These Are The Best Air Purifiers Under $500 For Your Home Or Office

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

In a post-pandemic world, it's easy to be more mindful about the air we breathe. But it's not only public places that can prove harmful. Believe it or not, you could be more at risk with the air you breathe at home. Given that our abodes serve so many functions nowadays, we're spending more time indoors than ever before. This may give you more time to catch up with your Netflix shows, but it also means that such pollutants as dander, dust, smoke, mold, and mites are building up in the air around you at an alarming rate. As a result, your chances of developing allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues are increased. 

That's why the time might be right for you to invest in an air purifier. These diverse devices come in a range of shapes, sizes, and power levels depending on what you need for your living or working situation. As can be imagined, their prices can also vary wildly, as it's not uncommon to come across air purifiers in the $700 to $1,000 range. However, price isn't always a metric for quality, as there is a wealth of stellar products on the market that can be bought at reasonable costs. 

The following list consists of air purifiers all under $500 that have high recommendations from both average and professional users. More details regarding our methodology can be found at the end of this article. 

If you don't need as many bells and whistles attached to your air purifier, there are still a host of great options worth checking out. In this instance, BlueAir has you covered with one of its highest-performing products, the Blue Pure 311i Max. While relatively simple compared to our last entry, the product comes with a number of dynamic features that you're bound to find useful.

The 311i Max has been put up to the extensive testing of such platforms as USA Today and CNET and came out on top every time. Its particle filtration capabilities are among the best you'll find in a medium-sized purifier, managing to clear a room containing hazardous smoke levels within a span of five minutes. The item's controls, filter organization, and accompanying app are simple and easy to use. Its compact size and low noise output make it another excellent choice for users needing a purifier for their bedrooms. However, USA Today notes that the 311i Max scores below average on eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as varnish and paint fumes. It currently sells on Amazon for $229.99 with a 4.6 average rating on the site from more than 9,500 reviewers.

As the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. Such is certainly the case for the Clorox Large Room Air Purifier. While its size and features don't seem too different from some of the other air purifiers on our list, the vast capabilities of this specific item may surprise you. 

The Clorox Large Room Air Purifier's powerful HEPA filter system and ability to rid the air of VOCs proved even better than some more expensive brands. While it doesn't come with an app, its selection of modes, fan speeds, and timing settings are easy to go through and set up, with many saying that the auto mode is all you'll need the majority of the time. Compared to other models, it also costs less to maintain, with its yearly filter replacement only costing around $100. 

It's not called a Large Room Air Purifier for nothing, either. The product can purify up to 1,500 square feet of space, a jaw-dropping feat considering it only sells for $150 on Amazon. But with a 4.7 rating average on the site and high recommendations from the likes of USA Today and The New York Times, it goes to show that you can't always judge a book by its cover.

The array of air purifiers available out there is vast. The best for you will depend on your individual needs, including your living situation, the size of your space, your budget, and so forth. As a result, it was a tall task trying to put together a well-rounded selection that hits various lifestyles. In that regard, several factors were put into consideration to piece together our choices. 

You may have noticed that our list goes from the most to the least expensive option. Of course, everything within this list is well under $500, but we still wanted to ensure that it consisted of a solid budgetary range even within that context. Along with helping conform to an assortment of financial levels, it also gave the list a good mix of purifiers for every living scenario, from large rooms and offices to compact apartments or dormitories. 

Quality was the ultimate deciding factor. Each item featured here has received recommendations from ourselves and other trusted platforms. These sources often put these purifiers under rigorous testing to ensure they can get the job done in the worst-case scenarios. Customers have also given these products high praise, with nothing on our list coming in below a 4.6 rating average. Ultimately, it's up to you to do thorough research before making the purchase, but we hope our list helped you breathe a little easier.