Wildfire smoke is causing air quality to plummet across Canada — 8 best AHAM-certified air purifiers for 2025
This year’s wildfire season is shaping up to be Canada’s second-worst on record, as wildfires continue to rage in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Vancouver Island, B.C. The 2025 wildfire season has scorched “significantly more” area than the 10-year average, according to Natural Resources Canada and has played a significant role in deteriorating air quality across the country.
As of Tuesday morning, Toronto’s air quality was among the 15 worst in the world, with surrounding American cities, including Detroit, New York City and Chicago, also topping the list.
The hazy Toronto skyline is seen on August 4, 2025, as smoke from wildfires continues to impact air quality. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
On days with poor air quality, people are more likely to experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and coughing or wheezing — especially if they have a chronic respiratory disease like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The small particles in wildfire smoke can get into your eyes and bloodstream, and if you have a heart or lung problem, you may experience problems earlier and at lower smoke levels.
According to Health Canada, using a portable air purifier that can filter fine particles is one way to protect your indoor environment from smoke pollution.
Air purifiers, also known as air cleaners, can improve indoor air quality by removing small contaminants that can harm your health.
Air purifiers can improve indoor air quality by removing small contaminants that can harm your health (Getty).
According to the health authority, you should prioritize the following when choosing an air purifier:
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Choose an air purifier sized appropriately for the room you want to put it in.
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Consider the clean air delivery rate (CADR) for the room size. The CADR describes how well the device reduces tobacco smoke, dust, pollen and wildfire smoke. To reduce fine particles, select a device with the highest CADR.
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Choose an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
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Avoid devices that produce ozone.
Best air purifiers for wildfire smoke
Not all air purifiers are made equal. Following Health Canada’s recommendations, we’ve listed eight AHAM-certified air purifiers and included information about recommended room sizes and CADR ratings.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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