The 7 Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
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- Best CADR rating for smoke:Blueair Classic 680i | Skip to Review
- Best air purifier for smoke under $300:Bissell air220 Air Purifier | Skip to Review
- Best HEPA and carbon filtration:Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 2.0 | Skip to Review
- Best purifier for small rooms:Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto | Skip to Review
- Best smoke filtration for large rooms:Alen BreatheSmart 75i | Skip to Review
- Best for nighttime use:Levoit Core300 True HEPA Air Purifier | Skip to Review
- Best for using on auto mode:Bissell air320 Air Purifier | Skip to Review
Air purifiers are devices designed to remove potentially harmful particles from indoor spaces. If you’re concerned about smoke in your home or workspace, then you may consider looking for an air purifier made specifically to trap smoke from tobacco products or fires.
Overall, the best air purifiers for smoke have multiple types of filters to trap small particles and gasses. Depending on your needs and budget, you may consider a portable air purifier for a room or a larger device for an entire home.
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While using an air purifier isn’t the same as eliminating the source of smoke, purchasing one of these devices may help remove some of the harmful particles and give you peace of mind. Below are five air purifiers for smoke you may consider.
Our roundup of the best air purifiers for smoke is based on the following criteria:
- types of particles filtered
- device contains both HEPA and activated carbon filters
- room size the device can filter
- high smoke clean air delivery rate (CADR)
- additional technological features
- price
- customer reviews
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) certifications and Energy Star ratings
Pricing guide
The air purifiers for smoke included in this roundup fall within the following price ranges:
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Best CADR rating for smoke
Blueair Classic 680i
When it comes to filtering smoke out of the air, the higher the CADR rating, the more effective the filtration. If you’re looking for an air purifier with a high CADR rating, consider opting for the Blueair Classic 680i.
This model works in rooms up to 700 square feet and has a 450 CADR rating. You can even control the device on your phone via the Blueair Friend app.
The system weighs more than 43 pounds. But it’s also on wheels, so it’s easier to move between rooms. Some customers note a chemical odor during the first few uses.
Pros
- higher-than-average CADR rating
- works in large rooms
- quiet operation
Cons
- expensive
- heavy
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Best air purifier for smoke under $300
Bissell air220 Air Purifier
- Price: $$
- Coverage area: 259 square feet
- Best for: low-tech air purification
With a 4.7-average star rating on Amazon, this air purifier contains both high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon filters to capture smoke, allergens, and odors. It also has a quiet motor, which may be ideal for bedrooms and workspaces.
While this air purifier can be used in rooms up to 259 square feet on the highest change-per-hour setting, it has a lower smoke CADR rating of 172. Some users complain of the noise and a temporary plastic-like smell after purchase.
Pros
- small and sleek
- easy to use
- automatic night mode
Cons
- lower smoke CADR rating
- noisy
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Best HEPA and carbon filtration
Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 2.0
- Price: $$
- Coverage area: 1,500 square feet
- Best for: large rooms or whole-house purification
HEPA and activated carbon filters work together to trap particles and gasses contained in smoke — this is also sometimes referred to as hybrid filtration. One highly rated example of this in action is the Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 2.0.
This air purifier is made for large spaces up to 1,500 square feet. Note that while this air purifier has a higher price tag than some on the market, it comes with more features, such as a touchscreen and easy-to-read air quality scores. It’s also CARB- and Energy Star-certified.
Some customers report replacement filter shortages and a few who used the unit to capture cigar smoke indoors state that the purifier effectively captures smoke but doesn’t get rid of the odor completely. Other customers state that it’s effective for other types of smoke.
Pros
- large room coverage
- easy-to-use touchscreen
- shows air quality scores
Cons
- expensive
- might not eliminate smoke odors completely
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Best purifier for small rooms
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto
- Price: $
- Coverage area: 175 square feet
- Best for: moving from room to room
If you’re looking for an affordable purifier for small rooms, dorms, and workspaces, consider the Blueair Blue Pure 411. At 3.4 pounds, this device is portable and made for rooms up to 175 square feet.
Blueair’s filtration system, called HEPASilent, uses both mechanical and electronic filtration. This is important for people who want to avoid any amount of ozone creation in their spaces for health and safety reasons. Note that Blue Pure 411 is also CARB-certified.
Some customers complain about a lack of quality and a chemical-like smell upon using the device.
Pros
- 360-degree air intake
- fabric pre-filter captures large particles
- washable pre-filters
Cons
- highest fan setting isn’t as effective
- some users report that it’s noisy
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Best smoke filtration for large rooms
Alen BreatheSmart 75i
- Price: $$$
- Coverage area: 1,300 square feet
- Best for: large rooms or those looking for fancier features
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic is designed to purify the air in a 1,300-square-foot space in 30 minutes. It’s also one of the pricier options on this list. However, it comes with additional features, such as longer-lasting filters, less noise, and color-coded sensors.
While highly rated by customers on Amazon, there are a few complaints about the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, since the device is made for large spaces, it weighs over 30 pounds and doesn’t have wheels, which could make it harder to move from room to room.
Pros
- purifies large spaces
- color-coded sensors
- effective odor removal
Cons
- difficult to move from room to room
- warranty isn’t great
- expensive
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Best for nighttime use
Levoit Core300 True HEPA Air Purifier
- Price: $
- Coverage area: 219 square feet
- Best for: small rooms, nighttime use
The Levoit Core300 True HEPA Air Purifier has a dual system that excels at smoke removal. This air purifier filters smoke and other pollutants from the air through a three-stage filtration system that consists of a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter.
In addition to its triple filtration, it incorporates what Levoit calls Vortex Air Technology: While running, it creates a vortex that helps distribute filtered air evenly. And the 360-degree design ensures that the entire room is covered, no matter where you place the air purifier. Plus, it has a night mode that dims the light so it doesn’t disturb you while you sleep.
Pros
- quiet operation
- night mode
- low-maintenance
Cons
- pre-filter isn’t washable
- highest fan setting can be noisy
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Best for using on auto mode
Bissell air320 Air Purifier
- Price: $$
- Coverage area: 366 square feet
- Best for: setting it and forgetting it (using on auto mode)
The Bissell air320 Air Purifier combines a modern design with three-stage filtration (a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and charcoal filter) that can effectively remove smoke, dust, dander, and pollen. It has a five-speed fan that pulls air through all the filters, even in medium to large rooms, and a single dial that controls everything.
Users say this air purifier is especially efficient on auto mode, slowing down or speeding up its fan speed as needed to properly filter your air based on what’s happening in real-time.
Pros
- reliable auto mode
- single-dial operation
- modern design
Cons
- loud on higher settings
- need to use name brand filters
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| Product name | Price | Highlights | What it’s best for | Customer rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueair Classic 680i | $$$ | – highest CADR rating when compared to other home-use air purifiers | large rooms | 4.2 stars |
| Bissell air220 Air Purifier | $$ | – combines HEPA and carbon filters with a quiet motor | low-tech air purification | 4.8 stars |
| Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 2.0 | $$ | – purifies rooms up to 1,500 square feet – has high-tech features like a touchscreen |
large rooms or whole-house purification | 4.9 stars |
| Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto | $ | – portable, budget-friendly machine – combines electronic and mechanical filtration |
moving from room to room | 4.6 stars |
| Alen BreatheSmart 75i | $$$ | – purifies large rooms – has additional features like color-coded sensors |
large rooms, those looking for fancier features | 4.9 stars |
| Levoit Core300 True HEPA Air Purifier | $ | – three-stage filtration with Vortex Technology | nighttime use, small rooms | 4.7 stars |
| Bissell air320 Air Purifier | $$ | – three-stage filtration – five-speed fan that auto adjusts as needed |
using on auto mode | 4.7 stars |
When looking for the best air purifier for smoke, consider where you want to use the device. This can help you select the right size to do the job. You’ll also want to look for the following features:
The right filters
To get rid of smoke, look for an air purifier that is equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters. HEPA filters are designed to remove particles of all sizes and are considered standard in quality air purifiers.
Additionally, your air purifier should be equipped with activated carbon filters. These help trap the gasses contained in smoke.
Together, HEPA and carbon filters work to get rid of particles and gasses found in smoke. While many air purifiers on the market contain both, it’s important to double-check the product features to be certain.
A high CADR rating for smoke
A quality air purifier for smoke will also have a high CADR rating. The CADR applies to home air purifiers and measures how quickly the device cleans the air of various particle sizes. Unlike pollen and dust, smoke has a smaller particle size.
When it comes to finding the right air purifier, the higher the CADR rating, the better. When looking for air purifiers, you’ll see a CADR rating for different particle sizes and types. Make sure the device in question has a high CADR rating for smoke or small particles.
Ozone-safe devices
To prevent ozone emissions, you may consider purchasing a mechanical air purifier, or an electric one that has an emissions concentration of 0.050 parts per million or less. Some of these devices may also have a seal of approval from CARB.
Air purifiers may be a worthwhile purchase, but it’s important to know your overall goal before making this investment. In some cases, you’ll find that devices with more advanced features come with higher price tags.
If you want to get rid of occasional smoke, an air purifier may be worth the money. However, if there’s constant smoke in your work or living spaces, it’s best to address the underlying source of the smoke instead.
It’s also important to be aware of any aggressive marketing techniques that may be associated with air purifiers. No device will eliminate smoke entirely, and no device makes it safe to live with chronic exposure to tobacco or wildfire smoke.
How do air purifiers filter out smoke?
Air purifiers use something called mechanical filtration to remove smoke particles from the air. Mechanical filtration creates a physical barrier that literally traps particles of a certain size.
Many air filters use HEPA filters that can trap particles down to 0.3 microns in size. (For reference, smoke particles are around 2.5 microns.) Because of this, they can’t pass through the filter and instead get trapped, making the air you’re breathing cleaner and fresher.
Which air purifier is best for cigarette smoke?
Any air purifier with a HEPA filter that traps particles down to 0.3 microns in size will work for cigarette smoke. However, you also want to consider the clean air delivery rate (CADR).
CADR represents how quickly an air purifier can remove contaminants of different particle sizes, like smoke, from the air. CADR goes up to around 400 to 450, but a good baseline for smoke is around 100.
In short, the best air purifier for smoke combines an effective HEPA filter that filters down to 0.3 microns with at least a 100 CADR.
Do air purifiers work against smoke?
Yes, the right air purifiers work against smoke. They may not be able to eliminate odor and contaminants completely, especially if the smoke is ongoing, but they can help clean the air. The key is to choose an air purifier that has the right type of filters and fan speeds.
An air purifier may help get rid of smoke particles and related gases in your home or workspace. It’s important to find an air purifier that’s specifically designed for smoke. Some devices may specialize in other pollen, dander, and dust particles.
Our roundup of the best air purifiers for smoke suits different price points. Aside from your budget, you’ll also want to find a device with the right types of filters, a high CADR rating, and perhaps advanced smart features.
Keep in mind that no matter which air purifier you choose, the best way to get rid of smoke in the air is to remove the source. Talk with your doctor for more tips.
Last medically reviewed on April 11, 2023
How we reviewed this article:
Austra Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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