Paul is a staff writer for HouseFresh, with a focus on product recommendations and advice for smokers and apartment dwellers. He started writing in November 2020, when he joined the content production team at NeoMam Studios (our parent company).
Poor air quality can affect every room in your home, from your home office to your cozy bedroom. Often impacting your ability to concentrate, get a good night’s rest and even take a toll on your health.
Microscopic particulate matter, such as dust mites, pollen, traffic fumes or wildfire smoke, can all easily make their way in from outdoors. While the contents of your space also contribute to poor air quality. As furnishings, cleaning products or cooking stoves emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Alongside the human or furry residents of the home, who add bacteria, hair and odors to the dirty air dilemma.
The good news is that a quality air purifier will make light work of these pollutants. And you won’t have to cash in the family jewels to purchase one, either. Air purifiers designed for smaller spaces are often the most budget-friendly.
For an air purifier to stand up to the smallest particles, however, it should possess a few essential qualities. Units that use HEPA and Activated Carbon filters over questionable technologies, such as Ionizers and PECO, should be your first port of call. While ensuring the purifier is quiet when running and small in stature will help it become part of the furniture within a smaller space.
| Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations Finding an air purifier in smaller spaces can take time to narrow down. We drew on our extensive knowledge to find options with these three key features: High-Quality Filters – Filters are the lynchpin of an air purifier, paramount to capturing pollutants that build up in even the smallest rooms. Fast Acting Fans – The fans inside a purifier are responsible for drawing in air from all corners of the room. The more powerful the fans, the more influential the air purifier will be. Suitable Size – When looking for an air purifier for a small room, you’ll need it to be compact so as not to eat up too much of your valuable living space. Here at HouseFresh, we pride ourselves on our impartial reviews based on an air purifier’s real-world performance. That’s why we go beyond the spec sheet and feature list that other sites base their opinions on and purchase every unit for ourselves to see how it fares at these three practical tests: 1️⃣ Every purifier faces the same Clean Air Speed Test. This is where we fill a 705 cubic foot room with smoke and record how long it takes to remove all traces of PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10.0 particles. 2️⃣ We connect each purifier to an energy usage monitor, measuring how many watts it draws on its different speed settings, then using our Energy Cost Calculator to provide a clear cost estimate. 3️⃣ Nobody likes a loud surprise, especially when using a new air purifier in a small room. That’s why we record each purifier’s sound decibel level on its various speed settings. |
Our testing data found the best air purifiers for the job, all capable of combating a concoction of air pollutants, leaving your small room feeling fresh and healthy.
No time to check out the full article? Here are our top three purifier picks for smaller spaces.
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Small Rooms
| 👑 BEST OVERALL | 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🛋️ FOR LARGE SPACES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levoit Core 300 | Taotronics AP005 | Smart Air Sqair | |
 |  |  | |
| AIR CLEANING SPEED ⚡ | 40 minutes | 36 minutes | 29 minutes |
| CADR 👩🔬 | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) | 147 CFM (250 m³/h) | 185 CFM (315 m³/h) |
| FILTER TECHNOLOGY 💨 | H13 HEPA and Activated Charcoal | Pre-filter, H13 HEPA with Activated Carbon pellets | H12 HEPA and optional Activated Carbon filter |
| MAX ROOM SIZE 📏 | 219 ft² | 270 ft² | 430 ft² |
| WEIGHT ⚖️ | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) | 7.9 lbs (3.58 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) |
| OUR REVIEW 🔍 | Levoit Core 300 review | Taotronics AP005 review | Smart Air Sqair review |
| PRICE 💵 | $99.99 | $90.00 | $189.95 |
Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Below we’ve listed six top-class purifiers across a range of styles, room sizes and budgets, all to suit different needs, so be sure to check out the complete list below.
1. Best Overall: Levoit Core 300
The Levoit Core 300 is the ideal option for spaces as large as 200 square feet. It’s a small but mighty air purifier that provides clean air quickly without getting in the way of your daily life.
Over the last few years, the Core 300 has become a staple in the HouseFresh Best Of Guides. This purifier provides three stages of protection, including an H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon filter for comprehensive protection against the smallest pollutants.
The Core 300 also uses Levoit’s patented VortexAir technology. This helps the air purifier draw in the air effectively from all room corners. When we put this option through its paces ourselves, we found that it cleared our small-room test space of all traces of pollutants in just 40 minutes. — putting this purifier up there with other powerful alternatives designed for use in much larger spaces.
What We Really Like:
👍 Affordable to buy and run – with cheap replacement filters
👍 Runs whisper quiet on lower fan speeds
👍 Perfectly designed for use in smaller rooms
👍 Comes with a medical grade H13 HEPA filter
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Doesn’t come with any Smart features (although the Core 300S does)
👎 Would be nice to see an air quality sensor
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 40 Minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 HEPA and Activated Charcoal |
| Recommended room size: | 219 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches (22L x 22W x 36H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 50 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $47.30 per year |
2. Best Budget: Taotronics AP005
The Taotronics AP005 offers arguably the best bang for buck among any air purifier on the market. Costing less than $100, you’ll get impressive results in small spaces, as we witnessed firsthand when we reviewed the unit for ourselves, where the AP005 cleared our 705 cubic foot room in under 36 minutes.
Boasting a colossal CADR score of 147 CFM, it is easy to understand why this purifier provides fast-acting cleaning. But what impressed us the most was analyzing the CADR to $ ratio that the AP005 provides. Costing just $65.99, which works out at almost 2.3 CFM per dollar, making this a stellar investment.
As well as powerful fans cycling lots of dirty air, you’ll also find top-end filters to tackle a multitude of particles. The Taotronics AP005 comes with a Pre-filter to capture more significant pollutants, an H13 HEPA for microscopic particulate matter and an Activated Carbon layer to help rid your room of odors and VOCs. Leaving you with clean and healthy air throughout your space.
What We Really Like:
👍 Provides excellent value for money
👍 Comes with extra features such as a smart auto mode for real-time air quality monitoring
👍 Small and compact design
👍 Replacement filters offer great value too
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 The unit is fairly large, so might look out of place in super small spaces
👎 Hard to find in stock on Amazon
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 36 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Pre-filter, H13 HEPA with Activated Carbon pellets |
| Recommended room size: | 270 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 147 CFM (250 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.9H x 8.8W x 8.8D inches (37.8H x 22.4W x 22.4D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.9 lbs (3.58 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 25 – 50 dB |
| Filter life: | 3 – 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $30.48 per year |
3. Best for Larger Spaces: Smart Air S
Although technically capable of working wonders in larger spaces, the Smart Air S made its way onto this list thanks to its small size, quiet volume and excellently designed, making it a genuine triple threat against poor air quality in practically any space.
With an impressive CADR score of 185 CFM, the Smart Air S can easily cycle the air in a small room. This is another option that exceeded our expectations and smashed our speed tests, clearing our space of all pollutants in under 30 minutes while slotting effortlessly into our space in the process.
Although we a big fans of Smart Air and their range of simple yet highly effective air purifiers, they lose some marks, as they don’t include an Activated Carbon filter as standard. These filters are paramount to removing build-ups of VOC pollutants and odors, so we highly recommend investing in the additional filter.
What We Really Like:
👍 Lightweight and easy to move from room to room
👍 Capable of covering spaces as large as 430 sq.ft
👍 Operates very quietly on the lowest speeds
👍 Comes with a unique and modern design
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No Activated Carbon filter as standard
👎 Uses H12 rather than H13 filters (although they still work excellently)
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H12 HEPA and optional Activated Carbon filter |
| Recommended room size: | 430 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 185 CFM (315 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13H x 13W x 14.3D inches (33.02H x 33.02W x 36.32D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23 – 52 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $45.20 per year |
4. Levoit Core 200S
The Core 200S is small enough to fit on a shelf or side table while also benefiting from being light enough to transport easily from room to room. With a smaller stature, it is a great option in snug spaces, as it can be positioned out of the way or popped into a cupboard when not in use.
The 200S has a lot more going for it than its convenient size, however. With Levoit’s signature three-tiered filtration under the hood, including the all-important H13 HEPA, you’ll be well protected from pollutants. While a decent CADR score of 118 CFM means this option will cycle the air efficiently in your small room.
What may surprise you even further is that the Core 200S has a range of Smart features to make life easier. Not often found at this price point, you can even connect this unit to the Levoit app to operate the air purifier remotely or keep a closer eye on your space’s air quality.
What We Really Like:
👍 Modern design helps it fit into to small room easily
👍 App compatible for extra ease of use
👍 Small but mighty performance
👍 Cheap to buy and run
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Isn’t the most powerful unit on the list
👎 Doesn’t have a Air Quality Sensor in built
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 61 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter |
| Recommended room size: | 183 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 118 CFM (200 m3/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.6H x 8.07W x 8.07D x inches (32H x 20.5W x 20.5D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 3 kg (6.6 lbs) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 48 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $62.61 per year |
5. Medify MA-14
The Medify MA-14 is a compact and stylish unit that features all the hallmarks of a great air purifier. This budget-friendly option will set you back less than 100 bucks, without skimping on the quality components that will help transform your air quality.
The jewel in the MA-14’s crown is undoubtedly its H13 HEPA filter, which enables the purifier to capture 99.9% of pollutants as small as 0.1 microns. You’ll also find an Activated Carbon filter to tackle VOC and odor particles and a Pre-filter to keep the purifier in tip-top shape for longer.
You’ll also be pleased to hear that this air purifier is one of the quietest options on the list, removing nuisance and distraction sounds when used in closer confines. The only drawback with the MA-14 is that it doesn’t come with the highest CADR score.
Capable of drawing in and cleaning 70 cubic feet of dirty air a minute certainly isn’t a bad rating; however, it does make it the least powerful unit on this list. So if you’re looking for an air purifier for a space larger than 117 square feet, you may wish to consider one of the other options on this list.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great size for smaller spaces
👍 Comes with medical grade HEPA filter
👍 Super quiet on lower fan speeds
👍 Comes with a lifetime warranty for extra peace of mind
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Took over an hour to remove all pollutants during our tests
👎 Doesn’t come with any extra Smart features
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 1 hour 17 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Pre-filter, H13 True HEPA, Activated Carbon composite |
| Recommended room size: | 117 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 70 CFM (120 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.20H x 8.26W x 8.26D inches (30.99H x 20.99W x 20.99D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 21 – 48 dB |
| Filter life: | 3 – 4 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | Lifetime (for registered products as long as the filters are changed with genuine MEDIFY AIR filters) |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $26.28 per year |
6. Blueair Blue Pure 411+
Finally, we take a look at the Blue Pure 411+. This latest air purifier from industry-leading manufacturer Blueair takes the already great 411 model and turbo charges its power and features to make an excellent option for smaller spaces.
The first and possibly most important, upgrade Blueair made was adding extra oomph to the purifiers motor. This enabled the 411+ to clear our test space in an admirable 43 minutes (over half an hour quicker than its predecessor). They also managed to trim this unit, making it lighter and easier to maneuver, adding to its adaptability to smaller homes.
Noted for their ultra-quiet operating volumes and energy-efficient power use, Blueair’s trademark HEPASiltent technology comes into its own when used in smaller spaces. Running at a measly 17 decibels at its lowest speed, you may not even tell if the 411+ is turned on if it wasn’t for the fresh and clean air filling your space.
What We Really Like:
👍 Modernist design that will complement home decor
👍 The quietest air purifier we’ve tested
👍 A great green option, drawing minimal energy
👍 Comes with high-quality filters for complete protection from pollutants
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Would be good to see a longer warranty
👎 Despite added power, it is still less powerful than rival models
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 43 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Washable Pre-filter, HEPASilent Technology, and Activated Carbon filter |
| Recommended room size: | 185 sq ft |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 120 CFM (204 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 17H x 7.8W x 7.8D inches (43.18H x 19.812W x 19.812D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 3.4 lbs (1.54 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 17 – 46 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $10.51 per year |
Buying Guide: Air Purifiers for Small Rooms
The average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Whether at home or work, all this time indoors is spent with a complex concoction of air pollutants. Investing in an air purifier will help bring clean air by capturing pollutant particles, transforming even the smallest rooms into healthier environments.
| 🤔 Why should you deal with indoor air quality sooner rather than later? Concentrations of poor air quality are 2-5 times higher indoors than outside. As your home or workplace fills up with airborne pollutants, either from your actions or belongings inside the home or the particles that make their way inside from the surrounding environment. The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine identified the following sources as the most prevalent and most concerning factors affecting indoor air pollution: -Carbon Monoxide -Nitrogen Dioxide -Formeldyhyde -Mold -Smoking -Radon -Household cooking and cleaning -Dust mites -Invaders such as cockroaches or mice Exposure to these pollutants can wreak havoc on your health and lifestyle. As pollutants exist in your space, they also exist in your body. The microscopic particles are inhaled into the lungs and come into contact with the eyes and skin, resulting in various health concerns, from flu-like symptoms to asthma and allergies, and even long-term respiratory and heart conditions. Recent studies from Harvard’s School of Public Health also found that exposure to certain pollutants, such as PM2.5 particulate matter, can be directly linked to an increased risk of dementia. |
From filter type to fan speeds, before parting with your hard-earned cash, there are a few things to be aware of when finding the right air purifier to remove airborne pollutants from a small room.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier for Small Rooms
1. Does the purifier use high-quality HEPA filters?
You’ll want tried and tested filters that are up to the task at hand. Most quality manufacturers utilize HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters in their units, which are guaranteed to remove 99.97% of pollutant particles as small as 0.3 microns.
By looking for the HEPA stamp of approval, you can breathe easy knowing that your purifier is working effectively and efficiently to remove a wide range of particulate matter.
2. Is the purifier equipped to tackle gasses and odors?
Unpleasant odors are something we would all like to live without. While VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) comprise gas, fumes and toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene occur from furniture and cleaning products widely used in the home.
To combat these pollutants, you’ll need an Activated Carbon filter, which removes pollutants through a process known as adsorption, locking the particles to the pores of a carbon substrate. This means the more carbon your filter possesses, the more VOC pollutants it can capture.
3. Is the purifier adequately powered to circulate the air in your space?
If you plan to use your air purifier in strictly small spaces, you’d be forgiven for thinking you can opt for a small and cheap option. While this isn’t necessarily untrue, you must ensure it will effectively cycle the air in your room.
Each air purifier will be designed to work in a specific sized space, with some being only useful in a broom cupboard or closet rather than making a difference in a small-to-medium-sized bedroom.
Start by measuring the space where you intend to use the air purifier. You can then compare your dimensions to the recommended room coverage stated by most manufacturers. It’s best to use your measurements as a minimum requirement, as purifiers designed for larger spaces will only rid pollutants even faster if used in a smaller space.
4. Will the unit be intrusive to your small space?
If you are short on space, the last thing you want to do is add a big bulky appliance to the middle of your room.
By opting for an air purifer with smaller dimensions, it will be far less likely to get in the way. At the same time, lightweight air purifiers can easily be transported from room to room to target different spaces or even be stored away when not in use.
Remember, if you plan on using the air purifier in a small but design-savvy space, you’ll want to make sure it fits in with your style or decor too.
5. Does the air purifier make a lot of noise?
Similarly to the unit’s size and appearance, if the air purifier creates a lot of noise, this can get in the way of everyday life. This is particularly worth considering for purifiers used in smaller rooms such as an office, bedroom, or snug, as loud operating volumes could result in a distraction or even keep you awake at night.
Here at HouseFresh, we record the decibel level of each air purifier as it cycles through its various speed settings, so be sure to check out our in-depth reviews before taking the plunge on a potentially noisy air cleaner.
Common Questions About Air Purifiers for Small Rooms
🤔 I already have an air purifier in my main living space; do I need one for my bedroom or office too?
Having already invested in an air purifier for your main living area, you may be reluctant to splash the cash on a secondary unit.
For those that work from home or have a hobby space, you should consider protecting yourself whenever in these spaces for prolonged periods. Remember that we all spend around a third of our day asleep in bed, and pollutants don’t clock off work at 5 p.m. but exist in your home around the clock, making it wise to add an air purifier to your bedroom too.
Whether or not you purchase an additional purifier should come down to how much time you spend in the other spaces in your home. Ways to avoid the extra expenditure are to look into smaller air purifiers that are easy to move from room to room or invest in a whole house unit for complete peace of mind.
🤔 Are air purifiers expensive to run in the long term?
Two main factors contribute to an air purifier’s long-term running costs.
The first is electricity. The amount of energy a purifier uses often depends on the size of its motor and the speed setting you use it on. Large, powerful units draw much more energy than those designed for smaller spaces.
You can gauge how much extra an air purifier will add to your bill by using the HouseFresh Energy Cost Calculator. While also looking out for the Energy Star rating or for purifiers with Auto modes, timers, or app connectivity can help you stay on top of your unit’s energy use.
The second cost to consider is filter replacements. Both HEPA and Carbon filters have limits to the amount of pollutants they can capture. Once the filters are full, they will become less effective and require changing.
Filters can last between three months and five years, but smaller units usually use smaller filters that will likely fill up faster. However, this usually means they are cheaper to replace, but it is worth checking the filter costs and availability before purchasing a purifer.
🤔 Should I use my air purifier 24/7?
As pollutants simply don’t quit, many air purifier manufacturers recommend using your unit 24 hours a day. This is a fail-safe way to ensure you reap the rewards of clean and healthy air around the clock. This is especially important if you suffer from respiratory issues or allergies.
However, running your air purifier 24/7 may seem a tad excessive for the everyday user. To maximize your purifier’s effectiveness without constant use, you should identify peak times when pollutants will have built up and utilize your purifier accordingly.
For example, leaving your purifier switched off while you’re at work but scheduling it to turn on an hour before you return. Or targetting hotspots, such as the kitchen during meal preparation or near a roadside window at rush hour.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for an air purifier in a small room, you’ll likely find that you are spoilt for choice, with a range of excellent options on the market. This variety may be overwhelming, so remember to look for an option that uses the best quality filters, is adequately powered to work in your size space, and is compact enough not to get in the way of your everyday life.
Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API