Written Upvoted by Kaiser KuoThere's no such thing as a "budget" air purifier in China, as the markups here are much more than you'd pay in the USA, for example. The cheapest setup often is an installed HEPA filter inside your heating and AC ducts. But for most people, a portable unit in each room is the more convenient option. There are many models here in China; website, which collects reviews from all major sources. There was also a very helpful testing done in Shanghai in 2013, they tested over 2 dozen models for formaldehyde and PM2.5. Their results also include prices. I translated their post into English here: Finally, Great Data on Air Purifiers in China!Written Hey John, thanks for the shout out! I've been doing research on how filters work and using a particle counter to test the effectiveness of a DIY design. I've come up with a 200 RMB model (tests below), and I'm coming out with an even stronger model soon that will be between 400-500 RMB. I post all of my data and tests online, so you can judge for yourself: 1. Live test of the filter2.

Tests showing the original DIY filter gets an average of 84% of particles larger than .5 microns and 92% of particles larger than 2.5 microns3. Tests of a newer, stronger model that gets 96% of both!Instructions on how to make one are on the Tumblr. However, several people told me they were having trouble finding the parts, so I've started ordering in bulk and shipping from Smart Air. Clean air really shouldn't cost $1,000.Written When you use the term a budget air purifier are you referring to an air purifier which is cheap just based on the initial price you pay for buying it? Then there are many out there but I'd suggest you factor in both the operating cost (most large air purifiers consume a lot of power) and the maintenance cost (most air purifiers need a filter change every 2-3 months) and then make a wise choice. For instance I use this small yet effective room Air Purifier which fits my bill. You can look for similar ones.Updated Here's a tumblr of a guy who seems pretty serious about finding a budget air purifier, and maybe has done so. 

166 RMB or so: Particle Counting  Edit: formattingDespite being relatively new to the air purifier market, Hunan-based Broad Group has ambitious plans to dominate the sector and counter health-threatening pollution with its heat-recovery technology.honeywell hpa-150 honeywell hepaclean tower air purifier review "Although we are now not even one of the top three air-purifier makers in China, we believe we will become No1 in the coming years," said Hu Jie, general manager of the group's air purifier unit, Broad Air Quality Tech. homedics hepa air cleaner af100Those top three positions are occupied by Dutch group Philips, Japan's Panasonic and local player Yadu, which together have about 77 per cent of market share, according to Beijing-based market researcher China Market Monitor.enviracaire room air cleaner model 10500

Broad Group, a major air-conditioner manufacturer, was founded in 1988 and set up its air purifier subsidiary in 2005. Although it is younger than 25-year-old Yadu, Broad's air purifiers have a famous user: they clear the air in Zhongnanhai, the Chinese Communist Party leadership compound in Beijing. Rising concern over air pollution, in particular PM2.5 - fine air particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres that can easily be inhaled and pose the greatest human health risk - had driven up sales of air purifiers and heat-recovery fresh air units, Hu said. Revenue quadrupled last year to one billion yuan (HK$1.23 billion) from a year earlier. "The strong growth has continued this year and we have received more orders than last year," he said. Air purifiers for areas of between 20 and 30 square metres were the company's most popular, Hu said, claiming that Broad's electrostatic cleaning system was unique compared with the products of its peers. The technology filtered 95 per cent of PM2.5, he said.

Most home air purifiers used paper filters to obstruct particles, Hu said. These could filter PM10 particles but were unlikely to catch PM2.5, he added. "A number of property developers use our heat-recovery fresh air units in their new residential premises," Hu said. As air quality on the mainland was unlikely to improve in the short term, Hu said the market potential for air purifiers was infinite. The penetration rate of air purifiers in China was extremely low at 0.2 per cent, compared with 20 per cent in the United States and 15 per cent in Europe, he said. He expects revenue from the air purifier market to post 50 per cent compound growth in the coming years. "Broad's growth is likely to outpace the industry average." Targeting the middle- to high-end market, Broad Group's products are priced between 3,000 yuan and 30,000 yuan. Hu said the growing middle class had become more willing to invest in their health care.Panic hit Singapore last week as its air quality started to deteriorate.

The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) soared to hazardous levels during the middle of the week, recording its highest reading in 16 years. Forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, similarly affected air quality over Indonesia and Malaysia, with the latter declaring a state of emergency in Johor. Immediately, this led to a spike in demand for surgical and NIOSH-approved face masks, eye drops as well as home air purifiers, with demand outstripping supply and resulting in many pharmacies and appliance retailers being left with no stock. Within Asia Pacific, China and South Korea also suffer from poor air quality every spring, with the wind blowing in from the West carrying yellow dust, sand particles and industrial elements to the West coast of both countries. During this period, respiratory ailments and eye irritation complaints skyrocket. Japan, the biggest market for air purifiers in the region, is also exposed to natural elements such as influenza outbreaks and a high pollen count. Overall, both natural and artificial causes of air pollution are driving sales growth of air purifiers in Asia Pacific, and the current haze as a result of the Indonesian forest fires is expected to last a while.

Unfortunately for Asia Pacific, the degree and frequency of air pollution is heightened by the combination of these two factors. The speed of industrial development is exceeding that of environmental regulation in emerging countries. Consumers will therefore look to appliances such as air purifiers to help alleviate air quality problems in the region. Given this recurring annual cycle of wind and pollutant movement, manufacturers should look to improve product knowledge to create sustained year-round demand for such lifestyle-enhancing products rather than relying on sales spikes during adverse situations. Consumer demand is moving towards products which offer the features of both air purifiers and dehumidifiers, with these dual-function products seen as offering better value for money. In turn, Asian manufacturers are launching products with anti-virus filters and dehumidifier functionality, such as Panasonic’s humidifying series which is distinct and separate from its standard line of air purifiers.

Manufacturers are encouraging consumers to compare the efficacy of brands/products in terms of the removal of pollutants/viruses in the air and consider how the creation of negative ions helps in terms of cleaning air particles. In addition to a growing assortment of functions, the sizes of air purifiers are also increasing to cater for those who require a small unit for their office. LG Corp and Woongjin Coway Co Ltd are actively promoting small air purifiers. Japanese companies such as Sharp Corp, Panasonic Corp and Daikin Industries Ltd traditionally have a strong presence in air purifiers, collectively accounting for a 49% share of total volume sales in Asia Pacific. However, it remains to be seen how long the dominance of Japanese manufacturers will last as Chinese manufacturers like Beijing Yadu Science & Technology and GD Midea Holding are rapidly gaining ground. Over 2004-2012, Beijing Yadu Science & Technology’s air purifier sales grew by more than 600% thanks to the company’s price competitiveness and ability to cater for domestic needs.