Purchasing an air purifier is a smart investment in both your short and long term health. Knowing which features to avoid can save you expensive trial, and worse, error with a purifier that doesn\'t remove the pollutants you want, or fit your life style. Here are 10 features to avoid.

1. No Filter--Cleaning the air without a filter in ineffective and generally requires frequent maintenance from the owner. And having to come in contact with the very pollutants you are trying to avoid is counter productive in time management and improving your health.

2. No Pre-filters--These filters are the first line of defense for trapping large and medium particles, and a filtration process that does not use pre-filters means that all of the pollutants go directly into one filter. This will cause your cleaner to need frequent filter changes which cost you time and money.

Choosing not to replace the filter means the pollutants are not being removed efficiently, and running the cleaner with a filter that is full, or even choosing not to operate it often negates the manufacturer\'s warranty.

3. One Year Warranty--Such a short warranty is usually an indication that the manufacturer does not expect longevity, and is probably counting on you having to buy another one after a year.

The price of many of these purifiers can seem very attractive because they are so cheap. But if they don\'t work, and you have to spend more money to replace them, they\'re not cheap after all.

4. High Maintenance Filter--Avoid a purifier whose filter needs washing, spraying, recharging or anything other than minimal maintenance. Filtering your air should take one more thing off your list of things to do rather than add to it.

5. A Filter without a Warranty--A cleaner with a filter that carries no warranty means you will pay full price for a replacement if your filter fails.

It is also a clear indication that the manufacturer is not willing to guarantee the quality or the longevity of the filter. A prorated filter warranty means you get your money\'s worth out of the filter.

6. A Purifier without a HEPA Filter--Since many of the pollutants that cause indoor air quality to suffer are fine particles, a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) filter is ideal for removing these particulates.

Designed to eliminate things like household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pollen, and pet dander down to .3 microns with 99.97% efficiency, they are an incredibly efficiency solution to removing the things that cause bad indoor air.

7. A Cleaner without an Inner Filter for Odors, Gases, and Chemicals--Only part of the poor indoor air quality is a result of floating particles. Often there are other pollutants in the form of odors, gases and chemicals.

The best choice for a purifier is one that not only has a filter for particles, but one that has an inner filter for odors, gases, and chemicals. This saves you from having to purchase multiple cleaners to address the variety of pollutants that are found in many homes.

8. A Power Hog--Avoid cleaners that use a large amount of electricity. They are costly to you and the environment when they run.

9. Inflexible in Their Placement-Strange as it may sound, there are some cleaners that must be placed in the middle of the room. Don\'t settle for a purifier that has to dominate the layout and decor of your home because of its placement.

A better choice is one that only needs 6 inches of clearance from any wall and can be placed where you have space for it and still do a good job.

10. No Color Choices--A purifier for your home or office should give you the most options for blending in with your color scheme. Choosing a cleaner that has a number of color options means you don\'t have to give up style for function.