Since Colorado and Washington passed legislation for recreational cannabis use in 2012, many more states have followed suit, opening the door for people nationwide to enjoy smoking weed in their homes.
Whether you use marijuana for health, to relax, or to socialize, it can’t be denied that the smell lingers and is a real downside to enjoying cannabis in the home. Smoking cannabis is only permitted for use inside private property, resulting in odors sticking to clothes, hair and furniture and will be noticeable to visitors to your home.
As well as leaving a lingering odor, smoking cannabis indoors has been found to dramatically increase the level of PM2.5 particulate matter, including carcinogens and toxic chemicals, which can result in serious health effects for smokers and second-hand smokers alike. Some tests found that air quality levels worsened 100-fold, even when no tobacco was used.
Recent surveys from Gallup have shown that as many as 16% of Americans smoke marijuana regularly. With that figure more than doubling in the last ten years. Indicating that weed smoke is set to become a greater issue for air quality.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to nip odors in the bud and help reduce the build-up of harmful polluting particles in the air. Investing in an air purifier with Activated Carbon and HEPA filters will tackle the issues raised by smoking marijuana head-on. Leaving your home feeling fresh and healthy.
| Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations By researching the toxins and smoke emitted when smoking weed and conducting air cleaning tests ourselves, we have identified the main characteristics required from an air purifier to successfully tackle cannabis smoke: ✅ Odor-busting activated carbon filters – A purifier with plenty of Activated Carbon will get rid of odors through a process known as adsorption. ✅ Fast air cleaning performance – The longer smoke is in the atmosphere, the more it will stick on furnishings and belongings. ✅ High caliber CADR – Powerful pollutants like marijuana smoke are difficult to clean, so we looked for powerful purifiers with a high clean air delivery rate. ✅ Smart features – After a smoke, the last thing you want to do is think about your air purifier. Many modern appliances are well-equipped to do the hard work for you, letting you sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of fresh, clean air. But we didn’t just search Amazon for the best sellers, like many other lists. We buy units with our own money and put them to the test in our own house. STEP 1️⃣ – We used an air quality monitor to test each unit’s air cleaning performance by tracking how long it takes to remove incense smoke from our 705 cubic ft. test room. STEP 2️⃣ – We used an electricity usage monitor to determine each unit’s energy consumption at its lowest and highest speeds. STEP 3️⃣ – We used a sound level monitor to test each unit’s noise output in when running at its top and bottom speeds. |
The Top 3 Air Purifiers For Weed Smoke
To help you in your quest for a smoke and smell-free home, we’ve handpicked eight of the best purifiers on the market for tackling weed smoke. So be sure to check out the complete list below.
1. Best Overall: Levoit Core 400S
An ideal mid-range option comes from Levoit’s ever-popular Core 400S. This purifier boasts many of the same features and functions as its bigger brother, the 600S. It includes a Pre-filter, H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon filters for triple protection against marijuana smoke. H13 HEPA is used in the HEPA, and I was glad to see the use of pellet format activated carbon.
The Core 400S is designed to be used in medium-sized spaces. It has an impressive Clean Air Delivery Rate of 260 cubic feet per minute, meaning it will clear your room of lingering smoke before it has the chance to take hold. It cleaned our test room in 33 minutes of all PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particles.
A plus for the Levoit Core 400 is that you can put the air purifier in Auto mode, which adjusts fan speeds based on readings from its air quality sensor. You can also connect the 400S to the Levoit VeSync app, which lets you control it — and any other Levoit purifiers you own — through your phone, Alexa, or Google Assistant, even when you’re not at home.
What We Really Like:
👍 Reliable air purifier from a trusted brand
👍 Realtime air quality sensor shows the difference the unit makes when you smoke
👍 Fills the void between Levoits smaller budget machines and the more expensive flagship models
👍 Cleared our test space of smoke in just 33 minutes
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Not the most subtle of mid-range purifiers
👎 Filters aren’t as cheap as other competitors
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 33 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA and Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 403 ft² |
| 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): | 24 – 52 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $39.95 per year |
2. Best Budget Option: Levoit Core 300
Despite its fairly unassuming appearance, this air purifier can revolutionize air quality in a medium-sized space, thanks to its VortexAir technology that draws in air from every corner of your room.
Three stages of filtration then kick into action, including the all-important H13 HEPA for particulate matter and an Activated Carbon filter to remove marijuana smoke odors. All while sitting nicely on top of a shelf, countertop or bedside table, allowing you to place it in your favorite smoking spots whenever required.w
Although you may not find many of the Smart features newer Levoit models possess (technophobes rejoice!), if you opt for the Core 300, you’ll get a workhorse of a purifier that cleared our test space in just 40 minutes, all for less than 100 bucks. If smart functions are a must in your eyes, then you should try the Levoit Core 300S.
If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re huge fans of the Levoit Core range here at HouseFresh, and this unit is where our love affair began. The Core 300 was the first Levoit unit we came across and has been a staple pick on our recommended purifier lists ever since.
What We Really Like:
👍 Tried and tested performance that doesn’t disappoint
👍 Simple to set up and use
👍 Lightweight design means you can move the unit around the home with ease
👍 Runs super quiet at its highest fan speed
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Lack of smart features such as an auto mode
👎 It’s a shame this model doesn’t connect to the Levoit App
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 40 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) H13 Medical Grade HEPA and Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 219 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 145 CFM (246 m3/h) |
| 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): | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 50 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 – 8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $47.30 per year |
3. Best for Large Spaces: Levoit Core 600S
Levoit has been making air purifiers for a while, and they nailed it with the Core 600S. This unit comes with a high-performing fan and Levoit’s signature three-stage filtration technology: pre-filter, H13 True HEPA and a high-efficiency Activated Carbon filter with ARC Formula™ to take care of odors. All of this for a super reasonable price too.
The Levoit Core 600S is one of the best-performing units we’ve tested at HouseFresh within its price range — clearing our test room of thick smoke in an incredible 15 minutes! With such a speedy performance, you can rest assured that your room will return to normal minutes after smoking weed.
We all know that once you’ve settled into a marijuana joint, you won’t want to get up and down to change the settings on your air purifier. Luckily, the 600S can be monitored and controlled from your smartphone. Using the Levoit app you can check the room’s air quality, adjust fan speed, change auto mode settings and even schedule it to turn on/off whenever you want.
What We Really Like:
👍 Capable of covering a colossal 1,588 sq. ft.
👍 Quality filters and powerful fans result in a CADR of over 400 cubic feet per minute
👍 Comes with plenty of handy Smart features, like the real-time air sensor
👍 Offers excellent value for money
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 It is way too big for most people
👎 Castor wheels would be useful to move the unit from room to room
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 15 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 True HEPA filter with Activated Carbon |
| Recommended room size: | 635 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 410 CFM (697 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 23.6H x 12.3W x 12.3D inches / 60H x 31.3W x 31.3D cm |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 26 — 55 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $51.51 per year |
4. Mila Air Purifier
The modern-day home needs a modern-day appliance and Mila seriously understood the assignment when they created their flagship air purifier. The sleek and stylish unit looks great and comes stacked with Smart features and powerful performance that is bound to impress gadget fanatics.
When purchasing the Mila you will have a choice of seven distinct filters, with different options depending on your needs. For eradicating weed smoke, you should go for ‘The Home Wrecker’ (yup, that’s the name) as it comes with a colossal 1.96 lbs of Activated Carbon in a 3-inch bed, making odors and VOCs a thing of the past.
It’s worth mentioning that the Mila comes with eight in-built sensors that can detect everything from micro-particles (as small as 0.01 microns) to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can also automatically gauge the room size and operate at optimum power, saving you energy without compromising performance.
With this air quality data, your Mila will then utilize its Automagik mode to figure out the best plan of attack and combat pollutants without you having to lift a finger. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, the Mila app offers highly nuanced control over the settings — allowing you to control everything from your phone.
What We Really Like:
👍 Super Smart, without needing to be a gadget geek to operate
👍 Aesthetically very polished with neat features
👍 Runs whisper quiet on its lowest speeds
👍 Works excellently in small or large rooms alike
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 The standard ‘Basic Breather’ filter doesn’t include Activated Carbon
👎 Cleaning power for the price doesn’t measure up as well as other units
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 ft² |
| 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) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24dB – 74dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $52.56 per year |
5. Alen BreatheSmart 45i
Our following recommendation comes from an air purifier manufacturing veteran. Alen set out to “provide safe, healthy and worry-free breathing for all” back in 2005. The Texas-based company is well-known and well-trusted worldwide, with the BreatheSmart 75i being one of the brightest jewels in the brand’s crown.
The Alen 45i is a good-looking air purifier and highly effective at cleaning the air from weed smoke pollutants and odors, especially when paired with Alen’s specialist VOC/Smoke filter. This specific filter comes with a 3-stage medical-grade H13 HEPA filter and activated carbon (2 lbs), which is crucial for tackling odors and chemical pollutants.
If you haven’t guessed by now, we’re huge fans of the Levoit Core range here at HouseFresh, and this unit is where our love affair began. The Core 300 was the first Levoit unit we came across and has been a staple pick on our recommended purifier lists ever since.
What We Really Like:
👍 It cleaned smoke from the air in our home lab in 33 minutes
👍 Lightweight, allowing you to move it from room to room
👍 It is quiet, even when running at top speeds
👍 It comes with a lifetime warranty
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 The standard Alen 45i filter doesn’t come with Activated Carbon
👎 The replacement filters are expensive compared to other units
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
|---|---|
| Time to clean our test room: | 33 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets |
| Recommended room size: | Up to 800 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 245 CFM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 25H x 15W x 8.5D inches inches (63.58H x 38.1W x 21.5D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 9.1 kg (20.1 lbs) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 23dB – 49dB |
| Filter life: | 12 months |
| Warranty: | Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription) |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $52.56 per year |
6. Alen BreatheSmart 75i
Another air purifier produced by Alen. I decided to include the 75i for those of you with large spaces who are not big fans of the Levoit Core 600S design.
Similarly to the Alen 45i, when buying your Alen BreatheSmart 75i, you will be met with a few filter options. The one you should go for if you want to tackle weed smoke (and the associated smells) is the B7 Fresh filter. The H13 HEPA captures 99.99% of particles, and a generous Activated Carbon filter will make light work of VOCs and smokey odors.
When we put the 75i through its paces in our real-world tests, it was clear that this purifier meant business. Not only did it eliminate all traces of pollutants in just 24 minutes, but it also ranked amongst the quietest purifiers we’ve tested while drawing minimal power — making it incredibly energy efficient for its size.
What We Really Like:
👍 Super powerful, making pollutants a thing of the past, even in spaces as large as 1,300 sq. ft.
👍 Longlasting, high-quality filters
👍 Comes with a lifetime warranty
👍 Easy to use, with a sophisticated design
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 It’s a bit of a beast, so it is not a great option for those short on space
👎 Initial purchase cost and filter replacements are expensive (but at least they will last the test of time)
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 24 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets |
| Recommended room size: | 1,300 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 347 CFM (589 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 27H x 18.5W x 11.5D inches (68.58H x 46.99W x 29.21D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 27 lbs / 12.2 kg |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 – 49 dB |
| Filter life: | 12 – 15 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription) |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $47.30 per year |
7. Taotronics AP003
For those looking for an air purifier that offers real bang for its buck, look no further than the Taotronics AP003. This purifier wowed us with its performance — we haven’t seen anything like it on other air purifiers costing less than $100. In our real-world test this unit cleared our home office test lab of all pollutants in under half an hour.
With a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter and an Activated Carbon filter, you can be sure it will clean the air from both the pollutants and the smell associated with smoking cannabis. Thanks to its low energy consumption, you can enjoy the benefits of clean air around the clock, meaning a wake-and-bake or late-night joint is never off the cards.
Despite its minuscule price tag, it’s fair to say that there’s nothing mini about the AP003. It’s a mid-size unit with powerful fans under the hood. This enables the purifier to clean the air in larger rooms while maintaining an excellent Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 226 CFM. It surpasses many other budget air purifiers on the market and will help clean weed smoke from the air quickly.
What We Really Like:
👍 Impressive performance for a budget purifier
👍 Comes with a medical grade H13 HEPA and Carbon filters
👍 Great option for small or medium-sized spaces
👍 Boasts impressive features such as an air quality sensor
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Doesn’t run at the quietest volumes
👎 Filter life could last a little longer
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 29 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | H13 HEPA with Activated Carbon pellets |
| Recommended room size: | 322 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 226 CFM (384 m³/h ) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 21.8 x 14.1 x 7.9 inches (55.4 x 35.8 x 20cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 18 lbs (8.16 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 32 – 52 dB |
| Filter life: | 3 – 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $30.48 per year |
8. Coway Airmega AP-1512HH
Last, but by no means least, is the eye-catching Coway Airmega AP-1512HH. Coway thinks differently when it comes to the design of its air purifiers. With an iconic monochrome design, this unit blends effortlessly into modern homes, with an appearance that looks more like a piece of contemporary art than an electrical appliance.
But that doesn’t mean they’re all flash and no bang. The AP-1512HH is a high-performance air purifier with everything you need to curtail weed smoke from affecting your home.
It has a washable pre-filter, a True HEPA filter (to remove 99.9% of ultrafine particles like bacteria, mold, pollen, and dust), and an Activated Carbon filter to help with cannabis smells and harmful smoke chemicals. Its powerful fans allow it to draw in vast amounts of heavy, smoke-laden air, contributing to the unit’s CADR score of 240 CFM.
The AP-1512HH comes with an Auto mode that monitors air quality and adjusts the unit’s fan speed accordingly, perfect for lazy days when you forget to power up the unit before smoking.
What We Really Like:
👍 Ultra-modern design makes it look the part, with a choice of colorways too
👍 Runs whisper quiet on its lower fan speeds
👍 Packs a punch, clearing our test space of pollutants in just 23 minutes
👍 Comes with an Ionizer that can be switched off
What We Think Could Be Better:
👎 Not the most energy-efficient purifier, consuming 77.6 watts when running at top speed
👎 Ionizer may put some users off
SPECS & FEATURES
| HouseFresh Rating: | ★★★☆☆ |
| Time to clean our test room: | 23 minutes |
| Air purifier technology: | True HEPA, Activated Carbon and Pre-filter plus Bipolar Ionizer |
| Recommended room size: | 361 ft² |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 240 CFM (408 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 18.3H x 16.8W x 9.6D inches (46.5H x 42.7W x 24.4D cm) |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 12.3 lbs (5.58 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 24 — 53 dB |
| Filter life: | 6 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 3 years |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $168.58 per year |
The Air Purifier We Don’t Recommend for Weed Smoke: Molekule Mini
While we can sing the praises of our favorite air purifiers all day long, we know that some readers will be set on a unit they’ve found. This is great – unless that purifier is the Molekule Mini.
Having burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with attractive appliances and cleverly designed marketing, Molekule caught the attention of many air purifier consumers. Their unique selling point was that they were here to reinvent the standard, peer-reviewed mechanical filters (such as HEPA) and replace them with their own PECO or photoelectrochemical oxidation filter — which is meant to be able to eliminate pollutants at a molecular level.
While these developments sounded new and exciting, the reality is that they aren’t up to scratch. When we tested this unit for ourselves, we were pretty shocked by the pitiful results, as it took almost five times longer than the Taotronics AP003 to bring air quality to a safe limit (141 minutes) despite costing over three times more to purchase 😕.
| Why We Suggest You Avoid This Unit: 👎 Takes an eternity to remove pollutants, so wouldn’t stand a chance against weed smoke 👎 Filterless technology that somehow costs more to maintain than regular HEPA filters 👎 Runs at an ear-bleeding volume at its highest speed 👎 Uses an incredible amount of energy for such a small unit |
Buying Guide: Air Purifiers for Weed Smoke
Marijuana is now legal to buy and smoke in 38 states across the US, for recreational or medicinal use. With the tide increasingly turning on wider deregulation.
This means that air quality is negatively affected due to more users and unprecedented demand. On an individual level, this can result in your home becoming a stale and smelly environment, while the side effects of inhaling or being around smoke can result in grave consequences for your health.
But the good news is that an air purifier can easily rectify this.
| 🤔 Why should you deal with weed smoke sooner rather than later? As a smoker, you often make some concessions in your day-to-day life. But delaying purchasing an air purifier shouldn’t be one of them. The primary reasons are the dangers of smoke, whether delivered first-hand or second-hand. While many people see weed as a harmless plant, it releases many of the same toxins, irritants and carcinogens as tobacco. So exposure should be limited as much as possible. Secondly, a smoke-filled room will soon turn into a stink-filled room. As marijuana smoke latches onto furnishings, carpets, upholstery, clothes, hair and practically any other porous surface. |
What to Look for When Buying an Air Purifier for Weed Smoke
1. Ensure filtration is up to scratch: HEPA + Activated Carbon is a must
Without quality filters you’ve essentially got a useless fan. Ensure that you are protecting yourself from weed smoke’s harmful toxins and odors by looking for a unit that utilizes HEPA and Activated Carbon filters.
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Delivery) filters are the most effective way of removing particle contaminants from the air. Weed smoke comprises small particles such as PM 2.5 and PM1.0, which is why HEPA filters are so useful, as they are guaranteed to capture at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Regarding Activated Carbon filters, look for options with as much Carbon as possible. This ensures plenty of substrate to capture gaseous pollutants. Filters using carbon pellets are more effective than pleated carbon filters.
2. Measure the space in which you smoke (and consider how much weed smoke your home is exposed to)
Air purifiers are designed to work at their best in many different-sized spaces. Larger units can usually clean the air in a much larger room than a smaller, budget unit. Manufacturers will often provide a recommended room size for each of their cleaners which is a great starting point for consumers. Be sure to measure your space accurately and research appropriate purifiers.
| A good rule of thumb is: A home from 300 to 500 sq. ft. – One unit with a CADR of at least 150 CFM A home from 500 to 900 sq. ft. – One or two units with a combined CADR of 300 to 500 CFM A home More than 1000 sq. ft. – Two or three units with a combined CADR of 600 CFM or higher |
Bear in mind that keeping windows and doors shut when using your purifier plays a huge role in ensuring that the purifier isn’t working overtime trying to clean the air from outside or adjacent rooms.
You’ll need much more protection for those who smoke every day than those who only occasionally smoke. This means you should look for larger, more powerful units. Smaller units are a more viable option for casual smokers or those affected by a neighbor. This will allow you to maneuver the air purifier to target different spots around the home whenever required, while the smaller filters inside won’t become saturated too soon.
3. Choose an air purifier powerful enough to handle weed smoke
Smoke in any form is a nightmare to combat. It’s thick and full of particulate matter and VOC toxins and stinks. This means you need a powerful unit to draw in dirty air and filter pollutants effectively, and redistribute clean, fresh air quickly.
The best way to determine if an air purifier has the necessary power is to look for its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). This figure tells you how much air (measured in cubic feet) a purifier can clean in a minute (CFM).
| Pro tip: As a rule of thumb, we recommend opting for a unit with a score of 200 CFM + or the highest rating you can afford. |
4. Do you really need smart features?
Modern air purifiers come with many handy Smart features that can make cleaning the air easy to fix with the help of technology. From Auto modes to smartphone apps or even Alexa smart speaker compatibility for voice-activated controls, there is plenty to streamline how you control your unit or even trust it to work by itself.
This can all make life much easier and result in you having to do less after settling in after a smoke. However, these units can also come with a premium price tag, so if your budget is tight, prioritize cleaning capability over fancy features.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are a full-blown blunt lover or partake in the occasional bong hit with friends, having an air purifier to help you rid the air in your home of lingering odors and harmful toxins will be a worthwhile investment. If you are expecting also to smoke cigarettes, then you should also check out what we think is the best air purifier for smoke.
But knowing which air purifier is the best option for you will vary from person to person.
Overall, you should ensure that whatever air purifier you choose utilizes HEPA and Activated Carbon filtration for the best level of protection. On top of this, you can look into Smart features, operating volumes and power consumption — all of which are easy to find in our handy Specs charts — to find the best unit for your needs.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API