There were times during which air purifiers were considered to be things suitable for only chronically ill people or people with phobias from pollution, bacteria, or simply those who are obsessed with cleanliness. Such days are long gone as we are well-educated on the subject of the best air purifiers for smoke.
The level of allergens and dirt in our homes can cause serious health problems. You know that cigarette smoke is very harmful and the smell of cigarettes itself is not very pleasant. It is pretty harmful and dangerous for asthmatics and people with lung problems. This is especially important if you have young children. This is precisely why these cigarette smoke cleaners are the top products on the market.
In our buying guide, we will introduce you to reviews of the air purifiers for the smoke. You will also encounter the pros and cons of air purifying systems, tips, types of units, installation, and maintenance. We have selected units for those of you who are looking for a budget option or willing to spend a little bit more.
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Why Should You Buy an Air Purifier for Smoke?
There are more than 28 reasons you need an air purifier. One of them is to remove cigarette smoke from indoor air and avoid the harmful effects of pollutants on our health. That is why an air purifier is as important as healthy eating or drinking clean water. It may sound frightening, but the air you breathe indoors might be more polluted than the outdoor air. This is another reason you need a purifier.
Also, such a device can be very useful if you have a newborn baby if there is a pregnant woman or children in the house. These units are not only good for young people and families with children, but they can also improve health and stimulate the immune system of elderly people as well.
Getting an air cleaner is a good idea if you suffer from allergies and you try hard to get rid of the dust, pollen, and dander. The air purifier will really help defeat your allergies so don’t overlook this. Only this device could ease your symptoms and make you feel comfortable. You can also have a look at our air purifiers for allergies reviews.
Next, if you live near a major road with heavy traffic or if you live near an industrial area with factories, the air purifier will absorb the harmful particles in your home.
These purifying devices are also perfect for offices because personal computers, laptops, printers, and fax machines have low levels of gas chemicals which could be easily inhaled. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove the smoke and pollutants can seriously damage the air quality inside your home. You can measure this by using an efficient home air quality test kit.
Such air will also cause breathing difficulties and other health problems. Having an attached garage, the bad car emissions and fuel smoke could get into your living area. This could be a potential danger to your family’s health and have an air purifying device will be a great solution.
Using the right eco-friendly heating and cooling devices at home is also crucial. Pair your air purifier with the right heater or air conditioner and enjoy maximum results.
Best Air Purifiers for Smoke Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier |
| View On Amazon | |
GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Purifier |
| View On Amazon | |
LEVOIT LV-H132 Purifier with True Hepa Filter |
| View On Amazon | |
Hamilton Beach 04386A Air Purifier |
| View On Amazon | |
LEVOIT LV-PUR131 Air Purifier |
| View On Amazon | |
PARTU HEPA Air Purifier |
| View On Amazon | |
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier |
| View On Sylvane |
Best Air Purifiers for Smoke – (Updated List)
First, we have prepared a few short reviews for you that will take you straight to the finest units out there. There are 7 top products to consider so check the section below thoroughly. Our experts have come up with short descriptions and have highlighted some details for you. The write-ups are not in a particular order. You can check them all out and see which one is the best for you.
1. PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier
The PureZone Air Purifier, by Pure Enrichment, is with True HEPA, UV-C light, and Activated Carbon. It is 12.1 inches high, which is a bit smaller than other devices. This one also has night settings. When these settings are on, the device will work very quietly and without any lights. Again there are timer settings for 2, 4, or 8 hours or also you can choose to have it run constantly.
Thanks to the 5-year warranty, the manufacturer will replace your device for free. The PureZone air purifier‘s design is very sleek, clean, modern, and elegant. It actually could complement the decoration in your room. It’s powerful enough to filter 200 square feet of air. The unit has a replaceable filter which will last for around 6 months. It is good to remove and clean the top layer of the filter (“pre-filter”) once a month by vacuuming it off or if it is necessary you can wash it with soap and water.
Besides the initial plastic smell coming out of the unit, there’s really no other downside. Well, the air might feel a little bit drier but that’s it.
2. GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Purifier
The Germ Guardian air purifier by Guardian Technologies is one of the best air purifiers. With its HEPA filter, it manages to capture 99.97% of the household dust and allergens and to purify the air from unpleasant odors.
Thanks to the UV-C light technology which works with Titanium Dioxide the airborne bacteria, viruses, germs, and mold spores are all killed. The 3-in-1 Air Purifier is perfect for allergy sufferers. The device captures dust and allergens as small as 3 microns in size. It is only 22 inches tall and you can choose from 3 speeds of operation. This air purifier is perfect for small and medium-sized rooms. It is very suitable for places where you smoke or for kitchens because odors disappear rather quickly.
А small disadvantage is the fact that as soon as you turn the purifier on, there is a smell of plastic that will fade after some use. In some cases, regardless of the degree of work, the filter needs to be changed more often given the environmental pollution. The life of the filter should be anywhere between 6 and 8 months but sometimes a more timely change is required. The blue light of UV-C is not very pleasant at night, but if you want you can select the UV-C on or off using the mode button.
3. LEVOIT LV-H132 Purifier with True Hepa Filter
LEVOIT LV-H132 is another purifier for smoke and not only because of the true HEPA filter. It helps you get rid of 99.97% common allergy triggers like dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander.
The device has also a 3 stage filtration system with an included pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. There are low, medium, and high-speed settings.
An upside is that LEVOIT presents us with a 2-year warranty and lifetime support. In order for the device to be ozone-free, this air purifier isn’t an ionizer and it doesn’t use UV-C light. The device Quietly operates throughout the night and has a night light with two brightness settings. This purifier is pretty small, only 14,5 inches, compared to other devices and it is also visibly pleasing thanks to its design and touch controls.
On the other hand, the cons are that on average, the filter should be replaced every 6 months but may need to be replaced sooner or later depending on the air quality in your area. The air filter absorbs a lot of moisture too. This unit could give off some heavy chemical smell when you first start using it. If the device works a long time at the high speed it could also emit a plastic smell.
4. Hamilton Beach 04386A Air Purifier
This device is again an allergen-reducing air cleaner, but it is suitable for large-size rooms up to 160 square feet. The unit is ideal for bedrooms, offices, and dens. There are 3 Ultra-quiet speed settings. The air cleaner is 13.5 inches high and it has some great tower design. You can use it horizontally or vertically. It’s easy to move from place to place. Also, Hamilton Beach gives you a one-year warranty.
The Permanent HEPA-grade filter is an advantage. It can be vacuumed clean and it won’t break your budget. Depending on usage it is good to vacuum it every three to six months. This Permanent filter can save you some good money per year. Notice that this is a HEPA-grade filter, not an original HEPA filter.
A disadvantage is that you can’t place it in a kitchen, a garage, or an area with grease, oil or chemicals. The unit isn’t as flexible as other air purifiers. Also, if you want the best air-cleaning results you must select a location with adequate air circulation.
Another disadvantage is that it doesn’t clean pet hair. There are specific top-end air purifiers for pets. Similar to most other devices, this air purifier has the same strange plastic smell upon first use.
5. LEVOIT LV-PUR131 Air Purifier
Here we have again a 3 Stage Filtration System with a Pre-filter, a true HEPA, which should be replaced every 6 months, and an activated carbon filter. Just like other devices, this one captures and neutralizes various household odors such as cooking smells, pet odors, and cigarette smoke. It refreshes your air only in 10 minutes. The unit is about 18.5 inches tall and covers an average to a large living room. LEVOIT company gives you a 2-year warranty and lifetime support.
This Levoit device is 100% ozone free and does not use UV or Ions. It has a Smart Auto mode which can indicate the surrounding air quality. One of the best things is that the unit automatically suggests fan speed to purify the air faster. You can set on the timer for anywhere between 1 to 12 hours of work per day.
The sleep mode sets the purifier to its lowest level without the well known disturbing noise. The low and medium fan settings are extremely quiet too, but on the highest level speed, it can be a bit annoying. There is an uneven fan noise which means the unit isn’t perfectly balanced. The auto mode doesn’t neutralize the odor and smoke very efficiently.
Click to see levoit replacement filters.
6. PARTU HEPA Air Purifier
You have limited space at home, but you feel like the air you breathe is not clean enough. Then this PARTU HEPA purifier is the thing you may need. You can rest assured that this device will remove 99,9 % of most of the air pollutants, as well as dust, smoke, odor, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen. All this is possible thanks to its three stages of filtration, which consists of an activated carbon filter (responsible for eliminating all undesired odors), a HEPA filter (in charge of trapping all small particles), and a pre-filter (which captures bigger particles).
One of the definite benefits of this product is its compact design. If you don’t have a lot of space at home, you shouldn’t worry as this purifier can fit any place. Also, don’t panic that your children or pets won’t be safe around this device because it has a specially designed new technology lockset. Thanks to it, the purifier will get locked if your child or pet is too curious and decides to press any of its buttons. Last but not least, this product can also produce a nice fragrance. The only thing you need to do is put an essential oil drop and some water on the sponge under the air purifier’s outlet.
We may consider the fact that you need to change the filter every 3 or 6 months for a disadvantage. Nevertheless, changing the filter won’t cost you more than 25 dollars.
7. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
The first device we are going to look at is Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier. It has a 4 Stage FIltration which includes a Pre Filter, a Carbon Filter, an original HEPA filter, and an Ionizer.
The new thing here is the Eco Mode. When no pollution is detected for 30 minutes, the fan will automatically stop to save energy consumption. The Fan Speeds are on 3 levels. Also If you want you can set a timer for 1, 4 or 8 hours. It’s perfect for middle-sized rooms. The Air Quality Indicator uses a particle sensor technology to monitor indoor air quality. There is a color change to show the air condition. The unit adjusts automatically the airflow speed based on the air quality level.
The disadvantages here are that this air purifier does not pick up the cigarette smoke very efficiently. It’s necessary to clean the filter more often than the other devices, sometimes every two weeks depending on the air quality. It is acceptably quiet at the first and the second speed, but at the third, which is the highest, it is a bit noisy. And last but not least, the light for showing the air condition is with vivid brightness and it may be irritating.
Pros & Cons of Air Purifying Systems
As useful as they are, air purifiers have amazing benefits. However, like any other system, they have some cons as well. Here is a list of pros and cons to keep in mind when you select the most suitable purifier for your home or office. We will outline the main advantages and disadvantages of the various components.
HEPA- high-efficiency particulate air
Pros
- Captures 99.97% common allergy triggers like dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander and etc.
- Cleans the air
Cons
- Often overpriced
- Replacement should cost about 40-50 dollars, but it is often about 100 dollars.
UV- ultraviolet light
Pros
- It is used for hospitals and purifies the air
- Kills germs, bacterias, viruses and etc.
- Sanitizes the air
- Supports the immune system
- Purifies the air
Cons
- It purifies the air, but it doesn’t clean it.
- Change bulb each year
- Replacement should be10-20 dollars.
Carbon
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Captures gas, odors, fumes
Cons
- Must be replaced
- Doesn’t clean the air
- Overpriced
Pre-filter
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Washable
- Captures hair
- Extends the life of the HEPA
Cons
- Doesn’t clean much
Ozone filter
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Kills mold, odor
- Treats the air
Cons
- Doesn’t capture dust, pollen
- Too much harm the lungs
- Doesn’t clean
- It isn’t a good primary filter but is good for smoke and odor.
Ion
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Captures gas, odor, and fumes
Cons
- Must be replaced
- Doesn’t clean
Air Purifier for Smoke Buying Guide
It’s a fact that most people overpay for the wrong purifier because they are not fully aware of the characteristics of those systems. Some companies overcharge for replacement filters, aiming to have higher profit rates. So follow these little pieces of advice:
- Get an air purifier with replacement filters at a lower price.
The well-known washable plates aren’t very effective. They will remove odor and some pollution but don’t count on them to remove dust. They are also not very useful against pollen and different kinds of allergies. You can loom for a top-rated humidifier for allergies, instead. Washable plates can also create harmful ozone which as you know could damage our environment a lot. - Get an air purifier with a genuine HEPA filter.
Most of the companies take care of their clients by giving them very good warranties, because, bad warranties mean poor reliability. So if you want a lifelong air purifier you should: - Find an air purifier with a solid 3-5 year warranty especially on the device’s motor.
Please note that in order to get maximum efficiency, the device must be of the right size. An air purifier can only clear the air if it gets inside the machine. Which means that the purifier will constantly move the air in the room. For that movement to happen a motor and a fan are needed.
These are the parts of the purifier that are going to make some noise. This should not alarm you, because if the purifying device doesn’t make any noise then it is not working very efficiently. Even if the motor and the fan are very silent you should still hear the movement of the air.
Types of Air Purifiers
Air purification may occur on many different levels within a device. Some of the products on the market combine the performance of a number of air purification techniques. Here we will help you become familiar with the 10 most popular methods and filters to purify your domestic air.
HEPA
These filters are composed of a mat of randomly arranged fibers. The fibers are typically composed of fiberglass. The most important factors affecting the functions are fiber diameter, filter thickness, and face velocity. The common assumption that a HEPA filter acts like a sleeve where particles smaller than the largest opening can pass through is incorrect and impractical. Unlike membrane filters at this pore size, where particles as wide as the largest opening or distance between fibers cannot pass at all, HEPA filters are designed to target much smaller pollutants and particles. They are a must for smoke-free homes.
UV or Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
UVGI can be used to sterilize the air in different areas of living. They utilize UV lamps and forced air. Air purification UVGI systems can be freestanding units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves micro-organisms past the lamps. The main key to this form of sterilization is the right placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead microorganisms.
Ti02
Sunlight makes plants leap to life and (indirectly) powers our bodies. But did you know that the light from the sun can help clean things as well? In air purifiers that work using a method called photocatalysis, light energy starts a process that zaps all kinds of nasty air pollutants and turns them into harmless substances instead. This can be very useful for people who suffer from asthma and allergies. The light-powered air purifiers are another weapon in the fight for cleaner air and better health.
Electrostatic
These are washable furnace filters that work by having multiple layers of vented metal in which the air passes through. As the air passes through the first layer of filtration, the air molecules are positively charged by the friction between the air and the filter. The new positively charged air molecules attach themselves to the next few layers as they pass through the rest of the filter. This process uses static electricity which is released. It is the air shooting across your air filter that creates a charge and traps dust particles in the filter.
Carbon or Zeolite
Similar to other types of air filtration, carbon filtering is a method that uses a piece of activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities. Each piece of carbon is designed to provide a large section of the surface area, in order to allow contaminants the most possible exposure to the filter media. One pound (454g) of activated carbon contains a surface area of approximately 100 acres (1 km/kg). This carbon is generally activated with a positive charge and is designed to attract negatively charged water contaminants. Carbon filtering is commonly used for water cleansing but is also used in air purifiers.
There are two types of carbon filters used in the filtration industry powdered block filters and granular activated filters. In general, carbon block filters are more effective in removing a larger number of contaminants based upon the increased surface area of carbon.
Zeolite is a mineral that is commonly used as an adsorbent. It is made up of aluminum, hydrated silicon compounds, and oxygen.
It has the natural ability to trap toxic gases and odors such as formaldehyde, ammonia and carbon monoxide. This mineral is very commonly used and can be found in many household items such as cat litter, laundry detergents, fertilizers, and natural dietary supplements.
Zeolites have a porous structure which means they have the ability to trap unwanted odor and liquid molecules. Zeolite occurs naturally in over forty countries and is mined in over a dozen of those countries including the United States, Bulgaria, South Africa, and Italy.
Pre-filter
If the pre-filter was not on the device, then the True HEPA filter would take too much abuse from larger particles and wear out faster. This would result in you having to spend a lot more money each year on filter replacements. Pre-filters are perfect for capturing large particles such as hair fur, dust, and some pollen. Once these particles are trapped, the other filters inside the air purifier can work at maximum levels.
Ozone
It may be removed from the air by molecular filters. Ozone generators can kill almost all bacteria, fungi and protect people’s health. They are one of the most common ways to quickly remove airborne contaminants and odors from homes, offices, and even cars.
While these devices can “shock” the air and deliver fast results, they can also be dangerous to our health, especially our lungs.
The same molecular process that makes ozone generators so effective is also what makes them dangerous. If you are considering the use of an ozone air purification to remove a strong odor or eliminate mold, you need to be fully aware of its proper use as well as the alternatives to ozone generators. You can look for a high-quality air purifier for mold, for example. A top-rated dual fuel generator is another alternative.
Ionizer
An air ionizer or negative ion generator is a device that uses high voltage to ionize air molecules. Air ionizers have been used to eliminate the occurrence of air-borne bacterial infections and to reduce static electricity buildup in electronics. In case your air purifier does not come with an ionizer, don’t worry. If you opt for a top-notch space heater, chances are it might actually also include an ionizer.
Gas Cartridge
Dust cartridges are used to separate dust from gases. Dusty air or gas is applied to the outside of the cartridges under pressure and the cleaned airflow exits at the top. The retained dust can be cleaned off with a rotating wing by means of a cleaning pulse or compressed air. Regular and extensive performance testing of all materials used in production is the key to the consistently high quality of Filtration.
Water
Air purifiers with water are some of the healthiest air purifiers because they often do not use chemicals. Instead of that, they rely solely on the water to fight pollen and dust particles. The water simply traps particles in the air so that the owner can flush these particles out. These purifiers are easier to use than other purifiers and cost less to maintain since homeowners only need to add water periodically. Some filters work with both air and water, removing all kinds of smells.
Our advice
We all know that there isn’t any device that has all of these features. We advise you to get rid of as many allergens and toxins as you can with as many methods at a reasonable price. But make sure that you are informed about all the pros and cons of the air purifying system which you have chosen for your home or office. Be sure to check some of the consumer reports about air purifiers for smoke before you buy a product.
How Does an Air Purifier for Smoke Work?
Nowadays air pollution doesn’t occur only outside of the home, but also inside. There are always things like dust mites and dirt trodden present inside the house, polluting the air we breathe. The dust mites and dirt trod are responsible for diseases such as asthma and many different allergies.
Using a vacuum cleaner will not be sufficient to remove all the dust, instead, you can use HEPA (defined as ‘high-efficiency particulate air’ or ‘high energy particulate arresting’) air purifier. This device is the most effective way of removing air particles causing all the allergies.
The air purifiers come in different shapes, sizes, settings, timers, and even a range of work, but their objective is the same – to purify the air in the house. Most of the purifiers have a different size efficiency, which means that the way they clean the air, depends on the size of the room. Тhis is why some are more suitable for different rooms than others.
The HEPA filter is a mechanical air filter and it’s a way of purifying the air is by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke. It can trap 99.97 percent of dust particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter.
A genuine HEPA filter will stop mold spores and even some bacteria and viruses. This makes it much more hygienic. This is why the device is so useful to people suffering from asthma or other respiratory illnesses. The virus studies show that this appliance can reduce contaminants inside the house. By filtering the air in your home or office, you can breathe easy knowing that the installed device filters the air from harmful particles.
However, you also must know that in order for the air purifier to be more efficient, it is essential to have proper ventilation in your home or office. This way you will get the maximum amount of clean air.
Air Purifier for Smoke Installation & Maintenance
Installation
The most important thing before starting to use the air purifier is that you must remove the plastic cover which is there on the air filters. When you open the back panel, you will see that there are three layers of air filters.
The first one is the pre-filter. The next one is black. It has a simple mesh and it has charcoal small granules. It is called an activated carbon filter. The third one is the HEPA filter. As mentioned above, the HEPA blocks up very small pollutants from the air which you can’t see with a naked eye and the charcoal helps to remove nasty odor from the air. The mesh outside absorbs a lot of dust particles.
Both of the filters, except the pre-filter, are in plastic bags, or they are packed. So make sure you have removed them before using, it is very important. There are small white hinges that are coming out of the paper that helps you to plug out the filters and to plug them in the back, which is very simple.
Make sure when you bring the filters back in the device that they are in the right position. The charcoal granular side goes in first when you put it back in the mesh. Putting the back cover with its pre-filter is also very simple. When you complete these steps you can turn the unit on. Depending on your model, the air purifier will suck the air in either from the sides or from the bottom and the fresh air comes from the top.
When you switch on the purifier you will see different variable operation buttons. Through them, you can adjust the fan speed and the different modes such as auto or sleep mode. You also can turn the UV function on and off from there.
Maintenance
To change the filters the first thing you should do is remove the front panel of the filter. After that continue by removing all three filters which are inside starting with your permanent Pre-filter. Then, it is time to take out the other two filters – the Charcoal Based Activated Carbon Filter and the HEPA filter. Clean the Pre-filter by vacuuming it, but if it’s necessary you can wash the Pre-filter with cold water and let it dry.
Use only a vacuum cleaner to clean your HEPA filter if it is changeable. If it is not – then buy a new one. In case you can clean the HEPA, make sure to remove all the dirt from it without leaving any. If the HEPA filter gets discolored over time, keep it in mind that it is perfectly fine. Charcoal Based Activated Carbon Filter also has to be cleaned with the vacuum cleaner. Remember that the Charcoal and HEPA filters cannot be washed, use vacuum cleaner only.
When you put back or replace your filters with new ones, begin by putting your HEPA filter first and make sure that the mark “FRONT” of the filter is facing you. Now insert the Charcoal Based Activated Carbon Filter. And finally, you can insert your Pre-filter. When you install all three filters back in place, you can put your front panel on.
After that, you can switch on the air purifier. Here’s one last recommendation: the particle sensor can be cleaned occasionally as well. It is located on the side of the air purifier and you can easily open the door of the sensor and swipe inside using a clean, dry, cotton swab.
Make sure to also check out our dehumidifier for basements buyer guide and humidifiers for bedroom reviews.
Wrap up
There is much to be said about the best air purifiers for smoke. They are useful and suitable for rooms with different shapes and sizes. They are also very handy for the office space as well as the home.
Our main goal is to always assist you in your buying endeavors. This is why we hope that our guide has been useful to you and that it has clarified many aspects of buying the most appropriate unit on the market. Don’t hesitate to check our reviews on air purifiers for smoke once again in case you need a refresher course.
Leave us a comment or send us an email with feedback. Your input is greatly appreciated and will allow us to keep improving and composing such articles. Thanks for reading and as always – stay put!