The best air purifier under $250 in 2026

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Dust and pollen0, 0 models
• Smells and gases0, 0 models
• Both0, 0 models

A HEPA filter catches particles such as dust and pollen. Smells and gases pass through it, and only an activated carbon filter takes them out.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Hay fever or pollen0, 0 models
• Asthma or dust mite0, 0 models

A finer filter catches more pollen and dust mite. For asthma we also leave out ionisers that cannot be switched off.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Pets at home0, 0 models

Pet smell is a gas, not a particle, and only an activated carbon filter takes it out.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Yes, in the bedroom0, 0 models

At night a purifier should be quiet enough to sleep beside. We keep models whose quietest setting is 25 dB or less.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Wildfire smoke where I live0, 0 models

Smoke needs a measured smoke CADR and a carbon filter. We leave out ionisers that cannot be switched off.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• H13 or H140, 0 models
• Any true HEPA0, 0 models
• With carbon filter0, 0 models

The filter class and carbon layer the maker states. "HEPA type" and an unstated class do not count as true HEPA.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Wi-Fi0, 0 models
• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth0, 0 models

Whether the maker's app controls the purifier, and over what.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• 5% & up0, 0 models
• 20% & up0, 0 models
• 30% & up0, 0 models
• 50% & up0, 0 models

Below what the same store usually asked in the 30 days before, at a store we followed on all those days.