When you are trying to heat your home and keep your costs of heating down in the cold winter months, it is important to make sure that you have good air quality as well. Most wood burning stoves, pellet stoves, indoor furnaces, and fireplaces are more efficient, but release dangerous smoke into your home. Purchasing an air purifier that can help to cleanse the air and make it healthy can be a simple task. Continue reading to see our pick for the best air purifier for wood burning stove smoke and fireplace smoke.
Wood burning stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces can release odors inside such as smoke and chemicals as well as small particles that can you can breathe in your lungs. By purchasing an air purifier, you can filter your air and make sure that your home is not only warm but that your air is clean and healthy.
Best Air Purifier for Wood Burning Stove Smoke Comparison
Best for wood stove smoke
- Reduces wood smoke exposure
- Reduces wood smoke odor
- Great price
- Activated Carbon Filter
- True HEPA Filter
Best for running over night
- Captures wood smoke particles
- Reduces Wood smoke odor
- TRUE HEPA filter
- Washable Filter
- Powerful
Best for large rooms
- Absorbs smoke odor
- Reduces exposure to wood smoke
- Air quality sensor.
- 3 fan speeds.
- Eco mode to save energy
Best Air Purifier for Wood Burning Stove Smoke Reviews
Best for wood stove smoke
The SilverOnyx Air Purifier is one that finds its way onto a few of our lists and for good reason. Equipped with a 5-stage filtration system that helps to catch super fine particles and neutralize odors, the SilverOnyx uses a True HEPA H13 filter in combination with an activated carbon filter, UV light, and Ion generator. The SilverOnyx HEPA H13 filter removes 99.97% of allergens in the air as small as .3 microns – including dust, pet hair, odors, allergens, and mold. The 360-degree activated carbon filter helps reduce the smell of wood-burning stove smoke due to its extreme level of absorptive surface area. Additionally, the air purifier’s ion generator attaches to smoke particles that flow through the machine to remove them from the air.
Features
This model features an Auto-mode with a 2.5 particulate sensor, which runs the fan at the appropriate speed to cleanse the air in your home. This helps maximize the filter life and reduce electrical costs. The control panel on the top of the machine is easy to read and the display is situated in a clock format, which makes for easy button pressing. It has intuitive functions, a timer mode, and the ability to turn on and off the different functions as you see fit.
This air purifier for wood-burning stove smoke comes in a matte black color and cylindrical design. The machine is 10.5 inches in width and 16.5 inches in height, so it can fit in most areas of your home. Additionally, at only 5 pounds, the machine is easy to move around as needed.
Things to consider
One of the main issues with this purifier is its ability to completely remove smoke. Because smoke is such a fine substance, as with any air purifier, this machine will not remove 100% of the smoke in your home. Additionally, it requires filter changes about every 6 months depending on the length of use.
Pros of the Silver Onyx Air Purifier
- HEPA H13 Filter
- Activated Carbon Filter
- UV sanitation
- PM2.5 sensor
- Easy to work display
- 5-speed fans
- UVC Light
- Used for Large Rooms
Cons of the Silver Onyx Air Purifier
- The ionizer produces ozone which can be considered unsafe for humans or animals
- UV light is not useful in eliminating smoke
- Doest not eliminate 100% of smoke particles in the air
Customer Reviews
According to Walmart.com, this air purifier has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating. Reviewers said that it quickly reduced cooking smells and that the unit runs quietly. Others made note of the dangers of ozone in the air, and that it doesn’t run as effectively in larger rooms.
Trial Results
Best for running over night
The Winix 5500 Air Purifier is a great device for cleaning an average-sized room. Quickly scrubbing the air of contaminants, it is built to work best in an area of 360 square feet. Because the machine is so powerful and includes all of the right types of filters, it also does a good job at removing smoke odor and smoke particles from the air, including wood-burning stove smoke.
Features
The air purifier includes a 3-stage air purification system that includes a washable pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, a True HEPA filter, and PlasmaWave Technology. Together, they reduce allergens, pet hair and dander, dust, mold, and the smell of smoke and other household odors. Similar to the SilverOnyx, this air purifier uses its activated carbon and PlasmaWave technology to fight stove smoke.
One great thing about PlasmaWave Technology is that it neutralizes smoke, mold, and bacteria, and viruses without letting off harmful chemicals or byproducts. In comparison to the SilverOnyx air purifier, the Plasmawaze technology is essentially the same as the SinverOnyx’s ionizer, however, it does not have the side effect of producing harmful ozone.
This model also has an Air Quality Indicator with an LED that changes in real-time, based on the air quality within your home. The dual smart sensors measure particles in the air, and when you set it to Auto mode, it will adjust the fan speed in accordance with the smart sensor readings.
When the room is dark, Sleep mode is activated automatically. During Sleep mode, the Winix 5500 runs on the quietest fan system and goes dark, thereby cleaning your air without interrupting your sleep. This means that you can unbox the Winix 5500, set it to Auto mode, and then not have to deal with it again until it’s time to change the filters! The filter replacement indicator will alert you when it is time for a replacement, usually every 6 months.
Things to consider
This air purifier is a little larger than the others on our list. It is 14.9 inches in width and 23.6 inches tall. It also weighs 18 pounds. This means that it is harder to find a good spot for the purifier in your home and is not as easy to move around. With a rectangular design, matte black color, and filter vents placed in the middle of the purifier, this machine can be placed in almost any room of your home.
When compared to the Winix 5300-2, it is important to note that the 5500 does not include a remote. Additionally, the replacement filters for this air purifier are more expensive than others and the HEPA and Carbon filters cannot simply be cleaned.
Pros of the Winix 5500
- TRUE HEPA filter
- Washable Pre-Filter
- PlasmaWave
- Smart sensors to adjust the fan speed
- Works for a 360 square foot room.
Cons of the Winix 5500
- No remote control
- No way to disable sleep mode
- Heavy – difficult to move around
- Larger than other air purifiers
Customer Review
According to Walmart.com, this air purifier has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating with 1,283 reviews. Some of these reviews include wood odors being eliminated, working great in a large room, keeping air clean when running the fireplace, and has helped to get rid of allergy medications that were needed previously. Negative reviews include – making loud noises, not being able to turn off night mode, expensive filter replacement, and large design.
Trial Results
Best for large rooms
While the Coway AP-1512HH looks like an oversized iPod shuffle, it definitely cleans the air better than one!
Made to clean the air of rooms up to 361 square feet. Smilar to the Winix and SilverOnyx, this purifier is designed with a multi-stage filtration system. First, the air goes through the washable pre-filter where large particles like pet hair and dust accumulate. It then moves to the deodorization filter which takes care of any smells and smoke, before heading into the True HEPA filter. There, the air is scrubbed of 99.97% of particles .3 microns in size. This includes pollen, VOCs, allergens, and other pollutants. Lastly, the Vital Ion system emits negative ions into the air which help capture remaining particles that would otherwise be too small to filter out. The combination of the carbon filter and ionizer result in a machine that can eliminate wood smoke and smoke odor effectively.
Features
The Coway AP-1512HH has an Air Quality Indicator that helps indicate what kind of air quality you have and automatically changes the fan speed based on its findings. This means that when you set it to Auto-mode, you can rest assured that it is working as efficiently as possible, while not running up your electric bill unnecessarily.
Like all the models on our list, there is a replacement filter indicator that alerts you when it’s time to change out the filter. Unfortunately, these filters need to be replaced every 6 months, however, the washable pre-filter cleaned when needed.
The fan has 3 speeds, with the lowest speed being very quiet and great for overnight use. It is recommended to start with the highest fan speed to quickly remove pollutants from the air, then use the lower speeds as maintenance levels. The airflow is strong and blows upwards, therefore circulating the air without acting like a fan and making you chilly!
Things to consider
This air purifier is larger than the SilverOnyx but smaller than the Winix. With a more box-like shame, the machine is 16.5 inches in width and 18.3 inches tall. It weighs 12.5 pounds. The glossy black finish with a grey circular filter vent in the middle results in a design that can be used in any room.
The issue with this air purifier is the lack of instructions for setting it up. You will have to put the filters in the machine before first-time use which is rather confusing. Additionally, the bottom of the machine is not conducive to placing it on the hardwood floor. It can easily scratch a hardwood floor if it slides across the floor. Additionally, the air purifier’s design makes it hard to pick up and move around.
Pros of the Conway AP-1512HH
- Four-stage filtration system with a True HEPA filter, pre-filter, deodorization filter, and Vital ion filter which helps to remove smoke odors
- Captures particles as small as .3 microns
- Has a pollution sensor
- 3 fan speeds
- Eco mode to save energy
- Timer with automatic turn off
- Quiet operation
- 1-year parts and motor warranty and 3-year electric part warranty
- Won the “Best Air Purifier” in 2018
Cons of the Conway AP-1512HH
- Can not turn off all the lights at night
- High fan speed is loud, but it is cleaning a lot of air very quickly
- Have to put the machine together on your own
Customer Reviews
According to Walmart.com, this product has a 4.4 out of 5-star customer review with 1,511 people reviewing this product. Some of the customers say that the Conway AP is the best air purifier they have ever bought, that the filters are not expensive, and that their overall health has improved since purchasing this product.
Trial Results
Buying Guide for the Best Air Purifiers for Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplace Smoke
Purchasing an air purifier for homes with wood burning stoves and fireplace smoke can help to reduce allergens caused by these pollutants. It is important when making your purchase that you find an air purifier that has the following features:
- TRUE HEPA Filters
- Activated Charcoal Filters
- Multi-filtration system
- EPA Qualified
TRUE HEPA Filters
TRUE HEPA filters are important in all of your air purifier purchases because they remove 99.97% of all allergens that are as small as .3 microns. This helps to remove both the viruses, bacteria, dust, dander, pollen, mold and some of the odors caused by wood and fireplace stoves.
Activated Charcoal Filters
Activated charcoal filters help to remove more pollutants but it is also great for removing odors. Using an activated charcoal filter can remove the smoke odor that other filters will not remove.
Multi-filtration System
Having a multi-filtration system is important because with this system, the air purifier can help to remove allergens, pollutants and odors. By having multi-filtration, the system can help to beat pollutants that one filter alone cannot handle.
EPA Qualified
Purchasing a unit that is EPA qualified can help to make sure that the air purifier is efficient and is cleaning your air but not only that, with an EPA qualified purifier, you can run the air purifier all hours of the day and save energy while doing so. This can help you to keep your electric bill lower while giving you healthy and clean air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Air Purifiers Work for Wood Smoke?
Air purifiers that include TRUE HEPA filters can help to remove particles and other allergens. By adding this with an activated charcoal filter, you can make sure to remove the particles and the smoke odors and chemicals that come from wood smoke.
Do Air Purifiers Work for Fire Smoke?
If you have a fireplace in your home, you need to purchase an air purifier that has a TRUE HEPA filter and that removes particles that are .3 microns or smaller.
What Air Purifiers Get Rid of Smoke Smell?
Most air purifiers cannot get rid of the smoke smell, but they can lessen the smoke odors if they have activated charcoal filters and a TRUE HEPA filter. Most air purifiers are meant to remove particles up to 99.97% of all allergens in the home including dust, pet dander, mold, smoke and more.
Will Charcoal Filters Remove Smoke Smell?
Using an activated charcoal filter can help to remove 99.97% of all smoke smells and particles that are as small as .3 microns. The activated charcoal filter also helps to eliminate smoke from tobacco and can help to get rid of other allergy causing particles.
Conclusion
Having a warm home heated by a fireplace or a wood burner can be efficient and helpful, but it is just as important to make sure that you have a home that has clean air. Dirty and polluted air can cause people to have allergies such as asthma, upper respiratory infections, sinus infections and more and by purchasing an air purifier, you can help rid your home of these pollutants and have the clean air that you need. We can also help you find the best air purifier for cigarette smoke.
Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.