I have been struggling with cigarette smoke drifting into my room from outside and the smell stays in the air for hours.
I try to open the window but that only helps for a short time.
The odor feels heavy and it makes the room uncomfortable.
A friend told me that an air purifier might help with the smoke.
I am not sure if it can remove the smell or only the particles.
Some models say HEPA and some say activated carbon and I do not know which one works better for smoke.
My room is small so I want something that can actually make a difference.
I also want something that does not make too much noise during the night.
I worry that the smell has already soaked into the fabrics.
I am tired of dealing with this problem every day.
I would like to know if anyone has used an air purifier for cigarette smoke before.
Does it really make the air cleaner and lighter or is it not effective 
I used an air purifier with activated carbon when my neighbor smoked a lot and it helped reduce the smoke odor in my room. The HEPA filter caught the particles and the carbon absorbed the smell. It did not remove everything at once but after a few hours the room felt easier to breathe in. You will need to replace the carbon filter more often because smoke fills it fast. But it does make a real difference if you get a good model.
I had the same issue in my old apartment and an air purifier helped only when I used one with a strong carbon filter. HEPA alone does not remove odors. The purifier made the air feel fresher but the curtains still held the smell. After washing the fabrics the purifier kept the room clean. It works but you have to deal with both the air and the items that absorbed the odor.
I will wash my curtains too
I think it helps a lot for fresh smoke that enters the room. When I used a purifier during a visit from a smoker guest the smell faded much faster. It does not fix smoke that has been stuck in furniture for months but it does handle the new smoke in the air. If smoke keeps coming in from outside you may also want to seal any gaps in the window.
During wildfire season I used a purifier for smoke particles and it worked well. Cigarette smoke behaves in a similar way. The HEPA section removed the tiny particles and the carbon helped with the smell. It took a while but the air felt lighter. If you want fast results you should run the purifier on a high setting at first then switch to a quieter mode.
I tried a cheap purifier once and it did not help at all. The carbon layer was very thin and it did not absorb any odor. When I bought a better model with a thick carbon filter the change was clear. The heavy cigarette smell became mild in a short time. So the quality of the filter matters more than the brand. Look for a unit that has strong odor control features.
I use a purifier because my roommate smokes outside and some of the smell gets inside. The purifier helps remove most of the odor in the air. It does not fix the smell that is stuck in clothes or furniture but it does help the air feel cleaner. You should also open the window when possible because airflow helps the purifier work better.
I will add more airflow too
If you want something for cigarette smoke make sure it says odor removal or smoke control on the box. Some purifiers focus only on dust and that will not help you. My purifier has a special smoke mode that runs on high power and it clears the air faster. It is a bit loud but the results are good. After one hour the smell becomes very faint.
I used a purifier in my living room after a family member smoked inside. The air felt heavy and the smell stayed for days. The purifier helped reduce the harshness of the odor. It did not remove it fully until I cleaned the sofa. So for best results you should clean the soft items in the room and let the purifier take care of the air.
I think purifiers help with the particles from smoke and with part of the odor. They cannot fix the source if the smoke is still coming in. When I sealed the gaps in my window and used a purifier at the same time the difference was huge. The room stopped smelling like smoke. You should check your window because even small openings let smoke through.
I will check the window gaps
I used one in my car after someone smoked inside and it helped lighten the smell. The purifier removed the floating odor but the seats still smelled a little until I cleaned them. So it helps with the air but you must handle the surfaces too. Still it made a big difference and the air became far more comfortable.
My purifier works well for cigarette smoke in my small bedroom. I run it every evening and the air feels m
type,title,raw
topic,What is the best air purifier for home"
I have a Blueair purifier in my living room and it has been great so far. The HEPA filter really captures dust and pollen efficiently. I like that it is fairly quiet even on higher settings. The filter replacement is easy and not too frequent. I noticed a big improvement in my allergy symptoms after a few weeks.
I personally went with the Dyson model because of its smart features and the ability to control it from my phone. It is slightly more expensive but the air quality sensor seems to work well. The only downside is that it is a bit loud on the highest setting. Overall I feel the air feels cleaner in my apartment.
Thank you, I will look into the Blueair options!
Honeywell purifiers are good if you want something simple and reliable. They do not have all the smart features but they work well for dust and general air cleaning. I found it very easy to maintain and it does not make much noise. For a medium-sized room it is a solid choice.
If you have pets, I recommend an air purifier with both HEPA and activated carbon filters. It helps remove pet dander and odors. I have a Levoit model and it has been excellent for this purpose. It is fairly quiet and the filters last a reasonable time.