Best Fog Machine Options
Finding the best fog machines for your venue can be tricky.
Not every fogger is right for your space.
Some are too dense other do not have enough output for a large area.
Most of these foggers come with different fluid options – Low Lying – Thick – Thin – Fast Dissipating.
Ask and check out which one is right for you.
Make sure you get the right fluid for your fog machine. Don’t use generic fog fluid – it could damage your machine.
Most of these fogger are also loud. If quiet/silent operation is important to you.
You might need to look for other options – Check out these stage hazers.
Here is a list of the top fog machines for stage lighting
The overwhelming majority of fog machines available right now are going to produce fog exclusively, filling up a space with thick, viscous fog that looks and feels just like the real deal.
Best Large Venue Fog Machines
- MDG – ME 1 ME 2
- Le Maitre – G300
- Look Solutions – Cobra Extreme Pro Fogger
- Look Solutions – Viper NT
- Ultratec – G3000
- Hazebase – Classic
- Master FX – Prodigy +
- High End Systems – FQ-100
- Martin – Magnum 2000 – Discontinued
- Antari – F-7 SMAZE Arena Fog/Faze Hybrid
- Rosco – Vapour
More details list on the Chart Below
I did not list – MDG The One – Hazebase Touring – Hazebase Touring Plus – Look Solutions Cobra 3.1 (230volt only)
As highlighted above, the overwhelming majority of these fog units are going to be powered by between 715 W and 2000 W (heating element) systems that really dictate how much fog (cubic feet per minute) can be pumped out on a minute by minute basis.
These units have a warmup time from 6 – 15 Minutes.
Smaller wattage options (400 watt Halloween Specials) produce smaller amounts of fog (no surprise there), but they also produce thinner fogs as well.
Higher wattage options are always more expensive to run and usually a bit louder, though the fog experience is usually a bit more premium, too.
Vote For the Best Fog Machine
Fire Training Smoke Machine
Water Based Fluid –
- Le Maitre – Rescue 300
- Le Maitre – G300
- FireBase SG-1300
- Antari – FT-100
- Pea Soup – PS27
- MDG – ME 8
- MDG – MAX 5000aps HO
- High End Systems – FQ-100
- Martin – Magnum 2000
Oil Based Fluid –
- SG-OB30 – 31,700 cubic feet per minute – Gas Powered
- Pea Soup – PS31
- Pea Soup – PS33
Training Very High Output Smoke Machines – Fire & Rescue Fog – Indoors or Outdoors
Special Effects Large Fire Simulation Fog Machines – smokemachines.com
Best Low Lying Fog Machines
Large Venue Low Fogger
- MDG – Ice Fog Q
- Le Maitre’s – Freezefog Pro
- City Theatrical – Aquafog 3300
- Hazebase Base Low Pro
- Ultratec LSG MKII Low Pressure Touring System
- Look Solutions – Cryo-Fog Low Fog Generator
- Froggy’s Fog – Poseidon Aqua 6 Ultrasonic Low Fog Generator
- Froggy’s Fog – Titan Low Ground Fog Machine
- Antari – DNG-250 Low Fog
- Chauvet Pro – Cloud 9
- Chauvet DJ – Cumulus
- Martin Glaciator X-Stream
Low Fog Machines will produce a thick, heavy, rich fog that’s going only going to float up about as high as your knees and stay pretty low to the ground – right around floor level. Looks just like Dry Ice.
For certain events (dances, parties, and outdoor decorations where you want some spooky low lying fog to cover the ground) these are picture-perfect.
If you want fog that’s going to float up to 5 or 10 feet in the air, though, you’ll want to look in a different fog machine.
My First Fog Machine Rental
The First fogger I rented was a High End F100. It was for a high school dance. I was Fifteen. The dance started all the people were there dancing. I push the button the RED button one time. After that I could not see anything in front of me and I noticed strobe lights.
Funny thing is I did not have an strobe lights. Everyone had to leave the building and let the firemen check out the situation.
The school wanted to charge me with the $500 false alarm charge. After that I always ask and double check about fog machines and hazers.
Best Fog Machine for Stage Lighting Chart
Fogger | Heatup Time | Fluid at Max | 120v - Watts | USD | Self Clean |
MDG ME 1 | 8 min | 1 liter per hour | 715 | $5300 | Yes |
Le Maitre G300 | 6 - 8 min | 1.5 cc / sec | 1800 Watt | $2500 | No |
Look Solutions Cobra 1.8 | 15 min | 5 liter / 28 min | 1800 watt | $2600 | No |
Look Solutions Viper NT | 7 min | 5 liter / 45 min | 1300 watt | $1090 | No |
Ultratec G3000 | 12 min | 88 cc / min | 2000 watt | $2499 | No |
Hazebase Base Classic | 7 min | 120 ml / min | 1300 watt | $1010 | No |
High End Systems FQ-100 | 11 min | 1 liter / 10 min | 1500 watt | $749 | No |
Jem ZR 45 | 10 min | 210 ml / min | 1800 watt | $1432 | No |
Antari F-7 Smaze | 8 min | 140 ml / min | 1500 watt | $1950 | Yes |
Antari M-5 | 8 min | 160 ml / min | 1500 watt | $849 | No |
Rosco Vapour Plus | 7 - 10 min | 7.2 liter / hour | 1500 watt | $1099 | No |
Click Here – Full Chart – More Information
Picking the Best Fog Machine for Your Venue
Whether you are looking for a fog machine to make your Halloween decorations really pop or want to add a bit of extra ambience to an event venue (or any other reason whatsoever, really), finding the right fog machine usually proves to be more challenging than most expect.
No, it’s not because there are so few worthwhile options out there to consider. It’s because there are so many high quality fog machines that settling on just one is tougher than expected!
But that’s why we have put together this detailed guide.
By the time you finish the inside information below you’ll have a good idea of what the best fog machines are going to be for you moving forward.
We cover what to look for in a new fog machine, how to choose one type of fog machine over another, and even dig down into how to better set up your new fog machine and what kinds of accessories you’ll want to consider, too.
Let’s get right into it!
What to Look for in a New Fog Machine
With so many different kinds of fog machines out there today, all of them promising the moon and the stars when it comes to results, it can be difficult to compare different options that look similar on the surface.
But as long as you focus on the core features we highlight below you’ll never have to worry about getting your hands on the wrong fog machine ever again.
Fog Density
Straight out of the gate you’ll want to make sure that you are investing in the best fog machine that puts out a fog density you are going to be happy with.
Smaller machines (say 400 W fog machines, for example) are rated to put out 1500 ft.³ of fog every single minute. Larger machines (1000 W fog machines) can put out almost 3 times as much fog every minute.
Obviously, there are fog machines that settle in between those two extremes, too.
At the end of the day, though, it’s really all about thinking about the kind of space that you’re going to be using your fog machine in most often.
Smaller spaces will get plenty of density out of smaller fog machines, whereas larger spaces are going to need those big 1000 W (or larger) fog machine to give off the kind of look you are after.
Consider spatial needs before you go shopping for a new fog machine. Nobody wants to choke out a room with fog from the ceiling to the floor, but you don’t want thin and wispy fog that looks kind of lame, either.
Fog Consistency
Fog consistency is another big piece of the puzzle, something that some fog machines get right and something that other options get terribly, terribly wrong.
You want a fog machine that can produce consistent fog on a continuous basis, cranking out the same kind of dense, almost creeping fog without any wisps, holes, or bubbles popping up every now and again.
Low Lying Ground fog machines are particularly effective at producing a consistent, thick fog. The only trouble here, though, is that the fund they make usually never rises above two or 3 feet off of the ground.
If that’s not a problem then these might be the kind of machine you want to go with. If you want higher floating fog, though, look for a machine that has a reputation for consistent production over its runtime.
Noise Level
A lot of the older fog machines on the market are super loud, to the point where it’s almost distracting unless you have unbelievably loud music competing with the fog machine itself.
Today’s newer models, though, run a lot quieter. Some of them are near silent in operation, though these units usually produce a little less fog (or a thinner fog) because of the lighter weight of the core components within.
Pay close attention to the reviews of the fog machine you are thinking about when it comes to its noise level. You don’t want to blow that ear drums of your guests when you fire up your fog machine for the first time!
Fog Fluid Costs
The price of the fog machine you choose is always going to be a huge part of your decision-making process, but you also want to think about the price of the consumables your fog machine needs to operate, too.
Some fog machines take advantage of proprietary fog fluid “Fog Juice” mixtures that can run anywhere between $20 a gallon and $150 a gallon – and sometimes even more than that! But do not be cheap – if you buy a nice fog machine – use the right fog fluid not some cheap black label fog juice you can buy at Walmart during Halloween.
At the end of the day, though, this is still something you can’t afford to overlook. There’s nothing worse than purchasing an affordable fog machine only to find out your budget can only support three or four shows with fog fluid!
Fog Fluid Prices for the Fog Machines Listed above (Chart)
Usability
Most fog machines are operated in low light or pitch dark environments and you don’t want to be fumbling with a difficult to use piece of equipment in those situations!
You can buy easy to use external timers, wireless remote control or wired remote control. Other wise you should look for a fog machine that you can control using a DMX controller.
What is the Best Fog Machine for a Church?
I don’t think a church can benefit from a fogger. A Hazer is better for a Church.
My Recommended Church Stage Hazer
Look Solutions Unique 2.1 is the best hazer any church can buy. This hazer has a shut down cycle were it gets ride of the extra fluid in the heater. It cleans it self each time you shut it down. I personally own 3 of them and I really enjoy the Output – Size – and Fluid usage. You can set it at 10 pump and 10 fan. It will constantly put out the same low amount of haze. Or turn it up it will work for great with church lighting systems.
- 1 min warm up time
- at max output – 10 ml per min
- 2 DMX channels
- Variable output – 0-100%
- 1500 watt heater – You will want to plug this into its own circuit.
- Fluid cost $55 for a 2 liter bottle
- It weighs 27 pounds
- Unit price is $1570
What is the Best Fog Machine for Film?
Fog in film is a great affect if you are looking for a smokey or create a spooky look that is part of your shot. If you are looking for a fog effect without noticing the fog look into using a hazer. In the video he talks about buying a cheap $50 fog machine with a remote control. It will get the job done for a small space. Typically those cheap units will clog up after time. If you only need a small amount of fog for a short amount of time. Ready to Use – You can buy Haze in a Can. 2 Pack on Amazon $30
Related Questions
How Do I Choose a Fog Machine?
Buying the right fog machine all depends on what you want to do with it. If you are looking to add smoke to your front yard for Halloween. You can just buy a small fog machine from Walmart. It will last you one year or more. But if you are looking for a fog machine that you will use over and over again. Spend the money and buy a good machine.
The Look Solutions – Viper NT is a good over all fogger. IF you have a small venue like a theater or church – you might want to look at a hazer. I have a bunch of Hazer reviews Here.
How Do I Make My Fog Machine Smoke Thicker?
You can buy different water based fog fluid for your fog machine – Dense thick smoke or light thin fog or Fast Dissipating.
Most Fog Machines measure fog output with cubic feet per minute. When Using Regular Water Based Fog Juice
Can You Use a Fog Machine to Disinfect?
You can use fog liquid Atmosclean Sanitizing Solution
Where can I buy Froggy’s Fog Hand Sanitizer?
You can find the Froggy’s Hand Sanitizer Here. It is $34.99 for 1 gallon
How is the Output of a Fog Machine Calculated?
Most fog machine manufacture use “cubic feet of fog per minute” to measure the machines fog output. Other will measure using fog juice usage “Fluid at Max output per minute”.
Other Types of Fog Machines
- Vertical Fog Machine
- Geyser P5 -with RGB LED lights
- Fury Jett Vertical Fogger RGB LED Lights
- Geyser P5 -with RGB LED lights
- Fog Chiller – Vortex Fog Chillers
- C02 Blast – Cryo Fog
- Low Lying – They use Dry Ice and no Fog Juice
- Ground Fog – Ice Cubes- Mister Kool
Read More
- Stage Hazer Reviews – Best Haze Machine Review
- Comprehensive Guide to Fog Machines
- Hazer or Fog Machine – Tables
- Best Stage Hazer? Under $1000 – Poll
- Best Stage Hazer? Under $2000 – Poll
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