For anyone dealing with wildfires, maintaining a safe indoor space with healthy air quality is key. Air purifiers are a great tool to help.

Whether you’re dealing with smoke from wildfires, cooking or cigarettes, the right air purifier can make a significant difference in your home. The best air purifiers for smoke are effective at filtering out microscopic particles that can lead to coughing, stinging eyes and a scratchy throat, among other symptoms. Our top recommendation is the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) HEPA Purifier, a slim and efficient model that features a four-stage filtration system and five user-friendly modes, including an energy-efficient Eco mode. For a more budget-friendly pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 511 is a tiny yet mighty machine that’s equipped to capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles, like pollen, dust and smoke, down to 0.1 microns.

When shopping for an air purifier designed to tackle smoke, it’s important to choose a machine that can filter the smallest particles possible. “While HEPA filters can remove contaminants as small as 0.3 microns, dealing with contaminants like smoke requires technology that removes [even] tinier particles,” says Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate and chair of Change the Air Foundation. “Tobacco smoke particles, for example, are sized between 0.1 and 1 micron with a peak between 0.2 and 0.25 microns. This means that consumers should look to purchase units that can remove particles as small as 0.1 micron to effectively eliminate these contaminants.” Additionally, you’ll also want to ensure the air purifier you pick has a carbon filter to help eliminate gases found in wildfire smoke, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone.

Read More Here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/best-air-purifier-for-smoke/elect/shopping/what-are-dust-mites-rcna189429