The Best Air Purifiers Under £150 in the UK (2025)

October 8, 2025

Finding an effective air purifier that doesn't break the bank can be a challenge. The good news is that the sub-£150 price point has become the sweet spot for UK households, offering a strong balance of certified HEPA performance, useful features, and real value. Whether you're battling seasonal pollen, dealing with pet dander, or simply want to improve the air quality in your home, this is the price range where high performance becomes truly accessible.

This guide breaks down the best air purifiers currently available for under £150. We'll explain the key features to look for, review our top recommendations in detail, and help you choose the perfect model for your specific needs and room size. If your budget is a little tighter, you might want to see our guide to the best air purifiers under £50, but for most people, the models here offer the best long-term value.

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Quick Summary: Our Top Picks Under £150

Pressed for time? Here are the best air purifiers at a glance for under £150. These models offer a significant step up in performance, making them ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.

Best Overall Value: Winix A231 / Zero Compact — This model packs in a highly effective "set-and-forget" auto mode and has the lowest annual running costs, making it the smartest buy for most people.
Best for Smart Home Integration: Levoit Core 300S — With its polished smartphone app and seamless voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this is the top choice for a connected home.
Best for Germs and Odours: MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47x5 — A robust, multi-stage filtration system from a trusted UK brand that includes a UV-C lamp to neutralise airborne germs, making it ideal for health-conscious users.

How to Choose the Right Air Purifier for Under £150

An effective air purifier is more than just a fan with a filter. In the sub-£150 category, you need to balance cleaning power with features and long-term costs. Here’s what to look for.

Understanding CADR and Room Size

The most important metric for any air purifier is its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h). This tells you how much clean air the unit produces and is the best indicator of its raw power. A higher CADR means the purifier can clean a larger room, or clean a smaller room more frequently. For a deeper dive into this topic, see our guide to air flow.

As a general rule, match the CADR to your room size. For a typical small-to-medium UK bedroom (around 15-20 m²), a unit with a CADR of 140-250 m³/h is a great starting point. This ensures the air is fully cleaned multiple times per hour, which is crucial for allergy sufferers.

Filtration: The Importance of True HEPA and Carbon

At the heart of any good purifier is its filtration system. Avoid models that use vague terms like "HEPA-type" and look for a multi-stage system:

Pre-Filter: This first layer captures large particles like dust, lint, and pet hair, protecting the more expensive filters inside.
True HEPA Filter: This is non-negotiable. A True HEPA filter (rated H13 in the UK) is certified to capture at least 99.95% of microscopic airborne particles, including pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Our guide to air filters explains this in more detail.
Activated Carbon Filter: This layer is essential for tackling gases and odours. It adsorbs Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products and furniture, as well as smoke and cooking smells.

Smart Features vs. Core Performance

The main trade-off in this price range is between convenience and raw power.

"Set-and-Forget" Smart (Auto Mode): Models like the Winix A231 include an air quality sensor that automatically adjusts fan speed based on the pollution it detects. This is the most useful smart feature, ensuring efficient operation without constant manual input.
"Connected" Smart (App/Voice Control): Models like the Levoit Core 300S offer full Wi-Fi connectivity. This allows you to control the unit remotely via an app, set schedules, and use voice commands. It's a great convenience but often at the cost of a slightly higher price or lower raw performance compared to a non-connected model.

Ongoing Costs: Filters and Energy Use

Your initial purchase is only part of the cost. Always check the price and lifespan of replacement filters. A purifier with a cheap upfront cost can become expensive if its filters need replacing every few months. The Winix A231 is a standout here, with a filter that lasts a full 12 months, leading to a low annual cost of around £40.

Energy consumption is also a factor. Look for models with low power draw, especially in sleep modes. Modern purifiers are generally very efficient, but for more information, you can read our guide on energy consumption.

Noise Levels: A Key Factor for Bedrooms

If you plan to use the purifier in a bedroom, noise level is critical. All the models we recommend are very quiet on their lowest settings (around 24-30 decibels, similar to a whisper). However, they will be much louder at full power. Check the minimum noise level if you are a light sleeper. Our guide to noise levels can help you understand what the numbers mean.

The Best Air Purifiers Under £150: Detailed Reviews

Winix A231 / Zero Compact: Best Overall Value

Best for: Users who want maximum performance and low running costs without needing app control.
Key features: 4-stage filtration (Pre, True HEPA, Carbon, PlasmaWave), air quality sensor, Auto Mode.
Performance/Results: The Winix consistently impresses with its ability to clean rooms faster than its direct competitors. Its CADR of approximately 250 m³/h is ideal for rooms up to 21 m². The key advantage is its onboard sensor and Auto Mode, which intelligently adjusts performance based on real-time air quality—a feature typically found on more expensive models. The PlasmaWave ioniser adds an extra layer of cleaning power.
Drawbacks: It lacks any Wi-Fi connectivity, so there is no app or voice control.
Ongoing cost/maintenance: Excellent. The all-in-one filter cartridge lasts a full 12 months and costs around £40, making its annual running cost the lowest in its class.

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Levoit Core 300S: Best for Smart Home

Best for: Anyone deeply integrated into a smart home ecosystem who values remote and voice control.
Key features: Polished VeSync smart app, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, 3-stage filtration.
Performance/Results: The Core 300S delivers solid and reliable performance with a CADR of 240 m³/h, making it effective for rooms up to 20 m². Its real strength lies in its smart functionality. The VeSync app is intuitive, allowing for remote control, scheduling, and tracking air quality history. Voice commands work seamlessly, adding a level of convenience the other models here can't match.
Drawbacks: The annual running costs are higher than the Winix, and it lacks the extra cleaning stage of an ioniser.
Ongoing cost/maintenance: The filter needs replacing every 6-8 months, with official replacements costing around £30. This results in a higher annual cost of approximately £45-£60.

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MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47x5: Best for Germs and Odours

Best for: Health-conscious users, particularly those concerned with airborne bacteria, viruses, and strong odours.
Key features: Comprehensive 5-stage filtration, including a True HEPA filter, enhanced charcoal filter, UV-C lamp, and an ioniser.
Performance/Results: Coming from a trusted British brand, the MeacoClean 47x5 offers the most thorough filtration system in this category. The combination of a HEPA filter for particles, a dense carbon filter for odours, and a UV-C lamp for neutralising germs provides an extra layer of protection. It's effective for rooms up to 19 m², making it a robust choice for bedrooms or home offices.
Drawbacks: It has no smart app connectivity and its running costs are the highest of the three.
Ongoing cost/maintenance: The filter pack needs replacing every 6 months and costs £39.99, leading to an annual cost of nearly £80. The UV lamp also has a 2-year lifespan.

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Head-to-Head: Winix A231 vs. Levoit Core 300S

This is the key battle in the sub-£150 market. Your choice comes down to what you value most: the "set-and-forget" intelligence of the Winix or the fully connected smart home integration of the Levoit.

Performance and Features: The Winix has a slight edge in raw cleaning speed and features a more advanced 4-stage filtration system, including the PlasmaWave ioniser. The Levoit uses a standard but effective 3-stage system.
Smart Functionality: This is where the two diverge. The Winix's "smartness" is its on-board Auto Mode, which is arguably the most practical feature for day-to-day use. The Levoit Core 300S is "smarter" in the connected sense, offering a polished app for remote control, scheduling, and voice commands, which the Winix lacks entirely.
Operating Costs: The Winix is the clear winner here. Its 12-month filter life results in an annual cost of around £40, compared to the Levoit's £45-£60 annual cost due to its 6-8 month filter lifespan.

For a more detailed analysis, read our full Comparison: Winix A231 vs. Levoit Core 300S article.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are air purifiers under £150 effective?

Absolutely. Models in this price range offer certified True HEPA (H13) filtration, which is highly effective at removing common UK allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from small to medium-sized rooms.

What is the best cheap air purifier for dust and allergies?

For under £150, the Winix A231 is our top recommendation for dust and allergies. Its combination of strong performance, a True HEPA filter, and an intelligent Auto Mode makes it a powerful and efficient "set-and-forget" solution.

How much does it cost to run an air purifier in the UK?

The main running cost is filter replacement. For the models we recommend, expect an annual filter cost of £40 to £80. Energy use is minimal, typically costing only a few pence per day to run on lower settings.

Which is better, Winix or Levoit?

It depends on your priorities. The Winix A231 offers better overall value, superior out-of-the-box performance with its Auto Mode, and lower running costs. The Levoit Core 300S is the better choice if you prioritise a fully connected smart home experience with app and voice control.

Do I need smart features on an air purifier?

An "Auto Mode," which automatically adjusts fan speed based on air quality, is the most useful smart feature and highly recommended. Full app and voice control is a convenient luxury but not essential for effective air purification.

What is a good CADR for a UK bedroom?

For a typical UK bedroom (15-20 m²), a CADR between 140 m³/h and 250 m³/h is ideal. This ensures the air in the room is completely filtered at least 3-5 times per hour, which is the recommended rate for allergy sufferers.

Final Verdict: Which £150 Air Purifier is Right for You?

For most people looking for the best air purifier under £150, the Winix A231 / Zero Compact is the clear winner. It delivers the best combination of powerful cleaning, essential smart features like Auto Mode, and the lowest long-term running costs. It’s a true "set-and-forget" device that offers unbeatable value.

However, if you are building a connected smart home and want the convenience of controlling everything from your phone or with your voice, the Levoit Core 300S is an excellent choice. Finally, for those who want the extra reassurance of germ-killing UV-C technology, the MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47x5 is a robust and reliable option from a trusted UK brand.

If you find your needs require more power for a larger room, consider exploring our guide to the best air purifiers under £250.

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