Popular Air Purifiers
Price (MSRP)$569.99
Filter TypeActivated Carbon Filter, H13 HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)N/A
Room CoverageN/A
Noise LevelN/A
See Review
Price (MSRP)$219.99
Filter TypeNylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)260 CFM
Room Coverage403 sq. ft.
Noise Level24-52 dB
See Review
Best for Small Rooms
Price (MSRP)$229.99
Filter TypeActivated Carbon Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)100 (Smoke), 106 (Dust), 100 (Pollen)
Room Coverage155 sq. ft.
Noise LevelN/A
See Review
Air purifiers are a great option for people with allergies and are commonly seen in doctor’s offices. These air cleaner appliances use a filtration system that improves air quality from airborne particles like pet dander, smoke, dust, and pollen.
If fresh outdoor air can’t be used due to weather conditions or windows that don’t open, portable air purifiers may be helpful, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s important to keep in mind that air purifiers are made to suit room size, and an air purifier built for a 150-square-foot room won’t accommodate the air in a 400-square-foot space. We’ve sorted the top-rated models in our guide into those best suited for small spaces and those that work best for large spaces.
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Our Best Air Purifiers Rating
Compare the Best Air Purifiers of 2022
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
100 (Smoke), 106 (Dust), 100 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Activated Carbon Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE Carbon Pre-Filter: 3 months, HEPA Filter: 12 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
260 CFM FILTER TYPE Nylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
350 (Smoke), 350 (Dust), 350 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Fabric Pre-Filter and 2-in-1 Particle Plus Carbon Filter Boosted With Electrostatic Charging (HEPASilent) |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months |
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Best Air Purifiers in Detail
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH »
Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022
Price (MSRP)$229.99
Filter TypeWashable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen)
Room Coverage361 sq. ft.
Noise Level24-53 dB(A)
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH: For individuals who suffer from allergies or pet dander allergies, the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH places at No. 1 in the Best Air Purifiers for Pets rating. As the overall winner from our unbiased research analysis, the AP-1512HH takes the No. 1 spot for both the Best Air Purifiers of 2022 and Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022 ratings.
The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH room coverage is 361 square feet and it retails for $229.99. It has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 233 (smoke), 246 (dust), 240 (pollen), and three fan speeds. It also has a HEPA filter that lasts up to 12 months.
Honeywell HPA100 »
Best Air Purifiers for Small Rooms of 2022
Price (MSRP)$229.99
Filter TypeActivated Carbon Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)100 (Smoke), 106 (Dust), 100 (Pollen)
Room Coverage155 sq. ft.
Noise LevelN/A
Honeywell HPA100: The Honeywell HPA100 ties for No. 2 in the Best Air Purifiers of 2022 rating and is priced at $229.99. It is a great choice for those who need to clean the air in a room of 155 square feet or less. It has CADRs of 106 for dust and 100 for smoke and pollen. It also offers three fan speeds.
The HPA100 uses an activated carbon filter for eliminating odors that lasts for three months before it needs to be replaced. Meanwhile, its True HEPA filter lasts for 12 months. The combined cost for one HEPA filter and four pre-filters is $59.99.
Levoit Core 400S »
Price (MSRP)$219.99
Filter TypeNylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)260 CFM
Room Coverage403 sq. ft.
Noise Level24-52 dB
Levoit Core 400S: The Levoit Core 400S ties for the No. 2 spot with the Honeywell HPA100 in our Best Air Purifiers of 2022 rating. It also places at No. 2 in both the Best Air Purifiers for Pets of 2022 and in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022 ratings.
At $219.99, it’s one of the least expensive air purifiers in our rating and has a larger room coverage than higher-priced models, with the ability to clean the air in a room of up to 403 square feet. It has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 260, and its HEPA filter lasts between six and 12 months.
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ »
Best Value
Price (MSRP)$299.99
Filter TypeFabric Pre-Filter and 2-in-1 Particle Plus Carbon Filter Boosted With Electrostatic Charging (HEPASilent)
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)350 (Smoke), 350 (Dust), 350 (Pollen)
Room Coverage540 sq. ft.
Noise Level31-56 dB(A)
Blueair Blue Pure 211+: The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ holds the No. 3 spot in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms and the No. 4 spot in the Best Air Purifiers of 2022 overall. It retails for $299.99 and cleans up to 540 square feet of room coverage.
Replacement filters cost $69.99 for the particle and carbon filter and $8.99 to replace the pre-filter. The filters last just six months – compared to 12 months for some other models – so this increases the cost a bit.
Coway Airmega 200M »
Price (MSRP)$229.99
Filter TypeWashable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen)
Room Coverage361 sq. ft.
Noise Level24.4-55.1 dB(A)
Coway Airmega 200M: The Coway Airmega 200M is No. 5 in our Best Air Purifiers of 2022 rating. Its CADR is 246 for dust, 240 for pollen, and 233 for smoke. It features five fan speeds and is among the heavier air purifiers in our rating, weighing in at 15.41 pounds. It also uses a fair amount of energy, at 77 watts.
The Coway Airmega 200M retails for $229.99. It can clean rooms of up to 361 square feet and places No. 4 in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms. Replacing the filters won’t set you back too much. It costs $57.49 for a filter set that includes a HEPA filter and activated carbon filter, plus another $25 for the pre-filter.
Winix 5500-2 »
Price (MSRP)$249.99
Filter TypeWashable Fine Mesh Pre-Filter, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter & PlasmaWave Technology
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)232 (Smoke), 243 (Dust), 246 (Pollen)
Room Coverage360 sq. ft.
Noise LevelMinimum 27 dB
Winix 5500-2: The Winix 5500-2 places at No. 6 overall in our Best Air Purifiers rating, No. 4 in the Best Air Purifiers for Pets, and No. 5 in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022 rating.
The room coverage of the 5500-2 is up to 360 square feet and it has five fan speeds. At $249.99, it’s more expensive than some of the purifiers that earned higher ratings. It has CADRs of 232 (smoke), 243 (dust), and 246 (pollen), and has a HEPA filter that lasts up to 12 months.
Coway Airmega 400 »
Price (MSRP)$649.00
Filter TypeWashable Pre-Filter, Max2 Filter (Activated Carbon Filter, Green True HEPA Filter)
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)328 (Smoke), 328 (Dust), 400 (Pollen)
Room Coverage1560 sq. ft.
Noise Level22-52 dB(A)
Coway Airmega 400: If you need to purify a much larger room, the Coway Airmega 400 is a good choice. Its CADR ratings of 328 (smoke and dust) and 400 (pollen) are high enough to allow it to purify a room of up to 1,560 square feet. But all that purifying power means this model weighs almost 25 pounds – close to double the average weight of all the air purifiers in our rating – and it comes with a hefty $649 sticker price.
The Airmega 400 ties for No. 7 in the Best Air Purifiers of 2022, No. 5 in the Best Air Purifiers for Pets of 2022, and No. 6 in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022 rating.
Honeywell HPA300 »
Price (MSRP)$429.99
Filter TypeActivated Carbon Pre-Filter, True HEPA filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)300 (Smoke), 320 (Dust), 300 (Pollen)
Room Coverage450 sq. ft.
Noise LevelN/A
Honeywell HPA300: The Honeywell HPA300 ties for No. 7 in the Best Air Purifiers of 2022. It finishes in a tie at No. 5 and last place in the Best Air Purifiers for Pets of 2022. It also ties for No. 6 in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022.
On a brighter note, if you have a medium-sized room, the Honeywell HPA300 covers a large area compared to most of the other purifiers in this rating. It can handle rooms of up to 450 square feet and has CADR ratings of 300 (smoke and pollen) and 320 (dust). The HPA300 has four fan speeds and its HEPA filter lasts up to 12 months.
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 »
Price (MSRP)$569.99
Filter TypeActivated Carbon Filter, H13 HEPA Filter
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)N/A
Room CoverageN/A
Noise LevelN/A
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07: The Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 offers a couple of features that separate it from the pack. It has 10 fan speeds, twice the number of its nearest rival in our rating. It also offers 350-degree oscillation. This allows you to project purified air all around the room.
The Cool TP07 comes with both an H13 HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter that can reduce odors. It also uses Air Multiplier technology, which Dyson says creates enough circulation power to draw distant pollutants into the machine.
At $569.99, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 is the second most expensive air purifier in our ratings, and far more expensive than most of its competitors, many of which cost less than $250.
Blueair Blue Pure 411 »
Price (MSRP)$119.99
Filter TypeFabric pre-filter and 2-in-1 particle plus carbon filter boosted with electrostatic charging (HEPASilent)
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)120 (Smoke), 120 (Dust), 120 (Pollen)
Room Coverage161 sq. ft.
Noise Level17-46 dB(A)
Blueair Blue Pure 411: The Blueair Blue Pure 411 is the least expensive air purifier in the Best Air Purifiers of 2022. At $119.99, it has a price that fits many budgets. Designed for small rooms, this little machine weighs just 5.3 pounds – less than half the average weight of the models we reviewed. It’s made for rooms of up to 161 square feet, and its CADR ratings are 120 for smoke, dust, and pollen.
The unit requires a fabric pre-filter which serves as the first step in the 411’s three-part filtration system. The fabric pre-filter fits over the body of the device, and it comes in several colors so you can change it to match your decor. The Pure 411 is Energy Star rated and uses just 10 watts. This also means it’s relatively quiet, with a noise level of between 17 and 46 decibels.
Best Air Purifiers for Pets of 2022
For those who love their pets but suffer from pet allergies, we’ve put together a rating of the Best Air Purifiers for Pets. These air purifiers are designed to clean pet dander particles that some pets shed from their fur.
To make this rating, the CADR or clean air delivery rate needs to be more than 200. This measurement is what has been determined to be useful for individuals with pet allergies. This is also useful for environmental allergies like dust, mold, and pollen.
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
260 CFM FILTER TYPE Nylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months NOISE LEVEL 24.4-55.1 dB(A) |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
232 (Smoke), 243 (Dust), 246 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Fine Mesh Pre-Filter, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter & PlasmaWave Technology FILTER LIFE HEPA: 12 months, Carbon: 12 months NOISE LEVEL Minimum 27 dB |
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ROOM COVERAGE
1560 sq. ft. CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE) 328 (Smoke), 328 (Dust), 400 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Pre-Filter, Max2 Filter (Activated Carbon Filter, Green True HEPA Filter) FILTER LIFE Max2 Filter: 6-12 months |
Expand List
Best Air Purifiers for Small Rooms of 2022
Whether you live in an apartment or spend a lot of time in one room, you may want an air purifier that is better suited to a small space. The air purifiers that made our list of the Best Air Purifiers for Small Rooms are good for a bedroom or a home office. The two air purifiers we rated cover about 160 square feet. The Blueair Blue Pure 411 has a noise level of 17 to 46 A-weighted decibels, the quietest in our rating.
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
100 (Smoke), 106 (Dust), 100 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Activated Carbon Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE Carbon Pre-Filter: 3 months, HEPA Filter: 12 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
120 (Smoke), 120 (Dust), 120 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Fabric pre-filter and 2-in-1 particle plus carbon filter boosted with electrostatic charging (HEPASilent) |
Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms of 2022
If you live in an open floor concept, then you’ll need an air purifier that can handle larger square footage. The air purifiers in our Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms rating cover rooms larger than 300 square feet, with the Coway Airmega 400 covering the most: up to 1,561 square feet. The average price of an air purifier in the Best Air Purifiers for Large Rooms is $330.
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
260 CFM FILTER TYPE Nylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
350 (Smoke), 350 (Dust), 350 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Fabric Pre-Filter and 2-in-1 Particle Plus Carbon Filter Boosted With Electrostatic Charging (HEPASilent) |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
233 (Smoke), 246 (Dust), 240 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Mesh Pre-Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter FILTER LIFE HEPA Filter: 12 months, Carbon Filter: 6 months |
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CADR (CLEAN AIR DELIVERY RATE)
232 (Smoke), 243 (Dust), 246 (Pollen) FILTER TYPE Washable Fine Mesh Pre-Filter, Washable AOC Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter & PlasmaWave Technology FILTER LIFE HEPA: 12 months, Carbon: 12 months |
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Types of Air Purifiers
The different types of air purifiers use different technology to clean the air.
HEPA: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. A HEPA filter is a multi-layered filter that captures particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The filter is pleated and held together with a metal frame.
Activated Carbon Technology: Air purifiers that use activated carbon technology in their filters have special properties that remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and gas pollutants. Carbon filters trap the molecules on charcoal.
UV Technology: Air purifiers that use UV light use short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to deactivate pathogens like mold, bacteria, and viruses.
Negative Ion: Also known as an ionizer air purifier, these types of air purifiers use a high voltage electrical charge to attract particles to each other and clean the air. Depending on the air purifier, some use a fan, while others don’t and the charged particles end up on the floor or curtains.
Ozone: Ozone can be harmful and according to the EPA, ozone being sold as an air purifier isn’t truthful. Small doses of ozone that are inhaled can cause chest pains, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation.
How Does an Air Purifier Work?
An air purifier works by pulling in air and passing it through different filters to catch particulates. The unit will push the clean air back out into the room, allowing it to circulate.
The air purifiers in our Best Air Purifiers of 2022 rating all feature HEPA filtrations which can capture particles like dust, pollen, and some mold spores down to 0.3 microns. Depending on the air purifier you choose, there are different types of technology used to clean the air. Some use a UV light while others use activated carbon filters that help eliminate odors. Filters can be washable, which can save money, while other filters are disposable and need to be replaced every three, six, or 12 months.
How To Choose the Best Air Purifier
Read reviews of others’ experiences with air purifiers to determine the best one for you. You can also ask your allergist or immunologist for their suggestions as they may be able to offer insight into which air purifier works best for your specific allergies, such as pet dander or dust mites. When making your decision, you’ll also want to consider where you’ll be placing the air purifier, how large or small a space you’ll be cleaning, and how noisy the unit might be.
How Much Does an Air Purifier Cost?
The air purifiers in our rating range from $120 to $650. All the air purifiers use a HEPA filter but vary in size, features, and cost, so the one that’s best for you will depend on what you are looking for and your budget. Some come with washable filters, which saves money on the filter life, while others use multiple filters like an activated carbon filter and nylon pre-filters.
Should I Buy an Air Purifier?
Purchasing an air purifier may be a good option for you if you suffer from allergies, are sensitive to air pollutants, or live in a space that doesn’t allow for fresh air to be brought inside all the time.
Air purifiers help to remove many pathogens from the air. The goal is to clean the air so that if you have allergies, asthma, or other conditions, you can breathe easier in the room where the purifier is operating.
Learn More
Related 360 Reviews
Our 360 Methodology for Evaluating Air Purifiers
Why You Can Trust Us: 43 Air Purifiers Researched
At U.S. News & World Report, we rank the Best Hospitals, Best Colleges, and Best Cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team draws on this same unbiased approach to rate the products that you use every day. To build our ratings, we researched more than 43 air purifiers and analyzed 10 reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, gifts, or loans of products or services we review. All sample products provided for review are donated after review. In addition, we maintain a separate business team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations.
The following describes our 360 approach to researching and analyzing air purifiers to guide prospective consumers.
1. We researched the companies and products people care most about.
U.S. News analyzed and compared a variety of publicly available data, including internet search data, to determine which air purifier companies Americans are most interested in. We found 43 air purifiers that stand out in terms of volume of searches and research among consumers, as well as across the different rating sources.
We then compared the available air purifiers provided by our top air purifier companies across several criteria, including cost, CADR, room coverage, noise level, filter type, filter life, power consumption, fan speeds, and dimensions. Research shows that these are the most important criteria for people shopping for an air purifier.
2. We created objective 360 Overall Ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews.
U.S. News’ 360 Reviews team applied an unbiased methodology that includes opinions from professional reviews as well as consumer reviews.
Our scoring methodology is based on a composite analysis of the ratings and reviews published by credible third-party professional and consumer review sources. The ratings are not based on personal opinions or experiences of U.S. News. To calculate the ratings:
(a) We compiled two types of third-party ratings and reviews:
- Professional Ratings and Reviews. Many independent air purifier evaluating sources have published their assessments of air purifier companies and their products online. We consider several of these third-party reviews to be reputable and well-researched. However, professional reviewers often make recommendations that contradict one another. Rather than relying on a single source, U.S. News believes consumers benefit most when these opinions and recommendations are considered and analyzed collectively with an objective, consensus-based methodology.
- Consumer Ratings and Reviews. U.S. News also reviewed published consumer ratings and reviews of air purifier providers. Sources with a sufficient number of quality consumer ratings and reviews were included in our scoring model.
Please note that not all professional and consumer rating sources met our criteria for objectivity. Therefore, some sources were excluded from our model.
(b) We standardized the inputs to create a common scale.
The third-party review source data were collected in a variety of forms, including ratings, recommendations, and accolades. Before including each third-party data point into our scoring equation, we had to standardize it so that it could be compared accurately with data points from other review sources. We used the scoring methodology described below to convert these systems to a comparable scale.
The 360 scoring process first converted each third-party rating into a common 0 to 5 scale. To balance the distribution of scores within each source’s scale, we used a standard deviation (or Z-Score) calculation to determine how each company’s score compared to the source’s mean score. We then used the Z-Score to create a standardized U.S. News score using the method outlined below:
- Calculating the Z-Score: The Z-Score represents a data point’s relation to the mean measurement of the data set. The Z-Score is negative when the data point is below the mean and positive when it’s above the mean; a Z-Score of 0 means it’s equal to the mean. To determine the Z-Score for each third-party rating of a company, we calculated the mean of the ratings across all companies evaluated by that third-party source. We then subtracted the mean from the company’s rating and divided it by the standard deviation to produce the Z-Score.
- Calculating the T-Score: We used a T-Score calculation to convert the Z-Score to a 0-100 scale by multiplying the Z-Score by 10. To ensure that the mean was equal across all data points, we added our desired scoring mean (between 0 and 10) to the T-Score to create an adjusted T-Score.
- Calculating the common-scale rating: We divided the adjusted T-Score, which is on a 100-point scale, by 20 to convert the third-party rating to a common 0-5 point system.
(c) We calculated the 360 Overall Score based on a weighted-average model.
We assigned “source weights” to each source used in the consensus scoring model based on our assessment of how much the source is trusted and recognized by consumers and how much its published review process indicates that it is both comprehensive and editorially independent. The source weights are assigned on a 1-5 scale. Any source with an assigned weight less than two was excluded from the consensus scoring model.
Finally, we combined the converted third-party data points using a weighted average formula based on source weight. This formula calculated the consensus score for each product, which we call the 360 Overall Rating.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
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