The 13 Best Products To Improve Both Your Air Quality And Sleep

Forbes

02-05-2025

For many, spring brings with it seasonal allergies and difficulty breathing, which can impact your sleep. The changes in air quality and the sleep issues that can result affect health and energy levels in general, in addition to breathing and sinus issues. Depending on what is affecting your air and which allergens are most prevalent, there are a variety of products that can improve both your air quality and your sleep. For bedroom air purification, we recommend the Levoit Core 400S, which uses a three-stage filtration system and can improve your overall air quality in less than ten minutes.
The best products that can improve your air quality and sleep include hypoallergenic bedding, ... More dehumidifiers and smart air purifying devices like this AirTulip Headboard.
Even if you don't suffer from seasonal allergies, there can still be allergens in the air or bedding where you sleep. 'Recent studies have drawn links between people who are house dust mite allergic and sleep problems. Additionally, a study from this year found that elevated allergens in the bedroom—such as pet and fungal allergens—were associated with self-reported sleep issues,' says Sonali Bose, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine (pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine) and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Ahead, shop our curated list for top product recommendations and expert tips on how to improve your air quality, clean your bedding and reduce allergens in your home to achieve deep, restful sleep.
If you're shopping for an air purifier to improve the air quality in your bedroom, make sure it has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. 'A HEPA filter is a mechanical air filter that removes particles of various sources that are of a particular size: 0.3 microns,' says Bose. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that size is the 'worst case,' and larger and smaller particles are 'trapped with even higher efficiency.'
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We tested the Levoit Core 400S and chose it as our best air purifier for allergies overall. Forbes Vetted's supervising deals and coupons editor Kara Cuzzone prefers it to a more expensive model she used to use. 'It does a better job of clearing smoke and smells from my apartment than the pricier option did,' she says, noting that she usually observes a difference in air quality in less than ten minutes. Improving the air quality in your bedroom can help you breathe better and improve your sleep quality.
This model features three filters, including a HEPA filter, and an auto mode that responds to changes in levels of smoke, allergens or dust in the air. 'A HEPA purifier has been shown to improve indoor air quality, but it must be obtained with an understanding of the room volume and size to ensure that it matches the capability of the purifier,' says Bose. The Levoit Core 400S purifies air in an up to 1,980-foot coverage area.
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Using air conditioning in your house is one way to keep your indoor air clean and fight seasonal allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Windmill Whispertech 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is our pick for the best designed window air conditioner. In addition to its sleek looks and smart controls, it also features two separate filters—one mesh and one activated carbon—to keep your air clean. The LED display automatically dims, which is another way it can help you sleep better.
This easy-to-install model can cool and filter 350 square feet. To maintain the best air quality in your home, follow the manufacturer's instructions for any maintenance and cleaning or changing of filters.
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Experts recommend using a dehumidifier to keep your indoor air dry, which will discourage mold, mildew and the breeding of dust mites. The Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier is efficient and nicely sized for an average bedroom, with a coverage area of 250 square feet. It's our pick for the best small dehumidifier because it's quiet, lightweight at about 3 pounds and has an auto-shutoff feature.
AirTulip
The AirTulip is a chic, modern-looking smart headboard designed by a Dutch aerospace engineer and featured on Shark Tank. It secretly harbors a discreet and quiet air purification system that creates layers of clean air over and around your body while you sleep. AirTulip claims that it produces air that is 1,000% cleaner—the equivalent of using 10 air purifiers concurrently—and scrubs your breathing zone of allergens and asthma triggers. It's already an established name in creating air purifiers for medical offices and homes, but the innovative headboard build is new.
It works using three filters—pre-filters, industrial-grade HEPA and active carbon—and offers a subscription so you'll always replace them on time. The company enables you to book a consultation to ensure it's right for you, and also offers a 30-night trial.
If you suffer from skin allergies, hypoallergenic bedding can help you sleep more comfortably. And if you're sensitive to breathing in such allergens as dust or dust mites, experts recommend using covers on your mattress and pillows. According to Bose, 'Dust mite pillow and mattress covers, for those patients who are dust allergic, are clinically advised, in addition to other dust mite-reduction strategies such as washing sheets weekly with hot water.'
Lily Silk
An easy way to ensure your bedding is not contributing to your allergies is to sleep on silk. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, repels bacteria and is generally recommended for those with skin irritations such as eczema. A silk weave also discourages dust mites and is inhospitable to mold and mildew, all of which can be allergens. We think the Lily Silk 22 Momme are the best silk sheets overall because they're a medium-weight, high quality set made from 100% mulberry silk and the pieces of the set are also available to purchase separately.
Sheets & Giggles
Eucalyptus, or lyocell derived from eucalyptus, is another hypoallergenic material, as is Tencel (a brand sourced from lyocell). Sheets made of these materials are not only hypoallergenic, but also moisture wicking, breathable and cooling. The Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Sheets are our recommendation for the best Tencel sheets overall because of their impressive moisture-wicking capabilities, deep pockets and anti-static nature which repels dust and pet hair.
Mattress Safe
One of the worst offenders of bedroom air quality could be your mattress. Over time, your mattress can accumulate dust, dust mites and dust mite droppings, all of which can be irritating and debilitating for air and sleep quality. 'Dust mite-reduction strategies for those that are dust mite allergic can also help improve symptoms, and in turn, help sleep quality,' says Bose.
An easy way to reduce exposure is to use a mattress protector, which can prevent buildup of these irritants and stop them from passing into or out of your mattress. The Mattress Safe Ultimate Mattress Encasement fits securely on mattresses of multiple sizes and depths and is breathable so you don't overheat. It's also waterproof and not only protects against dust and dust mites, but also mold, bacteria, pollen, dander and bed bugs.
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The same mattress allergens that can affect your air quality can also be harbored in your pillow. A quality pillow protector can reduce those irritants that can be a detriment to your sleep. We picked the Protect-A-Bed Allerzip Pillow Protector as our best pillow protector for allergies. Not only will it physically shield your pillow, but it's also certified by both the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Allergy Standards Limit, which ensures its efficacy against allergens. It's also easy to care for, and be machine washed and dried.
No one wants to hear this, but according to the Cleveland Clinic, you're most likely sharing your bed with many thousands of invisible dust mites that feast on your dead skin. One way to halt this banquet is to launder your bedding regularly, in hot water. If you don't shower before bed, you may also be bringing pollen in from outside. Seasonal pollen can get into your sheets if you hang them to dry outside, too. Instead, dry your sheets on a hot setting in your dryer. The detergent you use can also be an issue—if your skin is sensitive, the detergent itself may be an allergen. To keep your bedding as clean and allergen-free as possible, you can start by washing your bedding often and with hypoallergenic products.
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If you're reactive to some laundry detergents, we recommend the Biokleen Free & Clear formula as the best nontoxic laundry detergent for sensitive skin. The unscented formula is hypoallergenic, and is also without dyes, phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, butyl, glycol ether, metasilicate or petroleum solvents. It's plant-based, not tested on animals and relies on mineral-based sodium chloride to get the job done. If you do prefer a scented laundry detergent, Biokleen is also available in citrus and lavender. This detergent works in both high efficiency (HE) and standard washing machines.
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If you use dryer sheets and are prone to skin flare-ups, we recommend a hypoallergenic and plant-based formula like Seventh Generation. They don't contain any dyes or fragrances but still soften your clothing and bedding and reduce static electricity. These are dermatologist-tested and made to be gentle on sensitive skin.
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When sheets get tangled, knotted and wadded up in the washer or dryer, it means they don't get as clean, or as dry. Wad-Free for Bed Sheets aims to keep your laundry untwisted, which means that dirt, dust and potential allergens are more fully removed from your bedding. Simply pushing the cloth through the holes in the device keeps your bed sheets untangled. Forbes Vetted senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman has tested Wad-Free and says, 'Along with taking out the hassle of trying to untangle your sheets, the Wad-Free helps them get cleaner in the washer. I found it very easy to use.' The company doesn't recommend using Wad-Free with sheets that contain silk or rayon, which includes bamboo, eucalyptus and beechwood.
No matter how much we love them, it can't be denied that hair and dander from pets can be irritants that affect our air quality and sleep. If you don't want to kick your fur babies out of your bedroom, there are a couple of strategies to cut down on the allergens.
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Allertech Anti-Allergen Pet Shampoo is top-rated and specially formulated to remove animal dander, neutralize allergens and provide allergy and asthma relief. It's also safe for Rover and Fluffy, as it doesn't include any artificial fragrances or dyes and is hypoallergenic. The company claims that one bath will keep your pet free of allergens that can affect your breathing for 30 days. As a bonus, the shampoo also offers some protection against fleas and ticks. Note that some reviewers don't care for the shampoo's tea tree oil smell, but your mileage may vary.
Dyson
The upright Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra is our recommendation for the best vacuum for pet hair overall. Pet owners will love that it comes with targeted tools like a tangle-free turbine and a grooming tool—which lets you vacuum your pet. It has suction strong enough to work on even deep-pile carpets and a self-cleaning brush roll. Whole machine HEPA filtration works to keep your air as free from allergens like pet hair and dander as possible while it cleans your carpets.
The Forbes Vetted team of experts has produced a vast library of tested, curated and deeply researched stories about everything mattress and sleep.
In order to recommend products to help improve both your air quality and sleep, we relied on the knowledge of our team of sleep experts, consulted a medical expert and dove deep into research.
Effective air purifiers will reduce irritants and allergens in the air which can interfere with breathing and sleep quality. Additionally, according to Bose, sleepers who suffer with allergic rhinitis, which is 'inflammation of the nose or upper airway triggered by allergens' can snore and experience other sleep disturbances. Removing irritants from the air that you breathe overnight can lead to a more peaceful night's sleep.
Yes, air purifiers are designed to run all night long. They work best at improving your air quality and helping you to breathe easier when they are running continuously.
Yes, if your air quality is negatively affecting your breathing, stirring up allergies or exacerbating asthma, it can definitely affect your sleep. There are multiple strategies to improve your air quality and sleep, including using an air purifier, sleeping on hypoallergenic bedding, running a dehumidifier and keeping your sleeping area free of pet hair and dander.