5 Best Budget Air Purifiers – Tested & Ranked (2024)

As an expert in indoor air quality, I know firsthand the importance of breathing clean air. Poor air quality can lead to various health issues, from allergies and asthma to severe respiratory problems.

Air purifiers are an effective way to remove harmful particles and improve air quality, but many of the high-end models can come with a hefty price tag. That’s why I’ve created a list of the best inexpensive air purifiers on the market.

After extensive research and testing, I’ve compiled a list of the top air purifiers that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re looking for a purifier for a small bedroom, kitchen, office, or large living room, our list has options to fit your needs. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best cheap air purifiers that can help you breathe easier and stay healthy.

Top 5 Affordable Air Purifiers

Below I have singled out the devices that I think are the best choice to buy if you are looking for cheap and affordable air purifiers.

I chose the devices using all the above parameters, performance tests, value for the money, and everything crucial in selecting the best machine.

Levoit Core 300 – Best Budget Option

Core 300 is one of the most popular devices from Levoit and one of the most popular air purifiers on the market. The Levoit Core 300 is a popular model from Levoit with an advanced filtration system. It uses 3-in-1 filtration, a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter.

It uses a potent motor that sets it apart from the competition. This motor is credited with the extraordinary performance that the Levoit Core 300 proved in the tests I did. The Levoit Core 300 is, in my opinion, the best inexpensive air purifier you can buy.

It is intended for rooms up to 219 sq. ft. It uses QuietKEAP Technology to reduce motor sound, which is why this device is very quiet, especially in sleep mode. These features make the Core 300 fit perfectly in the bedroom. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be an ideal appliance for any other room in the household.

The price of the device and the price of replacement filters are affordable. Filters need to be changed on average twice a year.

Blueair 411 – Best for Maintenance

The Blueair 411 is a unique device on the market because of its innovative design and minimalistic features. The device has only one button through which complete control takes place. It uses 3 stage filtration: pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter.

The Blueair 411 features a washable pre-filter, which in addition to being washable, can be purchased in various colors and thus blends the Blueair 411 into any room.

The device is intended for rooms up to 161 sq. ft.

In all the performance tests I did, the Blueair 411 did great. It is also enhanced with a hushed and economical motor in addition to excellent performance.

The Blueair 411 motor is only 10W, which also sets it apart from all other devices on this list. Low power consumption and low cost of replacement filters indicate that the Blueair 411 definitely belongs on this list of the best and cheapest air purifiers.

Xiaomi 4 Compact – The Smartest Option

The Xiaomi fourth series has some great air purifiers. I recently tested the Xiaomi 4 Compact, a fantastic air purifier that earned its place on the list of the best cheap air purifiers.

This air purifier is ideal for rooms up to 206 sq. ft., making it perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, offices, and similar spaces. The Xiaomi 4 Compact uses a three-stage filtration technology consisting of a Pre-filter, Xiaomi’s High-Efficiency Particle Filter, and an Activated Carbon Filter. The Xiaomi’s High-Efficiency Particle Filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles of up to 0.3 microns in size, the same as the True HEPA Filter.

It doesn’t have an ionizer or any similar filtration technology that could produce ozone, which makes it 100% ozone-free and safe to use.

I also like its motor, which is only 27W, making it one of the lowest power-consuming devices on the list.

Besides, the Xiaomi 4 Compact performed outstandingly in our performance tests, improving the air quality in a room of 194 sq. ft. by about 94% in just 60 minutes, working at the max speed.

Overall, this is a terrific air purifier characterized by low maintenance and long-lasting filters and one of the most cost-effective options on the list. It’s my absolute buying recommendation!

Levoit Core 200S – Cheap & Smart

The Levoit Core 200S is one of the smallest air purifiers in the Levoit’s Core series. This model is characterized by an adorable design, great features, affordable price, and outstanding performance.

It uses a three-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. In my opinion, the True HEPA filter is the main reason this air purifier made such excellent results in performance tests. It improved the air quality by about 91% in a 194 sq. ft. room.

What else to say about the Core 200S? It uses a VeSync smart app, is suitable for rooms of up to 183 sq. ft., and is one of the quietest air purifiers I have ever tested. Because it is so quiet, it also found its place on the list of best bedroom air purifiers. 

Overall, this is one of the best cheap air purifiers on the list and the one I suggest to anyone looking for a smart & cheap device that will drastically improve indoor air quality.

IKEA FÖRNUFTIG – The Most Inexpensive One

I have tested several air purifiers from IKEA, and the most common feature of their air purifiers is their low price tag and cheap maintenance.

However, I found the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG as the best one in the series and the one that is worth buying. This air purifier doesn’t use premium filtration technology, as other air purifiers mentioned on the list. It comes with a pre-filter and HEPA filter and the possibility of buying an activated carbon filter separately.

Even though it doesn’t have a True HEPA filter, I must say that I’m pleased with the performance it made in the tests. For just 60 minutes working at the max speed, it improved the air quality by about 91% in a 120 sq. ft. room.

This air purifier is the most suitable for rooms of up to 108 sq. ft., but you could use it in slightly large rooms if the air isn’t overpopulated. What is also characteristic of this model is that it doesn’t have any advanced features. It has only the filter reset indicator and the possibility of connecting with the smart plug.

All in all, I’m a fan of cheap air purifiers from IKEA and would suggest this one if your budget is very low or if you want to test how an air purifier works.

Things to Consider Before Buying an Air Purifier

If the budget determines which air purifier you’re going to buy, that is not a big problem today. I have singled out the top 5 best affordable air purifiers to narrow down the selection and help you choose the best one for your needs.

This buying guide relies on price as the main factor when buying an air purifier. However, you need to consider what kind of air purifiers you need.

Good To Know Before Deciding

Whether in the bedroom, living room, or maybe the office. And most importantly, you need to have the main reason for buying an air purifier.

Before buying, you need to give answers to these questions. You need to decide what kind of device you really need and then move on to the purchase. 

When performing my test on the air purifiers, I noticed that most of the cheap air purifiers come with low quality, weak motors, and small filters. Such devices usually only come with a HEPA filter and without a carbon filter. An air purifier without a carbon filter is useless against odors. Knowing that, I made a list of the most affordable air purifiers for different purposes. These devices use different and innovative technologies for air purification and are intended for rooms of various sizes. All the cheap but good air purifiers on this list cost around 100$, so you don’t need to wait for Black Friday to get a great deal!

Is Price a Crucial Factor for Device Quality?

Price is not the main factor. A high price is not an indicator that a device is good, just like a low price is not an indication that a device is bad. In my opinion, it is always better to read buying guides and reviews before buying an air purifier. When you educate yourself about the device you are buying, then the price is irrelevant. 

Where Will You Use the Air Purifier?

I have noticed that most people have no idea where to use air purifiers. Before buying, it is essential to decide whether to use an air purifier in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, or elsewhere.

For example, suppose you will use an air purifier in the bedroom. In that case, the device must have a sleep mode. If you have a sound sleep, then sleep mode may not be the deciding factor when buying the best air purifier.

Assume you will use the device in the kitchen or smoking room. In that case, you need an air purifier that, in addition to the HEPA filter, also has a carbon filter to successfully eliminate unpleasant odors.

If you think you will use a device in the living room, which is usually the largest room in the house and a place where you mostly spend time. In that situation, you need a device that has the largest possible airflow.

The Cost of Maintaining Air Purifiers on an Annual Basis

In the price range of around 100$, devices are mostly smaller, have smaller filters, and require frequent filter replacement. Air purifiers usually need little energy to operate. A much higher cost is filter replacement. Since the filter is usually changed twice a year, it is necessary to pay attention to the filter’s price.

Although air purifiers are tiny electricity consumers, there are significant differences between devices. In the chart above, you can see the power consumption of these air purifiers and their estimated monthly cost when used at maximum speed. The calculations are based on a reference kWh price of $0.12.

For example, the Levoit Core 300, a high-quality and powerful device, drives a 45W motor. At the same time, the Blueair Blue Pure 411 is powered by only 10W. If you convert it into dollars, a significant difference in consumption can be noticed annually.

Comparison: Best Cheap Air Purifiers

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FAQ on Cheap Air Purifiers

Final Thoughts

I have presented a list of the best cheap air purifiers in this buying guide. I analyzed the devices for a while and decided to put them on the list of good enough devices and of good quality to satisfy most users.

Although air purifiers are a luxury for many users, they should not be. With the advent of great competition, the prices of devices in the markets are falling, so you can get high-quality and efficient devices for less money.

In my opinion, the best inexpensive air purifier you can currently buy on the market is the Levoit Core 300. Right behind it, I would single out the Blue Pure 411 air purifier. However, if you opt for any other device from the list, you will not go wrong.

If you want to explore more about the devices shown, you can find individual reviews on the Air Purifier First website, as well as video reviews available on the Air Purifier First YouTube channel. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please leave a comment in the box below, and I will be happy to answer.