Smoke from wildfires can worsen air quality in the immediate area and even in states far beyond where the wildfires are occurring. The wildfire season varies depending on which region of the U.S. you are in, but last year's California wildfires happened in January, so it's time to start preparing for the possibility of another season of damaging wildfires.
Sign up for the BestReviews newsletter: Exclusive deals and expert picks, in your inbox.
In order to be prepared for the fallout of wildfires near your home, it's smart to have a few items on hand to mitigate the discomfort and damage that wildfire smoke can cause. Some high quality face masks, air quality monitors and air purifiers can go a long way toward protecting your family and your home.
In this article: Air Oasis iAdapt 2.0, BlueAir Blue Pure 211i Max and Levoit Core300-P Air Purifier
Wildfires lead to widespread damage and billions of dollars in suppression costs yearly. Per the National Interagency Fire Center, over $4 billion was spent suppressing wildfires in 2021, roughly twice as much as the previous year. Aside from property damage and the inherent dangers associated with large-scale fires, these events can also lead to a dramatic drop in air quality. Poor air quality conditions can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory issues and may even impact your mental health. If you live near an area prone to these natural disasters, understanding how to protect yourself from wildfires at home is crucial. Air purifiers are one way to help you breathe easier, during wildfire season, as well as all year long.
Various factors, including volatile organic compounds, ozone, noxious gases and particulate matter worsen air quality. Particulate matter is the primary offender in wildfire smoke conditions, as these events produce tiny particles that can enter your lungs or bloodstream. According to the California Air Resources Board, “Health problems related to wildfire smoke exposure can be as mild as eye and respiratory tract irritation and as serious as worsening of heart and lung disease, including asthma, and even premature death.”
Wildfire smoke tends to enter the home through openings in windows and doors. Try to keep your windows and doors closed as often as possible. Applying weather strips will help keep smoke out of your home. Of course, if there is an active air quality issue in your area, try to limit the time spent outside applying these strips and ensure you wear a mask. It's important to note that heat can pose a serious health risk if there is a nearby wildfire, so you may have to open a window temporarily to cool your home. Alternatively, you can run your air conditioner on its recirculating setting to cool your house down without drawing in air from outside.
Consider replacing your home's HVAC filter with a high-efficiency filter for particulate matter. Per the Environmental Protection Agency, anything with a MERV rating of 13 or higher can capture up to 50% of particles between 0.3 and 10 microns.
If you have pets, you may want to consider setting up an area in your house for them to use the bathroom. Although this can enforce bad habits, it will help keep them safe. If you do take them outside to use the bathroom, try to limit the amount of time you spend in the smoke and wear an N95 mask. It's essential that you put the mask over your mouth and nose and don't leave room for the smoke to enter your lungs.
Air purifiers are a must-have for those living in areas prone to wildfires. These devices clean the air in your home and can remove some of the particulate matter from your indoor environment. Consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter, as these generally remove more particles from the air than a traditional model. If you have a large home, you may want to buy multiple units, as they have a limited range.
It's also a good idea to place a few air quality monitors around your home. These devices let you know when the air in a particular room is unsafe to breathe. These can be an excellent way to identify the safest room in your home while knowing where your air purifier is needed most.
If you're looking for a professional-grade air purifier that is unobtrusive and quiet, this is a great option. It captures 99% of allergens and features a fan setting to cool the area (up to 2,650 square feet). The company says this air purifier's medical-grade True HEPA (H13) filters can remove miniscule particles for up to two years without needing to be changed. Our tester loved the ease of use of the app and the virtually silent running.
This Levoit air purifier has been independently tested and certified for effective air cleaning, safety and energy efficiency. Powered by a high-performance motor, it quickly refreshes indoor air while capturing 99.97% of ultra-fine particles like dust, pollen and pet dander. It operates very quietly for comfortable use day and night, even in bedrooms or offices. With genuine and specialty filter options available, it can be tailored to target smoke, toxins, VOCs or pet-related allergens for reliable, long-lasting performance.
AirDoctor AD2000 4-in-1 Air Purifier
If you're looking for the best air purifier for wildfire smoke, this model is a top contender. An efficient HEPA filter removes nearly 100% of particulate matter above 0.003 microns. It has an automatic setting that adjusts its power based on your indoor air quality. It circulates the air in a 305-square-foot radius four times every hour.
The Dyson Purifier Cool is able to sense, capture and trap pollutants for an area of 99 square feet. It's controllable via the Dyson app and can be programmed to turn off at certain intervals. In Night mode, it operates more quietly and the display dims. It can also be controlled using Alexa, Siri or Google Home.
When it comes to clearing the air from wildfire smoke, the Blueair Pure Max series is a solid choice. This model offers up to 83% faster air cleaning with significantly less noise thanks to its advanced HEPASilent dual filtration technology. It efficiently cleans spaces up to 3,048 square feet in about an hour, removing at least 99.97% of microscopic airborne particles while also reducing common household odors. Smart app features, voice control compatibility, and real-time air quality monitoring make it easy to customize and manage performance.
Subscribe to BestReviews on Substack for the top trending product news of the week.
Airthings Battery-Powered Air Quality Monitor
Among the best air quality monitor options is this smart device. It can alert you when carbon dioxide levels in your home are unsafe, but it's important to note it doesn't track particulate matter. You can view your home's air quality on your smartphone or by waving your hand in front of the sensor. It's available in black or white.
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
These compact monitors are easy to place around your home. They have a built-in color-coded indicator and let you track important air quality metrics from your Alexa app. They keep track of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, humidity and more.
3M 9205+ Aura Particulate N95 Respirator
Our medical expert notes that this respirator is designed for breathability; it's the best mask for wildfire smoke if you need to spend a few minutes outside. It offers 95% filtration and is designed to fit various face shapes and sizes. It's made with soft materials that feel comfortable against your skin.
Honeywell Safety Disposable Respirator
This has multiple filtration layers and an adjustable nose clip. It folds down, making it easy to pack around in your pocket in case you need it. You get 20 masks in a set.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
