Best Air Purifiers Under $350

Minimize indoor pollutants with one of these wallet-friendly, top-rated models from Consumer Reports’ testing

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The best air purifiers under $350 that CR has tested should do a solid job of cleaning your air. But at this price you may have to make some sacrifices, like saying goodbye to nice-to-have features such as a remote control that lets you easily adjust settings from across the room. (For souped-up models that deliver top performance, check out our selection of the best air purifiers.)

In our labs, we examine how well air purifiers are able to filter out dust, smoke, and pollen in an enclosed area while also observing how they perform at various speeds. Below, see the best air purifiers under $350, listed in alphabetical order, based on findings from our rigorous tests.

Read our air purifier buying guide for more on what goes into testing them. CR members can also delve into our complete air purifier ratings of more than 100 lab-tested models.

Blueair Blue Pure 211+

CR's take: The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ earns outstanding scores for particle removal at both high- and low-speed settings. It's designed for rooms up to 540 square feet. But it can be a pain to move from room to room because this 16-pound unit doesn't have a carrying handle or wheels. A light will flash when it's time to change the filter, and this model also has a machine-washable fabric prefilter (a stocking that slips over the bottom half of the appliance and comes in five colors) for capturing larger particles like pet hair, thus prolonging the life of the main filter. One minor caveat: Expect some noise when the unit is running at high speed.

Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto

CR's take: The portable Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Auto is primarily filter-based and designed for floor or tabletop use in spaces up to 550 square feet. It earns a stellar score in our tests when it comes to removing dust, pollen, and smoke particles from the air at a high-speed setting. The model features a dirt sensor, three speeds, and relatively low operating costs, and it's easy to use. On the downside, it can be relatively loud when operating at higher speeds, and filter replacements can be costly.

Danby DAP290BAW

CR's take: The Danby DAP290BAW boasts a top-notch rating for removing dust, pollen, and smoke particles from the air when running at high speed while also delivering solid particle removal at low speed. The drawbacks: The machine is a bit noisy when cranked up to high speed, and this model's annual cost for filter replacements and energy use is $214, which is relatively high compared with the other models on this list. Designed for a large room, this air purifier is equipped with a dirt sensor, four speeds, and a handy light indicator to alert you when you need to change or clean the filter.

GermGuardian AC5900WCA

CR's take: If you don't mind some noise, this portable air purifier from GermGuardian AC5900WCA may be a solid option. CR testers found that it's excellent at removing dust, pollen, and smoke particles from the air when running at high speed. The unit is pricey to maintain because the filters are relatively expensive to replace. It features a convenient carrying handle, easy-to-use controls, and a programmable timer.

Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD-320

CR's take: The Honeywell AirGenius 5 HFD-320 is ideal for midsized rooms up to 250 square feet. That said, we recommend purchasing air purifiers that are designed for areas larger than they’re intended for. That way they will perform even better in a smaller space. Filter replacements cost only $40 per year and energy costs run about $40 per year. This model cleans best at high speed, earning a near-top-level rating for particle removal in that test. And it does so while keeping noise to a minimum, a feat that few high-performing air purifiers can match.

Honeywell HPA300

CR's take: The portable Honeywell HPA300 is primarily filter-based and is suited for floor or tabletop use. This air filter receives a standout rating in our tests for dust, pollen, and smoke removal when operating at its highest speed, and it performs better than most at its lowest speed, which matters if you’ll run the unit in your bedroom at night. Easy to operate, this programmable model also comes with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to replace the filters.

Honeywell InSight HPA5300B

CR's take: This slim HEPA air purifier can be placed on the floor or on a tabletop. It earns an excellent rating for removing dust, pollen, and smoke at high speeds. While the Honeywell Insight HPA5300B isn't whisper-quiet—few air purifiers are—it's among the quietest we’ve tested when it's on its highest speed setting. It has an indicator light that lets you know when it's time to change the filters (about once a year for the HEPA filter). There's also a prefilter that needs to be replaced about every three months. The annual cost for filter replacements and energy use is $200 for this model.

LivePure Bali LP550TH-W

CR's take: Although its annual costs are high due to pricey filters, the portable LivePure Bali LP550TH-W is a solid option if you’re looking for a unit that can quickly clean the air in a room. It's among the most effective air purifiers CR has tested when running on its highest speed, garnering our highest rating for particle removal performance. But it's noticeably noisy when running on its high-speed setting.

Sharper Image Purify 9

CR's take: The portable Sharper Image Purify 9 air purifier is primarily filter-based, has six speeds, and is designed for floor or tabletop use in areas up to 350 square feet. This model shines in our tests for its ability to remove dust, pollen, and smoke when operating at its highest setting. It's also easy to use and simple to remove and replace its filters. Its energy and operating costs, including filter replacements, run roughly $150 annually.

Winix 9800

CR's take: The Winix 9800 deftly clears away dust, pollen, and smoke at all speeds, particularly when set on high (at which point it will make a racket). Weighing only 19 pounds, it's designed to be placed on the floor or tabletop in a 500-square-foot space. It has a helpful filter indicator and four speeds, but its annual operating cost will set you back nearly $150.

Anna Kocharian

Anna Kocharian is a shopping editor at Consumer Reports who focuses on home, organization, and the consumer marketplace. She previously covered interior design, product reviews, and market trends as the digital editor of Domino. Anna has over a decade of experience in lifestyle journalism and has written extensively on the subject matter for publications including Apartment Therapy, Food52, and more. She currently resides in New York City.