The Best Air Purifiers We Tested for Allergies, Pet Dander, and Dust — from $50

Breathe easy with picks from Levoit, Dyson, and Shark

Michelle Rostamian is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, and content creator with over 10 years of experience covering beauty, home, and wellness topics.

Between allergens, pet dander, wildfire smoke, and everyday dust, it's safe to say that catching a clean breath of air today can feel like a challenge. That's where air purifiers come in. 

These nifty devices can be a game changer for removing harmful particles, allergens, and pollutants living in your home, creating a cleaner overall environment. They can also be especially beneficial for people living with allergies, asthma, or poor air quality.

To find the most effective options for cleaner indoor air, we tested top-selling air purifiers based on design, noise level, features, effectiveness, and value. Whether you need a small purifier for your bedroom or a powerful unit for your living room, our top picks below are worth your investment.

Our Stars

Levoit Core 300S Smart Air Purifier $150 at Amazon.com	Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier $50 at Amazon.com
Shark Air Purifier with Nanoseal HEPA HP102 $200 $150 at Amazon.com	Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier $220 $182 at Amazon.com
Honeywell HPA5300 InSight HEPA Air Purifier $229 at Amazon.com	Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier $180 $150 at Amazon.com
Winix 5500-2 4-Stage True HEPA Air Purifier $250 $200 at Amazon.com	Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 $NaN at Amazon.com

NEED TO KNOW

Dr. Saira Zafar, MD, is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained allergist and immunologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ.

• Room Size: “Air purifiers are designed to filter a specific volume of air — if the unit is too small for the room, it won’t effectively remove airborne allergens or pollutants,” says Dr. Zafar. To find the right air purifier for your room size, measure the square footage of the room, and choose a purifier with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that supports that size. “For example, a CADR of 200 is appropriate for rooms up to about 300 square feet,” says Dr. Zafar. And, for people with allergies or asthma, aim for a unit that offers four to five air changes per hour (ACH), as this ensures allergens are continuously removed, says Dr. Zafar, who also notes that when in doubt, you should choose a slightly larger air purifier.
• Filter Type: An air purifier’s filter type determines what kinds of particles and pollutants the device can effectively remove from the air. “HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters trap around 99.97 percent of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns and are excellent for removing allergens like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores,” says Dr. Zafar. “Activated carbon filters, on the other hand, are designed to absorb gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — they’re particularly useful in homes with chemical sensitivities, smoke exposure, or lingering odors.”
• Maintenance: “For optimal performance HEPA filters should be replaced every six to 12 months, activated carbon filters typically need replacement every three to six months (depending on air quality), and pre-filters, which trap larger particles, should be vacuumed or washed monthly,” says Dr. Zafar. “Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and consider models with filter replacement indicators to take out the guesswork.”

Reviews

Best Overall: Levoit Air Purifier for Home Bedroom

$150 at Amazon

With Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, this air purifier is simple to set up and user-friendly right out of the box. Even for someone unfamiliar with purifiers, our tester noted that the design felt “intuitive.” She discovered that the unit runs quietly, with the low setting being “barely audible” and the highest comparable to “a quiet household appliance," making this model a good fit for bedrooms or shared spaces. Within a short time, our tester found a noticeable improvement in air freshness and quality.

Extra features like a lock mode, timer, and night mode add convenience. While the price is a bit higher than entry-level models, our tester said the combination of ease, performance, and thoughtful design makes it a good value.

Dimensions: 8.66 x 8.66 x 14.17 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Room Size: 1,095 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA | Filter Life: N/A

Best Budget: Levoit Air Purifier, 3-in-1 Filter

$50 at Amazon

This compact air purifier made a strong first impression among our testers with its “small but mighty” performance and easy setup. The design is “minimalist” and light enough to sit on a dresser or end table, blending well with most spaces. While it doesn't offer smart features or advanced settings, its three simple modes — low, medium, and high — were easy for our tester to navigate. On the lowest setting, it was “very quiet," while the high setting offered noticeable airflow without being distracting.

The high mode was especially effective in clearing the air within 10 minutes, while the low mode required more time to deliver similar results. Despite limited features, the purifier “works great,” according to our tester, and the simplicity doesn’t detract from its value. For around $50, this machine was considered a “steal” for how well it performs, per our tester. 

Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 10.4 inches | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Room Size: 257 square feet | Filter Type: Carbon | Filter Life: N/A

Best for Small Spaces: Shark Air Purifier with Nanoseal HEPA

$120 at Amazon

Our tester said this Shark air purifier stood out for its “ease of use” and “clear, intuitive” setup, even for first-time users. The interface is straightforward, with soft-touch buttons and a digital air quality reading that lit up to show the status in real time. With four fan speeds and an auto mode that adjusts to current air conditions, it’s smart without being complicated. Our tester shared that while noise levels increased with each setting, it remained “manageable,” even on high — it was quiet enough to “hold a conversation or watch TV” without disruption. 

In terms of effectiveness, our tester noticed a “clear drop in odor” and a visible reduction in airborne dust after 30 minutes. While it didn’t capture larger particles like pet hair as effectively, it performed well with fine particles and provided fresher air overall. Ultimately, our tester felt it was “well-priced” for its features, especially for small spaces where compact, reliable performance matters.

Dimensions: 8.66 x 8.66 x 14.56 inches | Weight: 5.85 pounds | Room Size: 500 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA | Filter Life: 6-12 months

Best for Large Spaces: Levoit Air Purifier for Home Large Room 

$182 at Amazon

With its strong performance and user-friendly features, this Levoit air purifier impressed our tester. It arrived mostly pre-assembled and setup was “straightforward,” requiring only the removal of plastic from the filter and a quick snap of the cover back in place. The digital display was “very easy to use,” and the companion app plus Alexa voice control added a “very cool” layer of convenience, allowing for scheduled run times, quiet or sleep modes, and air quality monitoring. 

Even on the lowest settings, the airflow felt strong, and both low and high modes “cleaned the air better than it was before," per our tester. The noise level was minimal on quiet and sleep settings, while high mode was “a bit loud” but still manageable for short periods. The purifier is lightweight and easy to move, thanks to built-in handles on both sides. While the price is high, the combination of aesthetics, app integration, performance, and room coverage “justify the cost," according to our tester.

Dimensions: 10.79 x 10.79 x 20.47 inches | Weight: 12.79 pounds | Room Size: 1,733 square feet | Filter Type: Carbon | Filter Life: N/A

Best for Allergens: Honeywell InSight Series HEPA Air Purifier

$229 at Amazon

Our tester for the Honeywell InSight HEPA air purifier liked its sleek design, intuitive setup, and solid performance, especially for filtering microscopic particles. The front panel opens easily to reveal multiple filters, each with pull tabs for “clean and effortless” removal. Our tester also appreciated the color-coded air quality display and “auto mode,” which adjusted settings to maintain clean air without manual input. 

Noise levels were low on most settings, with “Turbo” mode being louder but not disruptive. After running the unit, our tester noticed a clear reduction in odors and airborne particles, although the improvement felt more noticeable when standing closer to the purifier. Overall, the purifier is ideal for those seeking a “low-maintenance, high-coverage” unit with smart features.

Dimensions: 10.8 x 19.1 x 22.3 inches | Weight: 20.5 pounds | Room Size: 500 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA + carbon | Filter Life: N/A

Best for Germs: Clorox Air Purifier for Home

$180 at Walmart

The Clorox Large Room Air Purifier is a strong choice for those focused on cleaner, healthier air — especially when it comes to reducing airborne germs and particles. Its 360-degree True HEPA filter is designed to capture 99.97 percent of particles, including microscopic allergens, dust, and bacteria, while the top-vented airflow helps circulate purified air evenly throughout the room. After just 30 minutes of use, our tester noticed that the air felt “cleaner and easier to breathe,” with significantly reduced odors and fewer irritants lingering.

Our tester highlighted the fact that the purifier’s auto mode responded to real-time air quality, adjusting the fan speed as needed to keep air fresh and germ-free. It also displays a PM2.5 reading, giving users a clear sense of air cleanliness at a glance — our tester reported a reading of just 1 after use, suggesting high efficiency. The filter itself is easy to access and replace. With quiet operation and a user-friendly design, it’s an excellent option for anyone prioritizing germ reduction in shared or high-traffic spaces.

Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 19 inches | Weight: 12.72 pounds | Room Size: 1500 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA | Filter Life: 6-12 months

Best for Pet Dander: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with PlasmaWave Technology

$200 at Home Depot

For pet owners looking to manage dander, odors, and airborne hair, this air purifier from Winix is a solid choice. With a four-stage filtration system — including a True HEPA filter and washable carbon filter — it effectively captured pet-related particles during testing. Our tester said “it definitely collected pet hair,” even visibly trapping it across multiple filter layers after a short test. She also said it looked like the purifier was “sucking in the hair” during use.

Setup was simple: The front panel popped off easily, and the layered filters snapped back into place intuitively. The PlasmaWave feature, designed to help neutralize bacteria, viruses, and VOCs, made a noticeable difference in air freshness, even after just 30 minutes. While it may be a bit bulky for smaller rooms, its performance in larger living areas — especially those shared with pets — is where it shines. For those with furry friends, the Winix purifier offers a solid balance of power, ease of use, and allergy support.

Dimensions: 23.6 x 14.9 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Room Size: 350 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA and carbon | Filter Life: N/A

Best Splurge: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde

$1000 at Best Buy

If you’re managing allergies or sensitivities at home, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde is a multifunctional, splurge-worthy powerhouse. Acting as an air purifier, humidifier, and fan in one, it quickly impressed our tester by dropping air quality readings from a hazardous 999.9 to just 9.1 in 10 minutes on high. “I would recommend this unit based on that fact alone," explained our tester.

The machine is shorter and sturdier than other Dyson models, and although it's heavier when filled, the water tank glides in and out with ease — a “nice surprise,” says our tester. Noise levels remained low even at the highest setting — it’s “like a small fan on medium,” shared our tester. For those seeking a space-saving solution with powerful air-cleaning capabilities, the Dyson purifier is a sleek and effective investment.

Dimensions: 36.33 x 11.02 x 12.23 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Room Size: 109 square feet | Filter Type: HEPA | Filter Life: N/A

Other Air Purifiers We Liked

If you're looking for more air purifiers, here are some other favorites we tested that scored high marks for effectiveness, value, and noise level.

• Aroeve Air Purifier
• Coway Airmega 160
• Black+Decker BAPUV350 Air Purifier

How We Tested

Our testers considered the air purifiers and evaluated each on a variety of factors. First, they noted the build quality, aesthetics, and design features of the purifier as well as its footprint. Our testers took the air purifiers into a quiet area, rotated through each fan mode, and recorded how noisy or quiet each one was during operation.

Each air purifier was ranked based on its unique features. Our testers considered any additional features of the air purifier that improve the user experience or the device’s functionality, such as app connectivity, Alexa compatibility, and additional functions like ‘quiet’ or ‘night’ mode. 

Finally, our testers judged the effectiveness of each air purifier by measuring how it reduced PM 2.5 particles and VOCs in a controlled environment using incense smoke, pet hair, and mothballs. Performance was rated based on how closely the purifier readings matched an external testing tool and how efficiently each unit restored air quality to baseline levels within 10 minutes on both low and high settings.

Goes Well With

As Dr. Zafar says, an air purifier is a powerful tool, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. If you're looking for other home items to complement your air purifier, check out these options including a wet/dry vacuum, cool mist humidifier, and pet hair roller.

Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier $50 $40 at Amazon.com	Honeywell Carmel Indoor Ceiling Fan $124 at Amazon.com
Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Buy at Amazon.com	Vicks 0.6 Gallon Natural Care Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier Buy at Walmart.com
Bissell 3061 Featherweight Cordless Stick Vacuum $129 at Amazon.com	ChomChom Pet Hair Remover $28 $25 at Amazon.com

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