If you’ve just completed your home’s painting works, using an air purifier is a perfect way to combat the lingering toxins. But not every model is designed for this. Luckily, this article is here to help you in your search.
To help you choose between the numerous options, we’ve ranked and reviewed the best air purifiers for paint fumes on the market. All our picks feature filters that are effective against paint fumes, VOCs, and toxic smells. The listed air purifiers also have different capacities, so each buyer will find something suitable for their space – whether you need a device for a large room or a small portable model to take with you wherever the renovation takes place. For people who love more advanced features, some of our picks come with smart Wi-Fi controls (for incredibly convenient remote control using just your smartphone) and air quality indicators that allow you to know the level of pollution in real-time.
More features: AeraSafe Antimicrobial Treatment; PlasmaTRUE Technology
While the AeraMax 300 Air Purifier doesn’t have the largest coverage capacity on our list, its sophisticated design and advanced features make it our top pick and not many would argue. Apart from being super-effective against paint fumes and strong odors, the unit also protects from asthma, influenza, allergies, and 99.97 percent of dangerous airborne particles. Amazingly, it features 4 filtration stages, thanks to its True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and PlasmaTrue technology.
To keep a tab on the quality of your air and choose the most suitable fan speed, the unit also features an AeraSmart sensor, which as its name suggests, makes this a very smart machine. It’s also worth noting that the unit comes with the Energy Star Certification, which means it’s an energy-efficient machine. Not only that but it’s also been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to be asthma and allergy-friendly.
What we liked: It’s our Editor’s Choice so there have got to be many things we love about this unit. We love its AeraSmart sensor as it makes this machine a true modern invention. PlasmaTRUE Technology is also impressive as it helps create an ionized field for the safe removal of airborne pollutants.
What could be better: We would have loved to name this model flawless, however, with all its functionality it lacks power which is seen in a quite average coverage area. For such a superb unit, we believe the purifier would be better with a larger coverage capacity.
More features: odor sensor; air quality indicator; wall mount option
If you thought the four-stage filtration system on the AeraMax 300 Air Purifier was incredible, then the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-700A Air Purifier will blow your mind with its six-stage filtration system. Being arguably the most technologically advanced air purifier on the market, this device is set to eliminate all sorts of odors and impurities from your home. That said, probably the first thing anyone will notice about the device is the slim and compact built, which is remarkable especially when you think about its coverage capacity.
Extraordinarily, the machine comes with a 700 square feet capacity, which makes it suitable for almost any room. Another thing we find exciting about this model is how it can work as a wall-mounted or stand-alone unit, depending on your preference. Apart from having six filtration stages, the device also comes with five-speed levels, which gives you a lot of options.
The medium filter traps pollens that are 1 micron in size before the HEPA filter is activated. The most unique feature of this model is the customizable filter option. You can choose a germ defense filter, an odor-removing filter, a toxin absorbing filter, or a pet allergy filter. We liked that this machine included an extra customizable filter. You can build your ideal air purifier. One downside is that the only filter that doesn’t need to be replaced is the pre-filter. It may cost more money to replace filters for this machine.
What we liked: We love the quiet operation of the machine, which allows you to sleep peacefully without distractions. That apart, the unit features an odor sensor and air-quality indicator, which are two performance-improving features you’d really love. Lastly, the machine is affordable, which is good news for people on a budget.
What could be better: For a machine of its class, we felt let down by the lack of timer control on this machine. Also, keep in mind that all its impressive functionality means not the cheapest price tag.
More features: timer; Night Mode; Child Lock; dimmable control lights
The Medify MA-25 W1 Air Purifier may not be our editor’s pick on this list but it’s always in that conversation. Renowned for its incredible power and size, the unit is designed for rooms measuring up to 500 square feet. The purifier also comes with two filters and Dual intake technology, which helps intensify the machine’s action to two times. With this, it purifies the atmosphere of 250 square feet every fifteen minutes and 500 square feet every thirty minutes. If you’re looking to get rid of strong paint fumes from your room, the dual filter system especially works well for such purposes.
Furthermore, the unit has three filtration stages – pre-filter, carbon filters, and H13 HEPA filter. The three filters are especially suitable for the removal of odors and they last for about 2,500 hours approximately. As soon as the filters need replacements, the machine has an indicator, which instantly gives necessary indicators. We must note though, that the H13 HEPA filter is medical-grade, which makes it a lot more powerful than true HEPA filter. It can efficiently clean about 99.9 percent of airborne particles as little as 0.1 microns.
What we liked: You can’t help but love this amazing air purifier from Medify. We love its controls as they are very easy to use. Besides the filter indicator, the unit also features a child-lock feature, which makes it children-friendly. Most importantly, it comes at a very affordable price, which makes it an appealing choice for everyone.
What could be better: There’s room for improvement. While there are not many drawbacks to mention it’s worth noting that it makes a lot of noise when used at the highest level.
More features: portable; wireless; only 2 pounds of weight
The design of the Westinghouse 1804 Portable Air Purifier is quite unconventional, but you can’t argue with its performance. It’s an incredible portable air purifier that is not only suitable for your home, but for your SUV, truck, and cars as well. With its compact, portable construction and battery-powered operation, it’s almost as though it’s designed to be taken on your trips. It only takes a few hours to reach full charge, after which it can run continuously for eight hours. It also helps that it’s not easy to recharge as you can even refill its juice using your car.
Furthermore, the device comes with patented NCCO technology, which is pretty similar to the PCO filtration. This technology breaks VOCs and odors into harmless elements like carbon dioxide and water molecules – simply outstanding. Additionally, the unit comes with a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter, which can eliminate 99.97 percent of particles in the hair. It’s 300 square feet coverage capacity is also impressive, especially when you consider its size.
What we liked: While this unit is far from what you’d call “a perfect device”, it has many things we greatly love. Using catalytic oxidation, its NCCO filtration helps neutralize odors, which is simply magnificent. The fact that it’s battery-powered is another huge plus we can’t forget in a jiffy.
What could be better: Admittedly, the NCCO filtration system is an exceptional technology, but it may generate ozone, which makes the unit unfit for asthmatic people. It’s also not suitable for large rooms, so you might want to look at the other options if your space is larger.
More features: natural wool felt handle; one-touch interface; Wi-Fi enabled
Even though its price is not “mini” like you’d expect, given the mini in its name, the Molekule Air Mini Small Room Air Purifier is designed to blow minds. Despite its small construction, it’s one of the most technologically advanced air purifiers you’d find on the market. Using the unique PECO nanotechnology, the unit destroys viruses, VOCs, bacterial, mold, and allergens. However, it’s rated to clean only small rooms of up to 250 square feet, but it does it very effectively.
Also, the unit allows you to choose from five fan speeds, so you can customize the operation based on your air purification needs, from low noise to boost. More on its portability, the device features a natural wool-felt handle, which allows it to be easily carried around the house.
What we liked: Being a top-of-the-line invention, the unit features a one-touch interface, which allows you to easily control it. For increased convenience, the purifier is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can connect it to your Wi-Fi and remotely control it using the Android or iPhone app. Who wouldn’t enjoy such a level of convenience? Nobody.
What could be better: Despite everything on offer, we hate the fact that a lot of people would struggle to afford the hefty price. It’s also only suitable for small rooms, which might be a massive drawback.
More features: Night Light mode; timer; Change Filter indicator
Probably the most incredible thing about air purifiers is how you necessarily don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a clean, odor-less atmosphere. With purifiers like the Okaysou AirMic4S, all of that is possible. While it uses an activated carbon filter to eliminate and absorb bad odors and harmful chemicals like Formaldehyde and Ammonia, there is a Medical Grade H13 True HEPA filter that it uses for filtration. Superior to the traditional HEPA filter, the medical-grade allows this device to get rid of airborne particles as little as 0.3 microns.
Despite being a budget model, this unit can purify about 580 square feet, which is nothing short of sensational for a unit in its category. Apart from being effective at eliminating paint fumes, it can also absorb pet hair, toxins, and other large particles. It doesn’t end there – the purifier also comes with four replacement filters, allowing you to use your device for longer. In addition to that, it features a night light mode and a timer. While the former makes your purifier work at only 24 decibels in the night, the former help you to prevent your unit from overworking
What we liked: Everybody loves a machine that delivers more value than its money and this is the primary thing we love about this machine. The night mode is another exciting feature we love – ideal for people who easily get perturbed in the night.
What could be better: The machine punches more than it costs, truly, but there are still some things we wish were different. For instance, it makes too much noise when used at the highest setting, which is less than ideal. There’s also a strange, plastic odor it releases when in operation which doesn’t seem to go away.
For you to be able to pick the right air purifier for your needs, you need to first understand how purifiers work. With that in mind, we have created the guide below for your enlightenment.
If you’ve painted the inside of your home recently, the paint fumes may take a while to subdue. And while you may not know, the fumes are made up of harmful VOCs, which are chemicals renowned for tainting the quality of your indoor air. Needless to say, this could cause significant health hazards.
So, how does an air purifier help? It’s simple, yet complicated. As you might have suspected, not every air purifier can eliminate paint fumes. The ones that are rated to be capable of doing so are usually equipped with either of the following three filtration systems: HEPA filters, PECO filters, and carbon filtration system.
Designed specifically to get rid of gaseous chemicals, HEPA filters are the most common out of the three filtration systems. Unlike HEPA filters, the PECO technology works by destroying VOCs as they travel via the filter. And it’s worth noting that it’s by far the most effective.
The carbon filtration system is another effective option, but instead of completely destroying VOCs, it only traps the toxins. All in all, each of these filtration systems works, but some are more effective than others.
Many important factors determine the suitability of every machine for the needs of each individual. Some of those factors are the following:
The market is packed with different kinds of purifiers, with each one being unique in its operation. One of the biggest factors you should consider is the unit’s maximum coverage area. The room’s maximum coverage area has to be proportionate to the purifier’s capacity – this only when you can achieve great results. So, if you have a large space, you’d have to settle for a large-capacity unit like the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-700A Air Purifier. If you have a small room, however, a small-capacity model like the Westinghouse 1804 Portable Air Purifier could suffice.
Carbon filters and HEPA filters are the most common filtration systems on the market and both are solidly effective against paint fumes. However, there is PECO filtration system as well, which although not as common, is more effective against VCOs. You’d find this technology on the Molekule Air Mini Small Room Air Purifier.
Depending on the quality of the air in your space, your purifier needs to come with multiple speed settings. With a model with multiple fan speeds, you can easily choose the most suitable one for you, keeping the current air quality in mind. While the highest speed setting is always the most powerful, the lowest speed usually saves energy and lets the device operate quietly, so you might prefer it sometimes.
Another energy-saving feature that you need to look out for is the timer. By allowing you to schedule the device to start working at a particular time, it helps you save energy. If this feature is important to you, you will find it on the Medify MA-25 W1 Air Purifier.
Human beings are created differently, and while some can put up with a high noise level at night, some people can never sleep with a machine operating loudly nearby. You also don’t want to disturb your neighbors, so you need to look at the noise level before paying for any unit.
It’s always super-important to watch out for a warranty when buying an electronic device. However, most air purifiers are backed with what we’ll regard as a soft warranty period. Most machines come with a two-year warranty at least, sometimes ranging up to five years. See if you’re fine with the warranty your prospective purifier comes with, as it often indicates how much you should expect from the device.
To achieve the best results, the world is becoming less dependent on “power” and more dependent on “smartness” and the AeraMax 300 Air Purifier is a perfect example of this. With a powerful filtration system, and most importantly, a smart AeraSmart sensor, this model is the best air purifier for paint fumes on our list.
However, it faces stiff competition from the RabbitAir MinusA2 SPA-700A Air Purifier and the Medify MA-25 W1 Air Purifier, which rank second and third respectively on our list. While the former impresses with its 700 square feet capacity, the latter steals your attention with its powerful H13 filters and user-friendly controls.
