With wildfire smoke polluting the air in several states across the U.S., one of the best ways to improve the air you breathe is with a reliable air purifier. The best air purifiers for smoke can filter out the microscopic particles responsible for coughing, stinging eyes and a scratchy throat, among other symptoms. Our top recommendation is the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) HEPA Purifier, a slim and efficient model that features a four-stage filtration system and five user-friendly modes, including an energy-efficient Eco mode. For a more budget-friendly pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 511 is a tiny yet-mighty machine that’s equipped to capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles, like pollen, dust and smoke, down to 0.1 microns.
The best air purifiers for smoke feature multiple filtration levels that effectively remove microscopic particles.
An Efficient Pick With A Four-Stage Filtration System
Coway
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Coverage area: 874 square feet | CADR rating: 233 (smoke), 246 (dust), 240 (pollen) | Minimum noise level: 24 dB | Dimensions: 9.6 x 16.8 x 18.3 | Weight: 12.3 pounds | Returns and warranty: 30-day returns with shipping and handling costs (if purchased directly from Coway), 3-year limited warranty
Pros:
Automatic fan speed adjustment
Energy-efficient Eco mode
Compact and stylish design
Cons:
Noisy at high settings
This device features a four-stage filtration system: a pre-filter for larger particles, a True HEPA filter and a carbon filter to reduce odors. The fourth component is a built-in ionizer that releases negative ions, which attach to small particles, causing them to clump together and settle on flat surfaces. While the ionizer helps improve air quality, it also produces ozone as a byproduct, which can irritate the respiratory system with prolonged exposure—though the ionizer can be easily turned off. The pre-filter is washable, while the True HEPA and activated carbon filters need replacement every six to 12 months, depending on your usage.
The Coway Airmega includes a helpful air quality indicator light that changes color: red for high pollution levels, purple for moderate levels and blue for low pollution levels. Overall, the machine operates quietly on all five modes, though some users note it can get noisy at the highest setting.
For energy efficiency and a reliably quiet operation, the brand recommends using the device’s Eco mode that automatically shuts off after 30 minutes once healthy air levels are reached; the purifier will then continue to check air quality every 30 minutes thereafter.
A Compact-Yet-Powerful Option That Won’t Break The Bank
Amazon
Blueair Blue Pure 511
Coverage area: 432 square feet | CADR Rating: 122 (smoke), 123 (dust), 123 (pollen) | Minimum noise level: 24 dB | Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 13.9 inches | Weight: 5.24 pounds | Returns and warranty: Free returns within 60 days (if purchased directly from Blueair), 2-year limited warranty
Pros:
Small and lightweight
Whisper-quiet operation
Impressive performance for its size
Cons:
Lacks smart functionality and auto settings
The Blueair Blue Pure 511 is a low-profile and relatively low-cost air purifier that’s designed to clean rooms up to 432 square feet in 30 minutes or spaces up to 192 square feet in just 12 minutes. It features the brand’s trademarked HEPASilent filter with five layers of filtration, which claims to capture 99.97% of airborne particles, like pollen, dust and smoke, down to 0.1 microns. (For reference, the Coway’s True HEPA filter claims to do the same.) There’s also a washable fabric pre-filter add-on that’s available in three chic colors to match your room’s décor.
The purifier is simple to set up and operate, with just one button controlling its three speeds: Press once for Night mode, twice for Everyday mode and three times for Boost mode. The machine is quiet, too, with its most powerful setting coming in at under 50 dB.
When compared to other picks on this list, though, it’s worth noting that the lower price of this machine also adds up to fewer features. For example, the Blue Pure lacks a display to indicate air quality, sensors for automatic adjustment, a timer and scheduling capabilities. Despite these limitations, the Blueair Blue Pure 511 is a solid choice for medium-sized bedrooms, home offices or nurseries.
Best Small-Space Air Purifier For Smoke
A Reliable And Inexpensive Pick For A Single Room
Amazon
Levoit Core 300
Coverage area: 219 square feet | CADR Rating: 141 (smoke), 140 (dust), 145 (pollen) | Minimum noise level: 24 dB | Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches | Weight: 7.48 pounds | Returns and warranty: Free returns within 30 days (if purchased directly from Levoit), 2-year limited warranty
Pros:
Affordable price point
Compact design for smaller spaces
Smoke-specific replacement filters available
Cons:
Some users report it can be loud
The Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier is a great choice for spaces up to 219 square feet, capable of refreshing the air up to five times an hour in rooms of this size. The brand suggests that it can technically clean the air of rooms up to 350 square feet, but at a slightly slower rate and with fewer refreshing cycles per hour.
It features a three-stage filtration system, including a pre-filter, a primary filter and a High-Efficiency Activated Carbon filter. The pre-filter requires monthly cleaning, while the other filters need to be replaced every six to eight months, depending on usage. If you’re looking for added protection against smoke particles, the brand offers a 4-stage Smoke Remover Filter (sold separately) that also tackles dust, pollen and pet dander.
While some users have noted that the purifier can be noisy on high settings, its sleep mode registers at a very quiet 24 dB and dims the display lights during use, making it ideal for bedrooms or home offices. There’s also a timer that lets you set the machine for up to eight hours of operation before it switches off automatically.
Additionally, the purifier has an LCD touchscreen display that allows you to configure the machine’s different settings, but there are no indicators showing the room’s air quality. That said, despite its few drawbacks, the Levoit Core 300 is a worthwhile option to consider for a smaller space.
Best Large-Space Air Purifier For Smoke
An Energy-Efficient Option With Three Filtration Stages
Amazon
Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max
Optimal coverage area: 1,524 square feet | CADR Rating: 435 (smoke), 452 (dust), 450 (pollen) | Minimum noise level: 23 dB | Dimensions: 14.4 x 14.4 x 22.7 inches | Weight: 16.2 pounds | Returns and warranty: Free returns within 60 days (if purchased directly from Blueair), 3-year limited warranty
Pros:
Designed for large spaces
Energy-efficient, quiet operation
Display can be turned off while the unit is running
Cons:
Large and somewhat heavy
Pricier than other models we recommend
The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max can clean the air in rooms around 600 square feet in just 12 minutes, rooms of about 1,500 square feet in 30 minutes and rooms of roughly 3,000 square feet in an hour. To accommodate this greater coverage area, the machine itself is larger and heavier than others recommended on this list, clocking in at around twice the size of the Blueair and Levoit models above.
Equipped with three stages of filtration, the Blue Pure 211i Max captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns. Aided by sensors that automatically detect new particulate matter in the air and adjust the machine’s fan speed, the brand’s HEPASilent filter technology removes a broad spectrum of airborne pollutants, such as allergens, smoke, mold spores, dust mites and pet dander. An activated carbon filter eliminates odors, VOCs and smoke, while a removable and washable pre-filter traps large particles like dust and pet hair.
A bright and clear LCD touchscreen display on the top of the machine shows current air quality levels and allows you to change its settings; alternatively, you can monitor air quality and control the purifier’s settings remotely, using the Blueair app, Amazon Alexa or Google Home. There’s also a child lock to prevent little hands from making unwanted adjustments. For nighttime use, the super-quiet Night Mode operates at just 23 dB and automatically dims the lights. If you prefer a higher fan speed at night, you can alternatively manually dim the LED bar to zero.
In terms of the Blue Pure 211i Max’s flaws, there are really only a few: The machine is large and can be cumbersome, as mentioned above. It’s one of the pricier models on this list, both for the base machine and for its replacement filters ($70 a pop, compared to the $20-to-$50 range of other models here), which you can expect to change out every six or so months.
Best-Designed Air Purifier For Smoke
A Premium Air Purifier Designed To Capture Formaldehyde And CO2
BestBuy
Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03
Optimal coverage area: 1,055 square feet | CADR Rating: Not listed | Minimum noise level: 33 dB | Dimensions: 16.34 x 17.09 x 32.7 inches | Weight: 26.2 pounds | Returns and warranty: Free returns within 30 days (if purchased directly from Dyson), 2-year parts and labor warranty, lifetime customer service
Pros:
Built-in powerful cooling fan
HEPA filter lasts up to five years before replacement
Sends detailed air quality data directly to your smartphone
Cons:
Device and its replacement filters are expensive
Heavy and large profile
While Dyson’s Big+Quiet BP03 air purifier is a large device that takes up significant floor space, it’s a sleek, sculptural, design-forward appliance. Besides good looks, the machine is well engineered and effective. Equipped with a three-stage filtration system, it includes a long-lasting HEPA H13-grade filter, which, according to the brand, can last up to five years without needing replacement. The filter is designed to capture 99.97% of microscopic particles as small as 0.1 microns, while an additional carbon filter reduces smoke odors.
The BP03 has a unique, dome-shaped top that projects air steadily and powerfully to treat large spaces with ease; Dyson claims that the machine can deliver uninterrupted streams of purified air for up to 32 feet. The purifier also features multiple sensors and detects pollutants, including formaldehyde (a harmful substance emitted by some wood, glues, paints and household cleaners, and present in smoke from wildfires and cigarettes) and carbon dioxide in the air, offering detailed insights into air quality improvements via its smartphone app. Plus, you can select from three oscillation angles (0, 25 or 50 degrees) for the dome and 10 speed settings, including a Breeze mode that adjusts to mimic a natural airflow.
The purifier can be controlled via the included remote, user-friendly Dyson app or smart home voice assistants like Alexa. Like most Dyson air purification devices, the machine monitors air quality in real time and sends updates directly to your smartphone. As an added bonus, the BP03 also doubles as a fan and operates quietly, while the light sensor automatically dims the display in low-light conditions, ensuring minimal sleep disruption.
How We Chose The Best Air Purifiers For Smoke
To find the best air purifiers for smoke, we researched and compared filtration levels, coverage area, CADR (clean air delivery rate) ratings and noise levels, while also reviewing top-rated models from trusted brands.
We focused on air purifiers designed to tackle smoke from brands like Dyson, Blueair, Coway and Levoit.
We also evaluated each model’s key factors like ease of use, footprint, maintenance requirements, and additional features such as noise levels and overall coverage area.
We pored over customer reviews and ruled out models with an average rating of under 4 stars (out of 5); we also paid special attention to comments describing how these machines have held up over time.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The home team at Forbes Vetted has extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the top products on the market. Over the years, we’ve published expert-backed articles on various products, including several on the best air purifiers.
This story was researched and written by Sholeen Damarwala, the former home and kitchen editor at Forbes Vetted. She has over a decade of experience researching, writing and editing product and consumer shopping stories, including the best couches and Dyson vacuums.
For this piece, we tapped an air quality expert to provide insight into what air toxins air purifiers can and can’t effectively filter out, plus which ones users should be most concerned about. We also asked him about features an air purifier should ideally have to successfully reduce smoke.
We perform regular updates on all of our content to ensure all of the information is accurate and up to date. This piece was last updated in July 2026.
Yes, an air purifier can make a significant difference in eliminating smoke particles so that they don’t continue to build up and cause unwanted and harmful exposures. “The more pollution the air contains, the more it enters our bodies. This triggers an immune system response and widespread inflammation, leading to a range of potential symptoms and chronic health conditions,” says Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert. “Air purifiers eliminate the particles and gases that smoke introduces to our air, making them a vital piece of the puzzle to staying safe and protecting our well-being.” The key is choosing an air purifier that is capable of capturing the smallest microscopic particles and gases; otherwise, you’ll risk recycling highly contaminated air back into your home.
In addition to having a HEPA filter, an air purifier should be capable of tackling smoke particles as small as 0.1 microns to effectively remove these contaminants. A carbon filter is also important for dealing with gases like VOCs, providing an extra layer of protection. “This is especially crucial when it comes to smoke and the harmful gases it contains,” says Rubino.
It’s also important to choose a model that is properly sized for your space. If the room exceeds the purifier's coverage capacity, you won’t get the full filtering benefits or optimal protection from smoke. For spaces like the bedroom, where noise can affect rest, consider the purifier’s noise level. Lastly, some models include features like a filter service indicator light, air quality sensors and smart technology integration. “Many of these features can be helpful when dealing with smoke, including the sensors and filter service light,” adds Rubino.
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a standard measure that indicates how well an air purifier cleans the air by testing its ability to remove pollutants like smoke, dust and pollen. It combines two key factors: how effectively the purifier filters out particles and how much air it cleans in a given amount of time, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
According to Rubino, during testing, air purifiers are placed in controlled chambers with specific concentrations of pollutants, and sensors monitor how quickly these concentrations decrease as the purifier operates. The resulting CADR reflects both the rate at which the purifier filters particles and the volume of air it cleans. The higher the score, the more powerful and effective the machine.
“That said, it’s not a foolproof method,” he warns. “It doesn’t account for gases, a major component of smoke, and the need for a carbon filter to address these contaminants.” Still, CADR is a useful tool for selecting an air purifier based on room size and the types of pollutants you want to remove, he notes.
