Top 7 Best Air Purifiers for Basement Smell And Mold
Written By: Dr Fahad Yasin
- Updated On:
But if you have mold and your humidity level is back to normal, you can use an air purifier to eliminate mold and mold odors which are also the primary basement smell source.
Here are brief summaries for each of the air purifiers recommended for basement smell and mold:
1
Best Overall
- Coverage: 868 sq ft 5 times hourly
- Particle Removal: 99.9% down to 0.003 microns
- CADR: 560 CFM
2
Runner-Up
- Coverage: 435 sq ft 5 times hourly
- Particle Removal: 99.9% down to 0.3 microns
- CADR: 293 CFM
3
Best Budget Option
- Coverage: 336 sq ft 5 times hourly
- Particle Removal: 99.9% down to 0.1 microns
- CADR: 226 CFM
4
Smart Air Purifier
- Coverage: 520 sq ft 5 times hourly
- Particle Removal: 99.9% down to 0.1 microns
- CADR: 347 CFM
5
Trusted Brand
- Coverage: 624 sq ft 5 times hourly
- Particle Removal: 99.9% down to 0.01 microns
- CADR: 328 CFM
6
Industrial Design
- Coverage: 375 sq. ft.
- Particle Removal: 99% effective against mold
- CADR: N/A
7
HyperHEPA filtration
- Coverage: 450 sq. ft.
- Particle Removal: 99.5% edown to 0.003 microns
- CADR: N/A
Table Of Content
Top 7 Best Air Purifiers For Mold
Best for: Overall use
Coverage: 868 sq ft, 5 times hourly or 2,170 sq. ft. in 30 minutes. So it will work great even in large basements.
Key features: Captures 100% of airborne particles in size 0.3 microns and larger, 2 large
AirDoctor 5500 has 2 large carbon filters that will also eliminate mold smell. Additionally, it provides an air ionizer that emits ions and eliminates mold spores on surfaces.
As you may already notice, AirDoctor is not great for mold removal.
Pros
- Best air purifier for mold
- Traps 0.003 micron small particles
- Covers large areas
- Smart features (e.g.auto mode)
- 6-speed fans
Cons
- No remote controls
- Many filters to change
Runner-Up
Coverage: 435 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: H13 HEPA filter which can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores., PRO-Cell Technology, UV-C light.
Air Health SKYE has 7 sensors that constantly monitor the air around it, and thanks to auto mode, fan speed is being switched to the necessary one. In addition, it consumes only 10 – 50 watts of energy, so it is an energy-efficient air purifier.
That’s not all; the SKYE air purifier is 3rd party tested and showed a 99.99% reduction in SARS-COV-2.
Pros
- 7 sensors
- Monitor air quality through your phone
- Five-stage air filtration
- AHAM Verified, CARB Certified
- Low power consumption
Cons
- No sleep mode
- It doesn’t turn back on after a power failure
Budget option
Coverage: 336 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: H14 HEPA filter, UV light for mold removal, carbon filter.
Pros
- Great quality touch control panel
- Lifetime warranty
- Accurate Smart Sensor
Cons
- It can’t remove strong odors
- Quite noisy at the highest speed
Best for: Smart use
Coverage: 520 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: Three filter options will filter 99.9% of airborne particles in size as small as 0.1 microns and trap mold spores, specializes in odor removal, ionizer.
Pros
- Smart Features include an auto mode, wifi, and more
- Lifetime warranty
- Elegant design
- Energy-efficient fan
Cons
- High initial cost
Trusted brand
Coverage: 624 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: Double filtration, Max 2 filter, carbon filter.
Coway AirMega 400 is equipped with 2 pre-filters; they trap larger particles. Behind pre-filters are Max 2 filters. Max 2 filter combines 2 filters in one; activated carbon filter with true-HEPA filter.
Pros
- Simple but elegant design
- Smart App Features
- 5-year warranty
- Very quiet operation
Cons
- Not as powerful as expected
Best for: Industrial design, made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty
Coverage: 375 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: Merv 8 Carbon Filter, H13 HEPA filter, UV-C light. It can eliminate mold spores, viruses, bacteria, pet dander, smoke, dust, odors, pollen, VOC, and more.
Pros
- Made in USA of solid-steel
- Lifetime warranty on the frame
- 3-Stage Air Purification
Cons
- Expensive initial cost
- Not many features
- Heavy
Best for: HyperHEPA filtration
Coverage: 450 sq ft, 5 times hourly
Key features: Pre-filter, V5 Cell for odors, HyperHEPA filter which traps 99.5% of ultra-fine harmful particles as small as 0.003 microns.
IQAir doesn’t have an ionizer, so it only traps particles by sucking them through the filters so mold spores on surfaces won’t be caught.
Pros
- 10-year warranty
- High-quality materials
- The odor filter is strong
- HyperHEPA filtration system
Cons
- Expensive unit and high-cost replacement filters
- Bulky
- No smart features
Buying Handbook On Air Purifiers For Basement Smell And Mold
Importance of Addressing the Mold Source:
- Air purifiers alone can’t control mold growth or adjust humidity levels.
- It’s crucial to identify and rectify the root cause of the mold problem before buying an air purifier.
- If unsure about the mold source, consulting experts is advised.
Features to Consider in an Air Purifier for Mold:
- Filtration System:
- Combination of pre-filter, HEPA, or similar particle filters.
- Carbon filters for odor elimination.
- Ionizers may help, but watch out for ozone emissions.
- Coverage Area:
- Appropriate for the size of your basement.
- Consider the Air Changes per Hour (ACH) for effective cleaning.
- Mode of Operation:
- Usability features such as timer, automatic modes, and smartphone applications.
- Auto modes can help in saving energy.
- Maintenance:
- Frequency of filter change.
- Filter replacement costs and availability.
Usage Recommendations for Air Purifiers in Basements
- Ensure proper airflow by not obstructing the purifier.
- Position the purifier strategically, either close to the pollution source or in the middle of the room.
- Keep the purifier running continuously for optimal performance.
- Ensure the basement is sealed (doors and windows closed) to maximize the purifier’s efficiency.
- Regularly check and replace filters for optimum performance.
