Does Air Purifier Help With Smell? Best Options for Odor Removal!
Tayyabah Zahoor
March 6, 2025
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An air purifier is a device that helps clean the air in your home by removing dust, allergens, bacteria, and other pollutants. But does it help with smells? The simple answer is: yes, air purifiers can help with smells, but it depends on the type of air purifier and the source of the smell.
Air purifiers work by filtering the air. They usually have a combination of filters like HEPA filters (which catch small particles) and carbon filters (which absorb odors and gases). When you run an air purifier, it helps remove the particles and chemicals that cause odors, making the air smell fresher.
But air purifiers are not magic machines. They are most effective when used in a well-ventilated room and when they are suited to the type of smell you’re dealing with.
To eliminate persistent smells faster, ensure your air purifier has a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and run it at maximum speed initially.
Type of Smell
Best Air Purifiers
Why
Smoke (Cigarettes, Weed)
Levoit Core 300
Austin Air HealthMate
Coway AP-1512HH
These air purifiers have strong carbon filters that can absorb smoke and chemicals, neutralizing the smell.
Pet Odors
Bissell air400
Blueair Classic 480i
Coway Airmega 400
These have both HEPA and carbon filters, which work well for absorbing pet odors and dander.
Food Odors
GermGuardian AC4825
Winix 5500-2
Honeywell HPA300
Their carbon filters help trap food smells and other odors in kitchens.
Mold or Mildew
Rabbit Air MinusA2
Honeywell HPA300
Austin Air HealthMate
These have HEPA filters to capture mold spores and carbon filters to neutralize musty odors.
Bathroom Odors
Levoit Core 300
Honeywell HPA250B
Winix 5300-2
They have carbon filters that are effective in absorbing bathroom smells and humidity-related odors.
Chemical Odors (Paint, Cleaning Products)
IQAir HealthPro Plus
Levoit LV-H133
Alen BreatheSmart 75i
HEPA filters and carbon filters that can handle chemical fumes from paint or cleaning products.
1. Do place the air purifier in the right spot.
Put it in a central location, away from walls or obstructions, to get better airflow.
2. Do replace filters regularly.
A clogged filter can’t remove smells effectively. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for filter replacement.
3. Do keep windows closed while using it.
To prevent outside smells from coming in, keep windows closed when running the purifier.
4. Do use a high-efficiency air purifier.
Choose one with both HEPA and activated carbon filters for the best results.
1. Don’t ignore the source of the smell.
An air purifier helps but won’t stop smells from coming back if the source isn’t removed (e.g., a mold problem).
2. Don’t run the purifier on a low setting all the time.
If the smell is strong, you may need to use a higher setting to remove it effectively.
3. Don’t use a cheap, ineffective air purifier.
Low-quality purifiers might not work well for smells, especially smoke or chemicals.
4. Don’t forget to clean the purifier.
Dust can accumulate on the purifier’s body, which can affect its performance. Clean it regularly.
Air purifiers are excellent tools for reducing odors in your home, whether it’s smoke, pet smells, food odors, or even bathroom and mold smells. Just make sure you choose the right one with both HEPA and carbon filters for the best odor removal. Also, remember that the purifier should be the right size for your room and that the filters need regular care.
With the right air purifier and proper maintenance, your air will smell fresher, and you’ll be able to enjoy a more pleasant living environment!
Tayyabah Zahoor is an expert writer with a Bachelor's degree in Physics. She specializes in creating content for affiliate websites, particularly about air purifiers. Using her scientific knowledge, she compares different air purifiers by analyzing their features and effectiveness. This helps her provide clear and helpful information to consumers looking for the best options.