The true cost of owning an air purifier.
The sticker price is the down payment. Filters, electricity, and how long the unit lasts decide what you actually spend — over three years, the difference between a cheap and an expensive purifier is often smaller than it looks.
Price tiers, honestly
- Budget$80–$150
- Mid-range$150–$300
- Premium$300+
The filter math nobody does
Most HEPA filters last 6–12 months and cost $30–$100. A $120 purifier with $80 filters costs $600+ over three years. A $250 purifier with $40 filters costs about $490. The "expensive" one is cheaper.
Before you buy, divide the replacement filter price by its lifespan in months — that monthly number is the real cost of ownership. We list both figures on every model page for exactly this reason.
What replacement filters really cost
Across the models owners discuss most, here's the monthly filter cost — replacement price divided by rated lifespan. The spread is wider than the sticker prices suggest.
| Model | Filter cost | Lifespan | Per month | 3-year filters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winix 5500-2 | $50 | 12 months | $4.17 | $150 |
| Levoit Core 300 | $25.99 | 6 months | $4.33 | $156 |
| Coway Airmega AP-1512HH | $57 | 12 months | $4.75 | $171 |
| PuroAir 400 | $64.99 | 3 months | $21.66 | $780 |
| IKEA STARKVIND | $20 | 6 months | $3.33 | $120 |
| Medify MA-112 | $138.99 | 6 months | $23.17 | $834 |
| Jaspr Pro | $199 | 6 months | $33.17 | $1194 |
| Coway Airmega 100 | $39.99 | 12 months | $3.33 | $120 |
Electricity: small, but compounding
Purifiers run 24/7, so efficiency compounds. Energy Star models use roughly 40% less electricity than standard units — typically $15–$30 a year back in your pocket, and the certification costs you nothing to check: it's a badge on every model we track.
Compare real prices and filter costs.
Sort the index by price, or browse brands to see whole lineups at a glance.