Did you know that some homes can have 2-5x times more air pollution inside vs outside?
We hear about outside air pollution all the time in the news and on tv, and when you drive into big cities you can see it lingering over a big city. But we don’t think about it in our own homes that often, even though we spend much more time inside.
This is why it can be beneficial to your health to invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers can help remove animal dander, pollen, mold spores, and other airborne particles, making the air inside your home much healthier.
Fitness, exercise, and proper nutrition are the focal points of this website, but you can’t be in top physical shape if you’re living in a home with unhealthy air.
Do you suffer from headaches, migraines (Best At Home Neck Massagers For Migraines), skin irritation, coughing, or nausea? If so, your air quality may be affecting you more than you think. A life of happiness and health needs to take into consideration all things that can affect our health. For that reason, I wanted to share with you, why investing in a home purifier is in your best interest.
While I would advocate for just about any home to use an air purifier, but some households could benefit from them more than others. Homes that are close to a busy street, use wood stoves, are in a downtown area, and for those that have indoor pets. These homes are especially susceptible to higher than normal air pollutants.
Homes where water damage has occurred, water leaks, and/or high humidity can also benefit from having a purifier to help clean the air on a routine basis.
Before we get into the features, and if you’re looking for quick answers, see my recommendations below:
Quick Answer: Best Air Purifiers for Mold and Mildew
- Best Choice: Levoit H13
- Best Budget: Friendly Option: Pure Enrichment
- Best Premium Choice: Alen
- Runner up: Hathaspace
Features to Consider with Home Purifiers
When purchasing a home purifier there are a few things you want to look for, before making a purchase.
Pre-Filters
Many of the big-name brands and even some of the smaller brands have a pre-filter, to help to remove larger particles, a HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air filter, which can also remove smaller particles in the air and/or some airborne allergens in your home.
Carbon Filters
If odors are an issue in your home, an air purifier with carbon filtration can help reduce odors. Activated carbon has special properties that allow it to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, toxins, and other gaseous pollutants from the air.
Certifications
Air purifiers can show their effectiveness if they are certified by standards such as Energy Star, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and Allergy Standards Laboratory’s Allergy & Asthma Certified Products. Having this seal of approval shows the air purifier you’re looking at will do what they claim.
Other things to consider that might not be at the top, but worth mentioning are the noise level of the air purifiers, how big of space it’s designed for, and replacement frequency & cost of the filters.
So without further adieu below is a list of the best air purifiers available on the market.
Best Air Purifiers for Mold and Mildew
Levoit (Editor’s Choice)
1) Levoit H13 Air Purifier – it’s obvious Levoit has designed a top-shelf air purifier that thousands of people are using and are completely satisfied with. It packs easy to use features and a powerful purification system into a small discreet frame that is sure to fit into any room.
Features and Benefits of Levoit
- Upgraded Motor – The LV-H132’s motor features greater stability, improved efficiency, and a longer lifespan. All this to reduce costs over the long-run.
- Quiet Operation – Operating at just 25 decibels, the LV-H132 offers gentle white noise, helping you sleep while purifying your air.
- Night Light – Choose between 2 light settings for a warm ambiance or turn them off when you’re ready for bed.
- Total Purification – Eliminates pet dander, cigarette smoke, dust particles, and lingering food odors.
Hathaspace (Runner up)
2) Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier – with 5 stages of defense, the Hathaspace 5-in-1 air purifier filters 99.97% of airborne pollutants like dust, pet hair, pollen, mold, smoke, and odors. The Hathaspace air purifier is UL-certified and fully complies with the electrical safety and ozone requirements specified by CARB (California Air Resources Board). This makes Hathaspace one of the best air purifiers for mold and mildew.
Features and Benefits of Hathaspace
- Destroy Allergens – A true HEPA filter captures 99.97% of allergens and pollutants such as pollen, dust mites, and mold spores as small as 0.3 microns. Provides peace of mind that you’re getting the cleanest air.
- Capture Pet Hair & Dander – Designed for every pet household, a preliminary cold catalyst filter captures pet hair and dander so you and your pet friends can breathe easier. If your pet’s health is important, you can’t go wrong with Hathaspace.
- Trap Dust & Pollutants – 5 stages of purification to protect your lungs. As an asthmatic, getting rid of dust is big for my cardio health. Less use of inhalers and steroids when the air is clean.
- Eliminate Smoke & Odors – An activated carbon filter absorbs smoke and odors from cooking, cigarettes, and pets. I also notice less garbage disposal smell with carbon filtration.
Honeywell
3) Honeywell HPA300 – Honeywell is a big manufacturer of home air purifiers and it’s no surprise that Allergist recommends them for their patients. Independently tested to ensure it performs to the stated claims and is great for rooms up to 465 square feet.
Features and Benefits of Honeywell
- Brand Recognition – Honeywell is a big name that you can trust to deliver a durable product that will perform as stated.
- Sleek Style – Honeywell has done a great job of putting such an effective air purifier into a nice looking package. Designed for larger rooms, this one will blend in well without looking out of place.
- Easy to Assemble and Clean – Honeywell realizes that we’re not all technical wizards and any simplicity is appreciated.
- Filter Check – This air purifier has a reminder to keep you informed on maintaining it, so it’s performing at its best.
Pure Enrichment
4) Pure Enrichment PureZone – the next one on our list is by Pure Enrichment. Again it’s obvious to see that this particular air purifier is used by thousands and they are completely satisfied with its performance. This one is designed for a 200 square foot room, so any office or especially bedroom would be ideal for this air purifier.
Features and Benefits of Pure Enrichment
- Decrease Restlessness – Sleep better and wake up with clearer sinuses and reduced swelling for easier breathing all day long. A better night’s rest is so beneficial, especially to those that have trouble sleeping.
- Sanitize the Air – It’s no secret that in the summers the smoke can get worse, and if you live in an area where smog can be trapped in the winter, the air is horrible.
- Combat Seasonal Allergies – Effectively destroys dust, cigarette smoke, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne irritants. Tired of going through so much Kleenex, me too!
- Energy Efficient – At only 60W this machine will keep the cost down and the air quality great.
Alen (Premium Choice)
5) Alen BreatheSmart FLEX Air Purifier – Alen is the final one on our list, but it definitely doesn’t mean it comes in last. Designed for larger rooms (700 sq feet) it’s often rated as a best value air purifier for large rooms. Alen’s True HEPA Pure filter is best for removing airborne allergens, dust, odors, pet smells, cooking odors, and smoke. Also available in several different colors.
Features and Benefits of Alen
- Color Options – While this feature is mostly aesthetic, having the option to get an air purifier that blends well with the room is comforting.
- HEPA Filtration – HEPA filtration is considered one of the best methods for filtering out dust, pollen, and various air pollution.
- WhisperMax Technology – A loud air purifier can be a bit distracting especially if you’re having a conversation or listening to music/tv. WhisperMax technology will prevent any excessive frequencies.
- SleepScore Validated – Improved sleep efficiency, meaning more of the time in bed was spent sleeping.
Who Needs an Air Purifier
- If you’re constantly stuffed up or have a runny nose, inside air pollution could be a contributor.
- If your house has poor circulation to the point where chemical smells linger, an air purifier might be the solution. Additionally, if the air is stale from lack of circulation, an air purifier would provide a benefit.
- If you see dust or dust mites, it’s a good indicator an air purifier would be beneficial.
- If you snore or have trouble sleeping (How To Get Sound Sleep Naturally), an air purifier can increase your sinus congestion, if pollen or air pollution is a major contributor.
- If you have Asthma (How To Workout With Asthma), COPD, seasonal allergies, or hay fever, an air purifier is designed to relieve symptoms associated with these ailments.
What is Mold?
Mold is usually the result of a wet environment and it can come in thousands of different forms. The reason mold is dangerous is because it can produce spores that float around in the air.
If you have any kind of respiratory condition or are sensitive to air particles, these airborne particles can wreak havoc on your lungs. They can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins. These particles can irritate the lungs, nose, and throat, especially in a person who already has a breathing problem, asthma, or a chronic lung condition. Symptoms of these kinds of irritants include but are not limited to the following:
- scratchy throat
- itchy watery eyes
- itchy nose
- congestion
- sneezing
Since the mold is usually conducive to an environment of moisture there are steps you can take to reduce the moisture in your house. These include:
- If there is a water leak, clean it up quickly and ensure the area is dry.
- Use a dehumidifier
- Use mold-killing cleaners
- Clean regularly so mold doesn’t build-up
- Open windows to circulate the air when you can
Conclusion
Dealing with asthma and allergies is frustrating. Add in spring and summer hay fever and you’re constantly blowing your nose, taking OTC decongestants, and feeling miserable. A simple and effective solution could be an air purifier. The aforementioned air purifiers are used by thousands of people and the ratings reflect their complete satisfaction. Keep in mind that while the air purifiers can reduce the spores floating around your house, the source needs to be addressed. Get rid of the mold, so you’re getting rid of the problem itself, and not just dealing with it. Do yourself a favor and try one out today!
FAQ on Best Air Purifier for Allergies
Do air purifiers really work?
Absolutely! Studies show that air purifiers can remove harmful air particles like dust, smoke, and allergens from the air.
Where should I place my air purifier?
Ideally, you want to place your air purifier in the open away from walls, furniture, or anything that could block the circulation of air.
Does every room need an air purifier?
No, but if you’re in a house with several large rooms, a small purifier in each wouldn’t hurt. Check the square footage recommendations for the purifier you choose and place accordingly.
How much does an air purifier cost?
A small air purifier designed for smaller apartments can be less than $100. Purifiers for larger houses can run a few hundred dollars.
Can you use an air purifier with the windows open?
You can leave the windows open, but this will cause the purifier to clean more air and could prove to be less effective than with windows closed.