Danny as been writing about air purifiers for 10+ years. He is a major fan of home technology, which makes him the perfect person to test and evaluate products for HouseFresh
An increasing number of countries across the globe are banning e-cigarettes. In the US, more than 7 states, including Washington and New York, have banned the use of e-cigarettes in public places. As the crackdown on e-cigarettes intensifies, it leaves fewer options for vapers to find a secluded place to light up.
This makes vaping at home a more viable 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, we’ll explore how you can get that vape smoke out of your home and what are the best air purifiers on the market for people who vape indoors.
Our previous guide on the best purifier for cigarette smoke is one of the most visited on HouseFresh, so we want to ensure vape users can also find advice on our site.
While many agree that vaping is much better for your health than cigarette smoke, it’s not without problems. That’s why we decided to produce a buying guide that outlines the best air purifiers on the market today with the performance required to deal with chemicals from all sorts of vaping devices.
| Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations When choosing the best air purifiers out there to help you deal with the chemicals and smells generated by vaping indoors, we made a conscious decision to only choose air purifiers with: ✔️ Solid HEPA filters ✔️ Activated Carbon filters ✔️ Portable size ✔️ Relatively low maintenance costs I want to clarify that we didn’t just collect all this info from Amazon listings and manufacturers’ websites, and called it a day. That is what many of the sites reviewing air purifiers do these days but that is not us. At HouseFresh we only recommend products we tested ourselves in our home lab. Every air purifier on this last has gone through our three-stage testing process: STAGE 1️⃣ – We run the air purifier at full speed inside a 705 cubic ft. test room we have previously filled with incense smoke pollutants to track how fast the unit cleans the air (with the help of an air quality monitor). STAGE 2️⃣ – We record the actual energy consumption figures when running the air purifier at its lowest and highest speeds (with the help of an electricity usage monitor). STAGE 3️⃣ – We monitor the air purifier’s noise level output in decibels when running at different fan speeds (with the help of a sound level monitor). All the data displayed in the specs tables below each recommended air purifier come from our own tests. |
It’s often wrongly assumed that vape pens produce water but includes many chemicals based on the original liquid formula that you use. Before using your e-cig inside a closed room you share with others, you must consider that whatever you put in your vape pen will be converted to gas in your surrounding area.
When we tested a dry herb vaporizer, we also found significant amounts of particle pollution of all sizes from PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. This isn’t as bad as cigarette smoke or incense, but it still creates particles of considerable size that need to be removed from the air.
Our Top 3 Air Purifiers for Vaping in 2023
Depending on the substance, it could have a strong smell, so it’s understandable why someone would want to use an air purifier to remove the vape gas and any smells that come with it. You need to ensure you’re not buying a unit that won’t suit your needs.
Let’s get into the full list with the top three out of the way.
Remember that the recommended air purifiers below all use a filter technology that combines high-grade HEPA and activated charcoal. These technologies have been proven to remove the type of pollutants generated by vape pens and dry herb vaporizers by numerous academic studies.
Best Air Purifiers for Small Spaces
1. Our Top Pick: Levoit Core 300S
I fell in love with the Levoit Core 300 when it came out in 2019. This air purifier singlehandedly leveled up the market for affordable air purifiers. The old sub $100 budget air purifiers used to be units that didn’t perform well for most people, so I used to tell readers to avoid them at all costs. This all changed with the Levoit Core 300.
The Core 300S is the upgraded model, including smart mode and, more importantly, an auto function 🤩 All that extra for an additional fifty bucks. This is our number one pick because we believe the auto mode is perfect for a use case like vaping. Unlike air pollution (where you need continuous cleaning), when vaping, you want your air purifier to kick in and quickly remove pollutants without you having to do a thing.
I tested the Levoit Core 300S in our test room (712 cubic ft) and found that this unit could clear the room of all vaping pollutants in less than 20 minutes. The auto mode kicked on within seconds of the first vapor creation and made short work of the pollutants.
Paying a bit extra instead of choosing the Levoit Core 300 (which I’ll tell you more about further down this list) will be easily outweighed by the fact that the Core 300S will use less energy and require fewer filter changes due to only being used when needed. Pay the extra $50; your energy bill will thank me later.
What We Really Like:
👍 Auto mode is the perfect feature for those who vape
👍 High performance to $$ spend
👍 Great efficiency gains over the Core 300 – same power for less electricity
👍 Size is perfect for most rooms
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Filter costs can be high with genuine filters
👎 App has a lot of extra stuff not required
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 20 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | 3-Stage H13 True HEPA Filtration with Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 219 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 141 CFM (240 m³) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 8.7L x 8.7W x 14.2H inches (22L x 22W x 36H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 48dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $52.56 |
2. Best Budget Option: Levoit Core 200S
The Levoit Core 200S is a capable air purifier that can handle the pollutants generated by a vape pen but is probably not enough for a dry herb vaporizer.
After testing this air purifier in my home lab, I can say that the Core 200S is a solid option for indoor vaping indoors in small rooms as it has an H13 HEPA and activated charcoal filter. It’s smaller than the 300S and the Smart Mode doesn’t go as far as it doesn’t have an in-built sensor, but it will do the trick for a fraction of the price.
You can connect the unit to the VeSync app to manage the air purifier’s activity from anywhere. Not only that, you can also activate it using voice commands if you set it up with Alexa or Google Home. And last but not least, you can set a timer so the Core 200S gets to work exactly when you need it.
What We Really Like:
👍 Powerful unit in a small package
👍 App support and smart mode for easy day-to-day management
👍 Great looking screen to use
👍 Low power draw
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Filter costs are similar to Core 300S, so you might spend what you save if you are a heavy vaper
👎 Smart mode isn’t as good as the auto feature on the Core 300S
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 61 Minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | Nylon Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA Filter, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter |
| Recommended room size: | 183 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 118 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12.6H x 8.07W x 8.07D inches (32H x 20.5W x 20.5D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 48dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $30.48 per year |
3. Levoit Core Mini
The Levoit Core Mini might not be right for people with large rooms, but I included it in this list because the Levoit Core Mini does a lot right.
Its shape is small enough to sit on a car dashboard and could be used on the go for vacations. When we tested the Levoit Core Mini, we were pleasantly surprised by its performance, considering it is such a small unit. I tested the Levoit Core Mini in our test room (712 cubic ft) and found that this unit could clear the room of all vaping pollutants in less than 113 minutes. Bear in mind that it took a similar amount of time for the far larger Levoit LV-H132 to achieve the same results.
What made me happy about the Levoit Core Mini is its power usage. On our tests with a power meter, we saw this air purifier reaching no more than 6.4 watts while functioning at high power – incredible for this level of cleaning power!
The only potential downside with the Core Mini is the price of filters. I would be concerned that the smaller size means that filters need replacing more regularly, so you might need to drop $24.99 every four months on filters alone. This could add up if you plan to use the unit continuously.
But if you are looking for a solid air purifier for an RV or a car air purifier with HEPA filter, this is the unit you should take a long look at.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great performance to initial cost
👍 Size is easy to use on the go
👍 One of the quietest air purifiers we have tested
👍 Love the design
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No auto mode or app support
👎 Size might be an issue for larger rooms
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 113 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 (Medical) Grade HEPA and Activated Charcoal |
| Recommended room size: | 178 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 32 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 10.4H x 6.5D x 6.5W inches (26.4H x 16.4D x 16.4W cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 2.2 lbs (1 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 25dB – 44 dB |
| Filter life: | 4 – 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $7.36 per year |
Best for Medium Sized Rooms
4. Smart Air S
I was super impressed by the Smart Air S, especially because it performs just as well as units with a much larger price tag. Not only that, it also looks super stylish! It is the only air purifier my wife was happy to see me unbox since I started testing units at home when we launched HouseFresh 😅
When testing this unit in our testing area (712 cubic ft), I found that the Smart Air S could clear the room of all vaping pollutants in less than 29 minutes. This means that this air purifier is perfectly powered for the task.
Something worth mentioning is that the company behind Smart Air S is a B corp, and they seem to want people to have better quality air purifiers without paying too much. This makes me happier to be able to support them by recommending their units, especially as their performance and price tag match the mission of their company.
They originally became “internet famous” when their founder created a DIY air purifier that anyone could use to clean the air in their home. You can read all about it here: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/how-to-make-diy-air-purifier/
I have the Smart Air S unit in my bedroom, and I wouldn’t swap it for anything else right now.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great performance at nearly $1 per CADR Score
👍 Filter costs are fair
👍 Ethos behind the company who makes it
👍 Design is best we have seen for an air purifier in a long time
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 No smart mode yet
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H12 HEPA and optional activated charcoal filter |
| Recommended room size: | 430 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 185 CFM (315 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 13H x 13W x 14.3D inches (33.02H x 33.02W x 36.32D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23dB – 52dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $45.20 per year |
5. Levoit Core 400S
Yes, I have shortlisted yet another Levoit unit. The Core 400S is an excellent option for those who vape in medium-sized rooms thanks to its H13 True HEPA + Activated Carbon filter and the impressive CADR rating of 260 CFM (442 m³/h).
Not only does the Core 400S offer good air-cleaning capabilities, but it also comes with app support and smart features that will suit those who want their air purifier to kick in while they are vaping without the need to remember to turn on the unit.
The Core 400S comes with a sensor onboard, which will show you when the air quality in your home is less than favorable. When in auto mode, the air purifier will turn itself on when air quality is subpar, so you will get to see the system working and removing pollutants from the air in real-time.
Another cool thing about the Core 400S is that you can connect it to your Alexa, Apple Home or Google Home system with just a few taps on the Levoit app.
What We Really Like:
👍 Great performance and CADR rating for a unit that costs less than $250
👍 Lower power consumption (and the associated electricity costs) than other units in this size
👍 Solid app and smart features that make using the Core 400S a breeze
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 It is a big unit, there’s no hiding that
👎 Replacement filters are not always available to purchase on Amazon
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 33 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter |
| Recommended room size: | 403 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 260 CFM (442 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 10.8L x 10.8W x 20.5H inches (27.4L x 27.4W x 52H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 52dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $39.95 per year |
Best for Large Spaces
6. Mila Air Purifier
The Mila is one of the most recent air purifiers we have tested. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this air purifier fits with the décor of my house – the world doesn’t need another white box air purifier. But what surprised me the most was the Mila’s air cleaning capabilities, matching the performance we have seen on the Levoit 400S: both units cleaned our home lab from smoke pollutants in under 35 minutes.
It is worth mentioning that when buying a Mila, you will get the choice to pick from seven different filters designed to address seven specific use cases. Considering you are meaning to tackle the chemicals, pollutants and odors associated with vaping indoors, you have two options: The Rookie Parent or The Critter Cuddler. Both filters contain a solid HEPA filter and a good amount of pure granular carbon.
What We Really Like:
👍 Smart home features and the on-board sensor
👍 Seven different filters to choose from depending on your specific air quality need
👍 Good looking design that won’t stand out like an eyesore at home
👍 Pleasant user experience from the moment you turn on the air purifier
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 When running at its highest speed, it is as loud as a washing machine or a dishwasher (74 dB)
👎 The replacement filters are expensive compared to other units, especially as they need changing twice a year
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 35 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | HEPA (ranges from H12-H14) + Activated charcoal (granular carbon) |
| Recommended room size: | 1000 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 263 CFM (447 m³/hr) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12L x 12W x 15H inches (30.48L x 30.48W x 38.1H cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 18 lbs (8 kg) |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 74dB |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $52.56 per year |
7. Blueair Blue Pure 211+
A large unit like the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ could seem overkill for vaping issues, but if you vape in an open-plan area or in a large living room, then the 211+ is the unit you want to use.
All Blueair units use electrostatic and HEPA (HEPA Silent) with a combined charcoal filter, which is exactly what you need to clean the particle pollution generated by vaping.
As with other units on this list, I tested the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ in my 712 cubic ft test room and found that this unit could clear the room of all vaping pollutants in 18 minutes which is the third quickest air purifier we have ever tested. This unit outperformed other purifiers with similar specs at a fraction of the price.
One of my favorite things about the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is its snazzy design and shape, as it doesn’t take over a room-like like the Levoit 600S that is so tall. The fabric pre-filter captures large particles in style. Blueair introduced bold colors and interesting textures to their products in a world of white, boxy appliances. You can choose a color to match your decor or switch it up with various interchangeable covers.
This is a large unit, so it certainly is not something for a dorm room or small bedroom as it would be overkill unless you wanted the quietest unit possible you could use the 211+ in its lower speeds that run quieter and still be able to remove pollutants from vaping quickly. This is the unit I would use when vaping in an open-plan area or large room. Some worry that the HEPA silent technology will create ozone, but we tested all our Blueair Blue Pure models and saw no ozone product created during our tests and using long term.
What We Really Like:
👍 354 CADR rating! 😮 Not something you normally see at this price
👍 The design looks great
👍 Auto mode and app support
👍 Great option for those vaping in larger rooms or space
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Might be too big for most people
👎 Ionizer might be aggravating to some
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 18 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | HEPASilent™ Technology (electrostatic filtration with HEPA) and Activated Charcoal Filter |
| Recommended room size: | 540 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 350 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 20H x 13W x 13D inches (51H x 33W x 33D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 12.5 lbs (5.67 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 31 – 56 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Warranty: | 1 year (can be extended to 2 years by creating a Blueair account and registering the unit within 60 days of purchase) |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $64.12 per year |
Frequently Asked Questions About Vaping and Air Purifiers
🤔 Why do vape smells stay in the house for so long?
In general, it takes around 30 minutes for the smell to dissipate. However, if you’re vaping in a small room with poor ventilation, the smell may linger in the space longer—sometimes even up to 6 hours before it clears.
The main reason smoke stays in a room for a long time is the vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol in most vape liquids. These substances are usually thick and sticky, which makes the smoke difficult to clear easily.
Additionally, the flavors used in the vapes can contribute to the problem and are typically responsible for the odor. Also, if you use a dry-herb vaporizer, then the oil in the cannabis will add to the odor and pollutants in the air. When we tested using a dry-herb vaporizer in our test room, we found a combination of gasses and PM1, PM2.5 and PM10.
🤔 Do air purifiers help with vaping?
In a word, yes, they do. Any air purifier will help to clean the air of pollutants, and depending on your type of vaporizer, there will be chemicals released into the air that will stick around. Most units are aimed at allergens or cigarette smoke. Still, any unit that uses a HEPA filter will clean the air from vape and electronic cigarette usage. If the odor is an issue, then be sure to look at those units that also use activated charcoal – the larger amount, the better, as this has been shown in numerous studies to remove odor-causing particles from the air.
🤔 How do I get rid of vape smoke in my house?
There are many ways to eliminate vape smoke in your house, but we recommend using a budget-friendly HEPA air purifier. Here, we’ll share three effective ways to remove vape and cigarette smoke from your house.
| 1️⃣ Buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter + an activated carbon filter As mentioned above, the best way to remove vape (and smell) from your home is to use a HEPA air purifier combined with activated carbon. An air purifier with HEPA and charcoal will suck the air, filter it, and remove vape smoke and smells before sending it back into circulation. It will also improve the quality of your air. HEPA with activated charcoal is recommended as these block nearly all the particles vaping creates, especially if you use dry herb vaporizers. These purifiers do a stellar job of eliminating vape and cigarette smoke. Under lab conditions and in our home tests, HEPA filters with activated charcoal can remove 100% of the hardest-to-filter particles and quickly remove all air pollutants caused by vaping indoors. 2️⃣ Ventilate all rooms in your house daily Make a habit of opening the windows daily. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, opening the windows allows fresh air to flow in, and the bad odor dissipates. 3️⃣ Clean furniture with a steam cleaner Vacuuming a carpet can easily get rid of the unpleasant odor. However, dispelling the smell from the furniture is an entirely different story. So, how do you go about it? Steam cleaning can do the trick! Steam cleaners shoot hot vaporized water into the furniture, which helps to clean persistent stains and remove odor. The reason steam cleaning removes odor is that the particles dissolve in vapor. But you’ll need to invest in a steam cleaner. |
Vaping leaves a smell on your house, and this odor can make your home unbearable if you don’t do something about it.
If you vape strong flavors and leave your windows closed all day, smells indoors will build up over time. However, you can prevent this by investing in a budget-friendly HEPA air purifier and activated charcoal. It’s also important to ensure your house is adequately ventilated to allow the free flow of air in and out of the house.
🤔 How often do I change the air purifier filters when vaping?
As with any situation, it will depend on individual usage and the size of the air purifier. Smaller air purifiers have smaller filters so they require filter changes more often, and this is one of the reasons why we suggest spending a bit more if you are a heavy vape user, as the costs of filters may be less with larger units.
Vaping, unlike cigarette smoke, is far less intensive on the filters so you should be able to get away with changing it less often; we recommend at least every three months for a regular vape user. Always clean the pre-filter with a vacuum cleaner at least once a month, as any dust caught here can impede the unit, and it will perform at reduced efficiency.
🤔 How does cigarette smoke compare with vaping pollutants?
Many air purifiers that deal with cigarette smoke need to be in the $300+ range to make much of a difference as cigarettes produce a ton of smoke, and you need a lot of filter power to remove it. If you want your air purifier to do more than remove vape smoke, then be sure to check out our other use case reviews.
So, if you are considering buying a $1000 air purifier to deal with vaping, save money with one of the units we recommend, as it would be overkill.
Wrapping Up
Vaping is becoming the standard when it comes to alternatives to tobacco and with the legalization of cannabis in some states, cannabis vapor is also becoming more of an issue. Thankfully, vapor from electronic cigarettes or herb vaporizers is far less intensive than the smoke created from cigarettes so you shouldn’t have to spend significant amounts on an air purifier to remove it from the air.
For most people, we would recommend the Levoit 300S but the Blueair 211+ unit would also be at the top of our list if you had a much larger room than average.
If you want to use an air purifier for weed smoke, read our dedicated article, as vaping and smoking weed create very different air pollutants. Or if it’s more of an issue of tobacco, then check the list of the best air purifiers for cigarette smoke that we also published this year. We even have specific recommendations for the best air purifiers for cigar smoke.
Last update on 2023-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API