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You’ve heard enough horror stories. Don’t mess with mold. Get the best air purifier for mold–handpicked from our panel of experts. Check out buyer’s guide, inside.
Alen Paralda Dual Airflow Tower Air Purifier
Designed specifically to target mold and bacteria
Sleek, elegant tower design
Unique airflow system circulates air more efficiently
Multiple filter choices let you customize it to your needs
Intuitive controls and programming options
![IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier [HyperHEPA Filter]](https://bestazy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/714SFy6NjyL._SL1500_-148x148.jpg)
IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
Medical-grade filtration captures particles down to .003 microns
Can capture viruses like the cold and flu
Easy to use control panel with scheduling and timer options
Powerful fan gives it a large coverage area
Long-lasting filters it make a low-maintenance option
Most expensive option on the list
Too bulky to use in smaller areas
Can get loud on higher settings
Coway AP-1512HH
Eco Mode shuts down automatically when your air is clean to save energy
Auto Mode adjusts fan to match air quality
Excellent value
4-stage filtration is highly effective
Compact and unobtrusive design
Quieter than most purifiers built to cover the same space
Can produce a high-pitched whining noise on high settings
On-board sensors not as accurate as other options
Writer
Alen BreatheSmart Customizable Air Purifier
A fully-customizable option that’s as attractive as it is effective. The four different filter styles give it a lot of versatility for a variety of spaces and cleaning needs.
Attractive design comes with customizable color panels
Four different filters for different kinds of contaminants
Can purify air in a large room in a matter of hours
Built-in indicators let you stay on top of your air quality and filter life
Also functions as a white noise generator
Built-in ionizer can be disabled if you want to avoid ozone
On the louder side (41-56 dB depending on setting)
Replacement filters are expensive
Honeywell 50250-S True HEPA Air Purifier
A permanent HEPA filter makes this the best long-term value on the list, while the 360° vents let it clean the air in large spaces in less time.
360° vents allow it to work more efficiently
Great value at less than $150
SurroundSeal technology prevents air from escaping unfiltered
Permanent HEPA filter saves money in the long term
Cycles air every 12 minutes or less in rooms up to 390 feet
In-room placement can be trickier since you’ll need to leave more space around the unit
Odor control isn’t as strong
Re-usable filter will need periodic maintenance
LEVOIT LV-H132 Air Purifier Filtration
An ultra-compact air purifier that’s perfect for smaller rooms, sold in a convenient two-pack that makes it an unbeatable value.
Lightweight and portable design
Included filters and low price make it a great value
3-level filtration effective at removing allergens and odors
Included nightlight feature makes it great for a bedroom
Works quietly enough to use while you’re sleeping
Relatively small coverage area
Some inconsistency in construction quality between models
Not as effective on odors as costlier models
Aprilaire Allergy + Pet9550 True HEPA Air Purifier
Added filtration layers for pet dander and VOCs remove contaminants other air purifiers can’t. A heavy-duty option that will serve you well in any room size.
Smart Mode automatically adjusts the fan to match your air quality needs
Alumina Oxide filter layer captures VOCs and other allergy triggers
Extra thick activated carbon layer makes it even better at odor control
Six different fan speeds for a more flexible operation
Specialized dander trap is ideal for pet owners
Large and industrial-looking
Removing filters and cleaning the interior can be a hassle
Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier 510
A practical choice for cleaning the air in larger rooms at an affordable price. It’s not the prettiest model to look at, but it’ll get the job done.
Excellent value
Offers four fan speeds plus programmable sleep modes
3-stage filtration with both HEPA and active carbon layers
Nearly silent on low fan setting
Relatively large coverage area for the price
Somewhat bulky and unattractive design
Changing the filters is a bit of a hassle
Replacement filters are on the pricey side
AIRMEGA 300 The Smarter Air Purifier
The intelligent sensors and re-usable pre-filters make this one of the most eco-friendly options. It’s also one of the most powerful, with the largest coverage area on the list.
The largest coverage area on the list
Smart fan modes make it easier to tailor its operation to your lifestyle
Indicators and controls easy to use and read
Green HEPA filter specifically targeted at capturing molds and pollens
Low continuing costs thanks to re-usable pre-filter and long filter life
Low energy consumption, especially in Eco mode
Higher end of the price spectrum
Can be loud on higher fan settings
10 Efficient Air Purifier For Mold Reviews 2024
Graduated from an architectural college. Engaged in interior design of apartments, houses and her hobby is landscape design.
Mae R. WithrowWe all know that mold can have serious health consequences if it’s allowed to grow in your home, especially for those with a mold sensitivity. What you might not realize is that mold spores are floating in much of the air you breathe, inside and out, and are completely invisible to the naked eye. The best air purifier for mold is one that will capture all forms of the fungus, making sure you can breathe easily.
The most important thing when you’re shopping for an air purifier to keep your air clear of mold is to look for one that uses true HEPA filtration. These filters can remove over 99% of the particles in your air, including mold and mold spores along with a host of other irritants.
Beyond this, it’s all about what air purifier fits best into your lifestyle. We’ve picked out ten of our favorite air purifiers for mold below. Check out the full reviews to find the perfect model for your home.
We started our research by talking to the experts—the people who inspect and clean homes afflicted by mold. We found out how large the different kinds of common mold are, and what filtration they recommend in the homes they clean.
Once we had some solid background on exactly what’s required to remove these particles from your air, we turned our attention to the purifiers themselves. Any device you buy needs to perform reliably and consistently, so we scanned user reviews with that in mind. Ultimately, we brought you the ten models that performed best both in mold removal and in long-term durability.
Alen’s goal as a company is to help people breathe better. This tight focus lets them include offerings in their catalog that are aimed at solving specific air quality problems, as opposed to the more all-purpose solutions you’ll find from other companies.
Efficiency is the main focus of the Paralda’s design. It uses a dual-purified vent system for the air, capturing contaminants at both the intake and exhaust vents to make sure your air is clear. This multi-level filtration is enhanced by the filters themselves, which come in four different options. This lets you target your clean on exactly your air purity needs.
The Paralda is also sleek from top to bottom—both in terms of looks and operation. The controls are easy to figure out and use, and it also has on-board programming features so you can have it clean your air when you’re not around. Considering Alen covers all of their air purifiers with a lifetime warranty, you can be sure it’s built to last for years, too.
Designed specifically to target mold and bacteria
Sleek, elegant tower design
Unique airflow system circulates air more efficiently
Multiple filter choices let you customize it to your needs
Intuitive controls and programming options
More and more air purifiers are using smart sensors to let you stay on top of your air quality and make hands-free adjustments. What’s special about the Coway AP-1512HH is that it’s one of the most affordable ways to get these features. At just over two hundred bucks, it’s priced to fit into any budget, with a compact design and easy operation that will fit into any lifestyle.
The operation of the Coway AP-1512HH is comparable to air purifiers that sell for twice as much or more. It has a coverage area suitable for medium rooms and uses a 4-stage filtration system, with both true HEPA and active carbon filters. It’s also about average in terms of its noise—quiet enough to sleep through on low settings and about as loud as an air conditioner when you turn the fan up.
This is a compact little model, too, designed to fit just about anywhere. It only needs about a foot of space on a side for airflow and runs quietly enough at night you can put it at your bedside. With features like Eco Mode and Auto Mode you’d expect to find on more expensive models, it’s definitely one of the best values on the list.
Eco Mode shuts down automatically when your air is clean to save energy
Auto Mode adjusts fan to match air quality
Excellent value
4-stage filtration is highly effective
Compact and unobtrusive design
Quieter than most purifiers built to cover the same space
Can produce a high-pitched whining noise on high settings
On-board sensors not as accurate as other options
If you want to get the ultimate in home air purification, IQAir is the company you want to turn to. The HealthPro Plus is the top-rated model for alleviating allergy symptoms and was rated a Best Buy by Consumer’s Digest.
Here’s the deal:
The IQAir is an investment.
But it’s worth it.
It’s the only option that can give you medical-grade filtration, making it our top overall choice for performance. The HyperHEPA filters are up to 100 times as effective at capturing pollutants as other HEPA filters. The filtration is so advanced that it can even capture viruses like the cold and flu, something most home air purifiers can’t do.
We also found it to be a really easy model to use. There are three filters, but they’re all easy to change and don’t need to be replaced often. There’s a readout on the control panel to tell you the remaining feature life, which is handy. You can also set the purifier to run on a given day of the week, or put it on a timer, a convenient option if you don’t want it running all the time.
The HealthPro Plus is built to clean a lot of air quickly. It’s better for medium to large rooms than it is for small ones, mostly because it is a bit on the bulky side. It runs quietly enough you won’t notice it in a living room or larger bedroom, but it does get noticeably louder on higher settings—something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to noise.
If you’re only concerned about removing mold and mold spores, the HealthPro Plus might be a bit of overkill. If you’re looking for a more all-purpose solution to your allergies or breathing problems, you can’t beat the air quality that IQAir will give you.
Medical-grade filtration captures particles down to .003 microns
Can capture viruses like the cold and flu
Easy to use control panel with scheduling and timer options
Powerful fan gives it a large coverage area
Long-lasting filters it make a low-maintenance option
Most expensive option on the list
Too bulky to use in smaller areas
Can get loud on higher settings
You can get pretty much everything in a smart form these days, and air purifiers are no different. The Blueair Classic 405 is Wi-Fi enabled and Alexa-compatible for voice control and easy smart home integration. This earns the Blueair Classic high marks for convenience even before we get into its other features.
In terms of performance, the most impressive thing about the Blueair Classic is its speed. It uses a clever technology that harnesses the power of static electricity to pull contaminants toward the filter, with a powerful fan that can completely circulate the air in a medium-sized room in about fifteen minutes. It uses a true HEPA filter so you can be confident you’re not breathing in any mold or mold spores.
The design of the Blueair Classic is also more efficient. This is good for you in two ways. First, it makes it quieter—so quiet we could barely hear it on the lowest setting. It also means it uses less energy, adding less to your electricity bills.
Our only question with the Blueair Classic is whether it justifies its price. If you want an option that will integrate easily into your smart home, this is a solid choice, but you’ll definitely pay a premium for the Wi-Fi connectivity, and you can get similar performance elsewhere for less.
Cleans up to 280 cubic feet of air each minute
Connects easily to smart home and voice control programs through Wi-Fi
Recyclable filters and energy-efficient design make it more eco-friendly
Very quiet on lower settings
Filters are easy to change and don’t require regular maintenance
Higher price than other options at a similar performance level
Relatively short filter life
The function of your air purifier is obviously much more important than how it looks, but there’s nothing wrong with getting something that’s both powerful and attractive. This is especially true when it comes to an air purifier for your living room or other open spaces, since those tend to be on the larger side.
The BreatheSmart from Alen fits this bill, giving you clean air from a device that will look great in your home. The design of this model is pretty innovative. It features 15 customizable panels in a range of colors so that you can choose the right look for your room.
But that’s just part of the story.
It’s also customizable on the filtration side of the equation, with four interchangeable filters, each of which is ideal for a certain situation. The HEPA-Silver is our favorite for mold, and it’s also designed to take care of germs and pollen, making it a great choice for all-around air quality. The unit’s display will let you keep track of your air quality so you know the unit’s working.
Even with all the customization options, this air purifier is easy to operate. Both the purifier and the included ionizer have a one-button activation, and it’s equally easy to re-set your filter life indicator or change the fan speed. Overall, the BreatheSmart is our favorite choice for when you want to breathe easy in style.
Attractive design comes with customizable color panels
Four different filters for different kinds of contaminants
Can purify air in a large room in a matter of hours
Built-in indicators let you stay on top of your air quality and filter life
Also functions as a white noise generator
Built-in ionizer can be disabled if you want to avoid ozone
On the louder side (41-56 dB depending on setting)
Replacement filters are expensive
Most air purifiers that are suitable for large rooms rely on the power of the fan to increase the air intake. Honeywell has taken a different approach to the airflow problem by using a circular design with intake and discharge vents all around the device. This innovative design results in an efficient device that lets you clean the air in larger rooms without expending a lot of energy (or spending a lot of money).
And guess what?
Honeywell has brought that same forward-thinking attention to detail to the rest of this air purifier’s design, too.
The Honeywell 50250-S uses SurroundSeal Technology throughout the device. This makes sure that all the air pulled in is pushed out through the filters instead of sneaking through a crack—and that ultimately translates to cleaner air.
The classic combination of a carbon pre-filter and true HEPA filter captures allergens and eliminates most odors as well as devices that cost twice as much. This carbon pre-filter is especially useful for larger particles, including carbon and mold spores, catching them before they reach the HEPA filter and extending the time between cleanings.
This isn’t the most powerful air purifier out there. It won’t be incredibly effective against difficult smells, like smoke, and it can’t capture viruses or other extremely small particles. For eliminating mold and mold spores from your air, though, it’s highly effective, and one of the more cost-effective options you’ll find—especially if you’re looking for something to work in a large space.
360° vents allow it to work more efficiently
Great value at less than $150
SurroundSeal technology prevents air from escaping unfiltered
Permanent HEPA filter saves money in the long term
Cycles air every 12 minutes or less in rooms up to 390 feet
In-room placement can be trickier since you’ll need to leave more space around the unit
Odor control isn’t as strong
Re-usable filter will need periodic maintenance
The best air purifier is the one that fits into your life. If you’re looking for something that will work in a smaller space, though, you often have to sacrifice some of the performance. That’s what we love about the LV-H132 from Levoit. It has a super-compact design that can fit on an end table or desk and still offers the same 3-level filtration as larger designs.
As if that’s not enough, the LV-H132 is a pretty exceptional value.
The 2-pack linked to here includes of the filters that you’ll need, and sells for right around $150, for the lowest per-unit cost on the list. You can get one for the bedroom and one for the living room, or one for work and one for home, helping you breathe clean air everywhere you go.
In terms of the filtration, there’s a particle pre-filter along with a combined true HEPA filter and activated carbon filter for the air to pass through. Changing both filters is an easy process. Just flip the unit over, remove the cover, and drop them in—that’s all the more maintenance you’ll ever need to do.
The LV-H132 doesn’t have the power to clean the air in larger rooms. It maxes out at around 120 square feet—enough for a dorm room or bedroom but probably not enough for larger living areas. Within that space, though, it’s very efficient at removing even tiny particles. In our mind, this is the perfect option to keep at your bedside while you’re sleeping, or anywhere else you need fresh air but don’t have a lot of space.
Lightweight and portable design
Included filters and low price make it a great value
3-level filtration effective at removing allergens and odors
Included nightlight feature makes it great for a bedroom
Works quietly enough to use while you’re sleeping
Relatively small coverage area
Some inconsistency in construction quality between models
Not as effective on odors as costlier models
Eliminating allergens is what this Aprilaire model does best. It’s advertised as being ideal for eliminating pet dander, and while this is true it’s not limited to that one function. It is equally effective at removing mold spores and other airborne allergens, ensuring you’ll breathe clean air in any environment.
Most air purifiers can capture large contaminants like pollen and pet dander, but the Aprilaire Allergy + takes this a step further and also purifies the air of gaseous allergy triggers, including VOCs. There’s an extra layer of alumina oxide in addition the activated carbon and true HEPA filters you’ll find in other air purifiers, and this is what makes it so effective at capturing all the smells and pollutants in your air.
The Allergy + is more convenient to adjust than most air purifiers, too. When it’s in automatic mode, it will change the fan speed in response to changes in the air quality, which it detects using an advanced suite of sensors. You can see this sensor data using the colored light indicator on the top of the device if you want to make manual adjustments. There are six fan speeds to choose from, including a Turbo Mode that can handle pretty much any contaminant—and quickly.
The Aprilaire Allergy + isn’t exactly small, but it’s fairly compact considering how many filters there are inside. The carrying handles on the side make it a lot easier to move around, too, although given how much space it can cover you probably won’t need to move it much. Pet owners especially will love this air purifier, but it’s just as good for anyone who wants pure air hassle-free.
Smart Mode automatically adjusts the fan to match your air quality needs
Alumina Oxide filter layer captures VOCs and other allergy triggers
Extra thick activated carbon layer makes it even better at odor control
Six different fan speeds for a more flexible operation
Specialized dander trap is ideal for pet owners
Large and industrial-looking
Removing filters and cleaning the interior can be a hassle
There’s a reason Whirlpool is such a household name for appliances. They’ve built a reputation for building products that are well-constructed, practical, and affordable, and that’s as true of their small appliances as it is for their washers and dryers.
Listen:
This Whirlpool Whispure is not the most stylish of appliances. It’s a bit bulky and very utilitarian in its design, especially compared to some of the sleeker options on the list. But as they say, it’s what’s on the inside that counts—and that’s as true of air purifiers as it is for people.
This air purifier uses a 3-stage filtration with a 4-speed fan. On the low setting, it really lives up to the “whisper” in its name—easily the quietest of the large room models that we looked at.
Operating the Whirlpool Whispure is easy. Unfortunately we can’t say the same thing about changing the filter, which is our primary beef with this model. You’ll need to remove the entire front cover of the machine to access the filters, which can be a bit of a chore. We were also a bit surprised by the price of the filters—almost half the cost of the air purifier itself.
These minor quibbles aside, the Whirlpool Whispure strikes a great balance of value and performance. It can cover twice as much space as most options at the price, and the sleep timer and intuitive controls make it a convenient choice, too.
Excellent value
Offers four fan speeds plus programmable sleep modes
3-stage filtration with both HEPA and active carbon layers
Nearly silent on low fan setting
Relatively large coverage area for the price
Somewhat bulky and unattractive design
Changing the filters is a bit of a hassle
Replacement filters are on the pricey side
An air purifier doesn’t have to hook up to a voice control system to be smart. The Airmega 300 uses intelligent design within the circuitry of the device itself. It has an incredibly advanced sensor system that can take very accurate readings of your air quality.
Even better…
It gives you multiple smart modes to use that sensor data, giving you complete control over the air you breathe.
Let’s start with the modes, because they’re the big selling point of the Airmega in our opinion. Along with the manual fan speed settings, you’ll get three Smart Modes to work with. In “Auto,” the device adjusts the filtration speed automatically to match the room’s air quality—ideal for continuous operation.
Switch to “Eco” and the device will turn itself off when the air quality is good, then turn itself back on the moment it detects contaminants. There’s also a “Sleep” mode that turns the fan speed down to its quietest setting when it’s dark.
The Airmega backs up these smart functions with a powerful filtration system. It has the largest capacity of any purifier on this list, and is extremely effective at removing mold and mold spores, along with fine dust and odor-causing VOCs. This is a smart choice for open floor plans, offices, and anywhere else you want hassle-free clean air.
The largest coverage area on the list
Smart fan modes make it easier to tailor its operation to your lifestyle
Indicators and controls easy to use and read
Green HEPA filter specifically targeted at capturing molds and pollens
Low continuing costs thanks to re-usable pre-filter and long filter life
Low energy consumption, especially in Eco mode
Higher end of the price spectrum
Can be loud on higher fan settings
Once you get into the realm of air purifiers that use true HEPA filtration, the difference between models in terms of filtration power will usually be marginal. The filters on all of these units will be capable of capturing over 99% of airborne particulate matter. The difference in their effectiveness has more to do with the fan’s speed and power than it does with the filtration. The more efficiently the fan can pull in and clean the air, the better it will be able to keep it clear of pollutants.
Rather than focusing on the filtration, your choice is likely to be a result of three factors: the size of your space, the size of your budget, and where you plan to use it. A more powerful fan is great if you need it for a larger space, but it will also make more noise—something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to sound and want to use it while you’re sleeping. Generally speaking, the more powerful the fan, the more the device will cost.
There is also the question of how smart you want your air purifier to be. Many of the options on this list give you the choice of hands-free operation with automatic modes that adjust the fan speed based on your air’s cleanliness needs.
Others are equipped to connect to voice control systems, which lets you integrate them into a smart home set-up. You will inevitably pay a bit extra for this option, but if you’re looking for ultimate convenience it’s worth the extra expense.
Shopping for an air purifier with a specific purpose in mind can actually make it easier to narrow down your options. Mold is a fairly common problem, so if you suffer from mold don’t worry—you’re not alone! About half of American households have mold problems.
And here’s the kicker:
More than a quarter of the population has a genetic propensity to mold allergies.
These are pretty scary facts, but they have an upside, too. It means a lot of research has been done into how to best get mold out of your air, and you can take advantage of that knowledge to help you get the best device.
Fixing a problem is easier when you understand it. Before we get into the nitty gritty of air purifiers, let’s talk a little bit about mold and what it takes to get rid of it.
First of all, there are really two different things involved in removing mold from your air: the airborne mold particles themselves and the mold spores. You can think of spores as the seeds of the mold, which it sends out into the air to spread to and settle other places. Capturing the spores is especially important to preventing new mold growth.
Most mold spores are between 2 and 10 microns in diameter. This means they’ll be easily captured by both carbon and HEPA filters. Mold particles vary more widely in size depending on the exact species of mold, but they rarely get smaller than 1 micron in diameter—still plenty large enough for a HEPA filter to handle.
There are hundreds of species of mold but the most dangerous are classified as toxigenic. These molds can be dangerous even for those without an allergy or sensitivity. Common toxigenic molds include acreminium, fusarium, and stachybotrys (also known as black mold). What all of these strains have in common is that they like damp conditions—standing water, water-damaged walls, and leaking pipes are all mold breeding grounds.
If you think you might be dealing with a toxigenic mold, you want to make sure to buy an air purifier with an active carbon filter. These filters are much better at removing the VOCs toxic molds can produce.
But keep this in mind:
Even the best air purifier is a Band-Aid at best if you have mold growing in your home. It can limit the spread of mold by trapping spores, and can keep you from breathing its harmful compounds, but to permanently remove the irritants you have to eliminate the mold.
Air conditioners and evaporative coolers can be choice breeding grounds for mold. Make sure to clean them regularly if you use them, or else switch to a high-powered fan for your summer cooling needs. The pipes in your bathroom and kitchen can also grow mold, especially if there’s gunk trapped inside them. Keep them clean and inspect them for leaks to make sure they’re not leaving puddles where mold can grow.
Aside from which style (or styles) of filtration an air purifier uses, the speed and power of the fan will make the biggest difference in the air purifier’s operation. All of these devices give you a range of power options. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will offer you the same range of filtration, however.
You can read the coverage area of the air purifier to be a rough approximation of the fan’s relative power. The more air the device is able to pull in per minute, the larger the total space it’s able to handle.
The fan is also what makes the most noise on an air purifier. Typically the more powerful the fan, the louder it is when it’s running. There are exceptions, of course, but if you’re concerned about quiet, you probably want to get something that’s on the smaller side. The quietest air purifiers can generate as little as 22 dB on their lowest setting, which is no louder than a whisper.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the energy usage will go up with the fan speed. Air purifiers aren’t energy hogs the way air conditioners or space heaters can be, but the impact on your electricity bill can add up if you plan to run it continuously, or if you’re using air purifiers in multiple rooms.
If you’re concerned about the energy usage of your air purifier, consider getting something with smart Auto or Eco settings. These air purifiers have on-board sensors that measure the quality of your air. When it senses the air is clean, it turns itself off, saving you money.
Some air purifiers offer smart modes for other applications, too. The Whirlpool Whispure has a sleep mode that switches to the lowest setting when you turn the lights out so the noise won’t keep you up at night.
Of course, the value of an automatic mode is only as high as its sensors. Not all of them are perfect, and you may find yourself manually switching fan speeds from time to time. Perhaps the best way to automate your air purifier is to link it into a smart home system with your thermostat. If that’s something that appeals to you, check out the Blueair Classic. It’s Wi-Fi enabled and Alexa-compatible, so you can get hands-free control of it from anywhere.
No single topic has spawned more debates among air purity experts than the ionizer. An ionizer sends an electrical charge through the air. This attracts many contaminants, even those too small for most HEPA filters to capture. It can also kill any viruses or bacteria that are floating in the air, effectively sanitizing it—something most air purifiers alone can’t promise.
Proponents of ionizers cite benefits far beyond simply removing allergens from the air. There are studies suggesting they can help with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder. While some very advanced filtration systems can remove things like viruses, an air ionizer is the most affordable way to sanitize the air in your home, which can be very appealing to someone who’s trying to get rid of mold.
There is another school of thought, however, that thinks ionizers do more harm than good. By electrically charging the air they create ozone, a highly reactive molecule that’s not good to breathe on its own and can create some nasty chemicals when combined with common household cleaners. These detractors also question the effectiveness of ionizers, since they’ll only remove negatively charged particles.
While the verdict is still out on ionizers, there’s no question that they are effective at killing mold and mold spores. Most units that come with one, like the Alen Paralda, give you the option of turning the ionizer off if you’re dubious about its potential side effects.
An air purifier can only work as well as the filter that’s installed in it. Compared to many other appliances, air purifiers are fairly low maintenance—you shouldn’t need to worry about them very often. Doing a bit of routine maintenance from time to time is still a good idea, though, to keep your air purifier working properly in the long term.
Let’s break it down:
The most important maintenance you should do for your air purifier is to change the filter regularly. The lifespan listed on your filter is a good approximation of how long it will last, but it may not always be accurate. The environment and use of the filter has a big impact on how long it lasts. The dirtier your air, the more frequently the filters will need to be changed.
Many air purifiers will have on-board indications of the remaining filter life. These too often need to be taken with a grain of salt, since they’re often programmed to a certain length of time, rather than based on the actual condition of the filter.
You can use your ears to help you figure out if the filter needs to be changed. If your air purifier sounds louder or more labored than it did before, a dirty filter is a likely cause. Barring that, a quick visual inspection is always an option.
If your air purifier has a re-usable pre-filter, it’s a good idea to rinse it out every couple of months. Every time you change your filter, it’s also a good idea to wipe off the vents and casing of the air purifier with a damp cloth.
Think about it:
The whole point of your air purifier is suck in anything floating around in your air. Some of these particles will inevitably get stuck on other components before even making it to the filter. Over time, these can build up and clog the intake vents.
Not only does this make the air purifier less effective, it puts extra strain on the motor, which can lead to breakdowns and blowouts. Staying on top of the routine maintenance will help keep your air purifier working in the long term.
The basic process of all air purifiers is the same: air is sucked in through the vents then forced through a filter, which removes unwanted particles and passes clean air out the other side. The type of material used in that filter determines what type and size of contaminants it traps.
Air filters basically fall into two broad categories:
HEPA filters, or particulate filters, are filters that trap particles using tightly-woven fibers. The term HEPA isn’t a descriptor of the filter itself but a set of air quality standards the filter is guaranteed to adhere to. To earn the HEPA label, a filter has to capture 99.97% of all particles down to .3 microns in size.
Activated carbon filters, or simply carbon filters, take a different approach to capturing contaminants. They force the air through a layer of powdered carbon, treated to maximize the surface area. Particles in the air are attracted to the carbon and cling to its surface, allowing the air to pass through clean.
What does this mean for you?
For mold, you’ll probably want an air purifier that uses a combination of HEPA and activated carbon filters. A HEPA filter alone will capture the majority of mold particles and mold spores, which tend to be larger than .3 microns. Where the activated carbon filter comes in handy is in removing the associated musty odor, which a HEPA filter alone might not tackle.
There’s another advantage to dual-filtration, too. In a lot of cases, the carbon filter will come before the true HEPA filter. Because many of the larger particles will be trapped by the carbon, this stops them from ever reaching the HEPA filter, extending its lifespan and letting it focus on the smaller particles that the carbon filter can’t capture.
As you can see, you have a lot of options when it comes to air purifiers, and some of them will be better for certain situations than others.
The first step is to look for in your hunt for the best air purifier for mold is something with true HEPA filtration—something you’ll find in all ten of the models on this list.
Beyond that, it comes down to a question of details. Consider how much air you need to clean. Is mold a problem in your whole home, or one room in particular? Also think about whether there are other allergens or odors you want to get rid of. Many of these air purifiers can handle a wide range of contaminants, or offer different filter configurations for different uses.
You’ve heard enough horror stories. Don’t mess with mold. Get the best air purifier for mold–handpicked from our panel of experts. Check out buyer’s guide, inside.
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You’ve heard enough horror stories. Don’t mess with mold. Get the best air purifier for mold–handpicked from our panel of experts. Check out buyer’s guide, inside.
You’ve heard enough horror stories. Don’t mess with mold. Get the best air purifier for mold–handpicked from our panel of experts. Check out buyer’s guide, inside.
That depends on the country. These air purifiers were all designed to be used with U.S.-style outlets, and will at the very least likely need some kind of adapter for the plug. More important than its shape, though, is the amount of power it supplies.
Electrical outlets in the United States supply 120 volts of electricity. Appliances designed for use in the U.S. are built for this power load. In many countries, including most of Europe and Asia, outlets supply 220 volts—likely enough to fry your device. If you want to take your air purifier when you travel, check what voltage is used in the country you plan to visit. Generally, you’ll find 120-volt outlets in the Americas and 200+ most other places in the world.
Beyond the question of whether or not the appliance will work, you should also check your warranty. In many cases, using the air purifier outside the United States will void the warranty, even if it didn’t take damage while it was there.
VOC is short for “Volatile Organic Compound,” and is a catch-all term for a slew of chemicals and gasses that are emitted into the air, some of which can be harmful to your health. They can come from man-made products, like paint and cleaning supplies, but can also come from natural sources, including some molds. The EPA has a great guide to VOCs that explains their effect on indoor air quality and human health.
Not all molds will emit toxic VOCs, but there are some common household varieties that do. While there are a variety of tests you can have done to check for VOC levels in your home, you can also use your nose. Most odors are a result of VOCs, including that musty odor you associate with mold and mildew. If you’re concerned about VOC levels in your home, look for an air purifier with an active carbon filter.
Air purifiers remove the mold and mold spores from your air, but even the best air purifier can’t remove mold that’s growing on surfaces in your home. Start by cleaning the soft surfaces, where mold is most likely to grow unseen.
Shampoo your carpets, mattress, and drapes to see if this alleviates your symptoms. If it doesn’t, you may want to have your home professionally inspected to see if there’s any mold growing in the walls or under the carpets, where it can’t be detected by the naked eye.
Graduated from an architectural college. Engaged in interior design of apartments, houses and her hobby is landscape design.
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Bestazy Chef Editor. Journalist with more than 7 years of experience. Likes to conduct interviews and write cool product reviews.
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