Air purifiers are essential appliances that ensure the air quality of your home, apartment, or office. But definitely, they should not overwhelm your wallet at all.
The best air purifier for the money is the appropriate solution for those frugal individuals who are looking for the ideal means of indoor air purification. There are numerous models in the market today that are brimming with both quality and value.
The following list features some of the suitable choices for budget-friendly, top-performing air purifiers that you can get right now.
Best Air Purifier For The Money
1. LEVOIT H13 True HEPA Filter Air Purifiers
The LEVOIT is one of the most trusted manufacturers of air purifiers. It can offer you a plethora of air purifiers to choose from. For budget-conscious folks, the LEVOIT H13 True HEPA Filter Air Purifier is an excellent pick from them.
This one features a three-stage filtration system: the pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and true HEPA filter. They ensure that your indoor space will be free from large particles, small contaminants, and foul odor that could affect the air quality you breathe. It is capable of capturing 99.97% of airborne contaminants that are as small as 0.3 microns.
The filters of this air purifier are replaceable. When running, the device is silent. The lowest setting only produces 25dB of noise. You can put it inside your bedroom and will not worry that it will disturb you in your sleep. Moreover, it is energy efficient, which means that it won’t add to your power bill.
Pros:
- Can do four filtration cycles in an hour
- Effective in eliminating odor
- Removes allergens that cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses
- Portable; easy to move around
- Energy-efficient
Cons:
- Can only filter a single room
2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is a cost-efficient choice here. It is not as cheap as the other purifiers here, but it can definitely save you a lot in your electricity bill. It has energy-saving capabilities that regulate its power consumption, even if you operate it 24/7.
This air purifier is capable of trapping 99.97% of airborne particles and pollutants. Moreover, the HEPA filter of this device is rated to work against contaminants that are as small as 0.3 microns. Meanwhile, the AOC carbon filter of this device contains carbon granules that effectively treat foul odor.
There is also a noise-muffling technology integrated on the Winix 5500-2. It works wonderfully in ensuring that nothing will disturb you while this device is running. On the other hand, the smart sensors of this air purifier help automatically detect the quality of your indoor air.
Pros:
- Low-noise operation
- Traps both large and small pollutants and allergens
- Smart sensors automatically adjust the fan setting based on the air quality
- Suitable for medium and large-sized room
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Its blue light can disturb your eyes while sleeping
3. RIGOGLIOSO True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
For its size and price, the RIGOGLIOSO True HEPA Filter Air Purifier works pretty decently. It features composite catalyst technology that has been integrated into its medical-grade HEPA filter. The latter is effective in decomposing toluene, formaldehyde, and other odor-causing elements.
The air purifier is also rated to eliminate 98% of contaminants and illness-causing substances. You can use it in both home and office settings because of its portability. It has a tabletop construction that allows you to put it anywhere.
The three-speed setting of the RIGOGLIOSO Air Purifier works best in dealing with different indoor settings. You can crank it to the highest power if you deem that your indoor air is infested by pollutants already. The noise level of this device is pretty acceptable to the ears. It is not that loud; it allows you to sleep comfortably at night.
Pros:
- Great for small, single-room applications
- Easy to operate and use
- Filters various contaminants and microbes in the air
- Surprisingly sturdy
- Comes with a nightlight function
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a continuous model; you need to switch it off every 12 hours
4. Medify MA-14W2 Medical Grade Filtration Air Purifier
The Medify MA-14W2 Air Purifier boasts its one-of-a-kind true HEPA filter. According to its manufacturers, the HEPA filter of this device is capable of removing 99.9% of airborne particles. This means that almost nothing escapes from the filtration capability of this unit.
With a CADR of 120, this air purifier is rated to work best on 470-square-foot rooms in an hour. If placed in 200 square feet rooms, it can do two cleaning cycles in an hour. For rooms that are smaller than 117 square feet, this air purifier can do four filtration cycles in the same period.
This air purifier comes with a myriad of features. It comes with three fan settings, sleep mode, and nightlight mode. These capabilities improve the usability of the device in various home and office settings. It also comes with a filter replacement indicator to know whenever you need to change the existing filters.
Pros:
- Silent operation
- One of the most efficient purifiers for contaminants and allergens
- Control panel is easy to access and navigate
- Filters are easy to change
- Can do multiple cleaning cycles in specific room sizes
Cons:
- No significant drawbacks
5. SAMSUNG Cube Smart Air Purifier
One of the most valuable air purifiers that you can get today is the SAMSUNG Cube Smart Air Purifier. It is portable but possesses enough power to clean medium-size rooms with ease. Specifically, this air purifier is the right choice for room spaces that are 310 square feet in size and less.
The performance of this air purifier is simply ahead of its counterparts. It has air monitors that use laser technology so that it can detect all the particles present in the air. The monitoring is real-time; the sensors immediately display the air quality on its easy-to-read interface.
Because of its modular design, the SAMSUNG Cube Smart Air Purifier is a unit that you can customize based on your needs and preferences. You can adjust its speed and output. Certainly, this air purifier does not release audible noises or cold drafts. It has a continuous operation but doesn’t consume too much electricity.
Pros:
- Easy and hassle-free operation
- Highly accurate air sensors
- Effective in trapping allergens and pollutants
- Surprisingly compact and portable
- Doesn’t produce ozone and other harmful compounds
Cons:
- It is somewhat heavy
How To Choose The Best Air Purifier For The Money
When it comes to choosing air purifiers or any home appliances, the price does come into mind. It is pretty understandable that some people would want to regulate their expenses, even on acquiring essential amenities.
With the worsening air pollution and the terrors that are brought by the coronavirus pandemic, it is not surprising anymore that there’s a demand in air purifiers. Many people in different countries in the world simply want this device to be present in their homes or offices.
Considering that you want to be as thrifty as possible, the following guidelines can help you choose the right air purifier that doesn’t hurt your pocket.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of an air purifier is an indicator of its value. Would you buy a cheap air purifier even though it is not working properly? I think not.
You see, the cost-efficiency of a product also depends on how satisfying its operation is. That’s the kind of satisfaction that you’ll never regret spending upon.
So how would you know if an air purifier is effective or not?
The first factor that you need to take a look at is the filtration system. The more sophisticated the filtration system, the better. Don’t go for those air purifiers that only have one or two filters. They won’t do a complete job in improving the quality of your indoor air.
Here are the essential filters that a good air purifier should possess:
- Pre-filter – The pre-filter is the one that screens large particles in the air, such as pet fur and hair. Most air purifiers have pre-filters, and their quality doesn’t really vary.
- HEPA filter – The HEPA filter is considered as the most important filter of an air purifier. It is the one that traps and eliminates small and microscopic pollutants. It specifically deals with mold spores, dust, pet dander, pollen, and even germs. Most of the true HEPA filters out there are capable of absorbing 99.97% of air contaminants that are as small as 0.3 microns.
- Activated carbon filter – The activated carbon filter is designed to extinguish the foul smell in the air. If there’s a cigarette smoker in your house, this filter is absolutely necessary. But aside from the cigarette scent, activated carbon is also useful in neutralizing odors from pets and food that have a strong scent.
Energy-Efficiency
The next factor that you need to look at in choosing a budget-friendly air purifier is its energy consumption. Ideally, air purifiers should operate for extended periods, especially if you are living in areas where pollution is very prevalent. Of course, if you are going to run an air purifier 24/7, expect that there’s a significant increase in your power bill.
Certainly, you’ll never want the increase to be that drastic. At the very least, you’ll want it to be within your expectations.
Fortunately, many air purifiers have an energy-efficient operation. These are those units that can perform under heavy load without eating too much power. There are several certifications that can prove that an air purifier is indeed energy-efficient. You just have to look at the labels, and see their overall performance.
Room Size
Next, you need to mind the size of the room where you are going to place an air purifier. Some households just want an air purifier for their living rooms and bedrooms, while others want a rugged unit that can cover an entire block or building space.
There are air purifiers designed for each of these settings. And for cost-efficiency, you’ll need the one that suits your needs. For instance, if you are going to invest in a powerful unit just for your small bedroom or apartment, that’s overkill. You are just adding numbers to your power bill aimlessly.
Similarly, investing in a tabletop air purifier for a large space is not practical. You will be forced to invest in multiple air purifiers if that’s the case. You should just pick one large air purifier that can do the job of multiple small purifiers. If you are going to tally their respective costs, the big one will save you a lot of money.
Other Energy-Saving Features
It would also be great if the air purifier has several energy-saving capabilities. Among these is the automatic shutdown or sleep feature that activates after minimal configurations.
The night mode feature is also essential for those air purifiers that have illumination. When this mode is activated, the lights of an air purifier should turn off right away.
Timers are also great, especially if you are minimizing the operational hours of the air purifier.
Conclusion
These are the things that you need to mind whenever choosing a budget-friendly air purifier. In the market today, there are several air purifiers that can fit into these qualifications. Those that I have featured are an example of them.
Acquiring the best air purifier for the money is indeed an economical route these days. Even amidst financial constraints, you should still prioritize the conducive of your living space, especially its air quality.
I hope that you learned from this guide. If you have some other questions or clarifications, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.