Are Kmart air purifiers any good?

Regardless of the size, all Kmart air purifiers have the same triple filtering system; a pre filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. The filter here that matters the most in air purification is the HEPA filter. Short for high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter, all HEPA filters need to remove 99.95% of airborne particles to use the term.

Kmart air purifiers all have a H13 HEPA filter, which is deemed “medical grade”. These filters are some of the highest tier air filtration and can remove 99.95% of particles measuring just 0.2 microns in diameter, which is smaller than the typical PM2.5 particles air purifiers tend to talk about. According to Kmart’s product documentation, these particular filters are graded for 0.3 microns but still retain the H13 grading. This means that with the right upkeep, Kmart air purifiers should be able to filter out most dust, pollen, viruses, and bacteria.

On top of the HEPA filter, all purifiers from the big-box store come with a pre-filter that catches larger dander like pet fur, and an activated carbon filter that traps odours.

The more you pay, the more features you’ll get from your Kmart air purifier. Starting off the Small version has no additional features- you’ll get two fan speeds, but that's it. Step up to the Medium and you’ll get a timer, and the Large will get you three fan speeds, timers, a 30-minute auto-off function, and a remote control.

Notably, none of the models have air quality readouts which is a pretty significant downside. Without one it can be difficult to identify when you may actually need to turn the air purifier on, or amp up its speed. All but two of the air purifiers we have reviewed use a basic traffic-light indication system to show air quality, so it is disappointing to see such a glaring omission from Kmart’s range.

Kmart is synonymous with cheap, and oh boy do these air purifiers live up to that comparison. Starting at just $49, and going up to $149 for the outright units, these are by far some of the most affordable options out there.

Their ongoing running costs are consistently low with replacement filters starting from as little as $14 and capping out at $29 for the Large filter. We just have to hope that Kmart will continue to stock these filters for some time to come. At the time of writing a handful of older filters were on clearance, or entirely out of stock, so there may come a time when it is much harder to source replacements.

Kmart air purifiers have their downsides, but on paper they are a great entry-level device for the price. If you’re looking to handle a small space, and don’t mind being a bit in the dark on the current air quality then these present a low-cost way to purify the air in your home. Just remember that support stock like replacement filters may not be available forever, so the ongoing upkeep costs are liable to change. But by the time you need a new air filter, you might be ready to invest in something more powerful.