IKEA’s Chic $50 Air Purifier Cleared My Nighttime Allergies for a Fraction of the Cost of High-End Models

If, like me, seasonal allergies are keeping you awake, you're not alone. Trying to balance the cost of running your AC for pollen-free cooling at night, or opening a window for fresh air but accepting the sneezing and itchy eyes that come with it, is a persistent nuisance in later spring for many, with over a quarter of adults in the US suffering.

If this feels all too familiar to you, the bestselling UPPÅTVIND Air Purifier from IKEA is compact, affordable, and tastefully designed.

Its filter is optimized to filter away more than 99.5% of small airborne particles, such as dust and pollen, so it will help you sleep better without running up your energy bills as the temperature and pollen counts continue to rise.

IKEA's Compact Purifier Helps Me Sleep in Pollen-Heavy Spring

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you suffer from allergies, keeping a bed cool in summer won't be your only concern. Additionally, dust and pollen can hamper any efforts to get a good night's rest, no matter which sleep position or sleep hacks you try.

According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, over a quarter of adults based in the US suffer from seasonal allergies. This is something I'm met with every spring and summer, and why I was so intrigued and excited to try the UPPÅTVIND Air Purifier from IKEA.

Typically, the best air purifiers carry a premium price tag, but at just $49.99, this IKEA one is budget-friendly. And it doesn't have that bulky, plastic look that's so typical, either – instead, it's small, sleek, and even features an ergonomic carrying handle for convenient portability.

On the lowest setting, it's more than quiet enough to sleep with it on, and the medium and highest settings will work in just the same way as white noise or sleep frequencies if you find, like me, that that kind of low-level sound helps you get to sleep.

It's also extremely easy to set up – I'd say it took me about 30 seconds to take off the front grill cover, insert the included filter, pop the cover back on, and plug it in.

Since I started using it, I've had no issues with it unexpectedly stopping or starting, and I have found it a simple and effective way to combat common allergens.

To that end, I've noticed a significant reduction in how often I wake up with itchy eyes, an irritated nose, and throat, and haven't found myself struggling to sleep and wheezing late into the evening.

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I don't commonly allow my four dogs into my bedroom, but if you often share yours with a furry friend or two, using the UPPÅTVIND Air Purifier is an easy way to reduce pet dander in the bedroom, too.

One thing to note: There's no timer setting, which is, I'd wager, a direct reflection of that lower price point. But that didn't stop one verified five-star reviewer, Anthony, from cleverly using it with a smart plug, available at Amazon.

'The UPPÅTVIND is a great addition for a bedroom or small-medium open floor room at a great price,' they say in their review on the IKEA site. 'It's multi-placement and minimalist design helps it fade away, while it remains minimally noisy when on low.

'The best part about it, and why I bought more again, is that it retains its mode (1-3) even after power loss, so you can use a smart plug to automate on/off at a set mode level. Great for automatically turning it on in the morning to freshen the air, and when I'm away from home.'

It's undoubtedly a useful addition when setting up a smart home, particularly if it works to banish one of the most common things in your bedroom that could be ruining your sleep – allergens.

More to Shop

If, like me, you find yourself battling allergens every spring and summer, shop from a selection of more air purifiers below, all of which are among the best hay fever remedies for the home.

This low-energy bedroom hack stops allergies at night if you have pets: Simply pop a blanket over your bed during the day to prevent their dander getting onto your best bedding.