10 Best Air Purifiers for Musty Smell and Molds
Not only are molds obvious health hazards, these can also make your home less of a cozy enclave. These come with an irritating musty smell, you cannot really feel comfortable with that. Even if you can’t see it, that musty can just hit you in the face.
Molds can be hard to remove as they reproduce fast. One way to keep your indoor air free from mold is by using an air purifier. And not all air purifiers have enough prowess to do that. We’ve made a list of efficient units for this job so you don’t need to.
Our Top Picks: 10 Best Air Purifiers for Molds and All Things Fuzzy
Musty smell, unsightly black to brown fuzzy growth on the floors and walls, and bacteria lingering in your space. You do not want these in your homes. These air purifiers will help you keep the air fresh, clean, and free from these nasties.
Bionaire True HEPA 360 UV
Dimensions: 17.5” x 10.7” x 11.5”
Room size: 155 sq. feet
CADR: 113 CFM
Noise Level: 30 dB
Mold can thrive in the nooks and crannies of every room. You may not be able to spot it right away, but that nasty musty smell gives it away every single time. So you have to ensure that every single corner is cleaned. This air purifier excels in this endeavor, sweeping the air 360 degrees from across the room.
It ticks the things that we are looking for a powerful air purifier for mold prevention and eradication. It has a three-stage filtration process and it makes use of high-quality HEPA filters. This can catch minute particles of dust, dirt, and mold spores, so you can prevent them from growing and building a community in your airspace. Imagine what that would smell like.
It also has an activated carbon filter, this type of filter is notorious when dealing with mold-related smells.
This is a great choice for smaller bedrooms and spaces since it has a rather small profile. It also runs very smoothly and quietly, and it will not disturb your sleep.
One of the disadvantages though, it may not have such a friendly user interface. You might find it challenging to see the buttons and the labels.
Alen Breathsmart 75i
Dimensions:18.5” x 11.5” x 27”
Weight: 27 lbs
Capacity: 1300 square feet
CADR: 347 CFM
Dimensions: 11.5″ x 18.5″ x 27″
Room size: 512 sq. feet
CADR: 355 CFM
Noise Level: 49 dB
This is a beefier air purifier from the brand that can perform exceptionally in larger rooms and open floor spaces. It’s also a smarter choice that can be compatible in a home with a smart ecosystem. You can easily plan automated cleaning so that your house is ready even before you get home.
There’s a lot to love. The filters are customizable, so you can choose a specific one that targets molds and mold spores. It makes use of HEPA filters with activated carbon pellets and an ionizer technology. These are king when it comes to the prevention of both mold growth and the musty smell that comes with it.
This is also a more premium choice and a bulkier one. Thus homes with larger spaces will be able to make the most use of this beefy air purifier. If you need to seriously clean the air in your big basement, this is where you should start. It will be able to remove harmful VOCs that linger in closed-off spaces like basements.
Honeywell HPA300
Dimensions: 9.25” x 20” x 22.25”
Room size: 465 sq. ft
CADR: 320 CFM
Noise Level: 48.3 dB
This is a more traditionally performing air purifier that can get rid of the musty smell that comes with mold growth. This may not be equipped with the latest materials and innovation, but it was able to prove its prowess in getting rid of molds, even in larger spaces.
It is equipped with high-quality HEPA filters and very powerful fans that get the job done.
The carbon pre-filter may have limitations. While it can remove molds, it might not have enough prowess to handle other VOCS, that is one thing to consider if you have other priorities other than molds.
With enough muscles to perform in larger rooms and more powerful fans, this is a great choice for bigger basement and living spaces. The CADR is powerful enough to remain competent in larger areas. This might not be the most suitable choice though, in bedrooms, it may make a bit of noise that can disturb your sleep.
Levoit Core 600S
Dimensions: 12.3” x 12.3” x 23.6”
Room size: 584 sq. ft
CADR:373 CFM
Noise Level: 40.9 dB
This is a more affordable option that is relatively energy efficient too. So if you are keeping tabs on the utility bill but need to run the air purifier round the clock, this is a pretty tempting choice.
It has a three-stage filtration system a high-quality pre-filter for larger particles, a carbon filter that deals with the molds and musty irritating smell, and another filter that traps smaller airborne particles and VOCs.
This is a powerful air purifier with a posh-looking interface complete with touchscreen displays. It will prove its prowess better in smaller to medium-sized rooms. But this can be quite large and heavy to move around and can be quite noisy too, especially at higher speeds. And oh, while it is cheaper upfront and utility usage is sweet, the replacement of the filter can rack up quite a sum.
EnviroKlenz Air System
Dimensions: 15” x 15” x 19”
Room Size: 290 sq. feet
CADR: Up to 96 CFM
Noise Level: 32 to 64 dB
While this air purifier only has a dual filtration system, we deem it performs satisfactorily when it comes to dealing with molds. It makes use of hospital-grade HEPA filters that are very criminal when it comes to eradicating mold spores. The second filter neutralizes other VOCs and pathogens. To add to the efficient mold-fighting filtration system, it is equipped with UVC light that inhibits the growth of molds. This is also very efficient in preventing fungi growth, thus a perfect unit to combat allergies.
With the more high-end specific material, this has a more expensive upfront cost. And some may notice the distinct mineral-like smell it gives off when operating. But this tends to dissipate in a few minutes or so.
This is also a suitable choice in the bedroom and will not cause any disruptions in your sleep.
Winix 5500-2 Air Cleaner
Dimensions: 15” x 8.2” x 23.6”
Room Size: Up to 1,740 sq. feet
CADR: Up to 246 CFM
This is a hardworking air purifier that has a four-stage filtration system. With this intricate step for cleaning the indoor air, this is also one of the more notorious air purifiers that can get rid of molds and prevent them from thriving again.
It has true HEPA filters that catch smart particles and mold spores. One thing to note too, it has a plasma wave technology that acts as an additional layer of defense that can break down allergens and pollutants to a smaller molecular level, all sans the side effect of producing ozone.
If you also need an air purifier that can work faster without compromising quality work, this is a great contender. This can render your indoor airspace clean and smelling fresh in just 20 seconds.
This can also be cost-efficient since the pre-filter is washable. That’s one thing you have to scrape off your expenses.
Pure Enrichment Bear Air True HEPA Air Purifier
Dimensions: 11.1” x 8.7” x 14.6”
Room Size: Up to 263 sq. feet
CADR: Up to 70 CFM
Noise Level: 45 to 53 dB
This is a cute and perky yet efficient mold-fighting air purifier. It can sit prettily in your kid’s room. Equipped with a playful design, it can blend in the interiors of your little ones’ cave. It is both an aesthetic and functional piece.
Molds can wreak havoc on your kid’s fragile health, subjecting them to a host of allergens that can make them sick the entire day. Especially in their sleep, they must breathe clean air. This perky air purifier is the perfect choice for them. It can effectively kill molds and small particles that may cause allergies. It also has a UV lamp that acts as an additional layer of protection against bacteria and viruses.
It is also very quiet and can be a nice choice for adults who sleep lightly. It is one of ‘em more quiet yet efficient air purifiers.
However, you must keep it away from the child’s reach. The UV light, once broken, can release toxic particles.
Dyson Purifier Humidifier+Cool Formaldehyde
If you need more prowess from your air purifier, this Dyson model can fulfill your indoor air needs. In addition to eliminating dust, pollen, and pet dander, this can also easily remove formaldehyde from the air.
Kerosene, tobacco, and car exhaust are just some of the common sources of this harmful gas. Several common household appliances can also contribute to elevating the concentration of this harmful compound in your homes.
Dimensions: 36.33” x 12.28” x 11.02”
Room Size: 400 sq. feet
One way of preventing molds from thriving in your indoor space is by keeping the humidity level in check. This is the specific route of this air purifier. It is designed to keep humidity at optimum levels, thus discouraging mold growth.
It has true HEPA filters that can catch smaller particles, dust, allergens, and mold spores. It also has carbon filters that remove that nasty musty odor. Cherry on top, this air purifier can also remove harmful formaldehyde from the air.
This is quite lightweight and has a nice functional design. Air blows off from the sides and can add a cooling effect to your space at the same time. This may even take the place of fans.
The catch is that filter replacement can be expensive, not to mention tricky to perform. But you can scour the net for tutorials on how to replace the filters and oftentimes, it may suffice.
Kenmore 1500e
Dimensions: 10.24″ x 10.24″ x 19.13″
Room Size: up to 1500 sq. feet
Noise Level: 40 to 50 dB
This is equipped with more updated technology that can suffice the needs of those looking for more convenience. It can show real airtime quality, so you know when you need to set it up for routine cleaning. The display is highly informative and gives you more ideas on the things you need to know. This is very helpful for those who want to have more control over the quality of their indoor air. We also find that this air purifier is excellent in removing dust, so this is an efficient choice if you have allergies.
Equipped with HEPA filters and a carbon filter, this can get rid of molds quite well. This is also a great bedroom choice; it doesn’t make much noise when in use. It has a silent clean technology that really lives up to its name. Even at the highest setting, it does not make any noise. Additionally, it has a sleep mode that can give the best scenario for light sleepers.
GermGuardian Air Purifier
Dimensions: 12″ x 9.75″ x 9.75″
Room size: 1040 sq. feet
CADR: 139- 150 CFM
Noise Level: 24 dB
This air purifier lives up to its name, it can render your indoor air clean, smelling fresh, and virtually free from germs. It makes use of UV-C light technology which can add layers of defense for your health. Apart from molds, this can also kill bacteria, viruses, and a myriad of germs.
This may lack smart features and a more upgraded chassis, but it sure does the mold killing impressively.
However, one caveat is that this can be a bit slow when it comes to removing smoke. So keep that in mind and list your priorities, especially if you tend to cook fried foods. This can still do the job of removing smoke, but it can take a while
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NuWave OxyPure
This is a smart air purifier equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and built-in particle sensors that allow it to change its fan speed depending on ambient air quality. So speaking of convenience, this ticks that off the list. It also has enough prowess to get rid of molds.
It does have a handful of cons though. It is costly to maintain, quite bulky and you might need multiple units to clean the air space in larger rooms. And if you are to compare its prowess in getting rid of the molds and the musty smell that comes with it, it does so at a slower rate.
Clorox Large Room Air Purifier
This can be a suitable choice for larger rooms. It has true HEPA filters that can capture smaller particles and get rid of molds and nasty smells. It also has a real airtime display that lets you check air quality from time to time. It’s nice to place this air purifier in mold-prone areas and see how it cleans and purifies that space, you can see all the details in the display. Caution though, the filter replacement can be quite steep. And comparing prowess and efficiency, it’s not the most hardworking unit. So you have to weigh that with the expensive filter replacement.
Dyson Purifier Cool Purifying Fan
We love the 360-degree HEPA and activated carbon filter. This renders the air purifier efficient in removing mold spores, but you have to use the unit in its highest mode. And of course, Dyson air purifiers are known for their functional design that’s also lightweight at the same time.
Caveats? This can be quite expensive and be a bit loud. Weighing the cons to its prowess in mold eradication, we opted to let it slip off the list.
Buying Guide: What We Paid More Attention To
HEPA filters and carbon filters
This is the first and second line of defense against mold growth and the musty smell that comes with it. A lot of the air purifiers on our list also have filters that are specific to capturing mold.
In addition, other features such as UVC light also help keep air space at optimum quality. Not only can it remove and prevent molds, but this can also help deal with the bacterial growth that also comes with this nasty little community that thrives in your indoor space. So if your homes are moldy than usual, you have to consider looking for additional features such as a UV light for an additional layer of protection and defense. UVC light also inhibits molds from proliferating and reproducing, it can do so at an alarmingly fast rate given the proper air conditions.
Ability to keep humidity at bay
As we have mentioned before, maintaining humidity at a healthy level is key to preventing mold growth. Not a lot of air purifiers can tackle humidity levels well. So even with a not-so-specific filter for molds, an air purifier can still excel in mold prevention if it has the ability to control humidity in your indoor space.
This is most important in areas where there is no sufficient ventilation such as the bathrooms and basement. These spaces are criminal grounds when it comes to molds. And ugh, you can obviously tell that from the lingering musty smell.
Prowess
Air purifiers with higher CADR ratings are more efficient in removing molds. Molds are one of the harder particles to deal with, they come with a bad smell and bacterial growth too. That’s why you have to choose beefier air purifiers with more prowess, especially if you intend to use them in larger spaces and more confident areas with no ventilation. A higher CADR rating is also indicative of how fast a unit can clean the air. This can make it more cost-efficient since you don’t have to plug it in longer.
Peace of Mind and Mold-Free Homes
Molds can wreak havoc on your health, especially for kids. And the musty smell that comes with it can leave your house less of a home, not conducive for a blissful sleep.
Now you know our favorite pick, it’s time to choose the most suitable air purifier for molds for your own homes. Also, weigh in the cost of maintenance versus your budget versus the upfront cost. This will help you select a unit that you can use for the long term.