How we research and rank home air appliances

Every guide on Home Air Guide Australia follows the same process. We publish it so you can judge our picks for yourself.

1. We start with what Australians can actually buy

We only consider products stocked by Australian retailers, sold in Australian dollars, with Australian warranties. A product that is brilliant overseas but grey-imported here with no local support does not make the list.

2. We check the specifications that matter

For home air appliances that means the numbers the maker publishes and a retailer repeats, with the test condition where one is given. For air purifiers: the clean air delivery rate (CADR) in cubic metres per hour and the standard it was tested to, the rated room size and how many air changes an hour that rating assumes, noise at the lowest and highest settings, power draw, and how long a replacement filter lasts and what it costs. For dehumidifiers: litres of water removed per day and the temperature and humidity that figure was measured at, compressor or desiccant type, the lowest room temperature it is rated to run in, tank size, continuous drainage, noise and power draw. For portable air conditioners: cooling capacity in kilowatts, power input in watts (cooling output divided by power input gives the energy efficiency ratio), the room size or volume the maker rates it for, noise, hose and window kit, and warranty, including any separate compressor warranty.

3. We check certifications and Australian standards

Anything that runs on mains power should carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), the electrical safety mark used under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS); where a listing is unclear we check the public EESS register. CADR figures are compared with care, because makers test to different standards and some publish only a room size; we convert room sizes back to air changes an hour wherever the maker states the basis. Dehumidifier capacities are compared only at the same test condition, because a figure measured at 30°C and 80 percent humidity says little about a 15°C winter bedroom. The federal energyrating.gov.au rules for air conditioners exclude dehumidifiers and evaporative coolers, so we compare their power draw directly. Smoke and mould advice on this site comes from state health and environment agencies, and we link the page. A claim that appears only in marketing copy, with no test condition or certification behind it, is treated as unverified, and we make no health claims for any product.

4. We read owner reviews for patterns, not scores

Star ratings are easy to game. We look for repeated complaints and repeated praise across retailer reviews and owner forums, and we weight long-term ownership reports more heavily than first-week impressions.

5. We re-check prices

Prices in each guide are what we found at named Australian retailers on the date shown at the top of the guide. Prices change, and sales come and go, so always confirm on the retailer's site.

What we do not do

• We do not accept payment, free products or other consideration for inclusion or ranking.
• We do not write fake reviews or present opinions as tests we have not done. Where a pick is based on specifications and owner reports rather than our own hands-on use, the guide says so.
• We do not make health, safety or performance claims that the manufacturer's own documentation or a recognised certification does not support.