Do you want to find out how to eliminate second hand smoke in your house?
Are you looking for the best air purifier for smoke to get rid of stubborn cigarette and cigar odors inside your home?
If so, then this free guide was written for you.
Throughout this page, you’ll discover everything you need to know in order to remove smoke and improve the air quality in your home using a smoke air purifier.
By the time you’re done reading this guide, you’ll know exactly what the best air purifier for second hand smoke is to give you fresh air at home.
Table of Contents
Best Air Purifier for Smoke Comparison Chart
Here’s a chart showing the comparison between the top three air purifiers for smoke removal.
We’ll go more in depth about each one later in this guide but this gives you a sense of what’s available and an easy way to quickly compare them.
| Image | Air Purifier Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | VEVA Pro HEPA 9000 Air Purifier
| Check Price |
  | Rabbit Air MinusA2
| Check Price |
  | Blueair Blue Pure 411
| Check Price |
The Best Air Purifier for Second Hand Smoke and Odor Features
Something you may not know is that not all of the best home air purifiers you can buy today are made the same.
Only certain types of room air purifiers can actually remove second hand smoke particles and cigar odor.
In fact, normal air purifiers are not designed to remove gaseous pollutants which are the main components of cigarette smoke.
They also cannot eliminate tobacco smoke odor.
When you’re trying to eliminate smoke from a home, there are two types of particles that need to be removed from indoor air:
- the microscopic particles that form together to make up the visible smoke
- the large particles that create the smoke odor
Unfortunately, many air purifiers are not designed to eliminate the makeup of smoke.
Instead, they’re focused only on improving air quality by removing allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander, and have almost zero effect on cigarette and cigar odors.
With that being said, here are the two most important features you want to look for when deciding on the best air purifier for smoke removal inside your home:
- A True HEPA air filtering system (this removes 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger, including visible smoke)
- A dedicated filter with lots of activated carbon (this absorbs the smoke smell)
The activated carbon is the secret behind how to eliminate smoke odor in a house.
The truth is that it’s easy to find an air purifier with True HEPA air technology. All of the top models include it.
However, most of these products are not effective at combating tobacco odors.
You really need a product that includes a specialized Activated Carbon filter. This filter is the key to eliminating cigarette and cigar aroma (and other household odors).
In fact, only an air purifier for second hand smoke that can absorb gases and chemical vapors will be effective in removing the harmful contaminants and odors of smoking.
Buying any other kind of room air purifier for smokers will be a waste of your money.
What makes Activated Carbon so effective against smoke odor is that they’re made up of millions of microscopic pores that are very porous.
Once smoke particles flow through these filters, they become absorbed by the carbon material and dissipate from the room.
The end result is indoor air smelling fresh again.
Best Air Purifiers for Cigarette Smoke and Cigar Odor
Now that you know what features to look for in the best air purifier for second hand smoke and odors, we’ll now move onto showing you what the three top products for smoke are for the home.
The first two air purifiers for smoke below use the highest grade True HEPA filtration and Activated Carbon to eliminate all traces of smoke in large areas of the home.
You can’t go wrong choosing either one.
The third best air purifier for smoke is for people who only need a tobacco cleaning device to improve the air quality in smaller rooms.
#1 Best Air Purifier for Smoke and Odor
VEVA Pro HEPA 9000 Air Purifier
Recommended for spaces up to 600 square feet, the VEVA ProHEPA 9000 Air Purifier is an incredibly affordable option for larger rooms, especially considering the level of quality air purification you get for the price.
It’s equipped with three filters to capture unseen air invaders and larger ones alike. The washable pre-filter uses micro mesh technology to grab larger particles, like hair, pet dander, and lint. Next, the air meets a microparticle and activated carbon filter which helps to extend the HEPA filter’s life and remove odors, smoke, and other vaporized pollutants. Lastly, the medical-grade H13 premium HEPA filter effectively traps pollen, dust, mold, and other nasties to bring you the best air possible in your home.
Unlike other air purifiers on the market, this VEVA air purifier doesn’t use UV lights or ions, which are known to create trace amounts of ozone that can pollute the very air you’re trying to clean. For families with babies, cats, or dogs, you can breathe easy knowing this little machine is a lot safer than some of the other products out there.
Plus, the installation is so simple! You just slide the filters into their designated slots and it’s ready to go.
Customize how you purify your home with the three airspeeds ranging from extra quiet to ultra turbo. For instance, the extra quiet speed ensures your air is clean while you sleep without the noisy whir of the motor.
Its small, sleek, and modern design is also a huge perk — the VEVA air purifier seamlessly integrates into any home décor for a sensible solution to air quality that doesn’t disrupt your personal style.
(The smaller and cheaper VEVA 8000 can cover 325 sq. ft.)
#2 Best Room Air Purifier for Smokers
Rabbit Air MinusA2
As you know, there’s no stronger tobacco smell than cigar smoke.
So, if an air purifier can get rid of that, then cigarette smoke doesn’t stand a chance.
It has 6-stages of air purification and deodorization with multiple fans speed to create the cleanest, freshest indoor air possible.
It can also purify large rooms up to 700 square feet which is ideal for most home applications and smoking rooms.
What’s even better is the fact that this smoke air purifier has the option of being mounted onto a wall.
And with its stylish design, it will complement the decor of any room.
The front panel can also be customized with a design from the company’s artist series for added flair or you can just pick between the standard white or black color.
The filters are long-lasting and only need replacement every 1-2 years, depending on use.
And with an Energy Star certification, you’ll also enjoy low-cost operation for years to come.
You can clearly see why this is the best room air purifier for smokers and why so many people choose it to get fresh air at home.
#3 Cheapest Air Purifier for Second Hand Smoke
Blueair Blue Pure 411
Perhaps you’re looking to remove cigarette smoke and odors inside a small room and don’t need the full power of one of our top two picks.
If that’s the case, then this Blue Pure 411 air purifier is your cheapest (and best) option for an air purifier.
This air purifier for second hand smoke covers small rooms up to 161 square feet which is perfect for areas like a bedroom or smaller living room apartment.
It also includes a 360-degree airflow design which pulls air in from all around the unit, making it more efficient.
The HEPA air filter is not a full-blown True HEPA filtration version (which captures the finest airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns); however, it will get the job done when it comes to removing large particles of visible smoke.
For smoke odor removal, the size of the Activated Carbon filter does an excellent job for small spaces.
It may be hard for you to tell from the picture, but the bottom half is covered with a permanent fabric pre-filter that can be removed, washed and reused.
Inside the box, you get two colored sleeves: dark blue and grey, and additional colors can be purchased separately for around $8 apiece.
Colors include yellow, pink, blue, red, white, and black.
This is an excellent air filtration system for anyone who wants to save the most money but also benefit from the indoor air quality improvements of a smoke air purifier.
A Few Things to Remember When Using Air Purifiers for Smoke
- Cigarette and cigar smoke are very dense so it’s important that you always replace or clean the filters on a routine basis. In our product reviews above we mentioned the life expectancy of each device’s filters, but if you choose to go with another product be sure to check the owner’s manual to find out how often you need to replace them.
- Clogged air filters reduce the effectiveness of your air purifier and too much tobacco tar can render it useless against eliminating future smoke.
- You should run the air purifier on a 24/7 basis to ensure all smoke particles and odors are removed (and continue to be removed) from the room.
- Do not use air fresheners in combination with an air purifier to cover up tobacco smoke odors. The air purifier will just absorb those fragrance particles and this can shorten the filter life.
- Keep the windows and doors closed where the room air purifier is located. Air purifiers for smoke operate best when the surrounding air can be exchanged and recycled over and over again until every particle of cigarette or cigar smoke is gone.
Common Questions People Have About the Best Air Purifiers for Second Hand Smoke
If you read everything up until this point on the page, then you likely already know the answers to the questions below.
However, these are the most common questions people have when it comes to air purifiers for smoke.
If you’re still unclear about what an air purifier can and can’t do for air quality and smoke, or you’re just looking for quick answers to share with a smoker, the information listed below will help.
Can Air Purifiers Help with Cigarette Smoke?
Yes. This is one of the amazing benefits of air purifiers. However, only certain models of air purifiers are designed specifically to remove cigarette smoke from indoor air. The three best air purifiers for smoke removal mentioned in this guide are the best for this purpose.
Do Air Purifiers Work for Second Hand Smoke?
Yes. Air purifiers that use a True HEPA filter can get rid of second hand smoke from an enclosed space. These filters can emove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. If you’re a smoker (or live with one) and looking for a room air purifier for this purpose, you won’t be disappointed.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Removing Cigarette Smoke?
There are really two air purifiers that are the best for removing cigarette smoke and cigar odors. These are the Rabbit Air MinusA2 and Austin Air Healthmate HM400 which are reviewed in this guide. Both products are superior in their performance for eliminating smoke particles and smells. The MinusA2 uses 6-stages of air filtration to reduce cigarette smoke and odors while the HM400 uses a medical grade True HEPA filter and 15 lbs. of activated carbon to remove all traces of tobacco smoke in a room.
Will Air Purifier Remove Smoke Smell?
Yes, as long as it has an Activated Carbon filter. Activated carbon is one of the best materials for absorbing the smell of smoke. Some air purifiers come with this specialized filter for the very purpose of absorbing tobacco smoke odor. No other type of air filter can remove smoke smell.
All of the air purifiers on this page are excellent for reducing smoke smells.
Does HEPA Remove Smoke?
Yes. HEPA filters do remove the visible form of smoke. However, HEPA filters do not reduce smoke odors. The airborne particles of smoke that cause odor must be absorbed by an Activated Carbon filter. If you’re just trying to get rid of second hand smoke particles you can see in the air then a HEPA filter will work just fine.
Each of the air purifiers in this guide has high-quality HEPA filters to remove smoke.
Why a Room Air Purifier for Smokers is a Good Idea
Up until a few years ago, being able to live inside a house with a smoker that was smoke-free was impossible.
The only solution people had was to smoke outside. And for a smoker that’s very inconvenient.
Fortunately, the advancement of indoor air purification technology has changed all of that.
Now, buying an affordable room air purifier for smokers is available for any homeowner (or renter) to purchase and not just limited to commercial applications.
By using a specially designed air purifier for cigarette smoke and cigars you can now have a smoke-free home without tobacco odors.
Air purifiers such as these are specially designed to remove all types of smoke particles and odors from a room.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Smoke Smell
As we mentioned above, the best air purifier for second hand smoke is one with a True HEPA filter. This filter will remove the visible smoke particles.
Additionally, you learned that Activated Carbon is the best way to get rid of smoke odor when using an air purifier. It traps the airborne particles that cause smells and doesn’t allow them to reenter the air to emit an odor.
Many devices like the ones mentioned above can also extract stubborn smells that have latched onto walls and furniture.
However, in very extreme cases even the most advanced air purifier for smoke may not be able to completely get rid of the smell if it has embedded itself deep into furniture and walls.
If that’s the case in your home, you can go a few steps further in order to get rid of any trace of the smell. Then, the air purifier will keep the room smelling smoke-free from that point forward.
Try these steps below.
Clean the Walls
Walls have the largest surface area within a room. Therefore, this is the most commonplace for trace odors of tobacco smoke to hide. The most effective way to remove them is to wash all of the walls using a cleaning solution that uses Borax.
Borax is excellent at breaking down the cigarette and cigar particles that have stuck to the paint inside a room.
Although this task can be very time consuming, the end result is not only a clean set of walls but also a cleaner home with fewer household odors.
To make the solution combine:
- 2 gallons of water
- ½ cp. Borax powder
- ½ tsp. dishwashing liquid
Use a rag to agitate the solutions and then wipe it on to the walls to remove the tobacco stains. After cleaning rinse off the residue using regular tap water.
Clean Carpets and Upholstery
Another area where smoke particles get trapped is in the carpet and upholstery.
However, using a Borax solution on these objects will ruin them.
The best thing to use in this situation is a steam cleaner, which is can be rented from most any hardware or grocery store. This product will safely clean the carpets, upholstery, and curtains without staining or degrading the fabric.
What Particles Make Up Tobacco Smoke?
Smoke from cigarettes and cigars are made up of more than 7,000 different chemicals in the form of gases and solid particles, however, only a small number (70) of those chemicals have been found to cause cancer in animals and humans.
The composition of tobacco smoke includes gaseous vapor that makes up about 90% of its composition while the other 10% is in the form of nicotine and tar.
While many people are aware of carbon monoxide being present in cigarette and cigar smoke, there are many other suspected known carcinogens in tobacco smoke including:
- Acrolein
- Acrylonitrile
- Ammonia
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Hydrogen Cyanide
- Lead
- N-nitrosodimethylamine
- Nitrogen Oxides
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Pyridine
- Vinyl Chloride
Enjoy Your New Air Purifier for Smoke
We hope this article helped guide you in the right direction on the best air purifier for smoke to get for your home.
Regardless of the best air purifier for second hand smoke and odor you choose, we know you’ll be enjoying cleaner, fresher air in your home.
As you learned at the beginning of this guide, the top air purifier for smoke is one that includes a True HEPA filter and Activated Carbon.
Any other types of air cleaning technologies the air purifier has are nice perks, but not necessary to remove cigarette and cigar smoke.