A Definitive Guide For Buying The Best Air Purifier For Small Room – Compact And Clever

Last updated on: December 1, 2024.

The indoor air quality in many urban households is steadily deteriorating. Factors like pollution and industrial waste contaminate the air with harmful particles that adversely affect our health. Indoor air is likely to be up to five times more polluted than outside air. In the wake of the pandemic, it is more likely that most of your time is spent indoors.

When you factor in the time you spend sleeping, it becomes apparent that your bedroom is where you spend most of your time. Bedroom air that is polluted with several harmful particles can have devastating health implications. While this is a cause for concern, there is a solution.

 Air purifiers are common household products that remove contaminants from the air. Breathing clean air has several health benefits, such as relief from respiratory problems like asthma and allergies.

Clean air facilitates better sleep and has long-term benefits. Smaller air purifiers are more affordable and simpler to operate. Installing a purifier in your bedroom will ensure a good night’s sleep and help you avoid health issues. 

There are different brands and models of air purifiers currently in the market. As a first-time buyer, picking the right unit that meets your needs can often be confusing. You may need to consider different factors, such as technology used, size, and efficiency.

Air purifiers can be installed in any room, but not all air purifiers are effective in a small room such as your bedroom. Our aim is to give you as much information as possible about the nine shortlisted air purifiers to make it easier for you. 

Can an air purifier be too big for a room? 

Powerful Air Purifier

While purchasing an air purifier, getting the right size for your room is crucial. Generally speaking, getting an air purifier with the capacity for an area slightly larger than your room is better—getting one with a smaller square footage rating leads to more problems than a larger air purifier.

An air purifier that is too large can lead to wastage and reduced efficiency. It will also increase your costs and consume more electricity than required. 

You may be tempted to purchase an air purifier that is large enough to handle the entire house. The problem with this is that all rooms have to be connected with each other. If a single door is closed, the airflow is disrupted, and you have unclean air in the room. It is better to get separate air purifiers for rooms for different rooms. 

The best way to determine the right size for your air purifier is to match its capacity with the square footage of your room. You can calculate the square footage by measuring and multiplying the length and width of your room. You can then match the area of your room to the system’s capacity. It doesn’t have to be an exact match, but it can be slightly larger. For instance, if you have a room measuring 150 square feet, it’s alright to get a 200 square feet capacity unit. 

You can also use an air purifier’s CADR rating to compare your system’s capacity to the size of your room. CADR stands for clean air delivery rate. It is a standardized lab-tested metric that you can use to size your air purifier correctly. A CADR rating around two-thirds the size of your room would be ideal.

Which is the best small air purifier in 2022? 

According to us, after considerable research and comparison, the best small air purifier in 2022 is the LEVOIT core 300 air purifier for homes. It features a true HEPA filter, with additional activated carbon filters that can remove odor and toxic volatile organic compounds from the air. It operates quietly at less than 24 decibels. It ensures that your sleep is not disturbed by loud operations.

LEVOIT core 300 is also energy-efficient and won’t send your utility bills skyrocketing. It has a compact design that isn’t an eyesore and can blend in with your bedroom decor. This device can remove up to 99.97% of harmful particles in your air, including dust, mold, smoke, pollen, pet hair, and dander. Most commonly found contaminants are eliminated from your household. This is why LEVOIT’s air purifier for your home is our top pick for the best small air purifier in 2022. 

Why should you trust us? 

Should Trust

We give honest and unbiased reviews that discuss both pros and cons of specific products. We offer base comparisons of products on their features alone. We ensure that you can make an informed choice about air purifying products in the market. 

We believe that air purifiers should be accessible to anyone. As such, we cover the entire spectrum from low-end to high-end air purifiers. Whatever your budget is, we have made sure to include air purifiers that can fit financial constraints and meet your needs. 

We stay up to date with our market research. We offer the latest and most relevant information. 

9 Best Air Purifiers For Small Room (December 2024)

Image PRODUCT/ Features Rating  
Our Top PickLevoit Air Purifier LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home ✦ Toxin Absorber Filter 
✦ High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter 
✦ QuietKEAP Technology 
9.9
Runner UpBissell My Air BISSELL MYair Air Purifier with High Efficiency ✦ Filter Change Indicator
✦ 3-in-1 filter
✦ Whisper-quiet 
9.6
Osimo Air Purifier HEPA Air Purifiers for Bedroom✦ Advanced 3 stages filtration system
✦ Advanced 3 stages filtration system
✦ Quiet Technology
9.3
Germ Guardian Air Purifier Germ Guardian GG1000 7” Pluggable Small Air Purifier✦ 7-inch wall-pluggable sanitizer
✦ UV-C light
✦ HEPA Filter
9.1
Megawise Air Purifier Megawise True HEPA Air Purifier✦ 360 degree Fresh Air
✦ 3 Stages Filtration
✦ One Hand Operation
8.8
Himox Air Purifier HIMOX HEPA Air Purifier for Home✦ Smart Filter Replacement indicator 
✦ Smart Touch Panel
✦ Aromatherapy Enabled 
8.6
Redypure Air Purifier RedyPure Air Purifiers for Home ✦ 360° All-Round Filtration
✦ Filter Change Reminder
✦ H13 True HEPA
8.4
Homezens Air Purifier HomeZens Portable Plug in Air Purifier ✦ Sanitize Within 2 Hours
✦ UV-C Light Sterlizer
✦ Built-in turbine cycle
8.2
Jinpus Air Purifier JINPUS Air Purifier Small Portable Air Cleaner ✦ 360°Purification with HEPA filter
✦ Nightlight Function
✦ Portable
8.0


1. LEVOIT Core 300 air purifier for home for better air quality

The LEVOIT core 300 air purifier for home packs several features in a compact form and is also affordable. It has a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter that work in tandem to remove pollutants from your air, making it a suitable device for use in a bedroom.

LEVOIT is one of the few manufacturers that offer options for additional and replacement filters. Whether it is protection from pet allergies or elimination of harmful toxins, LEVOIT has you covered, whatever your needs may be.

Operating this air purifier has never been easier with additional smart features that can automate settings to cater to your needs.

In addition to this, LEVOIT is recognized as a reliable brand with several industry-approved certifications and offers powerful cleaning capability in an affordable and compact air purifier.

Levoit Purifier

Things we liked:

  1. LEVOIT core 300 features a true HEPA filter with an additional activated carbon filter that can remove odor and toxic VOCs from the air. These filters allow it to remove 99.97% of harmful particles from the air, including dust, mold, smoke, pollen, pet hair, and other common pollutants. 
  2. You are also allowed the opportunity to customize replacement filters for your specific needs. You can choose between the original filter, pet allergy, toxin absorber, and smoke remover filters for additional cleaning as per your requirements. 
  3. It operates quietly at less than 24 decibels and is also energy efficient. It comes in a compact form and does not take up much space in your bedroom. 
  4. It has a capacity of 2 air changes per hour in a 547 square foot room and up to 5 air changes per hour in a 219 square foot room. This makes it ideal for use in bedrooms. 
  5. Intuitive displays that can turn the light off and automatic timers make it even easier to have a good night’s sleep. 

Things we didn’t like:

  • None

2. BISSELL MYair Air Purifier

The BISSELL MYair air purifier is another contender for an affordable yet efficient air purifier in bedrooms. The size to performance ratio gives it a respectable CADR rating to cater to your needs. It features a 3 in 1 filtration system, including a pre-filter and combination of high efficiency and activated carbon filters.

BISSELL offers different fan speeds to suit different pollution levels during the day. Although this system is compact, it can efficiently work in rooms sized at around a hundred square feet. 

Bissell Air Purifier

Things we liked:

  1.  It has different fan speeds, including a quiet whisper setting for better sleep at night. 
  2. This air purifier can remove 99.7% of common pollutants, including dust, mold, smoke, pollen, dander, and others.
  3. It is recommended for use in rooms around 100 square feet in size with five air changes per hour, making it perfect for small-sized bedrooms. 

Things we didn’t like:

  1. The drawback of this air purifier is that the filter is high efficiency but isn’t a true HEPA filter. 
  2. User reviews have mentioned a strong chemical smell associated with the air purifier. They also report that the difference in fan speeds is huge. The sleep mode, while extremely quiet, makes it seem like the air purifier is barely running. But, the high fan speed is extremely noisy and unsuitable for use at night. 

3. OSIMO portable air purifier

The OSIMO portable air purifier is one of the smallest and most affordable options on this list. Weighing at 1.44 pounds, this small yet powerful machine is capable of delivering clean air in any room in your household. This air purifier is lightweight and compact, but OSIMO does not sacrifice filter quality in this device.

It features a 3 in 1 filtration system with a pre-filter, true HEPA, and easily replaceable activated carbon filters. Operating this purifier is as simple as it gets with a single button that can switch between the three fan speeds offered by OSIMO.

This simple yet effective device may not have the bells and whistles of other air purifiers but offers effective and reliable air cleaning capabilities.

Osimo Air Purifier

Things we liked:

  1. This air purifier can remove 99.9% of common pollutants found in the air.
  2. This air purifier is small and affordable. This makes it an affordable yet powerful option. The portability of this purifier is its strong selling point.
  3. This unit is simple to operate, with a single button that powers it on and switches between three fan speeds.
  4. The filters used in this device are of high quality and easy to replace. OSIMO makes your air purifier easy with a 60-day money-back guarantee and 2-year quality assurance. 
  5. This air purifier has a capacity of 215 square feet, making it viable for most small-sized rooms in your house.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. The size of this air purifier makes it lack the power required for larger areas or extremely poor indoor air quality. While it functions well in most places, you may find this purifier lacking in raw power.

4. GermGuardian pluggable air purifier and sanitizer

The GermGuardian Pluggable air purifier and sanitizer is a unique addition to this list. Instead of using traditional mechanical filters, it introduces UV-C light combined with titanium dioxide to trap volatile organic components, kill germs and get rid of bacteria and viruses.

The GermGuardian Pluggable comes in a 7-inch form capable of being plugged directly into your wall sockets. The photocatalytic oxidation process this purifier uses is a different approach to air purification that is not commonly found in air purifiers in this price range.

You can save money on buying replacement parts as it doesn’t need regular filter changes, which makes an already affordable air purifier offer more value for money.

You can use this air purifier in multiple rooms and in combination with mechanical air purifiers to get the best air cleaning results from your devices. 

Germ Guardian

Things we liked:

  1. There is no need to replace or change filters, making maintenance easier.
  2. This purifier can kill germs with its UV technology.
  3. The purifier can remove odors, gasses, and volatile organic compounds.
  4. This purifier comes in a compact size and is easy to operate. 

Things we didn’t like:

  1. This purifier doesn’t work as well in areas with naturally low humidity.

5. Megawise purifier for home

The Megawise purifier for home is another air purifier that offers the classic combination of pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and activated carbon filters. This air purifier comes in an attractive form that will add to the decor of your household. It features some of the most impressive ambient lightings that can be turned on to provide a beautiful nightlight and turned off when you are sleeping.

Several cleaning modes are offered that you can switch between easily. The design and efficiency of this air purifier are not hard on your wallet, as Megawise offers this device at an affordable price point.

Megawise Air Purifier

Things we liked:

  1. Megawise purifier can remove 99.97% of contaminants from the air, including odor, gasses, and volatile organic compounds.
  2. This purifier has an attractive look and feel to it with an ergonomic and aesthetic form factor.
  3. Megawise purifier has an optional night light that you can turn off or on, depending on your need.
  4. It is easy to operate with several cleaning modes accessible at the push of a button.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. It functions louder than expected and smells like plastic at high fan speeds. 

6. HIMOX AP01 is a HEPA air purifier

The HIMOX AP01 air purifier for home is a system that offers a 3 in 1 combination of pre-filter, medical-grade true HEPA, and activated carbon filters. This purifier was meant to be placed on desks or table-tops, making it a good choice for smaller-sized rooms, whether it’s a nightstand in your bedroom or a desk in your study.

HIMOX cares about user experience and offers an indicator light that tells you when to replace your filters. They also include an additional aromatherapy feature that can diffuse any essential oils you may have. This enhances your experience of air purification as your air will be free from contaminants and smell great in the process.

Himox Air Purifier

Things we liked:

  1. HIMOX AP01 is capable of removing 99.97% of contaminants from the air, including odor, gasses, and VOCs.
  2. This purifier is one of the few products in this price range with an indicator light to tell you to replace a filter. It takes the guesswork out of maintenance and makes it much easier to replace filters in time.
  3. HIMOX AP01 has an optional aromatherapy feature to add drops of essential oil for additional relaxation during sleep.
  4. It functions at very low volumes and is highly portable.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. The fan is not as powerful for larger rooms.
  2. Finding replacement filters for this model can be difficult.

7. RedyPure air purifier for home

The RedyPure air purifier for home is a purifier that offers a 3 in 1 combination of pre-filter, HEPA, and activated carbon filters. RedyPure has made sure its product is compliant with industry standards and passes several safety and quality checks.

The manufacturers have also emphasized energy efficiency so that running your air purifier constantly will not affect your utility bills.

RedyPure air purifier also has an indicator light to signal when it is time to change filters, improving your experience and reducing maintenance efforts. It operates at whisper-quiet levels that further enhance your experience.

RedyPure air purifier will make your air purification experience simple and easy, so you can let this device do the work and rest easy in its capabilities. It can cover a room of 221 square feet, making it ideal for placing in most rooms in your household. 

Redypure Air Purifier

Things we liked:

  1. This purifier can remove 99.97% of contaminants from the air, including odor, gasses, and volatile organic compounds.
  2. This purifier has an indicator light, signaling when to replace a filter. It makes the unit maintenance-free and allows you to change your filters in time.
  3. This air purifier is California Air Resources Board-certified and has passed several other safety and quality checks.
  4. This purifier functions at very low volumes and is energy efficient.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. The filter replacement light is unpredictable.

8. HomeZens portable plug in air purifier

HomeZens’s portable plug-in air purifier uses UV technology to sanitize and disinfect your room. Rather than using traditional mechanical filters, it uses a unique technology that can kill germs and viruses. It has a portable form factor and is easy to operate by simply plugging it into a wall socket.

HomeZens’s portable plug-in air purifier requires zero maintenance. It makes almost no noise and is energy efficient. This air purifier offers tremendous value for money when it comes to the price to performance ratio. It is efficient for small areas and eliminates the need for using disinfectants and other cleaning agents.

While HomeZens’s portable plug-in air purifier lacks traditional features found in other air purifiers, its performance and affordability make it a contender in this list.

Best Dehumidifier For Indoor Pool

Things we liked:

  1. This air purifier has no need for filter replacement as it is powered by a UV-C light bulb that is replaceable. 
  2. This purifier can kill germs and bacteria without additional cleaning agents or chemicals.
  3. This purifier functions at very low volumes and is energy efficient.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. This purifier is designed to be plugged directly into wall sockets, so your options on placement are limited by the positioning of sockets in your household. 

9. JINPUS air purifier

The JINPUS air purifier for small bedrooms uses a combination of HEPA and a Feiner Vorfilter that work seamlessly to eliminate common airborne pollutants like dust, mold, smoke, pollen, and others. It comes in a lightweight and portable form factor that is convenient to place in small-sized rooms.

JINPUS air purifier is highly portable in a compact form that is also quiet and energy-efficient. It offers value for money and can cover around 80 square feet of space, making it ideal for small rooms in your household.

Best Dehumidifier For Indoor Pool

Things we liked:

  1. The JINPUS air purifier is extremely portable, operates quietly, and is energy efficient.

Things we didn’t like:

  1. This purifier can only cover an area of around 80 square feet, making it infeasible for larger bedrooms.

How do you use a small air purifier?

Air purifiers work by trapping or destroying harmful particles in the air to provide clean and fresh indoor air. Air purifiers depend on two important factors, how much air they can move and how many particles they can remove. The CADR is an important metric to consider.

The CADR rating system is a great way to know how well an air purifier will perform in your environment. It is recommended to get an air purifier with a CADR rating around two-thirds the size of your room. This ensures that your new system can successfully circulate air throughout your room, and you can enjoy the benefits of clean and pollution-free air.

After acquiring your air purifier, leave it on continuously. Air pollution is a pervasive problem that needs to be tackled around the clock. Leaving your air purifier on will ensure that it will continue to trap harmful contaminants and keep your air fresh.

Air purifiers will reduce efficiency over time. It is because the filters that trap particles in the air become clogged. To ensure continuous performance, you will have to replace your purifier’s filters between three to six months.

Using a small air purifier requires three steps. First, correctly match your room to an air purifier’s capacity.

Second, position it in your room and leave it on. Third, maintain your air purifier by replacing filters when needed. This is how you can successfully use a small air purifier in your household.

Does every room need a purifier?

It is possible to use a large and powerful air purifier for an entire house. However, the problem with this is that you need to ensure continuous airflow. The doors of all your rooms need to remain open.

Even a single closed door can disrupt airflow and cause contaminants to build up in a room. Since it is likely that your family members value their privacy and would like to close their room doors, a single air purifier for a large household is not feasible.

It is much more effective to have different air purifiers for every room in your house. The advantage of this is that you can match the air purifier to the size of the room in question. The air purifier will work well for that room, and it doesn’t matter so much if you leave the room door closed or open.

While it may be a more expensive option, small air purifiers cost a lot less than large purifiers. They will operate more efficiently in a single atmosphere and ultimately lead to better energy usage and operation. 

You don’t have to install air purifiers in rooms that are not frequented as much or have no need for purification, only for those rooms frequently used. It is a more efficient option and is better in the long term.

Where should you put an air purifier in a small room?

An air purifier can be located anywhere in a small room. Some considerations for positioning your device include: 

  • Keeping your air purifier out of reach from your children or pets
  • Keeping your unit in a well-ventilated area
  • Placing the air purifier within your breathing zone. The closer the device is to your head, the less clean air has to travel to reach you.

It makes a bedside table or nightstand the ideal place to keep an air purifier in a bedroom.

Our Verdict

Our verdict is that the best small air purifier for homes in 2022 is the LEVOIT core 300 air purifier

It features a true HEPA filter, with additional activated carbon filters that can remove odor and toxic VOCs from the air.

Additionally, the customization offered in this model is unparalleled. You have the opportunity to choose replacement filters for your specific needs.

You can choose between the original filter, pet allergy, toxin absorber, and smoke remover filters for additional cleaning as per your requirements. This model can cover diverse needs with a single device.

It facilitates better sleep with its easy operability and displays that can be turned off. It also offers quiet operation and energy efficiency. All of this comes at an affordable price.

The range of features, value for money and build quality make the LEVOIT’s air purifier for home our top choice.

FAQ Section

1. Can you put an air purifier next to bed?

Yes, placing an air purifier in your breathing zone is recommended. The closer it is to your head, the less clean air has to travel to get to you. As such, it is more practical to put an air purifier next to your bed. 

2. Why does the air purifier make the room cold?

Air purifiers can push and pull air similar to a fan. They have air coming in and exiting the device. The circulation of air is what makes your room feel colder. Like switching on a fan, moving air causes increased evaporation on your skin.

Think of your air purifier as a mini fan. This is why air purifiers can make your room feel colder than usual.

3. Should you close door when using air purifier?

Air purifiers clean the area they are contained in. Air purifiers can be more effective in a closed environment and perform at their best. Closing a door can prevent further contaminants from external sources from entering your room.

However, if your door needs to be open, it will not severely affect your air purifier’s performance. You can leave your doors and windows open for a few hours for increased ventilation and fresh air supply.

But, it is best to keep doors and windows closed during the night, so your air purifier can perform at its best and provide clean air for a good night’s sleep.

4. How long does it take an Air Purifier to Clean a Room?

It depends on the air purifier’s capacity and the size of your room. The time taken for an air purifier to clean a room is measured in air changes per hour(ACH).

If your unit states that it can perform 5 ACH for a 200 square feet room, it means that the air is cleaned five times within the hour. It also means that it takes as little as 15 minutes to clean the air in your room.

If your room is twice as large and measures 400 square feet, the ACH drops to 2.5, taking longer to clean the room once. In this case, it would take 30 minutes for one air change. 

If your air purifier doesn’t specify the ACH, it can be calculated by the following formula.

ACH = air moved divided by the volume of the room.

To calculate the total air moved by your air purifier, you multiply the cubic feet per minute(cfm) by 60. This gives you the amount of air moved in an hour. To calculate the volume of a room, you multiply its width by its length by its height.

If an air purifier has a cfm of 300, the air moved is 300 by 60, which is 18000. If a room measures 30 feet by 20 feet and has a ceiling height of 10 feet, then its volume is 30 x 20 x 10, which is 6000 cubic feet. The ACH of this air purifier will be 18000 divided by 6000, which is 3 ACH. This lets you know that three air changes happen in an hour. You can then calculate that it will take 20 minutes to clean the room.

Air pollution has become a pervasive problem, so it is best to keep your air purifier on all the time. A good air purifier can conduct between 3 to 6 ACH to provide clean and fresh air in your household at all times.

Final Words:

Air pollution is a severe problem in several urban environments. The deteriorating air quality is causing health problems that have long-lasting and permanent impacts. Air purifiers offer a solution to this problem by removing harmful contaminants from the air. 

Bedrooms are the places you inhabit the most in your household, and you would not want to breathe in contaminated air as you sleep. While some areas have more toxic air than others, having different air purifiers for each room can reduce toxicity effectively.

Therefore, investing in small air purifiers to eliminate contamination is a wise move. 

We have shortlisted nine air purifiers keeping their efficiency and your budget in mind. It should help you make the right choice to ensure that you and your family continue to breathe cleaner air. 

author-image

About The Author

Olivia — a self-confessed air quality addict — is a home climate enthusiast, fresh air advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about mold extermination. Her work was mentioned in countless notable humidity publications. Previously she was an editor at Mold Remediation.