COVID-19 made it mandatory for many to work remotely, and it is said that about 1 in 4 Americans ended up working from home in 2021. Whilst the virus might be on the wane, working from home isn’t.
Shockingly, the air inside of your home is suggested to be about 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoors. Furthermore, air quality in home offices can often be worse than in office buildings. Therefore, spending more time inside can expose you to greater health risks, and can also impact your ability to focus and be productive.
Luckily, air purifiers have been proven to be extremely effective when it comes to improving indoor air quality. So, if you’re thinking about buying an air purifier, but you’re on a tight budget, read on.
While spending less sounds appealing, it isn’t always the best option when it comes to effectiveness and reliability. This is especially true when it comes to air purifying technology, which is why our list of air purifiers under $100 may not include suitable options for your larger spaces. But there are units out there that will effectively clean the air in large rooms without breaking the bank.
You’ll want to keep in mind that CADR plays an important role when choosing an air purifier for your needs. This system measures the efficiency of the filter along with how much air moves through it, and if it will be able to efficiently clean all of the air in a given amount of square footage. All of the products listed here include HEPA filtration technology, which is the industry standard when it comes to effective filtration.
We test every unit ourselves, so you can be sure that we know what we’re talking about. We don’t recommend an air purifier unless we’re completely behind it, and we’ve seen it in action for ourselves.
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Your Home
From compact units to whole-house models, there’s something for everyone on our list. So whether you’re on a tight budget and looking to purify the air in your bedroom, or even your entire home, we’ve got you covered.
1. Taotronics-AP003 (x 2)
With $200 to spend, we recommend getting two of these air purifiers instead of one.
We recently got a chance to test and use the Taotronics AP-003, and it blew us away with its performance-to-price ratio. Right now, it’s $79.99, so even on a sub $200 budget, you could afford to buy two.
Using two of these will give you a combined CFM of 452. This would be even better than large units like the IQAir Healthpro Plus, which costs more than $900.
What We Really Like:
👍 The power of a premium unit that costs more than $900, but for less than $200
👍 Having two units gives you the option to use one in a second room or very large space
👍 Both electricity and filter costs are some of the fairest on the market
👍 Has activated charcoal pellets — costlier units often use impregnated foam which is much cheaper and less effective at removing odors and VOCs.
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Hard to find on Amazon after the owners were kicked off for cheating with reviews
👎 Not enough activated charcoal for issues related to VOCs
👎 No app support for either Android or Apple
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, Activated Carbon Filter Using Pellets |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 452 CFM (assuming two units used at once) |
| Recommended room size: | 650ft² (6 ACH) 1000ft² (2 ACH) |
| Filter life: | Every 6-8 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 32- 52dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 14.1L x 7.9W x 21.8H INCHES X 2 |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 17.2 kg / 37.91 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 58.4 watts (assuming both are used at once) |
2. Levoit Core 300 (x 2)
The Levoit Core 300 was the 2021 bestseller in the United States and at $99.99 it still has a great performance to $ spent and is also easily available on Amazon. With $200 you can get 2 and get high performance on a budget. It features a three-stage filtration system that includes a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a H13 HEPA filter.
This system is designed to remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air, making it an excellent choice for people with allergies or asthma. The unit also features a powerful fan that can circulate the air in a room up to 547 square feet in size. Additionally, the Core 300 has a built-in ionizer that helps to freshen the air and remove odors.
In our tests it managed to clean the air in our test room in 40 minutes, so two would be able to achieve this in 20. This is similar to higher priced units like the Blueair 211+ which achieves this power using an ionizer with the HEPA and activated charcoal filter.
What We Really Like:
👍 It’s one of the most affordable air purifiers on the market, and it’s definitely worth its price
👍 It is straightforward to use. You can simply set it up and let it run its course, and you don’t have to worry about anything else
👍 It does an excellent job of filtering out pollutants and allergens from the air, and it really makes a difference in your home’s air quality
👍 It’s small enough to fit in most rooms without taking up too much space
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 A higher CADR rating would be beneficial
👎 We’d like to see more fan speed settings
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 290 CFM / 240 m³/h (using both at once) |
| Recommended room size: | 450ft² to 700 ft² |
| Filter life: | Every 6-8 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24- 50dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches / 22 x 22 x 36 cm X 2 |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.8kg / 14.99 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 90 watts (both running at once) |
3. Best Option If You Can Only Fit One Unit: Smart Air S
I love the ethos behind the Smart Air team – they want to bring fairly priced air purifiers to as many people as possible. I would love to put this air purifier higher on our list, but you would still be better off with the above options if you want the best bang for your buck regarding pure CADR power.
I still think that the Smart Air S is the best budget unit if you want just one air purifier. Its stand-out design would look great in any modern home. Regarding filter costs and electricity usage, the Smart Air S also leads the pack at this price point.
What We Really Like:
👍 The H11 filter means that you can move more air at a cheaper cost long term
👍 We also like how quiet it is. You can barely hear it running, which is great when you’re trying to sleep or concentrate on work.
👍 Simplistic design as one wheel is used to switch on and change speed setting – can’t get simpler than that
👍 You can get a version without activated charcoal which is cheaper to run long term
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Doesn’t include any app compatibility or automatic mode
👎 You still get more performance for your money with the options from Levoit or Taotronics
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | HEPA H11 and activated charcoal (Optional) |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 185 CFM / 315 m3/h |
| Recommended room size: | 430 ft² |
| Filter life: | Every 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23-52dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13 x 13 x 14.3 inches |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 4.5 / kg 10.1 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 42.6 watts |
4. Levoit Core 400S
If you are happy to pay an extra $19, the Levoit’s Core 400S has a good amount of power for the budget, although you would still be better off with 2 Levoit Core 300s used at once for the best performance for $200. But if you want smart mode, apps, and more power for just one unit and are happy with paying a little more – the Levoit Core 400S could be an option.
The Levoit Core 400S air purifier can remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. It has a three-stage filtration system with a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. The unit also features a powerful yet quiet motor that can circulate air in a room up to 403 square feet.
What We Really Like:
👍 It removed 99.97% of airborne contaminants in our tests, including pollen, dust, smoke, and VOCs
👍 It’s very effective, relatively quiet, and has a sleek design
👍 It is one of the most affordable air purifiers on the market that still delivers great performance
👍 Comes with a 2-year warranty, which is longer than most air purifiers in this price range
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 The filter needs to be replaced every six months, which can be costly over time
👎 While it’s not too loud for daytime use, it can be a bit bothersome at night
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 260 CFM / 442 m³/h |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 403 ft² |
| Filter life: | Every 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24-52dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 10.8L x 10.8W x 20.5H in / 27.4 x 27.4 x 52 cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.4 kg / 14.12 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 38 watts |
5. Winix 5300-2
The Winix 5300-2 cleaned our test room in 27 minutes and has a CADR of 246 CFM. Quite impressive, considering that you can regularly find this air purifier for less than $200. It includes true HEPA, but the charcoal filter is not the highest quality as it’s more like a Scotch-Brite pad vs activated carbon filters that include actual carbon pellets; however, we did find that it helped with odors in our performance test.
It is also equipped with an air quality sensor that adjusts the fan speed based on the level of pollutants in the air. The only potential drawback of this unit is that it does come with an ionizer that can be linked to very small amount of ozone being created. It is safe, but is something to be aware of, although there is an option to disable it. If it’s a concern, I would recommend looking at another unit.
The Winix 5300-2 is Energy Star certified and comes with a five-year warranty.
What We Really Like:
👍 This system can remove 99.97% of airborne particles from the air, including pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and smoke
👍 It is straightforward to use. It has an intuitive control panel with an LED display that shows the current indoor air quality
👍 Affordable compared to other air purifiers on the market with similar features
👍 It is very quiet when operating on its low or medium settings
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Does not have an automatic filter replacement indicator. This means that you have to remember to replace the filter yourself every few months, which can be easy to forget
👎 It is a bit difficult to clean; the filter housing can be tough to remove and reinstall
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | Washable Fine Mesh Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, Plasmawave Air Cleaning Technology |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 246 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 435 ft² up to 1,740 ft² |
| Filter life: | HEPA filter: every 6 months, Carbon pre-filter: every 3 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 27-60+dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 15W x 8.2D x 23.6 H inches |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.7 kg / 14.8 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 63.4 watts |
6. Coway AP-1512HH
The Coway AP-1512hh is an air purifier designed to remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air in your home. The unit has a 4-stage filtration system with a pre-filter, HEPA filter, carbon filter, and ionizer. The Coway AP-1512h uses 77.6 watts of power on the highest setting, so will end up costing quite a bit with long-term usage ($168.58 per year!).
It is quiet, efficient, and easy to use, with a sleek design that will fit in with any home décor. The unit is small enough to be placed on a table or shelf but powerful enough to clean the air in a large room.
The remote control functionality also means you can operate it from anywhere in the room. This is another unit that uses an ionizer, which helps get more performance for $ spent, but some people would prefer a unit that uses mechanical filtration only.
What We Really Like:
👍 Low price tag
👍 It’s small enough to fit in most rooms without taking up too much space, but it still packs a punch when filtering out pollutants
👍 The filtration system on the Coway AP-1512hh is top-notch, removing 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air
👍 The unit has a remote control for added convenience
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 The replacement filters are quite expensive
👎 The unit is a bit difficult to clean
SPECS & FEATURES
| Purifier technology: | True HEPA filter, deodorizing carbon filter, pre-filter, and bipolar ionizer |
| CADR (CFM / m³/h): | 240 CFM |
| Recommended room size: | 361 ft² |
| Filter life: | Every 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24-53dB |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13 x 13 x 14.3 inches |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.58 kg/12.3 lbs |
| Energy consumption: | 77.6 watts |
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Purifiers Under $200
🤔 Do I need an air purifier for each room?
It depends on your needs. If you want the air filtered in multiple rooms which you and your family use frequently, then you may consider acquiring more purifiers. However, when you’re shopping for air purifiers, be sure to consider the area covered by the unit.
You want to be sure to correctly match the device to your space. This table shows the minimum CADR an air purifier would need for each room size, and a solid unit pick for each size.
The Taotronics-AP003 has you covered on any of the following scenarios.
| Room size | Minimum CADR |
| 225 square feet | 150 cubic feet per minute |
| 300 square feet | 200 cubic feet per minute |
| 375 square feet | 250 cubic feet per minute |
| 450 square feet | 300 cubic feet per minute |
| 525 square feet | 350 cubic feet per minute |
| 600 square feet | 400 cubic feet per minute |
| 675 square feet | 450 cubic feet per minute |
As a rule of thumb, the CADR number should be at least two-thirds of the square footage of the room the purifier is meant to occupy.
| Pro tip – Read our full guide on multiple air purifiers here. It has all the info you need when it comes to measuring your room and understanding your own specific needs. |
🤔 Where is the best place to put an air purifier in a room?
Correct placement of your air purifier is essential to its functionality. However, because
no two purifiers are the same, placement will depend on the air purifier itself. It may be
tempting to tuck your purifier away in a corner or behind a sofa or television to keep it hidden.
Doing so, however, can decrease the air purifier’s efficiency significantly. This graphic shows you how much space to leave surrounding your unit.
Some companies will include placement suggestions within their owner manuals, so make sure to refer to those first.
| Pro tip – Remember, if you live in a place with outside air pollution, you will need to have your air purifier on while you sleep, but keep it as far away from your bed as possible to reduce issues with sound. |
🤔 Which air purifier is best for you?
The importance of an air purifier, especially for allergy sufferers, cannot be overstated. Most of the above products are fashioned with HEPA filtration technology and other noteworthy features. The HEPA filters are the industry standard and are of particular importance as they filter microscopic particulate matter, including germs, and viruses.
Bigger air purification systems can be costly, but if you’re looking for purifiers to maintain the air quality of your apartment, office, dorm, or individual rooms in your house, the ones reviewed above will do the job.
How We Picked Our Top Choices
We don’t recommend units without being 100% confident in our real-life performance testing process. That’s why we test all the models we recommend in the same room (sized 705 cubic ft), performing the same job (removing incense smoke).
This allows us to compare units side by side and create “best” lists like this one. The most important features we considered when making this selection were:
- Cleaning power value – If your budget can’t go over $200, then we want you to get the most power for your money spent. We made sure to include combination units that use HEPA in combination with ionizers that get more power for less money
- No useless new “science” filters – PECO, water filters, filterless, UV, UV-C… all sound great, but most fail to perform compared to HEPA and charcoal
- Open box – We don’t see any major downside to open box deals like Amazon warehouse, and we have included units that RRP higher than $200 but can regularly be found for less for open-box deals.
SOURCES
Monthly energy consumption costs have been calculated using our air purifier electricity usage calculator, which allows us to calculate daily and yearly costs associated with running an air purifier for 24hs a day.
You can customize the result by air purifier wattage and by state. In the case of the calculations we shared on this page, we used California as our base state for energy prices.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
