10 Best Activated Carbon Air Purifiers Review in 2020

Are you searching for the best activated carbon air purifiers to eliminate harmful gases and unpleasant odors in your home?

The COVID-19 pandemic has made people aware of health threats present in the air. As such, indoor air quality is of great concern. According to the EPA, concentrations of airborne pollutants have increased. Such contaminants include VOCs, wildfire smoke, chemicals, and strong odors. These pollutants have short and long-term health effects.

Research shows that VOC concentrations at home and office are at least 10 times higher than outdoors. VOCs are gases containing chemicals emitted by certain solids and liquids. These sources include solvents, aerosols, air fresheners, and cleaners.

Short-term exposure to gaseous pollutants like VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. It can also cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, asthma, allergies, and vomiting. Long-term exposure to VOCs increases the risk of liver damage, kidney damage, and cancer.

To lower VOC concentrations in your home, you need proper ventilation. A portable air purifier with a charcoal filter might help to reduce the concentration at a slower rate.

What is an Activated Carbon Air Purifier?

An activated carbon air purifier has activated carbon/charcoal-based filter/s to trap gaseous pollutants from the air. This purifier has a special filter made of granular carbon. It captures and neutralizes VOCs, odors, chemicals, smoke, and other gaseous pollutants.

Unlike HEPA filters made from fibrous media, an activated carbon filter is a granular carbon bed. Manufacturers add the activated carbon filter as an extra step in the filtration stage.

Activated carbon has been in use for many years. You can find it in certain toothpaste brands where it helps to whiten teeth and fight bad breath.

In industrial water systems, activated carbon helps in water filtration. Its effectiveness is due to its porous structure. This creates a greater surface area, which allows the activated carbon filter to capture a high amount of gaseous pollutants.

An activated carbon purifier removes gaseous pollutants through adsorption. This is different from absorption.

Difference Between Adsorption and Absorption?

Adsorption is a process that involves the adhesion of molecules of gases or liquid onto a solid surface. Since adsorption is a bulk phenomenon, molecules of the absorbate enter the absorbent ( in this case, the bed of charcoal). Basically, the molecules of VOCs, chemicals, and strong odors attach to the activated carbon filter’s surface.

With time, VOCs’ concentration, strong odors, chemicals, and wildfire smoke will reduce in the air. This ensures that you and your family breathe clean, fresh air. When it comes to absorption, a fluid permeates or dissolves a solid or liquid.

An activated carbon purifier draws in the air via the intakes. The air passes through a pre-filter that traps large particles before moving to the next stage of the filtration system, the HEPA filter.

After the HEPA filter, you have the activated carbon filter. Composed of granular carbon pellets or powdered block form, this filter is cavernous. In fact, a single gram of activated carbon can have a surface area of 3,000 square meters.

The larger the surface area, the more contaminants it can adsorb. When contaminated air passes through the carbon filter, it traps and removes gaseous particles from the air. The air leaves the purifier via the outlet clean and fresh.

Activated Carbon vs. Activated Charcoal:

Many people always wonder, is charcoal and activated carbon the same thing? The terms activated carbon, and activated charcoal are confusing. Carbon and charcoal are not the same as carbon is an element, while charcoal is a byproduct of burning wood.

You cannot breakdown carbon into simpler constituent parts. But it can bond with other elements to form complex compounds such as carbon dioxide. Charcoal contains a high concentration of carbon plus oxygen and hydrogen.

To become ‘activated’ or adsorption-ready, the Carbon or Charcoal goes through the activation process, usually heated to extremely high temperatures. The pore structure is often created during this process.

Both activated carbon and activated charcoal work the same. The difference is the raw material (coal, coconut shell, charcoal) used in the activation process.

Activated Carbon is available in 3 forms:

1. Powdered Activated Carbon (high surface area)
2. Granular Activated Carbon (better for gas-phase filtration such as Carbon dioxide)
3. Pelletized Activated Carbon (better for vapor-phase filtration such as VOCs)

In this post, we review the top 10 best activated carbon air purifiers.

Related review: The 10 Best Medical-Grade Air Purifiers

List of 10 Best Activated Carbon Air Purifiers:

1. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier

Looking for the best activated carbon air purifier with a smart odor sensor within budget? The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier has a three-stage filtration system. It includes a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter with PlasmaWave air cleaning technology.

The pre-filter is the first line of defense, and it traps large particles such as lints and pet fur. The second line of defense is the True HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of allergens, including smoke residue, mold spores, pollen, and dust.

Finally, we have the star of the filtration system – an activated carbon filter. Composed of granular carbon pellets, this filter traps VOCs released by common household products. It also traps odors from pets and cooking plus wildfire smoke.

The activated carbon filter has a lifespan of 1 year. What we liked about the carbon filter besides its effectiveness in trapping VOCs is that it comes as a separate unit. This makes replacement a hassle-free process.

You can buy the genuine activated carbon filter from Amazon. To install the unit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The purifier has a built-in VOC sensor that measures the concentration of gaseous pollutants in the air.

With auto mode on, the purifier will adjust the fan speed in real-time and allow the unit to trap and clean the air.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure
The number of carbon filters: 01
Washable: Yes
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

2. Oransi EJ120 Air Purifier

Next is the Oransi EJ120 Air Purifier. Ideal for large rooms, it has a super quiet motor made in Germany. It’s best for the office, basement, living room, and bedroom. Popularly known as the “Tesla of air purifiers,” it has a medical-grade HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter.

The medical-grade HEPA filter has an efficiency rating of 99.98% at 0.1 microns. It can effectively trap and remove allergens such as fine dust, pet dander, smoke, pollen, etc. Next is the activated carbon filter.

This one-inch deep GAC impregnated carbon filter effectively removes smoke and household odors. It also traps sulfur gases, formaldehyde, and methane gas. Users have two options to select from – pleated and granular carbon filters.

The pleated carbon filter has 50% more surface area than previous versions. It consists of specially treated granular carbon. Like the granular carbon filter, it’s effective against VOCs and other gaseous pollutants. It weighs 1 pound, while the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter weighs 3.5 pounds. Both have a lifespan of 1 year (continuous use).

Besides the efficient purifier and durable housing, the purifier is super quiet. As one of the quietest models, the sound level at the lowest fan speed is less than 25 dB. As such, you can experience sound sleep every night while the purifier cleans the air.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Either pleated carbon filter or pelletized granular activated carbon filter
Amount of activated carbon pellets: 1 lbs in Pleated carbon filter, and 3.5 lbs in GAC filter
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Oransi)

Pros & Cons:

3. Bissell Air320 Smart Air Purifier

The Bissell Air320 Smart Air Purifier comes in a sleek design that complements any living space. It has elevated platform legs, which provide stability and an elevated platform for the purifier. Thanks to the raised platform, you have fewer things to pick up as you vacuum the room.

Another feature we liked is the powerful filtration system. It includes a Honeycomb-structured carbon filter. This unique structure allows the filter to capture more gaseous pollutants and VOCs. They also include odors from cooking, cleaning, and pets.

The filter has a lifespan of six months, but it varies based on VOC concentration and run time. To replace the carbon filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual. This purifier is ideal for your living room, bedroom, home office, and kitchen.

To complement the powerful filtration system, the unit comes with an automated CirQulate system. This system includes a built-in sensor that provides indoor air quality readings in real-time. It also adjusts fan speed automatically to clean the air and lower the concentration of gaseous pollutants.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure
The number of carbon filters: 01
Carbon filter lifespan: 6-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

4. Blueair Pro M Air Purifier

BlueAir is a well-respected brand that makes high-performance purifiers ideal for homes. The Blueair Pro M Air Purifier is no exception. It comes with a German-engineered fan that provides ultra-quiet operation. The purifier creates an environment where you and your family can sleep soundly while breathing healthier air.

It features an activated carbon filter called SmokeStop. This filter has a highly porous structure specifically designed to remove smoke, household odors, and pet odors. It also has a fiber shedding resistant gradient structure for removing harmful VOCs and chemicals.

The filter has antibacterial properties to prevent mold growth and bacteria. It also resists clogging. BlueAir recommends that you replace the activated carbon filter after six months.

The replacement of the filter is easy. You don’t need to use any tools, hooks, or screws. You can replace the filter in less than a minute and continue to experience the purifier’s whisper silent air delivery.

The filtration system is typically encapsulated in a particle charging chamber. This revolutionary design enables the purifier to deliver more clean and fresh air, unlike other models.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure (separate)
The number of carbon filters:  1 in Pro M, 2 in Pro L, and 3 in Pro XL
Carbon filter lifespan: 6-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

5. Asept-Air Life Cell 2550 Air Purifier

If you are looking for the best carbon air purifier with the biggest filtration capacity, this is for you. The purifier comes with a two-stage Purity Plus Carbon filter. This is unlike other models that feature a single-stage carbon filter.

The dual-stage carbon filter has more than 2 pounds of granular activated carbon. Thanks to the carbon filter’s large surface area, it can trap and remove VOCs, wildfire smoke, and chemicals.

It can also neutralize odors from cooking and pets. Since it has a 5 stage filtration system, the air purifier has a CADR of 350 cfm. As such, it’s ideal for medium-sized and large rooms. In an hour, it can clean up to 2500 square feet.

This purifier comes in a compact, modern design.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure (separate)
Amount of activated carbon pellets: 2 lbs
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

6. IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier

Ultrafine particles as small as 0.1 microns can cause harm to your organs. This is because they can find their way into your body via your lungs and into your bloodstream. Research shows that these ultrafine particles have adverse short and long-term effects.

To ensure you and your family breathe clean, fresh air, you need the IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier. The purifier has a V5 Cell granular activated carbon filter. Swiss-made, the gas-phase filter is usually obtained from potassium permanganate, alumina, and bituminous coal.

The combination of these materials creates a carbon filter with thousands of micropores and tiny cracks. As such, it’s effective in trapping and removing gases and chemicals. These pollutants include paint, chemicals, and vehicle exhaust. It also traps and removes VOCs such as formaldehyde and odors from cooking and pets.

The V5 Cell carbon filter has a two-year life span without losing efficiency. To prevent unfiltered air from escaping, the purifier features Triple Seal technology. This technology seals the filter media to the filter frame and housing. It ensures the air chamber is airtight.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: V-shaped chambers filled with granulated activated carbon & impregnated activated alumina (separate)
Amount of activated carbon pellets: 5 lbs
Carbon filter lifespan: 24-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

7. AirDoctor 4-in-1 Air Purifier

The AirDoctor 4-in-1 Air Purifier has professional-grade air quality sensors. They measure the concentration of pollutants in real-time. If the unit detects high levels of airborne pollutants, it adjusts fan speed to lower the level of contaminants.

To ensure the air you breathe is pure, the purifier is 100% sealed. As such, unfiltered air cannot escape the unit and re-contaminate the clean air in the room. What we liked about this purifier is that it comes with a dual-action carbon filter.

The dual-action carbon filter traps and removes dangerous ozone and VOCs such as formaldehyde. It also eliminates odors from pets and cooking.

This carbon filter works together with the UltraHEPA filter, which is 100 times more effective than ordinary HEPA filters. It can capture dangerous ultrafine particles as small as 0.003 microns.

Both filters have a lifespan of 6 months to a year. To know when to replace the filters, check the filter indicator light. Remember, always buy a genuine filter to protect yourself and your family.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure (separate)
The number of carbon filters: 01
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

8. Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier

The Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier comes with built-in smart air quality sensors. They measure the concentration of air pollutants in a room in real-time. In auto mode, the purifier will adjust the fan speed automatically if the level of airborne pollutants is high.

Designed for efficiency and convenience, auto-mode eliminates the guesswork out of clean air. The purifier has a cellular activated carbon filter. As part of the 5 stage filtration system, the cellular-activated carbon filter traps and removes ultrafine particles.

They include wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke, and allergens. It also removes VOCs such as formaldehyde and odors from pets and households. The reason why the carbon filter is so efficient is that it’s manufactured under strict quality standards.

You need to know that the carbon filter has more carbon than other models. Thanks to the large surface area, it adsorbs more odors and VOCs than other models. The activated carbon filter has a lifespan of 4 months. For your safety and that of your family, use certified Hathaspace activated carbon filters.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Activated carbon pellets is a honeycomb enclosure (separate)
The number of carbon filters: 01
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

9. RabbitAir MinusA2 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier

Stylish and efficient, the purifier comes with a charcoal-based activated carbon filter. Made of high-grade granular carbon, the filter is more efficient than other models coated with a thin layer of activated carbon.

Thanks to the activated carbon filter’s large surface area, it adsorbs more odors, VOCs, allergens, and smoke. This ensures that you and your family get to breathe clean, fresh air. Besides this, it helps to prevent the build-up of VOCs, smoke, and odors in the air.

The activated carbon filter has a lifespan of 2 years based on 12-hour daily operation. Based on continuous operation for a year, the filter has a lifespan of 8700 hours.

Besides the carbon filter, the purifier has a BioGS HEPA and customized filters. The HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. It reduces allergens such as fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and dust mite debris.

The customized filter traps and removes odors from cigars, pets, cooking, and mildew. Users can choose a customized Germ defense filter, Pet allergy filter, and toxin absorber filter.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Two separate carbon filter. Impregnated carbon sheet and pelletized activated carbon filter
The number of carbon filters: 02
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

10. Renpho AP001S Air Purifier

If searching for the best charcoal air purifier with smart Wi-Fi control, this is for you. The Renpho AP001S Air Purifier is Wi-Fi-enabled. As such, you can control the unit from anywhere in your home using the Renpho Smart app. Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, you can also control the unit using voice commands.

The purifier has a 5 stage filtration system. What we liked about this system is that it has a charcoal filter sheet and pellet-based activated carbon filter. The dual filtration systems adsorb and neutralize odors.

It neutralizes odors from cooking and pets and also traps and removes VOCs such as formaldehyde and other gaseous pollutants. Both filters have a lifespan of 6 months. To know when to replace the filters, check the replacement indicator lights.

This unit comes with separated filter replacement indicators for each filter. You can also track the filter’s life from your app. Once you replace the filters, tap to reset the filter.

The purifier has a built-in smart air quality sensor. The sensor can detect air quality in real-time and change colors automatically. If the sensors detect contaminants in the air, the purifier will automatically adjust the fan speed.

Carbon Filter Specs:

Type: Two separate carbon filter. Impregnated carbon sheet and pelletized activated carbon filter
The number of carbon filters: 02
Carbon filter lifespan: 12-months (Check the current price on Amazon)

Pros & Cons:

Final Thoughts

Buying the best activated carbon air purifier is the smartest decision you’ll ever make. First off, the carbon filter’s large surface area and unique structure will adsorb more odors and VOCs.

Second, the replacement of carbon filters is easy as the unit comes with a separate carbon filter. Some models even have a separate filter replacement indicator for each filter.

Lastly, they have HEPA filters and pre-filters that eliminate airborne irritants and allergens. With the best carbon air purifier, you don’t have to worry about breathing in ultrafine particles.

You and your family can breathe clean, fresh air, day and night.