These days indoor gardening has become so popular, it is probably because when you grow plants in an enclosed room, it is less stressful for you to monitor the progress of the plants, which would translate to increased harvests.
However, you have to keep in mind the upcoming issue that would arise, and that is the repulsive smell that would come from the grow room to the other parts of the house. For example, if you grow weeds, does your neighbour have to know that you grow weeds?
Even as much as you would want to pay less attention to the odours coming from the grow room, it can be very unpleasant. Hence you would need a carbon filter. It is important also to know that not all carbon filters are the same. Before we delve into the type of available carbon systems, we’d first understand what a carbon filter is:
What is a Carbon filter, and what does it do?
A carbon filter is a device that draws in the air and is programmed to filter it. It is an Activated carbon, typically in the form of charcoal, it is also one of the strongest odour absorbers out there, plus it can absorb several airborne contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, mould, and so on. They typically come in the form of a cylinder and contain activated carbon.
Now you can buy carbon filters with air fans included and separate fans and carbon filters as well. The bottom line is that if you have a growing space and want to reduce the odours and reduce the chance of illness, a carbon filter is a perfect time-growing room necessity.
The Best Carbon Filter For Grow Room Are Reviewed Below
Table of Contents
Here are the generally considered best carbon filter for grow rooms in the market
1
TerraBloom Activated Charcoal Carbon
As far as sheer power is concerned, this product is certainly not short-lived. Yes, this device is built to handle any size of a grow tent and manage some large grow tents.
This carbon filter has a power level of 750 cfm, meaning it can accommodate up to 750 cubic feet of air per minute, which is pretty impressive and useful for large spaces.
The TerraBloom Filter weighs well over 20 pounds, and the mounting hardware and ducting are not provided. So you’ll need to find out how to install it correctly, particularly so that the weight is well balanced. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that this product works very well. It has a luxury activated carbon, and it works like a charm. It ensures a high degree of reliability and a long lifetime. This particular carbon filter comes with two different pre-filters.
This filter can last for around two full years until the carbon filtration media needs to be replaced, which is probably better than any of the other solutions out there right now. You need to note here that this product is primarily designed for use with inline fans, so you need to buy a compatible inline fan to use it. This product is big, strong, and long-lasting, too. It’s certainly going to get the job done, but it may be a little complicated to mount.
Key Features:
- 46mm thick
- Machine Packed
- Small Granules
- Quality Filtration system
- Factory-installed aluminium base
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 26.85 x 13.94 x 13.86 inches
- Product Weight: 22.9 pounds
- Manufacturer: TerraBloom
- Material: Aluminum
- Product Model: TB – CF – 824
Pros
- High-quality pre-filter
- Can handle large grow rooms
- Media doesn’t have to be changed often
Cons
- Heavy
- Difficult to install
2
Phresh Intake Filter
This is a carbon filter with the brand name Phresh, and this one is almost twice the size of the previous one we reviewed. This Phresh Intake Filter is a huge 10-inch filter. Well, it’s not huge, but it’s meant for broader purposes.
This product can accommodate up to 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute, which is more than enough for any size grow tent and very large growing spaces.
It is known to destroy 99.9 per cent of bacteria, moulds, odours, and fungi, which is great if you’re concerned about the well-being of your pot crop.
The Phresh Intake Filter comes with a very thick pad of high-quality activated carbon to eliminate odours and contaminants from your growing space.
Typically, under normal circumstances, this product can last for about two years until the carbon filtration media needs changing, which is also a long time.
Bear in mind that this option can be used for intake filtering, squeezing and low-intensity exhaust filtering. Still, it’s just an inline option, one that doesn’t come with an inline fan, so you’ll need to get a matching inline fan, and you’ll need proper ducting, too.
Key Features:
- Low intensity exhausts filtering.
- Ultralight filters
- Advanced Nanocarbon
- Dust filtration technology
- Bugs and moulds are repelling.
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 13 x 13 x 19 inches
- Product Weight: 6 pounds
- Manufacturer: Sunlight Supply Inc
- Product Number: 701285
- Product Color: Silver
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- No need to replace the media frequently.
- Quality filtration system
- Big, resilient and tough
Cons
- Limited durability
3
iPower 4Inch Air Carbon Filter
This is a big carbon filter that works perfect for small, grow tents and grows rooms with only a few seeds. It also has a maximum airflow rating of 200 cfm or 200 cubic feet per minute, which is more than enough for a small grow tents. It’s not the right carbon filter for a very big grow tent with lots of seeds, but it fits well for smaller purposes.
This product uses 1050+ IAV Australian RC412 Activated Carbon to eliminate odours and bacteria from the environment, which is one of the better carbon forms around for this kind of product. Its carbon sheet is 50 mm thick, which is very substantial and suitable for regulating a few plants’ odors.
Another thing is that the iPower Carbon Filter comes with is a pre-filter that helps shield the main filtering unit from degradation and keeps it working longer until the carbon has to be replaced.
The product contains an inner and outer mesh, which serves to improve airflow significantly. Something else that stands out for this particular carbon filter is that it comes with a reversible flange, which ensures that it can be used as both an air intake and an outlet system, depending on how you choose to set it up. The device is simple to install, because it has a plug and play interface, however bear in mind that the ducting necessary for ventilation is not included.
Key Features:
- Great odour control technology
- Multipurpose application
- Most absorbent carbon available
- Reversible flange and base
- Ventilation ducts
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 8 x 8 x 13 inches
- Product weight: 5.8 pounds
- Manufacturer: iPower
- Product ASIN: B00E582DV2
- Product model number: 4-inch air carbon filter
Pros
- Multi-directional
- Capability to plug and play
- Reversible flange
- Excellent for small use
Cons
- Not suitable for too many plants
- Fan and ducting not available
4
Phresh Carbon Filter
This is a slightly larger alternative, the Phresh Carbon Filter, which is a 6-inch filter. What is good about this particular product is that both the base and top are made of aluminum. The product is also lightweight and very durable. As a result, the Phresh Carbon Filter weighs only half as much as the leading rivals, even though it still weighs up to 20 pounds, thus you need the right tools to set it up.
As far as its size is concerned, the Phresh Carbon Filter is suitable for small-medium-sized grow tents and more or less for any grow tent. This product could suck up 550 cubic feet of air per minute, which is pretty amazing.
The virgin activated carbon bed helps remove all cannabis odours and airborne contaminants that can damage your pot crop. It also features a tailored outdoor mesh that improves the total airflow by 51 per cent at a high filtration efficiency rate.
It contains a special anti-bypass air system that ensures that all air going through the carbon is correctly filtered. The Phresh Carbon Filter comes with a high-quality flange, but it is not reversible in design. This product also comes with a pre-filter, which helps to keep it in decent shape for a long time, and allows for less frequent replacing of the carbon.
Key Features:
- Certified virgin carbon bed
- Flange and pre-filter included
- Unique anti-air bypass system
- Excellent handling and presentation
- Large selection of sizes available
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 10.2 x 10.1 x 18.1 inches
- Product weight: 11.6 pounds
- Manufacturer: Sunlight Supply Inc
- Product Model number: 701005
- Product colour: ash
Pros
- Perfect for small and medium-sized grow rooms.
- Excellent filtration efficiency
- High-level durability
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- No fan, ducting or mounting hardware included.
- Shipping issues have been reported.
5
iPower 4 Inch Carbon filter and Inline Duct Fan Combo
This product has a decent inline fan and carbon filter combination, a little smaller than the one we looked at earlier. We like the iPower 4 Inch Carbon Filter & Inline Duct Fan Combination because it comes with everything you need to get started. It comes with a high-quality carbon filter, a little inline fan, a fan speed controller, some ducting and hardware mounting, and it’s all very cost-effective.
If you need something compact for a small grow space and you need something simple to mount and cost-effective too, then this iPower 4 Combination is a good choice to consider. On the side, a free temperature and humidity sensor is also provided.
As far as the carbon filter itself is concerned, it is measured at 150 cfm or 150 cubic feet of airflow per minute, making it suitable for very small grow rooms and grow tents. Speaking of grow rooms, this product isn’t big enough to reach a big grow tent corners, so you should only position it on the deck.
In any case, the iPower 4 Inch Carbon Filter & Fan Combo uses a 1050+ IAV Australia Charcoal Filter, which is some of the best performing and most absorbent carbon out there. It also comes with inner and outer mesh to improve airflow by up to 53%. What’s cool is that it comes complete with a speed controller so you can change how much filtration enters your grow room.
The included fan here is very noisy on the side note, so it’s not the best if you’re looking to run an incognito-grow tent.
Key Features:
- Composite fan blades
- 4-inch filter dimension
- Free pre-filter
- Insulated aluminium ducting plus
- Flame retardant coating
- Corrosion-resistant wire
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 18 x 14 x 9.3 inches
- Product weight: 15.27 pounds
- Manufacturer: iPower
- Product ASIN: B07Q3211N8
- Product colour: Black and Silver
Pros
- Eliminates heat effectively
- Removes unwanted odours
- Solves air delivery issues
- Center hub noise vibration reduction
Cons
- Some complaints on the quality
6
Winix 5300 – 2 Air Purifier with True HEPA, Carbon Filter
This isn’t the kind of carbon filter you’re used to for your regular large grow rooms. It’s not a carbon filter that needs an inline fan, an outlet system, a ducting system, or some other kind of mounting accessories. This is more like an air purifier device than anything else. It looks like an average purifier of air. It’s a box of vents and fans and a filtering mechanism that is attached to the base of a box.
This means that this stuff isn’t perfect if you’re looking for duct ventilation, but that said if you just want to minimize odours, bacteria, and more, and you’re cool with using recycled air in your grow room, then the Winix 5300-2 is a great way to go!
This system comes loaded with original HEPA filters. It minimizes the volume of dust, tobacco smoke, pollen, odours, pet dander, mould spores and organic chemicals in the air by almost 100 per cent, making it a perfect choice to keep your marijuana plants free of mould and disease.
On the same note, this option also comes complete with an activated carbon filtration device to reduce odours and eliminate even more pathogens. Nevertheless, this is not the ideal solution for large grow rooms or very heavy odours, since it is specifically built for air purification. Still, it also works amicably in terms of odour reduction. It is rated up to 236 cfm, but we will not use it for a grow room greater than 200 cubic feet.
Key Features:
- Captures 99.97% of airborne pollutants
- Three-stage cleaning
- Breaks down odour safely
- Smart sensor gauges
- Fan auto-adjusting system
- Does not come with a remote control
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 14.9 x 7.8 x 23.6 inches
- Product Weight: 17.11 pounds
- Manufacturer: Winix
- Product ASIN: B01D8DAYBA
- Colour: Black
- Product model number: 5300-2
Pros
- Excellent sensor system
- Activated carbon filtration system included
- 236 cfm rated
- Excellent odour reduction
Cons
- Takes up a ton of space
7
VIVOSUN 6 inch Inline Duct Fan with Carbon Filter
This is a great choice that comes with a carbon filter and an inline vent fan, even though it doesn’t come with ducting. Suppose you only want the fan and the carbon filter for odour management. In that case, this is a reasonable choice to go for, and even if you want to use it for ventilation purposes, buying the ducting is not that complicated.
On the same note, installation is not difficult here either. First of all, the fan itself has a peak speed of 2,450 RPM, which is undoubtedly very amazing, but it just emits 50 dB of noise. The fan itself is not the most robust or long-lasting, so be cautious using it, since it has been known to break down with repeated use.
You would like here that the fan included with this carbon filter has three speeds you can pick from. The carbon filter itself is measured at 440 cubic feet per minute, so it fits well for small to medium-sized grow tents. It’s not a lot of strength.
The product is made of high quality pure activated charcoal and has a dense charcoal bed. This filter comes with a pre-filter to keep it in working order for longer, meaning that the charcoal has to be replaced less frequently. The pre-filter needs to be updated every six months, but the primary filter just needs to be replaced every two years. It can also be used as an intake and exhaust, due to a reversible flange.
Key Features:
- Sturdy airflow fan
- Heavy-hitting blower with fan speed
- Optimal ventilation
- Superior carbon filter
- Effective odour control
Specification:
- Product Dimension: 33.3 x 13.2 x 11.4 inches
- Product Weight: 24.4 Pounds
- Manufacturer: VIVOSUN
- Product Size: 6 inches
- Airflow capacity: 440 cubic feet per minute
- Colour: Silver
Pros
- Comes with a carbon filter
- Inline duct fan included in the package.
- Easy installation
- High-speed fan
Cons
- Some complaint about the quality
Buying Guide Questions
TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CARBON FILTER FOR GROW ROOM
Just before purchasing any carbon filter for your grow room, there are some factors to consider. Here are some grow room carbon filter buying guide so that you understand what to look out for:
Area Covered
One of the first things you need to consider here is your grow room’s size and obviously how large and area the carbon filter is rated to cover. Some carbon filters cover an area as little as 150 cubic feet per minute, and yet others can handle as much as 1000 cubic feet air per minute or even more. Thus, before heading out to purchase your carbon filter, you have to do a bit of measuring to determine how much area the carbon filter requires.
Read more here: (Best 5×5 Grow Tent for Indoor Growing)
Carbon Quality
You might have to pay close attention to the quality of the carbon filter media. Typically, 1050 + IAV Australia Charcoal would be the best option to go for, because it is currently the best type of charcoal for grow room air filtration. Moreover, as long as you can find quality charcoal, you should be fine. Keep in mind that there are different types of charcoal media in the market.
Lifespan of the filter media
The next thing you would want to consider in your carbon filter is how long the media lasts before it has to be replaced. All high-quality carbon filters come with pre-filters that aid in filtering out all kinds of pollutants before the air reaches the main filter. This would help significantly expand the longevity of the major media until it has to be replaced. High-quality choices do not demand that you replace the media more than every 18 to 24 months.
Included accessories
Most carbon filters come with only the carbon filter alone. However, if you want a carbon filter with a full set up, you don’t want to look for combo option, which comes in full, having the filter, mounting hardware, ducting, and an air fan.
Portability and Weight
Any carbon filters will simply be put on the ground, which is perfect if you only want to clean and recycle the rising space’s air. However, if you intend to build a comprehensive-blown filtration and ventilation system, you would want to pay attention to the device’s size and weight.
For example, if you set up a growing tent, certain choices can be too cumbersome to accommodate a growing tent. Also see: (Best 4×8 Indoor Grow Tents)
What carbon filter do I need?
Although you can get away without using a carbon filter in your grow room or tent, a carbon filter is extremely helpful in filtering out the smell and stopping toxic microbes from entering and infecting your plants. There are many cheap solutions in the market for you, but it’s easier to find a grow tent carbon filter that provides high efficiency for a longer-term.
You’ll soon discover that most inexpensive indoor filters will stop working within months if they’ve worked successfully at all. So it’s perfect to buy the best carbon filter for grow room right from the start.
When you’re searching for a carbon filter for your grow tent, there are a few items you need to look at. If the filter you’re looking for follows these requirements, you’re likely to be satisfied with the software you’ve ordered.
The more carbon in the filter, the more effective it is, and the longer it lasts. The deeper the filter bed, the more carbon the filter has. Look for filter beds that are 1.8 inches high. They tend to give the best value for money. When you’re looking for a carbon filter for your grow tent, strive to find one that uses the best materials on the market, aluminium for its base and flanges. Aluminium is lighter; it is much more durable, which ensures that it can stand up to repeated use.
How long do grow room carbon filters last?
You can use a carbon filter for that, but often it can get saturated, and you need to replace the activated carbon, or the filter itself. In a broad context, carbon filters need to be modified after one year and a half to two years of daily (24/7) use. They will last up to 4 years in less stressful conditions.
Does a carbon filter work?
Yes. Carbon air filters can be efficient in filtering Volatile Organic Compounds from the air. There are gaseous liquids that can’t be touched by any other mechanical filters, such as HEPA filters. Any of the gasses in tobacco smoke or created by drying paint or cleaning materials can be eliminated from the air by a carbon filter. Toluene, benzene, and some chlorinated compounds are among those that can be filtered by carbon filters.
Should I run my carbon filter 24 7?
You might want to run the inline fan 24/7 however if you wish to extend the life of the carbon filter it isn’t necessary to be hooked up 24/7 during the veg stage. You may only do that when they start to give off the stench smell during the flowering stage. If you need to mask that smell, you can let it run for as long as you wish.
Can I wash my carbon filter?
Never wash a carbon filter with soap and water, since this nullifies carbon efficiency to filter air or water. The flushing through hot water filter is the same as helping to release all ingested contaminants into the air. When the toxins fully absorb all the charcoal pores, the filter must be removed.
How do I reactivate my carbon filter?
Activated carbon is usually offered in dense or thin air filtration packages. It is then installed into the central purification device, such as the air purifier or the HEPA air filter. Polluted air approaches the filtration system, passes through the activated charcoal, undergoes adsorption and exits the filter purified. It is possible to reactivate the carbon and to do that. It is important to heat the carbon back up to 900 degrees Celsius used to produce it. Besides, as activated carbon is reactivated, all impurities that have been adsorbed are released. These impurities can become radioactive at higher temperatures.
Can a fan filter charcoal?
Can-Lite is developed at a dedicated carbon filter plant in North America. Activated carbon filters are the safest way to extract much of the volatile organic compounds, gasses and odours from the air. In tandem with the ventilator in the ventilation system, 99.9 per cent of the odours will be contained inside the filter for good.
Will a carbon filter eliminate all smell?
Yes, it will. Carbon filters will eventually eliminate the smells out of the air, and will neutralize any odours that pass through. Carbon filters are what you need if it’s important to neutralize the air coming out of your exhaust.
How often do carbon filters need to be replaced?
Perhaps, this depends on the filter media’s consistency, how much air and odours are filtered in the grow space, and whether the carbon filter comes with a pre-filter. Generally, if you have a good quality alternative, you do not have to adjust the filtration media more than every 18 months. Note, the filter itself does not need a substitute, only a filter media.
Are carbon filters worth the money?
The carbon air filter may cost more than most air filters which do not have carbon. Nevertheless, If you wish to grow several plants in your grow room, you should experience strong odours from time to time. Hence, the investment in a carbon cabin air filter is a great investment.
Are carbon air filters bad for you?
Carbon air filters are harmless because they are inert, non-toxic and contain no fragrances. They are popular in air purifiers to help combat VOCs (volatile organic compounds) generated from household goods such as air fresheners, disinfectants and cleaners.
Is it better to push or pull air through a carbon filter?
Can-Lite filters come with pre-filters to deter pollen, mould and other contaminants from clogging the activated carbon in the filter itself, so you should be pulling air into the filter instead of pushing air into it. You could have both supply and exhaust fans, depending on the scale of your growing activity.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of fantastic carbon filters out there, all of which can work wonderfully to control odours and airborne pathogens in your grow tent or room. Now, all you have to do is to find out what size and power level you need, and then you’re ready to go. Note, if you’re only growing a plant or two, it may not be important, but no matter what, if you’re worried about odours, you probably want to get a good carbon filter, even a small one.