Air purifiers used to be nice gadgets for those who could afford them. But COVID-19 changed everything.
Since 2020, there has been an explosion of interest in devices that can clean airborne particles from the air. Reputable organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have stated that portable air purifiers can improve indoor ventilation and remove harmful airborne particles.
All this to say that everyone is much more aware now of how the air we breathe can impact our health, which is great news. The problem is that this has led to online marketplaces and retailers like Best Buy becoming flooded with cheap units that promise to do it all for a quarter of the price.
There is A LOT of misinformation out there, powered by paid influencers, sponsored ads and fake reviews. On top of that, every big magazine under the sun has decided to monetize its traffic through affiliate commissions, publishing page upon page with air purifier reviews without actual testing.
So, if you are on a tight budget but need an air purifier for your home, make sure to do your research BEFORE you buy, so you don’t end up like this Redditor, who bought two different air purifiers before she realized they didn’t work and had to buy a third one to help with her cat allergies.
Since 2020, we have bought and tested nearly 100 air purifiers. I used the data we collected from our tests to select the best performing options you can buy for less than 150 bucks.
If you don’t have time to read our full article, you’ll find our recommendations in the table below.
SMALL ROOMS | LARGE ROOMS | SMART OPTION | DIY OPTION | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Winix A231/A230 | AirFanta 3Pro | Levoit Vital 100S | Corsi-Rosenthal Box | |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Time to PM1 zero | 40 minutes | 17 minutes | 37 minutes | 32 minutes |
CADR | 154 CFM | 430 CFM | 146 CFM | 274 CFM |
Filter tech | True HEPA + carbon + ionizer | H11 HEPA + carbon | Bonded particle + carbon | MERV 13 |
Max room size | 231 sq. ft. | 671 sq. ft. | 219 sq. ft. | 680 sq. ft. |
Yearly running costs | $119.54 | $125.23 | $81.98 | $110.88 |
List price | $75.99 | $149.99 | $139.99 | $85.00 |
When you’re on a budget, the best way to get the best cleaning power is to use multiple air purifiers instead of just one. If your unit has a CADR of 150 CFM, two units working together will have a CADR of 300 CFM.
Something you need to know: We are an independent publisher, and we only focus on indoor air quality. We buy every product we review with our own money, so we can thoroughly test and review with no strings attached. If you buy an air purifier by clicking one of the links in this article, you will be supporting our work as we will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
1. For small spaces: Winix A231/A230
At $79.99, the A231 (or Zero Compact, as it’s known in Europe) is a powerful air purifier in a small package.

This little air purifier comes with an onboard air quality sensor, which makes it possible for its auto-mode to kick in autonomously as soon as it detects pollutants in the air. It also comes with PlasmaWave ionizer technology, which gives the A231 a performance boost but could be disabled, if you’re not a fan of ionizers.
What we really like
What we think could be better
It’s still a small unit, so bear in mind that it will not be suitable for rooms bigger than 230 sq. ft., but it’s still quite powerful and completed our air cleaning performance test in 40 minutes — that is 14 minutes faster than the Levoit Core 300.



HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 40 minutes (with PlasmaWave) |
Air purifier technology: | Fine mesh pre-filter, True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, PlasmaWave technology |
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 231 sq. ft. |
Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Dust: 154 CFM Smoke: 149 CFM Pollen: 147 CFM |
Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 9.5D x 9.5W x 14.6H inches (24.13D x 24.13W x 37H cm) |
Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) |
Filter life: | 12 months |
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 35.2 dB Speed 2: 48.3 dB Speed 3: 57.9 dB |
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0.06 watts Speed 1: 35.4 watts Speed 2: 37.7 watts Speed 3: 45.6 watts |
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $119.54 per year |
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.51 |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
Country of manufacture: | South Korea |
2. For large spaces: AirFanta 3Pro
A high CADR PC fan-powered air purifier you can assemble and disassemble to travel with it, and that will set you back $150.
Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.
The AirFanta 3Pro belongs to a new generation of air purifiers inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal Box (above) but powered by a set of mighty PC fans. In our tests, it managed to clean our test room in 17 minutes, which is impressive considering it costs fifty bucks over $100.
What we really like
What we think could be better
The AirFanta 3Pro is the only high CADR air purifier you can fit in a backpack, and that is impressive. I decided to include it as an option in this list because its air cleaning performance is astonishing for a unit you can buy for just $150. So if you’re willing to stretch your budget a little bit from the $100 mark, then I seriously recommend you check out this device.



HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★★ |
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 17 minutes |
Air filtration technology: | True HEPA H11 |
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 671 sq. ft. |
Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Estimated: 430 CFM |
Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm) |
Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
Filter life: | 6 – 12 months |
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | 3.63 volts: 36.1 dB 4.19 volts: 36.9 dB 5.24 volts: 39.7 dB 6.54 volts: 43.3 dB 7.44 volts: 46.7 dB 8.56 volts: 49.1 dB 12.6 volts: 56.3 dB |
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | 43.23 watts |
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $125.23 per year |
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.35 |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
Country of manufacture: | China |
3. Smart option: Levoit Vital 100S
An air purifier with smart functions, an on-board air quality sensor and smartphone connectivity that you will often find on Amazon for $109.99.
The Levoit Vital 100S is the upgrade to the Levoit Vital 100 that we reviewed back in 2022 and the little brother of the Vital 200S. It comes with a removable pre-filter and a bonded main filter with a combination of pelleted activated carbon and a HEPA-like particle filter.
What we really like
What we think could be better
With a dust CADR of 146, this air purifier can provide five air changes per hour in small rooms of up to 219 sq. ft. If you are looking for a device you will use in a larger space, I would recommend to check out the Levoit Vital 200S instead as it has a more powerful fan and a larger set of filters.
The Vital 100S completed our particle removal test in 37 minutes, which is a big improvement from the 48 minutes we recorded with the Vital 100. In terms of air cleaning performance, this air purifier is also a much better option than the Levoit Core 300 (54 minutes) so it is definitely worth the extra $40.



HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 37 minutes |
Air filtration technology: | Pre-filter and bonded particle + activated carbon filter. |
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour): | 219 sq. ft. |
Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Smoke: 134 cfm Dust: 146 cfm Pollen: 186 cfm |
Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 6.4 x 12.8 x 16.1 in (16.3D x 32.5W x 40.8H cm) |
Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 7.28 lbs (3.3 kg) |
Filter life: | 9 months |
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 37.5 dB Speed 2: 42.6 dB Speed 3: 48.7 dB Speed 4: 53.8 dB |
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby: 1.6 watts Sleep mode: 3.2 watts Speed 1: 5 watts Speed 2: 8.7 watts Speed 3: 15.4 watts Speed 4: 27.3 watts |
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $81.98 per year |
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.96 |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
Country of manufacture: | China |
4. DIY option: Corsi-Rosenthal Box
For around $85, you can buy everything you need to build your own air purifier — the Corsi-Rosenthal Box performs as well as many of the highest-rated units we’ve tested.

If you have a box fan and some extra HVAC filters, you might be able to get an air purifier running in your home without spending a thing. The Corsi-Rosenthal box requires you to build your device with the help of duct tape and cardboard.
When we got to test this air purifier in the same test we use for all purchasable air purifiers, it cleaned our test room in 32 minutes of particles sized 1 micron or less. This is just four minutes slower than $900 IQAir Healthpro Plus (28 minutes) and eight minutes faster than the $400 Alen BreatheSmart 45i (40 minutes). Not too shabby for something you can build yourself at home!
What we really like
What we think could be better
For those needing an air purifier as quickly as possible, the Corsi-Rosenthal Box is the best solution out there, and that’s why it is our top recommendation for the best air purifier for wildfire smoke.
HouseFresh rating: | ★★★★☆ |
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed): | 30 minutes (with a cardboard shroud) |
Air purifier technology: | MERV 13 |
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour): | 411 sq. ft. |
Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Estimated: 274 CFM |
Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 20L x 20W x 20H inches (50L x 50W x 50H cm) |
Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
Filter life: | 6-12 months |
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter): | Speed 1: 49 dB Speed 2: 55.1 dB Speed 3: 60.7 dB |
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor): | Standby mode: 0 kWh Speed 1: 40.5 kWh Speed 2: 44.5 kWh Speed 3: 46.7 kWh |
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement): | $110.88 per year |
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM): | $0.29 |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | n/a |
Country of manufacture: | China |
Two good air purifiers under $150 that didn’t make the final cut
The models above are my top picks for those on a tight budget, but there are other air purifiers that narrowly made the list:

Levoit Core 300 ($99 upfront + $114,11 per year)
With a CADR of 153 cfm for dust, the Levoit Core 300 was able to complete our particle removal test in 45 minutes. This is good performance for an air purifier you can buy for less than $100, but it was outshined by what we saw with the Winix A231.
Levoit released the Core 300 in 2019 and, at the time, there was no competition whatsoever. That might explain why so many other small air purifiers have taken so much design inspiration from the Core 300. It doesn’t come with app support and auto-mode — if those are important to you, you can go with the Core 300S

TaoTronics TT-AP003 ($99.99 + $90.66 per year)
The TaoTronics TT-AP003 was a game changer in budget air purifiers. Sold for $79.99, it boasts a CADR of 226 CFM similar to units that cost nearly $200.
However, this powerful cheap air purifier has been discontinued. The good news is that this device is built on a very popular ODM design and is sold under multiple brands around the globe, such as Midea, Lorell and Lago. Unfortunately, as of December 2024, this model is unavailable in the U.S.
If you live in Europe, look for the Midea SmartAir Pure Control.
The cheap air purifiers that we don’t recommend
We test many air purifiers here at HouseFresh and while we are continually looking for units like the Taotronics AP-003 that move the performance needle forward, we also come across a lot of duds. This is especially true at the sub $100 level, and so we felt it our duty to also point out those air purifiers you should avoid in this budget range.
- AROEVE MK01 – I could not find a published CADR for this unit, which would make sense as when we tested it, we found it took 163 minutes to clean our room to the levels recommended by the WHO guidelines. Remember that our test room (728 cubic feet) is the smallest in our house, so we can assume that this unit will be underpowered for most home use cases and should be avoided. The budget doesn’t have to be the thing that holds you back from having clean air in your home. Pay $20 extra and get the TaoTronics.
- Levoit Core Mini – The Core Mini is the smallest air purifier in the Levoit Core line. It comes with the same three-stage filtration (pre-filter, main filter and activated carbon filter) and it doubles down as a diffuser for essential oils. It only pulls 6.4 watts and generates just 44 dB of sound at its highest fan speed, but it took one hour and 53 minutes to remove all the pollutants in our relatively small test room. This budget unit is too underpowered for most rooms, but if you are looking for a way to clean the air in your RV or campervan, then this could be the one.
- GermGuardian AC482e – This air purifier seems awesome on the surface, especially as you will find glowing reviews from well-respected media organizations if you decide to Google it. There is only one problem — it’s not good at all. It might have been an OK choice a few years back, but the AC4825e failed to perform well in our home lab tests with a poor performance of 104 minutes. When the Levoit Core 300 can achieve this in 40 minutes, you must wonder what you are paying for with the GermGuardian AC4825e.
- Levoit Core 200S – The Core 200S is not bad, it is just not good enough for you to spend $89.99 on it. it comes with app support, emits a maximum of 49dB of sound when running at its top speed and doesn’t pull too much power (28.4 watts max) but it took a full hour to clean the air in our test room. You could get a TaoTronics AP003 or a Winix A231 for that money and they would offer you much better air cleaning performance.
How to avoid wasting money when buying a budget air purifier
Air purifiers offer an excellent way to remove harmful particles and improve indoor air quality, but many high-end models come with a hefty price tag. You just need to know what to look for in a quality air purifier, and you’ll discover many high-performance units that are affordably priced. And we’re here to help!
Our guide for the best budget air purifiers outlines the critical things to consider when buying an air purifier.
1. HEPA + Activated carbon is a must
The filtration technology used in an air purifier is the most important thing to consider when buying an air purifier on a budget. I recommend you focus on finding a unit with a good particle filter, ideally HEPA-certified, and an activated carbon filter.
- HEPA filters are the “gold standard” in filtration technology. HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters are great at trapping microscopic allergens like dust, pollen, dander and mold spores. These filters capture large and small particles down to 0.3 microns that move through them.
- Activated carbon filters do a stellar job of removing these odors. Where HEPA captures large and small particles from the indoor air, the best budget-friendly air purifiers also include Activated Carbon filtration. The porous nature of activated carbon helps absorb odor and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. We recommend choosing a unit with pellets rather than impregnated fabric often found in cheap air purifiers.
2. Measure the room size and consider its CADR score
Room size is another critical factor when buying an air purifier. Air purifiers aren’t created equal. Larger units can effectively clean air in larger rooms, like classrooms, while smaller units might not.
Manufacturers usually provide the recommended room size for each unit, so this information shouldn’t be hard to find.
See the table below for the recommended room size and CADR rating.
Room Size (sq. feet) | CADR (CFM) |
300 — 500 sq. ft. | One air purifier with a CADR of at least 150 |
500 — 900 sq. ft. | One or two air purifiers with a combined CADR of 300 — 500 |
1,000 sq. ft. and over | One very large or 2-3 air purifiers with a combined CADR of 600 or higher |
CADR, or clean air delivery rate, measures the air volume an air purifier can clean in a given time. A higher CADR means the air purifier can effectively remove more pollutants from your room, so pick the unit with the highest CADR score.
Feel free to use our free tool that provides you with 4.8 air changes per hour, which is what the EPA recommends for portable air purifiers:
4. Smart features are not a must, so don’t overpay for them
Air purifiers with smart technology, like auto mode and app support, are easier and more convenient to operate. However, units with such technology tend to be more expensive and might be above your price range if you’re working on a tight budget.
Focus more on performance rather than features. You can find units with similar performance as the smart models but at a lower price. For example, the Levoit 300 performs as well as the smart Levoit Core 300S but is $50 cheaper.
5. Be wary of very cheap air purifiers
The device’s low price can often be a trap.
In our many years of experience testing air purifiers, we have yet to find an excellent unit for less than $50, yet Amazon has many units. In our experience, you need to spend at least $80 for something like the TaoTronics AP003 or $99 for the Levoit Core 300 to get a unit capable of cleaning most standard room sizes.
Common questions about cheap air purifiers
If you’ve researched the best air purifiers on the market, you may have noticed that most are in the $200 to $300 price range.
Budget-friendly air purifiers are challenging to find. Even the units advertised as “cheap air purifiers” range somewhere between $100 to $150. But that doesn’t mean you can enjoy clean, fresh air in your home without breaking the bank.
Plenty of bucket picks on the market are just as effective as the pricey models. The Taotronics AP-003 costs $79.99 directly but can be found for a little more with third-party sellers on Amazon.
HEPA alone won’t do anything about odors or VOCs. You must also use an activated charcoal or carbon filter to deal with smells and gasses. Activated charcoal has a proven record of removing odors and gases that get trapped inside.
If you have severe odors or issues with VOCs, you will want to look at air purifiers with a large amount of activated carbon. Be sure to look at our list of the best air purifiers for VOCs which has a few examples of these types of air purifiers.
To make an air purifier, you will need to attach a particle filter to a fan. The team at Smart Air put together a super helpful guide in their blog showing you how to build a fan + filter device.
Alternatively, you can build a more substantial (and powerful) air purifier following this guide on how to build a Corsi-Rosenthal Box from UC Davis.
Small air purifiers can be the right choice when you are in a minimal space like a car and traveling by plane.
Still, for the home, I recommend choosing a unit at least as large as the Levoit Core 300, as otherwise, you will spend a lot on filters and will find it hard to have enough performance for even the smallest rooms.
Opening a door or a window is a significant first step to cleaning the air in your home. The challenge is when the air outside is worse; this is when a cheap air purifier can provide a way to clean the air without letting any more pollutants inside.
Wrapping up
Being on a small budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Ensure your new unit has HEPA and Activated Carbon filters, and go for as high a CADR as your budget allows.
Smart features are nice but not essential for the budget buyer. Any units on this list give you quality at a great price, so you won’t go far wrong. Remember, we have tested every unit ourselves, so we know what we’re talking about.
January 10th, 2024:
- Added the Levoit Vital 100S.
December 23rd, 2024:
- We decided to raise the budget to be $150 in order to include the highly powerful and affordable AirFanta 3Pro.
- Moved the TaoTronics AP-003 outside of the top picks as it has been discontinued and other models built on its same OEM design are currently out of stock across the U.S.
August 24th, 2024:
- Removed the TaoTronics AP-005 as it is consistently out of stock everywhere.
May 25th, 2024:
- Embedded the video version of the article.
May 10th, 2024:
- Updated long-term running costs calculations.
March 16th, 2024:
- Replaced the Levoit Core 300 with the Winix A230/A231 as the top recommendation overall.
- Removed mentions of HEPA filtration for Levoit devices after a challenge from Dyson through the BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD) let to Levoit removing mentions of a “True HEPA filter”.
November 26th, 2023:
- Upfront and long-term running costs were added prominently next to the names of the devices.