7 Best Air Purifiers for Mold - How Mold Exposure Impacts Longevity

The best air purifier for mold options are:

1. IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier
2. Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 Extra Large
3. Levoit Vital 100S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
4. PuroAir HEPA 14 Air Purifier
5. Blueair 211i Max Air Purifier
6. Shark NeverChange Whole Home Air Purifier
7. Clorox Alexa Smart Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier

It’s estimated that nearly 50% of residential homes in the US are plagued by mold. The best type of air purifier for mold are those that come with a HEPA filter. HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, is a type of filter that can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns. Considering that mold spores typically range in size from 2 to 10 microns, HEPA filters are more than capable of removing the majority of mold from an indoor space. It’s best to keep your living environment free from mold because molds produce mycotoxins, which have been observed to cause a range of negative health issues like premature aging, chronic fatigue, and even death. Fortunately, integrating an air purifier that leverages HEPA filtration like those discussed below can help alleviate mold in indoor spaces. 

1. IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier

The IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier is a medical-grade air purifier manufactured in Switzerland. This premium air purifier system has been tested to filter 99.5% of ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns in size using HyperHEPA filtration, which is much stronger than the standard HEPA filtration used in most air purification systems. The IQAir HealthPro Plus boasts a low decibel sound across all fan speeds and incorporates the EvenFlow Diffuser to deflect sounds back into the system. Although the system is powerful, it requires only as much power as a conventional light bulb to operate. 

Price: $899.00

Product specifications:

• Dimensions: 16in x 15in x 28in
• Weight: 35lbs
• Filter: IQAir PreMax PreFilter; IQAir V5-Cell Filter; IQAir HyperHepa
• App connectivity: No
• Noise level: Unspecified

Pros:

• 10 year limited warranty
• Medical grade filtration
• Hand tested prior to shipment to ensure standards

Cons:

• Relatively expensive
• No mobile app control 

2. Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 Extra Large

The Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 is an air purifier for large rooms, with the ability to project clean air over 32 feet. The device allows adjustable airflow angle options, including a Breeze mode to mimic the sensation of natural air. The HEPA H13 grade air filter captures 99.97% of fine particles as small as 0.1 microns, while also destroying formaldehyde permanently with a catalytic filter. The Dyson Purifier Big uses a power algorithm to detect pollutants across an entire room and displays the results live on an LCD screen in real time. 

Price: $999.99

Product specifications: 

• Dimensions: 32.68in x 16.34in x 17.09in
• Weight: 26.24lbs
• Filter: HEPA H13⁴ grade filter
• App connectivity: Yes, MyDyson App
• Noise level: 56 dB

Pros:

• Long lasting 5 year filter
• Includes lifetime solid-state formaldehyde sensor
• Flexible operation, including voice control, app, and remote control

Cons:

• Unnecessary power for small spaces
• Relatively expensive 

 3. Levoit Vital 100S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier

The Levoit Vital 100S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier uses a 3-stage filtration system to capture 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micron or larger. The Levoi air purifier can completely filter the air in a 219 square foot room every 12 minutes. This filter provides real time air quality updates through the VeSync app, automatically adjusting the fan speed in response to the air pollutants detected. The device also comes with a Light Detection feature to limit fan noise and turn off display lights so you can still enjoy purified air while getting a good night's rest. 

Price: $139.99

Product specifications: 

• Dimensions: 12.6in x 6.3in x 16.0in
• Weight: 7.5lbs
• Filter: H13 True HEPA
• App connectivity: Yes, VeSync App
• Noise level: 23-52dB

Pros:

• Voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
• Relatively affordable
• Includes U-shaped air inlet to trap airborne pet fur

Cons:

• Not suitable for larger spaces
• Proposition 65 warning for California consumers

4. PuroAir HEPA 14 Air Purifier

The PuroAir HEPA 14 Air Purifier leverages the latest HEPA 14 filter to clean up to 1,115 square feet in just an hour. The device is lab tested to filter 99.99% of pollutants and comes with an automatic air sensor to adjust to environmental changes on its own. PuroAir HEPA 14 is backed by scientists at Harvard, MIT, and John Hopkins University. 

Price: $159.00

Product specifications: 

• Dimensions: 8.5in x 8.5in x 14.25in
• Weight: 8 lbs
• Filter: HEPA 14
• App connectivity: No
• Noise level: Unspecified

Pros:

• Uses the latest HEPA 14 filter
• 365 day money back guarantee refund if not content
• Successfully operates on its own

Cons:

• Expensive filter replacements

5. Blueair 211i Max Air Purifier

The Blueair 211i Max Air Purifier boasts proprietary HEPASilent technology that combines electrostatics and mechanical filtration to filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles of 0.1 micron and larger. This air purifier can clean up to 635 square feet in just 12.5 minutes. The Blueair 211i Max provides quick air quality readings within the app or the LED display on the device. The Blueair 211i Max comes with the proprietary RealTrack algorithm so you can accurately track filter usage and reorder prior to expiration. 

Price: $349.99

Product specifications: 

• Dimensions: 22.7in x 14.4in x 14.4in
• Weight: 16.2lbs
• Filter: HEPASilent dual filtration
• App connectivity: Yes, Blueair App
• Noise level: 23-53dB

Pros:

• Long lasting filters
• Features enable convenient user experience
• Verified by QuietMark as one of the quietest air purifiers

Cons:

• Expensive replacement filters 

6. Shark NeverChange Whole Home Air Purifier

The Shark NeverChange Whole Home Air Purifier can purify up to 1,400 square feet in just an hour and leverages Anti-Allergen HEPA filters to go beyond what HEPA standards require to trap 99.98% of particles. The device uses the Debris Defence filter to protect HEPA layers for up to 5 years, saving considerable costs on filter replacement. The Shark NeverChange’s Clean Sense IQ tracks air quality in real time and adjusts to ensure your home’s air is clean to the specified standards. 

Price: $329.99

Product specifications:

• Dimensions: 13.2in x 13.2in x 22.5in
• Weight: 12.27 lbs
• Filter: True HEPA Multi-Filter
• App connectivity: No
• Noise level: Unspecified

Pros:

• NeverChange filtration can save more than $300 in filter replacement costs
• Comes with odor neutralizer technology 

Cons:

• Relatively large
• Inability to control remotely

7. Clorox Alexa Smart Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier

The Clorox Alexa Smart Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier captures 99.97% of particles while leveraging Alexa voice control for the intended settings. The device comes with a real-time air quality sensor and an auto mode to automatically adjust to environmental hazards. The Clorox air purifier pulls air from 360 degrees to clean rooms up to 5 times per hour when used in a room of approximately 320 square feet, and 1 time for larger rooms up to 1,500 square feet. 

Price: $169.99

Product specifications: 

• Dimensions: 10in x 10in x 19in
• Weight: 11.56lbs
• Filter: True HEPA filter
• App connectivity: Alexa App
• Noise level: Unspecified

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Incorporates a carbon filter for fresh air scent

Cons:

• Not as powerful as other air purifiers on the market

How can mold exposure impact longevity?

• Premature aging - Mold can get in the way of protein synthesis that makes elastin and keratin, making the body appear older, according to Dr. Jill Crista, a pioneer in the field of Naturopathic medicine. At least one study provides evidence to support this claim, as mold mycotoxins have been found to be toxic to the skin of rats and mice.  
• Neurological issues - Multiple studies indicate that exposure to mold affects the central nervous system, with one study finding mold-exposed subjects experiencing symptoms like short-term memory loss, verbal impairment, and problems with color discrimination. 
• Chronic fatigue - Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) prevents humans from operating efficiently and getting proper exercise to maintain a healthy body. A study found that a high percentage of people diagnosed with CFS had mold mycotoxins in their urine. 
• Respiratory problems - Mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in people who are allergic to mold, according to the American Lung Association. 
• Death - The Center of Disease Control (CDC) found that over 7,000 people in the United States died from fungal diseases in 2021. Considering that mold is a type of fungus, it’s possible at least a portion of these deaths are attributable to mold exposure and its health impacts. 

What is the best way to get rid of mold?

The best way to get rid of mold is to find the source of the mold and destroy it with undiluted white vinegar or a bleach solution. According to the CDC, mold often grows in places with a lot of moisture. Some areas to look for mold include paper products, ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall, carpet, and around leaks in roofs, windows, and pipes. Because mold tends to thrive in humid environments, using dehumidifiers and air conditioners to regulate humidity can help alleviate mold. Once the root cause of the mold has been addressed, air purifiers can support maintaining a mold free environment by capturing potential mold spores before they can spread unchecked.  

What other pollutants should you avoid for longevity besides mold?

• Air pollutants like gas, smog, and soot
• Water pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals
• Chemical pollutants like formaldehyde, mercury, and parabens
• Indoor pollutants like dust, wood smoke, and allergens
• Electromagnetic radiation like those emitted from microwaves and laundry machines

These are some common pollutants you should avoid to increase your healthspan and longevity. 

Conclusion

Air purifiers provide a suitable solution to combat mold in the home, especially when leveraging a HEPA grade filter. As such, incorporating an air purifier into your living space can serve to improve longevity by lessening the prevalence of mold and the mycotoxins they release. However, it’s important to maintain your air purifier by replacing the filter on the proper schedule to ensure mold particles are being removed from your living environment most effectively. A survey of 1,000 American households by The Zebra found that 29% of Americans never even change their air conditioning filter. If you’re going to invest into an air purifier for the home, it’s important to set a reminder for regular filter changes or you could find mold-related issues returning.