Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier ($79 – $99).
- A correctly sized purifier for the bedroom gives the most benefit for allergy sufferers.
- Match the clean air delivery rate (CADR) to your room size.
In this article
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On a budget? Here are the best-value air purifiers in the US, starting with the cheapest model we rate, with typical prices and our verdict on each.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier | Buy | 8.4/10 | $79 – $99 |
| Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty | Buy | 9.0/10 | $149 – $229 |
| Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | Buy | 8.2/10 | $149 – $199 |
Budget picks in detail
Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier
Small rooms and budgets · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.4/10 · Typical price: $79 – $99
Why we like it: Small, quiet and cheap.
Pros: Very affordable · Quiet sleep mode · Compact design
Cons: Small room coverage · Filters need replacing every 6 to 8 months
Buy it if you want an affordable purifier for a small bedroom, nursery or office.
Skip it if you need to clean a large living room.
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Most rooms · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $149 – $229
Why we like it: Proven HEPA cleaning at a fair price.
Pros: True HEPA filtration · Quiet on low · Air quality indicator and auto mode · Affordable filters
Cons: No app on the standard model · Plain design
Buy it if you want a reliable HEPA purifier for a bedroom or living room that is quiet and cheap to run.
Skip it if you need to clean a very large open space.
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Pets and odors · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.2/10 · Typical price: $149 – $199
Why we like it: Carbon filter for pet and cooking smells.
Pros: Washable carbon filter · Auto mode with sensor · Good value
Cons: PlasmaWave feature is best left off · Louder on high
Buy it if you want strong odor control for pets or cooking at a fair price.
Skip it if you want the quietest purifier.
How to save money
A correctly sized purifier for the bedroom gives the most benefit for allergy sufferers.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Match the clean air delivery rate (CADR) to your room size.
Common mistake: Buying a small purifier for a large room.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap air purifiers in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier, typically $79 – $99.
Are cheap air purifiers worth it?
A correctly sized purifier for the bedroom gives the most benefit for allergy sufferers. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Match the clean air delivery rate (CADR) to your room size.
When are air purifiers cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.