Choosing The Best Air Purifier For Mold- 5 Top Options

So, you have a mold problem in your house and you’re looking to find the best air purifier for mold. First let me just say I understand your pain, because I have been there. I first discovered my mold spore allergy many years ago during my first year of college. Dorm living seemed to be very conducive to mold growth and in return upper respiratory problems for me.

Whether you or someone you love has a mold spore allergy (like me), or you are just concerned about the health impact of being exposed to mold on a daily basis in your home, I will help you find the best solution for your needs.  In this article I have compiled a list of the best air purifiers for mold.  Here I provide honest, research-based reviews listing out the pros and cons of each air purifier mentioned.

If you’re in a rush, then my top recommendation for the best air purifier for mold would be the PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier. I’ll be reviewing that, and each of the following in detail this post.  To know the exact price of each air purifier, click the “Check Price” button below each review.

Why Is Mold A Problem?

First, I’ll answer the question of “what is mold?”.  Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments.  The problem with mold is that it creates microscopic spores which are released into the air. In a damp environment, these tiny mold spores can easily reproduce. These airborne mold spores then find their way into your lungs when you breathe in.

This can in turn make you sick, especially if you have a mold spore allergy. Even without an allergy, mold exposure can cause symptoms for you.  For example, you might experience a skin rash, itchy eyes, or irritation in the throat and lungs.

Then there’s also that damp, musty smell which you’re probably familiar with if you’ve ever had a mold problem.

How Can An Air Purifier For Mold Help?

Air purifiers use an internal fan to draw air through filters which remove airborne pathogens, such as mold spores, dust, bacteria, viruses, etc.  The air purifier then circulates the filtered air back into the room for you to breathe.

To find the best air purifier for mold, we need to carefully consider the filtration system to ensure the tiny mold spores can be properly removed from the air.  At a minimum you’ll want to ensure the air purifier you select has the following features in the filtration system:

  • HEPA Filter: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and it is the highest standard for air filtration. True HEPA filters capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. As mold spores are around 10 – 30 microns in size, a HEPA filter will effectively work for mold spores.
  • Ultraviolet Light Filter: this additional layer or protection will ensure that mold spores are killed and can no longer reproduce in the air.
  • Activated Carbon Filter: this layer is required to remove that musty smell we all know when mold is present. The activated carbon is great for neutralizing the odor in the air.

There several other features to consider when picking the best air purifier for mold, such as maximum room coverage, filter replacement schedule, customer reviews, and of course price.  I’ll go into detail on all of these features below.

But first, if you want to know a little bit more about how an air purifier can help to remove mold spores, the below video is very informative:

I should also note that you can definitely use dehumidifiers to help with your mold problem.  These will help to remove any excess moisture or humidity from the air, which can help to keep mold at bay.  If you have a serious mold problem, you may consider using a dehumidifier as well as an air purifier to keep you air fresh and healthy.  You can check out some of my dehumidifier reviews here if you need help choosing a great model.

Which is the Best Air Purifier For Mold?

1. PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier

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Best Air Purifier For Mold - purezone 3 in 1

The PureZone 3-in-1 is a model with a triple filtration system, including the true HEPA filter which captures up to 99.97% of airborne pathogens (including mold spores!), an activated carbon filter to eliminate odors, and a UV-C light to zap germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

I really like this model because it has a whisper quiet operation, making it perfect for bedrooms.  It also has an automatic timer which shuts off after 2, 4, or 8 hours of operation.  This machine is perfect for rooms up to ~150 square feet.

Style-wise, I personally prefer this model to the GermGuardian AC4825, as it is quite compact and would be easy to move from room to room.

Pros
  • Triple filtration system to tackle mold spores and other airborne pathogens
  • Whisper quiet operation; great for bedrooms
  • Sleek, compact design
Cons
  • Only suitably for small areas / single rooms (up to 150 square feet)

2. GermGuardian AC4825

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Best Air Purifier For Mold - germguardian

The GermGuardian AC4825 is an excellent air purifier for mold.  It utilises a 3-part filtration system including a HEPA filter, UV-C light filter, and an activated charcoal filter.  So, this air purifier is definitely going to stand up to mold.  The triple filtration system will filter out the tiny mold spores from the air, kill off the airborne bacteria / fungus to prevent further reproduction, and neutralise any damp or musty odors.

This model comes in a slim, compact shape and is great for single rooms.  It can cover up to 167 square feet.  I like that is reasonably priced, so it definitely won’t break the bank if you want a filter for just one or two rooms in your home.

In terms of maintenance, this machine requires a filter replacement every 6 – 8 months, and a new UV-C bulb every 10 – 12 months.

Pros
  • Triple filtration system to tackle mold spores and other airborne pathogens
  • Great value for money
Cons
  • Only suitably for small areas / single rooms (up to 167 square feet)

3. Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier

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Best Air Purifier For Mold - Alen breathesmart

This is the most powerful air purifier on my list of the best air purifiers for mold.  The Alen BreatheSmart 45i works great in rooms up to 800 square feet.

The filter technology on this model uses a HEPA filter coated with an antimicrobial compound to kill bacteria and fungi. The machine also comes with an odor eliminating carbon filter to absorb odors.  The Laser Smart Sensor detects the most minute airborne particles down to 0.3 microns, and an LED color display allows you to easily see your air quality.

Design-wise, I love this product.  It comes in multiple colors to match your interiors, and it comes in a very sleek, space-saving frame. It also operates using proprietary noise-reducing WhisperMax technology.

In terms of maintenance, the filters require changing every 6 – 9 months.

Pros
  • Powerful (can purify air in a room up to 800 square feet)
  • Laser Smart Sensor & LED air quality indicators
Cons
  • More pricey than comparable models

4. Coway AP-1512HH

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Best Air Purifier For Mold - Coway

This small and mighty machine is a top pick for the best air purifier for mold.  It offers the gold standard triple filtration system with a true HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, and a vital ionizer to reduce particles in the air.

This machine covers rooms up to 361 square feet, making it much more powerful than the GermGuardian or PureZone comparable models.

I really like this machine for its air quality indicator, which let’s you know how much pollution is currently in your air.  This model is also super-efficient. It operates in three speeds and will automatically turn to eco-mode once the air quality indicator shows “good” for 30 minutes.

In terms of maintenance, the filters need to be replaced 1 – 2 times per year.  I would note that the vital ionizer may concern some due to ozone emission; however, this machine has been certified as either producing no ozone or emitting a concentration of less than 0.05 parts per million (i.e., extremely low or non-existent).

Pros
  • Triple filtration system to tackle mold spores and other airborne pathogens
  • Powerful (can purify air in a room up to 361 square feet)
  • Smart controls and easy to read air quality indicator
  • Sleek design
Cons
  • Some may have concerns regarding trace ozone emission

5. Winix 5500-2

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Best Air Purifier For Mold - Winix

Customers love the Winix 5500-2 air purifier.  It has a 3-level filtration system, including a true HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of airborne particles, a washable activated carbon filter to combat odors, and a PlasmaWave filter to kill off those pesky mold spores.

Winix claim that the PlasmaWave filter breaks down the bacteria and pollutants without the release of harmful ozone, which can be a huge plus if you are concerned about ozone.

This model can filter air in rooms up to 360 square feet, and operates with a smart sensor to detect the air quality in the room.  Given that this machine is quite bulky, I personally prefer the smaller more compact models (like the PureZone or GermGuardian) which are easier to move room to room.

Pros
  • Triple filtration system to tackle mold spores and other airborne pathogens
  • Powerful (can purify air in a room up to 360 square feet)
  • PlasmaWave technology which claims no ozone emission
Cons
  • Quite bulky, would be more difficult to move room to room

The Air Control Guy Winner: PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier

Of the five products I’ve reviewed, the PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier is my winner for best air purifier for mold.  For me it has the winning combination of functionality, style, price and glowing customer reviews.  It could be a great choice if you’re looking to buy your first air purifier.  This model won’t break the bank, and can easily be moved from room to room.

It has the 3-layer filtration system which we need to effectively remove and kill mold spores, and it’s currently offered at a great price.  This is my clear pick as the best air purifier for mold issues in the home.

If you liked this article, check out my reviews of the best air purifiers for smoke as well.  There I detail some very heavy duty air purifiers, and a few from this list have made the cut!

Latest article: check out our review of the best HVAC tool bag — whether you are a pro or novice!

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