An unpleasant smell in the house, whether from pets, cooking, moisture, or a new sofa, is something you want to get rid of as quickly as possible. Many people wonder if an air purifier can help with this. The answer is nuanced: it depends heavily on the type of filter the device uses.
Why odors are difficult to remove
Odors are caused by volatile substances floating in the air. These are often gaseous molecules, much smaller than dust particles or pollen. A standard HEPA filter is excellent at capturing fine particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, but gaseous odor molecules pass through it more easily. Therefore, more than just a HEPA filter is needed for odor control.
Common odor sources in the home
Odors in the home can come from many different sources, and often several are at play simultaneously. Consider:
- Cooking, baking, and frying.
- Pets, pet beds, and litter boxes.
- Moisture and musty air in poorly ventilated rooms.
- New furniture, mattresses, or carpeting.
- Cigarette smoke or incense.
Every source behaves slightly differently, but the approach using an air purifier remains largely the same: filtering particles with HEPA and capturing gaseous odor molecules with activated carbon.
What actually works: activated carbon
A layer of activated carbon in the filter package makes the difference. Activated carbon has an enormous porous surface that holds onto odor molecules (adsorption) instead of simply blocking them. As a result, an air purifier with a carbon layer can noticeably reduce odors from cooking, pets, or damp rooms. Important to know: it is normal for people to notice a difference in degree; completely eliminating odors is not realistic, especially as long as the source of the odor is still present.
What to look for when purchasing
- Check if the device has a multi-layer filter system, not just HEPA.
- Pay attention to the air delivery rate (CADR) in relation to the room where you will place the device.
- A device that can run continuously on a low setting is often more effective than running occasionally on the highest setting.
- Replace filters on time: saturated activated carbon stops absorbing.
Our advice
For households suffering from odors, we recommend an air purifier with multiple filter stages so that both particles and odor molecules are addressed. The Dynter AirPure Plus PA244 works with a 4-stage filtration system and a HEPA13 filter that removes 99.97% of fine dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and microplastics from the air. In combination with the carbon layer in the filter package, this also helps noticeably against unpleasant odors in the home. With a CADR of 260 m3/h and suitable for rooms up to 55 m2, the device is powerful enough to contribute to fresher air in larger living rooms or open kitchens, and thanks to the whisper-quiet setting from 28 dB, it can also run smoothly at night.
Would you like to experience for yourself how an air purifier can contribute to fresher indoor air? View the AirPure Plus PA244 and read more about the specifications.