The 10 Best Air Purifiers for Mold of 2024 - Health.com

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist environments and can cause serious health problems, including respiratory diseases, fatigue, and headaches. Air purifiers may help remove common allergens like mold from the air, providing relief for people with allergies or chronic asthma. They can also aid in removing harmful particles in the air caused by smoke, which can occur during wildfires.

While air purifiers can eliminate up to 99.97% of air particles (which can drastically improve the air quality of your home), it's important to note that even the best air purifiers can't completely remove all mold spores or particles from the air. Stanley Fineman, MD, a board-certified allergist and American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology spokesperson, says mold results from humidity or moisture issues. Air filtration is generally not considered effective in removing mold. Humidity and moisture remediation are the best methods for handling this type of problem. However, if smoke, allergens, and mold are a serious concern, having the added support of an air purifier is a good idea.

We tested over 40 air purifiers from the top brands in our lab. Every purifier that made our list has a true HEPA filter, which is necessary for helping remove particles and mold spores from the air. We specifically tested how well each purifier on this list removed pet hair and smoke from the air, making them great for people allergic to animals or living in areas that experience wildfire smoke. In addition to their ability to improve air quality, we evaluated each model based on how easy it was to set up, how user-friendly (and aesthetically pleasing) the design was, noise level, additional features, and value. We also had a board-certified allergist/immunologist on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

What To Look For In Air Purfiers For Mold

• HEPA Filters: True HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns—including mold spores. Kara Wada, MD, allergist, an immunologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says HEPA filters have been proven to reduce instances of Aspergillus (a type of mold) infections as they significantly mitigate mold and fungi in the air. According to Dr. Wada, HEPA air purifier fans remove airborne fungi between 1.5 to 6 times faster than without their use.
•  Replacement filter cost & maintenance: The cost of replacement filters and the frequency with which they must be replaced varies from one air purifier to the next. Some air purifiers come with permanent filters that never need to be replaced, while others use disposable filters that need to be replaced every few months. When choosing an air purifier, it's important to consider the cost of replacement filters and how often they should be replaced.
• Room size: The size of the room is an important factor to consider when choosing an air purifier. Most manufacturers will list the recommended room size for their air purifiers in the product description. It's crucial to choose an air purifier designed for your room's specific size—otherwise, it won't be as effective.
• Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): The CADR measures an air purifier's ability to remove specific contaminants from the air. It's expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM). For example, a CADR of 250 for smoke means that the air purifier can clean the air in a 250-square-foot room of smoke in one hour. The higher the CADR rating, the better the air purifier is at removing contaminants from the air.
  

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup

  4/5

• Design

  5/5

• Noise Level

  5/5

• Features

  5/5

• Effectiveness

  5/5

Why We Like It

In our test, the Levoit 400S ranked best overall after impressing us with its ability to quickly and effectively purify the air in a large room. The three-stage HEPA filtration system removed 99% of impurities in our test. In addition, the filter is designed to last up to six months before needing to be replaced. However, you should still clean the pre-filter every 2 to 4 weeks.

The Levoit also features a five-speed fan, which can be set to run quietly during sleep. You can manually set the fan speed or let the purifier do it automatically based on the room's air quality. When set to Auto Mode, the fan speeds up when it recognizes allergens or other pollutants in the air and then returns to a lower setting once the air is clean. There's also a Sleep Mode that lowers the fan speed and noise level to whisper-quiet operation—something we really appreciated.

We also loved the smart features of the Levoit, including the app and Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant compatibility. As we tested, we noted that the app is very user-friendly and easy to set up. There, you can see the current air quality in the room, set a schedule for the purifier to run, and get filter replacement notifications.

Overall, we were very impressed with the Levoit's smart capabilities, aesthetic design, and performance. It was also noted as very well-built yet lightweight and easy to move from room to room. We think the price tag is worth it if you plan to use the purifier in a large space and want the ability to control it hands-free or while you're away from home.

It's Worth Noting

The pre-filter requires regular maintenance and cleaning every 2 to 4 weeks.

Product Details:

• Features: 3-stage filtration, laser dust sensor, digital display, app control, voice control, timer, air quality indicator
• Recommended Room Size: 403 sq. ft.
• CADR: 260 CFM
• Number of fan settings: 5
• Noise Level: 24 to 52 dB
• Weight: 14.12 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year limited
• Includes: Purifier, one filter, user manual, power adapter, quick start guide

Health / Henry Wortock

Dyson

Our Ratings

• Setup

  4/5

• Design

  4/5

• Noise Level

  5/5

• Features

  5/5

• Effectiveness

  5/5

Why We Like It

If you're looking for an air purifier with a built-in humidifier, we think the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde is a great option. This all-in-one unit removed 99% of airborne pollutants in 10 minutes when set to the highest mode in our test.

The Dyson purifier features a unique catalytic HEPA filter that captures pollutants and bacteria—and also has an activated carbon layer to remove gases and odors. It comes with a remote control to adjust the fan speed, fan direction, oscillating feature, and mode (auto and night) from anywhere in the room. The unit also features a display detailing indoor air quality and filter life. And the Dyson app allows you to monitor air quality, humidity, temperature, and pollutants in your home.

We found this purifier to be very effective at removing air pollutants and appreciated the humidifier feature. The unit is quiet on lower settings and gets louder as you turn up the fan speed—similar to a small fan on high. We also noted some difficulty during set-up and filter replacement but found the included set-up video helpful.

As the most expensive option on our list, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde isn't for everyone. It costs more than $900 at the time of publication, so it's a significant investment. However, its ability to remove pollutants while adding moisture to the air makes it an ideal all-in-one solution—especially if you live in a small space or don't have room for extra appliances.

It's Worth Noting

While the humidifier is a bonus, it comes with a hefty price tag, and the increased moisture can provide an environment for dust mites (another common allergen).

Product Details:

• Features: Catalytic filter, built-in humidifier and fan, app control, voice control, night mode, filter replacement indicator
• Recommended Room Size: 400 sq. ft.
• CADR: Not disclosed
• Number of fan settings: 10
• Noise Level: 32 to 64 dB
• Weight: 18 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year warranty
• Includes: Purifier/humidifier combo, remote control, one filter, power adapter, quick start guide

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup

  5/5

• Design

  4/5

• Noise Level

  3.5/5

• Features

  3/5

• Effectiveness

  5/5

Why We Like It

A simple yet effective option, the Toppin Comfy Air C2 Purifier is a great choice for those on a budget or who aren't interested in the advanced features and smart capabilities of some other options on our list. Despite its low price tag, this air purifier effectively removed 99 percent of airborne particles when set to the highest mode in our test. It features a 3-in-1 filtration system with a pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter.

The purifier also features a low-noise operation, making it perfect for use in bedrooms or other areas where a loud purifier would be disturbing. However, we did find the noise level to be rather noticeable for its size when on the highest setting. While it lacks the bells and whistles, such as app control and voice activation, we noted how easy it was to set up and use right out of the box. The touch control panel allows you to switch between three fan settings, adjust display lighting, and set a timer for specific run times. A filter life indicator lets you know when to replace the filter.

While testing, we found this purifier very lightweight and easy to move around the home. Its compact size makes it a good option for small spaces—the purifier covers an area of up to 215 square feet. Overall, the Toppin is a great budget-friendly option that performs well.

It's Worth Noting

There aren't any smart capabilities or advanced features with this purifier—it's a no-frills option.

Product Details:

• Features: 3-in-1 filter, LED touch control panel, compact design, timer, filter replacement indicator
• Recommended Room Size: 160 to 215 sq. ft.
• CADR: Up to 88 CFM
• Number of fan settings: 3
• Noise Level: 21 to 45 dB
• Weight: 4.5 lbs
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• Includes: Purifier, one filter, power adapter, quick start guide

Dyson

Our Ratings

• Setup

  5/5

• Design

  5/5

• Noise Level

  5/5

• Features

  4.5/5

• Effectiveness

  5/5

Why We Like It

The Dyson TP07 is a high-end air purifier that doubles as a fan. The purifier features a 360-degree HEPA filter and activated carbon filter that removed 99% of airborne pollutants on the highest mode in our test. The unit also has a built-in 0-to-350-degree oscillation fan that circulates clean, cool air throughout the room.

The Dyson TP07 was quick to set up in testing—taking just under five minutes. We were thrilled with the improved air quality when putting the Dyson TP07 to the test against smoke and pet hair. We noted that the unit cleared the air above our expectations, and we were amazed that it could clear smoke from the air so quickly.

It was also very quiet—even on the highest fan setting. The unit is controlled via the included remote or the Dyson mobile app, which we found quite user-friendly. Other features worth noting include the night mode—which dims the display and runs the unit on a lower fan setting to minimize noise—and the filter replacement indicator, which lets you know when it's time to replace the filter (every 12 months).

Air quality, humidity, and temperature can be monitored on the LCD screen or in the app. Overall, the Dyson TP07 scored well across all metrics, and we recommend it for the simple fact that the air cleanliness readings improved dramatically after just 5 to 10 minutes of operation.

It's Worth Noting

The unit is on the taller side, measuring 41 inches from base to top.

Product Details:

• Features: 350° oscillating fan, backward airflow mode, app control, night mode, filter replacement indicator
• Recommended Room Size: 290 sq. ft.
• CADR: Up to 96 CFM
• Speed settings: 10
• Noise Level: 32 to 64 dB
• Weight: 11 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year warranty
• Includes: Purifier/fan combo, remote control, one filter, power adapter, quick start guide

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Setup

  5/5

• Design

  4/5

• Noise Level

  4/5

• Features

  4/5

• Effectiveness

  5/5

Why We Like It

The Bissell air400 is a large room air purifier that features a three-stage filtration system, including a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter, which was one of the most efficient and effective in our entire test. The unit also has a powerful blower that circulates clean air throughout the room. The Bissell air400 was very straightforward to set up and use in testing. We liked that the unit's instructions were clear and concise.

However, the aesthetics of the unit weren't as pleasing. We noted that it would be hard to tuck this away in a corner without it being very noticeable. While on the larger side, its display was very easy to read and we liked having the buttons for additional features—mode, fan speed, time, and filter reset.

The noise level was another attribute we noted, finding it surprisingly quiet when set to quiet mode. On max, however, the noise was noticeable and potentially bothersome during a conversation. But with multiple fan speed settings—max, high, medium, low, auto, and quiet—we quickly found a happy medium.

The Bissell air400 doesn't have an app, but the display shows the room's air quality using a colored indicator to represent a low, medium, or high level of contamination. During testing, the purifier was compared to an air quality testing device. Despite its bulky appearance, it quickly eliminated 99.7% of air contaminants, making it a great option if you, or someone you live with, have allergies.

It's Worth Noting

The bulkier, boxier design might not complement every home's aesthetic.

Product Details:

• Features: 3-stage filtration, digital display, automated night mode, filter replacement indicator
• Recommended Room Size: 486 sq. ft.
• CADR: up to 353 CFM
• Speed settings: 3
• Noise Level: 30 to 65 dB
• Weight: 22.8 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
• Includes: Purifier, one filter, power adapter, user manual

Our Ratings

• Setup

  5/5

• Design

  4/5

• Noise Level

  4/5

• Features

  3/5

• Effectiveness

  3.5/5

Why We Like It

The Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier is a small but mighty air purifier with a three-stage filtration system covering up to 178 square feet. The unit is equipped with a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter that work together to remove 97% of airborne contaminants—but it takes a little longer to do so than other models we tested. The 360-degree air intake ensures fresh, clean air is circulated throughout the room.

We liked the minimalist look of the unit and found it very lightweight—less than 3.5 pounds. However, it was noted that the power cord was relatively short, which might limit where you can place the unit in your home. Assembly was quick and easy, and the unit's limited functions—a single button that controls the fan speed and an indicator light for filter changes—are straightforward.

As a smaller unit, the Levoit Core Mini is one of the quietest air purifiers we tested. On low, we could barely hear it running. On high, the noise was still not distracting or bothersome, making it a good option for a small office or bedroom. You can also add essential oils to the diffuser pad for added benefits or to keep your air smelling nice.

Even though it's on the smaller side, the Levoit Core Mini Air Purifier could still effectively clean the air during testing, although it performed best when on high. Overall, we think it's a great option for small spaces. And for the price, it's hard to beat.

It's Worth Noting

The power cord is relatively short, limiting where you can place the unit.

Product Details:

• Features: 3-stage filtration, aromatherapy, sleep mode
• Recommended Room Size: 178 sq. ft.
• CADR: 46 CFM
• Speed settings: 3
• Noise Level: 24 to 36 dB
• Weight: 3.3 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
• Includes: Purifier, one filter, pre-installed aroma pad, power adapter, user manual

Rabbit Air

Our Ratings

• Setup

  4/5