When I first learned about air purifiers, I was under the impression that HEPA filters were the only filter you need to have.
However, after some research, I realized another filter that can be just as important: the carbon filter.
While a HEPA filter is excellent for absorbing solid particles, the carbon filter is responsible for the gaseous particles in the air.
So, it will handle the VOCs, smoke, and even strong odors floating around the room.
That said, not all air purifiers come with carbon filters.
And while this doesn’t mean these air purifiers aren’t functional, you won’t be able to take care of some of the strong odors and other pollutants in your home.
And if you want to ensure the air in your home is clean and smells clean, then you need an air purifier with a carbon filter.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list with three of the best air purifiers with carbon filters on the market today.
I’ve also listed some reasons you need an air purifier with a carbon filter and tips for finding the best air purifier depending on your needs.
That way, when you head to the market to look for your own air purifier, you won’t have a hard time picking the right option.

Bissell Air400 – The Best Overall Pick
When I researched to find the best air purifier with a carbon filter, this was one of the most recommended options.
And after reading the specifications and features, I figured this was one of the best models on the market and is actually the one I bought for my home.
The first reason I chose this model was the sleek design.
This is great because people won’t notice a giant ugly air purifier when they enter the room.
But on top of that, this air purifier has great features. One of the best features of this air purifier is the filtration system. This is because it has a carbon filter on top of the HEPA filter designed to capture pollen, dust, and other pollutants.
This makes it great at capturing and absorbing harmful odors in the house, keeping the indoor space as fresh as possible.
Additionally, the air purifier can handle pretty large rooms. So, whether I put this in my bedroom, home office, or living room, I can rest assured that the air will be clean.
This air purifier has an excellent interface that you can use to adjust the settings to ensure that the air in the room is purified and pollutant-free.
That said, some customers did complain that the air quality monitor could be better.
While I didn’t have problems with it myself, this is something you want to consider before getting this air purifier for yourself.
Pros:
- Great interface to change the settings
- Sleek and modern design
- It comes with a high-quality filtration system
- Ideal for both small and large rooms
- It offers a lot of value for the money
Cons:
- The air quality monitor could be better.

Levoit Core 300 – The Best Option on a Budget
The thing with air purifiers with carbon filters is that many of them are expensive.
But not this model.
If you’re hunting for an air purifier with a HEPA filter and carbon filter on a tight budget, this could be just the model you need.
This air purifier is compact, affordable, and has a great filtration system to handle pollutants and foul odors at home.
Don’t be fooled by the size of this air purifier; it can easily handle the pollutants in any room because it has both a HEPA filter and a carbon filter.
And for even better performance, it comes with a pre-filter to capture some larger particles floating around.
I was pretty surprised when reading the specs of this model.
I was surprised because it had all of the modern features while being affordable.
So, if you don’t want to bust the bank for your next air purifier, this could be a great option.
That said, this is one of the smaller options on the market.
So, if you have a large space at home where you want to place the air purifier, this isn’t the right choice.
This is a great air purifier for small rooms and apartments, which is the main reason that it’s very affordable despite the premium features.
But aside from the size, I didn’t have that many complaints with this model.
So, if you need a good air purifier for a smaller room in the house, this might very well be the right pick for you.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Compact and easy to use
- It comes with a top-tier filtration system
- Change the filters depending on your needs
- Sleek and low-key design
Cons:
- Not ideal for larger spaces

Shark HE601 – The Best Premium Option
Now it’s time to look at the other side of the spectrum.
This air purifier is one of the more expensive models on this list, but rest assured that you get your money’s worth when you buy it.
This is because this air purifier is strong enough to handle areas up to 1,000 square feet and comes with a top-tier filtration system that just about anyone would love.
As you can expect from air purifiers in this price range, it comes with a multi-stage filtration system with an activated carbon filter.
But aside from that, it has a top-quality air quality monitor that shows you just how clean the air is in a room at any given moment.
On top of that, the air purifier automatically adjusts depending on the air quality, so you can rest assured that it’s constantly working to clean the indoor air.
Aside from the carbon filter, it has an advanced odor protection system.
So, you won’t have to worry about strong scents staying inside the room too long as this machine is well-equipped to handle them.
The only complaint I had with this model is that it’s expensive.
However, considering all its premium features, I can confidently say that this air purifier will be well worth the money if you buy one for your home.
Pros:
- Great filtration system
- It comes with premium features
- Top-tier air quality monitor
- Easy to use
- Automatically adjusts the fan speed depending on air quality
Cons:
- Fairly expensive

Benefits of a Carbon Filter
Okay, so now that I’ve shown you the best air purifiers with a carbon filter, you may be wondering why you even need a carbon filter in the first place.
Well, you may not realize it right away.
Still, a carbon filter is one of the most important aspects of a modern air purifier.
I highly suggest that you only look at air purifiers with both a carbon filter and a HEPA filter.
The thing with air purifiers is that they don’t just need one filter. There’s no doubt that a HEPA filter is crucial for a functional air purifier.
However, this doesn’t mean that the carbon filter is secondary.
In fact, depending on your needs, it could be just as important as a carbon filter.
This is because carbon filters are essential if you want to eliminate VOCs at home, which are present in most modern structures.
These can be very dangerous for humans, so if you wish to clean air at home, you can’t go without an activated carbon filter.
On top of that, carbon filters can absorb strong odors.
For example, have you ever cooked a great dish one evening only to find out that the smell has stayed in your kitchen until the next day?
If your air purifier has a carbon filter, you won’t have to worry about strong scents staying around too long. And this goes for every other home scent, including strong scents from your pets.
So, having an activated carbon filter offers a lot of benefits. Not only does it make the air cleaner at home, but it also makes your home smell much better.
This is why if you’re looking for an air purifier, it won’t hurt to go for a model that comes with a decent carbon filter.
How to Find the Best Air Purifier
Looking at the best models on the market usually isn’t enough to help people find the right air purifier for their needs.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, then a list of the top models on the market won’t be that useful for you.
So, here are some crucial tips you can keep in mind when choosing your air purifier to make it easier to find the right option.
Filtration Is Key
You first need to consider the filtration system in your air purifier.
Ideally, you want to go for models with a multi-stage filtration system.
This means that the air purifier has multiple filters.
And for the best results, I recommend getting air purifiers with a HEPA and an activated carbon filter.
The HEPA filter will capture harmful particles like dust and pollen.
However, the carbon filter handles the different odors and toxic gases in the air.
Some air purifiers even have a pre-filter on top of the carbon filter.
This is a massive benefit.
It gives you another barrier that you can use to capture larger particles such as pet hair, dander, and other solids floating around the air.
So, before considering any other feature with your air purifier, make sure that it has a sound filtration system first.
And if it has one, you can start checking out the other features that come with it.
Consider the Noise Levels
If you want your air purifier to work well, keep it on as much as possible.
Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about your electricity bill skyrocketing because modern air purifiers don’t use too much electricity.
However, if you plan on keeping your air purifier running 24/7, you need to get a model that isn’t too loud.
Otherwise, you might be unable to leave the air purifier on for extended periods.
Another significant factor to consider with your air purifier is the noise level.
Ideally, it’s best to get a low-noise air purifier.
That way, you can leave it on for a long time without worrying about the air purifier’s hum getting in the way of your day.
Luckily, many air purifiers operate at low noise levels, which can be a huge plus.
Look for Air Purifier with Automatic Mode
Another feature to consider with an air purifier is automatic mode.
This isn’t present on all air purifiers but can be a very valuable feature to have on your air purifier.
This is because automatic mode means that the air purifier is equipped with sensors that detect the air quality and the particles in the air.
If the machine detects poor air quality in the room, it adjusts the fan speed accordingly. It lowers it once the air quality improves.
This can make it much easier to keep the air purifier running for extended periods, which is the best way to use an air purifier in the first place.
Bonus: Avoid Ionizers
One bonus tip I can give you is to avoid air purifiers with ionizers. Or, at the very least, only get air purifiers with ionizers if you can turn the ionizer off whenever you want.
This is because while ionizers are relatively good at reducing the number of particles in the air, it creates ozone.
In small indoor areas, ozone can be dangerous.
Inhaling too much ozone can irritate your lungs and make breathing harder, which is the exact opposite of what an air purifier is supposed to do.
So, if you want your air purifier to work well, it might be best to stay away from ionizers.
Best Air Purifiers with Carbon Filters – Conclusion
So, those are some of the best air purifiers with carbon filters on the market today.
Rest assured that I did tons of research to only include models that are top-quality and perform well.
So, regardless of which option you choose, you don’t have to worry about it being unable to handle your needs.
And if you think you found the right model for you on this list, then all that’s left to do is buy one of them yourself.
Before you know it, you’ll be breathing clean and healthy air in the comforts of your own home!