Best Air Purifier for Smoke

Whether you want to get rid of smoke smell from your apartment, or you want to remove pet dander, allergens and germs from the air inside your home, you need to find the best air purifier for smoke you can afford.

Of course, finding the best isn’t the same as finding the right one for you. And while there are many types and brands of air purifiers you can buy, an air purifier for smoke is specifically designed with special filtering technology that eliminates carbon odors (ie smoke) from the air.

To save you the time and hassle, our air purifier guide lists the top picks based on a comparison of several factors. There are, however, 3 key features we looked at in our air purifier for smoke reviews listed below:

• Quality Filters
• Performance (CADR Rating)
• Price

Scroll further below to read our detailed reviews, or check out our chart of the top picks for a quick breakdown.

10 Best Air Purifiers For Smoke Reviews

1. GermGuardian AC4825 22” 3-in-1 Air Purifier 

Best Suited For:

• Allergies, Smoke, Dust, Pet Dander, & Odors
• Small Rooms up to 167 Sq Feet
• CADR Smoke Rating: 108 (High)

Features:

• Dimensions: 22.9 x 14 x 54.6 cm
• True HEPA Filter
• Three 22” inch Purifier Filters
• Antibacterial UV-C Light Kills Germs
• 3 Speed Settings
• 3 yr Warranty
• AHAM Verified

Product Overview

Futuristic and sleek in design, the GermGuardian really does live up to its name. This air purifier has your back when it comes to removing the most overpowering odors. Whether you want to get rid of smoke smell from the air in your home, pet urine, or unseen germs and allergens, the GermGuardian 3-in-1 Air Purifier can handle it all.

Within minutes of being turned on, the True HEPA filter effectively works to removes 99.97% of dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, harmful germs, and allergens as small as .3 microns! Placed in a large room of 160 sq. feet and set at maximum speed (it has 3 settings in total), the GermGuardian’s 22’ inch purifier can filter the air 4 times in an hour.

A sanitizing UV-C light turns on or off with a switch, and is designed to kill harmful airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, rhinovirus. It also works with titanium dioxide to reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds). This is a very useful feature that can help keep toddlers, the elderly, and small children from contagious illnesses, especially during flu season.

To keep your GermGuardian working optimally, you’ll need to replace the HEPA filter every 6 – 8 months, depending on your level of use. The UV-C bulb should be replaced every 10 – 12 months. It only uses GermGuardian filters, which you can order as needed.

2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter

Best Suited For:

• Small – Med Rooms up to 360 sq ft
• Eliminates dust mites, pet dander, pollen, allergens, household odors
• CADR Smoke Rating: 232

Features:

• PlasmaWave Technology
• Washable AOC Carbon Filter
• True-Hepa Filter
• Washable AOC(TM) carbon filter, made from activated carbon granules for removal of household odors
• AHAM Verified

Product Overview

Whether you suffer from allergies or you want to get rid of smoke smell in your home, the Winix 5500 2 Air Purifier is designed to do both – and at a great price!

The Winix 5500 uses plasmawave technology to electrically charge particles in the air that cause unpleasant household odors. The particles are absorbed by highly activated carbon granules within the HEPA filter that can effectively remove 99.97?% of airborne pollutants, including smoke.

If your allergies are particularly troublesome at night, you can rest easy while the Winix 5500 works quietly through the night. The low-noise fan operates at a low 27 db, so you can rest peacefully and breathe easy. Built in smart sensors also detect pollutants in the air and activate as needed to purify your bedroom, kitchen, or living space within a few minutes.

3. LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Smokers Allergies and Pets Hair

Best Suited For:

• Removal of Household Odors, Smoke, Dust, Mold, Allergies, Bacteria
• Small – Med Room up to 130 Sq Ft.
• CADR Rating: 312 cfm

Features:

• Fine Preliminary Filter
• True HEPA/Activated Carbon filter
• Filtration System Cleaner Eliminators
• 3 Speed Settings
• Night Light
• 1 yr warranty
• CARB/ETL Certified

Product Overview

Released in 2017, the compact and elegantly designed Levoit Air Purifier LV-H132 is another amazing air purifier for removing smoke odors as well as allergens. Once activated, it rapidly removes odors 4x per hour, ensuring your entire room is smoke-free and allergy free.

To help you save on energy costs, the Levoit LV- H132 has 3 speed settings. Choose the highest setting for really overpowering odors and musty smells, or the lowest setting to remove smells from your kitchen directly after cooking.

Utilizing 3 filters, the Levoit Air Purifier LV-H132 works thoroughly and efficiently to purify the air in your home, office or other indoor space from smoke and other strong odors. The filtration system also has a Smart Filter Change Reminder which lights up to let you know when your filter needs to be changed.

4. VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Air Purifier 

Best Suited For:

• Removes Allergens, Smoke, Dust, Pet Dander And Household Odors
• Med – Large Room up to 325 Sq Ft.
• CADR Smoke Rating: 220 (High)

Features:

• HEPA Filter
• 4 Premium Activated Carbon Pre Filters
• 100% Ozone Free
• 3 Speed Settings
• Auto Shut Off Safety Mode
• Replacement Filter Every 6 – 12 Months
• AHAM Verified
• 2 yr warranty

Product Overview

100% O-zone free and ETL certified, the Veva 8000 Elite Pro Series is a tower air purifier with a special 4-filter system for removing cigarette smoke and other strong odors.  Using activated charcoal nano-technology, the Veva 8000 uses a HEPA filter to remove pesky allergens. The 3 activated carbon pre-filters absorb unpleasant odors, pet urine to rotten eggs, while extending the life of your HEPA filter.

Switch from tower to table top mode and enjoy the Veva 8000 at home, in your office, or your cottage. Use it in your garage to get rid of moldy smells. With its 3 speed settings, you can adjust the power as needed and save further on your energy costs.

The Veva 8000 is competitively priced and works well for a large room up to 325 sq ft,but works at a slower rate than some of the air purifiers included earlier in our reviews. Although it’s not as rapid as the Levoit or the GermGuardian, the Veva 8000 is still an excellent air purifier that will make a noticeable difference in the air quality of your home.

If you suffer from allergies as well as smoke, you might also be interested in our review of the best HEPA Air Purifiers.

5. AeraMax 300 Large Room Air Purifier

Best Suited For:

• Mold, Odors, Dust, Smoke, Allergens and Germs
• Med – Large Room up to 300 Sq Ft
• CADR Smoke Rating: 191

Features:

• True HEPA Filter
• 4-Stage Purification Filter System
• 4 Speed Settings
• AeraSmart Sensor
• True HEPA Filter
• PlasmaTRUE Technology
• Replacement Filters: True HEPA – #9287201, Carbon – #9324201
• Certified By Asthma And Allergy Foundation of America

Product Overview

If you’re looking for a powerhouse air purifier for a fairly large room in your home or office, the AeraMax 300 really is a great deal for the price. Its HEPA filter is certified by the Asthma And Allergy Foundation of America, and can remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air in your home [1].

Eye-catching and slick in design, the AeraMax 300 works best in any room up to 300 sq. ft in size. Using its 3 additional carbon filters, the AeraMax 300 removes odors like cigarette smoke and pet urine while capturing 99.97% of the allergen particles in the air. Built in plasmawave technology also ionizes the air continually to safely remove airborne pollutants and sterilize your home.

The AeroSmart  sensor feature adjusts automatically to the level of pollutants in the room. You can also choose between 4 different speed settings for the ultimate in efficiency and comfort.

Users agree that the AeroMax 300 Air Purifier is definitely worth the price, especially if smoke and seasonal allergies are a concern.

6. PARTU Hepa Air Purifier

Best Suited For:

• Removes Allergies, Dust, Pollen, Pet Dander, Mold
• Small Room up to 107 Sq Ft
• CADR Rating: 104 m3/hr (avg)

Features: 

• 100% Ozone Free
• 3-Stage Filtration System (incl HEPA Filter)
• Fragrance Sponge
• 3 Speed Settings
• Child-Lock Button

Product Overview

Highly rated by users, the Partu HEPA Air Purifier has been around on the market since March 2019 and is already making a buzz! Considering it’s ultra-low price point and features, it’s definitely worth inclusion in our reviews of the best air purifiers for smoke.

With its charcoal filter and HEPA filter, the 3-stage Partu HEPA Air Purifier effectively gets rid of smoke as well as allergies. It utilizes an Ozone-free technology to remove allergens and airborne pollutants that cause foul odors.

In addition to the 3 speed settings, the Partu HEPA Air Purifier includes a fragrance sponge that below the purifier air outlet. Simply add a drop of your own favorite essential oil and the fan will gently circulate the odor while purifying the air in your home at the same time!

The HEPA filter should be replaced every 6 -8 months and is available for under $20, which makes the cost of maintenance annually quite low.

7. Okaysou AirMax8L 19.4” 5-in-1 Air Purifier

Best Suited For:

• Residential, Small – Med Room up to 237 Sq Ft
• Odor Remover for Smoke, Dust, Pollen, VOCs and More
• CADR Rating: 180 m3/hr (high)

Features:

• True HEPA Filter
• Quiet Air Cleaner
• DUO-Filter
• 5-in-1 Filtration System:
• 3-in-1 ULTRA-filter (True HEPA)
• DUO-Filter
• 3 Speed Settings
• 100% Ozone Free
•  8-hr Timer
• Child-lock Function
• Filter Replacement Indicator

Product Overview

Rapid air purifying power is the defining feature of the next air purifier in our review, the Okaysou Airmax 8L. Designed for small rooms (eg children’s room, small home office or studio), the AirMax8L is quite large compared to other models we’ve looked at, but it has a nice exterior design that makes it suitable for almost any decor.

Once activated, the Airmax 8Luses an ultrafilter and duo filter to absorb up to 99.97% of airborne particles in your home. Even dust particles as small as .25 microns can’t escape the CE, FCC, ETL and CARB certified filter system that makes the AirMax8L so popular.

With a total of 5 filters, the AirMax8L safely breaks down and removes indoor odors, chemical vapors, smoke, and other pollutants 5 x per hour! The filter should be changed every 6 -8 months for the best results, but this depends on the level of air quality in your home and your level of use.

8. AIPER Air Purifier for Home

Best Suited For: 

• Large Room up to 322 Sq Ft
• Odor Eliminator for Smokers, Pets, Allergies, Mold, Smoke, Odors, Dust
• CADR Rating; 233m3/hr (High)

Features:

• True HEPA Filter
• 3-Stage Filtration System
• Built-in Air Quality Monitor
• 3 Speed Settings
• LED Display
• Remote Control
• Sleep Mode

Product Overview

Which air purifier is best for smoke? Get relief for your asthma, allergies, and seasonal colds with the Aiper Air Purifier for Home. Designed for residential use, the Aiper Air Purifier is a homeowner’s best friend when it comes to clean indoor air.

Take a load off of your HVAC system and let the Aiper Air Purifier’s built in air quality monitor do the work. The user-friendly LED display lets you know when the air quality is poor and automatically adjusts to the required fan setting. The 3-stage filter system works to eliminate airborne particles as small as 0.2 microns, and removes up to 99.97% of allergens.

Along with an air quality monitor, 3 speed settings, the AIPER Air Purifier also includes a remote control for added convenience. Once you place it in the room of your choice, you can operate it from anywhere else in the home!

Placed in a large room up to 322 sq ft. the ozone free filter system purifies air within 10 minutes at maximum setting, which is quite fast. The fan produces a low 30db of noise, so you can keep it running even while you sleep.

9. iGylar Air Purifier

Best Suited For: 

• Large Room up to 350 Sq Ft.
• Removes Allergies/Smoke

Features:

• 4-Stage Filtering System
• True HEPA Filter (ETL Verified)
• Negative-Ion Smart Air Monitor
• 5 Speed Settings
• Optional Child Clock
• 8-Hr Timer
• ETL Certified
• 2 yr warranty

Product Overview

When you need to get rid of smoke smell from a large indoor room, the iGylar Air Purifier is a great solution. This 4-stage air purifier is built for large rooms, up to 350 sq ft in size, and works rapidly to remove tobacco smoke as well as allergies and dust 4x per hour.

Choose from 5 different speed settings, including sleep and auto mode. With its Smart Air Monitor and negative-ion technology, the iGylar Air Purifier is Ozone free and energy efficient, with 5 adjustable speed settings. The Smart Air Monitor detects the level of air pollutants and selects the appropriate setting automatically so you don’t have to.

Available since 2017, the iGylar Air Purifier is ETL verified and you can use the timer to preset your air purifier for 1/2/4/ or 8 hours.  A child-lock function also prevents curious toddlers or pets from turning off the device by accident.

10. GermGuardian AC5350B 28-inch 4-in-1

Best Suited For: 

Small – Med Room up to 167 Sq Ft

Features:

• 4-Stage Filter System
• 5 Speed Settings
• True HEPA Filter
• UV-C Light
• Digital Display
• 5 yr Warranty

Product Overview

Trap allergies, kill airborne germs and get rid of smoke smell in your home with a GermGuardian C53508 Air Purifier. This is one of two GermGuardian products included in our review because GermGuardian makes some of the best air purifiers on the market.

The AC series of GermGuardian Filters are designed for optimum removal of harmful allergens and bad odors. A combination of carbon filters, titanium dioxide, and UV-C light technology ensures that even microns as small as 0.3 won’t escape, and up to 99.97% of the allergens will be captured.

Besides the HEPA filter for removing allergens, the activated charcoal pre-filter effectively removes kitchen odors, smoke, pet odors and musty smells from the air.

The GermGuardian C53508 requires replacement filters, Guardian filter C (FLT5000) or  4-Pk Guardian’s carbon filters (FLT28CB4) every 6 – 8 months.

What Is A CADR Rating?

CADR is an acronym for Clean Air Delivery Rating, and is used as a rating system for electronic devices that purify air [2]. The rate indicates how quickly your air purifier can remove odors and allergens per square inch. The higher the CADR, the faster the air purifier works. The higher the rating, the more particles it can filter, and the larger the area it can serve [3].

That said, homes may require different CADR scores depending on circumstances. For example, an air purifier intended for a 120-square-foot room with a standard 8-foot ceiling should have a minimum CADR tobacco score of 80 [4]. Generally, brands indicate the CADR rating in the description as well as the product name.

What Is AHAM?

When shopping for an air purifier, you’ll often see the CADR rating in the description, but who provides this industry-wide rating? The CADR for air purifiers is determined by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, or AHAM for short. This national organization provides quality standards for manufacturers throughout the US, ensuring that consumers receive the best in quality, performance and safety [5].

Which CADR Rating Is Best For Air Purifiers?

If tobacco smoke and other forms of indoor smoke are reducing the air quality in your home, look for an air purifier with the following CADR rating:

• Tobacco Smoke: 10 – 450
• Dust: 10 – 400
• Pollen: 25 – 450

Your need will be determined by the size of your room. AHAM recommends you use a two thirds ruling when searching for the right size air purifier for smoke. In other words, if your room is 200 sq ft, an air purifier with a CADR rating of 160 or more will sufficiently deodorize your room of smoke.

Conclusion: Air Purifiers for Smoke

Whether you choose a large room capacity air purifier, or you need something more compact for a small home office, the selections in our air purifiers reviews will help you get started in your search.

Consider reading user reviews for more insight into the brand that interests you, as well as information about its customer support. Should you encounter a problem with your air purifier, it’s always good to know the manufacturer has your back and will respond promptly.

References

[1] Asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program (AAFA)[2] What Is an Effective Portable Air Cleaning Device? (Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene)[3] Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (United States Environmental Protection Agency)[4] Recommended CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) Rating for Air Purifiers (SFGate)[5] Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)