5 Best Basement Air Purifiers – Say Goodbye to Musty Smells!

A basement is usually an isolated place in the home that is exposed to various factors, such as high humidity, low ventilation, and rising dampness, which almost always leads to poor air quality.

While making your basement fresh and clean may be difficult, I think it’s something you shouldn’t prolong. Apart from assuring the ventilation in your basement is good and working, there are other tricks to improve the air quality in such spaces, such as getting an air purifier.

An air purifier with HEPA and an activated carbon filter will ensure your basement is free from pollutants, gases, bad odors, and VOCs. It will also trap airborne particles, such as mold spores, preventing them from attaching to the walls and, thus, stopping the spread of mold.

Besides my usual testing procedure, I picked every air purifier I thought was worth considering and tested it in the musty basement. Based on the results and collected data, I have created a list of the top five options for your basement.

All the devices mentioned use high-quality filtration technology and will do a great job in your basement. However, some are better than others in specific situations, which is why I strongly recommend reading this article thoroughly and also using the comment box below if there are unanswered questions.

Top 5 Basement Air Purifiers

Below are the five best air purifiers I have tested so far that you should use in the basement. However, not every air purifier on this list may be the best fit for your specific situation and needs.

This is why this list is specific and why I categorized devices for particular situations, such as large basements, musty basements, budget options, etc.

So, whether you’re in search of an air purifier for a dusty, musty, or damp basement, the following options represent the best available according to our testing procedures.

Alen BreatheSmart FLEX – Best for Musty Basements

The Alen BreatheSmart FLEX is one of the best-selling air purifiers and the one I often recommend. It’s made by a US-based company. This air purifier is suitable for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. (28 m²), and it will clean the air 4.8 times in one hour in the recommended rooms.

What makes the Alen FLEX an ideal air purifier for basements is its high-quality True HEPA filter, which captures airborne pollutants such as mold spores and dust, and a pellet-based activated carbon filter, which neutralizes bad odors and musty smells in the basement.

There is an option to buy a filter with >2lb of carbon pellets inside, meaning even better performance in neutralizing bad odors.

The Alen FLEX is also one of the quietest air purifiers I have tested, which is why I recommend it as one of the best air purifiers for bedrooms. Besides, it performed outstandingly in the tests, especially in a 560 sq. ft. room test, in which it improved the air quality by about 94% in just 60 minutes working at the max speed.

What may be a disadvantage for some users is the lack of advanced features such as an air quality sensor, auto mode, or smart app. But, given that it provides truly amazing performance, I believe the lack of some features won’t be a big deal.

What I also like about the FLEX is the option to get a lifetime warranty, but only if you subscribe to replacement filters through the Alen website.

Winix 5500-2 – Best Cost Effective

What puts the Winix 5500-2 on the list, apart from its amazing performance, is the price-to-value ratio. This is truly one of the best air purifiers you can get for the price.

For the price of an average small room air purifier, you get an air purifier equipped with four-stage filtration technology that covers rooms of 360 sq. ft. (33 m²) and plenty of advanced options.

What’s more, the Winix 5500-2 has one of the best activated carbon filters (among the commercial air purifiers), which will not only reduce bad odors and musty smells in your basement but is also washable and easy to maintain. It also can be reused for up to one year.

The Winix 5500-2 uses a slightly larger motor of 70W, but it’s very quiet at the lowest speeds. I’m sure you will find the speed that fits you the best, especially as it offers five different speeds to choose from.

What I also want to highlight about this air purifier is a great result in the performance test in a room of 320 sq. ft., in which it improved the air quality by about 96% for just 60 minutes working at the max speed.

All in all, the Winix 5500-2 is a reputable air purifier that has been available on the market for many years. If you are looking for a good value air purifier that will significantly improve the air in your basement, then this one is definitely for you.

Levoit Core 600S – Best for Large Basements

Sometimes, people need an air purifier for very large basements, let’s say 500 sq. ft. or larger. That’s where the Levoit Core 600S comes into expression.

This large air purifier is actually the best one for large rooms I have tested so far. It covers spaces of 635 sq. ft. (59 m²) and will clean the air 4.8 times in a room of recommended dimensions.

What I really like about this air purifier is that it has plenty of smart features, of which the air quality sensor, auto mode, and smart app are my favorite. You can simply control it remotely via the smart app and don’t even need to go down into the basement to change any settings.

In the performance test I did in a 560 sq. ft. room, it improved air quality by about 96%, which is about 2% better than what the Alen FLEX made. However, the Alen has a better carbon filter, which is why I picked it as the best option overall instead of the Levoit Core 600S.

In summary, if you have a large basement, which is much over 300 sq. ft., then the Levoit Core 600S is the best air purifier on the list you can get.

Coway AP-1512HH – Budget + Great Performance

The Coway AP-1512HH is an old player in the air purifier market. It comes from a reputable and reliable brand, and it has confirmed its popularity many times. Even the Wirecutter (a reputable reviews magazine) has recommended it for years.

This air purifier is similar to the Winix 5500-2, except that the Winix has a higher-quality carbon filter. The Coway AP-1512HH uses a four-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre-filter, carbon filter, True HEPA filter, and an ionizer, which is turned off by default. 

The Coway covers rooms of 360 sq. ft. (33 m²), with an ACH of 4.8 times, and is one of the best-rated air purifiers on the Air Purifier First. 

What I really like about this model is its great price and the amazing value you get for the price. I’m sure it’s hard to find such a high-quality air purifier as the Coway AP-1512HH is in the same price range. 

The Coway AP-1512HH is a great option for airborne particles such as dust, mold spores, and similar, and it definitely refreshes the air in your basement. However, I wouldn’t recommend it if your main concern is getting rid of bad odors or musty smells. Rather, go with some other models on the list, such as the Winix 5500-2 or the Alen FLEX, which have much better carbon filters.

What I also want to point out is that the Coway AP-1512HH performed outstandingly in the tests and improved the air quality by about 96% in a 320 sq. ft. room for just 60 minutes.

You won’t regret choosing this model.

Levoit Vital 100S – Best For Small Basements

The Levoit Vital 100S is the smallest air purifier on the list, making it ideal for small basements. It’s within the range of the legendary Levoit Core 300, but it has a much better design and better filters.

This air purifier’s main defense is its three-stage filtration technology, which includes a washable pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and a pellet-based carbon filter.

It covers rooms of 219 sq. ft. (20 m²), in which it will clean the air 4.8 times in one hour, making it an ideal option for small basements.

What I especially like about this model is the design, good price, high-quality filters, and plenty of smart options. Also, it’s one of the quietest air purifiers I have tested so far, producing just 40.5 dBA on the sleep mode.

Furthermore, it made outstanding results in the performance tests. In a room of 320 sq. ft., which is larger than the recommended dimensions, it improved the air quality by about 93% in just 60 minutes, working at the max speed.

All this makes the Levoit Vital 100S a great option for small basements but also the most affordable air purifier on the list.

Comparison: Best Air Purifiers for Basement

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How To Select a Right Air Purifier For Your Basement?

Before I delve into the key factors to consider before purchasing an air purifier, it’s important to note that installing a ventilation system in the basement can significantly improve airflow and remove odors. This is especially crucial if your basement lacks windows.

Aside from the ventilation, the air purifier will enhance air quality and eliminate contaminants that can’t be removed through built-in ventilation. 

Here are the things to bear in mind when selecting the best air purifier for a basement:

• What are the main contaminants in your basement? First, identify the primary pollutants in your basement. If you aim to remove mold spores, dust, or other airborne particles, you’ll need an air purifier with a high-quality HEPA filter. However, if combating odors, VOCs, and musty air is your main goal, look for an air purifier with a high-quality activated carbon filter. Ideally, opt for an air purifier that contains both HEPA and activated carbon filters, which is a common feature of all the devices listed in this guide.
• How large is your basement? Some houses have small basements where an ordinary air purifier will be enough to deal with the size, but some houses have large basements, larger than 1000 sq. ft., in which, I’m afraid you would need more than one air purifier, something like the Levoit Core 600S, which covers rooms of 635 sq. ft. 
• Is the brand you want to buy reliable? There are many Chinese air purifiers out there, which is why I always suggest being careful when purchasing non-reliable cheap air purifiers. Apart from the low quality of filtration, the main concern here is the lack of replacement filters, which are usually out of stock. This has been an issue with a few air purifiers I’ve tested.

The most effective air purifier for the basement is the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX. It demonstrated excellent performance in my tests, features high-quality filtration technology, uses a high-weight carbon filter, and is one of the quietest air purifiers I’ve tested. I highly recommend it!

Tips On Using an Air Purifier in a Basement

Air purifiers are lifesavers in places such as dusty and moldy basements. According to the EPA, these devices can remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. Considering that average dust and mold spore particles vary in size between 2 and 10 microns, the effectiveness of these devices is truly impressive.

Not only that, but air purifiers are also very effective against bacteria, viruses, VOCs, pollen, and other airborne pollutants.

However, before getting an air purifeir for basement, you should do some preparation steps. Firstly, install or check your ventilation system to ensure there is always airflow, facilitating fresh air intake.

Next, given that almost all basements have moisture issues, I recommend using a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels to an optimal range. High humidity can promote mold growth, leading to potential mold problems.

Lastly, it’s essential to remove existing mold. Although it’s possible to clean mold yourself, I would suggest hiring a mold expert for thorough remediation.

FAQ on Basement Air Purifiers

Final Thoughts

The air quality in basements is often very polluted and can lead to potential health issues, especially due to high mold concentration, stale air, or heavy pollution.

To prevent inhaling all the harmful particles present in your basement air, you can use an air purifier. Such a device is designed to trap airborne pollutants and neutralize bad odors simultaneously.

The best one you can get is the Alen BreatheSmart FLEX, but I listed four more models in this guide that are also worth checking.

If you have any questions regarding the air quality in your basement, please feel free to ask in the comment section below the article. I will do my best to respond to all questions as quickly as possible.