Living on a shoestring budget is a serious pain. You, like everybody else, want to live a comfortable and healthy life. But, you also want to afford groceries and pay the bills, right?
We’ve been there, living hand-to-mouth, forces you to make very difficult choices. So to make things a little easier we made a list to help you find the best air purifier under 50 bucks.
We think clean air is important for everyone. If you live near a factory, farm, or industrial area there is a good chance you’re breathing dirty air. And, opening a window to get a bit of fresh air might make things worse. But, living with the windows closed also exposes you to dirty air. In fact, the EPA says most indoor air is worse that the air outside your home, apartment, or dorm.
It’s a catch 22… and that’s why we think you should consider an air purifier. More expensive units are amazing at helping with asthma, smoke from neighbors, and terrible smells. But, more affordable units can help as well. So, we took what we’ve learned over the years and sorted through value priced models to help you breathe better air on the cheap…
Holmes Small Room HEPA
Features
- Good for small rooms, up to 110 sq. ft.
- Optional ionizer (we don’t recommend using it frequently)
- Filter can be upgraded to a true HEPA filter
Cons
- Does not come with a True HEPA filter
- Built-in filter indicator light is very bright
Hamilton Beach 04383A
The Hamilton Beach 04383A True Air Allergen-Reducing Air Cleaner is recommended for rooms up to 160 square-feet and comes with a permanent HEPA-grade filter. Because the filter is permanent, you can vacuum it clean and not have to spend money on replacement filters. And at only 13.5 inches tall, it’s perfect for an end table or night stand.
Features
- Permanent filter means no replacement costs
- Good for small rooms up to 160 sq. ft.
- Odor-absorbing carbon filter
Cons
- Does not have a True HEPA filter
- Allergen reduction isn’t the best(because it’s not a real HEPA filter)
- No pre-filter
Honeywell Compact Air Purifier
The Honeywell Compact Air Purifier provides you with a permanent HEPA filter. But, it has the smallest room capacity at only 85 square feet. However, it is compact and powerful enough for many applications.
Features
- Permanent filter means no replacement costs
- Recommended for small rooms up to 85 sq. ft.
- Optional ionizer
Cons
- HEPA-type filter is severely weaker than a true HEPA filter
- The inside of this air purifier has been known to become caked with dust
- Customers complained of this purifier’s noisiness.
Details on our Best Air Purifier Under 50 Dollars
The three air purifiers we singled out are all under $50. So, they barely make a dent in your checking account. And, they’re all available on Amazon… so no trip to the store is needed. There are some features you’ll give up when your budget is below fifty bucks, but these will definitely get the job done. However, if you can double that figure we actually think you should save up a pick up a GermGuardian. For around a hundred dollars you’ll get a purifier that will keep up with units costing hundreds.
Why Buy an Air Purifier?
Air purifiers are specially designed to clean the air in your home. They’re typically under two feet tall, and they have a powerful fan that forces the air in your home through a series of filters in order to trap particles and absorb odors. There are a few things to look for when buying an air purifier, no matter what your budget.
True HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are the standard in hospitals, office buildings, and government offices. Because they’re so commonplace, it’s easy to get an affordable HEPA filter to go in your home’s HVAC system or to go in an inexpensive air purifier. While a True HEPA filter won’t absorb odors or harsh fumes, it can collect tiny allergens and other pollutants as small as 0.3 microns—that’s 99.97% of the stuff in the air. Be careful of imposters, though! If you see an air purifier that has “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-grade” on it, it’s not a True HEPA filter and won’t work as well.
Carbon
A carbon filter, sometimes called “activated charcoal,” is a mineral that soaks up smoke, fumes, chemicals, and smells in the air. If you don’t see “carbon” your air purifier help fight odors.
Ozone
So Which is the Best?
If we had to pick just one as the best air purifier under 50 dollars, it would be the Hamilton Beach 04383A. While it doesn’t have a true HEPA filter, it is the only purifier on this list that comes with a carbon filter to reduce odors and absorb harsh fumes, and it has the largest room-size rating at 160 square-feet.