The Best Air Cleaners for Your Money

Best Value

• If you're looking for a high quality air purifier offered at a competitive price, consider Austin Air HealthMate. Consumer Search.com says that you can purchase this system for as low as $300 to $450. This powerhouse has a carbon HEPA filter that captures dust, pet dander, pollen and mold. Austin Air HealthMate also offers a convenience feature---not having to change the air filter every month. In fact, you can allow the system to run on the same filter for up to five years.

  Other positive features include a five year warranty on the machine and filters, the ability to clean a 1,500 square foot room and no ozone emissions. The major drawbacks is that the machine gets noisy when set to the highest setting and it is heavy, making it difficult to move from room to room.

Best for Small Rooms

• If you are looking for an air cleaner to tackle a 390-square-foot room or less, turn to the Honeywell Enviracaire 50250-N. Air-Purifier.com ranks this air purifier as one of its top 10 picks for best air purifiers for the money. This machine costs between $180 to $200 and can be easily moved from room to room.

  The system runs on a HEPA filter that needs to be vacuumed twice a year and eventually replaced. The system is noisy, making it undesirable for use in a bedroom.

Best Overall

• According to Consumer Search.com, the best overall air purifier for the money is IQAir HealthPro Plus. It's expensive, averaging approximately $750 to $900, but Consumer Search says that customer reviews sing the purifier's praises for effectively removing allergens and severe pollution. The system runs on a HyperHEPA carbon filter designed to capture microscopic air offenders.

  This air purifier is perfect for use in large rooms, does not emit ozone and is endorsed by medical groups, such as the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. The hospital relied upon this air purifier during the 2003 SARS scare.

  Consumer Search mentions price as being one of the biggest drawbacks. Also, running the system on its highest level is noisy.