The Best Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke

ProsLarge activated carbon and HEPA filtersBuilt-in AQI sensor for constant air quality monitoringSmart mode for minimal noise and power footprintThe Coway Airmega Mighty2 uses a three-stage system to capture pollutants in the air, the two most important being the large activated carbon and HEPA filters. When combined, they are able to reduce up to 99.97 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including smoke.Beyond that, this air purifier is a great line of defense against pet odors, dust, and dander, too. Our tester placed it next to a litter box and noticed particulate matter counts steadily decreasing when the air purifier was on and running. The built-in air quality index (AQI) sensor constantly monitors the air, too, and the LED indicator light lets you know when quality is reaching unhealthy levels.Full Coway Airmega Mighty2 ReviewKey SpecsFiltrationThree-stage filtration​Smoke CADR240CoverageUp to 1,800 sq. ft.ProsCylindrical design purifies air from every angleExcels in small to medium-sized roomsTrue HEPA filtrationConsIt may take longer to purify bigger spacesIf you have a bedroom with windows that aren’t fully sealed during the smokiest days, the Clorox Air Purifier could help target the smoke, as well as other common household allergens in a designated area. It works best in small to medium-sized rooms, with a CADR of 148. That’s less than most options on this list, but it’ll suffice if you’re just looking to purify the air in a specific room.The air purifier uses three filter layers: a pre-filter to capture larger dust particles and pet hair, a True HEPA filter for collecting 99.97 percent of allergens, particulates, and bacteria, and an active carbon filter to reduce volatile organic compounds and odors so the air always smells clean and fresh.Full Clorox Air Purifier ReviewKey SpecsFiltrationThree-stageSmoke CADR148 CoverageUp to 1,000 sq. ft.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsActivated carbon filter to absorb and remove odorsFan speed and sensitivity are manually adjustableIncredibly quiet on lowest settingConsLouder on higher fan settingThe Rabbit Air A3 offers a customizable six-stage filtration system, which is more than any of our other recommended models. Specialty filter options like pet allergies, germ defense, toxin absorber, and odor remover help the air purifier work specifically for your needs, which is beneficial if you live in an area that experiences wildfires often.Our tester lives in an apartment, and it doesn’t take much for the kitchen and other areas to get smoky. The smoke detector is triggered often, but the A3 has been able to quickly and efficiently clear smoke before the alarm sounds.Full Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier ReviewKey SpecsFiltrationCustomizable six-stage filtrationSmoke CADR257CoverageUp to 1,070 sq. ft.ProsUses a True HEPA filterHigh clean air delivery rateQuiet operation given its sizeConsThere are less bulky models on the market with similar coverageIf you have a large space or even an entire apartment that needs air purification, the Coway Airmega 400 is our top recommendation. It's designed to cover up to 1,560 square feet in 30 minutes, so you shouldn’t have to supplement with an additional air purifier if sized correctly.It uses a multi-stage purification method, combining a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter to capture the tiniest of particles. The Airmega 400 also has a three-setting smart mode that adapts to its environment, and the fan speed automatically adjusts based on air quality. It also has an impressive CADR of 308 for smoke, meaning it can purify and recirculate clean air into your home very quickly.Key SpecsFiltrationThree-stageSmoke CADR328CoverageUp to 3,120 sq. ft.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsActive carbon pellets provide more surface air than a carbon filterFour-stage filtrationIonization technology breaks down contaminants at a molecular levelConsSleep mode automatically lowers fan speed which may not be enough power to consistently filter air Instead of using a foam sheet filter that’s coated in carbon, the Winix 5510 uses activated carbon pellets to provide a larger surface area for trapping smoke, odors, and household VOCs. Combined with a mesh pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and ionization technology, the four-stage filtration system efficiently captures particulate matter as small as 0.01 microns. It’s capable of purifying spaces up to 1,882 square feet in just an hour, depending on the fan speed you’re using.Key SpecsFiltrationFour-stageSmoke CADR253CoverageUp to 1,882 sq. ft.Amber is a Reviews Editor with bylines on Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products sites. Specializing in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, lifestyle, and consumer tech, she brings hands-on testing and a detail-oriented approach to every review. In her free time you can likely find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, searching for hidden gems at thrift stores, or cuddling with her two cats.Xavier Piedra is a Senior Reviews editor at Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, and Best Products. Xavier’s previous experience includes editing shopping, home, and lifestyle content at major outlets such as Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Popsugar, and more. When he isn’t thinking about the best products for readers, Xavier is likely watching the latest flicks at a nearby AMC, or filling out his physical video game collection.