When it comes to choosing an air purifier, there are two important ratings to consider: CADR and MERV.

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate and it measures the amount of clean air that an air purifier can deliver in a given amount of time. The higher the CADR rating, the more effective the air purifier is at removing pollutants from the air. CADR ratings are based on three key pollutants: tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust. So, if an air purifier has a CADR rating of 200 for tobacco smoke, it means that it can remove tobacco smoke particles from the air at a rate of 200 cubic feet per minute.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and it measures the effectiveness of an air filter at capturing particles of different sizes. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating better filtration performance. A MERV 8 filter can capture particles as small as 3 microns, while a MERV 13 filter can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns.

It’s important to note that CADR and MERV ratings are not interchangeable. While CADR measures the effectiveness of the entire air purifier, MERV only measures the effectiveness of the filter. So, a high MERV rating does not necessarily mean that an air purifier has a high CADR rating.

When choosing an air purifier, it’s important to consider both CADR and MERV ratings to ensure that you are getting an effective and efficient unit. Look for an air purifier with a CADR rating that matches the size of your room and a MERV rating that captures the pollutants you are most concerned about.

In summary, understanding CADR and MERV ratings is essential to choosing the right air purifier for your needs. By taking these ratings into account, you can ensure that your air purifier effectively captures pollutants and delivers clean air to your home or office.