Recently updated on May 28th, 2022 at 04:56 am
Air purifiers are becoming increasingly important because of the rising air contamination levels across the globe. The rising pollution levels can trigger asthma attacks and can make existing allergies worse.
The Best Air Purifier under 150 brings an inexpensive solution to the rising pollution levels and helps you stay healthy by keeping the indoor air contaminant-free without spending enormous amounts. Medical-grade air purifiers do offer better filtration as they can filter out particles as little as 0.1 microns but these can cost a fortune.
HEPA air purifiers can filter PM2.5 particles with ease and those with activated carbon filters will take care of odors and any VOCs but with so many options available, making the ultimate choice can be difficult.
We’ve compiled a list of the best ones that offer innovative features and offer the best value while also ensuring excellent filtration. So without further ado, let’s look at the best air purifiers under 150.
List of Best Air Purifier Under 150
There are many excellent options when it comes to air purifiers under 150. We’ve selected the ones from the top manufacturers that are not afraid to innovate and have made a name for themselves thanks to their excellent quality. Here are the 7 best air purifiers on the market in your given budget:
- Winix 5300-2
- Levoit Core 300S
- Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA
- Levoit Core P350
- Blueair Pure 411
- Pure Enrichment®️ PureZone™️
- PARTU HEPA Air Purifier
| Air Purifier | Filtration Stages | Coverage Area | Reason to Choose |
| Winix 5300-2 | 4 | 360 sq. ft. | ⦁ CARB certified ⦁ Equipped with air quality sensor and timer ⦁ Recommended for medium to large-sized rooms |
| Levoit Core 300S | 3 | 219 sq. ft. | ⦁ Offers UV-C light ⦁ Equipped with smart features ⦁ Suitable for quiet operation |
| Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA | 3 | 155 sq. ft. | ⦁ Energy star label ⦁ High fan power cover large rooms ⦁ Long filter life of 12 months |
| Levoit Core P350 | 3 | 219 sq. ft. | ⦁ High grade (H13) HEPA filter ⦁ Quiet operation ⦁ Recommended for especially particulate matter |
| Blueair Pure 411 | 3 | 161 sq. ft. | ⦁ Filters made with Antibacterial material ⦁ A fine choice for countertops ⦁ Energy star rating |
| Pure Enrichment®️ PureZone™️ | 3 | 200 sq. ft. | ⦁ Gives off UV-C light ⦁ Sets timed operations ⦁ Recommended for quite operation in small spaces |
| PARTU HEPA Air Purifier | 3 | 107 sq. ft. | ⦁ CARB certified ⦁ Includes child lock ⦁ A prime choice for aromatherapy lovers |
Detailed Review – Best Air Purifier Under 150
Let’s jump to each purifier review and see how they stack up with each other.
1. Winix 5300-2
The Winix 5300-2 replaced the hugely popular 5300 and quickly saw the same enthusiastic response as the previous device. You get all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a top-end device like Auto mode, air quality sensor, and a timer.
Just like the outgoing 5300 the 5300-2 boasts excellent build quality even though everything is plastic. The proprietary handlebar design to move the air purifier around also makes the cut. The filtration is commendable and starts by pulling in the air through the front grille.
The control panel on the top features the control buttons: Power, Filtration Mode, Fan Speed, Timer, and PlasmaWave. The touch buttons are not a fit for everyone but are a nice touch to have. There is also an air quality indicator that changes color based on the contaminant levels in the indoor space.
The air purifier isn’t just fit for homes, you can use it in clinics or commercial space as well thanks to the timer switch that can set the run time for 1, 4, 8 hours, and off. The AQ indicator light changes between blue, yellow, and red to indicate air quality.
There is also an ambient light sensor that can automatically trigger night mode when the light intensity is reduced. The filtration starts with a pre-filter that filters out large-sized particles and air contaminants like hair or pet fur.
The activated carbon filter then removes odors like cooking odors, pet odors, cigarette smoke, and can also help neutralize VOCs. The True HEPA filter follows suit and can safely remove 99.97% of tiny allergens down to a size of 0.3 microns.
The activated carbon filter then removes odors like cooking odors, pet odors, cigarette smoke, and can also help neutralize VOCs. The True HEPA filter follows suit and can safely remove 99.97% of tiny allergens down to a size of 0.3 microns.
Winix has included the PlasmaWave Technology that was previously limited to premium models. This creates Hydroxyls (OH) that help degenerate microbes at a molecular level. While the hydroxyls are considered safe there is a problem of ozone production. It can release traces of oxygen into the air but carries the CARB certification as the oxygen levels are within the prescribed industry standards.
The purifier can easily bring down airborne contaminant levels and is efficient. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you’ll notice the difference right away and you can move it around to your room or if you’re living on your own, it can cover 360 sq. ft. of space 5 times an hour.
The Energy Star rating is also a welcome addition ensuring that the air purifier would be efficient when it comes to power consumption. We would have loved the inclusion of remote control and smart capabilities like the more expensive 5500-2 but at the price point of the Winix 5300-2, one can hardly complain.
Award: Best for Medium to Large Rooms
2. Levoit Core 300S
Levoit is the top-selling brand in the US and for all the right reasons, the Core 300S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier removes hair, dust specks, microbes, mold, pet dander, pet fur, and can even neutralize odors, and VOCs.
What makes the Core 300S unique is its compact size, lightweight build, and inclusion of controls with app connectivity. The purifier can easily filter a room up to 250 sq. ft.
The Levoit Core 300S filtration system starts with the pre-filter made out of nylon that can conveniently trap large particles but should be vacuumed regularly for efficient operation.
The air then makes its way towards the True HEPA filter that can trap even the smallest of particles with a 99.97% accuracy. These two filters are enough to filter particulate matter.
The inclusion of the activated carbon filter equips the air purifier to keep smoke and odors at bay. But the downside is that the filters are sandwiched into an all-in-one package.
The Levoit 300S doesn’t bring the ionizer but the purification is on par with premium offerings from other manufacturers.
The air purifier basically brings the manufacturing prowess of Levoit in a simple-to-use package. If you don’t want to spend that much the Core 300 is offered at a cheaper rate but lacks the smart features that we’ve come to fall in love with.
Award: Best for Quiet Places
3. Honeywell HPA100 True HEPA
If you’re looking for something that can filter a 150 sq. ft. space, the Honeywell HPA100 is a worthy contender.
The filtration stages on the HPA100 can be confusing for some people as it features a true HEPA filter and a carbon filter that doubles as a pre-filter. The lack of a separate dedicated pre-filter also decreases the life of the main more important HEPA filter.
The stronghold of the HPA100 is the true HEPA filter at an inexpensive price point. The filter can efficiently remove particles down to a size of 0.3 microns with a 99.97% accuracy.
Carbon filters that double as a pre-filter don’t have activated carbon palettes, instead, the purifier has a fibrous material. This reduces the surface area that comes in contact with unwanted gaseous content like odors, and hazardous VOCs.
If you’re getting an air purifier for odor removal or VOC removal, then this air purifier won’t help you much. You’d be better off with Winix or Levoit offerings. In addition, the lack of a washable pre-filter also decreases the life of the HEPA one.
The Honeywell HPA100 can get very loud and will consume considerably high power, but thanks to the high CADR it will be able to service even larger rooms with ease. There can be a bit of a rattle when the unit is operating at the maximum capacity but the unit comes with a 5-year warranty.
Award: Best For Long Term Use
4. Levoit Core P350
If you have kids or pets around then the Levoit Core P350 can be the perfect air purifier for your home. It brings an efficient 360-degree air intake design that results in higher airflow while also featuring a safety lock feature.
The Levoit Core P350 brings a cylindrical body that’s both modern and goes well with your home decor. The air purifier cannot be termed as small and weighs above 3 kilograms meaning that carrying it around won’t be an easy task.
While the design might be bulky the 3-stage filtration system is excellent. A pre-filter, a HEPA, and an activated carbon filter combine to provide a 99.97% filtration rate that will remove even the smallest of particles.
The pre-filter starts the filtration by removing large particles like pet fur, hair, dust, etc before passing the air onto the H13 grade True HEPA filter. The HEPA filter removes 99.97% of particulate matter of 0.3 microns and is larger.
The 3rd stage of filtration is the activated carbon filter that helps neutralize odors from smoke or pets. Levoit has brought its Air Reborn Carbon formula to its filter meaning the air pollutants would degenerate into harmless molecules. This technology also helps stop the off-gassing problem that comes with carbon filters while also extending the life of the filter.
The Levoit Core P350 can cater to the needs of a 210 sq. ft. room with ease and we would not call it a quiet air purifier at the highest settings, but at the lowest one, it can drop to 24 decibels thanks to its QuietKEAP technology that reduces air drag and reduces noise.
The controls include a power button, fan speed control, sleep mode button, pet-proof (safety button), and timer. While the purifier lacks auto mode, it can remember the last used fan speed and will turn on with that.
Sleep mode will turn off all the lights and will turn the fan speed to the minimum settings. The timer can turn the air purifier after a set time and if you’re afraid that your kids or pets might tinker with the settings, the pet-proof button prevents that with ease.
Award: Best Against Particulate Matter
5. Blueair Pure 411
Blueair rose to popularity thanks to its intuitive, user-centric designs. With over 20 years of air purification devices experience, it is definitely one of the best brands around. The Blue Pure 411’s cylindrical design and shape might look familiar as a number of manufacturers have switched to Blueair’s signature design language.
The Blue Pure 411’s cylindrical design actually serves a purpose. The air flows in from all sides ensuring maximum efficiency. The design is user-friendly and there is only one button-up top surrounded by an LED indicator that doubles as a fan speed and a filter replacement indicator. The Blue Pure 411’s compact design is perfect for countertops.
The Blue Pure 411 brings a 3-stage filtration system that starts with a fabric pre-filter that’s on the outside, making it easy to vacuum or wipe readily. The particle filter that follows is made out of polypropylene fibers and captures 99% of all particulate matter and allergens including dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and even microbes.
Blueair terms this as HEPASilent technology and it functions well as it gives up the bulky thick design of traditional HEPA filters meaning even extra high CADR and improved purification even for large rooms.
The Activated Carbon Filter then removes smoke, odors, and even VOCs. While there are rumors about the Blueair Polypropylene fibers, they are totally free of chemicals and are also naturally anti-bacterial.
In a small footprint, the purifier can easily handle 161 square feet of space 5 times an hour and that too while consuming just 10 watts at maximum. At the lowest fan speed, the power consumption drops to only 1.5 watts.
The Energy Star rating is not even needed with such low power consumption ratings but is still a welcome addition.
The Blue Pure 411 does not include any fancy features and is just a plug-and-play air purifier that gets the job done. So if you’re planning to get a purifier for a small room or a dorm room, then the Pure 411 is an excellent option that won’t disappoint you with its performance.
Yes, it doesn’t bring Wi-Fi connectivity and other such lucrative features but the aim was always for quality purification and not fancy features that can add a lot to the price.
Award: Best Energy Saving Air Purifier
6. Pure Enrichment®️ PureZone™️
The Pure Enrichment PureZone 3-in-1 made our list thanks to the quiet operation and small footprint at an affordable price tag. The purifier packs enough power to filter up to a 100 sq. ft. space effectively.
The PureZone is not a very unique air purifier but has everything you would expect from a budget air purifier. There’s an option to set a timer for timed operations and like the Winix air purifiers, it also has a handle that can help move it around.
The noiseless operation is the strength of Pure Enrichment and it is almost whisper-quiet at the lowest fan speed. Even at the highest setting, some people will accept it happily as perfect white noise.
The filtration starts with a pre-filter that traps large particles like human hair, pet fur, and dust specks. The air is then passed onto an activated carbon filter that helps neutralize odors and VOCs.
A True HEPA filter follows the carbon one and filters out 99.97% of airborne contaminants down to a size of 0.3 microns including the smallest of particles like microbes, pet dander, and mold.
A UV-C light acts as the 4th stage of filtration that can degenerate the microbes at a molecular level. The inclusion of UV-C light makes it a strong contender for the top spot but the lack of advanced features like remote control and smart features is a setback.
Although it has a 4 stage filtration system, the limited space coverage and lack of advanced features make the PureZone 3-in-1 an average performer. It can be a perfect choice if you don’t have deep sleep as the purifier is whisper quiet but other than that and relatively cheap filter replacement costs, it is hard to recommend.
Award: Best for Quiet Environments in a Limited Space
7. PARTU HEPA Air Purifier
From the less popular brands, Partu really caught our attention when it comes to air purifiers on a budget. It is one of the best small to medium-sized room air purifiers thanks to its compact design, quiet operation, CARB compliance, many more features.
Partu’s 3-stage filtration system starts with the filtration of dust particles, pollen, hair, and pet dander using a pre-filter. The air is then passed onto the HEPA filter before passing it on to the activated carbon filter for effective odor removal.
The unique thing that helps Partu stand out from the competition is the inclusion of the sponge up top that you can add essential oils to. The air is pushed through the sponge making the indoor space filled with your favorite fragrance.
The Partu air purifier is not designed to take care of large rooms as it is rated for 107 square feet making it a great option for dorm rooms, small bedrooms, offices space, and work cubicles.
While the air purifier does not carry an official CARB rating, its operations are compliant. In our testing, we couldn’t confirm if it is a true-HEPA filter, which is advertised by the manufacturer.
True-HEPA territory is till particles measuring 0.1 microns while Partu says the air purifier can filter 99.9% of particles down to a size of 0.3 microns only, so there is either a typo because the two things are inconsistent. But even a HEPA filter for the given price is a bargain.
Because of its compact size, it is a great choice for asthma sufferers and people suffering from allergies. If you’ve got pets inside, this can be an excellent table-side air purifier as well.
Although the air purifier is inexpensive it has some neat ticks up its sleeve. Partu has included a child lock which means your settings won’t be changed accidentally by children or pets. You can trigger the lock by holding it down for 3 seconds.
While there is no dedicated sleep or auto mode, you can turn off the display if you don’t like any lights around when going to bed.
Award: Best For Aromatherapy Lovers
Also Read: Best Air Purifiers under $50 in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get a good air purifier under 150?
Yes, there are many great air purifier options under 150 that will help you with asthma or allergy symptoms. If you live in an area that has smoke or odors, then be sure to opt for an air purifier that has high activated carbon content.
What is the best air purifier brand?
While Levoit is named the #1 brand based on the number of sales in the last year, that doesn’t make it the best brand when it comes to quality. Other manufacturers also offer excellent air purifiers that are comparable to what Levoit offers.
Can I control my air purifier remotely?
Yes, you can control compatible air purifiers remotely with dedicated apps from manufacturers. Only the most recent air purifiers feature smart features and the connectivity is usually associated with a higher price point.
What are the disadvantages of an air purifier?
None, apart from the yearly or half-yearly filter replacement costs, there are no disadvantages of an air purifier. On the contrary, it can help reduce asthma symptoms and will alleviate allergies efficiently.
Conclusion
We covered all the information you’ll need to buy the best air purifier under 150 that suits your needs. If your locality has more gaseous content then an air purifier with high activated carbon content is your best bet, whereas for PM2.5 contaminants a HEPA air purifier is enough. All of these options are excellent and offer the best value for money.
