How to Choose the Best Air Purifier for Mold — Our Top 5 Energy Star-Approved Picks

Many people aren't aware that the air inside their homes can be up to five times as polluted as the air outside. The Environmental Protection Agency says it comes from things like pet dander, ozone, building materials, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ... the list goes on. One of the most dangerous offenders is mold, which can cause respiratory issues, neurological problems, and more after prolonged exposure. This knowledge alone might have you hunting down the best air purifier for mold right about now, and I don't blame you. But stick around, because I'm breaking down the top five mold-busting, Energy Star-certified air purifiers below.

Best for small spaces: Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max ($127.50, was $170)

Best for medium spaces: BISSELL Air180 ($105, was $180)

Best for big spaces: BOSCH Air 6000 ($235, was $261.50)

Best smart device: Coway Air Purifier Airmega 300S ($432, was $499)

Best with cooling feature: Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 ($530, was $750)

There are some key qualifications that make an air purifier exceptional — and even more if you're searching for the best air purifier for mold. Keep an eye out for these:

HEPA filter: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the industry standard for capturing the tiniest of particles, including mold spores, dust, and allergens — up to 99.97 percent of them.

UV-C Light: Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology can kill mold spores and other microorganisms by damaging their DNA, rendering them harmless.

Ozone-Free: Some purifiers generate ozone as a byproduct, which can be harmful, especially in high concentrations. Ensure the purifier is ozone-free or produces minimal ozone.

Activated Carbon Filter: This is useful for banishing odors, gases, and VOCs. This isn't directly related to mold but helps in maintaining overall air quality.

CADR Rating: The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) indicates how quickly the air purifier can clean the air of specific pollutants like smoke, dust, and pollen. Higher numbers mean faster purification.

Energy Efficiency: Energy Star-certified air purifiers are more energy-efficient, so they consume less electricity while operating and keep your energy bills down. All of the air purifiers below have this distinction.

The five Energy Star-certified air purifiers below are all dynamos at getting rid of mold and just about every other pollutant inside your home. There's one for every need, whether it's purifying a nursery, tackling a great room, or syncing up to an app on your smartphone — whatever your preference, one of the gadgets below will be a breath of fresh air.

The Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max is so quiet and low-profile that you might forget it's there. It's designed for spaces up to 526 square feet, so it's great for a small office, nursery, or bathroom. In addition to all the qualifiers discussed above, it comes with colorful, washable pre-filters (they catch larger airborne particles before they get to the main filter), and you can subscribe to have new ones delivered automatically.

"The second you turn this beast on, you can smell the cleanliness of the air. I love in a heavily pollinated area and my air filters just don't cut it. I've tried other air purifiers and they do help a bit, but none compare to [this]," a customer wrote.

The powerful HEPA filter inside the BISSELL Air180 stops 99.97 percent of airborne particles — including mold spores, allergens, and dust — from entering your lungs and bloodstream. With a 360-degree air intake and quiet operation, it effectively cleans medium-to-large rooms up to 1,372 square feet, making the room smell better, plain and simple. So plant this one in your bedroom, and let the sweet dreams flow.

"It's not quiet, it's silent," one shopper wrote. " I always ask why it's off, and the response is that it's always on. On it's lowest setting it's barely noticeable. Even on the highest it's like very soft white noise...This air purifier has made the air in [my] basement breathable again."

Purify a large space up to 2,745 square feet with the BOSCH Air 6000 air purifier is an outstanding choice for tackling mold and improving air quality. It features advanced filtration technology, including a HEPA filter that removes 99.97% of airborne particles, effectively capturing mold spores. Its high capacity makes it ideal for large spaces, ensuring a healthier, cleaner environment.

The Coway Airmega 300S is a smart air purifier for large spaces, covering up to 1,256 square feet. It features a best-in-class True HEPA filtration system that zaps 99.97 percent of airborne particles, including mold spores and other allergens. If you travel often or work outside the home, this is the pick for you. Use your phone to monitor and control the WiFi-enabled machine via a mobile app from anywhere. The powerhouse purifier even has Auto, Eco, and Sleep modes, optimizing performance while conserving energy.

"Great purifier, quiet too, I love the smart mode where it knows if the air is unhealthy and it'll do its job," one fan chimed in.

The Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 is a top-of-the-line air purifier that takes on mold spores and other toxins with advanced HEPA filtration. It has a unique filter designed to destroy formaldehyde, so it's especially great for new homes or homes under renovation or workshops. With intelligent sensors and real-time air quality monitoring, it guarantees a clean, healthy environment while cooling your space.

Don't hide this air purifier in a corner: with its sleek, nickel-and-gold exterior, it doubles as decor.

"Bought it around 2 years ago, and saved my family multiple times. During the California fires it kept the air in my house perfect and in the many fires after that. This product is worth all that it costs," said a reviewer about the device that's almost 30 percent off (at the time of publication).