by 
The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: AHAM-Certified Cleaners Reduce Pollutants
Many pollutants are detrimental to indoor air quality, and any home air cleaner certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) can be an effective means of reducing such hazards. Portable, energy-efficient and potentially versatile, the air cleaners can use any of five filtering technologies--HEPA, ULPA, electrostatic filters, electrostatic precipitators or ionization--to get the job done.
On the Other: Check Clean Air Delivery Rate
If an air cleaner you're considering doesn't have the AHAM seal, it might not be effective. If it does have the AHAM seal, look for three numbers on the seal itself: CADR numbers for tobacco smoke, dust and pollen. The CADR number for tobacco smoke should be at least two-thirds the square footage of the room in which you plan to place the cleaner.
Bottom Line
Not every home air cleaner will work for every household, but looking for the AHAM seal and using the organization's CADR "2/3 Rule" should help you choose an effective unit.
Source:
EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
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