It’s always fun to try new recipes, especially when delicious cooking aromas begin to fill your kitchen. However, when the smell of burgers, stir-fry, or garlic is still hanging around hours later, you’ll wish you had a way to freshen up fast. The best air purifiers are a great tool to have on hand for times like these.
By circulating and filtering the air in your kitchen, you can keep odors, smoke, and irritating particles out of your lungs. That means you can cook what you want without worry.
The ideal air purifier depends on your cooking habits and kitchen, though a few factors can help you separate the best from the rest. Circulation rate, room size, filter type, noise, and energy efficiency are all major concerns. Keeping these factors in mind, we tested 16 of the best air purifiers for the kitchen, which you can review below.
Table of Contents
Best Kitchen Air Purifiers
1. Best Overall: LEVOIT LV-H134 Air Purifier
Since kitchens can produce many odorous, irritating particles quickly, it makes sense to choose a powerful air purifier that can cleanse them without delay. The LEVOIT LV-H134 Air Purifier is one of the strongest around. It’s able to keep you breathing easy in even the largest kitchens.
To give you an idea of the power behind this air purifier, it can fully clean the air of an average-sized house in one hour. It uses H13 True HEPA filters which remove 99.7% of all air particles, including bacteria and allergens. That means it can take care of all your cooking smells, plus any other impurities in your home’s air.
While it is bulkier than other options, it includes a wheeled base to help you move it from room to room. Still, it’s powerful enough that you won’t have to move it once you place it in a spot with high airflow.
Give this kitchen air purifier a try if you can invest a little extra for a high-end option. It costs a bit more than other items on this list, but it handles cooking particles with ease and stomps out bacteria and allergens extremely well.
2. Best for Large Kitchens: Medify MA-40 Air Purifier
We love the three-layer filtration system that can clean any kitchen in a flash.
Pros: Three-layer filtration system, three fan speeds, works quickly.
Cons: Extra filters mean more replacements needed, a bit louder than other options.
If you’re working in a larger kitchen, you’ll need an air purifier with a high circulation rate to quickly catch all of your food particles. The Medify MA-40 Air Purifier is a little bulky, but it’s a perfect fit for large kitchens and powerful enough to keep them smelling great. As long as your kitchen is less than 1,600 square feet, it will serve your needs perfectly.
The average American kitchen is around 160 square feet. That means even if yours is a little bigger, this air purifier will be able to circulate its air within ten to fifteen minutes. It houses triple HEPA filtration and can catch particles down to .1 microns in size, including smoke from food.
With such power, you might expect it to keep you up at night. While it is a bit louder than some other options, the three available fan speeds let you choose the setting you need. On the lowest setting, it runs at 46 dB.
This is the perfect air purifier for those looking for a high-capacity appliance that can quickly clean the air of large kitchens. However, if you’re cooking in a smaller kitchen, this one might be too large and noisy. Instead, try a more compact option that can fit on your kitchen counter.
3. Best for Smaller Kitchens: VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series Black Air Purifier
The best thing about this air purifier is its compact size which fits on most kitchen counters.
Pros: Compact, lightweight, 100% ozone free.
Cons: Not as powerful as other options, takes a bit longer to filter air.
Smaller kitchens may not have as much air to filter, but they need to be cleaned fast if you’re cooking spicy food. That’s why you need to have an air purifier that’s both compact and powerful. The VEVA 8000 Elite Pro Series is both, with three fan speeds that you can always keep within arm’s reach.
Air purifiers work best when placed 3 to 5 feet above ground level, though that’s not always possible with larger options. The advantage of this one is that you can find the perfect placement and maximize its potential. Place it a few feet from your stove to catch food particles as soon as they’re formed.
Best of all, this purifier is safe. It doesn’t use UV light and is 100% ozone free, so you can leave it on as long as you like. When on the Ultra Quiet speed setting, you’ll hardly notice it’s on.
You’ll love this air purifier if you have a compact kitchen without enough ventilation. It can even work in medium-sized kitchens and purify the air up to 325 square feet. If your kitchen is larger than that, you’ll have to go with a bigger option.
4. Best for Clearing Smoke: AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home
This air purifier is highly affordable, making it the perfect choice for part-time use.
Pros: 22dB operation, 2000-hour cartridge lifespan, 360-degree air outlet, low price.
Cons: Fan speed is a bit low.
If cooking smells aren’t the biggest problem for you, it’s still a good idea to have a reliable air purifier for more harmful pollutants. Smoke can be a real problem, and it can be difficult to clear without the right air circulation. The AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home can clear up smoke in minutes, with easy operation.
Because of its lower power rating, this purifier runs so quietly that you’ll hardly notice it. This makes it a good choice for nighttime use. Since it’s so easy to use, you’ll be able to press a button and let it run without hassle.
The downside of this option is that it isn’t as powerful as some of the others. While it still does a great job of clearing away smoke, it works best when you have it on as you start cooking. It may also struggle a bit with spacious kitchens.
This is a great choice for those who want an air purifier for part-time use. Since the cartridges last so long, it will be years before you have to replace them. The lower price is another bonus.
5. Best Budget: MSA3 Air Purifier for Home
This home air purifier stands out with its affordable price, and it doesn’t force you to sacrifice quality.
Pros: Still powerful enough for most kitchens, affordable price.
Cons: A bit loud, not as powerful.
You don’t have to break your budget to find a quality air purifier that keeps your kitchen air fresh. The MSA3 Air Purifier for Home offers many of the same features and as much power as more expensive models at an affordable price. It can be a great choice for part-time use or for those trying air purifiers for the first time.
This purifier still ticks all of our boxes for a quality product even at its reduced price. It’s equipped with a 3-in-1 HEPA filter, has a sleek and user-friendly design, and can cleanse rooms up to 840 square feet in under an hour. It’s proof that quality products can still be affordable.
The downside of this air purifier is that it has a bit less power than other models, meaning it’s ideally suited for smaller kitchens. While it’s not louder than a regular kitchen fan, it still produces some noise and may not be the best choice for running at night.
Overall, you’ll want to give this air purifier a try if you’re looking to buy on a budget or if you only need a purifier for part-time use. However, if you’re willing to add another $50 to the price tag, you may want to consider one of the more expensive options on this list.
6. Best Quiet Operation: BISSELL MYair Air Purifier
We love this purifier's whisper-quiet fan speed setting, which won’t wake even the lightest sleepers.
Pros: Whisper-quiet fan speed, 3-in-1 filter, great at capturing smoke.
Cons: Not ideal for larger kitchens, its higher fan speeds are not as quiet.
Many people like to leave their air purifiers running through the night, which makes quiet operation a must. While most air purifiers are quieter than a kitchen fan, only a few stay whisper-quiet. The BISSELL MYair Air Purifier is ideal for light sleepers who want to wake up to a clean-smelling kitchen.
The fan has two speeds, a high setting that can suck up smoke and smells quickly and a low setting that stays whisper-quiet through the night. This gives you a bit of extra flexibility depending on your needs
In addition to being quiet, it’s also relatively compact and able to fit snugly on most kitchen counters. It’s a convenient and efficient design. Make sure to place the air purifier somewhere with good circulation.
This is the best air purifier for anyone worried about waking up at night because of noise. While it may not be as powerful as others, it works perfectly for kitchens 100 square feet or smaller. If you want a more powerful option, there are plenty to choose from.
7. Best Smart Purifier: LEVOIT LV-H133 Air Purifier
The best thing about this air purifier is that it’s compatible with your phone, letting you control it remotely without hassle.
Pros: Low energy usage, smartphone compatible, easy operation.
Cons: More expensive, a bit more complex to set up.
The LEVOIT LV-H133 Air Purifier goes way beyond the standard features of other home air purifiers and incorporates a wide range of tech-driven features. Combined with solid construction and attractive design, it’s truly a luxury home appliance.
One handy feature is the air quality display, which rates your home’s air from ‘bad’ to ‘very good.’ With a color-coded display, you can track air quality at a glance as it removes impurities. It can also be set to activate automatically when the air quality reaches a certain level.
The auto function, fan settings, sleep mode, and other features can all be controlled remotely via your phone using VeSync technology. It can even sync with other Levoit devices for a fully integrated home.
If you love to collect high-tech gadgets, you’ll appreciate this air purifier's extra convenience. However, it takes a bit of extra time and effort to set up and might not be suitable for those less comfortable with technology.
8. Best High-Performance: CLEANFORCE Extra Large Air Purifier
This purifier stands out with its superior purification capacity, which can cleanse 4,650 square feet in just an hour.
Pros: High purification capacity, air quality monitor.
Cons: More expensive, very bulky.
If you’re doing a lot of deep-frying, enjoy spicy foods, or just want to ensure your kitchen air stays fresh at all times, it might be time to check out this high-performance air purifier. The CLEANFORCE Extra Large Air Purifier delivers medical-grade filtration and is able to filter out particles as small as .1 microns. It works quickly and efficiently, which is perfect for kitchen use.
Its high power is backed up by four fan speeds, remote operation, and a child lock for safety. While it does eat more power than other models, it’s Energy Star certified, which is great for the environment and your electricity bill.
One thing to keep in mind before buying is the purifier’s size. It’s about as big as a mini-fridge, which is actually pretty impressive considering its high purification capacity. You’re probably best off making sure you have a spot to keep it before buying.
Add this purifier to your cart if performance is your priority. It’s an excellent choice for large houses, even those with poor ventilation. But if you have a more modest kitchen, the high price tag may not be worth it.
9. Best Extra Features: RENPHO HEPA Air Purifier
This air purifier delivers a good selection of timer and fan settings, letting you customize your air cleansing.
Pros: Simple interface, plenty of timer settings.
Cons: Filters are a little expensive, slight odor after unboxing.
The best air purifier for kitchens should be powerful and versatile, offering a wide range of features for different situations. The RENPHO HEPA Air Purifier lets you keep your kitchen’s air fresh in whatever way you choose, with different timers, fan speeds, and more.
It would take too long to list all of this Renpho air purifier’s features here, though a few stand out. The four-timer options are easy to set and highly convenient, letting you program for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. The sleep mode pairs perfectly with the quiet fan, making it possible to run through the night without issue.
It also has a filter replacement indicator light, which lets you know when it’s time to swap for a clean one. This is especially important as many home air purifiers run at below-optimal capacity when they need a filter change.
Give this product a try if the other options seem a bit lacking in features. It’s ideal for those at home with high-tech gadgets, though others may need to read the manual carefully before using it.
10. Best Voice-Controlled: Zigma AI Air Purifier
The voice control compatibility of this air purifier makes it one of the most user-friendly air purifiers around.
Pros: Voice control, 10+ advanced features, excellent customer support.
Cons: More expensive, controls can take some getting used to.
When you’re busy cooking, it can be a huge help to have a hands-free way to manage your air quality. Luckily, voice control technology has made it possible and easy. The Zigma AI Air Purifier lets you turn your air purifier on and off by connecting it to Alexa.
Since this purifier has many features, the voice control aspect really comes in handy. You can adjust fan speed, toggle sleep mode, or release negative ions simply and easily.
It has a smaller room capacity than some of the other purifiers on this list since it’s designed to be used in 1,500 square feet or smaller rooms. Still, this will be good enough for even large apartments and will clear kitchen smells in minutes.
This air purifier is also great for tech-heads, streamlining use, and putting all its features at your fingertips. Give it a try if you like that sort of thing, but if you prefer a simpler option, you can probably save some money with a less complex model.
11. Best Compact: LEVOIT LV-H126 Air Purifier
This Levoit air purifier really stands out for how well it balances power with its compact size.
Pros: Compact size, lightweight, easy to reposition.
Cons: Less powerful, better for smaller kitchens, louder than other options.
When it comes to making the most of your air purifier, placement is everything. Ideally, you should place yours three to five feet off the ground and in an area with high airflow to ensure it circulates air effectively. The compact size of the LEVOIT LV-H126 Air Purifier means you can tuck it in the most efficient areas without getting in the way of your kitchen prep.
To give you an idea of its size, it has a footprint of less than 10 x 8 inches, which is about the same size as a small toaster. You can make a permanent home for it on your kitchen counter or store it in a cabinet and take it out only when you need it. It’s only 5 lbs, so you’ll never have trouble handling it.
The one factor to keep in mind is that it is a bit louder than other air purifiers. This makes it as loud as a regular box fan, which isn’t disruptive but not as quiet as other purifiers.
Try this compact air purifier if you want to save on space and cost. It isn’t quite as powerful or quiet as other ones, but it is an ideal choice if you want to keep it stored out of sight until you’re cooking.
12. Best High Coverage: HATHASPACE Smart Air Purifier 2.0
This Hathaspace air purifier is not only powerful but easy to handle, letting you make the most of its high coverage.
Pros: High coverage, relatively compact size.
Cons: More expensive, the fan is loud on higher settings.
Having a high coverage air purifier is about more than purifying capacity. It means you can cleanse the air of multiple rooms at once, ensuring every area of your home is as fresh as possible. The HATHASPACE Smart Air Purifier 2.0 boasts 1,500 square feet of coverage with H13 True HEPA filters.
The great thing about this purifier is that it’s not only powerful but also relatively compact. Since it’s around half the size of other high-powered filters, it can be easily positioned and handled when needed. This helps maximize its purifying power and allows you to move it to where it can be most effective.
It’s more expensive than other options, but its price comes with quality. The five-year warranty shows the manufacturer’s confidence in their product and will let you feel rest assured that you’ll have the purifier for a long time.
This is a great choice if you want to clear your kitchen’s air while also keeping your other rooms smelling fresh at the same time. As long as you’re willing to make a larger investment, it can be a great addition to your home.
13. Best Easy Operation: Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier
We love the simple user interface of this air purifier that is easy for anyone to use.
Pros: Simple interface, easy-to-read display, can use other filter brands.
Cons: Doesn’t have as high a capacity as other purifiers, Honeywell filters are a bit expensive.
There are plenty of high-tech kitchen gadgets, but sometimes what you want is something a little more simple. The Honeywell HPA300 HEPA Air Purifier brings quality construction and plenty of power in a purifier that is easy for anyone to use.
You can see all the features right on the easy-to-read LED display, including timer, turbo mode, check filter light, and a dimmer. This allows you to check and manage your air quality at a glance without being bogged down by unwanted features. It is overall very lightweight and portable, and it even has a carrying handle for when you want to reposition it around your home.
As a bonus, it can use filters of other brands, too, giving you a few more options when shopping for replacements. Though, of course, Honeywell recommends you use its filters to optimize performance.
This is the kitchen air purifier for those who find voice-controlled, wireless-connected options more trouble than they’re worth. If you want a simple, reliable, and effective way to keep your kitchen’s air smelling clean, you’ll appreciate what this purifier has to offer.
14. Best UV: PURO²XYGEN P500 - True Hepa Air Purifier
The six-stage purification system in this UV air purifier gets the job done, filtering out 99.98% of air contaminants.
Pros: Works quietly and efficiently, includes a six-stage purification system.
Cons: May produce ozone, more expensive.
UV air purifiers are slightly different from those that rely on filters alone, since they utilize ultraviolet light to zap bacteria and other microorganisms before they reach your lungs. This makes for a more efficient and effective filtration system, keeping your air fresher and cleaner. The PURO²XYGEN P500 - True Hepa Air Purifier is a high-end UV air purifier that gets results and will not disappoint.
This purifier effectively removes kitchen smoke and smells, allergens, pet dander, bacteria, and pathogens. The combination of UV light and filtration system is more effective than the non-UV devices on this list and filters out 99.98% of air contaminants. You can keep all its power at your fingertips with a user-friendly remote control that lets you manage filter health, fan speed, and more.
You'll love this model if you’re looking for an effective UV purifier that quickly cleans your kitchen’s air. Remember that UV devices carry some risk and are worth researching in-depth before making the purchase.
15. Best Odor Eliminator: KOIOS Air Purifier
We love how quiet this odor eliminator is, operating at under 20 dB, which makes it perfect for night use.
Pros: Very quiet, 100% ozone-free, true HEPA air filter.
Cons: Very bright for night use.
One of the most noticeable effects an air purifier can have on your home is making the air smell fresher. This is especially important in the kitchen, where food smells can take over and spread throughout the rest of the house. The KOIOS Air Purifier is designed to eliminate odors effectively and quietly.
The H13 True HEPA filters make this air purifier so good at eliminating odors. It incorporates three separate filters which strain out food particles, allergens, and bacteria while it runs. You can switch it to the low fan setting for light odors, and for stronger ones, you can crank it up to high.
It’s surprisingly quiet for such a powerful purifier, operating at under 20 dB on the lower fan settings. Combined with its energy efficiency, this means you can leave it on all day without worry.
If odors are your main concern, this compact and whisper-quiet air purifier is your best bet. It’s an all-around good choice for various air filtration needs, and at such a reasonable price, almost anyone can enjoy it.
16. Most Energy Efficient: Afloia Air Purifier
This air purifier can even diffuse essential oils, letting you add the scent of your choice to your home’s air.
Pros: Energy Star certified, diffuses essential oils.
Cons: Only covers 220 square feet, has fewer features.
While it might not seem like it, air purifiers can drastically impact your monthly energy bill. Since they are often left all day and night, high-powered purifiers are often the worst culprits for extra energy use. This Afloia Air Purifier is Energy Star certified to ensure it runs efficiently without impacting your utility costs.
The operating power of this air purifier is only 35 W, which makes it comparable to a lightbulb in terms of consumption. It’s surprising, considering it can clear your kitchen of smells and allergens in just a few minutes.
The main downside to this product is that it’s less powerful than others. Still, it does feature three different fan speeds, and the highest setting is plenty strong enough to whisk away kitchen odors.
This is a great option for those worried about an air purifier's effect on their energy bill. While it isn’t as powerful as other options, most people will find it well suited to their kitchen’s needs.
Air Purifier Buying Guide
Circulation Rate
Since kitchens can release a high volume of particles in a short time, circulation rate is the top priority for kitchen air purifiers. It can vary widely between products, but you should aim for at least 250 square feet per hour. If your kitchen is larger, you will need one with a higher circulation rate.
Room Size
Air purifiers are usually rated by room size, with the more powerful ones labeled “large room.” There’s nothing wrong with putting a large room air purifier in a smaller room, though the reverse will be a problem. If your kitchen is larger than 600 square feet, stick with a large room air purifier.
HEPA Filter
HEPA is an acronym for high-efficiency particulate air and describes the highest quality filters used in air purifiers. These are useful for removing smaller particles like pollen and bacteria, which other types of filters might not catch. If you’re mainly concerned about catching airborne food particles, a non-HEPA filter will do.
Quiet
The only downside of more powerful air purifiers is that they are often louder. That’s why it’s best to size your filter to your room rather than simply getting the most powerful one. As long as you can find an option under 25 dB, the noise shouldn’t bother you, even while sleeping.
Energy Efficiency
The most energy-efficient air purifiers are those certified by Energy Star. These will cut down on your electricity bill and help the planet with reduced energy emissions. Though if you’re only planning on running your purifier for an hour or two each day, it might not be as big of a concern.
FAQ
The kitchen is actually one of the smartest places to put an air purifier. Cooking, especially frying, releases food particles into the air that can irritate the eyes, make it harder to breathe, or create strong odors which can linger for days. Switching on an air purifier at the start of cooking can help cut down on smells and air pollution before it has a chance to accumulate.
Generally, an air purifier will be most effective in areas with the highest airflow. While it may be out of the way in the corner of the room, it may not be doing its job most efficiently. Instead, try placing it three to six feet from the stove somewhere it won’t be in the way.
Ideally, air purifiers work best 3 to 5 feet off the ground. A kitchen counter can be a great option if your air purifier is small enough. Extra points if it’s near a window or doorway.
Removing cooking smells is one of the best uses for an air purifier. Whether in your kitchen or elsewhere, smells are caused by tiny particles floating through the air. It’s your purifier's job to remove these so they don’t cause odors or irritation.
UV air purifiers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and pathogens in your air, usually working in tandem with a traditional filtration system. While highly effective, this type of air purifier comes with some added risks you should be aware of before buying.
First, the high-energy UV light can damage the skin if you become exposed to it. While the UV light is normally concentrated within the device, contact can occur when changing filters, cleaning, or other maintenance. Because of the high energy, it presents more of a risk than other forms of UV light.
Second, ozone is created as a byproduct of the filtration system in UV filters. In small quantities, ozone doesn't damage your body. However, it can eventually cause coughing and shortness of breath and exacerbate asthma. This is especially bad for devices that are supposed to clean your home’s air.
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