The Best Air Purifier For Smoke (With Reviews)

It can be difficult to live or work with smokers if you are a non-smoker. It’s not just that second-hand smoke can be unhealthy or unpleasant, but also that the smell of smoke tends to linger for longer than most might imagine. It’s no surprise, then, that many smokers and non-smokers alike tend to invest in air purifiers to help with this issue. Not just any air purifier is going to do, though. You need an air purifier that can deal with smoke for this kind of issue or any other – like cooking in an electric smoker or even smoke coming from a real fireplace (as opposed to an electric fireplace).

Finding the best air purifier for smoke can be tough, but we’ve done the hard work for you. Not only have we found where the best air purifiers can be purchased but we’ve also researched each of them to determine what makes each device stand out. If you’re looking for the best air purifier to deal with the smoke in your home or business, you’ll definitely want to look at the examples that we’ve gathered below.

Best Air Purifier For Smoke In 2024

Every air purifier works a little differently. If you’re searching for the best air purifier for smoke, it makes sense to look for the device that works best for your particular situation. Take a look at the key features and reviews of the units below to see how each air purifier could help you with your needs.

NuWave OxyPure Large Area Smart Air Purifier

Modern air purifiers are a little different from those that you might have seen for sale years ago. Not only are they smaller and more compact, but many of these units boast the kinds of technology that put them, leagues, ahead of their older counterparts. If you’re in the market for a new air purifier for smoke, it’s a good idea to stop and get an idea of the features that you might see in some of the best units available today. One great place to start your search is with this fantastic air purifier from NuWave, a unit that really leverages new technology in some interesting ways.

Perhaps the most important way that this air purifier stands out is through its five-level filtration system. Almost every higher-end air purifier on the market right now is going to use a multi-level filtration system, both to catch more particulate matter and to ensure that the unit keeps functioning at peak condition. This unit goes a step farther than most with a fifth filter, which helps to remove more allergens and particles from the air. If you’re looking for something that’s more likely to remove the smoke from your living space, this is the kind of air purifier at which you need to look.

The air purifier is also particularly easy to use thanks to its wi-fi controls. Once it’s set up, you can control the unit from anywhere on your local network and make changes as necessary throughout the day. The unit is also fairly quiet even when operating at full speed, though it does have a sleep mode that makes it quiet enough that you can ignore the air purifier’s existence. If you want an air purifier that has all of the latest features, you’ll definitely want to consider this unit as the baseline for the rest of your search. 

Blueair 211+ Air Purifier

One of the last things most people think about when shopping for air purifiers is aesthetics. Not only are most consumers a bit more concerned with whether or not the unit actually works, but most seem to have resigned themselves to the idea that air purifiers have to look like industrial appliances. If you care about whether or not your purifier fits the decor of your room, you might want to consider a unit that’s actually got a bit of design sense incorporated into the device. One such choice is this excellent air purifier from Blueair, which incorporates a unique Scandinavian look. 

Yes, it’s possible to get an air purifier that looks unique even though it works just as well as the other top models that are available today. This one stands out mostly because it leaves its uniquely-colored filters uncovered, creating a look that’s a little more in line with European appliances than their American counterparts. This obviously isn’t the only factor that you need to keep in mind when looking at an air purifier to get rid of the smoke in your home, but it is one of those factors that can help you to choose between two similar models.

The good news is that you won’t have to worry about how well this particular machine works. Not only does it do a fantastic job of removing smoke and other pollutants from the air, but it also does so without drawing quite as much power as most of the similar air purifiers that are in the same size range. This unit is great for those who are worried about their energy bills but still need to deal with problems related to smoke, making it an ideal choice for those who are conscious about the aesthetics of their appliances as well as how they impact their bottom lines. 

Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier

Sometimes it makes sense to go a little bigger with your attempts to get rid of the smoke and related smells in your home. Though there are many good air purifiers that are meant for personal use or even for small rooms, they don’t solve problems in places like large kitchens or game rooms. If you’re looking to clean out the air in a larger space, you really do need a device that’s got a bit more power behind it. If that’s one of your goals, you may want to take a look at this unit from Coway.

The Airmega is one of those air purifiers that does a fantastic job of living up to its name. Designed to work in spaces of up to 1560 square feet, it’s one of the most powerful consumer models that you’re going to find. It is ideal for those who are trying to deal with the kind of smoke that can accumulate in a much larger area. It’s also got the kind of power that you need to keep dealing with the constant particulate matter that gets in the air of such spaces, giving you a better breathing experience overall.

This is also a fairly smart machine, with a pollution sensor that helps to keep you apprised of what’s going on in the air in your spaces and that can set itself appropriate to deal with an increase in allergens or particulate matter. It also has an excellent sleep mode that keeps the unit running quietly at night, allowing you to breathe easily without sacrificing your ability to fall asleep. If you are looking for the best air purifier for smoke in a large space, you really do owe it to yourself to take a look at this unit. 

Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier 2.0

Dealing with smoke and allergens in the air is, at least for some, something that goes beyond a mere annoyance. If you have respiratory problems, you’re going to need to deal with such problems in the kind of effective way that’s going to allow you to live your life a bit easier. Unfortunately, not every air purifier is really up to medical standards when it comes to filtration. Fortunately, this unit from Hathaspace really raises the bar in a way that’s not often seen elsewhere, providing users with an amazing experience on multiple levels.

The big advertising push with this unit is that it has medical-grade filtration. While this may only mean getting out a few more parts per million of allergens or pollutants from the air for most users, it’s a designation that carries with it a lot of weight. The unit really does go above and beyond to help keep the air in larger spaces clear, allowing many people to live their lives a bit more safely at home. Though every purifier on this list does do a very good job at eliminating smoke and other problem irritants, it’s still safe to say that this is the unit that does the most in that arena.

This unit also tends to feel a bit more advanced from the user side. It has a great air quality monitor that not only keeps track of the air quality in your home but also adjusts the purifier settings to compensate for rising pollutant levels. The unit also features an excellent touch screen panel that gives you all the information you need about the device while still making it easy to enact any kind of alterations to the running pattern that you might want to make. This is a fantastic machine for those who need a little extra power but who don’t want to sacrifice their user experience to get what they need. 

AIPER Air Purifier for Home

Most people who have never used air purifiers might be surprised at how loud these units can get. Though most of the units discussed on this list are on the quiet side, the truth is that any machine that relies on a fan can make a good bit of extra noise. If you’re looking for something that operates more quietly than average, though, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this air purifier from AIPER.

AIPER’s air purifier operates more quietly than virtually any other air purifier on the market. When set correctly, it’s about as loud as the ambient noise in a library – perfect for those light sleepers who still need some help keeping the air clean at night. The unit even features multiple timers so that you can set it to run during the day and it will turn itself off when you get ready to go to sleep.

What’s impressive about this unit is that despite being quiet it still does a great job of filtering out odors and particulate matter. In fact, it’s got an advanced filter that does a fantastic job of dealing with smoke, one that’s hard to beat even when comparing it to more expensive models. This unit is an ideal choice for those who want to get rid of the problems that come with smoke but who don’t want to create too much noise while doing so.

Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

Sometimes having the right information is the most important thing you can get from an air purifier. Though you always want something that’s going to do a good job of actually eliminating irritants from the air, knowing exactly what it’s doing can give you a better chance to make the right choices for your health. If you’re interested in getting more data from your air purifier, you’ll love this unit from Coway.

Coway’s Might Air Purifier might be meant for smaller spaces, but it’s still got a fantastic ability to communicate pollution levels to you in real-time. Not only will your air purifier use this data to ensure that it’s functioning at the right level to get rid of pollutants in your space, but it also gives you a better chance of knowing what the atmosphere is like before you start your day. If you suffer from problems like chronic asthma, this kind of information can literally save your life.

Fortunately, this unit doesn’t just provide you with information about air quality problems – it does something about them. The multi-stage filter is good for getting out a particulate matter of all sizes and does a fantastic job of dealing with smoke. You can set the unit to automatically compensate for rising pollutant levels or set it yourself so that you feel more comfortable, safe in the knowledge that either set is going to help you breathe more easily. This is a great unit for anyone who wants more control over the air quality in his or her home.

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies and Pets

Airflow is one of those features that you might not think about until you’ve actually purchased an air purifier. The stronger the airflow in your purifier, the more air it will be able to pull in and the more particulate matter it will be able to capture. If you’re specifically looking for something that is going to eliminate smoke, looking for a stronger air purifier really does make quite a bit of sense. If you find yourself in such a situation, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this excellent model from LEVOIT.

This device leverages VortexAir technology to not only increase the amount of air it can pull in and push out of the unit but also capture more of the pollutants that can make it hard to breathe. Particularly useful for those dealing with smoke, this is a great unit for removing overwhelming amounts of particulate matter out of the air without causing too much stress in your household.

Perhaps the most surprising feature you’ll find in this unit has to do with the noise it makes. One would expect an air purifier that’s this power to be noisy, but it actually operates at a decibel level close to some of the quietest air purifiers on the market. If you’re looking for something that’s going to help you to breathe a little easier no matter what is in your air, you definitely owe it to yourself to take a look at this fantastic air purifier. 

Mooka True HEPA Air Purifier for Large Room

One of the biggest reasons that air purifiers lose their efficacy over time has nothing to do with the design of these units and everything to do with the people who use them. The vast majority of air purifiers need to have their filters replaced from time to time, but many air purifier owners just aren’t aware of when this needs to be done. If you’re looking for something that will alert you to when it needs maintenance, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this model from Mooka.

One of the best features that you’ll find in this Mook air purifier is the simple alert system. This system will let you know how long you have until your filters need to be changed, giving you time to order new filters so that you won’t have to do without the purifier when the old filters stop working. Though this might not be an incredibly useful feature for those who are naturally more organized, it’s certainly very helpful for the rest of us.

With a great three-level filtration system, this is definitely the kind of device that you want to keep working in your home. It has three fan speeds to allow you a bit more control over how the unit works and three timers to allow you to control when it’s working, putting a fair bit of power in your hands. This is an excellent unit for anyone who wants to keep their air purifier working in peak condition. 

RIGOGLIOSO True HEPA Filter Air Purifier

The smell of ozone can, for some, be almost as bad as the smell of smoke. Unfortunately, it does seem like too many air purifiers these days will remove the smell of the latter only to replace it with the former. If you are looking for something that’s ozone free, you’ll love this air purifier from RIGOGLIOSO.

This air purifier is totally ozone free, using multiple purification technologies to help remove the smells and particulate matter from the air in your home or office. It’s a nice touch that eliminates a very problematic odor for many, helping them to get what they really need out of an air purifier for a smoke without having to sacrifice their comfort in their own homes.

The unit is also very user-friendly, helping to ensure that consumers can use the device without having to get frustrated with its operation. One of its best features is the sleep mode, which not only reduces the amount of noise made by the air purifier but also turns on a very useful night light. A great addition to any child’s room, this air purifier is also good for any space that needs to stay quiet after dark. If you’re looking for a new purifier that won’t leave behind an ozone smell, this might be the unit for you. 

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home

Air circulation really is a vital part of keeping the air in your home or office feeling fresh. Good air purifiers help with air circulation in general, but some of the best air purifiers for smoke do a great job of ensuring that the air in your room will circulate more often. If you’re looking for a little bit of extra circulation from your purifier, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this purifier from LEVOIT.

LEVOIT’s air purifier circulates the air in its operational space roughly once every fifteen minutes. This not only means that your air’s going to feel less stagnant because it is always moving but also that the unit is going to work harder to constantly pull in irritants like smoke. This is the kind of feature that not only helps the consumer to feel more comfortable in their own homes, but that proves that the unit is actually working.

This air purifier also some a few other nice features. It does feature advanced filtration that is great at getting smoke out of the air and it even has a smart filter change reminder to let you know when it’s time to perform some basic maintenance. If you’re in the market for a user-friendly air purifier that keeps the air in your room circulating, this might be the best fit for your needs. 

Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier with UV Light Sanitizer

UV-C light is one of the big features that’s becoming more and more common in the world of air purification. It doesn’t deal with particulate matter or pollutants, though; instead, this feature is designed entirely to deal with airborne illnesses. If you are looking for another layer of defense against viruses and bacteria, it does make sense to stop and think about how something like this unit from Germ Guardian can help you. 

If you’re looking at this unit, it’s almost certainly because it has a UV-C light. This feature leverages the fact that many viruses and bacteria tend to break down in the presence of UV light, at least over the long-term. The fact that this unit has a UV light that does stay on during operation does mean that it’s following some sound scientific principles, even if those principles may not be the same as those behind more traditional air purifiers.

The good news is that this is still a great purifier in the traditional sense. With a charcoal filter that reduces odors, it’s also a perfect choice for those who are sick and tired of dealing with the smell of smoke. Quiet and efficient, this is the kind of air purifier you’ll want to choose if you are looking for a little bit of extra protection against the things that ail you. 

Bissell Smart Purifier with HEPA and Carbon Filters

The elimination of odor is one of the most important aspects of dealing with smoke, at least as far as some people are concerned. It’s not that it isn’t important to get rid of the actual particulate matter that makes up smoke, of course, but rather than getting rid of the lingering smell is what makes the air feel clean. If that is your goal with your next air purifier, you’ll definitely want to look at this unit from Bissel.

Yes, Bissel makes air purifiers and actually does so quite well. Just as pet-friendly as its floor cleaners, this air purifier does an excellent job of cleaning all kinds of smells out of the air through the use of a specialized carbon filter. Though the three-stage filter for the unit also does a fine job of getting rid of pollutants, the simple fact that it keeps your air smelling clean can really be worth the price of admission. 

This unit also does a really good job of letting you know what the air quality is like in your home. It has an easy-to-read readout that tells you exactly what the air quality in a space is like, which both helps the unit to adjust its speed and gives you important data that you may need for your health. If you want to get rid of bad smells while also staying healthier, this might be the air purifier for you. 

Okaysou AirMax8L Air Purifiers

Sometimes it’s nice to know that the device you’ve bought has a little bit of extra thought put into its construction. This particular air purifier from Okaysou is rated as medical-grade, something that’s going to help those who have significant breathing problems feel a little safer when they’re in their own spaces. If your goal is to get an excellent filter that makes you feel comfortable, this might be the right unit for your needs.

Medical grade, in this case, generally means strength. The filter is especially good at getting pet hair and dander out of the air, but that strength also allows it to pull in and purifier more smoke-filled air. An excellent choice for those who are struggling with smoke-filled areas, this purifier can help to create a zone of safety that might otherwise be difficult to find.

This unit is also very easy on most consumers, both because it is very quiet and because it can fit virtually anywhere. A fantastic choice for those who have a limited amount of space in their homes, the unit can be set up to start purifying your air and then largely forgotten about once it gets to work. Simply put, this is a great air purifier for those who have significant respiratory needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do air purifiers help with smoke?

Yes, air purifiers help with smoke, Air purifiers are designed to remove pollutants from the air, so they’re almost all designed specifically with things like smoke in mind. Many modern air filters have special filtration steps made specifically to deal with smoke, from HEPA filters that can filter out small particles to carbon filters that are designed to deal with the odor generated by smoke. Air purifiers really are the best way to deal with smoke if you’re forced to be around it for a long period of time. 

Do air purifiers work for bushfire smoke?

Yes, air purifiers do work for bushfire smoke. Most air purifiers are rated to deal with pollutants and particulate matter as small as .3 microns, while bushfire smoke particles tend to be somewhere between .4 and .7 microns. This means that most HEPA filters are going to be able to easily trap the matter that makes up the smoke, though there is no filter of any type that will be able to perfectly filter out sustained smoke over a lengthy period of time. If you have no choice but to be in the path of the smoke, a filter might be the best choice for your health. 

Why should you buy an air purifier for smoke?

Regardless of whether it’s smoke from wildfires or cigarette smoke, smoke is bad for your lungs. Simply put, human lungs aren’t designed to bring in that kind of particulate matter and over time exposure can cause major health problems. If you can’t get away from the smoke, the next best thing you can do is to have an air purifier to eliminate as much of it from the atmosphere around you as possible. It’s not a perfect solution but it is the best thing you can do for your lungs. 

How does an air purifier for smoke work?

Air purifiers deal with smoke by cleaning out polluted air. You can think of these units as something close to a cross between a fan and a pool filter – they bring in the smoky air, clean out the air by passing it through multiple layers of filters, and then blow clean air back out. They tend to not only trap the particulate matter that makes up the smoke but they also deal with the smell of the smoke itself. 

Air Purifier for Smoke Buying Guide

Whenever you’re shopping for a product like the best purifier for smoke, you shouldn’t just be paying attention to the star ratings. While it can be great to know that many other consumers like a product, what you really need to know is whether the product is going to meet your needs. Figuring this out requires knowing the factors that are made or break for you, putting aside all of the fancy advertising buzzwords, and instead of looking at the things you really need from such a device. Below are just a few of the factors that should play a role in which air purifier you end up picking. 

Filtration Ability

The first, and perhaps most important, factor that you’re going to look at when choosing an air purifier is the filtration ability of the unit. Generally speaking, it’s not really worth looking at an air purifier that will get rid of less than ninety-nine percent of the pollutants in the air. Fortunately, virtually every unit that makes the “best of” lists is going to operate somewhere in the 99.7% elimination range, giving you a lot of freedom with this factor.

You may, however, want to put some effort into looking at how units tend to deal with smoke in particular. Almost every air purifier that deals with allergens and pollutants will do a decent job of filtering out smoke, but the best are going to use a combination of multi-stage filtration and carbon filters to eliminate both the particulate matter and the odor at the same time. Try to look at those units that can filter out the smell of smoke without replacing it with a strong ozone smell to really get the most from your purchase. 

Capacity/Power

The next thing you need to think about is the space in which you are going to use your air purifier. There’s a huge difference between something that you’re going to keep on your desk for yourself and something that you expect to use in a large room, and the number of features and even the price of the unit are going to largely be determined by that factor. It’s a good idea to stop and think about exactly where you plan on using your air purifier before you decide on what you’re going to buy.

It’s important not to make the make mistake that many consumers make and to assume that you need a bigger air purifier. While this is certainly going to be the case if you’re working or living in a big space, choosing a unit that’s too big is going to be a bigger power drain and make more noise than something that’s the right size for your needs. Going for something that’s a little bit bigger than necessary might be a good idea, but not if you’re choosing size over the expense of other more important types of functionality. 

Ease of Use

Air purifiers are great gadgets but many consumers often find themselves using them less and less as time goes by. It’s not because the purifiers aren’t effective, but rather because they are hard to use. If you want to make sure that you’ll keep using your air purifier for many years to come, you’ll definitely want to find something that is easy to use. The first step in doing this is usually making sure it has all the factors you need, but the second has much more to do with how you control the purifier.

There are many different types of purifier control schemes. If you don’t mind getting up close to the unit, you can choose something with manual knobs or a digital control scheme. Both work well and both can help you to control the unit, but they do require you to be right next to the device to change things up. If you plan on using your purifier in a larger space, it may make sense to find an air purifier that has a remote or that can work with a smartphone app. This will allow you to change settings even when you’re not next to the unit, giving you much more control over how it works. 

Extra Features

There are a host of extra features that come with air purifiers, some of which are more important than others. From the units that operate at a whisper-quiet level to those that have UV-C lights, these units pack in extra features that might not necessarily go along with the basic remit of air purification but that might seem tempting nonetheless. Start by looking at your major features first, but then look at these extras to make it easier to choose between two units that otherwise seem identical.