Best Air Purifier For Smoke: Top 12 Picks For Breathing Fresh Air
Discover the best air purifier for smoke that can effectively remove harmful particles and provide relief. You will forget about coughing or suffering from irritated eyes due to smoke particles in the air.
So let’s explore purifiers and breathe easy again!
Quick Answer
With the increase in wildfires and cigarette smoking, it has become very important to breathe clean and fresh air. If you live in an area where there are wildfires then getting an air purifier is a must.
Air purifiers for smoke will make your life much easier and clean out all of the air from harmful airborne particles. Have you never bought an air purifier and are worried about which model to buy?
Worry not as today we are going to take a look at some of the best air purifiers in the market and also tell you how to make the right decision according to your preference.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of Levoit Core 300!
Pros
It is really efficient at cleaning small spaces.
You can easily replace the filters and can also attach different types of filters.
It is very portable due to its compact size.
Uses very low energy as it is energy star certified.
Blends seamlessly into the home decor due to a sleek design.
Cons
Some customers reported that its performance gets affected in long run.
The Levoit Core 300 is a really good air purifier due to its sleek design and powerful 3-stage filtration system. It easily removes any pollutants and other harmful particles from the air. It comes with a very small footprint and is quite affordable.
Levoit Core 300 Features
Some of the notable features of the Core 300 are:
This air purifier is totally ozone free as it doesn’t use UV-C light.
Vortex Air Technology allows it to clean a medium-sized room in 30 mins.
H13 HEPA filter removes all harmful smoke, pollen, and dust particles.
You can get easy replacement filters for the Levoit Core 300.
Choose from a variety of filters like Toxin Absorber, Smoke Remover, Pet Allergy filter, etc.
Recommendation: The Levoit Core 300 is great if you are looking to buy a sleek, affordable, and powerful air purifier for smoke. It looks ideal investment except its performance gets affected after a long run.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of Germ Guardian AC4825E!
Pros
The 3-Stage Filtration system is best for catching smoke and other harmful particles.
A good coverage area is suitable for medium-sized rooms.
This air purifier is very energy efficient and won’t affect your electricity bill.
Filter replacement indicator allows you to easily replace filters when it’s time.
You get complete satisfaction with a 3-year warranty.
Cons
UV-C feature has a noticeable odor which might bother you.
Filter replacement cost adds up drastically.
If you are looking for a powerful air purifier to filter out all of the smoke particles using a HEPA filter then Germ Guardian is an optimal choice. With a coverage area of about 743 sq. ft, it can easily clean medium-sized rooms. It has a filter replacement indicator and is energy star certified, thus making it a very user-friendly choice.
Germ Guardian AC4825E Features
Let’s take a look at the features of the Germ Guardian:
High air circulation in medium-sized rooms.
The true HEPA filters reduce particles up to 0.3 microns.
UV-C light helps to reduce all airborne viruses.
The Pre-Filter traps pet hair, dust, and other large particles.
Activated carbon filters reduce any pet or smoke odor.
Germ Guardian AC4825E Specifications
Let’s check out the product specs in detail:
Specification
Germ Guardian AC4825E
Filtration System:
3 Stage (Pre-Filter, True HEPA filter, and Activated Carbon Filter)
Recommendation: The Germ Guardian is a really versatile air purifier for smoke with a powerful filtration system and user-friendly features. But there is an unpleasant odor due to the UV-C light.
Let’s highlight the pros and cons of Honeywell HPA300!
Pros
Great at removing dangerous particles from the air.
Good room coverage and large spaces.
It is highly energy efficient.
Long-lasting HEPA filter and indicator allows for easy replacement.
Intuitive controls allow for easy monitoring.
Cons
It is a bit bulkier than other air purifiers.
There is a plastic smell during initial use which might off put some people.
When it comes to the best air purifier for smoke, the Honeywell HPA300 is one of the top picks. The filtration system is quite advanced and can easily clean up large rooms. All of the controls are electronic and there is even an air quality indicator present. Operating and monitoring are really easy with this air purifier.
Honeywell HPA300 Features
Some of the main highlights of the HPA300 are:
The turbo clean feature allows you to clean even the smallest dust/pollen particles.
Powerful air circulation enables this purifier to circulate air in a 225o sq. ft large area.
Energy Star certified so uses very low energy.
This purifier is best for wildfire smoke as it easily purifies the small particles present in the smoke.
Recommendation: If you want an air purifier for smoke that covers a large area and is really efficient in doing so, then the Honeywell HPA300 is the optimal choice for you. A major drawback of this purifier is its bulkiness which makes it hard to move around.
Nightlight is great for those who want a bit of light when they’re sleeping.
The operating cost is very low.
Cons
It won’t filter the air in large rooms.
Filters are really expensive.
The Levoit H132 is an amazing choice for people wanting an air purifier for smoke in their personal space. It comes in a very sleek and compact design, so it is best suited for bedrooms and small offices. The filtration system is good enough to filter the air in a 129 sq. ft area.
Levoit H132 Features
This purifier uses ozone-free filtration to avoid harm to children and asthma patients.
The 3-Stage Filtration system is great at filtering pollen, dust, and pet hair.
It is really quiet in the quietest setting and allows you to sleep comfortably.
You can refresh the air in a 129 sq. ft area in about 15 mins.
Create the best sleeping environment using the nightlight feature.
Recommendation: The H132 air purifier is a great buy for people who want a small, portable, and quiet air purifier for smoke. It is great for cleaning small areas and provides a refreshing experience. Keep in mind that the filters are pretty expensive for this air purifier.
Let’s understand the pros and cons in detail of Winix 5500-2
Pros
The 4-stage filtration system is among the best in any air purifier.
Suitable for medium-large rooms.
Air quality monitoring allows the airflow to adjust accordingly.
Filters are very durable and long-lasting.
Sleep mode for people who prefer a quiet environment.
Cons
There is a slight ozone smell due to the plasma filter.
It is a big and bulky air purifier.
If you are looking for a powerful air purifier for a smoke with a top-of-a-line filtration system then the Winix 5500-2 is your best bet. It comes with a 4-stage filtration process to filter out smoke particles. In addition to the HEPA filter, there are three additional filters present. It easily cleans a medium-sized room without any issues. You also get 4 different fan speeds to choose from.
Winix 5500-2 Features
Let’s dive into the most prominent features of this air purifier:
It has a washable AOC carbon filter.
Odors and chemical vapors are broken by a permanent PlasmaWave filter.
There is a smart auto mode for automatically adjusting the fans.
Removes 99.97% of airborne pollutants due to the advanced filter system.
Recommendation: The Winix 5500-2 is among the best air purifiers for smoke and its filtration system is unmatched. You don’t need to do anything as the smart sensors automatically adjust everything. However, the plaster filter emits an ozone smell which can be unpleasant for some people.
Let’s shed some light on the pros and cons of Pure Enrichment Purezone
Pros
The compact design makes it easier to move around.
The filtration system is great at removing all allergens.
It has really good energy efficiency.
UV-C light tech is a big plus for getting rid of any germs.
Cons
The small coverage area makes it unusable for large rooms.
The PureZone air purifier is a compact but powerful air purifier for smoke more suited to small rooms. It comes equipped with UV-C light technology that eliminates any viruses and germs. There is also a filter replacement indicator to let you know if the filter needs to be changed or not.
Pure Enrichment Purezone Features
Highlighted features of the PureZone are:
It has touch controls which make it easier to operate.
Choose from the 3 different fan speeds.
3 Stage Filtration system gets rid of any smoke, pollen, and pet dander.
Recommendation: PureZone air purifier provides a really good bang for the buck experience. It has a really good filtration system paired with robust UV-C tech. It is a good choice for people wanting a compact air purifier for smoke. Keep in mind that this air purifier is not suitable for large rooms.
Let us examine the pros and cons of Levoit Core 600S
Pros
App control and voice control allow you to do everything remotely.
Great for small to medium-sized rooms.
Sleep mode is best for silent operation.
Timer functionality is great and allows you to save energy.
Lifetime customer support.
Cons
The app is a bit finicky and doesn’t feel very polished.
Hepa filter replacement cost is high.
The Core 600S from Levoit is a very smart air purifier for smoke and is sleek in design. It comes with a 3-stage filtration system to purify the room of any impurities such as smoke particles. The Hepa filter is really efficient and can stop particles of 0.3-micron size. There is also a sleep mode when you want a silent operation.
Levoit Core 600S Features
The best features of the Core 600S are:
The filter system captures 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and mold.
Activated carbon filters remove any odor, fumes, and smoke.
Vortex Air-tech improves air circulation.
AirSight Plus tech scans the area and adjusts the fan speed accordingly.
You can change the settings, and receive air quality updates through the app.
Recommendation: If you want to make your life easier and do everything remotely, then the Core 600S is the best choice for you. It has really good performance and app support just makes it very convenient. However, the companion app is a bit slow and might frustrate some people.
For better understanding let’s look at the pros and cons of Blueair 211+
Pros
Best Suited for medium-large rooms.
The built-in air quality sensor is amazing.
The design is stylish and modern.
Filters are easy to replace.
The filtration system is good at removing smoke and odors.
Cons
There are no smart controls.
No timer or sleep mode.
This is an air purifier for smoke that is designed to improve air quality using a 3-stage filtration system. With a coverage of 2592 sq. ft, you can easily purify any large-sized room or hall. The built-in air quality sensor automatically adjusts the fan speed. It is also energy star certified and allows you to save a lot of energy costs.
Blueair 211+ Features
Let’s get right into the features of the Blueair 211+:
You can adjust the fan speed with a single button.
HEPASilent tech allows for a faster air-cleaning process.
It is one of the quietest air purifiers at a min. noise level of 31 dB.
The efficient filtration process removes up to 0.1-micron particles such as cigarette smoke.
Recommendation: The Blueair 211+ is one of the best air purifiers for smoke with a sleek design suitable for large rooms. It can easily filter out all cigarette smoke and allergens while saving a lot of energy. It is a good purifier overall but you don’t get any smart controls.
Let’s examine the pros and cons of Bissell Air320 in detail
Pros
It has a high CADR for smoke, pollen, and dust.
Has a very low operating noise.
The design is very modern.
Easy-to-use touch controls.
Timer functionality is there for customized cleaning.
Cons
Takes up a lot of space.
If you want to maximize indoor air quality then Bissell Air320 is a good choice. It has a sleek and modern design with a powerful CirQulate system to improve airflow and remove any cigarette smoke, allergens, etc. It is good for medium and large-sized rooms.
Bissell Air320 Features
The best Bissell Air320 features are as under:
It has a medical-grade HEPA filter to remove any airborne particles.
The carbon filter is in a honeycomb design to capture all odors and volatile gases.
Large room coverage of about 1582 sq. ft.
CirQulate system provides air quality readings.
The maintenance of the filter is really handy due to the indicator.
Recommendation: Want to purify the air of cigarette smoke in a stylish and effective way? Then the Bissell Air320 is one of the best air purifiers for smoke. It has a clean air delivery rate and the carbon filters are also quite good on this specific model. But be ready to have more space for it.
Here are some pros and cons of Alen FLEX that you need to check out
Pros
It has a sleek design.
An effective filtration system gets rid of all harmful particles.
Sleep mode allows you to sleep comfortably.
Uses very low power due to energy star certification.
It has a lifetime warranty.
Cons
There is no air quality sensor.
It is a bit noisy if you crank up the fans to the max.
When it comes to a high-quality air purifier with a clean air delivery rate, the Alen Flex is considered among the best. This stylish air purifier uses a B-7 filter to clean the air in a room and HEPA filters to capture particles larger than 0.1 microns.
Alen FLEX Features
Here are the most impressive features of this air purifier:
The filters inside capture all allergens like cigarette smoke, mold, and bacteria.
Recommendation: With so many air purifiers in the market, Alen Flex stands out as one of the best options when it comes to cigarette smoke. It is a good investment for people wanting high-efficiency particulate air in their office or bedroom. Its advanced filtration system makes it really good air purifier for smoke. However, you don’t get an air quality sensor which might be a bummer for some people.
These pros and cons of Alen BreatheSmart 75i will give you some important insight
Pros
It is really quiet on the low fan mode.
Covers a large 1300 sq. ft area.
Four Stage purification process is really efficient.
You can customize the look of the purifier.
Cons
It is expensive.
Alen BreatheSmart 75i is a powerful air purifier for smoke and other allergens. It has a really strong filtration system that allows it to cover an area of about 1300 sq. ft. You choose from different customizable colors for matching your home decor.
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Features
The best features of the Alen BreatheSmart 75i are:
HEPA filter removes all of the harmful airborne particles.
It has a really wide coverage and is best for open spaces.
The laser smart sensor detects particles and adjusts itself.
Recommendation: This is one of the most impressive air purifiers for smoke with a strong filtration system. There is more emphasis on activated carbon filters to remove all unwanted odors. Even though it is expensive, it is still worth the price if you want premium features and customizability. One downside of this air purifier is that is very expensive.
The 5-Stage filtration system is best against wildfire smoke.
The smart sensor provides automatic adjustments.
Sleek design with a touch control panel.
Hepa filters are efficient in catching harmful particles.
Large area coverage.
Cons
It is pricier than the competition.
Need to replace filters every 6 months.
The Hathaspace HSP002 uses a very advanced 5-stage filtration system to clean the air in a room. It easily detects and removes all of the harmful cigarette smoke, allergens, pollens, etc. It has one of the best coverage areas and can easily cover a large room or an open space.
Hathaspace HSP002 Features
Let’s get right into the features:
H13 True HEPA filter allows you to breathe easier by improving indoor air quality.
The Auto mode is very energy efficient.
You also get a sleep and timer mode.
The Air Quality sensor automatically detects pollutants and adjusts the fan speed.
Carbon filters work to remove any odor from cigarette smoke.
Recommendation: This product is a shining example of how purifiers for smoke work to create a healthy environment. Due to its advanced filtration system and large coverage, it can easily filter wildfire smoke. It is definitely one of the best smoke air purifiers. One major drawback is that you need to change the filters every 6 months and it is also on the pricier side.
How I Choose the Best Air Purifier for Smoke
Our choices for the best smoke air purifiers were based on factors like:
Filtration
Area Coverage
Noise Levels
Operating Speeds
The most important factor when looking at air purifiers:
All of the products that I’ve mentioned come with multiple filtration stages.
The HEPA filters present inside all of the products are really great at filtering out cigarette smoke.
The coverage area is also quite large ranging from anywhere between 120 to 2500 sq. ft.
I also made sure to include all the models that didn’t make much noise.
A lot of air purifiers also come with various operating speeds. This provides you with a lot of functionality and you can do the fine-tuning later on.
To sum it up, the selected ones are some of the best for smoke removal.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing the Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
Whenever you’re buying air purifiers for smoke, it is best to know the technical features and air ratings. If you know these things, then it will make buying much easier. Some of the things that you should consider are the following:
1. Filtration
Air purifiers work by removing harmful particles and contaminants from the air through a filtration system. The filtration system is the heart of an air purifier, and the effectiveness of an air purifier largely depends on the type and quality of the filters used. Each type of filter is designed to remove specific types of pollutants and contaminants.
We will explore the different types of filters used in purifiers and how they work to remove harmful particles from the air.
Pre-Filter. These filters trap large particles before they clog the filtration system. These are very economical and cheaper to replace than HEPA filters.
Activated Carbon Filter. These filters are used to trap gaseous molecules that are found in cigarette smoke, wildfire, etc.
Hepa-Filter. The best air purifiers work using the HEPA filtration method. This is essentially the best way to remove large particles from the air and make it clean. These HEPA filters can trap about 99% of the harmful particles including pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, pet dander, etc.
These filters are designed to trap particles and can’t trap harmful gases or odors. You need to replace the HEPA filters after 6 to 12 months of use. When combined with a pre-filter, you get really great long-term performance.
2. Room Size
All of the air purifiers have the pre-mentioned room sizes for which they’re compatible. Therefore, you should know the size of the room in which you are planning to put the air purifier.
You can measure the size of a room by multiplying the length by the width.
Knowing the size of your room is very important. This is because air purifiers are designed to purify the air in a specific area.
The coverage area is mentioned in sq. ft on each air purifier.
After you know the exact size of your room, you will be able to take a much better decision in terms of which air purifier is the best for your room.
3. EPA Rating
Energy Star certification is a must when buying the best air purifier. It is because if the air purifier is certified then it will consume much less energy. Such appliances use very little energy and therefore, less air pollution is created.
Energy Star Rating: Your focus should be on the air purifiers that come with an energy star rating.
Identification: You can identify this certification by looking for a blue energy star on the product.
These air purifiers don’t consume a lot of energy and are best suited for continuous use without breaking the bank.
4. Air Quality Indicator
Awareness of AQI is really important if you are living in a very air-polluted area like a city or a near an industrial factory. AQI is a national system developed to measure and report air quality. Its value ranges from 0 to 500.
0 to 50: Good Air Quality
100 to 150: Moderate Health Concern
151 to 299: Air is Unhealthy
300 to 500: Air is Hazardous
Having an air quality indicator on your air purifier is really helpful as it allows you to know the exact air condition at that moment. This feature is a must-have if you are buying an air purifier for smoke.
5. Level of Noise
Depending on where you plan to place your air purifier, the noise level can be an important consideration.
Noise = 60 dB: Normal Conversation, Not suited for bedrooms
Noise = 40 to 55dB: Quieter air purifiers, Suitable for bedrooms and living rooms
Noise = 20 to 30 dB: Whisper Quiet, Suitable for small bedrooms
Noise is also a major factor when buying an air purifier. The best air purifiers are the ones whose noise level doesn’t exceed 60 dB and is as low as 20 or 25 dB.
6. Portability Factor
When choosing the best air purifier, portability is a major concern as well. There are a lot of models that are designed for traveling and even come with wheels for easier mobility. Such air purifiers do the same thing but are designed for small spaces.
If you want the best air purifier for travel, then you should look at the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of about 217. This type of air purifier is suitable for an average hotel room. These purifiers are compact in design and provide the best portability.
7. CADR Rating up to 450
Air purifiers come with CADR ratings and these ratings vary according to the filter efficiency and flow in cubic feet per minute.
High CADR = Faster Delivery of Clean Air
Low CADR = Slow Delivery of Clean Air
The maximum CADR value for smoke and pollen is 450 while for dust, it is 400. These values can also be misleading sometimes only for the purifiers that use specialized filtration systems. Keep in mind that the CADR test doesn’t take into account gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds.
8. Ozone-Safe Devices
If you want no ozone emissions, then the best thing is to purchase a mechanical or an electric air purifier. Make sure that the emissions concentration is 0.050 ppm or less. CARB also has a seal on such devices so you can easily spot them.
9. Additional Features
If an air purifier comes with a lot of additional features, then it only enhances the appeal of that product. There are a lot of additional features that you can look for in an air purifier.
Smart Tech: There are air quality sensors present on the purifiers that can detect cigarette smoke and other harmful particles. Some purifiers even have Bluetooth connectivity and assistants as well. It allows you to control the unit when you’re not at home.
Remote Control: A lot of the new air purifiers come with remote control functionality. This allows you to operate the device without needing to access the device itself. It is done through a companion app where you can adjust the settings of the air purifier.
Settings: You can increase/decrease the fan speed on almost every air purifier. Some of the advanced ones include a sleep mode as well which makes the fan quieter so that you can sleep peacefully. You can even program the air purifiers to run specific settings on a set time interval.
Filter Replacements: In order to maintain the air purifier performance, you need to change the air purifier filters after some time. Typically, you need to change the HEPA filter after 6 – 12 months or Carbon Pre Filters every 3 months for best results.
Take these Precautions
A smoke air purifier might be a worthwhile purchase for you but you need to first understand the goal of buying such a product. A lot of the most premium devices come at a steep price tag as well.
If you want the best smoke removal, then there is nothing best than an air purifier. It can easily get rid of cigarette smoke and other harmful particles. But, make sure to consider the following;
If there is constant smoke in the living space, then it is best to find out the source of the smoke.
You should also know that an air purifier can get rid of cigarette smoke but it can’t totally eliminate smoke from a wildfire.
It will not make it safe to live near a wildfire.
Therefore, you need to keep these precautions in your mind when buying air purifiers for smoke removal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do air purifiers help with smoke?
Yes, air purifiers do help with smoke and get rid of harmful airborne particles. The indoor air is fully refreshed when an air purifier is working.
What clears smoke from the air?
The smoke is cleared from the air by the HEPA filters. These filters catch tiny cigarette smoke particles and other pollutants. In this way, the air is purified.
Do HEPA air purifiers remove smoke?
Yes, HEPA air purifiers do remove smoke, pollen, and dust particles from the air.
Do air purifiers help with cigarette smoke?
Indeed, air purifiers do help with cigarette smoke. Activated carbon filters in an air purifier are effective at removing cigarette smoke particles and odors from the air.
Conclusion
Air purifiers are a great investment if you want to remove smoke and other pollutants from your vicinity. Nowadays, they have become so advanced that you don’t need to do anything. You can remotely control them through your phone.
Our favorite in the list of the best air purifiers for smoke is Hathaspace HSP002. It comes in a sleek design and with a good coverage area. If you want to enjoy the best air quality at the cost of low noise levels and electricity consumption, then this air purifier is a great option for you.
Pre-Filter, Polypropylene Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, Cold Catalyst Filter allow it purify the air in the most efficient way. It also has the widest coverage area of 1500 sq. ft. The noise levels are pretty manageable and controlling is easier due to the touch controls.
Have you ever used an air purifier to help with smoke? If so, which brand and model did you use, and what was your experience? Let us know in the comments!
Danny is a passionate writer who loves to share his knowledge about air purifiers. He’s been writing for 10 years, and he’ll share all that experience with Very Well Home viewers to help you make the best decision when it’s time to buy an appliance!
