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A buyer's guide to special effects and fog machines for stage shows and dancefloors at Thomann
Light and lighting effects are initially projected onto surfaces in two dimensions, and for beams of light to achieve a three-dimensional effect, in that "third dimension" so to speak, a medium acting as a visual carrier is required. This is precisely the main function of fog machines and smoke generators, which allow you to take your light show to the next level. If you want to buy a fog machine, we stock the entire product range, from classic fog machines and hazers, fazers and floor fog machines to various other special effects.
Buying fog machines at affordable prices – with a guarantee and expert advice
Purchasing fog machines, special effects, and accessories is a matter of trust - whether it is to be used by event technicians, operators, musicians, entertainers, service providers, rental companies, or general users, the equipment must perform its function and remain reliably effective over time. The experts in our lighting department are on hand to offer clear and detailed advice. We also back up your trust with our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann Warranty. Information and tips on lighting can be found in our online guides, and our colleagues from the Lighting Department are available by phone on +49 (0)9546-9223-45 or by e-mail to licht@thomann.de
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What types of fog machines are there?
If you’re interested in buying a fog machine, we recommend familiarising yourself with the different types available. After all, these determine the price range and ensure you can produce enough fog or mist at the right moment to create an outstanding light show.
Fog machines/foggers – the classic among fog machines
The classic fog machine has long been an indispensable element of clubs and dancefloors, producing dense clouds of fog that fill the room, obscuring the surroundings until the haze gradually thins and eventually disappears completely. Conventional fog machines are often used at concerts too, though they are only likely to be used at specific moments, such as during the intro or outro of the gig, especially as their heavy output could easily disturb the audience. The principle involves heating a fluid inside the machine until it vaporises, with the resulting fine droplets expelled through a nozzle as artificial fog, allowing spotlight beams to refract within the cloud so that the fog itself becomes a projection surface suspended in the middle of the room. This fluid consists of a mixture of alcohol and water. The Smoke Factory Spock really packs a punch: It's a microprocessor-controlled high-performance fog machine with a heating power of a whopping 3,100 watts.
Hazers/fog generators – the perfect choice for stages and similar venues
Hazers in turn operate according to a different principle, and are more accurately described as haze machines, since their purpose is not to fill the room with dense fog but to produce a fine, even haze, from which the name "hazer" is derived. Rather than creating a dense cloud in which light rays refract, haze produces the impression that particles are evenly coloured by the light itself, so with a hazer it is not a matter of refraction but of the haze particles carrying and diffusing the light. Ideally, the haze is barely or not at all visible to the naked eye without coloured light. A recommended example is the Stairville HZ-1500 Pro Touring Hazer DMX which offers optimum dispersion and continuous output without reheating.
Fazers – the hybrid among fog machines
The fazer, however, is a specialised variant of the classic fog machine, operating on essentially the same output principle, but with a continuous emission that is spread evenly over a wide area by a fan. As a result, although the fazer functions much like a conventional, slower-running fog machine, the output does not form a dense cloud but disperses in a manner similar to a hazer, making it particularly well suited to use at smaller events. For larger events, the modest output reaches its limits, particularly as the fog dissipates too quickly.
Floor fog machines – to keep the fog from rising
Heated air, including fog or mist, tends to rise, which can be desirable in settings such as clubs; in many cases, however, the fog is intended to remain close to the floor and spread across the stage or dance floor, which requires it to be cooled immediately after generation. Specially equipped floor fog machines are available for this purpose, featuring an integrated cooling unit which ensures that the fog spreads across the floor and dissipates there. The WGF-2000 Water Ground Fog 2000 from Stairville, with an output of 2,000 watts and particularly low operating noise, is perfect for shows and theatres.
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Multi-functional fog machines and other impressive special effects
We have been offering multi-functional fog machines and combination units in our product range for some time now; these feature coloured lighting in addition to fog or haze, or produce soap bubbles alongside haze, for instance. You can also create extraordinary effects using foam generators, bubble machines, wind machines and wind generators. There are virtually no limits to creativity with this innovative range, a popular example being a vertical fog machine equipped with RGBA LEDs, such as the ADJ Fog Fury Jett.
Fog machines from leading brands, tailored to your individual requirements
We stock the latest products from equally renowned manufacturers, with a selection including fog machines, accessories, and special effects from brands such as:
· Stairville · ADJ · Cameo · Fun Generation · Smoke Factory · Look · Eurolite · Martin · Antari · DJ Power
Buying a fog machine – what to look out for
Aside from personal budget considerations, several functional and quality criteria should also be taken into account when purchasing a fog machine, starting with the underlying operating principle of the different models, which extends to their construction, and ultimately including the specific requirements of the intended application.
The heater as the crucial heart of the fog machine
Regardless of the specific design, the heater is the most crucial component of any fog machine, as once the operating temperature is reached, the fluid can evaporate and be broken down into mist or fog, meaning that the more efficient the heater design, the faster and more consistently the machine becomes ready for use. Alongside pump capacity, the efficiency of the heating element also plays a key role in determining the achievable output, with safety circuits being of paramount importance as they prevent overheating and ensure that no fluid reaches the heating element before the correct operating temperature has been reached or if it has dropped below the required level.
The capacity of the tank must be sufficient for your purposes
Whether choosing a hazer or a fog machine, the fundamental principle remains the same, as every device operates using a fluid that fills the tank, with consumption increasing as device power and the size of the area to be filled with fog rise. The duration of the performance should therefore be taken into account when selecting the appropriate tank size, and consequently the device itself, as it would be impractical to need to refill the tank during a concert.
The pump must match the machine’s performance
Once the fogging process is triggered via DMX or remote control, the pump starts and pumps the fluid to the heating element, which evaporates it. Manufacturers take great care to ensure that the pump and heater are perfectly matched in terms of their dimensions, so that neither component is overloaded or underloaded.
The spray nozzle does just that: It sprays out the mist
The heated, atomised fluid is effectively propelled out of the machine at high pressure through the nozzle, with the nozzle's ability to manage and deliver the output volume being a standard feature of modern fog machines and hazers. In live applications, it should be noted that the emitted mist particles consist of water and alcohol vapour, meaning it can still be very hot directly in front of the nozzle, while another practical requirement for the nozzle is that it operates as quietly as possible.
How much output power should a fog machine have?
As with the type of device, the required power depends on the specific application, so for fogging a party room or other small spaces, a fog machine with an output of around 400 to 700 watts is generally sufficient. For medium-sized gigs and venues in rooms up to 85m², as well as for smaller outdoor events, you should allow for a power output of around 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Professional-grade foggers and hazers designed for clubs and larger stages typically offer power outputs of around 3,000 watts, with the wattage specification being important not only for the intensity of the output but especially for the heating capacity.
How is the fog machine controlled?
In professional setups, foggers, hazers, and other special effects such as bubble machines, along with lighting systems, are typically controlled via DMX512, while the fogging process can also generally be triggered using a handheld switch. Bands without a dedicated roadie can quickly reach their limits in such situations, particularly since musicians often have no hands free, which is why fog machines with a separate footswitch are available for these scenarios. DJs with a basic setup often prefer a convenient infrared remote control, and one thing remains certain: Maximum flexibility is achieved by choosing the control method that best suits the individual musical or technical workflow.