What's the Best Air Purifier or Dehumidifier to Buy in Australia 2026?
How to pick the best air purifier or dehumidifier for your home in Australia in 2026: HEPA filters, CADR and room size, filter running costs, refrigerant versus desiccant dehumidifiers, where The Good Guys, Dyson and Kogan fit, and opening ShopBack before you check out.
ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including The Good Guys, Dyson and Kogan. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.
Sources. CHOICE's air purifier and dehumidifier buying guides, The Good Guys' air purifier and dehumidifier category guides, and each store's ShopBack page, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not name a single best model or list prices, because ranges and prices change often; use the checklists below on the day you buy.
What's the best air purifier to buy in Australia?
There is no single best air purifier for every home; the best one is the model that cleans your room's air well, with filters you can keep buying. A routine that works for most households:
- Start with the filter. CHOICE says testing by consumer groups around the world has found HEPA filtration is the most important feature. HEPA filters can generally trap at least 99.95% of dust, smoke, mould and other particles down to 0.3 microns, according to CHOICE.
- Match the room size. The Good Guys says small units are designed for bedrooms up to about 20 square metres, while high capacity models can cover areas over 80 square metres.
- Check the CADR. A higher Clean Air Delivery Rate means more clean air per hour.
- Price the filters. Find the replacement filter price and how often it needs changing before you buy the purifier.
- Look for useful features. Air quality sensors, an auto mode, a timer and a filter change indicator make a purifier easier to live with.
- Before you pay, open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.
Steps 1 to 5 find the right purifier. Step 6 lowers what you actually pay for it.
Best air purifier in Australia in 2026: what to look for
In 2026 the features that matter most in an Australian air purifier are the HEPA filter, a CADR that suits your room, the yearly filter cost, and noise.
CADR, explained. CHOICE describes the Clean Air Delivery Rate as an industry standard measure of the volume of air a purifier can clean, in cubic metres per hour or cubic feet per minute. The test runs for 20 minutes in a small room about 3.4 metres square and 2.4 metres high, at the highest fan speed, separately for dust, tobacco smoke and pollen. That makes CADR useful for comparing models, but CHOICE notes your purifier will probably sit in a corner and run on a lower speed at home.
Filter types, at a glance (per CHOICE):
| Filter | What it is for | CHOICE's view |
|---|---|---|
| HEPA | Fine particles such as dust, smoke, pollen and mould | The most important feature to look for |
| Carbon or charcoal | Odours and VOCs such as formaldehyde | Said to be good for smells and chemicals |
| Ozone | Odours | Avoid these models |
| Ionic | Fine particles | Can produce ozone |
| UV | Germs | Unlikely to expose germs to UV for long enough |
Bushfire smoke. CHOICE says a good purifier can help clear smoke inside your home, and that a HEPA filter is the best option. Close doors and windows in the room you are purifying.
Hay fever timing. The Good Guys says hay fever peaks in spring and early summer in south east Australia, from December to April in Queensland, and in July and August in Western Australia. Buying before your local season gives you time to compare.
Best air purifier Australia best deals in 2026: price and running costs
The best air purifier deal in 2026 is the lowest total cost over a few years, not the lowest sticker price.
- Purchase price. CHOICE says air purifiers generally cost between $200 and $500, with some over $1,000. The Good Guys says prices range from under $100 for compact units to around $1,500 for large room systems.
- Filters. CHOICE says replacement filters and filter sets typically cost from $40 up to $100 or more, and some models cost over $200 a year in filters. The Good Guys says most HEPA and carbon filters need replacing every 6 to 12 months.
- Washable parts. Most pre-filters and carbon filters can be washed, according to CHOICE, but HEPA filters usually cannot.
Illustrative example only. Purifier A costs $300 and its filter is $60 a year. Purifier B costs $250 and its filter is $120 a year. Over three years, A costs $480 and B costs $610. These are made up numbers to show the maths; check the real filter price for each model you are considering.
Dyson vs Philips air purifiers in Australia: a 2026 price comparison
Dyson and Philips are both worth a look in 2026; the better buy is the model that wins on your checklist at the price you can get on the day. The Good Guys stocks both brands, along with Breville and Solt, and Dyson also sells its purifiers direct.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| HEPA filtration | CHOICE's top feature for cleaning the air |
| CADR or tested room size | Tells you whether it can handle your room |
| Test method | CHOICE notes Dyson developed its own POLAR test, run in a larger room with the purifier in a corner, so compare like with like |
| Filter price and life | The main ongoing cost |
| Noise at the speed you will use | Matters most in a bedroom |
| Sensors, app and auto mode | Convenience, not cleaning power |
How to compare fairly:
- Shortlist one Dyson and one Philips model for the same room size.
- Look up the replacement filter price for each.
- Compare the total over two or three years.
- Check the price at The Good Guys and, for Dyson, at Dyson direct.
- Open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.
Dyson, Philips and The Good Guys: where to buy an air purifier
- The Good Guys lists air purifiers from Dyson, Breville, Philips, Solt and more, so it suits shoppers comparing brands side by side.
- Dyson suits shoppers who have settled on a Dyson model and want to buy direct from the brand.
- Philips purifiers are usually listed at The Good Guys, so check its range there and buy through ShopBack if the model you want is in stock.
Other appliance and department stores sell air purifiers too, so compare a couple of stores before you buy.
What's the best dehumidifier to buy in Australia?
The best dehumidifier to buy in Australia is the type that suits your climate, sized in litres per day for your room, with a humidistat and a tank or drain hose that fits how you will use it.
Refrigerant or desiccant? According to CHOICE:
- Refrigerant dehumidifiers are the most common type in Australia and work best in hot, humid conditions. They can be rated up to 30 litres a day or more.
- Desiccant dehumidifiers can be much more effective in cold conditions, and their performance is largely unaffected by air temperature. They rarely exceed a rated 10 litres a day.
So for a humid Queensland summer, a refrigerant model is usually the heavy duty option. For a cold, damp Melbourne or Hobart winter, a desiccant model often makes more sense.
Size it in litres per day. The Good Guys offers this general guide:
| Capacity | Suits |
|---|---|
| Up to 20L a day | Bedrooms, small living areas and single rooms up to about 30 square metres |
| 20 to 35L a day | Open plan living areas, larger rooms and moderate dampness |
| 35L a day and above | Large homes, basements or serious ongoing moisture problems |
Best dehumidifier in Australia in 2026: features that matter
In 2026 the features worth paying for in a dehumidifier are a humidistat, real world extraction figures, a sensible tank and a quiet mode. According to CHOICE:
- Humidistat. Lets you set a target humidity. CHOICE says 40 to 60% relative humidity is the ideal range for comfort.
- Realistic ratings. Makers often quote extraction at 30 degrees and 80% humidity. If you want to fight winter condensation, ask for figures at 10 or 15 degrees.
- Tank. Should hold at least 4 litres and be easy to remove.
- Continuous drain. Handy if the unit runs in one spot for long periods.
- Laundry mode. Speeds up drying clothes indoors.
- Noise. Most dehumidifiers make upwards of 50 decibels, compared with about 30 to 40 decibels for most fridges.
Already have a split system? CHOICE says a split system air conditioner with a dry mode may be the better option for mild dampness in warm weather. A dehumidifier makes more sense for other rooms or cold, damp seasons.
Running costs. The Good Guys says most home dehumidifiers draw between 200 and 500 watts, and models with a humidistat switch off once the target humidity is reached, which cuts running time.
Best dehumidifier Australia best deals in 2026: what to pay
For the best dehumidifier deal in 2026, decide the type and capacity first, then compare that exact model across stores. CHOICE puts dehumidifier prices at about $100 to over $1,600, with small models around $100 to $700, medium $299 to $800, and large $399 to $850 or more.
The Good Guys vs Harvey Norman for dehumidifiers: 2026 price comparison
The Good Guys and Harvey Norman both sell dehumidifiers in 2026, so the fair test is the same model and the delivered price at each.
- Note the exact model number.
- Check the price and delivery cost at The Good Guys and Harvey Norman.
- Ask about any price match or Price Beat offer.
- Compare the final total.
Check Harvey Norman's price on its own site as part of the comparison. If The Good Guys wins, open the ShopBack The Good Guys page first, then check out. Kogan is worth a third look, and Breville and DeLonghi are among the brands The Good Guys lists with built in humidistats.
How ShopBack lowers the price of your purifier or dehumidifier
ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay. For appliances, the routine is simple: open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles, and you can withdraw it to your bank account.
How to do it, step by step:
- Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: The Good Guys, Dyson or Kogan.
- The current Cashback is shown on that page.
- Tap through to the store and check out.
Working out the effective price. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. The live rate is shown on the store's ShopBack page, and it varies by store and over time.
Promo codes, Price Beat and ShopBack together
Yes, you can use a promo code or Price Beat and ShopBack on the same order. No code is needed to get Cashback: apply your best code or Price Beat first, then open The Good Guys, Dyson or Kogan from its ShopBack page and check out, and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.
Key takeaways
- For an air purifier, put a HEPA filter first, then match CADR and room size, then price the filters.
- CHOICE says replacement filters can cost over $200 a year on some models, so total cost beats sticker price.
- For a dehumidifier, choose refrigerant for hot, humid conditions and desiccant for cold, damp ones, then size it in litres per day.
- Compare the same model at The Good Guys, Dyson, Kogan and other stores.
- Open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best air purifier to buy in Australia?
The best air purifier for most Australian homes is one with a HEPA filter, a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and room size rating that suit the room you will use it in, and replacement filters you can afford every year. CHOICE says testing has found HEPA filtration is the most important feature. Before you pay, open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.
What's the best dehumidifier to buy in Australia?
The best dehumidifier depends on your climate and room. CHOICE says refrigerant models work best in hot, humid conditions and desiccant models are much more effective in cold conditions. Size it by litres per day: The Good Guys suggests up to 20L a day for bedrooms and single rooms up to about 30 square metres, and 20 to 35L a day for open plan areas.
What does CADR mean on an air purifier?
CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, is an industry measure of how much air a purifier can clean, shown in cubic metres per hour or cubic feet per minute. The bigger the number, the better. CHOICE notes the test runs at the highest fan speed in a small room, so real results at home are usually lower.
How much does it cost to run an air purifier in Australia?
The main running cost is filters. CHOICE says replacement filters typically cost from $40 to $100 or more, and some models cost over $200 a year in filters. The Good Guys says most HEPA and carbon filters need replacing every 6 to 12 months. Check the filter price before you buy the purifier.
Does an air purifier help with bushfire smoke?
Yes, a good air purifier can help clear smoke from a room, according to CHOICE, which says a HEPA filter is the best option for smoke. You need to close doors and windows to stop more smoke coming in, at least in the room you are purifying.
Should I avoid ozone or ioniser air purifiers?
CHOICE recommends avoiding ozone generating models, because at high levels ozone can irritate breathing, and notes that ionisation can produce ozone. It also says UV filters are unlikely to expose passing germs to UV for long enough. A HEPA filter is the feature to look for first.
Dyson vs Philips: which air purifier should I buy?
Compare them on the same checklist rather than the brand: HEPA filtration, CADR or tested room size, filter cost per year, noise and sensors. Both brands are sold at The Good Guys, and Dyson also sells direct. CHOICE notes Dyson developed its own POLAR test, run in a larger room, so compare like with like when reading claims.
Is a dehumidifier or an air conditioner better for damp?
For mild dampness on warm days, CHOICE says a split system air conditioner, especially one with a dry mode, may be the better option because it dries the air as it cools. If the damp is in other rooms or mainly in cold weather, a dehumidifier is usually the better fit.
How loud are dehumidifiers?
CHOICE says most dehumidifiers make upwards of 50 decibels, compared with about 30 to 40 decibels for most fridges, and that a 10 decibel rise is roughly a doubling in loudness. For a bedroom, look for a sleep or night mode and ask the retailer to switch the unit on before you buy.
How does ShopBack lower the price of an air purifier or dehumidifier?
Open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out. ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay: part of what you spent comes back as cash. The current Cashback is shown on the store's ShopBack page.
Can I use a promo code or Price Beat with ShopBack?
Yes. Apply your best promo code or Price Beat first, then go through ShopBack before you pay. No code is needed to get Cashback: it works like a discount code with nothing to type in, and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.
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Disclaimer
The views in this article are those of the author. Appliance ranges, prices, filter costs and store policies change often; check each store's site before you buy. If you have asthma or allergies, ask your doctor what suits you. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; the current rate is shown on each store's ShopBack page.
This article is general information only and is not financial advice.
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