Keeping your indoor air clean is important, but you might be looking for the best and cheapest air purifier if you’re on a tight budget. Many experts will tell you that an air purifier is good for health benefits and more – and they’re right. With their air-cleaning filters (HEPA and activated carbon), even the budget-friendly units will help you breathe easier.
Having fresh air indoors doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune – there are a plethora of choices in the market today when it comes to air purifiers. Different units are tailored to various living styles and the wide selection makes it easy for you to find one that’s suitable for your budget.
What matters most in an air purifier is the ability to clean the air using its HEPA filter and remove smoke and odors using an activated carbon filter. The other extras are great features but for a budget-friendly unit, the most important factors are the basic cleaning functions.
Are cheap air purifiers worth it?
Absolutely! Any air purifier, as long as its HEPA filters are intact and regularly changed or cleaned, you’ll get the most of even the cheapest air purifier out there. For instance, the Mi Air Purifier 3H is a great starter for those who want a simple home air purifier on a small budget.
It will clean up to 107 square feet and uses a HEPA filter that’s ozone-free, making it eco-friendly. We like how this air purifier runs quietly, making it great for bedrooms. When it comes to cleaning power, it has the following filters in its layers:
- a mechanical filter for dust and other large particles
- a HEPA filter for particles smaller than 0.3 microns
- an activated carbon filter for VOCs, formaldehyde, and harmful gases
If you want home automation integration, it also works for Google Home, Alexa, and more. The touch screen also simplifies operating this air purifier, making it worth buying even for a budget-friendly unit.
Do we need an air purifier at home?
Yes, air purifiers are greatly needed for the home due to the many benefits they offer. Here’s why you should have an air purifier at home:
They filter dust to help with allergies
Air purifiers in the market today have at least HEPA filters in their system. These filters will trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes:
- dust
- pollen
- pet dander
- dust mites
- smoke particles
HEPA filters have different standards as well. A True HEPA filter will significantly clean better than regular HEPA but an H13 HEPA is more suited for medical use (such as those with asthma or allergies) due to its accuracy (more on that below).
Because air purifiers can run all day without requiring a lot of power (compared to other appliances), they’re great for the allergy season when pollen is bound to ruin your day. This also makes them suitable for wildfire season to help reduce smoke particles in the air.
They remove smoke to free your lungs
Speaking of smoke, air purifiers don’t just remove smoke particles but also help in deodorizing your home. With the activated carbon filter that’s present alongside the HEPA filter, an air purifier will clean the air from the following:
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Smoke from tobacco and charcoal
- Fried food and leftover smells
- Kitchen and bathroom mold
- Harmful gases
They can run all day without manual adjustments
One of the key benefits of air purifiers nowadays is that they can run in the background while you’re doing your day-to-day tasks. The Instant AP300 Air Purifier, for instance, will adjust the fan speed on its own using its auto mode.
So, how do air purifiers automatically adjust the fan speed? Well, it uses sensors that detect just how dirty or how clean your indoor air is in real-time – great for running the unit all day. With the aforementioned air purifier, you can clean up to 388 square feet, making it suitable for the living room.
Does an air purifier help with smell?
Yes, air purifiers help with bad smells – especially with tobacco smoke, kitchen odors, mold stench, and the like. So, what’s the secret behind them?
Activated carbon – a filter that you’ll likely find in most air purifiers nowadays – is an odor-absorbing medium that works effectively for smoke, fried food smells, and more. For instance, the Shark HE601 Air Purifier 6 has an advanced odor lock technology that wipes out most household odors.
Aside from that, it has 6 fans that will help blow away most stagnant smells that linger in your home. Since it’s made for rooms up to 1,200 square feet, it’s a good air purifier to place in the kitchen. Since it has Clean Sense IQ to automatically detect air quality levels and adjust accordingly, you can run it all day without having to manually adjust it.
Which air purifier is best for the home?
With the many choices out there, what is the best air purifier for home use? For typical home sizes and usage, we suggest the Medify MA-50 Air Purifier, which will cover up to 1,100 square feet – great for living rooms, the kitchen, and if you have a small studio-type room or unit. Here’s why it’s effective for home use:
- It uses HEPA H13, making it more accurate (can filter up to 0.1 microns)
- The lights are dimmable to help you sleep better
- There’s an optional UV sterilizer
- Indicator light to help check when you need to replace the filter
- There’s a child lock to protect the settings
Therefore, if you have pets and children at home, we recommend Medify’s air purifier due to its wide range of features. Not only will it clean the air, but it’s also a great sleeping buddy for your child (or fur-baby) due to its low noise levels and safety features.
Conclusion
Overall, getting an air purifier for your home doesn’t have to cost much – so long as you pick the right unit with the specifications for your needs. Always remember to choose an air purifier that’s best for your room area, pollution levels, and, of course, your budget. As long as it has HEPA filters and activated carbon, it will help keep your indoors fresh.
