THE BEST BRANDS TO HELP YOU BREATHE MORE EASILY

Dyson Pure Hot + Cool £549.99, dyson.co.uk

The easy winner, stylewise. Also works as a cooling fan and heater. Conveniently small, and can be controlled via an app. Dyson uses a different standard to others – the idea is you sit next to it and enjoy clean air in your face, rather than expecting it to clean the room. Can be a bit noisy. Replacement filter every six months, cost £75. Upside: small, stylish, easy to use

Downside: pricey, no good for large rooms

Meaco CA-HEPA 119x5 £379.99, meaco.com

Admirably quiet. We used this in our bedroom in “night mode” – no lights, no noise. Automatically adjusts to the level of air pollution. Six stages of filtration, including ultraviolet light. Replacement filters, £69.99. Upside: quiet and effective

Downside: how long will the filter last?

Stadler Roger £299, johnlewis.com

A solid, powerful and quiet Swiss-made machine with high-grade German filter which should stay effective for longer. The least boring-looking of the white boxes. Oddly phrased instruction manual – like a Swiss engineer trying to do stand-up comedy. Low power consumption. Replacement filter, £79. Upside: quiet, stylish

Downside: no UV catalyst, so bugs waft along untroubled

Blueair 480i £599, harrods.com

The newest offering from a well-regarded Swedish brand, used in embassies in smogchoked cities. Big and heavy, noisy at washing-machine levels when at full blast. Excellent performance. Replacement filter, £69. Upside: effective

Downside: pricey and a little power-thirsty