Understand key technical terms.
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is the industry-standard metric for measuring air purifier effectiveness. It indicates the volume of clean air produced per minute, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A higher CADR means faster and more effective air cleaning.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) measures the volume of air that flows through an air purifier or ventilation system. It's a critical specification that determines how quickly an air purifier can process the air in your room.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a rating system from 1-20 that measures air filter efficiency. Higher MERV ratings capture smaller particles, but also restrict airflow more. For DIY air purifiers, MERV 13-16 provides the best balance of filtration and airflow.