People who smoke weed often report feeling more relaxed, getting better sleep, and expanding creativity. Unfortunately, it can be nerve-wracking to wonder how new people will perceive the plant-based past time. Worse than that, some face stringent housing laws that threaten eviction if they consume cannabis. Knowing how to get rid of weed smell feels more vital as people get older, have kids, and hope to still enjoy a bong rip.

I used to go to college classes and casually pluck a nug out of my hair without a care in the world. If that happened to me now at preschool pickup, I would be terrified of having child protective services called, or at the very least, end up shunned by my fellow parents. The same goes for how my house smells. I rarely consume weed outside of my bedroom, situated two closed doors from any shared family space.

This smoke spot keeps guests and my toddler from the risk of picking up some dank aromatics or secondhand smoke. It also means my bedroom can sometimes smell like a Cypress Hill concert. The latter never bothered me before, but I’m rethinking things now that my husband is abstaining from cannabis. Perhaps it’s time I stop hotboxing our shared space. Or maybe I just need a HotBox.

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Creating the HotBox

The cannabis smoke filtration device designed by Higher Innovations is for indoor weed lovers who prefer to keep the smoke to a minimum. It costs $250, and can fit on or below a desktop, and charges, so easily transportable to the smoke spot.

The brand co-founder Alwin Ciccel recently explained the product and mission before I tried one out for myself.

“We released the smell-reducing kit as our first generally available product as we saw an immediate need to provide an effective solution to keep people safe from the harms of second-hand smoke,” said Ciccel. “Both the health aspects as well as the legal challenges that can arise from consuming cannabis.”

Ciccel is not only interested in selling a product; he hopes to provide peace of mind to those living in less-than-legal states. The Texas-based technology solves problems for those still working to decriminalize cannabis while almost three-quarters of their fellow Americans buy taxed weed from regulated shops. The vision and mission have proven noble. Now, let’s uncover whether it works or not.

Putting this device to the test

I packed a big bong rip and set the HotBox to its first setting. It is not so loud in this setting, comparable to a classic air filter. However, it’s about a third of the size of that air filter and includes three layers of filtration. Air moves through a carbon pre-filter, a HEPA particulate filter, and another two-inch activated carbon filter.

This detailed setup was not haphazardly slapped together. The Higher Innovations team developed the HotBox over 18 months.

“We wanted to create a product that could immediately address the need for odor reduction while also being easy to use. We understand that cannabis odors are unpleasant to some people, and with this product aimed at reducing the associated odors, we are addressing that need while also providing a safer smoking environment for those who choose to consume cannabis indoors,” Ciccel said.

That they did.

About five to seven minutes after shutting the door to my smokey bedroom, I went back in to inspect the stench. It still smelled super dank, but there was noticeably less smoke. Remember, this is only the first setting. I went back into my office and waited until about 15 minutes had gone by. This time, the faintest wisps of smoke remained. The smell was more stale than dank, which my logical brain decided meant it had been filtered a few times.

Thirty minutes later, there was not much change, and I upped the smoke filtration device to level three. The smoke was gone 20 minutes with the HotBox running on high and the air smelled markedly fresher. This was approximately one hour after the sesh. It definitely still smelled like weed, but the funk was muted.

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HotBox is worth the price

I reviewed a similar filtration device in the late 2010s, but it was double the price, louder, only had one setting, and had to stay plugged in. The HotBox is notably better than that model, with a battery that runs for six hours and three settings. Setting three is certainly louder, but I consider the first setting a faint hum. However, I sleep with an air filter on, so I am used to this kind of running sound. Someone used to complete silence may find this fan more disruptive than I do.

The HotBox may be the answer for those who want to smoke, but also keep a space fresh. I used mine with all the windows and doors closed to really test the efficiency. But with open windows airing out a space, this little box could do wonders. It is also quite portable, from the long charge battery and lockable carrying case.

That said, please do not rely on these solutions to keep a space completely smell-free for landlord checks and similarly grave circumstances. Invest in solutions like the HotBox or smell-reducing candles for an added layer of smell-proofing but not as an end-all-be-all.

Ciccel is passionate about providing solutions to people in places like Dallas battling for decriminalization on this year’s ballot while neighboring New Mexicans light up freely. The noble cause has led to a somewhat affordable long-term solution for smokey bedrooms like mine. While working towards change, there’s no harm in taking the necessary precautions with products like HotBox.