Buying an air purifier is a great decision overall.
It helps clean the air around your house and ensures that you breathe fresh indoor air.
So this caused me to wonder can I put my air purifier on a table?
Here’s what I know from my years of experience:
You can place an air purifier on a table. In fact, placing it on a table will help clean the air you breathe (ambient air), causing it to work more effectively than placing it on a low location such as a floor or too high on a shelf.
But that scratches the surface.
In the rest of this article, I will dive deeper into answering questions about air purifiers and their placement.
Keep reading to learn more!

Can I Put My Air Purifier On A Table?
To ensure optimum performance, the placement of your purifier is essential. You most certainly can place your purifier on a table, provided you follow a few conditions.
For instance, it wouldn’t be able to work as effectively if you’d placed it too low on the floor or too high on a shelf.
Air purifiers typically pull pollutants out of the air around you and capture them in a filter located within them.
As a matter of fact, smaller air purifiers are at their effective best when placed on a table or at any high position.
This is because they don’t need to suck out air from below in this position.
However, ensure there aren’t any other electronics near where you place your purifier. Having other electronics close at hand can interfere with the working of our purifier, especially if it’s a low-cost purifier.
High-quality purifiers won’t interfere with electronic equipment, but I’d advise you not to take chances all the same.
Also, most manufacturers mention the best position for your purifier as and when you purchase it.
Make sure you keep an eye out for instructions such as these before installing your purifier.
Does It Matter Where I Put My Air Purifier?

Sure, it does; the position of your air purifier can determine how well it functions. The size of your room is one of the most significant factors to consider before installing it.
For instance, placing a powerful purifier in a small room risks wasting money and power.
Alternatively, if you place a small purifier in a room that’s too big, you risk circulating polluted air.
In a confined space, polluted air does not get circulated enough. You end up obtaining little benefit from your purifier in such a situation.
It also matters where you place your purifier in which room attracts the most pollution. This is usually the room where most of the smoke/odor in your home emanates – usually the kitchen.
If it’s dust or dirt that’s the problem, you’d ideally place your purifier in the living room.
If you’re worried about the air quality you inhale while sleeping, place the purifier in your bedroom.
Since you spend 7-8 hours daily in your bedroom, this would be a wise choice.
Where Should An Air Purifier Be Placed in A Room?
One of the best positions to place your purifier is near the door.
This is especially true if you have any furry pets or children running in and out constantly. Placing your purifier near the door will trap the air and prevent it from entering the room.
Apart from the doorway, the position of your purifier varies from room to room. It also depends on how powerful your purifier is.
If your purifier has a strong airflow, it shouldn’t be placed too close to where you’ll be sitting. If you place it in your bedroom, ensure it’s at least six feet from your bed.
A potent purifier placed too close to your bed may interrupt your sleep and clog your sinuses.
If your purifier is not too strong, go ahead and place it closer to your bed. This will ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
A general rule when it comes to placing a purifier is to place it in the corner. This makes filtering more efficient and cleanses the air on the other side of the room.
Best Place To Put An Air Purifier In Living Room
If you’re wondering where to put your air purifier in the living room, the best spot is either in the center of the room or near the wall with a bit of space around it.
Leave about 2-4 feet of space around the air purifier if possible.
This way, having room around the air purifier can help circulate the air more effectively and remove pollutants from the room. This way, the purifier can suck in all the bad air and spit out the good, keeping the room fresh and clean.
One thing to watch out for is putting the purifier in a corner or smooshed against a wall. This can mess with its airflow and make it less effective at cleaning the air.
So keep the air purifier away from any furniture, curtains, or electronics that might get in its way.
If your living room is on the bigger side, you might need a giant purifier to get the job done right.
But as long as you follow these tips, you can sit back and breathe easy, knowing you’re doing everything you can to keep the air quality in your home as healthy as possible.
For a better understanding of how a purifier works, you can refer to this article too.
Also Read: Do Air Purifiers Remove Carbon Monoxide?
Where Not to Place an Air Purifier?

Understanding where you shouldn’t be placing your purifier is as important as understanding where you should be.
Placing your purifier in the wrong place and setting can prevent it from working effectively. First and foremost, give your purifier room to breathe.
Placing it in a confined space can prevent it from pulling in air from all directions. Doing so will surely leave polluted or unclean air lingering in distant corners.
Also, make sure you don’t place your purifier below any furniture. If you do, it won’t be able to gather air from around the room. The same goes for placing it behind furniture, as that, too, restricts and obstructs airflow.
Furthermore, make sure you don’t place your purifier around other similar devices.
For instance, don’t place it around dehumidifiers and air conditioners. I say this because your purifier won’t work correctly if the air is pulled around in different directions.
Also, don’t place your purifier near windows; if you do, ensure they’re closed when it’s on.
Conclusion
The location of your air purifier can make the difference between clean air and a waste of money. A lot hangs on a room’s structure, the size of the purifier, and the room’s purpose.
Also, you can place a purifier in a higher place if you ensure it’s done safely. The number of obstacles you have in a room and their proximity to the purifier is essential too.
Small purifiers can easily be kept on tables and moved around if required. If you’ve gone through our answers above, you’ll know there are a lot of factors to consider here.
However, all in all, placing an air purifier isn’t very difficult. With the correct information, it should take you only a few minutes to decide.
Did this post answer the question Can I Put My Air Purifier on A Table? You can find other helpful air purifier information in our blog section. I’ll link to it here.
Air Purifier Table FAQ
Do Air Purifiers Work Under Furniture
Don’t put your air purifier behind furniture!
This will block the airflow and make it less effective in cleaning the air. Instead, opt for placing it on a piece of furniture, like a dresser, that’s no more than 5 feet high to ensure that it can clean the air efficiently.
Should I Put An Air Purifier On The Floor Or Table
Experts recommend that you place it on a table or desk between 3-5 feet off the ground, but ultimately, deciding whether to put it on the floor or table is up to you and your circumstances.
Putting the air purifier on a table or desk can be beneficial because it brings the device closer to your breathing zone, making it more effective in eliminating pollutants. However, this might not be a practical option, mainly if you have limited table or shelf space. Ultimately, it’s about finding the best fit for your needs and living situation.
Is It Ok To Put An Air Purifier On Carpet?
Putting an air purifier on the carpet is not recommended because it may not work either and can negatively impact the carpet’s life. Placing the air purifier on a hard and elevated surface is recommended for the best results.
The Best Placement For Air Purifiers
Location | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Center of Room | It helps circulate air more effectively, cleans the air in all areas | It takes up valuable space and may not fit with the room design |
Near a Wall | It can blend in with the decor, reduces the chance of being knocked over | Air may not circulate as effectively and may be harder to clean |
On a Table/Desk | Brings air purifier closer to breathing zone, effective | Limited space for larger models may not fit with the room design |
On the Floor | It takes up less space, is less obtrusive | It may not be as effective at cleaning the air, and it is harder to clean |
Near Sleeping Area | Can improve air quality while sleeping | Noise levels may be disruptive and may not fit with the room design. |
Looking For Air Purifier Guides?
If you’re looking for more air purifier resources, consider checking out our other posts on air purifiers.
- 5 Best Air Purifiers For Cat Litter Box Dust
- 5 Best Air Purifiers For Ferret Odors
- Best Air Purifiers For Asbestos
- Best Air Purifiers Made In The USA

(Author)
Irene Batres is eager to help others create an indoor allergen-free home. She has years of experience testing out air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products designed to help with indoor air quality. Learn more about me.