Depending on wherever you live, you could be breathing clean and fresh air or terrible smog. There is little that we can do about improving air quality by ourselves outside the home. But the inside is a different matter.
Getting a high-quality room air purifier will offer relief from allergies and asthma caused by smoke, dust, pollen, microbes, and other allergens. Air purifiers are great if you have pets, dust, or pollution in your home, but especially if you deal with a lot of smoke.
Finding a good air purifier does not have to be a chore, although many designs can be perplexing. To help you choose the best air purifier for smoke, we have reviewed the best air purifiers on the market, choosing the best air purifier for smoke for you.
| Model | Operation | Type | CADR |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier | HEPA | Tabletop | N/A |
| SilverOnyx | HEPA, Electrostatic, UV | Tabletop | 140 |
| Advanced Pure air Shield Air Purifier | HEPA, Electrostatic, UV | Floor | N/A |
| Oreck WK16002 | HEPA | Floor | 200 |
| Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 | HEPA, Electrostatic | Floor | 165 |
| Alen BreatheSmart 75i | HEPA-Type | Floor | 159 |
Budget Selections
#1. VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier
VEVA’s innovative model will quickly displace smoky air in the typical room – making it a strong contender for the title of ‘best air purifier for smoke. The unit can be configured for use on either floors or desks by fixing or detaching its base.
The unit uses dual-stage filtration, including a true-HEPA plus activated-carbon pre-filter elements that remove smoke and other microscopic particles and undesirable smells.
The activated-carbon pre-filter applies nano-particle technology to neutralize odors and boost filtering capacity, lengthening the HEPA media’s operating life.
Filter changes are easy with this unit. You will only need to remove the existing element, then affix new media using the Velcro edging before re-inserting the package.
A protective mechanism powers down the unit whenever the front cover is off for better child safety. The package includes one additional HEPA as well as three activated-carbon media. Overall, this is a solid machine, and a great budget buy.
#2. SilverOnyx
SilverOnyx’s trim tower has five filtration stages. A carbon pre-filter and the HEPA element work together to remove 99.97% of all smoke and dust fumes as well as pollen, mold, dander, and other polluting particles. The combination cartridge features a mesh-type pre-filter along with the HEPA and activated carbon media.
The cartridge’s multiple pre-filters will handle the largest flecks and many odors. Using its touchscreen controls, UV-C treatment can be engaged to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and mold spores also. An anion (negative-ion) generator also helps to remove many lighter allergens.
The low 140 CADR rating of this model’s filtration stage is compensated for by its ionizing treatment. Both operate jointly to neutralize most bacterial microorganisms while freshening the air in spaces of up to 200 square feet in total area.
The airflow on this device is easily adjusted using simple controls on its housing. The brushless (BLDC) motor operates silently and efficiently at all times. Five fan-speed settings will let you set it to handle various conditions, which a timer can control.
A particulate-matter sensor auto-adjusts flows according to air quality indications. These are monitored and shown on a digital readout and also indicated by colored LEDs.
The housing has a space-saving footprint with a compact form that will fit almost any small space. The bluish glow can be nice to behold in the dark, but it is just as nice that it can be turned off as needed.
The SilverOnyx will be useful to users who need a lightweight but powerful air purifier to handle most allergens while traveling. It’s a strong contender for the title of ‘best air purifier for smoke’, though it isn’t perfect for everyone.
#3. Advanced Pure Air Shield
Advanced Pure air offers nine stages of filtering in this stylish floor unit. It removes a wide variety of aerial pollutants, such as smoke, pollens, microbes, dander, mold, odors, and so on.
The combination of pre-filters, True-HEPA filters, and electrostatic treatment removes smoke and most allergens, while activated-carbon pre-filtering absorbs unpleasant smells, fumes, and gaseous particles. Anion generation also displaces smoke fumes and lowers carbon monoxide levels.
Second photocatalytic stages plus the UV treatment further eliminate molds, mildew, fungi, and household microbes, and a range of odors, while antimicrobial UV treatment kills most bacteria and viruses.
The manufacturer claims that the unit can handle 800 square feet in area. Given its filter sizing, we believe that it is more likely to handle around 250 square feet.
The silent fan auto-adjusts speed according to air quality readings. Intuitive controls on the clear display and the remote will let you customize the 5-speed fan operation.
Aside from the 4-mode auto-on/off timer function, you can manually set things or program operations to stop once the ideal air quality has been restored. Auto-mode does not always work as expected, however.
The main HEPA media needs to be replaced twice a year to maintain optimal performance, unlike many premium air purifier designs. Diagnostics do show when to replace filters and attend to other maintenance tasks.
Advanced Pure air’s Air Shield Air Purifier offers a range of effective filtering and treatment stages. This model should please homeowners who need to apply its full range of purification to different areas, but they should be realistic about its actual capacity. Because of the tech involved in this machine, it’s definitely a strong contender for the title of ‘best air purifier for smoke’.
Mid-Range Selections
#4. Oreck WK16002
Oreck’s large and powerful machine offers dual-stage filtration, with carbon and other pre-filter elements that help eliminate smoke, kitchen, and various other chemical odors. Its 200 CADR rating indicates that the unit can handle rooms of up to 250 square feet in area.
The device allows you to operate in manual or automatic mode using the intuitive controls, even as a lighted bar changes color to indicate current room air quality. The auto-adjust mode engages sensors that monitor room conditions and optimize fan operation accordingly.
The controls atop the housing are LED-lit and include power, auto-mode, and speed selection, plus timer operation. Lighting can be set to stay off but for the power symbol.
The auto-adjust mode monitors room conditions and will optimize fan operation according to the levels of smoke, pollen, and other airborne pollution.
The majority of homeowners will likely enjoy the results by leaving the speed manually set to the fastest levels possible. This model is already among the quietest in its range. It is also relatively easy to move around as well using the built-in carry notches.
There are a few operating conveniences, such as a multi-setting timer in which timed operation can be set to auto-mode and 2, 4, and 8-hour periods. The need to constantly replace the filters will boost long-term costs somewhat, but the decently long 2-year warranty coverage is a plus.
The Oreck WK16002 impresses owing to its quiet and yet powerful purifying performance. It is our pick for the best air purifier for smoke in the middle-range market.
#5. Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0
Rabbit Air’s sleek, quad-stage machine is quite the performer. It features a tri-filtration system with a true-HEPA element that eliminates 99% of all smoke, pollens, dander, molds, and other sub-micron allergens. With its decent 165 CADR rating, it should handle spaces of up to 200 square feet in total area.
A permanent but washable pre-filter smartly fronts the filtering system. At this stage, larger particles such as pollens, pet hairs, and dust mites are stopped from passing through, which helps to extend the operating lives of the other filter media.
Activated-carbon media then traps smoke, smells, and various VOCs. The main HEPA filter is of superior designs that maintain filtration efficiency over an extended amount of time. The last-stage anion generator can be switched off if you prove sensitive to its operation.
Ultra-silent filtration is this design’s one obvious advantage. At its slowest, the unit generates soft white noise, which helps to disguise outside noises that intruded into space.
Filtering is engaged with the front panel’s easy-to-use controls or via the included remote, duplicating all critical settings.
An integrated timer can also be set to switch off things in specified time intervals. Auto-mode setting can be quite convenient for smartly optimizing fan speeds, as the sensors can be programmed according to any of 3 sensitivities.
A convenient storage nook accommodates the remote; there is a handle on the housing for moving the unit around.
Running auto-mode continuously every day should provide for at least 18 months of operating life. A LED indicating filter life will prompt you when replacement is needed.
Of the three filtration packages, only the pre-filter and the primary HEPA media need to be replaced regularly; the pre-filter element can be washed as needed.
With Rabbit Air’s BioGS 2.0, it is trivial to have the air in regular-sized rooms continually refreshed at an economical cost, making this capable unit our pick for the best air purifier for smoke and other fine airborne pollutants.
Top Of The Line Selections
#6. Alen BreathSmart 75i
This top-of-the-range model will suit anyone who wants the best and is willing to pay for it. The Alen BreathSmart purifier is a beast of a machine. It has a CADR of 347, runs on five speeds (including turbo), and removed 99.9% of airborne contaminants.
This air purifier uses Smart Sensor technology. It is able to automatically detect the air quality in the room, and it adjusts accordingly. The filter needs to be changed every 9-12 months, and it runs on just 36 watts on the highest setting. This filter covers 700 square feet.
It’s also available in a wide range of colors, making it fully customizable for your home. Overall, if you are looking for an air purifier truly deserving of the ‘best air purifier for smoke’ title, this is it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use air purifiers?
Modern homes tend to be sealed well for better energy efficiency, which may be good for lowering electric bills but can bring about nasty indoor smells and fumes. However, all manner of pollutants gets trapped as a result.
Fumes and leftover smell released when cooking and cleaning, pollen blown in through opened windows or doors, cigarette smoke and pet dander traveling around on your clothes and upholstery, and volatile organic compound (VOC) outgassing from rugs and furniture, all of these can ruin your days.
Some chemical pollutants can induce allergic and even toxic reactions without you even knowing, making affected rooms unpleasant for those sensitive to airborne allergens and bad odors.
The popularity of purifying air has seen a variety of HEPA units become available. More sophisticated models tend to incorporate multiple stages that apply efficient combinations of filtration and treatment.
What is a true-HEPA filter?
High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) technology provides the most efficient filtering. It is not that expensive to implement, but true-HEPA media must meet official standards that mandate eliminating no less than 99.97% of all 0.3-micron-sized or larger airborne particles.
Many models incorporate one or more mesh and carbon pre-filters in their air path to handle these larger contaminants and chemical fumes, and organic smells.
Be aware that some mechanical filters do not use true-HEPA filtration media, so it would be wise to check if a certified element is present.
Some designs supplement mechanical filtering with ionizing/electrostatic stages. These work by reversing the electrical polarities of pollutant molecules for later removal.
As these are attracted by oppositely charged flooring, walls, furniture, and clothing, the particles are eventually displaced from indoor air.
Most ionizers produce various amounts of ozone byproducts at normally safe levels. More sensitive users can avoid possible irritation by turning these electronic treatments off.
What are the benefits of having an air purifier?
- Relieves allergies. Continuous filtration of massive volumes of indoor air removes the causes of allergies that result from exposure to irritating airborne pollutants.
- Allows better breathing. Without smoke and other allergens to irritate your sinuses and nasal passages, you will experience better breathing.
- Improves moods. Cleaner environments will relieve you of breathing stresses while improving your daily well-being, letting you relax and think better.
- Balances sleep time. You will be able to sleep better at night with the confidence-inspiring relief that fresh air brings.
What should I look for in an air purifier?
- Multiple-stage filtering. A pre-filter that suppresses chemicals, gas, and other fumes with activated-carbon elements is often integrated. These will also trap larger specks before they can clog the primary filter, lengthening its effective lifespan. Primary filters have to be replaced or cleaned every so often, with higher attendant costs for some models.
- Quality and durability. A good design and build, along with protective handling, can affect performance. Only true-HEPA filters with certifications will meet official standards. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) generally rates a unit’s capacity to trap smoke, dust, and other airborne contaminants, models featuring higher CADR will have greater operating efficiency.
- Capacity. Lesser designs employ filters with less surface area that will need more frequent yearly changes as a result. Premium filtration media are normally designed to be changed after two or more years in constant use.
- Ultraviolet stage. Microbes and similar organic pollutants can be eliminated via long exposure to UV light. However, most aerial particulates course too quickly for proper neutralization. This is why we tend not to regard UV treatment as vital to the general effectiveness of most air purifiers.
- Electrostatic collectors. Some electrostatic models integrate precipitators that work to collect the reverse-polarized particles using charged plates.
- Low noise levels. Faster fan speed will typically result in more noise. Models with controls for adjusting airflow speed and noise are better for more noise-sensitive users.
- Costs. A pre-filter that only has to be vacuumed and washed is normally preferable over media requiring frequent replacement. More advanced air purifiers typically include longer-lasting pre-filters.
Conclusion
A smaller air purifier stationed at your office can provide relief during your workday, while a bigger model at home will keep your evenings invigorating.
The Rabbit Air’s BioGS 2.0 offers quiet but capable air filtering with low maintenance and economical operation for most rooms.
The simple and intuitive design, near-silent operation, and good performance in eliminating fine airborne pollutants are nearly good enough to qualify it as the best air purifier for smoke.
Oreck’s WK16002 offers good filtration quality and runs quietly enough to please the majority of users. We think it is a reasonably-priced alternative for regular-sized rooms.
However, it’s the Alen BreathSmart 75i that really impresses us. This unit is the most powerful, effective, and energy-efficient air purifier on this list. It’s definitely the best air purifier for smoke and maybe the best air purifier available on the market today.
Karie is a science-obsessed writer with a sensitive nose. She has been using air purifiers for many years, and uses them obsessively to keep her home dust-free. She is passionate about helping people find the right air purifier for them.