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Best air purifier for cigarette smoke

Best Air Purifier for Cigarette Smoke 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide

Looking for an Air Purifier That Removes Cigarette Smoke?

You’ve come to the right place.  

In this in-depth buying guide, we review the best air purifiers for cigarette and cigar smoke, comparing them on their best features, limitations, price, filtration performance/stages and room capacity.

While many of our top picks will remove a wide range of contaminants from indoor air, they have certain features and capabilities that make them especially good for cigarette smoke and smell.

Most of these units are HEPA air purifiers (which can remove finest of smoke particles) and include activated carbon filters (best at removing odors). 

This buying guide is for anyone who smokes, who lives with a smoker or regularly has smokers over to visit.

If your family and friends' smoking bother you or you are concerned about the health impact of secondary smoke, keep reading this guide to find the best air purifier for your budget, needs and room size.

What's In This Buying Guide


Air Purifiers for Smoke Elimination: In-Depth Reviews

Disclamer: All links below go to Amazon.com

GermGuardian-AC4825
  • GermGuardian AC4825

  • Editor’s Choice
  • Room Size:
    up to 167 sq. ft.

  • Filter Life:
    6 – 8 months

  • 3-stage filtration + UV-C sanitation

Levoit-LV-H132
  • LEVOIT LV-H132

  • Best Ozone-free
  • Room Size:
    Small/Medium Sized Rooms

  • Filter Life:
    6 months

  • 3-stage filtration + ozone-free

Coway AP-1512HH
  • Coway AP-1512HH Mighty

  • Best With Auto Mode
  • Room Size:
    361 sq.ft.

  • Filter Life:
    6 months

  • 4-stage filtration + Eco Mode

Hamilton-Beach
  • Hamilton Beach

  • Best for Small Rooms
  • Room Size:
    up to 160 sq.ft.

  • Filter Life:
    Never needs replacing

  • Highly effective odor eliminator

Levoit-LV-PUR131
  • LEVOIT LV-PUR131

  • Best for Bedroom
  • Room Size:
    up to 322 sq.ft.

  • Filter Life:
    6 Months

  • Includes sleep mode for disturbance-free sleep

PureZone
  • PureZone

  • Best Value
  • Room Size:
    up to 200 sq. ft.

  • Filter Life:
    Around 6 months

  • All-in-one filter - easy to replace

Rabbit-Air-Minus-A2
  • Rabbit Air Minus A2

  • Best for Extra-large Rooms
  • Room Size:
    Up to 815 sq. ft.

  • Filter Life:
    2 years

  • 6-stage filtration + ultra-quiet

Austin-Air-Standard-Healthmate-HM400
  • Austin Air Healthmate HM400

  • Best for an Entire Level
  • Room Size:
    up to 1500 sq.ft.

  • Filter Life:
    5 years

  • Beautiful finish and style + durable

Winix-5500-2
  • Winix 5500-2

  • Best Ionizer Alternative
  • Room Size:
    up to 360 sq. ft.

  • Filter Life:
    12 Months

  • Ozone-free air sanitizing technology

EnviroKlenz-Air-Purifier
  • EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus

  • Best for eliminating VOCs
  • Room Size:
    Up to 1000 sq. ft.

  • Filter Life:
    6 months (main filter), 2yrs (HEPA filter)

  • 2-stage filtration + UV filter

Air Purifiers for Smoke Elimination: In-Depth Reviews

air purifier smoke

The GermGuardian AC4825 is one of the best air cleaner for smoke available in the market. It contains an allergen trapping HEPA filter with an odor-reducing charcoal filter and a UV-C light that targets airborne germs.

The pricing is pretty great as well, making the GermGuardian air purifier a great choice for those on a tight budget.

Pros

  • High-performance 3-stage filtration that effectively gets rid of cigarette smoke and allergens
  • Includes UV-C sanitation to kill germs and bacteria
  • Three fan speed options
  •  Highly portable – easy to move it from room to room

Cons

  • No timer
  • Not ideal for large spaces

Our Review

The GermGuardian AC4825 packs a ton of capability into an exceptionally affordable package - just take a look at everything this 3-in-1 air purifier can do:

  • It removes 99.97% of dust, mold spores, pet dander and other allergens from the air using a HEPA Filter. It can filter out particles as small as 0.3 microns. Most of the particles in tobacco smoke are well over this size, making this purifier great for removing cigarette smoke.
  • It kills or neutralizes airborne microbes using UV-C light. This air purification technology uses ultraviolet radiation and is commonly used to sterilize water, medical equipment, and food. Your indoor will not only be free of allergens and tobacco smoke; you’ll also not be breathing in harmful bacteria and viruses.
  • It removes cigarette and cigar odor and other household smells using a charcoal filter.

The GermGuardian AC4825 air purifier is ideal for cleaning the air in small and medium-sized rooms of up to 167 square feet - perfect for home offices, the nursery and bedrooms.

Because of its light and compact design (it’s only 22” tall), you can easily carry it around from room to room.

There are three fan speeds to choose from. The highest speed is ideal when you want to get rid of cigarette smoke quickly. The lowest speed is ideal when you want the purifier to be quiet.

Maintenance is straightforward: just replace the filter every 6-8 months. There is a filter-change indicator to remind you, in case you forget.


air purifier for smoke

If you are concerned about exposure to ozone from air purifiers with an ionizer, we recommend the LEVOIT LV-H132 air purifier.

It does not contain an ionizer or a UV-C lamp, both of which are associated with the production of ozone. Exposure to high levels of ozone is harmful to your health.

Pros

  • 3-stage filtration that effectively removes allergens and cigar odor/smoke from the air
  • Includes a night light
  • Beautiful design that is perfect for modern homes
  • No ozone

Cons

  • Not ideal for large spaces
  • No timer

Our Review

The LV-H132 air purifier uses a 3-stage filtration process to remove cigarette smoke and allergens from indoor air - and it looks good doing it.

The compact air purifier has a sleek modern style that looks great on the coffee table, bedside, your work desk or even on the floor.

It looks like a cylinder with a mostly white and black finish. The buttons to control various settings are at the top where you’ll also find the calming night light.

Beyond the aesthetics, the LV-H132 has three levels of filtration to ensure your indoor air is clean and fresh.

A pre-filter captures large particles like pet hair, dust and pollen. It also neutralizes airborne bacteria, fungi and mold spores.

The pre-filter also keeps the HEPA filter from clogging too quickly, thus improving its efficiency and prolonging its lifespan.

Next is a true HEPA filter that deals with the tiniest of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This is where cigarette smoke particles are trapped as well as various allergens like dust mites and mold.

Finally, a coconut shell activated carbon filter removes cigarette smells plus common household odors associated with cooking and pets.

There are three fan speeds for different situations.

When you need quicker purification, increase the fan speed.

At night, lower the fan speed to make the unit quieter. You can also turn on the relaxing night light using on the buttons at the top.  

The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter every 6 months. There’s an indicator at the top that lights up when it’s time.

3. Best With Auto Mode: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

Coway AP-1512H Mighty Air Purifier

An air purifier with an auto mode automatically adjusts fan speed based on the level of pollutants in the air. This lowers energy use and saves you the trouble of constantly adjusting the fan speed.

If someone starts smoking next door, the fan will automatically ramp up to quickly clear the smell and smoke.

The Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier has a built-in air quality sensor that constantly monitors air quality. If the air is clean, it will stop the fan and go into Eco mode.

It also indicates current air quality using different LED light colors: red for highly polluted, purple for medium polluted and blue for clean.

Pros

  • Ideal for large rooms
  • High-performance 4-stage filtration
  • Includes a timer
  • Includes an Eco Mode that saves you energy

Cons

  • A bit pricey
  • It’s loud when on the highest fan setting

Our Review

If you are looking for an air purifier that can cover a medium or large room, I recommend this one by Coway.

The modern-style unit can cover a room size of up to 361 square feet. That’s about the size of a large bedroom or an open-concept living area.

It is a bit more expensive than most of the air purifiers we have reviewed but that’s because it has more coverage.

It also has improved purification performance thanks to its 4-stage filtration process. Here’s how it works.

Washable pre-filter traps the large particles like fur, pet hair, and dust.

A deodorization filter removes bad odors, small particles and harmful gasses from the air.

A True HEPA filter removes tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns including cigarette smoke, mold spores, pet dander, and other contaminants.

Finally, an ionizer emits negative ions to enhance air purification and keep your indoor air fresh.

The buttons to control the fan speed (there are three levels), the ionizer, the timer (1h, 4hrs, 8hrs) and filter reset are set along the top.

This is also where you’ll find the air quality indicator. It tells you how dirty your indoor air is using colored lights.

 Another feature we love is the Eco Mode. When in this mode, the air purifier will automatically stop the fan when the air gets clean to save energy.

best air purifier for smoke

Looking for an affordable air purifier, you can use in the bathroom, bedroom, or small living room?

We recommend the Hamilton Beach TrueAir Room Odor Eliminator. It purifies air in rooms up to 100 square feet, using three carbon filters to trap odors, dust, and pet dander.

It’s great for those who want to eliminate pet smells or any other kind of odors such as cooking smells and tobacco smell.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Highly effective at removing tobacco smell and other household odors
  • Includes a scent cartridge

Cons

  • A single unit is only enough for a 100 square feet room. For bigger spaces, you may need to buy two or more.
  • Not very effective against dust and allergens.

Our Review

This one is a dedicated odor eliminator. If your biggest concern is the cigarette smoke and smell – and not allergens or airborne bacteria – then this is the best choice.

It’s a small unit measuring 8.5” by 8.5” by 10”. Weighing only 4 pounds, you can carry it with you to any room. You can even travel with it and use it in smelly hotel rooms.

To maximize its odor-eliminating powers, it is equipped with three carbon filters. The purifier also comes with a scent cartridge to add a fresh smell to your indoor air.

As well as removing cigarette smoke, this air purifier is also great for homes with pets. It eliminates odors coming from the litter, pet food and the pet themselves.

The carbon filters also capture some of the dust and allergens in the air. But if you have allergies, I recommend getting a second HEPA filter specifically to remove allergens.

 The unit has a 2-speed switch to vary how quickly air flows in and out of the vents. Select the lower speed when you need some quiet and the higher one to get rid of cigarette smell in the room quickly.


5. Best for Bedroom: LEVOIT LV-PUR131 

best air purifier for dog hair

We’ve picked the LEVOIT LV-PUR131 as the best air purifier for bedrooms because it is quiet, has a dedicated sleep mode (that’s even quieter), and you can turn off the LED display, an option most air purifiers don’t offer.

With a max coverage of 360 square feet, the LEVOIT LV-PUR131 is powerful enough for most bedroom sizes.

Pros

  • Ideal for large spaces
  • Includes an air quality indicator
  • Includes sleep mode for disturbance-free sleep
  • Excellent customer service from the manufacturer

Cons

  • Noisy when at the highest fan speed level
  • There are issues with the reset button. Some customers say it doesn’t respond.

Our Review

The LV-PUR131 is the slightly pricier sibling to the LV-H132.

While the LV-H132 is notable for its sleek cylindrical shape, the LV-PUR131 has a bigger and boxier design.

It’s more powerful with maximum coverage of 360 square feet. This makes it ideal for medium and large spaces.

The filtration process is the same. The air passes through three filters to remove allergens and odors.

A pre-filter removes pet dander, hair, dust, bacteria, mold, and fungi from the air.

A true HEPA filter targets the smallest of particles (0.3 microns and larger) including cigarette smoke, fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens.

An activated carbon filter then removes any odors from cooking, smoking, and pets.

The control buttons are conveniently located along the top of the unit. Here you can increase or lower the fan speed, activate the auto mode and set the timer.

There is also a real-time air quality indicator that tells you how clean your indoor air is.

There are four color-coded stages from bad (red) to very good (blue).

 If you’ve activated the auto mode, the purifier will vary fan speed automatically depending on the air quality. If the indicator is red, you’ll notice that the fan is running faster. If it is green or blue, it will be quieter.

air purifier to remove smoke

Looking for a good bargain on an air purifier? We recommend the Pure Enrichment PureZone Air Purifier.

It’s affordable but can cover a decently sized room of up to 200 square feet. It offers 3-in-1 air filtration, which includes a germ-killing UV-C light.

Pros

  • Has a filter-reset indicator to make sure you don’t forget to replace it
  • Removes allergens and odors as well as bacteria and viruses
  • Includes a timer for nighttime use
  • Ideal for small and medium-sized rooms
  • All-in-one filter that is easy to replace

Cons

  • Not ideal for large spaces
  • LED lights are too bright at night, and there’s no way to turn them off

Our Review

This is another excellent choice if you are looking for an air purifier that includes an air cleaning UV-C sanitizer.

The PureZone has four levels of filtration.

Pre-filter traps the largest particles including pet hair, dust and fur.   

A HEPA filter then removes the remaining fine particles. It’s able to capture 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns. This includes most of the particles found in cigarette smoke.

An activated carbon filter removes the cigarette smell and other odors caused by pets, cooking and other household activities.  

The air then passes through a UV-C light sanitizer. Here, airborne microbes are killed or inactivated by the ultraviolet radiation.

The air purifier is rated for rooms of up to 200 square feet. If you want to use it in a larger room such as an open-concept living area, consider buying two units and setting them up on each side of the room.  

The fan has three-speed options, letting you control how quickly air flows through it and the noise level.

Increase the speed when you want to get rid of cigarette smoke or other allergens quickly. Lower the speed at night to reduce the noise.

There is also a timer setting. Options include 2, 4 and 8 hours. You can also leave the air purifier to run continuously.

7. Best for Extra-large Rooms: Rabbit Air Minus A2

Rabbit Air Minus A2

If you want an air purifier for a room larger than 400 square feet, the Rabbit Air Minus A2 is the most powerful choice.

It is pricey but can comfortably cover extra-large rooms of up to 815 square feet. It’s perfect for large open style living areas, large offices, and basements.

Pros

  • Powerful – can easily cover large spaces of up to 815 square feet
  • High-performance filtration – best in class among air purifiers
  • 5 year warranty
  • Wall mountable
  • Ultra-quiet
  • Wi-Fi connectivity

Cons

  • Expensive

Our Review

The RabbitAir Minus A2 is one of the best air purifiers for cigarette smoke.

It uses 6 levels of filtration and cleans extra-large spaces of up to 815 square feet - it is also ultra-quiet.  You can even control it using your smartphone (it has Wi-Fi connectivity).

That said, it’s not cheap.

But if you don’t mind spending more money, the Minus A2 air purifier will serve you well for years.

One thing you’ll notice when you open the box is how beautiful it looks. It has a sleek modern finish that adds to the room’s décor. It’s not just a functional box you hide in a corner.

You can mount it on the wall, too. It is the only full-size wall mountable air purifier I have come across.

The RabbitAir A2 is well made, too. To back up the quality of their product, the manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty.

The RabbitAir MinusA2 incorporates brushless motors, which make this unit extremely quiet.

Most air purifiers make a ruckus when turned on to the highest fan speed. But the Rabbit Air runs along at a serene 51.3 decibels at the highest speed setting.

You make it much quieter by selecting one of the other 4 speeds. At the lowest speed, the fan is practically inaudible at 21 db (about as loud as a whisper).

The A2 air purifier sends your air through 6 stages of filtration, far more than in any other air purifier that we have reviewed so far. These stages include:

  1. 1
    a permanent washable pre-filter that traps large particles
  2. 2
    a medium filter for allergens larger than 1 micron
  3. 3
    a BioGS HEPA filter (different from / better than a traditional HEPA filter) to trap tiny allergens and ward off bacteria and mound buildup
  4. 4
    A customized filter. You select which one you want depending on which contaminants you want to target. For cigarette smoke, I recommend the odor remover filter.
  5. 5
    an activated carbon filter to trap odors
  6. 6
    a negative ion generator that freshens indoor air

best air purifier for weed smoke

If you want an air purifier powerful enough to clean all the air on one level, the Austin Air Standard Healthmate HM400 Air Purifier fits the bill.

It’s more powerful than the Rabbit Air Minus A2. With the fan at the highest setting, it can cover an area of up to 1,500 square feet. For best results, keep doors to adjoining rooms open to circulate air.

Pros

  • Ideal for large spaces
  • Beautiful finish and style
  • Extremely durable – it has a 23 gauge steel housing (most air purifiers have a plastic exterior).
  • Despite its size and weight, it’s easy to move from room to room using the casters.
  • High-performance 4-stage purification

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No timer

Our Review

If you love the powerful coverage of the Rabbit Air MinusA2 but don’t like its style or some other feature, the Healthmate HM400 from Austin Air is a great alternative.

The Healthmate is about as pricey as the Minus A2, but you get more features and slightly better performance.

Style-wise, the Healthmate HM400 has a boxy suitcase look with caster wheels. It has a nice retro yet modern style that I think most will love.

The fan speed setting is a classic dial that lets you select from the three fan speeds.

We especially love the 360-degree intake design. It greatly improves filtration efficiency and performance.

The Healthmate HM400 passes your home's air through 4 filters: 

  1. 1
    a pre-filter to remove large particles
  2. 2
    a medium pre-filter for smaller particles
  3. 3
    an activated carbon filter for odors and gases
  4. 4
    a HEPA filter for the smallest of allergens and smoke particles

air purifier smoke

If you like the air-freshening effect of an air purifier’s ionizer but are worried about ozone, get the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier.

It uses PlasmaWave technology to freshen the air and improve the effectiveness of the air purifier.

Unlike an ionizer, PlasmaWave technology does not create any ozone.

Pros

  • Comes with a remote control
  • Ozone-free air sanitizing technology
  • Filter replacement reminder
  • Real time air quality indicator

Cons

  • Highest fan speed level is noisy

Our Review

A common concern with ozone generators in air purifiers is the health effect of the ozone. 

Most ‘air-freshening’ purifiers use an ionizer that produces negative ions along with a small amount of ozone that's not so good for your health. 

If that worries you, the Winix 5500-2 does same thing without releasing ozone - using what they call their PlasmaWave® Technology.

This involves the use of electric pulses to produce both negative and positive ions. These ions combine with water vapor in the air to form hydroxyl radicals.

These radicals neutralize airborne bacteria, viruses, VOCs and chemicals.

This technology is approved by the California Air Resources Board to be safe for home use.

You can read more about PlasmaWave here.

In addition to its PlasmaWave air sanitizer, the Winix air purifier also uses a carbon filter to remove odors and a True HEPA to remove 99.97% of allergens.

There are 4 fan speeds to choose from low to turbo. You can also select an auto mode that automatically varies fan speed based on current air quality.

When the unit's smart sensors detect pollution – e.g. if someone starts smoking – it will automatically increase fan speed to clean the air.

At any time you can see the air quality yourself using the color-coded indicator on the unit.

The Winix air purifier is rated for medium-size rooms of up to 360 square feet.


Keyword SemRush Vol Volume Difficulty CPC

If you are worried about VOCs in your indoor air, as well as cigarette smoke, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus easily tackles both. 

It contains a special cartridge filter with metal oxides that eliminate almost all volatile organic compounds from the air, as well as odors and microbes. A HEPA filter then deals with the smoke particles, and any other fine pollutants in the air. 

The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is also a great choice if you are looking for a large room air purifier. 

Pros

  • Excellent filtration performance backed up by third party testing.
  • Large room coverage - up to 1000 square feet.
  • No ozone.
  • 5-year warranty.
  • Filter replacement reminders.

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Loud.
  • Big & heavy.

Our Review 

The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is a large room air purifier, capable of covering spaces up to 1000 square feet. This makes it a great choice for open living rooms, large bedrooms, open basements and other extra-large spaces. 

At the highest fan setting, it does 5 air changes an hour, enough for even the most sensitive allergy sufferers. 

The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus has three stages of filtration. 

The first one is quite unique. Instead of an active carbon filter like most air purifiers, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus uses a metal oxides filter cartridge. 

The oxides include titanium oxide, magnesium oxide and zinc oxide. They are completely safe for you, and some of these are even added to foods. 

The filter cartridge filters out the cigarette smoke odor and any other smells just as effectively as a carbon filter. 

It also eliminates almost all volatile organic gasses (VOCs) from indoor air including formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene, and others.  

In addition to odors and VOCs, the EnviroKlenz filter cartridge also eliminates 99.9% of airborne viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungus. 

Next, air passes through a HEPA filter that traps fine particulates including smoke particles, dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. HEPA filters also catch airborne viruses and bacteria. 

Finally, a UV bulb sterilizes any microbes in the air. The bulb also sterilizes the interior of the air purifier, ensuring the filters stay clean and sterile. 

You can select among four fan speeds to adjust filtration performance and noise. However, even at the lowest fan speed, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is still quite noisy. On the highest setting, it’s far too noisy. 

If you are looking for an ultra-quiet air purifier, this is not it. 

But if you want a high-performance air purifier that can eliminate cigarette smoke and odor as well as microbes and VOCs, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier Plus is the best choice. 


Air Purifier for Cigarette and Cigar Smoke Removal: Buying Guide

If you or someone in your family smokes, the rest of the family is at risk of second-hand smoke exposure. This is where air purifiers can help. 

Unfortunately, not all air purifiers are designed to eliminate smoke. For example, an air purifier with only HEPA filters can’t eliminate the adverse effects alone. It will capture the solid smoke particles but not the gaseous ones. 

You need to pair it with a carbon filter to capture the gaseous and odorous molecules as well. 

How Does an Air Purifier Remove Smoke?

GermGuardian AC4825 3-stage Filtration

Air purifiers rely on filters to capture and remove air pollutants from the air. 

There are many different types of air purifier filters that can remove pet dander, mold spores, as well as smoke.

All air purifiers have two major components – a fan and a filter cartridge. 

The fan draws in the air from the room and forces it through the filters. As the air passes over them, these filters trap most of the airborne particles and pollutants, allowing cleaner air to blow back into the room.

There are different types of air purifier filters, but air purifiers for cigarette smoke usually contain a 3-stage filtration system consisting of a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. 

The pre-filter captures all the visible particles like dust and lint so they cannot damage the internal filtration stages. 

The ultra-fine HEPA filter is designed to trap smaller particles measuring up to 0.3 microns and removes solid smoke particles from the air. 

Lastly, the air is forced through an activated carbon filter. This highly porous material absorbs gaseous molecules like odors and other smoke toxins. 

The air that comes out from the purifier is cleaner, fresh, and safe to breathe in.

Why Buy an Air Purifier for Cigar and Cigarette Smoke?

rabbit air minusa2 spa 700a review

Here’s what the CDC says about secondhand smoke.

“There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

One estimate puts the number of adults who’ve died from secondhand smoke since 1964 at 2.5 million.

Second-hand smoke carries hundreds of toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and other complications including heart disease and respiratory problems.  

These noxious fumes are especially terrible for infants, children, and pregnant mothers.  

The best way to protect your family from second-hand smoking is to ask the smoker to quit or do it as far away from the house as possible.

But that’s not always possible. In some cases, the smoke is from a neighboring house or apartment.  

Buying an air purifier for cigar and cigarette smoke is not just for making the air fresher and less smelly; it’s a matter of life and death especially if you have kids around.

Buy a good quality HEPA air filter that also contains an activated carbon filter to trap most of the particles in the smoke.

What to Consider When Buying a Smoke Elimination Purifier

levoit air purifier

Ionizer

The effectiveness and safety of ionizers in purifiers is debatable. 

Based on current research, air purifiers with ionizers produce harmless amounts of ozone. You should probably not worry about your health. 

What you should be worried about are dedicated ozone generators. These machines can potentially expose your family to dangerous levels of ozone. 

But if you are still worried by the small amounts of ozone in ionizer air purifiers, there are plenty of ozone-free alternatives in the market. 

And don't worry that you’ll miss out on an important feature. An ionizer is not all that important in air purification. 

Because ozone must be in high concentration to be effective in air purification, ionizers in air purifiers are too weak to have any significant effect on indoor air quality. 

They can help remove some airborne particulates, but they are ineffective against volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors and airborne viruses and bacteria.  

As long as the air purifier has a good set of filters - including a medical grade HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter - it’ll do a great job cleaning the air. 

Filter Type

Like we mentioned above, not every air purifier can effectively remove smoke. This is because of the lack of appropriate filters. 

The best smoke removing air purifier boasts a triple-stage filtration system consisting of a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. You can compromise on the pre-filter but not the other two. 

The HEPA filter is a must-have because it removes tiny smoke particles. Now, most traditional filters can only capture particles up to 3 microns. But a HEPA filter can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. 

And since smoke particles measure 0.3-0.5 microns, any air purifier for smoke removal should be fitted with a HEPA filter. 

Similarly, traditional filters and even HEPA ones are ineffective against gaseous and odor particles. And since smoke contains an unpleasant odor, your air purifier should also have an activated carbon filter to absorb it. 

When shopping for an air purifier for cigarette smoke, make sure it has both of these filters. And if there is a pre-filter, too, it is a huge plus. 

CADR and Room Size

CADR refers to an air purifier’s clean air delivery rate. CADR tells you how effective the air purifier is at removing airborne contaminants from indoor air. 

It is different from the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating some air purifiers have. CFM tells you how much air the air purifier moves, not how well it actually cleans that air. 

The higher the CADR rating, the better the air purifier is at filtering pollutants and odors from the air. A higher CADR unit is also better for a large room. 

Also, check the specific max room size the manufacturer recommends. Don't get an air purifier that’s too small for the room. It’ll struggle to keep the air pollutant-free. 

Note that only air purifiers tested by AHAM (Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers) have the CADR rating. 

Most non-AHAM air purifiers only show the unit’s CFM. For these units, multiply the CFM by 2/3. That will give you their approximate CADR. For instance a 300 CFM air purifier has an approximate CADR of 200. 

Noise Level 

Get the quietest air purifier you can find. A noisy and whiny air purifier can quickly get annoying when you have to spend the whole day listening to it. It’s even worse if you plan to use it in your bedroom. 

Most air purifiers produce a significant amount of noise at the highest fan speed. You may need to turn the TV volume up a bit when the purifier is working. 

At the lowest fan speed, most air purifiers are super quiet though they’ll remove pollutants at a slower rate.  

If you want an air purifier that’s quiet even at the highest fan speed, we recommend the RabbitAir Minus A2. 

Auto Mode 

Air purifiers with an auto mode are convenient to use. You don't have to keep adjusting fan speed to clean the air faster. 

These air purifiers have built-in air quality sensors. They constantly test air quality and automatically adjust fan speed depending on how polluted the air is. These sensors are super sensitive. You’ll hear the fan kick up to a higher speed as soon as you start cooking (because of the odors) or if someone starts smoking. 

Not only is auto mode convenient; it is also energy-saving since the air purifier runs on high only when necessary. 

Size & Weight 

Get an air purifier that won’t clutter up the room. There are plenty of excellent compact air purifiers that are great for small spaces. Some are even small enough to sit on a table. 

Something else to consider is weight. If you plan to use the air purifier in different rooms, make sure you can move it around on your own. If you have to get a large and heavy air purifier, check that it has wheels for easy mobility. 

Style 

Style is not important to how effective an air purifier is, but it’s nice to have a good looking air purifier. Most air purifiers are available in boxy or cylindrical shapes, with black and white being the most popular colors. 

Though a bit boring, they blend well into most homes. 

Remote Control 

Don’t forget to check if a particular air purifier comes with a remote control. It makes it easier to adjust various settings without having to stand up and walk to where the unit is.  

Installation & Maintenance of Smoke Purifier

GermGuardian Air Purifier Review

Air purifiers don’t require any installation. Most are stand-alone units that you set up on the desk, bedside table or floor.

You then press the ON button, select your preferred fan speed and that’s it.

Maintenance is just as easy. Most of it involves timely filter replacements as recommended in the user manual. 

It’s 6-12 months for most filters.

Some air purifiers have a convenient filter replacement reminder that saves you the trouble of having to track how long you’ve been using the current filter.

If your air purifier has a pre-filter check whether it is washable, most don’t need to be replaced. Just wash it under a running tap, let it dry and then put it back.

But for HEPA and carbon filters, you have to replace them after a while.

Best Air Purifiers for Smoke Comparison Chart

Disclamer: All links below go to Amazon.com

Air Purifier

Dimensions

Weight

Filter Life

Coverage

GermGuardian AC5000E

7 x 10.2 x 21.5"

7 pounds

6 and 8 months

up to 167 sq. feet

air purifier for smoke

8.5 x 8.5 x 14.5"

6.6 pounds

6 months

Small and Medium Sized Rooms

Coway AP-1512HH Mighty

16.8 x 9.6 x 18.3"

12.35 pounds

6 months

361 sq.ft.

best air purifier for smoke

18.1 x 10.8 x 16.4"

5.74 pounds

Never needs replacing

up to 160 sq.ft.

best air purifier for dog hair

14.5 x 7.2 x 18.5"

11.24 pounds

6 Months

up to 322 sq.ft.

air purifier to remove smoke

13.5 x 12.1 x 8.2"

8.54 pounds

Around 6 Months

Up to 200 sq. ft.

Rabbit Air Minus A2

24 x 22.8 x 9.8"

23.9 pounds

2 years

Up to 815 sq. ft.

best air purifier for weed smoke

14.5 x 14.5 x 23"

47 pounds

5 years

Up to 1500 sq. ft.

air purifier smoke

15 x 8.2 x 23.6"

15.4 pounds

12 months

Up to 360 sq. ft.

More about HEPA and Activated Carbon Filters 

Honeywell air purifier

HEPA Air Filters 

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air.

A HEPA filter must meet certain air purification standards to earn that recognition.

The most notable standard is that a HEPA filter must remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants greater or equal to 0.3 microns from the air passing through it.  

This is why HEPA filters are common in air purifiers. They are very good at cleaning up the air. They can remove both large and fine allergens and particles. They are also the best filters for allergy symptoms. 

Activated Carbon Filters 

Activated carbon is charcoal that has been treated, usually by heating, to make it more porous.

The added porosity makes the material better at absorbing molecules of substances that pass through it.

When air passes through activated carbon, molecules of certain gasses and smells are trapped in the highly porous filter.

 That’s why activated carbon is very good at removing unpleasant odors from the air.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Purifiers for Smoke

Best Air Purifier for Cigarette Smoke

Why is cigarette smoke so essential to get rid of?

If you breathe in second-hand cigarette smoke, you are taking in most of the chemicals the smoker is also taking in.

Secondhand smokers are at an increased risk of cancer, respiratory complications and heart disease among other problems.

Infants, children and pregnant mothers are at the highest risk.

Can an air purifier completely get rid of cigarette smoke? 

Unfortunately, no.

Many gaseous toxins in cigarette smoke have molecules too small for even HEPA filters. Even if the air purifier gets rid of the smell, there may still be some chemicals around the air.

That’s why the best solution is to ask the smoker to move far away.

How are air purifiers designed to filter cigarette smoke?

The polluted air is drawn into the air purifier by a fan. It is passed through a series of filters designed to trap many of the harmful particles in smoke and get rid of the cigarette smoke smell.

The clean air is then forced out and spread around the room.

How do you reduce the smell of cigarette smoke?

Buy an air purifier that contains an activated carbon filter. It is best for removing the cigarette smoke smell.

If the smoke is coming from a neighbor, consider sealing off hidden entry points.    

What is the best solution for avoiding cigarette smoke?

A good quality HEPA air purifier helps but not 100%. The best solution for your family’s health is to change the environment completely.

Either ask the smoker to quit or smoke far far away from the house or move to a smoke-free neighborhood.

Can air purifiers help with wildfire smoke?

Most air purifiers for cigarette smoke are also great for wildfire smoke. They remove smoke particles and odor from your indoor air. 

If there's a wildfire in your area, purifiers for wildfire and smoke will help your family breath easier.  

Can Smoke removing air purifiers remove weed smoke?

Yes, smoke-removing air purifiers also effectively remove weed smoke from your home. 

Weed smoke mostly consists of particulates from incomplete combustion, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and carbon-based gases or other gaseous chemicals. 

The best triple-stage air purifier for smoke can easily trap all of these pollutants, providing you with cleaner and fresher air to breathe in.

How are Smoke Eliminating Purifiers Different?

Smoke-eliminating air purifiers differ from other types of air purifiers because of their filters. 

Where air purifiers with technologies like UV light and ionization are quite common, they are not very effective at eliminating smoke. 

You need an air purifier with both a HEPA and an activated carbon filter for proper smoke removal. Only these two types of filters effectively capture smoke particles, both solid and gaseous.