I used to burn candles, spray air fresheners, and leave the windows wide open. But the smells from cooking, pets, and daily life still hung around. That’s when I asked myself: do air purifiers get rid of odors, or is that just hype? After trying a few and doing some research, I found out they really can help. In this guide, I’ll share what worked for me, how air purifiers handle smells, and which ones are worth it. Let’s dive in—your nose will love it!
Why I Bought an Air Purifier in the First Place
I love to cook. But the smells? Not so much. Garlic, fish, and fried onions would stick around for days. I’d walk into the kitchen the next morning and think, “Why does it still smell like last night’s dinner?”
I tried everything. Candles, sprays, even keeping the windows open. Nothing worked. The smell just stayed. It didn’t feel clean. It didn’t feel fresh.
One night after a small party, the smoke from indoor grilling took over my whole place. It was stuck in the couch, the curtains—everywhere. That’s when I started asking, do air purifiers get rid of odors, or is that just clever marketing?
At first, I thought air purifiers were only for dust and allergies. But then I read about carbon filters. They trap the gases that cause bad smells. That sounded like what I needed.
So I bought one. After a few days, I noticed a big change. The air smelled cleaner. The odors faded. It wasn’t magic—but it worked. And that was enough to win me over.
How Air Purifiers Work Against Odors
What Causes Bad Odors in the First Place?
Smells happen. One day it’s garlic chicken, the next it’s your wet dog. Some smells fade fast. Others stick like glue.
Most of the stink comes from things like food, pets, smoke, or damp stuff. But what really causes it? Tiny gases in the air called VOCs (volatile organic compounds). You can’t see them, but your nose sure can.
Quick answer: Bad smells come from gases called VOCs. They float around after cooking, pets, or smoke.
Do Air Purifiers Help With Smell? Here’s the Science
At first, I thought air purifiers just cleared out dust. But smells? I wasn’t sure.
Then I learned how they work. HEPA filters grab dust, pet hair, and pollen. They don’t trap gases. That’s where carbon filters step in. They soak up smelly stuff from the air—like a sponge for odors.
Quick answer: HEPA filters clean the air. But for smells, you need a carbon filter.
I also saw ads for ozone machines. Some say they wipe out odors fast. But I didn’t get one. The EPA says ozone can hurt your lungs. No thanks.
Quick answer: I don’t use ozone purifiers. They may help with smell, but they can be unsafe.
My Experience Using an Air Purifier for Smell
The First Few Days: A Fresh Start
When I first turned it on, I didn’t expect much. I left it running near the kitchen and went to bed. The next morning, I walked in and smiled. The garlic smell was gone.
Quick answer: My air purifier started to reduce odors within a day.
Before that, cooking smells would hang around for days. I’d try opening windows or lighting candles. Nothing worked. But this felt different. The air smelled light—like nothing at all.
After a Week: Pet Smells Were Calmer
I have a cat. His litter box sits in the hallway. It used to smell every time I walked by.
But after a few days, the stink wasn’t as strong. It didn’t hit me in the face like before. I didn’t need to spray anything. The purifier just made the smell fade.
Quick answer: After a few days, my purifier made the litter box smell less intense.
It didn’t make it vanish. But it made the air easier to breathe. I was impressed.
What I Used and How I Used It
I picked the Levoit Core 300. It has a HEPA and carbon filter. I let it run all day. At night, I used the sleep mode. It’s super quiet.
Quick answer: I used the Levoit Core 300 and kept it on 24/7 for best results.
I changed the filter every few months. If I forgot, I could tell right away. The air wouldn’t feel as fresh. Lesson learned.
Real Talk: It Works—But Don’t Expect Magic
The purifier helped a lot. But it didn’t fix every smell. After a big dinner or indoor grilling, I could still smell it the next day. But not for long.
Quick answer: It helps with smells, but strong odors still need time to clear.
It won’t erase smells in seconds. But it cuts them down. It makes the air feel lighter. And for me, that’s a win.
Best Air Purifiers for Odors (What to Look For)
HEPA + Activated Carbon: The Power Combo
If you want to beat odors, a HEPA filter alone won’t do it. I found that out the hard way. My first purifier had only a HEPA filter. It helped with dust, but the smell of fried food stayed in the air.
Quick answer: HEPA filters catch dust and pollen—but not smells. You need carbon for that.
So what works? A purifier with both HEPA and carbon filters. The HEPA part grabs tiny stuff like pet hair. The carbon filter traps odor gases. They work better together—like a tag team for fresh air.
Quick answer: To fight odors, pick a purifier with HEPA and carbon filters.
Carbon filters have lots of tiny holes. Those holes pull in smells from cooking, pets, and smoke. The thicker the filter, the more smells it can catch. When I got a unit with more carbon, the air smelled fresh again.
Quick answer: Carbon filters soak up odor molecules—more carbon means better results.
Features That Matter for Odor Removal
Now that you know the right kind of filter, here are the top features to check before you buy:
Room Size Coverage
If your room is big, a small purifier won’t help much. I once used a tiny unit in my living room. It ran all day and still didn’t clean the air well.
Quick answer: Match your purifier to your room size for best results.
Check the box or manual. It will say how many square feet the purifier can cover. Pick one that fits your space.
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
CADR tells you how fast a purifier can clean the air. For odors, check the smoke CADR. It shows how well it handles tiny particles—like the ones that cause smells.
Quick answer: A high smoke CADR means faster odor cleanup.
I noticed a big change when I switched to a higher CADR model. The smell didn’t stick around like before.
Filter Replacement Schedule
Filters don’t last forever. When I forgot to change mine, the smells came back. The carbon gets full and stops working.
Quick answer: Replace filters on time to keep smells away.
Most purifiers need a new filter every 3–6 months. Some have lights or apps to remind you. If not, set a calendar alert. It’s worth it.
Quiet Operation & Smart Features
I like to run my purifier all the time. That means it needs to be quiet. Some models are loud on high settings. Others have a sleep mode that’s super soft.
Quick answer: Quiet purifiers are better for all-day use.
Smart features help too. Some purifiers change speed on their own. Others track air quality with an app. These tools make it easier to breathe clean air without thinking about it.
Top Picks: Best Air Purifier for Odors
(Easy choices if your room smells weird)
I’ve tried a bunch of air purifiers. Some were great, some not so much. If your home smells like pets, food, or smoke, don’t worry. These picks can help.
Each one has a carbon filter, which is what you need to fight smells.
💸 Budget Pick: Levoit Core Mini – Small and Handy
This one worked great in my small guest room. It’s tiny, quiet, and helps with mild smells. I was shocked how well it did for the price.
Quick tip: Levoit Core Mini is great for small rooms and light odors.
Why I liked it:
- Cute and small
- Quiet, even at night
- Works well in tight spaces
What to know:
- Not good for big rooms
- Filters need changing often
👍 Best for: Bedrooms, bathrooms, or tiny offices.
🏡 Mid-Range Pick: Levoit Core 300 – My Favorite
This is the one I use every day. It has HEPA and carbon filters—the perfect combo. I run it in my living room, and it clears up cooking smells fast.
Quick tip: Levoit Core 300 is great for pets, food, and everyday smells.
Why I liked it:
- Strong airflow
- Good with smells and dust
- Easy to use
What to know:
- No app or smart stuff
- Needs regular filter checks
👍 Best for: Kitchens, living rooms, or homes with pets.
💎 Premium Pick: Coway Airmega 400S – Big, Smart, Powerful
This one is a beast. I used it after a big dinner party, and it cleared the smoky smell in hours. It’s smart too—it tracks air and adjusts on its own.
Quick tip: Coway Airmega 400S is best for large homes and strong odors.
Why I liked it:
- Covers huge areas
- Auto mode and app
- Thick carbon filters
What to know:
- Costs more
- A bit large for small rooms
👍 Best for: Big homes, open floors, or strong smells that won’t go away.
Final Tip
If your room smells bad, you need more than just a fan. Look for a purifier with a carbon filter and make sure it fits your room size. Even the small ones help, but big jobs need big help.
Want help picking the right one? I’ve got you.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Odor Removal
Put Your Purifier in the Right Spot
Where you place your air purifier matters. Don’t shove it in a corner or behind the sofa. I made that mistake once—it didn’t help much. For best results, put it in an open spot, close to where the smell is strongest.
Quick tip: Place it in the center of the room or near the odor source.
Keep Doors and Windows Closed
I used to run my purifier with the windows wide open. It didn’t do much. Turns out, clean air just escapes that way. Now I keep doors and windows shut when the purifier is on.
Quick tip: Closed rooms help the purifier work faster and better.
Change Filters on Time (I Always Forget!)
I’ll be honest—I forget to change filters all the time. Then one day I thought, “Why does it smell again?” Yup, the filter was full. Now I set a reminder every few months.
Quick tip: Dirty filters don’t clean air. Swap them out on schedule.
Pair It with Natural Helpers (Like Baking Soda)
Sometimes, I add a bowl of baking soda near smelly spots—like the litter box or fridge. It soaks up extra odors and helps the purifier out. You can also try vinegar or lemon peels.
Quick tip: Natural odor absorbers work great with purifiers.
When an Air Purifier Might Not Be Enough
Air purifiers are great. But they can’t fix everything.
If your home has a strong chemical smell—like paint, cleaners, or gas leaks—a purifier won’t solve it. These smells come from heavy gases. They need more than a filter. You may need to open windows, leave the room, or call for help.
Quick answer: For strong chemicals, an air purifier won’t be enough. Ventilate and call a pro if needed.
The same goes for mold. If there’s a damp, musty smell that won’t go away, you might have mold hiding behind walls or under floors. A purifier can make the air feel better, but it won’t stop the mold from growing.
Quick answer: Air purifiers help with mold smell—but not the mold itself. You’ll need to fix the source.
That’s when I learned the hard way. I kept smelling something weird in my bathroom. I used candles, sprays, and my purifier. But the smell stayed. Weeks later, I found mold behind the sink. I had to call a pro to clean it out.
Quick answer: If the smell stays no matter what, check for hidden problems. A purifier won’t fix it alone.
So here’s the thing: air purifiers work best as part of your odor-fighting plan. They’re one tool—not the whole toolbox. Clean often. Fix leaks. Ventilate when needed. And yes, run your purifier to keep the air fresh.
Quick answer: Use purifiers with other tools—like cleaning and good airflow—for best results.
FAQs
Q: Do air purifiers help with smell?
Yes, they do! They work great, especially if they have an activated carbon filter. I noticed a big change after getting one. The fishy kitchen smell that used to linger? Gone in a day.
Quick answer: Yes, air purifiers with carbon filters can get rid of odors quickly.
Q: What’s the best air purifier for odors?
The best ones have both a HEPA filter and activated carbon. I love the Levoit Core 300—it’s affordable and cleared up cooking and pet smells in my home. If you need something for a larger space, the Coway Airmega 400S is powerful.
Quick answer: Look for a HEPA + carbon combo with a high CADR for smoke and odors.
Q: Do air purifiers help with pet smells?
Definitely. I have a cat, and the litter box used to be unbearable. After a few days with the purifier running nearby, the smell faded a lot.
Quick answer: Yes, carbon filters help reduce pet odors like litter box smells.
Q: Are carbon filter air purifiers worth it?
Yes! HEPA filters remove dust, but they don’t tackle odors. Carbon filters do the real work when it comes to smells. Once I switched to a purifier with both, my air actually felt fresh.
Quick answer: Yes, carbon filters are a must for removing odors that HEPA filters miss.
Q: Can air purifiers remove cigarette smoke odor?
They help a lot, but only if you choose the right one. Cigarette smoke has tough gases and tiny particles, so you need a purifier with a thick carbon filter and a high smoke CADR. I tested one after a party, and the smell was gone overnight.
Quick answer: Yes, but only with a strong carbon filter and high CADR for smoke.
Final Thoughts: Do Air Purifiers Help with Smells?
Yes, they do! Air purifiers can really help get rid of bad smells.
When I got mine, I just wanted to get rid of the smell of garlic and cat litter. I didn’t think it would do much. But after a few days? The air felt cleaner. It smelled fresh. I could breathe easier.
👉 Quick answer: Air purifiers with carbon filters help a lot with smells. They make your home feel fresh.
Now, don’t expect it to work like magic. If you cook fish or grill inside, the smell won’t go away right away. But it goes away much faster than before. After a week or two, I noticed a big change—no more leftover food or pet smells.
👉 Quick answer: They help, but strong smells still need some time to go away.
I’ve learned that air purifiers are a smart buy. They won’t fix mold or clean up messes, but they’re great for everyday smells. They work in the background and just make the air better.
👉 Quick answer: They work best when you use them with other clean-air habits.
So, if your home smells a bit “used” and you’ve tried candles, sprays, or keeping windows open all day—try an air purifier. Get one with a carbon filter. Match it to your room size. Give it a few days.
I did. And now, I don’t want to live without it.
👉 Quick answer: If smells bother you every day, an air purifier could really help.
My name is Carlos Gadd, and I am the creator of AirPurityGuide.com.. With a passion for footwear, I share my experiences, insights, and expertise about shoes. Through my blog, I aim to guide readers in making informed decisions, finding the perfect pair, and enhancing their footwear knowledge. Join me on this journey to explore everything about shoes!