(Last Updated On: March 24, 2023)

Top 5 Air Purifiers for Smoke

These Are The Best Air Purifiers to Eliminate the Risks of Smoke in Your Home

air filter for pet allergies from dogs

By Jaimie Hart

12 min read

Smoke in your home can cause serious respiratory health issues for you and your family. Over 4,000 harmful chemicals are in ash, air particles, and chemicals from different types of smoke that can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, inflammation, and more health concerns. To capture the harmful particles and chemicals in smoke effectively, you’ll want an air purifier with a combination of HEPA and activated carbon filters that eliminate harmful chemicals, trap dangerous particles, kill allergens, and remove the smell of smoke.

Carbon is key to odor and smoke remediation. The more carbon you have in situations with serious smoke concerns, the better it will be. Carbon works like a sponge and absorbs smoke particles. The downside to carbon filters is that once they become “full”, they stop working. The simplest way to identify if the air filter needs to be replaced is to use your nose and smell the filtered air. If the air smells fresh and clean, the filter is probably good.

HEPA filters with true high efficiency can capture at least 99.97 percent of fine airborne particles, the common and most dangerous smoke components. This includes wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, and firewood smoke. You should avoid ionic and ozone air purifiers as these aren’t as effective at removing fine particles, so focus on the quality of HEPA and activated carbon filters to find the best air purifier for smoke for you and your family.

Top Pick

IQ Air
GC MultiGas
Air Purifier Buy Now

Products in this article are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission.  How We Rate

Best for
Heavy Smoke

IQAir GC
MultiGas
Air Purifier

$1,300 Buy Now

Best for
Quiet Areas

Austin Air
Bedroom Machine
Air Purifier

$995 Buy Now
Read Review

Best for
Living Room

Austin Air
Healthmate Plus
Air Purifier

$855 Buy Now

Best Value for
Minor Smoke

Alen BreatheSmart
45i with Carbon
Air Purifier

$444 Buy Now

Best for
Moderate Smoke

Alen BreatheSmart
FIT50
Air Purifier

$550 Buy Now

Best for Heavy Smoke

IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier $1,300 Buy Now

Pros

Rated No. 1 for smoke and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
Filters 99.99 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns
10-year limited warranty

Cons

Weight
Features and Specs
  • Dimensions: 16 x 15 x 28 inches
  • Weight: 29 pounds
  • 320-degree air delivery
  • HyperHEPA pre-filter
  • Covers rooms up to 1,125 square feet
The IQAir MultiGas air purifier is a wise choice for the removal of wildfire smoke, gases, odors, and chemicals. The GC MultiGas features 12 pound sof activated carbon, which preserves the maximum number of micropores. Additionally, the IQAir MultiGas expertly cleans large living rooms up to 1,125 with 320-degree air delivery. The HyperHEPA pre-filter effectively eliminates the smallest ultrafine particles, which make up 90 percent of all airborne particles including viruses. You and your family can breathe healthier, cleaner air, and remain safe as a result. Inhaling ultrafine particles have been linked to heart attacks, asthma, cancer, and strokes. Ultimately, no other unit compares to the IQAir GC MultiGas. It not only comes with the chemical removal power of more than 100 gas masks, but also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Best for Quiet Areas

Austin Air Bedroom Machine Review
Austin Air Bedroom Machine Air Purifier $995 Buy Now

Pros

Five-year warranty
True Medical-Grade HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns
Multiple color options: Sandstone, Midnight Blue, and White
Metal body and paint do not off gas and VOCs as Plastic bodied units do
Made in USA

Cons

Heavier than other competitor products
Features and Specs
  • Dimensions: 14.5 x 14.5 x 23 inches
  • Weight: 53 pounds
  • Five-stage filtration system
  • Three fan speeds
If you or a loved one suffers from a sleep-related problem, the Austin Air Bedroom Machine Air Purifier is a wise choice. Be confident that you will not only sleep better, but also continuously breathe clean air. Its True medical-grade HEPA filter eliminates up to 99.97 percent of all airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. This includes dust, pet dander, pollen, gases, and other allergens. With three speed settings for its fan, the Austin Air Bedroom Machine air purifier boasts a 360-degree intake system and a five-stage filtration system. Additionally, its High Efficiency Gas Arrestance (HEGA) carbon cloth absorbs gases, chemicals, bacteria and other viruses. With 15 pounds of carbon, this unit will do the job - even if it does so noisily. It's recommended that the filter be changed once every five (5) years under normal conditions, and more often under harsh air conditions.

Best for Living Room

Austin Air Healthmate Plus Air Purifier $855 Buy Now

Pros

Three fan speed settings
True Medical-Grade HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns
Specializes in the reduction of harmful airborne particles, chemicals, gases, and more

Cons

Weight
Features and Specs
  • Coverage Area: Up to 1500 Sq Ft
  • Dimensions: 14.5 x 14.5 x 23
  • Weight: 45 lbs
The Austin Air Healthmate Plus contains a true medical-grade HEPA filter that removes irritants that aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms. It also uses an activated carbon filter to remove smoke, gases, chemicals, and odors from the air. It comes with three fan settings and a four-stage filtration process. The Austin Air Healthmate Plus comes with a five-year warranty for parts and labor.

Best Value for Minor Smoke

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier $444 Buy Now

Pros

2.4 lbs of carbon
H13 grade of HEPA
Multiple color options: White, Expresso, Graphite, and more
Sleep Score.com certified, proven to produce better sleep
Lifetime warranty
Great value

Cons

Weight
Features and Specs
  • Dimensions: 8.5 x 15 x 25 inches
  • Weight: 21.4 pounds
  • Four-stage filtration system
  • Medical-Grade True HEPA filter and B4-Pure filter
  • 800 square feet room coverage
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier is a sleek and sophisticated air purifier that can clean bedrooms up to 800 square feet in size every 30 minutes. It’s True HEPA filter can remove airborne particles including allergens, dust, orders, pet dander, bacteria, and mold spores. It also comes with a HEPA Silver filter, which helps kill airborne bacteria, germs, viruses, and more. Additionally, the Alen BreatheSmart 45i’s Laser Smart Sensor can not only detect airborne particles, but also automatically adjusts to your environment. With four fan speed options, its WhisperMax Technology allows you to sleep peacefully. Moreover, its LED color display allows you and your loved ones to check the air quality at a glance.

Best for Moderate Smoke

Alen Breathesmart FIT50 Air Purifier

$ 550 Buy Now

Pros

Lifetime warranty

True HEPA filter eliminates smoke chemicals, tar, and other odors

Covers 900 square feet

Tuned for quiet operation

Multiple color options

Cons

3.5 pounds carbon

Not large enough to handle large smoke problems

Features and Specs

  • Dimensions: 22.25 x 16.75 x 10 inches
  • Weight: 16 pounds
  • True Medical Grade HEPA Filter
  • Tar-trapping pre-filter

The FIT50 was designed from the ground up to be smaller, quieter, and more powerful than other units at its price point. If smoke is a medium or intermittent problem, 2.5 lbs. of carbon should be sufficient. At all speeds, the fan produces stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing pink noise. At 16 pounds, this machine is light enough to easily be moved from room to room easily. As with all Alen products, the FIT50 comes with a lifetime warranty.

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