TL;DR
Key Features to Consider
When selecting an air purifier for smoke, there are several key features to look for. True HEPA filters are essential as they can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns [3:1]. Additionally, activated carbon is crucial for removing smoke odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
[3:1]. It's also important to ensure the air purifier is suitable for the room size you need to cover.
Recommended Models
Several models have been recommended across discussions for their effectiveness in dealing with smoke:
IQAir HealthPro Plus: This model is highly regarded for its ability to remove smoke particles due to its HyperHEPA filter, which captures particles as small as 0.003 microns [1:1].
AustinAir HealthMate Plus: Known for its large amounts of activated charcoal, making it effective for both wildfire smoke and kitchen odors [2:1].
Blue Air Purifiers: Suggested for tackling strong tobacco smoke smells [4:1].
Budget-Friendly Options
For those on a budget, Winix units with carbon pellets were mentioned as a starting point [5:4]. Xiaomi 3C was noted to reduce smoke smell, though not completely eliminate it
[5:6]. It's important to manage expectations regarding complete elimination of smoke odor within a limited budget.
Additional Considerations
Beyond air purifiers, improving ventilation with a powerful kitchen hood or exhaust system can significantly help in reducing smoke indoors [2:7]. For persistent tobacco smoke, deep cleaning and possibly replacing carpets and repainting walls may be necessary
[4:2]
[4:3].
Greetings,
I hope this post finds you all in good health. I'm facing a rather challenging issue in my living space that I believe some of you experts could help me with. I'm in need of a reliable air purifier to tackle smoke-related problems, and I'm looking for recommendations from those who have experience with such devices.
Here's my situation: I live in an area prone to wildfires, and while I've taken precautions to seal my home, there are times when smoke from the wildfires infiltrates my indoor air. This not only affects the air quality but also poses potential health risks, particularly for someone with a respiratory condition.
I'm hoping to find an air purifier that excels in smoke removal, and I'm interested in your insights. Here are some specifics that might help you provide tailored recommendations:
If you have personal experience with an air purifier that has proven effective at removing smoke or if you've come across models that are highly recommended for this purpose, please share your thoughts. Your expertise will be invaluable in helping me make the right choice.
Additionally, any tips or best practices for using air purifiers in smoke-prone areas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all in advance for your assistance. I eagerly await your recommendations and insights.
Warm regards,
The air purifiers listed on the official Air Purifier Pro website are what I recommend you to consider if you're looking for a high quality air purifier that really eliminates smoke:
When looking for the best air purifier for smoke, it's crucial to consider various factors to ensure that the device effectively removes smoke particles and odors. Here are some recommended air purifiers that are known for their smoke-removing capabilities, along with important considerations:
When choosing an air purifier for smoke removal, here are some essential considerations:
Remember to regularly clean or replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain the air purifier's effectiveness in removing smoke particles and odors. Additionally, keep windows and doors closed during smoky conditions and consider using an air purifier in conjunction with other measures like sealing gaps and using weather stripping to minimize smoke infiltration.
Any recommendations, tested data, or real-world experiences would be hugely appreciated. If you’ve solved this problem in your own open kitchen, what worked best for you?
Thanks!
I totally get the struggle cooking steak in an open kitchen can make smoke linger way too long. For your space, you’ll want something with a high CADR and a thick activated carbon layer to handle both smoke and strong odors. I’ve seen setups where pairing a strong purifier with a decent hood makes a huge difference. Some people even recommend checking out resources on Theairhood for tips on optimizing kitchen ventilation alongside purifiers it helped me figure out the right combination for a big open area.
You didn’t mention if you have a hood an extraction fan that vents to the outside.
If you don’t have a hood, fergidaboutit!
Any air cleaner with a HEPA filter, sufficient CADR for the space, and preferably variable speed motor and sensor.
There isn’t much difference in performance between brands for given filter size. The differences are build quality, longevity, asthetics, etc.
Never heard of Alen. I looked, seems significantly over-priced. Best to stick to well-known brands that get good reviews.
Thank you! I do have a kitchen hood but I have a condo and it's not powerful enough to suck all the smoke out.
What would you recommend?
I’d recommend installing an effective hood.
Good luck with the HOA design review committee!
My filter (Our Happi) is no longer made, so moot. But I guess you could look it up to see comparative specs.
CoWay has gotten consistently good reviews for years and is often recommended in this sub.
I have a Jenn-Air stove with a downdraft extractor, which, of course isn’t great. But between that and the filter in the living room, I don’t have cooking odors for more than maybe a half hour. But I also don’t have an open layout. I got the air cleaner mainly for the wood-burning fireplace, and it is effective for that as well.
Does the hood exhaust air? Or is it recirculating? If exhaust, you should be able to find a better hood, such as Fotile. This should be your first action.
Air purifiers are generally not effective for VOC reduction. Air exchange with outside is. If you are willing to spend over $1000 and constantly replace tens of pounds of carbon media, you can get some reduction of VOCs.
Most sources of VOCs in a home are out-gassing from synthetic materials. It will reduce over time as the materials deplete their VOCs. This is unfortunately a common problem in new builds particularly if the dwelling has a tight envelope. Search the sub for “bake-out” - you can speed up the process.
New builds that are highly sealed should have come equipped with an ERV. If not: oops! Have more fun with your HOA design review committee!
You need better exhaust
I have an AustinAir HealthMate Plus as part of my dealing with wildfire smoke season supplies. I also use it when I burn things badly in the kitchen. The thing you need to look for is units with large amounts of activated charcoal.
When choosing an air purifier for smoke, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you get the best performance. Smoke particles are tiny, and odors can linger, so you’ll need a purifier that can handle both efficiently. Here are key features to look for:
Here are some of the best air purifiers for smoke:
1. Alen BreatheSmart Flex HEPA with Fresh Filter Air Purifier:
Great for bedrooms and home offices. Cleans rooms up to 1,400 sq. ft. with a HEPA Fresh filter and activated carbon to capture 99.9% of smoke and odors. Stylish and available in various colors.
2. PuroAir 240 HEPA 14 Air Purifier:
Best value for medium rooms up to 1,100 sq. ft. Uses a medical-grade HEPA 14 filter to capture 99.99% of smoke and dust. Smart sensor adjusts cleaning based on air quality.
3. Medify Air MA-25:
Budget-friendly for rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft. H13 True HEPA Filter removes 99.7% of smoke and allergens. Quiet operation with three fan speeds and a sleep mode.
4. Alen BreatheSmart 75i HEPA with Fresh Filter + Carbon Air Purifier:
Ideal for large spaces up to 2,600 sq. ft. HEPA Fresh filter with activated carbon captures smoke, odors, and pollutants. Stylish design with a SmartSensor that adjusts fan speed.
5. PuroAir 400 HEPA 14 Air Purifier:
Best value for large rooms up to 2,000 sq. ft. Medical-grade HEPA 14 filter removes 99.99% of particles. Smart sensor adjusts to air quality changes. Features timer, fan speeds, sleep mode, and child locks.
6. Levoit Core 300:
Budget-friendly for rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft. Three-stage filtration system captures smoke and allergens. Compact design, quiet operation, and filter replacement indicator.
The information above comes from Requiremints. I help their air purifiers team gather and rate the most recommended air purifiers available today. Check out the updated list of the Best Home Air Purifiers for Smoke. This helps buyers make informed choices by showcasing the top-selling air purifiers across different price ranges and specific needs.
Hope this helps!
Hey all,
I’m at my wits end with my apartment. I moved into a unit that had the previous tenant smoke (tobacco) like a chimney for potentially years.
I’ve tried everything I can think of (carbon absorbing ‘candles’), ventilating the apartment, and I even had the apartment managers treat the apartment with ozone treatment.
The ozone helped and ‘worked’ for like a week at ridding the smell. But it’s just come back.
Everytime I travel somewhere else and my nose has a chance to resensitize to smells, my clothes smell so STRONGLY of tobacco smoke. It has seeped into everything I own, including my luggage.
What can I do to rid myself of this obnoxious odor?
Ridding tobacco smells is a challenge.
For starters, I think the carpet will probably need to go. Even a deep cleaning of it probably is not enough. It has permeated deep into it and the padding below it. Will the property manager potentially do this?
Secondly, I think you would likely want to clean all surfaces with a peroxide + vinegar mix, including the walls. However, the problem of course is how long you can leave the solution on the walls without damaging them. I would definitely spot test this in an inconspicuous area prior working a large, visible area.
Third, you could add on a large amount of carbon filtration, using either a carbon grow filter or one or more purifiers with a large carbon canister. The latter, at least, is pretty expensive, and you might find yourself needing more than one unit depending on the size and layout of the apartment.
It may be worth seeing if the property manager will work with you on this, especially if smoking was prohibited in the facility. If they will not work with you, as much of a pain as it is, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of moving if you are able to break the lease early.
Tobacco smoke leaves a yellow film on everything. Since it's permeated everywhere, pull up carpeting, window covers, area rugs, everything. After that the place needs a deep clean -- everything -- light fixtures, walls, floors etc. Then repaint. You could also try Fresh Wave gel for odor absorption. After that, consider purchasing an air purifier.
They did a deep clean prior to me moving in and have deep cleaned the carpet after I moved in as well. They also repainted, though I suspect it was with really crappy paint. I won’t be able to get them to do more cleaning without paying for it myself at this point and I can’t rip up and replace carpeting.
Until my lease is up in August, what purifiers do folks recommend?
Something with a lot of carbon and those are pricey. DIY could be an option. Search the s/r for what others have suggested.
Yup, renovation or moving are the options. As a stop gap, bring in a cleaning crew to at least scrub the walls.
You can choose an air purifier with Honeycomb Activate Carbon Filter
Clean and paint - likely with a strong primer. Perhaps oil based primer which is nasty smelling stuff while using it - but it does a great job of "resetting".
Blue Air purifiers are really good for smoke
Hello all- Just looking to see what the best type of air purifyer to remove tobacco smoke in my apt. We have two smokers, and yes I know going outside is the best but that isn't going to work due to a variety of reasons. The apt is around 1200 square feet 2 beds 2 baths. The only place the smokers smoke are downstairs in the kitchen area. Most smoking only occurs in the morning and evening. So we are looking for something to take the smoke away or really reduce it. Preferably under 500 dollars. Thank you!
Unfortunately to completely eliminate the problem is outside your price range. I’m sure someone has some good or better recommendations but you could start with a couple of winix units that have carbon pellets and go from there.
best type of air purifyer to remove tobacco smoke in my apt. We have two smokers, and yes I know going outside is the best but that isn't going to work due to a variety of reasons. The apt is around 1200 square feet 2 beds 2 baths. The only place the smokers smoke are downstairs in the kitchen area. Most smoking only occurs in the morning and evening. So we are looking for something to take
What would completely eliminate it? I'm looking for this solution! Ha :) thanks
You can't completely eliminate it without:
Thank you!
invest in something with voc removing media, and replace often.
fiber uv ion gimmicks - will not remove cigarette smoke odor.
this works well for one bedroom keeping the door closed;
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B07ZV7BDXZ/
make sure you use the activated carbon replacement filter;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0964L9T8B/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJCYWK3C/
Thank you!
Hello, i just wanted to share my own experiance on this one. In our flat , there are 2 people. We smoke in one of the rooms(25m2 or something like that) and recently decided to give it a go for xiaomi 3C. What i can say is , its deacresing the smell of smoke in the home but it doesnt make the smell like zero. Its also confirmed by the none-smoker people who comes to visit us. It doesnt smell like it used to be yet , i can say that you will smell the smoke no matter what but in a lower amount and it will help to spreading it quicker.
Thank you!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Any air purifier should help. You might want to get one with a very good filter which will handle smoke. I still think the best option is to go outside to smoke and that way there will be no smoke in the inside environment.
I recently moved into a new apartment 3rd floor and the 2nd floor ppl are actually the landlord and his wife. They smoke a lot, but it's clearly none of my business. But the problem is the smoke travels to my apt.
So i've decided to buy an air purifier to deal with it. Does anyone have any suggestions within my $500 budget? Really need your help here. Thanks!!
I just purchased the coway airmega 150 for the same reason and its a highly effective. bonus that I got a pretty color and its super quiet
For cigarette smoke you'll want to look for true HEPA for the particles, and activated carbon for the VOCs from the smoke.
Also suggest getting one with washable pre-filters so you don't spend a fortune on replacement fitlers.
FWIW I recently did an analysis on reddit data on air purifiers. Basically ranked them by aggregated sentiment (within the past year). Maybe you'll find the results helpful? https://redditrecs.com/air-purifier/ The coway at the top checks all 3 boxes
My boyfriend vapes - both nicotine and cannabis. I don’t like that it's in my house and around my pets. I have an approx 800 sqft loft style condo. I have some cheap amazon air purifiers but I question whether they do anything as the filters always look clean. I'm looking to upgrade and don't care the cost, it's an investment in mine and my pets long term health. What is the best air purifier I can buy?
It's your house. Tell him he needs to smoke outside.
If money is out of the question. IQ Air Multigas.
Would this air purifier be appropriate for mold? I have mold that has formed along my window ledge and my landlord will not address it.
Spray the mold with 90% isopropyl alcohol. It will destroy all of it. Make sure to vent the rooms.
Your issue is lack of heat from what I‘m gathering. A purifier won’t scare the mold away. It’s like a bandaid in your case
he can’t just step outside? if u want to filter those two things specifically, you’ll need something with a crap load of carbon - allerair or airpira. pick the one with the most carbon like 30lb+.
That is harmful to your pets please ask him to step outside jfc
It's harmful to her.
Just have him step outside
Moving into a new apartment and want to be conscious of the neighbors. Normally I’d just have the window open but I also don’t want the smoke / smell to linger in the apartment itself so wondering what was the best one to buy? For both Weed and Cigarette.
get a smoke buddy. they are pretty darn good for helping with smell of smoke indoors
Stuff a Scott towel tube with bounce sheets to a similar effect
Definitely not as good as a smoke buddy but that’s what I did throughout high school lol
Another vote for dry herb vaporizers. Combine that with an air purifier and you're golden.
This is the way to go. Literally no smell after sometime.
It depends on how big your apartment is bro, I live in a NYC apartment and my small one from aroeve works just fine
Cigarettes outdoors, that shit sinks deep. Weed can be okay but only if you avoid tobacco based wraps, cuz that’ll stick aswell
Ick, go outside. Smoking indoors is uncivilized, gross beyond what words can communicate. I say this as a lifelong smoker. Go outside, for real. No air purifier needed. No air purifier will leave things smelling like you went outside. If you really want to be neighbor-considerate you won't ever consider smoking indoors again.
What is the best air purifier for smoke and pets? My wife and I have four cats, we also smoke. Looking for affordable recommendations. Any advice helps. We live in the United States.
Winnix PRO, but for active smokers - good options are more expensive.. Winnix is the starting point i would say.
Rabbit air A3 or A2, Alen Breathsmart 75i, 45i with upgraded smoke filter. Both are not cheap I've had a Alen 75i and 45i running 24/7 for years with no issues not sure how they'll handle smoke though but they're highly regarded for wildfires with the VOC/Smoke filter. The Alen also have a lifetime warranty with filter sub. coway air mega or winix might have something cheaper not sure about the smoke performance though
As stated by Rule 4: Information For Air Purifier Requests and reiterated by the AutoModerator comment, we need more details.
Removing smoke odors (if you're actively smoking in a given room) with a purifier can be very difficult. If a purifier hasn't been present, smoke gases and particles have already been absorbed by various surfaces and materials. These surfaces and materials can then release gases and particles as "thirdhand smoke".
Well the room I need it for is 12×15×8. My budget is low like I don't want to spend more than $100. I don't have any income. And smoke I mean vape so I guess that's both odor and particles
So that's quite low, unfortunately. Most purifiers $100 and under are small, lower quality, and not terribly powerful.
Vape aerosols are tricky, as they can leave behind a residue. This may clog a purifier's grill, pre-filter, and mechanical filter quickly. As a result you might be incurring higher costs with more frequent filter replacements.
As for odors (which are largely gases or vapors), you generally need sorbent media such as activated carbon and quite a lot of it. Cheap purifiers have very little or no activated carbon content. High weight sorbent media purifiers are really expensive.
A more amenable DIY option (if you already own a box fan) is a Corsi-Rosenthal box with MERV 13 furnace filters. You can buy 4-packs of MERV 13 filters online or a 4-pack of MERV 14 filters at Costco for a lower price. Please note this won't remove odors or gases.
Just keep in mind that a typical C-R box configuration does not have a pre-filter. Therefore MERV filters can clog more quickly with coarse particulates (e.g., visible dust and pet hair); you may want to the use the C-R box only when you're vaping to prolong MERV filter lifespan.
Otherwise, the absolute cheapest option is to vape outside.
Hello /u/ShiftRevolt! If you're looking for air purifier recommendations or advice, please ensure you included all relevant details listed in Rule 4: Information For Air Purifier Requests.
If your post is missing this information, edit accordingly so other users can help you more efficiently.
For very basic particulates sizing per AHAM, Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs) should be at minimum 2/3 of a room's area (assuming an 8 ft. ceiling height). For wildfire smoke, Smoke CADR should equal a room's area which also assumes an 8 ft. ceiling.
If you'd like to know more about choosing a purifier, see the "How To Choose An Air Purifier for Particulates [Comprehensive Guide]" in our Wiki.
Be sure to check out the NEW 2025 Air Purifier Buying Guide for recommended models.
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Would an air purifier work in this smoke? Don't know if I need specific kind or if any air purifier will work.
A variety of cheap DIY options can be found here, otherwise, yes Air purifiers work well so long as you try to keep incoming smoke levels down with a closed sstyem as much as possible
I got a 20 x 20 box fan from Walmart $36, and a set of 4 MERV 13 filters from Amazon for $65. It needs to be MERV 13 or higher to trap the small particles in the smoke. Duct tape the filter to the back of the box fan and done.
Lmao I saw this video s few weeks back
I bought a couple Blueair air purifiers last year. They work really well!!
they also have smoke filters.
I just saw that!! I wonder if they are new. They are out of stock right now but hoping they restock soon.
Yes! We bought one last year and LOVE it. Worth the money.
Thirded. Did a bunch of research last year, and BlueAir seemed to have best bang for your buck.
Although you'll find complaints it doesn't use a "real" HEPA filter it gets rid of smells well.
If you want a "real" HEPA filter and are budget conscious nothing really beats 4 furnace filters and a box fan.
We have an air purifier with a HEPA filter on each floor of our house and have had good luck.
I was going to build one with a box fan, but I figured this is probably just the new normal for summers going forward so I ordered one from Costco. Working well so far.
They also have one in store that does a little less area.
best air purifiers for smoke
Key Considerations for Air Purifiers for Smoke:
HEPA Filter: Look for air purifiers with a True HEPA filter, which can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke particles.
Activated Carbon Filter: An activated carbon filter is essential for absorbing odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with smoke.
CADR Rating: Check the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for smoke. A higher CADR indicates faster and more efficient air purification. Aim for a CADR of at least 200 for effective smoke removal.
Room Size: Ensure the air purifier is suitable for the size of the room where it will be used. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for room coverage.
Noise Level: Consider the noise level, especially if you plan to use it in a bedroom or quiet space. Look for models with a "sleep mode" for quieter operation.
Recommendations:
Coway AP-1512HH: This model features a True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and a CADR of 246 for smoke. It's compact, efficient, and has a low noise level.
Honeywell HPA300: With a CADR of 300 for smoke, this purifier is suitable for larger rooms and has a True HEPA filter. It’s known for its durability and effectiveness.
Levoit Core 300: A budget-friendly option with a True HEPA filter and a CADR of 141 for smoke. It's compact and ideal for smaller spaces.
Choosing any of these options will help effectively reduce smoke particles and odors in your home.
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