PRO TIP: If you are a regular smoker and using an air purifier, find a way to uplift the purifier or even mount it higher in the room. This helps to catch the smoke while it is still in the air, rather than waiting for it to lower and settle into the floor, walls, and furniture.
Smoke can be really hard on people when it is in the air. Whether it’s from smokers of any kind or perhaps smoke from rural burning or wildfire areas, it can have a dramatic and lasting effect. Many people are turning to air purifiers for situations like these, which do so much more than just filter out smoke.
If you are looking for the best air purifier for smoke in your home, we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, we will share some details about smoke and why an air purifier might be a good idea. We also have the best air purifiers for smoke to share with you!
Let’s go.
Jump to:
- How to Choose an Air Purifier for Smoke?
- List of The 9 Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
- 5 Useful Tips to Remove Smoke Odor without air purifiers
If you’re in a hurry, check out our best picks:
Table could not be displayed.What is Smoke Made of?
Smoke is not only a gaseous substance; it also contains particles. However, the share of gases and particles are not the same in different types of smoke.
For example, only 10% of cigarette smoke is made up of solid particles include tar and nicotine. The remaining 90% is made up of gases and vapors.
Did you know that the primary gas in tobacco smoke is actually mostly carbon monoxide? Apart from that, there are gases like ammonia, formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, cyanide, and more. These noxious fumes are awful to be breathing into your lungs or anyone around you.
The general composition of smoke is typically a combination of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, particles, hydrocarbons and organic chemicals, nitrogen oxide, and trace minerals. What really comprises the smoke depends primarily on what is fueling the smoke.
For wood fires, the smoke will have particles from the type of wood or other vegetation used in the fire. This same concept is true of smoke from cigars, cigarettes, weed, and others. The general composition is the same, but the particles and chemicals of the smoke will vary.
Before you purchase an air purifier for smoke, you should make an effort to understand the type of smoke you are trying to combat, as this might make a difference in the type of filter that you need to look for.
This way, you can choose an air purifier specific to your needs based on the type of smoke in the air.
How to Choose an Air Purifier for Smoke
Understanding the composition of the smoke you are trying to purify is only just the beginning. There are different types of filters and details to be aware of before you buy.
Effective Particle Filter
When filtering smoke from wildfire or woodfire that contains high particles and residues, you need to consider a higher-grade particle filter. Something like a True HEPA filter might be best for the needs of this type of filtration.
These physical filters are safe to use and don’t produce any ozone. But you need to replace them at regular intervals.
Effective Gas-Phase Filter
Smoke from things with noxious odors and gases (cigarettes and similar items) can be much more challenging to filter out. Particle filters can’t capture odors and gases. In this case, you will need a gas-phase filter.
A gas-phase filter uses adsorbent media like activated carbon, zeolite, potassium iodide, and other minerals. In this type of filter, granular or pelletized activated carbon filters work really well than the impregnated-type carbon filters. The higher the amount of these adsorbents, the better.
If you want a good solution for cigarettes and want to tackle odors from things like cigars or weed smoke, you have to pay more attention to the gas-phase filter.
Learn more about different types of air filtration technologies.
High CADR
When you consider air filtration, you don’t just want a filter that will catch something but not actually circulate. Quality air purifiers will also provide enough strength to circulate the air after it has been filtered.
Options like a high CADR filtration system tend to be powerful enough to remove smoke particles from the air and circulate clean air much faster than some air filtration options.
Use our CADR calculator to find out the required air delivery rate for your room.
Filters to Avoid
You may have heard of ozone generators. These filters are known for tackling the smell and the chemical in the air from various types of smoke. Unfortunately, these filters might be doing more harm than good.
According to the New York Department of Health, exposure to ozone from ozone generators damage your lungs and can lead to other health issues. Also, you should avoid ionizers as they are less effective for removing smoke particles.
Related reviews:
List of The 9 Best Air Purifiers for Smoke:
Check out these air purifiers. We will share all of the qualities of each one and provide you with just what use they are best for so you can narrow down your options more easily.
Something to keep in mind here is that when it comes to smells and particles like what smoke generally emits, takes a sufficient filter to really work. If you’re looking for a cheap air purifier for smoke, you are going to be disappointed because most of the “cheap” ones simply aren’t made for the task.
The options you will find here are selected because they are high-quality air purifiers that can truly fight against odors from cigarettes, weed, cigars, and other smoke elements.
1. Levoit LV-H133: best air purifier for smoke under $200
Levoit LV-H133 can be classified as the best air purifier for smoke under $200 for its high CADR and higher-grade filtrations. It’s a great option for wood fire smoke and light smoke odors that you are trying to combat.
The purifier comes with a 3-in-1 filter that includes a True HEPA filter as the main particle filter. The filter will efficiently capture the particles and residue from the smoke and things like pollen, mold spores, and dust. The odor filter is made from granular activated carbon to remove mild smoke odors from the room.
Levoit LV-H133 air purifier also has a smart auto mode that senses the surrounding air quality and adjusts the fan speed accordingly, which is convenient to operate while also being energy-efficient.
This air purifier delivers 274 cubic feet of clean air per minute, can clean a 340 square feet room in just 10 minutes. It also offers a low noise profile (25-54 dB), so you won’t have to yell over it. It has a sleek design, and it’s a really great value for the money.
Room Coverage: 340 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 274 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $49, 6 months usage (check availability & filter price).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> Levoit LV-H133 Air Purifier.
2. Medify MA-112 v2.0: best high CADR air purifier for smoke
To get rid of a lot of smoke quickly, you will need a quality air purifier with a high air filtering rate (CADR). Lucky for you, the Medify MA-112 v2.0 is one of the highest CADR air purifiers with superior H13 HEPA filtrations.
If you live in a wildfire-prone area, it will be a great choice for you. You can run at full speed to remove the smoke very quickly during the wildfire outbreak. Also, it is suitable for filtering smoke of all kinds because of the CADR being high. It has a dual intake with two 3-in-1 composite filters.
The composite filter has an H13-grade HEPA filter, which can capture 99.9% of particles up to 0.1 microns. The average particle size of cigarette smoke is 0.2 microns, while it is 0.4 – 0.7 microns for wildfire smoke.
The thick honeycomb carbon filter will remove light to medium smoke odors. With a CADR 560 cfm, your unit can clean a large 700 square feet of room in just 10 minutes.
It operates with a simple touch screen panel and can even be child locked or set to sleep mode. The purifier is available in white or black color, so you can choose what works for you.
Room Coverage: 700 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 560 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $139, 6 months usage (check availability & filter price).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> Medify Air MA-112 v2.0 Air Purifier.
3. Coway Airmega 300: best air purifier for smoke and pets
The Coway Airmega 300 is a good middle-of-the-line air purifier that is great for removing odors for smoke and pets. It is the best air purifier for smoke with a washable pre-filter as well. It can handle rooms that measure up to 420 square feet, being able to clean the air six time per hour in this size of the room.
The washable pre-filters can come in handy if you have pets that shed quite a bit. It can prevent the pet fur and hair from clogging up the main filters quickly. It has a nice, modern design that looks great in any room, and it has that desirable auto mode that many people look for.
The composite filter includes a True HEPA and a honeycomb-shaped filter filled with activated carbon pellets. It helps to reduce and cleanse the air of particulates, allergens, and other compounds and fumes from smoke. The purifier is equipped with two sets of 2-in-1 filters. It also has a nice colored LED ring to signal your air quality.
Room Coverage: 420 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 335 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $80, 12 months usage (check availability & filter price on Amazon, Sylvane).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> Coway Airmega 300 Air Purifier.
4. Alen Breathesmart Classic: top rated air purifiers for smoke by Consumer Reports
Alen Breathesmart Classic is one of the best air purifiers in the Consumer Reports rating for filtering smoke particulates! You can choose from four types of filters based on your needs. To remove woodfire smoke (high particle concentrations), select the FreshPlus Filter, and to remove strong smoke odors (such as from cigarettes), select the OdorCell Filter.
The purifier also has a complimentary deep-bed H13-grade HEPA filter to combat particulate allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, etc.
Alen Breathesmart Classic has a built-in particle sensor to operate at the efficiency needed based on the air quality in the room. It runs smoothly and quietly (23 – 49 dBa) for a coverage area of about 1,100 square feet two times per hour. An ionizer add-on is available while it doesn’t emit any ozone.
The purifier has a unique design that doesn’t take up much space as some of them out there. It can almost blend in with your walls or décor, and there are even several color options available. The color options even include some wood grain colors as well. The brand offers other sizes of air purifiers with the same filtrations as well.
Room Coverage: 375 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 300 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $99 for FreshPlus filter, 12 months usage (check availability & filter price on Amazon, Alen).
Pros & Cons:
5. IQAir GC MultiGas: best air purifier for cigar smoke
The IQAir GC (Gas Control) MultiGas model is a beast for controlling noxious smoke odor and chemicals from the air. The air purifier is loaded with four filter cartridges with 12 pounds of granular activated carbon and impregnated alumina as adsorbent materials. Which makes it ideal for cigar smoke and other strong smoke smells, odors, and residues.
It has a modular design that can easily make it look like a design element in your room. This is also one of the most highly-rated room air purifiers for multiple chemicals and tobacco smoke.
With multi-gas air purification, this bad boy also has an H11-grade HyperHEPA pre-filter to capture particulate pollutants. It filters more than 99% of airborne particles that are sized down to 0.3 microns. It can manage a room size of up to about 1,125 square feet (two times per hour) and has a maximum CADR of 300 cfm.
Room Coverage: 375 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 300 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs:
- HyperHEPA Pre-Filter: ~ $60, 12 months usage (check availability & filter price on Amazon, IQAir).
- MultiGas Cartridges: ~ $295, 29 months usage (check availability & filter price on Amazon, IQAir).
Pros & Cons:
6. Oransi EJ120: best air purifier for tobacco smoke
This option from Oransi is unique and versatile. On its own, it can handle smoke from cigars, cigarettes, and weeds but what really makes it stand out is you can upgrade to tackle heavy smoke and odors. According to Oransi’s official website, you can remove the HEPA filter and replace it with two additional carbon filters to combat heavy smoke and odors.
This air purifier is made in the USA using a medical-grade (MERV 17: highest-grade) particle filter. The motor is manufactured in Germany and is known for operating quietly and efficiently.
We love that you can customize the filter. It comes with deep-bed HEPA and carbon filtration and can be adjusted to meet your needs. It has a Tobacco Smoke CADR of 323 cfm, which is also AHAM verified.
Room Coverage: 400 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 323 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~95 for HEPA Filter, ~ $79 for GAC Carbon Filter, and $79 for Pleated Carbon Filter (12 months usage).
Pros & Cons:
7. EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System: best air purifier for weed smoke
EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System has a patented odor-controlling filter to reduce pungent smells from weed smoke. Unlike activated carbon, this filter has multiple earth minerals to neutralize odors and chemicals from the air. These minerals can safely neutralize odors without off-gassing, which is pretty common in carbon-based filters.
Also, you can select it to combat other types of smoke because it has a 4-inch thick True HEPA filter to capture smoke particles and residue. The purifier also has a plus version which has two UV bulbs in addition to air filtrations.
Room Coverage: 310 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 250 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs:
- EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge (Chemical pre-filter): ~ $99, 6 months usage (check availability & filter price on EnviroKlenz, Amazon).
- EnviroKlenz Replacement HEPA Filter: ~ $150, 24 months usage (check availability & filter price on EnviroKlenz, Amazon).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System Plus Air Purifier.
** Get an additional 15% off + Free Shipping on EnviroKlenz using the coupon code: ROAP
8. Austin Air Helathmate Plus: best air purifier for regular smokers
If you’re a smoker and you smoke in the home, you know that combatting the odor and the residue can be challenging. With the Austin Healthmate Plus air purifier, it becomes much easier. This top-notch purifier operates with 15 pounds of granular activated carbon, including potassium iodide and zeolite (both of which are good odor adsorbers).
This purifier is mounted on wheels that make it easy to move around or store away, and you don’t have to worry about heavy lifting or anything like that. It is all manual and has fan speeds that you can adjust as needed.
Austin Healthmate Plus also has a deep-bed True HEPA filter that is medical grade and removes particles larger than 0.3 microns. It has a unique design with a 360-degree intake system, and the filtration is a 4-stage filter.
Room Coverage: 310 square feet 6 times per hour (CADR: 250 cfm).
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $360, 5 years usage (check the current filter price on Amazon, Sylvane).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> Austin Air Helathmate Plus Air Purifier.
9. Molekule Air Mini Plus: Honorary Mention
This air purifier option does not meet the traditional protocol of the best air purifier for smoke. However, we couldn’t pass it up because it has a unique gas and chemical filtration system (PECO). Molekule Air Mini destroys airborne pollutants, including VOCs and chemicals, without producing harmful byproducts.
When you consider that weed smoke and cigar smoke both are very earthy and made up of organic compounds, this air purifier could be great for combatting those things. The filtration rate is low so that we wouldn’t recommend this air purifier for heavy smoke and odors.
If you check out the Consumer Report ratings, they do rate the Molekule Air as fair at removing smoke and dust. It is small and compact and works best when used in a small room environment.
Room Coverage: up to 250 square feet.
Filter Replacement Costs: ~ $74, 6 months usage (check availability & filter price on Amazon, Molekule).
Pros & Cons:
In-depth review >>> Molekule Air Mini Air Purifier.
5 Useful Tips to Remove Smoke Odor from Home
While air purifiers can help with the smoke odors and residue in the air, they might not be able to resolve odor that has been adsorbed into the surroundings. There are ways to make your air purifier work as optimally as possible, but if your home already has smoke smells, you may need some alternatives to help remove the odors.
Check out these odor removal options.
- Set a bowl of vinegar in the room (or any room necessary) and let it sit overnight. You can repeat this process regularly as needed.
- Citrus can help to fight smells really well and leave citrus peels in areas around your home. You can place them in bowls and leave them until they start to turn bad.
- You can sprinkle baking soda in the carpets and on the furniture and let it sit for several hours. When ready, vacuum it up, and it will help to lift odors.
- You can use charcoal to adsorb odors by placing some in a bowl and just letting the bowl set in affected rooms for several hours or overnight.
- Coffee grounds also adsorb scent. These work best if you place some grounds into filters and then tie them or band them closed and place them in various areas throughout the home. You can leave them as long as you like.
These are basic odor removal strategies that tend to be efficient and simple. You can do other things if none of these seem quite to get rid of odors for you. Ventilation is a good way to remove odors and air out space. You can try deep cleaning the space as well.
If you still notice the issue, you may need to consider removing the carpet and cleaning any curtains and fabrics in the room.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you find this guide helpful in finding the best air purifier for smoke. There are many great options depending on your needs, and you are sure to find a winner here! Don’t let your home suffer from smoke and odors, prepare and treat your home now.
We have 2 of the Coway Airmega units. One for upstairs and one for down, they are amazing. Wasn’t thrilled at the price but the performance has been outstanding.