Our homes are bombarded with smells every single day. From cooking smells to wet dog smells, they’re not pleasant. But trying to eliminate these can also be difficult, even with regular cleaning, so you might wonder: do air purifiers remove smells?
Of course, the best air purifiers are a must-have when you want to clean and filter the air inside your home. These handy appliances capture dust, allergens and other airborne pollutants, but smells can linger even in the cleanest of homes. And most people don’t realise that an air purifier can help here, too.
The short answer is yes, an air purifier can remove smells. But there are a few caveats to this, as an air purifier’s ability to get rid of odours all depends on the type of air purifier and how you use it. So, this is what you need to know.
Some air purifiers can remove smells, and it's one of the unexpected perks of these appliances, but it depends on the type of purifier you have. 'Air purifiers are not only capable of effectively removing airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and bacteria, but certain purifiers can also tackle unpleasant odours in your living space as well,' begins Michael Forbes, lead product trainer at AEG.
'If you are wondering how to remove odours, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or gases from household chemicals and other sources from the air at home, consider an air purifier with an activated carbon filter,' advises Lars Dunberger, head of technology at Blueair.
That’s because there are many different types of air purifiers, and they are all equipped with different filters designed for different uses. The activated carbon filter, in particular, is ideal for odour removal.
Chris Michael, managing director at Meaco explains that this is because 'activated carbon is effective at absorbing odours from pets, cooking, and other household sources by trapping gas particles in the filter. Gas particles are too small to be captured by HEPA filters, so for smells, a carbon filter is the way to go.'
According to Michael, these activated carbon filters work by trapping odour molecules on their surface, neutralising them, and removing them from the air. 'Combine that with reducing exposure and your home will smell as fresh as it looks – and have cleaner, healthier air,' continues Lars.
This is one of the many things you should know before buying an air purifier, as buying an air purifier without this filter will make odour removal much less effective. However, they may still work for subtler smells.
Michael explains that HEPA filters can help air purifiers to remove smells, even though they’re not specifically designed for odour elimination. This is because they capture the airborne particles actually causing the odours. Combined, this filter duo makes for a fantastic air-purifying experience.
'High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are excellent at capturing dust, pollen and smoke. When these are paired with activated carbon fibres which are specifically designed to absorb odours and gases, this gives you best chance in removing smells using an air purifier,' agrees Joshua Warren, air purifier expert at AO.com.
But it's not just the filter type you need to think about. 'Another key factor to consider when looking to remove odours from a space is ensuring the purifier is appropriate for the room size, so you achieve the best performance at efficiently removing odours,' adds Michael.
In some cases, you might need multiple air purifiers to tackle each affected area in your home. Often, a singular model cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution if you've got moderate to severe air quality and odour issues.
It's also important to combine the investment of an air purifier with frequent cleaning practices, as failing to tackle the root cause of a smell - for example, a smelly drain or rotten food - will mean that your air purifier is constantly fighting a losing battle.
Plus, you need to regularly clean or replace your air purifier filter to ensure it’s working to the best of its ability.
Shop our top-rated air purifiers for removing smells
Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier
This is the best air purifier we've tried, combining first-class performance with near-silent operation. Better yet, it's equipped with both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon sheet, ideal for tackling odours. You can read our full review here.
Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier
A smaller-space option we highly recommend, this Levoit model offers a HEPA and activated carbon filter for fantastic results. Its compact size makes it perfect for a bedside table or kitchen surface, as proven during testing.
Dyson HushJet Compact
Ideal for larger rooms and spaces, Dyson's powerful air purifier will offer clean, odour-free air thanks to the Activated Carbon Gas + Odour Air Purifier Filter. It looks stylish, too, and you can read our full review for more details.
So, do air purifiers remove smells? Yes they do, but only if you choose the right one. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters are your best bet for tackling unpleasant odours inside your home, and combined with a HEPA filter, you're well on your way to achieving the best possible outcome for your indoor air quality.
