Amid the pollutants in the air, an air purifier’s presence is no longer an afterthought. You’ll need to compliment your house with one for mold spores.
Our Choice of the Best Air Purifier for Mold:
- LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies and Mold (Editor’s Choice)
- Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier
- GermGuardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier
- AeraMax 300 Large Room Air Purifier
- Winix 5300-2 Air Purifier
I know that deciding on the “one” can be daunting. This guide will acquaint you with the five best air purifiers for mold.
The 5 Top Mold Air Purifier Models in 2022:
1. LEVOIT
LEVIOT features a compact air purifier design with a touch screen on top for controls. This sophisticated air purifier design allows for a 360-degree air intake feature and delivers clean air through the upper vents.
The HEPA filter is responsible for arresting airborne particles and particulates down to 0.3 microns in size, significantly tinier than mold spores. It employs three stages of the filtration system: a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and an activated charcoal filter. The pre-filter will capture pet dander, dust, and dust mites for you, but keep it clean every month.
LEVOIT’s QuietKEAP technology diminishes the noise to 24 dB when night mode is active. The 3-speed fan has a maximum loudness of 50 dB. A cool thing about the fan is that it runs on the most recent speed setting when I turn it on and features four-timer modes.
It achieves a CADR of 135 cfm and an ACH of 5x. The first rating refers to air intake per minute, whereas the second denotes how many times per hour it exchanges the air volume. This one is great for my bedroom, with an optimal area of 219 square feet.
I was overhyped about the touch controls until I discovered the actual time air quality smart sensor wasn’t present. Furthermore, the carbon filter didn’t function as expected since it couldn’t capture cigarette odors, for instance.
Pros:
- Compact
- 360-degree coverage
- 3-stage filtering w/ HEPA
- Low-noise fan (quietest air purifier)
- CADR is AHAM-verified
- Energy Star certified
- Sleep mode available
Cons:
- No air quality smart sensor
- Mediocre activated carbon filters
2. Alen BreatheSmart Classic
One look at this HEPA mold air purifier, and you’ll deem it bulky. Yet, it shows a sleek air purifier design that won’t protrude. It’s available in 9 different color palettes, and the rosewood has been an excellent match for my apartment!
This quality air purifier boasts a 3-stage filtration system with four flavors. The HEPA Silver is optimal for mold exposure. In addition to a pre-filter, you get a HEPA Pure layer for eliminating mold, dust, and dust mites. The good news is that Alen adds an ozone-free ionizer to boost air purification. It's not a HEPA-only air purifier but is also equipped with an ionizer.
This CARB-certified air purifier offers a 4-speed fan with an auto mode that automatically adjusts the fan speed according to the room’s conditions. The lowest fan setting (32.4 dB) sounds like a whisper to me. Overall, I found it rather quiet due to WhisperMax Technology.
It is rated at 1100 square feet of room coverage for large rooms. As for the ACH, BreatheSmart purifies its air intake twice an hour with a CADR of 300 cfm for pollen. This good air purifier supports Alen’s Smart Sensor Technology for displaying indoor air quality.
The area where it disappoints is the costly filter replacement. Not to mention the air purifier’s high price. But at least you get a confident lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Many color options
- 3-filter system w/ 2 True HEPA filters
- 4-speed fan w/ auto mode
- Hushed operation
- Air quality index sensor
- CARB certification
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Hefty price
- Expensive replacement filters
3. GermGuardian True HEPA Filter
The lightweight Germ Guardian true HEPA filter air purifier features the classic airflow method that relies on receiving the air intake from the back and delivering the purified fresh air through the front grill.
The unique addition to this Germ Guardian air purifier is the UV C light bulb, which reduces airborne bacteria, mold spores, and other microbes. Of course, the True HEPA manages to kill mold spores and 0.3-micron allergens, and the pre-filter catches larger air particles. However, it utilizes an activated carbon filter for removing mold odors and VOCs.
I think of this filtration process as a 4-in-1 since you get an additional mold filter instead of an independent carbon filter. It provides three fan speeds. At first glance, I thought it was going to be quiet. Yet, the fan is 40dB loud at the lowest setting, which is acceptable, but at the highest stage, it starts to get noisy.
This effective air purifier for mold gets the job done in rooms up to 167 square feet with an AHAM-verified CADR of 125 cfm for pollen and an ACH of 4x. The control panel houses a fan speed switch, a button for UV C light, and a filter replacement LED. I’d say it’s decent for offices and small rooms.
Also, I’d have appreciated an air quality indicator. If I had anything to complain of, it’d be the loud fan speed at night. I wouldn’t recommend sleeping while it’s turned on.
Pros:
- Compact
- Pre-filter w/ carbon coating
- UV C light/ Ultraviolet light
- Affordable filter replacement
- Energy Star certified
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Loud fan
- No air quality indicator
4. AeraMax 300
The AeraMax 300 is yet another excellent choice for extensive indoor air purification. Though bulky, it promises durability in the long run.
The 4-step filtration process for indoor air is an abundance of riches. The pre-filter is an accurate activated carbon filter, handy for cutting down unpleasant odors and protecting the True HEPA filter that traps mold spores.
Integrated into the HEPA silver filter is the AreaSafe Antimicrobial Treatment, preventing mold growth on the filter. Your last line of defense is the PlasmaTrue Technology with a built-in ionizer.
I expected this excellent air purifier to be noisy with four fan speeds. However, the highest speed roughly equates to chatter, whereas the lowest sounds pretty tranquil at 35dB.
This one is great for rooms between 300 and 600 square feet. It has an ACH of 3x to 5x and a CADR of 188 for pollen and mold spores. I’d assume this is slightly below the average for indoor cleaning devices. So, you may have to keep it on for longer to get the desired results.
The touchscreen control panel provides an array of crucial features, like the AeraSmart Sensor, which automatically adjusts the fan speed. Besides, you get a filter life indicator and a toggle to turn the ionizer on. Speaking of the ionizer, be informed that it emits ozone.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Activated carbon filter
- Built-in protection for True HEPA
- Noiseless fan w/ auto mode
- Touch screen w/ intuitive controls
Cons:
- Weak CADR
- Ionizer generates ozone
5. Winix 5300-2
In the realm of air purifiers, the Winix 5300-2 makes an outstanding budget-friendly option for large rooms. This air purifier has an air outlet grill aligned to the center for improved air distribution.
The 3-stage filtration system here is on par with high-end air cleaning models, especially considering that the pre-filter depends on an activated carbon layer for reducing VOCs.
The True HEPA filter lies at the heart of the system, and it can break down airborne mold spores as tiny as 0.3 microns. Then comes the Winix PlasmaWave ionizer, with no ozone emissions.
Like most air purifiers, the Winix 5300-2 rocks a 4-speed fan, supporting an auto mode. Hitting 28 dB at the lowest setting, I gave it a shot in my home office, and it left me impressed with how noiseless it is.
This air purifier will renew indoor air four times per hour. The control panel is on the front with buttons for modes, PlasmaWave, fan speed, and timer. The CADR rating achieves 246 cfm for pollen and mold spores in rooms up to 360 square feet.
Moreover, there are 2 LED indicators for air quality and filter replacement. I believe Winix filter replacements are pretty pricey. Another absurd thing is the noise the air purifier emits when turning off after the timer mode.
Pros:
- Cost-effective
- 3-stage filtering
- Ozone-free ionizer
- Quiet fan w/ auto mode
- Air quality indicator
Cons:
- Expensive replacements
- Noisy before the timer turns off
6. Other models we looked at
We also looked for other air purifiers that destroy molds at molecular level in our review rating:
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Air Purifier, AdaptAir Air Purifier, Greenote Air Purifier, LEVOIT Vital 100 H13 True HEPA Air Purifier, RENPHO Air Purifier, QuietPure Air Purifiers, Pure Enrichment Air Purifier, Molekule Air Mini Small Room Air Purifier, IQAir Health Air Purifier, PureZone 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Hathaspace Smart Air Purifier, and SilverOnyx 5-in-1 Air Purifier.
Some of these types of air purifiers are reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rest assured that these products are Energy Star certified and optimized to filter airborne pollutants, airborne germs, air particles, and airborne mold spores and are also equipped with additional features such as UV light and sleep mode for energy efficiency.
Purchase these air purifier filters to destroy mold spores at an affordable price on Amazon and start controlling humidity and moisture levels.
Buyers Guide
The terminology specific to air purifiers baffled me when I chose the right air purifier for mold. After an overview of the best air purifiers for mold spores, we’ll eliminate the jargon surrounding these machines.
3 Steps to Choosing
Air Filtration
Not all air purifiers work like mold air purifiers. Most air purifiers for mold use a 3-stage filtration process. At the core of the filtration system lies the True HEPA filter, which is the best air filter for mold spores since it traps any airborne contaminants and indoor air pollutants down to 0.3 microns. It’s undoubtedly competent in reducing allergy symptoms since mold spores range around 3-100 microns.
Be informed that HEPA filters don’t shine when it comes to odors. That’s where the activated carbon filter removes household odors, like smoke, cooking smells, and a wide range of VOCs that may irritate allergies.
Pre-filters are what you’ll first stumble upon when looking at the layers. These filters are responsible for stopping pet dander, dust, dust mites, and considerably larger particle from passing to the HEPA filter. You’ll sometimes find models with these combined with an active carbon coating to boost their functionality.
Apart from these layers, most air purifiers that destroy mold spores incorporate additional air purification weapons, like optional UV C light bulbs. UV C feature depends on titanium dioxide to impede mold growth. Moreover, air purifiers may feature an ionizer, which generates heavy negative ions that stick to airborne particles, causing them to wind up on the ground.
Fan
It’s normal for many air purifiers to have ambient background noise (1). So don’t expect the fan’s sound to be negligible. However, I’d say an air purifier for mold particles with a 28 dB fan at the lowest speed is in the sweet spot. This noise level is nearly how loud a whisper will be.
I figured out that air purifiers with four fan speeds are generally louder than the ones featuring a 3-speed fan. Still, 4-speed fans are a cut above their counterparts in terms of performance. If you want to sacrifice serenity in favor of a more capable air purifier for mold, opt for one with a 4-speed fan.
Performance
Manufacturers evaluate the energy efficiency of air purifiers based on two ratings: CADR and ACH.
CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It depends on three measurements in cfm (cubic feet per minute) for dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke. It would help if you counted on the pollen rating since pollen is the closest to mold in size. Clean Air Delivery Rate relates to the air coverage of air purifiers. A 135 cfm rating will prevent mold growth in your bedroom. But, in the living room, it doesn’t promise much.
ACH refers to the Air Changes per Hour. Depending on the room area suggested by CADR, air purifiers that remove mold with high ACH will clean the indoor air faster. For instance, 4x ACH air purifiers operate better than 3x ones since they’ll renew the air four times an hour.
The best air purifier manufacturers love to boast about these two ratings of their products, especially if they have the AHAM (2 )or CARB seals for authenticity. If CADR and ACH are still ambiguous for you, you can figure out how they’ll relate to your room’s capacity using a CADR calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Air Purifiers Capture Viruses?
Although HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are among the best air filters for removing mold spores and airborne particles, even the best HEPA air purifier for mold fails to capture airborne viruses. Some air purifiers with UV C light filters/ UV light filters may be efficient since they do a great job killing pathogens compared to such air filters.
Are HEPA Filters Washable?
While most True HEPA filters are replaceable, some are washable, and you should rinse them under cold water to wipe the dust off. On the other hand, some HEPA filters have a “permanent” seal. Instead of water, clean these gently with a vacuum air cleaner.
Can an Air Purifier Completely Remove Mold Spores?
Although HEPA filters in air purifiers trap molds in a fine mesh, they don’t offer 100% mold problem eradication. With an air purifier, mold removal often requires you to sanitize surfaces regularly and eliminate moisture issues by fixing plumbing leaks.
Conclusion
Instead of preoccupying yourself with how mold spores managed to get into your house, air purifiers for mold removal make a hard-and-fast solution for your health and your preoccupation, too! With the five best mold air purifiers and a buying guide for starters, I bet you must’ve drawn a picture for the one tailored to your needs.
I assume that the Alen BreatheSmart outshines the rest as the best air purifier for mold. Despite having a lower CADR than the Winix, this air purifier is the only one on the list to feature two onboard HEPA filters. They function more competently than typical air cleaners for mold with 1 HEPA filter.
