This $50 IKEA air purifier looks like a small Scandi suitcase and has everything you need for clean air on the go

Looking for an air purifier that doesn’t look clinical and won’t break the bank? Go to IKEA. The Swedish homeware titan has a $50 compact cleaner that looks like a little Scandi suitcase, and I can see it fitting in just about anywhere.

There are plenty of compact cleaners on the market, but I’ve never seen one like this. IKEA UPPÅTVIND has a simple, square design that can stand upright or be laid on its side, and a dove gray carrying handle so it can be easily transported between rooms, wherever needed. Despite the white color, it manages not to feel clinical at all – it almost looks like a speaker.

The functionality also looks very solid. There is an EPA12 filter that can remove 99.5% of small airborne particles, including PM2.5 particles (small, inhalable particles measuring 0.1-2.5 micrometers in size), pollen and dust. An LED indicator tells you when it’s time to replace the filter – around every six months – and replacements are available from IKEA. You have three fan speeds to choose from, depending on the noise level and cleaning efficiency you need.

IKEA recommends UPPÅTVIND for rooms of 75 sq ft. That’s based on five complete air changes per hour, which is at the top end of what’s generally recommended – you could certainly use it in a larger room and have a slightly less efficient cleaning rate. CADR (clean air delivery rate) is 18 cu ft/min on the lowest setting and 55 cu ft/min on the highest.