Basements are notorious for molds and mildew. If not mediated right away, the spores can spread all over your home and cause a massive problem down the line. Instead of putting your family’s health at risk, it’s best to use the best air purifier for mold in basement together with other methods.
Aside from the musty odor, molds can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. This is a big problem if your family members have asthma or allergies.
High humidity levels and lack of lighting allow molds to thrive in your basement. These ideal conditions allow the spores to go airborne and infest a larger portion of your home. To help put an end to this, you can use one of these high-powered air purifiers:
| AIR PURIFIER | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
 | Blueair HealthProtect 7770i Smart Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | RabbitAir MinusA2 HEPA Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | BlueDri BD-AS-550-RE Air Scrubber | | Check Price |
 | NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
 | Molekule MH1-BBB-1 Air Purifier | | Check Price |
 | Coway Airmega 400 Air Purifier |  | Check Price |
Will an air purifier help remove molds in the basement?
Air purifiers are a big help in eliminating molds in your basement, but it’s not the sole answer. You still need to perform actual cleanup to remove a large amount of mold spores.
Take note that molds should be professionally removed to prevent them from spreading to other areas of your home. After that, you can keep running an air purifier to eradicate the remaining traces of molds in the air. This will also help sift other allergens and gasses that compromise your indoor air quality.
Consider air purifiers as a complementary solution to the mold problem. It will not remove every single mold spore, but it will help maintain the amount to safe levels.
If paired with other mold removal steps, air purifiers can offer long-term benefits when used in the basement.
Best Air Purifier For Mold In Basement – Top 8 Picks!
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier
Product Name: IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier
Product Description: When it comes to the best air purifier for mold in basement, you’ll never go wrong with the IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier. This uses medical-grade filtration, including a HyperHEPA filter. Unlike a typical HEPA filter that can trap up to 0.3 microns, the HyperHEPA technology of IQAir filters up to 0.003 microns! Aside from that, this air purifier boasts the chemical removal power of at least 100 gas masks. This is possible through the 12-pound activated carbon filter inside the unit. It can filter noxious gasses, including formaldehyde. With such a powerful air purifier like IQAir GC MultiGas, no mold spores will get past its filters. You’ll notice a positive difference in your basement’s air quality within hours.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Moreover, this air purifier also does well in filtering tobacco smoke, VOCs, pet dander, allergens, and more. It’s a topnotch unit that can cover up to 1,240 sq. ft. of floor area, which is perfect for large basements.
This unit has a control panel with six speed settings. It has a minimum airflow of 40 CFM and maximum performance at 300 CFM. The Swiss quality of this air purifier really shows in cleaning your basement’s indoor air.
The only issue I see over this air purifier is its cumbersome weight. It weighs 44 lbs., which can be challenging to transport in and out of the basement. But other than that, my money is on this unit.
Pros
- Ideal for large basements
- Filters up to 0.003 microns (better than True HEPA!)
- Fitted with premium carbon filter
Cons
- It’s a heavy unit to haul around the house.
RUNNERS-UP
Blueair HealthProtect 7770i Smart Air Purifier
If you don’t have the budget to splurge on the IQAir, you can consider the Blueair HealthProtect 7770i instead. This uses a HEPASilent Ultra technology that will trap molds, dander, viruses, bacteria, pollens, and more.
Aside from that, this boasts of the GermShield technology that cleans the air of airborne pathogens. It works well on rooms not larger than 674 sq. ft. for five times per hour.
Moreover, the Blueair HealthProtect 7770i has a patented SpiralAir design that circulates the air in a 360-degree manner. This way, your entire basement will receive fresh and clean air.
I also like the smart features of this air purifier, which includes a SmartFilter monitor that uses an RFID chip. It will let you know the remaining lifespan of the filter so that you can prepare a replacement. There’s also the Clean Air ETA, which counts down the remaining time to achieve clean air.
The Blueair HealthProtect is an AHAM Verified and ENERGY STAR-certified appliance, which means it consumes less energy than other units. It also operates at 53 dB on average speeds, which is tolerable even around sleeping babies.
Overall, this has a CADR of 435 CFM for both smoke and pollen and less than 400 CFM for dust. It also sports a digital display for ease of use.
The only thing I wish they will improve is the mobile app. It only works with Alexa and not Google Assistant, which is a bummer for some users.
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier
The Alen BreatheSmart 75i Air Purifier is ideal for large basements up to 1,300 sq. ft. It has a CADR of 347 CFM with four airspeeds to suit the filtering needs of your basement.
Aside from that, this air purifier has a medical-grade H13 True HEPA filter that can trap up to 0.1 microns of airborne particulates. It also kills 99.99% of all aerosolized viruses and bacteria. It’s paired with a B7-MP-PET filter that traps molds and malodors in your basement.
This air purifier has a smart air sensor that detects the pollution level and adjusts the filtration speed. It’s an excellent feature to maintain healthy air quality anywhere in your home. Its filters last for up to 15 months in a 24/7 runtime.
Moreover, this has an ionizer that adds a cleaning function without producing harmful ozone. You can also set the timer and lock the functions to prevent your curious child from tampering with it.
As for the noise level, the highest speed records around 49 dB, which is fairly quiet for such a powerful air purifier. This is also ENERGY STAR-certified, which helps save energy, especially for long hours of use.
Overall, this is a nice-looking air purifier but with a larger footprint than the other units on this list. Also, their warranty requires a subscription, which is quite inconvenient for some users.
RabbitAir MinusA2 HEPA Air Purifier
For those looking for wall-mounted air purifiers, I recommend the RabbitAir MinusA2. This air purifier suits basements that are no larger than 350 sq. ft. You can also get this with specialized filter variants: Odor Remover, Germ Defense, Toxin Absorber, and Pet Allergy.
All the variants use an advanced HEPA filtration system with six purification stages. The star of this system is the BioGS HEPA Filter, which traps mold spores, viruses, and bacteria. It’s paired with an activated charcoal filter to neutralize the musty smell of molds in your basement.
Also, this has a negative ion generator that you can switch on and off based on your liking. It uses a brushless direct current motor that performs well with a lower noise level than other units.
Moreover, the RabbitAir MinusA2 has WiFi connectivity through the Rabbit Air app. Here, you can monitor your basement’s air quality even if you’re not at home. I also like the smart air sensor of this unit that automatically adjusts the airspeed based on the pollution level.
In addition, this air purifier has a light sensor that adjusts the panel lighting accordingly. By the way, the panel is also customizable with the print that you like! You can choose from Rabbit Air’s Artists Series featuring various designs.
BlueDri BD-AS-550-RE Air Scrubber
Are you dealing with massive water damage and intense molds? If so, you should get the BlueDri BD-AS-550-RE Air Scrubber. This is made to suck molds, mildew, pollen, dust, and more out of your basement. It’s actually designed for post-construction purposes, which is proof of its industrial-grade performance.
This has an AS-550 HEPA air purifier that will filter smoke, pollen, molds, dust, dander, and other similar debris. It can sift up to 0.3 microns and 99.97% of all airborne particles. You can also get the optional carbon filter if you want to remove malodors in your basement.
Aside from that, the BlueDri Air Scrubber is daisy-chainable, which means you can connect multiple units at once. It’s also stackable to save space in your basement. Such setup is helpful after mold and water damage remediation when spores levels are high.
Moreover, this industrial-grade air purifier uses a GFCI port with variable speed control. There’s also a reset button, a digital hour display, and a HEPA filter light indicator to make it easier to use.
Overall, this has a maximum capacity of 500 CFM, which is a champ for basement use. A 5-year warranty also covers it for the housing and 1-year for the motor. Unlike other air purifiers in the market, this BlueDri has a roto-mold technology that makes it tough against the harshest environments.
NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier
If your basement doesn’t need industrial-grade cleaning, you should consider the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier. This unit works in removing mold, lead, pollens, smoke, and VOCs. It’s also effective in neutralizing bacteria and viruses in the air.
Moreover, this air purifier boasts a 5-stage filter system, including HEPA and activated carbon filters. There’s also an ozone emission removal filter that lasts for 20 years and a Bio-Guard filter that eliminates germs in the air.
This is very convenient to use in your basement, thanks to its smart touch controls. It is WiFi-enabled, which allows you to monitor and change the settings even if you’re in a different part of your house. Overall, this will help remove mold spores in your home, so your family can breathe easily.
Aside from that, the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier is ENERGY STAR-certified and ARB-certified ozone-free. It’s safe to use anywhere in your home.
Overall, this air purifier has six fan speeds to suit your air cleaning needs. It will also let you set the unit in a quiet mode at night to prevent it from disrupting your sleep. There’s also an Eco Mode that uses the lowest fan speed until the sensor detects air pollution.
The only thing I noticed is that this thing is loud when used on the max setting. Other than that, this is a well-designed air purifier.
Molekule MH1-BBB-1 Air Purifier
The Molekule MH1-BBB-1 Air Purifier may have a small footprint, but it’s a champ in filtering molds in the air. This is perfect for up to 600 sq. ft., thanks to its PECO nanotechnology filter that destroys molds, viruses, bacteria, and allergens. This is the perfect air purifier for households with the most sensitive occupants.
Aside from that, this unit destroys the particulates, not just collects them. This is its main advantage over standard HEPA filters that collect irritants from the air.
Moreover, the Molekule Air Purifier doesn’t use ozone in its operation. It’s safe and truly portable for your convenience.
I also like the 360-degree air intake of this air purifier that cleans the air at every angle. It also has a high-efficiency outer filter that traps larger particles like pet fur to prevent blocking the inner filters.
In addition, this device is WiFi-enabled, which allows you to control fan speeds and other settings on your phone. It also shows the filter condition to let you know if it’s time for replacements.
Overall, this has an excellent and aesthetic build, perfect for those looking for a convenient air purifier. However, it doesn’t have an auto mode or smart sensors that detect air pollution. It’s something I’d expect for this price range, but it doesn’t seem to affect the cleaning performance of this unit as a basement filter.
Coway Airmega 400 Air Purifier
My last pick for this roundup is the Coway Airmega 400. This is a smart air purifier rated for up to 1,560 sq. ft. of room area with a cleaning delivery rate of twice per hour.
Moreover, this air purifier uses its proprietary Max2 filter. This combination of activated carbon and a True HEPA filter traps up to 0.01 microns of air particulates. It also neutralizes volatile organic compounds that could harm your body.
Another thing I like about the Coway Airmega 400 is its pollution sensor. Once it detects high levels of mold spores and pollution, it will ram up the filtering speed. It will also let you know how polluted your basement air is.
Aside from that, this air purifier works quietly or just 44 dB. It’s also ENERGY STAR-certified and only consumes 64 watts. You can use the Eco Mode to save more electricity when the basement air isn’t too polluted.
Unfortunately, this specific unit isn’t WiFi-powered, unlike the Airmega 400S and 300S. Still, it has an auto-sleep mode, filter lifetime indicator, and three manual fan speeds. You can also set the timer in three durations.
Overall, this is a powerful and aesthetic air purifier. However, the charcoal filter replacements are a bit pricey, which can be intimidating for those on a budget. But if you want efficient air cleaning, this is well worth the splurge.
How to choose the best air purifier for mold in basement
If this is your first time buying an air purifier, choosing from hundreds of options in the market can be challenging. To make it easier, here are some of the aspects to consider:
✔️Capacity and room size
The very first thing you should consider is the capacity of the air purifier against the size of your basement. For this part, we have to look at two things: CADR and floor area.
CADR stands for clean air delivery rate, which refers to how fast an air purifier can filter pollutants per hour. Most units are measured against pollen, dust, and smoke since these are the ones often in indoor settings.
In general, the higher the CADR, the better for highly polluted basements. There’s no industry standard as to what CADR fits a specific floor area. Still, most manufacturers will provide a CADR value alongside the maximum recommended floor area where you can use the unit.
For example, an air purifier with a CADR of 200 will perform well in a floor area not larger than 300 sq. ft. Overall, the CADR value and floor area directly proportional.
Take note that CADRs are tested on an 8-feet ceiling height, which would not be an issue for most basements.
For large basements with a bad case of molds, a high-powered air purifier is the best choice. The only downside here is the price and noise level. Still, those two aspects are tolerable if we’re going to prioritize function.
✔️Filtration stages
Once you’ve figured out the right CADR for your basement, the next thing to check is the filtration stages of an air purifier. Take note that air purifiers come in different filtration systems, which will affect how well they can trap mold spores.
The following are the ideal filters to use for an air purifier in your basement:
- True HEPA filter. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can remove up to 99.97% of all airborne particles. It can also trap irritants that are as small as 0.3 microns. This filter is very effective in removing airborne mold spores in your basement.
- Activated carbon filter. This filter helps neutralize malodors brought by molds and other irritants. It’s a porous and pure material that can cleanse the air while giving an added mold trap.
- Activated charcoal filter. Similar to carbon filters, activated charcoal will remove bad odors and gasses in your basement. It’s a natural material that can trap impurities and allergens.
- UV filters. This filter disinfects the air to kill airborne viruses and bacteria. It’s often used in hospitals and laboratories to prevent contamination.
These are just a few of the widely used filters in air purifier products. Many manufacturers use their proprietary filtration systems to improve the functions of their air purifiers.
Whatever filter you choose, make sure that replacements are easily available. This will save you from the possibility of having to buy a new air purifier.
✔️Noise level
Many buyers consider the noise level of an air purifier as a paramount concern. But in my opinion, this is a matter of trade-offs if you want to enjoy efficiency.
The thing with air purifiers is it gets noisier the more it becomes powerful. This is highly understandable due to the larger motor that a high-CADR unit uses. The good thing is that many models have adjustable speeds that will allow you to control the noise level to some extent.
Since the air purifier will be used in the basement, I don’t think noise levels will be a bigger problem. Unless you’re planning to live in your basement, you should look for a quieter unit to use.
✔️Controls and indicators
Make sure that the air purifier you’re going to buy has adjustable speeds. This will let you customize the filtration and tone down the noise. Overall, I try to look for the following features:
- Filter indicator. This will light up once you need to replace or wash the filters.
- Air sensor. Often found on higher-priced air purifiers, air sensors detect the level of pollutants in the room. It will then direct the air purifier to adjust its filtration level accordingly.
- Night light. Air purifiers are often built with ambient night lights to keep them low-key at night. It’s not really a must-have, but still a good feature to have at your disposal.
- Smart connections. Premium air purifiers are sometimes equipped with smart connectivity. This will let you control the unit through your mobile phone. It lets you monitor the airspeed, air quality, and other features without having to go back and forth to your basement.
You can find other features that will make your life easier when using the air purifier. Not all of it is necessary, but it will make a big difference if you’re into convenience.
✔️No-ozone certification
Always look for air purifiers that are certified to be ozone-free. Ozone is a harmful substance, which can cause serious problems due to long exposure.
In the past, air purifiers use ozone to kill bacteria and viruses. While it’s very effective, it also recorded side effects to users.
To answer the need for a safer alternative, air purifier manufacturers switched to ultraviolet technology. It does well in neutralizing pathogens in the air without producing any ozone.
✔️With or without remote controls
You can also choose between remote-controlled or manual air purifiers. Both work well, but remote-powered ones are convenient, especially for basement purposes. It can be tiring to go back and forth in your basement just to change the airspeed or turn off the unit.
✔️Price and warranty
Lastly, you should consider the price and warranty of the unit you’re going to buy.
If you need a powerful air purifier for your basement, I suggest investing in a top-dollar unit. Just make sure that it’s backed by a decent warranty in case manufacturing defects surface.
Added tips to eliminate molds in your basement
Aside from using a powerful air purifier, the following tips will help maintain a mold-free basement:
- Prevent condensation. Condensation often occurs on basement windows and doors as this is where the indoor and outdoor air meets. You should manage this to prevent moisture from building up in your basement, which can cause mold growth.
- Keep your vents clean. It’s best to schedule vent cleaning regularly. This will prevent moisture and mold spores from harboring on your HVAC system. I suggest getting a contract with a local HVAC contractor for periodic cleaning at a low cost.
- Fix leaks right away. When it comes to molds, you have to be proactive when a leak occurs. You have to prevent water damage and moisture from seeping through the walls. It’s best to hire a professional water damage remediator if the damage is already extensive.
- Avoid storing damp items. Many of us are guilty of dumping junk into our basements. If you’re using your basement as a storage area, make sure that the items are not wet or damp. Remember, you have to avoid any source of moisture.
- Check your gutters. Always ensure that your downspouts and gutters flow away from your house’s foundation. This will prevent your basement from absorbing moisture.
- Insulate your pipes. You should insulate all the pipes running through the basement using fiberglass or pipe sleeves. This will prevent condensation, especially during the winter season.
- Avoid carpeting. If your home had a massive mold problem before, it’s probably best to skip carpeting for your basement. I suggest sticking to washable rugs that you can easily take outdoors.
- Do not bring plants into the basement. While potted plants may help spruce up your basement, it also brings unnecessary moisture for molds to grow. No matter what plant you’re thinking of, it’s best to keep it in your living room and other areas with better ventilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you test for mold in the air?
A: Professional mold remediation companies use special tools to measure the level of mold spores in the air. There are also commercially available DIY mold tester kits that you can use at home. While this will not yield the most accurate results, it will give you an idea of how polluted your basement is.
Q: How do you know if you have molds in your walls?
A: Molds can appear green, black, brown, green, and even white. You’ll notice a discoloration on your wallpaper accompanied by a musty smell. If there’s water damage present, it’s guaranteed to grow molds in no time. You should seek mold removal and water damage remediation right away.
Q: How can I test the air quality in my basement?
A: An indoor air quality monitor will let you check your basement’s indoor air quality. It will alert you if there are high levels of noxious gasses, allergens, and sudden changes in humidity. You should also consider hiring professional indoor air checkers to guarantee the livability of your basement.
Q: Will an air purifier help a musty basement?
A: Air purifiers with carbon or activated charcoal filters can help neutralize musty smells. However, if the odor is coming from mold infestation, it’s important to get the molds removed first. This will save you and your family from the health problems brought by mold spores.
Q: Why does my basement smell weird?
A: The weird smell in your basement can be a combination of molds, water damage, allergens, and pest infestation. You should perform a deep cleaning to remove all these irritants. In worst cases, professional cleaning is the best solution to remove the spores properly. An air purifier will also help neutralize malodors in your basement.
Final words
The best air purifier for mold in basement is the first step in achieving healthy air in your home. Remember that you still need to perform proper cleaning to remove the root of the mold problem. Don’t hesitate to hire professional help to ensure the permanent removal of the spores. This will also allow the air purifier to function at its best in removing pollutants in your basement.
What do you think of these air purifiers? Let us know below!
Home Air Quality is founded by Bernard K to provide information on Indoor Air Quality in Homes and enlighten people about what they need to know about creating and maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment.
We believe that “Quality air brings a healthy life.”
