I tried an air purifier designed to filter weed and cigarette smoke

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Just because you’re celebrating 420 years doesn’t mean you want to smell the smoke. A new specialized filter from GermGuardian helps keep things fresh.

Ajay has worked in technology journalism for over a decade as a reporter, analyst, product reviewer and editor. He got his start in consumer technology breaking Android news at Newsweek before joining PCMag, where he reviewed hundreds of smartphones, batteries and chargers as a mobile analyst. He also worked at Lifewire, a Dotdash Meredith brand, as a Tech Commerce Editor, compiling product review lists and assigning product ratings in categories such as smart home, uninterruptible power supplies, generators and automotive technology. Most recently, he was Mobile Editor at Digital Trends, leading his team’s coverage of the latest news, features, reviews, roundups, deals and more on a variety of mobile products, including phones, wearables, VR headsets, batteries and chargers. If you would like Ajay’s advice on all things technology, especially solar panels, inverters, batteries, electric vehicles and charging technology, you can reach him at ajkumar@cnet.com.

Skill 13+ years of experience providing consumer product reviews, buying guides, best lists, and technology news across a variety of technology categories. As a landlord, Ajay is also familiar with the unique electrical issues that can arise in a pre-war apartment building.

In the United States and around the world, April 20 has become an unofficial holiday for weed smokers. While vapegummies and edibles are becoming more and more popular, a fair number of people still light up to smoke, which can result in a lingering odor that many find unpleasant.

I’m one of those people, and the new FLT420B from GermGuardian air purifier The filter is designed to remove cannabis smoke more effectively than standard air purifying filters.
“As cannabis use becomes more widely accepted, we identified a real gap in the market for a filter specifically designed to combat cannabis smoke odors, not just mask them,” said Rukky Ojakovo, senior director of heating and air quality at Guardian Technologies. “In our two-week at-home test, over 90% of users rated it highly effective in reducing cannabis odors.”

I use the FLT420B filter at home with a GermGuardian AC4880B Air Purifier for several weeks now, and I have been impressed by its effectiveness in combating smoke odors. In my case, the smell is more from cigarette smoke than marijuana (I had the misfortune of seeing indoor smokers moving into the unit below me). The FLT420B filter has proven effective in combating odors.

“Although the FLT420B was designed specifically for cannabis smoke, its advanced odor control media targets VOCs. [volatile organic compounds] generally speaking, which makes it effective against other herbal smokes as well,” Ojakovo told me via email.

According to GermGuardian, the filter is 300 times more effective than standard HEPA smoke filters and targets odor-causing VOCs at the “molecular” level. The company claims it can eliminate cannabis odors in 90 minutes. Although I’m not a marijuana smoker myself — I’m very sensitive to bad odors and have two asthmatic cats — I plan to test this soon using cannabis scented incense sticks.

Meanwhile, to test this, I placed the entire AC4880B air purifier, with the smoke filter installed, in a closet in my wife’s office and closed the door. Using UV-C disinfectant light, which can generate a small amount of harmless ozone, the entire closet was effectively deodorized in about 24 hours.

I asked Ojakovo what plays the biggest role in eliminating closet odors. The filter was the main driver.

“The FLT420B’s advanced odor control media is specifically designed to capture VOCs and lingering odors like cigarette smoke,” Ojakovo said. “UV-C light is great for reducing airborne bacteria, germs and mold spores, but it is less targeted specifically to chemical smoke odors.”

Interestingly, even after taking it out of the closet, the air inside remained deodorized, although sealing the gaps and cracks probably helped.

To further test the filter’s effectiveness in eliminating odors, I moved the GermGuardian unit into my kitchen and placed it near my trash cans. There’s not much ventilation in there and I have a gas stoveso there are a lot of VOCs. I’ve left it there for over a week and since then, I’ve noticed a clear reduction in cooking odors and a general improvement in air quality, verified by a air quality monitor.

“Since the FLT420B is designed to combat VOCs, it can definitely help combat cooking-related odors and gases,” Ojakovo said, while also pointing out that the company sells filters specifically designed for kitchen use. “For more intensive kitchen use near a gas stove, we recommend exploring our wider range of filters, designed for specific use cases.”

Now if you suffer from allergiesyou may want to consider a different model of air purifierbut for VOCs, it’s one of the most effective I’ve used.

Pricing and availability

The FLT420B will work with GermGuardian’s most widely used air purifiers, including the AC4880, AC4825E, AC4300, AC4825, AC4870, AC4820, AC4900, AC4850PT, CDAP4500 and AP2200CA. If you have one of these models, simply purchase the FLT420B filter from Amazon (currently out of stock) or directly from Guardian Technologies for $40.

If you’re a new customer, you can purchase the template with the features you prefer and pair it with a filter that fits your use case.

Editor’s note: Although cannabis has been legalized for medical and even recreational use in some states, marijuana and THC-containing products remain a Schedule I drug under U.S. federal law. Always use caution and good judgment when consuming cannabis or any other controlled substance.

Ajay has worked in technology journalism for over a decade as a reporter, analyst, product reviewer and editor. He got his start in consumer technology breaking Android news at Newsweek before joining PCMag, where he reviewed hundreds of smartphones, batteries and chargers as a mobile analyst. He also worked at Lifewire, a Dotdash Meredith brand, as a Tech Commerce Editor, compiling product review lists and assigning product ratings in categories such as smart home, uninterruptible power supplies, generators and automotive technology. Most recently, he was Mobile Editor at Digital Trends, leading his team’s coverage of the latest news, features, reviews, roundups, deals and more on a variety of mobile products, including phones, wearables, VR headsets, batteries and chargers. If you would like Ajay’s advice on all things technology, especially solar panels, inverters, batteries, electric vehicles and charging technology, you can reach him at ajkumar@cnet.com. See full bio