Haze season is back to put us in a daze, and this year it has overstayed its welcome. Since early August, a thick transboundary haze has hung over parts of Malaysia, and close to two months on, it still has not fully cleared. Persistent fires in the region, combined with drier-than-usual weather, have kept the smoke lingering, with little rain to help clear the air.
So consider this your nudge to put that air purifier to good use. If you do not own one yet, we have rounded up a few that will clear your air without clearing out your wallet.
Before we get to the list, since we are talking specifically about combating haze, it is worth walking you through the features to look out for before you cash in.
What to look out for in an air purifier
When choosing an air purifier to combat haze, it’s important to focus on features that specifically target fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, the main pollutant during haze events.
According to an interview conducted by Channel NewsAsia, a good purifier should effectively filter particles around 0.3 microns in size, which covers most harmful airborne pollutants.
Look for models with true HEPA filters, as these are proven to remove a significant percentage of fine particles from the air. Another key factor is the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which measures how much clean air a purifier can produce; for effective haze protection, the smoke CADR should be at least five times the volume of the room.
Additionally, rather than relying on a single large purifier, it can be more effective to use two or more smaller units to improve coverage and reduce noise.
We’ve shortlisted a few air purifiers that fit the bill — all of which can be purchased for under RM500 in Malaysia.
Best Air Purifier in Malaysia under RM500
1. Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite; RM469 – RM699
If the Compact is made for bedrooms, the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite is the one to reach for when you want to cover a whole living room. At around RM469, it still slips under the RM500 mark while stepping up to a Clean Air Delivery Rate of 360 m³/h and coverage of roughly 43 m².
Its 4-layer filter captures 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, and Xiaomi rates it at up to 99.99% against common airborne viruses such as H1N1. You get the same Xiaomi Home app control, a real-time PM2.5 readout on the LED display and an auto mode that adjusts fan speed to the air around it. It runs louder at full tilt than the Compact, but settles down nicely in its lower modes.
For anyone with a bigger hall to keep clear during haze, this is the sweet spot of size and price in Xiaomi’s range.
Check out the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Lite on PriceShop
2. Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact; RM299 – RM459
Starting at just RM299, the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact punches well above its price. Built for bedrooms, children’s rooms and study nooks, its compact body will not clutter your space, yet it carries a Clean Air Delivery Rate of 230 m³/h for solid filtration in smaller rooms.
What sets it apart is Xiaomi’s HEPA filter, which the brand says removes up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 micrometres, targeting PM2.5, dust and allergens. A built-in air quality indicator gives you real-time feedback, while the Xiaomi Home app handles remote control, monitoring and custom settings from your phone.
It is also easy on the bill, running on 27W and dropping to a near-silent 20dB in sleep mode, which makes it a fair pick for rest or quiet work. For users seeking smart, effective haze protection in compact spaces, this purifier is a strong contender.
Check out the Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Compact on PriceShop
3. PRISM+ Nexa Pro Smart Air Purifier; ~RM459
Local favourite PRISM+ has grown into a familiar name for affordable home tech, and the Nexa is one of its more affordable options for keeping the air clean. At around RM459, it is built for medium-sized rooms, with coverage rated at 323 ft², or roughly 30 m², making it suitable for most bedrooms and smaller living rooms.
It uses a multi-stage HEPA H13 filtration system paired with UV sterilisation to help neutralise airborne germs, while infrared sensors monitor the air and feed an auto mode that adjusts accordingly. The PRISM+ Connect app also lets you manage the purifier from your phone, while a child lock prevents curious hands and paws from changing your settings.
It stays relatively quiet too, dropping to 26dB in sleep mode, while a built-in handle makes it easy to move from room to room when needed.
Purchase the PRISM+ Nexa Pro on the PRISM+’s official website, Shopee and Lazada.
4. Philips 600i series Air Purifier; RM416 – RM429
Retailing at around RM416, the Philips 600i Series packs advanced air cleaning into a compact, energy-efficient unit. Its 2-layer NanoProtect HEPA system captures 99.97% of ultra-fine particles as small as 0.003 microns, which is well beyond the usual bar for haze.
What makes it stand out is its electrostatic-charged fiber technology, which not only traps airborne pollutants but actively pulls them in using static attraction, making it up to twice as effective as traditional HEPA H13 filters in cleaning air.
Powered by VitaShield, it also removes aerosols, germs, and is lab-tested to eliminate H1N1 and 99.99% of HCoV-E229 viruses. With a CADR of 170m³/h, it’s ideal for rooms up to 44m², while staying efficient at as low as 12W and quiet at 19dB in sleep mode.
You also get smart control through the Philips Air+ app, plus filter monitoring and a replacement indicator, making it a dependable year-round choice rather than a haze-only buy.
Purchase the Philips 600i Series Air Purifier on Shopee, Lazada, and Harvey Norman
5. Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier; RM429 – RM569
Priced from RM456, the Levoit Core 300 offers solid all-around performance for medium-sized rooms. It features H13 True HEPA filtration, capturing 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, paired with a high-efficiency activated carbon layer that neutralises odours and smoke, which is exactly what you want during haze.
Powered by VortexAir Technology and 360° air intake, it can clean up to 547 ft² (approx. 50 m²) in just 30 minutes, with a CADR of 135m³/h. While its QuietKEAP Technology keeps noise levels as low as 24dB in sleep mode, it may not be the quietest on this list, but it should still be quiet enough for a peaceful night’s sleep.
The 300S is the smart version, adding app and voice control on top of the same filtration. The plainer Core 300 is still sold too, so check which one a listing is actually offering before you buy.
Purchase the Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier on Levoit’s official website, Shopee and Lazada
6. Sharp FP-J30L-A Air Purifier; RM380 – RM699
For a proven Japanese option, the Sharp FP-J30L-A pairs a high-performance HEPA filter with the brand’s signature Plasmacluster ion technology. Priced from around RM380, it is one of the friendlier buys on this list, and a familiar name for anyone who has shopped Malaysian air care before.
Its 3-step system captures fine dust and haze through the HEPA filter, while high-density Plasmacluster ions work on mould, bacteria and clinging odours by releasing positive and negative ions into the air. Coverage is rated for smaller rooms of up to 23 m², and a dedicated Haze mode ramps airflow up to pull in haze particles quickly when the air outside turns thick.
You also get a sleep mode for quiet running overnight and a filter replacement indicator that flags when a change is due. Think bedrooms and study corners rather than open halls, or pair it with a larger unit to keep the rest of the home covered.
Check out the Sharp FP-J30L-A Air Purifier on PriceShop.
7. Samu Giken AP661; RM123 – RM146
The Samu Giken AP661 is the most affordable option on this list, retailing at around RM199 while delivering solid essentials without unnecessary extras. Its sleek, minimalist design houses a multilayer filtration system, including a HEPA filter, Photocatalyst filter, and Activated Carbon filter, effectively removing 99% of haze, smoke, and PM2.5 particles.
Despite its low price, it features Dual Smart Sensors that monitor air quality continuously and a surprisingly strong CADR of 300m³/h, covering areas between 31m² and 40m². Operating as quietly as 25dB, it’s an ideal pick for those who want reliable air cleaning on a tight budget.
If you are looking to arm your home with more than one unit, a couple of AP661s would keep you in good stead against the choking haze without straining the wallet.
Purchase the Samu Giken AP661 Air Purifier at Samu Giken’s official website, Shopee, and Lazada
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