We put air purifiers to the ultimate test, using actual smoke to see which ones could clear the air fastest and most effectively. The results are in, and some brands really stepped up.
When it came to clearing smoke-filled air, the Levoit Vital 200S-P impressed, bringing air quality back to healthy levels in just four minutes and 15 seconds. Hot on its heels was the Coway Airmega Mighty2, which achieved the same feat in a lightning-fast four minutes and 10 seconds.
For those seeking an almost instant air transformation, the IQAir HealthPro Plus XE was in a league of its own. It seemed to prevent the smoke from even visibly clouding the test tent, and within three minutes, hazardous air quality levels dropped to "good."
Not all purifiers performed as expected. The Shark BreatheClear Max struggled, failing to auto-adjust to the smoke and taking nearly five hours to return the air to a healthy state after a manual restart. This model also had some annoying quirks, like a bottom panel that wouldn't stay screwed in and a tendency to ramp up fan speed for minor disturbances.
Other models tested included the Coway Airmega Halo, which, despite a quick visual clearing of smoke, took significantly longer to truly normalize air quality according to monitors. The premium IQAir GC MultiGas XE offers powerful performance for large spaces but comes with a hefty price tag and significant noise at higher settings. For those prioritizing odor elimination, the Oransi AirMend True Carbon excelled at banishing smells but lacks HEPA filtration for fine particles.
