Are you looking for the best air purifier for smoke, including wildfire, cigarette, cigar, and marijuana (weed) smoke? The size of smoke particles ranges from 0.01 to 1.0 microns, according to studies, with median diameters around 0.3 to 0.5 microns.1 The microscopic smoke particles can pass through most standard air filters.
Our Top Picks for Best Air Purifier for Smoke
We spoke with medical professionals about what to look for in an air purifier to remove secondhand. Based on these discussions, we researched and examined many models to bring you the absolute best air purifier for smoke removal.
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier
The Alen BreatheSmart Air Purifier is only 27 pounds, making it portable. So, you can easily carry it around and use it wherever it’s needed. In addition, it is predominantly white with black accents, making it the right air purifier to use in any contemporary space. And the neutral colors also match with more eclectic designs.
Thanks to the medical-grade 3-Stage H13 pure HEPA filter, the Alen air purifier is highly efficient in removing air pollutants for 12 months. It can capture as much as 99.99% of particles as tiny as 0.1 microns. These include pet dander, dust, odor, fur, and other allergens.
Furthermore, it can clean up to 1,300 square feet of space within 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for large living spaces, basements, and workplaces.
Also, the cleaner’s filter incorporates 3.6 pounds of the activated carbon layer, a compound that the EPA usually recommends for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your home.
As a result of its advanced features, the filter is very effective at removing heavy smoke and VOC fumes. So, if you live in an area prone to wildfires, own pets, love to cook, or constantly deal with tobacco smoke, the air cleaner will help reduce respiratory issues significantly.
In addition, the Alen BreatheSmart purifier comes with a LED color display through which you can quickly determine the current air quality. Usually, the AUTO mode will run continuously. But by using the Smart Sensors controls, you can detect the level of air pollution and change the fan and air filtration speeds so that you can change the air quality at your preferred rates.
It is also worth noting that even on Turbo speed, the Alen air purifier only consumes 45 watts. So, in terms of energy bills, it is pocket friendly.
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier – Medical Grade H14 HyperHEPA Filter
The IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier weighs 35 pounds, making it portable. It originates from Switzerland and has been tested for total system efficiency before delivery.
Generally, this is a great air purifier for smokers because it produces at least 99.97% cleaner air. The Hong Kong Hospital Authority selected it for disease control since it can filter SARS-CoV-1 & SARS-CoV-2, which cause Covid-19. And it comes with a limited 10-year warranty. You can use it to cover 1,125 square feet while cleaning up to 300 cubic feet of air per minute.
Part of IQAir HealthPro air purifier’s efficiency is due to its medical grade H14 HyperHEPA Filter. The filter will trap 99.995% of air-polluting particles up to 0.003 microns. As a result, it is an excellent choice if you want to get rid of pet dander, bacteria, cigarette smoke, wildfire smoke, mold, odors, chemicals like formaldehyde, and many other allergens.
Also, the IQAir purifier includes two outer layers of filtration that boost the HEPA filter’s effectiveness. These include the pre-filter, which traps the larger particles in the air, and the activated carbon filter, which removes gases and odors from the air. So, it’s a good choice for allergy sufferers.
Furthermore, there’s the 320-degree EvenFlow Diffuser. The feature ensures that your filtration system implements many air changes to clean the air in large spaces.
It is also worth noting that the IQAir HealthPro air purifier has four fan speeds, allowing you to determine the rate at which you want to improve your air quality. But even at the highest setting, the appliance produces low sounds, ensuring it doesn’t disturb your concentration while it’s in use.
The device is relatively quiet because the fan has a central position, enabling the sound filters, rubber suspension pads, and double-walled housing to reduce noise levels. And even the EvenFlow Diffuser helps to deflect the sound back into the system, further enhancing your peace.
And if you are worried about energy bills, you’ll be glad to know that the IQAir purifier is pocket friendly. It only consumes as much energy as a regular light bulb.
Rabbit Air A3 SPA-1000N Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier, Wall Mountable
The Rabbit Air A3 SPA-1000N Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier weighs only 20.3 pounds, making it portable and an excellent option if you want to mount it on the wall. Many taught this as the best air purifier for smoke, including cigar and weed smoke.
Despite its compact design, it’s highly effective, providing coverage for up to 1,070 square feet and cleaning as much as 8,560 cubic feet of air every 30 minutes.
The Rabbit Air A3 SPA-1000N draws air from all four sides and expels it from the back, making it perfect for mounting on the wall inside a cigar lounge or your designated smoking area.
The product is the definition of user-friendliness due to its five-speed ultra-quiet BLDC moto that is nearly silent at the lowest setting (20.3 dBA). And it has a three-element sensing capacity, allowing it to detect odors, light, and particles.
Furthermore, you can use its Wi-Fi capabilities to monitor the air quality from anywhere via its Rabbit Air app. Then, you can automate operations via remote control and begin the air purification process.
In addition, the Rabbit Air purifier includes four customized filtration systems, including germ defense, toxin absorber, pet allergy, and Odor Remover.
Also, it incorporates an advanced BioGS HEPA filter, which provides six purification and deodorization stages. As a result, it is incredibly effective at dealing with allergens like pet dander, bacterial, virus-carrying particles, pollen, and mold. And you can take the pre-filter out and wash it, reducing your filter replacement costs.
If any issue crops up with your air purifier, you can use its 5-year warranty and lifetime technical support.
Medify MA-112 Air Purifier for Extra Large Room
The Medify MA-112 Air Purifier is a 32-pound, corded electric device that effectively cleans the air in large rooms. It provides enough coverage to filter as much as 5,000 square feet per hour (assuming it’s operating at fan speed 3 in any closed room with 8-foot ceilings).
Quality is not an issue with the Medify MA-112 air purifier. It comes with CARB, ETL, and Energy Star certifications.
Therefore, the product complies with existing laws concerning the emissions of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, safety standards, and energy efficiency compared to the standard models.
So, the device is eco-friendly, safe for human use, and pocket friendly in terms of energy bills. Also, there’s a limited lifetime warranty, and any genuine replacement filter will last as long as 3,000 hours.
You can trust the dual HEPA H13 filtration system to remove 99.9% of the air pollutants in your space up to 0.1 microns in size, making it the best air purifier for smoke and other contaminants, including pet dander, dust particles, and smog. So, it is highly effective.
And you can select from any of the four available fan speeds, with the lowest being virtually silent. However, even at the highest fan speed setting, the Medify air purifier only produces 70dB of noise, which is well within the safe hearing margin.
An elegant touch panel with a 0–8-hour timer also comes with the air purifier. You can use it to read quickly or set the fan speed, dust sensor, sleep, and auto modes, filter replacement, and PM2.5 pollution indicators. Furthermore, there’s a child lock, which you can use to prevent interference by your children or pets.
AirDoctor AD3000 4-in-1 Air Purifier for Large Rooms
The AirDoctor AD3000 4-in-1 Air Purifier weighs about 25 pounds, making it very portable. So, you can move it around from one room to another, depending on your needs. In addition, it can cover up to 638 square feet every 15 minutes, making it an excellent option for small spaces of any medium room size.
And to enhance its effectiveness, the air cleaner offers a three-stage filtration system. One layer includes the UltraHEPA filter, which can remove airborne particles as small as 0.03 microns. And another is AirDoctor’s proprietary dual-action Carbon VOC filter, which enhances the product’s ability to eliminate harmful particulate matter and chemicals in the air like formaldehyde.
In addition, the Airdoctor is easy to use. Its auto-mode operation instantly adjusts the four air filtration settings to manage the current air quality. But regardless of which setting you select, the device will remain 30% quieter than the traditional air purifier because it incorporates whisper-jet fans.
HATHASPACE Smart Air Purifier 2.0 with True HEPA Air Filter
The HATHASPACE Smart Air Purifier has a coverage area of 1,500 square feet. It is one of the best air purifiers if you want to improve indoor air quality in large spaces since it belongs to a reliable American brand.
The appliance has five types of filters. That includes a true HEPA filter that filters up to 99.97% of harmful particles, including fine particles as small as 0.1 microns. But apart from the composite HEPA filter, a washable filter reduces your filter replacement costs.
In addition, the HATHASPACE smart air purifier incorporates a honeycomb-activated carbon filter. That layer lets the appliance absorb smoke odors and VOCs, significantly reducing indoor air pollution. Also, the HEPA air filter uses a premium fan and motor when you need clean air in your living room, apartment, dorm, or any other space.
You can use the digital display within the unit to determine whether your air quality is good enough. And if it’s not, the auto mode will sense the amount of pollution and choose the best solution. Then it will adjust the fan in real-time to eliminate the pollutants.
We also recommend reading Best Air Purifier for Large Rooms.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Purifier for Smoke Removal
When choosing the top air purifiers for smoke removal, consider the factors below.
Room Size
Your room size should influence your choice of cleaner. When choosing the best purifier for your needs, consider the square footage of the space as well as the airflow capabilities of the device you intend to purchase.
Typically, small-capacity purifiers will cover up to about 299 square feet, while medium ones will cover up to 699 square feet. On the other hand, large-capacity purifiers will clean anywhere from 700 to 1,900 square feet.
It is worth noting that air purifiers are designed to provide four exchanges per hour. So, it would help if you also considered the time factor.
Also, consider the clean air delivery rate (CADR), which the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) developed. It refers to an air purifier’s ability to produce clean air for its room. And it measures that device’s efficiency.
Typically, the CADR is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). So, for example, if an air purifier has 300 CFM, it can clean 300 cubic feet of air per minute or 18,000 cubic feet per hour.
So, assuming you have a room that is 4,500 cubic feet that need its air cleaned four times, you would require an air cleaner that filters 18,000 cubic feet per hour. So, any device with 300 CFM airflow capacity would do that well.
Therefore, the higher the CFM value of a purifier, the larger the room size it can cover at any given time.
Filtration System
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a HEPA filter is an acronym for a high-efficiency particulate air filter. Such a filter must meet specified efficiency standards.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a HEPA filter must clean 99.97% of the airborne particles polluting the air, including mold, bacteria, dust, and other kinds of allergens, with a size of 0.3 microns. And Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV)-rated filter versions can capture particles less than 0.3 microns up to 0.1 microns, making them more efficient.
When choosing an air cleaner, its filter must qualify as HEPA. Otherwise, your air quality may not be the best there is.
Another aspect of filtration you should consider is the activated carbon or charcoal filter. Such a filter will come in handy when eliminating VOCs, dust, and mold. In addition, it will remove odors, such as those produced by secondhand smoke, so your indoor air smells fresh.
In addition, think about the lifespan of the filtration system. It determines how often you will replace it and your overall replacement costs. And it would help to choose a reusable air filter after washing so you replace it fewer times.
Noise Levels
Air purifiers have varying noise levels, which may be measured as either sound power or pressure, with the latter having lower values for the same amount of noise. For example, when sound power is 70dB, the sound pressure will be 60dB
Usually, standard appliances produce noise ranging from about 15 to 70 dB. So, it would help if you chose your air cleaner wisely because the louder it is, the more likely you are to be bothered by the noise it produces.
However, air purifier fan speeds are proportional to the noise levels. Therefore, the lower the setting, the more silent the device is. At the same time, lower speeds tend to filter air much slower, leaving you exposed to pollutants for a longer time, affecting your health negatively.
Therefore, you need to choose an air purifier with several fan speed settings to adjust the filtration rate depending on your needs. In addition, you need to prioritize the appliance whose noise levels are tolerable for the long term, even at the highest setting.
Warranty
The higher the quality of the air purifier, the more likely the brand manufacturer is to back it up for longer. And you can use the warranty it offers to repair or replace your appliance parts for free or at a discounted price, depending on the terms and conditions.
So, look for products with extended warranties and customer service periods. For example, some brands may have warranties starting from five years, while others may offer limited lifetime warranties.
Certifications
Certified products offer an extra assurance that they meet the set industry standards. And while the U.S. environmental protection agency doesn’t certify air cleaners, it provides some safety guidelines that can be judged at the state or federal level.
For example, if you purchase an air cleaner in California, it must be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). And to meet the certification criteria, the product must be tested for electrical safety. In addition, if it is an electronic cleaner, it must pass the emissions test that limits the ozone emission concentration to 0.050 parts per million (50 ppb).
There is also the ETL certification. For a product to be EL certified, it must meet the rigid safety standards set by the nationally- recognized Intertek Testing Services.
Also, it would help if you considered Energy Star-certified air cleaners. These appliances are usually 25% more efficient than traditional versions. As a result, they could save you about $15 per year on your utility bills.
Portability
If you need an air purifier that you can carry around from one room to another when the need arises, seriously consider portability.
According to Consumer Reports, a typical portable purifier weighs 10 to 20 pounds. And those that have a higher capacity will likely weigh more. But that shouldn’t matter if you can quickly move it around.
Convenience
The convenience and air purifier offers depend on the features it incorporates. For example, an auto mode that automatically adjusts the filtration operation depending on air quality is one form of convenience.
You should also consider features such as intelligent sensors that can sense the changes in air quality, a timer that could enable sleep mode, and multiple fan speed settings for different pollution levels. Also, it would help if you looking for remote monitoring and control capabilities via a mobile app or an easy-to-use digital display through which you can control air quality.
We recommend reading Best Air Purifier for Mold, Viruses, and Bacteria.
Best Air Purifier for Smoke FAQs
When determining what is the best air purifier for smoke, you’re sure to have many other questions. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about the best air purifier for smoke and smokers.
What Type of Air Purifier is Best for Smokers?
The best air purifier for smokers will have a multi-stage Carbon/HEPA filtration that removes 99.99% of airborne particles. Smokers should select a designated area to smoke near the air purifier for maximum effectiveness and routinely change the filters.
Do Air Purifiers Work for Wildfire Smoke?
Air purifiers work for wildfire smoke, provided the air purifier has a large coverage capacity. Unlike cigarette smoke confined to a designated space, wildfire smoke can penetrate all areas of your home. If you purchase an air purifier for wildfire smoke, we recommend keeping several filters on hand, as you may need them based on the volume of wildfire smoke.
Can Air Purifiers Remove Smoke Smells?
Air purifiers best catch smoke particles before they can settle and cause stains or odors on surfaces like walls, ceilings, or furniture. Even with an air purifier, it is important to routinely clean your house to keep the smoke at bay.
Remember that once the smoke has penetrated materials like carpets, furniture upholstery, walls, and ceiling tiles, you will likely need to replace those items to eliminate the odor.
Do Air Purifiers Remove Weed Smoke?
Air purifiers can remove weed smoke from the air but will not eliminate the smell. The best way to remove weed smoke is to ventilate the area by opening doors and windows or using an exhaust fan that vents to the exterior. Air purifiers can help to reduce the amount of weed smoke in the air and make it less potent.
Are Air Purifiers for Smoke a Waste of Money?
No, air purifiers are not a waste of money. They can help remove smoke from the air and may help prevent some health problems associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. However, they cannot completely remove all traces of smoke from the home and should not be relied upon as the sole removal method.
The best way to manage the smoke smell is to avoid smoking indoors. If you do smoke inside, be sure to open windows and doors to allow for ventilation. Routinely cleaning your home can also help to remove the smoke smell from surfaces.
If you smoke inside and are looking for a more long-term solution, investing in a high-quality air purifier for smoke removal may be your best bet.
Where is the Best Place to Put an Air Purifier?
The best place to put an air purifier is in the room where you spend the most time. This will give you the most exposure to clean air and help improve your overall health. If you have more than one air purifier, you can also put one in each room you use.
Will an Air Purifier Remove the Smell in a Smokers Home?
Air purifiers effectively remove smoke before it settles on walls, ceilings, or furniture. However, it will not remove the smoke smell that is already penetrated furniture, carpeting, walls, and ceilings.
The only way to effectively remove the smoke smell from a house is to discard all furnishings and carpeting, clean the walls and ceiling surfaces, seal with a primer, and repaint.
