Choosing the best air purifier for your basement can be a difficult decision. Not only are there many different models available, but the unique environment of the basement may influence your purchasing decision as well.
Basements can have qualities that make them more likely to attract mold and bacterial growth, which is one reason why basements often need special air purification systems. However, these same characteristics also require an air purifier’s performance to meet certain standards so that it doesn’t become overwhelmed by cont
Top 5 Best Air Purifiers for Basement
Introducing the Winix 5500-2 Air Cleaner with True HEPA Filter and CARBON FILTER. Capturing 99.97% of airborne pollutants such as pet dander, pollen, and other allergens as small as 0.3 microns with our True HEPA filter without worrying about recirculating them back into your air. Our washable AOC carbon filter removes household odors like cooking or smoke by adsorbing odor molecules on activated carbon granules and removing chemical vapors, including formaldehyde
Created with technology we call PlasmaWave; we use a plasma wave generator to break down pollutants in the air eliminating bad smells and dangerous chemicals from your home’s environment include an Auto Mode that adjusts the fan speed automatically from high to low depending on the level of pollutants detected in the air. It also features a Digital Display showing your current room’s Air Quality, Ionizer On/Off and Filter Replacement Reminders
The Winix 5500-2 is a True HEPA Allergen Remover Machine with Carbon Pre-Filter that can be used in medium-sized spaces for up to 14 hours per day. A word of warning though: it emits ozone when operating at higher fan speeds so this may not be suitable for individuals who suffer from asthma or allergies.
Card (dust / pollen / smoke) | Verified room size | Noise level | Filtration | Number of fan speeds |
243 / 246 / 232 cfm | 360 sq. ft. | 27 dB min | 4-Stage | 5 |
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic purifies large rooms and open spaces the EPA’s highest is up to 99.97% with a medical-grade H13 HEPA layer capturing airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, an Ideal Air Quality Sensor Light which will let you know if your environment has ideal breathability or whether it’s time to get outdoors for some fresh air, the Pure Filter which helps relieve allergy and asthma symptoms including runny nose, congestion, shortness of breath, sneezing, etc., plus preventive chemicals that block off odors caused by pet fur or other allergens!
Card | Verified room size | Noise level | Filtration | Number of fan speeds |
300 cfm | 1100 sq. ft. | 42 dB min | 3-Stage | 4 |
The Molekule Air Purifier is for the demanding, meticulous homeowner who wants to feel confident that his/her air is actually being purified. This machine uses Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) nanotechnology to destroy viruses, VOCs, allergens, bacteria & mold with no harmful chemicals or filters needed. At large rooms up to 600 sq. ft., it can be used just about anywhere in your home anywhere you need cleaner air! The design is sleek and inconspicuous, so you’ll barely notice it’s there until you see the beautifully designed results of its work-your clean thriving lungs are proof enough.
Molekule Air is filled with cutting-edge technology which deftly camouflages any signs of an air purifier, putting your mind at ease when you’re in the room. Most importantly the technology is proven to be effective; it can destroy even the smallest known particles with no harmful byproducts or ozone-which means that breathing better may actually increase (not decrease) lung health!
Card | Verified room size | Noise level | Filtration | Number of fan speeds |
between 180 to 240 cfm | 1000 sq. ft. | 33 dB min | two separate filters into one efficient filter | 4 |
The GermGuardian AC5000 Air Purifier effectively kills germs and other allergens and has a pre-filter to trap large particles. The UV-C light helps kill airborne viruses such as influenza, staph, rhinovirus, and works with Titanium Dioxide to reduce volatile organic compounds. This purifier is quieter than many average models because of its smart technology that pauses the fan intermittently for 13 seconds at a time instead of continuously running an on-off pattern like some competitors. It also filters out bad smells thanks to an activated charcoal filter.
The Germ Guardian AC5000 Air Purifier captures 99.97% of harmful germs including pet dander, smoke odors, dust mites, household mold spores & pollen in just 5 minutes. Why wait 30 minutes for other purifiers to do the job? The Germ Guardian AC5000 Air Cleaner is great for anyone with allergies or asthma. It takes just 5 minutes for this air cleaner to capture harmful allergens and reduce odors using its True-HEPA filter, PlasmaWave Technology & Odor Reduction technology.
Card (dust / pollen / smoke) | Verified room size | Noise level | Filtration | Number of fan speeds |
123/ 128/ 116 cfm | 189 sq. ft. | 28 dB min | 3-Stage | 3 |
The SilverOnyx True HEPA Air Purifier delivers powerful performance in a compact, lightweight design. The unit is designed with a 3-stage filtration which captures large particles like pet hair and filters the ultra-fine dust that causes allergies and respiratory issues. The unit also includes a built-in ionizer as well as UV lights to provide your home with clean air you can breathe easy knowing is protected from germs and other airborne pathogens.
Card | Verified room size | Noise level | Filtration | Number of fan speeds |
83 cfm | 500 sq. ft. | 25 dB min | 5-Stage | 5 |
How To Choose The Best Air Purifier for Basement
Before deciding which kind of unit will work best in your basement, let’s take a look at what defines “good” or “bad” air quality. Air quality is measured by examining the concentration of trace particles, such as pollen and pollutants, that are present in any given volume of air. Particle counts may also indicate high numbers for dust mites and other allergens, as well as mold spores and carbon monoxide.
Common Contaminants Found In The Home
- Pet dander
- Dust
- Cigarette smoke
- Smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves
- Chemicals released by new furniture or paint
Mold Spores: A Special Concern For Basements Although most contaminants listed above can aggravate allergies and asthma attacks, basements cause unique problems with organic compounds like mold spores. Basements have higher humidity levels than living areas, and the combination of poor air circulation and little light can quickly lead to mold growth.
The EPA recommends keeping your humidity levels below 60 percent, but this may be difficult to achieve in a basement. If you live in an area where basements are common or if you have a finished basement used as living space, it’s even more important to keep humidity under control by installing a dehumidifier. But if your basement is only used for storage or is unfinished, humidity shouldn’t be as much of an issue.
So how can you find an air cleaner that will remove contaminants from the air in your basement? Although it’s more difficult to determine which models are best for basements, it may be easier to decide on a purifier if you know what kinds of contaminants makeup basement air.
Condensation: Moisture is one of the most dangerous pollutants in the home because it increases humidity levels and encourages mold growth. To make matters worse, humidity increases in cold climates when moisture-loving household plants are placed indoors. When water vapor hits cool surfaces like walls or furniture, that vapor – which is already close to its dew point – turns into liquid that collects on these surfaces. That means condensation can quickly lead to mold growth unless measures are taken to control humidity levels.
To deal with excess moisture, many air purifiers come equipped with a dehumidification feature that removes water vapor from the air. If your basement is used for storage or contains delicate items that shouldn’t be exposed to high humidity levels, this type of machine may be essential for you.
Surface Tension: Eliminating airborne particles isn’t enough if they are allowed to stick to surfaces before they can dissipate into the atmosphere. For this reason, it’s important to choose an air cleaner that reduces surface tension by coating particulates in a solution and allowing them to travel through the unit’s airflow where they eventually attach to a pre-filter or collection grid. The best air cleaners use advanced technology like plasma ionizers, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, and true HEPA filters to achieve surface tension reduction.
Airborne Odors: One of the main benefits of an air cleaner is its ability to improve indoor air quality by neutralizing common household odors. In a basement, the smell tends to be one of the more noticeable contaminants due to lingering household odors from cooking or paint thinner or because of musty smells caused by moisture problems. To fight these kinds of odors, you need a machine that targets chemical compounds in addition to removing particulates from the air.
To find a unit that removes both types of contaminants, look for models with activated carbon technology – which uses porous granules impregnated with chemicals – as well as negative ion generator technology, which releases negatively charged oxygen ions. If you need to clean up mold, pet smells, cooking vapors or other strong odors in your basement, this type of air cleaner will be useful.
Smoke: Cigarette smoke is one of the most difficult indoor pollutants to neutralize because it contains thousands of chemical compounds that are released into the air when tobacco is burned. But if you’ve recently quit smoking and want an air cleaner for your basement used only for storage – especially if items like clothing reek of cigarette smoke – look for models with activated carbon technology or ionizer germicidal UV technology. This combination removes both types of odor-causing chemicals so you don’t have to worry about smoky smells lingering on surfaces long after your basement has been cleaned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The best air purifier for the basement is the one that can clean and dehumidify your space. You may want an air ionizer or ultraviolet light option to kill germs and reduce odors but this may not be as important as room size and humidity levels. If you live in a particularly damp area, we recommend choosing an activated carbon unit instead because it’s better at reducing odors than UV light models.
Some people want to know the best product they can buy for their money, or they need a solution that will make their room smell better. An air purifier is not only effective but you get your money’s worth because it uses advanced technology to cleanse your home of unpleasant odors and allergens. The best air purifier for a basement is one that can remove moisture as well as pollutants, ensuring a healthier room.