The Best Smoke Machines for Halloween Parties and Outdoor Decorations

The Virfun Fog Smoke Machine is the most affordable, basic option, but it's still a great pick for a Halloween party or outdoor display if you buy a few. It's also a simple machine to use. Simply pour in your fog liquid, let it heat up and when the red light indicator comes on, you'll have about 35 seconds of continuous spray before it needs to heat up again. Fog output is about two or three meters of distance, and it comes with a remote control. It also has basic safety features, like automatic shutoff if the machine overheats.

If you want to make a strong impression at your Halloween party this year, you need a powerful fog machine. The Titan 1200 from Froggy's Fog is an indoor/outdoor machine with a wired timer remote control that allows you to lock the machine for continuous output. It's also able to heat up in 10 seconds and produce enough fog to fill a 2,500-square-foot house in one minute. And don't discount it for its higher price; the durable metal machine will function for years to come.

The Colbor CF5 Portable Fog Machine is a portable option for personal use, like for a Halloween photoshoot effect or as part of your costume for a party. There are 25 modes to choose from that include variable fog density, speed and cycles; plus, it comes with a color-changing feature. It also creates unique backdrops, like smoke, clouds, dry ice and light beams. Included is a remote that works from 10 meters away.

This fun Halloween cauldron helps to create a creepy ambience rather than billowing smoke. Even better, it uses regular tap water to work instead of designated fog liquid. It also has light effects, changing colors from red to yellow to blue.

This lightweight 400-watt fog machine from Haunted Living comes with a remote control and is actually battery-operated for ease of use. It's under three pounds, so it's incredibly easy to carry around. The creepy skeleton hands wrapped around the machine are a fun touch.

This fun resin statue of a cat and skull comes complete with glowing eyes, a purple mouth and a fog effect. It's meant to be used inside or outside, with a USB-C cord that can connect to a power bank. It also uses regular water instead of the special fog machine liquid.

If you want to add some additional ambience to a Halloween dance party, this fog machine also acts as a disco light. The fog machine itself is 800 watts and can be set to auto mode that allows it to heat, fill the room with fog and repeat. The disco ball lights include eight LED lights, 13 colors and four different effects. You can use the fog and lights at the same time, just the fog or just the lights. It also has automatic shutoff and a hanging bracket if you want to keep it suspended on your wall.

Be prepared to be the most popular house on the block with this fog machine and bubble maker. It has two different tanks for bubble solution and fog liquid, but both are sizable enough to last for hours with no refilling. You can also choose bubble mode, fog mode or both at the same time for the best Halloween parties ever. The remote control works from up to 10 meters away and allows you to switch modes with ease.

This nontoxic, biodegradable, dyeless and odorless liquid from Tillbrook is safe for kids, pets and plants. It's compatible with most 400- to 3,000-watt fog machines and is made in the United States. You'll need this to get the party going.