Looking for a HEPA Air Purifier on a budget!

[pestermess]

I'm currently in the market for some recommendations on what to purchase from Amazon.ca. I've been eyeing a few options, and I noticed that Amazon's Choice has the LEVOIT model listed for $74.61 CAD. However, there are other models available in the $200 to $300 range, and I'm not sure whether the higher-priced options are worth the extra cost. As someone who's new to owning a small home, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices out there. I'd really appreciate it if the LTT Team and the community could weigh in and share their thoughts or experiences to help guide my decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Shimejii]

9 minutes ago, pestermess said:

I'm currently in the market for some recommendations on what to purchase from Amazon.ca. I've been eyeing a few options, and I noticed that Amazon's Choice has the LEVOIT model listed for $74.61 CAD. However, there are other models available in the $200 to $300 range, and I'm not sure whether the higher-priced options are worth the extra cost. As someone who's new to owning a small home, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices out there. I'd really appreciate it if the LTT Team and the community could weigh in and share their thoughts or experiences to help guide my decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

What exactly are you trying to achieve by buying one? That is the first step. Is it for something specific? Most of these arent that great. And also do note, you need to replace the filters often and that is an added expense.

 

My recommendation for just Dust and allergens, Coway Air mega, or the bigger Levoit. Check the filter pricing. Do not get the smaller round ones as they are pretty much useless as they barely do anything (this has been tested)

 

I personally use a Coway Air mega, was on a big sale. It helps a bit to keep down the dust and hair, but for most other stuff it generally gets bypassed. You still have to vacuum and such often.

[Needfuldoer]

Make sure you can actually get filters for the thing. No sense saving a few bucks on the appliance if it only takes weird, expensive, or unobtainium  filters.

[pestermess]

1 hour ago, Shimejii said:

What exactly are you trying to achieve by buying one? That is the first step. Is it for something specific? Most of these arent that great. And also do note, you need to replace the filters often and that is an added expense.

 

My recommendation for just Dust and allergens, Coway Air mega, or the bigger Levoit. Check the filter pricing. Do not get the smaller round ones as they are pretty much useless as they barely do anything (this has been tested)

 

I personally use a Coway Air mega, was on a big sale. It helps a bit to keep down the dust and hair, but for most other stuff it generally gets bypassed. You still have to vacuum and such often.

I have a lot of dust in my house, likely due to the surrounding farmland. I regularly change my HVAC filters, but I’m still dealing with dust issues. My neighbors use small to medium-sized air purifiers in certain rooms, so I’m wondering what would work best for me as a first-time homeowner. I used to have a small purifier in my old apartment that worked well, but I can’t find the same brand anymore. I was thinking of getting a small purifier for the bedroom and office, but the cost of multiple medium-sized units seems high. I’m always on the lookout for good deals, so I’ll check out the brand you mentioned and consider it.

[pestermess]

1 hour ago, Needfuldoer said:

Make sure you can actually get filters for the thing. No sense saving a few bucks on the appliance if it only takes weird, expensive, or unobtainium  filters.

I get it—my last air filter was a washable cloth design that I could just toss in the washing machine and dryer. It worked great in my old apartment, but unfortunately, that brand isn’t available anymore.

[TetraSky]

Nearly 15 years ago, I got a large air purifier from Sharp (KC-C70U). I had also got it for dust primarily.

Before buying it, I really should've looked at the price of filter replacements...

They cost a LOT. Nearly 1/4 of the price of the unit each time.

At one point I just gave up on the whole HEPA thing and adapted the machine to be somewhat "compatible" with slightly smaller but much more affordable, car filters. By adapted I mean I put the filter in the middle of where it would normally go and put tape all around it to block off the zone where the filter was too small to cover.

A FRAM CF11902 filter(or some other of similar size) for $30 is world cheaper than a stupid ass HEPA filter that cost $100.

Sure I lose the 99.97% efficiency... But 98% is pretty darn good regardless. Even more so considering it also has a mesh filter for large particulate and a carbon filter as well before.

 

If you can, do try to find another brand that offers washable filters. These stupid filters will be the bane of my existence.

Though kudos to Sharp, even after 15 years, this machine has essentially been running 24/7 without any issues and is still whisper quiet on the lower setting.

[manikyath]

i found this brilliant suggestion from bigclivedotcom some years ago.. you can do A LOT by just having a pc fan blow into a bag made from regular household paper towels.

i have horrid hay fever, and i just have a 140mm fan blowing into a bag of paper towels to clear the air.. the difference is enormous for how simple the setup is.

 

also, if your goal is reducing dust, you dont need a hepa filter, you need to move air.

[pestermess]

9 hours ago, manikyath said:

i found this brilliant suggestion from bigclivedotcom some years ago.. you can do A LOT by just having a pc fan blow into a bag made from regular household paper towels.

i have horrid hay fever, and i just have a 140mm fan blowing into a bag of paper towels to clear the air.. the difference is enormous for how simple the setup is.

 

also, if your goal is reducing dust, you dont need a hepa filter, you need to move air.

 I’m not looking to do anything too complicated. I love having fans and open windows for natural wind, but the dust is a problem. I thought there’d be better tech for filtering dust by now, but I’ve heard people complain more about the cost of replacement filters than the devices. I’m okay with buying filters every 6 to 10 months, but I don’t want to spend a ton on the purifier itself. I was hoping to get advice from the LTT team since I figure it gets pretty dusty in BC too.

[starsmine]

13 hours ago, pestermess said:

I'm currently in the market for some recommendations on what to purchase from Amazon.ca. I've been eyeing a few options, and I noticed that Amazon's Choice has the LEVOIT model listed for $74.61 CAD. However, there are other models available in the $200 to $300 range, and I'm not sure whether the higher-priced options are worth the extra cost. As someone who's new to owning a small home, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices out there. I'd really appreciate it if the LTT Team and the community could weigh in and share their thoughts or experiences to help guide my decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Unironically the best hepa filter on a budget is a box fan and a cube of furnace filter. 
Both CR and RTINGs have found it to be the best bang for the beck

Look at both CR and RTings if that is not the solution you want.
https://www.rtings.com/air-purifier

https://www.consumerreports.org/search/?query=Air Purifiers
https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/air-purifiers/diy-air-purifier-to-help-with-wildfire-smoke-a7304562815/

You most likely can log into Consumer Reports with your Local Library card. If the local library does not have a subscription to CR, Ask them. Libraries buy what people ask them to. 

[rikitikitavi]

https://housefresh.com
 

Apparently honest reviews and good testing. They might have budget options.

[Needfuldoer]

7 hours ago, pestermess said:

 I’m not looking to do anything too complicated. I love having fans and open windows for natural wind, but the dust is a problem. I thought there’d be better tech for filtering dust by now, but I’ve heard people complain more about the cost of replacement filters than the devices. I’m okay with buying filters every 6 to 10 months, but I don’t want to spend a ton on the purifier itself. I was hoping to get advice from the LTT team since I figure it gets pretty dusty in BC too.

Honestly, a box fan with a cheap furnace filter on it blowing "in" will catch most of the dust and pollen that would come through an open window. Just don't get the "basic" MERV 1 kind of filter, those are only good for catching large stuff like pet hair.