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Who says you have to spend a fortune to get a breath of fresh air? Air purifiers work with high-end technologies, but still, there are budget-friendly ones out there. We’ve researched all the options on the market to find the best cheap air purifier, and here are the top choices!
Best Cheap Air Purifiers
- LEVOIT LV-H132
- Germ Guardian AC4100
- Winix 5500-2
- Germ Guardian AC4825E
- Holmes Desktop
- LEVOIT LV-H126
The 6 Best Cheap Air Purifiers in 2021
1. LEVOIT LV-H132
At a very affordable price, the LEVOIT LV-H132 covers an area of 129 square feet at a rate of 4 ACH (Air Changes per Hour), which is pretty impressive for a unit at its price.
It comes with a true HEPA filter and a reliable carbon filter, and its pre-filter can be removed every 2 to 4 weeks for cleaning to keep it working with high efficiency. The 3-stage air purification guarantees that there won’t be any allergens, microbes, dander, pollen, bacteria, and viruses left in the air.
This air purifier is pretty compact and lightweight at 6.6 pounds so that you can move it from one room to another without much hassle. And despite its affordable price, it has a solid fit, tactile buttons, and a robust build quality.
For a good night’s rest, the LEVOIT LV-H132 comes with an operating noise level as low as 25 dB, and its highest is 46 dB, which is still pretty tolerable. Not only that, but it also comes with a nightlight with two levels of brightness that you can adjust according to your needs.
Finally, this air purifier comes with two years of standard warranty and lifetime support. Perhaps the only downside is that it has no auto mode and no air quality indicator.
Pros:
- True HEPA filter at an affordable price
- Filter replacements are quite affordable
- 2-level brightness nightlight
- Quiet operation
- Doesn’t consume a lot of energy
Cons:
- Lacks an indicator light for quality of air
- No auto mode
2. Germ Guardian AC4100
While a cheap air purifier would typically come with one or two filtration stages at best, the Germ Guardian AC4100 comes as a 4-in-1 air purifier.
Measuring 7.5 x 6.5 x 11 inches and weighing 5.15 pounds, this is another great desk air purifier with a HEPA filter that’s true to removing pollen, dust, and other allergens. It also comes with an activated carbon filter and a UV light one to eliminate household odors and kill bacteria, consequently enhancing the quality of air in your home.
The UV light is optional, though, which is good news since some people don’t like using it due to the controversy on whether it’s harmful or not.
Moreover, it requires only one replacement filter per year, which means that you won’t have to bear too many costs. Though it’s affordable and compact, it can cover a decent 78-square foot area.
Besides the ability to keep on your desk or tabletop, this air purifier can be moved from one room to another without any hassle or consequent back pains. And with a noise level that goes no higher than 53 dB, you won’t be getting any major headaches either.
Pros:
- A reliable air filtration process
- Great choice under the $70 mark
Cons:
- Noisy when running on the highest setting
- No smart features
3. Winix 5500-2
Though there are plenty of choices that come at lower prices, none of them have what the Winix 5500-2 has to offer. It’s so good that it even works for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) conditions.
Its HEPA filtration is genuine, so you’ll get guaranteed purification from pollen, dander, dust mites, and allergens. When you make that work with the PlasmaWave permanent filter, you’ll also get rid of any pollutants, chemical vapors, allergens, and odors. However, the PlasmaWave is on by default, which could bother some users.
Moreover, the Winix 5500-2 comes with smart sensors that automatically adjust the fan’s speed to the needed level for the current quality. What’s more, a sleep mode reduces noise levels during the night.
What’s impressive about the Winix 5500-2 is that it comes with an AOC (Advanced Odor Control) carbon filter, which guarantees that you won’t be bothered by any persistent smells.
Despite having a 360-square foot CADR, it’s not a noisy air purifier at around 27.8 dB. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the quietest options out there.
This unit is AHAM- and CARB-certified as well as CUL-listed. Also, it’s Energy Star-certified, which means that its energy consumption won’t bother any cost-conscious user.
Pros:
- Excellent design
- Quiet operation even at the highest speed setting
- AHAM-certified
- Optional remote control
- Auto mode available
Cons:
- Plasma waves are activated by default
- Auto mode’s sensor is rather weak
- Remote is hard to use without a backlight during the night
- Limited remote features
4. Germ Guardian AC4825
The Germ Guardian AC4825 comes with plenty of impressive features for such an affordable and compact air purifier.
It has a 167 square feet coverage area and a 4-stage filtration process, including a HEPA filter for clearing mold spores, allergens, pet dander, pollen, dust, and germs. Not only that, but it also comes with a filter of carbon and a UV-C light that counters viruses and bacteria.
There’s a blue glow to the AC4825 when it’s operating, which gives it a nice look, while its 55 dB maximum noise level is another pro. And though it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles that can be found on an air purifier, its 100+ CADR performance makes up for that.
Also, the fan speed comes with three levels you can adjust using a rotary control, while the blinking LEDs notify you when it’s time to replace your filters.
In terms of design, it's an excellent choice for those who are as tight on space as they are on a budget, thanks to its slender, vertical design.
Finally, being energy-efficient means that its affordability goes beyond its upfront price and extends all the way to affordable running costs.
Pros:
- Easy filter replacements
- Strong fan with quiet operation
- Very effective at clearing dust
Cons:
- Circuit board might burn after a couple of months
- No auto-off or sensing modes
- Filters aren’t reusable or washable
5. Holmes Desktop
While the low price of the Holmes Desktop air purifier could fool many people into thinking that it’s not an effective unit, that’s far from the truth. Not only does it come with a HEPA type filter, but it’s upgradeable with an advanced Holmes Aer1 filter, which focuses on capturing pollutants.
Its performance is incredible with the multi-stage filtration, which comprises a pre-filter, HEPA-type one, and an ionizer that captures even the particles that the HEPA one couldn’t, which is why it’s one of the best budget air purifiers.
Additionally, it comes with an odor eliminator, a Total Air filter for dust reduction, allergen remover, a Performance Plus filter for alleviating allergy symptoms, and a carbon filter to get rid of all odors.
Moreover, it’s equipped with three-speed settings that you can set as high or as low as you need to cover a 109-square-foot area with a 70 CADR.
It measures 9.7 x 13.1 x 6.3 inches and weighs only 5.7 pounds, which is why it’s considered a desk air purifier.
Pros:
- Very durable
- Compact design
- The ionization feature is really effective at clearing all particles from the air
Cons:
- Can be noisy on the highest setting
- The HEPA filter isn’t a true one
6. LEVOIT LV-H126
The LV-H126 is yet another model by LEVOIT, which serves to show how well-versed the company is and how easy it is for one of its models to be the best air purifier for people on a budget.
It comes with an ability to cover a 161-square foot area, a high-quality HEPA air filter, a charcoal foam filter, and a granular carbon filter. This combination means that you get 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns removed from the air and an odor-absorption power that’s around twice as that offered by most models.
With no mold, pollen, dust, or allergens in the air, even a person who suffers from allergies or asthma can breathe easily.
Not only that, but the LEVOIT LV-H126 is also equipped with a mesh layer and pre-filter that work on prolonging the lifespan of the main filter.
You don't have to worry about the noisy operation as the LEVOIT LV-H126 comes with noise levels as low as 32 dB. You also don't have to worry about replacement costs as its filters come at an incredibly affordable price.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Minimal and compact design
- Intuitive and easy to use
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with any extras
- Fan isn’t very strong
Choosing a Cheap Air Purifier
Choosing an affordable air purifier can be a little tough as you’d want one with a solid air cleaning system and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg - which is a tough combination. However, if you know what to look for when you’re considering your air purifying device, it won’t be too hard.
Filters
One of the first things you should look for in an air purifier is air filtration. There are many of those, but these are the most common: pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter.
The pre-filter has a primary and basic job, which is to capture relatively larger particles to prevent them from passing through to the other filters and reducing their air purification efficiency.
An activated carbon filter is essential when it comes to air purification and chemical removal, and your air purifier should be large enough to provide the needed stock of carbon. Bear in mind, however, that there are two types: treated activated carbon and untreated activated carbon.
In short, untreated activated carbon is not as reactive or adsorptive, which reduces air purifier's ability to get rid of air pollutants. That's why a lot of manufacturers go for treated activated carbon. Bear in mind, however, that if you're really sensitive to chemicals, you might be able to detect the additives found in treated activated carbon air filters.
Finally, HEPA filters work on trapping 99.97% of small, airborne particles, with a size as tiny as 3 microns. It's worth noting that you should look for a true HEPA filter if you want effective indoor air quality enhancement.
Only a true HEPA filter can get rid of dust particles, dander, pollen, and mold spores to enhance air quality truly. A true HEPA filter can clean the air from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), like formaldehyde, combined with a carbon-based filter.
Coverage Area and CADR
The CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is the number that indicates just how effective an air purifier is at enhancing air quality. To be effective, air purifiers must have a CADR that’s ⅔ of the room size whose air they’re supposed to clear.
In other words, if your room is 150 square feet in size, then the air purifier should have a CADR of 100.
Construction
It’s no secret that an affordable air purifier won’t exactly have the most robust construction, but that doesn’t mean you should just opt for anything.
Steer clear from air purifiers that use fiberglass or glue, which end up causing more irritation due to leakages than they act as air cleaners. Ideally, find an air purifier with metal construction for most of its components. A good compromise would be high-quality plastic.
Extras
There are a couple of factors that could make your experience with an air purifier all the more convenient, so it’s advisable to seek them out. These include an indicator light to remind you when your air purifier needs a filter replacement.
Moreover, try to avoid air purifiers with high noise level rating (dB) and air purifiers with high filter replacement costs.
Finally, take a look at the ACH (Air Changes per Hour) number, which should be around 4 or 5 to give you good air quality. However, you could compromise and get a lower number if you’re opting for an affordable air purifier.
Are Cheap Air Purifiers a Waste Of Money?
Affordable air purifiers wouldn’t be a waste of money because they’re capable of cleaning the air from odors, airborne allergens, and toxic gases. So, they’re useful, but perhaps not as effective as more expensive options.
If they come with a multi-level true HEPA filter, they would work to eliminate dust build-up and prevent the spread of mildew and mold.
What’s the Difference Between an Expensive and a Budget Air Purifier?
Well, apart from the price, obviously, a budget air purifier wouldn’t have the same coverage area, filtration techniques, capabilities, or performance that an expensive option has to offer.
A budget option would cost around $100, while expensive ones start from the $200 mark. Also, a budget air purifier would probably be limited to a coverage area of 60 to 350 square feet, while pricier ones can go as high as 1,100 square feet!
Moreover, in terms of performance, a budget air purifier won’t be able to capture as many types of allergens, smoke, or odors from the air. They’re also mostly limited to a single or two-stage filtration, while high-end options come with three or four-stage filtration to give you value for every penny you spend on them.
Finally, the lifespan of the pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter on a budget air purifier would be way shorter, limited to 3 to 6 months, whereas high-end models can last 6 to 12 months or even more.
Is a Cheap Air Purifier Safe?
No matter what the price of your air purifier is, it would be safe to use unless it relies on an Ozonator. An air purifier that uses ozone would have a harmful effect on your immune system as well as negatively affect the tissues of your lungs. Your best bet would be to opt for an ozone-free HEPA purifier.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve gone over each cheap air purifier, we hope you’re a step closer to finalizing a buying decision. If you still need some help, here’s a quick recap:
If you're looking for an all-round air purifier, you should opt for the LEVOIT LV-H132 for its solid set of filters, affordable replacement ones, a handy nightlight, and quiet operation. However, it's not one with plenty of smart features as it lacks an indicator for the quality of air and no auto mode.
The Germ Guardian AC4100 will be the best cheap air purifier if you're looking for something so compact that it can fit on your desk or tabletop. It's also effective when it comes to filtering the air, but like the previous option, it lacks smart features and can be pretty noisy on the highest setting.
Finally, if your budget is not so tight, you should definitely opt for the Winix 5500-2. This sleek and powerful air purifier comes with a solid set of features, including smart ones. It’s quiet, efficient, and can be controlled remotely.
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