If you’re a 3D printer enthusiast, then you’re probably well aware of the pollutants that are emitted when printing. In this article, we’ll be discussing the best air purifiers for 3D printers, with both HEPA and carbon air filters.
Printing in a well-ventilated room is always advisable, but if you want to take things one step further, an air purifier is a great way to eliminate any harmful emissions from your 3D printer.
Which Air Filters Work for 3D Printers?
There are three types of filters that are effective at trapping particles emitted by 3D printers: HEPA, carbon air filters, and PECO filters.
HEPA Filters
Airborne contaminants come in many forms, from large particles that are easily visible to the naked eye to smaller microparticles that can only be seen with a microscope. During the printing process, 3D printers release a fine mist of ink particles into the air, known as ultrafine particles, or UFPs. These particles are small enough to bypass the body’s natural defenses and enter the bloodstream, where they can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer.
HEPA filters are designed to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, which means they are effective at capturing most UFPs. However, True HEPA filters are even more effective, with the ability to trap 99.9 percent of particles as small as 0.1 microns. This makes True HEPA filters the best option for reducing exposure to UFPs emitted during the 3D printing process. You can also find out if HEPA air filters remove asbestos from the air by checking our article here.
Carbon Air Filters
A carbon air filter is a type of air filter that uses activated charcoal to trap pollutants. Carbon filters are effective at trapping a range of pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released when plastic is heated during 3D printing. VOCs can be dangerous to your health, so it’s important to remove them from the air you breathe.
But, while carbon air filters are good at removing VOCs and odors, they are not as effective at trapping UFPs. This is because the pores in activated charcoal are too large to capture such small particles. Moreover, carbon air filters need to be replaced more frequently than other types of air filters, as they lose their efficiency over time.
PECO Filters
There are many dangers that come with 3D printing, chief among them the release of toxic fumes into the air. But a new technology promises to change all that, and it’s called photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO).
PECO filters out both particles and VOCs from the air, permanently destroying any toxins. What’s more, PECO can destroy carbon-based particulates, which is what most plastic molecules are made of. In other words, PECO filters are the best way to keep your air clean and safe when 3D printing.
Read Also: Do Air Purifiers Release EMF Radiation?
Best Air Purifiers for 3D Printer Pollution
Now that we know which air filters are effective at trapping 3D printer emissions, let’s take a look at the best air purifiers for 3D printers.
1. Molekule Air Purifier with PECO Technology
The Molekule air purifier is a top-of-the-line device that is perfect for larger rooms up to 600 square feet. It features an easy-to-control touch-screen interface, and it also can be remotely controlled by phone.
This air purifier has three fan speeds that you can choose from to customize your purification needs. It is also very quiet, only 41 decibels at the lowest speed. Additionally, it can be easily carried and placed anywhere in the room.
The best feature of the Molekule air purifier is the PECO technology. This doesn’t just collect 3D printing pollutants, it destroys them at a molecular level. There is also an indicator to track the replacement schedule for your PECO filter.
Check out this 3D printer air purifier on Amazon.
2. Medify Air Purifier with H13 True HEPA Filter
The Medify air purifier is designed with a sleek touch screen operation panel that allows you to choose from 3 fan speeds and a 0-8 hour timer. The lowest setting operates virtually silent, making it ideal for nighttime use. It also has a sleep mode, which completely dims the unit’s panel lights.
Perfect for spaces up to 1,000 square feet, this air purifier will remove 99.9% of harmful particles including allergens, dust, contaminants, and more down to 0.1 microns in size using HEPA H13 filtration technology. The activated carbon filter removes VOCs and burning plastic odors that come from 3D printing.
The Medify air purifier has a child lock feature, making it great for both kids and pets. It also comes with a filter replacement indicator to let you know when it’s time to replace the filters.
You can check and buy this HEPA air purifier for 3D printers here.
3. Levoit Air Purifier with a True HEPA and Carbon Filter
The Levoit air purifier has a CADR of 466 m³/h and delivers fresh air in rooms as large as 1,150 square feet in just 30 minutes. It is equipped with a 3-stage filtration system: H13 True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and nylon pre-filter. Therefore, it can remove 99.97% of particles, including resin 3D printer fumes.
This air purifier has a rated power of 49W, making it a low-cost option that doesn’t consume a lot of energy. Additionally, it is whisper-quiet with noise levels as low as 25dB in sleep mode.
It’s also easy to use, with a timer that can be set for 1-12 hours and a filter replacement indicator. The air purifier is safe and trustworthy with a Levoit professional customer support team.
Click here to see the Levoit air purifier on Amazon.
4. ELEGOO Mini Air Purifier for Resin 3D Printers
The ELEGOO mini air purifier not only matches ELEGOO Mars series printers, but is also compatible with other types of 3D printers, such as LCD, DLP, and MSLA resin 3D printers. It works by absorbing and filtering out the resin odor before it is circulated throughout the printer.
This small and affordable air purifier comes with one activated carbon block that can be used for 3 to 6 months and can be replaced as needed. The 2000mAh battery allows the purifier to work continuously for at least 24 hours once fully charged. The only downside is that the charcoal packs are difficult to find.
In conclusion, the best air purifier for a 3D printer is one that has both HEPA and carbon air filters. This will ensure that any harmful pollutants are removed from the air, making it safer for you to breathe.
We also recommend trying the Molekule air purifier with PECO technology, which is specially designed to break down and remove UFPs and VOCs.
