Clean air on the go: Can wearable purifiers cut pollution exposure?

Wearable and convenient, personal air purifiers promise a clean-air bubble for urban Indians. But do these devices meaningfully reduce pollution exposure, or offer only limited relief?

On a winter morning in Delhi or a peak-traffic evening in Mumbai, air pollution is no longer an abstract statistic — it is a lived reality. For millions of Indians who commute daily, exercise outdoors, travel often, or simply step out for routine errands, the question is no longer whether air quality affects health, but how to reduce exposure. Enter the latest category promising a solution: wearable air purifiers.

 

Small, portable devices worn around the neck, clipped to clothing or carried in pockets, wearable air purifiers claim to create a ‘personal clean-air bubble’ around the user. Once a niche product, they are now attracting attention from urban consumers seeking convenience-driven wellness solutions — particularly in pollution-prone cities such as Delhi-NCR.

 

Unlike room air purifiers that clean the air in an enclosed space, wearable purifiers are designed to operate in a user’s immediate breathing zone. Most rely on ionisation or electrostatic technology, releasing charged ions that attach to airborne particles such as dust, pollen and smoke, causing them to settle or disperse away from the face. A few larger portable models also incorporate mini filters, though true HEPA filtration is rare at this scale.

 

The promise is modest but appealing: not pollution elimination, but reduced exposure during commutes, travel and outdoor movement.

Market growth and consumer demand for wearable protection

According to TechSci Research, the global wearable air purifier market is projected to grow from $1.32 billion in 2025 to $2.02 billion by 2031, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.35 per cent. India is emerging as a critical growth engine within the Asia-Pacific region, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanisation, and an increasingly desperate consumer search for effective anti-pollution solutions.

 

“A clear shift is underway from passive protection such as masks to active purification,” a TechSci Research spokesperson said, adding that wearable purifiers are increasingly integrating with the broader health-tech ecosystem. Many new devices now sync with mobile apps to track pollutant exposure over time.

 

The market remains highly seasonal, with demand spiking sharply during India’s annual ‘smog season’ between October and February. E-commerce continues to be the dominant distribution channel, expanding access well beyond Tier-I cities. At the same time, growing sustainability concerns around disposable N95 mask waste are nudging consumers towards rechargeable, longer-lasting wearable solutions, the spokesperson added.

Indian startups, global brands shape wearable purifier segment

The market is segmented into indigenous start-ups offering value-driven innovation and global players positioning premium lifestyle products. A frontrunner in the Indian start-up space, Atovio has gained traction with its flagship product, the Atovio Pebble. Priced at approximately ₹3,499, this device uses variable anion technology. It claims to remove 90 per cent of pollutants from the user’s breathing zone and has been tested at IIT Kanpur. Key features include a 12-hour battery life and efficacy against particles ranging from PM0.01 to PM10.

 

Anmay Shahlot, founder of Atovio, shares, “Atovio Pebble is not designed to replace certified masks in extreme pollution or medical-grade scenarios. It addresses a different, very real gap — continuous, low-friction protection in everyday polluted environments where mask adoption remains low.”

 

He explains that for many users, Pebble works best during routine exposure. “Commutes, airports, outdoor work and travel are situations where masks are often impractical or uncomfortable. In these moments, Pebble becomes a practical alternative — or a complement — when mask-wearing is not feasible.”

 

He also urges consumers to be more discerning. “People should look beyond broad marketing claims and focus on measurable, third-party-validated outcomes. The most meaningful metric is the reduction of particulate concentration in the personal breathing zone, tested under controlled conditions.”

 

Transparency, he adds, is non-negotiable. “Independent testing, clearly disclosed methodology, and safety validation — especially zero ozone emission — matter far more than ion counts or buzzwords.”

Medical-grade and entry-level wearable options

Medical-grade wearables remain a niche but critical segment. Nano AerPod, positioned as India’s first wearable powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), uses HEPA filtration (not ionisation) and targets high-risk users such as immunocompromised patients, cancer patients and healthcare workers. Priced at around ₹3,999, it focuses on filtration certainty rather than lifestyle use.

 

In the entry-level wearable purifier category, international brands available in India dominate. OxyHalo (Rs 1,499–Rs 3,317) uses negative-ion technology and markets itself as filter-free, while Phavix (around ₹2,799) focuses on compact design and convenience, earning strong user ratings despite limited medical validation.

 

At the super-premium end, Dyson’s ‘Dyson Zone’ combines noise-cancelling headphones with air purification at ₹59,900–Rs 64,900. Although discontinued globally in July 2025 due to commercial constraints, remaining stocks in India represent the peak of wearable air-purification engineering.

 

Despite innovation, anti-pollution masks continue to be the volume driver, with N95 and N99 masks priced from ₹50 to ₹600 and reusable filtered masks extending to ₹2,990.

 

TechSci Research notes that the category is being shaped by rapid miniaturisation, longer battery life (12–24 hours), lighter form factors (50–80 grammes), and a gradual shift from static ionisation to HEPA-based or variable-ion technologies to address ozone and safety concerns.

Pocket monitors, data-driven awareness gain traction

Pocket air-quality monitors complement active purification by enabling exposure awareness. SMILEDRIVE targets data-focused consumers with an eight-in-one monitor tracking pollutants, AQI and environmental parameters. Prana Air pocket monitors (Rs 2,990–Rs 8,990) are among the most widely used, offering real-time PM2.5 data for commuters.

 

Rohit Bansal, founder of AQI.in and Prana Air, traces the idea for Prana Air to lived realisation rather than a single trigger. “Living in Beijing, I saw how people used technology and real-time data to adapt to pollution every day. Back in India, air pollution was still treated as a seasonal headline — not a daily health emergency. That is when it struck me: we cannot solve a problem we cannot see. Clean air should not be a luxury; it is a fundamental right, and that requires accurate, accessible hardware to monitor and manage exposure.”

 

On whether pocket air-quality monitors actually change behaviour, Bansal is unequivocal. “They absolutely do. What we see is a shift from data anxiety to data management. When someone notices their AQI crossing 300 inside a car or restaurant, they act immediately — rolling up windows, switching on purifiers, or leaving the space. People even share screenshots of their readings. The invisible killer becomes a measurable, manageable metric.”

 

He believes air quality must be viewed not just like weather, but like a health vital. “AQI tells you whether you should step out — like the weather — but unlike weather, exposure is cumulative. You endure bad weather, but polluted air compounds damage over time. AQI should be checked the way a diabetic checks blood sugar. Every breath affects longevity.”

Pricing, value and consumer decision-making

Prices for wearable air purifiers in India typically range from ₹4,000 to ₹20,000, depending on brand, technology and design. At the lower end are ion-based pendants and clip-ons; at the higher end are mask-style devices with active filtration and fans. This puts wearable purifiers in the “considered purchase” category rather than impulse buys. For many consumers, the decision hinges on convenience rather than clinical performance. “If you are spending two hours a day in traffic, even a marginal reduction in exposure can feel worthwhile,” says Abhay Arora, a Gurugram-based marketing professional who uses a wearable purifier during daily commutes. “It is about peace of mind as much as science.”

What buyers should check before purchase

For consumers considering wearable air purifiers, experts recommend a clear checklist: technology used (ionisation versus filter-based), safety certifications (CE, FCC or equivalent), battery life and charging convenience, noise levels and comfort, and independent reviews tested in Indian conditions. Buyers should also be wary of exaggerated claims — no wearable device can purify all surrounding air.

 

Demand for air-quality solutions, meanwhile, is rising sharply. According to Amazon India, interest in air purifiers has surged across price points.

 

“At Amazon.in, we have witnessed a fivefold increase in demand compared to typical days, with customers prioritising wellness in their homes and workplaces,” says Karthik Subbarayappa, director – Kitchen, Home Improvement & Sports, Amazon India.

 

He adds that growth spans categories — with the economy segment (below ₹10,000) growing 75 per cent year on year, mid-range models (Rs 10,000–Rs 20,000) up 70 per cent, and the premium segment (above ₹20,000) surging 150 per cent Y-o-Y, reflecting strong consumer preference for improving indoor air quality.

 

Wearable air purifiers mirror a broader shift in Indian consumption towards personalised, mobile wellness solutions. They are not miracle devices, nor substitutes for systemic pollution control or indoor purification. But for urban Indians navigating daily exposure, they offer a small, portable layer of protection — and a sense of agency in an environment where clean air often feels out of reach.

Health experts urge caution on effectiveness

Medical experts, however, urge restraint. Dr Neetu Jain, senior consultant (Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) at PSRI Hospital, cautions against overestimating their impact. “Wearable air purifiers are not a replacement for N95 masks or indoor air purifiers. Their effectiveness is limited to short-duration exposure (15–30 minutes) in moderate pollution levels (AQI 200–300) and low-airflow environments such as semi-enclosed commutes or brief outdoor transitions,” she explains.

 

Under controlled conditions, these devices can create a small clean-air zone near the nose and mouth, reducing PM2.5 exposure by 40–60 per cent, offering minor comfort benefits — particularly for asthma or COPD patients when avoidance is not possible. “But real-world outdoor conditions significantly reduce performance, often keeping effectiveness well below laboratory claims,” she notes.

 

The limitations become sharper in severe pollution. “In open or windy environments, especially when AQI exceeds 400, protection can drop to below 30 per cent. Ionisation-based devices may generate ozone that irritates the lungs, while fan-HEPA models clog quickly outdoors and lack adequate airflow. Crucially, these devices do not seal like N95 masks and therefore cannot deliver consistent high-grade filtration.”

 

Her advice: wearable purifiers should be used only as a secondary aid, alongside masks for vulnerable individuals in predictable, short-exposure settings. “Long-term lung health depends far more on behavioural choices — avoiding peak pollution hours, using indoor HEPA filtration, tracking personal AQI, and ultimately reducing pollution at a systemic level rather than relying on gadgets.”