An increasing number of countries across the globe are banning e-cigarettes. In the U.S., the use of e-cigarettes in public places has been banned in cities and towns across 47 states, with the only ones that do not regulate indoor vaping being Nebraska, Nevada, and Tennessee.
As the crackdown on e-cigarettes intensifies, it leaves fewer options for consumers to find a place to vape. And this makes vaping at home the most obvious option, since you can vape when and where you want. But indoor vaping has one drawback—nicotine build-up and smell.
Although vaping is considered a healthier alternative to smoking, it creates smelly fumes containing chemicals and compounds that pollute the indoor air. In this guide, I’ll share the best air purifiers on the market for people who vape indoors, based on our first-hand data after testing nearly 150 different models.
1. Best for most people: Levoit Vital 400S (with Smoke Remover filter)
If you choose the Smoke Remover filter, you’ll get 450 grams of activated carbon pellets to remove vape fumes from the air.
With a list price of $219.99, the Levoit Vital 400S is an affordable air purifier for those looking to remove vape smoke from the air in medium sized rooms up to 373 sq. ft. (or 35 m2).
To tackle vape odors and chemicals, you will need a good amount of activated carbon. The Core 400S offers the largest amount across all Levoit air purifiers.
As you’ll find with other Levoit air purifiers, there are different filter options with the Core 400S. Make sure to choose the Smoke Remover filter, as that is this custom filter comes packed with 450 grams of activated carbon pellets.
The filter is cylindrical and offers three levels of filtration, with a pre-filter mesh on the outside, a particle layer in the middle and the carbon on the inside.
It also has a laser sensor that tracks air quality in real time, so you can leave your Core 400S running in the background autonomously.
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 134 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 247 cfm (dust) |
| Filtration technology: | Pre-filter, particle filter and pelleted activated carbon |
| Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour): | 373 sq. ft. (35 m²) |
| Dimensions: | 10.8L x 10.8W x 20.5H inches (27.4L x 27.4W x 52H cm) |
| Weight: | 11.2 lbs (5 kg) |
| Filter lifespan: | 6 months |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Sleep mode: 35.5 dBA Speed 1: 38.3 dBA Speed 2: 43.2 dBA Speed 3: 51.2 dBA Speed 4: 60.3 dBA |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby: 0.93 watts Sleep mode: 3.05 watts Speed 1: 5.28 watts Speed 2: 8.51 watts Speed 3: 16.41 watts Speed 4: 39.64 watts |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
2. Best for heavy vapers: Austin Air HealthMate
This air purifier is made in the U.S. and comes with 15 lbs of activated carbon – the most you can get in a residential air purifier.
If you live in a house with multiple people who vape, or you consider yourself a heavy vaper, then the Austin Air HealthMate might be just the thing you need.
The filter inside is larger than most small air purifiers and it comes packed with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite mix – the largest quantity we’ve seen in a residential unit.
In terms of size, it takes up more space than the Levoit Core 400S (above) but the top is completely flat, so it could make for a handy side table.
It’s sturdy and made completely out of metal, but you don’t get any smart features or an onboard sensor. There is only a dial to switch between fan speeds.
The downside is that its particle removal performance isn’t great. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 160 cfm, so it can clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 15 m2 (169 sq. ft.)
CONS
PROS
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 154 cfm (dust) |
| Filter technology: | HEPA particle filter with 15 lb of activated carbon and zeolite mix gas filter |
| Recommended room size: | 169 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 23H x 14.5W x 14.5D inches (58.4H x 36.8W x 36.8D cm) |
| Weight: | 20.41 lbs (9.26 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | Speed 1: 42.5 dB Speed 2: 53.2 dB Speed 3: 61.5 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts: | Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 61.1 watts Speed 2: 85.05 watts Speed 3: 147.6 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 5 years |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 5 years |
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Country of manufacture: | United States (Buffalo, New York) |
3. Best cheap option: AirFanta 3Pro (with carbon)
This PC fan-powered air purifier comes with four filters packed with 1.3 lbs of activated carbon in total.
The AirFanta 3Pro is a box that you’ll have to build yourself but it will only take you a couple of minutes. You place the plastic base on the floor, a filter at each side and secure everything togther with the array of PC fans on top.
You’ll find that the 3Pro is small enough to fit on top of a side table, so it can be a good option for those with limited space.
But don’t let the size fool you! This is a powerful air purifier with a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, so it clean the air five (5!) times per hour in rooms up to 529 sq. ft. (or 49 m2).
To deal with vape fumes, you need to get the $180 version, which comes with four bonded filter with particle filtration on one side and activated carbon pellets on the other.
Just like the Austin Air HealthMate (above), the 3Pro doesn’t come with any smart features or app support. You will get a controller to adjust the fan speed.
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | – Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 213 cfm |
| Filter technology: | True HEPA H11 and optional pelleted activated carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 529 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour) |
| Dimensions: | 12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm) |
| Weight: | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
| Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away: | 3.63 volts: 36.1 dB 4.19 volts: 36.9 dB 5.24 volts: 39.7 dB 6.54 volts: 43.3 dB 7.44 volts: 46.7 dB 8.56 volts: 49.1 dB 12.6 volts: 56.3 dB |
| Electricity consumption in watts : | 43.23 watts |
| Filter lifespan: | 6 – 12 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Country of origin: | China |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
Find the best air purifier for you
If you already have a specific air purifier model in mind, you can use our comparison tool to see how it compares to other air purifiers we have tested, based on results on their air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy consumption and long term running costs.
And if you’re still unsure, drop me a comment below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.
