When it comes to breathing purified air indoors, many people tend to forget the basement. Such ignorance can lead to several problems down the line. We don't want to fight mold and bad odor, right?
Having a high-quality basement air purifier can help you keep the cellar smelling fresh. Such purifiers also aid in preventing mold and odor issues. They can avoid dust buildup, too.
In this article, we will be going over some of the best air purifiers for basements. We will talk about the benefits they offer, as well as some of the recommended models available in the market.
Comparison of the Best Air Purifiers For Basements
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Our Top Pick | Alen BreatheSmart Classic |
| View Latest Price |
 | Fellowes AeraMax 290 |
| View Latest Price |
 | Winix 5500 |
| View Latest Price |
 | Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover |
| View Latest Price |
 Best Budget Option | GermGuardian AC4825 |
| View Latest Price |
Why You Should Consider Adding an Air Purifier to Your Basement
Don't think that just because you don't visit the basement often, you don't need fresh air down there. Due to basements generally not having the best ventilation systems, they are vulnerable to stuffiness and mold.
Odor, mold, and dust are major issues you need to handle if you decide to make your basement a recreational area or even a guest bedroom.
Adding an air purifier to your basement (from the ones mentioned in our list) is an excellent way to do away with a number of problems and increase the quality of life in your house.
Alen BreatheSmart Classic
Clean Air Throughout the House
Many internal cooling and heating systems make use of air from the basement. This means that if there are allergens present in the basement air, they have a higher chance of entering the rest of the house. Having an air purifier in the basement keeps the air clean to ensure the rest of the house has safe air for you to breathe.
Gets Rid of Mold
No one wants their basement to have mold. With a quality air purifier in the basement, you can get easily get rid of mold spores. This will allow you to prevent a mold problem in the long run.
No Dust Buildup
Many of us can’t always remember to dust the basement or don’t have the time to go down there with a duster. However, by having an air purifier in the basement, you can keep dust buildup at bay and ensure your house is clean from top to bottom.
Fights Germs
A quality air purifier has filters which kill viruses, bacteria, and other pollutants. With germ-free air circulating the basement, you can be at peace with regards to your household staying healthy especially if the kids (with asthma or allergies) like to play in the cellar.
How to Choose an Air Purifier for Your Basement?
Before we get to our ‘Best Air Purifiers for Basements’ review list, we have to talk about certain tips which can help you buy the best product on the market. Not every air purifier is the same. That is why you need to look for particular features and specifications to invest in a worthwhile product.
Filtration System
You need to look at the filtration or purification system featured in an air purifier. If you want to get rid of pollutants, you should opt for a unit with a HEPA filter. A device with an activated carbon filter is going to help get rid of the odor. Furthermore, a unit which uses UV light can aid with killing many viruses and germs.
Area of Coverage
Basements can be quite large. That is why you need to ensure the air purifier you buy can cover the space you have. Before making a choice, you should measure the basement or cellar in square feet. Use that measurement to see if a particular air purifier can match your needs or not. Reading reviews and device specifications can help you decide if a unit is right for you.
Mode of Operation
You should opt for an air purifier that is easy to use. No one likes to waste time trying to figure out how to properly make an electronic device function.
Maintenance
Another thing you should look at is the level of maintenance required. How many times will you have to change the filter? That is an important question to ask when you are looking to invest your money in an air purifier.
Noise Production
This might not be a big thing for some, but if your basement also serves as a recreational room or a bedroom, you should opt for a unit that is quiet while it operates.
Quick Take: Best Air Purifiers For Basements
These are our recommendations for the best air purifiers for basements:
Review of the Best Basement Air Purifiers
So, you now have learned about what a basement air purifier can offer and why you should consider having one. For those wondering about the best products available in the market, we have created a well-researched list for your consideration.
All of the selections on this list will help you make an informed buying decision to make your life better. Let’s start!
Best Overall:
Alen BreatheSmart Classic
PROS
CONS
Our Review
We are going to begin our list with the Alen BreatheSmart Classic basement air purifier. It is our best overall selection and we are going to tell you how we came to such a determination. With this air purifier, you will get a unit which can remove mold from your basement.
This device has a HEPA filter, which is very effective even when placed in a cellar. Another impressive feature is that this air purifier is meant for large basements. It offers area coverage of 1100 square feet and it is very quiet during operation.
Furthermore, it is easy to maintain because the filters can keep performing without being replaced for up to a year. This device has a light which will let you know when the filter requires replacement. You also get a lifetime warranty with this product. There is also a reliable 60-day money back guarantee.
With all of the features this air purifier brings to the table, you see why this unit is our best overall choice. The only downside is that it is quite large and requires space. Keep in mind this unit is very powerful for smaller rooms and won't be most efficient in these small spaces.
Bottom Line
The Alen BreatheSmart Classic does a great job of offering you an effective air purifier for basements. Not only does the HEPA filter help get rid of mold, but this unit is also very easy to maintain. It is powerful enough to cover large basements without trouble.
Runner-up:
Fellowes AeraMax 290
PROS
CONS
Our Review
As the runner-up on our list, we have the Fellowes AeraMax 290. This unit is recommended for medium to small-sized areas. It can help reduce odors from an area as big as 600 square feet. It features auto detecting technology which allows this unit to sense when air requires to be purified. Take note this device has been certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
It makes use of a True HEPA Filter (as well as an antimicrobial treatment) to remove at least 99.99% of allergens, dust mites, mold spores, germs, and other particles in the air. The carbon filter ensures you won't have to deal with odors in the basement. It also doesn't produce a lot of noise while operating. It has a special high-performance mode to keep your household safe during flu seasons.
This device features four-stage purification. It consists of the carbon filter, the True HEPA filter, the AreaSafe Antimicrobial Treatment, and PlasmaTrue Technology. The PlasmaTrue Technology safely removes pollutants in the air through creating an ionized field. The AreaSafe Antimicrobial Treatment offers built-in protection from odor-promoting bacteria, fungi, and even mildew on the HEPA filter.
Bottom Line
The four-stage purification process featured in this Fellowes AeraMax 290 is great to protect your household from germs and allergens. Furthermore, it provides you with fresh, breathable air in the basement. You also won't have to worry about any mold problem.
Best for the Money:
Winix 5500
PROS
CONS
Our Review
For those wondering about our best for the money selection, we have the Winix 5500. The True HEPA filter featured in this unit can capture 99.97% of pollutants in the air. This means you and your household will remain safe from dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and even allergens that are up to 0.3 microns in size.
It also gets rid of odors by using a washable AOC carbon filter. This filter has been made from activated carbon granules. It is washable, as the name states, so you can keep reusing it and save money down the line. There is also the PlasmaWave Technology, which works as a permanent filter. It breaks down chemical vapors, pollutants, odor-causing particles, and allergens without producing ozone.
The smart sensors present in this device can read the air. This, in turn, helps the auto adjust mode to filter the air depending on the quality that is required. It has an LED indicator to show the quality of air. A blue light is good, with amber being bad, and red means poor air quality.
During manual mode, this air purifier will continue work on the fan speed you select. The four fan speeds are low, medium, high, and turbo. You can also sleep with this device operating because of the very silent sleep mode. It can offer 360 square feet of coverage. It has an LED indicator to let you know when to change the filters.
Bottom Line
Even though the Winix 5500 doesn’t provide a lot of area coverage, it makes up for it through its effective operation. The three-stage purification process ensures your basement is odorless as well as germ-free. It can help your household breathe fresh and clean air.
PROS
CONS
Our Review
In fourth place, we have the Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover. This Air Purifier is recommended for medium-sized basements. It can help give you an area coverage of 470 square feet. While it is on the smaller side when it comes to air purifiers, it does offer you a lot of power.
Due to the featured HEPA filter, this device ensures it will get rid of mold spores from basements and cellars. The activated carbon pre-filter is present in this unit to prevent your basement from smelling.
This unit can remove close to 99.97% of particles (including allergens) from the air. This means that the air in your basement will be fresh. You can easily pair this unit up with a dehumidifier to guarantee no mold problems ever arise in the cellar.
It is easy to use as well as to maintain. The pre-filter will need to be replaced every three months to ensure this unit’s effectiveness. The HEPA filter needs only to be replaced once a year. There is a light indicator to let you know when these filters need to be changed. You don’t need any tools for the process.
Bottom Line
Honeywell is a renowned name when it comes to air purifiers. The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover is great for ensuring you have clean air to breathe in the basements. It also helps get rid of mold spores. While it isn’t meant for larger basements, it more than gets the work done when used for medium or smaller-sized areas.
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The final basement air purifier we have on our list is the GermGuardian AC4825. This is another true HEPA filter unit. Having such a filter means you won't have to worry about experiencing a mold problem in the cellar.
Furthermore, this unit also makes use of UV-C technology along with titanium dioxide to kill several viruses and bacteria. You won't have to worry about mold spores with this one.
This unit has an ultra-quiet working mode. So, if required, people can sleep in the basement while this device operates. While it does come with several impressive features, there is a slight drawback. The GermGuardian AC4825 is not meant for huge areas. As long as you use it for medium-sized spaces, it is good to go.
This device also has a LED light indicator to let you know when the HEPA filter and the UV-C light bulb need to be replaced. You can replace the HEPA filter once a year. The UV-C light bulb will likely need to be replaced twice as often, depending on usage. It also has an activated carbon pre-filter. Such a filter is more than capable of capturing dust particles and pet hair. You also won’t have to worry about odor.
Bottom Line
Last but not least, the GermGuardian AC4825 is more than up for the task when it comes to ensuring your basement continues to smell fresh. The three-stage purification system also helps get rid of mold spores and many germs.
Conclusion
Investing in a trustworthy (quality) air purifier for a basement is recommended if you don’t want to deal with mold problems. Furthermore, such air purifiers ensure you have safe and fresh air to breathe whenever you go down into the basement or even as your HVAC system pulls air from the surrounding area.
We hope our ‘Best Air Purifier for Basements' list will be able to help you make an informed buying decision. Take your time and get the air purifier that meets your needs.