As more of us get vaccinated, it stands to reason that fewer people will get COVID-19. But dangerous coronavirus particles are still in the air. Which is why air purifiers that remove particles of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – from the air add a nice added layer of security. Enter the Instant AP300 Air Purifier ($240) from the makers of the Instant Pot pressure cooker. This machine promises to clean the air in rooms up to 388 square feet. That means removing 99.9 percent of ultra-fine particles, including airborne allergens, bacteria, mold and viruses including SARS-CoV-2 in just minutes. 

We’ve been using it in our bedroom for the past week. Our previous air purifier had slowly transformed from a useful air cleaner into a white noise machine over the years, so we could sleep at night and not hear any street traffic below. Oh, it cleaned well for like the first five years. But its filter is now beyond filthy, and the model itself is obsolete. So we couldn’t even find replacement filters online. I know it stopped working, because our dog has been sneezing to wake us up literally every morning. 

But since we switched to the Instant, no more sneezes. In fact, my wife claims I’ve stopped snoring too. And I’ve averaged an extra hour of sleep every night, since we first plugged it in. Seriously. Coincidence? I seriously doubt it. The makers suggest that users will get allergy and asthma relief, too. The air purifier uses advanced plasma ion technology (you can toggle this feature off if you want) together with a 3-in-1 HEPA-13 filter, a carbon layer to help reduce nasty odors, and an antimicrobial coating to prevent bacterial growth on the filter and filter degradation.

Plus it’s smart: You can set it to automatic mode, in which its sensors constantly monitor air quality and the environment, to automatically transition it to operating-cost saving and whisper-quiet Eco and Night modes. We’re so used to the hum of our previous machine that we just keep ours on high fan level the entire night. 

When you turn on the machine, it instantly displays the air quality percentage to let you know how clean the air in the room is. You can also get it to show the particulate matter rating. That essentially refers to particles that are small, light and tend to stay in the air longer — increasing the chances you inhale them. Fine particles like these can contribute to heart and lung disease, as well as respiratory issues. Especially because my wife is asthmatic, it’s satisfying to know that our bedroom air is being monitored and treated. Plus, you can turn off the panel light at night, to darken the room. And its dirty filter indicator lets you know when it’s time to clean the unit.

Overall, I see this unit as ideal for a large bedroom, den or small office. There’s also a smaller, less-expensive version intended for smaller bedrooms. I’m just thrilled for the peace of mind it’s giving me. And the clean air. One way or the other, it’s letting me sleep better at night.