It’s tough to find an air purifier for just 500 square feet of space that doesn’t skimp on powerful pollen, allergen and dust management. Many manufacturers make very weak versions of their larger and more powerful purifiers when it comes to making units rated for just 500 square feet. But we have found some quality products that are not only designed for smaller spaces, but don’t compromise on filtering capability. Take a look at our list of the best air purifiers for 500 square feet.
Best Air Purifier for 500 Sq. Ft. Comparison
Best for Bacteria and Viruses
- Small to Large Rooms
- Eliminate Bacteria and Viruses
- Capture Allergens
- Eliminates Mold
- Affordable Price
Best for Large Rooms
- Great for small to large rooms
- Powerful
- Looks great
- Advanced technology
- Affordable
Best for Dust
- Great for small to large rooms
- Different looks offered
- Great for allergies
- Sleep better
- Affordable
Best Air Purifier for 500 sq. ft. Reviews
Best for Bacteria and Viruses
When compared to the Blue Pure 211 and Alen BreatheSmart, this is the most affordable purifier. The Silver Onyx offers air purification with features that even larger units don’t have. It comes with dual-filtration (true HEPA and activated carbon) and an ionizer for killing bacteria, viruses, and other harmful air contaminents. With 2 fan speeds, the machine is operated by a quiet direct current motor.
The SilverOnyx stands 16.5 inches tall high, 9.8 inches wide, and displays a unique 360-degree black filter design. The air purifier works best in rooms up to 500 square feet.
Positive feedback:
- Lightweight (4.7 pounds)
- The ionizer reduces static electricity
- Eliminates most indoor air contaminants
- Great price
- Built-in air quality sensor
Negative feedback:
Some customers have issues with this air purifier’s ability to eliminate strong odors. This is most likely due to the fact that the carbon filter does not work properly after being used for long periods of time. The filter needs to be changed on a regular basis (about every 6 months) in order to eliminate odor. Additionally, the air quality sensor has issues. When malfunctioning, the air quality sensor will sometimes read at levels above 500 when the air is actually clean.
Best for Large rooms
The Blue Air 211 is great for rooms under 540 square feet. However, the larger version of this air purifier (Blue Pure 411), has the ability to clean the air in rooms up to 650 square feet. When compared to other purifiers on the list, we recommend the Blue Pure air purifier for eliminating allergies. It stands 20.4 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and is 13 pounds. The purifier has a sleek rectangular design with a white upper half and black lower half.
The reason this purifier is so great for larger rooms is thanks to its design. The purifier sucks in particles from all 4 directions. This results in a higher Clean Air Delivery Rate than most other air purifiers. The machine has a CADR of 350 cfm for pollen, 350 cfm for smoke, and 350 cfm for dust.
Positive feedback:
- It cuts down on dust, mold, and even dander from pets.
- You can choose different colors for the outside mesh filter
- The filters are easy to change
- Great for trapping allergens and dust – make the air easier to breathe
Negative feedback:
Several customers have issues with a chemical-like smell coming from the purifier. However, this odor is often the result of using new filters and will fix itself after a few days of use. Additionally, Blue Air’s customer service is below average. It’s difficult to get in touch with customer service over the phone and email if you have an issue.
Best for Dust
The BreatheSmart Flex is actually rated to purify the air in 700 square foot spaces but we added it to this list because it is very reasonably priced, has a lifetime warranty, and is more than adequate for 500 square foot spaces. It has a sleep mode and “lights out” mode so the fan won’t disturb you at night if you decide to put it in your bedroom. This is a great option if you need a purifier to trap pollen, pet fur, dander, allergens, and dust. Plus, the true HEPA filter removes almost 100% of particles over .03 microns, lasts longer than the other purifiers on our list at over 6 months, and is easy to replace.
The HEPA filter is able to capture air particles that are at least .03 microns in size, which is about the size of pollen and dander.
The air purifier has 4 fan speeds, (53 CFM, 135 CFM, 147 CFM, and 187 CFM) as well as multiple different sound options. For example, there is a “whisper” noise (39 dB), a “light rainfall” noise (42 dB), and a “box fan” noise (55 dB).
Negative feedback:
At 15 inches tall, 25 inches wide, and 15 pounds, this air purifier is larger than the Silver Onyx and Blue Pure 211+. Due to its larger size, the Alen BreatheSmary Flex is difficult to move around your home. This can cause issues if you are planning to invest in an air purifier that you would like to use in multiple different rooms. For example, if you want to use this purifier in the living room then take it to the bedroom with you when you go to sleep, it’s not that easy.
Another issue customers have identified is related to noise. The air purifier is known to make a rattling noise at random times. It doesn’t happen often, however, it is difficult to pinpoint the source of the noise when it does happen. Luckily, the lifetime warranty should eliminate any fears related to this.
Features to Look for in an Air Purifier for 500 sq. ft.
Should you choose a device that isn’t on our list, be sure to keep your eye out for the following key features in purifiers for 500 square feet:
- Compact design since you will have less space to put it in
- A “whisper” or “sleep” mode
- Multi-filter functionality
Benefits of an Air Purifier for 500 Square Feet
The most immediate benefit that we noticed with the air purifiers that we tested above was that they made the air easier to breathe almost immediately. They have a near-instant impact on the quality of indoor air. They also help to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms and remove a significant amount of dust particles from the air.
FAQ’s
Should I run my air purifier all night?
If yours has an “auto” mode, we recommend using that. If not, we recommend setting your air purifier to run 8 hours overnight for optimal sleep and air quality.
How long does it take an air purifier to clean a room?
On average, a quality air purifier like the ones listed above will take only half an hour to make a noticeable difference in the air quality of a 500 square foot room. Others though may take up to 2 hours.
Can air purifiers make you sick?
If you change the filters as directed and choose purifiers that produce little to no ozone, they should not make you sick.
Final Words
If you have read through this entire review, you have everything you need to make a sound purchasing decision. The products listed above provide ample purification power for 500 square foot rooms. Still, if you choose another make and model, keep in mind the tips we have pointed out. Happy shopping and even happier breathing!
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Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.