HEPA Vs Carbon Filter: Which Is Better?

Knowing in advance how to use HEPA and carbon filters in purifiers can help you operate them safely and efficiently.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters can remove more than 99.5% of air particles such as pollen, viruses, bacteria, mold, and PM2.5. They are made of plastic (PP+PET) or glass fiber, and due to their diffusion properties, they are also excellent at capturing nanoparticles.

In contrast, activated carbon filters not only block solid particles like ordinary filters, but also absorb odors and harmful gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Some HEPA filters do contain carbon. Systems that combine HEPA filters and carbon-based materials can block old spores, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, and dust, and remove dangerous gases and aromas.

HEPA activated carbon filters capture tiny PM2.5 particles, while activated carbon absorbs vapors, odors, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as carcinogens such as formaldehyde and benzene.

Activated carbon’s unique role in air filters is to filter harmful gases such as VOCs, odors and cooking fumes, which is different from the way HEPA filters filter particulate matter.

**Types of Activated Carbon**

- Extruded or granulated activated carbon (EAC): flocculates, decolorizes, kills algae and removes humus.

- Granular activated carbon (GAC): used to remove organic contaminants from water.

- Acid-washed and high-purity activated carbon: avoids condensate percolation and removes soluble silica from the activated carbon matrix.

- Powdered activated carbon (PAC): low-cost and fine, it can be directly discarded after use without reactivation or recycling.

HEPA filters are excellent at removing airborne particles, filtering out bacteria and viruses (depending on the filter type). Typically, particles larger than 0.03 microns are filtered out.

However, an efficient air purifier needs a large carbon filter that can remove unpleasant odors to eliminate a variety of malodors and harmful compounds.

In theory, HEPA air filters can capture 99.97% of airborne particles smaller than 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other allergens. 0.3 microns is the maximum penetrating particle size (MPPS).

HEPA air purifiers work through a mechanical mechanism where air is driven through the HEPA filter and particles are captured through processes such as diffusion, interception, inertial impaction, or sieving.

Carbon filters are installed in HVAC systems and/or dust collectors as a first line of defense to effectively reduce odors. They work by adsorbing molecules that adhere to the surface.

Investing in carbon or charcoal filters can remove unpleasant odors, fumes, and chemicals, especially for industrial spaces. Carbon filters come in a variety of forms, such as foam, powder, fabric, and solid carbon.

Charcoal is treated with oxygen to expand the gaps between carbon atoms, making it suitable for a variety of uses. Substances in the filter are chemically neutralized as they pass through the tiny pores.

**Advantages of Carbon Filters**

- Extremely high porosity.

- Does not remove existing nutrients.

- Simple maintenance and cleaning.

- Easily interchangeable.

- Lower cost.

- Portability.

**Disadvantages of Carbon Filters**

- Toxins not absorbed by carbon cannot be effectively removed by the air conditioning filter.

- A/C filters wear quickly and need to be replaced frequently.

- When water does not reach the carbon filter media for a long time, the filtration efficiency decreases.

- Some harmful bacteria and viruses may survive in the air conditioning system and even be hidden by the filter.

HEPA filters can remove larger particles (such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores and allergens), while carbon filters are more effective in removing odors, smoke and gases.

In vehicles, HEPA air purifiers are the most effective device for removing COVID-19 particles and can significantly improve the air quality inside the car. However, using HEPA filters alone cannot remove VOCs and odors. At this time, activated carbon filters can remove and neutralize smoke, vapors and odors, providing clean and healthy air inside the car.

Carbon air filters are becoming increasingly popular and are more known for their ability to extract toxins from the air. When shopping, consider brands like AirSummer, whose products are effective at removing odors and chemical fumes.

Some common brands include Air Summer, Air Master, and Levoit. AirSummer's air purifiers combine HEPA and carbon filters to effectively remove pollutants from the air.

Air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters have an internal HEPA filter that captures and eliminates dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria particles that are 0.3 microns and larger. Carbon filters use an activated carbon bed to filter impurities from the air.

When looking for the best carbon filter air purifier, AirSummer offers a wide range of high-quality, affordable products.

Carbon air filters vary widely in price, ranging from over twenty dollars to well over a hundred dollars, and can cost as much as $50 with carbon filters.

HEPA carbon air purifiers can be purchased online or at local retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and eBay.