Chemicals and paint fumes are significant health hazards. Short term or long term exposure to these pollutants poses a serious threat to your health. While it’s advisable to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and paint fumes, sometimes it is difficult to avoid exposure completely.
People working with products containing harmful chemicals or living in polluted areas are constantly exposed to these pollutants and are at risk of developing respiratory problems.
Besides, painting is something many of us do occasionally for home improvement. Unfortunately, oil-based paints usually contain a certain degree of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, acetone, acetone, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
Further, exposure to chemicals and paint fumes can lead to short or long-term health effects. Short term health effects include headache, irritation of the nose, eyes, or throat, nausea, difficulty breathing, and light-headedness. Long term health effects include respiratory, liver, kidney and system problems. Besides, excessive exposure to paint can also cause allergic reactions such as asthma and rhinitis.
You can limit your exposure to chemicals ad paint fumes in your home or workplace by investing in a good air purifier.
Best Air Purifier for Chemicals and Paint Fumes – Comparison Table
The emergence of multiple manufacturers especially in the last two decades, each developing their unique appliances has made choosing the best air purifier a tussle. But we have simplified the work for you by reviewing the best air purifier for chemicals and paint fumes.
However, before we check out each product, here is a summary of their main features:
| Product Name | Filtration | Coverage | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier (Editor's choice) | True HEPA | 1100 sq. ft. | 21 lbs. |
| 2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier | True HEPA | 360 sq. ft. | 15.4 lbs. |
| 3. Alen BreatheSmart 75i Quiet Air Purifier | True HEPA | 1300 sq. ft. | 34.5 lbs. |
| 4. Airpura Industries V600 Air Purifier | True HEPA | 2000 sq.ft. | 47 lbs. |
| 5. Okaysou AirMax8L Medical Grade Ultra-Duo Air Purifier | True HEPA | 800 sq. ft. | 13.75 lbs. |
| 6. Airpura F600DLX Air Purifier for Formaldehyde, VOCs and Particles | HEPA Barrier | 2000 sq. ft. | 44 lbs. |
| 7. Austin Air A250C1 HealthMate Junior Plus Air Purifier | HEPA | 700 sq. ft. | 24 lbs. |
| 8. Airpura C600 Chemical Abatement Air Purifier | HEPA | 2000 sq. ft. | 50 lbs. |
Reviews of the Best Air Purifiers for Chemicals and Paint Fumes
In this section, we explore the features that make these air purifiers worthwhile as well as their pros and cons. These are the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes in 2024:
1. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier – best air purifier for chemicals
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic air purifier is one of the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes. Designed by NASA airflow engineers and made with great precision, this air purifier’s quality is top-notch.
It uses an air quality sensor to rate the air quality and auto adjust the fan settings for the air to be cleaned effectively. The air sensor has lights red when the air quality is poor, orange when average and blue when the quality is excellent.
Besides, the Alen BreatheSmart Classic air purifier serves large rooms of up to 1100 sq. ft. Its efficiency and durability rank it among the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes. It also has 4-speed settings, uses a HEPA type filter with activated carbon layer to effectively clear allergens at all levels as well as VOC fumes emanating from chemicals.
Features
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Dimensions: 10 x 17.8 x 26.8 inches
- Room area coverage: extra-large rooms of up to 1100 sq. ft.
- Air quality sensors with color display
- Filters: Activated carbon filter and True HEPA
- 4-speed settings
- Filters air twice per hour
- Filter life: 9 to 12 months
Pros
- Serve extra-large rooms of up to 1100 sq. ft.
- Automated settings for air quality sensing and adjusting fan speed to match the air quality
- Sleek modern design
- Effectively gets rid of chemical fumes and odors using an activated carbon filter
- Designed to last by NASA airflow engineers
- Ultra-quiet on low setting
Cons
- Heavy to move around without wheels
- Some users find its noise disturbing on automatic settings
Click here to see its current price.
2. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA
When you are looking for an all-purpose air purifier, give a higher preference to air purifiers with a True HEPA filter. The Winix 5500-2 air purifier combines this high-efficiency filter with a washable AOC carbon filter, and PlasmaWave technology.
So, all the chemicals, paint fumes, dust, hair particles, pollen, and all other stubborn allergens are eliminated.
Also, this CADR rated air purifier serves rooms not larger than 360 sq. ft. it has smart sensors that help gauge the air quality and adjust the fan speeds accordingly. It also has a visual indicator, a light sensor, and remote control.
The automatic sleep mode ensures undisturbed sleep while you enjoy 99.97% filtration efficiency using a True HEPA filter. That’s why it is also a good air purifier for babies’ rooms.
Features
- Weight: 15.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches
- Room area coverage: small – medium rooms not exceeding 360 sq. ft.
- It has smart air sensors with visual display
- Filtration: PlasmaWave technology, washable Activated carbon filter, and True HEPA
- Has a night setting (sleep mode)
- Remote control
Pros
- Offer 99.97% filtration efficiency using True HEPA filter
- Efficient at chemical odor elimination using an activated carbon filter
- Quietly operates at 27.8 decibels
- Convenient controlling – comes with a remote control
- Has a smart sensor with a visual indicator
- Auto settings for air quality sensing
Cons
- PlasmaWave technology releases negative ions which may affect people with respiratory issues due to the production of ozone
Click here to see its current price.
3. Alen BreatheSmart 75i Quiet Air Purifier
NASA designed and CARB certified, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier offers high-tech air purification technology for effective pollutant capture in large rooms of up to 1300 sq. ft. It uses the True HEPA filter to capture over 99.97 of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Apart from a sleek design, it comes with an advanced laser sensor that displays six different colors depending on the room’s air quality. It cleans 2 times every hour to ensure high air quality. It ranks among the best air purifiers for chemical and paint fumes for its high-tech sensors, efficient filtration, and durability.
Features
- Weight: 34.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 30.8 x 23 x 15 inches
- Large area coverage: maximum 1300 sq. ft.
- Uses True HEPA filter
- It has smart air sensors with visual display
- Light out (sleep mode) feature
- Smart laser air quality sensors with 6 colors
Pros
- Efficiently serves large rooms of up to 1300 sq. ft.
- High filtration efficiency with HEPA filter – 99.97%
- Highly durable
- Smart laser air quality sensors with colors alert you on air quality and adjust fan speed settings
- Sleep mode settings provide a soothing environment for richer sleep
- Quiet – designed with advanced WhisperMax technology
- Long filter life – True HEPA filter lasts between 12 to 15 months
- Energy efficient
- Looks great and blends perfectly with existing decor
Cons
- Quite heavy at 34.5 pounds
Click here to see its current price.
4. Airpura Industries V600 Air Purifier – best air purifier for paint fumes
If you run a business that involves chemicals and paints fumes, then you need to invest in a good large area air purifier. The Airpura Industries V600 is one of the best air purifiers for removing chemicals and paint fumes.
It has 3 stages of air purification. First, the pre-filter captures the larger particles thus preserving the HEPA filter. Then, the carbon filter gets rid of all odors, while the HEPA filter captures all other allergens down to 0.3 microns.
Although it serves as a domestic appliance, Airpura Industries V600 is more ideal for commercial use. So, it will most probably be under-utilized in a normal home setup. This air purifier is built to serve extra-large rooms of up to 2000 sq. ft.
Features
- Weight: 47 pounds
- Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 23 inches
- Large area coverage: maximum 2000 sq. ft.
- Uses True HEPA filter, pre-filter, and enhanced carbon filters
- Steel housing
Pros
- Efficiently serves industrial rooms of up to 2000 sq. ft.
- 97% filtration efficiency with HEPA filter
- Offers safety from off-gassing owing to the steel housing and felt gaskets
- Enhanced carbon filters efficiently eliminate odors
Cons
- Quite heavy at 47 pounds – although it’s compensated by the wheel design.
Click here to see its current price.
5. Okaysou AirMax8L Medical Grade Ultra-Duo Air Purifier
Okaysou AirMax8L’s five-stage filtration system makes it one of the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes. This filtrations system incorporates a HEPA filter to thoroughly clear all pollutants in your home. It’s a trusted air purifier for getting rid of chemical fumes, smoke, and other pollutants.
Besides, Okaysou thought about your pets and babies too. This air purifier is designed with a child lock feature to keep your settings intact incase the pets and children try to tamper with it.
Also, the Okaysou AirMax8L Medical Grade Ultra-Duo Air Purifier runs up to 5 times per hour in small rooms of up to 320 sq. ft. 3 times per hour within 500 sq. ft. and 1.5 times per hour within 800 sq. ft.
Features
- Weight: 13.75 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.9 x 7.1 x 19.4 inches
- 97% filtration efficiency using True HEPA filter
- Sleep mode settings
- Child lock
- Has a timer
- Filter replacement indicator
- Runs 5 times per hour within 320 sq. ft. 3 times per hour within 500 sq. ft., and 1.5 times per hour within 800 sq. ft.
Pros
- High-efficiency filtration using True HEPA filter
- Easy to install
- Effectively absorbs volatile organic compounds and harmful chemical fumes
- Ultra-quiet on low setting
- Child lock feature ensures pets and children don’t tamper with settings
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Relatively loud
Click here to see its current price.
6. Airpura F600DLX Air Purifier for Formaldehyde, VOCs, and Particles
Although the Airpura F600DLX Air Purifier has no HEPA filter, we still ranked it among the best air purifier for chemicals. The reason being, HEPA filters may be essential for pollutant capturing but not as essential when it comes to chemicals. This air purifier is fitted with a HEPA barrier instead which prevents carbon dust from exiting the unit.
Besides, this is a 23 inches high and 15 inches wide unit. It has wheels to facilitate easy movement and serves large rooms of up to 2000 sq. ft.
Features
- Weight: 44 pounds
- Dimensions: 23 H x 15 inches W
- Room area coverage – 2000 sq. ft. maximum
- Noise level – between 28.1 decibels and 62.3 decibels
- Uses HEPA barrier instead of HEPA filter, pre-filter, and activated carbon filter
Pros
- Highly efficient at reducing chemicals in the air
- It covers large rooms of up to 2000 sq. ft.
- Durable metal construction
- 5 years warranty
Cons
- Relatively heavy but has wheels to ease moving
Click here to see its current price.
7. Austin Air A250C1 HealthMate Junior Plus Air Purifier
For over 30 years, Austin Air has produced some of the best air cleaners on market today. Their air purifiers are recommended by health specialists as the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes.
Proudly made in the USA, the Austin Air A250C1 HealthMate Junior is a durable (all steel) construction air purifier. It applies HEPA and carbon filtration to eliminate unwanted odors from paint and chemical fumes
Besides, the Austin Air A250C1 HealthMate Junior covers a maximum of 700 sq. ft. and has 3 fan speed settings. It has a single knob control for on and off function as well as fan speed control. The filters are also easy to change – you only need to open the cover at the base.
Features
- Weight: 24 pounds
- Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 16.5 inches
- 700 sq. ft. maximum area coverage
- 3-fan speed settings
- Noise level – 49 decibels on low setting and 65 decibels on high setting
- Filtration – HEPA filter, carbon filter, and pre-filter
Pros
- Efficiently get rid of chemical odors using the carbon filter
- HEPA filter offers 99.97% allergen capture
- Easy to operate using a single knob to change settings and turn on and off
- Easy to change the filters
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Quite loud – it has a noise level of 49 decibels on low setting
- Not easy to move at 24 pounds and without wheels
Click here to see its current price.
8. Airpura C600 Chemical Abatement Air Purifier
Are you looking to clean an environment that is heavily polluted with chemicals and paint fumes? The Airpura C600 is one of the best air purifiers for chemical fumes or paint fumes. It’s made purposely for heavy chemical alleviation.
Additionally, it is suitable for car garages, construction sites, workshops that are characterized by heavy chemical and paint fumes, and newly painted homes.
Further, the Airpura C600 uses a 3-stage filtration appliance. It has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter. The carbon filter does an excellent job of absorbing odors and those irritating chemical fumes. This is a fairly quiet air purifier at 28.1 decibels on its low setting.
Also, it’s an all-metal construction; this ensures no vapors are discharged. Further, it has 2 MicroSupress filters.
Features
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 15 inches
- 2 MicroSupress filters suppress bacteria, antigens, and pathogens around carbon bed
- Room area coverage – approximately 2000 sq. ft.
- Noise level – 28.1 decibels on low setting and 62.3 decibels on high setting
- Filtration – has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter.
Pros
- Efficiently serves up to 2000 sq. ft. of highly polluted areas like paint workshops and construction sites
- Effective at allergen removal as well
- Operates fairly quietly at 28.1 decibels on low setting
- Durable – made of steel
- The carbon filters eliminate chemical odors effectively
- The metal housing guarantees minimal emission of plastic vapors
- Economical maintenance – HEPA filter lasts up to 5 years, the carbon filter – 2 years and the pre-filter up to 1 year
Cons
- Heavy – Weighs 50 pounds although it has wheels
- Too loud on high setting
Click here to see its current price.
Understanding the Carbon filter – the most essential feature for the best air purifier for paint fumes
You may have noticed that each of these air purifiers has a carbon filter. Well, without a carbon filter, it will be difficult to get rid of those irritating pollutants. Here is how the carbon filter works.
Why the Carbon filter?
A carbon filter is usually activated using oxygen. This oxygen opens up multiple tiny pores between the carbon atoms. It further enlarges the surface area making it possible for the filter to absorb odors in large volumes. The more the carbon a filter has, the higher its ability to absorb gases.
Some generic purifiers contain minimal amounts of carbon sprayed on the pre-filter. This means they only capture a little amount of odor and they require frequent replacement.
An ideal carbon filter should have a large amount of activated carbon (approximately half its weight). This enables it to capture a large amount of odor and also last long. Good quality activated carbon filters should last for at least one year.
What about the HEPA filter?
Also, it is advisable to invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter for chemicals and paint fumes elimination. The HEPA filter is designed to pick pollutants in your environment leaving the air clean and safe.
Conclusion
Depending on the room size, you will not go wrong with any of these air purifiers we have reviewed. The devices are durable and effective at removing chemicals and paint fumes from your environment.
Regarding the filters, the HEPA type filter and carbon filter are the most essential features among all the air purifiers. They eliminate all types of allergens and get rid of the chemicals and paint fumes and odors.
Besides, the contemporary designs of the air purifiers described make them blend perfectly wherever you place them.
In summary, these are the best air purifiers for chemicals and paint fumes in 2024:
- Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier
- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA
- Alen BreatheSmart 75i Quiet Air Purifier
- Airpura Industries V600 Air Purifier
- Okaysou AirMax8L Medical Grade Ultra-Duo Air Purifier
- Airpura F600DLX Air Purifier for Formaldehyde, VOCs and Particles
- Austin Air A250C1 HealthMate Junior Plus Air Purifier
- Airpura C600 Chemical Abatement Air Purifier
Hello, I need a small version for my craft room. I’ve taken up nail art and the fumes are too much. Can you recommend a purifier for a small craft room?
Hello Kat,
Apologies for taking long to respond to your question. You can try out Levoit LV-PUR131S that is recommended for rooms measuring up to 360 sq. ft. (cleans out all the air 5 times per hour). A combination of a True HEPA filter (H13) and activated carbon will certainly help with the fumes in your craft room. This air purifier is not only pocket-friendly, but it also has smart features thanks to Wi-fi connectivity. Apart from the app, you can talk to it via Alexa or Google Assistant.