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Best Air Purifiers Under $50

Updated December 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Hamilton Beach
Permanent HEPA Filter, for Allergies & Pets
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Bottom Line

While it does a great job as an overall air purifier, we believe pet owners will benefit most from its odor-trapping filtration system.

Pros

HEPA filter designed for long-term use. Includes two carbon zeolite filters for pet odors. Effective range up to 140 sq. ft. Works in vertical or horizontal positions. Captures particles as small as 3 microns.

Cons

Fan is noisy. Exhaust port close to air intake - not an efficient design.

Best Bang for the Buck
Holmes
Small Room 3-Speed HEPA Air Purifier
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Bottom Line

We appreciate the affordable price of this compact air purifier, as well as its compatibility with different types of filters.

Pros

Filters particles as small as 2 microns. Accommodates a variety of Holmes filter types. Coverage up to 109 sq. ft. Works in both orientations. Fan has 3 speed settings. Optional ionizer available.

Cons

Some complaints about noisy operation. Can leave residue on walls. Difficult to remove interior dust buildup.

Febreze
HEPA-Type Tabletop Air Purifier
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Bottom Line

The addition of a fragrance cartridge makes this small-room air purifier a temptation for households with smokers or pets.

Pros

HEPA-style filter captures 99% of dust, dander, and other particulates. Rated up to 85 sq. ft. Compact design for tabletop and nightstand use. Affordable replacement filters.

Cons

Scent cartridge does not have strong fragrance. Noisy operation. Relatively small coverage area.

SereneLife
Air Cleaner Purifier, Aroma Diffuser Oil Tray
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Bottom Line

This air purifier has an appealing modern design, operates quietly, and functions well.

Pros

Stylish outer shell looks more like an essential oil diffuser. Contains a diffusing tray for aromatherapy. Easily portable and effective up to 50 sq. ft. Quiet, soothing operation with variable fan speeds.

Cons

Oil diffuser feature is not as impressive as air purifier. Does not perform well in dustier rooms. Expensive replacement filters.

SHD
Desktop Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter
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Bottom Line

This sleek air purifier and ionizer is great for small, enclosed offices or bedrooms, but it's not as powerful as others in terms of airflow.

Pros

One-button operation. Produces healthy negative ions. 108 sq. ft. of coverage possible. Stylish wood grain design. Generates UV light to kill bacteria. Absorbs smoke within seconds.

Cons

Does not generate significant levels of negative ions. Unpleasant squealing noise reported. Minimal airflow.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 13 Models Considered
  • 6 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 178 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    An air purifier costing under $50 will generally work well to clean odors, but has a small effective space, making them most effective for an office or other enclosed area. Not all of the air purifiers at this price point come with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, acting instead as a essential oil diffuser and purifier. Additional available features include automatic shut-off or the ability to add fresh scent back into the air after purification. They generally offer a compact design that will fit easily on a table, desk, or shelf space.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    • Melissa
      Melissa
      Senior Editor
    • Michael
      Michael
      Writer
    ×

    Hamilton Beach

    Permanent HEPA Filter, for Allergies & Pets

    Hamilton Beach

    Permanent HEPA Filter, for Allergies & Pets

    While it does a great job as an overall air purifier, we believe pet owners will benefit most from its odor-trapping filtration system.

    $59
    ×

    Holmes

    Small Room 3-Speed HEPA Air Purifier

    Holmes

    Small Room 3-Speed HEPA Air Purifier

    We appreciate the affordable price of this compact air purifier, as well as its compatibility with different types of filters.
    $39
    ×

    Febreze

    HEPA-Type Tabletop Air Purifier

    Febreze

    HEPA-Type Tabletop Air Purifier

    The addition of a fragrance cartridge makes this small-room air purifier a temptation for households with smokers or pets.
    $47
    ×

    SereneLife

    Air Cleaner Purifier, Aroma Diffuser Oil Tray

    SereneLife

    Air Cleaner Purifier, Aroma Diffuser Oil Tray

    This air purifier has an appealing modern design, operates quietly, and functions well.
    $49
    ×

    SHD

    Desktop Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter

    SHD

    Desktop Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter

    This sleek air purifier and ionizer is great for small, enclosed offices or bedrooms, but it's not as powerful as others in terms of airflow.
    $38

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