Haze, fog, and smoke machines are a good way to add atmosphere to any show. But what are the differences between these atmospheric effects machines? And how do you use them effectively?

Fog/smoke

Fog machines and smoke machines: what’s the difference? Well… that’s the thing… there isn’t really a difference.

Most of the time fog and smoke are used interchangeably. So, to make things easier, we’ll just call them fog machines.

So, what is a fog machine?

A fog machine vapourises or atomises fog fluid, and this is forced out of it. Once in the air, the vapour condenses, resulting in a thick visible fog.

The defining feature of a fog machine is its ability to create thick, visually impressive clouds of fog. So, even if you’re looking from further away, you can still see the atmospheric effect.

Because of this, fog machines are a great option for simulating smoke onstage or creating an instant dramatic atmosphere. Think distant planets, Dracula’s castle, and dark, moonlit nights.

Compared to haze machines – which we’ll get into – the fog from fog machines doesn’t stick around that long, and they’re less consistent in their coverage. This means they’re great for creating quick, visually obvious effects.

Top pick | 400W Fog Machine + Fog Fluid by Gear4music

Low fog

Low foggers are a subsection of fog machines that use cooling methods instead of heating to create their effect. So instead of rising, the fog hugs the ground.

This can create a carpet of fog and is great for specific effects. If you’ve ever seen big TV talent shows such as X factor, this is the kind of effect that they use a lot of the time for dramatic ballads.

You’ll probably think of dry ice when you see this effect. Well, this is a much safer and cheaper option. A lot of the machines simply require you to load them with ice in order to function – much more preferable than handling dangerous materials.

Top pick | ADJ Mr Kool II Fog Machine

Premium pick | Equinox Arcus 2000 Low Fogger

Haze

Haze machines are similar to fog machines, but create a finer and hazier effect – you never would have guessed, right?

This effect is less perceptible to the naked eye. But this makes it ideal for pairing with lighting effects due to light reflecting off the individual haze droplets.

When used in conjunction with lighting, haze is great for creating an atmosphere, essentially making a stage feel like a real place.

Compared to fog, haze hangs in the air for much longer and spreads out much more evenly.

So, if you need to fill an entire space, this is perfect.

Top pick | Equinox Vapour 1000 Haze Machine

Premium pick | Chauvet DJ Hurricane Haze 4D Haze Machine

Fog and haze refills

Both fog and haze have their own fluid refills. These are not interchangeable. When you get your machine, make sure the fluid you buy is compatible.

For fog and haze machines, fluids are either water or oil-based. Each one has its benefits and can only be used with specific machines.

Water-based fluids are better for amateurs, as they’re completely safe to breathe in and won’t leave any residue over after use.

Oil-based fluids are better for professionals as they can create more fog/haze with less fluid. This saves money when you’re using these machines every single night. Oil-based fluids also hang in the air much longer, so you’ll often see that haze machines are more likely to use oil-based fluids.

These do leave some residue, however, and, while safe when used properly, are probably not ideal for amateur use.

When researching machines, therefore, make sure you look into what kind of fluid it needs.

Shop now | Effects machine fluids & refills

Other features and setup

When buying a fog or haze machine, there are certain features you might want to look out for.

For example, if you’re integrating a machine into a larger lighting rig, see if it has DMX connectivity. This allows you to trigger fogging at specific moments with a DMX controller.

You’ll be fine too if your fogger doesn’t have DMX connectivity. Most come with a wired remote, so you can control the level of output. Some also include a remote control – great if you need to trigger the machine from a distance.

Most fog and haze machines can be set up on the floor, but if you want to fog/haze from above, they nearly always have mounting brackets attached that you can use.

Another cool feature is built-in LEDs, giving you colourful fog without having any external lighting fixtures. Pretty cool.