Shopping for an inexpensive air purifier? You have come to the right place!
Air purifiers ensure pure and clean air inside your home. They not only remove virus particles from the air but are also excellent in eliminating other airborne pollutants like pet dander; mold spores, dust particles, pet hair, and smoke particles.
But there is one thing about them that makes a lot of people shy away from buying them – they are quite expensive!
So, what if we were to tell you that you do not need to spend too much money on a good-quality air purifying device?
Read on and see for yourself that you can enjoy all the benefits of clean and fresh air without having to shell out large sums of money.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Removes allergens as small as 0.3 microns from the air
- 3-in-1 cleaning system reduces up to 99.97% of harmful germs; mold spores, dust, and other allergens
- UV-C light helps kill viruses present in the air
- Designed for room size of 361 sq. ft
- Four-stage filtration system removes up to 99.97% of particles
- The timer feature turns off the unit automatically
- Two-stage filtration removes almost 99.7% of airborne irritants
- Compact design with an easy-access filter panel
- Three quiet speeds, making it ideal for bedroom, office, dorm, or any other room
What's in This Buying Guide
Table of Contents
This guide reviews some of the best inexpensive air purifiers that promise excellent performance without putting any burden on your budget. All the products chosen in this guide are durable, efficient, and low-priced, so that you can keep your family safe and healthy without breaking the bank.
We have also outlined a buying guide and answered some of the most common questions regarding inexpensive air purifiers to make it easy for you to find a model best suited for your needs.
Best Inexpensive Air Purifiers
- 1. Best Overall: GermGuardian True HEPA air purifier
- 2. Best Bedroom Air Purifier: Coway AP-1512HH
- 3. Best Budget-Friendly: Lasko LP300 Air Purifier
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
GermGuardian True HEPA air purifier
Award
Best OverallRecommended room size
167 sq. ftWeight
8.55 poundsType of filtering
Prefilter, carbon, and true HEPA filterDimensions
10.25 x 6.75 x 21.5 inches
Coway AP-1512HH
Award
Best Bedroom Air PurifierRecommended room size
361 sq. ftWeight
12.76 poundsType of filtering
Pre-filter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA filterDimensions
9.6 x 16.8 x 18.3 inches
Lasko LP300 Air Purifier
Award
Best Budget-FriendlyRecommended room size
170 sq. ftWeight
12.72 poundsType of filtering
Activated carbon and HEPA filterDimensions
NA
The GermGuardian air purifier is an efficient device that kills germs and viruses, traps allergens, and filters odor so that you can breathe clean and fresh air. It is designed with a True HEPA filter to ensure a comfortable and refreshing environment for your home.
PROS
- Affordable
- User-friendly
- Silent operation ensures undisturbed sleep
- Built-in handle makes it easier to transport it from one room to another
- Blue light indicator adds aesthetics at night
- Effectively cleans the air of bacteria, dust, and other pollutants
CONS
- Lacks indicator for filter change
Features
- Removes allergens as small as 0.3 microns from the air
- 3-in-1 cleaning system reduces up to 99.97% of harmful germs; mold spores, dust, and other allergens
- UV-C light helps kill viruses present in the air
- Pre-filter traps pet hair; dander, dust, and other large particles, which helps to increase the life of the HEPA filter
- Activated charcoal filter helps eliminate unwanted odors from smoke; cooking fumes, pets, and more
- Option to choose between three-speed settings
- 3-year limited warranty
Our Review
This GermGuardian air purifier is designed with three speed settings and an optional UV-C light that helps kill airborne viruses like staph, rhinovirus, and influenza and works with Titanium Dioxide to eliminate volatile organic compounds.
Its efficient True HEPA filter reduces 99.97% of dust; harmful germs, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, and other allergens so that you can enjoy air that is crisper and fresher.
The unique tower shape of this unit is suitable for medium to large rooms of up to 153 sq. ft. This multi-filter air purifier is designed with a carbon filter that helps to eliminate small particles present in the air.
Next is the true HEPA filter, while the third layer of the purification process is the virus and bacteria-fighting UV-C light. Hence, this unit not only eliminates all elements that could adversely affect your health but is also effective in handling various household odors and unhealthy gaseous compounds.
Other benefits of the GermGuardian air purifier include portability, slender design, low weight, and outstanding energy efficiency. This unit is efficient, reliable, and durable and works effectively without any fancy features.
It will be very hard to find a more efficient purifier at such a low price!
The GG1100W is a small and versatile pluggable filterless air purifier ideal for children’s rooms, bathrooms, litter box rooms, and the kitchen. Apart from reducing odors, it kills airborne viruses like rhinovirus and influenza with its UV-C light technology.
PROS
- Designed with True HEPA air filter
- Permanent and washable mesh filter
- Compact and flat design, it is suitable for tight places
- Turns off automatically when no pollution is detected for 30 mins
- Built-in particle sensor
- Suitable for medium-sized rooms
- Real-time air quality indicator
CONS
- No child lock
Features
- Designed for room size of 361 sq. ft
- Four-stage filtration system removes up to 99.97% of particles
- Auto mode automatically optimizes the speed setting, depending on air quality
- The timer feature turns off the unit automatically
- Filter replacement indicator informs the users when it is time to replace the filter
- Quiet operation and 77W power consumption
- One-year limited warranty
Our Review
Designed with a four-stage filtration system, the Coway AP-1512HH is one the most efficient air purifiers that offer good value for money.
It features a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and ionizer.
The fine mesh washable pre-filter removes large pollutants like dust; pet hair, pollen, and mold spores. The deodorization filter neutralizes odors and VOCs with the help of chemical absorption to freshen your indoor air. The True HEPA filter removes 99.97% of pollutants while the ionizer works to reduce dust.
The Coway air purifier is equipped with an auto mode that modifies the fan speed depending on the indoor air quality. The unit switches to eco-mode once it detects clean air for half an hour;thus helping to conserve energy.
Moreover, the built-in particle sensor informs you about the quality of air around you with the help of a light indicator at the top. This indicator is color-coded. Red denotes high pollution, purple is for polluted air and blue symbolizes clean air.
The Coway AP-1512HH can effectively cover a room of 361 sq. ft. It comes with three fan speeds, with the lowest speed creating a noise that is similar to the noise level of a whisper. Even the highest speed only produces a white noise, making this unit suitable for every room in your home.
The Lasko LP300 is designed to protect your home from the top eight airborne irritants in your home. It is AHAM-certified and helps to eliminate odors; allergens, dust, smoke, and much more.
Moreover, it offers a smoke CADR of 115 which makes it safe for use around people suffering from asthma and allergies.
PROS
- Ensures cleaner air without putting a burden on your budget
- Activated carbon filter removes cooking, smoke, pet, and other household odors
- True HEPA filter cleans the air of viruses and other allergens down to 0.3 microns
- Compact design that blends into any room decor
- Eight-hour adjustable timer
- Auto check filter reminder
- Best for rooms up to 170 sq. ft
CONS
- It uses a lot of power due to the lack of auto mode
Features
- Two-stage filtration removes almost 99.7% of airborne irritants
- Compact design with an easy-access filter panel
- Three quiet speeds, making it ideal for bedroom, office, dorm, or any other room
- Fast operation
- Ideal for use by people suffering from allergies or asthma
Our Review
The Lasko LP300 is equipped with TotalProtect Filtration to keep your home free from The Invisible 8 – the most common irritants found in a home.
This model performs as well as units that cost twice or three times more, while its low weight makes it easy to move around from one room to another.
Moreover, True HEPA filtration eliminates 99.97% of airborne irritants such as pet dander; dust, VOCs, smoke, mold spores, pollen, and odors.
This unit is very easy to set up and ensures fast performance. It can easily clean a 10 x 10 feet office in less than eight minutes, making it highly suitable for bedrooms, kitchens, and dorms.
It also features three speeds, an eight-hour timer, free electronic controls, and an auto check filter reminder that further enhances the performance of this unit.
Inexpensive Air Purifiers: Buying Guide
Why Buy a Budget Air Purifier Over and an Expensive One?
Air purifiers are quite expensive and can prove to be quite a burden on your pocket. However, some inexpensive options are also available that are in no way less in performance and effectiveness compared to the expensive models.
You need to keep in mind the differences between a budget and an expensive air purifier when choosing a model:
Room Coverage
Most inexpensive air purifiers can only cover a room of around 80-200 sq. ft. On the other hand, air purifiers that can cover a larger area like the Alen Breathesmart tend to be pricier.
If you are looking for an air purifier for a small office, living room, or small bedroom, investing in a cheap model is the best choice. Purchasing an expensive unit that can cover up to 500 sq. ft for a small room is not recommended.
Types of Filter
In order to manufacture inexpensive air purifiers, a number of manufacturers design their models with a single-stage air purifying process. Such devices are economical but not as effective as expensive ones.
A single-stage air purifier has only one type of filter and can purify the air from a small number of toxins. Hence, such an air purifier is capable of removing particles that cause bacteria; fine dust, or odors, but not all three. This is why you need a multi-stage air purifier and not a single-stage one.
A multi-stage air purifier provides the best value for money as it combines several types of filters to provide protection against a number of harmful airborne particles.
The several multi-stage filter options include:
- HEPA filter: This filter is highly effective in pulling in and trapping microscopic allergens such as mold spores; pet dander, pollen, and fine dust.
- Pre-filter: This filter collects big particles such as large dust and hair and helps to increase the life of other filters in the air purifier.
- Activated carbon filter: Efficiently removes household odors, airborne chemicals, and smoke.
- UV light: Kills airborne viruses and bacteria and provides a sterile environment.
- Ionizer: Excellent at neutralizing the various particles present in the open-air space;thus making them easier to catch in the HEPA filter.
Most inexpensive models feature good-quality filters such as HEPA-type or HEPA-grade. However, this filter is not as efficient as a true HEPA filter.
Hence, if you suffer from asthma or severe allergies, an inexpensive air purifier may not be enough for you. On the other hand, it is better to choose a cheap air purifier if you just want to improve your surrounding air.
Frequency of Filter Change
The frequency of filter replacement generally depends on its size and not it’s quality. Some inexpensive models claim that their filters can last for almost six months. However, it is best to read customer reviews before choosing a model to find out about their experience.
What to Look for When Buying a Low-Cost Air Purifier
New developments in the world of air purifiers have enabled consumers to enjoy the best performance at an affordable price. However, if you are worried about finding a low-priced unit that functions exceptionally well, it is vital that you keep the following features in mind.
Area Coverage
The first thing to consider when looking for an air purifier is the size of the room it can efficiently cover. Typically, inexpensive air purifiers are designed to handle small spaces. This low power is the major contributing factor to their affordability.
However, this should not serve as a deterrent for buying one. Even though you are searching for an inexpensive model, you should look for one that will be suitable for your room size.
All air purifiers are equipped with a square footage area coverage rating. Make sure that the model you choose comes with a rating that is perfect for your specific needs.
To find the suitable air purifier size, just measure the square footage by multiplying the length and width of the room where you want to place the air purifier unit. Then ensure that the air purifier you choose meets this size requirement.
Efficiency
ACH or the air purifier’s air change per hour refers to the number of times a purifier can filter the whole volume of air per hour in the treatment area. People who suffer from asthma or have allergies should look for a model that can clean the air in the room at least four times an hour.
In addition, a rate of four air changes every hour ensures air that is thoroughly clean and free from a large number of microscopic symptom-triggering allergens to help you breathe easier.
Air purifiers come with various certifications. Before buying a unit, it is best to look for them on the packaging. The different certifications include:
Energy Star Logo – Air purifiers work round-the-clock to ensure clean air in your home or office, and you should consider their energy cost when you choose a model. Purifiers that are Energy Star certified are 40% more energy-efficient compared to standard models.
AHAM Verified seal – A product that carries the AHAM Verified seal indicates that it has been tested by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. This guarantees that the product is safe to use.
Portability
Some air purifiers are more mobile and lighter than others, which makes them easier to move from one room to another. Moreover, you can keep smaller units on a shelf or a desk. The heavier and larger air purifier units are best kept stationary, although some might feature casters for easy portability.
If you want to use one unit for the whole home, it is best to choose a smaller device or one that you can easily move.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning is important for the efficient performance of your air purifier. Moreover, its maintenance requires a certain amount of effort and cost in order to get the best out of your air purifier.
You need to replace the filters at intervals recommended by the manufacturer or as needed, depending on the level of pollution inside the room.
These filter replacement costs vary from unit to unit. Some models are designed with expensive filters that can last for many years, while cheap filters require frequent change. Moreover, some pre-filters can be washedwhile the HEPA filters are disposable and need to be replaced completely.
Before choosing an air purifier, calculate the cost per annum to maintain it and compare it with other devices so that you can find an efficient unit without compromising on your budget.
Filter Replacement Frequency
Filters in air purifiers determine how effectively they can purify the air in your home. And because the air is continuously passed through them, it is important to clean or change them regularly.
Choosing a model with an expensive filter can cause them to become costlier compared to the price of the product itself.
Moreover, some air purifier models need filter replacement every 1-3 months, which can really cause the expense to add up. Always check the specifications and details provided to get complete information about the product.
Build and Durability
An air purifier is quite an investment. Therefore, it is essential to choose a manufacturer known for its good reputation and top-quality products. Make sure that the unit is durable and will provide you with long service life.
Operational Cost
Air purifiers, like all other home appliances, need electrical energy to operate. Since these devices need to run continuously, it is better to consider the amount of energy a model uses before buying it.
Different air purifiers use varying amounts of power, typically between 5-200W, depending on their fan speed.
Small air purifiers use less energy compared to larger ones, but they are more suitable for smaller spaces. Air purifiers designed for large rooms have a higher fan speed, and they tend to draw more energy.
Moreover, it is best to choose a device that carries the Energy Star certification as it will use the least amount of energy and will be the cheapest to operate.
Noise Levels
You do not only need to take the performance of an air purifier into account but also ascertain how well you will be able to live with it. An air purifier needs to run constantly which is why it should have a quiet operation.
For instance, a noise rating of around 50dB is almost equal to that of a refrigerator. The decibels of a model are typically printed on the packaging or can be found on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you choose a quieter model, one that does not interfere with your work or sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I run the air purifier all day, how much can it cost?
Most HEPA air purifiers use about 50-100W per hour. However, this depends greatly on the airflow speed. Typically, an air purifier that runs all the time will cost anywhere from 0.05-$1.00 per day. That is approximately 0.35-$7.00 per week.
Are there any efficient air purifier under $100?
There are a number of inexpensive models in the market that deliver reliable and quality filtration. However, it may take some research to find one.
Most air purifiers are costly, but you can find some high-performing models that cost less than $100. Moreover, some effective units cost even less than $50.
These units may be smaller in size but can get the job done effectively. Despite the common belief that cheap products do not perform well, budget air purifiers with a true HEPA filter like the PureZone 3-in-1 offer almost 99% efficiency in eliminating airborne allergens including pollen and dust mites.
Why are air purifiers expensive?
The high price of air purifiers is due to a combination of components, product features, and marketing. Improved technology, smart features, effective marketing, and newer components are all the major reasons that make these devices so expensive.
Final Verdict: Which is the Best Inexpensive Air Purifier and Why?
We find the GermGuardian model to be the best budget-friendly air purifier as it efficiently removes 99.97% of allergens and airborne particles to ensure that the air inside your home is fresher and cleaner. It also neutralizes odors and is Energy Star certified which makes it an eco-friendly unit.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
