7 Best Air Purifier for Cooking Odors [Editor’s Pick]
Your kitchen for sure smells terrific when delicious food is being cooked in it. But what about when that smell keeps lingering around later on? This is especially relatable when strong-smelling foods like onions, meats, fish, etc., are cooked in the kitchen within a compact space.
These smells can really turn off the guests and can even mask the aroma of anything you cook next. The worst is when the clothes you wear are left behind with that smell as well. However, the kitchen odors are not limited to just the smell of food and cooking.
The unpleasant smells also come from unwashed dishes and plates and from food left out for hours. Plus, many airborne particles and volatile organic compounds are released into the air when you cook and fry anything.
In this scenario, it is not always feasible to keep scratching the walls, and not everyone has an exhaust system or open windows in the kitchen. Hence, getting an air purifier can really help in eliminating indoor air pollution from your kitchen and promote fresher and cleaner air.
Purchasing one, especially with an activated carbon filter combined with a HEPA filter, can efficiently absorb gases and cooking odor.
But how to choose the best air purifier to remove cooking odors? Here is a list of my top recommendations to help you pick the best air purifier for cooking odors according to your requirements.
7 Best Air Purifiers for Cooking Odors We Recommend
1. Shark HP102 Air Purifier.
- Pure Air Microforce uses a powerful fan to deliver fast, powerful and quiet purification.
- Powerfully purifiers spaces up to 500 square feet,
- Shark’s NANOSEAL Filter with true HEPA
- Clean Sense IQ tracks air quality and auto-adjusts pow
The Shark HP102 is suitable for covering up to 500 square feet at one go. Hence, it is the best air purifier for cooking odors or even bedrooms and office spaces. This air purifier uses Clean Sense IQ Technology to monitor the current air quality and then adjusts the power automatically according to the results.
HP102 sports a unique NANOSEAL filter which can eliminate up to 99.98% of even micro-sized airborne particles as small as 0.1 to 0.2 microns. It has a CADR rating of 100 any suitable for placing anywhere due to its compact size.
The air purifier uses a three-stage filtration process, the star member of which is the washable HEPA filter. This filter can remove around 99.97% of airborne particles and last between 6 to 12 months.
The filter is treated with MICROBAN, which helps to reduce bacteria on the surface of the HEPA filter. However, this technology is limited to protecting the product itself and cannot directly prevent users from disease-causing microorganisms.
Overall, you can always place this air purifier anywhere you want, and you are getting decent performance in a compact size, so you definitely don’t have to think twice if you want to purchase it.
Pros.
- HEPA filter to capture microscopic particles.
- Extra MICROBAN protection against bacterial growth.
- Can detect current air quality.
- Automatic fan speed adjustment based on current air quality.
- Effective in removing cooking and pet odors.
- Remote control support.
Cons.
- No mobile app control support.
- Replacement filters are slightly expensive.
2. LEVOIT Core 300.
- Levoit air purifiers avoid using UV-C light
- Featuring VortexAir Technology and 360° air intake
- Ease sneezing, congestion, and other allergy symptoms caused by airborne contaminants.
- Choose from a variety of replacement filter
The LEVOIT Core 300 is cylindrical in shape model is built using ABS plastic. The appliance has a matte finish and is very easy to clean and set up. Design-wise, you can easily set it up anywhere as it goes smoothly with any decor.
The air purifier has a 360-degree air intake feature, and the motor is powerful enough and durable and helps you run the cleaner for thousands of hours. You also get a touch screen LED panel located at the center of the top, containing all the device’s controls.
There is a matching set of lights at the bottom to display the current timer setting. Apart from these, the device has 3 different fan speeds, timer features, sleep mode, child lock, and buttons for turning the LED lights on and off. If your filter needs to be replaced, an indicator will remind you to do that.
This air purifier will run at the lowest fan setting upon activating the sleep mode, and the noise level is around 24dB. You can even deactivate the LED lights to create a sleep-friendly environment further.
The filtration system consists of a pre-filter to remove larger particles like pet hair and dander, a cylindrical HEPA filter that can remove 99.97% of toxic particles as small as 0.3 microns, and an activated charcoal layer to absorb odors and harmful chemical vapors. This carbon layer is especially helpful in ensuring that your house doesn’t smell of garlic or any other strong-smelling food items.
The brand also offers 3 additional filters available separately for replacement- a pet allergy filter for eliminating even the most pungent pet odors, a toxin absorber filter for cigarette smoke, VOCs, and fumes, and a microbiology filter to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
The LEVOIT Core 300 is also Energy Star certified, so it is energy efficient too. Furthermore, it is one of the highest rated and most sold air purifiers on amazon, making it one of the best air purifier for cooking odors, bathrooms, and even a small 500sqft room.
Pros.
- Easy to set up and use.
- HEPA filter to eliminate even the most microscopic particles.
- Timer and sleep mode.
- Filter reset indicator.
- Exceptionally quiet operation.
- Touch screen interface offers ease of use.
Cons.
- Smaller coverage area of 219 square feet.
- No auto mode.
3. BLUEAIR 211+ Air Purifier.
- Easily adjust fan as-needed
- Blueair’s HEPASilent dual filtration delivers more clean air using less noise and energy
- Helps reduce allergens and pollutants
- Ideal for smoke & smog during wildfire seas
This best air purifier for cooking odors offers a combination of mechanical and electrostatic filtration systems, and the technology is named HEPASilent filtration. To increase the life span of the core filter, there is an optional fabric pre-filter.
This can, in turn, help to capture larger particles too. The BLUEAIR 211+ also contains an activated carbon filter to absorb cooking smoke, fumes, and household VOCs.
The 360-degree air intake feature makes it easy to place the purifier anywhere in your space, be it your kitchen, bedroom, or office. The machine is Energy Star certified, which means low energy consumption. However, the design of the BLUEAIR 211+ is bulky and doesn’t make it ideal for moving it around much.
It can cover an area of up to 600 square feet and is fairly easy to set up. There are 3 fan settings, the lowest one producing noise of approximately 38dB. It is recommended to replace the filters every 6 months to maintain the device’s optimum performance.
Considering its size and air coverage, it’s relatively cheaper to operate and is energy efficient too. And the BLUEAIR 211+ is definitely a decent choice if you have ample space to cover, but you want an easy-to-use air purifier without many complex functions.
Pros.
- Big area coverage of 600 square feet.
- Energy Star certified.
- 3 fan speeds.
- HEPASilent filtration technology.
- Option to customize the fabric filter according to preference.
Cons.
- Heavy design, hence hard to move around.
- No smart sensor.
- No app connectivity.
- Noisy at the highest fan setting.
4. Honeywell HPA200 HEPA Air Purifier.
- 3 air cleaning levels
- circulates air in large 310 sq. ft. rooms every 12.5 minutes.
- ENERGY STAR label by meeting strict energy efficient guidelines set by the U.S. E
This brand has been in the air cleaning industry for more than 25 years now and has manufactured many incredible air purifiers. One of them is the Honeywell HPA200. However, I have to say that this one has played a little safe compared to the other competitors.
The design follows the brand’s signature pattern and allows air intake from the entire body. The air purifier is made from a combination of metal and plastic and has two LED indicators for filter replacement.
It is an easily portable air purifier, and it is easy to move it around and place it anywhere in your home. The Honeywell HPA200 features two primary air filters. The first is a pre-filter, which also has an activated carbon filter in it.
The primary objective of this filter is to absorb gaseous particles, cooking odors, VOCs, and other larger particles. The next is the showstopper- a True HEPA filter. HEPA filters can capture up to 99.97% of toxic particles as small as 0.3 microns. Hence, it is incredible to eliminate pet dander, pollen, mold, and viruses.
Another feature worth mentioning is that the HPA200 is 100% ozone free, and the cost for replacing the filters is also average. This one works great for a room of size 390 square feet and can refresh the air up to 5 times in one hour.
One major disadvantage of this air purifier is that the noise level is high, and it is not appropriate for your bedroom. The power consumption of the HPA200 is 84W, which is decent but could have been better, in my opinion.
It does offer additional features like a timer, auto light dimmer setting, and an electronic LED filter replacement indicator. Overall, it is a good fit for small places like your kitchen and definitely deserves a spot on best air purifier for cooking odors list.
Pros.
- Decent performance.
- Good fan power.
- Timer and automatic light dimming setting.
- Filter replacement indicator.
- True HEPA filter.
Cons.
- Noise level is high.
- Does not have any smart sensor.
- Average power consumption.
5. LEVOIT Vital 100.
- Vital 100 is completely ozone free and never uses UV-C light
- With a CADR of 130 CFM/ 221 m3/h
- Comes equipped with a washable pre-filter
- With noise levels as low as 23 decibels
- Set a timer for 2, 4, or 8 hours whenever you li
The LEVOIT Vital 100 has a three-stage filtration system to remove harmful airborne contaminants and offer good indoor air quality. At first, there is the pre-filter which can capture large particles including dust, pet hair, fur, lint, etc.
The True HEPA filter next can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. When I talk about such microscopic pollutants, I mean dust mites, mold spores, viruses, bacteria, and many other allergens.
And then, there is the activated carbon filter to absorb bad smells generated from cooking or smoking. This filter also eliminates volatile organic compounds commonly present in most households.
This air purifier can clean a room of up to 500 square feet in size. However, the performance will be even better if you use it in a smaller-sized room. The LEVOIT Vital 100 can clean a room up to five times in one hour, and its CADR rating is 130CFM.
The device contains three fan speeds, a check filter indicator, and a timer. Moreover, the appliance has a sensor that keeps the filter quality in check and indicates to you whenever there’s a need to change/or wash the filter. Yes, you read that correctly, it comes with a washable filter.
The timer can be scheduled according to your convenience to determine when the unit should shut down automatically. The entire unit only generates 23dB sound, making it ideal to use it even in your bedroom.
There is a feature to turn off the display lights to help further create a better sleep environment. Overall this is a great air purifier for anyone who is looking for an affordable option and is sensitive to smoke and allergies.
Pros.
- The unit is sleek and lightweight.
- 3 fan speeds and helpful timer settings.
- LED lights can be turned off.
- Check filter indicator.
- Affordable replacement filters.
Cons.
- Noisy at higher fan speeds.
- Touch controls are not sensitive enough.
6. Medify MA-40 Air Purifier.
- Cleans up to 1,600 sq ft in one hr, 840 sq ft in 30 min, 430 sq ft in 15 min.
- Trusted to remove 99.9% of harmful particles including allergens, odors, VOCs, smoke, pollen
- Choose from 3 fan speeds
- Includes a sleek touch screen operation panel with 0-8 hour timer
- QUALITY TESTED & BACK
The Medify MA-40 looks quite modern and comes with an efficient H13 HEPA filtration technology. The unit has a glossy finish and is made of high-quality plastic, which gives a premium feel.
The top portion of the device is fully covered with tempered glass and contains the display panel and the controls. There are 3 manual fan speed settings, a timer, a child lock feature, and a sleep mode. When the sleep mode is activated, the indicator lights turn off. A filter replacement indicator also comes along with the device.
The higher-grade H13 HEPA filter steals the show as it can absorb 99.95% of airborne particles as small as 0.12 to 0.25 microns in size. This filter is absolutely incredible for eliminating microscopic pollutants like smoke particles, bacteria, and viruses. Of course, there is also a pre-filter to trap larger pollutants and a pellet-based activated carbon filter to absorb VOCs and unpleasant odors.
The Medify MA-40 also has an optional ionizer which can further remove airborne particles but is not that effective for removing odors. If this purifier is used in a size 840 square feet room, it can clean the air 2 times in one hour. The noise level is comparatively higher at 46 to 70dB.
Overall, double quality is good and efficiently removes airborne allergens and mild household odors.
Pros.
- Modern design with touch control panel.
- H13 HEPA filter.
- Carbon filter to eliminate odors.
- Sleep mode, 3 fan speeds, and child lock feature.
- Lifetime service warranty.
Cons.
- Pre-filter is not washable.
- Generates a small amount of ozone.
- Noise level is relatively high.
7. HATHASPACE HSP001 Air Purifier.
- 5-in-1 filter system
- Smart air purifier, True HEPA filter set, remote control
- Remove odors, smoke, & VOC’s
- Breathe easie
The star feature of this air purifier is the 5-in-1 filtration system which targets dust, pollen, pet dander, VOCs, smoke, and odor all at once. The first two stages include the basic pre-filter and the HEPA filter.
Then there is the activated carbon filter, specially included for eliminating smoke or any unpleasant orders. And at last, there is the ionizer and antibacterial filter for that extra boost.
The cost of replacement filters is quite moderate and does not burn a hole in your wallet. However, the CADR rating is average, and the unit is suitable for covering small rooms of up to 350 square feet in size.
The noise level at the lowest fan speed is around 21dB, and it is 43dB at the highest setting. The brand is quite famous for producing quiet air purifiers, and the HATHASPACE HSP001 definitely lives up to the expectations in this department.
Moreover, this air purifier is perfect for conserving energy as it consumes only around 40 watts. You also get the auto mode, where there is a sensor to detect the current indoor air quality, and the device changes the fan speed according to the results. You get a 2-year warranty on the product.
All in all, the silent operation coupled with the 5-in-1 filtration system makes it a worthy contender on best air purifier for cooking odors list.
Pros.
- 5-in-1 filtration system.
- Extremely quiet operation.
- Energy Star Certified.
- Affordable air purifier.
Cons.
- Slightly lower CADR rating.
FAQs
Do air purifiers help with cooking smell?
Yes, air purifiers do help with the cooking smell. This is because air purifiers have filters that can clean the air using activated carbon filters and HEPA filters. If you cannot afford one, install an exhaust fan in your kitchen.
How do I get rid of cooking smells in my house?
The cooking smell can be removed by using an air purifier. There are homemade solutions available too, but if the smell is too strong, open all the windows for an hour, close them, and turn on the air purifier.
Verdict.
The 7 air purifiers mentioned above are my top picks for the best air purifiers for cooking odors. However, if I have to pick a winner, it will be the LEVOIT Core 300.
The device is effortless to operate, the design is excellent, there are multiple filter systems, you are getting a user-friendly touch screen interface and some great features like a timer, sleep mode, the option to deactivate the LED lights, and much more.
The child lock feature is particularly thoughtful as it lets you configure all settings without worrying about your curious child pressing random buttons to mess it up. Above all, it is extremely efficient in doing its job of offering fresh air by eliminating airborne pollutants and allergens. Plus, it effectively absorbs any unpleasant smells or smoke from cooking.
So if you were looking for the best air purifier for cooking odors, this is undoubtedly a great option.