Wildfire Smoke Causes Air Quality Slump All Over Canada – 8 Best AHAM Certified Air Purifiers in 2025
This year’s wildfire season is shaping the second record in Canada as wildfires continue to roar in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Vancouver Island, BC, and in 2025, the wildfire season in 2025 was “higher than the Canadian natural resources average, promoting “significant” areas at the 10-year average.
As of Tuesday morning, Toronto’s air quality was one of the world’s 15 worst, with surrounding U.S. cities including Detroit, New York City and Chicago also topped the list.
The hazy Toronto skyline was seen on August 4, 2025 as smoke from wildfires continues to affect air quality. (Photography by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
On days with poor air quality, people are more likely to breathe shortness of breath, dyspnea or wheeze – especially if they have chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Small particles from wildfire smoke may enter your eyes and blood, and if you have heart or lung problems, you may be earlier and have lower smoke levels.
According to Health Canada, using a portable air purifier that can filter fine particles is one way to protect the indoor environment from smoke pollution.
Air purifiers (also known as air cleaners) can improve indoor air quality by removing small pollutants that may harm health.
Air purifiers can improve indoor air quality (Getty) by removing small pollutants that may harm your health.
According to the health authorities, you should prioritize the following when choosing an air purifier:
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Choose the appropriate air purifier size for the room you want to put in.
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Consider the clean air delivery rate (CADR) for room size. CADR describes the extent to which the device reduces tobacco, dust, pollen and wildfire smoke. To reduce fine particles, select the 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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Equipment that avoids ozone production.
The best air purifier for wildfire smoke
Not all air purifiers are equal. Based on Health Canada’s recommendations, we have listed eight Aham-certified air purifiers and provided information on recommended room sizes and CADR ratings.
The comments quoted above reflect the latest version at the time of publication.
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