Best Air Purifier for Odors
To find the best air purifier for odors we should take a look at what odors are. Because you more than likely came to this page looking for the right product for your home or business, we will start with a group of odor removing air purifiers.
After the products we will look at the nature of odors and how they are formed. After that we will discuss different types of odors. Next we will explore how odors can be removed. We will take a brief look at filter replacement costs and we will finish up with some thoughts on air fresheners.
This webpage focusses mostly on odors around the home. If your search has you here looking for a commercial solution we invite you to visit Commercial Odor Control web-page. In any case if you need help feel free to call our customer service number 800-558-9436 for help and answers to your odor related questions.
Table Top Odor Removing Air Purifiers
Maxum HEPA 120
The Maxum HEPA 120 is our first choice for smaller areas that have odor issues. This model provides great particle removal and above average odor elimination. This unit is a great cigar air purifier.
$850.00
- 500 CFM
- True HEPA 2.5 inch
- 900 gram activated carbon filter
- size 17 x13 x 13
- 490 CADR
- Table Top / Shelf / Floor
Maxum HEPA 420
The Maxum HEPA 420 is our most popular product for removing smoke and odors associated with cannabis both growing and smoking.
$850.00
- 500 CFM
- True HEPA 2.5 inch
- 900 gram cannablend adsorbent
- size 17 x13 x 13
- 490 CADR
- Table Top / Shelf / Floor
Maxum VOC
The Maxum VOC is our smallest VOC extractor. Its one function is too remove VOCs and odors from the air. This unit is popular for areas with a high level of odors like nail salons, small printing operations and craft rooms.
$850.00
- 500 CFM
- 1800 gram activated carbon filter
- size 17 x13 x 13
- Table Top / Shelf / Floor
Portable Odor Removing Air Purifiers
MAX Guard HEPA 120
The MAX Guard HEPA 120 is our Premium Home Air Purifier. The 900 CFM volume and 890 CADR makes it a real winner. The 2000 gram fast acting carbon filter makes it one of the most effective odor removing air purifiers on the Market. This product is generational and you can expect to get 15 or more years of use.
$2500.00
- 900 CFM
- True HEPA 2.5 inch
- 2000 gram activated carbon filter
- size 26 x 22 x 14
- 890 CADR
- Floor / Portable on Casters
MAX Guard HEPA 420
The MAX Guard HEPA 420 is our Premium Cannabis Smoke Eater. The 900 CFM volume and 890 CADR helps it serve very well as home and commercial unit. The 2000 gram odor adsorbing filter makes it one of the most effective odor removing air purifiers. This filter is adept at removing odors with an ammonia nature.
$2500.00
- 900 CFM
- True HEPA 2.5 inch
- 2000 gram activated carbon filter
- size 26 x 22 x 14
- 890 CADR
- Floor / Portable on Casters
MAX Guard VOC
The MAX Guard VOC is LakeAir’s largest portable VOC extractor. This unit has a 2750 gram odor adsorbing filter. This model does not include a particulate filter and is intended solely for the removal of odors and VOCs. This unit comes with an activated carbon filter. If you would prefer a filter that is 50% carbon and 50% zeolite, please call our sales line 800-558-9436 to place a special order.
$2500.00
- 900 CFM
- 2750 gram activated carbon filter
- size 26 x 22 x 14
- Floor / Portable on Casters
- Also Available with 50% activated Carbon / 50% Zeolite
Residential Ceiling Odor Removing Air Purifiers
CM2-RC2-HEPA
The CM2-RC2 HEPA by design is great for odor control. It’s standard carbon filter contains 900 grams of activated carbon. This unit is meant to hang from ceiling or sit in a 2 x 2 ceiling grid. This unit would work well for odor control in an area up to 500 square feet. The dual blower design provides better performance at a lower noise level that the Maxum HEPA 120.
$1850.00
- 500 CFM
- True HEPA 4.5 inch
- 900 gram activated carbon filter
- size 24 x 24 x 13 “
- 490 CADR
- Hung from Ceiling / Drop Ceiling Grid
CM2-RC2-HEPA 420
The CM2-RC2 HEPA 420 replicates the great performance of the standard CM2. The addition of zeolite to the odor adsorbing filter sets this unit apart from its cousin. If your odor problem consists of cannabis, decaying food matter or ammonia based fumes the CM2 420 is the way to go for a ceiling hung solution.
$1850.00
- 500 CFM
- True HEPA 4.5 inch
- 900 gram (50% activated carbon / 50% zeolite)
- size 24 x 24 x 13 “
- 490 CADR
- Hung from Ceiling / Drop Ceiling Grid
CM2-RC2-VOC
The CM2-RC2 VOC is a ceiling hung VOC extractor. This model will do well to clear a 500 square foot area of odors and harmful VOCs. There is no particulate filter in this unit as it is dedicated to the removal of odors. The 1800 gram activated carbon filter will hang from the ceiling or set in a 2x 2 drop ceiling grid.
$1850.00
- 500 CFM
- 1800 gram (50% activated carbon / 50% zeolite)
- size 24 x 24 x 13
- Hung from Ceiling / Drop Ceiling Grid
- Also available in a 50% activated carbon 50% zeolite model
Commercial Odor Removing Air Purifiers
LA2-RC2-VOC
The LAAS 1600-VOC is a ducted VOC extractor. The powerful blowers pull contaminated air out of a space through a 9 inch activated carbon filter bed. The 9 inch filter bed allows for a greater residence time promoting better VOC and odor removal The cleaned air is the ducted back to the source space or wherever your application requires, These units come standard with 12 inch duct adapters.
$2500.00
- 900 CFM
- (2) 2750 gram activated carbon filters
- size 22 x 221 x 19
- Ceiling Hung /Wall Mounted / Cart Mounted /Floor on Casters
- 50% activated carbon / 50% zeolite filter are available
LAAS 1600 VOC
The LA2-RC2-VOC is the best VOC extractor on the market for small to mid size commercial applications. This model is compact, roughly a 20 inch cube. There is a lot VOC and Odor removing power packed into this little unit. With over 5000 grams of fast acting odor removing carbon the LA2 VOC will remove the odor from your space quickly and efficiently. The unit can be mounted in numerous ways to meet your needs.
$2550.00
- 900 CFM
- (2) 2750 gram activated carbon filters
- size 22 x 221 x 19
- Ducted / Air Scrubber
What is Odor?
Odors are an interesting phenonium. They shape the world we live in and often link our memories to specific events or experiences. The smell of muffins baking might transport you back to your grandmother’s kitchen, while the scent of a particular perfume might remind you of a close friend.
These odors are perceived through the olfactory nerve in our noses. There are more than 1 million olfactory nerve cells, each containing over 500 odor receptors. The Lord created us in a way that we are able to interpret chemicals as scents. When we breathe in, odor molecules pass over the olfactory epithelium, a tissue in the nasal cavity. The nerves an scent receptors are found here. These receptors then send signals to our brains, which interpret these signals as different smells.
Interestingly, different people might perceive the same odor differently. Researchers believe this is due to genetic differences. So, while one person might find the smell of a rose pleasant, another person might find it overpowering or even unpleasant.
Our brains can process a wide variety of odor molecules. A single cup of coffee, for example, can contain more than 800 different types of odor molecules. According to the National Institute for Health, humans can identify more than 1 trillion distinct smells.
Smells are also strongly linked to our memories and emotions, more so than our other senses. This is because the olfactory bulb, which processes smell information, is directly connected to the amygdala and hippocampus. These regions of the brain process both memory and emotion. This is why certain smells can instantly bring back vivid memories or evoke strong emotions.
While some odors are interpreted as pleasant, others can be perceived as unpleasant, even to the point of making us feel ill. It’s important to manage these odors effectively, which is what this webpage aims to help you with.
How are Odors formed?
Odors are created from natural and manmade items. In Nature, odors are formed when things decompose as an item such as plant matter dies and rots the matter it was made of changes. It will breakdown into the compounds it was made of. Some of the matter changes into different matter, while some other matter may be released as a gas. It is this gas where the odor is realized. when fungus or bacteria start to grow on a decomposing item they can also release a gas that to us is perceived as an odor.
As a chemical reaction odors can happen in many ways. For example, when metal goes through the process of rusting, it creates specific odors. when rain hits the ground it causes a release of oils that causes odors. when something interacts with sulfur a rotten egg smell might be prevalent. Odors are all around us and happen in many ways. Some of the chemical reactions that produce odors we are used to smell are:
- Ammonia it gives off a sharp odor this is common when using cleaning compounds
- Acetone gives of a sweet smell its common when people use nail polish remover
- Esters are compounds formed when certain acids are mixed these can be both pleasant and putrid
There are environmental factors that influence odors. Certain odors are much more noticeable in specific temperature and humidity levels. For example odors generally seem more oppressive when it is humid out. Wind can carry odors a long ways. That farmers field might no be noticeable unit the wind changes direction. Along that same line when we have poor ventilation in a room it adds to olfactory woes. A good air purifier that is adept at handling odors can go a long ways to make the situation better.
What Odors do you need to remove?
Pet Odors
Pets bring immense joy and companionship to our lives, but they also bring a lot of odors. These odors can come from various sources such as litter boxes, pet beds, or even the pets themselves. A wet dog or a smelly litter box can announce its presence as soon as you enter your home.
Persistent pet odors can affect the ambiance of your home, making it less pleasant and welcoming. As the number of pets in a home increases, so does the presence of pet odor. To help you manage this, we have a dedicated webpage that covers all aspects of pet air purification. We also offer a pet air purification calculator that can help you determine the amount of air circulation needed to handle pet odors and other pet-related issues.
Smoking Odors
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Smoke can come from many sources. Almost all smoke comes with its own unique smell. The odor from cigarette smoke has a distinct odor and is a bit easier to handle than cigar smoke odor which can be a real challenge to manage.
Cannabis odor presents its own set of challenges. Whether it's from smoking or growing, cannabis odor can be quite strong and pervasive. To combat this, LakeAir offers a special blend of odor adsorbers specifically designed to reduce the smell of cannabis smoke. We have an entire webpage that is dedicated to managing smoke and odor created by smoking.Kitchen Odors
The kitchen is a place of both delightful and unpleasant smells. The aroma of a simmering pot of soup can be wonderful, while the odor from a trash can or a forgotten item in the refrigerator can make you lose your appetite. Kitchen odors can come from various sources. Cooking certain foods, especially those with strong aromas like garlic or fish, can leave lingering smells. Similarly, the trash bin, especially when not emptied regularly, can produce strong odors.
Our line of kitchen air purifiers is designed to control and reduce odors within the kitchen, as well as those coming from outside. It's important to note that an air purifier does not remove all odors at once. These devices work by continuously filtering the air and reducing the concentration of odor molecules over time. The longer you leave your air purifier running, the more odors it will adsorb, helping to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.Household Odors
Our homes are filled with a variety of distinctive odors. If you have a baby, there are diapers to deal with. Young men and women might produce extra body odor. An older home might have a damp or musty smell. Depending on who lives in your home and when it was built, it will have a scent all of its own.
Not only does a home have odors, but it also has Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a real concern, especially in new homes. New furniture and carpets off-gas many chemicals that, with prolonged exposure, can pose a serious health threat.
By far, the worst house air quality issue we see is "sick building syndrome". This is a condition where occupants of a building experience acute health effects or discomfort that seem to be linked to time spent in the building. In this case, an air purifier that has a high level of both particulate removal and odor control is required as part of the cure. General household odors are easily dealt with by purchasing any of the devices in the product section above.Chemical Odors
Chemical odors in the home are usually caused by products we use in or around our house. Cleaning products, for instance, are one of the most common sources of these types of nuisance odors. The strong, often harsh smells of these products can linger in the air long after cleaning is done.
Pesticides, too, can produce very strong odors. The chemicals in pesticides can be harmful to us, just as they are to pests. The risk to us depends on the concentration of the chemical and the size of the individual exposed. It's important to remove these odors from the air to reduce exposure.
Chemicals like formaldehyde can seep up through our basement floors or off-gas from new products we buy. This odor is one you'll definitely want to get rid of. Formaldehyde is a common indoor air pollutant that can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and can increase the risk of asthma and cancer in high concentrations.Getting Rid of Odors
Removing Odor from the Air
It takes longer to remove odors form the air than it does to remove particulates. Particles are much larger than odor molecules. Odor molecules cannot be trapped, they have to adsorbed or destroyed. If you use a proper main filter the particles are removed in a few passes, if not in just one. odors can take several passes through the carbon filter bed to be totally adsorbed. The best media around for general odor is activated carbon.
The primary filter removes the smoke from the air. The odor in gaseous form remains and travels through the carbon filter. In the carbon filter the odor molecules come into direct contact with the carbon crystal and are adsorbed. This adsorption isn’t automatic. It takes a certain amount of time for carbon to soak up the odor. This amount of time is known as residence time. The longer odors are in direct contact with the activated carbon the more of the odor that is removed.
For the best odor removal in a single pass a longer filter bed is preferred. LakeAir odor control air purifiers have a bed length from 2.25 to 4.5 inches. The bed length dictates how much odor is removed in 1 pass the weight of the carbon determines the total amount of odor that can be absorbed.
Odor Removing Filter Labeling
Our carbon filters are labeled showing the quantity of carbon a filter contains and the length of the filter bed
Example: Maxum Super Carbon Filter ~ 300 gram carbon / 0.75 inch filter
This label tells the customer that this carbon filter contains 300 grams of carbon and has a filter bed length of 0.75 inches. We use this labeling to help customers compare filters and filters than may be available for different units.
When you are comparing the different odor control purifiers that we offer, look at the carbon filter rating to understand how well that unit will remove odors. Remember, the amount of carbon determines how much odor a filter can hold and the filter bed depth tells you how much odor the filter will remove in a single pass. An air purifier like the MAX Guard HEPA 120 with 900 CFM of air flow and a 2000 gram filter will remove odors from a room four time as fast and remove about 7 times more odor than the Maxum HEPa with 500 CFM of air flow and a 300 gram carbon filter. As always if you need help understanding this concept you can call us at 800-558-9436 and / or visit our carbon filter page
Alternative Asorption Media
LakeAir offers different blended medias to help with specific odors. Carbon is considered the best over all in removing odors, However certain odors are not adsorbed as well with activated carbon. The answer to these “slippery” smells is Zeolite. Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral that has a sieve like structure and works well at removing odors from the air steam. Some of the units above feature zeolite blended filters. The products that have an ending suffix of “420” has zeolite as part of their odor removal package. Filters that are custom blended with zeolite have no additional costs.
Gases, including odor molecules, are incredibly small particles that can slip past both zeolite and activated carbon. However, every time they pass through the odor control media, there is a chance they will be absorbed. The longer they are in contact with the media bed, the greater the chance of their removal from the air stream.
As a general guideline, LakeAir’s team recommends eight to twelve air changes per hour (ACH) to effectively remove odor gases from the air. However, some gases are more easily removed than others. In the case of acetic gases from weed smoke, it can take much longer to remove them from the air. Therefore, it’s important to increase the contact time between the odorous gases and the filtering media to ensure effective removal.
It’s worth noting that the number of cleaning cycles (air changes per hour) required to fully remove odors may vary depending on the severity of the odor problem. The level of relief from odor issues can vary depending sensitivity of the individuals in the environment. Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the air purifier you select has an appropriate airflow rate for the room size in question. A unit with too little airflow will not effectively remove odors.
Carbon Filter Odor Removing Costs.
A huge concern for odor control consumers is the cost of filter replacement. Odor removal filters are not cheap. They require special care and packaging. If you are storing an odor control filter be sure it is in some type of air tight container. As long as you do this the shelf life of your activated carbon filter is indefinite. Standard air purifying situations require replacing carbon filters. these cost average (for LakeAir models) $100-$200 a year. when it comes to extra odor control the tables below show a good idea on tha annual cost of keeping the odors at bay.
Moderate Odor Environments
Annual Costs for Odor Control Filters
- Maxum HEPA & MAX 700 $150.00
- Maxum HEPA 120 – 420 $240.00
- CM2 HEPA 120 -420 $240.00
- MAX-Guard 120 -420 $540.00
- LA2-RC2 LAAS-1600 $1350.00
Severe Odor Environments
Annual Costs for Odor Control Filters
- Maxum HEPA & MAX 700 $200.00
- Maxum HEPA 120 – 420 $320.00
- CM2 HEPA 120 -420 $320.00
- MAX-Guard 120 -420 $720.00
- LA2-RC2 & LAAS-1600 $1800.00
What about Air Fresheners?
At the very best, air fresheners only mask the scent. In some cases they make the air in your home worse.
Air fresheners are a common solution to mask unpleasant odors in various environments. They come in many forms, including sprays, gels, candles, and plug-ins1. However, like any product, air fresheners have their pros and cons.
Advantages of Air Fresheners:
- Improves Indoor Air Quality: Air fresheners can enhance the quality of indoor air, making it feel fresher and more pleasant to breathe2.
- Masks Unpleasant Odors: They are effective at hiding bad smells, covering up any unpleasant odors that might be lingering in your space2.
- Adds a Pleasant Fragrance: Apart from just masking bad odors, air fresheners add a pleasing scent to your surroundings, making the environment more enjoyable2.
Disadvantages of Air Fresheners:
A study from the NRDC showed 12 leading air fresheners contained potential cancer causing agents called Phthalates. Air fresheners do not remove any odors. Another product used as an air freshener are scented candles. Scented candles can mask the smell in a room, but are they healthy? for a deeper look into the scented candle craze we invite you to visit our blog article, about scented candles.
- Can Cause Allergic Reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to air fresheners, causing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose2.
- Harmful to Pets: Certain air fresheners may cause health issues like nausea or respiratory problems in pets2.
- Masks Instead of Removing Odors: Air fresheners don’t actually remove bad smells, they just cover them up with a stronger scent, which can be misleading2.
- Contains Potentially Harmful Chemicals: They also contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, such as phthalates and formaldehyde, which can cause health issues with long-term exposure2.
In conclusion, while air fresheners can provide a quick fix to mask unpleasant odors, they do not eliminate the source of the odor. Moreover, they may pose potential health risks. Therefore, it’s important to consider these factors when choosing to use air fresheners. For a more sustainable and healthier option, consider using air purifiers that can effectively remove odors and improve indoor air quality. Remember, a fresh and clean environment contributes to a healthier and happier life.
Need More Information?
If your are looking for more information about home air purifiers in general we suggest you visit the “Home Air Purifier” web page. If you need help right away we invite you to call customer service (800) 558-9436. You can also reach customer service via email [email protected]