6 Best Desktop Air Purifier (Personal & Portable) in 2023

Another familiar model that featured on our list. hOmeLabs HME020248N Purely air purifier works great on a desktop and bedside. Despite not being a brand that you would associate with an air purifier, this affordable device is a hidden gem. House in a tiny 7.9 inches diameter and 12.8 inches height body, you will have plenty of table space left even with hOmeLabs placed right next to you. The light 5.3 lb weight allows room to room purifying with minimal effort. On the whole, fitting is decent with no off-gassing or harmful byproducts detected during our test.

Usability is very good for a compact tabletop air purifier. hOmeLabs Purely HME020248N comes with a standard 3 fan speed that you can switch between performance and efficiency. The filter reset indicator will light up to alert you to replace the filter after 2100 hours of usage. Child lock stops children from fiddling with the settings. Lastly, the nightlight can be toggle on its brightness based on your preferences. Ideal for small room sizes like nursery home, office room, dorm, and bedroom.

Moving into hOmeLabs Air Purifier HME020248N specification:

• Dimension - 7.9 x 12.8 x 7.9 in
• Weight - 5.3 lb
• Coverage - 78 sq. ft.
• Filtration - Pre-filter, H13 True HEPA filter, Activated Carbon filter
• Noise Level - ≤50 dB
• Warranty - 1-2 years

A breath of fresh air when a desk air purifier manages to include a "real" HEPA filter. Dirty air drawn into the 3-stage filtration first has to go through the pre-filter. With visible large particles filtered, the medical-grade H13 HEPA filter removes 99.97% of ultrafine particles including pet dander, mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses. The activated carbon filter absorbs household smoke and odor from cooking, pet, spoil food, cigarette. Everything is run purely on mechanical filtration with no subpar combination filter or ozone emission.

hOmeLabs Purely air purifier clean design pushed the air inlet at the bottom with the air outlet located at the top. This allows the capturing of pollutants from the lower surface area but keep in mind the small 78 square footage coverage. CADR mirror on the airflow range averaging at only 48 cfm. Operational wise, hOmeLabs Purely air purifier will run quietly and efficiently on your desk. The under ≤50 dB noise can be completely whisper-quiet if you run it at the lowest speed. Suitable for office use when you need to focus on your work. Through the standard 120 volts/ 60 Hz power output, energy usage is less than a laptop even if you leave the nightlight on (not recommended at daytime though).

Like most compact air purifiers, the drawbacks include the plain vanilla setup with no auto or sleep mode. Air cleaning coverage is small so this is mainly for desk use. The small all-in-one filter also requires a constant 3 months replacement which would quickly add up to the cost. If you are willing to accept the flaws, hOmeLabs HME020248N air purifier would no doubt be a good working companion.

In short: While airflow delivery rate is very limited, it compensates with an affordable price tag and complete H13 filtration.

The sleekiest air purifier on this list with no compromisation. TREDY TD-1500 air purifier is an affordable desktop air purifier that can clean the air while you work. Not only it looks dope when placed on your work desk, the 8.5 inches diameters and 15 inches height occupy very little table space. The 6.6 pounds weight makes carrying a breeze when you intend to move it back to the room during nighttime. Right at the center, you have an air quality indicator light that will display blue when air quality is good and drops to green, orange, and red when air is bad. Build quality is good but the thin legs that may slightly hamper the stability of the product when placed on a wobbly table.

Moving to control, TREDY TD-1500 air purifier has all the features that you would expect only from a premium model. Starting with the standard 3 fan speeds plus auto mode that set higher speed when a high volume of pollutants is detected. Sleep mode locks the fan speed to low and dimmed all indicator lights. The 2, 4, 8 hour timer can be set to shut down the device automatically. The filter change indicator will alert you to change the cartridge after an interval time. Last but not least, there is a night light with 2 levels of brightness adjustment located at the top of the device.

Looking into the specification of TREDY TD-1500:

• Dimension - 8.5 x 15 x 8.5 in
• Weight - 6.6 lb
• Coverage - 200 sq. ft.
• Filtration - Pre-Filter, True HEPA filter, Activated Carbon Filter, Net-Filter
• Noise Level - 28 dB
• Warranty - 1 year

Airflow output is surprisingly good given its economical price tag. TREDY TD-1500 is rated at 200 square footage with 4 air refresh cycles per hour. For non-allergenic persons, you can double the coverage by reducing the air cycle to 2. Ideal for small to mid-range room size including bedroom, home office, dining area, or study room. CADR is at a reasonable for its segment 100 cfm for dust, pollen, and smoke.

TREDY TD-1500 HEPA air purifier comes with a 360 degrees air filtration system that works at any angle. The pre-filter captures dust, hair, debris, and other large particles while protecting the HEPA filter. In return, the True HEPA filter removes 99.97% microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns that cannot be seen by naked eyes. The active carbon filter absorbs harmful gases and odors from cigarettes, paint, food, and pets. Works great on a smoker that likes to smoke in a room. The last net-filter captures leftover particles before the air purifier pushes clean air back out.

TREDY TD-1500 runs silently with a whispering noise of just 28 dB. It will not cause a disturbance while you work or sleep. To top it off, the night light is the perfect comfort tool for children that sleep alone at night or guide a person through the dark. Power output is efficient for everyday use and can be further optimized with auto or sleep mode.

Not everything is perfect with TREDY TD-1500 though. The sensor is not as sensitive as some of the premium models in detecting nearby air pollutants. The multi-filter set also requires replacing 6-8 months that can be a big hassle for some on top of the 60 dollars annual cost. That said, the few drawbacks we mentioned will not subtract TREDY TD-1500 overall value air brings to the table.

In short: A cheap, dependable yet small HEPA air purifier with 360° purifying and autonomous mode features. If you need a night light for your children, buy this instead.

A medical-grade air purifier for desk use. Medify MA-15 is a performance-oriented table top air purifier suitable for an allergenic person. The 9.7 inches in diameter, 15.5 inches in height, and 6.6 pounds may hold a big presence for those with a small table. You will need to clear up some space if your table is cluttered with pens, documents, and computers. Bypassing that, the air inlet does work from the ground with a top air outlet that distributes clean air right at the top. Build quality is top-notch with no miss alignment or leakage detected. The lifetime warranty offered is a big assurance for its reliability and durability.

Comes in white, silver, and black, Medify MA-15 clean exterior is highly functional for everyday use. It comes with a standard 3 fan speed operation and a timer that can be set to shut down the machine after an interval of hours. The filter change indicator will remind you to replace the filter on time for optimal performance. Finally, child lock prevents children or pets from accidentally messing with the setting.

Here is Medify MA-15 the core features:

• Dimension - 9.7 x 15.5 x 9.7 in
• Weight - 6.6 lb
• Coverage - 330 sq. ft.
• Filtration - 2x Pre-Filters, HEPA H13 filters, Activated Carbon Filters
• Noise Level - 35-51 dBA
• Warranty - Lifetime

The best desktop air purifier in terms of performance. House in a conventional setup where the air is drawn from the bottom and release at the top. Medify MA-15 covers a 330 square footage room size at 2 air changes per hour or every 30 minutes. More than ideal of office use, studio, dorms, bedroom, kitchen, and even small basement. Clean air delivery rate is equally impressive averaging at 150 cfm for dust, pollen, and smoke. No other models here manage to match the same consistency and output as Medify.

Noise level is at a silent 35 dBA to a max 51 dBA. Keeping it at a lower speed. You can leave it on 24x7 while you study, work or sleep with zero disturbance. As for power usage, the 18 wattages per hour are on the lower end side in energy efficiency. You will not get hit by a huge electric bill regardless of what mode the air cleaner is running.

Double the power, double the result. Medify Air MA-15 3-stage medical filtration is undoubtedly the best in the desktop field. The dual pre-filter removes dust, hair, fibers coming in from both sides of the air purifier. Next, the dual H13 HEPA filter will remove up to 99.9% of fine particles like mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses as small as 0.1 microns. The carbon filter with carbon pellets absorbs smoke and odors from pets, cigarettes, VOCs, and cleaning products. Everything is done mechanically with zero ozone and chemical emission. 100% safe for children and asthmatic person use.

The setback with Medify MA-15 air purifier is the cost. Compared with some entry-level models, it is 2-3 times more expensive than most air purifiers here. Furthermore, the dual filtration setup is costly to replace that can go as high as 140 dollars annually. The recommended filter replacement timeframe is every 2500 hours which is just shy of 4 months. The lack of Auto mode and Sleep mode is also a big downer. That's the price of clean air and if you could afford it, Medify MA-15 will certainly deliver it.

In short: Slightly bulky for a desktop air purifier but compensate with an outstanding medical-grade H13 filtration.

A tiny air purifier that manages to fit in a 4-stage filtration with UV light. GermGuardian AC4100 is the best tabletop air purifier for under 50 (after discount). At a compact 6.5 x 11 x 7.5 inches in dimension it fits a small table well along with all your office equipment. You can also place it on a top shelf, bedside table, cabinet, or dry basin with limited space. The 4.85 lb weight does help the portability when it is needed. Well constructed with no off-gassing despite the heavy reliance on plastic materials.

GermGuardian AC4100 air purifier front ventilation works in both vertical or horizontal positions. It houses an old-school dial knob that controls the 3 speeds and a UV-C light button. At the back, there is a manual filter reminder date wheel that works even though we are not a big fan. Extremely easy to use but the lack of a timer can be a downer for some.

Let's look at AC4100 specification:

• Dimension - 6.5 x 11 x 7.5 in
• Weight - 4.85 lb
• Coverage - 78 sq. ft.
• Filtration - Charcoal Pre-filter, HEPA-type filter, UV-C Light, TiO 2
• Noise Level - Silent
• Warranty - 1 year

GermGuardian AC4100 78 square footage coverage is small therefore it has to be placed close to the sources. We recommend using it on a work desk, bedside, dry washroom, or dorm that has limited space yet could do with clean air. Clean air delivery rate is at 56 cfm (dust), 76 cfm (pollen), and 50 cfm (smoke). Not great but sufficient for desk use. As for noise, GermGuardian AC4100 will run quietly at all speeds so feel free to leave it running all day during work or sleep. We have not turned off our unit since day one and we did not see any spike in our utility bill.

Comes in a 4-stage filtration, dirty air will first be filtered by the charcoal pre-filter. It removes light smoke, odors, and large dusty particulates while protecting the HEPA-type filter. The HEPA-type filter will capture microscopic particles in the air as small as 2 microns with an efficiency of 99%. For finer microorganisms that bypassed the filter, you have the UV-C light plus Titanium Dioxide that kills bacteria and viruses e.g. Influenza, rhinovirus. The cleaning cycle will continue as long as the air purifier is kept on.

While the inclusion of a UV light is a bonus, it will have to take out some features to balance things out. First, the small body leaves no space to include a full-size filter. You will also have to replace the filter set and light bulb in less than a year's time that can be costly in the long run. The included HEPA-type filter is also an inferior version to a True HEPA filter. The same goes with the charcoal pre-filter over the carbon filter. Airflow performance also takes a hit but for table use, it makes no difference.

In short: A compact office desk air purifier with UV filtration. AC4100 might not be the latest model in its lineup, it is still selling very well with its under 50 dollars access point.

Another regular contention desk air purifier in our list. PARTU BS-03 at one time is so popular on Amazon, it is impossible to get hold of stock. Its value proposition filtration is well squeezed in a tiny 9.6 inches diameter cylinder box. The short 17 inches height also prevents it from toppling over easily from the table. The light 3.2 pounds weight adds versatility where you can bring it along to the bed from your work desk. Staying with the exterior, the black design looks elegant without exposing its plasticky case. Instead of the usual top controls, everything can be controlled right at your eyesight. You can make adjustments without getting up from your comfy chair.

Continue with the intuitive controls. You can cycle through the fan speeds, activate/ deactivate the child lock, and reset the filter change indicator once the new filter replacement set has been installed. Unique in PARTU BS-03, there is a fragrance design drop slot that you can insert calming essential oils such as Citrus, Honeydew Melon, Quince, Musk, or Vanilla. Enjoy breathing clean, relaxing, scented air throughout the rest of the day.

Here's what in PARTU specification:

• Dimension - 9.6 x 17 x 9.6 in
• Weight - 3.2 lb
• Coverage - 107 sq. ft.
• Filtration - Fine Preliminary Pre-filter, True-HEPA filter, Activated carbon filter
• Noise Level - 38-59 dB
• Warranty - 2 years

Despite its compact desktop size and under 50 price tag, the PARTU BS-03 air purifier can cover a respectable 107 square footage of room size. Ideal for a basin tabletop, shelf, bedroom, work des, or any tight spaces with poor ventilation. Power consumption and noise level are other perks of PARTU BS-03. It delivers a subtle and adjustable 38 to 59 dB noise that is suitable for everyday use. Power output is averaging at a low 12 wattages per hour at all speeds. Feel free to leave it on 24x7 as recommended by the manufacturer.

PARTU BS-03 runs on a workhorse 3-stage HEPA filtration that is proven for decades. First off, the pre-filter traps dust, hair, and debris that may otherwise clog or damage the HEPA filter. The freed HEPA filter then removes 99.97% of PM 2.5 particles including dust mite, pet dander, mold, and pollen. Continue on, the activated carbon filter will get rid of toxic smoke and odors before it travels inside your lungs. Given its compact form factor, PARTU would be the perfect gift for those that often smoke and work.

Anything the costs less than 50 dollars will certainly come with a few drawbacks. First off, it has no supportive features like timer, auto mode, and timer built-in. The airflow delivery rate is also less than ideal other than table use. The all-in-one filter set also requires replacing every 3-6 months due to the small surface size. Replacement costs can also increase dramatically in a bad environment. A bigger console air purifier would be a better fit if it does come down to that situation.

In short: A good starter desk air purifier for less than 50 dollars. Comes exclusively with an essential oil slot, HEPA filter, and carbon filter.

Sometimes the simplest things can bring the most happiness. Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact 04386 desk air purifier is just that. A budget-friendly machine that comes with a washable HEPA filter. At 8.1 x 16.4 x 10.8 inches dimension and 6.3 pounds weight, it can be slightly big for small desk use especially those cluttered with laptop and stationery set. The good news is you can run Hamilton Beach TrueAir vertically or horizontally on a table without impeding its airflow distribution. In a horizontal position, it will prevent your cats from accidentally tipping over the air purifier. better safe than sorry.

A small and simple device that cleans the air, you will not find any complicated controls here other than the dial knob fan speed adjustment. At the back, there is a time strip cartridge that will indicate when you need to clean the filter. The front panel has air inlets nicely tucked by the sides and the panel can be easily removed for vacuuming. All in all, the fitting is tight with no off-gassing despite the plasticky built.

Moving to the specification:

• Dimension - 8.1 x 16.4 x 10.8 in
• Weight - 6.3 lb
• Coverage - 140 sq. ft.
• Filtration - Pre-filter, HEPA-grade filter, Carbon zeolite filters
• Noise Level - Silent
• Warranty - 1 year

Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet silent fan motor covers up to 140 square footage of room size. Highly suited for a work desk and bedside use due to the low noise output. You can also leave it in the hallway, kitchen, or pet area to improve the surrounding air quality. For zero noise operation, leave it WhisperClean mode instead QuickClean speed. The basic functionality contributes to the low power usage regardless of which mode you're in. Perfect day-to-day use air cleaner.

Hamilton Beach TrueAir Compact Pet 04384 permanent HEPA-grade filter has its own set of pros and cons. It can remove 99% of airborne irritants including pet dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen. The HEPA filter is washable just like the pre-filter. You can reuse both filters again and again with proper care and maintenance. There are also two carbon zeolite filters that absorb pet odors from saliva, urine, feces, and food. It is not washable but replacing it is optional. We highly recommend you do so as the carbon filter will only set you back around 10 dollars annually.

What's not so good is the less effective HEPA-grade filter compare with a True HEPA filter. The washable trade comes at a cost in dealing with ultrafine particles. The air-cleaning coverage is only meant for close-range use or small room size. It is also a basic unit with no add-on features like auto mode, child lock, or sleep mode. Not even a timer is included. Then again, the low maintenance, easy care, and cheap filter replacement is something you will not find in other models.

In short: If you want a small desktop air purifier that does not require a lot of attention, this is it. The only caveat is the subpar HEPA-type filtration.