Best Air Purifier Under $200 in 2022

If you’re getting an air purifier for the first time you might be overwhelmed with the number of devices available and the different features they offer. Some of these purifiers can cost as much as $1000 and even more.

Clearly, no one wants to spend too much before experiencing what an air purifier actually offers, and in our opinion, anything under $200 is the sweet range that can get you good quality air purifiers without compromising too much on functionality.

We have made the choice simpler for you. This guide will help you choose the best air purifier for under 200 dollars based on your preferences. We’ve shortlisted the top 7 best HEPA air purifiers under $200 so you won’t have to go through the laborious task of choosing one.

All these models can handle common indoor airborne pollutants like mold spores, dust, and pollen; and we’ve also included models that offer advanced protection against household odors and pet odors using HEPA and carbon filters. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

List of Best Air Purifiers Under 200 Dollars

In a hurry? We’ve summarized the information for you down below and have mentioned what quality helps each purifier stand out. If some air purifier catches your attention, be sure to read the detailed review down below.

Best Air Purifiers Under 200 Review

The best HEPA air purifiers under 200 dollars pack all the bells and whistles that you’ll need to ensure that your indoor air is free from airborne contaminants. Most air purifiers use a HEPA filter and its importance in purification is such that we’ve only chosen purifiers that feature it.

Other than the HEPA filter, activated carbon filters are required to filter out and neutralize odors and dangerous volatile organic compounds. Here’s a list of the best 7 air purifiers under 200, read on for a detailed review of each.

1. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH True HEPA Purifier

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH tops our charts thanks to its whisper-quiet operation and user-friendly design. While it is not the lightest air purifier on our list in terms of weight, the placement of handles and the overall balance of center of mass make it easy to move around. So what does the Coway AP-1512HH bring to the table?

The AP-1512HH brings the advanced features of its more expensive siblings like air quality meter and automatic mode while retaining an affordable price tag.

Offered in both black and white colors, the AP-1512HH has a very unique look and feel to it that will complement your interior setting perfectly.

The filtration starts with a washable pre-filter that takes care of the large particles like dust mites, pet dander, and human hair among countless others before passing the air onto the activated carbon filter and the HEPA filter.

The HEPA filter improves the filtration prowess and captures even the smallest microbes down to a size of 0.3 microns with a 99.97% efficiency and is backed by researchers for use by sensitive groups like asthma patients.

The carbon filter is not the best in our opinion but that is not too far from expectations as only the very expensive air purifiers that cost almost 4 times as much pack the appropriate filters to take care of the odors. But that doesn’t mean that the Coway is a pushover, in an hour, it can handle a room full of smoke and will eliminate up to 95% of the odor in a few hours of operation.

The HEPA and activated carbon filters work in unison to ensure a clean supply of air and can tackle the likes of dust particles, pollen, mold spores, dangerous VOCs, harmful chemicals, and foul odor.

Coway has also added an optional ionizer that increases the efficiency of the air purifier by tackling airborne contaminants with ions. The CADR of 230-250 isn’t industry-leading but is enough for a small to medium-sized room.

The controls up top are easy to understand and the LEDs light up to show whatever change you trigger with the buttons ruling out any confusion and making the whole air purification experience seamless. The timer option is a welcome addition as lately more and more manufacturers are phasing out the feature.

The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH detects changes in the indoor air quality in real-time and triggers the fan speed accordingly. As the contaminant levels are reduced, the fan speed is also reduced. If you wish to decrease the sound to a bare minimum, the lowest fan setting makes the air purifier barely audible at less than 24dB.

The 4 stage filtration, coupled with features like auto-off when no contaminants are detected makes it a good purifier for small to medium-sized rooms. The design language is unique and can fit tight spaces with ease and the energy-star certification further sweetens the deal helping it be among the top purifiers for under 200 dollars.

Reasons to Choose

• Unique design that goes well with the modern home setting.
• The whisper-quiet operation makes it an excellent choice for light sleepers.

2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier

It’s safe to say that Winix’s name is now synonymous with durability and efficiency. The manufacturer has established itself as one of the best air purifier manufacturers that offer some of the best air purifiers in every category.

The Winix 5500-2 is the jewel in the crown for Winix that can cater to the needs of medium and large rooms alike. The air purifier brings 4-stage filtration in a tried and tested boxy tower design.

The 5500-2 takes the successes of the 5500 and improves on them by making little tweaks and adjustments in all sections.

The Winix 5500-2 adds smart features to the outgoing 5500 but keeps the same filtration system featuring a pre-filter and the True HEPA filter that trap both large-sized and small particles that can lead to skin irritation/allergy flare-ups including hair, pet dander, dust mites, and even bacteria down to a size of 0.3 microns with a 99.97% efficiency.

The carbon filter that follows absorbs dangerous VOCs, harmful chemical odors, household odors, and other foul odors making the indoor air safer. Winix’s PlasmaWave technology acts as the 4th stage of filtration and releases negative ions that cling on to the harmful particles, making them heavier and decreasing any chance of them staying airborne.

Negative ions have proven very efficient at removing airborne contaminants according to various studies.

The 5500-2’s strength is its decent 240 CADR that can cater to the needs of 360 sq. ft. of space. What some manufacturers are reluctant of adding to a budget air purifier, Winix adds effortlessly, the Winix 5500-2 features an Auto mode that automatically detects poor air quality and increases the fan speed accordingly.

All in all, the Winix 5500-2 is a complete package with its 4 stage filtration, modern design, and moderate operational costs.

Winix 5500-2 can perfectly handle the indoor particulate matter and can also filter large rooms with ease. The additional features like the convenience of remote control and auto mode sweeten the deal further.

Reasons to Choose

• Washable key filters and long filter life reduce the cost of operation.
• An excellent performance against smoke and odors.

3. Levoit Smart LV-PUR131S

Levoit Smart LV-PUR131S brings the best of Levoit and adds smart functionality to offer a smart air purifier under 200 dollars. The purifier features a boxy white design that is both functional and durable.

The air purification starts with a pre-filter that traps larger particles and also extends the life of the more important activated carbon filter and the HEPA filter. It doesn’t boast the coverage area of its much more expensive sibling the LV-H134 but can conveniently cover up to 322 sq. ft. of space.

The attention to detail is nice on the LV-PUR131S as the purifier features air intakes on the sides that allow it to be placed right next to the wall. This is an added convenience as some air purifiers have air intakes or vents at the back and cannot be placed next to a wall.

The touch control panel up top is an excellent addition as it looks classy and the shiny design is a treat to look at but can attract a lot of fingerprints. The air quality sensor, the filter replacement indicator, and different mode toggles can all be found here.

The added benefit that the PUR131S brings is the addition of smart features that allow your air purifier to be controlled remotely using a smartphone app. All you need is your air purifier to be connected to the internet through Wi-Fi and you’re good to go.

Levoit isn’t doing anything magical with the LV-PUR131S but has added the best of Levoit in a package that is simple, yet efficient. It packs everything you’d expect from a modern-day air purifier and doesn’t bring any complex tech features that can be confusing.

Reasons to Choose

• Offers commendable purification at an affordable price point.
• Features remote control and can be paired with modern home automation systems.

4. Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto

Blueair has never been afraid of trying something unique and the Blue Pure 411 Auto showcases that perfectly. Blueair introduced the cylindrical air purifier design that is both efficient and looks extremely aesthetic on a table or shelf.

Not all purifiers on this list feature an automatic mode, and seeing that the manufacturer has packed a rather compact purifier with advanced features is a nice sight.

At just 3.8 lbs, the 411 auto is highly portable, yet it brings a CADR of above 100 which is impressive for a purifier of this size. The controls are user-friendly and the bottom to top airflow helps ensure efficiency while making minimal noise.

The design isn’t just aesthetic but also brings convenience as the purifier can be controlled by the single button-up top. The button has a circling LED indicator around it that fills up completely to indicate maximum fan speed or changes the light color to indicate a blocked filter that needs replacement.

The air is pulled in from the sides and the bottom and is forced through a fabric pre-filter that also acts as the outer covering of the purifier. You can easily vacuum any dust that accumulates on the outside.

Instead of a defined HEPA filter, Blueair has an innovative polypropylene fiber filter that brings the efficiency of the HEPA filter while keeping a compact size that doesn’t require much fan power.

The following activated carbon filter can easily handle household odors and even dangerous VOCs. The purifier isn’t big, so expecting it to filter a huge room would be unrealistic.

At just 10 watts, it can purify the indoor air in a 161 sq. ft. room easily 5 times an hour. 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 Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto made its way into our list thanks to its table-top-friendly design that is both affordable and efficient.

Reasons to Choose

• Excellent for portability and use in cubicles or office spaces.
• The All-in-one filter design makes the purifier highly compact and assists in portability.

5. Medify MA-25 Air Purifier

The Medify MA-25 is another excellent offering from the quality manufacturer that offers a great lineup of medical-grade air purifiers. The MA-25 takes design cues from the hugely popular MA-40.

The overall design is boxy and you get a rectangular air purifier that feels premium but in our opinion, the black touchscreen up top looks better with the black color than with silver.

Medify MA-25 made the cut thanks to its dual HEPA purification as the purifier brings not one, but two HEPA filters. While some might argue that this only increases the stress on the fan, it definitely increases the life of each filter.

The air enters the purifier from the sides and makes its way through the prefilter before passing through the high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) and finally passing through the activated carbon filter. The air exits the purifier from the front.

The airflow design is not unique and has proven to be a good choice for table-top air purifiers and at just 8 lbs, the MA-25 can prove to be a great air purifier for table-tops or shelves if you like to move your purifier around a lot.

The filter replacement indicator is nice to have because you can’t miss a filter change time if you want to keep the lifetime warranty.

With an advertised CADR of 230, the purifier should easily purify up to 1000 sq. ft. of space in under an hour or a smaller space multiple times an hour but we found that the mentioned CADR is ambiguous and we suggest using it in medium to large-sized rooms.

You don’t have to worry about the energy consumption even at the highest setting as the air purifier is energy star certified and with genuine medify replacement filters, you get the advantage of a lifetime warranty that further sweetens the deal.

A word of caution though, medify air filters are not the cheapest on the market but make for an excellent option.

Reasons to Choose

• Ideal for small rooms and libraries where noise can be an issue.
• The inclusion of a child lock makes it safe for pet owners and homes with children.

6. Germ Guardian AC5350B

GermGuardian, as the name suggests was launched to tackle the airborne microbes and has made a name for itself thanks to the medical-grade protection their air purifiers offer.

Effective against most common allergens and odors the AC5350B is no different and brings the Germ Guardian philosophy in a tower-like design. The air purifier is offered in both black and white colors and is highly effective against airborne bacteria among other allergens like pet hair, dust specks, smoke particles, and dander.

The combo of the pre-filter and the carbon filter makes it effective against odors and other indoor air pollutants as the pre-filter traps dust and larger odor-causing particles while the carbon filter neutralizes the odor-causing gases.

The air is then passed onto the HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of contaminants down to a size of 0.3 microns. The AC5350B also features Titanium dioxide treatment and a UV-C light that neutralizes the debris on the collection side of the filter to ensure that the outgoing air is free from microbes.

The towering design is a peculiar decision that some people appreciate while others don’t. In our opinion, it looks futuristic and gives the air purifier a very classy look and feel that will complement the modern home of today.

The UV-C light chamber also destroys mold spores in the air, as the UV-C light is proven to kill mold DNA. This can slow mold growth, and as per studies, can also kill airborne coronavirus.

The reason the Germ Guardian AC5350B didn’t make it to the top is that it only caters to a limited room size of under 200 sq. ft. While this may be enough for your apartment room, it can take as much as 3 hours to filter the air in a medium to large-sized room.

The AC5350B lacks dedicated sensors for air quality detection and air filter replacement but will do well in an arrangement that doesn’t need a smart air purifier. The H13 True HEPA filter works well with the Pre- and activated carbon filter. The tall design also ensures that the filters are not clogged that often However, it’s efficient at what it does and can conveniently trap eczema-causing allergens in small to mid-sized rooms.

Reasons to Choose

• The anti-microbial coating on the filter and infused activated carbon/pre-filter equip the purifier perfectly against microbes.
• The efficiency of the activated carbon filter is excellent to tackle odors from pets.

7. Okaysou Smart Air Purifier For Home

Okaysou has risen to popularity fairly recently thanks to their hugely popular AirMax 8L but if you’re willing to spend close to $200, you can get the AirMax 10L that not only brings significant improvements in purification but also brings a more user-friendly design.

The design is simple yet effective as the boxy white tower design looks highly functional but people have polarizing opinions about the size. In our opinion, the operation and performance tower above the design choices made by Okaysou but if you’re looking for a cylindrical design, we suggest you can also consider the Levoit Core 400S.

The 10L brings 5 different modes: automatic, eco, turbo, timer-based, and manual for more refined controls. The turbo mode is super convenient for those disastrous afternoons in the kitchen or if your friend accidentally lights a cigarette indoors as it quickly removes all pollutants with a press of a single button.

The Okaysou AirMax 10L made its way into our shortlist thanks to the innovative 5 filter design that can handle almost all kinds of pollutants ranging from pollen to formaldehyde and the huge filtration capacity.

The filtration is commendable and starts with the washable pre-filter that passes the air onto a medical grade H13 HEPA filter. Okaysou has included a nano ionic silver antibacterial filter that handles microbes, among other dangerous pollutants.

A premium filter followed by a honeycomb design activated carbon filter completes the package. The use of 5 filters extends the life of each while also offering more complete protection against the toughest pollutants.

At the lowest setting, the AirMax 10L is very quiet and produces only 24dB of noise ensuring a peaceful sleep. The placement of the air intakes on the sides is also excellent and helps in keeping the noise at a minimum. Moreover, you can place it next to a wall without worrying about blocking any airways.

The only downsides to owning the 10L are perhaps the huge footprint and the high filter replacement cost as you’ll have to replace 5 filters. If you’re careful about maintaining your pre-filter every fortnight or every month then it can help extend the life of the other filters as well.

Okaysou AirMax 10L brings a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 210 cfm and it cleans up to 210 square feet of space conveniently five times per hour. This translates to 1000 sq. ft. of space at least once an hour.

Okaysou AirMax 10L carries all the right certifications that ensure a safe and efficient operation for your indoor space.

Reasons to Choose

• Packs 5-stage filtration in a compact and affordable package.
• Can cover up to 1000 sq. ft. of space easily.
• Brings a long 5-year warranty period.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I sleep with the air purifier on?

Yes, you can sleep with your air purifier operational, most top air purifiers come with a sleep mode function that decreases the fan speed and hence the noise output during sleep hours. Air purifiers also turn off lights so your sleep isn’t disturbed.

Do air purifiers remove dust from the indoor air?

Yes, the best air purifiers feature a mix of pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter to filter out dust and other airborne particles that affect the indoor air quality negatively.

Which is the best place to put an air purifier?

Air purifiers are most effective when used near areas where you normally sit. This helps you breathe clean air free from airborne pollutants like pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, and microbes.

Conclusion

Choosing the best air purifier under $200 is a tedious task with more than 300 different models on sale from different manufacturers. We prepared a shortlist of the best 7 so that you can make the final decision effortlessly.

All these air purifiers were carefully selected depending on the different qualities they pack and have also specified which kind of scenarios are the best for. Most of these pack similar HEPA filters and can effortlessly take care of indoor air quality issues.

If you’re short on budget you can also check out the best air purifiers under the $150 and $50 range.