With rising pollution levels and high airborne contaminants, air quality-related health issues have increased. Asthma sufferers and people with allergies are at greater risk, as the rise in global warming is also leading to a deterioration in air quality, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Thankfully, even an inexpensive and the best air purifier under 50 can significantly reduce particulate matter and make indoor air safe to breathe in.
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Best Air Purifiers Under $50
- LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier for Home
- KOIOS Air Purifier for Home
- MOOKA Air Purifier for Home
- hOmeLabs 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier
- RIGOGLIOSO Air Purifier for Home
- JINPUS Air Purifier
- LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home
- GermGuardian AC225W Pluggable Air Purifier
- Hamilton Beach TrueAir
- GermGuardian GG1100W Elite Pluggable
- GermGuardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer
In a hurry? Refer to this table to get a quick overview of the best air purifiers under 50, and if any of them grab your attention, we have all the info you’ll need below.
| Air Purifier | Filtration Stages | Coverage Area | Reason to Choose |
| LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier for Home | 3 | 161 sq. ft. |
|
| KOIOS Air Purifier for Home | 3 | 50 sq. ft. |
|
| MOOKA Air Purifier for Home | 3 | 50 sq. ft. |
|
| hOmeLabs 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier | 4 | 40 sq. ft. |
|
| RIGOGLIOSO Air Purifier for Home | 4 | 80 sq. ft. |
|
| JINPUS Air Purifier | 2 | 80 sq. ft. |
|
| LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home | 3 | 161 sq. ft. |
|
| GermGuardian AC225W Pluggable Air Purifier | 2 | 65 sq. ft. |
|
| Hamilton Beach TrueAir | 1 | 100 sq. ft. |
|
| GermGuardian GG1100W Elite Pluggable | 1 | n/a |
|
| GermGuardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer | 1 | n/a |
|
If you have the budget, we recommend getting an air purifier under $200, which is the sweet range that can get you good quality air purifiers without compromising too much on functionality.
1. LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier
Simple yet effective, the Levoit LV-H126 Air Purifier is one of the best air purifiers under 50.
Everything about the air purifier tells us why Levoit is the US’s #1 selling brand. The company has paid attention to user-friendliness and has included a reminder wheel at the back that can be set to either show the month the filters are changed or when new filters are due.
Although the design is compact, Levoit rates the air purifier for rooms up to 161 square ft. The air is taken in through the back and is sent out through the front of the air purifier.
The air is first directed towards a pre-filter (3 included in the box) that traps all large particles like hair, fur, pet dander, etc., before passing the air onto the activated carbon filter.
The activated carbon filter traps all odors, toxic chemicals, and VOCs. The tightly packed carbon layer then passes the air onto the True HEPA filter.
The true HEPA filter can filter out contaminants as little as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%. The pre-filter has the shortest lifespan of 3-5 months but is relatively inexpensive.
The true HEPA filter requires replacement every 6-8 months. A simple knob at the front allows the user to switch between 3 preset fan speeds. Moreover, the lightweight air cleaner is easy enough to operate and clean.
Overall, the Levoit LV-H126 Air Purifier is a great device that filters particles and odors at an affordable price tag.
Award: Best for Small to Medium Sized Rooms
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2. KOIOS Air Purifier 3-in-1 True HEPA
KOIOS air purifier is a great option if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank and get the job done. Budget air purifiers usually don’t boast an aesthetic design, but this one is different.
Although the build quality isn’t that high, the cylindrical shape and night light are attractive.
At 8W, the fan power is enough for a space of 50 square feet and can change the indoor air 2 times, making it ideal for small rooms, bathrooms, or your office cubicle. Including a carbon filter allows it to handle smoke and odors more aptly and hence can also be used over a kitchen countertop.
The HEPA filter can filter out allergens and airborne contaminants down to a size of 0.1 microns with 95% accuracy and 0.3 microns with 99.97% accuracy.
This significantly improves indoor air quality and can help alleviate asthma symptoms. The pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter combine to remove large particles, fine particles, and odors. Because of the fine filtration, it is a great purifier for allergies.
Operating the air purifier is simple and effective, as a single button on the top performs all the functions. A single tap starts the purifier, a second tap switches to sleep mode, and a third one turns the purifier off.
The air purifier also includes a night light that can be turned off. The light automatically dims when the user switches to sleep mode.
The air purifier is EPA and CARB certified to improve indoor air quality thanks to its carbon and HEPA filters. While these certifications don’t always mean a superior air purifier, they are a welcome addition.
The best aspect of the KOIOS air purifier is the 3-year warranty, excellent customer service, and multiple user reviews that support that claim.
Because of its long warranty and effectiveness against smoke and odors nearby, the KOIOS is an excellent choice for a kitchen countertop.
Award: Best for Kitchen
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3. MOOKA Air Purifier 3-in-1 True HEPA
MOOKA Air Purifier features an 8W motor that drives the fan and brings indoor air through a 360-degree vent. MOOKA air purifier brings a cylindrical design with circular light around its shaft.
The overall build quality is not very high, but the design will turn heads.
In terms of power, the air cleaner can purify a space of 50 sq. ft. twice an hour. This makes it great for small spaces like bathrooms or kitchens.
Combining a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter effectively stops 99.97% of airborne contaminants and helps the small purifier handle odors and even wildfire smoke.
To control the purifier, a single button on the top can turn it on, switch modes, and turn it off. There are no controls for the light, which keeps glowing when the purifier is active. The light automatically dims when the user switches to sleep mode, but there are no buttons to turn it off completely.
If you’re wondering if the MOOKA air purifier is similar to KOIOS’s offering, you’re not wrong. Both are carbon copies of each other, but each manufacturer has tweaked the features a bit, but the overall design and build remain the same.
They both use the same fan, body, and even filters. They also share the model number. Like the KOIOS, the MOOKA air purifier is also EPA and CARB certified.
The MOOKA air purifier comes with only 1 year of warranty but brings a commendable performance for an inexpensive price tag.
Award: Best for Small Space
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Also Read: 5 Best Air Purifiers for Dorm Rooms in 2023 (Reviewed)
4. hOmeLabs 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier
HomeLabs isn’t afraid to innovate, and their 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier shows that from all aspects. It could’ve been the best air purifier on the list if it featured a powerful fan, but at 4.6 watts, it is only powerful enough to cover a 40 sq. ft. room twice an hour.
The design is simple and boxy. Air goes through all sides thanks to the vents and is pushed through the pre-filter that traps the largest particles like hair, dander, and fur before passing it onto the HEPA filter layer.
The HEPA filter then filters out fine particles down to 0.3 microns before pushing the air through the carbon, which traps and neutralizes odors, VOCs, smoke particles, and other toxic chemicals. Even with all the filters, the purifier still boasts a compact size.
The top side of the air purifier features controls and an ionizer that releases negative ions into the air. These negative ions stick to the larger particles, making them too heavy to stay airborne.
While this results in higher dust content in the initial few days of use, it can benefit indoor air health in the long run.
The top light also acts as a replacement indicator and turns red when the filter needs replacement. The light is blue during normal operation and cannot be turned off.
This can be a problem for people looking for a bedside air purifier who prefer sleeping in complete darkness.
At just 2.9 lbs, the whole package is light and can be carried around easily. The HomeLabs 4-in-1 air purifier is one of the best out there in terms of performance, but the short filter life of 3 months can add to the filter replacement cost and overall cost of ownership in the long run.
Including an ionizer and all the necessary filters make the HomeLabs purifier a great option for pet odors for owners who want a purifier around their pet’s area.
Award: Best for Pet Owners
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5. RIGOGLIOSO Air Purifier for Home
If you’re looking for something that only covers a small area and can be carried around easily, then a RIGOGLIOSO air purifier may be the thing for you.
It draws power from any USB-A port that you can find on a laptop, desktop PC, or on most phone chargers, and at just 7 inches high is portable enough to be carried around easily.
The air purifier uses 4 stage filtration incorporating a pre-filter for large particles, a HEPA filter for finer ones, an activated carbon filter for effective removal of odors, VOCs, and other toxic chemicals, and an ionizer that uses the power of negative ions to reduce particulate matter in the air.
The combination makes it an excellent purifier for smoke.
It is a great option for bedside air purification and does so quietly. The night light feature cannot be turned off but can be dimmed when sleep mode is activated.
Users can leave the air purifier running as they leave for work, as the auto shut-off feature will turn the unit off after 8 hours of use.
RIGOGLIOSO has taken a leaf out of other manufacturers’ books and has dropped the adapter that powers the air purifier. It is sold separately, or the included wire can be connected to any USB-A adapter.
The ionizer does not produce any ozone and is safe to use, but the air purifier’s power is a huge setback that only makes it a good option for tabletops or enclosed workspaces.
Award: Best for Work Tables
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6. JINPUS Air Purifier
JINPUS is another budget air purifier with a small motor and a compact design.
It uses the popular pre- and HEPA filter combination to trap large and small airborne particles but does not feature a dedicated carbon filter. The lack of a carbon filter reduces its efficacy against odors and smoke.
The design is attractive and functional. The cylindrical air purifier is easy to carry and can be powered through any USB-A port.
The air goes through the bottom and is passed through the pre-filter and then through the HEPA filter that filters out particles like dust, mold spores, and pet dander.
The air purifier is controlled through a button on the top that switches between different modes and turns the air cleaner off.
You won’t have to worry about energy consumption because of the tiny 2.5 Watt fan, but the JINPUS air purifier is not rated for bigger rooms and can only cover 80 sq. ft. of space once an hour.
If it is equated to the performance of other purifiers, then it can cover less than 40 sq. ft. twice an hour which is too small.
Because of its limited coverage and lack of a dedicated activated carbon filter, the air cleaner is not recommended for areas with high smoke content or strong odors.
In addition, if you love to sleep in the dark, you might want to look away as the ambient light function on the JINPUS cannot be turned off.
Although the air purifier lacks a carbon filter, its lightweight design and flexibility of powering it even through a power bank make it a great companion for people who love to travel and are looking for a portable air purifier that can help ensure quality sleep while traveling.
Award: Best for Traveling
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7. LEVOIT Air Purifier LV-H128
Levoit is the brand to beat when producing quality air purifiers, and LV-H128 is a perfect example.
The H128 Levoit Air Purifier for Home features a tried and tested design that is durable and effective. The boxy design houses a strong 28W motor that can effectively clean 161 sq. ft. of space thrice an hour.
The air quality is improved by passing it through the pre-filter, which traps the larger particles like fur, hair, and dust.
The H13 True HEPA filter then filters off particles with medical-grade filtration before passing the air through an activated carbon filter that neutralizes organic compounds, chemicals, and odors.
This True HEPA air purifier also brings an aromatherapy diffuser on top that can be accessed by removing a small cap.
Users can use their favorite oils and turn on the air purifier for a refreshing experience. For the price, Levoit offers the best performance and hence the best value for money.
The build quality is premium and will add to any space’s look and feel. A light can also be dimmed and turned off when switching to sleep mode. The manufacturer also includes a filter replacement indicator light to remind users about getting replacement filters when needed.
Overall, the Levoit LV-H128 air purifier is an excellent choice that offers great protection against airborne contaminants and can spread your favorite scents across the room while doing it, making it an excellent choice for larger spaces.
Award: Best for Large Spaces
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8. GermGuardian AC225W Pluggable Air Purifier
GermGuardian makes excellent air sanitizers, but the AC225W also includes physical filters to trap particulate matter.
Apart from the physical filter, the air is passed through a UV-C chamber that degenerates microbial DNA. The downside to this approach is the exclusion of a HEPA filter, and GermGuardian does not provide any official numbers for the effectiveness of the physical air filter.
Users have reported decent performance in alleviating asthma symptoms and controlling allergic reactions, similar to what HEPA filters offer.
The design is simple; it can be conveniently plugged into any wall outlet and is just 7 inches high. GermGuardian rates its filters as effective against cigarette smoke, indicating the presence of carbon content.
On top of the purifier, there is housing for essential oils that can be effectively dispersed across the room when the air purifier is functional.
The night light on the air purifier is optional and is non-intrusive. Although the package is decent, it is pulled back by the short filter life that needs to be replaced every 3-4 months.
The fan motor is less than 10 watts, so you won’t have to worry about energy bills, but it provides enough power to cycle the air two times per hour in a 65 sq. ft. space. This makes the air purifier a decent option for small-sized rooms.
The effectiveness against microbes, optional night light, and the pluggable nature make it a great option for people working in high microbial content environments like doctors or pharmacists.
Award: Excellent for Use in Clinics
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9. Hamilton Beach TrueAir
Hamilton Beach TrueAir is another purifier that lacks a HEPA filter but promises good performance against smoke and odors. The overall size of the purifier is small, and the pluggable design adds to its portability.
The Hamilton Beach true scent cartridge feature allows for spreading an aroma across the room, though the air cleaner works perfectly well even without it. The optional night illuminates the room with a dim light.
The efficiency against PM2.5 matter is not the best but decent enough for the low price point, but the true carbon filter works wonders against odors and smoke.
At such a low price point, Hamilton has added special features like a filter change indicator to the package, but the poor build quality is a huge problem. Users have reported supporting clips as weak and breaking off easily.
Efficiency against odors and smoke make it an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and pet areas.
Award: Excellent for Bathrooms And Pet Areas
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Also Read: 5 Best Dehumidifier Air Purifier Combo in 2023
10. GermGuardian GG1100W Elite Pluggable
The Germ Guardian GG1100W Elite is a pluggable air sanitizer that can purify the air of microbes. The boxy design of GG1100W contains a UV-C light chamber that effectively neutralizes airborne microbes.
GermGuardian claims that its titanium dioxide layer helps against odors and chemical fumes, but that was hardly the case in testing and user reports. Hence, we suggest only looking at this model as an air sanitizer.
The build is strong and durable and adds to the room’s aesthetics. Depending on usage, the bulb can last long and requires replacement after 10-12 months.
The design is pluggable and easily plugged into any high microbial content socket. Air sanitizers are great for all such places that already have a dedicated HVAC system with purification systems.
Most HVAC systems lack sanitizer, and offerings from GermGuardian can be a great choice. But if you’re looking for an air purifier that can fix poor air quality, then the GermGuardian GG1100W Elite won’t help much.
Award: Excellent for Hospitals
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11. GermGuardian Pluggable Air Purifier & Sanitizer
Another great air sanitizer under 50 from GermGuardian. The GG1000 is the predecessor to the GG1100W but performs just as well. This is a great option if you’re considering a quiet air purifier that can sanitize indoor air.
UV-C light lasts 10-12 months, depending on the usage, and can be directly connected to any wall socket thanks to its pluggable design. Germ Guardian GG1000 can be effective when paired with a good particulate matter filtering system.
HVAC settings like the ones found in hospitals and air-tight buildings preinstalled with filtration systems can be complemented with air sanitizers from GermGuardian.
We do not suggest using the GG1000 in a small enclosed space because of the reported ozone production, something that the subsequent GG1100W fixed. For bigger buildings, hospitals, and corridors, the GG1000 is an inexpensive solution to keep all microbial content at bay.
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Buying Guide
One can get confused when there are so many options, and that too from different manufacturers.
Choosing an air purifier on a budget can be tricky as you’re not getting watered-down versions of each company’s flagship models, but everyone would still want to make a respectable choice. This concise guide will help you choose the best air purifier under 50.
Filtration Stages
As you might have heard, the more filtration stages an air purifier offers, the better it is. Well, that applies to larger air purifiers but not those under 50. You should always look for the filtration stage that you require the most.
Only a few air purifiers under 50 offer a HEPA filter, and even if that is the only stage of filtration, it is enough to keep out particles as little as 0.3 microns. A carbon layer is necessary if you want something that can handle the odors.
Some air purifiers only offer air sanitization using UV lights and do not bring filters (HEPA, Activated Carbon, etc.). These are perfect for places that already have an air purification system but have high microbial content (like hospitals).
Size
You need to be wary of size suitability when choosing your preferred air purifier. If you plan to place it over a countertop in the kitchen, make sure you opt for one that fits the space.
Affordable air purifiers usually don’t have a large footprint, but knowing the space and size requirements can help improve the ownership experience afterward.
Power Consumption (Wattage)
Air purifiers under 50 won’t usually carry energy star certification but can perform efficiently. Generally, the higher the wattage, the stronger the fan motor. This helps in quicker air purification and generally translates to better overall performance.
This holds for all fan-based air purifiers, but single-stage air cleaners that use UV-C light only usually consume 3-10 watts and do not follow this pattern. No air purifier under 50 features a heavy motor that will have you worried about electricity bills.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
A higher clean air delivery rate means your air purifier will clean the indoor air multiple times in an hour and will be quick to bring down indoor airborne pollutants. If you have a big space, always look for an air purifier with a higher CADR.
FAQs
Are air purifiers worth it?
Yes, air purifiers can filter out allergens and airborne contaminants to make the indoor air safe and breathable. The United States Environmental Protection Agency asserts that using an air purifier can significantly improve indoor air quality while also helping reduce allergic reactions and asthma symptoms.
Do air purifiers help with Covid?
According to studies, the size of the coronavirus is approximately 0.125 microns, which falls within the trapping capabilities of the TrueHEPA filters that can filter off particles greater than 0.1 microns with a 95% failsafe rate. So, while air purifiers do not offer complete protection against covid-19, they can help it and effectively reduce the chance of infection.
Should I sleep with the air purifier on?
Sleeping with air purifiers powered on can help improve the quality of sleep and can even reduce asthma symptoms, as evident from research. Air purifiers can remove irritants from the air and allow you to sleep better. Various manufacturers are adding sleep modes to their air purifiers where the air cleaner runs whisper quiet and feature an optional night light.
Conclusion
Air purifiers come in various shapes and sizes. Each manufacturer adds innovations and features, but for the most part, any air purifier with a HEPA filter will offer respectable protection against most airborne irritants.
While many air purifiers pack advanced technologies, if you’re on a budget or are considering getting an air purifier for the first time, these options are the best air purifiers under $50 that will clean your indoor air without breaking the bank.