As wildfires become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the need to protect our indoor air quality from smoke has never been greater. Wildfire smoke contains a complex mixture of harmful particles and gases that can seep into our homes, posing serious health risks.
While staying indoors and keeping windows closed can help, an effective air purifier is often the best line of defense against the insidious effects of smoke. But not all air purifiers are created equal when it comes to tackling this unique challenge.
In this article, we’ll explore the key features to look for in an air purifier that can effectively filter out the dangerous particulates and volatile organic compounds found in wildfire smoke, ensuring your home remains a safe haven during smoky days.
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Our Top Picks
Here are some options that we thought would be great for most people.
Coway Airmega 400
- Covers large area
- 99.97% efficiency
- Tons of smart features
Molekule Air Mini+
- FDA-cleared
- Portable and stylish
- Auto Protect mode
LEVOIT Air Purifier
- High-performance HEPA filter
- Quiet operation
- Support large area
Coway Airmega 250 Smart Air Purifier
The Coway Airmega 250 is a powerful and efficient smart air purifier that utilizes True HEPA filtration to effectively clean the air in spaces up to 930 square feet. With its sleek design, intuitive controls, and advanced air quality monitoring, this purifier is an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
Why We Picked It
- Covers large spaces with a CADR of 260 m³/h
- Features a washable pre-filter and a Max2 Green filter for superior filtration
- Offers smart features like real-time air quality monitoring and automatic mode adjustment
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home
The LEVOIT Core300-P Air Purifier is a powerful and compact device designed to effectively clean the air in your home. Equipped with a 45W high-torque motor and a 3-in-1 filtration system, this air purifier can cover spaces up to 1,095 square feet, making it perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. Its whisper-quiet operation and sleek design make it an unobtrusive addition to any space.
Why We Picked It
- High-performance filtration with True HEPA filter
- Quiet operation with sleep mode
- Large coverage area up to 1,095 sq. ft.
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier True HEPA
The Winix 5500-2 is a powerful and efficient air purifier that utilizes a True HEPA filter, PlasmaWave technology, and a washable AOC carbon filter to effectively remove airborne particles, allergens, and odors. With a sleek, modern design and intuitive controls, this air purifier is perfect for medium-sized rooms up to 360 square feet.
Why We Picked It
- True HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles
- PlasmaWave technology neutralizes viruses and bacteria
- Washable AOC carbon filter reduces odors and VOCs
BLUEAIR Blue Pure 211+
The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Genuine Replacement Filter combines a particle filter and activated carbon to effectively capture airborne pollutants like dust, pollen, and smoke, while also removing light household odors. This authentic replacement filter is specifically designed to fit the Blue Pure 211+ air purifier (non-auto version), ensuring optimal performance and air quality.
Why We Picked It
- Genuine Blueair replacement filter for optimal performance
- Particle filter captures airborne pollutants like dust and allergens
- Activated carbon removes light household odors
Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier
The Honeywell HPA300 is a powerful True HEPA air purifier designed for extra large rooms up to 465 square feet. It effectively captures up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including allergens, dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke. With its high clean air delivery rate (CADR), this air purifier can clean the air in a room up to 4.8 times per hour.
Why We Picked It
- True HEPA filtration for superior air cleaning performance
- Suitable for extra large rooms up to 465 sq. ft.
- High CADR ratings for fast and efficient air purification
Dyson Purifier Cool TP07
The Dyson Purifier Cool™ TP07 is a sleek, powerful air purifier and fan that automatically senses and captures pollutants, delivering cleaner air throughout your space. With a fully-sealed HEPA filtration system, 350° oscillation, and a range of smart features, this purifier is designed to efficiently tackle airborne particles, allergens, and odors.
Why We Picked It
- Intelligent sensing and real-time air quality reporting
- Air Multiplier™ technology for whole-room purification
- Backward airflow mode to purify without cooling
Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is a powerful and efficient air purifier designed for large rooms up to 1600 sq. ft. It features a medical-grade HEPA filter that captures 99.9% of airborne particles, including allergens, dust, and mold. With its ultra-quiet operation and pink noise emission, this air purifier is perfect for bedrooms, promoting a restful night’s sleep.
Why We Picked It
- Medical-grade HEPA filtration for superior air cleaning
- Ultra-quiet operation with sleep-enhancing pink noise
- Ideal for large rooms up to 1600 sq. ft.
Medify MA-40 UV Air Purifier
The Medify MA-40 UV Light Air Purifier is a powerful and efficient device that combines True HEPA H14 filtration with UV-C light technology to effectively remove 99.9% of airborne particles, including smoke, odors, pollen, and pet dander, down to 0.1 microns in size. With a coverage area of 1,793 square feet in just one hour and quiet operation, this air purifier is perfect for large rooms and open spaces.
Why We Picked It
- True HEPA H14 filter and UV-C light for superior air purification
- Covers 1,793 sq. ft. in 1 hour, ideal for large spaces
- Whisper-quiet operation for unobtrusive use
Rabbit Air MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier
The RabbitAir MinusA2 is a sleek, ultra-quiet HEPA air purifier that delivers powerful 6-stage filtration and deodorization. This Energy Star certified unit is perfect for rooms up to 815 sq. ft. and features a customizable filter to target specific concerns like germs, toxins, pet allergens or odors. With a 5-year warranty and stylish design options, the MinusA2 is a top choice for exceptional air purification.
Why We Picked It
- 6-stage filtration system with BioGS HEPA filter
- Customizable filter for germs, toxins, pet allergens or odors
- Sleek, wall-mountable design with artistic panel options
Coway Airmega 400
The Coway Airmega 400 is a powerful, smart air purifier that effectively cleans spaces up to 1,560 square feet. Featuring a dual suction design, Max2 filters (activated carbon + True HEPA), and real-time air quality monitoring, this Wi-Fi enabled unit delivers exceptional performance while operating quietly.
Why We Picked It
- Covers very large spaces with dual suction filtration
- Max2 filter system captures 99.97% of particles and deodorizes
- Smart features like real-time monitoring and app control
Austin Air Healthmate Plus – Powerful Air Purifier
The Austin Air Healthmate Plus is a powerful air purifier designed to eliminate a wide range of harmful airborne contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It features a 4-stage filtration system with a medical-grade HEPA filter and a substantial amount of activated carbon and zeolite for exceptional gas and odor removal. This high-performance unit is ideal for individuals with respiratory issues, chemical sensitivities, or those living in heavily polluted areas.
Why We Picked It
- Broad-spectrum filtration for particles, gases, and VOCs
- Medical-grade HEPA captures 99.97% of airborne particles
- 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite for superior gas and odor removal
Molekule Air Mini+
The Molekule Air Mini+ is a compact yet powerful air purifier designed for small spaces up to 250 square feet. It utilizes Molekule’s proprietary PECO (Photoelectrochemical Oxidation) technology along with a HEPA filter to capture and destroy a wide range of pollutants, including viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With its sleek design and whisper-quiet operation, the Air Mini+ offers an effective solution for improving indoor air quality in bedrooms, home offices, or any small room.
Why We Picked It
- FDA-cleared to destroy viruses and bacteria
- Auto Protect mode adjusts fan speed based on air quality
- Portable and stylish design with a vegan leather handle
FAQs
What is the most important feature to look for in an air purifier for wildfire smoke?
The most crucial feature is a True HEPA filter, which can capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including the fine particulate matter found in wildfire smoke.
Do air purifiers remove smoke odors?
Yes, air purifiers with activated carbon or charcoal filters can effectively adsorb and remove smoke odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, in addition to particulate matter.
How do I choose the right size air purifier for my space?
Consider the room size and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating for smoke. As a general guideline, the CADR should be at least two-thirds of the room’s square footage to effectively clean the air.
How often should I run my air purifier during wildfire smoke events?
For best results, run your air purifier continuously on the highest fan setting during wildfire smoke events to keep filtering the air and removing pollutants.
Do air purifiers require maintenance?
Yes, air purifiers require regular maintenance, primarily replacing the filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or when the filter change indicator alerts you. Proper maintenance ensures optimal performance.