
Sized for larger HVAC systems that take the less common 4" depth, so measure your existing filter before ordering to make sure it fits. The MERV 8 rating handles everyday dust and pollen without restricting airflow the way higher-rated filters can, and the 3-pack covers a full year of standard quarterly changes. Buy Now at Home Depot

Stocking up makes sense here since this size sells out fast during peak seasons, and a 12-pack covers a full year of monthly changes for most households without repeat trips to Home Depot. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone managing a home with pets or allergy sufferers will want the MERV 11 rating here, since it catches finer particles than a standard filter without straining your system's airflow. The 12-pack from Home Depot covers roughly a year of monthly swaps in one purchase, so you're not reordering every few months. Buy Now at Home Depot

Sized for standard HVAC systems that take the 12x22x2 dimension, and MERV 8 pleated filters handle everyday dust and pollen without restricting airflow the way higher-rated filters can. A 5-pack covers most households through a full year of regular changes, so you're not reordering every few months. Buy Now at Home Depot

This filter set suits anyone running an air purifier that requires H13-rated HEPA replacements, since keeping filters fresh matters more for allergy or pet-dander filtration than the purifier itself. At $27.49, that's $15.50 (36%) off the $42.99 list price for a 2-pack. Buy Now at Walmart
- Compatible with Airfire AP201 air purifier
- H13 True HEPA three-layer filtration system
- Activated carbon absorbs odors, fumes, and VOCs
- Long-lasting 1000-hour filter service life
- Tool-free easy installation design

This works best in small, dry-climate spaces where a full AC unit is overkill, using water evaporation to cool the air while doubling as a fan and humidifier. It's a practical pick for a bedroom or home office if you want quick, portable relief without dealing with window units or ductwork. Buy Now at Amazon
- 3-in-1 cooling, humidifying, and air circulation
- Energy efficient 65W power consumption
- Portable design with lightweight, easy assembly
- Includes 4 ice packs for enhanced cooling performance
- Whisper-quiet operation with 12-hour timer

Handy for bedrooms or offices where dry air is a problem, since the 5L tank means fewer refills than smaller units, and at $28.78 it's $21 off the $49.99 list price. Buy Now at Walmart
- 5L tank provides 40-hour runtime
- Covers up to 300 square feet
- Auto-adjusting humidity sensor
- Four adjustable mist levels
- Built-in aromatherapy essential oil tray

Sized for larger HVAC systems that call for a 4" filter, this 3-pack covers close to a year of replacements if you swap one in every four months as recommended. Buy Now at Home Depot

This 12-pack suits anyone who wants to stock up on furnace filters ahead of time instead of remembering to buy one every month or two, and MERV 11 catches more dust and pollen than basic filters without restricting airflow like the higher-rated options can. Buy Now at Home Depot

Sizing this specific can be tricky since 21" x 23.25" isn't a standard cut, so this one's worth grabbing if your system calls for that exact fit. MERV 8 handles everyday dust and pollen without restricting airflow, making it a reasonable pick for regular household use rather than allergy-heavy needs. Buy Now at Home Depot

Homeowners dealing with pet dander, dust, or seasonal allergies will notice the difference with MERV 11 filtration, and having six on hand means you're set for filter changes well into next year. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone trying to warm up a single room without cranking the whole house's heat will get the most out of this, since PTC ceramic elements heat up fast and the 20.5-inch size fits easily into a bedroom or office corner. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handy for small spaces like bathrooms, closets, or RVs where moisture buildup is a problem but a full-size unit would be overkill, and at $29 it's $22 off the $51 list price. Buy Now at Walmart
- Extracts 300ml moisture daily
- Operates at ultra-quiet 30dB
- Consumes under 1 kWh daily
- Large 1000ml tank with auto shut-off
- Covers up to 280 sq ft

Backyard chicken keepers dealing with freezing winters will find this useful for keeping the coop above freezing without the fire risk that heat lamps carry, since flat panels run cooler and mount safely to walls or ceilings. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handy for cooling a larger room without central AC, especially if you want the height adjustment and oscillation to spread air across the whole space; Walmart has it for $40 off the list price. Buy Now at Walmart
- 35 dB ultra-quiet operation
- 3-speed oscillating airflow
- Adjustable 40-48 inch height and tilt
- Tool-free easy assembly
- Child-safe mesh grid and stable base

Two separate 30-liter bins in one unit make this a solid option for anyone trying to keep recycling and trash sorted without cluttering the kitchen with extra bins, and it's currently $10.57 off the list price on Amazon. Buy Now at Amazon
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior
- Built-in odor-filtering lid system
- Quiet soft-close and 90-degree stay-open lid
- Dual 8-gallon compartments for efficient waste sorting
- Hands-free operation with dual stainless steel pedals

Space heaters like this suit anyone trying to warm a single room without running central heat all day, and the oscillation helps spread warmth more evenly than a stationary unit. At $51.29, that's $5.70 off the $56.99 list price at Walmart. Buy Now at Walmart
- Compact 7.5x8.3x24 inch frame
- Lightweight 6.8 pound design
- Durable ABS construction
- Extended 4.26ft power cord
- Integrated 20s delayed power-off timer

Small electronics builds, 3D printers, and DIY cooling projects benefit most from these, since a 4-pack means you've got spares on hand once one wears out or a new project comes up. Buy Now at Newegg
- 75mm x 15mm 5V brushless cooling blower fan
- Universal USB-powered design
- Compatible with 3D printers and computer cases
- Efficient 5V DC power consumption
- Includes four individual cooling units

Anyone dealing with pet dander or seasonal allergies will get more use out of a MERV 11 rating than a standard filter, and having five on hand means you're set for filter changes over the next couple years without reordering. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone dealing with seasonal allergies or a house full of pet hair will notice the difference a MERV 11 rating makes over a basic filter, and having six on hand means you're not scrambling to find the right size every few months. Buy Now at Home Depot

Stocking up with a 12-pack makes sense if you replace filters on a regular schedule and don't want to reorder every few months, and MERV 8 pleated filters hit a solid middle ground for capturing dust and pollen without straining your system's airflow. Buy Now at Home Depot

Stocking up on this 12-pack makes sense if your system runs through filters every month or two, since MERV 8 covers everyday dust and pollen without restricting airflow the way higher ratings can. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone on a regular HVAC filter replacement schedule can stock up here instead of buying one at a time, and MERV 8 covers standard household dust and debris without restricting airflow like higher-rated filters can. Buy Now at Home Depot

Covers rooms up to 1,300 square feet, making it a solid fit for larger bedrooms or open living spaces rather than just small rooms, and the HEPA filter helps with allergens and dust. Currently $20 off the $70 list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Covers areas up to 1300 square feet
- H13 True HEPA 3-stage filtration system
- Energy-saving ECO mode reduces consumption
- Quiet operation with aromatherapy and night light
- Child lock and programmable timers
Household Appliances: The Basics
If you’re looking for your next vacuum cleaner, heater, air conditioner, humidifier, or dehumidifier, look no further! DealNews posts great deals so you can find cheap household appliances.
A Quick Guide to Vacuum Cleaner Buying
Purchasing a vacuum should be simple, but now that there are so many options, you might find yourself second-guessing your choices. Check out some of these tips and details from this buying guide from Kohl’s , or check out this guide from the DealNews Blog .
Vacuum Cleaner Types
- Canister vacuum cleaner
- Works best on hardwood or small carpeted surfaces
- Consists of a suction hose and separate unit with motor and receptacle
- Upright Vacuum
- Great for large carpeted surfaces
- Uses motorized beater brush to loosen and remove dirt
- Bagless and bagged models available
- Many include attachments for various uses like dusting
- Best for multi-surface (i.e., hardwood and carpeted) homes
- Handheld Vacuum
- Great for small areas
- Small and typically battery-powered
- Stick Vacuum
- Lightweight and battery-powered
- Includes motorized brush
- Better for hard flooring than carpets
- Most are bagless
- Also known as “sweeper vacuums”
- Robotic Vacuum
- Autonomous vacuum that uses sensors to clean
- User selects settings like cleaning time and floor type
- Typically not as powerful as other vacuums
- Pet Vacuum
- Specialized upright vacuum cleaner
- Detachable beater brush
Bagged vs. Bagless
When purchasing a vacuum cleaner, a common question is whether you should purchase a bagged or bagless model. A couple of details to help with your purchase include:
- Allergy Concerns: Bagged vacuum cleaners release less dust into the air, making it more allergy friendly.
- Cost: Although bagless vacuum cleaners have filters that will eventually require cleaning or replacement, the cost impact of not having to replace the bag each time the dust compartment is full makes bagless vacuum cleaners a bit more cost-effective.
Common Vacuum Terms
Agitator: Brush at base of the vacuum that moves debris up to be suctioned into a bag or canister.
Belt: The belt causes the brushes to rotate and process debris.
Cleaning path: The cleaning path is determined by the width of the base of the vacuum cleaner — the wider the base the larger the cleaning path.
Filtration: Filtration systems help remove dust mites from floors and furniture. This is ideal for reducing household allergens.
HEPA air filter: High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are extended-surface filters that capture up to 99% of all dust particles.
Motor: Measured in amps, watts, and volts, the motor power determines the suction of the vacuum. Greater suction power means you spend less time cleaning your floors.
Motor protection system: A safeguard that protects a vacuum motor from overheating.
Retractable cord: An feature that automatically winds the cord for storage in the machine.
Self-propelled motor: A feature that propels the vacuum on its own for easier maneuvering.
Blog Articles About Household Appliances
What to Look for When Buying a Fan
Find a Vac That Doesn't Suck: The Ultimate Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
Don't Sweat It! 9 Tips for Getting Air Conditioning on a Budget
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ceiling fans save money?
Running a fan is significantly cheaper than running an A/C unit because you can target rooms you're utilizing instead of your entire home.
However, a more important question is whether a fan meets your cooling needs. A fan alone may or may not keep you cool, so the trick is to use the fan in conjunction with your air conditioning. Fans do not actually cool the air, so if you’re stuck in an 85-degree room you’re just having 85-degree air blowing on your skin.
This trick can save you hundreds of dollars each year, so in short, yes, fans definitely save money! Check out this blog post for more info!
Do air purifiers work?
A machine that quietly hums in the background while cleaning your air may sound too good to be true. But if you’re an allergy or asthma sufferer, a quality air purifier may be worth the investment.
This study concludes that air filtration through HEPA purifiers are useful for allergy sufferers, but notes the effectiveness is limited to one room instead of a whole house. While air purifiers are limited in what they can clean from the air (dust, smoke, pollen), the added relief can aid those who have tried many other solutions.
It’s important to note that air purifiers are not very effective, if at all, in cleaning out mold or VOCs that accumulate in the air from adhesives, paints, or cleaning products.
Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Which do I need and why?
Humidity regulation, whether by a humidifier or dehumidifier, helps with comfort levels in your home. According to Richmond’s Air Heating & Air Conditioning , a good humidity level for the home is between 35% and 45%. You can measure this with a hygrometer or you can try a few tricks like the one found here for low humidity measurements, or here for high humidity measurements.
High and low humidity can each create different issues in your home and body. Low humidity can damage your furniture, floors, and doors, causing them to crack. It can even cause caulk or glue to shrink, creating gaps that allow air to leak out. Worse, high humidity affects sleep , and exacerbates breathing problems like asthma by creating a breeding ground for mold and other allergens .
Low humidity is also problematic, causing dry skin, nasal irritation, and even spreading the flu .
A Georgia girl with three years of experience in IP Law and grounded in understanding marketing and consumer motives. When she's not working with the fabulous staff of DealNews, you can find her whining at rowing practice and browsing the Hot Deals on the site.