Best Air Purifiers for Molds in 2023 (Reviews & Buying Guide)
Molds can be found everywhere, but they are also hard to spot on the surface. While there are some molds that are totally harmless, all kinds of molds can be quite dangerous if left naturally growing inside your home. Thankfully, there are ways to make sure we are not inhaling those nasty spores they throw up in the air.
While mold reaction can vary depending on the individual, accidentally inhaling abnormally high quantities of mold spores may cause some respiratory problems which can trigger asthma, sinusitis, or in some worst cases, may cause mycotoxin poisoning which can eventually lead to death.
To make sure your house is guarded against these harmful spores, many air purifiers in the market are designed specifically to filter out these microscopic air impurities. Today, we will be listing some of the most popular of these said devices.
Best Air Purifiers for Mold – Reviewed
| Product | Coverage | CADR | Filter Type | Filter Life | Warranty | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1. Levoit LV-PUR131S Smart Wi-Fi Air Purifier for Mold | 900 sq. ft. | 230 | True HEPA | 6 Months | 1 Year | |
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2. Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier for Molds and Bacteria | 1,100 sq. ft. | 300 | True HEPA | 12 Months | Lifetime | |
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3. GermGuardian AC4825 True HEPA Air Purifier for Mold | 167 sq. ft. | 120 | True HEPA | 8 Months | 3 Years | |
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4. Winix 5300-2 True HEPA Air Purifier for Mold | 360 sq. ft. | 246 | True HEPA | 12 Months | 2 Years | |
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5. SilverOnyx Air Purifier for Mold with True HEPA filter | 500 sq. ft. | 140 | True HEPA | 12 Months | 1 Year |
1. Levoit LV-PUR131S Smart Wi-Fi Air Purifier
- It features a great design that will work well in any interior.
- Equipped with Wi-Fi which allows for real-time monitoring, and remote operations via the Vesync app.
- Features a true HEPA filter, which can remove up to 0.3-micron allergens in the air like dust mites, and mold spores.
- Thanks to its advanced Infrared smart sensor and auto mode that detects the 0.3-micron particles in the air and automatically sets the fan speed accordingly.
- Sleep mode makes sure that Levoit PUR-131S operates at 27dB, with an option to turn the LED display off.
- Low area coverage in 30 minutes.
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4.9/5.0
The smarter our appliances work, the more features it needs. Integrating Wi-Fi to the system means you can get access to the device wherever you are, as well as get detailed information and report instantly.
The Levoit LV-PUR131S does just that. The device operates in a stable 2.4GHz network and it even supports voice control with an Alexa device or Google Home Assistant. Because it is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, the Levoit PUR-131S can be controlled remotely using a smartphone and Levoit’s Vesync app so the air is fresh inside your room when you arrive home. The Vesync app comes with more than 10 advanced features including direct control, scheduling air-purifying sessions, air quality display so you have an idea of the real-time air quality in your house, cleaning modes, filter life, and many more. You can also check our Levoit Air Purifier review which compares different levoit models.
The Levoit PUR-131S can clean a room up to 900 sq. ft. in just about an hour, 500 sq. ft. in 33 minutes, and about 24 minutes for a 360 sq. ft. space at its highest fan speed level.
Thanks to its 3-in-1 filtration process (pre-filter, true HEPA filter, high-efficiency activated carbon filter), it can filter out allergens, from pet hair (you can also check our list of best Air purifier for pets) and dander, down to 0.3 microns like dust mites and molds. The activated carbon filter also makes sure that even unwanted odors, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be absorbed in the last filtration process.
2. Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier for Molds and Bacteria
- Good quality, the design will work well in any interior.
- Includes a True HEPA filter to remove up to 0.3-micron air allergens.
- Can clean up to 1,100 sq. ft. of space in just around 30 minutes.
- Features an air quality sensor indicator so you know instantly the air quality inside your room.
- The Ultra Quiet feature makes sure that the device doesn’t disrupt your quality sleep with its noisy fan.
- Available in many colorways
- More expensive than any products on this list.
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4.6/5.0
It is not the first time that we mentioned an Alen Breathesmart product on this website. This is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to air purifiers, and sure enough, the Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier is one of those products.
The Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier features the classic Alen Breathesmart design which can fit perfectly on any interior. It is also available in a wide range of colorways like the classic White, Weathered Gray, Weathered Grey, Rosewood, Oak, Graphite, Espresso, Maple, and the elegant Brushed Stainless. But it’s not just about design, this air purifier also packs some cool features.
Being the most expensive products, so far in this list, the Alen Breathesmart Classic is capable of cleaning up to 1,100 sq. ft. of space free of common air allergens like mold, bacteria, pollen, and dust in just around 30 minutes. Thanks to its True HEPA filter, it can filter up to 0.3 microns small air allergens. Alen BreatheSmart Classic Air Purifier is among our most recommended air purifiers for large spaces.
But what we like about the Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier is its air quality sensor light indicator. Blue means excellent air quality, orange means fair air quality while red means poor air quality. There is also an auto mode which with the help of air quality sensor, detects air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to effectively clean the space.
3. GermGuardian AC4825 True HEPA Air Purifier
- One of the cheapest air purifiers here in the list that can capture molds in the air.
- Features a True HEPA filter that can capture 99.97% or air allergens as small as 0.3-micron, with Charcoal filter to eliminate undesirable odours.
- AHAM Verified, and Energy Star Certified product.
- Quite bulky.
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4.5/5.0
The Germ Guardian brand is also a patron on our list of the best brands when purchasing an air purifier. This inexpensive GermGuardian AC4825 is no different. While it looks quite a bit bulky and uninteresting, we believe the AC4825 is one of the best products on this list, considering the feature and value ratio.
Like other products on this list, the GermGuardian AC4825 features a True HEPA filter, alongside four other filters and filtration processes. The True HEPA filter makes sure that air allergens like dust and molds as small as 0.3-micron will not pass through (about 99.97%), while the additional Charcoal filter captures undesirable odors. The third process includes a UV-C light which reduces airborne mold and germs that can pass through the previous process. Finally, the TIO2 combined with the previous UV-C light eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air.
This 22-inch air purifier can effectively clean rooms up to 167 sq. ft. Filtration and air circulation happens 4 times per hour, with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 118 for dust, 125 for pollen, and 108 for the smoke.
4. Winix 5300-2 True HEPA Air Purifier
- Inexpensive, a worthwhile investment.
- The three-way filtration process includes activated carbon, True HEPA filter, and UV-C light. This could filter air allergens from dust to bad odours.
- Features a LED light for air quality indicator.
- Can cover up to 360 sq. ft. of room, with air circulating fives times per hour.
- Has different modes to choose from, including an automatic mode, thanks to its smart air quality sensors.
- Only available in one color.
- Replacement filters can be quite expensive.
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4.3/5.0
The Winix 5300-2 True HEPA Air Purifier is another less expensive choice on this list. Although it is only available in the gray colorway, it is elegant enough to fit almost any interior.
Coming to the specifications of the device, the Winix 5300-2 features a True HEPA filter, which as what you have read previously, can filter out up to 99.97% of air allergens as small as 0.3-microns.
Unlike the other products on this list though, it only offers three filtration processes. Below the pre-filter, there is an odor-absorbing carbon filter, which does exactly as what it claims, the True HEPA filter for filtering out up to 99.97% of air allergens including molds, then finishes off with the PlasmaWave which breaks down odor, allergens, and chemical vapors.
The Winix 5300-2 can cover up to 360 sq. ft. room area, with air cycles five times for every hour. The cubic feet per minute (CFM) coverage is about 35.32 in Sleep Mode, 70.63 in Low Mode, 91.83 in Med Mode, and 123.60 and 240.14 in High and Turbo Mode respectively. It also includes smart sensors for fully automated mode switching and a LED for instant air quality indicators. This Winix Air Purifier is our most recommended air purifier for Bedroom, Pollen & even Pets. It’s an all rounder!
5. SilverOnyx Air Purifier with True HEPA filter
- Available in three colors.
- Features a True HEPA filter for capturing up to 99.97% of air allergens.
- Air filtration is done in a five-way process, including a UV light sanitizer which can eliminate mold and bacteria in the air.
- Has a change filter indicator so you have a better idea of the lifespan of your filter.
- Can cover up to 500 sq. ft. of the room area.
- Filter replacement can be quite expensive.
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4.5/5.0
It is the first time we will mention a SilverOnyx brand on this website. This SilverOnyx Air Purifier is also one of the most affordable option on this list, but it also features a True HEPA filter.
Unlike the other products we previously mentioned, the SilverOnyx Air Purifier features a five-stage filtration process. The mesh preliminary filter captures larger particles like hair and pet danders, while the second True HEPA filter traps 99.97% of air allergens as small as 0.3-microns. This air filtration process is followed by an activated carbon filter to neutralize odors in the room, then the negative ion generator to remove harmful airborne particles, and finishes off with UV light sanitizer to kill molds and bacteria in the air. The SilverOnyx Air Purifier can clean a room as large as 500 sq. ft.
Its trash can-like design also makes it one of the easiest air purifiers to work with when replacing filters. You just turn off and unplug the unit. Turn it upside down, turn the lid counter clockwise, and remove the filter cartridge from the inside.
Fortunately, it is also available in three colorways: Black, Silver, and White.
Air Purifiers for Mold Spores – Buying Guide
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives on moisture and reproduces through spores that travel through the air. Mold spores can range between 3 to 40 microns (to put that in perspective, a human hair is 100 to 150 microns) so they are really hard to spot on. It can grow in a moist area of your house, like windows, ceiling, carpets, and even books. So it’s always advisable to fix any water leak to stop it from reproducing itself.
Buying a specialized air purifier for mold can also help you if you have existing mold issues inside your house.
How does Mold impact human health?
As mentioned above, not all molds are harmful to humans, however, if it is left growing naturally inside your home, this becomes a huge problem. Mold throw spores in the air to reproduce which, if accidentally inhaled in abnormal amounts, can lead to serious respiratory problems, including death by mycotoxin poisoning.
Mold exposure issues can vary between different people. Sensitive people with existing health issues like allergies, asthma, and a compromised immune system may experience an inflammatory and toxic response to mold spores. If not, it can trigger the said diseases, and cause more respiratory issues like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic fungal sinusitis.
Some of the more harmful molds also produce mycotoxins which spread through spores. If accidentally inhaled in large quantities, this could lead to death.
Factors to consider when buying the best air purifier for mold
1. Maximum area coverage
The first thing you should consider when buying an air purifier is the maximum area coverage it can clean up. Your room should at least be below the minimum area of coverage of the considered air purifier, or you can purchase two of them to cover the entire area.
One of the air purifiers we listed here, for example, the Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier can cover a whooping 1,100 sq. ft. of the room area. That means, it should effectively clean and circulate the air in an area that is below 1,100 sq. ft.
2. Type of particle filter
Each air purifier contains a filter that will be able to capture pollutants at the microscopic level. However, the effectiveness of the filtration depends on what type of filter the air purifier has. If the primary concern is all about pet hair, and pet dander, options like true HEPA filters will be able to capture fine air pollutants down to 0.3 microns.
This is because, to meet the HEPA standard, a filter must remove at least 99.97% or more of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. In perspective, the size of human hair is approximately 80 to 100 microns in diameter. That is how small a HEPA filter should be able to capture.
Beware of air purifiers with HEPA-type, and HEPA-like filters as these are not true HEPA. They will not be able to remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter and is only used as a term to confuse consumers to buy low-quality air purifiers. However, if your concern is not about an allergen, and just some larger than 0.3 microns dust particles in the air, these options will work just fine too. But don’t expect it to release a fine purified air as with the true HEPA.
3. Optional ionizer
None, but only one of the products on this list includes an ion generator, the SilverOnyx Air Purifier.
While not that big of a requirement, having a negative ion generator in the air purifier can become one of the major considerations when purchasing an air purifier that is designed specifically to eliminate mold and bacteria in the air.
Negative ions exist in nature in many places after some natural phenomenon like discharges of electricity after a thunderclap, or wherever water collides with itself like a waterfall or ocean shore. It can also be found on ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or produced as a normal growth process of many plants.
Researchers believe that exposure to negative ions can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety for some people, promote antimicrobial activity, and improve breathing and blood pressure.
4. Recurring cost
Air purifiers are known as an expensive investment, and expenses continue even after the purchase. To make sure that the air purifier works efficiently and effectively as it was first bought, you should also be ready to spend money on filter replacement. However, some air purifiers come with a washable filter (usually odor filters) that you can just wash and are ready to use again as it is. If recurring cost is a big issue for you, look for air purifiers that come with a washable filter. This will help you in keeping the running cost in check.
5. Warranty
Finally, the warranty is also a big factor in purchasing air purifiers. As you can tell, air purifiers are an expensive home investment. With that said, you expect to get the most out of your money with the device by using it for a long period.
If you are purchasing an air purifier, also look for how long the manufacturer will be able to provide free service to your device. In this list, for example, the highest number of warranty goes on for three long years. That is three years of manufacturer support if you have any problems with your air purifier within the time range.
Conclusion
An air purifier is an expensive investment, but it is also a worthy one. Mold is ubiquitous, they are everywhere. The last thing you want them to thrive in is inside your home, and they’re nasty. It can cause many health issues especially to kids and sensitive individuals. It may even cause death if accidentally inhaled in large quantities.
Specialized air purifiers can help eliminate this issue. Not only that they remove mold and bacteria from the air, they also make sure that you only inhale fresh and filtered air that is free from allergens.
Hopefully, our list helps you decide which product is the best for your family.
