According to the CDC, molds can cause stuffiness, irritation of the eyes, irritation of the throat and nasal passages, and in more severe cases can lead to skin irritation. This is why it’s extremely important that you’re actively taking steps to prevent any possible mold or mildew growth within your living space.
The best way to prevent mold in your home?
Picking up an air purifier designed specifically to prevent mold should do the trick!
With the information inside this list of the best air purifiers for mold spores and mildew, I hope that I can help you find the air purifier to best fit your house when it comes to dealing with any mold or mildew growth. I’ll be breaking down the important features of each of these air purifiers and telling you how they can help you and your home stay healthy.
Contents
A Quick Summary & Recommendations
As you’ve probably read by now, it’s important that the air purifier you choose to fight back mold and mildew is properly equipped with the right tools to do so. Those tools are things like HEPA filters and UV lights. Having these tools while still being energy efficient and hopefully as quiet as possible so it won’t disturb you! With these things in mind, here are my final recommendations:
HomeAirHelper’s Pick for Best Air Purifier for Mold Spores and Mildew – IQAir HealthProPlus
Main Reasons:
- You’re not going to find a better HEPA filter than this one. (Seriously, 100x more effective than your average HEPA filter is ridiculous!)
- Power consumption on the lower fan speeds is unbeatable.
- V5-Cell rids your house of chemicals & VOCs.
- Remote control included.
- 10-year warranty will keep you covered for a long time!
- Triple sealing technology prevents any air leakage.
For me (and hopefully for you too) it’s no question that this is the best air purifier you can get for mold spores, mildew, and any other dust around the house. The HealthPro Plus is the king of air purifiers and as I said earlier, if it’s trusted by medical professionals enough to be used in hospitals, it’ll definitely do the job in your home!
HomeAirHelper’s Pick for Best Budget Air Purifier for Mold Spores and Mildew – SilverOnyx Air Purifier
Main Reasons:
- Cylinder shape makes the surface area on this HEPA filter 60% larger!
- UV light actively prevents the growth of mold.
- Lightweight and small, making it easy to move around the house as needed.
- 5 Stage filtration gets the job done!
- Won’t empty your wallet with upfront costs.
If you’re looking to clean up the air in your home without breaking the bank, the SilverOnyx Air Purifier is exactly what you need. The value that’s been squished into this little air purifier makes it well worth its price and the product design gives you that little extra HEPA filter you didn’t know you needed. The SilverOnyx air purifier doesn’t disappoint and does it all at a great price point compared to #1 and #2 on this list.
#1 – Best Air Purifier for Mold Spores and Mildew – IQAir HealthPro Plus
Coverage: 1125 sq ft.
Dimensions: 16 x 15 x 28 in.
Weight: 35 lbs.
Noise level: 25-59 dB
Power consumption: 27-215 W
Warranty: 10 years.
The IQ Air HealthPro Plus is without a doubt the best air purifier I’ve ever seen. Let alone the best HEPA air purifier for mold spores and mildew. What separates this air purifier from the rest, is the medical-grade air filtration system.
IQAir has an industry renowned HyperHEPA filter which is 100x more effective than your regular HEPA filter. Your average HEPA filter catches particles as small as 0.3 microns whereas the medical grade HyperHEPA filter found in the HealthPro Plus catches particles as small as 0.003 microns, stopping particles 10x smaller than viruses!
If you take a look at the comparison chart below, it shows just how effective the HyperHEPA filter really is at eliminating ultra-fine particles.
HealthPro Plus HyperHEPA Filter vs. Average HEPA Filter
Trusted by Medical Professionals
It’s no mystery why the IQAir HealthPro Plus has been given the title for the best air purifier for mold spores and mildew in our list. This air purifier has received the most #1 rankings and awards compared to any other air purifier in the industry.
If it is trusted by medical professionals to purify the air in hospitals ridden with bacteria and viruses, it should be trusted to purify your air!
Of course, the medical grade HyperHEPA filter isn’t the only thing that makes this machine incredible.
The HealthPro Plus has a 320-degree airflow output, with programmable operating options including six different fan speed settings. These options can also be accessed via the remote control included with this air purifier.
Pair these features with its enormous 1125 square foot coverage and this air purifier will be able to accommodate to any housing situation or size!
HealthPro Plus Filters & Lifespan
One of the most convenient features of the IQAir HealthPro Plus is its ability to monitor its own filter life. Using color-coded lights, it will indicate when the machine is in need of a filter change. Through some research, I’ve also found the average lifespans for the filters used in the HealthPro Plus:
- Pre-Filter: 6-18 months
- HyperHEPA Filter: 2-4 years
- Carbon Filter: 1-2 years
V5-Cell
Unique to the HealthPro Plus (when compared to IQAir’s other models) is that it contains a V5-Cell located in the carbon filter that has the ability to control and remove a variety of gasses and VOCs also known as Volatile Organic Compounds, here’s an explanation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about their harmful potential.
But hold on, there’s a cherry on top of all of this.
If the IQAir HealthPro Plus hasn’t convinced you it’s the best air purifier for mold and mildew, this machine is backed by a 10-year warranty! Isn’t that insane? You’ll be able to use this machine for 10 years worry-free! You can always send it back and get it fixed or replaced at no additional cost to you.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Medical-grade air purification system - 320 degree airflow output - Remote controllable - Massive coverage area - Filter life monitor - 10 year warranty | - Hefty price tag - Filter replacement is costly - Large in size - Not too visually appealing |
#2 – Alen BreatheSmart Classic HEPA-Silver Air Purifier
Coverage: 1100 sq ft.
Dimensions: 10 x 17.8 x 26.8 in.
Weight: 21 lbs.
Noise level: Speed 1: 41.5 dB, Speed 2: 44 dB, Speed 3: 50 dB, Speed 4: 56 dB.
Power consumption: 105 W at the highest operating level.
Warranty: Lifetime.
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic is a close second to the IQAir HealthPro Plus. It does almost everything the HealthPro Plus does and performs even better in some areas!
With coverage of 1100 square feet every 30 minutes, this air purifier will surely be able to clean up the air in your entire home.
Before we begin reviewing the Alen BreatheSmart Classic it’s important to clarify one thing. The model I’m reviewing has the HEPA Silver filter on it, not any of the other filters Alen has. There’s an important difference here and it’s best shown in this chart:
Alen’s HEPA Silver Filter
As you can see from the comparison table on the left, the HEPA Silver from Alen is their only HEPA filter specifically designed to tackle bacteria and mold.
This is because the HEPA Silver filter is coated with an antimicrobial finish that prevents any growth of bacteria and fungi.
The ionizer in this machine will also make it easier for your air purifier to break down these harmful airborne particles.
This is exactly what you need to deter the growth of mold spores and mildew in your home, which is why it’s landed the #2 spot for the best air purifier for mold and mildew!
Features You’ll Appreciate
The BreatheSmart Classic has features that make it a great recommendation to anyone looking for a high-grade air purifier for mold and mildew.
One of these features is the SmartSensor that detects airborne particles and in combination with the Air Quality indicator light, tells you the quality of the air in your home.
A second feature that Alen designed with the customer in mind is the WhisperMax technology that’s designed to eliminate high frequency sounds that this air purifier might produce during its process.
Other features the BreatheSmart Classic has that are worth mentioning are the following:
- Auto-Mode
- Filter life indicator
- Activated Carbon Filter (Absorbs smoke and household chemicals)
- Timer (So you can decide how long to let it run for)
- Sleep Mode (Will go into lowest fan setting and dim the LED lights)
- 4 Speed fan
That’s not everything though!
With the BreatheSmart Classic, Alen is able to claim a title that no other air purifier in the industry can!
Alen Understands
Alen’s BreatheSmart Classic is backed by their Forever Guarantee. That’s right. The BreatheSmart Classic has a lifetime warranty. An industry first and a guarantee that you’ll get massive value from this purifier for every dollar you spent on it!
While the first point is great news for any buyer, Alen continues to impress with their care for their customers. The BreatheSmart Classic is able to be customized to your liking with its 15 designer panel options. You don’t have to worry about this air purifier sticking out like a sore thumb. Pick the design that best complements your housing decor while enjoying your fresh, clean air!
Lastly, this air purifier is Energy Star certified, using (at the highest fan speed) only 105W of electricity, the equivalent of a light bulb.
If you can’t afford the monster machine that is the IQAir HealthPro Plus but still want something at almost the exact same quality, I’d highly recommend picking up the BreatheSmart Classic with HEPA Silver filter. This thing is excellent and well worth the money. I mean seriously, a lifetime warranty!
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Antimicrobial coating on filter to prevent fungi/bacteria growth - WhisperMax technology gets rid of annoying high frequency noises - Covers large areas with ease - Choose from 15 style panels to best fit your home's decor - Lifetime warranty - Energy Star certified | - Pricy - Lowest fan speed is a high dB compared to other competitors - Reports of some orders being received with a non-functioning unit inside (Fix: Simply return for a new one, just tedious) |
#3 – Best Budget Air Purifier for Mold Spores and Mildew – SilverOnyx Air Purifier
Coverage: 500 sq ft.
Dimensions: N/A
Weight: 5.2 lbs.
Noise level: 25-56 dB
Power Consumption: 100-240 W
Warranty: N/A
The SilverOnyx Air Purifier is a great pickup for anyone in need of an air purifier on a tight budget. The SilverOnyx comes equipped with everything needed to do the basic job of air purification while still having the additional features required to fight mold spores and mildew. For an air purifier of this price, you can’t go wrong. That’s why I’ve personally given it the title of the best budget air purifier for mold spores and mildew. A nice touch is that it comes in a sleek black, white, or silver, fitting into most home decor styles.
Budget Goodness
The main reason the SilverOnyx is a great budget pick is because of its cylinder design and the effect that has on the HEPA filter.
Due to the shape of this air purifier, the surface area of this HEPA filter is 60% larger than that of your average HEPA filter. Allowing for a more effective HEPA filter than usual.
When you combine this with the 4 additional stages of filtration (pictured right) you’ll be hard pressed to find something with this much utility for such a great price.
Fights Mold & Mildew
As you can see in the 5 Stages of Filtration, with the inclusion of a UV light on this air purifier this machine is equipped to fight any mold and mildew. Removing any ozone they may create in the process.
To help further prevent the creation and spread of these particles, the SilverOnyx air purifier is equipped with an ionizer that will generate negative ions to reduce airborne irritants. The ionizer will also make it easier to break the particles down in the future for the filters.
Additional features of the SilverOnyx air purifier are what push this air purifier into third place on this list of best air purifiers for mold and mildew. Keeping up with first and second on this list, the SilverOnyx also has a filter life indicator. Pushing the “Filters” button will tell you how much life your filter has left (in percentage).
Hassle-Free Filter Changes
As I mentioned earlier because of the cylinder shape of the SilverOnyx, the HEPA filter inside is 60% larger than the average HEPA filter. One of the reasons I considered this air purifier a great budget pick. However, the benefits of this cylindrical HEPA filter don’t stop there!
Because of the cylinder shape, replacing the HEPA filter is easier as well. A two-fold benefit from the product design of this air purifier.
As you can see from the picture tutorial on the left, replacing the filter in the SilverOnyx air purifier is as easy as taking a lid off of a water bottle! There’s no need for screwdrivers or any other tools with this air purifier. SilverOnyx has made it quick and convenient for its owners to change their HEPA filters with ease.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Effective air purification - UV light designed to fight against mold - Cylindrical HEPA filter gives you 60% more - Easy filter changes - Small and lightweight | - Not energy efficient |
#4 – Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier
Coverage: 360 sq ft.
Dimensions: 16.8 x 18.3 x 9.6 in.
Weight: 12.35 lbs.
Noise level: 24.4-53.8 dB
Power consumption: 4.9-77.8 W
Warranty: 3 years.
The Coway AP-1512HH is one of the smallest air purifiers I’ve seen, but don’t let its appearance fool you! This iPod Nano on steroids (comes in black or white just like them!) can still pack quite a punch and go toe-to-toe with the best air purifiers for mold spores and mildew.
One of the biggest advantages the AP-1512HH has over the competitors is this small size. With its speaker-like look and light weight of only 12.35 pounds, this air purifier can easily be moved around your house to wherever your heart, house, and nose, desire!
4 Stage Filtration
Inside this tiny air purifier is an excellent four-stage filtration system that covers all the bases for removing impurities in the air. Below is an infographic from Coway that highlights the different filters this air purifier uses.
As you can see, the Coway uses a combination of 4 top of the line filters to best ensure clean air for your household.
- The washable pre-filter eliminates the largest of particles before they can even get to the next few stages, leaving those filters to do what they do best.
- The odor filter does exactly as it says. Using activated carbon it eliminates bad odors and gases that can go undetected in the house.
- The HEPA filter removes airborne particles down to the size of 0.3 microns 99.97% of the time. (This is usually the norm for HEPA filters, the IQAir HealthPro Plus medical-grade HEPA filter is a special case.)
- Lastly, the AP-1512HH has an ionizer that emits negative ions to help breakdown particles and freshen the air around you.
The pre-filter is washable and reusable, a nice way of saving you money! The activated carbon filter will last 6 months on average and the HEPA filter typically lasts 12 months. Both the activated carbon & HEPA filter require you to purchase replacement filters.
An Air Purifier You Don’t Have to Babysit
The simplicity in the AP-1512HH’s indicators and buttons is a convenience any user will quickly come to realize. This air purifier uses two light indicators, one being a filter life indicator, and the second being a color-coded air quality indicator. In auto-mode, the air quality indicator will help the Coway figure out which fan speed it should use to best purify the air quality. This simple diagram (pictured right) describes exactly how its color-coded system works.
- Blue – Your air quality is clean. The AP-1512HH will stay in the lowest fan speed.
- Purple – Your air quality is moderately dirty. The AP-1512HH will turn the fan speed up to Speed 2 to clean the air at a higher rate.
- Red – Your air quality is poor. The AP-1512HH will go to the highest fan speed to purify the air as fast as possible.
Because of the air quality indicator and automatic fan speed control, it’s suggested that owners of this air purifier should leave their machine on auto-mode. The benefits of leaving this on auto-mode are two-fold. Firstly, this machine will be able to do what it knows is best for the right situation. Second, because you’ve left it in auto-mode, you’re free to do other things around your house rather than monitor your air purifier to make sure it’s operating properly!
Simple Buttons With Simple Functions
The second simplistic approach Coway took with this air purifier was with their buttons. The AP-1512HH has a very straightforward user interface that tells you exactly what button you’re pressing without unnecessary fanciness. As you can see from the grey diagram, the user button interface is simple, with buttons for:
- On/Off
- Fan Speed
- Ionizer
- 1/4/8 Hour Timer for Automatic Shut-off
- Filter Reset
When comparing the diagram to the actual air purifier you can see it’s exactly the same. A straightforward, easy to use machine that’ll get the job done, and done right. Not to mention with its Energy Star certification, it’ll protect your nose and your wallet!
If you’re looking for a simple introductory air purifier that’s small and mobile enough to use all around the house, I’d suggest the Coway AP-1512HH. It might not have the same capabilities of the HealthPro Plus or the BreatheSmart but for its size, it’ll get the job done and will be a source of happiness in your home instead of headaches!
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Lightweight and mobile - Small size makes it easy to hide away - Simple user interface - Filter life indicator - Futuristic design - Won't break the bank - Energy Star certification | - Not specifically built to handle mold and mildew - Ionizer emits small amount of ozone - Filter replacements can be costly |
As always, thanks for reading! 🙂
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