Let’s clear the air! Here are the differences between smoke and haze machines

Smoke machines and haze machines are applications which add a smoky backdrop to a live show or event. Although similar in their purpose, the two have some important differences.

In this blog, we’re uncovering the main differences between smoke and haze machines so you can understand which one to invest in for your live event. From the differences in effect to the best option for different scenarios, read on to find out which type of machine is best for you as we attempt to make choosing your ideal machine a little less hazy!

Table of contents: 

What is a smoke machine?

What is a haze machine?

What are the differences between a smoke machine and a haze machine?

What is a smoke machine? 

Sometimes called a fog machine, a smoke machine is normally used in live performances to create a cloud of smoke that lingers in the air. It is often used to accentuate effects and lighting or to create a theatrical effect. 

A smoke machine creates smoke clouds, or fog, by heating fog fluid. This special fluid is usually a glycol-based or water-based solution containing glycols. It is added to a tank before being pumped onto a hotplate, where it vaporises and turns into dense, white smoke. 

The smoke or fog from a smoke machine is made up of tiny droplets of vaporised fluid, which hang in the air and help users create a dramatic or atmospheric effect. 

Conventional smoke machines can quickly create large amounts of dense smoke but sometimes contribute to poor visibility. 

Due to the particles used in smoke fluid, smoke machines can sometimes cause smoke detectors to trigger, so it’s always worth trying out your smoke machine if visiting a new venue or isolating smoke detectors so they don’t go off during a performance.

What is a haze machine?

Haze machines are very similar to smoke machines. However, their effect is much more subtle. They create a fine, translucent mist or a hazy atmosphere and are usually used to enhance light shows, light displays or lasers crossing a room. Haze machines are popular for those wanting to create depth and add dimension to their lighting without obscuring the view.

Unlike smoke machines, the haze produced by haze machines isn’t as thick and dense as smoke, creating a mist-like ambience that hangs in the air without impacting visibility. As such, haze machines are often used with stage fans to disperse the haze evenly around a venue. 

Haze machines use a different type of fluid to smoke machines, which results in a longer hang time, meaning the haze lingers in the air for a longer period. 

As the particles in the vapour from haze machines are much smaller than those found in smoke machine vapour, they are less likely to set off a smoke detector, but this is still a possibility. Always try your equipment out in any venue first, if possible, before a performance to see if the smoke alarm is triggered. 

What are the differences between a smoke machine and a haze machine?

Although used for similar purposes, there are differences between smoke and haze machines:

Haze machines – Effect and purpose 

The main distinguishing factor between smoke and haze machines lies in the strength of the effect. Haze machines produce a subtle fog effect, which is more of a mist than a smoke cloud, whereas smoke machines produce a much thicker fog that rises to fill a space. 

Because of this, haze machines are the perfect accompaniment to your lighting system. The haze from haze machines has a longer hang time than smoke, and its translucent characteristics provide a great backdrop to complicated light shows with multiple patterns without impacting visibility. 

If you’re unsure, we’d recommend choosing a haze machine for the following situations:

• Enhancing lighting effects: The fine particles in the haze help to reflect and scatter light, making patterns and beams much more visible. Haze also helps add depth and dimension to a light show, performance, or production by defining the space and making lighting and visual effects more apparent. 
• Highlighting special effects: In the theatre, film and television, haze can enhance special effects such as pyrotechnics or atmospheric lighting. 
• Photography: In photography, haze is often used to add mood and atmosphere to scenes for dramatic effect. Haze also helps to accentuate the light.
• Concerts and musical events: One of its more popular functions, haze, is often used in concerts and festivals to complement the stage lighting and to create a visual impact for the audience. 
• Immersive experiences: Haze can be used in immersive experiences to simulate environmental conditions, such as an eerie mist for a haunted house experience 
• Reducing on-stage lighting glare: If the lighting on stage is intense, haze can be used to reduce the glare to make it easier for performers to see without discomfort. 

Smoke machines – Effect and purpose 

Smoke machines vaporise fog fluid to create thick, dense smoke, usually filling a space from the floor up. Although they do leave a lasting impact, fog may dissipate more quickly than the haze produced by a haze machine – so this is something to consider if you are looking to invest in a smoke machine to enhance a light show and need it to last for the show’s duration. 

However, as smoke machines produce such a thick cloud of smoke, their effects can be dramatic and atmospheric even without using light. 

Here are some of the best scenarios for using a smoke machine: 

• Enhancing an atmosphere: Due to the denseness and visibility of the smoke from a smoke machine, they can be really good tools for enhancing the atmosphere of an event or performance, adding drama and ambience to the setting. 
• Creating special effects: Smoke machines are often used in television and film to create mystical, dramatic or eerie atmospheres, such as fog on the moors, an eerie graveyard scene, or to simulate fire. 
• Concealing/revealing in shows: Smoke is often used to conceal parts of the stage, allowing for a dramatic reveal for the audience and adding elements of surprise and suspense. 

• Training and simulation: In emergency response training, smoke machines can be used to simulate battlefield conditions or training scenarios where the real-life alternative is that visibility could be reduced. This helps trainees to practise and respond to challenging environments.
• Cooling pyrotechnics: Used in conjunction with pyrotechnics, the smoke from smoke machines can help cool and disperse the smoke created by explosive special effects to enhance safety and visibility at events. 
• Themed events: Much like haze machines, smoke machines can be a great addition to themed parties, events and attractions, such as Halloween parties or haunted house attractions. 
• Art Installations: Designers and artists often use smoke machines to enhance their installations and to play with light and space.  

Smoke machines vs haze machines: The highlights 

So, now you know the key differences between smoke and haze machines. However, if you’re still a little hazy over which type of machine will suit you, here are our top takeaways;

Smoke machines can produce a lot of dense smoke quickly. They are a great choice for adding atmosphere to performances and can help enhance your light shows and other onstage special effects. However, you may want to think about visibility issues and also consider how effective your smoke machine will be if you work in many smaller venues where it could impact the smoke alarms.

A great choice for building tension in onstage performances, adding atmosphere to themed events and in practical situations such as military and emergency service training, smoke machines have many benefits. 

Haze machines, however, create a finer, more even, translucent mist that usually has a long hang time and can spread quickly and evenly around a venue with fans. For onstage performances, haze machines provide the perfect backdrop to complicated light shows without impairing visibility. They are perfect for DJs and performing bands, who use lasers and beams in their shows that can cut through and reflect against the haze. 

Although haze hangs for longer, it isn’t as good at concealing areas of a stage show or event, offering a finer, more even spread mist. It is ideal for creating eerie, mist-filled atmospheres in photography and film and for creating immersive experiences.

Due to the smaller particles in the haze from these machines, it’s less likely that one would set off a smoke alarm, although this is still a small possibility. 

As mentioned, the main distinguishing factor between the two machines is the strength of the effect; a smoke machine creates thicker, dense smoke, whereas a haze machine creates a more translucent fog, which is one of the most important points to consider before investing.

Whichever machine you choose, haze and smoke machines can significantly enhance your performances, whether you want to create a touch of drama or make more of your light show. 

Portable and easy to use, they’re a worthwhile investment whether you’re a gigging DJ, photographer or a theatre show producer.

Shop smoke and haze machines at Prebeat 

If you’re ready to shop, you’ll find an abundance of smoke and haze machines at Prebeat, alongside an extensive selection of stage effects equipment ideal for enhancing your live events and performances. Or, if you’re still unsure which machine to invest in, why not contact us for more help and information? 

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