, cleaner air provides peace of mind. However, it's important to note that purifiers vary greatly in effectiveness, and filters need regular replacement; otherwise, they can accumulate dust and become a source of pollution. When choosing, look at the CADR value and filter grade. Activated carbon filters can remove odors, while HEPA filters are good against PM2.5. If it's just for short commutes, opening the window for ventilation might be more cost-effective.

[CooperFitz]

As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, this really depends on the situation. If you have a new car where the leather adhesive smell lingers for two to three months, an air purifier is useful. Or for frequent smokers, it helps eliminate tobacco odor. But for regular older cars, it's truly unnecessary. I've tested driving the same route with windows down versus using a purifier—the air quality difference was less than 5%. You're better off saving that money to replace your cabin air filter annually, which only costs a few dozen yuan. Remember, purifier filters need cleaning every three months, otherwise bacteria multiply faster. Plus, many modern cars come with built-in air circulation systems that perform similarly to standard purifiers—no need to spend extra.

[SanLaila]

I've researched quite a few in-car products, and air purifiers essentially come down to two core functions: adsorption and filtration. Activated carbon deals with harmful gases like formaldehyde and benzene, while HEPA nets capture fine particles. However, given the small space inside a car, opening the windows for just 10 seconds while driving is more efficient for air exchange. Unless you live in an industrial area or suffer from pollen allergies, it might not be worth getting one. Choosing a model with negative ion functionality can also help reduce static electricity. Be careful not to buy off-brand products, as they can be noisy and power-hungry—I've even seen cases where they burned out the cigarette lighter socket. If you really want to buy one, opt for a compact size that won't obstruct your view when placed on the dashboard.

[KingDella]

Honestly, the effect of car air purifiers isn't as noticeable as home purifiers. There are fewer pollution sources in cars - mainly exhaust fumes, dust, and interior material emissions. I've compared data: when using the AC in fresh air mode, PM2.5 levels can drop by 80% within 15 minutes. But there are two exceptions: 1) For long highway drives with windows closed, purifiers help maintain air circulation; 2) In pet-friendly cars with lots of fur, purifiers with pre-filters are useful. Some smart models now offer phone control, but the premium is too high. My suggestion: first spend $20 on an air quality monitor, and only consider a purifier if levels exceed standards.