You have seen them on the stage or with Halloween decorations. Fog machines are a great addition to any theatrical performance, holiday decorating, or special effects for multiple events. However, preparing to purchase the best fog machine for your needs can be difficult to do. It doesn’t have to be difficult though, and with a little research and time, you could have all that shopping done.
Below is a little more information about fog machines, the top ten products, and a buyer’s guide to help you when you are getting ready to make that purchase decision. Whatever your needs are, there is the best fogger machine out there to help fulfill those needs. You can even get the best fog around without spending too much money. By the way, if you are looking for a haze machine, then see our Best Haze Machines 2017 – Buyer’s Guide
Before purchasing, you should consider the brand, the quality, the output, the warm-up time, and the cost of the machine. These are all factors that can sway your purchase decision from one machine to the next. Also included in the guide below is a comparison chart to you can easily compare each of the top ten items to find the best one to meet your needs. Are you ready to find the best smoke machine for you?
| Name | Output (cubic feet per minute) | Warm-up time (minutes) | Weight (lbs) | Dimensions (Inches) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADJ Fog Fury Jett (Editor’s Choice) | 20,000 | 9 | 16 | 15.5 x 12 x 7.5 | Check Price |
| Chauvet DJ Hurricane 1101 (Editor’s Choice) | 8,000 | 5 | 7.4 | 9.9 x 9.6 x 8.8 | Check Price |
| Theefun TFM01 | 1,500 | 3-5 | 4 | 9.06 x 4.33 x 4.53 | Check Price |
| Rockville R720L | 3,000 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 9.1 x 5.1 x 4.3 | Check Price |
| Vortex Chillers Avalanche 2000 | 30,000 | 159 | 23 x 61 x 26 (HxWxD) | Check Price | |
| Tengchang 1500W | 18,000 | 4-5 | 45 | 29.92 x 16.14 x 14.76 | Check Price |
| Chauvet Hurricane H1301 | 20,000 | 5.5 | 13.8 | 16.5 x 12.4 x 12 | Check Price |
| ADJ VF1000 | 8,000 | 6 | 9 | 13.5 x 10 x 7.5 | Check Price |
| Chauvet DJ Hurricane 700 | 1,500 | 2.5 | 4 | 8.5 x 7.1 x 4.9 | Check Price |
| ADJ Mister Kool | 2,500 | 5 | 17.5 | 19.25 x 12.5 x 10.25 | Check Price |
1. ADJ Fog Fury Jett – Best Vertical Fog Machine
Professional smoke machines often have a vertical dispenser for better coverage across a stage or other flat area. If you are looking for a great vertical fog machine, then ADJ has produced just the machine for your needs. The smoke machine is a professional grade with a pump of high-performance. You won’t be disappointed in this machine purchase.
- The heating element is different from other models
- Clogging is minimized with the pipeline
- Fog stream is powerful
- Use your laptop to control the machine
- Warm up time is about nine minutes
- Loud noise during run time
- Pump has loud vibration noise
2. Chauvet DJ Hurricane 1101 – Best Fog Machine for Halloween and Safest Product
If you are looking for a fog machine that has several safety features, then you have found the best one on the market. This smoke machine, created by Chauvet, has a LED tank and an automatic shut off to protect the pump. You won’t have to worry about your product overheating or causing safety issues because it is equipped with safety measures.
- Includes a fluid sensor
- Automatic shut-off protects the pump
- Manual fog button controls the fog
- LED lights illuminate the tank
- Output is not as high as other models
- Recharge time is extremely long
3. Theefun TFM01 – Best Cheap Fog Machine
This energy-saving smoke machine is a great addition to any parties. Holiday parties, birthday parties, and more can enjoy the high-quality fog spray from this machine. Theefun has created an incredible product that stands out from the crowd. It is also extremely easy to use with several different features.
- Fog is unscented and non-toxic
- Made from aluminum for durability
- Includes a visible fluid level
- Great for use at parties or other events
- Requires distilled water to clean out the product
4. Rockville R720L – Best Fog Machine for DJ
Look no further if you are looking for the most compact and powerful fog machine on the market. The Rockville is a water-based machine, which works great with any liquid fog brand on the market. This machine works great for both indoors and outdoors, so you get twice as much use out of one incredible machine.
- Fog output is heavy
- Quiet machine
- Lights change color on their own
- Fog is not as heavy outdoors as indoors
- Fog is minimal with the lights turned on
5. Vortex Chillers Avalanche 2000 Low Fog Generator – Best Low Lying Fog Machine
If you are looking for the best ground fog machine out there to meet your needs, you’ve found the right product. Vortex has created a great fogger that is simple to use, simple to set up, and it even costs less than most other CO2 models. The fog is also thick for the perfect coverage during a stage play or Halloween decoration.
- No dry ice of CO2 required to run
- Energy efficient
- Low lying fog
- Thick fog for great curtain
- Initial price is higher than home foggers
- It is heavy (159 lbs)
- Takes up to two weeks to ship
6. Tengchang 1500W Low Lying Smoke Fog Dry Ice Effect Machine – Fastest Product
Tengchang has produced one of the fastest heating fog machines that make producing fog for your special event faster than ever before. No other model heats up as quickly as this fogger, and the dry ice effect is perfect for low fog. This company has produced a great product for machine users.
- Wireless and wired remote included
- Fastest warmup time in 4 to 5 minutes
- Wide coverage
- Dry ice effect
- Voltage can be an issue
7. Chauvet Hurricane H1301 – Best Outdoor Fog Machine
With a high output of fog, it is no wonder that the Chauvet Hurricane is the best fogger for outdoor use. The fog just billows from this machine, creating the perfect atmosphere for outdoor stage shows or holiday decorations. For all of your outdoor fog needs, this is the best machine to get the job done.
- Wired timer remote included
- Includes a manual fog button
- Quick heat up
- High output of fog
- Not recommended for indoor use
- Adequate ventilation is suggested if using in a closed room
8. American DJ VF1000– Best Product for Mobile Users
If you intend on taking your fog machine to different places often, you have found the best fogger product for your needs. This American DJ model is great for moving around. It is lightweight and easy to carry. This machine stands out as one of the best mobile friendly foggers in the market.
- Quick warm up time
- Includes a wireless remote
- Extremely durable product
- Great for decorating
- Low fog output at times
9. Chauvet DJ Hurricane 700 – Best Lightweight Product
Compact and lightweights, this is the perfect product to carry with you to any functions or events where it is needed. You won’t be concerned about having to lug around a large and heavy machine either. This machine is great for enhancement of any show, and since it is lightweight, you can easily store it away and bring it with you wherever your next show takes you.
- Fog output is on a larger scale than other brands
- Remote control cable is long
- Power cable is long as well
- Machine makes a lot of noise
- Does not produce low-lying fog
10. American DJ Mister Kool – Best Dry Ice Effect Fog Machine for Indoor Usage
For interesting effects that spice up your stage plays or theatrical events, you can use any fog machine, but why wouldn’t you want to use the best fogger out there? This machine has such a great reputation that you won’t be disappointed in this purchase. American DJ has produced one of the best dry ice effect foggers for your theatrical events.
- Great for decorating
- Timer remote included
- One bottle of fog fluid included
- Low-lying fog effect great for stages or flat surfaces of any kind
- Doesn’t push out as much fog as other brands
- Can sometimes have leaks in the bag
- Made for indoor use
Best Fog Machines – Buyer’s Guide
In this buyer’s guide, you will find more detail about smoke machines in general. How they work, their functions and even their advantages will be the highlighted sections of the buying guide to help you when deciding which fog machine is right for your needs. Though there are many things that could be highlighted here, only three topics will be the focus of this buyer’s guide.
Technologies
The technology behind how smoke machines work is quite interesting, making them one of the most incredible theatrical machines you can buy. In this section, the technology behind the machines will be discussed.
There are two different types of fog machines on the market that you can buy to produce fog. One of the types uses a liquid that is vaporized to produce a fog like substance. The other type uses dry ice to produce the fog like substance. Both options are easier to use than you might think, and most online sources will have all the information you need to learn to use your machine properly. You can purchase both types online or in stores, but knowing which type is the right for you can affect your purchase decision.
Fog Juice
The fog liquid machines are cheaper and simpler to use than the dry ice machine. The fog is created by overheating the liquid fog in the machine, producing smoke. The liquid fog is a mix of glycerin or a mix of glycol and water. This production of smoke looks more like fog, and it doesn’t have a smell or texture. This method also produces longer fog than the dry ice method. How Stuff Works goes into detail about the differences between the two methods.
Dry Ice
The dry ice method doesn’t necessarily need a machine to work. You can purchase dry ice from local vendors or order the ice online. Once you place the dry ice in hot water, the ice melts to produce a fog. This fog is made up of carbon dioxide mixed with water vapor, making it harmless like the liquid fog method. However, you should never handle dry ice with bare hands because the ice is so cold that it can cause severe frostbite. Most of the dry ice can be inexpensive, but the fog doesn’t last nearly as long as the liquid fog lasts.
Functions
Smoke machines might seem like something you might not use often, but you would be surprised by how many functions a machine has. Not only can you use fog machines for stage plays, but you can use smoke machines for theatrical performances of all kinds. Dances, concerts, weddings, and more benefit greatly from having a machine nearby.
Fog machines are also greatly enjoyed by those who decorate for certain holidays. Perhaps the most popular holiday decoration that comes to mind is Halloween decorations. Smoke machines can spruce up a graveyard scene outdoors, or you can use the machine to create a spooky atmosphere indoors during the holiday as well. You are sure to frighten your trick-or-treaters with a smoke machine. Some people might even use the machine for outdoor parties during celebrations or other holidays. Whatever form of decoration you are using the fog machine for, you can be confident that you are getting the right smoke machine.
You can also use fog machines for parties because they give off a steamy atmosphere. You might have seen the fog at different parties or clubs, and luckily, you can get the same effect at your home as well. Smoke machines are also a great way to make a room seem more intimate if the room is larger than the guests inside can fill. All you need to do is find the best machine to fit your budget and your needs, and before long, you can be enjoying the many functions of having a smoke machine.
Advantages
There are many advantages to having a fog machine at your event or even your home. From dances, concerts, stage plays, to other theatrical performances, you can create the perfect atmosphere to make a statement in your event. You can also see the many advantages to having a smoke machine in your home as well. Luckily, most machines are transportable, meaning you can carry these machines with you wherever you go. They also store easily for space saving.
Perfect for holiday decorations
Consider your holiday decorations, especially Halloween. If you want to create the spookiest decorations both indoors or outdoors, you could benefit greatly from having a good fog machine in your home. These machines can also be a great idea for haunted hayrides, corn mazes, or haunted houses if you are in charge of doing these events. Smoke machines are a great addition to any holiday decoration.
Great for performances
If you are a musician or a dancer that constantly does performances, having a machine might be a great advantage to your show. Concerts often have smoke machines that push the fog around the stage during the performance. This fog creates a certain atmosphere that concert goers have learned to love and appreciate. The same can be said for dances or stage plays. The fog shrouds the stage for a mysterious look and exciting performance.
All-in-all having a smoke machine in your possession can be a great benefit to you or others around you. If you throw holiday parties, decorate for holidays, or perform on stage, you can find the best fog machine to meet your needs. You should always consider the brand of a smoke machine, the features of the machine, the durability, and the cost when you are getting ready to purchase one for yourself. Often, sellers will have all the information you need to make your decision. With a little research, you can find the best machine out there.
Conclusion
Fog machines are interesting machines that produce fog in a dry ice effect. These machines are great additions to any stage plays, theatrical performances, or holiday decorations. Though it can be difficult to find the best smoke machine for your needs, there are different ways you can search for that perfect machine.
The reviews and buyer’s guide above are here to help you when you are searching for that perfect fog machine. The products are reasonably priced, and they are perfect for several different reasons. This top ten list works with the buyer’s guide to give you that background information that you need to make the best purchase possible. Are you ready to go shopping?
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