In the quest for clean, fresh air, air purifiers have become an essential household item. With the increasing awareness of indoor air quality and its impact on health, the demand for efficient air purifiers has skyrocketed. This article will guide you through the best air purifiers under $200 for clean breathing on a budget, providing you with comprehensive information to make an informed decision.
Understanding Air Purifiers
Air purifiers work by drawing in air from the surrounding area, passing it through a series of filters, and then releasing clean air back into the room. Over time, dirt, dust, pet dander, hair, and other particles accumulate on these filters, which can hinder their performance. Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and extends the lifespan of your device.
| Model | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coway AP-1512HH Mighty | 4-stage filtration, filter indicator, programmable timer, dirt sensor, 3 speeds, suitable for rooms up to 361 sq. ft. | $184.99 |
| Levoit LV-H132 | Compact HEPA air purifier, designed for small spaces | $89.99 |
Top Picks for Air Purifiers Under $200
Based on the information gathered from various sources, here are the top picks for air purifiers under $200:
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
- Room size coverage: Suitable for rooms up to 361 sq. ft.
- Filtration system: 4-stage filtration, including a pre-filter, deodorization filter, True HEPA filter, and a bipolar ionizer
- Smart Features: Auto mode, eco mode, timer settings, filter replacement indicator, and real-time air quality monitoring
- Energy efficiency: Consumes 77 W power and operates quietly with a noise level ranging from 24.4 dB to 53.8 dB
How It Performed
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier is highly effective in capturing a wide range of pollutants, thanks to its 4-stage filtration system. The True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of ultra-fine particles, providing a cleaner and safer living environment. Its powerful purification capabilities allow it to purify 361 sq. ft. in just 12.5 minutes and 874 sq. ft. in 30 minutes.
Pros
- Robust and efficient 4-stage filtration system
- Real-time air quality monitoring
- Energy-efficient operation
- Quiet performance
- Filter replacement indicator
Cons
- Lacks some advanced smart Features
- The highest setting can be quite loud
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier is an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful and efficient air purifier under $200. Its 4-stage filtration system effectively captures various pollutants, ensuring clean and fresh air in your home. Although it may lack some advanced smart Features, its performance, reliability, and user-friendly design make it a top pick for improving indoor air quality.
Levoit LV-H132
The Levoit LV-H132 is a compact, personal True HEPA air purifier designed to fill your environment with fresh, clean air. It Features a 3-stage filtration system that includes a pre-filter to stop large particles like lint, fur, and hair, an H13 true HEPA filter to trap small particles like pet dander, fine dust, and pollen, and a high-efficiency activated carbon filter to adsorb any volatile organic compounds or odors lingering around the house.
The device is small and light, making it highly portable. It measures 13 inches tall and 8 inches wide and deep, with a weight of just over 5 lbs. The control panel includes an On/Off button, a night light button, a check filter indicator button, and a fan speed button.
How It Performed
In a 150 sq. ft. test environment, the Levoit LV-H132 took 36 minutes to lower room particle concentration from 10,000 particles per cubic ft. down to 5,700 particles per cubic ft. This was the lowest room particle concentration it was able to achieve.
The LV-H132’s low output (approx. 70 CFM) makes it one of the quieter air purifiers tested at high fan speeds. On maximum fan speed, it was measured at 60.7 dB of noise output.
The Levoit LV-H132 is a decent portable air purifier for use in a small room. The True HEPA filter works great, but only for personal use.
Pros
- Good potential filtration: a true HEPA filter and a carbon filter with actual pellets for maximum surface area for adsorption of gases.
- Small and light—highly portable.
- All control panel lights can be turned off for use in a dark room at night.
- Quiet operation: On maximum fan speed, it was measured at 60.7 dB of noise output.
- Affordable: The Levoit LV-H132 has a price tag of $89 and is available in both black and white versions.
Cons
- Poor value: at around $90, many other units on the market give you much greater output (CFM) and therefore a greater area of coverage.
- Average performance: There’s nothing this unit does particularly well—average noise output, average energy efficiency compared to other units in its price range.
- Limited functions: Even basic Features like a timer are lacking in this portable Levoit LV-H132, let alone high-end Features like a smart sensor.
The Levoit LV-H132 is a decent portable air purifier for use in a small room. The True HEPA filter works great, but only for personal use. If you need a serious deal for your home air quality, you should consider buying bigger air purifiers than this Levoit LV-H132. Also, it only has limited functions to use. For your information, the next-gen release of Levoit is the Levoit Core 200S, which is currently the best air purifier for bedrooms. It slowly replaces our current Levoit LV-H132 with better performance and Features.
How They Performed
The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier is a formidable device when it comes to purifying the air. Its 4-stage filtration system is highly effective in capturing a broad range of pollutants, from dust and pet hair to harmful VOCs and ultra-fine particles like viruses and bacteria. The unit’s True HEPA filter captures an impressive 99.97% of these ultra-fine particles, providing a safer and cleaner living environment.
The Levoit LV-H132 is a compact HEPA air purifier designed for small spaces. Despite its small size, it packs a punch when it comes to air purification. It’s an excellent choice for those on a budget or with limited space.
Conclusion
Investing in a good air purifier is a step towards a healthier living environment. The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty and Levoit LV-H132 are two excellent options under $200 that offer great value for money. They are efficient, reliable, and highly rated by users. So, if you’re on a budget but still want clean, fresh air in your home, these air purifiers are worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
When looking for the best air purifiers under $200, be sure to consider the CADR rating (clean air delivery rate), room coverage, filter type and replacement costs, noise level, and additional Features such as UV-C light or ionizer.
Yes! There are many affordable options on the market that effectively remove common household pollutants like dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke odor, and VOCs with HEPA filters. Look for models with activated carbon filters if you’re also concerned about eliminating unpleasant smells.
It’s a good idea to select a unit that can accommodate your largest room size so you can get optimal cleaning power throughout your home. If you have a smaller space (<100 sq ft) or want to focus on one area (e.g., near a cat litter box), compact tabletop units may suffice at a lower cost.
The best budget air purifier for dust is not specified, but it’s suggested that potential buyers look for a purifier with a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating and a HEPA filter.
The amount to spend on an air purifier depends on the individual’s budget and needs. However, effective air purifiers can be found under $200.
While air purifiers can reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, they can’t remove all viruses completely. However, they can be part of a plan to protect individuals from COVID-19.
Yes, air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the amount of airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, and certain gases.
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