Shopping for an air purifier that can remove odors? You have come to the right place! We have a list of recommendations for you to consider.
Pets, high humidity, leaky pipes, smoking, mold, and mildew are common causes of a smelly house. The unpleasant smell can linger for longer periods of time, making it difficult to breathe.
Whether it is limited to a single room or has spread throughout your entire house, you need to work out a solution to this problem.
While most people opt to purchase air fresheners, we suggest you look into getting a good air purifier for odor removal. These devices not only remove unwanted smells but also improve indoor air quality.
But, here’s the thing.
Not all air purifiers are great at odor elimination. Certain devices are specially made for this job. This article reviews some of the best air purifiers to remove odors.
Our Top 3 Picks
- It is equipped with a True HEPA Filter
- You can choose between three different speeds
- It is an AHAM-verified product for smoke; dust, and odor reduction
- It has a large filter surface area
- It offers a 1 to 12-hour auto-off timer option
- You can operate in auto-fan speed changing mode
- It can trap dust, pet dander, mold, VOCs, and other air pollutants effectively
- It has an evaporative essential oil diffuser
- It features a powerful 3-stage filtration system
What's in This Buying Guide
Table of Contents
This buying guide has highlighted the features that make an air purifier best for odor removal. You will also find a list of factors to keep in mind while shopping for one, as well as a list of our top picks.
Each of the products we have mentioned is thoroughly tested for both build and performance. For further satisfaction, we have also included a detailed review of each unit along with its pros and cons so you can identify which model will work the best for you.
Best Air Purifiers to Remove Odors
- 1. Best Air Purifier for Most Users: Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
- 2. Best Budget Air Purifier for Odor Removal: Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier for Odors
- 3. Best TableTop Air Purifier for Odor Removal: PARTU HEPA Air Purifier
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
Best Air Purifier for Most Users
Dimensions
10.25 x 6.75 x 21.5 inchesWeight
8.55 poundsFiltration
CarbonFilter True HEPA Filter UV-C LightSpeeds
3Power Supply
120VCertification
AHAM and Energy Star CertifiedWarranty
3-year limited warranty
Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier for Odors
Best Budget Air Purifier for Odor Removal
Dimensions
14.5 x 7.2 x 18.5 inchesWeight
11.22 poundsFiltration
Pre-filter True HEPA Filter Carbon FilterSpeeds
3Power Supply
120VCertification
Energy Star, CARB & FCCWarranty
1-year warranty
PARTU HEPA Air Purifier
Best TableTop Air Purifier for Odor Removal
Dimensions
7.5 x 7.5 x 13.8 inchesWeight
3.13 poundsFiltration
Pre-filter HEPA Filter Carbon FilterSpeeds
3Power Supply
120VCertification
CARB, ETL, and FCCWarranty
Not Specified
This device from GermGuardian is not only apt at removing air pollutants, but it can also rid your home of unwanted smells. It features a three-stage filtration system and is best suited for medium-sized rooms. It is one of the affordable models, making it a great choice.
PROS
- Offers good value for the money
- Boasts noiseless and quiet operation
- Features a sleek and stylish design
- Blue light indicator adds to its aesthetics
- Available in two color choices
CONS
- The true HEPA filter is expensive to replace
- It does not have any smart features
Features
- It is equipped with a True HEPA Filter
- You can choose between three different speeds
- It is an AHAM-verified product for smoke; dust, and odor reduction
- Features a four-in-one functionality to finest of contaminants
- It comes with a 3-year limited warranty
Our Review
GermGuardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier is a smart and stylish unit that people often mistake as an entertainment device. Inside its sleek body, it features a three-stage filtration system.
The first stage is the pre-filter and a carbon filter that traps large particles and odor molecules before the air reaches the True HEPA filter.
The second stage is the true HEPA filter that efficiently traps smaller particles, capturing about 99% of the remaining pollutants. Lastly, UV-C light technology works to neutralize the microbes that could be roaming freely in your home.
The unit merely measures 10.25 x 6.75 x 21.5 inches and 8.55 pounds in weight. Hence, it does not take up too much space and is very portable and easy to take from one place to another.
For added convenience, it also features a handle that allows you to pick it up comfortably. Being an Energy Star-rated device, you don’t have to worry about it jacking up your bill. Instead, even at the highest of its three fan speeds; it consumes just above 120V of power.
This unit from Levoit quickly gained public attention because of its compact design, affordable price, and versatile functionality. Not only is it great at eliminating airborne pollutants, but it also rids your home of unwanted smells and odors.
Moreover, it has a high CADR rating of 135 for smoke, making it a great air purifier to remove odors.
PROS
- Features an elegant and appealing design
- Uses three-stage filtration system, including a True HEPA filter
- It offers a wide range of timer settings to choose from
- Smart features make it extremely easy-to-operate
- Highly portable and 100% ozone free
CONS
- It does not have a child lock feature
- The airflow rate is quite low
Features
- It has a large filter surface area
- It offers a 1 to 12-hour auto-off timer option
- You can operate in auto-fan speed changing mode
- It allows you to turn off the LED display when needed
- It boasts super-quiet operation on the lowest speed
Our Review
Levoit is a trustworthy brand from California, USA. It has managed to win its user’s hearts with high-quality air purifiers and humidifiers. That’s why you can choose their LV-PUR131 with closed eyes.
One standout feature of this unit is its ability to monitor the real-time indoor air quality and display it on the control panel. There is a sensitive air quality monitor that checks the air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed.
The easy-to-operate control panel is conveniently located on the top of the unit. This ergonomic position makes it easy to adjust the settings as well to view air quality reports.
The unit is made of durable ABS plastic which makes it quite sturdy yet lightweight. With its 11-pound weight, you won’t have any difficulty moving it from one room to another.
It does not produce ozone that can be harmful to you but it lacks WiFi connectivity. However, it does have a sleep mode that allows it to operate silently so you can enjoy a peaceful night-time sleep.
PARTU is not as renowned as many other air purifier brands but this unit from their range is certainly worth noticing. It won us over with its discreet presence, ozone-free operation, compact size, and quiet operation.
However, the most noticeable feature is the inclusion of a fragrance sponge that enables you to use essential oils with it as well.
PROS
- Prevents error operation with lockset feature
- Compact air purifier sits well on tabletops
- Features a sleek and compact design
- Boasts a 360° air intake
- It comes with a fragrance sponge for essential oils
CONS
- It can get a bit noisy
- Does not have Energy Star certification
Features
- It can trap dust, pet dander, mold, VOCs, and other air pollutants effectively
- It has an evaporative essential oil diffuser
- You can operate it at three variable speeds
- It features a powerful 3-stage filtration system
- It is approved by CARB (California Air Resources Board) as a healthy machine for home use
Our Review
This portable device from Partu is an ozone-free air purifier that comes in a black or white color casing. The sleek unit is compact enough to fit on most desks, and you can choose the color that goes with your decor. This is a personal air purifier that is suitable for small areas.
It works on a three-stage filtration system. The first is a pre-filter that removes all the large particulates like dust and pet dander from the air.
The next stage is a fine HEPA filter that traps particles as small as 0.3 microns. The processed air then passes through the carbon filter that uses activated charcoal to capture molecules that produce different odors.
Although it is small and lacks a true HEPA filter, it does double up as a diffuser. Beneath the air outlet on the top, there is a sponge where you can add any essential oil.
Simply remove the lid covering the outlet and put a few drops of your favorite essential oils to enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting scent across your home.
Air Purifier to Remove Odors: Buying Guide
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the quality of indoor air is five times worse than outdoor air. Particulates like dust; smoke, fungi, bacteria, pet dander, pollen, and VOCs found in cleaning products linger around your home, making it unhealthy for you.
Activities like cooking, smoking, and pet litter also reduce air quality by releasing strange odors. While most air purifiers can easily remove airborne particles, not all of them are as effective in odor removal.
So, when you set out to buy an air purifier to reduce unpleasant smells in your home, be mindful of a few things.
Filter Type
Most air purifiers work on a two-stage filtration with a pre-filter for bigger and a HEPA filter for smaller particles.
Some also feature a third filter – the activated carbon filter, which can actually remove odor molecules. It is a highly porous material that allows the air to pass through it while absorbing organic molecules that create different smells.
It is so effective that it can even remove odors your brain ignores because of regular exposure. So carefully look at the filter types and choose a model accordingly.
Old Customer Reviews
If there is one thing that can tell you how good a certain product is, it is old customer feedback.
When you have shortlisted a few models, be sure to check out what previous buyers are saying about them. They have first-hand experience of using the device, so they can tell you what the manufacturer does not.
Chances are, you will also come across several other worthier models, so don’t ignore this important step.
Brand
It is always wise to purchase from a respected brand that has a reputation for producing reliable products. It’s not just for the air purifier, this holds true in every purchase you make.
Sure, some smaller names also come up with high-quality productsbut it is best to play safe and go with a brand that people trust. The most notable names in the air purifier market include Blue Air,Winix, GermGuardian, Rabbit Air, Dyson, etc.
Price
No matter what you are shopping for, your number one consideration should be your budget. The air purifier market is filled with a ton of different devices available at different prices. Some lie on the affordable side, while others lean towards the expensive end of the price spectrum.
While some high-quality units are available at affordable prices.For most air purifiers, the price goes up with quality and features. We suggest you consider your application and choose the best unit you can find within your budget.
How do Odor-Removing Air Purifiers Work?
Most air purifiers face difficulty in filtering odor from the air because traditional nylon and HEPA filters are not designed for this purpose. While they are great at capturing pollutants, both big and small; they are not effective at trapping gaseous odor molecules.
For this purpose, manufacturers came up with different technologies designed for eliminating odor from indoor air including:
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters are the most widely used in air purifiers to remove nasty lingering odors. They consist of a thick layer of activated carbon or charcoal, a highly porous substance that traps odor molecules by chemically binding with them.
As the air passes through them, unstable carbon reacts with different organic molecules and traps them inside the filter blowing out clean and fresh air from the other side.
The biggest advantage of carbon filters is that they can remove odors from any source. You can truly rely on an air purifier with a carbon filter to rid your home of different odors, even those you don’t notice anymore.
Charged Media Filters
Charged media filters combine electrostatic energy with synthetic fiber filters. They consist of synthetic filter fibers charged during manufacturing. This process enables them to electrostatically attract contaminants and trap them within the fibers.
Most charged media filters can collect odor molecules as small as 0.1 microns.
Electrostatic Precipitators
This is a somewhat new concept. Like charged media filters, they also use an electrostatic charge to neutralize smells and clean the surrounding air. They consist of many static prone fibers, electronics cells, and collector plates.
When the air passes through the static fibers, electronic cells charge the particles that come with it. Once charged, they are trapped inside the collector plates. This type of air purifying technology works without any filters.
However, you will need to wash the collector plates regularly to continue receiving fresh and clean air.
Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO)
This air purifying technology was developed after two decades of research and study. It uses the photoelectrochemical oxidation process to break down the molecular bonds of air-borne contaminants.
Unlike other odor removal methods, PECO not just traps it but also destroys the gaseous odor molecules floating around your home.
Who Should Buy an Air Purifier that Removes Smell?
As humans, we can habituate ourselves.We can get accustomed to anything – odor in this case. While we can immediately sense strange smells, our ability to distinguish smells we are regularly exposed to diminishes over time.
Our brains tend to ignore such smells and instead focus on those that are different. However, some odors are so pungent that even after regular exposure, they can irritate you easily. Examples include pet litter; smoke, and cooking smells.
Such smells linger around for long and decrease the indoor air quality of your home. An air purifier that removes smell can help you in this regard. The following people can benefit from such a purifier:
Pet Owners
A pet’s skin releases tiny molecules of oil, protein, and other substances into the air, causing it to smell. Not to forget, their litter reeks if not taken care of.
Similarly, pet dander like fur, feather, and hair are also common sources of unpleasant smells. That’s why pet owners should look into getting an air purifier that not only rids their home of pet dander, but also eliminates the unpleasant odors associated with them.
People Who Suffer from Fragrance Sensitivity
Fragrance sensitivity is a condition in which the airways are irritated by chemicals. It is characterized by sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and wheezing. Anyone can have it but it is more common in asthmatics and people with allergies.
The effects of fragrance sensitivity can happen within minutes of exposure to certain odors. So, people who suffer from this condition should get an air purifier that removes smells to ensure their health and wellbeing.
Smokers
Smoking is not only dangerous for smokers themselves, but it also poses a serious threat to the people around them. Consisting of both gaseous pollutants and particulate matter, smoke is an odorous nuisance as well as toxic to breathe in.
To avoid the toxic effects, active smokers should get an air purifier that can also eliminate odor to prevent the ill effects of passive smoking.
People Who Live in Humid Regions
High levels of humidity are also a cause of unpleasant odors. It often leads to the development of mold and mildew that are not only smelly but are also a serious risk to health.
Similarly, when the air is humid, it condenses on different surfaces. This leaves behind a disturbing damp odor. That’s why people who live in humid regions should invest in an air purifier that removes air pollutants and odor.
What to Look for When Buying an Odor-Removing Air Purifier?
Air purifiers are amazing machines but not all of them are very efficient at odor removal.
Some air purifiers that claim to eliminate odor only mask the smell instead of actually removing the molecules causing unpleasant smells. This is because they don’t have a particular type of filter that reduces odor.
So, if you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on such a product, you should look for these features in an air purifier:
Types of Odor They can Remove
While the market is flooded with different varieties of air purifiers, not every model can effectively remove undesirable smells from your home. While some may mask the odor with their fragrance, the actual purpose is to remove the chemicals that cause the smell.
When choosing a unit for yourself, be sure to check the types of odors it can remove. Pet dander, smoke, food and cooking smells, soiled diapers, and garbage smells are some to look out for.
Coverage Area
Another important feature to consider while filtering out the perfect air purifier for yourself is its coverage area. One way to find this out is to check the number of air changes per hour. This metric is unique for every model.
For example, a smaller, personal machine can change the air of a 359 sq. ft area eight times per hour. Yet, in a 700 sq. ft room, it can only manage four air changes.
You have to be careful about choosing the right size because a small unit won’t be very effective in a large area. If you are not quite sure, go for a unit with a bigger coverage area than what you think is enough.
Portability
Air purifiers are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Small, light, and portable units that usually sit on tabletops are easy to carry from one place to another.
Larger models are certainly heavy and are best kept stationary.However, some of these machines are equipped with casters or wheels to give them mobility.
If you are targeting a single room or area of your home, go for a smaller device. But if you want to deodorize a large area, buy a bigger model.
You should also know that the size and coverage area of a unit go hand in hand, so you can also find a satisfactory medium-sized device that is also portable and compact.
Build and Durability
The build and durability of an air purifier greatly influence your choice. Nobody likes low-quality products that need constant replacement. You should look into getting a reliable product that serves you for years to come.
One way to find out how reliable a unit is to check its warranty. Manufacturers confident about their product’s performance usually back it up with long and comprehensive warranty coverage.
Choose such a unit because even if you run into any problems with it later, you can have it looked at and repaired easily.
Installation of Personal Air Purifiers to Remove Odors
Even two identical air purifiers can have a different impact on indoor air quality. It all comes down to the way they are installed. If installed correctly, you can improve its efficiency by up to 20%. However,, if you install it wrong; you’ll lose about 50% of its total potential.
For optimal deodorization, you need to install the air purifier where there is a large concentration of pollutants or where most air exchange of the room occurs. Here’s how you should go about with the installation:
- Set the unit up near the source of the odor, like in the kitchen where cooking smells linger, by the pet litter, or you can even place it near the mold infestation to get rid of the musty odor.
- Indoor air moves horizontally from door to door and vertically from the floor to ceiling. So, you should place your air purifier 3-5 feet above the ground. Put it on top of a table or desk and let it filter both horizontal and vertical airflow.
- Avoid placing it in a corner or behind something. Doing so restricts the airflow towards the purifier, so it won’t be able to filter the indoor efficiently. Always place it in the area with maximum airflow, like in the hallway or near the doorway or window.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Air Purifiers, What are the Best Locations?
As we already mentioned earlier, you should place an air purifier near the source of pollution, like in the kitchen near garbage or pet litter. You can also place it in an area where the most air exchange takes place such as hallways, doorways, or windows.
Without a Carbon Filter, Can Air Purifiers Deodorize My Home?
While carbon filters are widely used in air purifiers to remove odors, some air purifiers use other technologies to deodorize your home. They use charged medium filters or the newer PECO technology to either trap, or disintegrate odor-causing molecules from the indoor air.
Are Essential Oils Compatible with Air Purifiers?
Unfortunately, you cannot use essential oils with every air purifier. However, some models feature a fragrance sponge or a slot near the air outlet where you can put some drops of essential oil to spread its fragrance through the room.
Can Air Purifiers Remove Odors?
Most air purifier models come with only two types of filters – the nylon pre-filter and a HEPA. While both of these are highly efficient at removing particulates from the indoor air, they cannot trap odors, VOCs, gases, or chemicals.
For this purpose, they need to have a carbon filter, a charged medium filter, or PECO. If your usual air purifier does not have any of these, it cannot remove odors from your house.
Final Verdict: Which is the Best Air Purifier to Remove Smell and Why?
If you want to rid your house of strange odors, look into getting a good deodorizing air purifier. That being said, we think that Levoit LV-PUR131 Air Purifier for odors is the best for removing unwanted smells thanks to its large filter surface area.
GermGuardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier is also a great unit because of its portability and UV-C Light function.
Lastly, the PARTU HEPA Air Purifier is also a noteworthy air purifier that doubles up as a diffuser to eliminate odors.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
