The best air purifier under $400 in 2026

• Does not matter5, 5 models
• Dust and pollen1, 1 model
• Smells and gases5, 5 models
• Both1, 1 model

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 matter5, 5 models
• Hay fever or pollen1, 1 model
• Asthma or dust mite1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter5, 5 models
• Yes, in the bedroom3, 3 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 matter5, 5 models
• Wildfire smoke where I live5, 5 models

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

• Does not matter5, 5 models
• H13 or H140, 0 models
• Any true HEPA1, 1 model
• With carbon filter5, 5 models

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

• Does not matter5, 5 models
• Wi-Fi5, 5 models
• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth5, 5 models

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

• all5, 5 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher2, 2 models

Counts only models with at least 20 reviews: with fewer, the average says little.

• Does not matter5, 5 models
• 5% & up2, 2 models
• 20% & up1, 1 model
• 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.