Skip to content
AIR WATER
NEW 8 free purifier tools →
Show prices for
Find my purifier

Editorial Policy and Standards

AquaAirPure exists to help you choose and use air purifiers and water filters with confidence. This page explains the rules our content follows: how we pick products, what counts as evidence, how we keep articles current, and what happens when we get something wrong.

Our core principles

  1. Readers first. We write for the person trying to clean the air in a nursery or get lead out of their tap water, not for brands or search engines.
  2. Verified before claimed. We separate certified facts from manufacturer marketing, and we label which is which.
  3. Honest about method. We say exactly how each recommendation was researched or tested. We never imply hands-on testing that did not happen.
  4. No health promises. Purifiers and filters reduce specific pollutants. They do not cure, treat, or prevent disease.
  5. Plain English. Short sentences, real numbers, and worked examples wherever a formula exists.

The four types of content we publish

TypeWhat it doesProduct links?
Evergreen guideExplains how something works, a standard, a spec, or a maintenance taskRarely; links to buying guides at the end
Buying guide (“Best X for Y”)Ranks products for a specific useYes, with disclosure at the top
Single product reviewBreaks down one model in depthYes, with disclosure at the top
Head-to-head comparisonCompares two models or two technologies on a fixed templateYes, when models are compared

How we choose products to feature

Building the shortlist. For each buying guide we start from the use case (for example, a 400 sq ft room with pets, or a well with high nitrates). We then gather candidates from the AHAM Verifide directory, CARB’s certified air cleaner list, NSF, WQA, and IAPMO listings, top-selling models, and products independent testers rate highly.

Screening out. A product is removed from consideration if:

  • It is an ozone generator or has an ozone-producing feature that cannot be turned off and is not CARB-certified.
  • Its core claims (CADR, HEPA, contaminant reduction) are contradicted by official listings or independent data.
  • It is not reasonably available to buy in the US, or replacement filters are hard to find.

Ranking. Remaining products are scored using the weightings published on How We Test Air Purifiers and How We Test Water Filters. We apply the same weights across a category so rankings are consistent.

Commissions do not affect rankings. Whether a retailer pays us, or how much, plays no part in which products appear or in what order. We regularly recommend products that earn us nothing, and we tell you when a popular model is not worth buying.

What counts as evidence

We rank sources in this order and cite them in every article.

  1. Official certification and regulatory data: AHAM Verifide, CARB, ENERGY STAR, US Department of Energy, NSF, WQA, IAPMO, EPA.
  2. Public health and scientific sources: EPA, CDC, WHO, state health departments, and peer-reviewed studies.
  3. Our own measurements, when we have them, published with full method and conditions.
  4. Independent third-party testing from named labs or reviewers who publish their methods.
  5. Manufacturer specifications and lab reports. Used for specs, and always labeled as manufacturer data when not independently confirmed.
  6. Owner reviews. Used to spot patterns such as defects or noise complaints, never as the sole basis for a recommendation.

We check certification databases directly rather than trusting a logo or badge on a product page, and we note the date we checked.

Health and safety content

Air and water quality can affect health, so we hold these topics to a higher standard.

  • Health statements cite EPA, CDC, WHO, or peer-reviewed sources.
  • We use “reduce” and “help with,” never “cure,” “prevent,” or “eliminate 100%.”
  • Articles about asthma, allergies, babies, pregnancy, lead, PFAS, or well-water bacteria include a note to speak with a doctor, local health department, or water utility.

How we use AI tools

We use AI tools to help research sources, organize outlines, and prepare first drafts. Every article is then reviewed by a human editor who checks facts against the cited primary sources, confirms certification listings, and edits for accuracy and clarity before publishing. AI tools are never used to invent test results, product experiences, quotes, or credentials. The named author and editor are responsible for everything we publish.

Keeping content current

  • Buying guides and reviews: reviewed at least every 3 to 6 months, and sooner when a product is discontinued, a filter price changes significantly, or a certification changes.
  • Evergreen guides: reviewed at least once a year.
  • Rule and standard changes: when a standard or regulation changes (for example, new EPA drinking water limits or a revised NSF standard), we update affected guides as soon as practical.
  • “Last reviewed” dates: we change the date only when an editor has actually re-checked the facts, links, prices, and certifications. Cosmetic edits do not reset the date.

Corrections

We fix errors quickly and openly.

  • Minor fixes (typos, broken links, formatting) are corrected without a note.
  • Factual corrections (a wrong CADR, certification, price trend, or health statement) are fixed and noted at the bottom of the article with the date and what changed.
  • Significant errors that could have changed a buying decision are noted at the top of the article.

To report an error, email contact@aquairpure.com with the article link and the source that shows the correct information. We aim to respond within 3 business days.

Independence from brands

  • We do not accept payment for reviews, rankings, or placement. Even if we Did we mention it on the top of the article, and we do not provide false information about the product even if it is an paid
  • Brands do not see or approve articles before publication.
  • If a brand provides a free product for review, we say so in the review. State what happens to samples afterward, e.g., kept for long-term testing or returned.
  • We do not accept sponsored posts disguised as editorial content.
  • Writers must disclose any personal or financial relationship with a brand they cover, and may not cover that brand if the relationship is significant.

We earn commissions from some product links. We disclose this near the top of every page that contains affiliate links, in line with the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance that disclosures should be clear and placed close to the recommendations they relate to. Full details are in our Affiliate Disclosure.

Authors and reviewers

Every article names its author and shows a “last reviewed” date. Author pages list each person’s background and the topics they cover. 

Questions

If you have a question about this policy, contact us at [OWNER TO FILL: email] or through our Contact page.

Sources