Best Budget Air Purifiers in 2025: Top 9 Models For Clean Air
Are you looking for the best budget air purifiers? Then you have landed in the right place. Among hundreds of products, I have come up with the 9 best affordable and effective units. You can select the most suitable one from the list. So, let’s dive deep into the detail of each purifier!
A Quick Overview
The best budget air purifier should have a number of features. In order to find your top pick, make sure the purifier has the following qualities.
The price should not exceed $200. A hundred dollars can be enough for some devices.
It must have a HEPA filter for better performance.
The unit must be effective in removing dust, odor, and allergens.
It should have a timer option, night mode, and a low noise level.
But how can you pick the most affordable air purifier? I made this in-depth research for you. So continue reading to find your perfect product.
Best Budget Air Purifiers: Top 9 Units
Let’s compare the best air purifiers in the following chart.
Levoit Core 300 is one of the most affordable air purifiers in the market today, with some impeccable features and aesthetic design. Within just 10 minutes, it can remove dust, debris, pet dander, and other pollutants from a master bedroom. Like most air purifiers, it also eliminates any trace of unpleasant smell.
An eye-catching sleek design, low noise production, effective filtration technology, and, most importantly, an affordable price range puts this purifier at the top of my list.
Features
Take a closer look at some of the key features of this purifier.
Levoit Core 300 can cover a whopping 219 sq ft area per hour and has a clean air delivery rate of 141 CFM.
It has a three-in-one filter to deal with fine dust of 0.3 microns and to improve indoor air quality.
There are four different replacement filters: original, pet allergy, smoke remover, and toxin absorber. You can choose any of them as per your requirements.
The VortexAir Technology provides 360° air circulation and better purification.
You can lock the display, control the fan speed, and check when to change filters on the display.
Specifications
Let’s have a swift glance at the key specs o Levoit Core 300.
Recommendation: I highly recommend Levoit Core 300 as the best budget air purifier. It’s affordable yet powerful. I admire its design, air purification power, sleep mode, timer setting, and other interesting features. You will fall in love with this air purifier once you use it. However, you need to clean it frequently for a better lifespan.
2. Best Budget Purifier for Medium Space: Honeywell HPA100
No products found.
Another affordable air purifier on our list is Honeywell HPA100. It doesn’t have a higher price tag, but you can rest assured about its higher quality and advanced filtration system. As a HEPA purifier, it is highly effective in removing microscopic organisms and bacteria.
Features
Here are listed the key features.
The True HEPA filter eliminates 99% of allergens and airborne particles.
It has three different cleaning levels and a Turbo Clean option for faster air filtration.
Auto-off timer option for 2,4, and 8 hours.
You can upgrade to the Allergen Plus series if asthma and allergen are your main focus.
Recommendation: I recommend this purifier for medium-sized rooms and spaces. It’s one of the cheapest air purifiers with powerful filtration technology. It’s a solid unit that can deal with allergies and asthma to a substantial level. However, note that you need to replace filters every three months.
3. Best Budget Purifier for Small Rooms: Levoit LV-H132
No products found.
Down the line, we have another Levoit purifier with almost similar technology. Like other air purifiers from Levoit, Levoit LV-H132 also contain a three-stage filtration with HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and pre-filters.
You can utilize this unit for a smaller room, kitchen, and other places. This purifier has an artistic and lightweight design that fits any place. It doesn’t use ozone to neutralize microbes, so it is pretty safe for children and pets.
Features
Have a closer look at the key features of Levoit LV-H132.
The noise level is not only 24 dB in whisper quiet mode. Even in the highest setting, the unit produces tolerable noise.
The display lights can be turned off and dimmed during the night.
There are three fan speeds for different pollution levels.
Recommendation: I recommend this unit as one of the best small air purifiers for $90. It’s a mini-unit that can be utilized in small spaces. You have to pay too low a price to get fresh air in your house. But this air purifier is not great for bigger spaces.
4. Best Air Purifier Under $100: Germ Guardian AC4825E
No products found.
It is a bit difficult to make a list of air purifiers without having a GermGuardian product in it. Germ Guardian AC4825E is one of the top air purifiers that can provide you with clean air and better breathing space for just a hundred bucks. Its HEPA filtration technology is one of the finest.
Features
Let’s explore the notable features of this unit.
True HEPA filters and charcoal filters provide the ultimate defense against harmful particles, mold spores, and unpleasant odors.
Unlike other air purifiers, the replacement filters are to be changed after 6-8 months of use.
The ozone-free UV-C provides protection against viruses, bacterial agents, and germs.
Recommendation: I recommend Germ Guardian AC4825E for home and office use. It has charcoal and HEPA filters, and you can sense the change in air quality once you start using it. It’s even effective in microbe removal.
5. Best Smart and Affordable Purifier: Levoit Core 200S
No products found.
If you ask me what is the most affordable and smart air purifier, I will introduce you to Levoit Core 200S. It’s one of the best affordable air purifiers that comes with all smart features and innovative technology. I’m impressed by its mobile access facility and such a cheap price range.
Features
I have listed below some of the crucial features.
The three-in-one filtration eliminates any fine dust, particles, and fumes and provides satisfactory indoor air quality.
The unit can be controlled by the VeSynch app and voice commands.
You can run scheduled cleaning and set a timer.
The QuiteKEAP technology helps to reduce the noise level in sleep mode.
Specifications
Let’s explore what are the specs of this purifier.
Recommendation: I highly recommend Levoit Core 200S for its smart features, comfy operation, and unbelievable pricing. This is the cheapest air purifier that offers all the latest technology. However, an air quality sensor and auto-adjusting technology would have made this unit the best among the best.
6. Quiet and Budget-Friendly Purifier: BLUEAIR Blue 411 (Non-Auto)
No products found.
The Blueair Blue 411 model comes with incredible features and satisfactory filtration technology. It is one of the most awarded purifiers in the market today. Its 360-degree air intake and low pricing make it a great choice as a budget-friendly purifier.
Features
Let’s find out what are the main features of Blue Pure 411.
The purifier includes a HEPASilent technology that provides faster and cleaner air.
The washable pre-filter increases the lifespan and effectiveness of the unit. The pre-filter comes in different colors to suit your home decoration.
The device produces as low noise as 17 dB at the lowest setting. So, it’s highly suitable for peaceful sleep.
Recommendation: I recommend this unit as of the best air purifiers in the market today. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and, above all, affordable. You can expect long-term service from this air purifier. Its low noise production is really helpful for light sleepers. However, the downside is that it lacks some smart features.
7. Best Filtration and Odor Removal: Toshiba Air Purifier CAF-W36USW
No products found.
Toshiba CAF-W36USW is another smart purifier that comes within an affordable price range. It offers HEPA filtration technology that powerfully eliminates any 0.3 microns from the air. Most fascinating is its compatibility with mobile devices that give you control over the unit from distant places.
Features
Let’s explore the key features of this unit.
The three fan settings can help you adjust the speed as per the air pollution level.
It is compatible with Alexa, so you can control it with your voice command.
It contains a powerful UV light sanitization setting that helps eliminate viruses, bacteria, and germs.
Specifications
Have a glance at the specs of the Toshiba air purifier.
Recommendation: This is one of the best affordable air purifiers with smart technology and powerful cleaning. I recommend it for people with asthma and allergies. You can expect it within 120 bucks. The noise level might irritate you if you are light sleepers.
8. The Cheapest Air Purifier: BISSELL MYair Air Purifier
No products found.
BISSELL MYair is one of the smallest air purifiers that cost less than $60. Its small size makes it almost unnoticeable in the room. But it is a solid unit with HEPA filtration at the core. So you can expect a substantial filtration level from this air purifier.
Features
I have listed below some of the noteworthy features of this unit.
The three-stage filtration provides protection against any unpleasant odors and allergens.
You can opt for high or lower fan speed based on air pollution.
It operates at whisper quiet sound. So you get a better sleeping environment.
Recommendation: This can be a great air purifier for bedroom and personal use. It’s very simple to use and cheap to afford. However, you cannot use it for a larger space.
9. Best for Bacteria and Virus Removal: Instant HEPA Quiet Air Purifier
No products found.
The last affordable air purifier on our list is Instant HEPA Quiet. It has an advanced and powerful HEPA-13 filter that captures ultrafine particles from the surrounding. It’s a great device for neutralizing microbes like bacteria, viruses, and molds. Its ion radiation does the job.
Features
Here are the key features one should know about this unit.
The auto mode provides auto-adjustment of fan speed. So you can rest assured about the air quality once you start the purifier.
Filter replacement is not as frequent as many air purifiers from reputed brands. A filter can last more than a year before you need to change it. So it saves a lot of money in the long run.
The Plasma Ion technology radiates both positive and negative ions. Thus, you get better breathing space.
Specifications
Let’s find out the main specs on the following chart.
Recommendation: I highly recommend this air purifier for smoke and microbe removal. What I like about it most is its auto mode. The filter replacement is not an expensive affair anymore, as the filter lasts around a year. The price is a bit higher than other best cheap air purifiers.
How to Get the Best Affordable Air Purifier: A Comprehensive Buying Guide
It is not an easy-peasy task to find the best budget air purifier. You may end up buying cheap air purifiers that can only give you poor air quality and unwanted headaches.
Don’t worry, though. I have come up with 4 crucial points that will help you to decide better. Consider this buying guide before you make the final purchase.
1. HEPA Filter and Carbon Filter Are Must
In your quest for the best cheap air purifiers, don’t overlook the quality of filters. HEPA filters and carbon filters should be given the highest priority for fresh and clean air. Let me tell you a bit in detail.
Carbon Filters: Affordable air purifiers should have a carbon filter because it reduces the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and eliminates unwanted odors from the air. Charcoal filters are also good for smell and smoke removal. I suggest you go for a carbon filter.
HEPA Filters: The most crucial component of an air purifier unit is its HEPA filtration. Ideally, this air filter traps and eliminates fine particles, pollens, danders, and anything harmful. HEPA filters successfully improve the air quality and the clean air delivery rate.
Important: It is better to avoid Negative Ion Purifiers. Also, avoid purifiers that radiate ozone into the air. They can be unsafe. Rather, go for a HEPA filter.
2. Room Size and Capacity Ratio
An air purifier has a certain capacity to remove dust and odor. If the room size exceeds the expected area coverage, the purifier won’t be effective.
Each manufacturer tells you the highest room coverage in their advertisement. They usually have a clean air delivery rate to measure the air cleaning capacity. Regarding AHAM, the CADR of your unit shouldn’t be any less than 2/3 of the recommended area coverage. Here are a few points you should mark:
Make sure a 300-500 sq ft room has an air purifier with at least CADR of around 150.
If the room is between 500-1000 sq ft, the CADR should be no less than 300-500.
For more than 1000 sq ft of room coverage, a CADR of 600 would be perfect.
3. Don’t Fall for Smart Features
If your air purifier has smart technology, that should be fine. But a budget-friendly purifier cannot have all the features at a limited price.
So, if budget is your concern, then you can overlook some of the lacking. However, if any unit offers some cool features at an affordable price, you should go for it (Levoit Core 200S, for example.)
4. Avoid Cheap Air Purifiers
Please note that cheap air purifiers are not always good.
From our evaluation, the best budget-friendly purifiers should cost you no less than $70-80.
If you want all smart features, an affordable air purifier will cost you $100-150.
Never buy a purifier for under 50 bucks. Most of them are just worthless.
You should spend around $100-$200 for a medium-ranged air purifier. However, don’t go for a cheap air purifier if you want satisfactory air quality.
Do air purifiers really reduce dust?
Yes, air purifiers reduce dust and airborne particles to a substantial level. Note that they cannot eliminate 100% dust.
Conclusion
So now you know some of the most affordable air purifiers. Ensure you have chosen the purifier with HEPA filtration technology, good area coverage, low noise level, and a plausible price range. Don’t go blindly for cheap purifiers. They can be your headache and a waste of money.
My personal favorite is Levoit Core 300 because it is affordable and powerful. The efficiency level is pretty satisfactory, and the 360° air circulation is amazing. It’s an all-in-one package that comes at $100.
Danny is a passionate writer who loves to share his knowledge about air purifiers. He’s been writing for 10 years, and he’ll share all that experience with Very Well Home viewers to help you make the best decision when it’s time to buy an appliance!
