If you struggle with unwanted odors in your home, car, or workspace, we may be able to help. We have compiled a list of the ten best odor eliminators on the market. We have reviewed each one so you can skip the research and endless sniff tests. Stick around to the end, where we share our opinion on the best options from the list.
Best Odor Eliminators FAQs
1. What Is an Odor Eliminator?
An odor eliminator is a product that gets rid of unpleasant odors. While some air fresheners attempt to cover up unpleasant odors with a more pleasant scent, the best odor eliminators absorb or attack the source of the odor.
2. What Causes Odors?
Household odors may be caused by cigarettes, pet stains, unclean pet fur, mold, mildew, or lingering scents from food that was prepared. These are just a few possible culprits.
3. Are Household Odors Dangerous?
While some odors such as dirty pet fur are just annoying, some other odors can come from something more hazardous. For example, a musty smell can mean mold, which could be dangerous, especially to those with allergies. Therefore, the best odor eliminators will remove the source of the odor rather than just hiding it.
How We Reviewed
Factors considered in our review of the best odor eliminators include efficacy, scent, customer satisfaction, and overall value. We listed odor eliminators that use a variety of odor eliminating methods to give readers an array of choices.
“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.” ― Patrick Süskind, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Overall Price Range
With the exception of the LEVOIT Air Purifier, all the best odor eliminators on our list cost between $10 and $40.
What We Reviewed
- MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag
- Hamilton Beach True Air Odor Eliminator
- Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator
- LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home with True HEPA Filter
- Crown Choice Natural Essential Oil Air Freshener Home Spray
- Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag
- Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel Refill
- Smells Begone Odor Eliminator Gel
- Zero Odor Multi-Purpose Household Odor Eliminator
- Citrus Magic Pet Odor Absorbing Solid Air Freshener
MOSO NATURAL Air Purifying Bag
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Features
The MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag contains activated charcoal. The company states that this product is environmentally friendly because the only ingredient is Bamboo charcoal. The porous charcoal is said to attract and absorb things that cause odors, such as bacteria, chemicals, and moisture.
Because it does not contain any chemicals or fragrances, it can be used by people who have allergies or sensitivities to such things. One bag will last two years if users care for it properly by putting it into direct sunlight for one hour each month to reactivate it.
Price $
Where to Buy
Hamilton Beach True Air Odor Eliminator
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Features
This is one of the best odor eliminators because it uses three carbon filters, which are said to remove dust and other particles from the air. It can also absorb allergens, mold, toxic substances, and fungi. It has an optional scent cartridge for those who prefer a pleasant scent or a neutral one.
Once plugged into an outlet, it can eliminate odors up to 100 feet away. It uses a small fan, with two settings, “Low” and “High.” The “High” setting is the most efficient, but the “Low” setting is best for people who prefer silence. The filter replacement indicator lets users know when the filter needs to be replaced, which should be about every three months.
Price $$
Where to Buy
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator
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Features
This is one of the best odor eliminators for people who are looking for something they can spray in problem areas. The spray contains enzymes that work to eliminate stains and odors. Unlike many other sprays, this one does not contain chlorine or hazardous propellants. It is a favorite among pet owners who have pet stains to contend with. It can be used on almost any surface, including carpets, furniture, bedding, and clothes. It leaves behind a scent, which some reviewers liked and some did not.
Price $$
Where to Buy
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home with True HEPA Filter
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Features
This product works similarly to the Hamilton Beach True Air Odor Eliminator. Users plug it in, and it uses carbon filters to clean the air. It uses a three-stage filtration system that consists of a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. It has three modes, including one for consistent use during the day, a quieter one for night time, and a high-power mode for times when extra odor elimination is needed. It also contains a nightlight that can be turned on, off, or dimmed. When plugged in, it can clean 86 square feet of air around it.
Price $$$
Where to Buy
Crown Choice Natural Essential Oil Air Freshener Home Spray
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Features
This air freshener comes in vanilla cinnamon and lemongrass geranium scents. One small spray improves the smell of the air immediately. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly and contains no chemicals. Even the bottle is biodegradable.
Price $
Where to Buy
Sensible Needs Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag
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Features
This product is comparable to the MOSO Natural Air Purifying Bag. It is a pouch that uses bamboo charcoal to absorb and eliminate the things in the air that cause odors. This is a set of five bags that can be hung in various places. The two large bags are suggested for use in large spaces such as open rooms, the medium size is suggested for smaller spaces such as cars, and the small bags can be tucked into small places such as shoes.
Price $
Where to Buy
Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel Refill
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Features
This product consists of a gel that comes in a container with a slotted lid. Users can either place the entire container somewhere or put some gel into a small container. The gel absorbs odors and eventually evaporates. It can last for sixty to ninety days. It is environmentally friendly and has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Reviewers mention that the gel has a scent that is both piney and lemony. Some people enjoyed the scent and others did not. If you are sensitive to scents, this may not be the best odor eliminator for you.
Price $$$
Where to Buy
Smells Begone Odor Eliminator Gel
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Features
Like the Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel, this product uses gel, but this time, the gel comes in the form of beads. Users remove the lid of the jar and leave it out in the area where they want odors to be eliminated. These beads come in various scents, including Fresh Cotton, Apple Cinnamon, Calming Rain, Lavender Vanilla, and Cherry Berry. The description says the odor eliminating power lasts for sixty to ninety days, although some reviewers say the pleasant scent fades more quickly.
Price $$
Where to Buy
Zero Odor Multi-Purpose Household Odor Eliminator
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Features
This product uses new technology. When sprayed in the air or onto a surface, the liquid bonds with the “odor molecules” and turns them into “non-odor molecules.” This is the best odor eliminator for people who are looking for a spray without an overpowering scent. Some users said this odor eliminator has a scent similar to chlorine, but that the smell dissipates quickly.
Users spray six or seven spritzes in the area that needs deodorizing. Reviewers say that this product works well, even in difficult areas, such as the insides of cars where people frequently smoke cigarettes.
Price $
Where to Buy
Citrus Magic Pet Odor Absorbing Solid Air Freshener
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Features
These odor eliminators come in packs of three, which work by removing the tab on top and leaving it in the area that needs to be deodorized. It uses baking soda and “powerful odor eliminators” that give off citrus or fresh linen scent. Each one lasts for six to eight weeks. Reviewers say this is easy to use and works well.
Price $
Where to Buy
The Verdict
The best odor eliminator for you depends on your needs. If you have pets and are looking for a way to eliminate stains and odors, your best bets are the Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator or the Zero Odor Multi-Purpose Household Odor Eliminator.
Both received rave reviews from pet owners. The only difference may be the scent. The Rocco & Roxie leaves behind a scent, whereas the Zero Odor has a scent that disappears a few minutes after using it. Price may also be a factor, as the Rocco & Roxie is about twice the price of the Zero Odor spray.
If you are looking for a plug-in air purifier with a fan, we suggest the Hamilton Beach True Air Odor Eliminator. It eliminates odors in a larger amount of space than the LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home and has an optional scent cartridge. Experimenting with several of the best odor eliminators can be a great idea until you find the one that does the best job of eliminating your household odors.
