Are there any differences between an air scrubber vs air purifier vs air cleaner?
Or is the difference in name only?
Let’s find out.
Read moreAir Scrubber vs Air Purifier vs Air Cleaner
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What Does a Carbon Filter Do? [Benefits, Should You Buy One?]
If you’ve been looking for an air purifier recently, you might have encountered one with an activated carbon filter.
With so many filtration systems to choose from, I wouldn’t expect you to know what a carbon filter does because I didn’t.
When I first shopped for my air purifier, I had to Google every phrase and term to find out what my unit could do for me.
So, if you’re wondering what a carbon filter can do for you, you’re in the right place.
Read moreUltimate Guide To Air Purifier Payment Plans
Buying an air purifier outright isn’t something most people are comfortable with.
This is especially the case if they’re going for a more premium model that costs a good chunk of money.
When I first bought my premium air purifier, it cost around $500, and at the time, I wasn’t in a position to pay for it in full on the spot.
So, I explored a range of air purifier payment plans and went for the best one that I could find at the time.
Read moreWhat Is an Ionizer Air Purifier?
There are many air purifiers available.
And one specific air purifier that’s been causing a lot of controversies is the ionizer air purifier.
When I bought my first air purifier, almost all of the guides and forums I read advised against getting an ionizer air purifier.
But what are these air purifiers, and why are they so controversial?
I’ll explain all of that and more in this article.
Read moreThe 3 Best Air Purifiers With Timer
Modern-day air purifiers come with a ton of convenient features.
When I bought my first air purifier, I was overwhelmed with what was possible.
Granted, cheaper and more basic air purifiers don’t have as many features and functionalities, but most air purifiers do.
And one of the features that I was pleasantly surprised with was the timer.
Read more3 Best Air Purifiers for Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, you’re told you must put aside the smoking, alcohol, junk food, and other unhealthy habits you might have.
And while that’s true and every pregnant person should do it, you’re not told that you also need to breathe in clean air as much as possible.
If what you consume can impact your soon-to-be-born baby, so can the quality of the air you’re breathing.
I remember when my wife was pregnant with our son just last year.
I had done some research and came across the importance of owning an air purifier for pregnancy.
Read more3 Best Air Purifiers For Large Basements
When I decided to put the time and effort into my basement renovation project, I knew air quality would be a significant concern for me.
My basement has always been super dusty, and the air quality has never been good enough for me to spend a good chunk of time there.
And since I have an air purifier for my room, I knew the only viable solution to my problem was to get an air purifier for my basement.
If you’re in a similar situation and are looking for an air purifier for your large basement but don’t know what model to get, I’ve got you covered.
When I bought my basement air purifier 4 months ago, I did a ton of research on the topic.
And in this article, I’ll share with you my favorite air purifiers for large basements on the market today.
But before I do that, I want to go over some of the core reasons why getting an air purifier for your basement is a good idea.
Why You Need an Air Purifier for the Basement
If you get a pen and paper and start listing all the reasons you need an air purifier for your basement, you can keep going for a while.
For me personally, there are three reasons why I bought mine, which most definitely applies to you too.
There’s A Lot of Dust in the Air
By default, basements are always super dusty, and air quality is generally very poor.
And while this is all thanks to poor ventilation, the lack of regular cleaning, and a few other reasons, there’s not much you can do about it.
And yes, you can always install a proper floor, hoover all the time, and install a ventilation system; that will cost you a fortune to do.
However, thanks to an air purifier, you can quickly make the air inside your basement free of dust flying in the air within hours.
To Eliminate Strong Odors
Over the years, there’s a high chance that your basement has developed its own unique odor without an apparent source.
That can make the eradication of the odor a challenging task.
But with the right purifier, you can quickly clear up any unpleasant odors, even if there’s no apparent source that they’re coming from.
To do that, you need an air purifier with an activated carbon filter. These filters are specially designed to eliminate the odors present in the air.
While such a filter won’t give a lovely scent to the smell of the air, it will make it neutral, which is what we all want anyway.
Create a Generally Healthier Space
The basement is usually the go-to option whenever you build or create a hang-out space at home.
People barely use this space in the house aside for storage, which means that you can quickly clear it out and transform the space into anything you want.
The basement could become a games room, exercise room, or a space to have a couple of drinks with friends.
However, without clean air present in the basement, you can only stay down there for so long before you want to head back up to get fresh air.
When you get a versatile air purifier and have access to purified air, the basement can quickly become an enjoyable place to spend a good few hours.
The Best Air Purifiers for Large Basements
When looking for my own air purifier for my basement, I did a ton of research.
And in the section below, I’ll go over three of my favorite air purifiers for large basements.
InvisiClean Aura II – The Best Overall Air Purifier For Large Basements
To start, I want to highlight my favorite option on the market, which is also the model I use in my basement, the InvisiClean Aura II.
The first reason I chose this air purifier was pure because of its air purification capacity.
Like most of you reading this article, I have a fairly large basement, so I need a powerful air purifier to clean the air within my ample space.
This InvisiClean model can handle areas up to 1,276 square feet, which is more than enough for most large basements.
Another excellent feature I liked in this model is its advanced filtration system.
This model features an H13 HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, an ionizer, and UV-C light.
It quite literally has everything you could possibly need from an air purifier.
This unit can remove not only 99.97% of all solid particles as small as 0.3 microns but also remove odors, gasses, and VOCs in the air.
One downside to this unit is the ionizer, which I never recommend.
Still, you can turn it off and use the unit as intended.
Another benefit of this air purifier is that it’s relatively quiet, even in the strongest setting.
This is particularly beneficial as I don’t like when the air purifier is too loud because it can quickly get distracting.
And if you want the air purifier to get even quieter, you can put it on whisper mode.
Pros:
- Has an H13 HEPA filter
- Has a carbon-activated filter
- Utilizes UV-C light
- Very quiet operation
- Ideal for large basements
Cons:
- Has an ionizer (but you can turn it off)
Pure Enrichment® PureZone™ Elite – The Best Budget Air Purifier
Not everyone can splash out on an expensive air purifier for their basement.
If that sounds like you, I’ve got just the perfect model for you.
Please let me introduce you to the Pure Enrichment PureZone Elite air purifier.
Like my favorite pick from above, this unit has a multi-stage filtration system featuring a HEPA filter, UV-C light, and a carbon-activated filter.
In order words, 99.97% of solid particles as small as 0.3 microns can be removed while effectively removing odors, VOCs, and other gasses.
And while this model has an ionizer, it’s best not to use this feature if you want to maintain the highest safety levels possible.
This air purifier also has a smart air quality monitor.
This feature allowed you to view the quality of air currently present in the basement.
Also, your air purifier will adjust its settings automatically based on the quality of air in the basement.
In terms of this unit’s downsides, it only covers an area of 190 square feet, which isn’t ideal if you have an extra large basement.
It also has a set dBA rating of 60, which is quite loud compared to other quieter models.
After all, this is a budget-friendly pick, so I certainly can’t complain about these minor flaws.
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Has a smart air quality monitor
- Great value for the money
- 4-stage filtration system
- Easy to move around
Cons:
- Has an ionizer
- Not the best option for huge basements
TruSens Smart Wi-Fi Air Purifier – The Best Premium Air Purifier For Large Basements
Since I highlighted what is probably the best affordable air purifier on the market, it’s time to look at the other side of the spectrum.
If you want to spend a fair amount of money on one of the best air purifiers on the market, the TruSens Smart Wi-Fi air purifier is a great choice.
To start, this is a smart air purifier.
It can connect to your phone and other smart devices via Wi-Fi.
That way, you can tweak and adjust the unit’s settings remotely.
So, if you have smart speakers like Alexa at home, this air purifier is compatible.
In terms of its filtration system, this model is very capable.
For one, it can capture and destroy pollutants in 360 degrees thanks to its HEPA filter, carbon-activated filter, and UV-C light.
This unit can take care of everything from allergens and airborne viruses to cooking odors and pet dander.
What I particularly like about this unit is that it doesn’t have an ionizer.
While you can turn the ionizer off in the other two air purifiers on this list, it would be much more convenient if the air purifiers didn’t have the feature.
But that isn’t the only reason this air purifier stands out.
Another benefit of this air purifier is its automatic mode.
With the automatic mode, you can leave the air purifier on 24/7, and it will automatically adjust its settings depending on the air quality in your basement.
This air purifier also has a very modern and premium design, which could be what you need if you aren’t a fan of the classic tower-style air purifier.
That said, there is one flaw with this air purifier, and that’s the fact that it’s pretty expensive.
This is the priciest air purifier on this list, but rest assured that you get what you pay for.
Pros:
- A true premium air purifier
- Comes with an automatic mode
- Connects to other smart devices via Wi-Fi
- Great for large and small spaces
- Modern design
Cons:
- Quite pricey
Features Your Basement Air Purifier Needs to Have
When shopping for an air purifier for your basement, you want to ensure it has all the right features and functionalities.
And in the section below, I’ll outline what I think is important for your basement air purifier to have for it to do its job correctly.
A True HEPA Filter
The first and most important feature your basement air purifier should have is a true HEPA filter.
An air purifier without a HEPA filter is not worth it because it won’t be able to capture all the small solid particles floating around in the air.
This type of filtration system is made of fiberglass threads that form a fine mesh to capture tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns.
These particles include PM 2.5, dust, pollen, and other irritants that can be found floating in the air.
These are coincidentally the particles that affect our respiratory systems and can trigger asthma attacks.
So, buying an air purifier for your basement must have a true HEPA filter installed.
A Carbon Filter
When shopping for an air purifier for your basement, you must also ensure it features a carbon filter.
This filter is designed to purify the air and free it from odors, smelly gasses, and VOCs.
Without this filter, though you’ll get purified air in your basement, that lingering basement smell will still be present.
Automatic Features
In most cases, automatic modes on air purifiers are pretty unnecessary.
But this could be a handy feature if you plan on putting one in a large basement.
With an automatic air purifier, you won’t have to worry about adjusting the settings all the time.
Instead, these air purifiers use sensors to detect the air quality in the room and automatically adjust their settings accordingly.
With this feature, you can rest assured that the air in your basement is as purified as possible without the unit working harder than it should.
Quiet Operation
As a person with sensitive ears, I can’t stand the loud humming sounds some air purifiers produce.
So, if you’re someone like me, I highly suggest getting an air purifier with a relatively low noise output.
This feature allows you to hang out with friends and family in the basement while leaving the air purifier on without it being distracting.
I have an air purifier noise level guide that explains how loud your air purifier should be.
So, before you invest your hard-earned money into a unit, do make sure to check out my guide first.
UV-C Light
This last feature is optional, but it would still be nice.
Most air purifiers rely solely on filtration to clean the air.
While this is great, some people would want more robust protection in the basement.
In that case, getting an air purifier with UV-C lights would be an excellent investment.
UV-C lights can eliminate bacteria and contaminants in the air, making for a much cleaner and safer basement.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon for the basement to be the most stuffy room in your house.
After all, the lack of regular cleaning and proper flooring combined with adequate ventilation can contribute to low air quality.
Thankfully, air purifiers exist, and by getting a suitable model, you can take care of the quality of air inside your basement without spending a fortune.
Above, I shared my top 3 favorite air purifiers for large basements.
And honestly, no matter which model you go for, you can’t go wrong with them.
Why Is My Air Purifier Making A Lot of Noise?
Most air purifiers today aren’t designed to be 100% quiet.
And if you look at the components of air purifiers, you’ll quickly see why that is.
Most air purifiers feature a fan or a blade, which drives air through the filtration system.
That way, the air in your room gets purified.
For the fan or blade to drive air through the filters, it needs to spin, which produces noise.
And the higher the setting of your air purifier, the faster the fan or blade will spin and the more noise it will make.
While that is common sense, there are times when your air purifier might be making more noise than usual.
If that’s the case with you, in this article, I’ll go over the few reasons your air purifier might be making more noise than normal.
I’ll also detail whether air purifiers are supposed to be loud and what you can do to reduce the noise your unit produces.
Why Is My Air Purifier Producing So Much Noise?
There are several reasons why your air purifier can be loud. And below, I’ll go over some of the most common causes.
You Bought a Loud Model
Did you check your air purifier’s decibel rating before buying it?
I certainly didn’t and had to deal with quite a loud unit for a few years until it was due for a replacement.
While most air purifiers on the market are relatively quiet, some are not.
And having a loud air purifier isn’t ideal if you’re someone like me who can easily get distracted during the day or have trouble falling asleep at night.
Check your unit’s user manual; it should indicate the dBA rating of your air purifier.
If it’s over 60, you’ve just got yourself a loud air purifier without realizing it.
The Fan Speed is High
If you’ve set your air purifier on the highest setting possible, that will cause the fan to spin as fast as possible.
The fastest setting is designed to purify as much air as possible in the shortest amount of time.
If that’s the case, it’s normal for the unit to be much louder than normal.
And since most air purifiers come with several settings, you can simply set your unit to a lower one to reduce its noise.
If you keep your air purifier on 24/7, you can set it to the lowest mode and keep it as quiet as possible.
That way, you’ll get purified air throughout the day and won’t be affected by the fan’s noise.
Damaged, Clogged, or Misplaced Filter
If your filter is damaged, misplaced, or clogged up, there’s a chance that your air purifier can be louder than usual because of that.
So, if you haven’t done any maintenance recently and used your air purifier a lot, you need to take it apart and see what’s wrong.
Even the highest quality filtration system can sustain damage, get misplaced, or get clogged up over time, especially when no regular maintenance is conducted.
How Do I Make My Air Purifier Quieter?
If your air purifier is loud and bothering you, there are many steps you can take to make it quieter.
If I were in your situation, I would:
- Clean the air purifier as per the suggestions in the user manual
- Replace the filters if they’re due for replacement
- Place the air purifier further away from you
- Put your air purifier on night mode or on the lowest setting
If none of the suggestions above makes your air purifier as quiet as you’d like it to be, chances are that you have a unit that is loud by design.
I would shop around for a quieter air purifier in such a case.
I recommend you check out our guide to air purifier noise levels.
It will help you determine your unit’s decibel rating and what dBA rating air purifier you should look for instead.
Are Air Purifiers Supposed to Be Loud?
Generally speaking, most air purifiers in fine working condition shouldn’t be loud to the point where it’s blatantly obvious.
With that being said, some air purifiers are loud by design.
If that’s the case with your unit, there’s not much you can do but have it on the lowest setting and place it as far away from you as possible.
If you think your unit is getting louder without changing the settings, that can raise some concerns.
If you suspect anything is wrong with the unit, take it apart using the user manual and check for yourself.
If you are not comfortable doing that, take it to a specialist.
And in case your unit is still under guarantee or has insurance, then simply bring it back to the store you bought it from and tell the staff about the noise.
Conclusion
Having a loud air purifier is less than ideal.
An air purifier can be loud for several reasons, including a damaged fan, a clogged filtration system, or you might just have a louder unit.
The air purifier noise reduction steps I shared above should help with the noise.
However, if your unit is loud by design, there’s very little you can do to minimize the noise it produces.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to shop around for an air purifier with a lower dBA rating if that’s the case.
The 3 Best Air Purifiers For School Classrooms
School classrooms aren’t the best place to go if you’re looking for the cleanest air possible.
In fact, they’re pretty far away from it.
That’s why using an air purifier is highly advantageous in school environments where dozens of students and teachers mix up daily.
Read moreAir Purifier Noise Levels: Guide to Decibel Ratings
As a sensitive sleeper, one of my top priorities when buying an air purifier was the level of noise it produced.
And since it’s suggested that you leave your air purifier on 24/7, I knew if I bought a loud model, I’d have trouble falling asleep at night.
With that out of the way, I was left wondering how to tell if an air purifier is silent before I buy it.
After some research, I found the answers to all of my questions.
So, in this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know regarding decibels and air purifiers.
Understanding Decibels
Before fully understanding decibels, it’s essential to know the difference between dB and dBA.
Decibels are expressed in dB, and it is a measurement of the sound levels and sound pressure of a particular source.
That said, tons of frequencies are floating around, and the human ear cannot hear all of them.
So, when describing sound levels concerning the human hearing spectrum, the measurements are in A-weighted decibels or dBA.
dBA is the measurement you’ll come across when shopping for an air purifier, so look out for it.
How Do You Measure the Noise Levels of an Air Purifier?
The noise air purifiers produce is measured in decibels or dBA.
Decibels are measured using a decibel meter, specifically designed to count the number of decibels from a particular sound source at a certain distance.
If you want, you can download a decibel tracking app that will tell you the decibel level of your air purifier or one that’s in a store. Here’s an example of the app with my screenshot.
Otherwise, you should be able to just google it.
That way, it’s much easier for humans to gauge which sound levels are tolerable, manageable, or the ones that could potentially be dangerous for your hearing.
Just like you, I never needed to understand decibels before I started looking for a silent air purifier.
So, if you’re unsure what qualifies as a silent air purifier in terms of dBA, keep reading.
What Qualifies as a Silent Air Purifier?
From my personal research, every air purifier brand is slightly different when it comes to noise.
The more expensive models are much better at keeping quiet than their cheaper counterparts.
Despite that, for an air purifier to hit the market, it must undergo some testing.
The manufacturer needs to measure the air purifier’s dBA rating as part of this testing.
This rating represents the noise levels that the air purifier can produce during operation.
Ideally, you want to get an air purifier that produces less than 30 dBA, considered a quiet air purifier.
Let’s look at some examples to give you a better idea of how quiet 30 dBA is.
As a baseline, let’s imagine you cannot hear any sound from a specific source. This is what 0 dBA feels like.
A whisper would be around 30dBA when right next to your ear.
A typical conversation hovers at around 60 dBA.
With that being said, some air purifiers have different settings.
So, the higher the setting, the louder the unit will be.
When I researched my silent air purifier, I came across models with a dBA rating of just 15.
Benefits of a Silent Air Purifier
There are a ton of benefits to using a silent air purifier.
Below, I’ll share some of the most noticeable ones I’ve experienced.
Better Quality of Sleep
When using a silent air purifier, your sleep quality will improve for multiple reasons.
For one, you won’t have trouble falling or keeping asleep by the constantly running fan of the unit.
And two, the air purifier can be kept during the night, allowing you to breathe clean air.
When we sleep well, we feel good.
And that’s important if we want a happy and productive day ahead.
You Can Leave the Air Purifier On Even When You Sleep
Listening to a humming sound before bed is going to do everything but help you fall asleep.
As a light sleeper, I have to sleep in absolute silence, or else I won’t be able to fall asleep.
However, since buying my super quiet air purifier, I have kept it on around the clock.
Sometimes, I don’t notice the air purifier running in the background.
No Distractions During the Day
As I work from home, keeping my focus and concentration is super important.
But at the same time, I can’t go without an air purifier for allergies due to my sensitivity to them.
They can ruin what would have been a productive day at work.
When I found the air purifier I own now, I was super happy.
It was quiet, to begin with, and had a night mode, which made it even soft.
Now, I can keep my focus and reduce my allergies thanks to breathing in purified and clean air.
Conclusion
Understanding decibel ratings on air purifiers can be pretty complicated, but it’s imperative.
If you’re particularly keen on buying yourself a quiet air purifier, knowing what decibel rating you’re after will be of enormous help.
Ideally, you want a decibel rating below 60 dBA as anything over that is pretty loud.
However, if you’re a person like me who enjoys quiet and peace, then I’d recommend you go for a model that’s 50 dBA or less.
Thankfully, there are a ton of great silent air purifiers on the market, so you’ll have no trouble finding one.