The best air purifiers for smoke, dust and other pollutants

Air purifiers from Ionmax are equipped with multi-stage filtration systems that help to remove pollutants, including smoke, from indoor air to improve indoor air quality in your home and help create a safer environment for you and your family.

During summer in Australia, there is an increased risk of bushfires taking place. Even though the smoke happens outside your home, smoke particles can make their way into your home and cause a plethora of health complications, particularly respiratory issues.

Those that suffer from chronic respiratory issues like asthma or allergic reactions will suffer the short end of the stick as smoke, whether from bushfires or from cigarettes, are common asthma and allergy triggers.

What is smoke made up of?

Smoke is made up of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carcinogenic substances, volatile organic compounds and other dangerous particles such as tar, benzene, ammonia and nicotine; however, these particles are mainly from cigarette smoke.

Bushfire smoke tends to contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are compounds formed as a result of incomplete combustion of organic materials that can be carcinogenic.

Generally, smoke contains fine particles which measure 2.5 μm (micrometers) in diameter. These particles are what is known as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and are particularly dangerous to humans as they are able to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter one’s bloodstream.

Long-term exposure to these particles can cause lung and heart complications in an individual.

How do air purifiers remove smoke particles and clean the air?

Air purifiers remove smoke particles by drawing in ambient air (which may also include smoke from the air) and trapping microscopic particles, including PM2.5, within the highly efficient particulate filter (HEPA filter) and then releasing cleaner, purified air back into the living space. Air purifiers from Ionmax can filter out particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Ionmax air purifiers are also equipped with an activated carbon filter that neutralises odours caused by smoke and VOCs. This helps to maintain the good smell of your home even if smoking indoors is a common practice in your home. However, Ionmax would recommend against smoking indoors as it could potentially deteriorate indoor air quality and cause discomfort to others living in the home.

Ionmax air purifiers also have a built-in ioniser feature that works by releasing negative ions into the air and attaching themselves to airborne particles, increasing them in mass and eventually dropping them to the ground, reducing the risk of inhaling said particles while also making it easier to clean them up.

Selected Ionmax air purifiers also come with SmartSens indoor air quality monitor to help monitor the presence of foreign particles in the air and help users make informed decisions and changes to the unit’s fan speed or settings to be more efficient.

Below are some of the best air purifiers for smoke removal, which will also help to remove other common household pollutants and allergens, including viruses and bacteria.

The best air purifiers for smoke

As mentioned, air purifiers from Ionmax are equipped with a multitude of features that help in reducing the concentration of smoke particles from the air and removing odours from your living space, especially in places like the living room where most inhabitants of a home tend to spend most of their time in.

Here are five of the best air purifiers for smoke and other airborne household pollutants.

Ionmax Breeze

The Ionmax Breeze is equipped with a 5-stage filtration system which includes a pre-filter, an antiviral H11 HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, a germicidal UV light and the patented IonX-Shield ioniser.

This unit has a coverage area of up to 55 square metres and removes up to 99.97% of allergens from the air, including smoke particles. This air purifier also has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of up to 170 cubic metres per hour and is sleek enough to fit in every corner of your household.

Ideal spaces: Bedrooms and living rooms

Ionmax Breeze Plus

An upgraded version of the Breeze, the Ionmax Breeze Plus is equipped with improved features from its counterparts, including an antiviral HEPA H13 filter and also the SmartSens indoor air quality monitor.

Just like the Breeze, it also includes a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, the IonX-Shield ioniser and a germicidal UV light.

Among the unit’s notable features is its mobile pairing to the Ionmax app, allowing you to make changes to your unit remotely. This air purifier covers 66 square metres with a CADR of up to 255 cubic metres per hour.

Ideal spaces: Living rooms, larger spaces like gyms, small offices, large bedrooms

Ionmax ION430

Also packed with a five-stage filtration system, the Ionmax ION430 is packed with similar features to the Breeze Plus, including its antiviral HEPA H13 filter, activated carbon filter, and the SmartSens indoor air quality monitor. IonX-Shield ioniser, and the germicidal UV light.

Its sleek design allows it to fit seamlessly into every part of your home.

Compared to the Breeze series of air purifiers, the ION430 covers a wider space of up to 88 square metres and a higher CADR of 340 cubic metres per hour.

Ideal spaces: Larger spaces like gyms, clinics, offices and even small apartments.

Ionmax Selah

Compact yet powerful, the Ionmax Selah tabletop air purifier is designed in a sleek matte black finish and can sit on any tabletop of your home. Despite its small build, the unit is packed with 5 stages of filtration, including a pre-filter, a HEPA H13 filter, an activated carbon filter, germicidal UV light, and the IonX-shield ioniser.

This air purifier boasts a clean air delivery rate of 102 cubic metres per hour and a coverage area of 27 square metres.

Ideal spaces: Small bedrooms, dining tables and office desks

Ionmax+ AIRE

The Ionmax+ AIRE series of high-performance air purifiers boast some of the highest specs on the Australian market. Unlike the other air purifiers on this list, the Ionmax+ AIRE high-performance air purifier has a six-stage filtration system which includes the pre-filter, the antibacterial HEPA H13 filter, an activated carbon filter, germicidal UV light and the Ion-X Shield ioniser.

The additional filtration system in this unit’s purification system is the addition of the titanium dioxide filter, which adds another layer of protection against VOCs, a common pollutant found in smoke. Through an oxidation process, this filter removes odours from the air, keeping your air fresh and clean.

This air purifier also comes with the SmartSens indoor air quality monitor and mobile pairing for remote monitoring and control.

Ideal spaces: Open plan offices, conference halls, commercial showrooms, large living rooms.

Improve your air purifier’s efficiency

To ensure that your unit is capable of continuously removing airborne pollutants, certain maintenance steps need to be taken to ensure that the unit functions properly and without any error. The most important of those is filter cleaning and replacement.

Filter cleaning

Ionmax air purifiers are equipped with a pre-filter to prevent large particles like dust and hair from entering the unit. Sometimes, the pre-filters may collect a large amount of dust, hair, pet fur and other particles, which is likely to cause the unit to be less efficient at filtering out impurities.

To help solve this issue, users should fortnightly check the pre-filter for an accumulation of large particles. If visible, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush head to remove them. Once clean, place the filter cover back in and use it as usual.

Filter replacement

It’s advisable to replace the filter of your air purifier periodically, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines. For Ionmax air purifiers, it’s recommended to purchase a new filter every six months to ensure optimal performance at all times. Unlike the pre-filter, the unit’s other filters will have microscopic particles stuck inside them and will be very difficult to remove with just a use of a vacuum cleaner. Using water on this filter runs the risk of damage.

However, it’s worth noting that the frequency of filter changes also depends on how frequently the unit is running and how polluted the user’s indoor environment is.

Ionmax offers a filter subscription plan to help users enjoy filters delivered straight to their doorstep at their preferred frequency. Users will also enjoy discounts on these filters if subscribed to the filter plan.

Conclusion

Although air purifiers are efficient in removing smoke particles and other pollutants in the air, it’s essential to understand that these devices should act as a supplement to core practices of keeping indoor air clean and healthy. For best results, ensure the following steps are taken.

1. Regular Cleaning: Wiping down on surfaces and regularly cleaning areas can help remove smoke particles that have settled on surfaces. This prevents them from reentering the air.
2. Don’t smoke indoors: Smoking indoors will only add more pollutants to the air. Avoid smoking indoors for better indoor air quality.
3. Ensure proper ventilation: Proper ventilation helps to promote a healthy exchange of outdoor and indoor air, helping remove indoor air pollutants and introducing fresh air into your home.
4. Close windows and doors during high pollution: During phenomena like El Nino, the risk of wildfires or bushfires increase. This will lead to more air pollution that can make its way into your home. During this time, close windows and doors to avoid smoke particles from entering your home.
5. Safe cooking practices: Use exhaust fans or kitchen hoods when cooking and avoid cooking in unvented spaces. This helps to remove any smoke produced from cooking in your home. If unavailable, ensure that there are open windows when cooking.

These practices, paired with the use of an air purifier, will help to reduce the concentration of smoke particles in the air as well as other airborne pollutants.

Creating a healthier indoor environment will help elevate your quality of life, increase productivity and protect you and your loved ones from airborne diseases.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general reference only. Please seek advice from professionals according to your needs.

Back to Resources